Training Session #1How do I do this?
OBJECTIVES
- To understand that we must have certain knowledge, attitudes and skills to be excellent.
- To value and articulate opportunities for relationships, attitude, and presence.
- To evaluate yourself according to attributes presented and identify areas of needed growth and have a strategy for pursuing growth
- To value doing our work WITH God rather than FOR God.
EQUIPMENT
Be ready to take any relevant notes.
WORKOUT
Watch the following videos and reflect on the questions. You will discuss them with your coach.
The Chaplains/Character Coaches in this video provide a sketch of what it looks like to serve their clubs. You may have an opportunity to serve in a parallel fashion.
- Brainstorm all the various issues you think you may have to help sportspeople navigate. Which ones do you feel equipped to help with and which ones might you need to gain more knowledge or skill in?
- What are some practical habits you can form that will help you be that "neutral, trusted Chaplain" that meets their needs?
But what will it look like for YOU to serve on YOUR campus? That will depend on WHO you are and WHAT campus you are serving. But what is universal are the characteristics you should strive to possess. Also, let's hear from Roger as he practically outlines what is true on EVERY campus - relationships to pursue, attitudes to possess, and how to be present.
- When exploring Cede’s description of Characteristics one must possess- why do you suppose they chose these eight? Which ones will be vital for you to maintain or grow in?
- What relationships are available for you to pursue now? How can you build those relationships more fully?
- What attitudes did Roger mention that you need to be aware of?
- When would be strategic times (both tangible times as well as formative moments) for you to be present?
Lastly, "when you know who you are, you'll know what to do". Let Emily encourage you with what the Lord has said about you and challenge you to consider how your identity will impact the work you do on campus.
- Who or what has historically told you “who you are”?
- How have you seen “fear of man” or “approval of man” play itself out in your life or your work as a Sports Chaplain or Character Coach?
- Emily shared several truths from Scripture - which ones can you apply to your life and work? How?
What you DO flows from WHO you are. If we think that our work on this campus depends on us, we have a small vision of God and will exhaust ourselves trying to work FOR Him and His approval. Take time to talk to God about getting a Vision OF Him so that you can have a Vision FOR Him. Ask Him who He says that you are. The Father called Jesus "My Son in whom I am well pleased" before Jesus did ANYTHING. May you work FROM that identity rather than FOR it. And may you work WITH God rather than FOR God.
REPLAY
SCA Chaplains explain the value we can uniquely bring to an Athletic Department or Sports Team. Your job might look like theirs depending on where you are serving. But what is true regardless of where we serve are the attributes we must possess.
From this solid foundation we can truly be aware of the three primary principles necessary to to serve effectively as a Character Coach or Sports Chaplain: Relationships, Attitude, and Presence.
- Relationships- Head Coach, Athletic Trainers/Strength Coaches, Athlete Leaders, Freshmen, Injured, Administrators, Support Staff (academics, nutrition, mental health, compliance, etc)
- Attitude- Humility, NOT a fan, patience, trustworthy confidant, competitive drive, coach’s goals for the season, performance over winning
- Presence- Before/at the end of practice, after a loss, in the lunch room/weight room/training room
But above all - when you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.
Our identity MUST flow from who God says that we are. Our ability to walk calmly into challenging circumstances is full dependent on this. Cede outlines several must-have characteristics of a Sports Minister. Essentially they are a natural by-product of a hungry and humble Sports Chaplain/Character Coach who knows who they are and is willing to be taught by the Holy Spirit and wise counsel.
PRACTICE
Shadow a Sports Chaplain, Character Coach, or Campus Representative for a day. Observe how they interact with people and their attitude in general. Think about the following questions during your time with them:
- How are they present and “around enough to be relevant” to the people they serve?
- What “awkward” situations did/might they encounter and how did they navigate it?
- Why did they handle situations in the way that they did?
Take time to interview them afterwards and/or interview a sports chaplain/character coach veteran if you had a more negative experience. Potential questions to ask are, but are not limited to:
- What is the easiest/most difficult thing about this job?
- What “lessons learned” they have that they could share with you?
- What do they consider to be best practices?
- What are mistakes you have made that I could learn from?
- What are some “must have” and “can’t stand” traits that you believe I must have or grow in to do this with excellence?
DEBRIEF
Write a reflection on your shadowing experience and your interview that details all that you learned. Turn your reflection in below.
OVERTIME
- PDF: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Personal Assessment will help you assess yourself on the emotional maturity you bring to this job
- PDF: Athletes In Action’s “6 Things a Coach Thinks and Feels But May Never Say” and “10 Things the Athlete Would Like You to Know But May Never Tell You”
- AudioBook: Who are we? Exploring our Christian Identity- Henri Nouwen
- Experience: Read your job description and consider what you can add to or edit within it that will help you grow in the areas of Head/Relationships, Heart/Attitudes, and Hands/Skills you will need. Detail what you will “expect” of yourself as well as how you will “inspect” it.
