Welcome to the Ordained Chaplains podcast. My name is Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society University, and this is “The Work of the Chaplain” Lesson 69. The simple purpose of this podcast is to help those who are interested in serving others through chaplaincy, pastoring, coaching, and counseling to learn the basics of this profession.
Our Work of the Chaplain Passage for this episode is Galatians 6:2 which says, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Our Work of the Chaplain quote for this episode is from C.J. Mahaney. He said, “Sports are a gift from God. But as soon as you introduce the human heart, things get complicated.”
In this podcast, we are going through the fine book: “The Work of the Chaplain” by Naomi K. Paget and Janet R. McCormack.
Our topic today is: Chapter 9 – Other Chaplain Specialties (Part 4)
— Sports & Recreation Chaplains
The very nature of chaplaincy itself, which takes ministry to the people of a target population, lends itself to a creative and entrepreneurial approach to ministry. Some of these creative chaplains provide spiritual care in resort and leisure settings, to amateur and professional sports teams, and in all types of recreational and sports venues. Chaplains minister to professional and amateur athletes, spectators, and those involved in the sporting industry. Many become chaplains because they love a particular sport, they have “insider status” as an athlete, or they are workers in a sport or recreational arena.
Education & Training
The majority of these chaplains are volunteers who raise their own support in the pattern of sponsored missionaries, and most are willing to pay for their personal uniforms, licenses, et cetera, for the privilege of ministering within a particular sport or leisure setting. Depending on the requirements of the sporting organization, chaplains may be professional endorsed chaplains, ordained clergy, or laity. They may report to a professional sporting organization, a chaplaincy organization specializing in a particular sport, the administrators of a sporting or leisure venue, or a denominational body.
Specific Duties
Chaplains in sports and recreation venues believe that God created humans with the capacity and desire for pleasure and the ability to get pleasure from the use of our bodies in physical activity. Athletic abilities, like all abilities, are a gift from God (Psalm 139:13-16) to be used wisely. Athletes gain fame and wealth, often at a very young age when they may not have the experience or wisdom to handle such notoriety. Chaplains have often found that athletes need and welcome spiritual care, support, and intervention—especially since a large public is in awe of them. Chaplains who have gained credibility by their actions are often invited into the lives of their constituents in a way that others would never be welcome.
It was the day after the big game, and he was angry at the world. Those closest to him were on the receiving end of feelings he couldn’t express. When you are responsible for the play that cost your team the championship, what’s left for a fired, 28-year-old, washed-up athlete? Where were the fans now? When the chaplain came over, he just sat in silence until the athlete began to talk about his embarrassment, anger, depression, and fears for his future. There was no resolution or future plan that day, but a door was cracked open, a suicide was averted, and a young man knew he wouldn’t have to be alone in his pain.
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— PRAYER —
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Now, if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, here’s how.
First, accept the fact that you are a sinner, and that you have broken God’s law. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
Second, accept the fact that there is a penalty for sin. The Bible states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…”
Third, accept the fact that you are on the road to hell. Jesus Christ said in Matthew 10:28: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Also, the Bible states in Revelation 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
Now this is bad news, but here’s the good news. Jesus Christ said in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Just believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead by the power of God for you so that you can live eternally with Him. Pray and ask Him to come into your heart today, and He will.
Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
God bless.
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