We start episode five, season one and Coach Lasso makes the comment, “It feels good to laugh.” Lasso has just been opening up to Rebecca about his marital issues and some of the struggle its been to try and preserve the marriage. His joke about couple’s therapy breaks some of the tension he feels and reveals the depth of hurt and pain in the same moment.
Perhaps you have heard it said, “laughter is the best medicine”? That phrase may have originated from a verse in Proverbs (17:22) which says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we look at the role of laughter in helping us cope when life is hard or things go bad — there is a fine balance to be struck with humor and laughter, and we must be careful to know the right time and place, but laughter can help us spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ 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, I (Rev Brad) look 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 Kenney2022-06-29 00:00:002024-08-20 12:12:40Lessons from Lasso — It Feels Good To Laugh
Sorry — it could be due to travel, work, or other commitments, but we just couldn’t get the show produced for today. Don’t give up on us yet! Listen to a past podcast, or, better yet — write us a review on your favorite podcast distribution platform.
Thanks for being a faithful listener and follower, we don’t take it lightly!
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/2019/11/From-the-Touchline-Cover-Art.jpg15001500Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-06-22 00:00:002024-08-20 12:13:10Foul! No From the Touchline Podcast Today
Soccer Chaplains United has officially come full circle! Today we are excited to announce Wayne Pirmann, Ph.D., MSFS as coming on board the ministry team. Wayne will assist with the financial development and fiscal stability of the organization as the ministry continues to grow and expand. Wayne will serve as the first Development Officer in our history, and will be in a role that suits Wayne and his gifting, talents, and life experience well. You can read more about Wayne at his bio page here.
I asked Wayne what his hopes were in working with and for Soccer Chaplains United, and in typically Wayne-fashion, he replied with a wry grin,
Why am I even working? And why for Soccer Chaplains United? Well, no one else would give me a job! (laughing)…No, the truth is, I spent 23 years in the financial services industry helping people prepare for retirement…having read both John Piper’s pamphlet on retirement (Rethinking Retirement) and his larger tome (Don’t Waste Your Life) traditional retirement doesn’t work for me…I don’t like it. I need to be working for the Lord. I need to be doing Kingdom work. My recent studies in the Bible have me convinced that I need to be useful to my local church, but I also need to be available to more national or even international ministries. I need to be using my skills, my experiences — all of it. Affiliating with Brad and Soccer Chaplains United — it’s a no-brainer, a synergistic season of life just waiting to happen!
Wayne Pirmann, on working with Soccer Chaplains United
Did I mention that Wayne likes to talk? Our meetings average 2-3 hours because we both get caught up talking ministry, soccer, and Jesus, for hours on end.
I can certainly say that I am really thankful and glad to have Wayne coming on board. Since the summer of 2020, Soccer Chaplains United has been struggling with the financial development side of the ministry. Wayne’s time and attention will not only go towards helping myself and the general ministry finances, but also into helping individual chaplains that are raising funds through Soccer Chaplains United. He will being his gifts, passion, and understanding of biblical stewardship and tithing principles to help out the different chaplains across the various U.S. cities that are currently offsetting ministry costs with fundraising.
Wayne and his former non-profit, S.T.A.R.T. (Short Term Ambassador Ministry Teams), were the original fiscal sponsors for Soccer Chaplains United. S.T.A.R.T. supported us back when we had originally began as CrossTraining Ministries. The non-profit, led by Wayne Pirmann and Wally Hostetter, aimed to equip various short-term mission trips from around the US to go around the world and the group provided the foundational administrative support for the ministry between 2007 — 2012. Being fiscally sponsored allowed us to begin receiving donations to cover the expenditures and costs associated with doing the chaplaincy ministry.
For my wife and me, Wayne and Brenda (his wife of over 40 years) have a special place in our hearts. They opened their home to our little family in 2009; I was in town to meet with Wayne and S.T.A.R.T. and also to travel to Toronto to visit the Colorado Rapids who were playing on the road against Toronto F.C. It was at the Pirmann’s home that we heard news of the church where I eventually worked for some six years, asking me back for a second interview.
In 2012, we discovered that we were outgrowing S.T.A.R.T. and we filed our own 501(c)3 paperwork in October of that year. It took until the following year of November to receive official word that our non-profit had been approved, but Wayne and I have kept in touch since.
I asked Wayne if he had any fond memories from the past and to clarify a little bit more on why work for Soccer Chaplains United, and, more specifically, with me. Again, there was a wry little smile and a gleam in the Pirmann eye,
Well, I was introduced to you (Brad) over 15 years ago and I’ve been 100% in support of you and your organization’s mission and goals ever since…When we met in December to watch MLS Cup, I ended up talking to one of your board members (Geoff Eliason) and saying, ‘What if I help Brad Kenney and SCU raise money?’ I didn’t know at he time that it would lead to this, but I am excited that it has because I want to help SCU grow and I don’t want to see Brad Kenney ever have to leave his day job of being chaplain and supporting all of these other chaplains in soccer.
Wayne, on what he hopes to accomplish for Soccer Chaplains United
Another legacy piece between S.T.A.R.T. and CrossTraining/Soccer Chaplains United can be found in the agreement and arrangement between our two organizations which led to the formation of the “Timothy Project” program. The Timothy Project which, today is known simply as our Community Project program, allows short term mission groups to request soccer gear through an application grant process.
Again, we are thankful to have Wayne Pirmann working with us and once again partnering together in this Kingdom work. If you would like to reach out to Wayne and learn more about biblical stewardship and ways that you can support the people and work of Soccer Chaplains United, please reach out to him at wayne@soccerchaplainsunited.org. And please join me in welcoming him!
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 chaplains and our work. Check out our Donate page for different giving options.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/wayne-mightykicks.jpg640480Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-06-20 00:00:002024-07-09 00:00:03Pirmann Joins Soccer Chaplains United as New Development Officer
We finally come to the end of episode four, season one and we see Coach Lasso and Coach Beard walking home after the gala. Beard is a mess — his girlfriend has dumped him. He put the “game” (of chess) before the dame, and it seems like this isn’t the first time.
In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about first things — and how when we get our priorities wrong, it tends to mess up a lot of different things. Jesus and C.S. Lewis offer us wisdom and instruction into how to correctly prioritize things in life — and for my friends in football, the simple way that I remember it is with the phrase, “Faith, family, football.” It’s a helpful way to think about the priorities that I should have in my life.
Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ 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, I (Rev Brad) look 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 Kenney2022-06-15 00:00:002024-08-20 12:13:36Lessons from Lasso — Putting the Game Before the Dame
Soccer Chaplains United is pleased to announce the addition of Tiago Souza to the chaplaincy team. Tiago, a native of Brazil, will be assisting with chaplaincy in the Pacific Northwest, as well as adding to the communications and also assisting with Portuguese translations for the group, as a whole.
Tiago became familiar with Chaplain Jubal McDaniel (Tacoma Defiance, MLS Next Pro) and watched Jubal in his chaplaincy role. A passionate soccer fan, Tiago took great interest in Jubal’s work with the team. One of Tiago’s roommates, during his time at Liberty, was involved in military chaplaincy and had introduced Tiago to the concept of pastorally caring for people outside of the church.
I was really interested to see chaplaincy and how this seems to be so consistent with Jesus’ calling on our lives, to go, and to be with people. In college, I had many others who were in different contexts of chaplaincy and I was really intrigued at the idea of pastoral care outside of the church building — where the action is, where life is. And more recently, seeing this in the context of sport — with the risk of injury or losing a contract — as a chaplain to be available to pray, to be present, to counsel others is amazing to me.
Tiago Souza, on his early introduction to chaplaincy
Jubal after a few conversations with Tiago and sharing about his work in the soccer chaplaincy, identified Tiago has someone who has great potential for serving in the soccer chaplaincy space. After an initial call with me (Brad), Tiago interviewed with Soccer Chaplains United chaplains and a board member to further assess Tiago’s fit for the team. Jubal has watched Tiago go through the process from start to completion.
I am excited to see Tiago join the team. He’s a great listener and has a great heart for people. I love that he is the first Portuguese speaker for Soccer Chaplains United and he will bring a great addition to the overall group.
Jubal, on what Tiago brings to Soccer Chaplains United
I had the privilege of spending time with Tiago and Jubal when I was in Seattle a couple weeks ago. Tiago is someone who is eager to listen to people and to learn more about them. His spiritual gifts and language gifts will be a blessing for Soccer Chaplains United.
Myself, supporter Tim Rogers, Tiago Souza, and Jubal McDaniel take in the Tacoma Defiance win against Portland Timbers 2
My hope is to better understand and see my calling being polished in a daily basis — what God is calling me to do and who He is calling me to be for people in sport, in soccer. I am looking forward to being that chaplain, that pastoral person, that presence that is trustworthy and safe. I am looking forward to seeing what God can do to me and in me and through me in serving with this ministry.
Tiago, on his hopes for serving Soccer Chaplains United
The addition of Tiago to Soccer Chaplains United, brings the ministry’s chaplain group to 19 chaplains. Please join me in praying for Tiago and his work with Soccer Chaplains United and the chaplaincy work in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
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 chaplains and our work.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/headshot.jpg11591000Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-06-13 00:00:002024-07-09 00:00:10Souza Brings Brazil to Soccer Chaplains United
The Colorado Springs team led by Jason Rollins, left today to head to Ecuador and work with Inca Link’s Cumbre Alta through June 19. I was blessed to be able to visit the team, hand off the soccer gear (listed below) and pray over the team this past week before they packed and left. Please keep the team in your prayers!
When you financially 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 Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Team-Photo-2019.jpeg-scaled.webp8191920Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-06-10 06:00:002024-07-09 00:00:142022 Community Fulfillment for Cumbre Alta
Soccer Chaplains United church partner Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church (CCPC), next month, returns to Kampala, Uganda to serve alongside Youth for Christ Uganda. The church has been sending teams to work alongside YFC-Uganda since 2007. This year will be especially impactful as the team looks to support and encourage the staff and volunteers, especially after all the hardship of these past few years due to COVID.
YFC-Uganda Staff share about the love of Jesus after a soccer game
While the team is in Uganda, they will serve at the Mirembe House, a home for single pregnant teens to live and find care. Additionally, they will help to support school outreaches, put on a sports ministry camp, and help with other work projects as needed. The team will take some time at the end of the trip to see and experience the beauty of Africa with a short safari in Murchison Falls National Park.
I cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for this amazing trip! I have been challenged spiritually while deciding to go on this trip for multiple reasons. I have learned to fully trust in His plans for my summer. I learned that sometimes there isn’t a right or wrong decision, sometimes there is just faith – faith that the Lord is doing BIG things and He cares and provides for us so well.
Olivia Schwarz, 2022 CCPC Team Member, on looking forward to this year’s trip
Soccer Chaplains United has supported multiple CCPC trips to Uganda. This year (2022) marks the 4th such trip and includes trips dating back to 2015, 2017, and 2019. You can see other reports and mentions of our partnership work in Uganda by clicking here.
Uganda is one of the poorest nations in the world with over 87% of the population living on $5.50 USD a day or less. For team member, Olivia Schwarz, she has seen the providence of God in many ways, even before the trip has begun. She shared,
As I prepare, I am excited to immerse myself in the culture and learn all I can from this experience. To have the opportunity to see what the Lord is doing 8,516 miles away and to be His hands and feet is very special. I have personally seen the Lord’s hand throughout preparing for this trip, through financial support, learning what faith is and how to trust Him more, and Godly counsel. I am excited to see what the Lord has for me and the team on this trip. I feel very blessed to see God’s provision through the opportunity to donate items of need, from baby clothes to soccer gear in order to further bless the people of Uganda.
Olivia Schwarz
Project Request
The CCPC Team is requesting 1 indestructible (One World Play) soccer ball and Rapids jerseys or shirts for 25-50 children.
When you financially 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 Project from the selectable funds. Your financial gift helps us purchase new soccer equipment, sponsor individuals projects and organizations, and to cover associated costs of providing Bibles, soccer equipment, and other outreach tools locally and around the world!
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Uganda17-330.jpg11201680Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-06-09 06:00:002024-07-09 00:00:19CCPC Returns to Uganda After Missing Last Year
Keeley and Jamie are at the end. There’s been unfaithfulness in the relationship and Keeley comes to grips with Rebecca’s earlier words of wisdom to ask about the place of accountability in a relationship. “Being accountable matters” she tells Jamie before telling him their relationship is over.
In today’s “Lessons from Lasso,” we talk about accountability and why it matters in life and in football. There is coming a day when all people will stand before God and have to give an account of themselves — their actions and behaviors, things done and left undone against others. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 14:10-12 of that day and we briefly talk about why and how it matters.
Ted Lasso, the immensely popular streaming TV show in its second season on Apple TV+ features the antics and quirky, Coach ‘Ted Lasso.’ 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, I (Rev Brad) look 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 Kenney2022-06-08 00:00:002024-08-20 12:14:07Lessons from Lasso — Being Accountable Matters
After a few months of research, Soccer Chaplains United, with the approval of the Board of Directors can now receive crypto currency donations. In order to do this, we have created an account with Every.org. Every.org will convert a variety of the most common crypto currencies into an instant donation for the ministry.
According to Every.org, they’ve been tracking donors and seeing that give 240% more in charitable giving than donors of other means. As we researched the different platforms for cryptocurrency acceptance, we decided that Every.org was the best fit for our organization.
Jeremy Tittle, on the donor profile of cryptocurrency donors
Every.org uses Coinbase, but will automatically convert your Bitcoin, Ethereum, or USD Coin to USD on behalf of Soccer Chaplains United. You will receive a donation receipt (from Every.org) once the transaction has been confirmed. Coinbase charges a flat 1% fee that is deducted from the crypto donation.
If someone desires to donate a different coin worth over $5k or to arrange a manual exchange with lower fees, email crypto@every.org and note Soccer Chaplains United as your charity of choice.
Every.org also allows donors to initiate a stock transfer (via First Republic Securities Company LLC) or to a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) transfer through its database. Every.org also take Venmo, PayPal and Credit and Debit Cards; however, all transactions will be receipted through Every.org and not Soccer Chaplains United. (But we will be super grateful 🤗 and send you a thank you card!)
Every.org logo
We’ve also updated our DONATE page which has links and details the different ways that a donor can support the work of Soccer Chaplains United.
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 chaplains and our work — simply hit the Donate Menu button to go to our donate page for different giving options or PushPay button at the bottom of the page to make a tax-deductible, one-time or recurring gift.
https://soccerchaplainsunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/o14jd_ob9de.jpg9001600Brad Kenney/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SCU_Seal_Logo-300x300.pngBrad Kenney2022-06-01 06:00:002024-07-09 00:00:25Donate Now With Crypto Currency!
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