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"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
Strategically Relevant, Effective and Efficient
"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
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FOREWORD
Sometimes I'm asked "Why all the Greek and Theology?" Two main reasons: 1) Understanding the Theological and Biblical Foundations are essential to envisioning, planning and implementing a local church Sports Outreach that meets the "4-Fold Evaluative Rubric:" Strategically-Relevant & Efficiently-Effective; and 2) Sports Ministers who know their theology and Bible are granted a respect by their Senior Pastors, Elders and other Church leaders. Too often Sports Ministers are seen only as "pray & play guys." I'm challenging all Sports Ministers to "study to show themselves approved," so local church Sports Outreach can be truly respected and esteemed within the "ecclesiastical world." Are you up to the challenge? This week's blog focuses on six New Testament words or phrases that describe and define The Church and its local congregations... Six Biblical References to The Church Six New Testament words are used in reference to what is commonly called The Church: A) Kuriokos; B) Ecclesia; C) Laos Theos; D) Soma Christos; E) Nymphe; F) Koinonia. Don't worry so much about how to pronounce the words but do pay attention to what they reference and how they are to impact local church Sports Outreach. Each offers a unique perspective of what is called The Church and each provides insights into what/who is The Church as well as what the purpose and function of The Church is. Only after The Church is understood can local congregations, or assemblies, of The Church be understood. 1. Kuriokos - The Church The first word in the English language is actually where the word Church stems from - Kuriokos. Literally it means “of the Lord.” It is found twice in the New Testament, Once in reference to the Lord’s Supper and the other to the Lord’s Day.[1] This sense of being “of the Lord” or “belonging to the Lord” became the etymological root for the word Church. This root is found in many other languages such as: Kirk (Gaelic); Kirche (German); Kirkja (Norse); and Kerke (Dutch), but all stem from the Greek Kuriakos. 2. Ecclesia – Those Called Out The second Greek word is ecclesia which means “called out.” Thus, ecclesia refers to people who are “called out” to be God’s people. 3. Laos Theos – People of God The “people of God” theme runs throughout the entire Bible. The Old Testament frequently references the Jews as the people of God.[2] This repeated reference of God choosing and calling out a people to, and for, Himself is one of the most abidingly strong themes of the Old Testament. This concept finds continuing fulfillment throughout the New Testament, although the actual phrase “people of God” or “God’s people” is only found in a handful of verses.[3] This sense of “God’s People” not only continues in the New Testament but it is strengthened as it corresponds with, and its significance is expanded by, both the kuriokos and ecclesia themes referred to in the two previous points. 4. Soma Christos – The Body of Christ The concept of The Church (ecclesia) being the body (soma) of Christ takes another step in the deepening significance of what/who the Church is. It is important for anyone attempting to exegete (interpret) the body of Christ passages to differentiate between those that are referencing His body (such as his earthly body and the Lord’s supper passages) and those that specifically address The Church, but even so, a clear message is communicated: The Church (kuriokos) is called out (ecclesia) to be His people (laos Theos) and is considered His body (soma Christos). This profound truth must not be under-valued nor overlooked! In fact in many of these passages the soma Christos is paired with the term ecclesia.[4] The Church – Christians – is the very “body of Christ.” This concept exudes incarnational theological ramifications. The Church is to be Christ’s ongoing outreach to the world. 5. Nymphe – The Bride of Christ While the perspective of the people of God (laos Theos) being the bride of Christ is more metaphorical and perhaps eschatological than other references to The Church (Kuriokos), it still communicates a vital message. Those called out by God (ecclesia) are to be “wed” to Christ and should thus be pure and fully focused on Christ (the bridegroom). 6. Koinonia – A Christian Community With a basic root meaning joint communion, Koinonia, when used in reference to The Church (Kuriokos), connotes a community of believers that is known for its rich fellowship and exemplary unity of faith and purpose. Its distinction from the first five terms has to do with an emphasis upon the interaction of the constituent members rather than their standing before God or their relationship to Him. It is more descriptive of what occurs in terms of human interactions and relations as a result of their relationship with Jesus. __________________________ [1] 1 Corinthians 11.20 and Revelation 1.10. [2] To list just two: Judges 20.2 and 2 Samuel 14.13. [3] Hebrews 4.9 & 11.25; 2 Corinthians 6.16; Revelation 21.3. [4] Colossians 1.18-24; Ephesians 1.22f & 5.23. Next Week Next week's blog will outline general theological concepts related to The Church and its local assemblies. ________________________________________________________________ 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 Church has utilized many ministry strategies throughout history: hospitals, schools, arts, music, dance etc., but sport has a few distinctive advantages over other worthy endeavors…
A. Its Relevance 1. Sport attracts the two missing groups of most churches. Men and youth. What’s the common denominator? Both are hormonally challenged! Any one with teens will tell you they are often “bouncing off the walls” because they have so much energy. In addition, it’s well documented the male hormone drives men towards activity. Most youth stop attending church shortly after the church stops providing refreshments, recreation and activity-based learning – usually about grade 3 or 4. Men get and stay involved in churches providing manly “roles" and "rolls” (think donuts!). It is important to feed men (physically and spiritually) and provide them with roles based on activity rather than communication. But what is most important...it is vital to “challenge” men with the adventure of following Christ. Churches engaging in dynamic activities for youth and men will grow. 2. Sports activities and sports facilities attract people. There’s something about seeing: families enjoying a parking lot of “inflatable games;” men kicking up the dust on a softball field; young adults running and jumping as they play ultimate Frisbee; or women "digging" and "spiking" volleyballs. Far more people are attracted to athletic pitches, fields and courts than ever think to attend a church service because the church has beautiful architecture. 3. Sports activities provide continual marketing opportunities. Local papers keep league standings and will often advertise your upcoming leagues and activities for free. The print and other news media are always looking for innovative activities to feature and sports, tournaments and events all provide great stories for media in need of continuing story lines. B. It fulfills church growth principles 1. Sport Ministry focuses on outreach. Most churches know they will not grow if they don’t evangelize. Yet they are often unaware of a very dangerous principle called “maintenance creep.” The shift from “outreach,” to “pastoral care” is often so subtle most churches aren’t even aware it is occurring until it is too late and their evangelistic efforts are no longer receiving the priority needed for continued success. Sports oriented activities are naturally attractive to the unchurched in ways unparalleled by any other ministry. 2. It provides a role for everyone. Traditional churches are based upon verbal skills. Preaching, teaching, fellowshipping and even singing are all based upon verbal exercises. These activities are perfect for those who are gifted communicators. Not so much for those who are more inclined to activity. Many people are excluded from being able to serve or lead within the church. A sports outreach opens up roles for many non-involved parishioners. 3. It provides a natural “back door” activity that church members can invite friends, families and co-workers to.” Whereas, most un-churched people are not receptive to invitations to a church service, they are very open to playing on a softball or football team. Furthermore, it provides a continual opportunity for relationships to deepen and develop because sports leagues occur at least once a week for months at a time. This becomes even more relevant by the fact it normally takes 6-7 years for a totally non-churched, secularized, non-believer to come to a personal faith in Christ! Most church outreaches last one hour, one day or perhaps in the rare occasion, one week. Sports keeps people involved for years, greatly enhancing outreach success. C. It has built in accelerators 1. The accelerator of relevance is primary. The statistics of how many people participate and are interested in sport fluctuate each year but regardless of the year or the study the results are always the same: vast majorities of people are involved in sport, thus making it the most relevant connection to a secular world the church has. 2. The accelerator of relationships is crucial to the overall goal of reaching and discipling those far from God. Men who met each other for the first time just prior to the game physically embrace one another after a teammate “puts one in the net” or "over the fence." Sports bring disparate people together quicker than any other ministry. 3. The accelerator of communicating faith is unparalleled. Sporting analogies, metaphors and experiences provide unique, insightful and relevant ways to communicate a personal and growing relationship with Christ. D. It is cost effective Would those who attend your Christian Education classes pay money to attend? Do you charge those attending your youth group or small groups? Yet, millions of people pay churches up to $150 per person to participate in leagues or other sporting activities. In addition, local businesses are willing to sponsor teams or otherwise advertise at your sports facilities and events. Concessions, sports gear and fundraisers such as marathons and tournaments are all “economic engines.” Sports ministries are far more cost effective and have a far greater potential for raising funds than any other ministry in the local church. ______________________________________________________________________ This blog is an edited article written by Dr. Greg Linville's in July of 2010. 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 authors are archived at: www.csrm.org Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry Syndromes
This set of blogs revisits and updates a series of articles that address common obstacles faced by many Local Church Sports & Recreation Ministers. The articles first appeared in CSRM’s Journal “The Sports Minister.” The end goal of the series is to help identify, define and explain various “syndromes” that can short circuit a successful and effective Sports Outreach in a Local Church. What is a Syndrome Originally derived from two Greek words (sun – together/with & drom – race/run), the English word Syndrome has evolved into two primary meanings. The first is primarily associated with identifying medical maladies and diseases. The second describes predictable, characteristics, conditions or patterns of behaviors that often occur when certain are circumstances are present. This series of blogs is based in the second meaning, but it is recognized that a failure to know and understand these syndromes will result in a weak, anemic and sick Local Church Sports Outreach. What is a Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry Syndrome Some are called “Church Recreators,” some have the title of “Sports Director.” The list seems almost endless: “Activity Pastor,” “Recreation Minister,” “Family Center Administrator” and “Sports Minister.” While they have different names, most share similar experiences when it comes to being under-appreciated, misunderstood, over-worked and under paid. Most Local Church Sports Outreach Syndromes find their origins in the fact that Sports Outreach Ministry is unique and much different from most of the other church ministries or departments. The various Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry Syndromes include among others: “The Step-Child Syndrome,” “The All They do is Play Syndrome,” and “The King of the Hill Syndrome.” Each will be identified, defined and explained over the next number of weeks. A Word of Caution Sports Ministers are strongly urged to engage in this series of blogs in the spirit of taking the information shared in these blogs for the purpose of building bridges to other church staff and ministries, rather than using them in any self-serving or vindictive way. A church that has all of its ministries well organized and synchronized is far more efficient and effective in attaining its evangelistic-disciplemaking mandates and goals. These syndromes are provided to enhance and expand local church impact, not start a war amongst church leaders. __________________________________________ Next week’s blog will discuss the first Local Church Sports Outreach Ministry Syndrome – “The Step-Child Syndrome” This blog is an original composition from Dr. 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 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:
Organizational Principles for Local Church Sports Outreach - Rationale for 3-Tier Paradigm6/30/2015 The 3-Tier Paradigm
This series of blogs are excerpts from Dr. Linville’s yet to be released book. They will explain and outline the 3-Tier Paradigm introduced in his 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 will outline the rationale for the 3-Tier Paradigm Rationale for CSRM’s 3-Tier Paradigm CSRM exists to: “equip local churches to change lives through sports outreach.” The equipping is designed to mobilize, equip, empower and enable churches for Evangelistic-disciplemaking. CSRM’s Vision is: “A changed Life.” A changed life is defined as a person who has become a life-long, dedicated-disciple of Jesus Christ. A changed life assumes new disciples will emulate Christ in all they do, manifested through a biblically-based lifestyle that includes significant and regular participation in a local church. This new Christ-centered ethic transforms new disciples in their character and impacts every area and role of their life… spouse, parent, church, employee/employer, citizen etc. CSRM’s Mission to equip local churches, accomplishes CSRM’s Vision and is enabled by, manifested in, and communicated through, a tri-fold organizational structure of training curriculum encapsulated in a: 3-Tier Paradigm. CSRM’s 3-Tier Paradigm
Unless CSRM, or for that matter, any church, Christian ministry, organization or academic institution is founded upon solid Theological Truths, it cannot properly envision its distinctive reason for existence, nor can it organize itself on biblically-based, Philosophical Principles. And, unless, it is rooted in orthodox theology and biblical philosophy, its Methodological Models will be flawed, and thus will, at the very least, not meet the 4-Fold Evaluation Assessment of being: Relevant, Strategic, Effective or Efficient. At worst, such models may in fact be unbiblical. Thus, the rationale of the 3-Tier Paradigm is to envision, organize and expedite a Sports Outreach Ministry which is truly: a) Christo-centric and honoring; b) Evangelistic-disciplemaking focused; c) Biblically-based; d) Strategically-relevant; and e) Effectively-efficient. Next week’s blog will be an overview of Level #1Theological Truths which will provide both the “why” Sports Outreach Ministry exists and also its ethical foundations and circumference. 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 |
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