Transformational Coaching

This post is longer than normal, but since I have been building this in my mind and missing a few weeks, I hope you will read the post below and meditate on some thoughts.

Another sport season is upon on us...basketball. And that means more opportunities for kids to participate in sport and learn Christ like values. It also means we need a network of coaches to invest in their lives.

Over the last few months we have seen the word "coach" described in unfavorable ways. From the pressures of money and obtaining high profile athletes to the darker issues of abuse. No matter what the issue is, I think it's true to say we need coaches, people who are investors, that understand their role and the trust placed upon them.

This message is not new. In fact, if you have been around our recreation ministry, you know Rolando Lamb has been involved with our basketball development with the purpose of teaching character and character coaches. And recently I have been reading Joe Ehrmann's book regarding "inside out coaching." Both of these men are calling for men and women, boys and girls, to participate with the intentions of doing so from a transformed way of life. Which leads me to this thought; we have been called by God for a greater purpose.

The sad stories we continue to be exposed to regarding coaches is not new. It 's been around since the fall of man in the garden. It's the struggle of letting go of self and trusting God for our direction and life's purpose. Much like parenting, I have learned that in order to be a good coach, I have to be willing to address the issues / sin struggles in my own life in order to invest in others. And this is not always easy.

We, Cool Spring recreation, have been looking at the concept of Character / Transformational Coaching in comparison to Transactional Coaching. Defined by Erhmann, transactional coaches are those who seek self first (winning, records, contracts), team second, and player third. A transformational coach always seeks the player's interest first, team second, and then his own identity last.

Sports is in need of redemption and sports can provide redemption in peoples lives. The answer begins with each of us recognizing our selfish nature and dying to it. We do that by accepting God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 3:16). We then begin to live from God's perspective and purpose for our own lives. The Bible says we are new creations, the old has gone and new has come to us. Therefore, we are able to void the selfish ambitions and live to serve others and Christ. It really is reflective of the Christmas story! (I bet some of you never thought about sports and Christmas and the impact this season can have on our sports culture).

In a culture that serves sports as much as it does a local church, look for ways in your life to be transformational. Invest not for your benefit, but for the benefit of others and the growth of men and women to understand their true character that can be found in and through the love of Christ.

In Between Two Boys

This week was rather funny for me. As many of you know, I have a son (Tyler) who is a second year student at George Mason University and a son (Brendan) who is a student at Oak Knoll Middle School.

Tyler was home last weekend for a visit and was preparing to go back to school for a week that involved teaching observations in the local schools of Fairfax. As he was packing, he was also hitting my closet for dress shirts and pants. He has a few inches (OK, more than a few) on me in height, but the shoulders and neck size hold about the same. By the time he left, three of my shirts were gone and were ready for him to wear the next two weeks.

On the other side of the coin is Brendan's shoes (a 12 year kid who wears a 9.5). As I headed to the office and was planning to exercise, I realized that I forgot my shoes. However, Brendan had me bring his to the gym so he could play basketball after school. Just as Tyler used my shirts, I found myself slipping on Brendan's shoes to do my exercises (Of course, he would have died if he saw me in them).

All this to say that it's a strange, but thankful, feeling to be in the middle of both my boys.

Best thoughts happen........where?

.............in the locker room / restroom of the recreation center! Go ahead and admit it, you know you do your best thinking in the shower etc. Well, the same was true this morning at the Rec Center.

This morning I was talking with one of our consistent guests of the Rec Center. We passed by one another in the locker room area and greeted each other. My friend had been out for the past month and was now back working out. After little talk, he asked me a question....."What is the meaning and significance of baptism?" (how ironic that we were only a few feet away from the showers if a quick dunking was needed). But back to the conversation. In an effort for him to help guide one of his friends, he was wanting to understand baptism and it's meaning. So, for the next twenty minutes we engaged in a great discussion of the picture that baptism represents for the follower of Christ in obedience to symbolize the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It's a testimony to our faith.

The other side of this story is that Monday is my day to refresh after a week and weekend of recreation sports leagues and ministry. With the fall and winter leagues on us, I decided a day in the office was in order for this Monday....and that's where and when it happened. Just like the scriptures show us, interruptions or times where our expectations are low, prove valuable for sharing and investing in others.

Who would have thought a routine trip to the locker room would have provided so much reflection and investment.

A Trip with Ministry Reminders

Today was a great day of travel. Kelly and I left the Richmond area by car and headed to Canton Ohio for a meeting with other members involved with Church Sports and Recreation Ministers Association. It was an eight hour drive that provided great views and insights. While we could have taken a plane (and it still would have been eight hours), we chose the car ride together. Here are a few positives of the trip that you could not get from the air:

* Fall Foliage everywhere and in every state we went through (VA, MD, WV, PA, and Ohio). It was great to put on my thinking music (Bach style) and weave in and out of the mountains with the bright colors all around. It was a time of silent reflection and detailed conversation.

* The opportunity to see the heart of our country - the small mountain towns, large family farms being worked by fathers and sons, iron built cities, and working rivers. It's amazing to see the creativity of God and how a variety of different people living in one nation use it (or abuse it).

* Tim Horton's !! - great coffee and a variety of donuts and "timbits."

* Seeing the Pro Football Hall Of Fame and the stadium in which the Hall of Fame Game is played in.

We arrived at our final destination tonight on the grounds of a 1923 Ohio classic golf course (Brookside) for dinner and the kick off of our meetings over the next few days. As we gathered around, through conversations and stories being told, I was reminded of these truths about ministry (particularly my life in sports and recreation ministry):

1. We are called to ministry. At one point in my life, I sensed God calling me for a specific purpose and we need not forget that moment in our spiritual timeline.

2. We are challenged in ministry. Yes, serving Christ and others will always provided challenging circumstances and people. But it's those times that we can look back on and see growth.

3. We have been and will be influenced by others in ministry. There are several people in my life that have left lasting impressions throughout various stages. Allowing people to invest in you will stay with you for a lifetime.

4. We need to be encouragers in ministry. Be someone who desires to offer others with the opportunities you have been provided. It's part of discipling and equipping others for the work of the ministry.

What a trip! And I am thankful for the eyes (physically and spiritually) to have seen it.

Agent of Change

Recently Sports Illustrated had an article by Alexander Wolff entitled, Sports Saves The World. This was a year long study of his travels through various countries who are suffering from HIV epidemics, gun/gang wars, and societal/governmental issues. His findings revealed the obvious to me: when you provide a specific program that introduces life principles and accountability, you then see change. Sports is a tool that can be used as a change agent across the globe and I applaud those within the article who are using soccer, basketball, and rugby to foster healthy lifestyles and alternatives to the hard ships and temptations they face each day.

One of the reasons I applaud this effort is that I believe in this investment. I had the opportunity to use sports as a tool for change in a third world country for several years. While I spent time teaching and developing the game of basketball for boys and girls, table tennis for females suppressed by government, and athletic administration for local schools, I saw the hunger they had for an outside activity that allowed for with-drawls from their daily struggles. Through these recreation activities we were able to not only teach sport, but to teach sport from a biblical world view. From sportsmanship to character, from selfish gain to teamwork. Yes it is essential that we play the games being offered and provide release from circumstantial issues, but we also have to provide the greater element of change - the life changing message of Jesus Christ.

Sports is a "tool" that has been given to us to use for a greater purpose. It is through sports that we can teach the virtues of Christ and attributes of His love that will enable a life change. Physical needs and circumstances will always allow for spiritual needs to be discovered and approached. That's the heart of recreational and sports ministry. It allows involvement in a global challenge while offering God's provision from a global perspective.

Be a part of change. Find ways that you can interact through your passions (let me know if it's recreation and sports) and assist in the development of physical needs while showing the love Christ when faced with spiritual needs.

Now Playing.....Fall Soccer

I am excited about the events of this past weekend - Upward Fall Soccer started in Hanover. This fall season we will be hosting soccer at Broadus Memorial Church off Pole Green Road. With any new opportunity, you never know what it will be like. But this Saturday, it was awesome. Eighty three players participated, new families have joined the league, new fields have been set, and the soccer was fun to watch.

As our Upward Sports ministry continues to grow and develop, it's in our long term plans to give away that which God has provided for us. Over the past ten years we have had the opportunity to see basketball, flag football, soccer, cheer-leading, and challenger basketball develop and work among local church partners for space, volunteers, and building relationships with the people of Hanover County. And this fall is no exception. Broadus has a great team of volunteers who are committed to see recreation, soccer, be used as a resource for investing in the lives of people in our community. As you head out on Pole Green Road towards Rte 360, stop by and see what "new and exciting things" God is doing through recreation.

Coaching with the Intent to Develop Character

Had the opportunity to host a conference call yesterday with CSRM (Church Sports and Recreation Ministers Association, www.csrm.org). Part of our desire as an organization is to connect with others, both nationally and internationally, who are using sports as an avenue for sharing Christ's love with others. This year we are focusing on providing connecting moments through monthly meetings in area locations, to phone / web conferencing, and summits.

The topic for yesterday was Coaching with the Intent of Developing Character. Lately, I have felt overwhelmed with the negative press regarding universities, coaches, and players decisions and character issues. While issues are at the top level, be aware that on the local level they are happening as well. The "professional experience" is now making its way into our middle schools and recreation leagues. From contacts with college coaches to sneaker and uniform endorsements; are students are being hit with making character decisions everyday. The question we have to ask ourselves is this: What are we doing to help develop Godly Character?

Rolando Lamb, America's Character Coach, joined us on the conference and shared with us some insights regarding character. Romans 5:3 is a great passage of scripture that references the building of character and we also see a great example in 1 Kings 15:5 with reference to David doing right in the Lord's eyes. Character comes down to the choices you make and the actions you take. Character is values in action.

While working with recreation leagues and families who participate with you, here are some points to consider :

• Be above reproach / Be an example -Coaches, next to parents, have the opportunity to have the greatest impact on the young people they are working with. Model for them character that counts.
• Be intentional about developing character - You have to have a plan in place. Know what your end goal is and stay focused. You will need to provide a combination of explanation, demonstration, motivation, application, and repetition as you seek to teach character.
• Believe and invest in the kids you are working with - Kids have to much potential for us to let them fail in society. Get across to them that you genuinely care.
  
• Group players together with others on the team to help challenge them and create an atmosphere that draws the best out of them. Proverbs 20:5 makes reference to drawing out the potential of people.

As you work with your leagues, train coaches, and invest in local recreation programs; be intentional about providing Godly instruction and character.