Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

I'll be the first to say it: Thank You for posting this!

Fair and important questions.

As a pastor, I've wondered the same thing many, many times.

Well done.

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

Gracias Davo. Again, every pastor I talk to seems to be aware that this is becoming a major issue in churches.

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

My friend,

You get braver and wiser every day.

Thanks.

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

Charles,

I wish! But I'm grateful for the very kind comment.

I hope you guys are doing well and keeping Macon in line! :-)

W

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

Question 18: Do any of the above questions offend you? If so please refer back to Question 14!

Great post Wym! It amazes me how parents will spare no effort or expense to get their child to the ball field or to sports camp while they struggle to have them at church for Wednesday Bible study or pay for them to go to a Christian camp in the summer.

I wonder if participating in sports allows parents to emphasize the "work harder" mentality. If you "work harder" and "do better" then you will be valuable to the team. This is the antithesis of the Christian life and the gospel, yet we as human beings are more comfortable living in this world.

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

Thanks for the comment Michael. You're right on, and I know you're on the front lines of this kind of thing and see it up close and personal.

W

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

I wholeheartedly agree with the letter to parents, but after 14years of pastoring a great church and now working on staff with a christain sports ministry I need to ask the obvious question; why do they choose sporting events over going to church? This has been a frustation that I encountered many times in church ministry.

Obviously it is a narrow way issue and the spiritual work in harder than the physical.
But is the church prepared to ask the hard question why are team sports more popular than the things that last forever?
The team is built around there is no "I" in team, the youth group struggles with accepting kids from every walk of life. socially, economically and do we even need to touch the racial barrier on the church team?
The sports team has rrequirements and expectations it requires discipline. Is the church teams about making disciples?
The sports team coach spends hours with the players building relationships with the players, the church team volunteers struggle with making time to spend with their students, and wonder why the kids don't respond.
The sports team has a goal, while it seems sometimnes the church team lacks meaning and real purpose. Kids pick up on that.

So, I am with you in principle, but in practice I have seen great spiritual victories when I stopped competing with the sports teams your kids are on and began seeking opportunites to serve the kids and coaches in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to go! Many of these coaches will find their most meaningful ministry contact will be when they learn to serve these kids as Christian coaches! Our Jerusalem is dying, while we are trying to reach the uttermost. sports can be a part of our evangelism outreach that sends kids back to our local church.

Same team ! Steve

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

Steve,

I appreciate the comments and wouldn't disagree with a single thing you've said here. On the contrary, I'm giving you a big "Amen!" here. It is indeed the other side of the issue and I could (and may) write a post with questions to the church about why our parents and kids routinely choose sports over the church...or, for that matter, why believers routinely choose many of the things they choose over consistency in church.

I also think you're right about sports and evangelism. There's certainly a role there that can be very helpful!

With appreciation,
W

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

I love it. My prayer is to keep "my eye on the ball (Jesus-pun intended)" as Mark and I raise our girls. Thank you for all you do!

Re: An Open Letter to Christian Parents Concerning Athletics, the Church, and Your Children

Your questions are great! I do not believe that there needs to be a conflict between sports and the church. In fact, our family found that sports opened up the door to be a witness in our community. We have been able to make life long friends with our involvement in soccer. However, early in the life of my 3 kids (all three are in college now) we had to make a choice. The choice was "only one sport" for all three. Each child decided to play soccer. This choice worked well for our family. This gave us seasons off. It was a great move for our family. One other thing, the Lord blessed us in sending Christian coaches our way. This was a true gift.

Thanks for the article.