Why Oakland Raiders Fans Would Make A Great Church – pt 1
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 9:20 PM Accommodating Leadership
From the moment I got near the place of worship where the world’s most passionate fans were gathered some three hours before kickoff, I saw people partying everywhere… and the management, employees and even city police were all so incredibly accommodating.
These ‘disciples’ were paying $25 a carload to park in a dusty, dirt field over a ½ mile from the ‘church’… sorry, I mean McAfee Coliseum. And everyone loved it. They erected their pop-up tents, fired up their portable grills (and their special beverages of choice), and then commenced with the enjoyment of what is appropriately termed, “Raider Nation.”
I was fortunate enough to attend the season opening Monday night game (Sept 8) with a guy who had great seats and very special parking. We were privileged to land on an actual paved lot, not more than 100 yards from the ‘church.’ But the pictures below are all you could see… a ‘nation’ of tents, grills, coolers, food, and the smell of a great time.
Above all, it was the accommodation of the leadership that was off the hook. In EVERY professional or college sporting event I’ve ever been to, parking is a premium (especially up closer to the ‘church’). Not only did ‘the nation’ leadership let you take up more than one space, they would even skip entire ROWS of valuable parking space to allow for oversized pop-up tents, grills, tables, chairs, and even DJ equipment.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if the pastors, staff, employees, and volunteers in American churches would be as accommodating to their ‘church’ people? I was a newcomer to 'Raider Nation' and still felt welcome, accepted, and a part of the family. I didn’t need look for a place to feel at home. I didn’t even consider not being accepted. I was a part of the ‘family’ from the moment I arrived. But then again, I didn’t have a Denver Broncos jersey on either.