Resources
 Book Reviews
 Sports
Ministry Today – Fulfilling the Great Commission Through the World of
Sports
By Eliot Johnson
Cross Training Publishing – 2009 – Kearney, NE – ISBN: 978-0-9821652-6-3
Elliot Johnson has another “hit” with his latest book – “Sports
Ministry Today.” Johnson’s previous literary endeavors have developed
quite a loyal fan base and while this book is a slight departure from
his normal inspirationally-based genre, it is sure not to disappoint
those who have been encouraged by “coach” in the past.
This
book is a leadership primer. It is full of tried and true leadership
principles Elliot has garnered and perfected over his nearly 30 years
of coaching at the collegiate level. I particularly appreciate
Johnson’s focus on evangelism, as the sub-title for the book
establishes. I recommend this book to all veteran sports ministers who
are looking to sharpen their leadership skills or perhaps gain a new
insight into areas they want to review. This book would also be
excellent for anyone starting out in sports ministry as the principles
found in this book would serve as great foundations from which to build
a ministry. For that matter, this book is recommended for anyone in any
ministry, as the leadership principles that work in the world of sport
will work anywhere.
 Chapter
Highlights
Chapter #1 is an overview of history and includes a brief
survey of 1st century Greek, Roman and early Christian sport and faith
integration. This is followed by stories throughout history of how
Christians interacted with sport. Profiles include Protestant Reformers
such as Luther, Muscular Christianity personalities, and a few pioneers
from the Sports Outreach Era of the mid to late 20th Century.
Chapter #2 outlines 12 underlying presuppositions for Sport
Ministry. These provide a great foundation for anyone desiring to begin
a ministry based upon solid Biblical principles.
Chapter #3 provides a wonderful template for how to maintain a
Biblical worldview when involved in athletics. It would be especially
helpful for school coaches and athletic directors.
Chapter #4 is where Johnson’s expertise shines: coaching.
There is a particularly helpful section for local church sports pastors
and all who coach preadolescents. This is a must read for anyone who
coaches youth as it provides much needed insights and research about
why kids play sport and, more importantly, why they quit playing
sports. Coach Johnson also includes a number of principles which are
incredibly relevant for parents of athletes.
Chapter #5 simply “drips” with sage advice on how to be a
leader. It is entitled: “Administration of Sports Ministry Programs”
but the jewels outlined in this chapter are relevant for leaders of all
stripes.
Chapter #6 is entitled “Sports Ministry to Women” and provides the
reader with insights into some of Coach Johnson’s perspectives about
the uniqueness of women in sport.
Chapter #7 has a few nuggets on how to engage in prison ministry
including a solid template of proper prison ministry etiquette.
Chapter #8 is a brief attempt to address local church sports ministry.
Chapter #9 shares how people with writing and speaking skills can
utilize them for ministry.
Chapter #10 is a discussion about the attendant positives and negatives
of sports ministry.
Chapter #11 lists a number of the selected sports related ministries
New Concept Found in this Book
What may be new to some who read this book is the fact coaching
needs to be different for different ages. Grade school children need to
be handled differently than College or Pro athletes. This is known by
many but needs to be implemented by all.
The chapter on writing, speaking and media may open the eyes
of some on who may for the first time realize these avenues could be
God’s call to ministry.
Catch Phrases Worth Remembering
Few coach youngsters for the sheer purpose of teaching skills and
opening avenues for kids to have fun
Youth leagues can furnish a fatherless son with a father figure
Be concerned about the person – not the performance
Points of Contention
A better way to characterize the following comments would be to
call them points of clarification rather than points of contention. I
am in agreement with most of what Coach Johnson’s shares in this book
and I believe we are in full agreement as to the centrality of gospel
ministry in and through sports. Thus, these clarifications should not
be misconstrued as denigrating the book or the author, nor should they
keep anyone from gleaning the many other pearls the book provides.
1. Perhaps the best way to describe the first two chapters is:
“a mile wide and an inch deep.” What is presented is true, valid and
solid but each chapter could well become at least a book by itself, if
not a series of books. It must be understood the stories, facts and
Biblical presuppositions are selected highlights rather than
comprehensive and thorough treatments of the subjects. They are good
places to start but fall short of providing all that is needed to be
known about these two subjects.
2. Two things would greatly enhance the overall reception of
the chapter on Sports Ministry to Women. First, it would be great to
have this chapter co-authored by a female. Secondly, there should be a
complementary chapter on Sports Ministry to Men, which should be
co-written by the same team who co-wrote the chapter on Sports Ministry
to Women. If one gender is addressed then both should be addressed.
Otherwise it appears to single out women and gives the obvious issues
of men in sport a free pass. Sometimes efforts to be inclusive portray
unintended meanings.
3. Johnson’s real strength lies in the field of leadership.
His is an important (in fact vital), yet narrow slice of the world
called Sports Ministry. Johnson’s insights into leadership are
brilliant in a general sense but fall short of the mark for addressing
the specific needs of local church Sports Ministry Personnel. His book
may disappoint a local church Sports Pastor who is looking for specific
answers to specific issues faced in local church sports outreach
ministries. I don’t believe Coach Johnson would claim to have superior
knowledge or experience in local church sports outreach. It’s simply
not his expertise and this shows. His chapter on local church sports
ministries is very short and leaves out many of the leaders in the
field, such as groups like Church Sports International, Sports Outreach
Los Angeles, Higher Sports and of course CSRM although CSRM is included
in the chapter which lists a number of Sports Ministries.
Recommendations for a Second Edition
- Chapters that lie outside of expertise and experience could be
co-authored.
- The chapters on coaching could be expanded to allow for the author’s
true expertise to be highlighted.
- Secure a more comprehensive list of Sports Ministries and have each
write their own paragraph
- Include contact information for each ministry listed as well as have
them all listed in an appendix.
Where to get the Book – Cross
Training Publishers
Thanks Coach Elliot Johnson for your work on this book. It will
be helpful to many. Thanks also for your many years of faithful
diligence of Godly coaching and competing. You have been a guiding
light to us all.
Disclaimer
I work for CSRM and have a decided bias towards
local church sport ministry. Thus, some of my comments may seem overly
negative as a result. I would recommend this book to anyone within the
broader world of sports ministry as it is a treasury of wisdom in many
areas. It should not be seen, nor do I believe it was intended to be,
the definitive statement on sports ministry or local church sports
ministry.
Book Review: Sports Ministry Today – Fulfilling the Great Commission
Through the World of Sports by Eliot Johnson
|