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Americans “know more about sport than they do about politics, science, technology, economics or their own Constitution. They discuss sport with friends, relatives, and strangers more quickly and intensely, with more passion and conviction, than any other subject” 1.
You’ve switched on the television to watch your favorite basketball or football team play. But, as usual, you have to mute the commercials. But this time, you’ve got the worst stuff you’ve ever seen coming into your living room. You have to switch it off because it’s so bad. And then you go away wondering how in the world you, as a Christian, can enjoy a wonderful sport with all these terrible things related to sports invading your home. How do you deal with it?
I was privileged to contact a great sports commentator and producer for the Words to Live By broadcast, Bill Houston. He began his radio career as a child, playing with a 5-watt transmitter hooked up to his house antenna, and then went on to work in a campus radio station. He accepted the Lord in 1982, and ever since has been serving the Lord through radio. Now he is one of three on-air hosts of the Words to Live By radio show, a ministry of the Radio Bible Class. He is also a correspodent and anchor for the Sports Spectrum radio show, a show that brings faith and sports together. The show also has a wonderful magazine, entitled Sports Spectrum. You can find information about this magazine and radio show at www.SPORT.org .
Tim Sweetman: What role should spectator sports play in a Christian’s life?
Bill Houston: In a nation where sport has taken center stage in the lives of so many, it’s easy for the Christian community to have a negative view of athletics. While there are many negative aspects to be sure, I believe there are many positive aspects as well. There are many athletes who view the sports as a platform to live out and share their faith in Jesus Christ. I try to find the positive, up-lifting side of sports that hopefully far outweighs the many negatives we hear about.
TS: How can Christians deal with the negative aspects of sports like commercials, some magazines, the atmosphere at live sports events, and the time spent watching and keeping up with teams?
BH: This is such an important question. Like anything else that can take the place Jesus should have, we have to continuously be on our guard. If a believer is spending time following a sport and it is robbing he or she of time in God’s Word and in prayer and in fellowship, they need to re-evaluate the priorities in life. In terms of the different types of media and what is being placed before us on T-V and in print, again, it is our responsibility to choose wisely. As someone who tries to keep up with the sporting world on a daily basis for my job, I have made the decision on more than one occasion to turn off an event, switch web sites or simply not read a publication because of the content. The Christian will most likely be faced with the choice of choosing an event, broadcast or publication when it hinders their growth in Christ. This choice will face the believer who enjoys sports and those who do not. We are constantly blitzed with content that threatens our walk with Jesus.
TS: You mentioned the positive aspects of sports. Could you describe some of them that you see in the world of sports?
BH: There have been numerous positive aspects like the thousands of dollars NBA players donated to help the tsunami relief efforts. I also think of the interview I conducted with USA Archer Jennifer Nichols and how she desires to represent Christ in every way on the Olympic scene. That also goes for USA Volleyball player Danielle Scott who loves the Lord and desires to be a witness for him in athletics. (Log on to www.danielle-scott.com to hear the interview). There are head coaches such as Tony Dungy and Clyde Christiansen with the Colts who are strong committed believers. We could name literally hundreds who want their faith to shine in the athletic world. There are baseball “homeplates” where chaplains put together an event where players can sha
TS: What advice would you give to a Christian teen wanting to pursue a sports career?
BH: To give it their all! Every coach loves an athlete who gives all they have. They may not be the most talented on the team, but they give their all. I believe this is a Biblical principle. God wants all we have to give. The Lord also desires that we run the race to receive the prize (I Cor 9:24). We should encourage our children and young people involved in sport to compete to win the prize. But with that comes the responsibility to compete with integrity and character. When I coached my daughters’ basketball teams, I would always encourage them to compete hard and to compete well. For the Christian athlete, it’s the goal of making a difference for all eternity in the life of a teammate, coach or opponent. Winning is not bad…winning at any cost is.
TS: In what ways can Christians influence the sports community for Christ other than actually playing sports professionally?
BH: In addition to my job with Sports Spectrum Radio, I also have the privilege of serving as a team chaplain with our Arena Football League team and our American Hockey League team. I am not an ordained minister but I have always loved ministry to men and of course sports. God has brought the two together to allow me to serve these players in His Name. I would encourage believers to look for ways to serve the athletes in their community. Maybe offering a home cooked meal to athletes at the collegiate or even pro level if there happens to be a minor league franchise in your area. You could certainly check with team chaplains to find out if this would be a possibility. Care baskets is another way. And of course by inviting them to church. They could sit with your family and then enjoy Sunday dinner with you. One other way that I hope to begin with franchises next season is to have each player and coach prayed for by name by someone in the local church. This of course would be for believing athletes and those who do not believe. Hopefully a team chaplain or FCA-(Fellowship of Christian Athletes) or AIA-(Athletes in Action) member could facilitate such an effort keeping the prayer warriors updated on the individuals prayer needs.
TS: Thank you so much!
BH: Thanks for the opportunity. Really good questions. Certainly issues we deal with in sports on a daily basis. Lord bless as you serve Him faithfully each day!
Sports really can have positive aspects that can far outweigh the negatives. Yes, we have to choose wisely and carefully, using the Bible as our guide, but we can also use sports as a way to share the gospel. I see it all the time in Sports Spectrum magazine, when I see Christians who just happen to be top athletes sharing their stories. The world of sports, if used wisely, can be a great evangelistic tool.
- M. Dyreson, Preface to an upcoming book. HT
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