By Cindy Bledsoe

For sports and recreation ministers who seek to change lives through sports, it is of great value to have specific information on how and when people actually come to a relationship with Jesus Christ. This information can serve as a strategic guide for sports and recreation ministers as we seek to design programming that will effectively facilitate evangelism. The Barna Group, which is considered to be one of the leading research organizations regarding faith and culture, gives us valuable information on the topic. Based on their research, I have proposed some key points in designing an effective evangelism strategy for sports and recreation ministries. I hope you will find this helpful. 

By Dr. Greg Linville

The following is the first installment in a series outlining a Theology of Competition and Sport. This article: 

1. Articulates the philosophical foundation from which an integration of competition and Christianity emerges
   
2. Outlines seminal thinking on factors which both positively and negatively influence competition
   
3. Presents a pioneering work on charting the predictability of an athlete’s fulfillment within his or her athletic endeavors
   
4. Defines competition, sport and athletics, demonstrating how each is distinctively different from the other two and yet how they are interrelated to one another
   

By Dr. Greg Linville

The following is the second installment in a series outlining a Theology of Competition and Sport. 

The first article articulated the philosophical foundation from which a discussion concerning the integration of competition and Christianity emerges. It also presented seminal thinking on factors which both positively and negatively influence competition. It included a pioneering work on charting the predictability of an athlete’s fulfillment within his or her athletic endeavors and key definitions of competition, sport and athletics. 

By Dr. Greg Linville

The following is the third installment in a series outlining a Theology of Competition and Sport. 

The first article articulated the philosophical foundation from which an integration of competition and Christianity emerges. It explained a clear distinction between competition and sport must be made and also presented seminal thinking on factors which both positively and negatively influence competition and sport. It included a pioneering work on charting the predictability of an athlete’s fulfillment within his or her athletic endeavors and key definitions of competition, sport and athletics. 

By Dr. Greg Linville

The following is the fourth installment in a series outlining a Theology of Competition and Sport. 

So far our journey towards a full understanding and execution of Christmanship has

• :Chapter 1: Defined a Philosophical Foundation for Competition
  
• Chapter 2 : Revealed a Theological Foundation for competition in general
  
• Chapter 3: Outlined a Theological Foundation for specific competition as found in sport and athletics
  

This chapter will establish a template for determining which individual sports are compatible with a Christian world-view and explains the six requisite mandates for Biblically defensible sports. In addition it outlines which sports are Biblically justifiable and which ones are not. 

By Dr. Greg Linville

The following is the fifth installment in a series outlining a Theology of Competition and Sport. 

So far our journey towards a full understanding and execution of the Theology of Competition and Sport has: 

• Chapter 1: Defined a Philosophical Foundation for Competition
  
• Chapter 2: Revealed a Theological Apologetic for Competition
  
• Chapter 3: Outlined a Biblical Basis for Christian Sport and Athletics
  
• Chapter 4 Established a Template for determining which individual sports are compatible with a Christian world-view and explained the six requisite mandates for Biblically defensible sports
  

By Dr. Greg Linville

The Sports Outreach Era co-opted two classic maxims to encapsulate its two major objectives: Evangelism and Discipleship. First: “Preach the Gospel everyday even if you must use words.”[1]  Second: “People are at their learning best while having fun.”[2]  The second statement will be expanded in a later segment while the following focuses on the essence of the first.

By Dr. Greg Linville

What can Christians do better on earth than in heaven?[1]   The answer: Evangelism!  Our ability to study the scripture, comprehend Theology, pray, fellowship and glorify God will all be enhanced upon entering heaven.  I should even be able to sing better in heaven – a true answer to my long-suffering wife’s prayers!  So, evangelism is the only thing done better on earth.  “Just a minute,” some might say.  “What about the Westminster Confession’s statement about glorifying God and enjoying Him forever?”  Again, this will all be easier and better done in heaven.  Are there any other possibilities?  Suffering is sometimes suggested as an example of what might be done better done on earth.  But even suffering enables, empowers and enhances a Christian’s witness, at least when Christians suffer well.[2]  So then, from a logical perspective, Christians are left on earth to be witnesses to those far from Christ.  But for the sake of the argument, even if this logical proposition doesn’t stand up under more sophisticated scrutiny, one cannot deny the Biblical command to “go into all the world, making disciples of all people.”[3]  Thus by logic and by Biblical command, the purpose of a Christian’s earthly existence is to work to bring others into a personal relationship with Christ.

By Dr. Greg Linville

The following is offered to help Sports Outreach Evangelists understand and reach the very people they are attempting to befriend. To successfully carry on business in China, western companies need to know and understand Chinese language and culture. Similarly, Sports Outreach ministers need to know the language and culture of those they desire to relate the gospel to.  What follows is not a step by step manual on sports outreach.  Rather, it is a theological and philosophical review of the secular culture and people.  It is designed to aid those attempting to create an effective Sports Outreach.  Pragmatic and anecdotal examples of sports outreach will be included wherever they help to illuminate cutting edge research and foundational evangelistic concepts.  The ultimate goal is to inform and equip Sports Outreach Leaders as they seek to conceptualize and implement effective Sports Outreach Ministries.