A while ago I was in Dallas meeting with leaders from local churches to discuss the foundation for Sports Ministry in the Local Church. We talked about the why, the what, and the how of Sports Ministry which I still find so relevant to share with you today. Our primary leader was Pastor Sameh Maurice from Kasr El Dobara Church in Cairo Egypt, someone I deeply respect and enjoy being around whose church is doing a fantastic work in the Middle East.
God's Character is the Foundation
In answering the why, we began by looking at God’s character. We were reminded that since God is the author of all things and all things are to reflect his glory, his character is a critical starting place for every discussion of the whys of anything, including Sports Ministry.
As we talked about our God being loving, relational, and incarnational, I was deeply impressed with the incredible grace of our marvelous God so beautifully seen in Christ. He came to be with us – our Immanuel – who would “never leave or forsake us.” He also came to be one of us – this “Word became flesh” – and “sympathizes with our weaknesses” as one who has been “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
With us. One of us.
I thought about the passion Cede Sports has to see Sports Ministries glorify God. I was deeply impressed that in order to see this passion realized, I sensed God’s urging on the need to herald this incredible incarnation and call Sports Ministries to take up this same incarnational mindset and approach.
I thought about reminding Sports Ministries to take the initiative to be with the people outside the kingdom and not just wait for them to come to them. I thought about the value of playing with and not against those outsiders if we are going to one of them.
These are two ways to be with them, one of them and reflect the Son’s incarnation. There are many more. If you think of any, let me know! Better yet, write a blog for us about it.
After all, we all need to regularly get BACK TO THE BASICS!