A wide variety of people can serve the people of sport as Character Coaches. One need not be a sport ministry professional to faithfully serve and to significantly impact the lives of coaches and athletes. Among those who could serve in these roles are:
FCA wants to provide teams with the best-trained, most effective Character Coaches that they can, so we have created a process:
As you get started recruiting, training and empowering Character Coaches in your area, it is critically important to follow some FCA guidelines to protect everyone involved.
Keep in mind the differences between a Character Coach and a Team Chaplain. The Character Coach initiative is designed to help get a ‘foot in the door’ with School Administrators, Coaches and athletes by providing an on-going presence with a particular team while passing along strong, character building lessons that are non-religious.
Obviously, our hope and prayer is that these Character Coaches begin to lay a foundation of trust that will eventually open doors for other opportunities such as evangelism and discipleship.
When discussing the role of a Character Coach, it is important to know the difference between a Character Coach and a Chaplain. Both roles are critically important but distinctively different. Which role you play with a team is determined by the audience.
Character Coach | Chaplain |
---|---|
Value based | Faith bases |
Goal: teach character/leadership qualities | Goal: foster spiritual growth and provide spiritual guidance and direction |
Coaches can make it mandatory | Coaches must make it optional |
Model + inform | Model + inform + convert |
Below is an in-depth check-list of items to implement as you begin the process of developing a Character Coach strategy - click each tab to view.
FCA Character Coach Requirements
Student Rights
School Process
General Guidelines
Gaining Trust
Life Attitude
There may be no more costly nor rewarding role in ministry through sport then that of the Character Coach. The keys to effectiveness in such a role are simple, but most important.
Simply said, there are a few keys to ministry with people of sport and they are outlined briefly below. Chief among those keys is to take a relational approach rather than a programmatic approach. Focus on the people more than the methods or strategies. The goal is not just to develop programs or to hold meetings; rather it is to relate to the people of sport closely enough to sense the needs of their hearts and to minister to them accordingly.
Focus on the people of sport. Win their trust through serving them.
Watch Your Attitude & Don't Act Like a Fan
Be in the Right Place at the Right Time
Strategies and Methods are Secondary to the Relational Emphasis
If you will focus on the relationship building tips listed above, the appropriate strategies and methods will be much more easily seen and implemented.
Always ask permission before beginning a ministry initiative. Make a proposal to the head coach for the Bible study, discussion, chapel, event, etc. Doing so honors his position and may keep you from violating a team or athletic association rule. It also further builds his or her trust of you and your ministry.
Be sure to adapt ministry methods and tools to the sport's culture. Don't simply drag the people of sport into church culture and expect it to be a good fit. Strive to help those whom you serve to fully integrate their lives in sport with their lives in Christ Jesus.
To effectively serve the people of sport as their Character Coach; focus on the people and win their trust through serving them; watch your attitude; be in the right place at the right time; and keep strategies and methods secondary to the relational emphasis.
Character Coach Messages
Stay under 7 minutes!
Time yourself as you prepare. Do not abuse the Coach’s wishes…this is the quickest way to lose respect and trust.
Sharing a personal story or experience makes a great impact and it will help you connect with the audience.
Do not try to cover too much information. Be simple and focused. Give them something they can remember and repeat.
Remember that these athletes are about to go into (or have just finished) intense competition. Always try to end your message with a charge for them to take action! What is it that you want them to do as a result of what they have just heard?
All prospective Character Coaches must have a signed agreement on file with North Central Florida FCA indicating that you agree to adhere to all statements included within the agreement.