National Sports Sunday: Resource Area

We have also added Partner Resources at the bottom of this page.

Logo Download

Our thanks to our friends at CPO for creating a new logo for National
Sports Sunday.

Powerpoints

Press

Videos

Article for Church Magazine

National Sports Sunday
Warren Evans, Chief Executive of Sports Chaplaincy UK

As Christians, we know that prayer has the power to change things.

However, what could be the impact of the whole church praying for the community of sport on a particular day?

The community of sport has approximately 25 million members, spreading over 151,000 sports clubs and 6700 gyms across the UK.

At Sports Chaplaincy UK, we believe that this is a community that the church, as plan A, needs to re-energise its prayer focus for in both a significant and intentional way.

During the last 12 months, we have seen God’s hand in the relationships that Sports Chaplaincy UK has with sporting governing bodies. Indeed, without being able to share the details, we are seeing significant elite players coming to faith in the sporting community as well as others in positions of authority.

This is truly amazing and why Sports Chaplaincy UK is calling the church, as a united body, to set aside Sunday 19th May 2019 as a day of prayer for the community of sport. To aid this we will be releasing a special video for use on social media about some of the individual people who have heard God’s heart for this community and responded.

National Sports Sunday is about seeking God for what He might have you do, say and pray for this growing community. The doors for Christians to engage in chaplaincy are wide open – sometimes, in ways I don’t think we have recognised.

This is a call for you to see how you can use your interest in sport and passion for prayer and tie them together.

We need chaplains, but more importantly we need Christians to engage intentionally and actively. I’ve said before, if your child is involved in a local sports club, why not simply offer the prayer ‘God wherever you are at work today, please help me to join in?’ If you’re a Pastor, have you thought about not just going to the gym, but pastorally and sensitively offering to pray for the staff and trainers?

I believe this is not a one off, but that National Sports Sunday becomes a regular day in the church calendar for us to pray for the community of sport.

To find out more, please visit our website: www.nationalsportssunday.org.uk

Sermon Outlines

Provided by Rev John K Boyers, former Chaplain of Manchester United

Audio

Prayers

2019 Prayer – written by His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos
Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London

Heavenly Father,

We thank You for the gifts You constantly give us and first and foremost, the gift of Your Spirit within us that strives and yearns for fellowship.

We give thanks for all those who provide opportunities for our fellowship through the various sporting activities that are available, and that become, for so many, a source of support in their daily journey, knowing that they do not journey alone but amongst friends and companions.

We give thanks, at a time of great uncertainty through our Nations, that we are still able to gather across all lines and experience the fellowship that is provided through these various experiences and events.

We ask your blessings upon those who partake, that You may grant them the spirit of graciousness and sportsmanship, and that they may be reminded of the true and ultimate goal, of not only winning the game but of being in fellowship and journeying to Your Kingdom, and that in doing so they become a light and an example to all those witnessing their good works.

Amen

2018 Prayer – Written by Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International.

Father,

We thank you for the gift of sport, for the opportunity to celebrate the endless possibilities of being part of a wonderful and diverse community.

And we thank you that ultimately sports people or clubs are not defined by victories or failings on the pitch because you see each sportsperson beyond the outward appearance. You see beyond the football shirts and the boxing gloves and the rackets and the trainers.

Help us to remind this community that they are loved by you and that we are your children; may we demonstrate that in our words and actions.

Prompt us as your church to consider how we might get more involved in sport and share your love and compassion with this amazing community. Amen

Partner Resources

  • The Gathering For Men
    The Gathering is a men’s Christian weekend festival like no other! It’s fun, it’s life changing, it’s THE standout event for guys. Taking place in June in a field near Swindon the Gathering features: Live comedy, cool cars, 5-a-side football, bar, live music, walking football, huge inflatables, bar games, volleyball, axe throwing, relevant Bible teaching, great worship, quad bikes, great speakers, life stories, powerful gospel ministry, Scalextric, bonfires and loads more…It’s the perfect event for men’s groups or individuals and tailor-made for you to be able to invite your unchurched mates to. Every year we see many guys come to faith for the first time.
  • The Crazy Way – CVM Resource
    The Crazy Way from CVM is made up of a selection of resources created to present the good news of Jesus using everyday language via different forms of media and the occasional set of wheels. Taking its name from the early believers [followers of The Way] and because some say it’s crazy to follow Jesus, The Crazy Way is sometimes fun, always uncomplicated and definitely relevant to not-yet-believing men.
  • The Code – CVM Resource
    The Code from CVM is a twelve-point honour code for Christian men. It helps them stay focused on living a totally Jesus-centred life. It forms the basis of a number of ‘Codelife’ resources including ‘The Code: book’, ‘Code: Unlocked’ free online group studies, ‘The Code: Talks’ videos, ‘Codelife: Unlocked’ mobile phone Bible reading plan, plans and tips for a ‘Code: Unleashed’ outdoor outreach event. There’s even a ‘Code: Bible’ (CEV)
  • Take the Talking Jesus challenge
    Together we can make a huge impact on our nation… one by one…. amongst our friends, family and fellow sportsmen and women as we follow the call of Jesus to share our faith! Are you up for the challenge? Talking Jesus – The Course includes six practical, video-based teaching sessions with inspirational testimonies to give real-life examples from people who are talking about their faith in Jesus in everyday life. There are also short parable-style films designed to get groups thinking, and a 44-page course booklet with helpful discussion questions and challenges.Roy Crowne from HOPE, Rachel Jordan-Wolf from the Church of England, and Bible teacher Andrew Ollerton, have developed this course to equip Christians to talk about Jesus, sensitively, appropriately and with respect in everyday life.The Talking Jesus course is ideal for small groups. The goal is to equip Christians to make the most of every opportunity to help friends, colleagues and family members to consider Jesus for themselves and become his followers.
  • ReadySetGo
    Making disciples for Christ in all nations in the world of sport and play. Making disciples for Christ in all nations in the world of sport and play.
  • Mission Through Sport – Scripture Union
    In the last few years, Scripture Union has been growing, trialling and replicating an effective mission through its sports strategy throughout England and Wales. Working in rural, urban and inner-city contexts with local churches and Christians to connect and share faith with children and young people far outside of the church. At its simplest level this is about providing opportunities for the language and activity of sports and games to naturally collide with the language of faith.
  • Great Commission – Evangelical Allicance
    Articles on Sports Ministry and engaging in the community of Sports from our friends at the Evangelical Alliance
  • Athos – Film – The Salvation Army
    Athlos is a sport and fitness discipleship resource created by The Salvation Army in The United Kingdom Territory with The Republic of Ireland. We’ve created something that enables people who have ordinary, everyday searching questions about life and faith to explore this through the avenue of sport and play.
  • Ambassadors Football
    Ambassadors Football’s vision is to serve the local church, inspiring and equipping it to build Christ-centred relationships through football. We provide resources to support your church to use football to share Jesus.
  • Care For The Family – Blog by Tony Sharp
    An article written by Tony Sharp from Who Let the Dads Out?.
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