SPORT MINISTRY CERTIFICATION #2 - STAYING RELEVANT

Staying Up To Date
John Wooden once said, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that really counts.”  This statement is a great description of the need for certification.  A good number of sports and recreation ministry leaders have been through an academic program with the rigor of learning the philosophical and practical part of sports and recreation leadership.  Others have the school of experience working in their favor.  Both “educations” are a beginning of the process and not an end in themselves.
            My calling into this ministry area came early enough that I was able to get an undergraduate degree in recreation administration and a concentration in my master’s degree to include church recreation.  Through the years in a variety of conferences, workshops, webinars, books, and articles I have learned so much more to assist me in this work.  If I were to operate the sports and recreation ministry in the same manner as I did at my seminary graduation, I would soon become obsolete and ineffective as a ministry leader.  While our message remains the same, the methods and processes of delivering ministry programs to our church and community have changed.  Certification and the Continuing Education Unit system keeps leaders learning new methods to meet the needs of the people under their watch and demonstrates a desire to learn, grow, and improve.  You will gain new skills and knowledge, confirm proficiency, and increase your competency.
            The Sports and Recreation Ministry Certification provides a reminder of the “3-Tier Paradigm” of theological, philosophical, and methodological avenues that is helpful in providing the purpose and mission of the ministry.  One of the benefits of certification is the meaningful continuing education units one can receive to maintain certification.  By attending workshops and conferences such as REACHgathering, regional CSRM workshops, attending CSRM/CSO webinars, and other assorted learning experiences one gains the CEUs necessary to keep “learning after they know it all.”    
            Do you want to know something new?  Register for certification today by clicking here.
This blog is the 2nd 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/