Collegiate Sports Ministry 101

Discussion Questions

1. Within what quadrant of the McCown Sports Ministry Map have you lived most of your life? What quadrant are you being called to? If they are different, how will you need to grow in order to contextualize the Gospel to those living in the quadrant where you will serve? As you look at the Sport Ministry Map download, notice the profound differences between the left (quadrants 1&3) and right (quadrants 2&4) sides. On the college campus discussing their sports experience is superior to your own sports stories…discussing an athlete or coach’s performance is superior to discussing winning…and a relational approach is superior and necessary compared with a programmatic approach. Why do you think this is so? How might you need to alter your mindset or approach? You can have mass appeal for quadrant 1 and must have specialized appeal for quadrant 4- why is this so? Ministry to those in quadrant 3 is rather simple while ministry to those in quadrant 2 is very complex- why is this so? How might you need to alter your mindset or approach to minister effectively within the collegiate athletic department (Quadrants 2&4)?

2. This video introduces FCA’s “E3” strategy: Engage, Equip, Empower. Look up the associated Scripture with each. How are you challenged and encouraged by each? How might you apply each of these strategies and verses to the context in which you are serving?

3. Have you ever been a part of a movement where multiplication like this was happening? What did you see God do? How did he use leaders?

4. When considering the models of sports ministry that Cede presents on their website, which one(s) do you see yourself naturally inclined or drawn to? What model is actually feasible for the context into which you are entering and serving?

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Based on 2 Timothy 2:2, we know that the “win” is disciples who make disciples! In Collegiate sports that looks like the empowered coach and athlete who multiplies their lives- both given their current season of life and in the years to come. In order to Engage (help them become aware and get involved), Equip (challenge them to own) and Empower (multiply) Coaches and Athletes at the Collegiate level, we must understand their mindset (what quadrant of the Sports Ministry Map they live in). A wise Sports Minister will have the sober self-assessment to identify their own quadrant and then contextualize the Gospel to Quadrants 2&4. Lastly, a wise Sports Minister understands that there are a variety of models their ministry can look like based on the access granted by the campus, athletic program, or coach under which they serve.

Discussion Questions

1. Who or what has historically told you “who you are”? How have you seen “fear of man” or “approval of man” play itself out in your life or your work as a Sports Chaplain or Character Coach? Emily shared several truths from Scripture - which ones can you apply to your life and work? How?

2. When exploring Cede’s description of Characteristics one must possess- why do you suppose they chose these eight? Which ones will be vital for you to maintain or grow in?

3. Once you know who you are, you can press faithfully into what to do with confidence. Roger practically outlines relationships to pursue, attitudes to possess, and how to be present. What relationships are available for you to pursue now? How can you build those relationships more fully? What attitudes did Roger mention that you need to be aware of? When would be strategic times (both tangible times as well as formative moments) for you to be present?

4. The Chaplains in this video speak to the value they bring to the clubs they serve. Brainstorm all the various issues you think you may have to help sportspeople navigate. Which ones do you feel equipped to help with and which ones might you need to gain more knowledge or skill in? What are some practical habits you can form that will help you be that neutral, trusted Chaplain that meets their needs?

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When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.

Our identity MUST flow from who God says that we are. Our ability to walk calmly into challenging circumstances is full dependent on this. Cede outlines several must-have characteristics of a Sports Minister. Essentially they are a natural by-product of a hungry and humble Sports Chaplain/Character Coach who knows who they are and is willing to be taught by the Holy Spirit and wise counsel.

From this solid foundation we can truly be aware of the three primary pinciples necessary to to serve effectively as a Character Coach or Sports Chaplain: Relationships, Attitude, and Presence. We work this out through the personnel we serve, the events that support those relationships, and the skills needed to implement programs and steward relationships well.

• Relationships- Head Coach, Athletic Trainers/Strength Coaches, Athlete Leaders, Freshmen, Injured, Administrators, Support Staff (academics, nutrition, mental health, compliance, etc)

• Attitude- Humility, NOT a fan, patience, trustworthy confidant, competitive drive, coach’s goals for the season, performance over winning

• Presence- Before/at the end of practice, after a loss, in the lunch room/weight room/training room

Lastly, SCA Chaplains explain the value we can then uniquely bring to an Athletic Department or Sports Team.

Discussion Questions

1. Think about the lives of college athletes, particularly freshmen. What were the challenges you faced in that season of life? What challenges do you think they might be facing? What opportunities and challenges might they have in regards to spiritual support? Consider their schedule, joys, fears, relationships, etc. This is why you must “Go to them…show up…listen to Spirit…and ask good questions”. What are some “good questions” or conversation starters that you could use as you build the Ministry of Presence?

2. What can the Ministry of Presence practically look like in your context? The dining hall, weight room, and practices were mentioned in this video: are those places that you are welcome to be? In what manner will you proceed in order to be humble, yet bold as you consider walking into these spaces? Give specific examples of questions you will ask God, actions you will take, and rhythms you will build into your routine to be present regardless of the location.

3. Think about the lives, schedules, and pressures of college administrators, coaches and athletes and answer the following questions: What are some uniquely Christian religious needs that you can help meet? Though it is not mandatory for you to facilitate for the religious needs of other faith groups- how could doing so be an expression of Christian character, love, and even the Gospel? In what aspects of life might they need care and how might you be uniquely poised to offer that care? What can you foresee as challenges regarding advising leadership and players?

4. Young Life terms this concept “contact work”. The link provides a 20 page document that translates this concept into a very practical vision of what your Ministry of Presence can look like. What can you learn from them about the art of hanging out and building relationships?

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As Christians, we carry the Spirit of Jesus with us everywhere we go- including the athletic arena. We wish to be seen, be known, and be heard for the sake of them meeting Him. Due to the nature of collegiate athletics (namely the “grind” and how athletes and coaches are seen as “commodities”), a tremendous investment of time is required to earn that kind of trust- this is the Ministry of Presence. We must show up consistently, listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in where/when we show up, create margin in our own schedules for that, and learn to engage Coaches and Athletes in their space with good questions. In particular, it may be shrewd to begin first with “People of Peace”. These may not be the people who have the “best position”, but they are the ones that welcome you into their circle.

Four expressions of Ministry of Presence are:

• Providing religious support for those who share our faith

• Facilitating for any needs of those who do not

• Caring for everyone in the program

• Advising leadership on culture/climate as well as advising players how to manage themselves

Four places or “Rooms” where you can live out the Ministry of Presence are:

• Lunch Room - or over a meal

• Weight Room - coordinate with strength coaches and clear expectations

• Practices - at discretion of coach

• Training Room - (not mentioned in video) valuable location but must be coordinated and cleared with ATCs

Discussion Questions

1. How naturally empathetic of a person are you? Discuss examples of how you can grow in the four areas universal to empathy that Brene mentioned: perspective taking, staying out of judgement, recognizing emotion in other people, and communicating that recognition. Have you ever had someone rebuttal your difficulty with an “At least” statement or an attempt to “silver lining” your experience? How did it make you feel? Why do you think we have a tendency to do that? What are some circumstances that sportspeople on the college campus might face that you could be tempted to “silver lining”? How can you intentionally avoid that temptation and choose an empathetic response?

2. “It’s a huge misconception that more talking equals better communication”. So let’s move from abstract to concrete. What does it feel like to be in a conversation with you? What facial expression do you typically wear in a conversation? Do you get caught up in details or can you hear the big picture idea/emotion? How do you successfully employ that skill? Do you have tendencies to rebuttal or make conversations about you or your topic (hint: ask an honest friend or spouse)? How can you grow in that area? On a scale of 1-10, how would you score yourself at being concise when you speak and then tossing it back to the other person? Have you ever had someone followup on something you said? How did it make you feel? To truly know the answers to these questions, you may need to ask for some honest feedback. If you know that you tend to dominate conversations or need to grow in this area, then please watch the two videos posted in “overtime” below. They will help you grow in this area.

3. Once we have gained confidence and competence in being a a caring and effective listener, let’s consider how to ask good questions of others. What are some fact, passion, and heart level questions that could be your “go-to” questions for athletes? For coaches?

4. How you carry yourself matters. What is "professionalism" within a college athletic department?  In what areas do you have room to grow?  How would you judge your ability to tell good stories?  How would you judge your ability to be concise and “bottomline” it? Why do you suppose this is so?  In what circumstances might BLUF be a necessary skill? Why do you suppose this is valuable to sportspeople, particularly coaches?

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We are in a vocation that requires empathy. To listen with empathy is to hear the other person’s perspective without judgement. We must be able to recognize emotion in other people and communicate it back to them. We tend to try and make things better. But what the person really needs is connection, someone to listen.

So how can we become better listeners?

• Feedback - non verbal feedback “showing” them you are fully there. Listen with your face. Give them verbal feedback too

• Listen for Big Picture - the big picture idea or the big picture emotion

• Stay on them - as a person and their topic

• Be concise - if you take a talking turn, limit what you say then ask another question

• Take action - followup somehow

We may have to prompt others through good question asking in order to deepen relationships and listen with empathy. Good questions can be asked on three different levels:

1. Facts - What are some basic things about them?

2. Passions - What do they care about? What is important to them?

3. Heart - What is at the core of who they are?

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever felt like someone wanted something out of you when you thought they were supposed to invest in you? Describe how that impacted your relationship. If you are familiar already with the athletic department you will serve, who are some coaches and staff that you should work to cultivate a relationship with ? How can you approach that?

2. In the first two interviews with the coaches, what is something that stuck out to you? Why? What are some practical ways you can serve a coach or athletic director?

3. There is value in forming relationships with support staff. In considering the words of the Athletic Trainer and Support Staff, what is the value in forming a great relationship with the them? Can you give some examples of how that relationship could be mutually beneficial? What are some practical ways you can serve the Athletic Trainer and/or other support staff? Consider and discuss how you can serve the following groups of people staffing the athletic department: compliance, sports information, academic advisers, nutrition coaches, strength and conditioning staff, graduate assistants, interns, administrative assistants, recruiting coordinators, directors of operations, custodial personnel, etc.

4. How do you plan to get started? What best practices resonate most with you? What best practices are areas of needed growth for you? What are you going to do about it?

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discussion questions

1. Why and how of leadership teams

2. Serving and Sustaining the team: Spiritually and Logistically

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Goal is have all 19 teams represented.

How they come to us - rec from other athlete, have used application at times,

What they do - help us lead huddle, facilitate small groups. Be FCA rep to their team…looks different. Pray for teammates/coaches/invite to FCA…live out the Gospel. So we disciple them weekly.

Showing small group, interviewing them: what has being in leadership done for your spiritual growth?

Logistics: finding a common time for small groups. Good through a study with them - train them spiritually as well as how to lead. Helps them get to know each other too. Collaborating to lead huddle is easier bc they are friends.

Consider leading Team Huddle for their team. How they help each other in that and encourage each other.

Show another small group: How has small group helped you grow in your faith this semester?

Discussion Questions

1. Why it is vital to make disciples? What things did Francis say that struck you most? What are you going to do about it? How can you let people “see your life”? How can you “walk with people”?

2. Discipleship Matrix

3. First for you as a disciple- who are you following? Are you willing to move your schedule to fit theirs? Do you come hungry with good questions, ready to learn? As you disciple others- Are you providing only a lecture, or a lab? Where can they follow you? How can you include others in your calendar rather than just adding to it? Consider the four arenas Grant mentioned: family life, work life, church life, and private life.

4. Frameworks and Tools

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Discussion Questions

1. Why, How, What?

2. What if? - dealing with difficult group members

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Discussion Questions

1. Why a Huddle?

2. What do we do with our time?

3. When should we have a huddle?

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Discussion Questions

1. Team Ministry

2. How do I start?

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Discussion Questions

1. What do you do when you get to practice? What are some things you have observed and perceived when you’ve been at a practice? Give examples. How can you grow in your ability to draw connections or ask good questions?

2. Games and Practices

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Discussion Questions

1. What are your habits when speaking publicly? What strengths come naturally? Do you already know of some areas of needed growth? How can you improve your ability to be organized and concise? How can you improve your body language and your voice/tone? If you want to hear more from this guy, there are tons of videos at his YouTube Channel

2. Dr Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream” speech is considered to be one of the most moving ones of our time. What do you notice about how his speech is organized and flows? What does his imagery evoke in you? What do you notice about his tone, timing, tempo, and what words he emphasizes?

3. Establish your purpose and craft a Chapel

4. How to Become a World Class Speaker: What points did the author make that resonate with you? Challenge you? Why? And what actions will you take?

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• Less is more: Organized and Concise flow, simplified notes so you can be conversational, few slides if any

• One Thought, One Look

Discussion Questions

1. Compliance. Why is it crucial that a sports chaplain/character coach/etc connect with the Compliance office on their campus? Are you and/or the people you work with considered to be athletic staff, boosters, something else? How might this impact any utilization of volunteers? What actions or practices are you currently involved in or would like to start (ie. Bible studies, dinners, etc) could have the potential to cause violations?

2. Title IX. Video Coming Soon.

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The Compliance office is entrusted with educating, monitoring, investigating, and reporting all NCAA violations that occur related to their athletic department. The NCAA has rules that are unique to Divisions and Tiers of competition. Each Compliance office will have their own interpretations and applications of these rules to their specific campus. You might be considered athletic staff, a booster, or something else by the Compliance office. Therefore, it is vital that you form a relationship with the Compliance office at your university and learn how the rules apply in your context. The greatest risk for violation falls within the category of “extra benefits”. Occasional meals, rides, and prizes can fall into this category. Topics also addressed within this video are: communication with prospective student-athletes (which could impact everything from speaking at area high schools and camps to meeting actual recruits on campus).

Discussion Questions

1. Intro

2. 3 T’s and tools for them

3. Triage and Referral - Kim

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Discussion Questions

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