Ministry To or Through Sportspeople?

I was last week in a set of meetings of 400 people from 93 countries who all do ministry to or through sportspeople. Of late, the momentum has swung toward serving sportspeople more directly rather than seeing the primary emphasis of ministry in sport as working through them. I, for one, am very happy to see this trend.

 

Below is an article first sent to many of you in 2008 after some discussions with valued and respected colleagues. I hope these thoughts help shape the conversation and our service together.

 

This reflection is also included in the recently released book, Free to Compete – Reflections on Sport from a Christian Perspective. It is available in paperback and Kindle versions and can be obtained through Amazon.com or www.crosstrainingpublishing.com.

 

Ministry To or Through Sportspeople?

We who are engaged in Sports Ministries would do well to ask ourselves some questions for evaluation and contemplation on a couple of important issues.  Many of us would characterize our ministries as being to the people of sport.  Others would say that their ministry extends through the people of sport to the world at large.  Others would rightly say that they do some of both.  I would like to challenge all of us with the same definitions and questions I regularly ask of myself as I analyze and adjust my ministry with people in sport; coaches and athletes alike. 

Important Note: Ministry to Sportspeople and Ministry through Sportspeople are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Often they work together. This document examines the ‘primary’ driver of our sports ministry.

First, let’s define Ministry to Sportspeople in the simplest terms.  It is selflessly serving the sportspeople and God's purposes in them with no ulterior motive, no matter how noble.

Below are some examples of such selfless service -

·        Assisting in the whole-life development of the sportsperson.

·        Offering help to players' and coaches' families when they are new to the community.

·        Assisting support staff when they need help with a task.

·        Visiting players who are injured, ill or are grieving a family loss.

·        Helping a coach or player who wants to share his faith by training and encouraging him about it. 

·        Offering hospitality and community to these people often displaced from family and friends.

·        Speaking privately with a player or a coach about his or her relationship with Christ.

·        Maintaining confidentiality re: injuries, illness, family situations, contracts, etc...

·        Protecting private information about players and coaches, such as phone numbers, email addresses, etc. 

·        Praying for a coach or athlete when a request is shared in confidence.

·        Sending encouraging notes, emails, text messages and phone calls.

Ministry through Sportspeople can be defined as ministry efforts which primarily seek to leverage the influence of a coach or athlete to share the Gospel of Christ with those within the sportsperson’s sphere of influence.  One can do such ministry effectively and faithfully if the personal development of the player or coach is his primary goal.  To seek God’s purposes in the life of the individual must supersede one’s goals for ministry extended through the player or coach.

Below are some examples of such ministry efforts -

·        Helping the sportsperson to develop his or her life in Christ through prayer, study, community and training him or her in sharing one’s faith as a part of that development.

·        Teaching a sportsperson about the Christian discipline and responsibility of stewardship in all areas of life, including one’s sport, influence and finances.

·        Providing properly chosen opportunities for a sportsperson to share his or her growing faith with others.

o   In public events.

o   In church services or ministry events.

o   In printed materials.

o   On television, web sites or radio.

o   In sports events, camps, etc…

A note of caution – Ministry through Sportspeople often displays a utilitarian attitude which engages the sportsperson for what he or she can bring to a person, an organization or a cause rather than simply as people in God’s Kingdom.

Some characteristics of such a utilitarian attitude toward sport and sportspersons are:

·        Cultivating relationships with the high profile players while neglecting those less well known ones.

·        Seeking the player or coach out only when you need something done.

·        Players begin to avoid you because they think you will want something from them.

·        Soliciting donations for your ministry from the players and coaches you’re serving.

·        Using your position with the team to generate publicity for yourself or to promote your personal agenda.

·        Sharing info with the media to enhance one's public profile (being seen as an insider).

·        Using your position with the team for free tickets, gear, etc…  Even worse is to abuse such privilege for personal gain.

·        Engaging a person long enough to share the Gospel message with him or her and then withdrawing from them when your personal mission is accomplished.

·        Seeking out high profile players so you may tell others, "Player X attends my church. You should join us."  This may be true, but the sportsperson can feel like a pawn for one’s ambition for growing church attendance.

·        Saying, "Sport is a good tool for ministry."  It certainly is, but such a statement betrays an attitude which does not value sport in its own right.

·        Saying, "Sport is a good platform for sharing the Gospel."  It certainly is, but saying this can make the sportsperson feel used.

Whether your ministry is primarily ‘to’ sportspeople, or primarily ‘through’ them: Be wise and intentional about your ministry. Examine your motives and adjust your methods. Guard your heart from pride.

Significant contributions to this article were made by Cameron Butler of Sports Chaplaincy Australia.  http://www.sportschaplaincy.com.au/

The Significance of Sport Chaplains, Sport Mentors, and Character Coaches in the 21st Century

Ministry in Sport has changed greatly in the last sixty years.  It began with iconic figures and very few details about their lives. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was founded on this dynamic. FCA’s founder, Don McLanen, selected high profile, Christian athletes to proclaim their faith in public, just as they were being used by companies to promote their products.  Ministry in Sport grew through the influence of two-dimensional, heroic Christian athletes who were used by various ministries to achieve growth and financial development. FCA grew through this dynamic.  The last twenty years have revealed a huge tear in the fabric of many sports ministries. Our intentions have been questioned, our integrity has been examined and our methods have been scrutinized. FCA is part and parcel of this dynamic.

The present world of sport and much of sports ministry is characterized by three primary weaknesses.  1) The prevalence of compartmentalized lives; that is a lack of integrity. This is easily seen in situations like the fall of coaches, players, and even prominent Christian athletes.  2) The horrible lie of performance based identity. A player’s sense of personal worth may rise or fall based upon his most recent performance on the field of competition. A coach’s sense of God’s pleasure with her may ride on her team’s win/loss record. Even worse, a sport chaplain’s sense of his or her being in God’s will can be shaped by the relative success or failure of the teams being served. Each and all of these scenarios are emblematic of the terrible lie that assaults the hearts of sports people. 3) The collapse of the American family structure. Most of the young men and women whom we serve are now from single parent families. They start their lives relationally and spiritually handcuffed. Worse still, if they are so blessed as to be athletically gifted, they may find that their coaches, teammates, agents, peers, lovers, even their parents and sport chaplains use the player for their own personal gain.

Sport Chaplains, Sport Mentors, and Character Coaches in the 21st century are uniquely qualified to address these issues.  If we will lovingly lead and serve with integrity of heart and not simply follow the culture’s flow of compartmentalization, we can make a real difference. We can lead players, coaches and our colleagues in ministry toward lives of real integrity and don’t treat it as a mere buzzword to impress our donors. The issue of performance based identity is most poignant for these days and will only increase in importance in the future.  The self-perpetuating cycle of broken people growing up in broken homes can be overcome by the life transforming power of the Gospel of Christ in the lives of sportspeople. Not for the sake of the masses who follow them, but for their own lives and families. They are worth it, regardless if anyone else is watching.

My challenge to you and to sports ministries globally is: 1) To conduct your ministry with a whole heart. To fully integrate the presence and power of Christ in all of life; sport, ministry, family, all of it. 2) Guard your hearts and those you serve from the insidious lie of performance based identity. Help them to see that their lives are inextricably tied to the infinite value of Christ Jesus as they are in Him. 3) Dynamically impact the lives of the people of sport with the Gospel and thereby extend Christ’s influence in their families, teams, communities and the world.

Common Cause - Pregame Chapel Talk

Across these twenty seasons of college football I’ve written and delivered a lot of pre-game chapel talks. I thought I’d share the chapel I conducted last Saturday prior to the Football Salukis’ game at Western Illinois University. Our game with the Leathernecks had a 1:00 pm start time and our chapel was at 8:45 am, just prior to the team meal. 100% of the coaching staff and team were in attendance. I was pleased to speak on one of my favorite scripture passages. Below is the outline of my talk. I hope it is of some value to you.

Saluki Football – “Common Cause”

Introduction – This is game one of our four game sprint to the playoffs. Let’s be great today.

 

Opening prayer by a junior running back.

 

Common Cause – Thousands of years ago, a man named Moses led two million people from slavery in Egypt to their home in Palestine. Two million people is the equivalent of 20,000 football teams like ours. Their common cause is detailed in the first five books of the Bible and in Psalm 90. Read Psalm 90:12-17. This is the prayer of Moses, the man of God.

          v. 12 – Understand the brevity of life and of opportunity, live wisely.

          v. 13 – God, please visit us with compassion, life is hard.

          vv. 14-15 – Please provide food for us again tomorrow and allow us some good days to match these hard days.

          v. 16 – Show us what to do as men. Let our kids experience a great life.

          v. 17 – Please show us favor with our friends and even with our enemies. Establish our work, make it of lasting impact.

 

Saluki Football’s Common Cause and my prayer for this team today is this.

·        I pray that we understand how brief the remaining season is and that we will wisely seize this opportunity.

·        I pray that we sense God’s presence on the field today and seek the best of the college football experience.

·        I pray that our coaching staff sees clearly what to do in every moment and that our players find great joy in the game.

·        I pray that we have the favor of God upon us and that the work of our hands; countless hours of study, practice, and training are confirmed, established, and have a lasting impact.

That’s my prayer for Saluki Football today, our common cause, step one of four to a playoff berth.

 

Closing prayer by our injured, fifth year quarterback.

Most / Least Effective - Responses

Responses to last week's questions are below. I hope they are of value to you and to those you serve.

1)   When, where and in what settings do you feel like you are being most effective in your service of the men and women of sport?

2)   When, where and in what settings do you feel like you are being least effective in your service of the men and women of sport?

From Kevin Anundson (Southwest Minnesota State University USA) –

Most effective: when we host the SMSU athletes at a lecture room with a “banquet table” that is filled with food every Thursday night. Our aim is that the room is representative of Christian Love.

Least effective: would be as a spectator.

From Cole Espenshied (FCA – Peoria, IL USA)-

Most effective:  when doing life with coaches and athletes in community and there is relationship.  Coaches huddle (God’s word & prayer specifically), sharing a meal, in practice consulting or serving, camp settings.

Least effective: emails, showing up unexpected or having not met a coach, putting on a coaches “event” at times.

From Fr. Brian Cavanaugh (Franciscan University Steubenville, OH USA) –

My most effective time with the rugby team is at the weekly Friday night team Mass in the Friary chapel. They are the only team that has a regular team Mass in the friary, and they know it is special. The Friday readings in the Common Lectionary are terrific to use with sports teams. Paul has lists  of virtues, talks about competing well - agonizomai - and more. A focus for the Franciscan University athletics program is "Sport: a School of Moral Values" as championed by Blessed John Paul II.

Also, being at the games, offering a Team Prayer <http://www.appleseeds.org/Rugby-Team-Prayer.htm> before kickoff, and providing words of encouragement for them to play with absolute passion and utmost dignity.

My least effective area might be in ministering to the coaches. I try to support them and text them after games with words of support and encouragement. For years this has been an area of disconnect, but this past season has greatly improved. Maybe it's because I finally got a smartphone too.

From Daniel Chappell (FCA Danville, IL USA) –

I feel I am most effective in my service of the men and women of sport when I am ministering to them on their turf. Whether it’s in his/her office, practice field, or classroom, I feel like I make the most impact in the lives of people of sport when I’m engaged where they are engaged. I know there is great value in a Bible study, but I’m willing to bet coaches are more active and comfortable at a Bible study held on their turf. I don’t won’t to marginalize ministry centered around the local church, but I do think we are most effective when we engage folks in their environment. As an addendum to this question, I often appeal to Lowrie McCown’s evangelism scale in regard to the manner in which I will engage a person of sport. The more the individual is invested in sport, the more personal my interaction becomes.

If my purpose is to minister to men and women of sport in the context of sport, I feel least effective when I am engaging him/her outside sport-related milieu.

From Mike Hansen (Calvary Church St. Charles, MO USA) –

Three overall guidelines that drive my ministry:

1. Simple purpose is to serve

2. Never ask any coach or player for anything

3. Hang around, let them approach on their terms

4. Goal is to see them "know and grow" in their walk with Christ

Most effective:

1. Hanging around - by far the most effective, after practice, in the dining room, in the trainer's room, just getting a chance to share life with them and let them approach you on their own terms!

2. Bible Study - very intentional time of pouring truth into their lives and building relationships

3. In Adversity - after an injury, death of a family member, relationship issues. Nothing like meeting them where they are at and loving them through it! Builds trust and relationship.

Least effective:

1. Game Day - good optics to see you there, but not a day to engage much for obvious reasons

2. Before practice - respect their time with coaches and team mates

From Cristobal Chamale (Atletas en Accion, Guatemala) –

I feel more effective with the sports people sharing bible studies in the locker room (this is our chapel time in Guatemala because we do not have the concept of chaplaincy and this is something that the teams and people do not understand because they relate quickly to a religion or church and I do not want that they take it in this way). I feel effective sharing in their private life giving counseling and creating a safe environment where they can share me some critical and personal needs when they need to make serious decisions.

I am not too effective during their game day because in Guatemala the tournaments are most play during Sundays and I use to explain them that this is the day that I use to full my tank to have more to share with them...but sometimes I do it and is a great time.

From Ed Gomes (Liberty University Lynchburg, VA USA) –

Most effective: When student-athletes are open to hearing spiritual truth that impacts all four areas of the athletes life (Academic, Athletic, Social and Spiritual).

Least effective: In the area where the message is not interrupted  (Could be in my office, on the bus, practice field or cafeteria, etc.

From Mike Berg (North Dakota, USA) –

I would say that I am most effective just having informal conversations with the players while walking from the locker room to the field, standing on the sideline during practice and talking with players while they're not engaged in a drill or a structured segment.  I've also found that injured players who are at practice, but not able to participate, are often miserable about having to sit out and anxious to visit - these are some of our best and most productive conversations.  The game day chapels serve a great purpose, but there have to be ways to connect with the players who choose not to attend those voluntary services.  The players who attend the chapels either already "get it", or are at least aware of the value of being there.  The challenge is to at least make the other players aware of your presence in the daily routine of meetings and practice.

From Amanda Roberts (USA) –

Most effective: In the locker room hanging out or on the bus rides to and from games.

Least effective: During the off season.

When, where are you most or least effective?

Over the next few weeks I’d like to ask you a series of questions, compile your responses, and then I’ll report on what you and your colleagues from around the world have said. Please take a moment to contemplate on these questions and to send a thoughtful response. I believe that such idea sharing enhances each of us. Thanks.

1)   When, where and in what settings do you feel like you are being most effective in your service of the men and women of sport?

2)   When, where and in what settings do you feel like you are being least effective in your service of the men and women of sport?

Think in terms like: on the court/pitch/field, at practice, in the stadium, in the locker (changing) room, in a chapel service, in a Bible study, on the sideline, in the dugout, on game day, in private preparation, in conversation with a competitor, etc… Thanks.

Rewarding Moments

Our university’s football program (American Football) recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary of competing in that sport. As a part of the celebration they chose an “All-Century Team” of players and coaches from across that span of time. They chose a number of players from each position and three coaches, totaling eighty-three in all. Quite a few of them were able to attend the events which included a dinner with a program, a tailgate prior to the game and introductions of each of the chosen players during half-time of the game. It was a great weekend and a tremendous opportunity to see many of the players whom I’ve known over my twenty seasons of serving the team.

 

That weekend and several occasions since then have led me to reflect on the rewarding moments that we often experience in our roles of service. I  am listing many of these below and I hope they raise your awareness as to such opportunities. There are enough painful moments, days of doubt and frustration, periods of worry and misunderstanding, don’t you dare miss the moments of reward. A couple of these per year can keep me in the harness through months of criticism and barrenness.

 

·        Phone calls – an occasional call from a player who asks for prayer prior to a job interview or announces the birth of his new baby is warmly received and touches the soul.

·        Text messages – the brief, direct communication I receive from players and coaches goes straight to my heart when they share news or ask for prayer.

·        Returning players – at homecoming games, during special events like mentioned above or on any occasion, the smiles, hugs, back slaps, and the stories told between the team chaplain and the players who have gone on in their lives and careers, are priceless.

·        Weddings – I have been privileged to lead several couples, made up of collegiate athletes or coaches, through the preparations for marriage and their wedding ceremonies. The opportunity to serve them in this way and to help shape their relationships is richly rewarding and a little intimidating in its importance.

·        Births – for some of the couples whose weddings I have been privileged to officiate, I have also been present on the days their babies were born. To visit the family, to hold their newborn and to be asked to pray for their child is among my life’s greatest privileges. I feel like Simeon from the book of Luke blessing the Christ child.

·        Facebook messages – a few times across the years of my having a presence on Facebook I have been stunned to receive a message from a player from many years past describing the impact of our ministry upon his or her life. The fact that all of that person’s friends and all of my friends can also read the message is humbling and touches my heart deeply.

·        Funerals – this one may not be so obviously rewarding, but to be present when people’s hearts are laid open by grief provides us with opportunities to love them deeply and without resistance. Such moments also prompt some vulnerable expressions of gratitude and reflection by those we serve. To walk with them through the pain is worth it when we connect this deeply.

 

I am sure I could find some more, but I trust this short list of rewarding moments will be sufficient to fuel your imagination for the discovery of similar instances in your experience and even in your future. Let’s love extravagantly and serve selflessly.

A note from the U. K.

Below is a brief article written by one of our colleagues from the United Kingdom. This article by Rev. Jon Bergen was published in the Brechin Advertiser. Rev. Bergen is one of the growing number of sport chaplains affiliated with Sport Chaplaincy U. K. Please give his thoughts a read. He does a great job of keeping sports results in the proper perspective.

 Thought for the Week

Published on the 07 October, 2013 06:34

Well, as much as it feels like it might just want to be summer for a wee while longer it is becoming obvious that fall is here.

The leaves are changing, last week of school before the Tattie Holidays and I was away for my Sports Chaplaincy UK conference.

It was, as usual, a longish sort of journey down to North Hampton to meet up with 100 plus sport chaplains to discuss and learn about a wide variety of issues dealing with sport and how chaplaincy plays a part in many different parts of the lives of those who love, play or both in the sports world.

I have had some suggest that Christianity is not part of the sporting world and I suspect that it isn’t on the day-to-day conscience of many that play or watch.

But I am also reminded that the Apostle Paul loved sport and used several images of sport in his letters to the various churches.

I am reminded in a book by Peter Lupson, ‘Thank God For Football’, that much of the early days of football was founded by churches/priests/ministers as a way to keep young lads out of trouble. Sadly that connection has been a bit lost in these more recent years.

A mate of mine that was at the conference is also a minister in the Heathrow area and heads up a group call Christians in football.

We had the annual draw for the churches’ cup and trophy tournament schedule and we talked about the various views of the guys playing for the over 100 teams involved and the impact of chaplaincy and the Christian ethos in their lives.

It was also good to just sit and chat at meals and breaks with other guys that love sport and Jesus at the same time, and realise I am not a lone nutter out here in Angus.

So, ok, back to Paul as he writes about sport in the Epistles. He makes a case for doing things with a goal of greatness of effort.

I am reminded often that God never called us to success but rather faithfulness and so to me that involves doing our best and Paul says in Philippians 3:12-14: “Not that I have already attained (achieved), or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended (arrived); but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

This speaks of effort and endeavour not about result as such.

A win is wonderful in sport. But I have since learning about proper football learned that a draw can also be a great joy or disappointment.

In Ayr, BCFC got a 2-2 draw that was almost as good as an outright win.

But last Saturday’s 1-1 draw was a disappointment as there were chances missed and effort not as good as the week before.

In order for the team to come back in the coming weeks they will have to put the past into the past and make the effort needed.

So it is with our lives as well. We have to think beyond where we are and ‘press toward the prize’.

Praying that I’m pressing toward the right prize,

Rev. Jon Bergen

Brechin Baptist

Fellowship