From preschool to the NBA Playoffs — from high school to March Madness — basketball officials could serve as great examples of an alternative way for pastors to conduct church services.

Rather than being the center of attention and running the church service from the podium; perhaps a church pastor could be like a basketball official:  1) Stay out of the limelight; 2) Keep a close watch on what is going on; and 3) Only take actual control of the church meeting if something disrupts the Spirit’s leadership. 4) Then correct the meeting’s misdirection; 5) Turn the meeting back over to the Holy Spirit; and 6) Fade back into the background.

If you would like to see a basketball-official-style church meeting, visit The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207 on Sundays at 10:45.