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From the Rev: Looking Back to Move Forward?

On the last day of 2013, there is occasion to pause for reflection. There is much debate around looking backward in order to move forward in our culture. Some criticism – that the only reason we look back is so that we can make more efficient our practice or modernize our mechanistic attitude. Some wisdom – that we ought to learn from mistakes and strive to not repeat them, to teach our children how to overcome them. Some practical application – goal-setting, resolutions, and the like. Some fantastical dreaming – see above.

In looking back and contemplating 2013, there are several poignant moments (notice I didn’t use the word highlights) for 2013 that have shaped and framed 2013 as its own unique year. Below are some of the stories that have had significant impact in my own life and ministry:

In addition to the stories above, there are countless stories that fill the backdrop – moments of prayer, counseling, training, growth, and much, much more. The temptation is to review some of these major events and turn them into a mere exercise of “improvement” – to be critical of ones self and miss perhaps what God has intended in the “between” spaces.

For example, days after the memorial service for Elysa, I found myself sleepless at night, wondering “Could I have said something different, or better?” “Could I have comforted family? Friends? The team? in a different way?” If I am honest, too, when Ben shared with me about his desire to leave CrossTraining I was left wondering, where did I fail in my leadership? in my collegiality? and it felt as though CrossTraining was going to fall apart before my very eyes. But God is faithful, He uses us in our weakness, our frailty, our not-quite-good-enough and imperfections.

While I do believe that there may be valuable lessons to learn from the past and this last year and season of ministry and life, there is the realization that moving forward has less to do with my own power, or skill, or education, or leadership, or success, or failure. It has much, much more (perhaps, entirely) to do with God moving something forward – that something maybe being me, CrossTraining, the chaplains under CrossTraining, those we serve.

And so, at the end of 2013, I find myself praying a simple prayer that is reminiscent of some words that Jesus said when he said, “I can only do what I see the Father doing.” Simply it is, “Lord, help me move forward (into 2014 and beyond) with you.”  And, Lord willing, it will be. May it be for you as well.

Blessings,

 

Rev. Brad Kenney

From the Rev: We Believe…

If you were watching the United States vs. Mexico World Cup Qualifier earlier this year, you could hear the familiar chant begin in the crowd as the game got underway:

I Believe…I Believe that…I Believe that we…

I Believe that we will win! I Believe that we will win!

My daughter was watching part of the game with me and asked me, “Daddy, what are they saying?” I explained to my daughter what the chant was and some of the story behind its origins (which are obscure at best, but may point back to a Navy vs. Air Force football game in 2003). As the night continued and the USMNT went on to win 2-0, I reflected back to the chant – which has a familiar ring for those who are Christians, but with different words.

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Known as the Apostle’s Creed, the above words (sometimes sung, sometimes chanted) were a summary of Christian belief in the face of heretical opposition beginning as early as the third or fourth century. The creedal statement became and continues to be a bedrock of orthodox faith for Christendom.

The Apostle’s Creed and it’s statement of belief stands as an incredible contrast to the chants that we hear ringing in the football stadiums and arenas of sport, today. For in realizing that the statements of faith and belief contained within the Creed are based upon truth, grounded in fact – yes there are some things that are unseen and necessitate faith, but it is much more than the belief that one might have in the local sports team and whether that team may or may not win. And that faith in God is something worth chanting about.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

From the Rev: MLS Cup

When the whistle finally sounded, it was Sporting Kansas City that had overcome Real Salt Lake to take the Major League Soccer Cup Final for 2013. The game went to penalty kicks – the second such championship game for RSL – as both teams were looking for their second title.

It has been three years since the Colorado Rapids claimed the title over FC Dallas in the cold confines of Toronto’s BMO Field. Read a Rapids’ staff reflection here. There has been much that has changed in those three years – in MLS as well as with the Rapids. As I reflect back on the team I offer some reflections that you might not exactly expect.

1. There is always a story behind the story – for every person standing on the field, on the sidelines, or in the stands there is a story to be told. Perhaps it is two men fighting for the same position, the same spot on the team; or, maybe it is a coach whose job has been in jeopardy throughout the season – win it all or he’s done; and there are dozens of stories about those in the stand – wives praying that their husbands win the game so there can be a contract extension and another year of stability; moms and dads hoping that their son can overcome the injuries and defeats and finally accomplish the goal; staff members who have toiled long hours to see an organization set up for success on so many different levels; and supporters who have spent thousands of dollars following and supporting their heroes. Each of these stories build into the emotion and drama that feels like a dramatic roller coaster.

2. Winning it all doesn’t solve everything – I remember tears on players’ faces after learning within 12 hours that they were going to be exposed to an expansion draft. Champions for 12 hours – and then the club had to designate who would be sent to different teams. Questions of value, importance, and honor dropped some like weights when they found out there return the following season was unlikely. Coaches had even less time before they were forced to make decisions about breaking up the championship group. There was no time for a sit-down, tell-it-to-your-face conversation. Families that were celebrating the night before were wondering where they would be by the end of the day.

3.  Men are always in search of more – closely tied into the reflection above, there were some powerful feelings in the days and weeks after the Cup. For some, they commented on feeling a sense of emptiness, others had questions of “Is this all there is?” While winning the Cup meant the accomplishment of lifelong dreams for many, there was an overwhelming sense that somehow one’s significance had not greatly improved or changed – in fact, some felt even a greater despair.

It is in the moments when the glitter and confetti ceases to fall, the lights go dim and then dark, the raucous noise of  fans goes quiet and we are left to ourselves – here is where we find that we must still wrestle with the internal questions that have always existed. We find, truly, that the glory of the moment is so quick and fleeting. Even as team chaplain, I have found myself feeling some of the same emotions described above. While there has been much joy, there has also been pain around the triumph to tragedy movements around what many might claim as the organization’s most glorious achievement – MLS Cup.

In reading, perhaps you have experienced this for yourself – an achievement in the academic setting or the workplace or home. Maybe you have seen loved ones go through the deflation of hope that has come when a personal or professional achievement was found to lack the meaning and significance that was believed to be inherent within. These all point to the human need for something greater, for something transcendent. In truth, it points to our need for God – greater than shiny silverware and trophies – God’s presence and work in our lives is about Divine mastery and artistry. C.S. Lewis, mentions this in his work, The Problem of Pain:

“We are, not metaphorically but in very truth, a Divine work of art, something that God is making, and therefore something with which He will not be satisfied until it has a certain character. Here again we come up against what I have called the “intolerable compliment.” Over a sketch made idly to amuse a child, an artist may not take much trouble: he may be content to let it go even though it is not exactly as he meant it to be. But over the great picture of his life—the work which he loves, though in a different fashion, as intensely as a man loves a woman or a mother a child—he will take endless trouble—and would doubtless, thereby give endless trouble to the picture if it were sentient. One can imagine a sentient picture, after being rubbed and scraped and re-commenced for the tenth time, wishing that it were only a thumb-nail sketch whose making was over in a minute. In the same way, it is natural for us to wish that God had designed for us a less glorious and less arduous destiny; but then we are wishing not for more love but for less.”

And, so, in our “great picture of life” – whether we have MLS Cup trophies, significant climbs up the ladder of corporate success, a beautiful and flourishing family – all of these things are subject to the working of God as He continues to shape and make us His beautiful creation. They (trophies and triumphs) are all shadows and as empty and fleeting, too, in comparison to the real need for God – for, truly, only in Him can we truly experience victory as champions.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

Supporting: Missions

Image 1When CrossTraining began in 2002, there was a simple focus: chaplaincy to the Colorado Rapids. You can check out our History page to learn more of the story, but essentially as CrossTraining came under fiscal sponsorship, one of the requirements was a clear “missional” type of work supported by CrossTraining. Enter the Timothy Project. The idea behind the Timothy Project was to enable others using sport (soccer, specifically) and faith to reach a community to tap into the network and resources of CrossTraining and to also receive funds and equipment to carry out that work.

IMG_4881Consider it CrossTraining’s way of giving back – each year, CrossTraining gives away a portion of the monies donated in order for an individual or an organization to use sport and faith to serve a community. Those “communities” have been as far away as Mongolia and as close to home as the urban city centers where CrossTraining operates. When people give financially – they are giving to something bigger and broader than just sports chaplaincy to professional teams. And as CrossTraining and the Timothy Project enter into a new phase – we have some bigger dreams and bigger hopes for the Timothy Project to go beyond.

Screen shot 2012-05-25 at 2.50.49 PMWhether its appropriating used equipment from a professional team like the Colorado Rapids to supply a local Haitian village, donating brand new equipment to be used by a mission team, or helping a player go back to his impoverished country with the means to recondition a soccer field – your support of CrossTraining helps support Timothy Project opportunities around the world.

As we approach Tuesday, December 10 and the annual Colorado Gives Day – if you are considering making a year-end charitable contribution will you consider CrossTraining?

All donations are tax-deductible and can be made electronically through PayPal (link at the bottom) or through the mail to our mailing address at:

CrossTraining, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

From the Rev: Tackling Timidity

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.

– Paul to Timothy (II Timothy 1:7)

Even though the Colorado Rapids are a great group of guys to work with the environment in professional sports can still feel really intimidating at times.

One of the greatest challenges that I face in my role as chaplain (whether as a hospice chaplain or professional sports chaplain) has been overcoming a spirit of fear, of timidity when it comes to people. Perhaps you have heard the phrase “it’s nice to be wanted” but for the chaplain many times they are not necessarily wanted, or people do not necessarily know that they want or could benefit from a chaplain.

This is more challenging in the professional sports environment because people are not typically as broken – they have health, they earn a high wage, they are entertainers, performers. They do not need God (at least in some minds). They are wary of religion. They do not consider the spiritual. These attitudes can make it difficult to approach and difficult to serve because many times people can misinterpret the presence of a chaplain.

I recently was handing out water and sports drinks to athletes right before a major competition. For me, I saw it as a place to serve, a gap that could be filled; but for one player he saw it differently – “You love doing this (serving water).” The tone for me was difficult to interpret but I took it more in a denigrating way. Almost as if the player was minimizing my role to simply being an over-eager water boy that just wanted to be around pro athletes. I felt my face becoming flush. My spirit started to “turtle” and withdraw. I felt ashamed. I felt timid.

Eventually, anger stirred within me – “doesn’t (he) realize the sacrifice?” I became defensive within my mind and spirit. I want to go back to him and fire off a couple of different responses. I rehearsed how I might have responded having been ready for his remark. I eventually cooled and felt like I wanted to slink away for the rest of my time with the team. The Devil is crafty, friends. Later, that evening I had some significant conversations that had I remained in a spirit of timidity would not have happened.

I can honestly say that no matter the level of education or years of experience that a chaplain may or may not have, each of us faces the difficult and limiting spirit of timidity. But this spirit is not from the Lord – the Lord gives power, love, and self-discipline to us as we minister and serve.

As you consider a chaplain that you might know – no matter the context, no matter the team. Pray that they would tackle timidity. Pray that they would be deeply rooted in God’s Word. Pray that they would be encouraged and reminded that we do not live and minister in a spirit of timidity. But we are empowered by the Lord – to serve and live in power and love and self-discipline.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

From the Rev: End of a Chapter

Last week, the news finally came, Hospice of Saint John would finally be closing its doors. The announcement to staff was not necessarily a surprise as this past July, the 2nd oldest hospice in the United States had to close its inpatient facility. The final close of doors is dependent on getting patients transferred to other hospice care and shutting down its operations, but there will no longer be a Hospice of Saint John.

The Hospice of Saint John will always have a close place in my heart – it is where I first began paid vocational ministry work after finishing seminary. I started as an 0n-call weekend chaplain before working for nearly three and a half years in that same inpatient facility that shut its doors in July. Hospice of Saint John is where I met Elias Burgos (CrossTraining’s first Spanish-speaking chaplain) and also where I met Ricardo Orellana (recently departed for New Jersey after serving 4 years as Spanish-speaking chaplain).

Taken in September 2008, I give a tour of the Hospice of Saint John Chapel.

The hospice was also for me a tensioning extreme – it was very clear to me that the work that I was doing with the professional athletes of the Colorado Rapids was in contrast to the people that I served in hospice care. And the stories…there are so many stories, so many special moments (like this one that was recorded). I have thought that I might one day try to write the stories of my experience, but for now they are embedded in my heart, mind, and soul.

The last four years, as I have been pastoring at Cherry Hills Community Church, I have still remained in touch with several at the Hospice of Saint John. And now, to hear that the hospice will finally close its doors, I can be thankful on two fronts. First, for the opportunity afforded to me. To grow in my ministerial experience. My hospice experience matured me pastorally in ways that are really inestimable – while I had a heart for ministry I grew in a short amount of time and for hospice and for God’s favor in it, I am thankful. Secondly, I am also thankful for God’s provision – for my family and for continuing ministry. I did not really have a vision to leave the hospice, but a very special lady – Helen Parton (a nurse at the hospice and church member of Cherry Hills) told me about the position in pastoral care with the church. She encouraged me to apply. Her job was one of the ones lost last week. Helen is a dear woman of God – always giving of herself (as this story will show you). Helen’s surgery to donate a kidney (see the previous link) was my first visit as a pastoral care pastor from Cherry Hills. Please pray that God provides for her and her family.

And as the Hospice of Saint John closes its chapter, I will be always grateful to God for the ways that I learned and grew as a chaplain there. To Him be the glory.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

From the Rev: Why the Rapids Might Win the Cup Again

The odds are not in their favor. The team is not favored to win and there are doubts of them even making the playoffs. According to one site, the Rapids have a 4.2% chance of winning the Major League Soccer Cup at this point right now. The same might have been said of the 2010 side that won it all and took home the league’s most prized trophy – they weren’t supposed to win. Some say that side received the “luck of the draw.” Other bemoan the league’s constant change of decisions with playoff formats that allowed the Rapids to gain the final through the Eastern Conference playoffs (although they weren’t the only team from the west to do so).

But there was something that set the 2010 side apart from other years, other seasons. There was something special in the team that overcame much adversity to win it all and claim their first ever championship. The difference? From this Rev’s viewpoint, that team was much like a family. Let me explain.

Families are not some glorious idealistic that all teams ascribe to – families are messy, dysfunctional and often falling apart and imperfect. But good families, in spite of their differences find ways to overcome. They find common ground on which to stand. They have a strong faith and love in one another and in something greater than themselves. They are willing to sacrifice for each other. They laugh and cry, they celebrate and mourn – together.

The 2013 Colorado Rapids are becoming more like a family – the recent observance of Head Coach Oscar Pareja’s birthday might be a slight indication of the change in the team. It has taken some time for the team to get to this point – which is usually the case. Pareja’s tenure began in 2012 and there has been a period of adjustment for players and staff alike. That time of transition is starting  to come to a close and the team is getting closer and closer to each other and becoming more and more like family every day. And that may just be enough to push a team with little or no chance all the way to the game’s highest level.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

From the Rev: Pursuing Ordination

It seems (and has been) months since last writing. The long dark tunnel of work towards ordination has consumed my extra time and in making choices I have tried to make conscious decisions about “people over paper” – a clever phrase my best mate and I used during our seminary years to help keep priorities in check.

I am currently ordained and have been for the last 2 years with the Evangelical Church Alliance. The ECA has faithfully maintained my credentials both as an ordained minister and as a licensed pastor since 2005, and fills an important need for credentialing chaplains and people in ministry who have non-denominational or small organizations without ordaining and licensing functions. I have not been ashamed in any way to be part of the organizations, but since entering into parish ministry I have found myself desiring more: more community.

Serving at Cherry Hills Community Church for the past four years, I have found myself looking for the theological and ministerial sharpness that comes from being part of a closely connected community. While some of my involvement in the community has filled that need, as I began to look around at some of the influential pastors in my life, I discovered that many of them were part of this same community – the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. The EPC is a small, young denomination (Protestant) in comparison to some of the others that I have been associated with in the past but pursuing ordination has a greater significance than a mere aligning with a denomination for the first time since my seminary days. True, there has been some theological changes for me over the years, but I hold even those things in less regard for the importance of being in community.

In the process, while I have been stretched and taxed mentally and emotionally and spiritually (as has my family), there has been a deeper appreciation for the richness of the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God. Even in my preparations for the Bible exam, I was rediscovering portions of scripture (especially around the prophets) that were giving me fresh vision and renewal in my soul.

I am certain that standing before God, I will not be asked what order I belong to; rather, He will ask me to give account for my life and ministry – first to my family and then to the communities that He has placed me in. Whilst one might serve God under many different titles (pastor, chaplain, homemaker, mechanic) or different banners (Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Catholic) I know that the best place to serve God is from within the context of community. It is my hope that in the coming years, CrossTraining would imitate that – for the chaplains involved in sport. And while CrossTraining will never ordain anyone in an ecclesiastical sense, I am excited to see the people ordained by God to serve this ministry and in our fellow ministries as well.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

Timothy Project: Zocalo Outreach

CrossTraining announced it’s latest Timothy Project award recipient for 2013. Zocalo Outreach and it’s summer day camp program are looking to introduce soccer into the programs and services that they use to reach out to under-privileged children. Approximately 200 under-privileged children, ages 5-12, participate in the program every summer with many of the children facing serious problems of delinquency, school failure, drug and alcohol abuse, violence and teen parenting.

Summer campers at Zocalo will enjoy having soccer be one of the sports that they can learn and play whilst being shown the love and care from camp counselors and the Outreach center.

The mission of ZOCALO Outreach is to improve the quality of life for children in the inner city of Denver and surrounding impoverished areas through teaching practical life skills in order to develop responsible, educated and caring youth. This is done through a summer day camp, an after school program and a home for college boys who have grown up through the programs. Zocalo Outreach strives to accomplish the following: Provide year round programs for children living in poverty, raise up and mentor leaders from the community, provide parents with educational resources and support for their children. The summer camp provides a safe environment for the children to exercise, improve their literacy skills, experience the arts and receive healthy meals.

Zocalo allows inner-city kids to receive love and attention and the message of God’s love.

Zocalo Outreach uses the New Life in Christ Church in Lakewood, CO as the camp location and spiritual home for the community. Daily devotionals support Christian growth for the participants and the counselors. Integration of soccer is part of the evolution of the summer project and is another way to show the children that others care for them. By implementing soccer recreation that will be continued as a part of the camp it will provide a great sport for the children to grow and be challenged. Simple soccer drills and instruction as well as scrimmages will be a complement to the summer camp programs already going on.

Zocalo Outreach has asked for soccer balls for their camp needs. If you would like to make a donation to help support Zocalo Outreach uses the PayPal button below and mark your electronic donation with a note that says Timothy Project: Zocalo. Thanks for partnering with us to help promote the love of Jesus through the use of soccer in ministry!

From the Rev: Losing Longevity

The Colorado Rapids recently announced the trade of long-time player and captain Pablo Mastroeni. Mastroeni was the longest-tenured player with the Rapids and served as team captain since 2004. Mastroeni came to the Rapids as part of the Major League Soccer (MLS) contraction which occurred in 2001 and in his letter to the fans, he shares some of what Colorado has meant over the past 12 years.

Some of you know that I serve, also on staff at Cherry Hills Community Church as a pastor in pastoral care. Because of church finances and transition, the church recently had to lay off several employees and a couple of pastors as well. Some at Cherry Hills had served on staff for over 10 and upwards of 20 years. This time of transition is part of a larger transition where Cherry Hills’ Senior and Founding Pastor Jim Dixon, of 30+ years is retiring. The happening of both events are the source of my reflection this week.

There are many reasons why change and transition happens and perhaps the circumstances and timing of the events above are too dissimilar for any great insights; however, as I began reflecting there seemed to be some crucial things that are lost when a person of tenure leaves a longstanding position. Amongst these things is the loss of corporate memory. Corporate memory is the knowledge gained (either through experience or training, etc.) by an organization’s employee. When you let go of an employee (by layoff or trade, for example) you lose the history, problem solving, the “we’ve been here before and here’s how we handled it” type of information which really can be invaluable to an institution. Organizations can hire younger, smarter, cheaper replacements, but they lose the wisdom that is gained through experience.

Mastroeni hoists the Cup at the fans celebration after the 2010 MLS Cup win.

A second loss is a loss of organizational identity. When you have people who serve you for a long time in a particular role, especially when they do that job well, they start to take on an identity which becomes attached to the institution. Being a Bronco (NFL) fan for most of my life, John Elway was the identity that was attached to my fandom and for most others – the quarterbacks that have followed since have not garnered the same success or place in the fans heart as Elway did for so many years. And Elway was beloved even in spite of his failure (until late in his career) to win the big game, the Super Bowl. His success in bringing two Super Bowl championships to Denver only solidified his place in Denver sports history. Mastroeni will be remembered as captaining the Rapids during 2010 MLS Cup win. The staff and pastors at Cherry Hills who have been laid off or are retiring will be remembered for their work to love and be with people from birth to death and the many spaces of life in between. Losing these people does something to the identity of the organizations they worked for and served for so long.

Another loss that occurs when losing people who have longevity with an organization is the loss of corporate stability. Undoubtedly, athletes age and their abilities to compete are often overshadowed by those younger, faster, and stronger. Pastors and others in different vocations sometimes grow and become better (wiser, more patient, etc.) through time. They are sometimes described like a wine that gets better with age. Although, sometimes longevity can produce complacency as well; however, these individuals bring a sense of stability. They experience organizational highs and lows, they bring emotional balance as they “steady the ship” during difficult times and as they encourage teammates and co-workers, fans and parishioners to “stay the course” in all sorts of moments of organizational struggle or difficulty. Athletes past their prime are still valued for the leadership and influence that they bring to a locker room or team.

There are perhaps more parallels that might be drawn when considering the loss of longevity, and for those reading that are in positions of influence, power, or authority you might find that there are experts out in the field that can speak more to retaining or minimizing the losses that happen during these types of changes or transitions. As a chaplain with the Rapids, my role is to help those that I serve out of the richness of my own longevity (with the club, as  Christian, as a father, as a husband, etc.). As a pastor at the church, I still serve, although my tenure is not considerable there yet as these are the defining and shaping moments whereby we learn how to steady the ship and bring a sense of peace and stability to the difficult situation of transition. And when we find ourselves square in the sights of an organization that is cutting ourselves loose after years of service – of course, the place where we can look to without hesitation is to God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the I Am that I Am – He is the One with true longevity. And He can see us through, even in the midst of such losses. In the Ancient of Days we can retain that sense of corporate memory. In the Image of the Invisible God, we can retain a sense of identity. In the Prince of Peace, we can discover a source of stability. And God helping, we will survive moments of transition when we lose longevity.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

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