A creed is defined as “a brief authoritative formula of religious belief.” Throughout the history of the church, creeds have been used to help Christians understand theology by preserving truth and pointing out heresy. You can read about some of the more popular Christian creeds here.
With this in mind, here’s my attempt to create a Coach’s Creed. In no way am I suggesting that this creed stands in the same company as those listed in the link above. This is merely my attempt to articulate a formula for coaches that helps apply the gospel to their coaching. I’m sure it will change over time. I would love your feedback.
The Coaches’ Creed:
As a coach, I was created to image God but my coaching is broken because I’m broken. Jesus died for my brokenness and is now calling me to spread the fame of God in my coaching as I display his character.
This is short intentionally. It’s meant to be something that can be remembered and recited. It’s meant to be something that could be prayed before a game.
The creed reflects what the gospel has to say about coaching through the four chapter story: creation, fall, redemption, and consummation.
“As a coach, I was created to image God…” [Coaching through the lens of Creation]
From Genesis 1 & 2, we learn that God created us in his image. All of creation is good but humans were very good. We were the crown jewel of his creation and we were given a job, “Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” This mandate is not just an agricultural or even a primitive command for early man. Rather, it’s meant to be applied to every Christian of every age. It’s just as applicable in the 21st century as it was at the creation of the world. And, it certainly includes every realm of life, including coaching.
“…my coaching is broken because I am broken.” [Coaching through the lens of the Fall]
We know from Genesis 3 that sin entered the world through the choice of Adam and Eve. Sin has tainted every good thing God created, not just humans. That means that nature is somehow tainted by sin (see Romans 8). It also means that whole systems of culture is marred by sin, including sports. Including coaching. It’s not a question of if my coaching is broken but how my coaching is broken.
Jesus died for my brokenness and is now calling me to spread the fame of God in my coaching as I display his character. [Coaching through the lens of Redemption and Consummation]
This is the good news of the gospel. As Romans 5:8 says, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 1 Timothy 2:5-7 says, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all…” Yes, Jesus died for my brokenness. The cross though not only defeated death but also overcame all the curse of sin. Jesus has reconciled all things (see Colossians 1:15-20). This includes broken systems. As a result, I am redeemed as a coach and my coaching can be redeemed. How? As Bob Schindler says, “The ultimate reason for coaching is to glorify God – to spread the fame of God in this world by displaying his multifaceted character as you coach.” Because of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ, I am able to display God’s character in my coaching.
