The "5B's" Of The Sports Outreach Movement: Envisioning Evangelistic-Disciplemaking Through Local Church Sports Outreach - Part #10

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/