How to plan for ministry through sport and wellbeing
It’s a myth that ministering in our communities through sport and wellbeing activities is only for ‘sporty types’
ANYONE CAN JOIN IN! THIS page offers ways to explore sports and wellbeing as part of your mission strategy.
The opportunities
According to research undertaken by the Sport & Wellbeing Project, ministry and mission through sport offers the Church of England the opportunity to connect with over 60% of England’s population, the vast majority of whom are not in church regularly.
These are just some of the ways in which this ministry can boost the missional reach of a local church:
- It’s an invitation for us to grow as disciples by integrating faith with a ‘whole person’ way of life (body, mind and spirit), and to seek and serve God’s Kingdom for the whole of life.
- It’s a great way to connect with children and young people through activities they love.
- There are many secular groups, especially those connected to government-supported initiatives, which are keen to partner with others to encourage active and healthy lifestyles in our communities.
- There are faith-based groups specialising in sports ministry ready to help, advise, and sometimes, help to fund projects.
Use these headings to begin exploring and planning step by step:
Get started
There are many ways you can get started. The first thing to do is pray, listen to God, and map what is already going on in your area with regards to sport and wellbeing.
There are public bodies that can be useful in this initial exploration, to ensure that your missional planning arises out of the needs of your particular community:
- Active Partnerships is a good place to find a local partner and gain insight into what’s happening near to you already.
- Find out more about your local Health and Wellbeing Board – what are the needs of your communities? How might you join in? The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NVCO) has some helpful guidance on its KnowHow website.
- See the Active Lives surveys on the Sport England website, which give a lots of useful insight. Funding streams are also available.
- Healthcare professionals are seeking to partner with others to offer fitness and wellbeing to provide a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. How might your church join in with this important approach to health in our communities? See the National Academy for Social Prescribing – dedicated to the advancement of social prescribing through promotion, collaboration and innovation.
What’s already in your hands?
Once you have an idea of what’s already going on in your context, consider what resources and facilities are close by which you could tap into. For example:
- Church buildings and land to host a missional sport and wellbeing initiative
- Schools
- Recreation ground – Outdoors
- Football Cage/Gyms/Sports Club/GPs/Parkrun/Leisure Centres/Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA)
- People in your church who are involved in a sports club/fitness class/gym who might be called to grow a ministry or become a chaplain in these spaces
- Coaches/Fitness Instructors/Personal trainers in your church or local area looking for work
- People willing to support in different ways e.g welcome and hospitality
- Partners to support/join with you
Useful resources and contacts
After praying, listening, mapping the needs of your community and researching the resources and gifts already to hand for this mission and ministry, you may be at the point where you want to get something started. There are plenty of Christian para sports organisations that can help and support you:
Sportily – now home of the former Church of England Sport & Wellbeing Project
Ambassadors Football – use their experience and expertise to run a local football club for children
Kick | Transforming young lives through sport
Welcome | Scripture Union – mission support for children and young people
Sports Chaplaincy UK | Serving the community of sport
Christians in Sport – exists to reach the world of sport for Jesus
Bridge The Gap Football – Football Communities to Connect Young Adults
Project Touchline – Pioneering and transforming Christian Values education through PE/Sport and Collective Worship
If you would like to find out more or discuss further please contact Sportily.
