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"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
Strategically Relevant, Effective and Efficient
"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
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Making Memories
It was one of those awkward internet first dates. We sipped on our hot coffee and, in between the sips, we shared a little bit about ourselves with each other. She asked what I did for a living, and I told her, I was an instructor of sport and recreation administration at Ole Miss. She asked, as if it were all one word, “What’s a sportandrecreation?” Being in this field, I’m used to the follow-up question. There were times I would share what I was doing for the church as a sport and recreation minister to my father and he would always ask, “And, they pay you for this?” I explained to her that in my previous career I organized sports leagues, craft classes, puppet teams, fitness classes, theater productions, outdoor recreation events, and was in charge of a recreation center and a four-field outdoor sports complex. I told her the students in my classes learn how to do the same thing. She then asked me, “So, what do they do all day?” I asked her if her children had played sports when they were younger. She nodded that they had. I asked about specific details of putting together a game such as a fully stocked concession stand, bases being out, umpires behind the plate, coaches being present, and other items. When she replied that all of that occurred, I told her that’s what a sport and recreation leader would do. I sensed she was not impressed when she said, “Oh, I see. Well, it’s certainly not rocket science.” There was not a second date. In a way, she is correct as it isn't rocket science. It’s more valuable than that. I went to high school with a guy that ended up working for NASA. He was one of the most brilliant minds I’ve ever known. When I read his posts on social media or talk to him at various high school reunions he never talks about how rocket science helps people know true peace, gain direction in life, or experience love. Those in Sports, Recreation, and Fitness (SR&F) Outreach Ministries offer these opportunities all the time. In my introductory class for sport and recreation majors, I ask them to think of a favorite childhood memory. The answers include playing a sport as a child, being involved in music or drama, or going camping with their family. No one ever mentions making a good grade in Algebra or having his or her tonsils out. Most, if not all, responses over the past twelve years have always had something to do with a leisure activity. The programs offered through SR&F Outreach Ministries in our churches provide people in our communities with a chance to see Jesus through coaches, teachers, and instructors. Through a “simple” leisure activity, one has the opportunity to discover the love of God in their own life. Beyond that wonderful truth, the activities offered also provide some of the greatest memories that people share and enjoy the rest of their lives. Whether it was a memorable coach, going snow skiing for the first time, or seeing “before and after” pictures of a fitness course, programs in sports, recreation, and fitness live on forever with our participants. For all those that volunteer or earn a living providing memory making programs that help people develop Jesus-shaped lives, we thank you! ----------------------------------------- Professor David Waddell currently teaches at Ole Miss and is CSRM's Executive Director. He had a long tenure as a SR&F Outreach Minister at a local church in Memphis, Tennessee and has authored three books. Contact him at dwaddell7@gmail.com His books can be ordered at: https://csrm.z2systems.com/np/clients/csrm/giftstore.jsp In my previous blog (January 14, 2019) Part I, the principle of being biblically relevant called on the local church Sports, Recreation and Fitness (SR&F) Ministry to incorporate Scripture as sports, recreation and fitness are used to reach out to the lost as well as to build up the believer. In this blog (Part II) that theme is going to be continued by using the Apostle John’s reference to believers as “little children,” “young men,” and “fathers” (I John 2:12-14). This was John’s way of describing different levels of spiritual maturity. In other words, while SR&F Outreach Ministry provides a culturally relevant, viable and valuable way to present the gospel to the unbeliever, at some point the ministry needs to carefully nurture those who have responded to that message and placed faith in Jesus Christ. John’s analogy indicates once saved, we have those who he refers to as “little children.” These are the babes in Christ. Another analogy is appropriate here … what do you feed a baby? Paul, while trying to help the new believers in Corinth, told them, “I gave you milk to drink, not solid food…” (I Corinthians 3:2). The implication for the Sports Minister is to recognize that new believers don’t need to be “fed” deeper theological truths, but need the basics of the faith to “nurse on.” As your “shepherd/coach” leads his/her team or as a director leads an on-going activity, the ”shepherds” need to help the new believer understand three critical things: 1. The new believer needs to understand the priority of SCRIPTURE in one’s daily life (Read it. Memorize it. Meditate on it. Study it. And most importantly, apply/obey it.) The new believer is a spiritual being and needs spiritual food to grow. 2. The new believer needs to understand the priority of PRAYER (When to pray, how to pray, what to pray.) It is imperative the new believer understands the distinct privilege of approaching the “throne of grace” and entering into intimate relationship with the God who saved them. Amazingly, God inclines His ear to the prayers of His children. HE WANTS TO HEAR FROM US. 3. The new believer needs to understand the priority of the LOCAL CHURCH (Hebrews 10:25). In other words, the Sports Ministry has the privilege of building a path from activity to worship. When babies leave the hospital, they are taken “home,” and the church is home. By the way, the Apostle Peter uses this same analogy indicating that the one who was a believer would long for the “pure milk of the word” (I Peter 2:2). In other words, if someone is genuinely converted, they will hunger for God’s truth. Shouldn’t your SR&F Outreach Ministry make it possible for them to be fed properly? This principle is particularly poignant when the one who professes Christ has no interest in the Word of God. Remember, the unconverted are blind and the truth is veiled to them (II Cor 4:4) In I Corinthians Paul calls them a “natural man” and, therefore, without the spirit and unable to understand the Bible. These people need the gospel. Is your SR&F Outreach Ministry biblically relevant? Is the Word of God incorporated into your efforts to reach out? Is the Word of God incorporated as you serve the new believer? If not, it should be. Not because I say so, but because the Bible says so. “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” ------------ Rodger Oswald Founder of Church Sports International Founding CSRM Board Member CSRM Staff Emeritus  Well Vs. Whole
In the world of Sports, Recreation and Fitness (SR&F) Outreach Ministry, we quite obviously tend to focus primarily on the physical fitness component of both ourselves and those we serve. But as a Certified Health and Wellness Coach who specializes in Biblical Health and Wholeness, I see a bigger, more complex picture. It all started when my family had to call an ambulance for me one day while out running errands. See, I had taken on too much. Like many of us, and many of those we serve, it was hard for me to say no. I did everything anyone asked of me… in addition to my God-given responsibilities. I didn’t want to let anyone down and wanted to look like I had it all together. After all, if I said no, they would think I couldn’t handle it, right? But where it got me was somewhere I never expected to end up. I landed in the ER. In the process of trying to not fail others, I had failed to care for myself well. I had fallen for the enemy’s lies that whispers, Christians sacrifice. Others come first. You don’t have time to slow down. Maybe you’ve heard those same whispers? But you didn’t know it was from an enemy who wants to steal, kill, and destroy? He has a way of twisting truth and turning it into a lie. Sacrifice? Caring for others? Great things! And obviously a part of the foundation of our faith in action, but God cares about YOU, too. He cares about those we partner with in our ministries who are running on empty. We all know that the greatest commandment Jesus gave us was to love our Father in heaven with everything we are. But the second has a component we often leave out. We are told to love others as we love ourselves, but often simplify restate it as: “love others”. Yet, in order to love others as we love ourselves, we must first actually love (and thus care for) ourselves! We aren’t much good to the expansion of the Kingdom, if we aren’t well enough to serve. I like to teach that in those 2 commandments, there are actually 3. And if we put them in their proper order, it looks like this: We are to love God, love (and care for) ourselves (so that we can), love (and care for) others. God not only gave us the command to rest (Exodus 20:8-11), He also modeled it at creation (Genesis 2:2). However, I’m willing to bet most Christians don’t take it seriously. Jesus also modeled stepping away for times of prayer (Matthew 14:22-23, Mark 1:35, Luke 4:42, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12… you get the idea), encouraging others to rest (Mark 6:31), clarifying His priorities in ministry (Matthew 15:24), even catching a nap (Mark 4:38)! I’m sure you’ve seen it. I know I’m not alone in having been there. You may have been down that road also, or know others who have. We live in a culture, even a church culture, that neglects to care for ourselves well. We want good health, but we’d prefer the quick fix offered by the world than look at true wholeness. While I have been blessed to find the path to healing, many are left to navigate those waters alone. Medical doctors often just want to prescribe a pill to reduce symptoms in the body, psychologists often only look at worldly theories on the brain and mental health, and pastors often only offer prayer. While each of these professionals may have the patient’s best at heart, each may be missing that bigger picture. There are 3 areas of the whole person that we must address in order to guide people toward true wholeness. God made us with 3 parts: body, mind, and spirit. We must address physical health including diet as well as exercise, we must address mental health and what the Bible says about it, and we must address spiritual health and not simply assume it’s healthy. Many of us, or those we serve, have become experts at masking the real issues. We may look fit, seem sane, and appear spiritual, but under the surface we are a mess. For most, it is a definite struggle to be real in front of others and open up about what’s going on underneath the façade. But by creating a new culture within your church or ministry that is a safe space to talk about these things, people WILL begin to open up about what they’re facing. By hearing you discuss your own internal or unseen battles, people will be encouraged to do the same and begin to walk toward healing those areas. Remember, leaders must lead by example! You cannot expect your people to be transparent with you if you are not being transparent with them. We must start addressing health more wholistically- the whole person: body, mind, and spirit, if we want to lead people toward true wellness…toward true wholeness. Begin the conversation with your leaders. Challenge your people to examine their own wholistic health and be willing to work through it with them. (I’ve got a fantastic new resource for this in my shop!) Checking in on their physical, mental, and spiritual health is not only a component of discipleship, but will keep your ministry strong and healthy as well. Burnout benefits no one. The rest of this year, I’ll be periodically offering new blogs to talk about the specific areas we should be covering as we teach others (and learn for ourselves!) about wholistic health and what that might look like as a component of your ministry. In the meantime, feel free to join me over at http://fixyoureyesonhim.com for other wholistic health tips, resources, and more! ________________________________________________________________ Amber Lauren of Fix Your Eyes on Him Biblical Health and Wholeness is the wife of a Senior Pastor of an energetic, growing local church, mother of 3 school-aged children and has a passion to empower people to become whole in Christ. Link to free printable version for distribution (unaltered) to those in your ministry: https://fixyoureyesonhim.com/download/2657/ Professional Commitment
In the introductory class for sports and recreation administration, the students in my class at Ole Miss learn about the importance of professionalism in the field. I instruct the students to gain as much professional experience as they can during their time at the university. I know the experiences, combined with network connections, and education will give them the best opportunity to join the profession. Another important aspect of this particular lecture is the value of certification. Many employers in the secular field of sports and recreation administration desire the certification. Many of our students go after the Certified Park and Recreation Professional sponsored by the National Recreation and Park Association. Others pursue a Certified Recreational Sports Specialist offered by the National Intramural and Recreational Sport Association. In the secular field, certification can be the difference in being hired or not. As the ministry field of sports and recreation continues to gain influence, certification will be just as important to show on one’s resume. Students gain the affirmation that certification, experience, and networking are components of the path toward professionalism. One gains the same sense of professionalism with the sports and recreation ministry certification. The certification demonstrates one’s dedication to the profession and spells out the sacrifices taken to obtain the validation in the field. Certification requires some additional hours of reading, listening, viewing, and learning from the experts in the field. The last step in developing the level of desired professionalism comes in attending workshops, conferences, and seminars. The aspect of continuing education and the learning process is key to maintaining one’s professionalism. A value of the sports and recreation ministry certification is that to maintain certification one must complete five hours of Continuing Education Units per year. One can complete the five-hour units in one ReachGathering conference or regional CSRM workshops. Are you ready to sell out completely toward the significance of the sports and recreation ministry certification? If so, register for certification today by clicking here. _____________________________ This blog is the 5th in a series on Sports Ministry Certification written by Professor David Waddell. All rights reserved. For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact: David Waddell - <dwaddell@olemiss.edu Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by David Waddell and other local church Sports, Rec & Fitness Ministers are archived at: http://www.csrm.org/blog/ Enhances Professional Image
One of my pet peeves throughout my career as a sports and recreation minister was the lack of respect this ministry receives from the “rank and file” people of the church. Other ministries such as preaching, worship, small group, men’s ministries, and women’s ministries always took priority of time, attention, and announcements. At times, I felt like people viewed sports and recreation ministries as “second class” or “unnecessary” to the fulfillment of the church’s mission. I know numerous churches do not have sports and recreation ministries, but that does not mean they are not an important ministry partner like other programs. In some churches, the sports and recreation minister’s office is in the recreation facility and disconnected from the other ministry offices. This “separation” does not help the level of respect with other ministries at all. One of the benefits of certification in the sports and recreation ministry world is the level of expertise and knowledge one obtains as to the equal worth of ministry in a person’s life. Knowing why we do what we do and having the certification credibility assists us in conveying the message that we are as important as other ministries in the church. Certification will give the knowledge as to how the sports and recreation ministry is biblically based. Despite there not being a reference to sports and recreation singled out in the scriptures, the texts studied in certification will give you the ability to influence those in your church as to its spiritual significance. You will obtain instructions as to how to make sports and recreation a part of missions and outreach programs as well as how to use it in your disciple-making process. With an entire section of learning in philosophical principles, certification will give you the information to communicate the overall importance of the sports and recreation ministry to the church. Would you like to enhance your professional image and see your ministry gain the level of acceptance as other ministries? If so, register for certification today by clicking here. __________________________________________________ This blog is the 4th in a series on Sports Ministry Certification written by Professor David Waddell. All rights reserved. For any reproduction right, including copying, computer reproduction, etc. contact: David Waddell - <dwaddell@olemiss.edu Other blogs and articles on Local Church Sports, sports theology and ethics written by David Waddell and other local church Sports, Rec & Fitness Ministers are archived at: http://www.csrm.org/blog/ |