During the past weekend I was in Kansas City, Missouri for a Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff meeting. As I was there I had conversations with two gentlemen who are doing a tremendous job of leading volunteers in sport chaplain ministries in their respective areas of the country. Ed Pulkinen in the Savannah, Georgia area and Lester Walls in Jackson, Mississippi are using a similar strategy to impact their communities for Christ as their volunteer sport chaplains influence coaches and student-athletes.
Here’s how it works. These men find people who will serve as sport chaplains in their own communities, they train them, provide a simple model for ministry, facilitate the relationships with the coaches and turn them loose. They give them oversight and monitor their progress during the season and then review the season with them after its conclusion.
Ed has taken this strategy one more step. He assigns one person as the school “character coach” and that person directly oversees all the “character coaches” for the various teams at that school. His goal is to have each chaplain have only one sport to serve, thus each school could have over a dozen individual sports chaplains in volunteer service. Across his area, that could mean as many as 500 people eventually serving as sports chaplains. Wow, that’s an ambitious strategy and one which deeply benefits each community.
This is a model for ministry which I believe to be wise and powerful. I am excited to know these men and to encourage them in their pursuit of the Lord’s will for helping the men and women of sport in their communities to honor Christ by how they compete in sport.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Character and Sport
It has been trendy in the last fifteen years for people to say things like, “Sports build character.” Some have said, “Losing is good for a team, it builds character.” Others have tossed the whole conversation aside as they have seen less than exemplary character displayed by sports people, on the field of competition and off of it. What do you say about the issue of character and sport?
As I have competed in sport and worked with those who compete for my whole lifetime, I have noticed that rather than sport simply building character or tearing it down, it tends to reveal the nature of the character in each person and often in a whole team, organization or community.
It’s like the competitors are each being squeezed by the competition. The sport and its situations, stresses and pressures squeeze the player’s heart, soul and mind. Like an orange leaks orange juice when squeezed, so the sports person leaks the true nature of his or her character.
When we’re under pressure we’re much more likely to display the weaknesses of our character through our speech, our actions and our attitudes. The opposite is also true. Often the best of our character is revealed when the pressure comes. Otherwise, where would the hero be? What would reveal the champion’s character of perseverance, courage, loyalty and resolve?
So what is our conclusion? I affirm that sport and all its pressures reveal the character of each participant by creating points of insight for those who observe. Coaches, parents, teammates and even some fans can see the true nature of the participants in competition. Sometimes it reveals the weaknesses we would all like to keep hidden. Other times it reveals the absolute best parts of who we are and we’re thrilled with the outcome. In either case, let me encourage you to play your heart out and to welcome the testing as a part of your personal development.
As I have competed in sport and worked with those who compete for my whole lifetime, I have noticed that rather than sport simply building character or tearing it down, it tends to reveal the nature of the character in each person and often in a whole team, organization or community.
It’s like the competitors are each being squeezed by the competition. The sport and its situations, stresses and pressures squeeze the player’s heart, soul and mind. Like an orange leaks orange juice when squeezed, so the sports person leaks the true nature of his or her character.
When we’re under pressure we’re much more likely to display the weaknesses of our character through our speech, our actions and our attitudes. The opposite is also true. Often the best of our character is revealed when the pressure comes. Otherwise, where would the hero be? What would reveal the champion’s character of perseverance, courage, loyalty and resolve?
So what is our conclusion? I affirm that sport and all its pressures reveal the character of each participant by creating points of insight for those who observe. Coaches, parents, teammates and even some fans can see the true nature of the participants in competition. Sometimes it reveals the weaknesses we would all like to keep hidden. Other times it reveals the absolute best parts of who we are and we’re thrilled with the outcome. In either case, let me encourage you to play your heart out and to welcome the testing as a part of your personal development.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Values for Life in Sport
Recently I was to speak at a fund-raising event for a local sport club and sharing the program with me were two professional athletes. One is a now retired baseball pitcher who played for twelve years in the Major Leagues. The other is presently playing professional fast-pitch softball in both the USA and Australia.
As the program moved along I took notes on their talks and the answers to questions of these two outstanding people. Below are some of the items from their talks about the important things they have learned from sport at the highest level.
· Relationships are most important – they both value their friendships with teammates, road trip roommates, coaches, support staff and even opponents.
· Integrity – their values for sport, for family and for their faith guided their daily decisions in all of life.
· Competition – this is what makes them go. They can’t wait to get to game day and to compete. They are wired for sport in the truest sense.
· Privilege – they each understand the tremendous privilege that is theirs and the accompanying responsibilities of being a professional athlete.
They have both forged a wonderful life from the sports in which they have invested countless hours of practice, miles of running, and years of dreaming. Play your heart out, dream as greatly as you can, invest deeply in your sport and enjoy the benefits of honorable competition.
As the program moved along I took notes on their talks and the answers to questions of these two outstanding people. Below are some of the items from their talks about the important things they have learned from sport at the highest level.
· Relationships are most important – they both value their friendships with teammates, road trip roommates, coaches, support staff and even opponents.
· Integrity – their values for sport, for family and for their faith guided their daily decisions in all of life.
· Competition – this is what makes them go. They can’t wait to get to game day and to compete. They are wired for sport in the truest sense.
· Privilege – they each understand the tremendous privilege that is theirs and the accompanying responsibilities of being a professional athlete.
They have both forged a wonderful life from the sports in which they have invested countless hours of practice, miles of running, and years of dreaming. Play your heart out, dream as greatly as you can, invest deeply in your sport and enjoy the benefits of honorable competition.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Significance in Sport
This is possibly the most annoying thing in sport today. The media seems fixated on adding significance to sporting events by dredging up the most obscure statistics and stories to spice up their reporting.
Every day on local and national sportscasts we’re subjected to information like, “That was the first time since 1956 that a Wildcat quarterback threw for 400 yards in a game.” Sometimes it’s even worse, “This is the first time since 1922 that a left-handed pitcher from Blue Dog, Texas named Johnny has struck out 14 batters in a 9 inning game.” All this research and effort seems to be aimed at adding significance to this day’s game or this season’s achievements.
Some of us hear these things and don’t understand the compulsion with such strained efforts to bring significance to sport. We see the inherent significance that is in every season, each competition, every possession of the ball, each at bat, each pitch and every second. Sport has significance all by itself for those who compete. The exertion of will, the concentration of mind, the spiritual energy expended and the teamwork executed brings significance to each practice, conditioning period, film session and even more to the competition itself.
That seems to be lost on certain ones who stand on the periphery of the world of sport. The significance of sport to them is found in statistics (the more remote the better) or the stories (endless “behind the scenes” stories of players or coaches).
Join me and all those who play their hearts out as we experience the real significance in sport. It’s in the daily life of sacrifice, teamwork, aches, pains, exhilaration, joy, disappointment and satisfaction. Leave the research for the media and for those outside who just don’t get it.
Every day on local and national sportscasts we’re subjected to information like, “That was the first time since 1956 that a Wildcat quarterback threw for 400 yards in a game.” Sometimes it’s even worse, “This is the first time since 1922 that a left-handed pitcher from Blue Dog, Texas named Johnny has struck out 14 batters in a 9 inning game.” All this research and effort seems to be aimed at adding significance to this day’s game or this season’s achievements.
Some of us hear these things and don’t understand the compulsion with such strained efforts to bring significance to sport. We see the inherent significance that is in every season, each competition, every possession of the ball, each at bat, each pitch and every second. Sport has significance all by itself for those who compete. The exertion of will, the concentration of mind, the spiritual energy expended and the teamwork executed brings significance to each practice, conditioning period, film session and even more to the competition itself.
That seems to be lost on certain ones who stand on the periphery of the world of sport. The significance of sport to them is found in statistics (the more remote the better) or the stories (endless “behind the scenes” stories of players or coaches).
Join me and all those who play their hearts out as we experience the real significance in sport. It’s in the daily life of sacrifice, teamwork, aches, pains, exhilaration, joy, disappointment and satisfaction. Leave the research for the media and for those outside who just don’t get it.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Wise Conversation with Competitors
Yesterday’s conversation with a student-athlete here at Southern Illinois University affirmed some things I’ve been thinking about for several months. Let’s discuss the sorts of questions we should ask and matters for wise conversation with the people of sport.
1) Don’t focus solely on outcomes. This is all the media and fans seem to care about and it wears them out. They constantly hear questions like, “Will you go all the way this year?” “How many wins will you get this season?” “Are you going to win the championship again this year?” “How badly will you beat that team this weekend?” “How could you lose to that team, they’re horrible?” “Why didn’t you win yesterday?” And more ad nauseum. These kinds of questions about ultimate outcomes are nearly impossible to answer and just frustrate them. We need to do better than that as we engage them in conversation.
2) Don’t spiritualize the sport and their lives. This is too often the way of people in the Church and sometimes the way of sport chaplains. In a discussion of their recent lack of success we’ll ask if they’ve been faithful in their quiet times. We’ll ask if they’ve been in church or if they really prayed prior to the game. Such questioning only leads to confusion, inappropriate guilt and shame and sometimes even to the shipwrecking of one’s faith. Some try to lessen the sting of loss by saying that “it’s only a game” and the real important matters of life revolve around the church, not sport. Such dualistic thinking only serves to deepen their frustration. For competitors, it is much more than a game and hearing that creates immediate distance between them and those who speak in such terms.
3) Do focus on the process. Talk about the matters over which they have some control. Ask about how well they practiced this week. Ask about how well prepared they feel. Ask about the health of the team or certain individuals. Ask about how they feel they have progressed to this point. Ask about where they are in the pursuit of their goals. Ask about practice habits, effort, attitudes, team dynamics, relationships and leadership. These are all matters related to the process of preparation for and competition in their sport. They have some measure of control and the ability to shape these matters and they’re much more willing to talk about them. They also more highly respect those who ask such questions because they reflect a higher level of respect for the sport, the competitors and the process.
In summary, let’s be sure to engage our coaches and athletes in wise conversation. Let’s avoid the kinds of questions so often asked by the media, fans and other casual observers. Let’s ask better questions about the processes involved in sport and fewer ones about the ultimate outcomes. In doing so we’ll gain more favor, we’ll grow in our understanding of the sport and our subjects’ hearts and we’ll deepen the relationships which are so vital to our ministries.
1) Don’t focus solely on outcomes. This is all the media and fans seem to care about and it wears them out. They constantly hear questions like, “Will you go all the way this year?” “How many wins will you get this season?” “Are you going to win the championship again this year?” “How badly will you beat that team this weekend?” “How could you lose to that team, they’re horrible?” “Why didn’t you win yesterday?” And more ad nauseum. These kinds of questions about ultimate outcomes are nearly impossible to answer and just frustrate them. We need to do better than that as we engage them in conversation.
2) Don’t spiritualize the sport and their lives. This is too often the way of people in the Church and sometimes the way of sport chaplains. In a discussion of their recent lack of success we’ll ask if they’ve been faithful in their quiet times. We’ll ask if they’ve been in church or if they really prayed prior to the game. Such questioning only leads to confusion, inappropriate guilt and shame and sometimes even to the shipwrecking of one’s faith. Some try to lessen the sting of loss by saying that “it’s only a game” and the real important matters of life revolve around the church, not sport. Such dualistic thinking only serves to deepen their frustration. For competitors, it is much more than a game and hearing that creates immediate distance between them and those who speak in such terms.
3) Do focus on the process. Talk about the matters over which they have some control. Ask about how well they practiced this week. Ask about how well prepared they feel. Ask about the health of the team or certain individuals. Ask about how they feel they have progressed to this point. Ask about where they are in the pursuit of their goals. Ask about practice habits, effort, attitudes, team dynamics, relationships and leadership. These are all matters related to the process of preparation for and competition in their sport. They have some measure of control and the ability to shape these matters and they’re much more willing to talk about them. They also more highly respect those who ask such questions because they reflect a higher level of respect for the sport, the competitors and the process.
In summary, let’s be sure to engage our coaches and athletes in wise conversation. Let’s avoid the kinds of questions so often asked by the media, fans and other casual observers. Let’s ask better questions about the processes involved in sport and fewer ones about the ultimate outcomes. In doing so we’ll gain more favor, we’ll grow in our understanding of the sport and our subjects’ hearts and we’ll deepen the relationships which are so vital to our ministries.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Restructuring
Below is an article by Bill Houston, chaplain to the Grand Rapids Rampage of the Arena Football League in the USA (American football). It contains good insight and perspective. Thank you Bill.
In December, the Arena Football League owners made the decision to cancel the 2009 season. The reason: to restructure and re-evaluate the way they do business. In light of these tough economic times, we should not be surprised. The goal is to come up with a business plan that will allow them to take the field once again in 2010.Still, I was crushed! I have enjoyed serving as team chaplain for the Grand Rapids Rampage for the last 10 seasons. I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing it has been getting to know coaches, players, front office staff, and arena personnel.
The Lord truly gave me the desires of my heart. (Psalm 37:4) But I have been giving a great deal of thought to this whole idea of restructuring. Businesses (and professional sports leagues) face it and I believe this happens as followers of Christ.
The Lord has impressed upon my heart how I can "restructure" during this down time. Here are just a few suggestions that you are probably already doing, but serve as good reminders:
· Journaling. Jot down those thoughts God places upon your heart as you read His Word and spend time in prayer. Ask "where do I need to restructure in my life?"
· Get away from the office, the phones, the emails and text messages for a day or two. Spend time alone with God and work on your restructuring plan.
· Invest in someone's life one-on-one.
· If you do not already have someone, seek out a trusted friend who you can be accountable to.
· Most of all... pray without ceasing, trust God's goodness and grace, and follow the principles He has outlined for us in His Word.
I have adopted James 1: 2-8 as my "restructuring" point of reference, knowing that trying times are necessary for growth, stability, and opportunities for future ministry. I am hoping the Arena Football League will come through their time of restructuring with a plan of stability and growth... I am trusting the Lord for the same in my life.
Bill HoustonChaplain-Grand Rapids Rampage
In December, the Arena Football League owners made the decision to cancel the 2009 season. The reason: to restructure and re-evaluate the way they do business. In light of these tough economic times, we should not be surprised. The goal is to come up with a business plan that will allow them to take the field once again in 2010.Still, I was crushed! I have enjoyed serving as team chaplain for the Grand Rapids Rampage for the last 10 seasons. I cannot begin to tell you what a blessing it has been getting to know coaches, players, front office staff, and arena personnel.
The Lord truly gave me the desires of my heart. (Psalm 37:4) But I have been giving a great deal of thought to this whole idea of restructuring. Businesses (and professional sports leagues) face it and I believe this happens as followers of Christ.
The Lord has impressed upon my heart how I can "restructure" during this down time. Here are just a few suggestions that you are probably already doing, but serve as good reminders:
· Journaling. Jot down those thoughts God places upon your heart as you read His Word and spend time in prayer. Ask "where do I need to restructure in my life?"
· Get away from the office, the phones, the emails and text messages for a day or two. Spend time alone with God and work on your restructuring plan.
· Invest in someone's life one-on-one.
· If you do not already have someone, seek out a trusted friend who you can be accountable to.
· Most of all... pray without ceasing, trust God's goodness and grace, and follow the principles He has outlined for us in His Word.
I have adopted James 1: 2-8 as my "restructuring" point of reference, knowing that trying times are necessary for growth, stability, and opportunities for future ministry. I am hoping the Arena Football League will come through their time of restructuring with a plan of stability and growth... I am trusting the Lord for the same in my life.
Bill HoustonChaplain-Grand Rapids Rampage
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Singapore Sport Chaplain Training
At this writing I am in Singapore in the second day of sport chaplain training with 60 people as they prepare for this country’s hosting of the first-ever Youth Olympic Games in 2010. http://www.singapore2010.sg/day/index.htm
Our attendees are from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and other Asian countries. They are marvelously attentive and have firmly grasped the training that I offered on Thursday and that Armenio Anjos from Portugal is offering today (Friday). Their hunger and eagerness to learn is remarkable.
Our friends Moses Lim, Steven Tok, Andy Lim and others from Singapore have organized this event and they coalesced the United Methodist Church and the Singapore Bible College with their own sports ministry to offer this training experience.
I spoke with them from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Thursday in discussion of the principles for chaplaincy from my book,
“Transforming Lives in Sport.” Armenio is sharing with them all day Friday re: major event sport chaplaincy and even more information about the sports world and points of emphasis for sports ministries.
Please join us in praying for favor with the Youth Olympics Organizing committee in Singapore and that they will make room for a religious services center and possibly more during the games in 2010. Singapore is a wonderful, modern city of 5 million with people from all over Asia as well as the rest of the world. Please pray that our Lord will use the events of the Youth Olympics and our newly trained team of sport chaplains to impact the whole world.
Our attendees are from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and other Asian countries. They are marvelously attentive and have firmly grasped the training that I offered on Thursday and that Armenio Anjos from Portugal is offering today (Friday). Their hunger and eagerness to learn is remarkable.
Our friends Moses Lim, Steven Tok, Andy Lim and others from Singapore have organized this event and they coalesced the United Methodist Church and the Singapore Bible College with their own sports ministry to offer this training experience.
I spoke with them from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm Thursday in discussion of the principles for chaplaincy from my book,
“Transforming Lives in Sport.” Armenio is sharing with them all day Friday re: major event sport chaplaincy and even more information about the sports world and points of emphasis for sports ministries.
Please join us in praying for favor with the Youth Olympics Organizing committee in Singapore and that they will make room for a religious services center and possibly more during the games in 2010. Singapore is a wonderful, modern city of 5 million with people from all over Asia as well as the rest of the world. Please pray that our Lord will use the events of the Youth Olympics and our newly trained team of sport chaplains to impact the whole world.
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