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Is Sports Outreach Effective - Para-Ministry Models

2/25/2015

Is Sports Outreach Effective?
This is the 11th in a series of blogs addressing the question: Is Sports Outreach Effective, and continues the conversation on the third Sports Outreach Ministry Continuum. What follows is intended to begin a conversation based upon the hard questions asked within. It is not written so as to be intentionally offensive or hurtful. All truth seekers are invited to continue.

Sports Outreach Continuum of Tension #3:

Local Church Sports Outreach – Para-Sports Ministry
The blog two weeks ago stated there was an insidious dilemma facing the Sport Outreach Movement in regards to a Level #1 Theological Truth concerning evangelism that often pits local church sports outreach ministries at odds with sports-based para-ministries. Last week’s blog provided a brief history of local church sports outreach and an overview of its theological, philosophical and subsequent methodological approach to “evangelistic-disiplemaking. This week shares a brief historical perspective of sports related Para-ministries and also looks at their philosophical and methodological foundations…

A Brief Historical Overview of Sports Based Para-Ministries
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was founded in 1954 by professional athletes such as Bob Feller and Otto Graham. Campus Crusade followed suit about ten years later with its Athletes in Action Sports Ministry. Since then, hundreds of sports related Para-Ministries have been instituted; most were established since 1980. Of course some might suggest the YMCA was the first Sports Ministry. Indeed, it began in 1844 and was an excellent Para-Ministry but, the Y did not begin as a sports-based ministry. It did eventually add a “physical” department but sadly, while it wisely added sports and fitness methodologies, for the most part it Capitulated its Christian distinctive and the YMCA no longer has Evangelism or Discipleship as its purpose for existence. (See my other writings for a much broader history).

Sports Related Para-Ministry Philosophy and Methodology
Philosophically, the vast majority of sports related Para-Ministries focus on athletes and coaches. Two main Methodologies are: a) Chaplaincy work which includes team Bible Studies and outreaches with some being campus based and others team or club based; and b) Mega-event and/or multi-media outreaches which focus on providing a “platform” for athletes to “proclaim” their faith via a speaking opportunity or through various media outlets.

All such Para-Ministries claim to have great success when it comes to the twin Evangelical endeavors of Evangelism and Discipleship. But do they? If all the numbers of “decisions for Christ” reported by these ministries were combined, the entire world would be Christian today! The statistic that most accurately communicates success however, is not how many "decisions for Christ" were made, but rather is, how many of the athletes and coaches associated with the Para-ministries become life-long disciples of Christ including regular and significant involvement with a local congregation.

What’s the Problem?
You might be asking “what’s the big deal as long as everyone is focused on Evangelism?” That question can be answered by asking a different question. If Para-Ministries are so successful, then why hasn’t this success resulted in the growth of the Church? If the philosophy of Para-Ministry is so significant and the methodologies of Sports Chaplaincies, Mega-Sports-Outreach-Events, Platform Evangelism and Mass Media communication of the gospel are so fruitful, then why has Church attendance continued to dwindle in the very countries in which sports related Para-Ministries have flourished and claimed such great success? It could be argued Church attendance would have fallen even lower had it not been for the efforts of Para-Ministries, yet this is refuted by the fact that other than a few notable exceptions, elite athletes and coaches are not intimately involved with local churches. Of course, the local church must also “look in the mirror” to see if their philosophies and methodologies are working but the bottom line is, the numbers simply haven’t matched the expectations claimed by Para-Ministries fundraising appeals.

The relevant question for both local congregations and the sports related Para-Ministries is: “how many Disciples of Christ have been added to the ranks, rather than how many decisions were recorded.” Evangelistic-disciplemaking should be judged by how many new Disciples of Christ are produced, not by how many prayed a prayer with a counselor, filled out a card at an event, raised their hand at a meeting or “went forward” at service.

Relevance of the 3rd Sports Outreach Continuum
Next week’s blog will address the relevance of the Local Church – Para-ministry continuum and work towards a proposal for a synthesized Philosophical Principle to produce a truly effective and efficient Methodological Model.
Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org and http://www.csrm.org/blog201112-2.html This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's yet to be released book. All rights reserved. For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International C/O The World Outreach Center 5350 Broadmoor Circle N. w. Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org

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Is Sports Outreach Effective - Local Church

2/18/2015

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Is Sports Outreach Effective?
What follows is not intended to be intentionally offensive or hurtful. It is however, intended to begin a conversation based upon the hard questions asked within. All truth seekers are invited to continue. This is the tenth in a series of blogs addressing the question: Is Sports Outreach Effective, and continues the conversation on the third Sports Outreach Ministry Continuum:

Sports Outreach Continuum of Tension #3:

Local Church Sports Outreach – Para-Sports Ministry
Last week’s blog ended by stating there was an insidious dilemma facing the Sport Outreach Movement in regards to a Level #1 Theological Truth concerning evangelism that often pits local church sports outreach ministries at odds with sports-based para-ministries. This blog will continue that discussion by providing a brief history of local church sports outreach and an overview of its theological, philosophical and subsequent methodological approach to “evangelistic-disiplemaking…

Historical Overview of Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry
With the exponential growth of Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry since 1990, church sports might be assumed to be a recent phenomenon. Indeed a dramatic increase has occurred in Local Church based Sports Ministry over the last 30 years but examples of Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry date back to the early 1800’s. Early on, the primary vehicle of Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry was the creation of sports teams sponsored by a local parish church that competed in local amateur leagues. This tradition continues but it has grown to unprecedented heights in both total numbers of participants and the scope of sports and activities offered by churches. (A much more in depth study of this topic can be found in my book Christmanship: A Theology of Competition and Sport.

Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry Theology, Philosophy & Methodology
The technical theological term that addresses “salvation” is soteriology. Its relevance to this topic is profound. If a ministry theologically believes their evangelistic job is done when someone fills out a card, prays a prayer or even gets baptized, their philosophy of ministry focuses only on that particular step in the overall process of evangelistic-disciplemaking and the resultant methodologies will typically be events and/or mass media blitzes.

However, the churches that are most successful start with a theological foundation that believes evangelistic-disciplemaking is a process, not an event. Thus, they have found the most successful philosophy for sports outreach is to mobilize, equip and empower church members to engage in long term relationships with friends, family members and associates who are far from Christ. These relationships are established and enhanced in and through regular and repeated sports leagues and recreational activities. The end result is a sustained, long-term ministry that winsomely attracts people into the church community, creates environments conducive to evangelistic conversations and provides easy conduits into the deeper walk with Christ and His Church.

One caution is needed. Churches cannot fall into the trap of all growth being the same. While some churches report huge successes, those reports of growth are largely due to what is called “transfer growth” (transferring from one to church to another) rather than “conversion growth” (from converts to the faith). True growth from intentional “evangelistic-disciplemaking” is rare.

Next week’s blog will review sports related para-ministries history, theology, philosophy and methodology.
Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org and http://www.csrm.org/blog201112-2.html This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's yet to be released book. All rights reserved. For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International C/O The World Outreach Center 5350 Broadmoor Circle N. w. Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org

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Which is more effective: Local Church or Para-Ministry

2/11/2015

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Is Sports Outreach Effective?
Again…much of what will be discussed in this blog will not be popular. It may in fact, threaten the beliefs of many in the Sports Outreach World. It is not intended to be intentionally offensive or hurtful. It is however, intended to begin a conversation based upon the hard questions asked within. All truth seekers are invited to continue. This is the eighth in a series of blogs addressing the question: Is Sports Outreach Effective? The conversation continues with this blog on the third Continuum: Para-Sport Outreach Ministry – Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry…

Review

Sports Outreach Continuum of Tension #3: Local Church Sports Outreach – Para-Sports Ministry
The past few blogs have stated: a) that in its current form, Para-Sports Outreach Ministry is a flawed model; and b) why redefining Para-church to Para-ministry is important. This blog sets the foundation for these and other considerations for envisioning more effective and efficient models for the Sports Outreach Movement based on a three level paradigm: Level #1 – Theological Truths; Level #2 – Philosophical Principles; Level #3 – Methodological Models.

Theological, Philosophical and Methodological foundations of Sports Outreach Ministry

Convergence – Level #1: Theological
Sports based Para-Ministries and local church Sports Outreach Ministries share a Level #1 Theological Truth commitment based upon the Theology of the Great Commission and the Great Commandments: Evangelism.

Divergence – Levels #2 & #3: Philosophy and Methodology
Where local church Sports Outreach Ministries and sports based Para-Ministries diverge are at Levels #2 and #3. The Philosophy and Methodology of such Para-Ministries are plainly evident.

First, Philosophically, most sports based Para-Ministries believe Evangelism is best done through the creation of separate ministries rather than through a local church. Second, these ministries believe Evangelism is best accomplished methodologically through Sports personalities, chaplancies and mega-events (see future blogs).

Conversely, local church Sports Outreach Ministries operate on the Philosophy the local church is the vehicle God ordained for Evangelism and Discipleship and its Level #3 Methodological Model is primarily to equip church members to reach friends, family and associates through on-going relationships.

It’s not that local church Sports Outreach Ministries are opposed to Para-Ministries or that Para-Ministries aren’t at times supportive of the local church. It’s also not that local church Sports Outreach Ministries never utilize a mega-event, nor Para-Ministries are opposed to relational outreach; it has more to do with where they are on the Continuums. It has much more to do with how they understand the Continuums and the implications of the Continuums.

An Insidious Theological Problem
While I stated earlier there was a convergence when it came to Level #1 Theological Truth as it related to Evangelism, in reality, there may in fact be a basic and most insidious disconnect in this most foundational Theological Truth. There is a huge difference between viewing The Church’s primary task to be the dual efforts of Evangelism and Discipleship rather than a single focused effort I have termed: Evangelistic-Disciplemaking…the topic of the next blog.
Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org and http://www.csrm.org/blog201112-2.html This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's yet to be released book. All rights reserved. For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

Dr. Greg Linville at CSRM International C/O The World Outreach Center 5350 Broadmoor Circle N. w. Canton, Ohio – USA 44709 or glinville@csrm.org

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Para-Church Sports Outreach Effectiveness

2/4/2015

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Is Sports Outreach Effective?

Let me repeat a caution I wrote last week…much of what will be discussed in this blog may not be popular or represent “conventional wisdom.” It may in fact, challenge the beliefs of many in the Sports Outreach World. It is not intended to be intentionally offensive or hurtful. It is however, intended to begin a conversation based upon the hard questions asked within. All truth seekers are invited to continue…

Sports Outreach Continuum of Tension #3:

Local Church Sports Outreach – Para-Ministry Sports Outreach
This is the seventh in a series of blogs based on the Six Sports Outreach Continuums of Tension to address the question: Is Sports Outreach Effective? The conversation continues with this blog on the third of six Sports Outreach Ministry Continuums: Para-Ministry Sports Outreach – Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry. Last week I stated that in its current form, Para-Church Sports Outreach is a flawed model. Let me begin to explain why I say this, helped by a few definitions and explanations…

Defining Para-Ministry / Para-Church
Para-Ministry is the preferred terminology for this blog, even though Para-Church is more widely used in mainstream Christianity. Para-Church may be popular but none-the-less; I believe it to be theologically, philosophically and methodologically problematic. My preference for the term, Para-Ministry, rather than Para-Church, is based upon: a) the theology of the Church (ecclesiology); b) the philosophy of mission (missiology); and c) various methodologies of “evangelistic disciple-making” (ministry).

Theologically, only The Church is capable of ministry. (In this series of blogs, when capitalized, The Church distinguishes the Universal Church of Christ of Christ from a local assembly or congregation of The Universal Church). The Church of Christ is defined as every person who is a Disciple/Follower of Christ. Anything outside and beside The Church (para – beside) is not capable of authentic Christian ministry because it is, by definition, not Christian. People who are not “in Christ,” (para or besides, meaning outside The Church) are not members of The Church. If they are not in The Church, they cannot carry out ministry. If they are Christians, they are in The Church and thus, any ministry they do is either based in a Local Church Ministry model or in a Para-Ministry model. A Para-Ministry is ministry done by members of The Church of Christ but not necessarily sponsored by a Local Church body. I therefore conclude: to be “Para-Church” is to be outside The Church and thus prefer the term Para-ministry.

There is a subtle yet significant relevance to these definitive distinctions. To say: “I am serving in a Para-Ministry of The Church” indicates a recognition that the end goal is to plant, grow, enhance and expand The Church, as opposed to saying “I serve a Para-church organization.” The ultimate model and goal for these statements would be: “I serve The Church of Jesus Christ, through a Para-Ministry in partnership with a local congregation. This assumes the goal of the Para-Ministry is to grow The Church Universal through missional activity of a local congregation. In addition, it also assumes the staff and volunteers of a Para-Ministry are active, regular participants in a local congregation including catalytic integration of the Para-Ministry and a local congregation’s efforts. Quite frankly, it is troubling to know many Para-Ministry staff members are not personally involved in a local congregation. I believe at least some of this is the result of how often Para-Church communities take the place of what local congregations are to provide, such as fellowship, bible teaching, prayer, accountability, worship and even the sacraments.

Theological, Philosophical and Methodological foundations of Sports Outreach Ministry
The significance of the Para-Ministry – Local Church Continuum of Tension is deeper and broader than just establishing the definition of the terms. It has much more to do with the final outcome, or effectiveness, of accomplishing the Great Commission. This blog series continues next week in relationship to establishing a new model that synchronizes the efforts of both the Para-Ministry and local congregations of The Church. Next week’s blog will further explain how both ends of this continuum may share a common Theology (Level #1) but often diverge on both the Philosophy (Level - #2) and subsequent Methodologies (Level – #3). This “3-Tier Paradigm” and its relevance will be explained next week.

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