Archive for month: June, 2021

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Lessons from Lasso — Belief is the 1st Change

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:17 — 13.3MB)

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As we continue with our Lessons from Lasso series, one of the first changes Coach Lasso brings to the fictitious AFC Richmond, is a slight modification to the locker room decor. If you have never been in a locker room for a professional team (I have been invited in, as a guest at times) — there is something special and sacred about the space. Even coaches and managers will try to preserve something of an “athlete” only integrity for this room whereby a collection of individuals assembles and readies themselves for the challenges of the game, the season, and all that it entails. But Lasso adds a something keenly important to the room on day one — a simple, hand-scribed, one-word placard that says: Believe.

Ted Lasso, the new and immensely popular streaming TV show 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.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad shares lesson four and what is so important about seeing and believing the right things — about ourselves, about others, and about God. The ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the 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.

PushPay Announces Changes to Text-to-Donate Program

grey LG Android smartphone with black smartphone case on grey textile

In the beginning of June, our online donation vehicle system, PushPay, made us aware of a pending change for the text-to-donate program. Anticipating that major wireless carriers were planning to phase out shared short codes for all text messaging providers as soon as June 1, 2021. This means that the 77977 short code, used to send text messages for giving and app keywords, for Soccer Chaplains United may begin to be impacted.

Pushpay announced plans to support the 77977 as long as carriers allow, however, their research suggests that shared short code usage will eventually be replaced in favor of a more reliable and secure text messaging service. Because of this, PushPay has provided a new unique 10-digit number for Soccer Chaplains United: (833) 245-5091.

Whilst a very low percentage of Soccer Chaplains United donors have ever utilized the text-to-donate feature, we did want to make our donor and support base aware of the change. Therefore, instead of texting soccerchaplains to the short code, the 10-digit number is now being utilized in the event that your mobile carrier doesn’t accept the short code. If you ever have issues making a donation please contact 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.

Jordan Medas Joins Soccer Chaplains United

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Jordan Medas is a pastor. Jordan Medas is a bass player. Jordan Medas loves soccer. But more importantly, Jordan Medas (MEE-das) loves people and he loves to serve them — and he begins his tenure with Soccer Chaplains United poised and posed to do exactly that — to love people, especially people in soccer. Medas has recently joined Soccer Chaplains United and will be serving as chaplain to different soccer teams and communities represented in the Central Virginia region — where he and his family live, work, play, and call home. You can read more on his bio page here.

Jordan, Associate Pastor at The Lake of the Woods Church, has been serving the Young Families and newly formed Online communities of the church for the past four years, but his passion and heart for people in soccer has been an emerging point of emphasis.

Our church has a chaplaincy program and I started to look into what chaplaincy might look like for soccer and I came across Soccer Chaplains United.

Medas, on finding out about Soccer Chaplains United

A conversation in early 2019, led to Jordan and myself (Brad) looking into different opportunities and discussion what chaplaincy in soccer looked like. We also talked about the heart and mission of Soccer Chaplains United — not just to serve professional sports, but all levels of the game.

Jordan, shares a Liverppol FC moment with some of his kids.

Jordan’s children have been part of the Orange Fire club team and also the area’s school teams. Part of the passion to serve people has come from meeting and being part of these teams — with a variety of moments and opportunities to be “pastoral.”

A lot of the parents know that I am a pastor already, and that has led to conversations. Sometimes they will come and ask me to pray about something. Sometimes they may come to me with a struggle that they or their child are going through. Or, sometimes we just have everybody over to the house for a game and sharing some food. All of this started to stir in me looking for a way to serve them more.

Jordan’s background includes serving in public schools for a number of years teaching music — it was during that time that he began to feel a call to full-time vocational ministry. Prior to his teaching career, he traveled and played for a number of years as bassist and writer (among other things) for the band Carbon Leaf.

I’m looking forward to serving the soccer communities in Central Virginia and partnering with Soccer Chaplains United to offer the kind of care that is specific to the soccer players and their families.

Jordan, on his hopes for the future

We want to encourage our supporters to be praying for Jordan and the various opportunities that exist and will continue to arise in Central Virginia.

Jordan joining Soccer Chaplains United, brings the ministry’s chaplain corps back up to 17 chaplains. Jordan will serve in the Central Virginia region as a chaplain at-large for a number of different informal chaplain opportunities amongst various teams and organizations.

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.

3rd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity (GCSC)

Soccer Chaplains United is excited about the 3rd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity that will be hosted by Ridley Hall Cambridge, UK between 18th and 21st August 2022.

The inaugural congress was held in York, England in 2016 and was the springboard for many different things for Soccer Chaplains United — including the rebranding of the ministry. The Sport.Faith.Life group has captured some highlights of the 2016 conference (photos and keynote speakers and topics) as well as the 2019 conference held at Calvin University, in Michigan (photos, videos and other highlights).

I have had the privilege of delivering some breakout presentations at each global congress including the following topics:

  • Foundations of Pastoral Care: Recovering the Spirit of Chaplaincy in Professional Sport 
    • This presentation will look at the role of the chaplain, including its historical and biblical roots, making a clear distinction between sports ministers and sports chaplains, and examining the use of the historic functions of pastoral care as a way to maintain the integrity of the position and pastoral work of the chaplain within a professional sports context.
  • Genesis 3: A Biblical Foundation for Chaplaincy in Sport 
    • This presentation examines theological and practical ramifications for chaplaincy originating in the Genesis 3 text. Scholars, theologians, and chaplaincy practitioners will be encouraged to reflect on and engage Genesis 3 as a more seminal and foundational biblical text from which to fully develop a more holistic framing philosophy and effective practice of chaplaincy ministry.
  • Chaplaincy and Counseling in Sport: A Necessary Partnership (with Brooke Ewert)
    • This presentation will examine practical challenges in integrating chaplaincy and counseling in sports contexts from professional to youth and amateur levels. The presenters will share anecdotal work experience, learnings, and case studies in their efforts to partner chaplaincy and counseling as part of an integrative, holistic approach in providing care for the spiritual and mental health needs of those in sport.

The congress will be welcoming delegates ‘in person’ to this on-site event, with presentations from keynote speakers and contributors taking place on the 19th, 20th and 21st August. Arrival will be followed by a Gala Dinner on the evening of the 18th August and there will be ample opportunity for delegates to explore the historic city of Cambridge and beyond during the Congress.

Further details, including a full list of speakers and delegate fees, will be confirmed by the GCSC at a later time. Organizers will update people directly as they are released. Interested persons can sign up to the 3GCSC mailing list at their website. https://www.ridley.cam.ac.uk/news/3rd-global-congress-on-sport-and-christianity-3gcsc

Lessons from Lasso — Faithful Companion

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:24 — 13.6MB)

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We all need a companion, partner in life. For Coach Ted Lasso and his new coaching adventure in English football (soccer) at AFC Richmond, that person is Coach ‘Beard.’ In an early moment of solidarity we see Coach Lasso and Coach Beard push their desks together before beginning the work of coaching the team. Whom do you have in life who is someone who has ‘pushed their desk’ together with you?

Ted Lasso, the new and immensely popular streaming TV show 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.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad shares lesson three from season one’s first episode. In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the 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.

Lessons from Lasso — History is Important

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:11 — 13.2MB)

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History matters and the importance of history quickly comes to the forefront in the fictitious life and world of Coach Ted Lasso as he begins his soccer managerial career with AFC Richmond.

Ted Lasso, the new and immensely popular streaming TV show 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.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, Rev Brad shares the second lesson from season one’s first episode. In the ‘Lessons from Lasso’ series, Rev Brad looks at some of the different life learning points brought up in the 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.

Lessons from Lasso — Names are Important

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:01 — 12.8MB)

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Ted Lasso, the new and immensely popular streaming TV show 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. But one of the first changes he brings to the table is — he remembers people’s names and calls them by their name.

Today, on the From the Touchline podcast, marks the beginning of a new series entitled ‘Lessons from Lasso.’ Rev Brad Kenney will take a look at some of the different lessons from the show and take them on in a chaplain’s angle for football. The Lessons from Lasso series will often be shorter in nature and play during busy weeks in the season when it’s difficult to have a guest or record a particular podcast and topic.

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.

Coming to the Podcast Next Week: Lessons From Lasso

As a busy part of the season gets set for the month of June, for the upcoming episodes of the From the Touchline podcast we are going to look at several different “Lessons from Lasso.” Ted Lasso, the hit comedy featuring Jason Sudeikis as Coach Ted Lasso, has already garnered a lot of attention. Lasso, an American, heads across the pond to coach AFC Richmond, a soccer team. The problem is, Lasso has never coached soccer before. But Lasso is more about winning hearts than he is about winning games.

For the next four weeks, we will look at several “Lessons from Lasso” on this shortened version of the podcast.

Can’t wait to have you join me! Listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or download our app SoccrChapUtd.

Freeze Pops with Greg Aydt

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:03 — 50.9MB)

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Greg Aydt enters into his third season serving as volunteer chaplain for Memphis 901 FC and as part of Soccer Chaplains United. 901 FC, a team that plays second division soccer in the the USL-Championship here in the U.S, is located in Memphis and Greg always has an interesting historical story that he ties into the team and into chaplaincy. Listen today as Greg and I talk about Tom Lee, my disc golf game, and freeze pops of all things. You won’t want to miss it.

I am Rev Brad Kenney, and this is the Soccer Chaplains United podcast, From the Touchline.

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.

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