What Beliefs Lie at the Core of Your Ministry?

Guest Post by Cindy Bledsoe

Whether we readily acknowledge it or not, we all have certain beliefs that are at the core of our ministry, and what is more, they actively shape the way we do ministry. When was the last time you examined what you believe about the gospel, people, your ministry, your staff, yourself, etc.? Many people would probably respond that they don’t have the time to really consider the question. They are just too busy getting things done. My encouragement is to not get caught up in the urgent at the cost of the important.

Here are some questions I would encourage you to wrestle with:

What do I believe in terms of the gospel?

Would you describe the gospel as: beneficial, good, essential, transformative, guiding, absolute truth, etc.

How do I view people?

Would you describe people in general as: successful, struggling, lonely, strong, weak, capable, needing help, self sufficient, etc.

What is the main objective of our ministry?

Provide a fun place to play sport, a place to learn the dynamics and skills of sports, to grow individual players, to serve the family, to provide a wide variety of programs, to transform lives, to reach out to the community, etc.

What do I believe about myself and my role in the ministry?

Do you see yourself as a leader, helper, teacher, facilitator, pastor, etc.? What role do you see yourself fulfilling?

What beliefs do I have regarding my staff?

Do you believe your staff is talented, competent, well equipped, called by God to your ministry, etc.?

Take the time to think through these questions and pose them to your staff. The resulting dialogue will give you a clear picture of the beliefs that lie at the core of your ministry.

Three Key Components for Coach Development

By: Bob Schindler

We talk with sports ministers about developing coaches about as often as Stephen Curry looks good shooting a jump shot! 

Why?

Maybe that is because the success of sports ministries that have leagues rests on the shoulders of those coaches. They are the “players” in the game of “sports ministry.”  (We don’t consider this vital ministry in any way a game, but, to understand the role of coaches, we use this metaphor.)  Since most sports ministers don’t have the luxury of only having “first-round draft picks” on their team, they know they need to develop these coaches.

This is the other reason so much discussion goes on here.  They are looking for help.  Most of the sports ministers we talk with are frustrated with their efforts to develop coaches.  They don’t think what they are doing is that effective or wrestle with the lack of participation from their coaches.

Step By Step

One of the ways we help alleviate that frustration is to get sports ministers to think about three key components when it comes to developing coaches.  They are:

–       Vision

–       Curriculum

–       Structure

Vision is what you want those coaches to become.  You could encapsulate that vision by asking the question, “What would an ideal coach know, be able to do, and be?” Or “What is the knowledge, skill and character of the ideal coach?”

Curriculum is the content God uses to move your coaches toward this vision.  This material comes in a variety of formats and is what your coaches need to grow from where they are now into these ideal coaches.

Structure is the delivery mechanism for your coaches to interact with this curriculum.  It should include various activities along the thought that you

  Teach to Knowledge       Train to Skill                Mentor to Character

God has used us to help sports ministries develop this vision, curriculum and structure and change the atmosphere of coach development from frustration to fulfillment.

If that is something we can help you with, contact us at info@cedesports.org

Power Up-The Sports Ministry Podcast Interview with Bob Schindler: Moving Forward in Sports Ministry

Bob Schindler, COO of CEDE SPORTS,  joins Bill Houston and Tracy Hanson, on Power Up–The Sports Ministry Podcast to talk about moving forward in sports ministry.

“Bob Schindler has been involved in helping many move forward in sports ministry as COO of CEDE Sports. His passion is coming alongside and encouraging those who are serving athletes, coaches and others in the ever-growing, ever-changing world of sports. He also has a desire to help those who serve others in the Name of Christ through sports in the local church.”

Check out this encouraging podcast today by clicking here.

Competing for Christ Podcast Interview with Bob Dyar: Equipping the Church, Chaplains, and Athletes

Bob Dyar, CEO and Founder of CEDE SPORTS,  joins Ken Burke on the Competing for Christ
Podcast today to talk about, “Equipping the Church, Chaplains, and Athletes.”

“What is the role of local believers of a church in the sports context, if any? Is that different than the role of a sports chaplain? This topic isn't touched on enough: appropriately equipping the local church and chaplains on sports teams, and what athletes can learn from each of these things. Dyar also discusses the vision/background of CEDE Sports as an international sports ministry organization that "seeks to impact people of sport through churches and chaplaincy".

Check out this encouraging podcast today by clicking here.

An Example of Effective Leadership

The season had just concluded.  I was evaluating the adult basketball league with the EC Sports Leadership Team from East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston, SC. EC Sports began in the spring of 2005 with an adult men’s basketball league as their first initiative.  In this season there were many things to rejoice in:

• This past season 120 men participated (capacity for them).  More than half of the players were non-Christians, many of whom were invited by other non-Christians who had previously played.

• About 20 different participants told their stories in pre-game talks – all about 3 minutes, all well received.

• Logistics went better than ever as people stepped up to take on various responsibilities.

“Coaches made good decisions during this season. They did a really good job, especially the new coaches!” said one of the Leadership Team.

This statement struck me, having heard so many stories of exactly the opposite as I talk with Sports Ministry Leaders.  I asked why this season was different.

It took a few more questions to unpack it all but this is what they told me:

• “We tried to step up our efforts with coaches. We had two coaches meetings so they could pick the one they could attend.”

• “We cast the vision of the league and told them the expectations we had of them as coaches.” (at the coaches meetings)

• “We met with one coach who didn’t do a good job last year and told him so. We actually didn’t invite two coaches to come back.”

• “We took recruiting new coaches more seriously. We looked at their spiritual maturity as well as other factors.”

• “We teamed new coaches with another coach if we thought it was needed.”

• “We went to coaches, especially the new ones, during the season and asked how it was going and gave them additional input.”

My response – “You exercised good leadership and these guys responded!!!!”

Honestly, they seemed a little surprised by my comment. I am not sure but it seemed like they hadn’t connected their efforts to the fact that their coaches did much better this season.

“Don’t miss or downplay this connection. There is a tie between the fact that your coaches did better and the efforts you made. You guys took a step of faith and God affirmed that step,” I went on to say.

“Thanks, that is encouraging to hear” they all said with what I heard as a humble joy.

This experience reminded me of a few things.

• First, I saw what good leadership looks like – careful recruiting, courageous vision casting, cold expectation setting, and concerned shepherding of those we lead.

• Second, I saw the need we all have to connect what we do with the progress of the ministry.  We all want our efforts to “move the ball down the field”, but we often lack the perspective that we are really making a difference.  When we get that perspective, it empowers us.

I close with a couple of questions: (You may want to elicit the input of others around you.)

• How are you doing at expressing effective leadership these days – check yourself against these components of careful recruiting, courageous vision casting, bold expectation setting, and concern coming alongside?

• What is the progress God is bringing about through your efforts?

As you work through these questions, I hope that God gives you a clearer picture of the progress being made and of the connection between your leadership and that progress, encouraging you in the process.

How to Use Sports for Discipleship

Thanks to Adam Legg for this incredibly helpful but simple formula:

The twelve weren’t his Disciples when Jesus called them. They were just twelve normal dudes. They BECAME his Disciples.

How did they become his Disciples? Let me suggest this incredibly simple definition of Discipleship:

PRESENCE + TRUTH + TIME = DISCIPLESHIP

Let’s look at each of these ideas:

PRESENCE

Jesus called the twelve to be with Him. Not only that, He was committed to bringing Himself to them. He was WITH them. They did life together. They were present with each other. They didn’t see each other once a week and expect that would be enough, they journeyed through life TOGETHER.

TRUTH

Jesus was honest with them about what he knew to be true about God, Himself, and the twelve. He challenged them on core beliefs that they held and He didn’t allow them to stay in their mess, instead he always pointed to a better and higher way.

TIME

Jesus spent about three years with the twelve. Not once a week for three years, but most likely He was with them almost every day. That’s around 1,000 days in His presence and listening to His truth. We cannot underestimate the impact of longevity and time in building disciples.”

Isn’t it interesting that evangelism requires the same three things?  So, how are you training your coaches/volunteers to be present, share truth, and spend time?

If you’re interested in a resource that will help you train your coaches in this, please check out the video on Outreach Dynamics.

Competing for Christ Podcast Interview with Bob Schindler: Don't Leave God on the Bench!

Bob Schindler, COO of CEDE SPORTS,  joins Ken Burke on the Competing for Christ
Podcast today to talk about, “Leaving God on the bench."

Many in the Christian athlete setting have wrestled with this idea because it feels like they don't showcase God through their play. Bob discusses this issue on the most recent podcast episode in addition to: the Christian mindset in athletics, the harm of saying “God is on our side!”, and why he wrote the book Does God Care Who Wins?

Check out this encouraging podcast today by clicking here.

My Story with Sports, Life, and Truth

By: Alexis Gandy

Where It All Began

As a Charleston, SC native, I grew up in church and went to a Christian school from kindergarten all the way to 12th grade. These environments were very foundational for my faith. There were many people who taught me about myself and my Creator and I have no doubt that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the school and church I grew up in. 

Throughout my years living in Charleston, I always participated in sports. I played volleyball, basketball and soccer all throughout high school and middle school. I have many memories from youth soccer all the way to my very last high school playoff game. I gained so much through sports including some of my best friends and many life skills through playing sports. 

“In Everything We Do..”

In my Christian school, we would pray before and after games with every team I was a part of. When I got to high school, we would even invite the other team to join in on our post-game prayer whether we had just won or lost. Often in high school, I was chosen to pray for the team and most of my prayers ended with, “…and in everything we do, I pray we would glorify You.” I was passionate about this, passionate about giving God the glory no matter what the outcome was. 

We also had team devotions when I was on varsity in high school.  Again, I was often chosen to deliver the devotion and to close in prayer. Our devotions were always held before practice or before games. We were always intentional about recognizing God before and after our games or practices. I loved that we did this  and I saw nothing wrong with it. 

As a team, we went to faith-based camps every summer before volleyball season began. At these camps we spent the day working on our skills and then each night we would have a chapel service. I loved these chapel services, training all day, and most of all I loved getting to do it all with my team. Again, I saw nothing wrong with it being this way. 

College Days

In my junior year of college at Winthrop University, I stumbled upon ROAR sports (the sports ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, SC) through a friend. I was coaching at a local middle school and I really enjoyed it. I saw ROAR as another opportunity for me to get to do what I loved, just with a different age group. I filled out the coach interest form online and one of the questions asked if I was willing to deliver a devotion. I immediately said yes. I had done this before for many years with my high school team and I had talked to kids many times in children’s church, so I thought it would be no problem.

At our new coaches training, they talked about the 3 D’s or 3D devotions. They explained that they would give us the devotion to do with our teams and I was happy about that because, if I am being honest, it meant less work for me. We went over what a 3D looked like, but I zoned out because I knew what a devotion was and I didn’t think I needed to listen. 

My Turning Point

Before my team’s first practice with ROAR, I was sitting down thinking about the devotion and trying to figure out what I was going to say. As I was reading through it, I realized there were many things I missed about what they said in the training, because pride had gotten the best of me.  I realized that the 3 D’s were more than just a devotion. They were a really good way of bringing together sports, life, and truth. From this moment on sports, life and truth took on a whole new meaning. I realized that this wasn’t something I was used to, but something I had a growing interest in. 
Fast forward to my last semester of college and I began interning with ROAR.  I continued to realize how important the integration ofsport, life, and truth really is. We compartmentalize sports so often. As I saw this tendency more and more, I realized, even at my Christian school, sports were compartmentalized. Unintentionally, but it was. We were focusing on God then going to play our sport, forgetting about God, then bringing God back into the equation after it was all over. Being a part of the ROAR sports ministry really helped me apply 1 Corinthians 10:31 to all of my life and to live it out completely. This verse states that whatever we do, we should do it for the glory of God. All things, including sports, are my “whatever” and all things should be done for the glory of God just like everything else in life.

8,500+ Copies Sold of Bob Schindler's Book, Does God Care Who Wins?

By: Aubrey Coleman

What began as a question, turned into a kickstarter campaign, which then resulted in the writing and publishing of a book, and as of today that book has sold 8,500+ copies.  Does God Care Who Wins? by Bob Schindler has impacted coaches, athletes, sports ministers, leaders, and readers alike by providing biblical insight into this commonly asked question. 

The author, Bob Schindler, is the COO of CEDE SPORTS. CEDE SPORTS was born out of the desire to mobilize churches and chaplains into gospel centered sports ministry. Bob has prior experience in pastoral ministry and church planting, as well as careers in professional golf and several arenas of business. Through his extensive experience, God provided him with the question that now serves as the title of this book. 

Does God Care Who Wins? was published in September 2017 and offered as a resource to consider the answer to this question that many may find themselves conflicted about answering. Bob walks through common answers and discusses their implications, while encouraging further dialogue. Finally, he provides an answer that makes God great, makes everyone and everything meaningful - even our failures, and moves us to God.  

Bob’s answer to the question developed over 30 years, beginning with Bob’s journey into professional golf and coming to a head as he tried to qualify for the PGA Tour at PGA Tour School. The answer has taken further shape along the way through conversations with athletes, coaches, parents, and many others who wrestle with this question.

Robin Barden, Director of New Opportunities at Ridley Hall, Cambridge, shared that the book 

“not only helps people think through the question, but moves them closer to God. 

In doing so,” he continued, “it brings healing at a deep level.”

Bob Schindler notes that Barden’s words illustrate his very hope in writing the book. It helps people to better understand God and to connect Him to very tangible things in our world today like wins and losses. Schindler continues, “The longer I've been asking this question, the more I see what a provocative question it is, and the more humbled I am that God gave me this question to ask.”  

Reaching 8,500+ copies reveals the many ways God continues to use this book to work in the lives of its readers. Bob could not be more grateful for all of the support and prayer that went into this book. The original kickstarter team not only helped fund the work of this book, but provided overwhelming confirmation, prayer, and support for what God could accomplish through this message. None of it could be possible without them! May you join us in celebrating this milestone through praise to God and prayers for continued healing and understanding found through this resource.

If you’d like to know more about this book, read about it on cedesports.org by clicking here, and if you’d like to purchase and further support the sharing of this message, click here.

From the Pews to the Football Field

Story from guest author: M.L. Woodruff, Sports Outreach Minister at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Sports Ministry mobilizes people into ministry – particularly men.  

This mobilization into ministry is one of the reasons we encourage Local Churches to get involved in Sports Ministry.  M.L. Woodruff recently shared the following story to vividly illustrate this point:

Marc Mader had been a member of Istrouma Baptist Church for over 13 years.  Marc would consider himself a committed Christian who loved God, practiced the Christian disciplines, gave willingly to the church and other God-centered ministries, however, Marc had never attended a small group with his wife or other men.

This past summer, our Istrouma Sports Ministry partnered with our missions team to offer a mission trip to Brooklyn, New York.  Our sports offerings included baseball, basketball, football and soccer. Marc, a lover of baseball and the Yankees, was the first to sign up.

After Marc’s sign up, our mission director contacted me and asked if I knew Marc.  She gave me the background on his love for baseball.  I contacted Marc and he told me his story and how he was connected to Istrouma and his love for baseball.  In the conversation I found out that I had taught Marc’s son while I was teaching and coaching in an earlier time of my life.

Marc had a wonderful time in Brooklyn and helped me coach a baseball clinic.  I noticed that he engaged well with kids and he had the unusual ability to coach the child’s heart.  I am not sure if he or the child was enjoying these moments the greatest.  I noticed his giftedness and asked if he would consider helping coach in our Istrouma Sports league.  He immediately said, “I will do whatever you need me to do.”

The Brooklyn trip ended and God used our team to lead over 10 participants to Christ.  God had used Marc in a mighty way on our team.  I had built a solid relationship with Marc and could see God using him amazing ways.

“Whatever you need me to do”

Fast forward a couple of months, for our Istrouma Sports Football league, we were looking for football coaches to fill spots.  I thought of Marc and contacted him about being an assistant.  Instantaneously, he said, “I will do whatever you need me to do.” Marc became an assistant coach for the Raiders.  I again noticed what a wonderful job he did.  Midway through the season, we had a head coach who had to move out of state creating a coaching vacancy.  Once again, we thought of Marc.  We made the phone call and could you believe that Marc once again said he “would do whatever we need him to do.”

Marc quickly built relationships with his new team.  He gained their trust and was given the task of presenting the Gospel and asking kids if they were ready to receive Christ.  On that evening of practice, three of his players received Christ.

So Marc, a 13 year pew sitter, took an opportunity to go on a mission trip which led him to discover God’s gifts and abilities inside of him.  That would lead him to be an assistant coach and then to a head coach which in turn, God used him to lead 3 players to Christ.  

Sports Ministry mobilizes people into ministry – particularly men.  Jesus told us, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matthew 9:37,38)  Sports Ministry can and often is one of the Lord’s answers to those prayers.