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"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
Strategically Relevant, Effective and Efficient
"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
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The “5-B’s Rubric of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking” of The Sports Outreach Movement
This series of blogs will describe and explain the “5-B’s” of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking of The Sports Outreach Movement. This series is a Level #2 Philosophical Principle of the “3-Tier Paradigm” and serves to succinctly chart a step-by-step Biblically-based philosophical progression of The Evangelistic-disciplemaking Concept from which Level #3 Methodological Models can emerge. Each of the five steps starts with a word that begins with the letter: “B.” It is conceptualized from within, and built out of, the 5th of “7 Sports Outreach Continuums of Tension” – Celtic–Roman as outlined and further explained in the book from which this excerpt is taken. The “5-B’s” in concept, are not unique to the Sports Outreach Movement but to the author’s knowledge, this is the first place they have been categorized and aligned as such. While almost embarrassingly simple in concept, the “5-B’s Rubric” is ingeniously helpful to all Sports Outreach Movement leaders who are attempting to comprehend and implement the evangelistic-disciplemaking concept in their Sports Outreach Ministry. This series has two sections and a number of subsections that include:
The next blog will begin the first step in the journey by explaining the first “B” - Belonging _________________________________________ 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 Is Sports Outreach Effective?
This is a reprint of a blog from February 2015.... This series of blogs addressing the question: Is Sports Outreach Effective 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 Earlier in this series (see February 2015) I 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. Previous blogs in this series provided a brief history of local church sports outreach and an overview of its theological, philosophical and subsequent methodological approach to “evangelistic-disiplemaking. This blog 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 of the Y and all things Sports Ministry). 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-ministries 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 Future blogs 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 Is Sports Outreach Effective?
What follows is a reprint of a blog from February of 2015. 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 Previous blogs (see February 2015) 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. 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 Is Sports Outreach Working?
REVIEW: This series of blogs is designed to explore how the Sports Outreach Movement can develop more effective methodologies. This is done through the lens of the Sports Outreach Ministry Continuums of Tension. Previous blogs articulated insights based on continuums 1-3. The current sub-series considers the 4th Sports Outreach Ministry Continuum of Tension: Mega-event / Process Evangelism. This week’s focus proposes a model for synchronizing the Mega-event with Process-styled evangelistic-disciplemaking efforts. SUMMARY OF THE MEGA-EVENT / PROCESS-STYLED CONTINUUM: So far I have established that the Mega-event and Process-styled philosophies of evangelism each have liabilities and both have assets What is needed is a synthesis of the two ends of the continuum. This analysis strongly suggests a new Level #2 Philosophical Principle which will lead to a more effective Level #3 Methodological Model. This new philosophy and all new methodological endeavors are based on the Sports Outreach “5-B’s” of evangelistic-disciplemaking which was outlined in the last blog. A New Model Historical Sports Outreach Models have provided a certain level of limited success in reaching those far from Christ but, I believe they have fallen far short of their potential. I believe a new philosophy that leads to an improved methodology is needed. The new model I’m suggesting synthesizes the assets of, and mitigates the negatives of, each of the two prevailing models (Mega-event / Process-styled) for truly effective, efficient, relevant and strategic sports outreach. This new model can be accomplished in three steps. STEP #1 – COMMIT TO WORK COOPERATIVELY This new model builds on my proposal of a previous set of blogs which discussed the 3rd Sports Outreach Movement Continuum – Para-ministry / Local Church. The proposal of that set of blogs suggested local churches and para-ministries commit to work cooperatively towards an evangelistic-disciplemaking end-goal of seeing the unchurched become dedicated disciples of Christ who are intimately involved in a local church. STEP #2 – COMMIT TO SYNERGISTICALLY CREATE A NEW MODEL The second step entails the para-ministries and local churches envisioning, planning for, implementing and cooperating to forge a comprehensive, year-round outreach that maximizes the strengths of both models. STEP #3 – COMMIT TO ENGAGE AND ENABLE LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERS The basis of this new synchronized model would be to mobilize a local congregation’s members, and empower them by training, equipping and resourcing them to reach their friends, neighbors and family members through weekly sports and recreation activities and leagues. What Does this New Methodological Model Look Like? The foundation of the new model maximizes the Process-styled philosophy by creating a sustainable, year-round set of sports leagues and recreation activities, which enable church members the opportunity to initiate and cultivate, deepening relationships with unchurched people. However, the new model utilizes the Mega-event philosophy in two major ways: a) maximizing the attractional power of a Mega-event to initially draw people to a knowledge of, and an invitation to, join the church’s sports and recreation programs; and b) using the motivational power of a Mega-event to call people to an initial faith in Jesus, or a renewed and deepening faith in Him. It is true, many churches successfully reach the unchurched through Process-styled evangelistic-disciplemaking activities and never employ the Mega-event philosophy. It is also true churches have reached some through the Mega-event philosophy, but neither approach is nearly as successful as when the two are synergistically combined. Next week’s blog will change direction and begin a discussion on the controversy of “Sunday Sport.” 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 written by Dr. Greg Linville are archived at: www.csrm.org and http://www.csrm.org/blog201112-2.html Is Sports Outreach Working?
REVIEW: This series of blogs analyzes the underlying reasons for why it is that the Sports Outreach Movement has not fulfilled its promise. This analysis is done through the lens of the Sports Outreach Ministry Continuums of Tension. Previous blogs articulated insights based on continuums 1-3. The current series considers the 4th Sports Outreach Ministry Continuum of Tension: Mega-event / Process Evangelism. This week’s focus outlines the core content of Process-styled evangelism: The “5-B’s” of Process-styled evangelistic-disciplemaking. The “5-B’s” of Evangelistic-disciplemaking BELONG – The first step in Process-styled evangelism is to create a community that lives out the gospel in vibrant, profound and loving ways; into which those who are far from Christ are not only intentionally welcomed but, more importantly, are irresistibly drawn into. This Level #2 Philosophy was modeled by the 1st century Church, perfected by the early Celtic Church, and has remained a staple of every congregation successfully engaged in evangelistic-disciplemaking. Rather than requiring non-believers to go through some rite of initiation such as becoming baptized or taking a catechism course, these “Celtic-styled” churches understand the other four “B’s” follow, rather than precede, belonging, to a congregational body. BELIEVE – It is out of belonging to a church community, that non-believers experience the gospel. Rather than hearing the gospel, they experience it. They experience it in all of its fullness, passion and yes, even in its failures. After experiencing the gospel being lived out, those who have been far from Christ find themselves drawn to the truth, love and freedom of the Christian faith. It is within this loving community that belief in Christ occurs. BAPTIZE – Baptism follows the belief of all who “convert.” Conversions which occur within the Christian community are celebrated by the community through the sacrament of Baptism. In these Celtic-styled communities, baptism follows, and grows out of, belonging to the community, rather than preceding it. BEHAVE – Once again, we see the distinction the evangelistic-disciplemaking Philosophical Principles of a Celtic-styled Christian community. Rather than demanding those far from Christ to behave in Christ-like ways before they can belong to or be baptized by a local assembly of The Church, they understand Christ-like behavior follows belief in Christ. It does not precede it. BECOME – The final step in the evangelistic-disciplemaking process is becoming a life-long disciple of Christ. Those who believed, were baptized, are empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit and encouraged by loving brothers and sisters within the community to which the new convert belongs, experience the process of becoming “new creatures” in Christ. Their lives are forever changed! The synthesis of the Mega-event and Process Evangelism Philosophies Next week’s blog will build upon the “5-B’s” of the Celtic-styled evangelistic-disciplemaking Process-styled evangelism and demonstrate how it can be synthesized with the Mega-event philosophy for a truly catalytic new Level #2 Philosophical Principle. 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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