Friday, March 11, 2016

USA Midwest Region FCA Sports Chaplaincy Training Plan

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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