If you visited Waypoint’s first website, you would have seen my title listed as “Equipment Manager.” That came from the best—and worst—job I ever had…for a day and a half.

After high school, I was offered a summer job with the Atlanta Falcons to snap footballs and help as an equipment manager. Dan Reeves, their new head coach, liked hiring local students for training camp. So I packed my bags and moved into the Falcon Inn in Suwanee, GA.

My work wasn’t glamorous. I spent the day stocking gum so players could grab it after practice, unpacking Skoal cans, collecting sweaty gear for laundry, and making sure cleats were lined up at the bottom of each locker. Before practice I checked that each player had the right shoes and equipment.

It didn’t last long—but it became a metaphor for my calling in ministry. I’m not the star quarterback or even the coach. I’m the equipment manager. My job is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:11–12). That means listening to people’s stories, helping them prepare for the environment they’re stepping into, and giving them resources, prayers, and support to live out their faith.

Had I stepped onto the field against Jessie Tuggle, I wouldn’t have lasted a single play. My role was to make sure Ephraim Salaam had what he needed to snap the ball to Chris Chandler.

It’s the same in faith. Following Jesus is not a spectator sport. Too many of us point to what our church is doing so we can feel good by association. But the call of the Gospel is personal: you are invited to step into the broken places in our city.

Common Excuses

Over the years, I’ve heard four main hesitations that keep people on the sidelines:

• “I don’t know the Bible well enough.” Exactly why you should start a study—you’ll grow as you lead.
• “I don’t know how to lead.” The only way to learn leadership is to step out and try.
• “I don’t have the time.” We always make time for what we value—golf, running, or bingeing Severance.

Equipping Solutions

As your “equipment manager,” here’s how we tackle those barriers:

• Lack of Knowledge → Resources. (Let me show you some great studies.)
• Lack of Skills → Experience. (Jump in at Basecamp, our youth ministry, start a small group – you’ll learn by doing.)
• Lack of Motivation → Passion. (That’s between you and the Lord, because He calls our bluff when He said, “Faith without works is dead”)

So what is keeping you from living out your faith daily?