Bishop Evangelizes During Christmas Eve Football Game
The NFL Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers will play against each other on Christmas Eve for the Northern Division Championship at 2 p.m. This event stirred up controversy as many Christians denounce the placement of the game on this date because it conflicts with church services. However, Bishop Sally Dyck of the United Methodist Church in Minnesota sees this game as a golden opportunity to evangelize.
"As soon as I took the office of bishop in Minnesota on Sept. 1 of this year, I heard complaints about the Christmas Eve Vikings game," she said. "I realized that,
at that point, nothing could really be done to change the scheduling. But I began to think that this could actually be an opportunity rather than a liability."
Bishop Dyck's approach is to turn this negative into a positive! The Bishop is organizing caroling for the football game. 20 people have already confirmed participation. Many more will join these on that day. The carolers will sing at a train station across from the Metrodome football stadium. Some will set up shop and distribute Christmas paraphernalia and treats. Others may go caroling around the area.
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The Vikings have played on Christmas Eve four years ago against the Colts in Indianapolis, on a Sunday, which is usual. However, a mid-afternoon weekday game on Christmas Eve is not, and many church leaders and churchgoers were threatened. Church leaders have even cancelled their Christmas Eve services for fear of dividing the family because some may go to the game and some may go to the service during a traditional time of unity.
The NFL admits that the decision to play the Vikings-Packers game on a Friday afternoon, the only league game scheduled for Christmas Eve, was driven by television.
The bishop says she is unperturbed and plans to be the bishop of those who check "none" on surveys that ask religious preference, and this caroling event is just the type of opportunity go reach out to those people.
This Christmas Eve caroling is one of the first of a series of events. Many more will follow to reach those who are unreached as of yet. She wishes to "nurture a culture of hospitality and welcome" (UMNS).
"This is not a protest but an opportunity to share something we value," she said. "What better place than downtown intersections, where thousands of people will be walking?"
