Maybe you’re the kind of person that has a hard time believing in yourself. Perhaps in life or in football or in relationships you’ve been beat down, oppressed, disregarded or otherwise so maligned that you no longer have a voice or lack any sort of confidence. Or, maybe you’re in a different position — maybe you’re a person who has power, prestige, and influence. Maybe you’re in a position to elevate someone who is low or help them gain or regain confidence in themself.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, we continue in our Lessons From Lasso, as we dive into Season 1, Episode Three and look at how Coach Lasso elevates the team’s kit man (equipment) Nate into considering his idea for a potential play that might help the team. Nate lacks the confidence despite that his soccer knowledge far outweighs Coach Lasso’s. AS we consider Lasso and Nate’s exchange, we consider, too, how Jesus elevate the young men around him (his disciples).
Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.
In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LFL-art.png1040778Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-12-29 00:00:002024-08-20 12:41:04Lessons from Lasso — Believe in Others
How do we see ourselves? Special? Unique? Genius? World-talent? Many times, our selfishness takes over and we forget that we are part of a team, we forget that we are part of something bigger than ourself — it might be that we are part of a football team, a family, or another larger body.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, another of our Lessons From Lasso, we look at Coach Lasso’s sidebar conversation with Striker Jamie Tartt — Tartt is the epitome of selfishness and Lasso tries to win him over and see that he is actually part of a team, not just a 1 in a million player. So, too, people of faith, Christians, are to be people who recognize that they are part of a larger body — part of the church.
Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.
In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LFL-art.png1040778Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-12-22 00:00:002024-08-20 12:41:34Lessons from Lasso — 1 in A Million, But Really Just 1 of 11
Have you ever had a test that lasted just 90 minutes? Maybe it was a job interview or it was a first date impression. Did you get it right? Or, did you bomb it a miserably fail? In professional sport, the elite athlete, the coach has a certain time frame to prove themselves — to get it right, to succeed. And if they don’t — well, it’s a short-lived life sometimes in the midst of the professional game.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, in lesson 17 of our Lessons From Lasso series, I talk about the times of trial and testing that come into our lives. Usually, we will have more than 90 minutes to establish ourselves or to try and get it right. But not always — I have seen some scouts give a mere 30 seconds of viewing someone’s demo tape. Whether you have 90 minutes or 90 seconds, I want to encourage you with how God uses testing and trial in our lives.
Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.
In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LFL-art.png1040778Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-12-15 00:00:002024-08-20 12:42:02Lessons from Lasso — 90 Minutes (To Prove Them Wrong)
I can commiserate with Coach Lasso — not everyone comes from your same background and at times, in an honest attempt to support people, we can sometimes fail miserably. In today’s Lesson from Lasso, we are reminded of the sensitivity that we must often approach people with because “not everyone is fond of the American military” as we come to learn from star defender Sam Obisanya.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, in lesson 16 of our Lessons From Lasso series, I look at the awkward, pre-game moment between Sam and Coach Lasso. Lasso tries to encourage Sam, but essentially has to walk back the attempt because it just doesn’t suit him. I correlate this moment with a moment where we see Jesus in a particularly awkward moment as well.
Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, ‘Ted Lasso’ character brought to life in his own TV show series. Lasso first appeared a number of years ago as a comedic character as NBC purchased the broadcast rights to the English Premier League. Played by Jason Sudeikis, Lasso (as a coach) brings change to the difficult football (soccer) team that he has traveled overseas to coach.
In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the show from a chaplain’s point of view.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (usually 10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/LFL-art.png1040778Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-12-08 00:00:002024-08-20 12:42:35Lessons from Lasso — Sensitivity (Not fond of the American Military)
This Friday, December 3, is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. With this in mind, we take a look at disability sport — it’s origins, some of the challenges, and the story of someone who is firmly entrenched in serving the disability sporting world as a chaplain.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, my friend and fellow sports chaplaincy colleague, Rev Steve Jones, joins us to share more on disability (sometimes called adaptive) sport. Steve is the UK Disability Lead for Sports Chaplaincy UK and we’ve had occasion to share a curry in England from one of my trips across the pond.
I pray that today’s podcast will help to open your eyes and my own toward those who participate in disability and all-ability sports.
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/From-the-Touchline-Cover-Art.jpg15001500Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-12-01 00:00:002024-08-20 12:43:08Disability Sport with Rev Steve Jones
Last week saw more of the Major League Soccer (MLS) 2021 playoff picture come into focus. Ben Dudley and Troy Ready’s Portland Timbers took down my own Colorado Rapids on Thanksgiving Day. It was a heartbreaking loss as Colorado fans packed out the stadium in hopes of seeing the #1 seed in the West advance. But it wasn’t to be with a 90th minute scramble in the box and a Timbers team that displayed the urgency to come away with the win. Billy Cerveny’s Nashville SC took down Orlando City FC but fell in penalty kicks (2-0) on Sunday to the Philadelphia Union after a 1-1 draw.
Beyond following Portland, most teams will now scatter for the season. Some players and coaches may continue to stay in their respective cities, while many will return home to be with family across the U.S. and around the world. Front office staff will have lighter weeks but begin to promote next season which will start early due to World Cup and other soccer considerations. The MLS Next Academy teams will be playing in a number of tournaments throughout December and have a few weeks break before beginning again in January.
Please take a moment to pray for our chaplains as they continue to serve the athletes, coaches, and staff in the what remains of the season and into the offseason. Pray for rest and rejuvenation for the ministry to continuing serving these teams.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. You can text soccerchaplains to (833) 245-5091 to link through your mobile device or simply click the PushPay Logo on the bottom of the page below.
Portland advance to the Western Conference Finals
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Portland-Timbers-cutting-wood-chainsaw-soccer-1377774962d.gif180320Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-11-30 10:36:072021-11-30 10:36:09And Then, There Was One…
A few weeks ago, my friends, Dr Chad Carlson of Hope College and Dr Brian Bolt of Calvin University on their podcast Sport.Faith.Life ask the question, Would Jesus Play…Soccer? It’s part of a new series whereby they are looking at some of the different sports that Jesus would have participated in back in his day and what about that sport Jesus might have liked and what he would not have liked.
Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, I look at each of the reasons that Chad and Brian offer and then I offer a few of my own — on why I believe Jesus would have played soccer. And I can definitely say that I think Jesus would have.
Here’s the link to the Sport.Faith.Life podcast and blog if you want to give it a listen beforehand:
From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director of Soccer Chaplains United and Volunteer Chaplain to the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer.
Rev Brad and occasional guests touch on various issues around the topics of faith, family, and football (soccer).
Also, don’t forget that you can listen in our app, SoccrChapUtd,in the Apple and Google store.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/From-the-Touchline-Cover-Art.jpg15001500Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-11-24 00:00:002024-08-20 12:43:33Would Jesus Play…Soccer? A Reaction to Sport.Faith.Life
The next few weeks equate to the off-season for most of soccer here in the United States. And with the off-season come a number of opportunities to contribute and help Soccer Chaplains United.
Next Tuesday, November 30, is Giving Tuesday, a national day set aside to make gifts and contributions that are vital for non-profits as we approach the end of the calendar year. Started in 2012, Giving Tuesday began in New York City at the 92nd Street YMCA. It has grown into an independent and global movement to inspire generosity.
Just one week, later, Tuesday, December 7 is Colorado Gives Day — this state-specific day of philanthropy which began in 2007, sees thousands of Colorado-based non-profits promoted and highlighted for the work being done in the community.
Whether you consider giving a gift on either Giving Tuesday or Colorado Gives Day, on behalf of myself and Soccer Chaplains United, we would be tremendously grateful to see you join our team and supporting our work and our mission of developing and supporting chaplaincy in soccer.
Why chaplaincy in soccer?
Soccer is the world’s game. As such, we see many people in the United States and around the world playing this sport. Sports culture nowadays typically conflicts with church and faith community times of gathering and worship. And in many ways, the virtues of sport are often blurred in the pursuit of achieving different things through soccer — whether providing for one’s family, or getting a scholarship to college, or another benefit from playing the game. Healthy relationships, strong mentality and spirituality are often at greatest risk. Professional athletes travel, train, and play on days typically reserved for church. Nowadays more and more families are found on sidelines of fields and stadiums than are found in the familiar seats of a church.
Chaplaincy places the presence of God in and among these environments. Chaplaincy in soccer allows a person be the hands and feet of Jesus to people that may never attend or walk through the doors of a place of faith and worship. Chaplaincy in soccer helps advocate for the individual — to be cognizant of their need for a strong faith and relationship with God and with others, to be aware of their own human frailty, to be present in the times when the reality of these things come crashing in.
Where does the money go?
Soccer Chaplains United currently has 17 volunteer chaplains. Our three-year average of donations for Soccer Chaplains United breaks down to around 73% for program costs in a given year — this includes servicing our Community Outreach projects, providing chaplain training, development, and support, as well as direct chaplaincy service to teams. 8% of donations go toward the costs of fundraising and the remainder (19%) pays for the administrative costs associated with carrying out our mission.
$.73 of every dollar goes towards chaplaincy programs, $.18 provides our administrative costs, while $.08 is directed toward fundraising
What is the best way to give?
Not all giving forms are created equal. Some are more convenient for the donor but typically mean more transactional fees which reduce the overall gift. Below are some of the associated fees and forms of giving.
Personal check by mail incurs 0% transaction fees: Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250
Facebook Giving incurs 0% transaction fees, but monies may take a month or longer to be disbursed.
ACH (checking or savings withdrawal) via PushPay incurs a 1% transaction fee
Debit card via PushPay incurs a 2% transaction fee
Colorado Gives, and credit card giving through PushPay incurs a 3% transactional fee
How much is needed?
This year, in the next few weeks, Soccer Chaplains United needs to raise a little over $25,000 in giving to close out the year. In addition to a number of major gifts, we are in need of monthly supporters to come alongside of our chaplains and support the work.
More Information
If you are interested to learn more about the ministry or have more questions about our work, please reach out to get a call with our Founder and Executive Director, Rev Brad Kenney. E-mail us at info@soccerchaplainsunited.org.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. You can text soccerchaplains to (833) 245-5091 to link through your mobile device or simply click the PushPay Logo on the bottom of the page below.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Giving-Tuesday-2021.png7781730Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-11-23 00:00:002021-11-20 12:30:07Is the Off-season the Giving Season?
Less than a month ago, a hefty majority of Soccer Chaplains United chaplains found that their teams were headed for playoffs in their perspective leagues. Hopes were high, but several teams stumbled in spite of achieving this pivotal milestone for a long season of soccer.
Of the teams that remain in the playoff hunt, Major League Soccer (MLS), Ben Dudley and Troy Ready’s Portland Timbers won against Minnesota United FC, 3-1. They will face my own Colorado Rapids this Thursday, on Thanksgiving Day in an MLS first — a national, televised match on Thanksgiving. Billy Cerveny’s Nashville SC play a home game this Tuesday night at 4:00 pm Eastern against Orlando City FC in a game televised on FS1 and Fox Deportes.
Below are the results of the other Soccer Chaplains United teams:
National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Portland Thorns lost in a semifinal against Chicago Red Stars, 2-0.
United Soccer League – Championship (USL-C)
El Paso Locomotive quarterfinal loss to Oakland Roots, 1-0.
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC quarterfinal loss to Orange County Blues, 1-0.
Rio Grande Valley Toros FC upset #1 Phoenix Rising in penalty kicks 4-3 in their quarterfinal match, but then lost in the semifinals to San Antonio, 3-1.
Memphis 901 FC quarterfinal loss to Charlotte Independence, 3-1.
In Colorado High School Soccer, Valor Christian lost in the second round to Denver East, 1-0.
Please take a moment to pray for our chaplains as they serve the athletes, coaches, and staff in the what remains of the season and into the offseason. Pray for rest and rejuvenation for the ministry to continuing serving these teams.
Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of our partners to carry out our work of developing chaplaincy across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue growing our work. You can text soccerchaplains to (833) 245-5091 to link through your mobile device or simply click the PushPay Logo on the bottom of the page below.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/r-xkiemql34.jpg10671600Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-11-22 08:00:002021-11-22 08:15:23Soccer Chaplains United Team’s Playoff Update
This December 26th, a team of 19 high school students from Valor Christian High School will travel to Guatemala for 16 days. The team will spend a majority of ministry time working with the community that lives around the city dump in Zacapa, Guatemala.
Children in Guatemala play with a makeshift goal
Soccer will be a significant part of the team’s ministry as they hold soccer camps and outreach projects in the community. With all that has gone on in the pas couple of years, this community has great need and not only does the Valor team hope to provide ministry to them while there, but also leave behind some gear that would enrich their lives. Other projects include building a house, working on literacy projects, and distributing supplies in the community.
Danny Brooks will lead Valor students to Guatemala for service and soccer
Danny Brooks, Spanish Instructor at Valor and the team leader for the Discovery Trip, is familiar with the poverty and need in Guatemala having served as a missionary and pastor there for a number of years before coming to Valor.
Having lived in Zacapa, Guatemala for five years, I have seen the challenges that this community faces, both spiritually and economically. We are so privileged to bring a team of high school students who will minister cross culturally to leave a lasting impact on this community, while also confronting their own world views of living in a privileged society here in Denver. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with amazing ministry partners in Guatemala who has focused on this community and helped sustain them physically and spiritually during the continuing pandemic.
Daniel Brooks, Faculty, Valor Christian
Danny and the Valor team will be working with local missionaries. Below is an excerpt from Erin and Javier’s recent newsletter:
…
This week we started a new project that I am very excited about. Marcolfa is an elderly lady who we met at the garbage dump last year. We have visited her in her home and she has come to our meetings where we minister and feed children. Her home is made out of different found materials. She told us that her metal roof leaks, so she has sheets of nylon under that where she puts rags to soak up the rain. In these pictures you can see the inside and outside of her home. I am broken when I think of this little lady during one of the tropical storms we have here in Guatemala.
One of the difficult things about building a home for people is that their current dwelling must be torn down in order to build in exactly the same place. There is not an abundance of land in Guatemala and every square inch is taken advantage of when building. The family must make a temporary shelter in a tiny space or stay somewhere else while their home is being built. That is why we try to do most projects as quickly as possible, about 8-10 days.
We told Marcolfa that her home had to be torn down in order to build her a new one. What a huge step of faith, destroying all you have to make way for something new. Before even a bag of cement or metal beam or workers with tools showed up, she gladly did what needed to be done with the help of her grandchildren.
Marcolfa’s old house and land being cleared
Here is Marcolfa (above) in the space cleared to build her house. Every family that we help, every home that is built, we tell people that this is an earthly home, but it is nothing in comparison to what God is preparing for us, our eternal home.
…
Working primarily with children, both boys and girls, the team is requesting as many soccer balls as possible — 30 or more — size 4 and 5; as well as jerseys approximately 30 sizes child-small adult.
We can’t wait to join Erin, Javier, and their team to bless the people in Zacapa!
Danny Brooks
Remember, when you support Soccer Chaplains United, a portion of your gift automatically goes to help our community projects and requests. You can give specifically to help cover our costs by making a gift through PushPay — simply select Community from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals or organizations, and cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Screen-Shot-2018-08-15-at-8.59.01-PM.png562614Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2021-11-18 00:00:002021-11-17 14:37:50Valor Returning to Zacapa, Guatemala For Service and Soccer
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