Why We Officiate!

Related Scripture:

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” - Matthew 18:20

Last week, we attended an NCAA college football official’s clinic and began what we hope will be the first of many prayer sessions taking place across the country that support and minister to Christian football officials. As with many “firsts” in our lives, we were unsure of the attendance, participation, and engagement. Yet the Holy Spirit was very much a part of the group, and the session was a great success.  What became clear in that room is what Scripture reminds us in Matthew 18:20. When we step forward in faith - God meets us there.

Many of us officiate in environments filled with pressure, criticism, and constant evaluation. It is easy to become consumed by performance, advancement, and the fear of making mistakes. But we are reminded in Colossians 3:23 to “work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”  Officiating, like any calling, can become an act of worship when our purpose is rightly aligned.  There was also a shared recognition that nothing happens by coincidence. God orchestrates moments, relationships, and opportunities for His purposes. As Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”

A year ago, we first met by chance, knowing nothing of the plan God had for us to create this session.  Yet it became something much bigger (and will continue to do so) because it was grounded in Him.  Perhaps most encouraging was the sense of unity. Officials from high school to the NFL gathered, and experiences came together with a common identity—not just as referees, but as followers of Christ. In a profession that can sometimes feel isolating, we were reminded that we are not alone.  This gathering was just a beginning. Our hope is that these prayer sessions continue to grow and provide encouragement, accountability, and spiritual grounding to an underserved community of officials. When we invite God into our vocation through organizations like FCO, he transforms not only how we perform, but why we serve.

Questions to Ponder:

Are you up to sharing with a fellow official your ultimate purpose in officiating – to Glorify God?

Dan Munroe, Simsbury, Connecticut

Kristopher D. Loving, Sr., (FCA), Zionsville, Indiana