GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The first transferable concept and the guiding principle of The Sports Outreach Community. It describes the end goal of The Community: making Dedicated-Disciples of Jesus Christ.

The second transferable concept describes and defines the two hurdles SR&F Outreach Ministries encounter in reaching those far from Christ and His Church. The first Dysconnect has to do with attracting people from the general community in which they live, to specific local church SR&F activities. The second Dysconnect has to do with moving people from the SR&F activities to the broader congregational activities including becoming active participants in traditional worship and Christian Education opportunities.

The 3-I’s form a Re-sourcing; Re-training & Re-energizing continuum for fully equipping SR&F Outreach Ministers for the purpose of empowering them to envision, plan for, organize, administrate and evaluate a truly Strategically-Relevant & Efficiently-Effective, Evangelistic-Disciplemaking Sports Outreach Ministry.
• Inform – has to do with the creation, production and distribution of Re-sources that are: Christo-centric Level #1 Theological-Truths; Biblically-Based Level #2 Philosophical-Principles; and Level #3 Methodological-Models.
• Instruct – has to do with Re-training SR&F Outreach Ministers in how to most effectively utilize and employ the Re-sources that have been created, produce and distributed.
• Inspire – has to do with Re-energizing SR&F Outreach Ministers with new motivations and inspirations for reaching those far from Jesus and His Church and also has to do with developing ongoing, personal, mentoring, relationships that enables SR&F Outreach Ministers to become fully equipped for successful Great Commission endeavors.

The third transferable concept outlines the organizational structure of SR&F Outreach Ministries. Based upon three levels, it builds from a foundation of how to think (Theologically); which shapes and informs how to organize (philosophically); out of which what to do (methodology) emerges. Moving from Why a SR&F ministry exists to When, Where and for Whom it is organized to What is done; this organizational structure ensures Strategically-Relevant and Efficiently-Effective SR&F Outreach Ministry. 

The fourth transferable concept describes the four necessary components for ensuring a SR&F Outreach Ministry will accomplish its goals and objectives which include being Strategic; Relevant; Efficient and Effective. 

The fifth transferable concept explains the process of developing a Repetitive-Redemptive-Relational ethos and culture within SR&F Outreach Ministry for the purpose of making Dedicated-Disciples of Jesus. It outlines how a SR&F can envision, plan for and implement an effective outreach ministry.

• Belong

• Believe

• Baptize

• Behave

• Become

The sixth transferable concept outlines the seven most important Theological and philosophical issues confronting The Sports Outreach Movement as it enters its 7th decade.

One of four classical responses and reactions embraced by sport-related individuals who encounter the dilemma of integrating faith and their sport. It describes those who choose sport over faith but try to hold on to both. 

This Level #3 Methodological-Model consists of: a) an American sports team Blowing-In to a specific community within a foreign country to play a game against a local or national team; b) having one or more of the athletes verbally share the Gospel (Blow-Up) and ask for those in attendance to “accept Jesus;” and then c) Blow-Out to the next stop on the short term mission trip. This phrase was first used by Sports Outreach Ministry Pioneer Rodger Oswald who used it to describe the essence of what all too often occurs when American sports teams engage in short term international mission trips.  It is based on a soteriology (theology of salvation) that believes the mission’s goal is fulfilled and accomplished when a person “raises their hand” or “prays a prayer” with limited regard to “making disciples” and connecting those being reached with a local congregation. 

Building-with-Leaders is a Level #2 Philosophical-Principle that emphasizes the importance of investing in leaders and their development for the ultimate purpose of achieving Strategically-Relevant and Efficiently-Effective SR& F Outreach Ministry. This philosophy is the true bed-rock of SR&F Outreach Ministry but should not be used to dismiss the importance of constructing and maintaining high quality athletic and fitness facilities, which greatly enhance and expand local church outreach efforts. Building-with-Leaders is a philosophy that seeks to recruit, Re-Source; Re-Train and Re-Energize local church volunteers to build effective Redemptive-Repetitive-Relational opportunities with friends, family members and associates for the purpose of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking. This phrase is often partnered with its corollary: Leading-with-Buildings.

One of three philosophical approaches to competition and sport; Christmanship describes a laser-focused and biblically-based, Christ-honoring ethic of engagement with sport. As compared with gamesmanship that espouses the highest ethic is to win; or sportsmanship which emerges from a philosophy rooted in humanistic relativism and ends with an ethic of fair play etc.; Christmanship is an ethic that outlines how to engage in sport for the glory of God and in ways that honors all co-competitors.

A term in the Christmanship Ethic used to describe individuals who play on other teams. This descriptive term is used rather than words such as opponent, adversary or enemy.

Competition-Gone-Berserk is a phrase used to describe how some local church Sports Ministries have completely abdicated on creating a culture of Biblically-based competition (Christmanship).  Unchecked and unsupervised competition often results in participants experiencing such a negative competitive environment that they choose to not only leave the church league, but more significantly, they decide to have nothing to do with the congregation that sponsors the league.  Whether born out of a total lack of any Theological structure for competition and sport, or from an underdeveloped Level #1 Theological-Truth of competition, the end result of Competition-Gone-Berserk is the same…a lost opportunity to reach those far from Jesus and His Church.   

Competition-Gone-Soft is a phrase used to describe how some local church sports ministries seek to greatly curtail or totally eliminate competition within all of their leagues and games.  This approach is usually born out of an underdeveloped Level #1 Theological-Truth that believes competition is intrinsically and inherently evil.  This underlying Theology leads to a local church sport outreach ministry envisioning and developing a ministry structure that doesn’t reward Godly competition and even penalizes anything bordering on competition.  Sadly, the organizational structures that emerge out of such Level #2 Philosophical-Principles lead to Level #3 Methodological-Models that are not appealing to large segments of those who are far from Jesus and His Church; and thus do not attract them to participate in any of the outreach programs a congregation offers.  There are however, specific sports outreaches that are rightfully designed to create less intense competition: a) low impact volleyball for beginners; b) Slo-break basketball for seniors; c) basketball clinics for pre-schoolers; and d) various fellowship leagues of all ages.  None-the-less, for the most part, non-competitive sporting activities do not attract or keep people involved.  Any local church that seeks to “go and make disciples” of athletes is encouraged to develop a culture of Biblically-based competition (Christmanship) that will be managed so as to appeal to, and attract, competitors to participate…all with the end goal of winning them to Jesus.

Whereas Theological-Truths define and describe the Why; Philosophical-Principles define and describe the When, Where & with Whom; and Methodological-Models describe and define the What of the 3-Tier Paradigm; the Core Values define and describe the How of the 3-Tier Paradigm. Core Values have to do with creating an environment of organizational and administrative excellence; an atmosphere of warmth, love and encouragement; and a culture of integrity, punctuality, efficiency and safety. Core Values consider how participants in SR&F activities feel; and are the bedrock of “proclaiming” the Gospel through the fleshing out the Great Commandment.

Counting-Conversions is a phrase used to summarize how many congregations, denominations, missions and ministries determine the effectiveness of their Evangelistic-Disciplemaking (Success-Statistics) endeavors.  It describes the fact that many ministries and churches believe evangelistic success is complete and done whenever a person “converts” to Christianity (what is often called getting them “saved”).  This end goal of “getting a person saved” is evidenced by one or more of the following: a) raise a hand at the end of a team huddle; b) pray a prayer with a coach or other evangelist; or c) fill out a card in response to a Platform-Proclamation of the Gospel at a Mega-Event.  Counting-Conversions is linked with the concept of endeavoring to have people make a Day’s-Decision for Jesus, rather than seeking to “make” life-long Dedicated-Disciples of those who far from Jesus and His Church.  The key distinction is the ultimate goal of such endeavors.  Is the end and final goal to get a person to make a decision or become a disciple?

Day’s-Decision is one of the “Double D’s” of soteriology. It is used in discussions concerning topics such as salvation, evangelism and outreach. It is used in tandem with Dedicated-Disciple and describes the pragmatic end result of SR&F Outreach Ministries. Based in a Level #1 Theological-Truth of soteriology, it is based in a simplistic Theology of evangelism that strives to get a person to “raise a hand;” “pray a prayer;” or “fill out a response card.” Any of these end results indicate a person accepted Jesus on a particular day.  While proponents of this approach to evangelism would never say they would discourage participation in a local congregation; nor would they state discipleship to be unimportant; nonetheless, this phrase describes those congregations and ministries that tend to not incorporate ongoing disciplemaking methodologies into their overall evangelistic endeavors.

Dedicated-Disciple is one of the “Double D’s” of soteriology. It is used in discussions concerning topics such as salvation, evangelism and outreach.  It is used in tandem with Day’s-Decision and describes the pragmatic end result of SR&F Outreach Ministries. Based in a Level #1 Theological-Truth of soteriology, it is based in the belief that Evangelistic-Disciplemaking consists of not only getting a person to “raise a hand;” “pray a prayer” or “fill out a response card.” This philosophy believes it is equally important to engage all who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in disciplemaking activities to ensure full spiritual maturity.  While proponents of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking would never say a Day’s-Decision is unimportant; nor would they state accepting Jesus as personal Lord and Savior to be irrelevant; they seek to pragmatically incorporate ongoing disciplemaking methodologies into their overall evangelistic endeavors.

Paired with Strategically-Relevant, it is the second half of the 4-Fold Evaluative Rubric. Efficiently-Effective suggests the criteria congregations need to help assess and determine whether or not a local church SR&F Outreach Ministry is actually accomplishing its goal of making disciples. It defines and describes ultimate effectiveness; and also communicates the importance of basing the organization and administration of SR&F Outreach Ministry within a strong stewardship ethic.

EMIC - describes the pressures of competing because of, with, or against external forces such as time, obstacles, challenges of weather or other natural causes, courses (golf, race, etc.) and/or other human beings.

Evangelistic-Environments describe one of the key aspects of the Core Values of the 3-Tier Paradigm. The ultimate goal of a SR&F Outreach Ministry is to create a winsomely attractive and warm environment that facilitates opportunities for congregational members to build relationships with friends, associates and family members for the purpose of having evangelistic conversations.

In essence, this describes how to reach and disciple those far from Christ and His Church. This term uniquely defines the 1-Defining Purpose of The Sports Outreach Community. It assumes that “to go and make disciples” entails both going to those far from Christ and His Church (evangelistic outreach) as well as nurturing the faith of newly-born believers and maturing the faith of long-time pilgrims (discipling endeavors). Congregations and ministries can best accomplish their Great Commission goals by envisioning, planning for and implementing attractive outreaches that connect people to Jesus and His Church. This Level #2 Philosophical-Principle of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking is informed and shaped by the Level #1 Theological-Truths of soteriology. It is from these Theological concepts and philosophical organizational principles then that Level #3 Methodological-Models emerge.

Gamesmanship is one of three philosophical approaches to competition and sport. It is partnered with sportsmanship and Christmanship. It describes a philosophy based on a secularized-pragmatic-ethic of engagement in and with sport. Its highest value is to win; regardless of how. As compared with sportsmanship that is based upon an ethic rooted in the humanistic-relativism of playing fair etc.; and Christmanship that espouses engaging in sport for the glory of God and in ways that honors all co-competitors; gamesmanship only prizes winning. 

IMIC—describes the pressures of competing because of, or against, internal forces such as one’s pride, a personal level of excellence, goal, or a personal unmet ego need.

Leading-with-Buildings is a Level #2 Philosophical-Principle that emphasizes the “build it and they will come” philosophy for SR&F Outreach Ministry. This philosophy has some merit and should not be unduly dismissed. High quality athletic and fitness facilities and equipment do attract those far from Jesus and His Church. However, such facilities by themselves are not enough. They must be missionally-programmed by leaders who envision, plan for and expedite Redemptive-Repetitive-Relational opportunities for church members to initiate and deepen relationships with friends, family members and associates for the purpose of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking. This phrase is often partnered with its corollary: Building-with-Leaders.

This Level #1 foundation for the 3-Tier Paradigm, both informs and gives shape to Level #2 Philosophical-Principles; out which emerge Level #3 Methodological-Models. These truths form how SR&F Outreach Ministers think and what they believe. They are the foundation for why such ministries exist (Evangelistic-Disciplemaking) and how (Core Values) they conduct and operate their outreaches. Key words: think, believe and envision.

This second level of the 3-Tier Paradigm provides the organizational structure for SR&F Outreach Ministries. It is shaped and informed by Level #1 Theological-Truths; and is what Level #3 Methodological-Models emerge from. This organizational structure defines the when, where & with whom SR&F Outreach Ministries envision, plan for and administrate their outreaches. Key words: organize and administrate.

This third level of the 3-Tier Paradigm emerges out of the Level #2 Philosophical-Principles that provide the organizational structure for SR&F Outreach Ministries.  Once a SR&F Outreach Ministry understands the When, Where & With Whom of their SR&F Outreach Ministries are to reach, they can then organize, administrate and implement their outreaches. Key words: do and act. 

Mega-Event is the term used to describe one end of the fourth of the 7- Continuums of Sports Outreach.  It describes one of The Sports Outreach Community’s Level #2 Philosophical-Principles, out of which emerge specific Level #3 Methodological-Models.  The Philosophical-Principle of this model is based on a Level #1 Theological-Truth belief that the gospel can be sufficiently and effectively communicated via a verbal Platform-Proclamation by a celebrity athlete or coach at a large gathering.  Mega-Event, Platform-Proclamations take place within, or as an adjunct to, a 3-R-Model (Repetitive-Redemptive-Relational) methodology.  For example, a local church hosts a youth basketball league that is primarily based on a weekly 3-R-Model but ends the league with a one- time, season-ending Mega-Event in which a celebrity athlete shares their faith.  Or the church may use a similar kind of Mega-Event on the front end of a league or program to attract people to join their activities.  A Mega-Event could also describe a one-time outreach of a sports-related, para-ministry such as when they sponsor a “Faith at the ballpark” day, where everyone at the game is invited to hear professional athletes share their faith at the conclusion of the game.  The common theme for Mega-Events is the use of large and exciting one-time events or activities to attract those far from Christ and His Church for the purpose of hearing a verbal, Platform-Proclamation of the Gospel.  Mega-Event is often paired with a Mega-Media outreach and is often juxta-positioned with the 3-R-Model (Repetitive-Redemptive-Relational) on the fourth sports outreach continuum.

Mega-Media is the term used to describe one end of the fourth of the 7- Continuums of Sports Outreach.  It describes one of The Sports Outreach Community’s Level #2 Philosophical-Principles, out of which emerge specific Level #3 Methodological-Models.  The Philosophical-Principle of this model is based on a Level #1 Theological-Truth belief that the gospel can be sufficiently communicated via a verbal Platform-Proclamation by a celebrity athlete or coach via mass media.  Mega-Media, Platform-Proclamations take place within, or as an adjunct to, a 3-R-Model (Repetitive-Redemptive-Relational) methodology.  For example, a local church hosts a youth basketball league based on a weekly 3-R-Model but at some point during that season, will hand each league participant a copy of the written testimony or an audio-visual link of an elite (celebrity) athlete or coach sharing their faith.  A Mega-Media outreach could also describe a one-time effort of a sports-related, para-ministry.  This Level #3 Methodological-Model consists of handing out gospel oriented pamphlets, magazines, tracks, videos and/or books that feature the testimonies of elite athletes.  These handouts are circulated at Mega-Events such as the Olympics, Super Bowl or Final Four games.  An increasing example of the use of Mega-Media Model is how social media is utilized to distribute the gospel via audio, video and literary outlets.  The common theme for Mega-Media is the use of a spoken and/or written Platform-Proclamation of the gospel in efforts to reach those far from Jesus and His Church.  Mega-Media is often paired with a Mega-Event outreach and is often juxta-positioned with the 3-R-Model (Repetitive-Redemptive-Relational) of the fourth Sports Outreach Continuum.

Mega-Models is the term used to categorize all Platform-Proclamations (Mega-Events; Mega-Media).  The word mega is intentionally used to describe Sports Outreach Ministry that attempts to reach the masses in a “mega” way.  These Level #2 Philosophical-Principles that drive various Level #3 Methodological-Models of sports-based outreaches are informed and guided by a Level #1 –Theological-Truth that believes delivering a verbal proclamation of the gospel to mass audiences either at live gatherings (Mega-Events), or through written or recorded audio-visuals (Mega-Media) is the most effective way to reach those far from Jesus and His Church. 

As distinguished from programming, the distinctive of Missional Programming has to do with programming with a clear Gospel-centered end-goal. Running a youth basketball league describes a church program. Facilitating a mission to youth through the strategy of a basketball ministry focuses congregational-based coaches on the Gospel-centered end-goal of Evangelistic-Disciplemaking. 

The forerunner of The Sports Outreach Movement, Muscular Christianity was the term given to describe a particular philosophy that emerged in the early 1800’s from Thomas Arnold’s Rugby school and George Williams YMCA. It then flourished through the life and ministries of men like Moody, Mott, Naismith, Stagg and the Studd brothers. It culminated in the first few decades of the 1900’s when Olympian Eric Liddell inspired the world by both his running to Gold in the 1924 Paris Olympics; but even more so, when he chose not to run on the Lord’s Day and thus forfeited at least three other medals. The essence of Muscular Christianity had to do with the integration of faith and sport. It devolved over the decades into more of a cultural ethos rather than a Christ-centered missional community. 

Short hand for the Level #1 Theological-Truths of the 3-Tier Paradigm that inform and shape Level #2 Philosophical-Principles. The key and foundational Ologies include: ecclesiology; missiology; soteriology; cosmology; anthropology; and Christology. 

Orthodoxy (not italicized because this is a common Theological term) refers to the necessity of establishing Theological and doctrinal foundations in general; and in specific it serves to undergird the Ologies of Sports Outreach that provide the basis for all Level #1 Theological-Truths. 

Orthopraxy (not italicized because this is a common theological term) refers to the necessity of establishing Biblically-based philosophies from which pragmatic methodologies can emerge. Orthopraxy has to do with the when, where & with whom of the 2nd level; the what of the 3rd level; and the how of the core values of the 3-Tier Paradigm. In SR&F Outreach Ministry, a well envisioned orthopraxy will ensure the successful accomplishing of the 4-Fold Evaluative Rubric that consists of being Strategically-Relevant and Efficiently-Effective.

Personality-over-Presence defines a Level #3 Methodological-Model based on a Level #2 Philosophical-Principle that organizes SR&F Outreaches for the purposes of having a “sports personality” give a verbal Platform-Proclamation of their faith, rather than envisioning, planning for and expediting outreaches based on creating on-going Redemptive-Repetitive-Relational activities that are focused on empowering local church missionaries to have an ever-growing and deepening presence in the lives of those far from Jesus and His Church. 

The word platform is used in reference to a place from which to proclaim the Gospel. Proclamation refers to the verbal proclamation of the Gospel that takes place from various platforms. Such proclamations are almost exclusively delivered to large groups via mass-media. Platform-Proclamation is a Level #3 Methodological-Model that is most usually associated with Mega-Event-based outreaches. It utilizes the “platforms” associated with the notoriety afforded to elite athletes and coaches; so they can verbally “proclaim” their faith to the masses.

Proclamation-Affirmation (not italicized because this concept was coined by Jim Peterson) is the Level #2 Philosophical-Principle that is shaped and formed by Level #1 Ologies such as soteriology (Theology of salvation); missiology (Theology of missions); and ecclesiology (Theology of the Church).  These Ologies suggest the most Strategically-Relevant and Efficiently-Effective outreaches are those based in Repetitive-Redemptive-Relational SR&F Outreaches. Such outreaches are created to attract those far from Christ and His Church to participate in activities (Belong – the first of The 5-B’s Process of Sports Outreach) in which the Gospel is proclaimed through the organization and implementation of quality missional programming; as well as the Christ-like lives of congregational leaders and members. It is hoped these efforts and relationships result in opportunities for congregational members to “affirm” their faith verbally in ways that will encourage non-Christians to Believe (the second of The 5-B’s Process of Sports Outreach) in Jesus; accepting as their Lord and Savior.  

PIL is used to describe a concept concerning an ascending progression of seven distinct competitive levels within the volatility scale. Each level brings an increasing amount of intensity to the competition, and this increasing intensity carries with it an inherent potential exasperation for all involved.

This phrase summarizes the hope and end-goal of all SR&F Outreach Ministries. This hope is based in the Evangelistic-Disciplemaking transferable concept, and summarizes the end result of reaching those far from Christ and His Church with the Gospel: Dedicated-Disciples of Christ who reach others.

One of four classical responses and reactions embraced by sport-related individuals who encounter the dilemma of integrating faith and their sport. It describes those who choose faith over sport by attempting to redeem individual sports-people (bring them to faith in Jesus) and also by attempting to redeem (adapt and alter the way sport is organized and participated in) the culture of sport.

Re-energizing is the third part of the 3-I continuum for fully equipping SR&F Outreach ministers for the purpose of empowering them to envision, plan for, organize, administrate and evaluate a truly Strategically-Relevant & Efficiently-Effective, Evangelistic-Disciplemaking Sports Outreach Ministry. It defines the efforts to infuse SR&F Outreach ministers with new motivations and inspirations for reaching those far from Jesus and His Church. It also has to do with developing ongoing, personal, mentoring, relationships that enables SR&F Outreach ministers to become fully equipped for successful Great Commission endeavors.

One of four classical responses and reactions embraced by sport-related individuals who encounter the dilemma of integrating faith and their sport. It describes those who choose to leave sport because they cannot reconcile the demands of both. Rejection often means totally leaving sport but it can also describe a person who continues to engage in sport but rejects a specific aspect of it such as refusing to cheat; follow the instruction of a coach to purposely injure a fellow competitor or take harmful and illegal performance-enhancing substances.

Re-sourcing is the first part of the 3-I continuum for fully equipping SR&F Outreach Ministers for the purpose of empowering them to envision, plan for, organize, administrate and evaluate a truly Strategically-Relevant & Efficiently-Effective, Evangelistic-Disciplemaking Sports Outreach Ministry. It has to do with the creation, production and distribution of Re-sources that are: Christo-centric Level #1 Theological-Truths; Biblically-Based Level #2 Philosophical-Principles; and Level #3 Methodological-Models.

Re-training is the second part of the 3-I continuum for fully equipping SR&F Outreach ministers for the purpose of empowering them to envision, plan for, organize, administrate and evaluate a truly Strategically-Relevant & Efficiently-Effective, Evangelistic-Disciplemaking Sports Outreach Ministry. It has to do with Instructing SR&F Outreach ministers in how to most effectively utilize and employ the Re-sources that have been created, produced and distributed.

The phrase Singular-Commitment-Cost is used in reference to ministries engaging in Evangelistic-Disciplemaking outreaches that emphasize there is a cost to becoming a disciple of Jesus.  In comparison to Bonhoeffer’s “Cheap Grace,” churches, ministries and evangelists are encouraged to call people far from Jesus to become life-long, Dedicated-Disciples.  Rather than simply asking people to “convert” (Counting-Conversions) by making a Day’s-Decision, it is recommended all outreaches clearly communicate becoming a disciple of Jesus costs something!  It includes not only receiving Jesus as Savior, but more so, making Him Lord of every area of their life.  The Singular-Commitment-Cost describes the commitment churches and ministries need to make in “Changing-From” ministry models that strive to be winsome at the expense of proclaiming the whole Gospel; to “Changing-To” outreaches that present the Gospel in its entirety.  It also describes the commitment a person needs to consider in making a decision to become a disciple.     

Sportsmanship is one of three philosophical approaches to competition and sport. It describes an ethic based on the humanistic-relativism of playing fair; being a good teammate; and obeying the rules of the game. As compared with gamesmanship; a philosophy which highest value is to win, regardless of how; and Christmanship that espouses engaging in sport for the glory of God and in ways that honors all co-competitors; sportsmanship values ethics that are based in humanistic-relativism and therefore change according to a shifting societal culture. 

• The phrase that generically describes the unique group within the Church of Jesus Christ that uses SR&F Outreach Ministry to reach all who are far from Christ and His Church. It has four distinct expressions within local churches: a) congregational-based outreaches; b) sports-related para-ministries; c) fitness/wellness/wholeness based outreaches; and d) recreational/camping experiences and outreaches.

• This community also includes various sports-related, para-ministry models.

• The phrase Sports Outreach Community is preferred over Sports Outreach Movement because the former better communicates this group expresses itself within the Church, whereas Sports Outreach Movement connotes the efforts and activities occur as a separate movement from the Church.

The phrase that describes the growing community within the Church of Jesus Christ using SR&F methodologies to reach all who are far from Christ and His Church. It has four distinct expressions: a) congregational-based outreaches; b) sports-related para-ministries; c) fitness/wellness/wholeness based outreaches; and d) recreational/camping experiences and outreaches.

Based on the Level #1 Ology of ecclesiology (the Theology of the Church), the terminology para-ministry is preferred over para-church. It may seem a distinction without a difference and yet this seemingly subtle distinction can have significant and long-lasting negative implications. The word para means beside, and thus outside of. When used in relationship to the Church it communicates being outside of and thus, not part of the universal Church of Jesus.  Conversely, para-ministry indicates a ministry that is outside of and yet beside the Church.  There are congregational (often called local church) ministries and there are also ministries not based in congregations.  

Sportianity (not italicized because it was not original with the author) is used to describe the thoughts, emotions and commitments of people who embrace one end of the Sportianity-Christianity Continuum. In essence its context describes people who make sport their highest priority and thus their commitment to, and their involvement in, sport becomes a type of religion. 

Paired with Efficiently-Effective, it is the first half of the 4-Fold Evaluative Rubric. Strategically-Relevant suggests the guideline congregations can use to help assess and determine whether or not a local church SR&F Outreach Ministry is actually accomplishing its goal of engaging those whom are far from Christ and His Church.  It is designed to aid local congregations to define and describe the most strategic and relevant sports, recreational activities and fitness initiatives within specific regions, countries and cultures of the world.

Success-Statistics is a phrase that describes how individual evangelists, churches, ministries and missions determine their effectiveness.  Some count the number of people who make a Day’s-Decision as indicated by the raising of their hand, praying a prayer or filling out a card (Counting-Conversions) to determine if their outreach was successful.  Others see such Days-Decisions as but the first step in becoming life-long, Dedicated-Disciples and thus their effectiveness is only assessed by the number of people they have labored to “make disciples” of.

To move is to change location and position. A movement then has to do with change, repositioning and going somewhere—hopefully towards a destination. In this series of books there are two terms that are used interchangeably (The Sports Outreach Movement / The Movement) and a third that is very similar (The Local Church SR&F Movement). They can all be used to generally describe the activities of a like-minded group of people who are engaged in Christo-centric ministry that is based in sport, recreation, fitness/wholeness/wellness and camping/outdoor pursuits. This Movement is generally agreed to have started in the 1940’s when a number of activities occurred, beginning with the Venture for Victory initiating its international short-term sports mission trips and ministries such as the Billy Graham Associates began to use elite athletes and coaches as spokespersons at their crusades and events. It has morphed and expanded both in breadth and depth over the last decades. The phrase The Movement or The Sports Outreach Movement is used to describe and include all four quadrants, whereas The Local Church SR&F Movement is used to distinguish such activities within the confines of congregational outreach.

The Volatility Scale is an instrument that has been designed to chart and predict a competitor’s experience. By combining the EMIC, IMIC and the PIL’s it produces a measureable evaluative tool that analyzes what athletes, coaches and others will experience in a particular competitive event. The Volatility Scale contains four separate quadrants: Enjoyment; Encounter; Explosion; Exasperation.  

These are all tied to the 3-Tier Paradigm and are specifically tied to one of the three levels of the paradigm:

• Why—is connected with the Christo-Centric Level #1 Theological-Truths which provide the basic rationale, ethical foundations for, The Sports Outreach Community

• When-Where-With Whom—are connected to the Biblically-based Level #2 Philosophical-Principles which provide the organizational structure for The Sports Outreach Community

• What—is connected with the Strategically-Relevant and Efficiently-Effective Level #3 Methodological-Models and describes the specific activities of The Sports Outreach Community 

This phrase coined by Greg English communicates the local church SR&F Outreach Minister must balance “counting beans with counting souls.” Both the ministry/outreach and the financing of the ministry are important. The financing empowers and enables the ministry and yet the ministry inspires the giving of the finances. The SR&F Outreach Ministers responsibility is to ensure both occur.