September 18, 2014

"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Winning teams have a winning attitude that is based on a winning philosophy.

In a shout out to my alma mater, Indiana Wesleyan University, I point to their head basketball coach who recruits his players and molds his teams around the "I Am Third" philosophy.

Coach Greg Tonagel, who owns a 235-75 career record at IWU, and this year guided his Wildcats to the school's first Men's Basketball National Championship (the ladies have two) has done it using the "I Am Third" credo. To reinforce this mindset, Coach Tonagel takes the entire men's basketball team on a Summer mission trip every year to witness for Christ and to learn to love and trust each other.

What is "I Am Third"?

It is a commitment to live by the principles of the Great Commandment, God first, others (team) second and self third. It is submitting to the primary tenant of the Christian faith. It is the core truth that sent Jesus to the cross to make it possible for us to obey.

Granted, it is impossible to improve on a philosophy that originated in the mind of God but it is not easy to pull it off. If it was easy to be third, everyone would be doing it! His teams have managed to accomplish this for each of the nine seasons he has lead the program. As a result he not only produces championship teams but he molds champions for Christ who go out to serve their Lord in their communities and churches.

Doesn't it make sense that a Christian coach at a Christian college should apply Christian principles to develop disciples for Christ?

Doesn't it make more sense for the most important teams (like families and churches) to also operate by the "I Am Third" principle?

Try to image the difference in your home if every family member committed to the "I Am Third" lifestyle.

Try to image the difference at FredWes is every regular attender committed to the "I Am Third" mandate of the Great Commandment.

The IWU Wildcats are part of the proof. So is 2,000 years of Christian faith and witness!

It works every time it is tried!

Give it a try today!