Each day, I frequent 30-40 blogs looking for any material that may be applicable to sports outreach leaders. As often is the case, I come across something that is not directed toward sports outreach leaders but can effectively be “translated” to connect with a sports ministry leader. Today I came across this article on ethical guidelines for church planters (via the Gospel Coalition blog). Listed below are a few ethical guidelines for church planting (from the above article) followed by how this can be applicable to the sports ministry world. I hope you find this challenging.
Guideline #2: Since the world consists of four billion unbelievers, with two billion who have never heard the gospel, our strategy will involve the use of highly reproducible church planting methods.
When developing a new initiative in your sports ministry, do you even think about whether or not it can be reproducible? Think of the benefits of crafting an initiative with that in mind. The process and guidelines used can then be applied to future initiatives. Beyond that, you could take that same process and help other churches and their ministries (or even provide it to CSO so we can help other churches!). Do you think with this multiplying mindset?
Guideline #3: Since biblical church planting is evangelism that results in new churches, we will not prioritize transfer growth over conversion growth by designing ministries that will primarily attract believers.
Are you really doing outreach or are you merely providing a family-friendly place for church kids in your area? There’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what you’re accomplishing but you’re missing a great opportunity to use a powerful tool in sports to reach your community for Christ. What is the target audience for your ministry? If it’s non-believers, how are you going about pursuing them? Is your ministry and your strategy conducive to “transfer growth” or “conversion growth?”
Guideline #4: Since unity among churches in a geographical area is a powerful witness to the gospel, we will be concerned with other evangelical pastors laboring in the same area as our team, and will take the initiative to meet with them to share our calling, vision, and ethic.
Do you view other church sports ministries in your area as “teammates” or “competitors?” Do you have a healthy relationship with those churches and ministries in your area? Do you meet and discuss your calling and vision for your city/area? Do you talk about ways to work together?
Guideline #7: Since the biblical model for church planting is a team approach and many liabilities come when working as a solo church planter, a team will be developed before the work begins.
You could argue that the biblical model for ministry in general is a team approach. Do you have a team-based approach to your ministry?
Guideline #9: Since we are Kingdom Citizens, we will not neglect our daily devotion time with the Lord by allowing ourselves to be distracted by the numerous tasks to be accomplished in the ministry.
Is your to-do list dominating your life? Are you neglecting your daily devotion to the Lord? Unfortunately, we find this to be the case with most sports ministry leaders. If so, you may find the webinar we did a few months ago titled Battlying Busyness as some encouragement to you (NOTE: You will need a username and password to view the webinar. If you don’t have a username and password, you can get one by clicking here).
