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Chaplaincy CE at Baylor’s Faith and Sports Institute

One of the Soccer Chaplains United’s values is continuing education (CE) for its chaplains. The CE that is often needed for the chaplaincy work seeks to incorporate a number of different areas that are unique and specific to the role. CE can be around pastoral and spiritual care, chaplaincy, or sports in general, or soccer specific. Because Soccer Chaplains United is not quite resourced or staffed to provide all of the necessary CE for its chaplains (a future aspiration), we partner with and have chaplains undertake CE with different institutions. One institution that has risen of late is Baylor University’s Faith and Sports Institute (FSI) which is a part of Truett Seminary.

Soccer Chaplains United is developing a partnership with FSI having already known several of the key leaders through several academic and practitioner conferences (ie, Congress on Christianity and Sport, etc.).

Recently, chaplain Jordan Medas undertook an offering for a certificate course with FSI and he shared his experience.

This past fall, with the encouragement of my home church and SCU, I participated in an 8 week entitled “Mental Health in Sports”…While the class doesn’t make one ready to counsel athletes directly…on…eating disorders, addictions, and anxiety, the class more than prepares (chaplains) working with athletes to be aware of signs leading to mental illness, it’s potential causes, it’s effects, what to be on the look out for and resources to support athletes.

Jordan Medas, on the class content and outcomes

Mental health issues have risen to the forefront of many sport and athletic conversations as we see a cry from athletes of all levels around the mental and emotional needs. Chaplains must be careful to not overstep bounds and to effectively refer or “signpost” athletes to appropriate resources (counseling, therapy, etc.). But sometimes recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental health can be a challenging space for volunteer chaplains who are in and around the team to varying degrees.

FSI is a group leading the way in creating content that helps those working in sports industry. Jordan also shared his future hopes for more CE through FSI:

I cannot encourage this class enough…for anyone working with athletes at all age levels. The class and professors are flexible and work with any schedule. The information given is helpful, current, not overly scientific or difficult to comprehend and can be put into use almost immediately in helping athletes develop good mental wellness.

Jordan Medas, reflecting on the FSI course work

I’d like to encourage you to financially support Soccer Chaplains United. A portion of every donation goes toward subsidizing and creating chaplaincy education and support. And your support of our work helps us to develop partnerships with other faith and sport groups for the betterment of our chaplains and the advancement of God’s Kingdom. You can make a gift through PushPay or mail a donation to Soccer Chaplains United, PO Box 102081, Denver, CO 80250.

Soccer Chaplains United SmileAmazon Charity Lists Fixed

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We recently received a notification from Amazon that the public charity lists for Soccer Chaplains United had a defect that made impacted the ability for donors to select and make purchases. We apologize if you tried to make a tangible gift donation through one of these lists, the defect has now been corrected.

The SmileAmazon Charity lists are a way for donors to purchase specific items to help Soccer Chaplains United. Whether it is a continuing education book or resource for a chaplain or soccer equipment that we send out on one of our community project fulfillment requests.

You can find the different lists below and see the kinds of items that we need as an organization.

Chaplaincy List — this list includes books and chaplain education resources that we give to our chaplains.

Community List — soccer gear and equipment and items that we send out with our church partners and non-profit groups that request soccer gear.

Organizational List — this list includes some of the administrative and organizational items that we need.

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October is Sports Chaplaincy Conference Month

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This past week, two conference opportunities were afforded for Soccer Chaplains United chaplains. The first, offered by Sports Chaplaincy — UK, was their annual October conference put into a video format. The “Glocal” conference touched on critical themes which have affected the sports chaplaincy world and, so, the global and local themes combined into “glocal” were addressed through the 4-day conference. Key issues of diversity, disability, race, mental health, and what lies ahead for the future of sports chaplaincy were addressed through numerous workshops and teaching times. While start times for the UK conference made attendance difficult, sessions were recorded and made available for later viewing.

Another conference also happened this past week, this one stateside as PowerUp Sports Ministry Conference 2020 was hosted by Our Daily Bread ministry. This years virtual conference which is typically held in Grand Rapids, MI in October featured five different break out sessions on topics ranging from relationship evangelism to mentoring other sports ministry leaders. A free conference offering, the PowerUp Sports Ministry conference, took place over a few hour span and was also recorded so that attendees could watch at different times.

I am thankful for the growing opportunities in sports chaplaincy and sports ministry for our chaplains to grow and to see other chaplains involved in ministry and to be able to learn from them. The continuing education opportunities will help myself and our chaplains to be able to grow and learn how to rightly apply themselves to their own ministry contexts across the different teams that they serve.

Soccer Chaplains United is non-profit, 501(c)3 and depends upon the financial support of individual donors and church partners to help fund and resource our chaplain’s continuing education needs which enable us to continue to develop a high level of chaplaincy service across all levels of soccer. Please consider making a contribution today through the PushPay button below to help us continue to subsidize training and education of our chaplains.

Breaking New Ground

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Today, I had the privilege of presenting two sessions on sports chaplaincy to about thirty men and women interested in or whom are currently serving as sports chaplains in the country of India.

In the first session, I presented an expanded presentation of a Biblical Foundation for Sports Chaplaincy along the lines of last year’s presentation at Calvin University in Michigan. It was at the 2nd Global Congress on Sport and Christianity, where I met with delegates from India who invited me to conduct today’s training. With about 40 minutes, I was able to expand further into the study of Genesis 3 as the biblical foundation for the work of chaplaincy in sport and provide examples and illustrates along the way.

A short break and intermission allowed for us to dive into a second session, whereby I presented a reformatted version of a teaching from 2016 in which we looked at the four foundational elements of pastoral care as a framework for how one might take on the role of chaplain. The second session featured more around passages in the New Testament and a brief discussion of Saint Martin of Tours and the origins of chaplaincy. Our time flew by, but I encouraged the attendees to go away with the teaching and reflect on the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Prior to Coronavirus, initials talks had been in place to do some form of training for soccer chaplains in India and the global pandemic and the uptick in utilizing video conferencing resources has opened some new doors and ways of thinking of how we take on different training and educational opportunities.

I look forward to seeing further opportunities open up for us and for Soccer Chaplains United!

Sports Chaplaincy UK 25th Anniversary

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Sports Chaplaincy UK 2017

This past week I had the privilege of traveling to Manchester, England to represent Soccer Chaplains United during the 25th anniversary of Sports Chaplaincy UK. The week included observing SCUK’s “induction day” training program as well as participating in the two-day conference. This year’s conference coincided with the 25-year anniversary of the charity which originally was formed as SCORE by Rev John Boyers, the chaplain of Manchester United Football Club.

SCORE, began in 1991, and began to spread into other sport in and throughout the United Kingdom. The charity rebranded in 2011 to reflect a clearer sense of chaplaincy in and to sport. As part of the continuing education, training and fellowship — SCORE/SCUK has typically hosted a conference in the first week or two of October during the FIFA international window.

I first attended a conference  in 2008, coming away with a greater sense of continuing education needs for chaplains in sport, especially in soccer. I have continued to attend every few years as part of my own education and development and to glean more ideas for how Soccer Chaplains United might one day host its own conference with a similar view toward training and development of chaplains.

Posing with Prof John Swinton of Aberdeen Univ after a powerful session on the chaplain’s role as pastor or prophet.

The conference finished with a reception in the National Football Hall of Fame in Manchester. There are many exciting opportunities, not only for training and development, but also relationally. I had the opportunity to meet with chaplains in all different levels of English football (soccer) which may prove to be beneficial to Soccer Chaplains United in the future. For example, during one breakout session, I had the chance to learn from several chaplains that are tasked with developing chaplaincy within the football academy teams. Out of our time together, there were several ideas shared on how to care well for the young players that often enter into the sport with promise, but so few actually make it into the professional ranks.

It was a trip well worth the time and investment to learn more from the chaplains across the pond that have been working for some time in a post-Christian context. I look forward to learning more and seeing how Soccer Chaplains United will be able to brace for the cultural shift that is already happening within soccer in America.

From the Rev: Back to School

The new campus of Denver Seminary is pictured here – I often joke that as a former student I helped pay for this.

This year, I returned to Denver Seminary – no, not to speak to students about chaplaincy (although I do that occasionally) or to mentor students in CPE or pastoral care – I was actually back, sitting in a seat, acting the part of a student. As the class went around making introductions and sharing what year students were in, a sense of nostalgia came over me. It was over 10 years ago, I began a journey at this same seminary – leaving the corporate world and recently married – I came into a Master’s of Divinity program with some idea of being in ministry, but no clear direction. I knew that God had been speaking to my heart – it was more an activity of obedience than a clear sense of what life after seminary would actually look like. Interestingly enough, the day of my commencement was September 11, 2001 – the day the towers fell to terrorism. I remember wondering in the days to follow – amidst all the chaotic upheaval of life, “What will the world look like when I am finished here at seminary?”

I did not know that God would so bless me in being able to work in some of the unique spaces that I have been granted – from the athletes, coaches, and staff with the Rapids to the terminal patients of hospice to the parishioners that call Cherry Hills Community Church “home” – it has truly been a blessing to serve and minister in all those different places.

Sitting, now, in the classroom I am learning about career development and assessment – an important part of the makeup of the people that I currently serve. And even though I feel older than when I initially set out on the journey over 10 years ago – my eagerness to learn is still there. My eagerness to serve people well, to be equipped to help them in their journey is a big motivator for me going back to school.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

From the Rev: Grieving Our Losses

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Rapids team members watch balloons float away after the service.

A few months ago, the Colorado Rapids team and organization was shaken terribly. The loss of one of our children at a tender and young age – made all close to the family pause and think – about life, about death, about cherishing what we have been given, and more. It was not the first loss in the history of the organization, but perhaps was the most difficult in my time and experience as the club chaplain.

The service that was held at the stadium was the first of its kind – a section of the stadium transformed so that this group, this family could gather and grieve. In the world of professional sport we are rarely confronted with the ultimate finality of death. Sure, there are careers that come to an end and dreams that are dashed in a moment in arenas of competition, but rarely is a death part of the fabric of an organization as young as the Colorado Rapids.

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It is in these moments, when chaplains are perhaps needed most – to offer comfort, to offer a peaceful presence, to listen, to mourn and grieve with those suffering. I am thankful for the many years of serving as a hospice chaplain and in pastoral care. It is imperative for chaplains to be trained in being sensitive and skilled in moments of grief and loss. For many that undertake chaplaincy there is lack of the education and development – even in many seminary-level courses. The investment in understanding grief and loss is important as many with whom we work have these critical moments in life.

So, if I could take just a moment and say a word of thanks – some of you have supported CrossTraining or even myself as an individual – whether by helping make a connection, or financially supporting the ministry, or offering another space for growth and development through education or some resource. Some of you have simply prayed for us  chaplains for the moments when we are confronted with grief and loss, that we would be wonderful representatives of God to the people we serve. Thank you for that investment. There may be many who never know and never fully appreciate and understand how you have indirectly helped them but helping us, but we (chaplains) thank you. And we pray that God blesses you in the moments when you, too, may have to grieve a great loss.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

From the Rev: The Future of Sport Chaplaincy

I recently returned from the annual conference on sports chaplaincy, held by Sports Chaplaincy – United Kingdom (or SCUK). The two day conference centered on the growing issue of Mental Well-being in Sport and there was a tremendous amount of attention on the players and coaches with a view to how the pressure of sport is impacting to the social, spiritual, mental, and other aspects of life.

Aside from the main conference, though, was an undercurrent, a subtext. Even from the beginning of the conference, the issue of chaplaincy standards and accountability was an issue that was brought to the table. In all other types of positions and places, there are standards of excellence that usually accompany and accredit one to work in a particular position or field. For example, coaches in sport (esp. soccer) can coach to a certain level with certain credentials – certifications and badges are required to coach at the higher levels (in addition to life experience and other things). So, too in healthcare – nurses have varying degrees of skill and their pay and position are dependent upon the level of training and education that they have. Those levels also help to determine benefits, as well as to limit consequences for things like negligence by providing a structure for accountability.

Currently, SCUK in partnership with the University of Gloucestershire, are developing a program for chaplaincy education and training – but not just any chaplaincy training, rather one specific to sport. Currently, the program is among one of the first of its kind in the Western World. Stateside, Baylor University announced last year that it was beginning work toward the development of graduate program with a similar emphasis.

Although these programs are really just beginning, there is a lot to build on as chaplaincy has had a long legacy – especially in healthcare and the military. But one critical issue yet to be addressed is that of standardization. In healthcare and the military, there are basic standards that must be met – ordination with a recognized religious body, Master of Divinity or similar equivalency, Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE), Board Certification from a recognized organization (ACPE or CPSP) are among some of the standards for chaplains in those fields currently.

While a specific training track for chaplains in sport will be helpful to address the unique context and challenges that are faced, it still stands to reason – what will be done with those teams, clubs, and organizations that currently have a “chaplain” that may or may not have the education, training, or accreditation that is currently being developed?

In the United States, there are few chaplains associated with professional sport that are actually paid by the club or organization. Most “chaplains” have not had chaplain specific training, but are usually associated with Christian organizations with a primary focus on Christian evangelism and discipleship. Not bad things, but definitely not “chaplaincy” as it is currently known and understood today.

There are some instances where chaplaincy training might be helpful in avoiding certain situations like the one the chapel leader for the Washington Nationals was involved with in 2005. But it remains to be seen if the development and education structures for sports chaplaincy will take root for the other simple fact that it is rare for professional sports chaplains to change much – once a team develops trust and relationship with a chaplain, there is usually a longevity to the relationship (at least at the professional levels). And if there is really no pay for those working in professional sport, will there be much interest in investing graduate level money and time into the vocational training?

While there are still many questions similar to the ones I raise that need to be answered, I do believe that we are seeing movement in a positive direction. Personally, I am thankful for having a broader understanding and training as a chaplain which allowed me flexibility to be a chaplain in hospice and to translate much of my training into the professional sports environment. I am looking forward to seeing how education for sports chaplains develops in the coming years and I think that it speaks well for the future of sports chaplaincy to see some education and accreditation structure and standards being developed. In the coming years it is my hope and desire that CrossTraining will be able to be at the forefront of many of these changes.

Blessings,

Rev. Brad Kenney

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