James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers because you
know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” This verse is a warning for those who
aspire to be leaders in the Christian community. Coaches (teachers) should strive to lead others
to a deeper relationship with God.
Culture has set unprecedented expectations on what a coach should do for an athlete, including
mentoring, training, leading, and inspiring. They are also supposed to reach each player in the
program, handle attitudes, work with parents and college coaches, develop recruiting profiles,
and prep for practice and games for a small stipend given by the institution.
Philippians 3:13-14 – “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I
do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the
goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
The call to “higher” coaching should focus on three areas:
Building relationships: CfT engages in the practices of integrating faith in practice. Discipling
athletes involves building meaningful relationships where trust and respect are developed. As
coaches, we must be willing to engage with athletes beyond their athletic
performance. We should take a genuine interest in their lives, encourage them, and provide a
listening ear. One example is getting to know each athlete individually and understanding their
unique backgrounds, goals, and needs. Intentional relationship building allows coaches to
develop trust and mutual respect with their athletes, which creates an environment where faith-
based conversations can occur more naturally. A couple of engaging practices are one-on-one
meetings, team-building opportunities, and asking your athletes questions outside of sports.
These could be done while students are stretching, getting ready for practice, or after practice. Coaches should also help athletes navigate their challenges and provide guidance to help them grow in their faith.
Demonstrating a Christ-like example: Discipling athletes is not just about imparting
knowledge or skills. It requires leading by example and demonstrating Christ-like character traits
such as love, patience, kindness, and compassion. I recently heard one of our coaches ask, “If we
win championships and games, but the students are not having fun, are we successful?” Our
athletes should be able to observe the difference between Christian coaches and secular coaches
by their conduct in different situations, on and off the field. Demonstrating a Christ-like attitude
will put an emphasis on spiritual growth through action. Coaches and mentors should prioritize
teaching them about God’s love, grace, and forgiveness, encouraging them to develop a personal
relationship with Christ and providing opportunities to serve and contribute to their
communities.
Incorporating faith into training and competition: This can take many forms, such as
dedicating time for prayer or devotionals before games or practices, encouraging athletes to
practice good sportsmanship and conduct themselves with integrity, or even hosting team retreats
or Bible studies. Each coach and program will be unique, so coaches need to know what works for them. In addition, as a coach or AD, you can provide resources and support to the athletes so
they can grow in their faith. Coaches can partner with local churches or Christian organizations
to provide access to faith-based materials or speakers and offer regular check-ins and mentorship
to athletes seeking guidance or support. By prioritizing athletes’ spiritual growth and well-being,
coaches can create a culture of discipleship that will benefit the entire team.