Comedian Jerry Seinfeld famously pokes fun at sports fans by suggesting that because players constantly change teams, we are not loyal to individuals but to the uniforms they wear. He argues that fans are essentially rooting for laundry—standing and cheering for the clothes of one city to defeat those of another.
In his book, The Secret Lives of Sports Fans: The Science of Sports Obsession, Eric Simons cites researchers and psychologists to explain what motivates this passion: a deep longing for community. As Christians, we recognize this desire as God-given. Community is not a human invention but a divine gift designed for our spiritual health. The Bible teaches that Christian community is uniquely resilient because it is built on the unchanging foundation of God’s eternal love. This connection between sports and community engagement demonstrates how shared interests can foster these vital relationships.
Research consistently highlights the impact of small groups on faith development. In the book Transformational Groups, Ed Stetzer and I share findings showing that individuals in small groups display discipleship attributes more consistently than those who are not. Similarly, many community outreach initiatives through sports-related events emphasize the importance of gathering together to grow in faith and fellowship.
From research on sports fans to research on small groups at church, here are thoughts for church leaders (me included):
1. People Long for Community Even if They Can’t Articulate the Longing.
Most sports fans won’t say, “The reason I am wearing a jersey is because I want to connect with others,” but the lack of admission or even the lack of recognition only masks the longing. The longing is still there, which means the people who come to our churches are looking for community whether they realize it or admit it. We should do all we can to invite people into community that is Christian. From launching groups, to evaluating our systems, to training group leaders, we must work hard to provide community for people.
2. Community Makes Us Healthier.
While people are living more isolated lives, those who study human development continue to advocate for community. According to the research on sports fans, community is encouraging even when the fan’s teams perpetually lose for decades. While we may think that being a fan of a team that is losing is miserable, psychologists believe it is actually healthy and helpful. When rooting for a losing team you are rooting for a losing team with others, in community. Losing with others is better for you than being alone. Why does this matter for church leaders? It matters because the community we offer not only helps people grow spiritually, but it helps with mental and social health too.
3. Christian Community Makes Us Spiritually Healthier.
The research beneath our book indicates that those in a group are healthier spiritually than those not in a group. Those who are in a group give more generously, serve more sacrificially and share the gospel more regularly than those not in a group.
The research and the insights from the research challenge us church leaders to do all we can to help people be in Christian community.
This article originally appeared on EricGeiger.com and is reposted here by permission.