By Danny Minton

Without question, the hottest game in professional baseball was a game between the Boston Beaneaters and Baltimore Orioles on May 15, 1894, in Boston. The fireworks started in the third inning when Tommy “Foghorn” Tucker slid safely into third base. At that point, John McGraw of the Orioles kicked Tucker in the face, and a brawl broke out on the field and in the stands. The umpire finally got things settled down, and Tucker contemplated how he would get back at McGraw for his injured jaw.

That was never to happen. With the Orioles set to bat, the Beaneaters right fielder, James “Foxy” Bannon, spotted a fire under the bleachers. As everyone watched, he ran over to stamp it out. Everyone thought it would be put out soon and were more interested in how Tucker would avenge the third base incident and the now loud-mouthed Orioles.

Then, a gust of wind came up, causing Bannon to abandon his efforts. The fire spread quickly, sending the bleacher spectators tumbling onto the field to get relief from the heat. The fire spread to the outfield fence and then to the main grandstands. The players ran to the locker rooms to attempt to salvage their belongings. Firefighters were called in, but soon, the South Ends Ground ballpark was destroyed, causing $80,000 in damage. Firefighters came from 20 miles away to fight a 9-alarm fire that spread to 12 acres, burning 200 homes and causing $300,000 in damage. The fire was determined to be caused by a carelessly tossed cigarette.

As the firefighters rushed to the scene and hooked up the hose, there was no water from the hydrant. The city had installed the hydrant, but the team owners, to save money, had failed to pay the $15 to have the water turned on.  The failure to pay $15 had done nearly a half million in damage.

Sometimes, it’s that way in churches as well. Much time and effort is spent on the big things, the big events, the major efforts, and the things we see from the outside. Sometimes, the little things are forgotten or not given as much importance, but in reality, they are just as important as the big ones, even though they are not seen. What seems of little importance can often be of significant magnitude down the way.

An example is when I recently sat through a missions meeting, working on a contract for some new missionaries. The congregation knows they are going and will be supported. They know they are going there to save souls. That’s the big thing. But the team had to look at many “what if” or “little things” that had no impact now but could be more significant later. What if there was unrest in the area? What if one of them became deathly sick or died? What if a family member passed away? What did it take to get settled? What would it take to bring them back? The team did a good job addressing these. They paid the “$15” to provide for the future.

There are these little things in every part of the church work. They may not seem that important at the time, but somewhere along the way, they may be necessary. No one likes policies, but you must have them “just in case.” No one wants to worry about the little details, but without them, it can mean the success or failure of a project. Details test our patience and stamina.

We look to our leaders to see how they handle the little things. Are they prepared when that time comes to face a crisis or handle a challenging situation? People will follow leadership that pays attention to the little things because they can trust leaders to be there for them in every situation. When they see a leader serving in the little things, when they watch a leader teach a children’s class, notice them wiping tables after a gathering or helping someone who is sick or praying with someone in private, it’s then that they know that leaders care for them. It’s the little things that are done that form the bonds between leaders and those who follow.

As Christians, people see us primarily in the little things we do and say. How they see us act and serve outside the “church walls” speaks to them more than in an official church setting. When people see us act with love and compassion, humbly doing what most consider menial tasks, they see the true Jesus in our lives. Paul wrote to the Romans, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1-NIV 2011) In the little ways we daily represent Jesus, God, and the world sees true discipleship.

A mere $15 in 1894 would have saved hundreds of homes. It was a little thing, but that small amount would have made a tremendous difference in many lives. It reminds us that the little things help the church’s spiritual life grow in love, unity, and service to God.

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ