(adapted from On Your Mark: Xs and Os of College Sports Ministry)
Athletes in Action (AIA) takes its marching orders from Matthew 28:18-22: Go and make disciples. Campus Crusade for Christ/AIA builds upon the “Win, Build, Send” philosophy of making disciples. The ongoing process of winning people to Christ (evangelism), building them in their faith (discipleship) and then sending out to do the same (multiplication) is the core of our ministry activity. Prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit are at the heart of a spiritual movement from which the activities flow.
· Win Boldly (Evangelism) – to proclaim Christ to every person
· Build Deeply (Discipleship) – to develop leaders and build movements everywhere
· Send Urgently (Spiritual Multiplication) – to multiply disciples, mobilize co-laborers and initiate partnerships
This section provides some specific activities as you begin an athletic ministry. However, it is not designed to give you all the how-tos or specific ministry skills, but to spur your thinking and motivate you to create your own vision as you walk with the Lord and follow His leading. Other material is available from CCC to develop the necessary skills if you need them.
Getting In the Door
Before you begin meeting people within the athletic department, you need to do a little homework. Start working on the Getting to Know the Campus worksheet. From the information you gather, you will be well-positioned to pursue these next steps. The Gameplan will also help in deciding what to do when you are ready to move forward.
(Both The Gameplan and Getting to Know the Campus are available in the first section, Launching an Athletic Movement, on the SportLinc Resource page)
With this information gathered, ask God which team or athletes He wants you to begin pursuing and ask yourself this question: Who is the main decision maker who determines my access to the team/players? This will usually be the coach, but might also include other administrators within the department. The coach is the key person. Everything depends on what he/she decides, so begin praying for favor and opportunity with this person. Assistant coaches can also be gatekeepers of access to the team and may be more open to your ministry with their team.
There are two ways to approach the coach:
- If you have already met an athlete or assistant coach, or someone in the administrative office, ask them to introduce you to the head coach. If you don’t have a sympathetic contact within the organization, perhaps a Christian coach from another team could write a letter and explain how a sport minister has been beneficial to his or her team.
- Set up an appointment to talk with the coach. You might first want to send a letter, explaining who you are and what you want. Rather than just calling the office for an appointment, it might be a good idea to stop in the office and, very briefly, explain your situation to the secretary. Ask her who you should talk to and see where it leads.
First Meeting with the Coach
Plan to keep the first meeting brief (about 5-10 minutes, unless the coach wants to talk longer).
Establish rapport and share a little of your background.
Give a brief overview of Athletes in Action. Emphasize words like “international”, “college and professional athlete”, “spiritual resource”.
Explain how you can be a resource to them by helping the athletes with the problems they face (i.e. motivation, time management, anger, etc.) Most coaches realize that at the top level the physical and mental skills of the athletes are very close. The difference between winning and losing is often an issue of heart, attitude, focus, or self-confidence. The coach also realizes that when the athlete’s personallife is in order, he will perform to his highest potential. If he/she responds, “Yeah, we already have a sport psychologist that works with our players,” ask about this role and make clear that your goal is to help student athletes develop the spiritual side of their life. A sport psychologist may or may not be approaching this side of life.
Ask if he thinks something like this could benefit his team. Realize that some coaches will greet you with open arms, some will become outspoken enemies of what you are doing, and others will be indifferent. Don’t assume a coach falls into one of these categories until you’ve experienced the response yourself; you never know what God may be doing in someone’s life, either softening or hardening them to His work on campus.
Whether their response is favorable or not, you might have a leaving piece made (business card, ministry brochure, personal brochure) that includes your contact information. Things change.
If he agrees, ask him for three things:
1. Would he be willing to introduce you to the team before or after training, and let you take 3-5 minutes to explain what you are doing? Optimally, this meeting would be mandatory for all players so you can introduce yourself to everyone at once. But have the meeting even if it is optional and only a few show up. One player could make all the difference in reaching the entire athletic department. Show the coach the contact card you are planning to use for his/her approval.
2. Could you attend some of the practicesessions? The purpose is for the players to see you and gradually get to know you. You would just be available to any of the athletes who have an interest in spiritual things. Mention that you probably cannot come to every practice, but you will try to come as often as is practical.
3. If enough interest eventually surfaces, would it be possible to arrange a 15 minute chapel for the interestedplayers sometime before the game begins?
For a step by step manual including 12 Things You Can Always Do and many other helpful tips, email aia.sportlinc@athletesinaction.org and request a copy of:
On Your Mark: Xs and Os of College Sport Ministry
12 Statements That Will End Your Time in College Sport Ministry
1. “I agree with you. Coach is a real idiot for not playing you more.”
2. “I know we just met today, but is there any chance you’ve got extra tickets to the game this weekend?”
3. “So you’re telling me that just because this is OhioState I shouldn’t keep wearing my Michigan alumni dri-fit on the practice sidelines?”
4. “But I had 20 minutes of chapel notes…how could he possibly have expected me to finish in 5?”
5. “She said I could meet with the team after practice at 6:30, but everybody knows they never finish before 6:45, so I got there at 6:50.”
6. “I’ll buy you a beer just this once, but when you turn 21 you owe me.”
7. “Sure am glad that Freshman science paper got an “A” for you. Knew I was keeping it all these years for something.”
8. “Great game last week, Coach, but you’re still going to hell if you don’t accept Christ.”
9. “Since none of you guys are going to church these days, we’ll start taking an offering at our weekly meeting so you can learn stewardship.”
10. “Would you sign this for me? And this…and this…and this…?”
11. “Coach, I didn’t think you’d mind my sitting behind your desk while I waited for you…that’s a great chair you’ve got there.”
12. “Who would’ve ever guessed those media guys would find your phone numbers and addresses at my personal Facebook sight, for heaven’s sake?”