Character Coach/Chaplain Training: Session 1

Getting Started

Being a Character Coach/Chaplain is one of the most strategic points of ministry for our changing world. The people of sport are often the most misunderstood and neglected (spiritually), while also being the most exploited and overexposed (spiritually) of any people group on the planet.

Character Coaches/Chaplains have worked within the Church, and particularly in para-church Christian ministries, like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and have sought to serve the spiritual needs of the people of sport. The wisest of them serve them in a way that cares for their whole person and their development in all of life. One should expect this sort of ministry to be a long process of development rather than a quick, programmatic series of events.

A wide variety of people can serve the people of sport as Character Coaches/Chaplains. One need not be a sport ministry professional to faithfully serve and to significantly impact the lives of this underserved people group. Among those who could serve as in these roles are:

• Parents of players in youth sports (school based teams or club sports).
• Coaches of youth sports teams, school based teams or coaches at higher levels of sport.
• Community leaders with interest in ministry through sport.
• Athletic trainers or other support personnel with sports teams.
• Pastors or other ministry professionals.

The process for becoming an authorized Fellowship of Christian Athletes Volunteer Character Coach/Chaplain includes these steps:

1. Completion of a Ministry Leader Application. Upon the completion of this session you will be provided a link to that site.
2. Completion of the on-line F.C.A. Volunteer Character Coach/Chaplain Training.
3. Initiation of a relationship with an F.C.A. staff member in your area for further training, encouragement, facilitation and accountability.
   • Communication with the F.C.A. staff prior to the season for planning, prayer, resources, etc...
   • Communication with the F.C.A. staff during the season for encouragement, problem solving and further direction.
   • Communication at the end of the season for evaluation, reporting of results, etc...
4. Connection with the F.C.A. Character Coach/Chaplain Network for ongoing training, encouragement, resources, information on regional training opportunities and more from those who are actively engaged as Character Coaches/Chaplains.

Relationships

The foundation of all ministries is relationships. The Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40) is a call for us to love God and to love our neighbors. Rather than see the coaches or competitors and their teams as resources or as a constituency, see them each as people whom the Lord has given you to love, to nurture and to develop.

Who are the key people (coaches or players) in the sport or on the team that you want to serve?

1. List the coaches' names.

2. List the key players' names.

3. Which of the coaches or players has an interest in spiritual matters?

4. Are there glaring opportunities of needed spiritual or character development that you wish to address? If so, what are they?

5. What are some indicators of spiritual interest for which you'll be watching?

6. What are some questions you could ask that seek deeper into the coach's/player's heart?

7. When might your being available be of real importance to the team?

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