Regular readers may remember that last summer I wrote a ‘thought’ about Freddie Flintoff’s television programme ‘Field of Dreams’ in which he gets together an unlikely band of boys and coaches them into a cohesive and successful cricket team. Well, his current series sees an extension of this project with him now supervising three diverse teams including an all girls’ squad.
Watching it is a highlight of my week, but this last programme was sheer genius. One of the teams was getting a bit restless as they had no team to play. Unbeknown to the boys, Freddie organised a match for them. When a convoy of police cars and vans turn up at the pitch, his team fear the worst. The culture these lads have been born to dislike the police intensely and only have insults to throw at them, so imagine their surprise when police officers jump out and get changed into their cricket clothes and take their places on the field.
The lads are instantly keen to win and their play improves significantly as they pull together against ‘the enemy’. However, they are respectful and gradually their stance towards the officers softens. Bit by bit the suspicion melts as both sides find they have a mutual interest. I wont spoil it for you completely by saying which side wins, but it’s a close match.
Even more amazing were the conversations over tea. The two sides mingled together, telling their stories and sharing origins and tactics. The lads asked the police questions about their lives – no longer were they the ‘enemies’ now they were respected gentlemen. I can’t imagine these boys leading riots against the police in the future or throwing out insults.
What a stroke of genius! We’ve all been part of situations where the community police officers have been brought in to schools to talk at the pupils about train track safety or warning of scams or stranger danger. Not sure how much effect that has. But getting them in to play alongside, and all due respect to the police team for being prepared for the eventuality that they could lose or face verbal abuse, sharing in a game that they all enjoyed, turned suspicion into companionship and hurt into healing.
What a lesson for the church! How can we counter the suspicion that many outside in our communities have for the church in the light of recent scandals and dishonesty? If we can find some interest or need that the community around us has and set up a way to fill that so that we can work or play alongside them and show that the church is made up of ordinary people like them. Sitting mingled together, sharing our stories and experiences, opening the way to build relationships and showing God’s love through every day living, with God’s help we can turn attitudes and prejudices around. Just like with Freddie’s team, things may never be the same again.