The e-Advocate Quarterly Magazine 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
The All-Sports Ministry @…
“Helping Individuals, Organizations & Communities Achieve Their Full Potential”
Vol. VII, Issue XXVIII – Q-2 April| May| June 2021
The Advocacy Foundation, Inc. Helping Individuals, Organizations & Communities Achieve Their Full Potential
The All-Sports Ministry @ ...
Fighting for Changes in the Science of Juvenile Justice Reform
“Helping Individuals, Organizations & Communities Achieve Their Full Potential
1735 Market Street, Suite 3750 | 100 Edgewood Avenue, Suite 1690 Philadelphia, PA 19102 Atlanta, GA 30303
John C Johnson III, Esq. Founder & CEO (855) ADVOC8.0 (855) 238-6280 § (215) 486-2120
www.TheAdvocacyFoundation.org
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Table of Contents The All-Sports Ministry @ ...
Biblical Authority I.
Introduction
II.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes Model
III.
Athletes In Action Model
IV.
Upward Sports Model
V.
Y.M.C.A. Model
VI.
Y.W.C.A. Model
VII. Religious Symbolism in US Sports Teams & Mascots VIII. Sports World Ministries, Inc.
Attachments A. Starting A Sports Ministry in the Local Church B. Recreation & Sports Ministry Basics C. Salvation Army Sports Ministry Objectives
Copyright Š 2014 The Advocacy Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Biblical Authority ______
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (MSG) 24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. 25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. 26 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! 27 I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
2 Timothy 2:5 5 An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere.
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Introduction A Sports Ministry is the name given to religious sponsored organization that use sport to promote links between the religion and the broader population. Two prominent sports ministries are Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action. Both organizations focus on using athletics to promote Christian beliefs and values. They recognize that coaches and sports have a large impact on people on a national and global level. Both organizations promote a style of participation in athletics that they claim values moral and spiritual direction. The sports ministry of the PCUSA based in Louisville, KY called Team Sweaty Sheep claims a more inclusive theology than FCA or Athletes in Action, focusing on adult and young adult athletes in addition to student athletes. The Association of Church Sports & Recreational Ministries One of CSRM's primary objectives is to establish official Ministry Partners for the express purpose of mobilizing, equipping, resourcing and connecting local churches to accomplish the Great Commission through Sports Outreach. These official and dedicated partnership initiatives coalesce around, and are committed to three core values: 1. A laser focus on the local church 2. Working cooperatively on one or more projects - actually partnering on a mutually beneficial activities 3. Interacting with our partners in Christ-honoring ways. To actually model the gospel in and through our relationships. The Salvation Army International Sports Ministry International Headquarters‘ Sports Ministry Desk exists to encourage, support and resource Salvation Army Sports Ministry leaders around the world to find connections, to build relationships and to help people and communities to enjoy healthy lives in bodies, minds and souls. It does this as part of The Salvation Army‘s mission to ‗save souls, grow saints and serve suffering humanity‘. In seeking to fulfil this mission, International Sports Ministry‘s objectives are to: • Cast a vision to The Salvation Army world. Page 8 of 51
• Identify, equip, mobilise and encourage Salvation Army Sports Ministry leaders. • Connect The Salvation Army with the global Sports Ministry Community.
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Fellowship of Christian Athletes Model The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) is an international non-profit Christian sports ministry based in Kansas City, Missouri. FCA was founded in 1954. It has staff offices located throughout the United States and abroad. FCA's mission is to present to athletes and coaches, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the fellowship of the church. Its vision is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. The organization's across Interstate 70 Complex.
headquarters are located from the Truman Sports
FCA was founded in 1954 by Eastern Oklahoma A&M basketball coach Don McClanen, who later resigned to become its full-time director. After watching sports stars use fame to endorse and sell general merchandise, McClanen wrote to 19 prominent sports figures asking for their help in establishing an organization that would use the same principle to share the Christian faith. Among the first supporters were Baseball Hall of Famer Branch Rickey, who was most known for breaking the MLB color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1945, and professional athletes including Otto Graham, Carl Erskine and Don Moomaw. FCA held its first advisory board meeting in September 1954 and was officially incorporated as a not-for-profit organization in November. After two years in Oklahoma, McClanen moved FCA's headquarters to Kansas City, Missouri. That year (1956), FCA also conducted its first national camp‚then referred to as a national conference‚which drew 256 athletes and coaches to Estes Park, Colo. The ministry continued its expansion by adding additional camp locations, establishing a national magazine and beginning school campus groups called ‚"Huddles‚" within 10 years of the first camp. In 1979 FCA completed and dedicated a new headquarters facility overlooking Kansas City‚ Truman Sports Complex, and the building was officially renamed the FCA National Support Center in 2011. After more than 60 years of operation, FCA has developed into a global Christian sports ministry reaching more than two million people per year at the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth sports levels. As of 2014, FCA included a staff of approximately 1,200 ministry personnel in more than 450 U.S. and international staff offices. Page 10 of 51
Statement of Faith The Fellowship of Christian Athletes operates according to an internally written statement of faith. This statement consists of seven points based on Bible teachings and Christian principles. Each point has a corresponding scripture. All staff and leaders agree with and operate according to the FCA statement of faith. Core Values The Fellowship of Christian Athletes lists four core values for its ministry: Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence. Each core value has a corresponding scripture. The Four C’s of Ministry FCA categorizes its ministry according to what are called the ‚"Four C‚s'"‚ of ministry: Coaches, Campus, Camps and Community.
The "Coaches" ministry area includes Christian Bible studies, prayer support, discipleship, mentoring, resources, outreach events and retreats for athletic coaches and sending staff to national coaches‚ conventions and major sporting events to host and facilitate ministry events.
The "Campus" ministry area includes student-led groups called ‚"Huddles‚" on junior high, high school and college campuses as well as team Bible studies, chaplain programs and Bible studies for coaches. In 2013, more than 9,000 school campuses reported an FCA presence and more than 450,000 were said to be participants. FCA created the annual school assemblies ‚"One Way 2 Play ," Drug Free‚" program and Fields of Faith events.
The "Camp" ministries of FCA include camps for athletes, coaches, ministry leaders, teams and youth both in the U.S. and abroad. FCA also partners with camps from other organizations. It offers seven types of camps: sports camps, leadership camps, coaches camps, power camps, partnership camps, team camps and international camps. In 2013, FCA reported 429 camps with close to 60,000 participants.
The "Community" ministry of FCA involves church and business partnerships and outreach to parents and volunteers and ministry to professional athletes and coaches.
Sport-Specific Ministry FCA targets athletes and coaches in baseball, cheerleading, endurance sports, golf, hockey, lacrosse, motocross, surfing and wrestling. The first SSM was FCA Golf, which was established in 1977. It was followed in 1989 by FCA Lacrosse. Professional Athletes Page 11 of 51
Since 1954, professional athletes and coaches have taken part in FCA through ministry events, speaking engagements, FCA camps, volunteer opportunities and ministry leadership roles. For approximately six decades, athletes and coaches from both major and minor professional sports and top-tier college programs have engaged with FCA to communicate their Christian faith and participate in community outreach opportunities. Among those who pioneered the organization were former stars Otto Graham, Branch Rickey, Bobby Richards, Carl Erskine and Bill Krisher. They would be followed by other influential sports figures including Tom Landry, Bobby Bowden, John Wooden, Roger Staubach, Jim Ryun, Betsy King, Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Tony Dungy, Shaun Alexander, Tom Osborne and Kay Yow‚ all of whom vocalized their Christian faith through FCA outlets such as banquets, camps and rallies. Recent stars who have connected with FCA have included Josh Hamilton, Brian Roberts, Tim Tebow, Tamika Catchings, Jennie Finch, Andy Pettitte, Tommy Tuberville, Jim Kelly, John Harbaugh, Leah O'Brien Amico, John Smoltz, Mark Richt, Colt McCoy, Andrew McCutchen and a number of public figures outside the world of sports such as comedian Jeff Foxworthy, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson. Influential Christian leaders such as Billy Graham, Chip Ingram, Anne Graham Lotz and Tommy Nelson also have participated in FCA through resource development, camps or events. Award Winners FCA presents six national awards every year to athletes and coaches who have excelled in specific areas of competition, community service and Christian character.
Bobby Bowden Athlete of the Year: Named after former Florida State University football coach Bobby Bowden, this award is presented annually to a Division I FBS football player who conducts himself as a ‚faith model in the community, in the classroom and on the field. ‚ Nominees must have 3.0 GPA or better and must have the backing of his school‚Äôs athletic director and head football coach. Winners have included Texas A&M's offensive lineman Jake Matthews (2013), Auburn linebacker Ashton Richardson (2012) and quarterbacks Case Keenum (2011), Christian Ponder (2010) and Colt McCoy (2009).
Grant Teaff Coach of the Year: The Grant Teaff Coach of the Year Award is named after former Baylor University football coach Grant Teaff, who also served as the executive director of the American Football Coaches Association and member of the FCA National Board of Trustees. The annual award recognizes a football coach who exemplifies Christian principles and maintains an active involvement with FCA. Previous Page 12 of 51
winners include Mike MacIntyre, Mike London, Tommy Bowden, Jerry Kill and Tommy Tuberville.
Grant Teaff Lifetime Achievement Award: The second FCA award named after Teaff recognizes a football coach that has ‚committed his life to being a Christian influence on the lives of student-athletes. ‚ Previous winners include Dr. Homer Rice, Houston Nutt and Tony Dungy.
Jerry Kindall Character in Coaching Award: Named after former Major League Baseball player and retired University of Arizona baseball coach Jerry Kindall, the Character in Coaching Award is presented annually to the college or high school baseball coach who ‚best exemplifies the Christian principles of Character, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork and Service on and off the baseball field. ‚Äù Previous winners include Rusty Stroupe, Scott Berry and Bubba Cates.
John Lotz ‚Barnabas‚ Award: Named after former University of Florida basketball coach John Lotz and the Biblical character Barnabas first mentioned in Acts 4 as the ‚Son of Encouragement, ‚Äù this award honors a basketball coach who ‚best exhibits a commitment to Christ, integrity, encouragement to others and lives a balanced life. ‚ Previous winners include Tom Crean, Don Meyer, Billy Kennedy, Homer Drew and John Wooden.
Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award: First presented in 2008, this award was established to honor former North Carolina State University women's basketball coach Kay Yow whose nearly 22-year battle with cancer her life in 2009. The award recognizes a women's basketball coach who ‚over the course of his or her career, has coached according to Biblical principles‚ and has ‚coached the heart of the athlete, as well as the body and mind. ‚Previous winners include Sue Semrau, Deb Patterson, Sue Ramsey and Kay Yow.
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Athletes In Action Model Athletes in Action (AIA) is an organization that was founded in 1966 by Dave Hannah. It is an offshoot of Cru Ministries (formerly known as Campus Crusade for Christ) that‘s purpose is to, ―[Use] sports as a platform to help people answer questions of faith and to point them to Jesus.‖ Athletes in Action has grown from its humble beginnings in tandem with its mother ministry, Cru. It now has evolved to have three main components; international, collegiate, and professional. It is present in over 90 countries, 150 university campuses, has a direct influence on 11 NFL teams, and has a strong presence in the WNBA and the national and international soccer world. Athletes in Action was started in 1966 by Dave Hannah, who saw the need for a ministry to specifically target the student-athlete population that Campus Crusade for Christ wasn't reaching. The initial vision Hannah had was to create AIA teams that competed in different sports against college teams. They would play the game against willing universities and then share their faith and experiences with the crowd at halftime. The first three sports that implemented this between 1966-1967 were wrestling, track and field, and basketball. The most popular and successful of these was basketball. The height of the basketball ministry occurred in the 1976-77 and 1977-78 seasons. During this time they beat the University of San Francisco and UNLV, both of whom were ranked in the top 5 in the country. The Chargers also played the Soviet Union national basketball team multiple times, winning in 1986. The basketball form of this ministry declined as years went on, and effectively died when the NCAA cracked down on Division 1 teams playing non-amateur teams in 2004. Other sports, like women's basketball and wrestling continue on, though to a lesser degree. Athletes In Action has since begun to focus on their summer opportunities for college students as well as encouraging team Bible studies. There is full-time staff located on approximately 150 college campuses. AIA has also expanded to emphasize international ministries to students and sports professionals, as well as providing chaplains to NFL teams, WNBA teams, and many different soccer teams. Pro’s Athletes in Action‘s professional ministries reach out to athletes, their families, and coaches in the hopes of changing their perspective on their sport. They understand that these athletes are under extreme amounts of pressure, and teach them that looking at their sport as a way of honoring God with the gifts he has given them is a liberating point of view. Athletes in Action provides opportunities for professional athletes to share their faith and how it has impacted their athletic career, in the hopes that they will be able to use this platform in order to make a difference in their community. Professional ministry aims to help both athletes and their fans answer hard questions about faith. Athletes in Action provides service opportunities for Page 15 of 51
professional athletes both locally, and internationally. These experiences provide an opportunity for well-known professionals to share how their faith has impacted their relationship with their sport, as well as in their life. College Athletes in Action is part of Cru, and ministers on many college campuses. They provide staff members that lead chapters of AIA and facilitate the discipleship that goes on at each location. These chapters provide resources both help to grow athletes in their faith and help athletes learn how to share the gospel with others. The main components of the on campus ministry are the team bible studies and, at many colleges, a weekly large group meeting with athletes of all sports. They also provide summer opportunities such as Ultimate Training Camp and an annual Winter Retreat to further their knowledge of Christianity and introduce them to fellow Christian student athletes from all across the nation. ―Athletes in Action is currently present on over 200 campuses nationwide, providing a place to grow in your faith and impact others.‖
Super-Bowl Breakfast/ Bart Star Award Among the events sponsored by Athletes in Action is the NFL-sanctioned Super Bowl Breakfast which features the presentation of the Athletes in Action/Bart Starr Award "to honor the NFL player who best exemplifies outstanding character and leadership in the home, on the field and in the community." Nominees are gathered from the Public Relations Directors of each NFL team, the past winners of the Bart Starr Award, the Athletes in Action Pro Staff working with NFL teams and Bart Starr himself. Ballots are sent to each team and voting takes place at the same time as the Pro Bowl selections. The award, bearing the name of the Pro Football Hall of Famer, honors Starr‘s lifelong commitment to serving as a positive role model to his family, teammates, and community.
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Upward Sports Model Upward Sports is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. It is a Christian sports league designed for kids in grades K5–8 offering four sports programs: basketball, flag football, soccer and cheerleading; in Canada, it also offers ball hockey. Upwards Sports was founded in 1995 by Caz McCaslin to provide children with "skills for the sports arena and values for life." While training children with the athletic skills needed to participate at the next level, Upward Sports stresses biblical values—such as leadership, teamwork, integrity and respect—as much as winning. Upward Sports leagues are conducted by 2,600 churches in 46 states and Canada, representing various evangelical denominations. Upward Sports equips local churches with everything needed to run their own leagues, including training, playbooks, sports apparel and other online tools. The Upward complex is separated into two buildings. The Corporate offices and the Distribution/Warehouse. The corporate offices house all the day to day business related to managing the company. Volunteer opportunities in Upward Sports' leagues include: Head coach, assistant coach, advertising commissioner, evaulation and orientation team, greeter, concessions, set-up and cleanup crew, cheerleading coach, referee, prayer partner, half-time devotion team, scorekeeper, follow-up team, and other opportunities. Foreign Missions Upward Sports began as a U.S. ministry but spread to South Africa in 2005 and has now been taken to over 70 countries. Upward Sports Missions helps churches around the world conduct leagues and camps for children ages five to thirteen. Upward Sports Missions served over 26,000 children in 2009-2010. Upward Sports currently offers two ways for churches or other organizations to take sports "on mission" with them wherever they go. These two ministry tools, Upward Sports Case and Upward Sports Mission Camps, are used for the same ultimate purpose of serving children but function differently. Upward Sports Mission Camps were introduced in 2006 and are conducted in conjunction as part of a short-term mission trip or outreach ministry. Mission Camps have been taken to Costa Rica, Sierra Leone, Canada, New York, Colorado, Ukraine, Poland and all around the world! Upward Page 18 of 51
Sports Mission Camps provide solid, short-term programming to help churches or organizations serve children in other communities through sports. Upward Sports Case, which was launched in 2010, contains everything needed for a church or organization to set up a sustainable Upward Sports Camp or League overseas. Upward Sports Case is designed to be carried by a current Upward Sports partner on an international mission trip, used to train the international church or organization and left behind to enable that church or organization to run their own league or camp.
Historical Highlights 1986 – Caz McCaslin developed a basketball program that incorporated athletic skills and values for success on and off the court—including sportsmanship, teamwork, integrity and respect for authority 1994 – McCaslin's church reached the maximum number of athletes that could participate by outpacing the gymnasium's capacity (despite a renovation); a waiting list was created 1995 – Launched first nationwide season of Upward Sports when seven churches hosted Upward Basketball Leagues with several hundred players 2000 – Expanded to include soccer and basketball cheerleading 2003 – The 1,000th church hosted an Upward Sports League 2005 – Added flag football and flag football cheerleading. Launched first Upward Sports international league in Cape Town, South Africa 2006 – More than 400,000 children participated in Upward Sports for the first time. Launched the first Upward Sports League in Canada 2007 – International expansion continued as a league launched in Ukraine 2007 – Military scholarship instituted for children of military men and women deployed overseas 2008 – First South American league launched in Brazil Page 19 of 51
2009 – Some 2,600 churches worldwide host Upward Sports Leagues with 520,000 children and 480,000 volunteers, coaches and referees in 46 states and four countries (Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Ukraine)
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Y.M.C.A. Model In the United States, the YMCA of the USA (Y-USA) is the national resource office for the Y, one of the nation‘s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children—regardless of age, income or background— to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation‘s health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. Additional information about the Y's impact can be found on ymca.net. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the role of Y-USA is to strengthen its member associations' ability to effectively carry out the Y's mission in their communities and partner with all Ys to achieve the movement's collective goals and priorities. The YMCA of the USA‘s official tagline is ―For Youth Development. For Healthy Living. For Social Responsibility.‖ The first YMCA in North America opened in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on 9 December 1851. The first YMCA in the United States opened on 29 December 1851, in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1851 by Captain Thomas Valentine Sullivan (1800–59), an American seaman and missionary. He was influenced by the London YMCA and saw the association as an opportunity to provide a ―home away from home‖ for young sailors on shore leave. The Boston chapter promoted evangelical Christianity, the cultivation of Christian sympathy, and the improvement of the spiritual, physical, and mental condition of young men. By 1853, the Boston YMCA had 1,500 members, most of whom were merchants and artisans. Hardware merchant Franklin W. Smith was the first elected president in 1855. Members paid an annual membership fee to use the facilities and services of the association. Because of political, physical, and population changes in Boston during the second half of the century, the Boston YMCA established branch divisions to satisfy the needs of local neighborhoods. From its early days, the Boston YMCA offered educational classes. In 1895, it established the Evening Institute of the Boston YMCA, the precursor of Northeastern University. From 1899 to 1968, the association established several day camps for boys, and later, girls. Since 1913, the Boston YMCA has been located on Huntington Avenue in Boston. It continues to offer social, educational, and community programs, and presently maintains 31 branches and centers. On 15 June 2012 the Boston YMCA on Huntington Avenue, one of the oldest gymnasiums in operation since 1913 closed it doors due to the sale of its historical building to Northeastern University; Northeastern University in conjunction with Phoenix Dev. Corporation will demolish the building in the very near future to make way for a 17-story building to house more Northeastern University students. The deal was made and executed by the current board of trustees of the Greater Boston YMCA and Northeastern University Corporation, with the support of the mayor of Boston Tom Menino Page 22 of 51
and City C. Mike Ross. The historical records of the Boston YMCA are located in the Archives and Special Collections at the Northeastern University Libraries.
Youth and Teen Development (After-school Programming) The YMCA offers multiple leadership programs in safe, welcoming environments throughout the nation. The programs focus on enhancing skills, building confidence, and improving academic performance. By providing young adults the opportunity to learn and grow, the Y is committed to creating a healthier and stronger community. YMCA after-school programs are geared toward providing students with a variety of recreational, cultural, leadership, academic, and social skills for development: In regard to recreation, YMCA provides athletic leagues for students in participating neighboring schools. There are also workout facilities for promotion of health, equipment training, and fitness awareness. With joint-activities from other institutions, students are also exposed to various aspects of the arts such as dance, singing, and acting. (Availability of specific activities can vary by program.) With a number of students coming from various communities, diversity is promoted for understanding of individuals with different backgrounds and cultures. Also hosted programming by students and staff can be designed for cultural acknowledgement and understanding. Leadership is promoted through mentorship and the following of the four core values—caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. Students are also given the opportunity to assist with developing, organizing, and hosting programming ideas. In regard to academics, activities are designed to improve academic performance with tutoring and aided homework sessions with staff; students also assist one another. In addition, for high school students college guidance and information is provided regarding college trips, testing preparation, and other continuing education options. Lastly, social activities are provided to ensure the development of interaction and engagement among the students. Everything from field trips and games to dances and educational discussions are organized for students. Overall, these programs serve as second homes with care, support, and encouragement for youth.
Residences Until the late 1950s, YMCAs in the United States were built with hotel-like rooms called residences or dormitories. These rooms were built with the young men in mind coming from Page 23 of 51
rural America and many foreign-born young men arriving to the new cities. The rooms became a significant part of American culture, known as an inexpensive and safe place for a visitor to stay in an unfamiliar city (as, for example, in the 1978 Village People song ―YMCA‖). In 1940 there were about 100,000 rooms at YMCAs, more than any hotel chain. By 2006, YMCAs with residences had become relatively rare in the U.S., but many still remain. The YMCA of Greater Seattle turned its former residence into transitional housing for former foster care and currently homeless youth, aged 18 to 25. This YMCA operates six transitional housing programs and 20 studio apartments. These services are offered out of their Young Adult drop-in center in Seattle, Wash. Subject to Citizen Change Model African YMCAs are known for the innovative Subject to Citizen (S2C) Change Model. S2C is designed to unlock the potential and equip youth with the skills and confidence to transform themselves and other young people, to influence positive change. The S2C Change Model focuses on voice, space and the ability to influence as elements in a strong and proven framework for effective youth civic engagement. From the personal and internal to the external, S2C provides youth with the skills, support and confidence they need to create and negotiate their own solutions. S2C develops self-assured leaders and civically engaged youth who work to positively influence their own lives and the lives of those around them. This is done by Creating a VOICE – Youth develop confidence and learn skills needed to articulate opinions, share knowledgeable viewpoints and make meaningful contributions to public discussion and debate. Accessing necessary SPACE —Youth voice is expressed in appropriate places, from student/teacher committees at the school level to youth parliaments at the country level. Shaping an ABILITY TO INFLUENCE – Youth activate their VOICE in appropriate SPACES to positively impact decision-making structures and processes and improve the lives of youth. S2C youth empowerment programs Work in communities is carried out by change catalysts who engage youth in Y-clubs in schools and R-clubs at university/college and out-of-school levels. Primary programs are: Economic Renaissance By empowering youth in two primary ways, the AAYMCA is helping young people achieve alternative wealth creation for their communities and themselves. First, youth are educated on economic realities and the mechanisms that create poverty. Second, they are equipped with knowledge to identify and access new opportunities and helped to acquire entrepreneurial skills.
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Civic Action By preparing and supporting youth who transform other youth, AAYMCA is helping to grow the number of young people who are able to speak out about issues that are of concern to them. These youth are learning how to engage with those in authority and make a positive contribution to affairs at multiple levels—from their schools to across their continent. Youth Justice By working with young people who are in conflict with the law, or at risk of entering into crime, the AAYMCA is helping to integrate youth into their community as members who make a positive contribution. This program features role-modelling and life skills training as well as both personal and entrepreneurial development. S2C leadership Working with S2C Change Catalysts and S2C ambassadors, this leadership initiative ensures that youth are groomed as young leaders who are responsible and active citizens. These young leaders represent their YMCAs from community to continental and global levels, advocating for spaces where youth are taken seriously and contribute positively to their own development. Nobel Peace Prize Laureates
1901: Henry Dunant, who co-founded the Geneva YMCA in 1852 and was one of the founders of the World Alliance of YMCAs, was awarded the first-ever Nobel Peace Prize for founding the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863, and inspiring the Geneva Convention (Convention de Genève). He shared the prize with Frédéric Passy, founder and president of the first French peace society.
1946: John R. Mott, USA, president of the World Alliance, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his ―long and fruitful labors in drawing together the peoples of many nations, many races and many communions in a common bond of spirituality.‖ John R. Mott also played an important role in the founding of the World Student Christian Federation in 1895, and the World Council of Churches in 1948.
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Y.W.C.A. Model The YWCA, or World Young Women's Christian Association, is a movement of women working for social and economic change around the world. It advocates for young women‘s leadership, peace, justice, human rights and sustainable development, both on a grassroots and global scale. It is the largest women‘s organization in the world, and the second oldest organization of its kind, second only to the Relief Society. The organization is currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. The original Christian focus is still strong in many of the national associations, but some have changed their focus to social programs and services and mission-based topics. The YWCA is independent of the YMCA, though many local YMCA and YWCA associations have amalgamated into YM/YWCAs or YMCA-YWCAs, and belong to both organizations while providing the programs of each.
1870–1930 The movement that resulted in the World YWCA began in England in 1855 in the midst of the Industrial Revolution and the Crimean War Founded through the convergence of social activist Lady Mary Jane Kinnaird‘s General Female Training Institute, and committed Christian Emma Robarts‘ Prayer Union, it sought to be a social and spiritual support system for young English women. Due to the nature of Kinnaird‘s interest in work abroad and the expansiveness of the British Empire, the initiative spread rapidly to western and northern Europe, India, and the United States. The pace and success of the World YWCA movement spoke of a considerable need for the services provided by the association, primarily access to educational and religious classes, hostels for young women, and opportunities for both service and recreation. The first world conference of the YWCA was held in 1898 in London, with 326 participants from seventeen countries from around the world. It was a pivotal point in the founding of the World YWCA, cementing the principles of unity based on service and faith on a global scale. In the beginning of the twentieth century, a profound shift began to occur within the YWCA. While industrialization had been a founding concern of the association, it had sought primarily to insulate women morally and socially from urban life. During the 1910 World YWCA conference in Berlin, however, the voices of thousands of working women from the United States were heard, and these objectives began to change. A resolution was passed requiring the association to study social and industrial problems, and to educate working women about the ‗social measures and legislation enacted in their behalf.‘ Thus the social conscience of the YWCA was born into the form that it maintains today.
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Until 1930 the headquarters of the World YWCA were in London. The executive committee was entirely British, with an American General Secretary. This policy resulted in a resolutely AngloSaxon lens through which the association viewed the world. In 1930, however, the World YWCA headquarters were moved to Geneva, Switzerland, the same city as the newly formed League of Nations. This was both symbolic of the drive to become a more diverse association, and to enable itself to fully participate with other organizations in Geneva (such as the International Committee of the Red Cross and the YMCA.) World War II The Second World War both strengthened the YWCAs of the world, and left its mark. Many of its members found it necessary to choose between their
and the
themselves
conscience safety of
and
their
families. In several countries, particularly in Eastern Europe, YWCAs were suppressed and disbanded. Throughout occupied Europe, however, women worked relentlessly to construct support systems for their neighbours and refugees, often with exceedingly limited resources. Shortly after the end of the war, the YWCA worked to fortify the bonds of women throughout the world by holding the first World Council meeting in nearly a decade in Hangzhou in 1947. This was significant in being the first World Council held outside of the West, and further voiced the desire to be an inclusive, worldwide movement. It also served to bring together women who lived in countries that had been enemies during the war, and to raise awareness among the western YWCAs that the ruin of war was not limited to Europe. During the following decades, the World YWCA spent much time researching and working with the issues of refugees, health, HIV and AIDS, literacy, the human rights of women and girls, the advancement of women and the eradication of poverty; mutual service, sustainable development Page 28 of 51
and the environment; education and youth, peace and disarmament, and young women‘s leadership. These issues continue to play an integral role in the World YWCA movement. The YWCA is now present in over 120 countries. Activities and Services Platform 51 provides accredited courses and information, advice and guidance to women from disadvantaged communities. Platform 51 helps women to make informed decisions about their lives and maintain healthy relationships. The organisation campaigns with them to change the lives of women in England and Wales. Platform 51 regularly holds events where women are given the opportunity to talk about the things that matter to them. For instance, the Wise Up programme gives girls the ability and confidence address MPs and Ministers, give TV, radio and press interviews, hold functions and deliver group sessions. The participants develop skills in leadership, communication, teamwork and self-motivation. The services provided for young women include informal educational, information and advice on all manner of things, courses, workshops and drop-in sessions, counselling and one-on-one sessions as well as crèches. YWCA services can be accessed in 14 centres across England & Wales; in Government regions of the South West, London, South East, the East and West Midlands, North West, Yorkshire and Humber in England and in South Wales. Successes Recent YWCA campaigns include the More than one rung campaign. It called for help for young women to get skills and training so they can work their way off the bottom rung of the career ladder. The More than one rung campaign led to, amongst other things, an increase in the minimum wage for apprentices from £80 a week to £95 a week. YWCA also undertook the Respect Young Mums campaign which worked towards getting better support for teenage mothers. Since 2004, the YWCA has been campaigning for young mums to get Child Support before pregnancy rather than after the baby is born. As of 2009 mothers were able to claim the Health in Pregnancy Grant from the 25th week of pregnancy (this is similar to a pregnancy premium to Income Support which we called for through Respect Young Mums campaign). By virtue of its work for the welfare and development of young people, YWCA England & Wales is a member of The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).
US Founded in 1858, YWCA USA has nearly 300 associations nationwide at close to 1,100 sites serving 2.6 million members and participants. Associations were configured into 9 regions, until 2012 when the YWCA reorganized with a new CEO and eliminated the regional structure system. Regions varied in size from 19 associations (New England) to 60 associations (Great Lakes). The other regions averaged 32 associations each. The associations employ about 14,000 Page 29 of 51
staff members - 44% are full-time and 56% part-time. In 2004 YWCA USA utilized 75,225 volunteers to deliver its services. A YWCA logo was created in 1988 by Saul Bass. In 2004 YWCA USA associations registered 2.6 million people in programs for children, youth and adults, of which 22% were helped with domestic violence programs, 8% were involved in economic empowerment & leadership development programs, 10% participated in racial justice programs, 7% were served by housing and shelter programs, 24% experienced child, youth and teen programs, 24% enjoyed the benefits of health, fitness and aquatic programs. The majority of the YWCA USA associations publicly advocate on Racial Justice, Violence Against Women, Early Childhood Education and Increasing Women's Income issues. The YWCA of The City of New York, the oldest US YWCA, is 150 years old. That organization is unique in that the organization is guided purely by human service-oriented programs rather than physical services. Such programs include Early Learning Centers, Family Resource Center, Out-of-School Programs, Professional Development Programming, and Women's Employment Programming. Such programs continue the YW mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. They are a major component of the non-profit community in New York City. They produce several fundraising events annually including the Salute to Women Leaders Luncheon, the YWCANYC Theatre Benefit (featuring the broadway hit The Color Purple in 2005 and the revival of Michael Bennett's A Chorus Line in 2006). They host an annual Summer SoirĂŠe (held at the W Hotel in 2005 and Cipriani 23rd Street in 2006) at which they present their "W" award, presented to a woman who is a visionary, an innovator, trendsetter, a woman who gives back to her community and helps those the YW serves daily: the women, girls and families of New York City. In 2005, this award was given to Marian McEvoy and in 2006 to Star JonesReynolds. Page 30 of 51
Prior to the U.S. civil rights movement, some YWCA facilities were segregated or operated as separate organizations. Advocates including Helen L. Seaborg in Washington, D.C. worked successfully to mediate mergers between the segregated groups. Today the YWCA works worldwide to eliminate racism. The YWCA USA is a preeminent provider of domestic violence programs and shelters in the United States, serving well over ½ million women and children. As comparison, the largest national hotline averages 192,000 calls per year. They are one of the largest providers of child care in the United States with nearly 350,000 children cared for, possibly more children than the largest for-profit center chain. The total income per year is $649,500,430. Of this amount, 49% is from government grants, 23% from public support (individuals, foundations, corporations) and membership fees, and 21% from program service fees. The YWCA USA is an organizational member of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, which advocates gun control. Advocacy Although 'YWCA' is often associated with hostels and fitness centers, the World YWCA sees itself as a human rights-based organization. Many association around the world run hostels, gyms, swimming pools and sports facilities, these activities form part of a strategy to prepare women - particularly young women - for leadership. The World YWCA states its purpose as: "develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls around the world to achieve human rights, health, security, dignity, freedom, justice and peace for all people". Providing women with shelter, either from abusive partners or as they migrate to the city, and building young women's confidence through sports and fitness is one of the strategies used in the YWCA movement to build leadership in women. Since the 1940s the World YWCA has focused on specific global issues including: Refugees While the YWCAs had, on various levels, been active with refugees for some time, the issue took a central focus during Israel's War of Independence. The movement officially stated in 1949 that it would ‗maintain its impartial character, meeting human needs without respect to nationality, race, creed or political conviction‘ in regard to the need to work with all peoples. Since then there have been programs to provide income and to meet the basic needs of those living in refugee camps, such as adequate healthcare, education and literacy programs, and childcare. Underpinning refugee work has been the movement for peace and justice. With its policy rooted in the 1920s, the World YWCA has emphasized peace education and justice as an integral part of the movement‘s promotion of human rights. The movement officially recognized these concepts as enmeshed during the conference in Singapore in 1983, wherein the statement was made, ―No Page 31 of 51
solution can be found for one people at the expense of another,‖ in regard to the Arab-Israeli conflict. HIV and AIDS During the World YWCA Council in Phoenix, Arizona in 1987, the World YWCA passed a resolution urging the national organizations to implement programs for education for the prevention of the spread of HIV. Today, YWCAs in 70 countries have programs related to HIV, including prevention, advocacy, treatment, care and support, and addressing stigma. The YWCA works closely with HIV-positive women on a grassroots level. Initiatives within the YWCA by HIV-positive women have allowed for the tailoring of programs to meet the specific needs of their communities. Along with HIV prevention, the World YWCA has strongly promoted access to the female condom. According to a statement made by Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, former General Secretary of the World YWCA (1998 - 2007) ―Accelerated female condom distribution and education is essential. HIV infection rates among women are rising disproportionately to men in every region of the world, and young women and girls account for 76% of infections among African youth. And when AIDS affects women, it affects entire families and communities, tearing apart social safety nets and fueling instability and conflict.‖ In 2005 the World AIDS Day statement issued by the World YWCA strongly urged national health ministries, other aid agencies, and international NGOs to purchase a minimum of 180 million second-generation female condoms for annual global distribution. The movement also called on governments to ensure that the female condom is marketed to women in local communities and promoted as an effective method to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The World YWCA recently held the first international conference on Women and HIV and AIDS. The International Women's Summit on HIV and AIDS featured speakers from UNAIDS, YWCAs and other global leaders. The Positive Women's Forum, held on the first day, was organized by and for HIV-positive women; over 300 women attended. Sustainable Development Sustainable development has also been a characterizing priority for the YWCA. In 1987, the World YWCA stated its ―extensive commitment to development that empowers women to become decision-makers and community leaders.‖ The movement has emphasized a gender and human rights approach, acknowledging the exploitative and exclusionary factors that perpetuate the feminization of poverty. The World YWCA has been involved in recent global forums on sustainable development and related issues, and is an active member of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, a network of churches and ecumenical organizations working for recognition of international human rights, social, and environmental agreements as a priority over trade agreements and policies. There are YWCA programs for sustainable development in 40 countries, ranging from literacy and Page 32 of 51
awareness building of environmental issues in Papua New Guinea to skills building and job training in Peru. Partner organisations As a principle of young women‘s leadership, the World YWCA is involved with other youth organizations, such as Youth Employment Net, European Youth Forum, and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It is also a member of CONGO, Conference of NonGovernmental Organizations in a Consultative Relationship with the United Nations. Programs
YWCA Week Without Violence
Each year during the third week in October, YWCAs worldwide focus on raising awareness on violence against women. The YWCA Week Without Violence was launched in 1995 and has grown from a grassroots initiative into a global movement with women, men and children participating in events in over 20 countries. The Canadian YWCA in particular has a strong program for working with domestic violence. The YWCA is Canada‘s largest national network of shelter (45 facilities at 24 sites) and subsidized housing for homeless women and women escaping violence. Page 33 of 51
The Violence Against Women unit in Shreveport, Louisiana, was formerly directed by the socialite and civic figure Susybelle Lyons. In 1996, she and Marilyn Joiner were co-chairwomen of a $1.1 million capital campaign drive for the Shreveport branch of the YWCA. YWCA Week of Prayer Starting in 1904, the World YWCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs have issued a joint call to prayer during the Week of Prayer and World Fellowship. During this week, the two movements pray and act together on a particular theme in solidarity with members and partners around the world. The week-long event is a Bible study based on that year‘s theme. World YWCA Day At the 1947 World Council meeting in Hangzhou, China, the decision was made to establish an Annual YWCA Membership Celebration. The 1947 Council asked the Executive Committee to assume responsibility for the design of the celebration, and in 1948 an Advisory Group of the Executive Committee conducted a survey among nation associations and defined the name, aim and timing of the soon-to-be annual event. World YWCA's Observance Day was born, to help each member see how she could act locally in relation to the theme for the year. The Wednesday or Thursday of the last week of April was chosen as the date for the Observance Day each year. In 1949 a Planning Group was formed, representing national associations, members of the Executive Committee and the World YWCA staff. Some chosen themes for the Observance Day have been: My Faith and My Work, My Place in the World, My Contribution to World Peace, I Confront a Changing World, Toward One World and My Task in Family Life Today. In 1972 an Executive Committee decided that the event name would be changed to World YWCA Day and that the theme would be chosen by the Executive Committee from among various programs decided by the World Council. A 1989 Executive Committee Task Force decided that the date of celebration for World YWCA Day would be April 24. World YWCA Councils The most recent World YWCA Council occurred in Nairobi, Kenya in July 2007, where Susan Brennan, an Australian barrister and former co-president of the YWCA of Australia succeeded Mónica Zetzsche, and Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, a UNIFEM program director and human rights lawyer from Zimbabwe succeeded General Secretary Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro. Notably during this council, the Constitution was revised to offer a more inclusive interpretation of the YWCA‘s founding principles. The first international conference on Women and AIDS was held during the World YWCA Council 2007. The International Women‘s Summit on HIV and AIDS discussed women's leadership in HIV and AIDS and featured speakers such as Dr Peter Piot, UNAIDS and Mary Robinson. The conference was organized in partnership with the International Community of Women living with HIV (ICW). A ten-point Call to Action was launched at the end of the conference. Page 34 of 51
The next World YWCA Council is set for 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand. Previous World Council venues: 2011 Year Official name Country 2011 World YWCA Council Zurich
Leadership since 1855 Past Presidents Name Country Year Mrs. J. Herbert Tritton United Kingdom 1898–1902 Mrs. George Campbell United Kingdom 1902–1906 Miss Mary Morley United Kingdom 1906–1910 Mrs. J. Herbert Tritton United Kingdom 1910–1914 The Hon. Mrs. Montague Weldgrave United Kingdom 1914–1924 The Rt. Hon. The Baroness Parmoor United Kingdom 1924–1928 The Hon. Mrs. Montague Weldgrave United Kingdom 1928–1930 Miss C. M. Van Asch Van Wijck Netherlands 1930–1938 Miss Ruth Rouse United Kingdom 1938–1946 Miss C. M. Van Asch Van Wijck Netherlands 1946–1947 Miss Lilace Reid Barnes USA 1947–1955 The Hon. Isabel Catto United Kingdom 1955–1963 Dr. Una B. Porter Australia 1963–1967 Mrs. Athena Athanassiou Greece 1967–1975 Dame Nita Barrow Barbados 1975–1983 Mrs. Ann Northcote Canada 1983–1987 Dr. Jewel Graham USA 1987–1991 Mrs. Razia Ismail Abbasi India 1991–1995 Mrs. Anita Andersson Sweden 1995–1999 Ms. Jane Lee Wolfe USA 1999–2003 Ms Mónica Zetzsche Argentina 2003–2007 Susan Brenan Australia 2007Past General Secretaries Name Country Miss Annie Reynolds USA Miss Clarissa Spencer USA Miss Charlotte T. Niven USA
Year 1894–1904 1904–1920 1920–1935 Page 35 of 51
Miss Ruth Woodsmall USA 1935–1947 Miss Helen Roberts United Kingdom 1947–1955 Miss Elizabeth Palmer USA 1955–1978 Miss Erica Brodie New Zealand 1978–1982 Mrs. Ruth Sovik USA 1982–1985 Miss Ellen Clark (acting) USA 1985–1986 Mrs. Genevieve Jacques (acting) France 1986–1987 Mrs. Elaine Hesse Steel New Zealand 1987–1997 Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro Kenya 1998–2007 Mrs. Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda Zimbabwe 2007–
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Religious Symbolism in US Sports Teams & Mascots The following is a list of American sports team names and mascots that draw upon religious symbolism. Given the prevalence of Christian groups and institutions in the United States, the vast majority of these symbols, though entirely generic, can be assumed to come from Christian sources. However, teams deriving their image from symbols belonging to other systems of religious and pseudoreligious belief have also been included, and where a lack of symbolic representation in the sports world is conspicuous—as with Jewish teams and organizations—there follows discussion as to why. Sports clubs and teams base their image or mascot on variety of factors, such as the desire of athletes to pick a symbol that will attempt to convey the assets they aim to display, such as strength, courage, aggression and endurance. Scholars have drawn connections between desires such as these and the religious totems found in polytheism, where visual representations of animals serve as symbols to express the physical and spiritual qualities of community. Adoration of a mascot by a school or company can be seen as religiously significant. However, economic factors also come into play, as both schools and sports-franchise owners want to make money. Just as an appealing, marketable symbol can generate vast revenue, so can profits suffer if a potentially offensive symbol alienates some potential fans. This consideration as well can explain why sectarian religious symbols rarely appear in sports-team names and mascots. Most of the teams listed here belong to schools and not to professional franchises. The reasons for this are subject to debate. In schools administrators, teachers, and parents act as a community to give students education in local values, and in many places these values come from religious institutions like churches and synagogues. So schools often become de facto representatives of a community's religious ideals as well as visual representatives of that community at a state, national, and international level. These conditions combine to make school sports a place for religious symbols, after they get filtered through the secular values both of the nation at large and of sport itself. This filtering produces mixed-value mascots like "Demon Deacons" of Wake Forest University and the "Hustlin' Quakers" (formerly "Fightin' Quakers", subsequently simply "Quakers") of Earlham College. Despite the sensitive nature of religious issues in the United States of America, religious imagery in American sport has generated little controversy. Subtle spins on generic symbols like the crusader have come under attack for their insensitivity to non-Christian groups, but by and large religiously inspired team names and mascots have not been scrutinized. This contrasts with team names and mascots from Native American cultural sources.
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Protestant Symbolism Included here are team names and mascots associated with Protestantism. As the list suggests the visual vocabulary of nonCatholic Christianity, particularly in American sport, does not differ significantly from Catholic Christianity. What distinguishes this section has less to do with symbols themselves and more with context. Six of these schools are affiliated with the NCAA and one is affiliated with the NAIA. Interestingly, the majority of these schools are located in Southeastern coastal states like North Carolina or South Carolina. In this part of the country religiously affiliated colleges and universities have existed since colonial times, when the majority of European Americans living in North American colonies were Protestant Christians. The religiously inspired team names and mascots are a part of this legacy, and associations between school spirit and local religious belief are therefore more historically acceptable in this part of the country. Still, it is interesting that, in spite of this legacy, the teams at most Protestant affiliated colleges and schools do not identify with religious symbols. There are nearly 1,000 Protestant colleges and universities in the U.S. alone. But out of all of these, only 14 identify with religious names or mascots. That's less than 1%. This makes sense, because not all of these names and mascots were inspired by religion. The origin of the famous Duke Blue Devil mascot for instance can be traced back to the World War I era. Units of French soldiers called "les Diables Beus" marshalled won fame in America. They inspired the Duke student body to make the Blue Devil the school's official mascot in 1911. The name was much more unpopular with the Methodism than with anyone else. The inspiration for a name or mascot also comes from relationships and in particular, rivalries with other schools. Until 1937 Wake Forest's men's athletics teams were known as "the Deacons," "the Baptists," or "Old Gold and Black." But after hiring a new coach and having way more success the school was looking for a way to show its prowess. They beat Duke in a game of football and the president prasied them for "fighting like demons" to clinch the win, so the name stuck. So the process of inventing an image for a sports team comes from relationships. Clubs and teams can make their images visual reminders of a meaningful moment in school history. Again, the suggested correlation between sports team mascots and the totems comes in to play as some Native American tribes mixed images of vanquished enemies with their own to assimilate their powers. Powerful images of demons, devils and knights remind us of the mascots of Catholic teams, but Protestant teams also draw on symbols from their own beliefs, generally involving religious leadership and including Deacons, Preachers, Evangels, Quakers and Fightin Christians. There are few professional teams that use religious symbolism in their mascots. This is probably driven by their desire to appeal to much larger and diverse fan bases than colleges and schools. Examples of this, where the name has no religious significance, include the Los Angeles Angels Page 39 of 51
of Anaheim, whose name is simply alliterative and the New Orleans Saints, whose name is derived a well-known jazz song.
Colleges and Universities
Bloomfield College Deacons, Seventh Day Adventist (NJ) Earlham College Hustlin' Quakers, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Mascot Mr. Quaker. (IN) Elon University Phoenix, previously the Fightin‘ Christians (NC) Guilford College Quakers, Religious Society of Friends (NC) Johnson Bible College, Church of Christ. Men's athletics teams nicknamed Preachers, women's nicknamed Evangels. (KY) Kenyon College Lords and Ladies, Episcopal (OH) Lincoln Christian University Red Lions, previously Preachers (men) and Angels (women). Christian churches and churches of Christ (IL) Meredith College Avenging Angels (NC) Mid-American Christian University Evangels, Church of God in Anderson, Indiana (OK) North Carolina Wesleyan College Battling Bishops in Rocky Mount NC (Methodist) Northwestern University. Known unofficially as the Fighting Presbyterian Ministers until 1924 (IL). University of Pennsylvania Quakers, Non sectarian (PA) Valparaiso University Crusaders, Lutheran. Formerly the Uhlans, a kind of light cavalry. (IN) Wake Forest University "Demon" Deacons, Baptist. (NC)
Primary, Middle, and Secondary Schools
Christian Academy of Louisville Centurions (KY). Most likely inspired by Cornelius the Centurion, traditionally held to be the first Gentile convert to Christianity. Christian Life Academy Crusaders (Baton Rouge) Episcopal School Knights (Baton Rouge) Lincoln Christian School Crusaders (GA) Southside Christian School Sabres (SC) Christ Church Episcopal School Cavaliers (SC) Shannon Forest Christian School Crusaders (SC) Franklin Central School Purple Devils (NY) Wellington High School Crusaders (KS)
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Sports World Ministries, Inc. As NFL choices made to help the models. In Ministries, to address
chaplain, ―Doc‖ Ira Lee Eshleman, witnessed the consequences of by pro athletes in their younger years, he grew a passion and heart next generation make positive choices through positive role 1978, Doc founded an organization known as Sports World Inc. The mission of Sports World Ministries was simple: problems facing our nation‘s youth by sending professional athletes to share personal life experiences with students, helping them to recognize the consequences of their choices while challenging them with a message of hope. Today, 36 years later, Sports World has encouraged over 17.5 million students, teachers, coaches and administrators along the way.
Because of their professional athletic backgrounds, these trained speakers are able to capture the hearts of students nationwide – providing the hero students so desperately need. Sports World Pros communicate that while the pressures of life continue, each individual battle can be won by making positive choices. Sports World provides opportunities to experience ongoing encouragement, as well as access to tools and resources to equip and empower students long after the event is over. Sports World Pros are experienced speakers – reaching many different audience groups in many different settings. Our Pros are available to speak in public and private schools; prisons, jails, and juvenile detention centers; business meetings and events; as well as conferences for men, women, and youth. Our Pros enjoy interacting with and motivating groups of all ages and backgrounds. They include: • Leah Amico • Jimmie Bell • Adrian Branch • Charity Butler • Michael Cobb • Steve Grant • Ken Johnson • Tim Lester • Devon McDonald • Michael Morrison • Jeff Neal • Lee Rouson • Herman Weaver
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References 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_ministry 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellowship_of_Christian_Athletes 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athletes_in_Action 4. http://www.athletesinaction.org/ 5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upward_Sports 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YMCA 7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YWCA 8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_symbolism_in_U.S._sports_team_names_and_ma scots 9. http://www.sportsworld.org/ 10. http://aianepal.com/Resources/7651_M13_Starting_SpMin.pdf 11. http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcf_recreation_and_sports_ministry_basics.pdf 12. https://s3.amazonaws.com/cache.salvationarmy.org/e8997f51-18e8-492f-ae7ca5a5a19ca82a_Sports%20Ministry%20Reflection.pdf 13. http://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/unitedchurchofchrist/legacy_url/7800/NCDMinistry-Plan.pdf?1418432526 14. http://www.salvationarmy.org/sportsministry 15. http://www.csrm.org/ 16. http://nsrmc.org/
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Attachment A Starting A Sports Ministry in the Local Church
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WRITING A NEW CHURCH MINISTRY PLAN
New Church Ministry Plan By Rev. Cameron Trimble
When starting a small business some years ago, a mentor took me aside and offered this insight— “everyone gets somewhere in life — it is a rare person who gets somewhere on purpose.” That nugget of wisdom has stuck with me as my ministry developed in the following years. While much of church planting feels spontaneous and unpredictable, strong new church starts actually begin with detailed blueprints and a clear vision from the very first day. In the United Church of Christ, we need churches with clear vision who “are going somewhere on purpose.” As a participant in the New Church Leadership Institute, we expect that you will leave this training with the ability to develop a sound, articulate and comprehensive Ministry Plan for your new church. If you are participating in our coaching program, this NCD Ministry Plan will be the blueprint that will guide and define the conversations between you and your coach in the first year of your new church. This Ministry Plan will also be a helpful tool for your conference to gauge the ways that they might further support your work.
I’ve witnessed church planters having measurable goals, a thorough ministry plan, and beginning to build strong relationships with their conferences and associations. This coaching relationship has allowed me to be in prayer and celebration with some of the finest new pastors that anyone could be acquainted with.
What is Included in a Ministry Plan? In a similar format to a business model, we are looking for: 1. A compelling statement of vision and mission, 2. Location and demographic research of your planting area, 3. General summation of your launch team, 4. A detailed, “best-guess” time line of development and implementation including the number of people you hope to have in worship at the 6 month, 1 year , 2 year , 3 year and 5 year intervals, 5. A detailed, narrative budget of years 1, 2, 3 and 5 6. Fundraising strategies
Certainly this document will change as you better understand your context and mission field. However, as in any new venture, you need a starting place. Your NCD Ministry Plan helps you find where to begin.
- Rose Wright-Scott, UCC Coach
Vision and Mission V ision Church birthing begins with your personal conviction: You recognize a need that exists – Inspiration You ‘see’ the solution – Vision A conviction grows within you that this need must be met – Determination i You take steps to begin the solution - Action i i i
Mainline and non—denominational churches are popping up everywhere across the nation. A “new church” in town does not necessarily mean you will receive interest or an enthusiastic welcome from the people living in your community. Chances are that people have a lot of questions about your church, and you will need to be prepared to articulate clearly the vision of your new church.
Your job as the church planter is to convince the community not just that your church could exist but that it should exist. There is a moral imperative to this ministry. - Cameron Trimble, NCLI Director
Their questions might include: 1. Why do we need another church? 2. What is the UCC? 3. How is your church different from all the other ones we already have? 4. Why do I need to go to church? 5. What is your church like? You will be largely responsible in leading your leadership team to ‘seeing’ the vision and ‘doing’ the mission. Therefore it is incumbent upon you to build your case for why this church — your church — is needed in the community and will change their lives. In this section of your Ministry Plan, you will want to include two separate visions sections. The first should be your conversational response. This is literally what you would say to someone who says, “tell me about your church.” This statement should be short, succinct, and give them the basic information they need to see the vision of your church. Tell Me About Your Church: _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
When you have that basic statement completed, you will then want to flesh it out a bit more. You might include some of the values of your new church and important statements that define how you want your church to be known. These should be specific — words that provide clear pictures of the uniqueness of your church. Avoid words like “friendly” or “kind”. Every church wants to be friendly and kind. You want to be distinctive. How is your church different from all of the others in the neighborhood? How can your church change lives? Why does your church matter? What is your written Vision for your church? How can you make it memorable? _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
M is sio n
A Mission Statement is an outcome oriented value statement that seeks to respond to the why of your congregation’s existence. It describes what you will strive to accomplish through the grace and help of God. Although it arises from your vision and core values, it leads us beyond ourselves into the world. This statement can be the basis of future sermon series, Bible studies, theological discussion groups, etc. You will want to hold this statement before your people constantly as a reminder of why this church exists. Mission statements are about “how.” How are you going to accomplish your vision? How are you going to build a progressive Christian community? What is your mission for your church? Write it below: We will live into our vision by… _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. John 4:35, NRSV
Demographic Research
It goes without saying that knowing the community in which you hope to plant a church is critical to ensuring the success of your efforts. Demographic research is a helpful first step in providing insight into the lives of the people in your mission field. As a church planter in the United Church of Christ, you have access to a number of demographic research tools: x x x
Remember that the success of any new church is based upon our ability to match model with mission field -- we must use a church planting model that most effectively responds to the expectations and needs of the people in your community.
PERCEPT reports are available to you through your conference office or the national setting, UCCvitality.org has an online demographic tool, Local census data available through your county government website.
With this information, you will have statistical data that paints a clear picture of potential church members. You will have data about their income, race, gender, family structures, social concerns, age, religious affiliations, political interests and preference of worship styles. If you are prone to enjoy research, you can amass tons of demographic information with very little effort. Yet this is only the beginning of your demographic research. Reports generated by outside organizations are not enough to give you the connections and insights you need to plant your church. You now need to take this information that you have found through your private research and verify it by talking with the people in your mission field. Go walk the streets, talk to neighbors, meet shopkeepers and store owners, and talk to other local church pastors. Ask them the following or similar questions: x x x x x x x x x
Why do you love living in this community? What kind of social and political organizations do you belong to? What concerns do you have for your community? Do you think this neighborhood would embrace a new church? Do you currently attend church? Which one? What do you like about that church? What kind of church would you be interested in attending if you don't attend a church now? If we were to plant a UCC church in this neighborhood, would you come? Do you have any friends that would also be interested in being part of a UCC community? Who else should I talk to? Can you give me their contact information and/or introduce me to them?
What are some other helpful questions that you could ask? __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ These conversations often become the foundation upon which you determine your church planting model, find your team members and meet the community leaders you need to know as you build your church. Remember that the success of any new church is based upon our ability to match model with mission field—you must use a church planting model that most effectively responds to the expectations and needs of the people in your community. Our strongest new churches are those which are birthed in the hearts of the people who live in the community. The people living in your mission field will tell you what kind of church they need. Your job is to listen, pray, discern and together build the church God is calling into being.
Summation of Your Launch Team
Church planting is a contact sport. You cannot plant a church by yourself. You will need a team of people to help you network, organize, gather and train those who respond to your invitation to be part of a new church. This team should come from your mission field and be a group of people who shares your conviction that this church should exist. They are willing to give sacrificially of their time, talents and treasures to ensure that this church is a success. In most cases, they will be among the first members of your church. I would encourage you to be discerning about who you put on your launch team. Pay attention to their motivation, health and skill sets as you anticipate future needs of your new church. Your launch team should consist primarily of spiritual "worker bees" - people with deep faith and strong leadership skills willing to work tirelessly to plant this church. They should be team players committed to embracing and executing God’s vision of this new church as expressed through the discernment of your group. They should also respect your position as church planter and help you respond to points of resistance as a united front. Your launch team ideally will also bring helpful skill sets to the team. Perhaps someone is a graphic/web designer and could help you with your technological needs. Perhaps someone is a business person in the community and can help you network with important leaders. Perhaps someone is a member of the local PTA board and can introduce you to parents and teachers. Perhaps someone is a real estate agent and can help you meet new people who move into your community. Your launch team should be willing to draw on their skills, networks and social connections to get people involved with your new church.
The people living in your mission field will tell you what kind of church they need. Your job is to listen, pray, discern and together build the church God is calling into being.
Who are the members of your launch team? What are their leadership gifts?
Launch Team Member
Leadership Gifts
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But you will receive
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power when the Holy
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Spirit has come upon
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you; and you will be my
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witnesses in Jerusalem,
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in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
Biographical Statement of the Pastor
earth. - Acts 1:8, NRSV
Leadership is the key to successful new church development. While the health and dedication of the leadership team and the matching of model to the mission field are critical parts of the formula, having the right leader ultimately defines the success or the failure of the new church. Calling, training and personal passion are the hallmarks of our best church planters. Discernment of your call to plant a church requires a critical awareness of your gifts, skills and limitations. Wise leaders prepare themselves for the work ahead over a lifetime of experiences. Your biographical statement should reflect the ways in which God has prepared you for this work throughout your life. When writing your biographical statement, be sure to touch on some of the following subjects: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Your faith journey including your denominational affiliations, Your core values and how you live into them in your daily life, The experiences you have had that equip you to plant a church, Your best case church planting scenario, Your vision for the church you are interested in starting.
Timelines and Benchmarks
Setting goals for the development of your new church helps both you, your leadership team and your conference supervisory body measure the success of your church planting efforts. In the end, church planting is about numbers — the number of contacts you make per week, the number of people who visit your church and the number of people who stay after the first visit. Knowing what to measure and how to measure your progress helps everyone determine appropriate next steps as you develop a church. As you begin plotting the timeline for your new church, pay particular attention to articulating numeric goals including: x x x x x x x x x
Monthly attendance goals of prospect members, The number of contacts per week made by the pastor, The number of contacts per week made by the leadership team, The number of active prospects you are nurturing, The number of small groups you have running, The number of people participating in small group gatherings, The number of small group leaders you have trained, Anticipated offering levels, Budget requirements for each phase.
This timeline and the goals that you attach to it will serve as your guide in working with your leadership team, your conference and your coach. This document is not set in stone — rather, it is a working document that deserves editing and adaptation based upon changes in context.
Budget
Planting a church takes a lot of money. Maintaining a church takes even more money. Careful planning is the key to responsible stewardship. Having completed your timeline, you now want to build a budget around your anticipated steps for development. You will want to be sure to include the following: x x x x x x x
Y
Pastor and staffing salary packages, Outreach marketing and promotion, Printing and office supplies, Computer equipment and software, Worship supplies and equipment, Facility and office space, Fellowship and discipleship events.
In the end, church planting is about numbers — the number of contacts you make per week, the number of people who visit your church and the number of people who stay after the first visit.
Fellowship and discipleship events. You also need to include an income section in your budget. What income do you anticipate receiving? Is your conference offering you matching funds or seed funding? Are other local churches willing to provide financial support or donate some of the needed supplies? How much money do you anticipate raising through fundraising? How much money might you receive through grant writing? How much money do you anticipate the participants in your new church contributing each month? x
Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few… - Matthew 9:37, NRSV
With this beginning budget in place, you now have a clear picture of the financial opportunities and challenges that your new church faces. You will want to share this document with your conference, your leadership team and your coach to receive their feedback and their support.
Fundraising Strategies
Every effective church planter is also a skilled fundraiser. Raising money for the support of your new church will require a significant amount of energy on the part of the pastor and the leadership team. A common mistake that many church planters make is assuming that giving from those attending the church will be sufficient to support the needs of the growing congregation. You will need an infusion of cash in the five years that is often greater than the giving levels of the congregation. You need to plan for this gap in funding so as to avoid the classic mistake of a premature launch. You will want to plan in three basic phases: a start-up budget, an operational budget, and salary support. Breaking the financial needs down into these three categories is beneficial when it comes to raising support. For example, some people give financial support based on relationship. These individuals will most likely be drawn to give to support the planter’s salary. Other individuals like to give a gift to meet a concrete need, like a LCD projector or drum set. The leadership team and growing number of attendees will likely want to give toward the ongoing operation of the new church. Dividing gifts— giving—into these three categories organizes the needs into manageable categories. A start-up budget consists of those things required for launching a new church. These items include initial marketing strategy, worship equipment, nursery and preschool equipment, rental deposits, insurance, signs, letterhead, etc. Some of these items will be included later in operational costs, but are also part of the initial start-up cost. The operation budget consists of those things that recur and make up an annual budget.
These items should fall into such categories as missions, personnel, facilities, administration, and ministry. It is important to build good financial systems from day one. Here are some possible fundraising outlets: x Virtue capitalists who make one time large donations because of personal relationships with a participant in the new church, x Friends and family letter campaign, x Online donation campaign, x Granting organizations, x Partnerships with other local churches. What other fundraising outlets can you identify? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ People need a reason and opportunity to give. People with resources are often looking for a good reason and opportunity to give. They have lived their entire lives making good use of their resources and are looking to invest their resources in credible ways that will make an impact in the lives of other people. Give them that reason!
Summary
Once completed, this NCD Ministry Plan becomes the blueprint for the birth of your new church. The details and timelines will change as you get further involved in the planting process. These changes should be made with your leadership team, partnering churches and conference staff. This plan is a starting place as you begin the courageous work — the holy work — of building sacred community. You are embarking on a journey that will change your life and the lives of the countless who will join you. Keep the faith, and remember that you are not alone in this work. If you have any questions about this process, be in touch with your conference staff or contact Rev. Cameron Trimble at ctrimble@secucc.org.
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Creator and of Redeemer and of the Holy Spirit‌ And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. - Matthew 28:19-20 , NRSV
www.ucc.org/newchurch
Attachment B Recreation and Sports Ministry Basics
Page 46 of 51
Let's start our own sports club Resources Manual "Even the longest journey, starts with the first step" (Chinese proverb)
By Arnfinn Solli
Livingstone City Council Draft 2507 2003
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How to use this manual The manual is intended to serve as a tool for community leaders that intends to improve sports in the community. You do not need to have education or money to make the first steps. A heart for the right to play and enjoy sport for the children and youth will be enough qualification. Use your feet and go around to offices that might assist you. The manual will guide you about what office to go to and what service you can ask for at that particular office. If they for various reasons can not give you the service you came for, ask them to advice you on alternatives or other places you can go and get that support. Forge partnership with other people in the community who know more than you and can fill in where you come short. For instance, when you need to make contacts to organise support to the club, ask the families in your community for small donations to pay for stamps or important phone calls or send an e-mail. When you need to write an application for funds, ask the local school teacher or a retired civil servant to write the letter for you. When you need to start sport on the local school sports field, ask the headmaster and talk to the Parent teacher association (PTA) chairperson for permission. Make your point by reminding them that the young benefiting from the club activities are the pupils from the school. Your club is enhancing the school’s physical education efforts. Basically, this manual will enlighten you about some of the opportunities that exist in Zambia. The focus is on Government, District Councils and charitable voluntary organisations that have as its objective to deliver various services to sports efforts in the community. Those many offices, institutions and organisations that has among its objectives an obligation to provide services to sport and community activities might at times not be effective due to insufficient funding and staff training. Despite their shortcomings, you, as a concerned community member will be valuable to these organisations by asking for their assistance so they can improve through learning about the need for Sports development in the Community.
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Sport for All You have a problem; - there are too many children in your neighbourhood who are not kept busy through sport, play and recreational activities, and therefore might resort to mischief. Therefore these children are missing a lot of mastering skills, joyful experiences, learning ethics, discipline and leadership that should have prepared them for adulthood in the community. You may ask: Is it possible to start our own club when we have no facilities, no money and no equipment? You may reply that it is impossible. Be aware that your reply is based on your personal experience of how you have seen sports when you grew up. You may see a sports club as a building with an ablution block and a social club surrounded by nice grounds where a paid coach gives instruction to the athletes using nice equipment such as balls and nets. On the other hand, how were the sports activities organised in your grandparents’ days in the village? They also taught children and youth at initiation, about hunting and many traditional sport games as well as transferring traditional culture without any paid instructors, - without any sports grounds or buildings. Their emphases were on teaching practical sporting and leadership skills similar to your need in the community today! Who were the instructors? Their "coaches" were the able knowledgeable men and women or volunteers in the community. Those days when you served the community by teaching the young, you were highly respected, you were trusted and your status was enhanced because of the service you rendered the community. Learn from your forefathers! Do like them, use what you have available where you live, and build an active sporting environment from your own resources! They believed in utilising the available resources in their locality. Their resource base was local and sustainable and will be sustainable for your club as well. You too should see sport as play and education and a valuable activity in the development of your community in partnership with other organisations.
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The First Steps A community effort First of all get your community and the parents interested in your idea of making sport available to the young, and may be to all ages in your neighbourhood? There are many ways of doing this, call a meeting, go door to door and inform, brief the teachers to tell their pupils, make announcement in the Churches, put up posters or visit the “free play groups” around your community as they train in the late afternoon. A community sports club can never be a “one woman or man show”. You need help to identify people with interest and previous experience from sports. Coaching and administration are equally important. Identify people whom you can ask to assist. If the parents understand your intentions, then boys and girls will be released from home duties and will be allowed to come for the training sessions. Make sure that the club from the start is a safe place from abuse so orphans and girls are known to be cared for and protected by the club’s leaders. Find your coaches Look for people in your community who are known to have been keen on sports in the past, as athletes or administrators. They could be school-leavers, boys and girls from grade 9, 10, 11 or 12 and adults who are currently idle. Go and visit them one by one and convince them to join your community sport programmes. They will be useful for the community and for themselves. They will gain experience and get exposed positively when assisting your community sports club and consequently new opportunities will open up for them in a sports discipline or in the society at large. You kill two birds with one stone; creating exposure opportunities for school-leavers and adults while providing play and physical activities for all children and youth in your community. Opportunities are scarce for school-leavers and therefore volunteering at the community sports club, may become a break through in their lives. Now you have unqualified volunteer coaches, which is a good start. Try to ask 10 people to assist your club as volunteers, - 8 may insist to be paid and therefore will refuse, that is ok, forget about them, - work with the two remaining who see benefit for themselves in the long term working with your club. Find your administrator You also need people to administer the club and to coach. Look around in your community for retired people who have been sports leaders or coaches, to serve as coaches and leaders. Also look for civil servants or any other adult with some education and work experience. The people you need are there. Some may refuse, but you will keep asking until you find one who can agree. After all it is an honour to be asked to 4
take such an important task for the community. Find a place to practice Then you need a ground to play and practise with your children and youth within walking distance. In Livingstone there are plenty of idle grounds run by various sports clubs around town. These grounds are mostly owned by the City Council and are leased to the clubs, but the City Council has at heart that the grounds must serve the needs of youth and children for play and sports. Contact the City Council for permission to have access to the sports fields if the sports clubs are unwilling to allow you access to their grounds. What sports disciplines for a start? In the beginning when you have no funds to buy equipment, start with the traditional sports. Arrange competitions and leagues locally for the various age groups to make publicity and stimulate interest. Ask old people to teach about the various games, the rules and the skills. Otherwise the least expensive sports discipline is probably athletics’; running. Other sports, like netball and football, do not incur costs either as you can use a homemade ball for training in the beginning. Then hold some fundraising in conjunction with any festival or tournament. For instance bring your members with placards announcing the club and buckets with soap water and wash cars while people are enjoying the function. When coming out the drivers will sympathise with your cause and pay something. Use the income to buy better balls and equipment. Congratulations You have taken your first steps and started your own community sports club at almost no cost! If you wish you do not need to read any further as your club is a fully sustainable activity based entirely on self help. However, we are aware that some clubs have ambitions to grow, get more members, get better facilities and improve on caching and income to the club. For those that want to excel in sport, we have written the last part of the manual below. You will see the club will soon be the pride of your community!
Step by step and your sports club will grow "God helps those who help themselves" Some people say when seeing half a glass of water: "The glass is half empty", they look at it from a negative point focusing on what is missing, others say "the glass is half full" and focus on the positive that still there is plenty of water! We are aware that running a community sports club is no easy task, however, we would like you to look at the bright side; the glass is half full, - therefore this pamphlet will 5
attempt to guide you to look for a lot of opportunities for assistance that your club is entitled to, or be aware of various sources of assistance you can use in your initiative and apply to for help. One step at a time Do not look too far ahead! Take on today's problems and look for assistance and advice from people who know better as problems arise. In this way your club will grow slowly and your community will understand and support the community sports club under the way as it grows at the pace your community is capable of supporting. Do not despair when problems seem to be lining up. Remember, to any problem there are at least two solutions, - just seek advice and look for the solutions when the community sports club is in hardship! For example if nobody comes forward and show interest, - may be you have asked the wrong people! Or rather than involving politicians, look for the genuinely respected soft spoken leaders and people that have a love for sport. Stay away from people that come to the club for economic gain, the club only needs volunteers that are willing to work and contribute because they want to see local sport develop for the sake of the children and community. Your committee Conduct elections among parents, guardians, leaders, coaches and the young athletes to elect a Community Sports Club Committee. Then give your new community sports club a name and adopt a constitution. Decide on a small, nominal membership fee that is important for the show of commitment and belongingness. For instance charge K 1000 per member per term. If so needed, add on to the membership fee through your first fundraising car wash at the next golf tournament event. After registering your community sports club You may request for the following benefit to your community sports club when you have registered with the District Sports Officer or District Community Development Officer. The correct office to look for depends on how your district is organised. However you have to be vigilant and ask now and again, as you will not get anything unless you are persistent and keep pushing! Make your request to the District Community Development Officer. Request the District Sports Officer (DSO) for a free copy of the standard community sports club constitution, which is developed by the Sport for All Project and available from National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ). Or you may ask a Sports Association for a copy of their constitution as a sample to amend for your club’s need. Request the DSO to have your club registered with the District Sports Advisory Council. If this body is not active in your area, urge the DSO to have it established. Request the DSO for free copies of coaching pamphlets in the sports disciplines you would like to include in your club’s training programme. The DSO should assist you to access the materials from National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) or from the national, provincial or district association of the sports discipline of your interest. 6
Request the DSO to be invited to short courses for your volunteer coaches and leaders that are arranged from time to time by the District Sports Advisory Council, the Provincial Sport Advisory Committee, the District Board of Health, UNICEF or the voluntary Non Governmental Organisations. The Ministry of Sport, Youth and Child Development have an office in all the provinces. The Sports officer gives technical advice and co-ordinate sports activities. Sometimes they give equipment and material support. The District Council may assist the sports clubs with facilities. Request DSO to connect you to University of Zambia (UNZA), Department of Physical Education for coaching, teaching materials and advice on traditional games, if you want to practise traditional sports/ games. Make your request to the District Education Officer (DEO) Request the (DEO) District Education Officer to help you acquire free coaches’ manuals from the Curriculum Development Centre of the Ministry of Education in Lusaka in Physical Education for your community sports club. Request the DEO for application forms to send your grade 12 volunteer coaches for Physical Education teachers’ training at a college after coaching at your community sports club for a few years. Request DEO to have your community sports club attached to an established government school for professional and administrative support and for co-operation on physical education and sport. Be community supportive and offer your coaches for teaching sports in the community schools and orphanages in your area.
Support from other sources Netball Association of ZAMBIA When engaged in netball, this is your mother body. When your netball team need to be challenged to compete outside your community or need to learn better coaching skills, they have the network and the instructors to train your coaches, umpires, referees and administrators. Register with the District Association or the Provincial Association, whichever are currently active in your area. You may also contact the national body to ask for advice. P.O.Box 71869, Ndola, Tel 02 65 53 25 Football Association of ZAMBIA (FAZ) When engaged in football, this is your mother body. When your football team need to be challenged to compete outside your community or need to learn better coaching skills, they have the network and the instructors to train your coaches, umpires, referees and administrators. Register with the District Association or the Provincial Association, whichever are currently active in your area. You may also contact the national body to ask for advice. P. O. Box 34751, Lusaka. Tel. 01 22 11 45. Tel. 01 23 78 75. Zambia Amateur Athletic Association When engaged in athletics’, this is your mother body. When your team needs to be challenged to compete outside your community or need to learn better coaching skills, 7
they have the network and the instructors to train your coaches, umpires, referees and administrators. The association might have support funds if you apply. Register with the District Association or the Provincial Association, whichever are currently active in your area. You may also contact the national body to ask for advice. E-mail: zaaa@zamnet.zm, P.O.Box 30521, Lusaka, Tel. no 01 22 67 92/22 67 77
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Judo Association of ZAMBIA When engaged in judo, this is your mother body. When your judo team need to be challenged to compete outside your community or need to learn better coaching skills, they have the network and the instructors to train your coaches, umpires, referees and administrators. Register with the District Association or the Provincial Association, whichever are currently active in your area. You may also contact the national body to ask for advice. Zambia Basketball Association When engaged in basketball, this is your mother body. When your basketball team need to be challenged to compete outside your community or need to learn better coaching skills, they have the network and the instructors to train your coaches, umpires, referees and administrators. Register with the District Association or the Provincial Association, whichever are currently active in your area. You may also contact the national body to ask for advice. P.O.Box 35450, Lusaka, Tel. 01 25 44 55, Fax 01 25 40 05, Other Sports Associations Be aware that there are in all 27 Sports Associations in Zambia registered with NSCZ. Ask (NSCZ) National Sports Council of Zambia for their addresses. Sport in Action (SiA) Sport in Action is a non-governmental organisation that offers guidance and training courses. Most of their expenses when arranging courses are funded by UNICEF. Another of their sponsors is The Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF). They are concerned about training peer coaches in sports leadership and HIV/Aids awareness and development of traditional sports and games. Cell 097 82 17 97, Tel. 01-229836, Fax no. 01-229836. The Office address is at 15 Obote road, Madras, P. O. box 5144, Lusaka. E-mail: sia@zamtel.zm, Director Clement Chileshe Edusport “Edusport� is a non-governmental organisation that offers guidance and training courses. Most of their activities and courses are funded by (NORAD) Norwegian Agency for International Development and The Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF). They are concerned about training young peer coaches in sports leadership and HIV/Aids awareness through sports. Cell no 096 450114, Tel. no. 01-221919. The Office address is at 58 Malata road, Madras, P.o.box 51334, Lusaka. E-mail: edusport@yahoo.com, Director Kabanda Mwansa Sport for All (SFA) at National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) 8
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Sport for All is a department under National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) that offers guidance and training courses to community sports initiatives. They are concerned about training peer coaches in coaching, leadership and fundraising/ administration. They have training materials available in a number of sports disciplines and administrative subjects. The Office is at the National Sports Development Complex (NASDEC), P. O. Box 33474 Lusaka.Telephone no. 01 250321, fax no. 01250321 Cellular phone no. 097 84 72 56. E-mail: nscz@zamtel.zm Trainers and Coaches The Sport for All office at NSCZ may also have archives over some of the trainers that were educated over 10 years under “the Sport for All Project.” Ask them for the names of trained people in your area so that you can look for them and encourage them to assist. National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) This is a mixed voluntary and state body for sports development in the country. The Government nominates half of the members of the Council and the Chairman, and the Associations elect the other half of its members. The funds they receive from Government for sports development are distributed through the Sports Associations and the Provincial Sports Offices. NSCZ also receive funds for projects from their sister organisations in Norway, from Canada and UK that also support the sports NGO’s such as Sport in Action and Edusport. When you need assistance from NSCZ, ask the District Sports Officer or the Provincial Sports Officer to connect you to NSCZ. These officers are now also connected to programmes like the “Kicking Aids Out” network and community directed sports organisations such as “Edusport” “Sport in Action” (SiA) and Sport For All that all uses sport as a vehicle in the Aids awareness campaign. NSCZ will assist you to source training materials from a number of sports disciplines and administrative subjects. If the materials you need are not available in Zambia, they will be able to order from sister organisations abroad. The Office is at the National Sports Development Complex (NASDEC), P. O. Box 33474 Lusaka.Telephone no. 01 250321, fax no. 01-250321. Email: nscz@zamtel.zm
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Comments In case you want to comment on your response from NSCZ, SFA, SiA or Edusport directly to their sponsor, the address is NIF, Servicebox 1, Ullevål Stadion, N-0840 Oslo, Norway. Ministry of Youth, Sports and Child Development This is the overall body for sports development in the country. The funds they receive from Government for sports development are distributed through NSCZ, sports associations and Provincial Sports Offices. Telephone no. 01 25 39 82 or 25 38 71 or 23 18 79 or 23 24 33. Zambia Olympic Sports Committee (ZOSC) This is an independent national sports body that receives funds annually from the 9
International Olympic Committee, if they make a project proposal and apply, to develop sports for women and for the disadvantaged communities, they may have funds available to support community sports initiatives. Propose through a ZOSC member in your area. P. O. Box 36119, Lusaka. Tel 01 23 53 60 Churches Community sports clubs co-operating with or initiated by churches have good chances to get support from sister churches both within the country and from abroad, provided the community sports club committee can prove to be accountable and trustworthy. Partnerships with civic organisations and others Many foreign donor agencies and embassies have funds aiming to support awareness efforts in the communities such as HIV/Aids, health/STI, human rights, democracy and environment care. The donors have realised that the awareness efforts directed towards the children and youth works more efficiently when done through play and enjoyable sports and recreational activities in the community sports clubs. In case your club is interested in getting access to such funding for capacity building in sport and assist in awareness campaigns, your sports club needs to make contacts and establish partnership with Non Governmental organisations (NGO’s) in your area. Look for organisations such as World Vision, “Redd Barna”( the Norwegian Save the Children), Scope OVC, Family Health Trust, Red Cross Society, District Health Office, YWCA, YMCA, human rights organisations or environmental awareness organisations. Despite the fact that foreign donor agencies and embassies do not have funds for sports development, they still may fund sports development indirectly. They fund awareness efforts through sports in the communities about issues such as HIV/Aids, health/STI, human rights, democracy and environment through the NGOs. Your club may benefit by having your training programme and capacity building funded through partnership with the NGOs mentioned above. Foreign donor agencies and embassies Be aware that the club may not successfully apply to the donors and embassies for the above mentioned funds because the application must only be submitted by one of the above partner organisations. Look up the addresses in the telephone directory that you can read free of cost and take notes when visiting Zamtel, DEO and other Government or private offices. Just to mention a few donors, look for SIDA (Sweden), NORAD (Norway), FINNIDA (Finland), Embassy of European Union, Belgium, British High Commission, DANIDA (Denmark), Italy, Ireland etc. Apply only through your civic organisation partner! However, for instance in the case of the American Embassy, apply to "The American Ambassador's self help fund", the club may apply directly for funds to this self help project. Hope for African Children Initiative (HACI) This is a new umbrella organisation comprising Plan Zambia, Family Health Trust, 10
CARE Zambia, World Vision, and Society for Women and AIDS in Africa Zambia (SWAAZ), and the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP). HACI provides a conduit for funding that stimulates rapid scale-up of successful care for orphans and vulnerable children. When you intend to make sports programmes for vulnerable children and orphan this will be one place to apply. The HACI Country Programme Council, c/o CARE International- Zambia, P. O. Box 36238, LUSAKA. Lion’s club, Rotary, Jaycee’s and local businesses Find out if there are service clubs, such as Lion’s club, Round Tables, Rotary, Jaycee’s etc. in the area where you live. You may apply to them for support to improve your community sports club. Explain what you want to buy/construct/improve and enclose a detailed cost estimate of the expenses you appeal to them to support. Be realistic and apply for the funds needed only and not large amounts. Make a follow up visit after submitting your application letter, see the club Chairperson to explain your application and invite him/her to come and see the community sports club. You can apply in your club’s name and you do not need support through a partnership when applying to these sponsors. Businesses like Sun Hotel and Shoprite have an interest to support community initiatives and the application from the sports club might be welcome. Provided you write a proper application letter with a budget, the chances are good to be funded by the service clubs above or the business houses. SCOPE OVC Strengthening Community Partnership in Empowering Orphans and Vulnerable Children (Scope OVC) is a non-governmental organisation that support community based projects that improve the livelihood of the less privileged people. Among the projects they support are survival skills training. Apply through your civic organisation partner to SCOPE OVC, P. O. Box 36238, Plot 4624, Mwaimwena Road, Rhodes Park, Lusaka, and Tel. 01 25 53 43, 25 22 46, 25 16 95, fax 25 23 04. E-mail: scope@zamnet.zm or their local office in your area. Micro projects Unit (MPU) When you are ready to improve the community sports club and rehabilitate the grounds or turn the old building into a proper club with ablution block, changing room etc., contact MPU that is funded by the European Union. In Livingstone the office is situated at the Mosi U Tunya house. Their aim is to ensure sustainable development through community participation. Ask for application forms from MPU. They will give further advice on how to go about the application. Address: Micro projects Unit, P. O. Box 50268, Lusaka, Tel. 01 25 25 19/ 25 37 23. E-mail: mpu@mpu.org.zm. The club can apply directly in its own name and chances to be funded are good provided the club is prepared to mobilise plenty self help work. Zambia Social Investment Fund (ZAMSIF) When you are ready to expand your community sports club and build your own permanent ablution block or build your sports field contact Zamsif that is funded by the World Bank. In Livingstone the office is situated at the Permanent Secretary's building. They add funding to your own self-help efforts. After your community has collected all the stones and sand to the building site that is needed to construct the community sports 11
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club or the sports grounds, ask for application forms from your District planning officer at the District council. They will give further advice as your community sports club now is eligible for funding. The chances to be funded are good provided the club is prepared to mobilise plenty self help work. Land Before you start the application process for funds to improve the sports grounds or build the ablution block, the club must have ownership of the land where the building will be located and constructed. Speak to the owner of the land that may be the Chief or the District Council and get their consent to your club project and secure a title deed. Get enough land so the club can expand in the future, although in the beginning you just need enough for the first building, sports fields and play grounds. Transport When preparing to apply for the funding of a self-help club project, you will need transport assistance to take sand and stones to the building site in order to qualify for funding. Your club members and parents must be sensitised to do the manual work. Ask private businesses that have trucks to transport cheaply for you as a part of their community commitment. The same is possible to arrange with some Government offices or District/City Councils that have trucks. However, first you have to fundraise to have enough money to pay for the cost of oil and fuel. You may also try to apply to Lion’s club, Rotary, the Mosque, the Hindu’s, the Church or similar organisations to assist the club paying for the fuel costs. Department of Community Development If your community sports club feels like taking on the task of offering education to those that missed out school when they were young, you may ask for help at Department of Community Development or from District Education Officer. They have an office at the District Council. They will advice you on how you can adapt sports education materials to literacy training and train your illiterate coaches. When you need funds to adult education, apply to the same sources we have recommended in this manual. Twin community sports clubs Modern tourists wish also to see how real life is in Zambia. The community sports club is a colourful, magnificent demonstration of local initiative and co-operation. Arrange with a tour operator to take their clients/tourists for a guided tour to your community sports club. Be prepared to hold a talk and give out a written presentation about the community sports club with the address and an expressed wish that you are looking for a twin/friendship community sports club aboard. Also have a donation box available and you might raise some funds this way, as well as making friends with children and coaches and leaders from far away places. Mind you, some tourists are coaches and leaders or members of sports clubs in their home countries and can become your “Ambassadors”, - if you inspire them in that direction. Volunteers from abroad Some countries support volunteer services that place volunteers to support local communities without any cost for you. Some of them might ask you to nominate a host 12
family where the volunteer can stay. The countries that are known to fund sports volunteers are: USA has the Peace Corps, Japan has the Japan Overseas Volunteer Service, Norway has Fredskorpset, the UK has VSO, Finland has Finnish volunteer service and Denmark has MS. These volunteer services are sometimes operating under their embassy and sometimes they are non-governmental and independent of the embassy. Any way, the various embassies will give you the addresses you need to find that country’s volunteer service’s office in Zambia. If for instance, a group of community sports clubs apply jointly for a volunteer to work with many community sports clubs in an area, your chances are better to present a successful application. SCORE (Score) Sports Coaches Outreach is a South African voluntary organisation with a branch in Zambia. Score is engaged in the international exchange of sports volunteers and training and placement of volunteers in local communities. They work closely with Sport in Action, Edusport and National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ). Score is funded by NIF (The Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports). The Score office is at the National Sports Development Complex (NASDEC), P. O. Box 33474 Lusaka E-mail: scorezambia@yahoo.com, Cell. No. 097 875797. Project Coordinator Pelle Kvalsund Follow up your initiatives! Note that whenever applying for support somewhere, - make follow up enquiries by personal visit or by telephone to find out if your letter was received, - or may be you omitted some important information so your application is not attended to. If you are not used to writing an application, seek advice from partners you trust, look for one among those we have mentioned earlier on. We wish you good luck in your very noble task of providing sports to the children in your community. You will succeed by going step by step, - and this journey will surely take you very far. Do you need more coaching? If you get stuck somewhere in the process of developing your community sports club, or you feel that the assistances we have recommended to you, are disappointing you, – you are welcome to contact the writer of this "step by step" manual: Arnfinn Solli, P. O. Box 60393 Livingstone, e-mail: arnfinnsolli@hotmail.com, and I will reply to your questions as soon as possible. If you have good experience of getting assistance I like to hear from you about that as well to commend them in the next edition Help us improve “Let’s start up our own sports club” If you experience other opportunities that are not mentioned in this pamphlet, or that I have given you wrong advice, please send me corrections so that the next edition can be better than the first one.
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Recommendation to the implementers, The manual is a catalogue over some of the currently available support in Zambia for communities that want to start or develop a sports club. However, the catalogue is mainly accessible to educated people which might be few in disadvantaged communities. There is therefore a need to train facilitators on how to communicate the manual's intentions and facts as well as coach the communities to overcome obstacles encountered when trying to acquire the support tabled in the manual. The facilitators could be community development field staff, church staff and others that have a heart for the vulnerable. The facilitators must learn the sociology of poverty and the lack of alternatives. Disadvantaged areas tend to focus on obstacles rather than opportunities and this may easily make the communities give up when approaching a problem such as meeting disinterested or negative people when asking for support from the authorities such as organisations, institutions and offices. The facilitators must coach the participants in understanding their rights and learn how to handle the short comings and ineffectiveness of some of the support agencies. They must learn to be patient, persistent and vigilant in order to receive the support they are entitled to. Each entry in the manual has limitations as well as may open up possibilities depending on how they go about presenting their needs and follow up their application to that particular agency/organisation. The facilitator course must explain thoroughly each entry in the manual so the communities can be realistic when seeking support. The manual is the back up, the encouragement and the facts, the resource book for the facilitators. For the communities it is a reassurance print, a book of opportunities they know is there to guide them, written specifically for them, listing support from the perspective of getting support to their sports club. Depending on the level of leadership the various communities will be able to recruit to the sports committee, some might be conversant in writing application and solicit for support on their own, others will need hands on, close coaching by a facilitator or a mentor to keep the spirit high and build up courage to carry on developing the club despite setbacks and numerous obstacles.
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Such usage of the manual has the potential to provide more sports to more children and youth in Zambia through self help by empowering communities to build community based sports clubs with the guidance by the facilitator and the resource manual. Acknowledgements I am indebted to Mr Mwape E.C. Walumba, the Provincial Social Welfare Officer, the District Education Officer in Kazungula, Mrs Rosemary Muyangwa, the co-ordinator for SCORE-Zambia Mr Pelle Kvalsund and the Chairlady of Liwomadi Mrs Charity P.L. Mulenga for reading through the first drafts and bringing suggestions on improvements.
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Attachment C Salvation Army Sports Ministry Objectives
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Sports Ministry Reflection By Mark Read Sports Ministry is a way to celebrate and praise God by playing sport and building relationships with people and communities. Acts calls us to ‘be witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth’. We must have relationship with communities to make this witness effective. Sport is a natural way to build relationships, find connections and help people and communities enjoy healthy lives in body, mind and soul.
INTRODUCTION The Salvation Army International Headquarters is keen to stimulate thinking and action for Sport Ministry. The variety and diversity of Sports Ministries around the Salvation Army world is a great asset and contribution to God’s mission in the world. This resource aims to inspire and encourage you to get involved in sport ministry where you are. In facilitating a deeper understanding of Sports Ministry, this resource can: 1. help create new ministries within a programme 2. help develop existing ministries to focus and strengthen their engagement 3. help review the impact of established programmes These objectives are accomplished through a process of theological and critical reflection. This is not a ‘How to…’ manual. Instead, this is a ‘What if…’ book. What if we re-imagined ministry to capture our church’s latent energy, explore its creativity and demonstrate its vibrancy? It is always important to ask the question: Why do we do what we do? Our motivation and rationale must be rooted in the intentions that God gives us vision of through Scripture. It is very easy to begin and continue a ministry with the best intentions, but losing sight of why we began it will ultimately undermine those intentions. To help us drill down into what Sports Ministry is and what it could look like, we will use the faith-based facilitation cycle. This will allow us to identify what issues surround Sports Ministry, analyse, reflect on and evaluate them and ultimately decide and plan a general approach to Sports Ministry.
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Through completing the Faith-Based Facilitation process, the objectives identified above can be achieved. Discussion and reflection will draw out the significant features of this multifaceted ministry and consequently those involved should gain a deeper understanding of this vibrant and exciting avenue of building relationships helping people and communities enjoy healthy lives in body, mind and soul.
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ISSUE Ministry is a demonstration of our Christianity. Jesus provided the pattern for Christian ministry – he came to serve, not to be served. The Church has a great history of ministry in various forms. It begins in Acts. The early Church begins a ministry modelled on Jesus’ life. In the beginning chapters Paul is healing and teaching: Paul and the apostles are engaged in ministry. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians he describes this ministry ‘as though God were making his appeal through us’ (5:20). Ministry is powerful. The word ministry shares its origin with the word service and the two have always been closely linked. Thank God that it is impossible for a Christian community to undertake any service without making it a ministry, our faith and love shine through our actions. Christian communities engage in elements of ministry on a spectrum between the spiritual and the physical. Prayer groups that meet specifically to pray for a situation or individual are a valuable and important spiritual ministry. At the other end of the spectrum, providing clothing and food for homeless people is a well recognised physical ministry. God created humans as body and soul made for relationships. As a reflection of this, Christian communities have developed programmes that balance their ministries along this spectrum. Over time it’s been discovered that ministries that are in the middle of the spectrum, ministries that are both physical and spiritual, can often result in individuals finding more than they expected in their new relationships. For example: The Salvation Army has a great heritage of teaching music. Whilst a child and its family may initially be attracted by the physical education of playing an instrument, the innate spiritual ministry of playing music in a faithful, Christian environment has often become the beginning of spiritual journeys of discipleship. But, Sports Ministry? There may be some objections to Sports Ministry. Some may ask if there is there a biblical justification for this ministry. Should a church play sport? Is this just an excuse for individuals to mix their personal interests with God’s intentions for his Church?
What new opportunities can Sports Ministry create? What can you see in those who regularly participate in the enjoyment and pleasure of sport? When you look at the demographics of the churches near you, are there any groups missing?
Perhaps it would be easier to compare statistics
How many people regularly attend a place of worship versus a place for exercise or sport? How many attendees at churches versus stadiums?
People are finding something in sport that they are not finding in Church. Is it the action of sport itself, or are there deeper themes involved here?
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DESCRIBE AND ANALYSE Sports Ministry is a way of celebrating, or praising, God by playing sport and a way of building relationships with individuals and groups within a community.
An estimated 1.48 million hours of sport are broadcast on television around the world a week. Most of these hours of broadcasting are on the 225 sports specific channels that exist around the globe. The largest of these events can attract 600,000,000 viewers. If you were to watch all of the sport broadcast in just one week, it would take 168 years. There are 442 recognised sports and many others without official recognition. Surrounding each of these sports is a particular culture; those engaged in a sport speak a language peculiar to the culture of that sport. Sometimes these are broad and far reaching. Football is acknowledged to be a universal sport, instantly recognisable and played by billions around the world. However, sometimes sports can be exclusive, unique cultures of their own for example, downhill mountain biking, whilst falling under the vast umbrella of cycling, is a specific discipline which fosters an interesting social dimension, unique to the sport and really only understood by those engaged in it. These sub-cultures can be complicated due to the cultural issues and identities involved. With this in mind, should we look at Sports Ministry as a sporting activity or a crosscultural mission? When preparing for a more traditional missionary role one might learn a language and become familiar with as many cultural nuances as possible. Are the same measures taken when embarking on Sports Ministry? Is time taken to become familiar with the culture we are seeking to engage with? There is, however, a huge commonality to be found in sport: a universal language, or shared interest, that can speak into sometimes isolated pockets of activity or unreached groups. Within Scripture, God inspired the authors of the Bible to use sporting metaphors. These metaphors are often used as superficial justifications for Sports Ministry, but there is a deeper reasoning for their use. ‘Running the good race’ is pleasing to God - when he sees his children endeavouring to live by his word it pleases him. It is a useful comparison, but not really a justification for Sports Ministry. It does not tell us to demonstrate our Christianity by running a literal race. So where in Scripture does God talk about sports? Specifically, nowhere. We are told in Psalm 150 to ‘praise him with the clash of cymbals’, but nowhere does it say ‘Grab a football’. However, there is a deeper level of understanding to grasp. In Mark we catch a glimpse of how God views playfulness. Jesus’ contemporary culture was a hierarchical one: men at the top, with their intelligence and strength; women beneath, with their home-making and care but lacking the same mental capacity; children at the bottom because of their unruly behaviour. Yet, Jesus turns this structure on its head. He travels and talks with women, treating them as equals. In Mark 10:13-15 the disciples are turning away children. Jesus stops them. ‘I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ To paraphrase, anyone who has lost their ability to enjoy the simple pleasure of creation and relationship will not be able to enjoy it for an eternity.
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Sport is an environment that has the potential to foster the type of relationships Jesus exemplifies. 1 Corinthians 12 teaches us about Christ’s vision for the Church. The early Christians were beginning to deal with diversity. Verse 4 says ‘There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.’ The words for service and ministry are linked through the Greek diakonos. They are not interchangeable but share much of their defining characteristics. Paul would have written about different kinds of service understanding this close relationship to ministry. Paul is justifying the diverse and different forms of ministry the growing church was engaged in. Later in the chapter Paul lists some of those ministries; healing, teaching, administrating, helping. Paul’s list is not an exhaustive one, there are more ministries. What Paul goes on to say in the next chapter is that if any of these ministries is undertaken without love, then it is like ‘a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal’. It is not the specific ministry; it is the attitude and intention behind it. What Paul means is that even if the most traditional ministry, to most engrained Christian service is undertaken without love then it has no value. It is easy to see then that if anything is done with authentic love, with the genuine Christian intention of spreading the good news, then it is of immeasurable value to God. Just as the apostles were not one thing, God is not presented to us in scripture as one thing. He is called Rabbi, Master, Lord, King of kings. He is Immanuel, God incarnate, and the Lamb upon the throne, a lion, a healer, a teacher and a great speaker. He behaves like a servant, he listens, he feeds, and he is a social revolutionary and a shepherd. He is the Creator. God’s diverse nature is expansive. Samuel Lockridge resigns that ‘he is indescribable’. God is something multifaceted, but he is not outside of what he created. He is in relation with us and with the world, so his multitude of dimensions exist within this world. If his character is so diverse, doesn’t he want the character of his Church to be the same? ‘He himself gives all men life and breath and everything else’ (Acts 17:25) He has given us gifts, created us as unique and valuable people. It is foolish to believe that God would gift sporting ability to someone and not desire to see them use it to glorify him. God knows that sport is within some human’s natures, he put it there. He knows its potential to unite and to create relationships. Through the Old Testament we see God blessing individuals with a ministry. He calls Moses to lead, Samuel to be wise, Samson to be strong, Daniel to be brave. In the New Testament we see more of individuals being used by God for who they are their whole being. Like Paul, with his energy, conviction and resilience. Once he is sanctified he becomes harmonised with God’s intentions. God wants to use the gifts He has created. Right at the beginning of Scripture we gain a brief insight into God’s identity. God created the garden and humankind in it. Then he walked in it and ‘saw that it was good’. We see God enjoying recreation. He walks, and longs to see his children do the same: to have a pure appreciation of creation. As anyone who has walked, or climbed or cycled or run will tell you, there are moments when the pure existence within creation is overwhelming. If you recognise them, these are deeply spiritual moments, comparable to those found in the traditional musical worship of most churches.
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REFLECT AND EVALUATE ‘Play is not the key to being human, but being human is the key to play’ Arthur F. Holmes (Towards A Christian Play Ethic, 1982)
Sport is recognised by social scientists and critics as being so important that it has developed its own cultures. Languages, nuances and fashions are all peculiar to their sport. At the beginning of Acts we are called to ‘be witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth’. It is not written that we are to be witnesses to Jerusalem or Judea. We are not meant to be alien to these cultures, we have to be within them to witness effectively. If we are not part of the fabric of society then how can we hope to have our faithful Christianity woven into it? It is recognised that church must diversify worship on a Sunday morning to differentiate for intercultural communities. In fact, churches have gone to great lengths to change their worship to be ‘relevant’ to their congregations. Why is it then that the same consideration has not been given to ensuring ministry is relevant? It seems easier to change worship - new songs are written all the time, new types of music emerge and worship leaders innovate ways to encounter God. It is harder to write new ministries. We are listed some in the Bible and have imagined that these will be enough, despite a dramatically different world, with different sensibilities and needs. Sport is naturally relational. There are few solo sports, and even those that arguably are usually happen within the context of a group or central location. People in our world have become increasingly detached from societal groups. Whilst Internet communities grow, genuine and authentic relationships are on the decline. Independence is promoted rather than interdependence; people no longer rely on the network of a family or a community. But when this trend has run its course what will be left? Interactions are becoming less frequent, and slowly the fabric of our society is fraying at the edges. We are all part of the body of Christ, and if we are not together then the body suffers. Sport encourages interaction; in fact most sport relies on it, communication and team work are necessities to enjoying a sport and models how to have life in its fullness, how to become interdependent and become part of a community that forms a strong fabric of society. Often as Christians we are asked to defend who we are, or justify what we do. It is hard to adequately justify something that is not natural to us. An action of service, or ministry, is given value not on the merit of its success or popularity, but only in the attitude in which it is undertaken. A ministry that is natural to an individual will be valuable. God’s presence in them will be more visible if they are acting according to his will. A natural ministry is easier to justify and more authentic. On the other side of the dialogue, we become Christians who people can relate to, and in that relation grows a deeper relationship. In John 1:14, John describes how the Word became flesh and ‘made his dwelling among us’. Here we see God changing his form and consequently increasing his relevancy. His direct presence in the world changed it forever. In Mark 16:15 the 11 remaining disciples are instructed to ‘Go into all the world’. Here we see a movement that increases the gospel’s coverage. How much of your churches ministry happens within its building? One of the most simple and exciting things about Sports Ministry is the frequency with which it happens outside of a church building. By being outside, this aspect of Church increases its relevancy. The movement outside of the building increases the
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gospel’s coverage. Often we see a different aspect of Church boldly going into the world, with a less than positive result: we see, or hear, individuals standing in busy streets shouting at crowds. How often do we see anyone stop to listen? Sport can be the initial catalyst, the first sentence of a conversation that leads to a relationship. Its relevancy increased purely because of its presence in the world. Most of the world recognises ‘church’. It has seen worship, and heard parts of the Bible, and feels it has familiarity with aspects of ministry. Individuals know enough to know they do not want to know any more. If people are not attracted to a relationship with the Church, or with God, by what they recognise already, do we believe that doing it louder or bigger or more frequently, or with more proficiency and professionalism, will change that? Sport is an international, intercultural language. It is a location where anyone can meet. The comfort and common ground provided by sport means that, like the disciples, churches can go out into the world. It provides, at the very minimum, a conversation starter. Beyond that, it provides a location to cultivate relationships. These relationships are likely to be deeper and more significant because they have authenticity. They are not forced because of a pastoral circumstance; rather they are grown because of a mutual respect and trust. The apostles used the roads that Rome constructed to reach the world with their message. One of the structures that our society has constructed is sport and, like the apostles, it is there to be used to reach the world with God’s message.
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DECIDE AND PLAN ‘It is a ministry, like any other, that seeks to ensure the faithful fullness of life’ We should carefully and seriously consider what it is God wants us to do with this ministry. It is apparent that there are two general types of Sports Ministry. These can be roughly separated into Interventional and Relational. Interventional This type would include being involved at large sporting events. They are useful for churches to establish a credible interest in sport, to promote visibility and can often provide surprising opportunities for a deeper and more significant Christian involvement or ministry. However, we must ask ourselves where we think Jesus would be if he were here today? Do we see Jesus attracted to the coliseums or stadiums of entertainment of his day? We usually find Jesus with the poor and marginalised. Ask yourself if you think he would be in the magnificent stadium, or in the run-park? Relational When we look at Jesus’ teaching style he more frequently engages with small groups, even one-to-one rather than great audiences. Many are familiar with the image of Jesus as the great orator. We see this image at the sermon on the mount or the feeding of the 5000, but like any good teacher, Jesus knew that didactic teaching is least effective. If you really want to secure a high level of understanding in teaching, you enable students to work it out for themselves. So much of the lessons recorded in the Gospels are lifted from conversations or comments Jesus makes. Often they seem cryptic or like Jesus is only telling us part of the story. By using the Holy Spirit to interpret these lessons within our hearts and minds, Jesus employs a revolutionary teaching method: one that was so radical that it was missed completely by our education systems until only recently. For thousands of years Jewish children had learned God’s Word by rote, and evidently missed the message in it. This teaching style relies on relationship; this method of discipling has to be rooted in mutual trust and respect. Sport naturally fosters these characteristics. Your context is unique; within your territory, division and local community and you are in the best position to understand and engage with it. Jesus understood his context. He was a Nazarene, and to ensure he was relevant to the community around him Jesus’ teachings, parables and examples were about recognizable aspects, like sheep and fields. He was simple, authentic and relevant. Our ministry should be the same; we should endeavour to speak the same language as our community, even if it means learning an unfamiliar one like sport. With this said, we should always be cautious not to ‘fit into our society without even thinking’ (Romans 12:2 The Message). Sports Ministry must be intentional. Sports without the ministry will blend in with any other team or club; and disappear into any other local provision.
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