A
poll was conducted among my network of sports chaplains and character coaches
via text message. The questions I asked are below and the insightful replies
are below them. I hope you find these notes to be of value, to encourage you,
and even to challenge you.
Questions –
1. What
have been among your most rewarding moments in serving as a sports chaplain?
2. What
have been among your most challenging moments in serving as a sports chaplain?
3. When
and from whom do you learn the most for your service as a sports chaplain?
4. Who
are the greatest allies for your service as a sports chaplain?
Question 1 – What have been among
your most rewarding moments in serving as a sports chaplain?
Brandi Cantrell – Texas Tech
University
Walking
with a coach or athlete that doesn't yet know the Lord and then getting to pray
with them to receive Jesus as their Savior. Also, seeing a coach and/or athlete
grow in their walk with Jesus in tangible, noticeable ways. And - when you have
been investing, investing, investing in a coach - and finally a door opens for
ministry.
Bill Houston – PowerUp Sports
Ministry
Two
come to mind-once when no one showed for chapel in Arena League and a player
caught me later and said, "Sorry we couldn't make it...never stop doing
what you're doing!" The other is this season when a coach who arrived
later in the season said, "I can't wait to tell you what God is doing in
my life!"
Ev Nelson – University of North
Dakota
Building
Relationships!!! Seeing Gods transformational power working in the lives of those
we minister to.
Russ
Talley
– Northern Illinois University
Witnessing
men receiving salvation when they accept Christ. Also hearing of the
people who receive Christ as a result of the testimony and discipleship of an
athlete.
Tony Overstake – University of Oregon
Performing
wedding ceremonies for the athletes I work with/ baptizing my athletes, and
their kids.
David Melms – Minnesota FCA
The
student-athletes coming to know and grow in love for Jesus and seeing influence
their identity coupled with become a spiritual leader in some form within their
team.
Jeremy Tims – Oklahoma FCA
Getting
the opportunity to throw a life preserver or even pulling so that these kids
into the lifeboat when I notice that they are going down the wrong path.
Being able to create an authentic relationship with them when nobody else has
that opportunity, so that they can hear what they NEED to hear from a person
who loves them and has no ulterior motives.
Billy Holder – Indiana FCA
Serving
the athletes.
Richard Lopez – University of
Arizona FCA
Being
called upon by the football operations guys to address team when one of their
teammates passed away in his sleep.
Question 2 - What have been among
your most challenging moments in serving as a sports chaplain?
Brandi Cantrell –
The
turnover rate with coaches AND athletes!!! Relationship building is hard and
takes time! And then they leave.
Bill Houston –
Just
last season when our Bible study leader for the GR Drive-Zeke Upshaw, collapsed
on the floor and later went home to Jesus. Serving this team at that point,
under those circumstances was something I had never done before. God met with
us and carried us through a very difficult time. I was called upon to do things
I had never had to do before.
Ev Nelson –
Feeling
alone at times because we are separated by distance from the rest of our FCA
state team. Also at times the brokenness of our athletes can be discouraging.
Sometimes I wonder if we are really making an impact or difference but I know
God is there through it all. He is always working behind the scenes.
Russ Talley –
Knowing
how to deal with the trauma of injury or death in the moment when it first
occurs. It's always a challenge to know what to say, not say or how much
to say.
Tony Overstake –
Performing
Memorial services for University of Oregon Athletes and navigating athletic
administration.
David Melms –
Student-athlete/FCA
leaders living in sin that isn’t confessed and repented that comes out due to
public spotlight or some form of humiliation rather than their honesty.
Jeremy Tims –
The
1st couple of years were very challenging for me. It takes many practices, many
visits, many questions and high fives in order to gain trust and access into
their locker room and hearts. It is also challenging now because there is
so much more opportunity to do ministry with 100 plus people on a specific team
or University staff.
Billy Holder –
Coaches'
attitudes.
Richard Lopez –
Watching
coaches degrade athletes and tearing them down.
Question 3 - When and from whom
do you learn the most for your service as a sports chaplain?
Brandi Cantrell –
Fellow
chaplains and best practices share sessions! Sometimes conferences. But mostly
from friends who serve in the same area of ministry that I do! Especially the
ones that have experience.
Bill Houston –
Many
sources come to mind here...phone calls I will make to fellow chaplains for
direction and encouragement. Books, online resources on sports
ministry...conferences I might attend and from a couple gentlemen who have
agreed to listen to me and pray for me.
Ev Nelson –
Listening
to God and the fellowship of other FCA staff and ministry partners. My wife
Teri who works by my side and really our FCA student leadership have taught us
so much!!
Russ Talley –
The
Bible is #1. #2 is Roger Lipe.
Tony Overstake –
Dusty
Davis former University of Oregon Chaplain, Ryan Johnston Western Oregon FCA
Director, and Roger Lipe.
David Melms –
Tom
Lamphere (Minnesota Vikings chaplain with AIA) has taken me under his wing and
imitated ministering to people of sport in a way I can see it being played out
and innovate based on my gifting and circumstances.
Jeremy Tims –
My
main source of leadership comes straight from the previous chaplain who
was in my position for 10 plus years. He understands the process and the value
of relationships. He also understands how the program operates and what they
expect.
Billy Holder –
The
Holy Spirit, Roger Lipe, my own studies.
Richard Lopez –
By
always watching and learning from others and reading as much material on
creating relationships and leadership principles.
Question 4 - Who are the greatest
allies for your service as a sports chaplain?
Brandi Cantrell –
Coaches
for sure. Also, athletic administration - ADs, associate ADs, etc. Another
great ally has been the athletes themselves. Sometimes if a coach is unsure
about utilizing a chaplain, an athlete who will talk to their coach about the
need for you goes a long way!
Bill Houston –
Again,
a couple gentlemen I meet with on a regular basis have been a huge help to me.
Even a couple coaches, not believers, but very supportive of the chaplain
program, will offer insight as it relates to the work I'm involved with and how
I can serve them and our players on a more effective level.
Ev Nelson –
FCA
Staff. Without a doubt. Their encouragement and prayers in the hardest times
help to refocus us and keep us fighting.
Russ Talley –
My
wife - The head coach.
Tony Overstake –
Christian
Coaches and Administrators.
David Melms –
Christian
athletic administrators or coaches.
Jeremy Tims –
My
greatest ally is one of our associate athletic directors. He is a Christian man
that looks out for our best interests. Another great ally (who doesn't know he
is) is the director of football operations. He controls everything that happens
off of the playing field. You have to be in good with him. I also believe the
athletic department secretary is another person you half to make sure you have
a relationship with. They hold the key and know so much!
Billy Holder –
Parents,
athletes, administration, and coaches that brought me on board.
Richard Lopez –
Other
ministries who are devoted to serve athletes and coaches.