Is this what the pulpit ought to be used for?  Associate Pastor Christopher Benek of Providence Presbyterian Church in Hilton Head, South Carolina recently gave a sermon about (and to) NBA star Lebron James (aka King James).  The Ohio native is a big LeBron fan and recently took an opportunity from the pulpit to speak about “The King” and to challenge him to stay with his team in Cleveland rather than leaving for another team.

“LeBron James should agree to a three year contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for one dollar each season,” says Benek.  He says that the one dollar salary would allow the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign some other all star players, and LeBron could help bring a championship to Northeast Ohio.

Benek also believes that this act of generosity would show Christians that serving others is not about money, it’s about giving up what would obviously make life better on earth, for a chance to receive the grace of God in heaven.  Not too sure how biblically accurate it is to connect LeBron giving up his salary with a chance for him to receive God’s grace in heaven, but Benek did it nonetheless.

Benek says that if LeBron agrees to the one dollar per year salary that he will also agree to give up his salary from the church and serve for one dollar per year.  LeBron will be fine if he does this because of the millions he receives in endorsements each year.  However, I doubt Pastor Benek has that kind of extra cash coming in.  I sure hope he ran this past his wife before he made this declaration.

I guess I wasn’t aware that preaching about and to your favorite sports teams and players was acceptable.  Now that I’m aware, I’m planning a summer sermon series entitled: “Why, O Why Did You Do That, Big Ben?”  It will be a challenge to Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberger to give up partying at college bars for three years so that he’ll stay out of trouble and become an even greater quarterback.  If he agrees to give up the college bar scene, then I’m prepared to give it up as well.

Join me each Sunday this summer at 9AM.  Steelers jersey optional.