Spectator Sports

At a baseball game, the people watch the events unfold on the field.  The spectators do not have any say in the outcome.  They can hope, pray, want, but the power to make things happen in the game is out of their hands.  The fans are not a community either.  They may share a common interest, i. e. that their team win.  But once the event is over, the spectators return to their regular lives, oblivious to anyone around them.  Kind of like the Catholic Church maybe?

What say do the people in the pews have about what is going on in the pulpit?  The pastor is king.  Can the people fire him?  Did they hire him?  No.  So, the people watch, pray separately, generally don't sing, and when it is over all go home to their regular lives.  The church as monarchy wants community and parish participation...the king wants someone to do the heavy lifting.  Monarchies don't engender community.  Monarchy is about power in the hands of a few.  Community is power shared, differences held in a creative tension, people listening to one another.  Why should the king listen?

Back to the baseball stadium.  If fans want change what do they do?  They stop coming, stop doling out their money.  The Cubbies fill up Wrigley field.  The team stinks.  The fans come anyway.  The team continues to stink.  So why should the cubbies change, or get new owners or new management?  Wrigley Field is a bit like going to St. Peter's in Rome.  You don't agree with what is going on, and may not even care about religion of baseball, but it sure is a great place to visit.