For decades, sports and recreation ministry has been viewed and practiced as a means to accomplish evangelistic outreach.  The cultural popularity of sports and sportspersons has been a driving force for this sort of practice.  Even when integrated into a local church, sports and recreation has been viewed and practiced as a means for the church to reach out and into the community. All too often Sports Ministry has been used as a “calling card” and/or a platform for mass evangelism proclamations.

While this is not a bad practice, it has proven to be ineffective and falls short of the potential the ministry possesses.  It is a bad practice because it ignores the centrality of the Word of God as a means for spiritual blessing (salvation and sanctification).  It ignores the ministry pattern of Jesus and the counsel of Scripture.

Jesus invested time in the lives of people – especially the Apostles.  The “Church” He said He would build is established, built and sustained by the Word of God.  If we take just those two principles, it demands that any ministry – especially Sports Ministry – Scripture is incorporated into the fabric of that ministry.

Consider the counsel of God in these passages:
Romans 10:17  “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.”  In other words, the living and written word  which people come to faith.  Why would we exclude this component in Sports Ministry?

II Timothy 3:16, 17  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  In other words, one’s spiritual growth or maturity is accomplished through the Word of God.  Why would we exclude the source of sanctification in our Sports Ministry?

Consider the counsel of Psalm 19
V 7a  “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;”  (It is the source of salvation.)
V7b  “…the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”  (It is the source of wisdom.)
V8a  “The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;”  (It is a source of joy.)
V8b  “The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”  (It is a source of enlightenment.)
V11  “…by them [Scripture] your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”  (It is a source of protection and blessing.)

When flying, a pilot never questions the value of one wing over another; he knows both are critical.  The same is true for an evangelistic ministry.  Those evangelized need to hear the Word; those saved need to hear the Word.  A successful Sports Ministry must include the incorporation of Scripture to be all it could be.
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This is first of a two-part Blog
Written by Rodger Oswald
Founder of Church Sports International (CSI)
Founding Board Member of CSRM
Staff Emeritus CSRM

CSI Resources are available through the CSRM Website -  https://csrm.z2systems.com/np/clients/csrm/giftstore.jsp

The “5-B’s Rubric of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking” of The Sports Outreach Movement
This series of blogs describes and explains the “5-B’s” of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking of The Sports Outreach Movement.  This blogs continues the discussion with the fifth “B” – Becoming
 
The fifth and final step in the 5-B’s Rubric is: becoming. Becoming is perfect as a descriptor because it communicates not only that evangelistic-disciplemaking is a process but also that “dedicated disciples” of Jesus Christ never arrive, but are constantly progressing.  More importantly however, becoming effectively communicates the true essence of the evangelistic-disciplemaking process of the 5-B Rubric.  The commitment to be about making dedicated, life-long disciples of Jesus Christ as opposed to asking someone to make a one-day decision about becoming a Christian, is significantly different.
It should also be apparent becoming is impossible without the first four steps in the 5-B Rubric.  A person cannot not become a person who truly worships and embodies Christ without: a) belonging: being part of a community; b) believing: coming to faith in Jesus; c) baptizing: being baptized in His name; and d) behaving: striving to live as Jesus taught.  Becoming is the ongoing result of the first four “B’s.”   While becoming is a resultant end, it is also truly an ongoing resultant end.  It is an arrival/destination that assumes continual growth and development.
 
The Conclusion of The “5 B’s” - The Relevance of the 5-B Rubric for the Sports Outreach Movement
There may be no other concept more relevant to the Sports Outreach Movement than the 5-B Rubric of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking.  On this Level #2 Philosophical Principle, hang all subsequent Level #3 Methodological Models.  All local church Sports Outreach Ministries and each sports-related, para-ministries raise funds based upon this rubric.  More important, all activities, outreaches and endeavors are built upon the philosophy of ministry...and of course, all Level #2 Philosophical Principles are informed and shaped by their Level #1 Theological Truths.

If the Level #1 theological perspective of soteriology (theology of salvation) of a church or ministry is to “get someone saved,” (decision for a day), then their 5-B Rubric is, at best, reduced to a 2-B approach… belonging and believing.  With such a theological mindset there is no need for the last three “B’s.”  If however, a ministry’s theology of salvation includes “making disciples,” (life-long, dedicated disciples) then the entire 5-B Rubric is of vital importance. 

So, the real question for the Sports Outreach Movement is: is it about evangelism or better said, evangelistic-disciplemaking?  Is the job of a local church Sports Outreach Ministry completed upon a person’s profession of faith, or is that profession of faith a most welcomed and celebrated step on a journey towards becoming a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ?  How Sports Outreach leaders answer this question will decide the future of the Movement…and to a large degree…impact the future of The Church.
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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
This series of blogs describes and explains the “5-B’s” of Evangelism of The Sports Outreach Movement.  This blogs continues the discussion with an explanation of the fourth “B” -
Behaving
 
The fourth step in the “5-B’s Rubric” is: behaving.  Behaving indicates radical life change from a secular, self-centered individual to a Christo-centric member of The Church.  It assumes a person who has come to faith in Christ, has been baptized, and has embarked on a life-long journey of becoming a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ.

Like the first “B” – belonging - this may seem counter-intuitive and/or out of order for many church communities which prefer to see “regenerate behavior” before they administer the sacrament of baptism or present a person for church membership.  However, the traditional “Celtic” view of evangelism believes that we cannot expect “regenerate behavior” from “unregenerate” people (for a deeper understanding of this “Celtic” view, see other chapters in the book from which this excerpt is taken).  So, upon further reflection, the progression of the 5-B Rubric makes obvious sense.  Behaving like Christ, can only come about, and be sustained by, people who have been empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Behaving as a Christian requires and is built upon three complementary areas: a) the empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit; b) the humble submitting of the new disciple’s will to Jesus Christ; c) an intentional discipling program or process administrated through a local assembly of The Church.

Empowerment of the Holy Spirit
The role of the Holy Spirit and all surrounding Theologies of the Holy Spirit are also greatly debated and controversial topics within The Church, and are also, not the focus of this blog.  This blog will however, focus on what is agreed upon by all, which is all disciples of Jesus Christ are indwelled and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  Such empowerment is necessary for new disciples to not only think and act in Christ-like ways but also to want to do so.  Holy Spirit empowerment works to inform the intellect, inspire the heart, empower the will, and enable the body.  No new Christ-like and biblically-based behaviors will occur without the empowerment of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Submission of the Will
The indwelling Holy Spirit certainly empowers new disciples, but He does so in a way to enable new disciples to work cooperatively in the process of submitting their hearts, minds and wills.  No new behaviors will take place without a true submission of the heart, mind and will of all disciples.

Discipling Disciplines
The Holy Spirit is also vital in directing and empowering local congregations to envision, implement and maintain systematic and purposeful discipling disciplines.  This would include beginning core contents of discipleship areas such as, information about and the practice of daily prayer, bible study, personal devotions and obedience to the will of God.  It would also include how to witness to others about Jesus Christ and the Christian faith. 

These introductory stages of discipleship eventually enable the next level of discipleship which entails teachings on what living a Christ-like life is like including significant insights into Christian ethics for family life, vocation and interacting with pagan societal mores.  Eventually  discipleship moves from knowing we should pray, to becoming a prayer warrior; Eventually, casual reading of the bible develops into engaging in, in-depth bible study and from being theologically ignorant to comprehending the great theological depths of Christianity.  Other spiritual growth is observed including moving from talking about faith in Christ with others, to living in such powerful ways, that non-Christians are winsomely attracted to consider becoming a disciple of Jesus.

Suffice it to say, no new behaviors will occur without a local church actively implementing a discipleship program for new Christians and the collective, collaborative efforts of the Holy Spirit, new disciple and a local congregation result in the disciple becoming a life-long, dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ.

It is imperative for local church Sports Outreach Ministries to move new believers into disciplemaking activities within the broader church.
 
The next blog will discuss the fifth “B” – Becoming.
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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
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 a description of the third “B” – Baptism
 
Baptizing
The third step in the 5-B’s Rubric is: baptizing.
We come to what may well be the most theologically controversial of all the “5-B’s” – Baptizing.  Views of Baptism have been the cause of many theological and denominational divides.  Let’s first establish what all faith traditions agree upon and then the relevance of baptizing to local church Sports Outreach Ministry.

Baptism is Vital to Becoming a Disciple of Jesus Christ
All three of the Christian traditions (Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant) agree on the importance of baptism but only the Protestant tradition holds to the “by faith alone” view of salvation.   Furthermore, all three faith traditions, including a vast majority of protestants, would agree anyone coming to faith and converting to Christianity should be baptized, however, there are some serious disagreements about: a) the mode of baptism (sprinkling, pouring, full immersion, or a “dry cleaning” - spiritual baptism without the use of water); b) when baptism should occur (as an infant or as an adult believer); and c) perhaps more contentious, if the re-baptism of an adult who was baptized as an infant is ever right.  While my intent is not to get side-tracked on this ecclesiastical (church) divide, it is worth noting there is no agreed upon consensus as to some of the baptism variations, but there is without question a unity in the belief that baptism is important for all disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Relevance of Baptism to Evangelistic-Disciplemaking
The relevance of baptism to evangelistic-disciplemaking within the 5-B Rubric has to do with how it impacts unchurched people coming to faith in Christ and engaging them in the third phase of becoming a life-long, dedicated-disciple of Jesus Christ.  In addition, it is relevant to how a local church Sports Outreach helps such a people navigate their faith journey.  There are three main reasons why Baptism is vital to establishing disciples of Jesus Christ.

First, it solidifies the decision of new believers to become followers of Christ.  Perhaps a better way to look at it is, that it reduces any potential ambiguity about the sincerity of faith.  It’s one thing to pray a prayer in a quiet reflective moment; raise a hand at an evangelistic-oriented event; or make an affirmative statement about Christ with a coach, league director or church leader.  It’s quite another to publically profess faith in Jesus Christ in front of an entire church, family and friends, and also to commit to regularly participate as a member of a local church.

Second, making a public declaration of a private decision, serves as inspiration to all who were prayerfully and lovingly engaged in aiding the newly baptized believer on their spiritual journey.  In addition, it also winsomely challenges others who may be considering professing Christ themselves to boldly step out and become a disciple themselves.

Third, it forever “draws a line in the sand.”  Whereas, looking back, people can sometimes become confused as to whether or not they ever made a decision for Christ, memories of going through Baptismal classes, the Baptism itself, and gazing at a Baptismal certificate hanging on a wall with a specific date and signature of the officiating pastor all ensure that it was real.

Summary of Baptizing
I believe it is vital for all local church Sports Outreach Ministries to make public baptism a necessary part of their evangelistic-disciplemaking efforts and process.  I believe it even more important for sports-related, para-ministries to have their athletes or coaches who come to Christ be baptized in a local church; preferably the church the para-sports ministry leader is an active member of.
Public baptism is often the determining difference between a “decision for a day” and a lifetime dedicated-disciple.  Public baptism is no little thing.  It is of extreme importance.

The next blog with explain the fourth “B” - Behaving
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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
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/