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

Opponent ≠ Enemy

In a couple of hours I’ll board an airplane for a flight to Sioux Falls, South Dakota (USA) for a college football game (American Football) on Saturday. We’re playing a team whose coaching staff and sport chaplain are remarkably honorable men. To have opponents of such quality and integrity makes the game better and everything about the sport is enhanced. This is totally opposite of the approach taken by most people in sport. They believe that opponent equals enemy.

 

Below is an article I wrote a few years ago which is also included in the new book, Free to Compete – Reflections on Sport from a Christian Perspective. (www.crosstrainingpublishing.com ISBN: 978-1-938254-15-4 paperback 176 pages) I hope it both challenges and encourages you as you serve the men and women of sport.

 

Opponent ≠ Enemy

From my earliest days in sport I can recall the attitude, held by many, that opponent = enemy.  When competitors are stating the score, I have heard and said, “Good guys up 10-7.”  I remember a long-time college and professional football coach saying in very explicit language and without any pang of conscience, “They are the enemy!!”  Many of us would join him in such statements.  Most of us would have to confess to a less than charitable attitude toward our opponents.  Let’s investigate this a little further.

Practically speaking, a competition without a worthy opponent is just a practice.  Without an opponent one cannot fully compete.  In a very profound sense, we need our opponents just to have real competition.  The opponent is a necessary component to the whole process.  An opponent is needed and should therefore be respected, whereas an enemy is hated and life is better without them.

An opponent makes a competitor better and the more competent the opponent, the greater the improvement for all concerned.  Enemies aim to destroy each other and that only results in harm to both. 

A worthy, respectful opponent helps bring out the best in sport for those who play their hearts out.  A contentious, ruthless, enemy-oriented attitude only serves to bring out the worst in everyone involved.

Play your heart out with a wise attitude that displays respect for your opponent and you will find such character reflected toward you.  Compete foolishly as if opponent = enemy and you will devalue the beauty of sport for yourself, your teammates, your opponents, the officials and the spectators.

Challenges to Long-Term Success

Across my twenty seasons of serving the men and women of sport at our university, in area high schools, and with a minor league baseball team, I have noticed the relatively brief tenures of others who have served in similar roles. I believe there are a number of factors that have led to the brevity of their service. Some of those are listed below as challenges to long-term success as a sport chaplain, character coach, or sport mentors.

Undue urgency – some of us, especially those who are gifted as evangelists or are driven by numerical expectations, may let our sense of urgency for the Gospel override the depth of our relationships with those we serve. When that happens, coaches and competitors begin to avoid us, actively resist us, or find a way for us to leave the team. Beware an overly urgent approach with people, they will feel manipulated and will believe you’re simply using them to accomplish your personal goals.

A utilitarian attitude – this attitude is exemplified by the sport chaplain who tolerates the process of sport; practice, training, study, travel, relationships, and competition, but is committed to delivering his talk. Coaches and competitors smell this attitude like a road kill skunk. They readily perceive that the character coach so motivated is simply using them and it fosters distrust and a superficial relationship. We must move beyond tolerance and fully embrace the whole process of sport if we’re to ever win the trust and the hearts of those we serve.

Personnel changes – in most every sport there is a continual process of change. The coaching staff, the player roster, even the administrative and support staff seems to change constantly. If we fail to build relationships with the newest members of the team or become too nostalgic about those from past years, we stand to find ourselves relationally adrift with no connection to those presently at hand to be served. Ride the occasionally rough surf of personnel changes among your teams and connect as quickly and deeply as possible, even when your friends get fired, traded or waived.

 

Inflexibility – some of us find ourselves on the outside looking in simply because we will not adapt to new situations. This happens all the time as one coaching staff goes out and another comes in. While we may have had a great relationship with the previous coaching staff, the new one doesn’t even know our name and may not even like our ministry. If we’re too tightly committed to our way of serving with the previous staff and communicate an inflexibility related to changing methods or strategies, it could alienate the new staff and we have no avenue of service at all. Rather than committing to methods and strategies, let’s commit to principles of service and to people.

Entitlement – this pervasive attitude in our culture (especially in the USA) is a blight upon Christian ministry. If we project the attitude that we are owed something, are due a title, deserve a position with a team, or are entitled to privileges with a sports team, we will find ourselves becoming repulsive to the very ones we seek to serve. Rather that acting like we deserve something, let’s seek to earn the trust and develop the relationships which lead to privileges properly received.

I am sure that if we each deal wisely with these challenges to long-term success, we can develop wise, dynamic, and powerful ministries with men and women in sport for years and even decades.

Love Extravagantly / Serve Selflessly

I’m sitting in the lobby of the Hilton Hotel in downtown St. Louis, Missouri this morning as the Football Salukis of Southern Illinois University prepare to play the Southeast Missouri State University Red Hawks this afternoon in Busch Stadium. College Football in a baseball stadium, during a pennant race… Someone wasn’t thinking real clearly when this was scheduled. We’ll very likely tear up a good deal of the outfield.

Simple thoughts today.

1)   Love extravagantly.

2)   Serve selflessly.

Neither are easy as not everyone is easy to love, nor is everyone easy to serve. These are, however, the keys to effective ministry in sport. Guard your heart and attitudes. Take the risk to love and serve. Your relationships with the objects of your love and service are not the source of motivation for us, rather it’s our love for Christ Jesus and his admonition to love fuels our love and service. While those with whom we work will vary widely in their responses to us and in their character, our Savior is faithful, steadfast and constantly gives His loving approval to our service of the greatest and the least in the sports world.

Reminder of today’s assignment:

1)   Love extravagantly.

2)   Serve selflessly.