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"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
Strategically Relevant, Effective and Efficient
"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
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Local Church Sports Ministry and Gender Issues
The blogs in this series are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book. They explore the realities occurring in local church Sports Outreach Ministries in relationship to an evolving culture and shifting trends within sport, The Church and society in general. This blogs serves as an introduction to the six Biblical Texts that specifically relate to homosexual activity and same gender marriage. The end goal of this Biblical exegesis is to aide local church Sports & Recreation Ministers comprehend, and proactively structure, their outreaches with theological clarity and relational love and sensitivity. Six Biblical Texts A common opinion is the Bible says very little about homo-sexuality. This is true, so far as it must be recognized that a handful of passages represent a very small percentage of the total Bible. By comparison, however, there is not even one verse that deals directly with the topic of child abuse, and very few that address incest or bestiality! Yet to date, the vast majority of all those debating homosexual activity and same gender marriage would agree each of these (and many other ethical dilemmas) would be condemned by both Biblical ethics and secular ethics, regardless of how many or how few times they are referenced in the Bible. So, to argue that ethics in regards to homosexuality cannot be determined from a small but significant number of scriptural passages lacks validity. The fact remains, there are but a few Biblical passages with very specific language and proscriptions that have shaped and formed the basis of the historic Christian views concerning all homosexual issues. It is interesting to note that in the last few decades, supporters of homosexual activity and same gender marriage have recognized these same half dozen verses must be reinterpreted in order to support the defense of their position. All Christians who enter this dialogue with a high view of the Bible agree the following passages are pivotal to arriving at a conclusive answer to the homosexual dilemma. They include: a) the Creation narratives of Genesis 1&2; Genesis 19; Leviticus 18 & 20; Romans 1; 1 Corinthians 6; and 1 Timothy 1. For now, this blog series will center on homosexuality, not on other gender issues. The blogs will in due course however, deal with topics such as transgenderism, bisexuality and other related issues as they relate to local church sports outreach ministry. Identifying the Issues Regardless of how strongly some of my brothers and sisters feel that God has condemned homosexual activity, the fact of the matter is, the Bible is not a book about homosexuality. Conversely, regardless of how strongly other brothers and sisters feel who believe homosexuality is blessed by God, they have to admit the Bible does both implicitly and explicitly deal with the issue of homosexuality. So the real question needing to be resolved is: what does God say about homosexuality in the Bible. To be more specific, the answer to the question really comes down to one of two options: a) is homosexual involvement sinful activity that needs to be repented of and no longer participated in; or b) can homosexual activity and relationships be blessed of God and supported by His Church. There doesn’t seem to be a tertiary quid (third option). Here’s the kicker. One of these mutually exclusive perspectives is wrong! To say they both can be right breaks every law of logic. Next week’s blog will begin to explore the Creation Narratives in regards to homosexual activity. 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 Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org A Plea For Grace This set of blogs discusses the most socially charged issue of the current day. The author is attempting to seek truth, provide both questions and answers to further the discussion, engage in civil discourse and most importantly provide a haven for love and grace. I encourage all readers to: “know your mind, but not have your mind made up.” As Martin Luther stated, I believe we should be open to being persuaded by Holy Scripture and evident reason (logic). I start by asking for grace when I don’t use the right term to describe something or someone, and I plead for forgiveness when I offend someone due to my own fallen nature which may lead to unintentional insensitivity, ignorance and language. My intent is not to hurt or injure anyone, but rather, it is to seek Christ’s will for all of us who are attempting to follow Jesus as we travel this path together. Recommended Books & References consulted for this series of Blogs – A select list…
Local Church Sports Ministry and Gender Issues
The blogs in this series are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book. They explore the realities occurring in local church Sports Outreach Ministries in relationship to an evolving culture and shifting trends within sport, The Church and society in general. This blogs establishes definitions and points needing consideration of the general topic of Gender in relationship to Local Church Sports Outreach. GENDER ISSUES DEFINITIONS Gender issues include, but are not restricted to, what it means to be engendered, heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism etc. Gender: Dictionaries define “gender” as “the state of being male or female” as used in social or cultural references. Sex: Dictionaries define “sex,” to describe the biological side of the topic as “male, female or neuter” in relationship to people and language. Engender: The fundamental definition is “to cause to come into existence.” Biblically it is often used in reference to “begetting,” meaning to be the parent or progenitor of someone. Theologically to be “engendered” has to do with God creating human beings in His image… “male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1.27) Heterosexual: “A person attracted to someone of the opposite sex” (gender) Homosexual: “A person attracted to someone of one’s own sex” (gender) Bisexual: “A person attracted to both men and women” Asexual: “A person who has no sexual feelings or desires” Transgender: “A person who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to their sex (gender) at birth” Hermaphrodite: “A person having both male and female sex organs or other sexual characteristics” Gay: The term is usually associated with male homosexuality Lesbian: The term is usually associated with female homosexuality GENDER ISSUES DISCUSSION POINTS This series of blogs will discuss the issues of gender in relationship to Local Church Sports Outreach Ministries. It will discuss four basic areas: a) The Biblical texts; b) The Theological Truths; c) The arguments concerning homosexuality and transgenderism; and d) The pragmatic issues encountered by Local Church Sports Ministers. Next week’s blog will begin to explore the Biblical Texts relating to homosexuality. This blog is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book Christmanship and a 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 Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org A Plea For Grace This set of blogs discusses the most socially charged issue of the current day. The author is attempting to seek truth, provide both questions and answers to further the discussion, engage in civil discourse and most importantly provide a haven for love and grace. I encourage all readers to: “know your mind, but not have your mind made up.” As Martin Luther stated, I believe we should be open to being persuaded by Holy Scripture and evident reason (logic). I start by asking for grace when I don’t use the right term to describe something or someone, and I plead for forgiveness when I offend someone due to my own fallen nature which may lead to unintentional insensitivity, ignorance or callousness. My intent is not to hurt or injure anyone, but rather, it is to seek Christ’s will for all of us who are attempting to follow Jesus as we travel this path together. Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry - Gender Related Issues
The blogs in this series are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book. They explore the realities occurring in local church Sports Outreach Ministries in relationship to an evolving culture, and shifting trends within sport, The Church and society in general. This blog introduces the topic. What’s a Local Church Sports Minister To Do? Local church Recreators and Sports Ministers were attracted to the ministry to reach and disciple people for Christ. They love organizing leagues, clinics and leagues for a church, Sometimes, they even get a chance to play, coach and/or officiate sports they love. They can even put up with the occasional overly-passionate “soccer mom,” over-bearing “baseball dad” or over-zealous coach. However, they are increasingly finding themselves embroiled in the societal powder keg of the cultural shifts regarding gender issues. Many have contacted denominational leaders, universities and various sports-related para-ministries to find answers and help, but most have reported disappointment with the lack of, and/or depth of, the responses they received. Let’s look at the current scenarios they are facing. The New Face of Local Church Sports Ministry in Light of the Gender Issue Revolution Scenario #1: Church Recreators and Sports Ministers are struggling with changes in cultural values as they impact women’s sports leagues. Never before have they been faced with finding compassionate ways to relate to all women registering for their women’s softball league in light of a growing trend of transgenderism. Women on opposing teams who play third base fear losing their teeth due to the speed of the batted ball from transgendered players. In addition, women on opposing teams, as well as teammates, are extremely uncomfortable sharing changing rooms, showers and restroom facilities with transgendered league members. Serving/reaching the transgendered woman is often at variance with serving/reaching all other women. The possibility of following the lead of a secular society in regards to transgenderism is very real and even more troubling is the high likelihood that the church’s interaction with the transgendered will be negative and not at all Christ-like. While the same could be theoretically true of transgendered men, the reality is, it is rare for transgendered men to desire to participate in men’s sporting activities. Scenario #2: Parents of an eight year old complain the local church Sports Outreach ministry has placed their child in gender specific league (boys or girls league) before their child has “chosen a gender.” As a result, church leaders recommend the Sports Minister to make all leagues co-gender. Scenario #3: Roy and Sam (two men) are legally married and apply to coach in the local church’s boys’ basketball league. When other parents become aware of this possibility, they demand refunds and exit the league in masse. Scenario #4: Susan and Felicia were former collegiate varsity players, are legally married and register for a married couples’ volleyball league. The league rules specifically dictate how there has to be an equal number of men/women on the court at the same time. Each woman on Susan and Felicia’s team has to sit out extra serves because their team is short one man and has one extra woman. A Plea For Grace This set of blogs discusses the most socially charged issue of our day. The author is attempting to seek truth, provide both questions and answers to further the discussion, engage in civil discourse and most importantly provide a haven for love and grace. I encourage all readers to: “know your mind, but not have your mind made up.” As Martin Luther stated, I believe we should be open to being persuaded by Holy Scripture and evident reason (logic). I start by asking for grace when I don’t use the right term to describe something or someone, and I plead for forgiveness when I offend someone due to my own fallen nature, insensitivity, ignorance or callousness. My intent is not to intentionally hurt or injure anyone, but rather it is to seek Christ’s will for all of us who are attempting to follow Jesus as we travel this path together. Next week’s blog will continue this series on addressing Gender issues in relationship to Sports Outreach Ministry by establishing definitions and talking points. 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 Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org The 3-Tier Paradigm
This series of blogs are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book. They explain and outline the 3-Tier Paradigm introduced in his yet to be published book. The 3-Tier Paradigm is the organizational structure upon which Dr. Linville’s series of Sports Outreach Ministry books are based and serves as the guiding light for how the association of Church Sports & Recreation Ministries (CSRM) executes its equipping of local churches. This blog is the final in this series and outlines the significant relevance of the 3-Tier Paradigm for the Sports Outreach Movement. Relevance of CSRM’s 3-Tier Paradigm Two Local Church Sports Ministers called in the same week. Their churches were attempting to write position papers in response to the prevailing cultural shifts regarding gender issues. They had contacted denominational leaders, universities and various sports-related para-ministries but were disappointed with the lack of, and/or depth of, the responses they received. Another issue that has a long history of controversy, but has resurfaced due to recent changes in policies by some sports-related, para-ministries and churches, is the Sunday Sport debate. The 3-Tier Paradigm provides the foundation and structure for how to envision, plan for and implement truly Christ-honoring; theologically sound, biblically-based and strategically-relevant Sports Outreach in relationship to such dilemmas. Gender Issues Church Recreators and Sports Ministers are struggling with changes in cultural values as they impact their women’s leagues. Never before have they been faced with finding compassionate ways to relate to all women registering for their woman’s softball league in light of a growing trend of transgenderism. Women on opposing teams who play third base are fearful of losing their teeth due to the speed of the batted ball from transgendered players. In addition, women on opposing teams, as well as teammates, are extremely uncomfortable sharing changing rooms, restrooms and shower facilities with transgendered league members. The answers to such dilemmas can be found, but without the 3-Tier Paradigm the possibility of following the lead of a secular society is very real and even more troubling is the high likelihood, the church’s interaction with the transgendered will be negative; not at all Christ-like. There are at least five Level #1 Theological Truths that must be considered in relationship to gender related issues. They include:
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