Announcing the Release of a New Sports Ministry Book - Sports Ministry That Wins - Jimmy Smith Editor; Greg English Contributing Editor

Preface
 
Over the past few years I have conducted research (and continue to do so) related to managing sports ministry programs. Learning more about sports ministry and the faith communities they serve ...

During my discussions with sports ministers I noticed a theme…a strength…an expertise if you will. That each individual I spoke with had a specific passion that overwhelmed their successes and helped them through some challenges as a sports minister. I could hear these passions through the words they spoke and the tone in their voices about how they managed their programs. It was encouraging. I quickly realized an opportunity for the greater sports ministry community. Developing a handbook that would be an educational resource for current sport ministers and soon-to-be sports ministers....These connections made sense to me. I wanted to couple my sport management expertise with the sports minister’s expertise that each of these chapter authors have there.

What you can expect from this handbook
Learning-to-action
... This handbook was designed for you, the reader, to use it, write in it, refer back to it and maybe even generate discussion from it with your fellow sports ministry managers.  You will find that at the end of each chapter there are Learning-to-Action exercises... These exercises were designed for you to get the most out of this book…

Additional reading resources
...I am an advocate of finding time in your personal and professional life to continue your education... Many of the chapters within this handbook use Additional Reading Resources to highlight topics made in the chapters. All of these resources were collected and listed in the back of this handbook...

Sports ministry?...All of the above!
...As you will see in this handbook, sports ministry takes many forms in many different areas across the country, from a basketball team, to a small church, even at your local YMCA...
 
The Bible
...Many of the authors utilize scripture to highlight their broad message within their chapter. This handbook has several authors from different denominations. While myself and the other authors of this handbook encourage you to utilize the Bible throughout your personal walk with the Lord, managing your sports ministry, and even reflecting on the passages within this handbook, we also wanted to be consistent with the scripture used for this book, therefore all versus cited within this handbook are from the following Bible version:
 
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
  
Themes
                There are several themes that ring throughout this handbook. Themes such as leadership, building relationships, and the topic of church mission and vision are just a few that are discussed multiple times. Whether your ministry is just beginning or it has been established for a number of years, these themes (among others in this handbook) are very important topics and should be treated as such in your ministry and we hope that you can build discussions with your ministry team members or your colleagues regarding these topics.
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These are excerpts from CSRM's Overwhelming Victory Press soon to be released book "Sports Ministry That Wins."  Editor - Dr. Jimmy Smith & Contributing Editor Greg English.  All rights reserved.  No reproduction. copying or other use is permitted unless express written consent is granted by OVP and the Editors.