Sports Ministry Courses

SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry (3) Spring
An introduction to the history of sport and the philosophy and practice of utilizing sports and recreation as a ministry. Topics include the theology of sports ministry, sports evangelism and discipleship, developing a sports ministry within the local church and a Christian view of competition.

SPM 221 Youth Missions and Outreach Strategies in Sports Ministry (3) Fall
An introduction to youth sports ministry with primary emphasis on ministry to athletes on the high school campus, in the local church, and with community organizations. Students will be given the opportunity to work with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and other sports ministry agencies through campus groups (known as “huddles”), summer camps, clinics, and community outreach projects. Practical instruction and hands-on ministry experiences will be supervised by FCA staff members.

SPM 222 Athletic Coaching and Officiating (3) Spring
An introduction to the theory and practice of athletic coaching and officiating within the context of Christian ministry. Topics include sport pedagogy, sport psychology, and sport physiology. The coach’s ethical and legal responsibilities are also discussed. Attention is given to developing a biblical philosophy of coaching. The role and function of athletic officials is also discussed. Students are provided the opportunity to practice both coaching and officiating. As part of the courses requirements, students will be able to receive coaching certification from a nationally recognized accrediting association.

SPM 321 Psychology of Sport (3) Fall
Prerequisite: SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
An introduction to the psychological and emotional aspects of sport. Topics include mental preparation, goal-setting, extrinsic vs. intrinsic rewards, stress, anxiety, relaxation, and coping within the context of sport participation. The topic of competition and the concepts of success and failure are discussed from a biblical perspective.

SPM 322 Contemporary Issues in Sport (3) Spring
Prerequisite: SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
An introduction to the social and cultural aspects of sport, including the role of sports in contemporary society and the place of sports in the life of the Christian. Sport as a means of presenting the gospel message is addressed, along with the role sports may play in developing and maintaining Christian fellowship. Topics include women’s sports, racial diversity in sports, violence in sports, and sport as a religion.

SPM 331 Sports Ministry and Media Communication (3) Fall
Prerequisites: ENG 122 English Composition II and SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
Principles of effective communication within the context of sports ministry. Students are given the opportunity to review and evaluate various forms of Christian sports media. In addition, they will learn how to conduct and grant interviews, as well as how to prepare and share devotional talks with athletic teams. They will also write a sports tract containing their testimony, a fictional short story, and a biographical article after interviewing a Christian athlete

SPM 421 Recreational Ministry and Athletic Administration (3) Fall
Prerequisite: SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
An overview of the administrative responsibilities inherent with the successful operation of an athletic program. Specific emphasis is placed on the role and administration of athletic programs in the Christian school, but attention will also be given to Christian athletic parachurch organizations. Major topics include initial and long-range tactical planning, seasonal scheduling, budgeting, personnel management, and program evaluation. Students will be asked to define a personal position on the role of athletics within the context of Christian education.

SPM 431 Independent Study in Sports Ministry (3) Fall/Spring
Prerequisites: minimum of twelve hours in the Sports Ministry emphasis, including SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
Students are provided the opportunity to begin an in-depth investigation of a specific topic (subject to the approval of the department chair) relating to Sports Ministry. Emphasis is placed upon reviewing the literature in the student’s chosen area of investigation. (Note: Students in the Sports Ministry program should give careful thought to the selection of their topic and are advised to approach this course as an introduction to the Research in Sports Ministry course.)

SPM 432 Research in Sports Ministry (3) Spring
Intended as the “capstone” of the Sports Ministry program, this course emphasizes research procedure and practice. Students are expected to integrate various concepts from previous courses into an experimental research study, the results of which are presented in both oral and written form. Opportunity is provided for students to interact with the writings of those who are principal spokespersons in their chosen field of inquiry. This course is open only to students in the Sports Ministry concentration and must be taken during the last semester of the senior year.

SPM 441 Sports Ministry Outreach Practicum (3) Fall/Spring
Prerequisites: minimum of twelve hours in the Sports Ministry emphasis, including SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
An outreach practicum experience whereby the student teams are given the opportunity to speak in churches, schools, camps, etc., sharing the message of the gospel as well as representing the academic and athletic ministries of the College. Speaking opportunities in schools, churches and community groups will be arranged through the program director who may at times accompany the students to these venues. Students will then file the results of their experiences with the Sports Ministry office. Following a training period at the beginning of the semester, students must fulfill a minimum of ten ministry experiences in order to receive credit for this course.

SPM 491 Sports Administration Internship (3) Fall/Spring
Prerequisites: minimum of twelve hours in the Sports Ministry emphasis, including SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
Supervised involvement in an administrative capacity with a local church or parachurch sports ministry organization. Students must meet with and obtain approval from the department chair before beginning an internship. The emphasis of this experience will be on organizing, scheduling, planning, implementing, and evaluating programs and events, as well as performing related tasks as directed by the supervisor. This requirement must be fulfilled before beginning the semester in which the student plans to graduate.

SPM 492 Coaching Internship (3) Fall/Spring
Prerequisites: SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry and SPM 222 Athletic Coaching and Officiating
Supervised involvement in a coaching experience on the youth or high school level. Students must meet with and obtain approval from the department chairperson before beginning an internship. The emphasis of this experience will be on the application of coaching theory.

SPM 493 Sports Ministry Mission Trip (3) Fall/Spring
Prerequisite: SPM 122 Introduction to Sports Ministry
Students may substitute a supervised sports ministry missions trip for one of their two internships (SPM491 or SPM 492). The nature of the mission activity must be discussed with and approved by the department chair before the trip is planned.