The FCA Chaplains Conference will be held April 11-13, 2016 in Kansas City. FCA asked Southern Illinois University Carbondale sports chaplain Roger Lipe about what it means to be a chaplain and what participants can expect from the conference.
FCA: What is the purpose for the Chaplains Conference?
Roger Lipe: The purpose is to further our three primary objectives in the development of sports chaplains and campus directors: Training, Networking, and Mentoring. This event enables all three to happen very well among all who attend.
FCA: What are the benefits of attending?
RL: This conference offers a unique blend of formal presentations and a lot of loose time for people to network, compare notes, and share their best practices. One leaves encouraged, empowered, and equipped with new ministry teammates.
We believe this conference is a powerful and effective event for the encouragement and development of sports chaplains. We welcome those who already serve in this role as well as those who aspire to serve as a sports chaplain. We welcome those who serve in conjunction with FCA and all those who serve as volunteers or staff with others ministries.
FCA: What are the responsibilities of this position?
RL: Team chaplains serve sports teams, coaching staffs, and/or individual competitors in sport. They serve in a wide variety of sports, at various levels of competition, and in scholastic and community sports organizations.
Responsibilities are significant and are set in conversation with the coaching staff or team management. They range from visits to practice, Bible studies, chapel talks, hospital visits, personal meetings, and more.
FCA: Why is team chaplain an important role?
RL: The team chaplain role is growing in importance as coaches and competitors find themselves in an environment of growing pressure to win and with increasing compromise of values. The chaplain can help clarify and communicate Christ honoring values and care for the lives of those he or she serves.
FCA: How does God use this position to reach coaches and athletes?
RL: This is a unique ministry role as the chaplain serves a group of people already having a sense of community, and that makes it fertile ground for the development of relationships, sharing the gospel, and heartfelt service.
For more information or to register, click here.
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