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Catholic leaders can learn a lot from Crossfit, the workout phenomenon that has swept the globe. Crossfit defines itself as “constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity”. In other words, it is an intense workout that changes every day. But, it is much more than that. Each gym (called a “box”) has a community that is an integral part of it. As the official Crossfit website says, “Harnessing the natural camaraderie, competition and fun of sport or game yields an intensity that cannot be matched by other means.” Some have described it as a religion or cult (it isn’t). There was even a study done on how modern people are finding community - and Crossfit was one of the case studies that has shown to bring meaning to the lives of young adults (particularly millenials).
The growth of Crossfit would put almost every modern church to shame. In 2005 they had 15 gyms. In 2014 they had 7,000 (now many more). What is it that drives such success and devotion? Let us dive in to see what we can learn.
1 - Belonging, Acceptance, Encouragement, and Coaching
Our souls needs God's grace and our bodies need exercise. Why? Because we are weak, broken, and imperfect. Furthermore, our weakness needs support if we are to grow stronger. Crossfit understands that. We are able to see change faster when we have a supporting community to help. This is true of gyms and parishes. When we belong to one another and accept each other, right where we another person is at, we can help each other. But, it is never enough to “meet someone where they are” and just leave them there. We want to have something better for them.
In Crossfit, it is generally those that are struggling the most (those that might finish the exercise last) that get the most support, encouragement, and cheering on. The weakest ones are supported by those who have already finished the exercises before them. This makes sense. Those who are weaker need more encouragement, support, and community help. In the same way Jesus went to the poor, crippled, sinful, and those far from God - we need to do the same. Our parishes need to become places where we truly belong to one another and support each other.
Crossfit creates an environment where weakness is acknowledged, accepted, and understood that it can be overcome, with help. The fact is, overcoming weakness by yourself is always harder than when you have someone to coach you through it and support you. We cannot get to heaven on our own. We need God and others. This means others need us too.
2 - Accountability and High Standards With A Shared Goal (To Be Transformed)
Because Crossfit is generally done in a group setting, it has built in accountability. What you are accountable to is to reach your own personal goals. The competition is to be get in better shape, so it is with yourself, not others. The Church can learn a lot from this. Many of us who are Catholic compare ourselves to others who are “out of shape spiritually” and think we are doing just fine. Unfortunately, we aren’t living up to the true vision of what God thinks we ought to become (great evangelists and saints) all the time, when we settle. Jesus doesn't settle for mediocrity. He wants every ounce of what we can offer him.
Each day in Crossfit, you do the WOD (Workout Of the Day). The path to a better you is already planned out for you, so your job is to follow-through on the plan.This workout is for everyone who comes in, though it can be scaled to each person’s fitness level and ability. The point is to have a chance to get stronger, no matter a person’s current level of strength or fitness. The path to a better you is found in stretching your limitations.
Yes, Christianity has a high standard. We are supposed to live, pray, love, believe, and choose what is good - up to the standard of Jesus. But, we also need to learn how to “scale the workout” so that folks don’t just want to throw in the towel because the standard is beyond them. Of course there are some that do Crossfit for a time and then quit. Just like the rich young man who met Jesus - the standard is too much for some. But, to give up is to rest in status quo, be ok with being ok, and settle for mediocrity (and sometimes Hell).
3 - Community happens Because of The Shared Goals and Time Spent Together
The WOD is a kind of communal liturgical act. The members don’t get to determine the WOD, it is given to them and all do it together, each personalizing it to themselves. Crossfit even has what can be called “saints” - many of the workouts are named after fallen soldiers. Notice that there are high expectations, but they are scaled to those who are currently unable to meet them.
What if we allowed sinners (all of us) to start at a level they are currently at in prayer, virtue, service, etc - rather than expect holiness to be lived out in perfection immediately? What if we stopped condemning those that make a mistake or sin? The Church needs to learn what real success looks like, while maintaining a high standard. It isn’t merely not sinning, but in continuing to be faithful to what God has in store for us. It is continued growth, not just perfection right now. But, we cannot lower our doctrinal, moral, or spiritual standards for a world that rejects them. Rather, we have to help others reach the goals God sets for each of us - together.
The Crossfit community doesn’t just happen during a workout. While it starts there, it quickly spills out into the daily routine of life. Many Crossfitters talk about how their social life revolves around those they met at the box. They find meaning at their box, when previous generations did the same in churches.
During his 3 years of ministry (according to the Bible) Jesus had 46 events with a small group of men & 17 with crowds. Almost 3 to 1 in mentoring time vs large events. What about our parishes? Most ideas of community involve getting together at large events or programs. There is no real interaction, sharing, praying together, of personal sharing of struggles. There is little to no built-in accountability, because there is little authentic relationships. The average parish could learn a lot about community through building shared goals and spending time together.
If you want to lead like Jesus, time to get small, deep, & inefficient. Time to spend more time with others.
4 - Struggle is Natural And Can Be Good For You
Crossfit has a laser-like focus. They help you get in better shape, find community / support system, and do it while expecting a lot out of you. The struggle is what is good for the body (and the rest of you too). It can be a really hard workout (and some critics say the number of injuries in Crossfit are too high). Nevertheless, embracing the struggle means that the result is a better you afterward.
The same can be said of following Jesus. But instead of getting in better physical shape - you get a better spiritual you. Crossfit can’t forgive your sins, get you to heaven, or transform your soul.
Too many times our parishes are set up to reward the mediocre out-of-shape Catholic. Our culture reflects this in our unspoken expectations (or lack thereof). What is a “good” Catholic supposed to do? First, go to Mass. Second, receive the Sacraments. Third, “get involved”. These are the bars of success that one aims for to be considered a good Catholic.
There is nothing bad about any of them - but I don’t believe being involved or merely receiving the Sacraments is what discipleship of Jesus is about. In fact, He expects radical commitment and he never will shy away from demanding it from those who say they follow Him. Jesus wants to make us like him - not others.
Here are just 2 examples:“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” -Matt 5:11-12
”I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven” -Matt 5:44-45
I contend that Jesus would focus on holiness, discipleship, preaching the Good News, evangelizing the lost, and truly celebrating the Sacraments - not just many of the distracting activities we have at the average parish. My guess is most activities at your average parish would be cancelled and He would focus on truly forming disciples and evangelizing individuals in relational ministry and then training others to do the same.
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.” -Matt 28:17-20
We have a lot to learn from Crossfit. But, the lessons were long ago taught by one who knows what the Church really needs - Jesus.
“Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”” -Luke 9:23