1st Edition
Sports Chaplaincy Trends, Issues and Debates
This ground-breaking book provides an in-depth analysis of the theory and practice of sports chaplaincy in a global context. Written in an accessible style, yet based on academic evidence and theory, the contributors include those leading major national chaplaincy organisations located in the UK, US, Australia and Continental Europe, as well as chaplains and sport psychologists working in elite and amateur sport and those involved in teaching pastoral theology. Providing a rich and informative source of knowledge and inspiration for practitioners, athletes, academics and those interested in the general relationship between sport and faith, contributors also address the provision of sports chaplaincy at sporting mega-events, including the Olympic Games. This much needed overview of chaplaincy provision in sport across a range of national and international contexts and settings, including both catholic and protestant perspectives, is the first collection of its kind to bring together leading scholars in sports chaplaincy with a view to providing professional accreditation and training amidst the fast-emerging field of sports theology.
Introduction: Sports Chaplaincy: Trends, Issues and Debates Andrew Parker, Nick J. Watson and John B. White
Part 1: International Perspectives
1. Sports chaplaincy: A global overview J Stuart Weir
2. Sports chaplaincy in the UK John Boyers
3. Sports Chaplaincy and North American Society: Strategies for winning in the Club House Greg Linville
4. Sports Chaplaincy Australia Cameron Butler and Noel Mitaxa
5. Sports chaplaincy at the Olympics and Paralympics: Reflections on London 2012 Duncan Green
Part 2: Conceptualising Sports Chaplaincy
6. Doing sports chaplaincy in a fatherless age Nick J. Watson
7. Sports chaplaincy in a post-traditional religious context Ed Uszynski
8. Reviving the ‘Shepherd’ in Us: Pastoral theology and its relevance to sports chaplaincy in the 21st century Steven N. Waller and Harold Cottom
9. Gospel-shaped sports chaplaincy: A theologically-driven sports ministry John White
10. Reformation pastoral care in the Olympic Village Ashley Null
Part 3: Sports Chaplaincy: Practice and Praxis
11. Beyond praying for players: An exploration of the responsibilities and practices of sports chaplains Anthony M.J. Maranise
12. Finding the right key: An examination of global sports chaplaincy credentialing models and their implications for credentialing sports chaplains in the US Steven N. Waller, Lars Dzikus, Robin L. Hardin and James H. Bemiller
13. Serving the spirit? The sport psychologist and the chaplain in English Premiership football Mark Nesti
14. Moving toward a faithful relationship: Sport psychology consultants speak about the potential of engaging with spirituality in consultation Trevor J. Egli, and Leslee A. Fisher
15. Football, chaplaincy and sport psychology: Connections and possibilities Richard Gamble, Andrew Parker and Denise M. Hill
Conclusion: Game Over and Rewind John B. White, Nick J. Watson and Andrew Parker
Biography
Andrew Parker is Professor of Sport and Christian Outreach and Director of the Centre for Sport, Spirituality and Religion (CSSR) in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at the University of Gloucestershire, UK. Andrew's research interests include sport and spirituality, sport and social identity, and physical activity and schooling. Published outputs reflect these interests and have appeared in periodicals such as the Sociology of Sport Journal, and the International Review for the Sociology of Sport. He is co-author (with Nick Watson) of Sports and Christianity: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives, Sport and the Christian Religion: A Systematic Review of Literature and Sport, Religion and Disability. Andrew has served on the editorial boards of the Sociology of Sport Journal (2005-2008) (Human Kinetics), Qualitative Research (2001-present), and was co-editor of the International Journal of Religion and Sport between 2010-2012.
Dr Nick J. Watson is Senior Lecturer in Sport, Culture and Religion and head of pastoral care, York St John University, UK. He is the Co-Director of the Centre for Sport, Spirituality and Religion (CSSR) at the University of Gloucestershire, UK, has coached soccer in England and America and was the Founding Head Coach of La Manga Junior Football Academy, Spain (2001-2006). Nick is a Founder Member of the Sport and Christianity Group (2013-), which is a group of scholars and practitioners that developed "The Declaration on Sport and Christian Life". He is the co-author/editor of seven books that address sports and the Christian faith, most recently, Sport, Religion and Disability and Sport and the Christian Religion: A Systematic Review of Literature, both with Andrew Parker. Nick is the convener for the Inaugural Global Congress on Sports and Christianity, YSJU, UK, 2016.
John B. White is Assistant Professor and holder of the Harold and Dottie Riley Professorship in Practical Theology and Director of the Sport Chaplaincy Program at Baylor University: George W. Truett Theological Seminary. John has edited and/or published a range of scholarly and popular articles or books on theology, ethics, and religion and sport including: Deardorff, D. and White, J. (Eds.), The Image of God in the Human Body: Essays on Christianity and Sports; White, J. and White, C., Game Day Glory. John is a Founding Member of the Sport and Christianity Group (2013-), which is a group of scholars and practitioners that developed "The Declaration on Sport and Christian Life". Prior to his academic post, he worked in sports ministry and as a sports chaplain which comprised serving and ministering in churches, on various NCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 university campuses, at the Olympic Training Center and in Eastern and Western Europe.
"This book is a much needed contribution towards the development of scholarly thought in the under-researched area of sports chaplaincy. Addressing wide-ranging topics including anecdotal and historical narratives of sports chaplaincy, Christian theological reflection on the role of the sports chaplain, and analyses of the relationship between sports chaplains and psychologists, this interdisciplinary collection will be sure to generate responses from diverse voices and open up scholarly discussion about the increasingly provocative field of sports chaplaincy." - Tracy J. Trothen, Queen's University, Canada
"Written by those at the front lines of sports ministry, this is a must read, not only for those engaged in sports ministry but also for anyone studying the evolving relationship between sport and religion in the modern age." - Shirl James Hoffman, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
"When theology rightly meets praxis, a fruitful result is a book like this. Because the sport-Christianity relationship is tricky, what we do not need is another book that unwittingly gorges on sports culture like a glutton. Discernment about how matters of faith relate to and in the contested world of sports is a prerequisite. This book critically and constructively provides a way forward for how sports chaplains and others might meaningfully interpret and inhabit sports and pastorally care for sportspersons. The blend of academician with practitioner coupled with specific geographical and cultural contexts allow for different perspectives. I look forward to seeing others' responses especially from my former world of professional sports." - Joe Ehrmann, founder of "Coach for America" and co-founder of "Shift Why"
