The Locker Room

As you may be able to tell, I am looking forward to football season. It is just about on us. The NFL teams are already playing preseason games. Some are being telecast. I must not be the only one waiting for a new season. My local paper had an interesting article that related to success and winning. The article focused on the New England Patriots recent dynasty. The article begins with ". . . many of us are thinking about another Super Bowl championship. One doesn't have to be very old to remember when the Super Bowl and the New England Patriots were names that were not said in the same sentence. The Packers, Cowboys, Steelers and 49ers were champions, but New England. Yet after three titles, we have come to expect a championship every year. How did we get this way? Scott Pioli, who is the Patriots' vice president of player personnel, shared the team's secret in a recent interview. He and coach Bill Belichick have a philosophy that they will always build a team that competes for a championship. This is not a short-term philosophy of win this year and worry about next year later, but a philosophy of winning now while always keeping an eye on the future. A big part of this philosophy is talent acquisition. Pioli's job is to get the talent for the coach. The talent they go after is special. It is talent that fits with the Patriots' belief system. Once assembled, the coach must then build a culture in the locker room that is in line with the philosophy of the organization. The culture of the locker room is key, and everyone must buy into their overriding philosophy. Belichick believes the best players are going to play now, but the team is always developing players to be ready whenever they are needed. In a highly physical sport like football, players must always be ready to play. . . . . . Remember, the Patriots' philosophy of developing a team that can win today while always preparing for the future has proven to be quite successful. It works." (Portland Press, Pats Offer Lesson In Team-Building, 08/25/2006)

The phrase "the coach must then build a culture in the locker room that is in line with the philosophy of the organization" caught my eye. The locker room is the place that is least seen by the public. It is what is done in the secret places of the believer's life that produces positive attitudes and righteous behavior. Dallas Willard's book, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives, presents a compelling argument as to the necessity of a renewed practice of the spiritual disciplines within a Christian believer's life. Prepare your life for the future.