This has not been a good week for sports. Baseball released their long-awaited report on steroid use in their sport, and the report shocked many due to the players named as steroid users. Some of the biggest names in modern-day baseball were listed as abusers including some who were considered a lock into the Hall of Fame. Some players are already insisting on their innocence but the author of the report, George Mitchell, has said that these players were given an opportunity to meet with his group and dispute the allegations that had been made against them. None accepted his offer. These players were looking for an advantage, and it appears they found one even though they knew it was against the rules. Like it or not, professional sports figures are role models to many young people, and they once again have failed their fans and the sport they claim to love. I guess the millions they earned will help ease any feelings of guilt they may have.
Bobby Petrino once again made the headlines with yet another coaching change while under a long-term contract. He has mastered the art of insisting he is staying put while he is negotiating with other teams. He can win football games; he proved that at Louisville, but I still do not understand why any university or professional team would want him as coach. Every team he has signed with in recent years he did while under a long-term contract with his former team. Should any of these teams be surprised when he treats them the same way? It reminds me of a person who marries someone they met in a bar and then is surprised to learn the person has a drinking problem.
Integrity is an essential element for long-term success, and this is true also for ministry. The people in our churches need to know that their ministers are persons of integrity. Every time a minister fails, the trust level people have for ministers drops a little bit more. We all pay a price when one of us fails to live a life of integrity.
It's important to remember that the majority of professional baseball players were not named as abusers. They play the game with integrity. The vast majority of coaches are also people of integrity. Many of them have remained with their teams for years working with young people and helping them improve not only their sport skills but also teaching them the essentials they will need throughout their lives. They model integrity to their players and fans.
Fortunately, the vast majority of ministers are also persons of integrity. While we may make mistakes at times, we try very hard to model the Christian life to anyone who may be watching. Let us constantly pray that we not give in to the temptations that are common to all people so that our testimony will never be compromised. Unless our people trust us they will not follow us, and they will not trust us unless they believe that we are persons of integrity.
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