Years ago, playing sports was merely seen as a popular pastime. With dozens of sports channels, hundred-million-dollar contracts, and fantasy teams, it seems that the games have become a big business. Long before every goal means a big bonus or contract extension, though, sports are purely done out of the pleasure the game brings. Many churches today have some kind of sports ministry, whether it’s a simple basketball league or a multi-sport enterprise that brings in thousands of people. What does a sports ministry offer your church? Here are a few reasons why the church is a better place when it facilitates sports.
When we think about what a church is supposed to be, one of the first words to pop up is “community.” The beauty of the gospel is that it brings together all kinds of people from different walks of life to live in harmony focusing on Christ. Within the main community of the church are separate groups that can bond over unique passions. For some it is missions and for others it’s discipleship. Not every passion has to be something as serious as global evangelism, though.
We see at every level that sports build community. Friendships can be made in Little League that last much longer than the day the kids take their final at-bats. Men who play high school football together can still bond over the experience decades after their last run at the state championship. When you have stood in the trenches together, there is a connection that doesn’t easily fade. You might be thinking, “Isn’t this kind of talk a little extreme for a church sports ministry?” The stakes may not always be very high in a recreational league, but that doesn’t mean that the kids and parents can’t see the experience as a chance to build new relationships and meet people from the church they haven’t already known.
Have you ever tried to learn a new hobby or skill? What about the never ending New Year’s resolution of getting in better shape? Any new activity requires discipline to master. By taking up a sport like soccer or volleyball, an athlete is learning a whole new set of movements and behaviors in order to be the best. Drills, YouTube videos, and exercising are just a few ways that kids and adults seek to improve their athletic capabilities.
Challenging yourself is important to human growth, no matter your age. For kids, these challenges make school easier to handle and help with the decision making process by allowing them to perform under pressure. Taking the ACT isn’t so bad when you’ve sunk a buzzer-beater or scored a winning goal. Adults also learn discipline through sports because coaching provides its own obstacles to overcome. You have to be a mentor, a teacher, and a parent among other duties.
We’ve seen the importance of discipline in the Christian life. Just like the runner who wakes up early for her morning routine, a Christian must work at discipline in order to move closer to Christ. Quiet times, prayer, evangelism, and discipleship are just a few areas where discipline is a necessity for growth. A sports ministry allows us to get acquainted with discipline in a fun atmosphere before we have to apply it to our daily walk.
Through the ministry of the Apostle Paul we see how becoming “all things to all people” can advance the gospel further than could be accomplished by sticking to tradition. Depending on his audience, Paul would present the gospel through different means, knowing that different people need to hear God’s message in a way that they can understand. Sports provide a wonderful opportunity to bring the unchurched closer to a relationship with Christ.
Have you ever known what it’s like to approach a brand new church for the first time, not knowing a single person? No matter the size of the church, it can be pretty intimidating to darken the building’s door for the first time on any given Sunday. A sports ministry allows for new people to get involved with a fun activity that can serve as a gateway to the church.
Athletics can also be a great entry point for people who would never otherwise go to church. By providing a sports ministry that members of the community want to be a part of, you can make it easier for some people to visit a church for the first time in their lives. Organizations like Upward offer churches the chance to introduce first-time visitors to the truth of the gospel as well as a fun activity.
The ministry of sports may not be as easy to spot as a missions conference or discipleship training, but it’s one great way to reach your community for the cause of Christ.
From classes on Sunday morning to prayer meetings to sermons throughout the week, what do we see in common? Most of what we consider church today is a presentation where the majority of people sit still while an individual speaks. There’s certainly nothing wrong with these activities, as they do provide a wealth of information and allow us as believers to grow and better understand our faith. Similarly to why boys hate school, some Christians find the church to be a bit stifling. A sports ministry allows for Christians to bond and thrive through alternative means.
Not every church is able to have a sports ministry, but perhaps they can find their calling elsewhere. Each of us have different convictions and passions that lead us to serve Christ in different ways. We see here that a sports ministry can have a profound impact on a community, much like entertainment can affect the popular culture. The K-LOVE Fan Awards is interested in exploring the ways in which different artists and creators are making their mark on the worldwide community of believers. Bringing together the biggest names for the ultimate fan experience, this annual event is truly one of a kind. Find out how you and your family can be a part of our next celebration by clicking on the link below.
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