Last night was session four in a series of discussions with student-athletes here at Southern Illinois University related to Jesus’ relationships as described in the Gospel of Mark. I have been experimenting with a couple of things in these discussions and I’m now ready to share some of my observations.

 

1 – I’ve been using an on-line video of the Gospel of Mark, shown on my living room’s large screen television in place of a person reading it. Here’s the link to that video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3h7s19G_-w&feature=related The video has been remarkably effective and I believe it is so for a few reasons. First, this generation has grown up with video and they gather much of their information via video on-line. Second, this form shows the text on the screen, it is read aloud and it has images and music behind it which enhance the reading.

 

2 – The intentionally relational focus of this study helps these sportspeople to connect personally with the narrative and to see the human elements in each story. They don’t see these as “Bible stories” as much as examples of how Jesus interacted with people as a model for how they can wisely and redemptively relate to those around them.

 

3 – I have printed out my outline (as seen below and as attached), handed them out at the beginning of the session and included questions for contemplation and application at the end for them to use throughout the week. I had no idea if this would work, but not a single page is left behind when they go home. It seems they’re willing to do the contemplation and application after our meeting is over. I’m very happy with that.

 

Here is last night’s simple outline. Please note the focus on relationships and the simplicity of the questions. Please feel free to use the study if you like and to experiment with videos of Scripture, printed outlines to carry home and other means to help your sportspeople to engage the truth of Scripture and each other toward the goal of life transformation.

 

Session 4

 

1. Read Mark chapter 6 aloud (or use the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3h7s19G_-w&feature=related) and pray together.

2. In verses 1-6, Jesus and His disciples return to His hometown.

a. How do the home folk respond to Jesus’ message?

b. Why would they act this way?

c. How does Jesus respond to their unbelief?

3. In verses 7-13 and 30-52 Jesus teaches and then tests His disciples.

a. What seems to be the big idea in His teaching in verses 7-13?

b. What did the disciples do after receiving the instructions?

c. How did Jesus test the disciples in verses 35-52 and how well did they do on the test?

d. How much did they learn from the process?

4. In verses 14-29 we hear about King Herod’s response to Jesus’ growing popularity.

a. How would you characterize Herod’s actions?

b. Why would he act this way?

5. Jesus deals wisely with a hungry crowd in a remote location in verses 35-44.

a. How did He demonstrate wisdom, authority and power?

6. In verses 45-52 Jesus again deals with the forces of nature.

a. How is this occasion different from the one in chapter 5 and how similar?

b. What preceded His stroll on the sea?

c. How are the two connected?

7. How did the crowds in Genessaret respond to Jesus’ presence in their area?

a. What happened to them?

8. Thoughts for contemplation and application: How would you benefit from a similar approach to relationships as Jesus demonstrates in chapter 6 in your relationships with;

a. Your teammates?

b. People from your hometown?

c. A jealous authority figure?

d. Mother Nature?

e. Desperately hungry people

Chaplains Roundtables 2012

Below is information about the Chaplains Roundtable events in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) and Lansing, Michigan (USA) that will be held this fall. If you are close enough to attend either of these, please make time to do so. They are excellent environments for learning, networking and encouragement. I’ll be at one or both. I hope to see you there. At each event there is a collection of sport chaplains from auto racing, major and minor league baseball, collegiate sport, high school sport, ice hockey and more.

 

We are less than two months from the Indy Chaplains Roundtable...have you signed up? You will not want to miss this day of encouragement, networking opportunities, idea sharing, fellowship and some awesome resources. It all gets underway at 9am at Traders Point Church, Wednesday, November 7th Registration is free at http://www.chaplainsroundtable.net  

Featured in Indianapolis will be Dr. James Jackson - Chaplain-Indiana Pacers. This will be Dr. Jackson's first Chaplains Roundtable conference. Don't miss his challenge from God's Word at the Indy Chaplains Roundtable, Wednesday-November 7th at Traders Point Church.

 

Dr. Jerry Birch - Chaplain-Cleveland Cavaliers will join us at the Lansing, MI Chaplains Roundtable on Tuesday, December 11th at South Church. You'll not want to miss what the Lord has for you as Dr. Birch opens the pages of Scripture.

 

Each attendee will receive a copy of Spirit Hunger by Gari Meacham. Gari is the wife of former Big League player, Bobby Meacham. In her book, Gari boldly leads us out of the doldrums of “formulaic prayer” into authentic engagement with God. Meacham believes that as Christians we often have an intense longing for control and security instead of a spirit hunger that calls us to be closer to God, with prayer as the main connection to Him.

What Happens at a Chaplains Roundtable Conference?

Each Chaplains Roundtable event will feature three dynamic speakers. Following each challenge from God's Word, attendees will have the opportunity to discuss in a "roundtable" format the message they've just heard. It's a great way to embrace what the Lord may be saying to you and to others. We'll begin at 9am and have you heading home by 2:45pm. What a great way to enjoy fellowship, networking opportunities and growth in your sports ministry. Register today at http://www.chaplainsroundtable.net  

Also featured at the Indy Roundtable will be J.D. Collins - Commissioner of the Crossroads Athletic Conference & Former Division I Basketball Referee. J.D. has been with us at the Indy Roundtable on other occasions but will share the speakers platform this year with great insight on "Ministry Through Mentoring."

 

Also featured at the Lansing Roundtable will be Alan Seaborn of Winning at Home Ministries. Alan will be attending his first Lansing Chaplains Roundtable. You'll not want to miss his challenge as he looks at the topic "Ministry to Those Impacted by the Breakdown of the Family."

 

Also featured in Lansing will be Paul Allen of Hockey Ministries International. Paul was a pastor in the Toronto area for nearly 20 years and has been involved in hockey chaplaincy for nearly a decade. Paul has been part of the Lansing Chaplains Roundtable before...but this year, we have the privilege of hearing his heart as one of our featured speakers. He will address the topic "Ministry in Crisis Situations."

 

Our mailing address is:

Bill Houston

9749 Parmeter Ave NE

Rockford, MI 49341

update subscription preferences:

bhouston1958@yahoo.com

You are free!

Since my most recent reading of Galatians, I have again been struck by the simple truths of chapter 5, especially verses 1 and 13. Some implications from those verses are below. I hope these thoughts are of value to you and to those whom you serve.

 

YOU ARE FREE!

 

Christian men and women of sport, those who are in relationship with Christ Jesus, are free to train, to compete, to win, to lose, to succeed, to fail, to be champions and to be “also rans.” Their lives are kept by the living Lord Jesus and their relationships with Him are unaffected by performance.

 

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 The love of Christ will lead the Christian competitor to freedom, not pressure and slavery to performance. If the coach or player feels pressure, fear of failure or compulsion to perform in a particular way, those emotions are not coming from the Lord Jesus. They may very well be there, but they’re probably from his own flesh, from her coach, from his parents, from the club or the media or the general culture of sport, but they are not from Christ Jesus. You are free!

 

“For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13 The freedom we experience in Christ Jesus as competitors must not be turned into an opportunity for selfish indulgence. It’s very easy for the Christian coach or player who has discovered his freedom in Christ to simply take his freedom and run to his own corner of the sport, isolating himself from teammates and privatizing his faith. The Lord’s admonition of verse 13 is that our freedom is given to us, in part, to enable us to serve our teammates selflessly. Our freedom in Christ is the essential quality that empowers us to put down our own prideful flesh, to prefer our teammates’ needs above our own, to love the unlovely ones among us and to embrace those who both perform well and those who don’t. You are free!

 

Christian Coach, Trainer or Club Manager – you are free. You are no more pleasing to the Lord when you finish the season undefeated and champions as you are when you go winless and finish last in your league. Neither are you less pleasing to Him whether you succeed or fail. You are free!

 

Christian Player, Athlete or Competitor – you are free. You may experience pressure, compulsion or guilt related to your performance, but you can be sure that is not coming from the Lord Jesus. You are free. You can live with a daily assurance that you were created in Christ Jesus for good works which the Lord prepared beforehand for you to walk in (Ephesians 2:10) and your life in sport is a part of those good works. You are free. You can fully offer your body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, it is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1-2) In each day’s training, competition, rest and recovery, in all of life, you are free!

 

Sport Chaplain, Sport Mentor or Character Coach – you are free. You will feel the emotions and pressures experienced by those you serve, but you are free. You will experience victories and failures with your teams and individual competitors, but you are free. The Lord is no more pleased with your ministry when your team is successful and winning as He is when your team consistently underachieves and regularly loses. He is no less pleased with you and you are no less valuable to Him when you serve in a seemingly obscure place as when you serve with a “high profile” team or a “celebrity” status player. You are free!

 

Men and Women of Sport – You are free!! Live in the liberty afforded you by the Lord Jesus. Let your freedom lead you to serve selflessly and to love extravagantly.

Chapel Talk - The Team

The theme for this season of Saluki Football is “The Team.” All our pre-season Team Building, my three pre-season Sunday morning chapel talks and all my game day chapel talks will fit in with this overarching theme. The first of eleven game day chapel talks was delivered last Thursday prior to our season opening loss to Eastern Illinois University. An outline of the chapel and the talk is below. Please feel free to make use of it if you like.

1) Introductory thoughts and welcome.

2) Prayer – “The Lord’s Prayer” was said in unison, standing at tables while holding the hands of those at each table.

3) This season, to be a great team, we must do five things very well. This list of five is from First Corinthians chapter 16 and verses 13 and 14.

4) Read the text. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.”

5) In life, we must do these five things:

a. Be on the alert. Not everyone likes you. Some people will seek to hurt you and to use you and those whom you love. Be on the alert so as to protect.

b. Stand firm in the faith. One must know the values that are at the core of his life and he must stand firm in holding to those. As a Christian, these values are clearly stated in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

c. Act like men. I shared a one page document from Coach Tony Dungy re: what defines “A Real Man.” I summarized by saying that to act like a man means to reject passivity and to take initiative. Living passively will result in your being run over by life.

d. Be strong. Be strong physically, mentally and spiritually.

e. Let all you do be done in love. To seek another’s good at your cost is to love. I love my wife and will pay whatever it costs to see her be well. I love my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, I will pay whatever it costs to care for them.

6) In football today, we must do these same five things:

a. Be on the alert. Keep your head on a swivel. There are big, ugly men with harmful intentions toward you running across that field. They would like nothing better than to blindside you and to put you on your back. Be on the alert.

b. Stand firm in the faith. Hold tightly to your team’s values which we have discussed since August 4.

c. Act like men. Don’t play passively today. Take initiative. Make a play.

d. Be strong. Be strong physically. Be strong mentally. Be strong spiritually.

e. Let all you do be done in love. Seek your team’s best and seek each teammate’s best at your cost.

7) Summary – Today and for the rest of your life –

a. Be on the alert.

b. Stand firm.

c. Act like men.

d. Be strong.

e. Let all you do be done in love.

8) Closing prayer by the chaplain.

A Report from the Olympic Games

As the 2012 Olympic Games have closed, most of the world’s attention has left London and moved onto other things. Another world-wide sporting event is just beginning in London this weekend, the Paralympics, and they are also well served by a number of sports chaplains from around the world. Please pray for our colleagues who serve these world class sportspeople and for many among these competitors who love the Lord Jesus.

 

One of our colleagues who has served at every Olympiad since 1988, Madeline Manning Mims, sent me a very detailed report of her service at the 2012 Games. Excerpts of that report are below. I hope it serves to deepen and broaden our understanding as to the preparation process, the breadth of service and the depth of impact made by these faithful servants. Thanks are due Madeline for making these thoughts available to us.

 

Preparation

To qualify as an Olympic Games Maker Volunteer and serve in the Multi-Faith division as a chaplain in the Village was a two-year process. Dr. John Ashley Null, chairman of the Major Events Chaplaincy Commission (MECC), a division of the International Sports Coalition (ISC), and Stuart Weir, secretary of the MECC, developed a list of nineteen international chaplains to serve at the Games. The list was presented to Duncan Green, the Head of Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Services for the 2012 London Olympic Games. Duncan would then submit the list along with UK chaplains to the London Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). Duncan had worked with LOCOG for a total of five years to activate one of the most successful chaplaincy programs ever presented at an Olympic and Paralympic Games. John Boyers assisted Duncan as the Multi-Faith Center manager.

 

There were three groups operating: one group for the Village that hosted 17,000 athletes and team officials for the Olympic Games and 6,000 for the Paralympics; one group for media hosting 26,000 people; and one group for the 70,000 volunteer Games Makers. The nurturing, encouragement, and caregiving by these three groups helped to ease tensions, and bring harmony to the purpose for which the UK was hosting the Olympics Games.

 

Ministerial Responsibilities

A new growing experience came about for me when I was assigned as one of three Team Leaders over the Village Chaplains. This included all five faith groups: Buddhism, Christianity (Catholic and Protestant), Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism. I was Team Leader for Team C, [the best Team of course] Lol. My two deputy assistants were Richard Gamble (UK) and Kjell Markset (Norway). They were ‘spot-on’ when I had to leave the Village to serve the U.S. Women’s basketball team who lived 30 minutes away.

The responsibilities of a Team Leader are six-fold:

Openness: Open dialogue; two-way communication; give opportunity for key overview of daily events; care for health and safety of team members; review previous activities; make sure everyone has what they need to do their job; and record daily activities.

Team Spirit: Develop teamsmanship; be hospitable; lead by example the walk of love and compassion for your teammates; be supportive.

Be Distinctive: Help chaplains to perform their specific role by administering their service as professionals; help them to understand the different environment they are hosting. This is the athlete’s home away from home during one of their most important athletic feats in life.

Delivery: Team leaders execute the plan laid out years before Games time to the team, troubleshooting and monitoring when necessary.

Respectful: The team must be respectful of all in their environment, specifically children and vulnerable adults. This was strongly enforced by LOCOG.

Inspirational: Be a team builder by motivating, praising, nurturing, listening, showing compassion, and willingness to act upon a complaint when necessary. Most of all, the Team Leader must walk in Godly love toward their team members.

 

Personal Reflection

London was the seventh Olympiad I have served as a volunteer chaplain. My position as a Team Leader to the Multi-Faith group of chaplains was a new experience for me. One in which I enjoyed and grew spiritually in my faith walk in Christ. In the (NIV) Bible, John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the WORLD that He gave His one and only Son…” Sometimes, as Christians, we forget that God loves the people of the world. The Olympic Village expresses a utopia of the world which God so loved. I was reminded on a daily basis of God’s love for ALL people, no matter what faith they choose to follow. Christ still died for them and the love of God is poured out freely and unconditionally, drawing them back to their Creator and Father. As a Christ-follower, I must see the world through my heavenly Father’s eyes, and participate with Him in reaching out to those He created in His image and likeness. My heart overflowed with God’s love toward all the chaplains I encountered on my team in a fresh, new way that has made me a better Christian and minister of the gospel. It was worth all the sacrifice I made to position myself to serve at the 2012 Games. I am thankful that God is patient with me as I grow in His ways of ministry for my life and others.

 

In the midst of such intense competition, where the thrill of a lifetime dream manifests, or extreme disappointment and grief envelopes an athlete’s life, a calm cloaked the Games, and a peace settled over the Village where residents called their home away from home. I am a four-time U.S. Olympian, gold and silver medalist in Track. I have experienced the highs and lows of Olympic competition. During my competitive career, there were no chaplains there for me. As a chaplain, I know what it means to have caring, loving chaplains available for athletes as they produce to their highest ability before the world. In my opinion, the UK did an excellent job of being sensitive to the needs of the whole person in this athletic arena, and I personally want to thank LOCOG (London Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) for the opportunity to share in meeting the spiritual needs of the Olympic family at the 2012 Olympic Games.

Dynamic Ministry at the Olympic Games

Earlier this week I enjoyed a phone conversation with my friend and colleague from the United Kingdom, Stuart Weir of Verite Sport www.veritesport.org. He and I discussed his ministry at the London Olympic Games and the potential for this model in future games. His work as an “in country” atttache’ for the Togo Olympic Committee afforded him unique opportunities and tremendous access to various venues. His ability to speak French and his familiarity with London were key to this opportunity. May we be similarly creative and available to serve at major sporting events or even local sports events of any level.

 

Please read Stuart’s ministry update for even more insights into this month’s ministry.

 

Update

The Olympics from every perspective seemed a thoroughly enjoyable and most successful sporting events ever. For me it was hard work and long hours but at the same time an immense privilege to be part of it.

 

Aims

I was in an unusual role as Olympic Attaché for Togo. At the outset I had four aims:

1 To provide logistical back-up for the team of 19 international chaplains.

2 To fulfil my commitments to the Togo Olympic Committee who had asked me to be their Olympic Attaché.

3 To support Christian Olympians whom I knew.

4 To enjoy the games.

 

Chaplaincy logistics

It was exciting that LOCOG allowed us 19 international (Protestant) chaplains. I managed the budget, travel arrangements, accommodation, provided UK mobile phones and generally helped with orientation. Several were kind enough to say that the infra-structure was the best at any event they had ever worked at.

 

Togo Olympic Attaché

The role of the Olympic Attaché is not clearly defined in the Olympic Charter. The word “liaison” is mentioned a few times. My role was to do what was asked of me using my knowledge of how to get things done in the UK. Practical tasks such as getting business cards printed, screen-printing of the running vests the athletes wore, ordering Togolese flags on the internet, liasing with the uniform supplier were typical tasks I undertook. Paying bills – as I was the only one with a Visa Card – was at times a little scary as the debts mounted but, in the end, all was repaid to me.

I had the opportunity to attend meetings that were absolutely fascinating such as the team reception meeting in which every name, role etc is checked against LOCOG’s records, and a briefing for athletics coaches. Each time I was asked to attend to facilitate matters.

The team press attaché seemed somewhat disinterested in his responsibilities so I found myself fielding press enquiries like why was our hurdler disqualified. I also set up an interview for our 13 year old swimmer with CNN. I wore team uniform every day after I finally received it. I marched with the team to our official welcome ceremony. I would have been part of the Opening Ceremony except that the team was only allowed 6 non athletes.

The accreditation privileges given to the Olympic Attaché are wide ranging. While I did not sleep in the Village – well not at night – I had access to the Village at all times. I ate in the athletes’ restaurant and travelled on athletes’ transport. In the sports venues I had access to the warm-up areas, the athletes’ stand and the Olympic Family Lounge [free food and drink]. While this made the games more enjoyable than I had expected, it also created unprecedented ministry opportunities.

Supporting Christian athletes

From my work in previous years I knew about 35 Christians who were participating in the Olympics. I decided to send them all a daily devotion in the style of my weekly devotion but with a focus on the Olympics and a bit shorter. About ten of them thanked me for it, one said she was sending it on to several team mates. That was an encouragement. One emailed me: “The daily messages were great as well. A perfect little shot of Jesus at just the right time!”

Having access to the Village, the dining room, transport and warm-up areas meant that I was constantly bumping into athletes. It was not a situation for many deep conversations – more a word of encouragement and a prayer.

The tunnel between the stadium and the warm-up area became holy ground for me. I was able to walk the length of the tunnel with several athletes – a unique opportunity permitted by the access I was allowed.

By the end of the Games I had prayed with 20 different athletes – some of them several times. To pray with someone on the day of the most important competition was an immense privilege.

I had produced a prayer diary and circulated it to friends. A number of Olympians said it was a real encouragement to know that people were praying for them on the day of the competition.

Enjoying the Games

I love major sports events, the buzz, the excitement, the atmosphere. London 2012 was so special. Being in the stadium for so many exciting events was indescribable. Being on the inside as part of the Togo delegation was an amazing privilege. The access to athletes created so many opportunities to serve. See photos at www.veritesport.org

 

The Paralympics

Next week I am off to the Paralympics. Again I am doing logistics for the international chaplains. I will be accredited as a journalist and doing some newspaper writing. Again I will be supporting the Christians I know, about 5-6, and also also hoping to make new contacts.

 

Prayer

Pray for the ministry of the chaplains to the Paralympics.

Pray for the Christian athletes – Stef in sprint and long jump, Michael and Anna in Goalball.

Pray for me that I would be in the right place at the right time for divine appointments.

Stuart Weir

Verité Sport

Tel + 44 (0) 1865 864265

www.veritesport.org

God's Team at Ephesus

During my annual study retreat I wrote a verse by verse, inductive study of the Epistle to the Ephesians as viewed through the lens of sports teams. The first session of 12 is below. If you would like a copy of the study, simply email me at lipe@earthlink.net and I’ll send you a pdf copy.

 

God’s Team at Ephesus

An inductive study of Paul’s Epistle to

the Ephesians through the lens of sport teams.

Session 1- Your Position on God’s Team

1) Read Ephesians chapter 1, verses 1-14 aloud and pray together.

2) How does the author describe himself and those to whom he’s writing in verses 1 and 2?

3) Where was Ephesus and what kind of a city was it?

4) According to verses 3 and 4 how did we gain our positions on God’s team?

5) What is the difference between being chosen for this team versus our choosing to join God’s team?

6) What was the timing and purpose for which we were chosen?

7) From what you read in verses 5 and 6, what has God’s grace accomplished in us?

8) Verses 7 through 10 describe further accomplishments of God’s grace in us. Let’s make a list of what has been done.

9) In verses 7 through11, we hear details of our inheritance.

a. From whom does a person receive an inheritance?

b. On what basis is it received?

c. Who were “the first to hope in Christ” mentioned here?

d. Who are the people he addresses as “you also” in verse 13?

e. What is the common result of both groups having heard and believed the gospel?

f. How is the Holy Spirit a pledge of our inheritance?

10) Thoughts for contemplation and application:

a. How does knowing God chose you for His team affect your sense of belonging to Him?

b. Which of the accomplishments of God’s grace listed in verses 7 through 10 do you sense most strongly in your life? Which seem most remote to you?

c. How can we best reflect our position on God’s team and our inheritance this week?