How we began...
We began in 2005. A group of Christians from Sudbury, Suffolk, with a passion for football, decided to meet together once a week. Our aim was to get to know one another a little better, whilst playing the game we love.
After that, a few friends joined us. We started to form ourselves into teams. More friends joined us and we started to form ourselves into additional teams, based loosely around the churches and Christian organisations to whom we belong.
We call it Fellowship Football, because the whole thing is centred around Christian fellowship. We are not a church league as such. Rather, as a group of Christians, we see this as just part of the process of living out our Christian lives. Our teams are not made up exclusively of Christians, but the basis on which we meet is definitely centered around Christ.
United in Christ...
Since we first started we have been growing in numbers. As new players and teams have joined us we think it is important that we explain what we are about, so that if God continues to allow us to grow in numbers we will remain true to our original Christian objectives.
We all come from different church backgrounds, various denominations with their differing styles of worship, forms of government emphasis on certain doctrines.
Although there are many fellowships, Scripture is quite clear that Jesus is coming back for only one ‘bride’ and not ‘many brides’ and although we are from many ‘churches’ there is only one true ‘church’. They are believers whose hope and faith is in Jesus Christ. It is He who is the foundation on which we all meet.
Are non-
The answer to that question is most definitely “Yes!”
When Jesus walked upon the earth thousands flocked to him. They could see the obvious benefits, the miracles the healings. Many of them stood at a ‘safe’ distance from him. As they observed him and they listened to what he had to say, they became convinced about what he said about mankind and himself. That he truly was the Son of God and some put their faith in Him. (John 1 v12) Some did not, but he welcomed them all. (John 6 v37).
All the teams in Fellowship Football must be based around Christian churches and organisations. The reason for this is to help us to retain our Christian identity and not lose sight of the whole purpose of why we meet together.
Why don’t we like foul language?
When God gave us our bodies He gave us out tongues and the ability to speak. We use
our speech to communicate. Primarily with one another, but it is also meant to be
used to communicate with God. We may think that our words vanish with the breath
that utters them, but Jesus explained that they become records in God’s court and
are laid up in His archives as witnesses for us or against us. (Matthew 12 v 36-
In various places in Scripture we are told not to use our tongues to slander, gossip, for coarse joking or abusive speech.
That’s why we kindly request that players refrain from swearing and take care regarding
the way that they speak -
Why have we decided not to have referees?
In a fallen world it is necessary for us to have authorities. These authorities come in various forms, tax inspectors, traffic wardens, the police force and the like. Our authorities are there to make sure that we keep the law. Without these officials our society would be in chaos.
On the football field too there is normally an impartial referee to ensure that there is fair play. One of the evidences of our rebellion is the shameful way in which we treat referees. The ref is a human who makes mistakes like us. Normally he is just trying to be impartial and yet he is often the most unpopular person on the football field.
The job of the referee is to see to it that the rules of the game being adhered to.
He does this by penalising a team that has broken the rules by awarding a free-
The referee however, does not have the power to change the temperament of a ‘hot head’ or the will of a player who is determined to *cheat*. He can only punish him.
What is really needed is a change of heart in the attitude of the offending player, so that he stops wanting to break the rules.
It is our belief that if we truly love God and value honesty and fair play because they are important to Him, and if we truly think more of the opposing team and our own team mates than we do the result of a game of football, then we will all see the benefit with our games played in a friendly atmosphere yet managing to retain a healthy competitive edge. In this way it should be possible for us to play without the need for any referees. In a way we can see this as a true test of the quality of our Christianity.
Sadly, it is unrealistic to expect perfection in this. We are flawed human beings after all. Thankfully, so far, we’ve had relatively few problems.
Who are we (From a Christian perspective)?
The secular view of what it is top be a human being is completely different from the Christian view. The secular view is that a human being is a biologically evolved creature fashioned by our environment. However, the bible tells us that human beings are special and distinctly different from the rest of creation. Genesis 1 v26 tells us that we are made by God in His ‘image’. No visible creature on the face of the earth possesses anything like the exceptional range of mental capabilities and physical dexterity that mankind has.
We are complex beings, not just physical. Our physical appearance really is only a small part of what we are. Most of the attributes that makes us human are not visible to the eye. Our personalities, our minds, our wills, our values, our sense of morality etc etc. We can see the effects and outworking of these attributes, but in themselves they are invisible.
God has given us bodies and we know that in order for our bodies to remain healthy they need physical exercise. Our bodies do not exercise themselves, we have to use our will to exercise them.
Scripture tells us that we are each individually made. If you are a musician it’s very easy to praise God through your musical abilities, but what about the person who hasn’t got a musical bone in his body? What if your aptitude happens to be in sport? Are you too not allowed to celebrate the gifts that God has given you? Surely God has lovingly given us everything we need sport. Our bodies, the need for exercise and the mental attributes necessary to invent and enjoy sport.
Remember that in the beginning everything that God created was good.
Genesis 31 v1
But why is it that we can’t all just play fairly?
Scripture tells us that as a result of Adam’s rebellion mankind fell into sin (Romans
5 v12). When man had lived in communion with God and had been “other centered”, as
a result of being separated we became ‘self centered’. The world became a place which
was not as it should have been (Genesis 3 v17-
We see the evidence of a fallen world all around us. In world politics, commerce, personal relationships, even sport. Nothing is unaffected. That’s why in football we see bad sportsmanship, cheating and gamesmanship. Just like the whole of creation, the football world needs to be brought back to God’s way.
We are fatally flawed human beings, on our own incapable of living consistently to
any high moral principles and values (Romans 3 v9-
Thankfully, in His love, God has made a way of escape for us through His Son Jesus
Christ. Having full knowledge of all our wrong doing Jesus came with pity and had
compassion for us. At Calvary’s cross Jesus completely dealt not only all our past
and future sins, but the root cause of our problem -
If we have truly received Jesus, we live in fellowship with Him and endeavour to live with the aid of the Holy Spirit in obedience to His ways.
Remember that God completely knows us through and through. He loves us like nobody else and just wants the best for us.
So how do we overcome this problem of being unable to play fairly?
Jesus was asked which was the greatest commandment. He replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
(Mark 12:30)
The apostle John later wrote: ‘if anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.’
(1 John 4:20-
These verses highlight the fact that God is concerned about the way in which we treat our fellow man.
Christians represent Jesus at all times. They cannot be Christians on Sunday and then live as they please the rest of the week. Neither can they conveniently “switch off” when they play football. This would be hypocritical. A true believer lives out his faith every moment of every single day.
Football is a competitive game. If football lost it’s competitive edge there would be no thrill in the game. If however, for a Christian the importance of winning comes before our concern to please Jesus, then he has to ask himself “who am I doing this for?”
We most definitely want our games to be competitive, but they must remain fair and played in the right spirit. That way we’ll enjoy it, regardless of our age or ability. The responsibility to play fairly is ours. It’s FELLOWSHIP first, football second every time for the Christian.
A special note for all players
If you are playing Fellowship Football, and you are not a believer, you are still very welcome. Whether you are a believer or not, we request that, while you are playing, you place your desire for friendship above your desire to win. We ask that you try to play as honestly and as fairly as you can, and that you do your utmost to react with patience and grace when controversy arises. Fellowship Football isn’t for everyone. If this isn’t acceptable to you, then perhaps secular football might suit you better.
Our hopes as Christians is that you will see the difference that Christ can make on a football field, and as a result, put Him to test in the things that He has to say about the rest of your life.
Enjoy the game and help others to enjoy their game.
1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
It is our hope that everyone who takes part in Fellowship Football does so in a spirit of friendship and thoroughly enjoys our matches together in the way that we believe we were intended to do.
