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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I was asked to do a bible study with my children’s homeschooling sports league specifically their volleyball team. I did have to be prepared and that meant reading through the devotional that was provided for me to go over with the boys. I was engaged with the boys and had to give some outside counseling. Persistence in being there every day that I was supposed to be. and Patient because some of the athletes had not read the Bible before and reading period is becoming a lost art. So, oftentimes I would find myself front loading the lessons with a short amount of time. It worked out in the end.
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I am not currently involved in sports ministry, but I have 2/3 of my class that are males that are involved in baseball. I am looking to use these key principles to minister to them throughout the school day and at recess. I see the information in this course helping me to minister to them throughout the school day the way they are not being ministered at practice.
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I am currently not in sports ministry but I hope to be soon. I plan to reflect on Colin Pinkney’s (PEPP) program.
Preparation: Read God’s word and prayer. In addition, I plan to get to know both the sports staff and athletes.
Engagement: once I get involved with a team, I plan to attend games and know the athletes.
Persistence: I plan not to give up but be available.
Patience: Never giving up on an athlete of coaching staff. Be available to assist in any way.
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I’m currently not a Sports Minister, however there are a lot of people that I minister to that are athletes. One of my greatest gifts people see in me is that I listen to people very well and everyone knows that I’m very patient. The greatest thing I can do is make myself available by routine. That’s what I’ll implement to my sports ministry.
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Yes, I am involved on several different levels with various age teams. I agree with Colin — particularly persistence and patience. The timetable most of us work with is very different than the timetable of those we are serving. I need to remember not to get disheartened when relationship progress is slower than I would like. To improve, I could be more intentional in creating a year-long calendar to be sure I do not lose touch with players and coaches in the off-season.
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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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I believe patience will be tough for me. Given that I am very goal oriented, competitive, and disciplined myself, I am not sure how I will respond when different age groups may not register with the message or they will be distracted by the sport and miss the true message.
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The last three years have been a little interrupted with health challenges making preparation more difficult while making time in the Word even more important. Off track and off season is challenging but social media is helpful. Both of my series have dedicated FB pages that enables a little more casual interaction that can enable ministry contacts. The personal phone ministry can become both challenging and rewarding. My Administrators of the series I cover are very helpful in helping me chase people down if I need to. Building a relationship of trust and respect has been important.
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I am currently dealing with a Situation in one of the S.E. Suburbs of CLE, Ohio at a Municipal Govt facility in which an Adult Afro-American Woman comes for services. She has been Obviously open about apparently carrying a Dementia issue as part of who she currently is. For me; It is increasingly irritating to have to (desire to?) repetitively state information to her that has been history for her for awhile now. Truth be told; I finally broke down recently and placed ALL my Verbal Communication of the past into writing for her to hopefully be able to have ‘jog her memory’ where/as needed. In reflecting on how to work through ‘finding it frustrating when you dont have the access you would like to have”—- I agree with one of the presenters in “Ministering to Athletes and their families” where they speak of on purpose involving themselves in players and families activities; away from the formal Playing of the Sports environs; e.g. Baptisms; Weddings; Event ‘Blessings’; just to name a few. 03032023.
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I will not have a struggle with the Four Success Principles (PEPP) primarily because of my training as a Psychotherapist for the past 22 years.
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Yes, waiting for God’s timing is crucial and allowing God to do the work of opening or closing doors.