The Reason Why

A sports ministry sounds like a great idea to someone like me---a sports enthusiast who values exercise, teamwork, competition, and the special bonding that is found through athletics. There's something about a group of men or women working together to reach a common goal and pushing themselves to help each other succeed that is nearly exclusive to athletics. There is great value in being part of a team--a group of people who have a common goal, are accountable to each other, and have a diverse set of talents and skills. Aside from those things, why should a church have a sports ministry? What is the value of it relative to the Christian faith?

One of my favorite sayings is that "73.67 percent of all statistics are made up". That being said, I've read all kinds of stats about how many people participate in some sort of sport or physical activity. The number one source for sport and fitness research is probably the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. Their recent data shows that nearly 80% of Americans participate in a sport, fitness activity, or outdoor activity. In terms of numbers, 33.6 million Americans are active on a regular basis, and 41.9 million are active on a casual basis.

Sports and recreation have an indelible stamp on our society. The church is called to equip and mobilize disciples to proclaim the Gospel message, and it seems prudent and wise to recognize and understand this sports phenomenon. If this is what such huge numbers of people are doing, a sports ministry may be one of the best avenues in which to declare God's Word.

Church Sports International lists the following tasks that can be accomplished through a sports ministry:

·  A means of forming friendships and building relationships

·  A means of promoting "body life" (internal church fellowship)

·  Facilitates life-style and proclamational evangelism

·  Creates a bridge to the lost in the community . . . even to the resistant

·  A means of helping someone grow in his or her faith . . . a tool for discipleship    within the sporting environment

·  A door of service for those who are not involved in ministry to the body

·  A means of "closing the back door" through small group discipleship and accountability

·  A ministry servant to the other ministries of the church (Children, Youth, Adult, Singles, Seniors, etc.)

·  A ministry that contributes to leadership training

·  A means of building "stepping stones" from the field/gym to the worship center

Here's another great thought: It doesn't matter if you personally like sports or have any interest in them. Millions of people are interested, and millions of those people are lost, in need of the Savior, and could be reached through a sports ministry.