Strategies and Challenges of Accountability in Sports Ministry

During the most recent PowerUP Sports Ministry conference in Indianapolis, Indiana we heard several excellent presentations. Among them was “Strategies and Challenges of Accountability in Sports Ministry” by David Gittings. David serves with FCA at the Campus Director at Virginia Tech University. He serves as the chaplain to Hokies Football. Below are the notes I took from his presentation.

Galatians 6:1-3 – “You’re not that important.”

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ³ If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

For what are you accountable?

·        Your relationship with God.

·        Your relationships with family.

·        Your ministry

·        Your self (your soul)

Challenges to being accountable

·        Ignorance (you just don’t know how)

·        Busyness (failure to make time)

·        Pride (you won’t be vulnerable)

·        Those last two are the biggest monsters.

Strategies for being accountable

·        Confession (James 5:16, Galatians 6:1-3)

·        The Word (Hebrews 4:12, Jeremiah 23:29, II Timothy 3:16-17)

·        A Partner – Someone you will give an “All Access Pass” to your life. (I Thessalonians 5:11, Luke 17:3)

·        Boundaries (I Corinthians 15:33)

·        Follow Through

I hope these notes are of value to you as you develop strategies for and experience the challenges of living in accountability.