ROAR Sports – the Sports Ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, SC – is looking for a new Director. Here is the link to the Job Description and way to apply - https://wpcgo.com/files/5116/1193/8639/2021-director-of-roar-sports.pdf CEDE SPORTS has worked with ROAR and Westminster since the ministry began back in the late 1990’s. If you would like to know more about the job than what you see in the Job Description, please contact Bob Schindler at CEDE SPORTS at bschindler@cedesports.org. ROAR Sports Website
Being Gospel Centered
Written By Bob Schindler, Chief Operating Officer of CEDE SPORTS
Gospel Centered Ministry
At CEDE SPORTS, we talk about gospel centered sports ministry – for sports chaplains and for churches doing sports, rec, or fitness ministry. In this blog, I want to introduce a series of several blogs where we will look at gospel centricity – what it is and what it isn’t. This discussion is based on the letter of Paul to the Ephesians. While he never uses the term gospel centered n this letter, as we look at this topic over the next several blogs, I think you will discover the concepts around gospel centricity are imbedded in the letter.
Ephesians
The letter is divided into two distinct parts. Chapters 1-3 form the first part with chapters 4-6 making up the second part. The first part of the letter focuses on understanding our calling in the gospel. The second part focuses on living out our understanding of our calling in the gospel. This order of the two parts is no accident. To reinforce that order, in the first part, there is only one imperative, surrounded by lots of indicatives. Many truths to believe. One command to obey. That command is found in 2:11 – “Therefore, remember ….” Paul goes on to tell us what to remember – who we were and who we are in the gospel. We are to remember this. We are commanded to remember this.
Two Keys
With these thoughts in mind, I see two initial keys to being gospel centered.
- Being gospel centered begins with believing - believing the truths about the gospel.
- Being gospel centered involves remembering – remembering the realities of our life before and after the gospel.
Believing and remembering. This is the opposite of the popular cultural phrase “Fake it till you make it.” As you think about what it means to be gospel centered, keep these ideas in mind – believe and remember, who you were apart from the gospel and who you are in the gospel.
The Value of Church Sports: A Great Historical Example
Written By Paul Emory Putz, Ph.D. Assistant Director, Sports Ministry Program at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary
Looking Back
One of my favorite examples of the influence that a local church-based sports and rec & fitness ministry (SR&F) can have comes from the life of Bob Pettit. If you’re a basketball fan and history buff like me, you know Pettit is one of the NBA’s all-time greats. Over his eleven seasons with the Hawks (1954-1965), the 6’9” forward from LSU averaged over 26 points per game and won two MVP awards. And none of that would have been possible without a church basketball league. As a sophomore, Pettit was cut from his high school team. But with the encouragement of his pastor, he and a group of other young men formed a basketball league at Pettit’s church, St. James Episcopal. In his autobiography, The Drive Within Me, Pettit said the church league provided him with his first opportunity to play organized basketball. And as he played in the church league, his confidence and ability grew. By his junior season, he was ready to compete and star for the high school team. "I never forgot that the church saved my basketball career when it might have gone under without a ripple,” Pettit wrote in 1962. "And through the years I've come to learn that the church offers much, much more. I can't understand how a true believer in Christ can ignore the fellowship Christ instituted to continue His work on earth."
Looking Ahead
Of course, most church sports leagues aren’t going to produce a future hall-of-famer. But they can serve as a space to cultivate meaning, belonging, and community. They can provide an environment in which others are invited into deeper Christian commitment and growth.If we want church ministries to serve that purpose, we need to be intentional about our vision and plan. One helpful starting point for this is to learn from the past. For the last 150 years church leaders have been exploring how to integrate and include sports and recreation within the work of the church. By considering the theologies and strategies that have undergirded those efforts—as well as the major successes and failures—we can better understand our present moment and make wise choices about the future. In short, we don’t need to try to develop NBA All-Stars. But we should be thinking about how sports and recreation can help us reach and shepherd people well. Especially in our fast-changing cultural landscape. If you’re interested in exploring more of the history of local church SR&F ministry and discussing how it can inform the work of church and ministry leaders in the present, join me and Bob Schindler in February for a CEDE Sports webinar entitled: The History of Local Church SR&F Ministry - Looking to the Past to Navigate an Uncertain Future. You can either join CEDE Sports Webinar Mailing List for more info on this upcoming event or email rcurrie@cedesports.org for information on how to register for that webinar.And if you’d like to connect with me to learn more about my work as a historian with Baylor’s Faith & Sports Institute, you can follow me on Twitter (@p_emory) or check out my website (http://www.paulemoryputz.com).
Planning for Personal & Professional Growth in 2021
Written by Jeff Fox, Church Mentor at CEDE Sports
Desiring Personal and Ministry Growth
As Sports Ministry Leaders there is always pressure on your time. With recruiting coaches, training coaches, ordering jerseys and equipment along with taking care of any and all the “emergencies” that arise, time is always at a premium. Yet the scriptures make it clear that we need to make personal and ministry leadership growth a priority. How do we make this a priority and make practical plans for this growth.
Takings steps to succeed
In our recent Webinar “Planning for Personal and Professional Growth in 2021” we discussed the need for growth and practical ways to plan and structure our time in order to make this a priority. The Webinar includes discussion by current Sports Ministers along with resources to assist in growth.
Getting practical
In my conversations with Sports Ministry Leaders across the country I often hear, “I don’t have the time or a plan for how to grow”. In this Webinar I was encouraged by the discussion of practical ways and opportunities to structure growth into our existing schedules. There is hope in fulfilling your desire for growth! Watch this video and contact us if you need more information.
[embed]https://vimeo.com/492228284[/embed]
On The Field Series: Russell Dulin
Out of a desire for you to understand more of what we do we decided to invite the people on the field to tell you themselves. In these blogs you will hear from the hands and feet of our ministry as they tell you how their story intersects with CEDE Sports.
Meet Russell Dulin..
Russell serves as the Minister of Recreation at Hopewell Baptist Church in Monroe, NC. Q: How did you get connected with CEDE?
A: I was contacted by a CEDE Sports mentor many years ago while I was still a full-time public school teacher and part-time recreation ministry director about the possibility of meeting to discuss the recreation ministry. It wasn’t until I left teaching to lead the recreation ministry full-time that my schedule would allow us to meet. Since 2015 I have met with this mentor from CEDE Sports on a monthly basis discussing various topics of recreation ministry.
Q: What has been the impact of your involvement with CEDE?
A: CEDE Sports has provided a mentorship that serves both me and the ministry. My education and training was in education, not ministry. They took me from a mentality of athletic director to recreation minister. Helping to focus my priority on ministry first, sports second. Using the CEDE Sports online materials, book studies and monthly conversations has helped me stay focused on the opportunities we have to bridge the gap between the church and community using sports. Sharing the Gospel through sports is an effective way of ministering to people that may not necessarily hear to Gospel in a traditional church setting. CEDE has also helped me set yearly goals and cast vision for the ministry moving forward. Having goals and vision keep me from become complacent or stagnant in the ministry.
Q: Why would someone in sports, Rec and fitness get involved with CEDE?
A: I have had times in the ministry where I get bogged down in the logistics of recreation ministry; uniforms, schedules, coaches and referees. CEDE Sports provide online materials and resources to help with coach’s training. I didn’t have to move from education to ministry and “re-create the wheel”. Those online resources were quick and easy to adapt to my specific recreation ministry, which freed me up to focus on the ministry part of recreation. Meeting monthly with CEDE has kept me accountable. Their focus, is for me to focus on ministry first, sport second. Beyond the connection I have with my mentor, CEDE Sports has also given me the opportunity to connect with other recreation ministries, locally and nationally, through their website and the annual REACH Gathering conference.
On The Field Series: Bill Wise
Out of a desire for you to understand more of what we do we decided to invite the people on the field to tell you themselves. In these blogs you will hear from the hands and feet of our ministry as they tell you how their story intersects with CEDE Sports.
Meet Bill Wise..
Bill serves as the Family Activities and Singles Minister at Central in College Station, TX. Q: How did you get connected with CEDE?
A: At the REACH Conference in Rockwall, Texas in 2017. I struck up a conversation with one of the mentors from CEDE Sports and started to find out about what they do and I took a business card. At the conference we attended a few sessions taught by the staff of CEDE Sports and I realized this is something we need to take advantage of and have been rocking with them since.
Q: What has been the impact of your involvement with CEDE?
A: Our reach to coaches discipleship and accountability has vastly improved since. We have changed how we do our devotional times due to this relationship and seen kids and families grow because of it. Our meeting times with CEDE folks have been helpful in our development as ministers by seeing things from a different perspective.
Q: Why would someone in sports, Rec and fitness get involved with CEDE?
A: It is another tool in the toolbox for growth, guidance, ideas and support. Their knowledge and resources are something we couldn’t get somewhere else. They are able to assist us in seeing things from different perspectives, what has worked somewhere else and walking through the process of making things work here. I highly recommend them working with any sports ministry that wants to improve.
Reaching Out in Everyday Conversations
Everyday Conversations
We thought these words from Tim Brister's blog post "From Strangers to Missionaries" would be a helpful reminder to us all. Even though we aren't back to our normal everyday lives in many ways the Gospel work of a basic conversation is still a very present opportunity. Whether it be via zoom, a phone call, FaceTime or even in person from a distance. Now more than ever might be the time our neighbors really need the hope we have to offer through the truth and life of Christ.Please reflect on some points from Tim's post below -
Dwell Incarnationally
I know the term “incarnational” is debated in missiological circles. If you prefer another term, that’s fine. It’s the concept that’s important. By that, I mean it begins by us going to where they are. Drive-by evangelism sowing seed into the wind, not the ground. By dwelling with unbelievers, we are penetrating darkness and going where Christ is not named. When I was in college, that meant I held block parties on Wednesday nights on campus. When I was in seminary, it meant working at UPS and getting there early to hang in the “smoke shack” (while holding my breath for long periods of time). As a pastor in Southwest Florida, it means working 2-3 days a week in the community (I’m typing this at Dunkin Donuts). The point is making yourself accessible to unbelievers so that skin and flesh can be put to what is a “Christian.”
Engage Intentionally
If dwelling incarnationally is going where they are, engaging intentionally is starting where they are. That means they determine the topic of conversation. You enter on their terms. If they want to talk politics, sports, pop culture, or whatever (assuming it is not sinful, vulgar, etc.), then enter in. People will generally talk about what is most important to them, and intentional engagement means understanding what they focus on the most.
On the one hand, there is their context. These are matters outside of them, usually events, people, situations, or issues they relate to in one way or another. On the other hand, there is their subtext. These are matters within them, usually feelings, struggles, challenges, problems, or hurts. People will share both of them, sometimes at the same time. If they go with the subtext, you know they are inviting you into the story of their lives. Each conversation is a page in the narrative of their life story. Eventually, you want to connect their story with the story of the gospel, for only then will it have a happy ending.
Listen Attentively
Dovetailing off engaging intentionally is listening attentively. Most people talk about context or subtext matters but no one really cares enough to listen. The next person is waiting to one-up that with a better story or counterpoint in the conversation. Listening well means understanding not just what they are saying but why they are bringing it up. It also means taking notes (not at the moment but writing them down later), remembering names and previous conversations. When people know you care enough to listen well, their appreciation will lead to future permission.
Ask Provocatively
By asking questions, you are not only validating your listening and understanding, you are inviting more participation. You are encouraging them to engage their own thoughts, convictions, feelings, and presuppositions with questions which are not necessarily confrontational but sometimes subversively so. Asking questions may lead to them inviting you to provide an answer to your own questions, assuming they will not have thought it through or simply don’t have an answer. The “What if” or “Have you ever considered” questions come to mind a lot.
Continue reading the list here
Handling Stress In Chaotic Times
When Chaos Reigns
2020 isn't over yet but it seems as if we have all had our fair share of stress to last the next decade. But putting up the Christmas Tree and calling it a year isn't going to rid us of the low-level anxiety fever that most of us have been running. So what will help? How do we handle the stress when a global pandemic and all it's ramifications meets up with our everyday trials? These days were already ordained for us before the world was created. How does our worldview match up with or affect our response to these chaotic times?
Calling for Counsel
Palmer Trice is a close friend of CEDE Sports and our leadership has known and benefited from his wisdom and counsel personally and professionally. In our mentoring the last few months we have observed the stress and turmoil not only because of Covid but all the issues associated with it. In an effort to help we thought it would be strategic to have Palmer share some insight and farm some questions during a free webinar that we offered. We recorded that webinar and have provided it here for you to watch. We are are praying it will be a helpful reminder and resource for you! [embed]https://vimeo.com/481014437[/embed]
More Info On Our Webinar Guest Speaker:
Palmer Trice, MDIV, Minister Of Community DiscipleshipPalmer Trice founded The Barnabas Center in 1989 and serves today as Minister of Community Discipleship. He leads the proactive side of the ministry, using his teaching, training and mentoring gifts to take the hope of the gospel into the community in general and the local church in particular. Prior to founding The Barnabas Center, Palmer spent 10 years on staff with Young Life and also served as minister of discipleship at a church in Charlotte.Palmer is an ordained Presbyterian minister and graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from Washington and Lee University. Palmer is married to Lynne, has three children and has been in Charlotte since 1979. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, tennis, walking and reading.
On The Field Series: Taylor Price
Out of a desire for you to understand more of what we do we decided to invite the people on the field to tell you themselves. In these blogs you will hear from the hands and feet of our ministry as they tell you how their story intersects with CEDE Sports.
Meet Taylor Price..
Q: How did you get connected with CEDE?
A: I came to Olive Baptist Church in Pensacola, FL in 2018 from a career in banking. I was passionate, but truthfully I was just trying to keep my head above water. I got connected with CEDE through the Reach Gathering in 2019. The wisdom and support offered by the guys at CEDE came highly recommended from other sports ministers in attendance. At that point I got connected and the rest is history.
Q: What has been the impact of your involvement with CEDE?
A: CEDE has provided a fresh breath of air during the day in and day out grind that sports ministry can sometimes be. I believe sports ministers are to think like astronauts, how can we get to the moon? However, the administrative work can make us feel more like potato farmers, does this dirt look good enough to plant my next potato in? CEDE has allowed me to take my eyes off of the gritty details for a moment, and to shoot for the moon. For example, good coaches have always been hard to come by, and in my time before CEDE I would find myself struggling through the process of finding enough coaches. Ken helped me to lay out a better Mission, Vision, and Philosophy so not only can I find coaches, but I can invest in them so they buy in, and come back season after season.
Q: Why would someone in sports, Rec and fitness get involved with CEDE?
A: CEDE can help you fix your eyes on the big picture, most importantly on Christ, so that every aspect of what you do in sport ministry, and in life (these things overflow), can come from a Gospel-saturated worldview. Some of the best conversations I've had with Ken have not been ministry related as much as life related. At the heart of it, these guys will genuinely care for not only your ministry but for you as an individual, and having another person in your corner as we run this race for Jesus can make all the difference in the world.
On The Field Series: Jenny Young
Out of a desire for you to understand more of what we do we decided to invite the people on the field to tell you themselves. In these blogs you will hear from the hands and feet of our ministry as they tell you how their story intersects with CEDE Sports.
Meet Jenny Young..
Q: How did you get involved with CEDE Sports?A: I discovered CEDE Sports early on when it was CSO Sports which propelled me in learning about sports outreach ministry. I did this by taking leadership classes and being involved in internships within the church. Being able to both learn within the church context and the classroom, helped prepare me for my future in sports ministry. CEDE was exactly what I was looking for! I am so grateful for their unwavering leadership, mentorship and discipleship. My involvement started back in 2005 in Charlotte, NC where it then led me currently to Brownsburg, Indiana at Connection Pointe Christian Church with the sports and fitness ministry. I graduated through the leadership center of CEDE Sports in 2007 with two other ladies who are some of my best friends to this day.Q: What has been the impact of your involvement with CEDE Sports?A: Cede Sports = Family. It is about relationships within the church and with you. Their desire to see you mentored, equipped and challenged as a person outweighs any program. CEDE helped form my understanding of relational outreach along with being a Gospel-Centered ministry. The relationships with other sports outreach ministry leaders and understanding of how to connect with each other is invaluable.Q: Why would you recommend someone in sports, rec & fitness ministry get involved with CEDE?A: Without the leadership, mentorship, and friendship of CEDE Sports, I would not be the person I am today. They have taught me about sports, life and Truth. Keeping the Gospel at the center of my life and ministry. Those go hand in hand. CEDE Sports is a family and families take care of each other. You are not on your own with CEDE Sports and the experience I have gained both personally and professionally is beyond measure.