Increase Church Outreach: 6 Ways to connect with students through sports
Laura Coulter, Writer • Upward Sports
“Ethan is on the travel ball team this season.”
If this phrase sends shivers down your spine, you might be in youth ministry.
In recent years, competition has developed between sports and the church. With practice and game schedules for school and club teams getting more intensive, families often have to decide whether their child will continue to develop as an athlete or regularly attend church functions. Many families choose sports. This can leave youth leaders feeling frustrated and demoralized.
What if sports don’t have to be the enemy? In fact, with a little creativity, sports can be an effective tool to connect with the students in your church and to reach students in your community for Jesus. 1. Attend your students' sporting events
Even if a student can’t come to church events because of their sports schedule, you can still go where they are. Chances are it will mean a great deal to the student and their family for you to show up at their game, meet, or match. It shows you are invested in them and interested in their lives outside their involvement in your ministry. Let the parents know you’re coming and ask to sit with them at the game—it’s a great opportunity to get to know them better, too.
2. Start a fantasy league
This is a fun and easy way to connect with the youth in your ministry, even those who don’t play sports. Get a group chat going with the people in the league. Come up with an exciting prize for the winner and a (slightly) embarrassing consequence for the loser. This is an opportunity to initiate common ground and regular communication with students.
3. Hold Pick-up games
Create space for students to hang out together and enjoy some friendly competition. Offer pick-up games of traditional sports like basketball, volleyball, etc., but also offer activities like pickleball, ultimate Frisbee, or 9-square. These games can attract students who may not be as interested in other sports. If your church doesn’t have the right facilities or grounds for a game you’d like to play, check with local schools or parks to see if you can use their space instead.
4. Connect with local sports teams
Many high school teams are open to having church leaders as chaplains or mentors for their athletes. This is a great way to meet new students and to be involved in students’ lives even when they can’t make it to church. You can also find other ways for your church to serve local teams, like providing meals on game days or being intentional about showing up for fundraisers. This builds goodwill with athletes, parents, and coaches.
5. Plan sports-related events – Without the sports
Not everyone likes sports, but most teenagers enjoy spending time with other teenagers. Sports are a convenient excuse for a chance to get your youth group together for food, games, and even Bible study. You can have parties for big national games or tailgate before local games. You can also hold a video game tournament for students to play Madden, FIFA, or NBA 2K together.
6. Offer your own youth sports league
If you can’t beat them, join them! There are numerous benefits of offering a youth sports league through your church. You can create a schedule that allows athletes to play in your league AND be actively involved in other church functions. Running a sports league also creates a variety of opportunities for the youth in your ministry to volunteer—which increases their connections with others in the church, develops their confidence, and shows them the value of serving others. But perhaps the most significant benefit of offering a sports league is connecting new families to your church. Upward Sports the sports ministry leader of choice that churches around the country are using to help with this experience.
If the idea of starting your own sports league sounds intriguing but overwhelming, don’t worry. Upward Sports helps churches all over the country run leagues for a variety of sports. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Upward to find out how we can equip you with everything you need to run a sports league that will enhance your ministry rather than harm it.
The truth is that these suggestions are just the starting point. There are countless possibilities for you to use sports in your ministry. Ask yourself what could happen in your community if you started seeing sports as an opportunity instead of an obstacle.
Let’s get started and turn your field into a mission field. Learn more at Upward.org/Church-leaders
Increase Church Outreach: 6 Ways to connect with students through sports
Laura Coulter, Writer • Upward Sports
“Ethan is on the travel ball team this season.”
If this phrase sends shivers down your spine, you might be in youth ministry.
In recent years, competition has developed between sports and the church. With practice and game schedules for school and club teams getting more intensive, families often have to decide whether their child will continue to develop as an athlete or regularly attend church functions. Many families choose sports. This can leave youth leaders feeling frustrated and demoralized.
What if sports don’t have to be the enemy? In fact, with a little creativity, sports can be an effective tool to connect with the students in your church and to reach students in your community for Jesus.
1. Attend your students' sporting events
Even if a student can’t come to church events because of their sports schedule, you can still go where they are. Chances are it will mean a great deal to the student and their family for you to show up at their game, meet, or match. It shows you are invested in them and interested in their lives outside their involvement in your ministry. Let the parents know you’re coming and ask to sit with them at the game—it’s a great opportunity to get to know them better, too.
2. Start a fantasy league
This is a fun and easy way to connect with the youth in your ministry, even those who don’t play sports. Get a group chat going with the people in the league. Come up with an exciting prize for the winner and a (slightly) embarrassing consequence for the loser. This is an opportunity to initiate common ground and regular communication with students.
3. Hold Pick-up games
Create space for students to hang out together and enjoy some friendly competition. Offer pick-up games of traditional sports like basketball, volleyball, etc., but also offer activities like pickleball, ultimate Frisbee, or 9-square. These games can attract students who may not be as interested in other sports. If your church doesn’t have the right facilities or grounds for a game you’d like to play, check with local schools or parks to see if you can use their space instead.
4. Connect with local sports teams
Many high school teams are open to having church leaders as chaplains or mentors for their athletes. This is a great way to meet new students and to be involved in students’ lives even when they can’t make it to church. You can also find other ways for your church to serve local teams, like providing meals on game days or being intentional about showing up for fundraisers. This builds goodwill with athletes, parents, and coaches.
5. Plan sports-related events – Without the sports
Not everyone likes sports, but most teenagers enjoy spending time with other teenagers. Sports are a convenient excuse for a chance to get your youth group together for food, games, and even Bible study. You can have parties for big national games or tailgate before local games. You can also hold a video game tournament for students to play Madden, FIFA, or NBA 2K together.
6. Offer your own youth sports league
If you can’t beat them, join them! There are numerous benefits of offering a youth sports league through your church. You can create a schedule that allows athletes to play in your league AND be actively involved in other church functions. Running a sports league also creates a variety of opportunities for the youth in your ministry to volunteer—which increases their connections with others in the church, develops their confidence, and shows them the value of serving others. But perhaps the most significant benefit of offering a sports league is connecting new families to your church. Upward Sports the sports ministry leader of choice that churches around the country are using to help with this experience.
If the idea of starting your own sports league sounds intriguing but overwhelming, don’t worry. Upward Sports helps churches all over the country run leagues for a variety of sports. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Upward to find out how we can equip you with everything you need to run a sports league that will enhance your ministry rather than harm it.
The truth is that these suggestions are just the starting point. There are countless possibilities for you to use sports in your ministry. Ask yourself what could happen in your community if you started seeing sports as an opportunity instead of an obstacle.
Let’s get started and turn your field into a mission field. Learn more at Upward.org/Church-leaders
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