Sports Chaplaincy is growing around the world
and even in the Midwest Region of the USA. In my new role of leading the FCA
staff in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, with
respect to developing sports chaplains and character coaches, I have been
working on training and development plans for various sectors of the sporting
world.
Below is a compilation of the training plan
outlines and documents I am developing for these various sectors (high schools,
clubs, professionals, collegiate sport, etc.). I hope they are of value to you
and I would welcome your insights, comments, and suggestions as we work to
facilitate the growth of this expression of ministry in sport.
Training
Plan for FCA Midwest Region Sports Chaplaincy
FCA Staff
Serving 100% as a Sports Chaplain
1.
Complete the six hour on-line training at www.globalsportschaplaincy.org.
2.
Complete a Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Ministry Leader Application – www.fca.org/mla.
3.
Review and sign the FCA Sports Chaplaincy Code
of Conduct.
4.
Receive in person FCA Sports Chaplaincy
training as offered in the region.
5.
Submit an annual Ministry Development Plan to
supervising FCA staff person.
6.
Participate in continuing ministry development
opportunities.
a. Annual
FCA Sports Chaplains Conferences
b. Networking
with other Sports Chaplains
c. Mentor
and be mentored by other Sports Chaplains
d. Monthly
conference calls for Sports Chaplains
7.
Be available to learn to deliver training for
Sports Chaplaincy; locally, regionally, or globally.
8.
Participate in FCA Communications School as it
becomes available in the region.
Training
Plan for FCA Midwest Region Sports Chaplaincy
FCA Staff
with Sports Chaplain or Character Coach Responsibilities
(Area Representatives, Campus Directors,
Area Directors, Multi Area Directors, State Directors)
1.
Complete the six hour on-line training at www.globalsportschaplaincy.org.
2.
Complete a Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Ministry Leader Application – www.fca.org/mla. .
3.
Review and sign the FCA Sports Chaplaincy Code
of Conduct.
4.
Receive in person FCA Sports Chaplaincy
training as offered within driving distance of one’s service area.
5.
Include a Sports Chaplaincy game plan in one’s
annual planning.
6.
Participate in continuing ministry development
opportunities.
a. Annual
FCA Sports Chaplains Conferences
b. Networking
with other Sports Chaplains
c. Mentoring
with other Sports Chaplains
d. Monthly
conference calls for Sports Chaplains
Training
Plan for FCA Midwest Region Sports Chaplaincy
FCA Staff
who oversee:
Volunteer
Sports Chaplains and Character Coaches
We
will interact with FCA Volunteer Sports Chaplains and Character Coaches much in
the same manner as we have with FCA Huddle Coaches for decades. We will offer
them training, assistance, guidance, resources, encouragement, and direction in
order to help them be as effective as possible in their service of the teams,
coaches, and athletes to which they are assigned.
The volunteers may come to you at the
recommendation of coaches, parents, church leaders, or from your own
acquaintance.
We
will require these items from those serving as Volunteer Sports Chaplains or
Character Coaches:
9. Complete the six hour on-line training
at www.globalsportschaplaincy.org.
10. Complete a Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Ministry Leader Application – www.fca.org/mla.
11. Connect with FCA Staff in your area to:
a.
Review
and sign the FCA Sports Chaplaincy Code of Conduct.
b.
Discuss
service of designated team(s).
c.
Develop
a preseason game plan for service.
d.
Conduct
a post-season review.
12. Participate in continuing ministry
development opportunities.
a.
Monthly
conference calls for Sports Chaplains.
b.
Annual
FCA Sports Chaplains conference if possible.
c.
In
person FCA Sports Chaplaincy training when offered in your area.
We
will request these items from the FCA staff overseeing Volunteer Sports
Chaplains or Character Coaches:
1. An annual game plan for the oversight of
Volunteer Sports Chaplains and Character Coaches.
2. Monthly calls with the FCA Regional
Sports Chaplaincy Coordinator.
3. An annual report of the results of the
service of Volunteer Sports Chaplains and Character Coaches.
Training
Plan for FCA Midwest Region Sports Chaplaincy
Volunteer
Sports Chaplains and Character Coaches
1. Complete the six hour on-line training
at www.globalsportschaplaincy.org.
2. Complete a Fellowship of Christian
Athletes Ministry Leader Application – www.fca.org/mla.
3. Connect with FCA Staff in your area to:
a.
Review
and sign the FCA Sports Chaplaincy Code of Conduct.
b.
Discuss
service of designated team(s).
c.
Develop
a preseason game plan for service.
d.
Conduct
a post-season review.
4. Participate in continuing ministry
development opportunities.
a.
Monthly
conference calls for Sports Chaplains.
b.
Annual
FCA Sports Chaplains conference if possible.
c.
In
person FCA Sports Chaplaincy training when offered in your area.
Statement of Purpose:
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sports
Chaplains, Character Coaches, and Sports Mentors are Christ’s ambassadors among
the people of sport. They love extravagantly and they serve selflessly.
Code
of Ethics
1. Chaplains are to be committed Christians
who are active members of a local church in regular attendance.
2. Chaplains are to ensure a regular and
reliable prayer group for their ministry.
3. Chaplains treat all persons with dignity
and respect.
4. Chaplains serve all persons without
discrimination regardless of religion, faith group, race, ethnicity, sexual
orientation, gender, age or disability.
5. Chaplains affirm the religious and
spiritual freedom of all persons and refrain from imposing doctrinal positions
or spiritual practices on persons whom they encounter in their roles. (However
the Christian chaplain is always prepared to give an account for the Christian
faith when appropriate.)
6. Chaplains do not condone or support
unlawful discrimination against colleagues or others with whom they have
contact in their roles.
7. Chaplains are accountable for
maintaining the integrity of their relationships. They will not use their
position with, or knowledge of, another for personal gain. They shall refrain
from emotional, financial, sexual or any other form of exploitation.
8. Chaplains do not engage in sexual
misconduct. They will serve in full compliance with FCA’s sexual purity
statement.
9. Chaplains follow professional ethics
regarding client confidentiality, sharing private information about those whom
they serve only according to those ethics.
10. Chaplains conduct themselves with
integrity in all their professional relationships including those whom they
serve, their colleagues, and the organization that they serve.
11. Chaplains accurately represent their
qualifications and affiliations.
12. Chaplains maintain accurate and current
records, finances, or other documents required in the course of their ministry.
13. Chaplains maintain ongoing personal
growth and development in theology, spirituality, leadership skills, and others
areas that enhance their ministry proficiency.
14. Chaplains make referrals or obtain
consultations, in a timely manner, when in the best interests of those served.
Standards
of Conduct
1. Meet with another Christian on a regular
basis for encouragement and accountability.
2. Be personally accountable for their
conduct to the local FCA staff, respect and seek to observe their policies and
procedures.
3. Seek the guidance and clearance of the
sport’s governing authority to exercise their chaplaincy role. (e.g. NCAA compliance
rules, High School administrative rules, etc.…)
4. Seek to make contact with the sport
leadership initially upon their arrival at each meeting/event.
5. Seek to safeguard the neutrality of
their role by avoiding excessive partiality towards any particular group in
their care.
6. Be careful not to be critical of the
sports organization’s administrative or regular team practices.
7. Be a help to sports people and avoid
taking sides in disputes or negotiations.
8. When offered, graciously receive passes,
uniforms and benefits, and avoid undue requests for additional privileges for
self or others.
9. Chaplains should refrain from taking
advantage of their privileged position. Avoid using or permitting others to use
the chaplain’s services to secure unfair personal or professional advantage.
Statement
of Faith
·
We
believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word
of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
·
We
believe there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)
·
We
believe in the deity of Christ (John 1:1), in His virgin birth (Matthew 1:18,
25), in His sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), in His miracles, in His vicarious and
atoning death through His shed blood (Hebrews 9:15-22), in His bodily
resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), in His ascension to the right hand of the
Father (Acts 1:9-11) and in His personal return in power and glory (Hebrews
9:27-28).
·
We
believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful men (women), regeneration by
the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. (John 3:16; John 5:24; Titus 3:3-7)
·
We
believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling the
Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (John 14:15-26; John 16:5-16;
Ephesians 1:13-14)
·
We
believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they that are saved
unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of
damnation. (Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
·
We
believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 2:1-4)
Statement
of Values
Our
relationships will demonstrate steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His
Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence.
Integrity - We will demonstrate Christ-like
wholeness, privately, and publicly. (Prov. 11:3)
Serving - We will model Jesus’ example of serving.
(John 13:1-17)
Teamwork - We will express our unity in Christ in
all our relationships. (Philippians 2:1-4)
Excellence - We will honor and glorify God in all we
do. (Colossians 3:23-24)
Ministry
Distinctives
·
Christ
Centered…focus of our message
·
Bible-based…source
of our Authority
·
Spiritually
Nurturing…helping people to know and
grow in Christ.
·
Kingdom
Minded…serving the purpose of the Church.
·
Volunteer
Intensive…mobilizing adults to
accomplish the Mission.
·
Fellowship
Oriented…connecting people through the Body
of Christ.
·
Culturally
Adaptive…meeting the diverse needs of people.
·
Athletically
Focused…ministering to Coaches
and Athletes.
·
Faith
Financed…funded through people moved by God.
I
agree to serve in full compliance with these standards of ethics and conduct,
statements of faith, values, and ministry distinctives.
_________________________________________________________________________Sport
Chaplain / Character Coach / Sport Mentor Date
_________________________________________________________________________Fellowship
of Christian Athletes Staff Person Date
_________________________________________________________________________Sports
Organization Leader (Coach, Athletic Director, Club Manager, etc.…) Date
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