Recently, we have been searching for chaplain candidates in the Chattanooga area. It's a search that began last year as news of a USL — League One team would begin play in 2019. Also, there is another team that plays in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League) in Chattanooga — an amateur league, but part of the pathway to professional soccer. Both the NPSL and USL — League One (third division of professional soccer) are smaller leagues with lower franchising fees and requirements (stadium size, etc.). Often these teams function on much smaller budgets and may rely heavily on a volunteer base for support. Smaller budgets mean smaller wages (for staff and athletes). But these clubs can also draw some

It is the season theme for Christ Presbyterian Academy's Boys Soccer Program. It's a theme that tells of where our priorities as a Christian lie and, according to CPA Chaplain Ryan Doyle, it's part of what Head Coach Tom Gerlach and the rest of the CPA staff are constantly working to instill in the hearts and lives of the young men of CPA; a solid foundation of faith for the rest of their lives. It echoes out from our team chant, and it rings in our hearts every minute of every game and every practice. It is what we are about at CPA Men's Soccer.Ryan Doyle, CPA Chaplain CPA, this year, expanded the effort and reach of doing ministry through

It's rare — and as chaplains, we much prefer to be behind the scenes and supporting the cast. But this recent article gives a little insight into the work that a chaplain does with a soccer team. Billy Cerveny has been serving Nashville SC for a little over a year and this article only gives a glimpse of some of his work. https://www.nashvillesc.com/news_article/show/1014159 If you would like to personally support Billy and his chaplaincy and pastoral work, check out Redbird. To support the Soccer Chaplains United's chaplaincy work and development in Nashville and other parts of Tennessee, select the Chaplaincy fund from PushPay. Your donations help to offset the coaching and development work for chaplains across the various levels of

I am excited to announce that Soccer Chaplains United has had two proposals accepted for presentation at the Second Global Congress on Sport and Christianity. The congress, taking place at Calvin College later this year, will feature speakers, writers, practitioners, academics, and more that are constantly wrestling with issue of faith, life, and sport. I had the privilege of presenting at the Inaugural Congress in 2016 in York, England. It was a challenging and encouraging time all in the same breath. Theologians and academics mixing with sports ministry practitioners — for me, there was some new thinking and challenges around how I understand faith and sport. I also did my part, challenging a few academics into considerations that, as a

Recently, one of our chaplains reached out to me via text: Greg, our Memphis chaplain recently texted me... One of the key characteristics about soccer is that there is a very transient population — whether athletes, coaches, or staff — there is a nearly nomadic lifestyle that each one takes as they ply their trade in this industry. And at the USL—Championship level, this movement is more frequent. Contracts are usually only for one season — 8-months. On a typically low wage ($500-$3/4k, sometimes slightly higher). There is a lot of movement as everyone is looking for an opportunity to advance and climb higher. Sometimes, the decisions are out of one's hands — there is a willing (and unwilling) surrender to