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Would Jesus Play…Soccer? A Reaction to Sport.Faith.Life

From the Touchline

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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.

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

Rev Brad visits with Dr Brian Bolt and Dr Chad Carlson on Sport.Faith.Life

I am excited that my podcast time and interview with Drs Brian Bolt and Chad Carlson will air this next week on the Sport.Faith.Life podcast. You can catch the podcast and companion blog here. Podcast will drop this Wednesday. You can use the link above for the website or look for them on Apple Podcasts.

Brian is Professor, Dean of Education, and the Men’s Head Golf Coach at Calvin University. Chad is Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Director of General Education at Hope College. These two schools located in Grand Rapids, MI are rival schools but have enjoyed coming together at the crossroad of faith and sport.

In 2019, I had the privilege of meeting and spending some time with both Chad and Brian as they co-hosted the 2nd Global Congress on Christianity and Sport. In the past year, they have been developing out additional platforms and means of connecting with people around the globe with their newly revised podcast and website.

I had a lot of fun sharing with these two self-ascribed “used to be athletes” and have tremendous respect for their work in education, sport, and faith.

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