We Just Need a Tie

Previously: Called to AFC Richmond, Just One of Eleven, The Christening of Nate the Great, Let’s Finally Talk About Rebecca, Oklahoma, Football is Life, Searched for a Fax Machine, Found a Woman Named Sassy, The Benefits of Curiosity, Facing the Roy Problem

Episode: “The Hope That Kills You” (Season 1, Episode 10)

So much empowerment. There are many instances in this final episode where Ted leaves choices up to others. First, Roy comes in saying that he needs to give up his captain role since he’s been benched, and Ted insists that he choose the new captain. Roy resists, but eventually gives it to Isaac, in whom he recognizes a kindred spirit when the latter smashes a TV. When Ted is on a video call with his son, he explains that it doesn’t seem like he does much during matches because at that point, he just needs to trust the players after having coached and taught them beforehand.

There is so much about ministry that relies on “equipping the saints,” on trusting in others’ gifts and wisdom and experience. Smaller churches may default to the pastor on many things, but ministry is far from a one-person show. A true ministry partnership involves giving up some control in order to let others take the responsibility of leadership, while still providing a guiding and teaching voice along the way.

Sometimes good enough is okay. Through most of this episode, Ted resists any defeatism that his coaches or players show. He thrusts “Believe” signs in people’s faces, he pushes back on the popular English phrase “it’s the hope that kills you,” and he rejects any notion that the team has to settle for a tie in order to avoid relegation. But then during the match when everyone receives news that Crystal Palace has won 6-0 and they realize that they only need a tie, he dramatically changes his mind and is okay with such a result.

I can name many instances as pastor when I had grandiose hopes and dreams for the churches I served; when I thought we should insist on something better than the congregational equivalent of a tie. But reality often humbled me, and I was thankful that anyone showed up, that even a single person seemed to appreciate an event or activity, that we were able to accomplish tasks no matter how relatively minimal the results. The reality of ministry is often different from the ideal, and a tie can be a triumph in itself and is not to be lamented.

The culture endures. Even though Jamie is now playing for the opposition, Ted compliments him in press conferences and wishes him luck right before the match begins. For most of the episode, Jamie thinks that he’s playing mind games. But then he helps score the winning goal by finally making the extra pass that Ted taught him near the beginning of the season. After the heartbreaking loss, Ted helps the team recall lessons that he shared with them, and they’re able to loosen up and consider a new chapter even though their present situation is so disappointing.

Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Ministers don’t know what seeds will take root. Sometimes they’ll be able to see them sprout, and other times they may have to move on and let the next person water them. But ministry involves the same hope that Ted often preaches that something will endure, whether they’re able to see it happen or not.

So ends the first season. Welcome to the end of Ministry Transition According to Ted Lasso, season 1. I thought that this was a fun exercise, and I’ve been enjoying this rewatch so far. But I have to ask whether readers are finding this worthwhile. I ask both because there are two more existing seasons to go and a new season in production, and also because I’ve been considering dropping a few streaming services including Apple+. I’ll be happy to continue this if folks have found it helpful, but I probably won’t start writing about the next season until the New Year. So if you have enjoyed this, let me know. It will help me in my decision to continue. Thanks for reading!

For more about ministry transition, check out my new book, The Unintentional Interim: Ministry in Times of Transition.