Why is Certification Important?

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.

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.

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.

Expansion of Skill and Knowledge
John Wooden once said, "It's what you learn after you know it all that really counts." A leader that desires to keep learning demonstrates why certification is of utmost importance.​

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​CSRM's SRFMC will
Equip, train, resource, and inform all Local Church Sports Ministers, Sports Pastors, Fitness Ministers, Activities Directors, and Church Recreators in a survey of the basics of Sports, Recreation, and Fitness Ministry programs.
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Communicate CSRM's "3-Tier Paradigm" of Theological, Philosophical, Methodological as the organizational rubric for local church sports, recreation, and fitness outreach.

"I believe that God calls us to be a witness of Jesus wherever we go, using our gifts and talents for His glory, and I strongly believe that sports enables us to make a huge impact in people's lives. Sharing the same passion with CSRM, I'm thankful for the opportunity to learn more about how to do, to be and to develop a sport ministry focused to make dedicated-disciples of Jesus and to equip local churches."
-Thiago Baria | Brazil | Current International CSRFM Participant

General Certification Information 

The Certification requires the completion of three sections:
Theological and Philosophical | Methods in Human Resources, Facility Management, and Marketing | Create practical assignments in Budgeting and Programming

​The period for completion, once accepted, takes anywhere from one month to one year, depending on the energy and time availability of the student. 

​How to Earn CSRFM

1. Purchase the certification packet. See link below
2. You will receive a packet including seven books, the course outline, required readings, video links, and assignments.
3. With Academic Service approval, you may replace similar topics or assignments by one or more of the following: 
   1. Align a topic with a workshop/seminar/roundtable discussion at a REACHgathering conference.  
   2. College course work. Submit course work and date taken.
   3. Mentorship with CSRM staff, selected past or present CSRM Board of Trustee members, selected CSRM Ministry Partners, or others based on approval.
   4. CSRM Training like the AGON Institute of Sports Ministry, Global Network Partner Training, CSRM Connections Meetings, and CSRM YouTube Videos.
4. When you have completed all of the coursework in any section, submit your work to the CSRM Academic Services Director. 

Certification Fees

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Lifetime Certification
​$195.00 plus S&H

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"Sports and recreational ministries provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with people in multiple life seasons including some that have not yet made a commitment to God. The certification program through CSRM really helps those in sports ministry to learn, discern, and implement a pathway that can draw someone from the sports field into an ongoing relationship with Jesus. The knowledge I have gained in the certification process has helped me to think about how I can truly use sports ministries to help others belong to something special, then help them down a path to become more like Jesus."

-Matt Hayden, Tri-Village Christian Church | Ohio, USA | Current CSRFM Participant