Sport

New Zealand Christian Network director Glyn Carpenter has been assisting a group discussing opportunities for Christian outreach at the Rugby World Cup in 2011. ‘This group is well connected,' said Carpenter, ‘with links to international Christian sporting groups, as well as all of the major local groups. Most denomination leaders have already endorsed their initiative and it may be a good idea for local church leaders to nominate someone in their church to stay informed of developments.'
After a recent planning meeting, the group leaders issued the following statement: ‘New Zealand will receive the world during the Rugby World Cup 2011. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our country. ‘The Rugby World Cup is the third-largest major sporting event in the world and the biggest event in 2011, and we have the chance to serve the 60-80 thousand tourists expected to arrive in the country, and to demonstrate our hospitality, friendliness, and passion for life. It's a chance for us to serve others and share hospitality as Christ has called us to do. ‘A variety of volunteer positions are available, requiring a vast range of skills from technical, previous volunteer work, leadership and operational roles to name a few. Jobs within these skill sets are abundant. Many of these roles could be filled by people within our churches and community groups, and being part of a volunteer group for a major event like the Rugby World Cup is an opportunity for us all to...

The Christian community in New Zealand is preparing for the Rugby World Cup with the appointment of the Engage Governance Board and the scheduling of its inaugural meeting inAuckland in mid-June 2010. The first meeting of the Executive Operations Team, responsiblefor the execution of the Engage vision also be held around then. One key agenda item for both Engage meetings will be the preparation of a RWC Ministry Proposal and the Christian community's united approach to the RWC 2011 organisers. An official partnership with the RWC will help what formal opportunities may be available for Christians and churches to impact and serve the community during the event. The inaugural meetings follow months of consultation with representatives of the various Christian sports networks, national and sports ministries, churches, Christian business people and sports people, to identify where God is leading His people to ‘do mission' and shine the light and hope of Jesus before, during, and beyond the RWC event. The RWC will be held in September and October 2011. The CEO of Engage, Ross Georgiou says "we hope that through Engage, all Christians and churches will be prepared and well equipped to use the RWC as an exciting platform to minister to and impact their communities". Further details on the Engage strategy will be released following the inaugural meetings of the Engage Governance Board and the Executive Operations Team. Engage Vision RWC 2011 will be a major event in the history...

The Christian Sports Network - a visionnetwork partner - is unfolding a strategy to help the church in New Zealand take advantage of the 2011 Rugby World Cup. visionnetwork's National Director Glyn Carpenter helped facilitate a meeting with CSN leaders and national church leaders in September to advance planning. CSN-RWC co-ordinator Ross Georgiou reports that the 2011 ministry is gathering momentum.

"Two meetings were had over the last four weeks with specific regards to a unified and co-ordinated ministry approach to the RWC 2011 and through the RWC 2011 to New Zealand community and beyond. "The RWC 2011 meeting with the National Church Leaders in Wellington was successful for the following reasons: 1. ‘Endorsement' from the Church denominations of the ‘umbrella' that will combine church/Mission/Sports Mission/Christian Networks in a RWC 2011 ministry of ‘Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage'.
2. ‘Liaison' with the church denominations by each appointing and informing us of a liaison person (or conduit) for the ‘Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage' initiatives and their individual denomination.
3. The various churches give ‘one unified voice' on this initiative to the NZ community and to RWC 2011.
4. ‘Consideration' as the various denominations and local churches enter into a process (through prayer, consideration, processing, discussions) as to what role they would like to take on in regards to the RWC 2011 ministry. "Further meetings were held...

By Ken Youngson Overview The Bible makes little mention of sport. But in the absence of any direct biblical reference, this paper seeks to construct a theology of sport and Christian involvement under three areas of reflection. First we discuss the original goodness of creation, including sport. Secondly, we explore the corruption of creation and sport. Thirdly, we examine the restoration of creation and sport through Christian mission. Finally, we outline the main Christian sporting organisations in NZ. Paul does use sporting metaphors from the Greek culture to illustrate Christian endeavour, but apart from 1 Tim 4:8 which seems to imply a positive role for physical activity, he makes no judgement. So discussing sport from a theological viewpoint requires us to reflect on principles rather than explicit teaching. We will do this with three dimensions of the gospel. Read the full paper by clicking on the attachment below.

SoccerPlus NZ is a soccer ministry designed to present the message of Jesus with soccer as it's tool. We run soccer missions trips overseas as well as soccer camps for kids.  We have kids and teen soccer camps throughout all the holidays of the year. If you want more feel free to ring me. Kim Beale
(SoccerPlus NZ)
09-818-9347
027-682-3359

During the last six years Ignite Sport has run five Sports Academies targeting 'sports mad' - 'rep level' athletes with each academy covering a wide range of sporting disciplines and codes. Over 300 young people have attended these 'live in' academy camps and apart from the many skills and drills learnt, they have heard stories of 'life and faith' from Christian Athletes. The Academy programmes have provide a solid base for this developing mission which is now looking to expand its activity and influence. Ignite Sport began life as an initiative of Youth For Christ and in 2006 established itself as its own Charitable Trust with a specific goal in mind - to positively influence New Zealand sport and culture.  Ignite Sport aims to 'provide opportunity for Christians to demonstrate their faith through sport' and 'create opportunity for all people in sport to reach their God given potential' There is a growing gap between what we know as 'church' and the sporting world. In fact, one of the most obvious mission fields today is on the sports field and in the gymnasium.  Ignite Sport is committed to networking and working with local churches and other sporting organisations in making a difference in local communities and in bringing God's Kingdom to 'life'.
 
If you would like to find out more about the mission of Ignite Sport or be kept informed of developments and opportunities, please contact Kevin Goldsbury (04) 9202204 (Ignite Office) or  This e-mail address...

  local_cs_ministry_manual

On October 1st, 60 people gathered in Wellington to officially launch the mission of Ignite Sport Trust. This recently established charitable trust is set to positively impact New Zealand young people, their families and the wider community. Ignite Sport is not a sports club as such, although it does use the medium of ‘sport and recreation' to and make a difference. Tony Blair once said "Investment in sport is not just a sports policy. It's a health policy, an education policy, an anti-crime policy and an anti-drugs policy".   To positively influence our sports culture is a great challenge for the church. In fact, one of our most obvious mission fields is on the sports field and in the gymnasium.  With sport being at the heart of New Zealand culture we have a wonderful opportunity to use the power of sport and recreation to positively impact, not only the lives of young people but also to effect change within society. The vision of Ignite Sport is simple: 'to positively influence New Zealand sports culture and provide opportunity for all people to realise their God-given potential in both sport and life".