One of the most effective tools I have received for both the design and evaluation of ministry initiatives in sport is the McCown Sport in Ministry Map. It was developed by Lowrie McCown and is detailed in Focus on Sport in Ministry by Lowrie McCown and Valerie Gin. Recently, I have been using a chart to simplify the ministry points of emphasis as a part of presentations in training character coaches and sports chaplains. The chart is shown below, along with a pie chart to illustrate the proportions of Spectators of sport, Novices to sport, Recreational sportspeople, Players of sport, Elite sporting competitors, and High Profile sportspeople in society. Each group's mindset and experience in sport is significantly different, thus requiring different approaches for effective ministry. Many of us have ministry initiatives that include more than one of these groups, often at the same time. The important point to catch is that one size certainly does not fit all. One must carefully...
This is a blog for my colleagues who are engaged in ministry with people of sport. In particular it is for those of us who refer to our roles as "Character Coach" or “Sports Chaplain."