Character Coach / Sports Chaplain Blog

This week I’d like to have you consider the benefits of networking with other sport chaplains, character coaches and/or sport mentors. We’ll also suggest some ways to make such networking connections. I hope that networking with your colleagues in similar ministries becomes as valuable to you as it is to me. Some of the benefits of networking are: ·         Gathering wisdom from one’s colleagues. ·         Learning from others’ mistakes without having to make them yourself. ·         Comparing ideas for new ministries helps us design them wisely. ·         Accountable relationships help us avoid errors and foolish decisions. ·         One can find valuable resources through his colleagues. ·         The broader one’s network is the greater one’...

In many cultures, especially in the USA, and even more often in sports cultures there is a tendency for people to demand their rights. There is lots of talk about what he deserves, what she has earned, that they have a right to this or that. The problem for us is that this way of thinking is contrary to the Lord’s way of leading through service and forfeiting our rights to love like He does. Once again, the faithful sport chaplain, character coach or sport mentor hears the Lord Jesus’ call to be countercultural and to demonstrate respect rather than demanding his rights. Let’s consider some ways we may live out this ethic among our friends and colleagues in sport.   • The one who demonstrates respect honors the boundaries set for him (where to be and not to be, time parameters, etc.) but the one who demands his rights barges in where he doesn’t belong and thereby compromises relationships for a greater sense of privilege. • We demonstrate respect when we take no offe...

You have been very generous to share a few of the resources (other than books) which have produced good results within your ministries with sportspeople. I am specifically referring to: • Bible studies • Videos • Web sites • Periodicals • Podcasts • Phone apps • On-line devotionals • Others? A compilation of such resources from our colleagues around the world is below. Thanks very much. From Joey Potter of FCA Missions – Atlanta, Georgia, USA Bible studies - through Gateway Bible which will send your specific study. Mine – Words of Jesus; study on what Jesus spoke about in Matt, Mark, Luke, & John… Videos – ESPN & Student Athletes creating them… Web sites – North Point Others? - Andy Stanley & Matt Chandler From Jonathan Berry of Bloomington-Normal FCA – Illinois, USA Video - Band of Brothers WWII series from HBO. I have 8 clips that range from 5-8 minutes long that I have used for both high school and college football chapels. It...

Faithful vs. Flashy While this may seem like an easy contrast for most of us, there are times when many of us struggle with how much flash to bring to our service.  We know we should be faithful, but we occasionally hear of or even observe others who serve similarly and wonder, “Should I be more dramatic in my presentations?  Would I communicate better if I was a little louder or more flamboyant? Maybe I should incorporate some of that guy’s oratory in my talks. What if I dropped some of that motivational stuff I saw on YouTube into my next chapel?” We bump into other sport chaplains or character coaches and make comparisons between our respective “styles.” Relax! Be who you are. Odds are the one to whom you are comparing yourself was simply being himself. Be faithful. Here are some contrasts between being faithful and being flashy. They’re probably oversimplified, but they’re intended to help, not to hurt. • One who is Faithful is steady and unassuming, the Flash...

Earlier this week the fourth annual Fellowship of Christian Athletes Character Coach / Sport Chaplain Conference was held in Baltimore, Maryland (USA). It featured the NFL’s Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens’ chaplain – Pastor Rod Hairston as the chaplain to chaplains; Pastor Tom Brawner from Overland Park, Kansas; Coach Joe Ehrmann from Coach For America and some guy from Carbondale, Illinois as presenters. Thanks to everyone who participated in every way.   This region of the USA is growing exponentially in its training, assignment and development of character coaches who are serving with junior high, high school and club sports teams. For the pre-conference training session, Maryland FCA Director Mark Stephens was hoping for 55 people to attend and 95 showed up. I spent three hours sharing with this tremendous group of men and women on Monday afternoon and then the conference began for everyone else.   Pastor Hairston was inspirational for all. Tom Brawne...