Those of us who have grown up with sports, it's all part and parcel of various kinds of celebrations, one of which is football. Likewise, there are birthdays, weddings, Easter holidays, Christmas, the summer holidays, and for those who are sporty, the start of the football season. It is enshrined into the Aussie psyche!
Christians have pondered upon these 'seasonal' opportunities and in recent decades a number of ideas have grown around such sporting themes as outreach but with a softer approach.
Many Australian men find Christianity (or religion) as particularly menacing, as to who they see themselves as (the image). They haven't quite grasped the idea that becoming a Christian is the most manly and strength of character "thing" they might ever do. Saying no to Christ is easy, but, to say, Yes, now that demands a fortitude and a resource deep within oneself, an enormous amount of perception and integrity.
These are not cheap commodities. Moreover they can be exhausting and emotionally powerful which can leave one a little bewildered yet with a surprising mettle.
Many Christian men set aside specific football watching times to invite a neighbour or a mate over for the "footy" and the start of the footy season is such an ideal time.
A couple of friends of mine are owners of small businesses, and both have large sheds on their respective property and their clients will rattle on about the footy.
They've become trusted small business owners. They do a good job in their business, and the men in their community want to talk to them. First, it's footy. Then the kids are raised in the chat. Then deeper issues come to the fore.
But how did it start? Talking about the footy.
I liken this to how the Apostle Paul was a tent maker. The men chatted as they did their work. In Acts 18 verse 3 Paul was welcomed by those of the Tent making trade and he reasoned with them both at the work place and in the synagogue.