Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Roger Nam, PhD

Second Advisor

Steve Sherwood, PhD

Third Advisor

David Phillips, DMin

Abstract

The world of sports is an approximate 620 billion dollar industry, claiming an attendance of a little over 124 million fans in 2016 just within the top five professional sports leagues. In the United States alone, it is estimated 20 to 30 million kids play recreational sports, while another 10 million teenagers play interscholastically each year. With these factors in mind, all forms of power, greed, corruption, violence, selfindulgence, etc. has seeped its way into athletics and culture like a virus. Recently, a bleacher report revealed that findings of an FBI probe into college basketball is expected to be released soon, potentially implicating up to fifty different NCAA programs for corruption, bribery, and greed. The 330 day investigation will have huge repercussions on players and coaches, including hall of fame coaches, and some have already been arrested. From violence and sexual misconduct at Baylor University, to excusing hostile atmospheres and suing one another such as South Carolina women’s basketball coach, it is safe to say sports’ influence and corruption is not limited in scope, pouring out into all facets of society. With this reality, the follower of Jesus has been given opportunity to stand out and go about coaching differently. One of many oversights in the Church past and present, is we tend to dismiss or completely forget the Spirit’s activity within the throes of athleticism. Commonly, evangelicals are obsessed with sports; we are fans, participants, and coaches, yet, society at large has determined how the Christian ought to coach, versus the deep recesses of our biblical Story. From volunteers of recreational teams to paid coaches at the highest levels, there are apprentices of Jesus occupying coaching positions and very little has been written from a Christian perspective on how to engage athletics. This research and dissertation will focus on an alternative approach to athletic coaching, with an emphasis on Pentecostal theology and how the former might influence the later. Section I will animate the problem with current coaching methodologies, touching on factors in American Church history which contribute to the problem and focusing primarily on what is called transactional coaching. Section II will focus and expound on three approaches to coaching, all of which generally fall under the category of transactional. Section III will flesh out pneumatology and how a “Spirit-led” approach differs from typical coaching strategies. Sections IV and V will briefly describe the artifact and outline the specifics. Section VI concludes with an important benediction for all Christians, inspiring every apprentice of Jesus to apply the principles of a Spirit-led coach in their area of ministry and mission. The artifact, in written form, concludes this project.

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