The Sacraments
While the three great strands of Christianity disagree on the number and understanding of the Sacraments they do agree on the general vital importance of Sacraments.  Catholic and Orthodox traditions share in the belief there are seven Sacraments whereas Protestants claim only two, often calling them Ordinances.  However, all traditions place a very high priority on the regular receiving of, and participation in the Sacraments.  The relevance of the Sacraments in regards to athletes, coaches and Sports Outreach Ministry has to do with the fact that commitments to sport most often preclude participation in the Sacraments for coaches and athletes due to athletes participating in sporting activities on the Lord’s Day.  The implications of this should be apparent.  Christian athletes and coaches, along with Sports Outreach Ministries need to evaluate their priorities and find a way to reconcile their sporting commitments so as to be able to regularly participate in a local congregation’s activities including the receiving of the Sacraments.

Summary of Obligations and Participation in a Local Church
There are few good reasons to participate in non-church sponsored Sunday Sport and many great reasons not to.  However, I do believe a case can be made for a local congregation incorporating Sunday sport and recreation into an overall ministry plan.  To state it even stronger, I believe a church would find combining recreational and sporting activities with traditional Lord’s Day worship services, Christian Education classes, youth, children and other outreach ministries not only strategic and relevant, but more importantly well within the theological mandates and biblically-based Level #2 Philosophical Principles of the scriptures.  The key distinction is all such activities are church sponsored and they both support and enhance the purpose, function and evangelistic-disciplemaking endeavors of The Church.
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This blog is an excerpt from a future book "Surrounded by Witnesses" by Dr. Greg Linville.  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
 
Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville and other local church Sports, Rec & Fitness Ministers are archived at: http://www.csrm.org/blog/

Professional Commitment
In the introductory class for sports and recreation administration, the students in my class at Ole Miss learn about the importance of professionalism in the field.  I instruct the students to gain as much professional experience as they can during their time at the university.  I know the experiences, combined with network connections, and education will give them the best opportunity to join the profession.
            Another important aspect of this particular lecture is the value of certification.  Many employers in the secular field of sports and recreation administration desire the certification.  Many of our students go after the Certified Park and Recreation Professional sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association.  Others pursue a Certified Recreational Sports Specialist offered by the National Intramural and Recreational Sport Association. In the secular field, certification can be the difference in being hired or not. As the ministry field of sports and recreation continues to gain influence, certification will be just as important to show on one’s resume. 
            Students gain the affirmation that certification, experience, and networking are components of the path toward professionalism.  One gains the same sense of professionalism with the sports and recreation ministry certification.  The certification demonstrates one’s dedication to the profession and spells out the sacrifices taken to obtain the validation in the field. Certification requires some additional hours of reading, listening, viewing, and learning from the experts in the field.
            The last step in developing the level of desired professionalism comes in attending workshops, conferences, and seminars.  The aspect of continuing education and the learning process is key to maintaining one’s professionalism.  A value of the sports and recreation ministry certification is that to maintain certification one must complete five hours of Continuing Education Units per year.  One can complete the five-hour units in one ReachGathering conference or regional CSRM workshops. 
            Are you ready to sell out completely toward the significance of the sports and recreation ministry certification?  If so, register for certification today by clicking here.
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This blog is the 5th in a series on Sports Ministry Certification written by Professor David Waddell.   All rights reserved.  For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact:

David Waddell  - <dwaddell@olemiss.edu
 
Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by David Waddell and other local church Sports, Rec & Fitness Ministers are archived at: http://www.csrm.org/blog/