Sports receive too little attention from churches. Some use sports as outreach, such as organized leagues or Super Bowl outreach parties—although the ads and halftime wardrobe malfunctions create awkward moments. Others occasionally ask athletes to share a message. Hearing Mike Singletary talk about fatherhood made me want to do my best as a dad.
But actually teaching on the overall topic—sports—rarely happens. A surprise, given the magnitude of attention sports command in today’s society. In children’s and youth ministry, sports often earn a reputation as the competition. Sunday soccer leagues erode attendance, right?
Here’s the problem: people of all ages experience character formation through competing in sports. So what kind of character do they acquire? And from whom?
Yes, parents own the primary role to guide young athletes. The church can play a role too. Actually, the church should play a role. As a former children’s ministry director, I speak from experience when I say that very little guidance about sports comes from the church. At best, a child might carry a couple lessons from Sunday school or youth group on to the field of competition: Be fair and take turns. Quite likely, though, the intoxication of competition and passion to be a winner will take first place—at the expense of integrity and much more. Eventually, how one plays on the field will become how one lives each day.
Unless coaching of a greater kind takes place, and sports occupies second place to immovable, God-honoring character.
Which brings to mind my favorite quarterback in the state of Michigan.
At the 2011 Big Ten Kickoff Luncheon, the athlete selected to speak on behalf of all the conference’s football players was Michigan State’s Kirk Cousins. In just seven minutes, he deftly wove in humor and humility, described how responsibility comes from privilege, and displayed character that challenges other athletes to embrace a higher call. A few sound bites from his speech that nearly burst with ministry teaching potential include:
“It has been a privilege to play college football. … Privilege should never lead to a sense of entitlement. … I’ve been taught that privilege should lead to responsibility, in fact to greater responsibility.”
“The Bible says in Luke 12:48: ‘From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.'”
“We have a responsibility to develop and use our God-given talents to their fullest potential and to do so in a way that honors God and benefits others. I don’t believe it’s too far-fetched to think that we as college football players could make a significant positive difference in the youth culture of America, simply by embracing the responsibilities that accompany our place of privilege.”
“We could redefine ‘what is cool’ for young people. We could set a new standard for how to treat others. We could embody what it means to be a person of integrity. We could show to young people that excellence in the classroom is a worthy pursuit. We could show that it’s more important to do what is right, than to do what feels right.”
To fully appreciate Cousins’ speech, read the speech text or watch the video.
Whether you minister to the 10- to 12-year olds that Kirk mentions, or 10th to 12th graders, consider how you could partner with parents to deliberately shape the character of the athletes around you. Sports will make a difference, a big difference in their lives—but imagine what could happen if the young players from your ministry made a difference in their sports.
Back to the comment “my favorite quarterback.”While Michigan State Spartans’ number 8 (Cousins) is an amazing young man, my true favorite wears number 14 for the Grand Haven Buccaneers (my son). As a dad, I’m deeply grateful that number 8 arrived to show what immovable, God-honoring character looks like in sports today—because number 14 is watching.
David Staal, senior editor of the children’s ministry area for BuildingChurchLeaders.com and a mentor to a second-grade boy, serves as the president of Kids Hope USA, a national non-profit organization that partners local churches with elementary schools to provide mentors for at-risk students. Prior to this assignment, David led Promiseland, the children’s ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. David is the author of Words Kids Need to Hear (2008) and lives in Grand Haven, Michigan, with his wife, Becky, son, Scott, and daughter, Erin. Interested in David speaking at your event? Click here)
