Resources for Character Coaches and Sports Chaplains - Becoming UnDone

One of the requests I hear most consistently from character coaches and sports chaplains is for resources. Over the next couple of months I will be highlighting several different websites containing a wide variety of resources. Some have videos, some written resources, some are podcasts, and a couple have all those and more.

 

A rather unique resource for people who serve the world of sport is the podcast titled, Becoming Undone.  https://undonepodcast.com/ is like many podcasts as it had its origin during the COVID-19 lockdowns. It's the brainchild and near obsession of Dr. Toby Brooks, a professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, USA. 

 

 

I have been privileged to know Toby since his undergraduate days at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. Toby's long-form interviews are full of insight and inspiration. One of the unique features of these podcasts is Toby's regular interruptions of the recording to drop in his own insights, points of emphasis, and challenges to the listener as they occur in the recordings. As the main page of the site states, "Becoming UnDone is the podcast for those who dare bravely, try mightily, and grow relentlessly. Join author, speaker, and host Dr. Toby Brooks as he invites a new guest each episode to examine how high achievers can transform from falling apart to falling into place." If that sounds like you, give this podcast a try. 

 

I was thrilled to be Toby's guest on episode #40.  https://undonepodcast.buzzsprout.com/2063867/13234396-ep40-champion-with-sports-chaplain-and-character-coach-roger-lipe 

 

https://undonepodcast.com/

Resources for Character Coaches and Sports Chaplains - FCA Rescources

One of the requests I hear most consistently from character coaches and sports chaplains is for resources. Over the next couple of months I will be highlighting several different websites containing a wide variety of resources. Some have videos, some written resources, some are podcasts, and a couple have all those and more.

 

One of the most robust and broadest ranging resource sites for ministry in sport is FCA Resources by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.  

https://fcaresources.com/

 

 

This site has tons of material! The index at the left margin makes it very easy to navigate and the search bar makes it easy to find resources that may be most helpful to you. I have been privileged to contribute a number of items to this site as I served with FCA for 27 years prior to beginning my service with Nations of Coaches. If you log onto this site, explore it a little, I am sure you will find some helpful items. 

 

https://fcaresources.com/

Resources for Character Coaches and Sports Chaplains - Faith & Sports

One of the requests I hear most consistently from character coaches and sports chaplains is for resources. Over the next couple of months I will be highlighting several different websites containing a wide variety of resources. Some have videos, some written resources, some are podcasts, and a couple have all those and more.

 

Another excellent site from the academic community is the Faith & Sports blog by Paul Putz of Truett Seminary of Baylor University in Waco, Texas, USA. Paul is one of the leaders putting together the 4th Global Congress on Sport and Christianity for late July, 2025.  https://blogs.baylor.edu/faithsports/

 

This blog contains a variety of resources including a listing of websites and blogs, podcasts, and a listing of books in various categories Paul recommends. Please check out Paul's site, it will serve you well. 

 

https://blogs.baylor.edu/faithsports/

 

Resources for Character Coaches and Sports Chaplains - Sport. Faith. Life.

One of the requests I hear most consistently from character coaches and sports chaplains is for resources. Over the next couple of months I will be highlighting several different websites containing a wide variety of resources. Some have videos, some written resources, some are podcasts, and a couple have all those and more.

Sport. Faith. Life. is a blog and a podcast that emerged from the Third Global Congress on Sport and Christianity in 2019. Chad Carlson and Brian Bolt, professors and coaches at Hope College and Calvin University, respectively in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. They bring a well reasoned, academic approach to a wide range of topics related to sport, faith, and life. Thus the title. https://sportfaithlife.com/

I find their discussion oriented blog to be interesting and challenging. These guys love God and they love Sport. These are my kind of people. Please visit their site, read the blog, and listen to the podcast. It will enhance your service of the people of sport.

https://sportfaithlife.com/

 

Resources for Character Coaches and Sports Chaplains - Cross Training Publishing

One of the requests I hear most consistently from character coaches and sports chaplains is for resources. Over the next couple of months I will be highlighting several different websites containing a wide variety of resources. Some have videos, some written resources, some are podcasts, and a couple have all those and more.

 

One of the best sites for written resources in the USA is Cross Training Publishing from Nebraska. I certainly am biased in my opinion because Cross Training and its owner, GordonThiessen, have published 14 projects for me. 

https://www.crosstrainingpublishing.com/catalog/ 

 

Cross Training Publishing has materials specifically designed for ministry with players, coaches, teams, sports camps, and more. There are scores of devotional books, sports biographies, and character development books. In addition, if you're buying materials for a team or coaching staff, Cross Training Publishing offers bulk discounts. They also offer discounts to Fellowship of Christian Athletes staff. Please check them out, you won't be disappointed. 

https://www.crosstrainingpublishing.com/catalog/​

 

Resources for Character Coaches and Sports.Chaplains - Verite' Sport

 One of the requests I hear most consistently from character coaches and sports chaplains is for resources. Over the next couple of months I will be highlighting several different websites containing a wide variety of resources. Some have videos, some written resources, some are podcasts, and a couple have all those and more.

The first resource site I would like to heartily recommend to you is Verité Sport. https://www.veritesport.org/ 

Verité Sport is a remarkable site developed by my friend and colleague from Oxford, England, Stuart Weir. Stuart is a veteran of ministry in sport and is among the most highly revered leaders in that global network.

Stuart has a large number of resources in English, and a good array in other languages. In addition, Stuart's site includes the most complete set of book reviews for publications on sport and ministry in sport I have ever seen. If you're a reader, this listing contains a wealth of information and can guide you to some excellent reading.

Please check out Verité Sport and its wealth of resources. https://www.veritesport.org/ 

Soul Training - 7 Keys to Coaching the Faith of Elite Sportspeople - Part 13

This is the final in a long series of posts featuring excerpts from my new book, Soul Training - 7 Keys to Coaching the Faith of Elite Sportspeople. https://www.crosstrainingpublishing.com/shop/soul-training

Challenge

If your ministry role has you serving elite level, professional, high-profile competitors or the coaches who lead them, you are in a unique position. You are among a select few people who will be allowed into their circle of friends, teammates, and colleagues. Yours is a place of remarkable privilege and immense responsibility.

Further, if this person has shown interest in growing his or her relationship with Christ Jesus, you are given a tremendous opportunity. As you step into this unique and transformational role, may I remind you of these simple points of emphasis?

·      Respect their time constraints.

·      Embrace their sport’s culture.

·      Communicate directly.

·      Demonstrate genuine interest in them.

·      Invite them into your home.

·      Love extravagantly.

·      Serve selflessly.

Keep your approach to the faith development of those in your charge simple and clear. Help them build a strong, enduring, dynamic relationship with Christ Jesus through prayer and study. Help them to also build relationships with other believers, as well as with those yet to believe.

As we walk with these people of sport, the ripple effects of our service with them have an incalculable impact across years, decades, and lifetimes. Our service will be most evident in how they compete, how they live as spouses and parents, and how they share their faith with others.