The Sabbath/Lord’s Day in Relationship to Sports Outreach Ministry
The second aspect for understanding the importance of commitment to and participation with a local congregation is one of the most controversial issues that has confronted the Sports Outreach Movement through the decades: What about Sunday Sports?

Many athletes, coaches and Sports, Recreation and Fitness Ministers wrestle with whether to participate in, or whether to program sports outreach activities on a Sunday.  If the truth be told, almost every Christian athlete, coach and athletic director has already made the decision to play, coach or organize sport on Sunday and many local churches have followed the lead of sport-related para-ministries who subscribe to the sport on Sunday ethic.

All of this then cause Christian families to determine whether or not to allow their “sporty” kids’ athletic involvements, priorities and commitments to trump church and spiritual commitments.  Specifically, should their children participate in “travel team,” AAU or other specialized and/or elite athletic sports activities if they occur on a Sunday?  The issue of Sunday Sport is indeed uniquely linked with, and connected to, the Level #1 Theological Truth discussion on commitment to and participation with The Church (the overall topic of this series of blogs).

The answer to Sunday Sports cannot be determined quickly and must not be pre-determined by the often emotional desire to play sport at a high level…even if that desire is tied up with a desire to utilize one’s sport to glorify God and/or reach others for God.  The answer can only be ascertained by reflection on five key Theological Truths / Doctrines: a) the Doctrine of Sabbath Day; b) the Doctrine of the Lord’s Day; c) Ecclesiology (theology of The Church) in relationship to church association and participation; d) Missiology (the theology of reaching those far from Christ) in relationship to biblical principles of reaching those far from Christ; and e) Soteriology (the theology of salvation) in relationship to evangelism and discipleship.[1]  For the purposes of this series of blogs, it is assumed that true disciples of Jesus will be regularly participating in a local congregation and abstaining from any regular, organized sporting activities and events held on the Lord’s Day.  The primary reason for this has to do with utter importance of establishing a growing and vibrant faith in Christ that can only be achieved through regular participation in both personal and corporate spiritual activities.

To that end, local congregations do have worship services, Christian education and fellowship opportunities that meet on days other than Sunday, but it stretches the limits of credulity to suggest even a sizable minority of churches offer services to nurture a strong faith in any athlete that don’t conflict with the time of athletic trainings and practices.  Christian athletes and coaches must face the fact that sporting activities regularly conflict with spiritual commitments.  Sundays, Saturday evenings and most week night evenings are all consumed by athletic practices, conditioning and games.  As hard as it is to say…and even harder to live out…Christian sportspeople must often make a choice between sport and faith.  It is imperative for athletes and coaches to make room in their schedules for a commitment to regular, active participation with a church for the good of their own spiritual development; even if it means leaving sport.  It should be pointed out that the same principle would apply to all vocations as sport cannot be singled out.  If one’s career precludes or prohibits personal involvement in a local church, then a new career is necessitated.
 

The next blog in this series will further contemplate the Sabbath and Lord’s Day Principles as they relate to personal and corporate fellowship and relationships
 
This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book yet to be released book – Sports Ministry Fundamentals.  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: www.csrm.org


[1] I address each of these in depth in my book on the Fundamentals of The Sports Outreach Movement and in chapter 7 of my book Christmanship.

Worship in Relationship to Sports Outreach Ministry

Many sincere athletes and coaches have asked the question: “Can athletes worship God in, through and by, their sporting activities and endeavors?”

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!  But!  This does not automatically mean a worshipful sporting activity on a Lord’s Day, especially a Lord’s Day morning, can serve to replace more traditional worship experiences.  Therefore, even though sportspersons can and should attempt to worship God through their athletic activities, they neglect the regular participation in traditional worship opportunities to their own spiritual peril and detriment.

Other vocations also offer opportunities to worship God.  Doctors can worship God in their practice of medicine and their healing of the sick and infirm; actors can worship God as they bring joy and poignant messages to theater goers; teachers worship God whenever they inform and inspire students, and farmers worship God as they provide food for the world.  Yet none of these worshipful activities can replace or substitute corporate, family and individual worship, nor any Christian Education opportunities.  Perhaps this point can be most clearly communicated by realizing not even the traditional Lord’s Day worship can totally replace the complementary and necessary roles Christian Education and regular participation in other disciplines play in the shaping of one’s discipleship.[1]

The Scriptures are clear as to the organization and function of The Church, and the mandate for sportspeople to become members of, and actively participate in, the worship and disciplemaking activities of a local congregation.  Some ask however, “what about the gifted athlete’s role and responsibility to maximize the opportunities afforded them to reach out to others through the “platforms” that come via their God-given talents?”  They sincerely want to know: “should adults be encouraged to join the local Sunday morning soccer league to reach out to friends” and “should a church organize youth league travel teams to be a witness in weekend tournaments, including playing games on Sundays?”

I have answered these and other questions in great detail in my book entitled “Christmanship,” which outlines the application of Sabbath/Lord’s Day principles, and out of which two things become clear.  The first question that needs an answer is, should the church reach those playing sports on a Lord’s Day and second is, should they participate in sport with them on Sunday as a way to reach them?  The answer to question #1 is an emphatic yes.  However the answer to the second question is much less clear.  In fact, it may well be, that the very act of trying to reach them by participating in sporting activities with them, precludes being able to reach them!  One thing must be clearly understood…reaching those far from Christ is much different than participating with them. This can best be understood by asking such questions as: should a Christian get “high” with drug addicts, or should they visit a burlesque with those who frequent such places?

So, the bottom line question for sports participants who are disciples of Christ concerning worship is: “What/Who is Lord,” and how does Jesus being Lord translate into determining one’s priorities of time, values and participation in sporting and church related activities.[2]  Part of the answer is found in understanding the biblical principles about the Sabbath and Lord’s Day.
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The next blog in this series will contemplate the Sabbath and Lord’s Day Principles in relationship to the Sports Outreach Movement
 
This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book yet to be released book – Sports Ministry Fundamentals.  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: www.csrm.org
 


[1] One of the most troubling realities of the 21st century church is the trend away from “The Lord’s Day” to the “Lord’s Hour” in which a growing majority of Christians only attend a one-hour worship service rather than participating in a full Lord’s Day set of spiritual formation activities including bible study, fellowship, outreach and more.  This trend has led to a most pervasive, stunted and shallow spirituality for the overwhelming majority of church attenders.

[2] I fully believe God is a Who, not a what, but I use “what” to communicate how easily it is to make something other than God the Lord of our lives…which for athletes and coaches too often becomes sport.

Participation in, and Attendance of, a Local Congregation and the Relevance to Athletes Coaches and Sports Outreach Ministries

While The Church of Jesus is fully united in Him, there remain significant theological divides, a myriad of denominational worship traditions and in a few circumstances issues that encompass both, such as the view of the Sacraments.   Regardless of the theological diversity and the varied expressions of worship, all three of the major historic strands of The Church (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant), agree on the importance of becoming a member of, and regularly participating in, a local congregation.  What follows is an overview of the various components of what membership and participation encompasses, but more importantly, what their relevance to, and implications for, local church Sports Outreach Ministries concerns.

Perhaps what is even more vital to those trying to integrate sport with faith is the deleterious (negative) effect their lack of regularly participating in the corporate worship, bible study and fellowship of a local congregation will have on their spiritual growth and fervor.  The issue must be raised…  If sporting involvement precludes athletes and coaches from consistent and regular participation in a local congregation’s: a) worship; b) Christian education; c) fellowship; d) accountability; e) receiving the Sacraments;  and f) opportunities to serve and minister; then can such pre-emptory participation in sport be theologically condoned and supported?

I truly believe a Christian sportsperson’s participation in sport can (in fact I believe it must) be viewed as worship but, a Christian’s faith will be weak and anemic if their only worship is experienced on the athletic field, pitch or gym.  Similarly, participating in only a one-hour traditional worship each week or relying upon a few minutes of daily personal devotional or biblical inspiration will at best produce a stunted and unfulfilling spiritual life.  To grow one’s faith deep and strong, one must participate in all the functions of The Church, in and with the body of a local congregation.  Even if one’s sporting involvement is understood as worship, it must not be allowed to cause a sportsperson to relinquish the need and responsibility to regularly and consistently take part in the other essentials of being a disciple such as:  Christian Education, fellowship and the receiving of the Sacraments; nor can it come close to replacing them.

The Biblical mandates state that each and every disciple of Christ is “not to forsake gathering together” and is to do so regularly (at least once a week).[1]  This mandate cannot be stated too strongly, nor should Christians want it any other way.   Disciples of Christ have the great privilege to celebrate a Holy Day (Holiday) once each week as The Church gets to celebrate the truth of Easter and the empowering of Pentecost each and every week!  By “honoring the day,” in ways which include participating in weekly, corporate worship, Christian Education and fellowship activities, followers of Christ not only ensure their own spiritual formation and development but also will experience a significant impact in reaching others for Christ as they grow into stronger disciples of Christ.
It is important to explore a full understanding of the importance of a commitment to, and a regular participation with, a local congregation which includes: a) worship; b) the Sabbath Day/ Lord’s Day; c) the Sacraments; and d) obligations to one’s church.

Does your Sports Outreach Ministry relentlessly connect people with a local church’s spiritual formation opportunities?  Does your personal sporting commitments interfere with, or even preclude, your regular participation in the preaching, teaching, worshipping and fellowshipping opportunities of your local church?
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The next blog in this series will address the topic of worship in relationship to sport
 
This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book yet to be released book – Sports Ministry Fundamentals.  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: www.csrm.org
 


[1] Luke 4.16; Acts 2.41-4;16.13; 17.2-11; Acts 20.7; I Corinthians 16.2 &19; Colossians 4.15; Philemon 1.2; Hebrews 10.25

The Purpose and Functions of The Church and The Implications for Athletes, Coaches and Sports Outreach Ministry

The purpose and function of The Church are guided by two foundational passages The Church has called: a) The Great Commission; and b) The Great Commandments; and thus, from these two foundational Biblical foundations the Sports Outreach Movement derives its purpose and function.  In fact this particular point may well be the most vital of all Level #1 Theological Truths because on it hang all the Sports Outreach Movement’s Level #2 Philosophical Principles and each Level #3 Methodological Models!  Let’s dive in…

There have been many attempts by theologians through the years to determine the purpose and functions of The Church.  The ultimate essence of the purpose of The Church is to create a “redeemed” people who love and worship God as they seek to “redeem” the world by loving themselves and others.  This was summarized by Christ when He responded to the scribe’s question concerning the greatest commandment: “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself“[1]  The question raised by this is: How can disciples of Christ know the proper ethic for loving God, ourselves and neighbors; and perhaps what is even more important, how does a person find the strength to manifest such love?  The answer to both can only be found in and through the study and application of biblical truths; which can best be understood through regular participation in a local congregation’s worship, Christian education and fellowship activities.

The function of The Church is communicated through the “Great Commission:” Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…”[2]  So the end goal of The Church’s function is what I have termed “evangelistic-disciplemaking.”  Thus, the Sports Outreach Ministry Movement in general, and the Sports and Recreation Ministry of local congregations in particular, is to: a) go into all the world; b) make disciples; c) baptize them and; d) teach these new converts how to observe all God commanded.   With this as the foundation, the Sports Outreach Movement can no longer be satisfied with anything short of evangelistic-disciplemaking which includes new converts being baptized and taught how to observe all that God commanded, including significant participation in a local congregation as Hebrews 10.25 mandates...[3]

Is this the goal of your Sports Ministry?  Can it truly be said of your Sport, Rec and/or Fitness Ministry that you are: a) going to those who are currently far from Christ; b) converting them to become life-long, dedicated disciples of Jesus; c) baptizing them; d) and getting them involved as regular participants in a church that will teach them how to live like Jesus?
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The next blog in this series will begin to consider the “why and what” of getting new converts involved in a local congregation of The Church
 
This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book yet to be released book – Sports Ministry Fundamentals.  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: www.csrm.org
 


[1] Mark 12.30f.

[2] Matthew 28.19f.

[3] See more on this in Chapter ???? which considers the Level #1 Theological Truth concerning soteriology - the theology of salvation.