91: The Church and Youth Sports (Paul Putz)

Talking about the church and youth sports is a sure way to spur strong opinions. Many pastors feel like parents are choosing sports over faith, while parents and kids feel like the church doesn't respect sports or team culture. How can faithful Christian parents and church leaders navigate this tense issue in a way that is distinctively Christian, without drawing battle lines? Today we’ll talk with Dr. Paul Putz, the director of Baylor University’s “Faith and Sports Institute”, about sports and youth ministry.  Discussion Questions: Tell us a little more about the Faith & Sports Institute. Why did this get started and what do you do?  Do you see a difference in how Christians and nonChristians view sports and athletics?  Could you share a framework for how Christians, and especially youth workers, can think biblically about sports and athletics?  How would youth workers voice their concern to parents about how their kids’ commitment to sports may be detrimental to their spiritual life?  What are some of the positive elements of youth sports that you think can be easily overlooked by youth pastors?  Dr. Paul Putz is the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Theology and Sports studies and is also the Director for the Faith and Sports Institute, both at Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary.  Recommendations: Baylor’s Faith & Sports Institute Brian smith, The Christian Athlete: Glorifying God in Sports  Brian Smith & Ed Uszynski, The Away Game: A Christian Parents’ Guide to Navigating Youth Sports  Follow Dr. Putz on social Media: X/Twitter, Instagram Follow Baylor's Faith and Sports Institute: Website, X/Twitter, Instagram, Facebook Join YPT's Facebook group: @youththeologian (make sure you answer the membership questions) Follow YPT on Twitter: @youththeologian Follow YPT on Instagram: @youththeologian Subscribe to YPT's website to receive our newest articles and updates sent directly to your inbox. We won't spam you, but you will receive a link to download our ebook for free... Youth Ministry is Theological Ministry is a collection of articles from the blog archives to help new YPT readers catch the vision for theological renewal in youth ministry.  Book links above are Amazon Affiliate links which provide a small financial benefit to YPT, which we use to produce the content that serves your ministry. Thank you for your support.