3 . BEHAVIOR AND SCHOOL REPUTATION
The final factor hindering proper goals in competitive sports is the behavior of participants , coaches , and parents alike . While players sometimes behave poorly in highly stressful , competitive moments , coaches and parents often encourage improper actions or attitudes by reacting wrongly themselves . The desire for a team or player to excel is no excuse for leaders to lose self-control . Any improper behavior must be dealt with quickly , whether it comes from a player , coach , or parent .
I travel to many schools and colleges each year as an education consultant , and I often hear terrible stories of Christian school athletes who have behaved very un-Christlike . One Christian college has such a poor reputation that other schools ( even secular colleges ) refuse to play them . This college has numerous championship banners in various sports but little to no respect in their league or conference . How does that speak to the testimony of this school as a light of the gospel to the other schools , especially to the secular colleges they play ?
CONCLUSIONS
Knowing all the concerns we face , does competitive athletics have a place on our Christian school and college campuses ? Absolutely ! Competitive athletics has tremendous potential for building character and morale , encouraging fitness , reaching the community , and teaching students the importance of teamwork . In addition , a well-run and effectively managed athletic program builds school spirit , attracts mission-appropriate students , and allows us to build students academically , spiritually , socially , and physically for the future .
However , to achieve these goals , the athletic directors in Christian schools and colleges must maintain a proper focus and address sensitive issues immediately and often . High academic expectations must be set and achieved to represent your school on the athletic field .
High-quality leadership — coaches , athletic directors , and administrators — will help keep the program focused on the proper goal of developing Christlike character in participants . A biblical philosophy of athletic competition must be defined and clearly communicated . With the right priorities , dedicated personnel , balance in all things , and a careful plan , a school can turn potential problems into true success . ■
John “ TC ” Megahan is a Christian education professional with more than thirty-five years of success in serving the business , education , and church communities and serves as an Executive Consultant for RenewaNation . He has served as an administrator , school board member , classroom teacher , athletic coach , pastor , sports ministry chaplain , and crisis counselor . TC has worked in the financial services industry for more than twenty-five years and is experienced in strategic financial planning , financial aid awarding , and advancement programs . He and his wife , Joanne , have nine children and four grandchildren and live in Townsend , Delaware .
“ Cultivating Biblical Worldview Immersive Education ”
The RenewaNation Educator Advancement Program ( REAP ) for teacher and school development helps educators understand how to immerse every subject and school activity in biblical worldview . This comprehensive program assists educators in producing young men and women who love Christ and possess a world-changing biblical worldview .
REAP can help educators move from theory to practice through :
• Encouraging and insightful articles
• Curriculum , resource , and literature reviews
• Development courses and webinars
• Education conferences ( CEUs available )
• Fundamentals coaching
Have questions about biblical worldview education ?
Send your questions to tgordon @ renewanation . org . We may publish your questions on our website or in a future issue of The RenewaNation Review magazine . If requested , your question may remain anonymous .
RENEWANATION . ORG / REAP Tonya Gordon ( REAP Director ) � tgordon @ renewanation . org
RENEWANATION . ORG 41