Points of Emphasis from Sport in Ministry Map

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.

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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 analyze who is the intended audience for each ministry initiative and design the ministry's components to be sure it appeals to the proper sporting mindset and experience. It is foolish and often counterproductive to appeal to elite level sportspeople in the same ways and one would a gathering of sports fans. The inverse would be equally ineffective.

Please consider these points of emphasis as you prepare ministry events, studies, discussions, groups, outreaches, and other initiatives. Let's be sure to make our appeals to people in ways that are most likely to have the desired effects in their hearts and minds.

Let's follow the Apostle Paul's instructions in II Corinthians 5:20 - "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."