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Why Should a Local Church Consider a Sports Outreach?
The Church has utilized many ministry strategies throughout history:
hospitals, schools, arts, music, dance etc., but sport has a few
distinctive advantages over other worthy endeavors…
A. Its Relevance
1. Sport attracts the two missing groups of most churches. Men and
youth. What’s the common denominator? Both are hormonally challenged!
2. Any one with teens will tell you they are often “bouncing off
the walls” because they have so much energy. In addition, it’s well
documented the male hormone drives men towards activity. Most youth
stop attending church shortly after the church stops providing
refreshments, recreation and activity-based learning – usually about
grade 3 or 4. Men get and stay involved in churches providing manly
“roles and rolls.” It is important to feed men and provide them with
roles based on activity rather than communication but it is vital to
“challenge” men with the adventure of following Christ. Churches
engaging in dynamic activities for youth and men will grow.
3. Sports activities and sports facilities attract people.
There’s something about seeing: families enjoying a parking lot of
“inflatable games;” men kicking up the dust on a softball field; young
adults running and jumping as they play ultimate Frisbee; or women
digging and spiking volleyballs. Far more people are attracted to
athletic pitches, fields and courts than ever think to attend a church
service because the church has beautiful architecture.
4. Sports activities provide continual marketing opportunities.
Local papers keep league standings and will often advertise your
upcoming leagues and activities for free. The print and other news
media are always looking for innovative activities to feature and
sports, tournaments and events all provide great stories for media in
need of continuing story lines.
B. It fulfills church growth principles
1. It focuses on outreach. Most churches know they will not grow
if they don’t evangelize. Yet they are often unaware of a very
dangerous principle called “maintenance creep.” The shift from
“outreach,” to “pastoral care” is often so subtle most churches aren’t
even aware it is occurring until it is too late and their evangelistic
efforts are no longer receiving the priority needed for continued
success. Sports oriented activities are naturally attractive to the
unchurched in ways unparalleled by any other ministry.
2. It provides a role for everyone. Traditional churches are
based upon verbal skills. Preaching, teaching, fellowshipping and even
singing are all based upon verbal exercises. These activities are
perfect for those who are gifted communicators. Not so much for those
who are more inclined to activity. Many people are excluded from being
able to serve or lead within the church. A sports outreach opens up
roles for many non-involved parishioners.
3. It provides a natural “back door” activity that church members
can invite friends, families and co-workers to.” Whereas, most
un-churched people are not receptive to invitations to a church
service, they are very open to playing on a softball or football team.
Furthermore, it provides a continual opportunity for relationships to
deepen and develop because sports leagues occur at least once a week
for months at a time. This becomes even more relevant by the fact it
normally takes 6-7 years for a totally non-churched, secularized,
non-believer to come to a personal faith in Christ! Most church
outreaches last one hour, one day or perhaps in the rare occasion, one
week. Sports keeps people involved for years, greatly enhancing
outreach success.
C. It has built in accelerators
1. The accelerator of relevance is primary. The statistics of how
many people participate and are interested in sport fluctuate each year
but regardless of the year or the study the results are always the
same: vast majorities of people are involved in sport, thus making it
the most relevant connection to a secular world the church has.
2. The accelerator of relationships is crucial to the overall
goal of reaching and discipling those far from God. Men who met each
other for the first time just prior to the game physically embrace one
another after a teammate “puts one in the net.” Sports bring disparate
people together quicker than any other ministry.
3. The accelerator of communicating faith is unparalleled.
Sporting analogies, metaphors and experiences provide unique,
insightful and relevant ways to communicate a personal and growing
relationship with Christ.
D. It is cost effective
Would those who attend your Christian Education classes pay
money to attend? Do you charge those attending your youth group or
small groups? Yet, millions of people pay churches up to $150 per
person to participate in leagues or other sporting activities. In
addition, local businesses are willing to sponsor teams or otherwise
advertise at your sports facilities and events. Concessions, sports
gear and fundraisers such as marathons and tournaments are all
“economic engines.” Sports ministries are far more cost effective and
have a far greater potential for raising funds than any other ministry
in the local church.
Blog: July 2010 "Why Should a Local Church Consider a Sports Outreach?"
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