WHY IS A CHARACTER COACH NEEDED?
One of the most important roles coaches play in preparing players for competition and life is to give them a chance to develop good character.
We expect a game plan for coaching the X’s and O’s of our sport. What isn’t always clear is how to coach character. Over time we have seen an ever-growing gap develop between coaching the fundamental aspects of a specific sport and the development of quality character. Character Coaches exist to fill this crucial gap in developing the complete athlete.
CHARACTER COACH VS. CHAPLAIN
When considering the role of a Character Coach it is important to know the difference between a Character Coach and a Chaplain. Both roles are critically important but distinctively different. Which role you play with a team is determined by the audience. Keep in mind the differences between a Character Coach and a Team Chaplain. The Character Coach initiative is designed to help get a ‘foot in the door’ with School Administrators, Coaches and athletes by providing an on-going presence with a particular team while passing along strong, character building lessons that are non-religious.
Obviously, our hope and prayer is that these Character Coaches begin to lay a foundation of trust that will eventually open doors for other opportunities such as evangelism and discipleship.
Character Coach
- Non-religious
- Goal is to teach character/leadership qualities
- Coaches can make it mandatory
- Model + Inform
Chaplain
- Faith-based
- Goal is to provide spiritual guidance and direction
- Coaches must make it optional
- Model + Inform + Convert
Who are Character Coaches?
A wide variety of people can serve the people of sport as Character Coaches. One need not be a sport ministry professional to faithfully serve and to significantly impact the lives of coaches and athletes. Among those who could serve as in these roles are:
- Parents of players in youth sports (school based teams or club sports).
- Coaches of youth sports teams, school based teams or coaches at higher levels of sport.
- Community leaders with an interest in developing character.
- Athletic trainers or other support personnel with sports teams.
- Pastors or other ministry professionals.
- Church members who desire to make an impact by serving others.
What does it take to be a Character Coach?
It is critically important for all character coaches to follow some FCA guidelines to protect everyone involved.
Keep in mind the differences between a Character Coach and a Team Chaplain. The Character Coach initiative is designed to help get a ‘foot in the door’ with School Administrators, Coaches and athletes by providing an on-going presence with a particular team while passing along strong, character building lessons.
Obviously, our hope and prayer is that these Character Coaches begin to lay a foundation of trust that will eventually open doors for other opportunities such as evangelism and discipleship.
Where do I start?
FCA wants to provide teams with the best-trained, most effective Character Coaches that they can, so we have created a process:
- Initiate of a relationship with an FCA staff member in your area to let them know of your interest and for further training, encouragement, facilitation and accountability.
- Complete the on-line application process called the
Ministry Leader Application.
- Communicate with the FCA staff and coach prior to the season for planning, prayer, resources, etc.
- Communicate with the FCA staff during the season for encouragement, problem solving and further direction.
- Communicate at the end of the season for evaluation, reporting of result
