Sports Ministries
As for the golf ministry topic I’ve addressed previously, one question I need to answer is, “Why use sports to bring people closer to God?” It just seems so un-churchlike and, well, heathen. I mean, have you seen Raider Nation? Or the Dog Pound in Cleveland?
I’ve come to a few conclusions, though.
1. Bringing people to God involves meeting them where they are. For men, especially, where they most often are is knee-deep in sports. Golf is just one example, but any sport can be the hook. I know churches who have softball ministries, football-related small groups, tennis socials. I’m not going to attract many non-churchgoing men by saying, “Hey, come read the bible with me” or “Where is your spiritual head at – dude?” You need to befriend people, develop a relationship with them, then, eventually, when the relationship is ready for it, an exploration of deeper topics. Sports is an easy entree for a lot of men.
2. Sports, be it watching/participating/coaching/parenting kids who play in, may be the primary social event for many men. Unless I become part of their family and jump in at the dinner table, I can’t otherwise get in a relationship with them to start the conversation that’s needed.
3. Sports aren’t threatening. Using golf as an example, I can invite men to golf with me and they’ll often jump at it. Inviting them to a “meeting of a few guys” is scary.
Ultimately, talking to people about Christ most often doesn’t start with talking to people about Christ. It starts with a relationship. It can be built on play groups for kids, book clubs, having kids on the same soccer team – tons of ways. But sports makes the most sense to me as a way to get to know guys a bit better. And for me, golf is one of the best ways.
Be on the watch for my new ministry, “Wisconsin Badger Football Buddies – Camp Randall is Truly Your Road to (Heavenly) Riches!”
Is This Heaven?
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