CERTIFICATION

CSRM offers an Internationally recognized Certification in Sport, Recreation, and Fitness Ministries
Certification as a Sport, Recreation, and Fitness Minister (CSRFM) Is Designed To:
  • Resource, train, equip, connect and inform all Local Church Sports Ministers, Sports Pastors, Fitness Ministers, Activities Directors and Church Recreators for Strategically-Relevant & Efficiently-Effective SR&F Outreach Ministry.
  • Award CSRM's Internationally recognized Sports Minister's Certification upon the completion of required training.
  • Communicate the rationale for, explanation of: CSRM's "3-Tier Paradigm" of Theological-Truths, Philosophical-Principles, and Methodological-Models as the Organizational Structure for Local Church SR&F Outreach.
  • Being a Certified Sports, Recreation, and Fitness Minister (CSRFM) is valuable to both the local church leader in sport, recreation, and fitness ministries, as well as, para-ministry organizations that use sports and recreation as an outreach tool.
Why Is Certification Important?
  1. Professional Commitment. The education and training necessary to gain certification communicates your commitment to the field of sports and recreation ministries. Continuing education is a crucial aspect of professionalism and the certification not only gives that initial education, but in order to maintain certification, one must obtain Continuing Education Units in workshops, webinars, and other forms.
  2. Enhances a Professional Image. Learning the biblical basis of how sports and recreation ties into the ministry of the church offers the sports and recreation minister the opportunity to improve how others view their leadership. Instead of being a “separate” ministry, one can communicate how all ministries work together in a local church.
  3. Recognition of Your Accomplishment. People finishing the process obtain a certificate indicating their completion of Sports Outreach Minister’s Certification. Completion also grants the minister the ability to use the letters “CSRFM” following their signature. In this way, all communication will alert others of your accomplishment.
  4. Expansion of Skill and Knowledge.
General Information Concerning the Certification
  • The initial Certification requires 30 total units (approximately 30 clock hours) and is valid for 24 months.
  1. The Certification requires:
    1. Level #1 - Theological Truths (5 units)
    2. Level #2 - Philosophical Principles (5 units)
    3. Level #3 - Methodological Models (10 units)
    4. Electives (10 units...could include additional sessions from any of Levels 1-3 or electives). 
  2. The links for each session will be sent to you following the approval of your application.
  • The period for completion, once accepted, takes anywhere from one month to one year depending on the energy and time availability of the student.

 "3-Tier Paradigm" Coursework

Elective Coursework

  • Activities & Fitness
  • Special Areas
  • Outdoor Recreation
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Activities & Fitness
​Elec 101 - Coaching certification
Elec 102 - Race & Running events
​Elec 103 - Sport specific tournament
Elec 104 - Sport specific clinic
Elec 105 – Aerobics
Information to come.
Elec 106- Fitness ministries
​​Elec 107 – Wellness Ministries
​​Elec 108 – Crafts
​​Elec 109 – Clowning, Puppetry, and Drama
Elec 110 – Sport Specific Camp

Special Areas

Elec 201 - definitions
Elec 202 - Christ-centered Leadership of Local Church Sports and Recreation Ministry ​
​Elec 203 – Urban Sports/Recreation Ministries
​Elec 204 – Women’s Sports/Recreation Ministries
​ELEC 205 – MEN’S SPORTS/RECREATION MINISTRIES
Elec 206 – Youth Sports/Recreation Ministries
Elec 207 – Children’s Sports/Recreation Ministries
Elec 208 - Adapted Recreation ministries​​
More information to come
​Elec 209 – Second Half Generation
​Elec 210 – Physically Challenged
More information to come
Elec 211 – Sports marketing and promotion
​Elec 212 - College and professional athletic chaplaincy
Elec 214 - Organizing a lay sports board
​Elec 215 - Budgeting & fundraising
​Elec 216 - Short term mission trips
​Elec 217 - Cross-cultural ministry
Elec 218 - Facilities
Elec 219 - Ministry to Spectators

Outdoor Recreation

How to Become a CSRFM

There are four ways to earn credit for the CSRM Sports Minister's Certification:
  1. Purchase the your Certification from the CSRM Store. A CSRM representative will contact you.
  2. The following books will be mailed to you upon receipt of payment and application:
    1. ​Christmanship: A Theology of Competition and Sport 
    2. Sports Ministry That Wins 
    3. Sports Outreach Fundamentals 
    4. Putting the Church Back in the Game
    5. The Saving of Sports Outreach: The Soteriology of Sports Ministry ​
  3. A list of approved topics is found above in the Coursework section. Upon approval, begin obtaining course work from the following:
    1. Choose a topic listed in the Certification Curriculum with a corresponding link; attend presentations at a REACHgathering; watch a recorded CSRM/CEDE Webinar; attend CSRM Continental, National and/or Regional Sports Outreach Summits; Watch/Listen to CSRM weekly podcasts; and/or receive other training (requires Certification Board approval).
    2. University/College/Seminary Course Work, including Extension and Correspondence courses, from a CSRM approved institution may be applicable for credit.  Submit course work and date taken to the Certification Board for approval.
    3. CSRM's AGON Institute of Sports Ministry course work.
    4. Mentorship with a Certification Board approved mentor. Receive mentoring from any CSRM staff, selected past or present CSRM Board of Trustee members, selected CSRM Ministry Partners, or other recognized SR&F leaders based on Certification Board approval.
    5. CSRM Training such as the AGON Institute of Sports Ministry, Global Network Partner Training, CSRM Connections Meetings, and CSRM YouTube Videos.
  4. When all course work is completed submit the following work:
    1. Check off all completed courses on worksheet
    2. ​Complete the following assignments:
      1. ​​​Theological Truths (5)
        In 500 words or more, please share how you would describe the theology of sports and recreation.
      2. Philosophical Principles (5)
        Please write a positional paper of 500 words or more on the use of sports and recreation in the ministry of the local church.
      3. Methodological Models (10)
        Please list the session reviewed and write two paragraphs about the important aspects of methodology learned.
      4. ​Electives (10)
        Write a brief paragraph on what you learned in each elective course.
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Certification Fees

More information to come. 
Initial Certification 
​$195.00
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Certification Interest Form

If you have questions regarding the process, please fill out and submit the form below and a CSRM staff member will contact you within 2-3 business days.
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