SPORTSPASTOR

1) Sports Ministry provides opportunities for Outreach
Rarely do I use the term Sports Ministry without the word Outreach in the middle. Sports Outreach Ministry is a way for churches to reach beyond their walls into their community in a culturally relevant and attractive way. It may be children’s soccer, youth basketball, or adult co-ed softball; regardless, people play sports. And people watch sports. Everyone has a favorite team and sport they watch and if they don’t they jump on the bandwagon of one team or another when the playoffs reach peak excitement. Sports are culturally relevant. They are a creative means to reach out to people in your community, people who are unchurched and/or lost. A family could make contact with your church for the first time through something as fun as sports. If they have a good experience maybe they will consider visiting your church. What a tremendous opportunity sports ministry provides for outreach.

2) Sports Ministry provides opportunities for Ministry
Sports are relational. It may be cheering on a teammate, learning from a coach, or even chatting in the bleachers. Churches that have Sports Outreach Events challenge people that normally hang out in a Christian bubble to connect with people in their community, again many that are unchurched and/or lost. What a great way to make your church externally focused. The connections that are made in this way will go a long way in giving unchurched folk a positive view of the church and lost people a good impression of Christ followers. These relationships will naturally lead to opportunities to share stories about your faith. These relationships will also lead to opportunities to minister to people that need a helping hand or encouraging word when life is challenging. What a tremendous chance sports outreach provides for ministry.

3) Sports Ministry provides opportunities for Evangelism
Last but not least, sports provide a chance to share the Gospel. Maybe you have made a friend through the outreach effort of your church that asks you some basic questions about God. Maybe you have ministered to someone you met through a sports outreach event and it provided a chance for you to lead them to Christ. Or maybe you have the privilege of sharing the Good News at a Children’s Summer Sports Camp and seeing an amazing response to the Gospel message. If God uses you in this capacity you will never be the same, and you will always want to be a part of a sports outreach ministry that provides outreach, ministry, and evangelism avenues for you and your church. Start a sports ministry at your church today and impact your community for Christ.

I am glad we have a sports ministry blog here! As our church have just started our little journey on sports fellowship moving on to sports evangelism,we would like to learn more about it.greatthat we have the blog like urs. keep up the good work. may God bless u abundantly.

Comment by CK Yap October 11, 2007 @ 4:25 am

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The idea of starting a sports outreach ministry for my church is exciting.

Comment by Ezekiel Eyagu October 26, 2007 @ 5:49 am

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Your work is excellent — I am a Prof at a Christian college in Mississippi and I am currently teaching a CE course in “Sports & Recreation Ministry.” I will use your “3 Good Reasons to Start…” in my class. Good work!!

Comment by art burnett January 30, 2008 @ 6:49 pm

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Your articles are great! May we use it for our website? Thanks

Comment by ck April 4, 2008 @ 3:10 am

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I’ve just taken over a hockey team that has grown from our church outreach ministry. You’ve got some great ideas, keep up the good work. I’ve added you to my blog reader so keep the updates coming:)

Comment by Hockey Matt June 2, 2008 @ 5:23 pm

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