Discussion Questions
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Are you currently involved in any type of sports ministry? If so, how do you see yourself implementing any of the four key success principles described by Colin Pinkney (Preparation, Engagement, Persistence, Patience)? How could you improve your implementation of any of these? (If you are not currently involved in sports ministry, how do you envision yourself implementing one of these principles in your future ministry?)
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41 Replies
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Yes , I am involved in sports but these four key success principles I will now begin to implement them now, cause my approach to sports ministry was Abit mixed one.
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I am not currently involved in any sports ministry, although I do often connect with athlete’s families. I can see me easily implementing the key of engagement. I pride myself on staying in contact with those whom I have a sphere of influence upon. This would apply regardless of whether or not their chosen sport was in season or they are training.
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By integrating the principle of patience into my work with kids in an after-school extra-curricula basketball coaching, I created a positive and impactful environment that not only teaches sports but also fosters personal growth and development. By focusing on patience, I take the time to explain things clearly and allow them to learn at their own pace. I see great progress in both the kids and myself!
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Yes, I am currently involved in FCA, serving as a coach and leader. Through this role, I actively engage in sports ministry by combining athletics with faith to make a meaningful impact on student-athletes and their families.
Preparation is central to my role, especially when planning huddles, practices, or events. I ensure that every meeting or activity is purposeful, aligning with both athletic and spiritual goals. For instance, I dedicate time to prayer, scripture study, and strategizing to ensure our ministry events resonate deeply with participants.
Engagement is another principle I apply by fostering meaningful relationships with players, parents, and fellow coaches. Whether it’s on the field, during a Bible study, or at community events, I strive to connect personally and demonstrate the love of Christ in my words and actions.
Persistence comes into play when challenges arise, such as balancing sports and ministry, addressing tough questions of faith, or maintaining consistency in a busy season. I remain committed to the vision of FCA, trusting that the seeds planted today will bear fruit in God’s timing.
Patience is perhaps the most challenging principle for me. Ministry often requires trusting God’s timing and the process of transformation in others. I am learning to embrace this principle more fully, allowing space for God to work in ways that may not always be immediately visible.
To improve, I could grow in patience by surrendering more of the outcomes to God rather than feeling the need to see instant results. Additionally, I could involve more volunteers to ensure a broader impact and to equip others to lead in their unique strengths.
These principles guide me in creating an environment where players can grow both spiritually and athletically, ultimately shaping them into leaders on and off the field.
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I am not currently involved in any type of sports ministry, but I have been in the past and I plan to in the future. Patience has been the hardest principle for me in the past, especially working with beginners. Reinforcing the importance of patience and the humility you feel when doing so is going to be the most important thing for me. The way I act as a coach and leader will reflect how my team acts, and I want them to be patient with one another, along with opposing teams on and off the court.
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Do you currently, or do you think you might, struggle with any of the four success principles (Preparation, Engagement, Persistence, Patience)? For example, do you find it difficult to be patient or find it frustrating when you don’t have the access you would like to have? How might you overcome this?
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26 Replies
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I can see myself struggling with having patience. Awaiting opportunities to minister is difficult for me. I like to continuously utilize my gifts, talents, and abilities. Thus, I often have multiple irons in the fire and sometimes struggle with preparation (priorities)too. These are areas that I need to develop further.
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This is the 5th season I am serving as a Sports Chaplain in a basketball club. One of the principles I want to grow in is the Preparation. After 5 years of serving as a Chaplain and after 14 years of working with youth one might think he knows everything but there’s always more to learn. That’s why I’m here.
The principle I am struggling with is the Persistence. Often when I hit some obsticles I am tempted to quit.
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Patience – In order to overcome being patience is to be put in situations that will help grow our patience. For Ex. You applied for your sport dream job and you have not heard back in timely manner but now wait to get the results back.
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To be personally involved in sports ministry, I could imagine struggling with some of the four success principles—specifically patience and persistence. Here’s how these challenges might manifest and how I would work to overcome them:
1. Patience
In any ministry, patience is often the hardest virtue to maintain. It can be frustrating when progress is slow, especially if the athletes or individuals you are working with are not immediately receptive to spiritual guidance or are reluctant to open up about their struggles. In a high-performance environment like professional sports, where results are emphasized, it’s easy to expect quick spiritual or emotional transformations.
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- Struggle: I could
imagine feeling impatient when players do not show immediate interest in
spiritual matters or when their personal growth appears slow. The desire
to see fast results could lead to frustration.- Overcoming This: To overcome
this, I would remind myself that spiritual growth is deeply personal and
can be a long journey for many people. Practicing mindfulness, prayer, and
focusing on small victories—like an athlete starting to attend prayer
sessions—could help manage expectations. Additionally, staying connected
with a support network (other chaplains, mentors) who understand these
struggles could provide reassurance and encouragement during slow periods.2. Persistence
Persistence requires ongoing effort, even when progress seems minimal or when setbacks occur. In sports ministry, challenges like injuries, poor performance, or personal issues could cause athletes to disengage, leading to discouragement for the chaplain or minister.
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- Struggle: I could see
persistence being a challenge when faced with repeated setbacks or
disengagement from the athletes. It might be discouraging to see players
attend one session and then drop out, or to have them become spiritually
stagnant.- Overcoming This: Overcoming
this challenge would involve setting realistic expectations and
remembering the long-term nature of spiritual work. Keeping a journal to
document small achievements or breakthroughs could help maintain
motivation. Regular reflection on the deeper purpose of
ministry—supporting others no matter the outcome—would also help foster
resilience and persistence. Additionally, staying connected to the larger
sports ministry community could provide encouragement and fresh ideas for
maintaining engagement.3. Engagement
In terms of engagement, I might struggle if I found it difficult to establish meaningful connections with certain athletes. The transient nature of professional sports, where players come and go, or barriers like differing belief systems, might make it harder to build trust.
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- Overcoming This: I would focus
on meeting people where they are, trying to engage with them in informal
settings to break down any barriers. Learning more about their personal
interests or struggles might help to establish a connection beyond
spiritual topics. Building rapport through shared activities, such as
attending team practices or being present at events, would also foster
deeper connections over time.In summary, while the principles of patience and persistence may present personal challenges, they can be overcome by focusing on long-term growth, celebrating small wins, and seeking support and guidance from others involved in sports ministry work.
- Struggle: I could
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I think I struggle with all four of them but I am open to improving myself hence taking this course.