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"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
Strategically Relevant, Effective and Efficient
"Evangelistic-Disciplemaking" Sports Outreach
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It was my freshman year of college. I sat in the English 101 writing class, never dreaming at that point that I would be the author of three books someday. My writing skills at that point in my life barely got me through high school. The professor asked about previous writing experiences. I told him of mine in high school and said, “The main problem with my writing is that I write like I talk.” After hearing me say a few sentences, I got the idea that the professor agreed with me.
One of the assignments was to write a short story on the meaning of our names. My first and middle name was easy as they are biblical names. James means brotherly, and David means beloved. The last name took some research. One derivation of the name, the source stated was that Waddell came from a mustard plant in Scotland called the “Wadel.” My conclusion to the paper was that James David Waddell meant brotherly and beloved hot stuff. According to the grade assigned by the professor, I got the idea he was even in more agreement with the original summation of my writing skills. In biblical times names were attributed to personalities. When bad times hit, Naomi (pleasant) changed her name to Marah, which means bitter. Jacob’s name, which meant deceiver, was changed to Israel, or “a man who wrestles with God.” This passion for names and meanings claimed one of the chapters of my first book, Characters of the Bible: Finding My Stories in Their Stories. The chapter is titled: “Jacob: Roll Call! What’s in a Name.” I have been intrigued throughout history with great names. My oldest son had a friend in junior high by the name of Justin Case. We had a doctor in Springfield, Missouri by the name of M.D. Bonebrake. A Texas governor with the last name Hogg christened his daughter with the name, Ima. It was this passion for names along with an enjoyment of puns that led me to study the different names of coffee shops in churches. Here are a few that got my attention: Holy Grounds Coffee House HeBrews The Beanadiction Higher Grounds Son Bucks Solid Grounds When it comes to names for sports, recreation, and fitness centers in churches, I see a different tactic portrayed here. Most call themselves the Recreation Center. The facilities I worked with during my days as a practitioner had the names Activities Building, Family Life Center, Christian Life Center, and the last one I worked in was called the “ROC,” which stood for Recreation Outreach Center. So, what can the name “recreation center” tell us about the churches that house such facilities and ministry programs? Well, recreation comes from the Latin word recreatio, which means refreshes or restores. 1In that mindset, we program activities and events in a refresher center or center of restoration, which is a correct description of what we do. Through sports, recreation, and fitness ministry programs we offer the opportunity for the refreshment of what this life offers through the basics of the cathartic release of stress and the refreshment of our bodies improving in stature. These ministry programs also serve to provide the hope of restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. Some of my early mentors would spell the word “re-creation.” They would point out the verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that states, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” (New Living Translation) In 1993 the organization, Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministers was created. In the time since that beginning, the name has stood for a group of people sold on serving and assisting the local church in providing leadership and resources for paid staff and volunteers serving Christ and their churches in sports, recreation, and fitness ministries. While some may see us as a “parachurch” organization, our mission has always been to support the local church body, which is why the word, “Church” appears in our name. It was our mission in 1993 and continues to be our mission in 2019. For more information on our vision, mission, and purpose, please visit www.csrm.org/history-and-what-we-believe.html. Please consider joining us in this mission with a gift of your time or a donation toward one of our ministry partners. You may find information on giving at www.csrm.org/donate. 1 McLean, D. D., Hurd, A.R., & Anderson, D.M. (2019). Kraus recreation and leisure in modern society (11 th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning --------------------------------------- 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 “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching,
and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.” - Acts 2:42 (NLT) I grew up in an era where parents felt that if they had their children in church every time the doors were open, the children would never learn how to sin... So, we learned to sin from the people in the church! Seriously, I developed much of my understanding of what the church is and how it functions through those early years of attendance... Without realizing it, I learned about being in fellowship in Sunday school classes and being a part of a boy’s organization called Royal Ambassadors. My friends and I sat in classes and observed a group of Deacons each week out of our windows. I thought it would be ideal to grow up and be a Deacon because you wouldn’t have to attend Sunday school classes. Apparently, your job as a Deacon was to stand on the corner of the church property and smoke cigarettes during the Sunday school hour. I was taught about ministry by many coat drives and food collections. I had the idea through those years that poor people must like Hominy because that would always be the item that people gave more than anything else. Mom made it once for us to eat, and I had a better understanding of why everyone was giving it away. My involvement every Sunday in a worship setting taught me about how the church expresses adoration and praise to God. Our family was active enough that I was a teenager before seeing the entire presentation of The Wizard of Oz because it always came on television on Sunday nights. Don’t even ask me about the Wonderful World of Disney. Bible Drill and Training Union was all designed to assist me in becoming more disciplined in my life with Christ. When I was a child, the Bible Drill program called the Bibles our “swords.” So, instead of “Present Bibles” before locating a verse, the leaders would tell us to “present swords.”I was much older before I understood that Paul referred to the scriptures as a sword of truth. Mission giving and distribution of Gospel tracts gave me a good idea about the church reaching the world with a message of love and hope in salvation. Every year we had emphases about missionaries that served around the U.S. and the world. I became familiar with Annie Armstrong and Lottie Moon. Our churches would host events called, “revivals,” which would attempt to bring in people that didn’t know Jesus. I received a blessing with an upbringing that understood the functions of the church without the ability to call them off a list. Since that day, a lot of my involvement with the local church over the past forty years has been with the Sports, Recreation, and Fitness (SR&F) Outreach Ministries. In those years, I have seen the same functions of the church played out in the events and programs offered in people’s leisure time. Here’s a brief description of each function. Fellowship A group of ladies or men creating artwork or some creative craft project in a congregation's recreation ministry creates a bonding that is similar to that obtained in a church small group. A team in a church's Sports Outreach Ministry that struggles and practices together creates the “fellowship” of dependence upon each other. Ministry A definition of ministry is meeting needs in Jesus’s name. So, conducting a fitness class for stay-at-home moms or a lunch exercise group for business people is meeting some health and wellness needs in people’s lives. Creating opportunities to meet new people and expand one’s network is another need met by placement in a class or on a team. Worship The apostle Paul tells us that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So, when we get in better shape from participation is a sport or fitness adventure we are, in a sense, creating a spirit of worship. I know the hiker or the camper that feasts his or her eyes on new outdoor scenery is brought right into the throne of worship with our Creator...and of course an athlete can worship through their sport. Discipleship Being discipled is learning how to be like Jesus or in other words, living Jesus-shaped life. Most activities in sports, recreation, and fitness require discipline in diet, exercise, and rest. These disciplines also assist in creating habits for Bible study, memorization, and making good choices. Evangelism This function may be the “lob pitch” of the five functions. In a culture where people discuss leisure activities as much as career paths, sports, recreation, and fitness ministries have the best opportunity to share the love of Jesus with our world. If we are to reach our “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world,” we need any and every opportunity. If your church does not have an organized effort at using Sports, Recreation, and Fitness in assisting the church with the five functions, please consider contacting CSRM at manager.csrm@gmail.com. We’d love to help you figure out how to impact your world using the passion people have for sports, recreation, and fitness activities. --------------------------------------- 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 This is the 3rd in a series of blogs that seek to answer difficult questions encountered by SR&F Outreach Ministers....
3. Do Babies Who Die Go To Heaven There’s a Celtic tradition of prayer that I’ve practiced for decades that has been a most helpful aide to keeping my prayers relevant and fresh. This spiritual disciple entails praying for specific requests…on specific days of the week…that are naturally associated with that day of the week. For example, one of the things to pray for on Friday’s has to do with praying for the parents who have lost a child, based on the fact that the Heavenly Father’s Son died on a Friday. Such prayers are almost always deeply appreciated. Grieving parents, experience what is considered by most people as the greatest agony anyone can encounter on earth – the loss of a child. So it should not come as a surprise that this is one of the first questions asked by new Christians who have suffered a miscarriage or who have had to bury their child...or even more poignant, have aborted a child earlier in life! Thus it should not be surprising that SR&F local church missionaries (coaches, league directors etc.) may well encounter such a question, and would be wise to be ready for this inquiry. Key Verses Do Babies who die go to heaven? Matthew 19:13-15 “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. Luke 1.15 “… for he will be great before the Lord….even from his mother’s womb.” Jeremiah 1.5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” 2 Samuel 12:15.23 “…I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” So there you are, in the parking lot after your volleyball game and the gal form work you invited to join your church's volleyball league asks if she can ask you a personal question. You of course say yes, but are totally unprepared for just how personal a question it is. "Will the little girl I aborted be in heaven?" Now you know why she waited until you were in the parking lot...far away from prying eyes and ears! When such a question is asked, I encourage you to listen rather than talk! This is a perfect time to “live out the Gospel” (“weep with those who weep" - Romans 12.15-18). While it’s certain co-worker will want to hear what you have to say, they will more so remember how you responded and how they felt about this encounter. While words are heard, love is felt; and those feelings most often outlive, and communicate for deeper, than what is said. Yet, what is said is crucial and hopefully reassuring and comforting. The following verses and concepts are best shared in a private conversation that is not rushed…and a box of Kleenex is recommended. An Important Concept An important concept to be shared is that a person is judged (condemned…as in not allowed into heaven) based on their willful, conscious rejection of God’s love and will for their life. ( 2 Corinthians 5.10; 1Corinthians 6.9; Revelation 20.12) This alone would suggest that not only the preborn and the infant, but also those who are mentally incapacitated, are incapable of willfully and consciously rejecting God...and thus would certainly seem to indicate their welcome into the arms of Jesus in heaven. Important Verses Other scriptures that bring comfort include David’s statement about his infant son who died shortly after birth; children being chosen in their mother’s womb and Jesus’s own encounters with children. (see below) The account of David grieving the loss of his infant son is profound in two ways. First it clearly demonstrates the deep sorrow of a grieving father. Second it communicates the foundational Christian belief that while the departed son cannot come back to his father, the father will see that child again in heaven! (2 Samuel 12.15-23) In addition, there are passages that can encourage the hearts of grieving parents in the fact they teach that children were formed, chosen and consecrated in their mother’s womb. (Luke 1.15; Jeremiah 1.5) This teaches that death cannot “steal” a child from God. Then of course, there is the most wonderful story related in the gospels that record Jesus’s great love for the little children…and his claim that they belong to His kingdom. ( Matthew 19.13-15; Mark 10.13-16; Luke 18.15-17) All I can say is; Hallelujah, what a Savior! All of this of course lines up with what the entire Bible teaches about God being a loving Father and can be a great source of comfort to grieving parents when lovingly and sensitively shared in the midst of a SR&F Outreach Ministry. Of course, it must be pointed out that this is a controversial subject and that regardless of one’s position or belief, a baby’s eternal status is up to God and we can find comfort in trusting God with this. I further recommend you add these verses to the file on your phone entitled: Answers to Difficult Questions. You never know when you'll need them. ----------------------------------------------- This is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book to be released in late 2019 or early 2020 entitled: The Saving of Sports Outreach: The Soteriology of Sports Outreach - The 4th book in the Sports Outreach Institutes Series. Dr. Linville's books can be purchased through the CSRM website - ------------------------------------------------ Dr. Greg Linville CSRM's Director of Resource Development sportsminresources@gmail.com This is the second in a series of Difficult Questions Encountered by SR&F Outreach Ministers
------------------------------------ 2. Do I Need to Get Baptized Another question SR&F Outreach Ministers are often asked has to do with being baptized. This of course raises one of the more controversial theological debates The Church has ever faced. In fact, the issue of baptism has been a major cause for the creation of a number of denominational splits. Once again, I encourage you to talk with your Lead Pastor about your specific congregational and denominational stance on this, but be assured that all Christian traditions hold a very high view of Baptism and greatly encourage (if not require) each Christian to be Baptized. I believe the bible is clear that Baptism is not an absolute requirement for salvation, but it is the expected norm for all Disciples of Jesus. This can be seen in both the words and life of Jesus. Jesus personally sought out baptism (Matthew 3.13-17) and yet when he promised the thief on the cross eternal life He demonstrated baptism was not required for salvation and eternal life (Luke 23.39-43). So, it follows that there is a major distinctive difference between baptism being required and it being the normative recommendation. Relevance of Baptism for SR&F Outreach Ministry Pertaining to baptism the major relevance for SR&F Outreach Ministers has to do with how it enhances and empowers the “making of Disciples.” In specific, Baptism is a most important step in “making Disciples” because it entails making a public confession of faith. (Consult chapter 5 of my book “The Fundamentals of Sports Outreach” for a full explanation and understanding of the “5B’s” of Sports Outreach and the relevance of baptism) It’s one thing to “raise a hand” at a league-ending evangelistic outreach event or even privately pray a prayer with a league director or coach; it’s quite another to get up in front of a congregation and publically proclaim Jesus to be Lord and Savior. The emphasis here lies in the public confession as being a vital step in the “making of Disciples.” What Baptism looks like exactly, differs between denominations both in timing (infant / adult) and in its mode (immersion / sprinkling / pouring / or even not using water). Whereas, some faith traditions baptize infants, others baptize upon a profession of faith and conversion. However, while the specific outward modes differ, the agreed upon central belief has to do with making a public declaration. Both traditions understand the significant importance of a public declaration for infants (baptism or dedication); and both require a later public declaration for new converts. For those who baptize infants, the public demonstration is often called: Confirmation. Conversely, those who dedicate infants reserve baptism for those that are later converted. So, you're sitting in the post-game devotional room and are stunned by the question raised by your teammate: "Should I be Baptized?" After you recover from your surprise, how do you answer him? Here's a few questions to ask and steps to follow....
Beyond all of this, I'd recommend putting the following verses on to a file on your phone entitled: Answers to Difficult Questions Key Verses – Do I Need To Be Baptized Matthew 28:19, 20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 16:31, 33 “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.” ----------------------------------------------- This is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book to be released in late 2019 or early 2020 entitled: The Saving of Sports Outreach: The Soteriology of Sports Outreach - The 4th book in the Sports Outreach Institutes Series. Dr. Linville's books can be purchased through the CSRM website - https://csrm.z2systems.com/np/clients/csrm/giftstore.jsp ------------------------------------------------ Dr. Greg Linville CSRM's Director of Resource Development sportsminresources@gmail.com 1. Can I Lose My Salvation Inevitably, Sports, Recreation and Fitness (SR&F) Outreach Ministers, or anyone engaged in Evangelistic-Disciplemaking will at some point be asked some rather tricky questions about faith and a relationship with Christ. This series of blogs is designed to provide some basic biblical answers and scriptural references to aid SR&F Outreach Ministers at these times.... ------------------------------------------ So, you arrived ready to lead your fitness class. You were totally prepared for the physical activity, your equipment and music were ready to go and you had even been blessed by God with a great devotional to share. You knew your support team had been praying for this class and today you even felt a special anointing of The Holy Spirit upon the class. T Afterward, you engaged in a conversation with a person who shared that they were troubled because they’re currently not experiencing the joy, fulfillment, peace or empowerment in their Christian life. Their question, stopped you in your tracks: “Have I lost my salvation?” Wow! You have been trained to be fitness class instructor, not a theologian. What to do? Well first of all, you need to know that this is a theological question that has been debated through the millennia, and my first piece of advice is talk with your Lead Pastor about your congregation's and denomination's position on this. None-the-less, in this situation it is most likely that your friend is seeking assurance and peace of mind...and gives every indication that she have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Therefore, rather than wading into a lengthy theological diatribe, it would seem you have been blessed with an opportunity to help reassure your friend of her salvation. To that end, I offer the following set of diagnostic questions that have worked well for me to determine how to respond. 1. Have you ever asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? 2. If not, why not do that right now? 3. If so, then why is it you now feel like you might have lost your salvation? Typically their answer to question #3 is one of the following. Either they've engaged in some sinful activity/attitude that has shaken their basic relationship with Christ; are grieving a death; encountering a significant hurdle in their life or experiencing a personal set back of some sort. Depending on their answer to the questions, I think it your response would be fairly obvious but could include: offering to share in a simple prayer with them; encouraging them to re-engage in spiritual disciplines; sharing relevant bible verses; or perhaps in certain situations, referring them for professional counseling. Remember listening and communicating that you care are perhaps the most important things you can do. As to relevant bible verses, I believe scripture communicates a person’s salvation is dependent on God and thus a person’s salvation cannot be lost. (See below) Of course, this assumes a person’s conversion (salvation) is real and authentic. The following verses are recommended to be among those you put on your phone file entitled: "Answers to Difficult Questions." Key Verses – Can I Lose My Salvation And I am sure of this, that He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1.6 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, ‘made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved... Ephesians 2.4, 5 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship… Ephesians 2.8-10 ---------------------------------- Future Blogs on Answers to Difficult Questions will include:
This is an excerpt from Dr. Linville's book to be released in late 2019 or early 2020 entitled: The Saving of Sports Outreach: The Soteriology of Sports Outreach - The 4th book in the Sports Outreach Institutes Series. Dr. Linville's books can be purchased through the CSRM website - https://csrm.z2systems.com/np/clients/csrm/giftstore.jsp ------------------------------------------------ Dr. Greg Linville CSRM's Director of Resource Development sportsminresources@gmail.com |
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