Free to Compete - Reflections on Sport from a Christian Perspective

This week I sent the manuscript for a new book titled, Free to Compete – Reflections on Sport from a Christian Perspective, to my publisher, Cross Training Publishing. I am excited about this project and I hope it is of value to you and to others who serve men and women of sport around the globe. (ISBN: 978-1-938254-15-4 paperback 176 pages)

This is an excerpt from the Introduction:

“In these weekly emails, now numbering over two hundred fifty, I have sought to take a Biblical and objective approach to sport, to sports culture, to ministry in sport, and to ministry with the men and women of sport. Some of it reads like social commentary as I write about the culture of sport. Some of it reads like analysis as I make observations about trends in sports ministry around the world. Some of it reads like instruction as I reflect upon the most important values in serving the people of sport. “

“I aim to write with as broad a perspective as I am able. I am conscious of my audience’s global nature, but confess that I am quite limited by my central USA background and limited travel. I always seek to reflect the Lord Jesus’ view of sport and the people who live, work, and experience life in it.”

Free to Compete will soon be available directly from Cross Training Publishing (308) 293-3891 (www.crosstrainingpublishing.com) in paperback and via Kindle ebook. (FCA staff may buy at a 40% discount and pay via org transfer.) It will also be available through FCA Gear and retailers like Barnes and Noble and Amazon as well.

Comments on Free to Compete

“Roger Lipe has a unique ability to comment on sport with

a Christian frame of reference. He takes Christ seriously and takes

sport seriously, helping the readers to process their sports experience

in the light of the Bible.”

J Stuart Weir

Executive Director - Verite Sport (United Kingdom)

“Roger Lipe has an exceptional gift for navigating the issues

commonly found in the world of sport and skillfully connecting them

to the truth of scripture in a clear, compelling way. His decades of

experience as a minister to athletes and coaches has provided him

with the wisdom to speak with authority into a sports culture that

desperately needs the truth found in God’s unchanging word.”

Jeff Martin

Exec. Vice President of Ministry Programs and Resources

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (USA)

“Aussie athletes and chaplains love Roger’s approach to personal

development in sport! He nails it culturally when it comes to

God’s Word speaking to the heart of real issues in Sports on identity,

character and life. He’s a kind of Muhammad Ali of sports writers.

Graceful as a butterfly, stings like a… His bold, honest and gracefilled

reflections help sharpen anyone’s pursuit of excellence in faith

and sport – drawing them closer to Jesus.”

Cameron Butler - National Director

Sports Chaplaincy Australia

Section I-Reflections on Life in Sport -

You are Free! 11

Sports Liars 13

“O Lord, Help Us Win Today.” 17

Fear of Failure 21

Integrated or Compartmentalized? 23

Notes on Team Travel 25

The Field of Competition is Holy Ground 27

Reality Check 33

For Whom Are You Playing? 35

Resignation 39

Developing Emerging Sports Leaders 41

What is the Measure of a Coach? 43

High Profile / High Peril 47

Lessons From Tragedy 49

Taming the Tongue 51

Hyper-Average 55

True Identity 57

Which Culture is Holier? 61

Amateurism vs. Professionalism 65

Jesus as Good Luck Charm 67

“I got fired yesterday.” 69

What the Heart Loves, the Will Chooses & the Mind Justifies

Introduction 71

Performance Enhancing Drugs 73

The Win At All Costs Ethic in Sport 77

Racism in Sport 81

Abuse of Players 85

How Faith Becomes Divisive in a Sport Team 89

Integrity Related to Coaches’ and Competitors’ Contracts 93

Section II-Reflections on Ministry in Sport-

A Biblical View of Participation in Sport 99

Highly Committed, But Irreligious 105

The Sport Chaplains’ Dirty Little Secret 107

Don’t Act Like a Fan 109

Through What Lens Do You View Sport? 111

Ministry To or Through Sportspeople? 113

Prominent or Obscure 117

Loyalty 119

Intuition 121

Time Management 123

Extravagant Love vs. Benign Tolerance 125

Mentoring People in Sport 127

What Can We Learn From a Tattoo? 131

Coaching Staff Transitions 133

Game Day Devotions 135

Economy of Opportunity 137

Sports Ministry and Celebrity Culture 139

The Richest Man I Know 141

The Significance of Sport Chaplains & Character Coaches 145

Service vs. Superiority 147

Sport as Worship 149

Celebrity vs. Obscurity 153

Guidelines for Interaction with Coaches & Competitors 155

Misapplication of Scripture in Sports Ministry 157

Sport Culture-Live in It 161

Present vs. Prominent 163

Foolish Comparisons 165

Dynamic Ministry 167

Dan Callahan vs. Cancer 169

More comments:

“Roger Lipe is an excellent communicator. He shares a heart of

compassion and truth in such a way that you will be drawn to learn

more about the Savior he serves and the Kingdom goals he inspires.

Each article is worth the time to not only read for yourself, but to

share with others!”

Bill Houston

Director, Chaplains Roundtable Ministry & Co-Host of Sports Spectrum Radio

Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA)

“Roger Lipe’s vast experience in sports ministry and his passion for

mentoring others makes this compilation of articles invaluable to

men and women serving Christ in the world of sport. Each entry will

cause you to rethink and reevaluate your daily walk with Jesus and

how you minister to others. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from

a seasoned leader in sports ministry!”

Stephanie Zonars

Team Building Coach (USA)

"To regularly sit in a place of worship centered on the teachings of

Christ will produce a quiet self-confidence to handle any and all pressures

of life, whether as an athlete or in any other of life’s walks.”

Carl Erskine

Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers 1948–1959 (USA)