The “5-B’s Rubric of Evangelism” of The Sports Outreach Movement
This series of blogs will describe and explain the “5-B’s” of Evangelism of The Sports Outreach Movement.  This blogs continues the discussion with the four conduits of moving people from the Sports Outreach to the broader church.

The belonging/believing starting point of the “5-B Rubric” provides natural conduits to the broader church.  These conduits are experienced in four basic ways and will be discussed in the next blog.

Conduit #1 - The primary conduit is in the form of relationship; either a deepening of the relationship the unchurched person had with the church member who invited them to join the league or activity and/or in the initiation and development of relationships with new friends who are also members of the church.

Conduit #2 - Another primary conduit based on relationships is getting to know the pastor, pastoral staff and other church members.  Sports Outreach Ministry leaders understand the strategic relevance of engaging other church staff and leaders in regular participation within the Sports Outreach.  The most significant participation would be for church staff members to coach, compete or otherwise take part as a participant, but if ability, interest, age or gender precludes such participation, wise pastoral staff will welcome the opportunity to periodically (once each season or session) “stop by for a visit” or to lead a sports devotional for one of the leagues.  The same would be true for all church staff.

Conduit #3 – A third conduit for connecting non-churched Sports Outreach Ministry participants with the broader church comes through making them aware of other services, programs, activities the church offers.  This could include a multi-faceted approach combining: a) distributing hard copy brochures and flyers; b) verbal announcements and invitations presented by church staff and leaders; and c) social media outlets. The absolute most strategic approach is for the various church departments to collaborate on synchronized ministries.  These could include the sports and children’s ministries combining on summer day camps and/or having the children’s ministers prepare and deliver the devotionals for children’s leagues ending with a league-ending invitation to a special children’s day at the church.  Similar collaborative approaches can be envisioned for the sports department to work with the youth, men’s, women’s, young adult and senior adult ministries of the church.

Conduit #4 - The fourth conduit is often taken for granted, or never even comprehended, but should not be overlooked.  As previously, mentioned, the very reality of being present on the site of a local congregation is itself profoundly helpful in transferring sports participants to the broader church.   When the non-churched are comfortable on the church’s campus it makes taking the next steps for participating in other church activities much, much easier.

The next blog explains the third “B” – Baptism.
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This blog is an excerpt from chapter #3 of Dr. Linville's 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: http://www.csrm.org/blog/  

The “5-B’s Rubric of Evangelism” of The Sports Outreach Movement – Part #6
This series of blogs will describe and explain the “5-B’s” of Evangelism of The Sports Outreach Movement.  This blogs continues with the sixth advantage of the second “B” - Believing

Dr. Allan Tippett, a long time professor and missiologist, identified four distinct periods (phases) that new converts to Christianity traverse on their spiritual journey: a) awareness; b) decision; c) incorporation; and d) maturity.  These distinct phases are truly evidenced and maximized in local church Sports Outreach Ministries.

Period of Awareness - For Tippett, awareness was the initial process within the overall process in which an unregenerate (non-Christian) person moved from no awareness of the gospel to initial awareness of the gospel on the way to a full awareness of the gospel and all of its implications for life change.

Period of Decision - At this point in the journey – upon full awareness of the gospel and its implications - Tippett assessed people realize a decision must be made.  These, now fully aware people, could either choose to make a decision for Christ or turn their backs on Christ.  An affirmative decision to receive Christ as Lord and Savior ushers people into the third period of the process…

Period of Incorporation -  According to Tippett it was now necessary for the new convert to begin to incorporate a new found faith into an everyday Christian life which would lead to becoming a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ.

Period of Maturity – For Tippett, a sincere incorporation of the Christian faith into one’s life would eventually lead to the fourth and last stage – full maturity.

It’s easy to coordinate Tippett’s four periods with the “5-B Rubric” of the evangelistic-disciplemaking concept.  The period of awareness coincides with the first “B” – belonging – or what some may describe as pre-evangelism.  Tippett’s second period – decision – easily fits within the second “B” of believing or what has sometimes been described as evangelism.  Tippett’s third and fourth periods can then be aligned with the last three “B’s” or what is often referred to as discipleship.  His incorporation and maturity flow easily with baptizing, behaving and becoming… a dedicated discipleship of Jesus Christ.

I recognize Tippett’s process for life change may raise a few issues along the great theological divide.  This overall discussion falls under the heading of soteriology (the theology of salvation), which I considered in more detail within the book of which this chapter is an excerpt, but suffice it to say here, I believe everyone along the theological divide can resonate to a large degree with the basic tenet of Tippett’s process of change and its relevance for the “5-B Rubric.” 

The belonging/believing starting point of the “5-B Rubric” provides natural conduits to the broader church.  These conduits are experienced in four basic ways and will be discussed in the next blog.
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This blog is an excerpt from chapter #3 of Dr. Linville's 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: http://www.csrm.org/blog/

The “5-B’s Rubric of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking” of The Sports Outreach Movement – Part #5
This series of blogs describes and explains the “5-B’s” of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking of The Sports Outreach Movement.  It continues with the second “B” - Believing
Believing

The second step in the “5-B’s Rubric” is: believing.  The word believing is used to describe the conversion of a person who, by faith, enters into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.   In the 5-B Rubric, believing does not pre-date, nor is it a pre-requisite of belonging. Rather, as addressed in the previous point, believing is most successfully achieved in and through the belonging of an unchurched person to a local church Sports Outreach community.  All the realities of believing, including all the blessings as well as the “thorns” are in full view of all.  It is what is often described as “incarnational” ministry, meaning the Gospel is being communicated “incarnationally” (or in the flesh).  What follows are a number key advantages to believing coming within, and as a result of, belonging to a local church Sports Outreach Ministry community.

First, it allows for followers of Christ to live out the gospel (proclamation) in and through “on the court” sporting activities.  Through sports, Christians model how to overcome obstacles, persevere, strive for athletic excellence, be a consummate teammate, and also how to win or lose.

Second, it provides for “off the court” opportunities for Christians to befriend and love those far from Christ.  The Gospel is communicated as teammates and even co-competitors (opponents) on other teams demonstrate a Christian ethic of love in action (proclamation).  Not only how the unchurched are loved – in heartfelt, Christ-like ways – but perhaps more importantly and simply, that the unchurched are loved and cared for by those they hardly even know.

Third, belonging to a local church Sports Outreach Ministry community, leads to believing because it visually and verbally communicates “the cost of discipleship.”  The unchurched person observes the sacrifices Christian teammates make for their faith.  The costs are certainly made visible on the court, field or pitch, but perhaps more so, off the playing venues of sport.  On the court, disciples of Christ compete in ways which are often out of sync with the current culture.  This includes such things as refusing to cheat, take unfair advantage of, or physically harm co-competitors (opponents)…even if it means jeopardizing a chance to win a game.   In addition Christians model the relentless pursuit of excellence in their sporting activities including, being the consummate “hustle” guy or “take one for the team” gal.

In addition, off the court, followers of Christ can be seen making priorities of such things as their family, vocation/career and Lord’s Day church participation.  This living out of the Gospel proclaims the Gospel, which is affirmed during postgame devotionals when insights into beliefs, commitments and involvements are shared verbally.  Christians, who verbalize how the Bible influences their thinking, provide direction for their lives, and strength for enduring life’s many struggles communicate a rationale for their faith that is relevant and poignant.  It communicates the gospel in real life color – warts and all.  It all works together for the gospel to be perceived over a period of time allowing for a deep comprehension of the blessings and costs of becoming a disciple of Christ.

Fourth, there’s no need for a transfer of new believers to a local church for a “discipleship program.”   This is a most significant problem facing many sports-related, para-ministries.  Coming to faith in Christ within a local church Sports Outreach Ministry community provides a natural process for moving the new believer through their spiritual journey to becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ.  In fact, a lot of discipleship occurs on a regular basis within the sports ministry community of a local church, particularly the emphasis on self-control, perseverance and other important discipleship areas.  I’ll state it more strongly…the sports ministry of a local church is one of, if not the, best place for such character-based discipleship lessons to be learned.
One additional significant aspect of this fourth point is, it is vital for new believers in Christ to begin to participate in corporate worship and Christian education experiences each Lord’s Day, and this process is greatly enhanced by the fact new believers are already familiar with the site of these activities because they have come to the site many times for their sports leagues and activities.  More importantly, they will be escorted and/or welcomed by friends and faces who have become familiar through participation in the sports and recreation ministry of the church.

Fifth, belonging to a local church Sports Outreach Ministry community has a natural accelerator-effect for evangelistic-disciplemaking.  The power of observing others experience life change through the gospel cannot be minimized.  Hearing the testimonies of teammates professing initial faith in Christ and watching their spiritual growth over the course of time is incredibly inspirational and motivational; convicting even the most reluctant and reticent non-believer.  These experiences all act as an accelerator to the gospel taking root in the lives of unbelievers and, in addition, are great inspirations to all believers observing the power of the gospel.

Sixth , the belonging/believing starting point of the “5-B Rubric” provides a great beginning for being affirmed by, and is also very complimentary with, the process missiologist have identified as being necessary for spiritual change to occur.  This process will be discussed in the next blog.
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This blog is an excerpt from chapter #3 of Dr. Linville's 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: http://www.csrm.org/blog/

The “5-B’s Rubric of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking” of The Sports Outreach Movement – Part #4
This series of blogs describes and explains the “5-B’s” of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking of The Sports Outreach Movement.  It continues to explain the first “B” - Belonging

Overcoming the two “Dysconnects”
So far this series of blogs has identified two dysconnects and how to overcome the obstacles for connecting people to the church.  This blog will detail how local congregations can enhance their ability to connect people to their church.
 
Build an Excellent Sports Environment
The unchurched person is first attracted by, and feels comfortable within, a church’s sports program because they experience a sporting environment they recognize and understand, including high quality sports and fitness facilities and equipment which beckons them to participate.  They choose to participate because of the excellent sports programs and facilities; they remain involved because they are warmly loved and welcomed by current church members who play, coach and participate alongside them.  The two-fold key to attracting and maintaining unchurched people is excellence in the sporting venue and the warm reception of the people of administrating and participating in the venue.  Such environments are well received by those far from Christ.  Little do they know, they have begun their spiritual journey by “belonging.”

Build the Sports Outreach Around Church Members Leisure Pursuits
While excellence in the Sports Outreach is a pre-requisite for succeeding in overcoming the first “dysconnect,” the key for overcoming the second “dysconnect” is building the outreach around the leisure pursuits of the current church members.  It makes no sense to create a high quality Sports Outreach Ministry in a local church if it precludes church members from participating in the outreach, because to do so, eliminates the greatest outreach asset a local church has – its people.   This is based on the Level #1 Theological Truth that believes evangelistic-disciplemaking is best accomplished through the “incarnational” ministry of local church members.  Building a Sports Outreach around the leisure pursuits of a congregation’s members enables church members to invite their friends, co-workers and family members to participate in sports and recreational activities with them.  Such missional programming empowers church members to be personally involved in the evangelistic-disciplemaking process.

For example, a church filled with a “twenty-something” age group is much better served hosting ultimate Frisbee leagues and tournaments, whereas a church populated with senior adults would be advised to incorporate more “life-time” sports such as golf, bocce and bowling leagues, as well as recreational opportunities that would include travel clubs, adult fitness or craft classes, and ball room dances.  However, the church which consists primarily of Senior adults should realize they do need to address how they plan to attract the younger generations if they wish to ensure the future of the congregation.  The millennial church also has an obstacle.  As its members age, the congregation will need to adapt its outreach to include the changing leisure pursuits of its “maturing” members.

The good news is, a local congregation that creates sport, recreation and fitness opportunities which mirrors the leisure pursuits of its members will experience the greatest growth and most importantly, will have the greatest impact for the kingdom because it has matched its sports, recreation and fitness outreaches with the leisure pursuits of its members.

Summarizing the First “B” - Belonging
Belonging is the first and primary step needed to reach secularized, non-churched, non-believers for Jesus Christ.  By creating a safe and loving community within a sport and recreation environment, local churches enable and empower their members to reach people far from Christ.  It is within this community that the unchurched experience the gospel being lived out and in which they can warmly receive the verbal invitation to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Once the gospel has been lived out (proclaimed) and verbally presented (affirmed), non-believers are ready for the second “B” – believing.
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This blog is an excerpt from chapter #3 of Dr. Linville's 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: http://www.csrm.org/blog/