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Our resources are specially designed for Christians active in competitive sport. Find what you need here, put it into practice, and watch God at work.
...and maybe we should encourage them.
The fragility of football management highlights a glorious gospel truth
Have you noticed it?
We are saddened by the death of Reverend Mike Pusey, club chaplain of Aldershot Town F.C. and founding member of Christians in Sport.
Facing disappointment on sport's grandest stage
What a 3rd-century bishop teaches sportspeople about prayer
A letter to all Olympians as they prepare to experience the rollercoaster of the Olympic Games.
Abigail Buchanan writes about the faith of England's men's football team in The Telegraph
Elation or crushing disappointment as Team GB's Olympic athletes are announced
Why is sport's cultural significance greater than almost anything else?
What the Tour de France is can tell us about the Christian life.
And it's judgment day for England...
How can you cope with the pressure?
It's the biggest day of the year for many children... and their parents
Phil Knox from the Evangelical Alliance shares 6 of the most common contexts for evangelism today
The world of professional sport offers little comfort to players amid contract negotiations despite this being an incredibly testing time.
Movement, mental health and implications for sportspeople from amateur to elite.
Reflections from an Emmy-Award winning producer in sports broadcasting
How the Masters champion's faith transforms his performance
What's it like to be a mother and a top-level amateur runner?
Your teammates head to the smoking area, what do you do?
Reflections from a professional long track and marathon skater
The treadmill of professional sport leaves little room to rest.
What a cricket bat taught me about Christmas
A story as old as time itself
The player who started a movement
Why stay involved in adult competitive sport?
Reflections ahead of a huge weekend for the Rugby World Cup
From the Volleyroos to Bible college
Why team golf gives us a glimpse of God's design for sport
Why church really matters for university students
Thoughts from a US Open Winner and Solheim Cup winning captain
6 top tips for kicking off your time at university
How to make the transition well
Insights from a top-level cricket analyst
An open letter to players at the FIFA Women's World Cup
Delighting in an awesome summer of women's sport
Should Christians compete in combat sports?
England’s cricket revolution shows us something about how sport was meant to be played.
Thoughts from a multiple Paralympic gold medallist
Does what you wear for sport really matter?
Both winning and losing are gifts from God...really?
The mental and physical impact of eating disorders in sport
It's one of the toughest challenges parents face
How do I reach my teammates with the gospel as uni ends?
It's even greater
Why the day Jesus stayed dead is good news for sportspeople
Sport often hurts, where is God in the pain?
Thoughts from a top-level academy football coach
What does it mean to 'give God the glory?'
Reflections from an elite rower who chose not to do the Olympics
It’s not always easy to be a woman in sport. But do you know what? It’s worth it.
“I can’t help you become a racing driver, but I can help you meet Jesus Christ.”
Are activity-sharing apps helpful for Christians?
A personal and biblical reflection
Wrestling with being benched every week
Is the Bible the place to find motivation for sporting pursuit and thus sporting greatness? Am I really able to do “all things” with the strength of God as my enabler?
For pro athletes Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year.
Thoughts from a top-level football coach.
A Psalm for the hurting
The greatest World Cup save points us to the greatest save in history
Dear Friend, it’s Game Day in the World Cup.
How can God's word shape the way we respond to a controversial tournament?
Where is God amidst serious disappointment in sport?
Supporting children in elite sport can be really tough on families
What principles can guide our approach?
Sixes, wickets & witness in professional cricket the T20 World Cup special.
Is it OK for a Christian athlete to see a sports psychologist?
Your questions answered
How much should I get involved? Should I even go?
Four top tips when joining a new team.
It is one of the most visceral images in sport you will ever see.
Insights from a top-level sports psychologist
AskCIS is your chance to have your questions about sport and faith answered. This week we're looking at whether God cares about winning or losing in sport.
60% of women report that their period affects their performance in sport yet the world of sport is almost silent on this issue. But the Bible is not...
It’s the biggest match of your lives. It’s the match you’ve been building up to for years. But it’s a match that doesn't define you.
Three encouragements from the book of Daniel for when sport takes you away from home.
What have Ben Stokes' retirement, LIV golf and the introduction of five subs in football got in common? It's all about work... and rest.
At 2am, in a Glasgow nightclub, Dougie was out with his university football team when he asked Campbell, his teammate, whether he could go to church with him on Sunday...
Our Father does not need us to win. Our Father does not need us to make him look good. Our Father doesn’t shame us into working hard. No. We have a Father unlike any other.
What have we learnt about retirement over years of working with elite athletes and how does the Bible shape our thinking?
40 days after Easter Christians remember and celebrate Jesus ascending into heaven. But what on earth does this have to do with sport? Why is the ascension good news for sportspeople?
As sportspeople, our relationship with sport and exercise shapes how we live. Training, competing and socialising with sports friends might well take up the bulk of your time, but have you ever stopped to think about your relationship with exercise itself?
Three reasons the local church is so good for sportspeople.
Your value, your worth does not lie in what you have done, or what you will do, on and off the sports field.
Every September forty trialists line up at Oxford University Boat Club for their shot at ticking off one of rowing’s hottest bucket list items – victory at The Boat Race. This year one of those hopefuls was Chris Rimmer, a Vicar in training at Wycliffe Hall.
The inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sport is a prominent debate. The sporting world is re-evaluating the balance of fairness and inclusion in competitive sport. As Christians in the world of sport it's important to understand how the Bible helps inform how we engage in this conversation.
That is the story I want to be able to tell you. I guess that’s what I imagined my story would be. Maybe it’s yours. But it’s not mine. That’s not my story.
"My main reflection was that it’s so exciting to follow Jesus, it’s thrilling when we take seriously the truth that we are completely secure in him and so we’re free to take risks."
Whether it’s putting kit on in a certain order, always getting changed in the same place or having to enter the pitch last - sport is full of quirky routines. So why is it that sport is full of superstition? Can we look at the make-up of the world to find out? Does the Bible have any answers for us?
What does it mean to be a Christian in Sport during a lockdown that takes sport away? University of Exeter trampolinist, Natalya, shares her story.
What is the Christian competitor to do when they are being sent to countries accused of human rights abuses?
What does it mean to have your identity in Christ? How does this change the way we play sport?
Racism in cricket has caused sports headlines to jump from the back pages to the front in recent weeks, as the state of the game comes under intense, and necessary scrutiny. How can we respond rightly?
How can you be a Christian and a fighter?
Suzanne Ferreira was won over 70 medals through the athletes she coaches at the Paralympic Games, World Championships and more. In this podcast she speaks to us about her coaching philosophy and how her faith impacts how she trains elite athletes.
Danno sits down with goalball player Anna Tipton (nee Sharkey) about elite sport, the Paralympics and how her faith shapes how she views her sport and disability.
Anna Tipton (nee Sharkey) helps us understand what it's like to be a Christian in the Paralympic sport of goalball
It's a problem we all face if we're involved in sport - the inevitable failures and injury that come with the competition. How can we deal with them as Christians? What comfort does God offer in these times of extreme disappointment?
Five-time Olympic chaplain Dr Ashley Null joins the podcast to unpack his experience of pastoring athletes.
This weekend saw the thrill of the British Olympic trials. The ecstasy and the agony of sport was palpable as athletes saw years of training for one plane ticket decided by centimetres and seconds. What help can God bring at times like this?
This month, join Lisa as she digs into the Bible to answer the question: Can God really help me with my anxieties and fears in sport?
How on earth does a Christian navigate the hot topic of referees and officials? What does this look like at the top end of sport when everything is on the line?
This Mental Health Awareness Week we sit down with Director of Player Welfare at the PFA, Michael Bennett.
Ali Nicholas and Debbie Bruwer get pressure. Listen in as they tell us how they coped with nerves and pressure at the top of their sports.
This month, join Rosie as she digs into the Bible to answer the question: What does God think about the way that I look?
This month, join Phil as he digs into the Bible to answer the question: Why does sport bring so much disappointment?
Last year Lancs took his first steps to discovering the virtual pulls and mysterious pushes of Strava. Nearly 12 months on, what’s the verdict? Strava - friend or foe?
Join Lancs as he digs into the Bible to answer the question: Does God really care about my sport?
For long years I could not conceive of conceiving because of what it would mean for my body and my sport. But, my body, don’t you see that something wonderful is happening to you?
In a year full of sporting difficulties, how can a Christian say they have joy this Christmas?
Preparation and waiting. The majority of sport is spent in these two states. This time of advent for the Christian sportsperson is no different. So what does it look like to prepare well this Christmas time?
What should I do? How much is enough? Should I get involved or not?
Ever wondered what our work with elite athletes consists of? Men’s golf worker Kenny Crawford helps us step into the world of staff supporting and serving those in elite sport with the gospel.
Joe and Rhi join us to tell us all about their experiences of starting university as a Christian who loves sport.
As recreational cricket returns, Rob reflects on why he loves to play cricket and be part of a team, as the only Christian in his club.
We sat down with Stephen Liggins, author of a new book 'The Good Sporting Life' about why he wrote the book and some of the major themes he pulls out.
Danno is interviewed by Pete Nicholas about elite sport, identity and mental health. This includes a Q+A.
As Mental Health Awareness Week comes to an end Danno reflects on Sky Sports on two great Christian men in the world of football, Cyrille Regis and Lord Brian Mawhinney, former chairman of the EFL.
How is the gospel good news for those in sport suffering with mental health concerns?
Danno speaks to Sky Sports News about sport, mental health and the Christian faith
With the uncertainty that Covid-19 has brought us sports people it’s inevitable that we’ve asked questions of our life, our faith and of our God.
Sally and her husband Peter have four children, all of whom have competed and trained within elite sporting pathways. What are some of her top tips for those supporting a sporty family?
In this Sunday Sport blog we chat to Ian Lancaster, one of the leaders of Town Church Bicester, to break down how he haa approached the tension of sport and church.
Our latest podcast looks at the relationships involved in being a parent of a sporty child - coaches, other parents and the rest of the family - and what it looks like to speak of Jesus on the sidelines.
In the lead up to International Women’s Day, be encouraged by some key lessons from the career of Christian and international coach and sportswoman Jane Powell.
Former rugby professional Peter Browne and badminton player Lisa Elliott join us to discuss pride as a sportsperson.
A recent article in the Daily Mail outlined the large number of British athletes struggling with mental health problems following their retirement. Speaking with UCB Radio on this topic, here is a summary of our conversation.
What’s it like on the inside the elite environment of top level sport? How would it be to seek to play for Jesus in the world of pro rugby?
Mike Harris chats with Libby, a university footballer, about why she's made made a habit of making food and inviting her teammates to come and hear about Jesus.
Can I be competitive and a Christian? Is competition wrong? What about wanting to win? Do you lose your competitive edge as a Christian? We’ve been asked all these questions and more so Graham Daniels is in to help us get under the skin of some of them.
Dave and Mike speak about the amazing story of what God did in one rugby club through a series of Bible studies which went viral in the team.
As a New Year rolls around again, we go back to the 18th century for some inspiration.
If you want an expert in dealing with the ups and downs of having children on elite performance pathways, here's your woman. Graham Daniels sits down with mother of four Sally.
Jonny Reid interviews Graham Daniels, the General Director of Christians in Sport about the principles behind our decision and how that plays out in practice.
Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid look at why Christians in Sport exists - to reach the world of sport for Jesus, and what encouragement Jesus gives as we go and do it!
Three university graduates write to their former fresher selves about making the most of university.
We sit down with Gaynor this week, a parent of top-level teenagers to chat about the wrestle she's had with her family on the issue of sport and church.
We sit down with Rev. Pete Nicholas to discuss the question of Sunday sport and church in our latest podcast.
Kipchoge's amazing sub two-hour marathon was an amazing feat and one which cannot help but let our minds wander to Hebrews 12 and the call to "run the race."
We chat with three university students about living as a Christian on a night out.
Distance runner Gill Bland reflects on her experience of individual sport and faith, and how she has grown in courage evangelising to fellow runners.
Graham Daniels and Jonny Reid look at a very simple question - What does the bible actually have to say about sport?
How can we, as Christians in sport, make the most of the new opportunity joining a club provides? Jesus’ great commission in Matthew 28 to make disciples remains the same, but the place we are doing that, our club, has changed.
For a sportsperson, their identity, their sense of worth can be completely wrapped up in their performance. What does it then mean to have sport in its right place, to help our identity be solid and secure in Christ and not based on performance?
With the Women's World Cup, the Netball World Cup and loads more women's sporting events on this summer, there's a huge buzz around women's sport. In all this excitement, is this a bandwagon Christians should be jumping on?
It’s been a rollercoaster to reach the final of the World Cup for England, with pressure from all sides. Pressure isn’t unique to Morgan’s squad - it’s universal across competitive sport, so how are Christians to respond in these clutch moments?
Whatever your sport, wherever your club. Let’s run the race together and make disciples for Christ in the world of sport.
Sport's greatest comeback points to an even greater story.
When sportspeople ask questions, we want to try and do more than just simply answer them and move on. Often there is something behind their initial question, motivating it, often hiding a deeper heart issue.
If you follow rugby at all then it couldn’t have escaped your attention that there’s been a furore around Israel Folau’s provocative Instagram post and then Billy Vunipola’s subsequent ‘like’ of the post and expression of support for it.
What does it look like to fully integrate our faith and sport as we seek to encourage sportspeople to believe in Jesus?
Prayer is an essential feature of the Christian life and it is something we quickly turn to in times of trouble or when in need of guidance. So why do we often struggle to pray consistently?
Some of us change so much when we compete that we worry that we shouldn’t compete at all. How can we compete in a godly way in our sport?
It’s good to look for every opportunity to speak of Jesus with our sports friends, and inviting them to events where a speaker will proclaim the gospel message can provide you with a good starting point to begin conversations.
What does your behaviour in your sports club say about who you now are in Christ?
One of the reasons we don’t share the gospel may be because we don’t really know it! Here's a helpful framework to help you explain it to a sports mate.
Most of us find it easy to initiate a conversation about sport, but the prospect of speaking to a sports friend about Jesus can be daunting.
With the season coming to an end, it’s time to rest and reflect on what has been. Yet a danger comes when we do the same with our faith and our willingness to share Jesus with our sports friends. How do we best approach the off-season as Christians?
It’s great when a sports friend wants to become a Christian, especially if this is off the back of reading the Bible with them. However, we want to make sure our sports friends are ready to take this commitment and fully understand what they are committing to.
The world of sport is vast, but the majority do not believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. How do we go and speak to them?
The pressure to perform in sport will have been felt by all of us at some point or other. Whether it is the pressure of a coach, a parent, the crowd. How do we handle pressure as Christians?
God’s Word is powerful, and it will do His work in the lives of sportspeople. Our best thoughts, ideas or opinions, though useful, are still those of ourselves, of humans. They cannot compare to the Word of God in either power or influence.
In the heat of competition, we can react negatively both in what we say and in how we act towards an official who has penalised us or - in our eyes - acted unjustly. How are we to understand a godly attitude towards sports officials?
There will always be disappointment in sport. But how we navigate these as Christians in competitive sport is an important witness to our faith in Christ.
To make disciples of the vast world of sport is a huge challenge that can feel daunting and overwhelming. What’s our motivation for such a task?
In sport, coaches, parents and other teammates can encourage us to be proud. Sometimes this is for encouragement but at other times it is done deliberately to inflate our ego. But how should I view my sporting talents and achievements as a Christian?
Without opponents, our sport wouldn’t exist. But how do we love them as our neighbour rather than hate them as our enemy in opposition?
When sportspeople ask questions, we want to try and do more than simply answer them and move on. Often there is something behind their initial question, motivating it or hiding a deeper heart issue. How can we answer them well?
Our friends need to trust us if we are to expect them to explore questions of faith with us. In order to build this trust, alongside spending time with people, we need to be authentic in how we live our lives.
We love to share good news. So why do we sometimes find it hard to share the Good News of the gospel?
In order to be good witnesses to our sports friends, we need to invest time in them.
What stops you from praying for your sports friends?
For many of us, we struggle to stand out consistently for Jesus Christ in our sports club. Sometimes we lose sight of the spiritual/eternal implications of knowing Jesus. Why should we share the Good News about Him?
What is it that motivates you to stand out as a Christian competing in the world of sport?
A key question to ask whenever we reflect on a competitive situation is not ‘did I win or lose?’ but ‘did I glorify God in my attitude and actions?’ This is easier said than done, so how can we do it well?
What is our role and what is God's role in helping sportspeople come to know Jesus? Understanding your role is crucial as you look to speak and live for Jesus in your sport.
The commandment to ‘go and make disciples’ is daunting. It is important to grasp the difference between our role and God’s role in pointing people to Jesus and to leave Him with the results.
Although some of us may have had bad experiences of hearing the gospel explained in a public setting, in Romans 10 we see that God uses people to proclaim His word and He uses His proclaimed word to save people.
People watch our actions and often determine who or what we are by what they see. What does your behaviour in your sports club say about who you now are in Christ?
If we are to tell people about the gospel, we need to know what the gospel is and how to explain it clearly.
Your story, my story, His story.
How does what I read in the Bible fit together with how I play my sport?
How is playing my sport different as a Christian?
We are often caught between Sunday services and sporting events as, more and more, sport in our culture clashes with timings of church. How do we get the balance right?
We love to share good news. So why do we sometimes find it hard to share the Good News of the gospel?
How do we actually go about sharing our faith with our sports mates?
Why should we even think about sharing our faith with our sports friends?
Connecting sport & faith
Competing in sport
Sharing your faith
How should I view my sporting talents and achievements as a Christian?
How are we to understand a godly attitude towards sports officials?
It’s great when a sports friend wants to become a Christian, especially if this is off the back of reading the Bible with them. However, we want to make sure our sports friends are ready to take this commitment and fully understand what they are committing to.
God’s Word is powerful, and it will do His work in the lives of sportspeople. It is still today our greatest tool for bringing people to Christ in the world of sport.
How do we best approach the off-season as Christians?
We are often caught between Sunday services and sporting events as, more and more, sport in our culture clashes with timings of church. How do we get the balance right?
How do we handle pressure as a Christian?
There will always be disappointment in sport. Someone always loses - and that is not taking into account injury, being dropped, not improving, etc. But how we navigate these as Christians in competitive sport is an important witness to our faith in Christ.
To make disciples of the vast world of sport is a huge challenge that can feel daunting and overwhelming. What’s our motivation for such a task?
Competition is an important part of sport but how are we to view our opponents? Without opponents, our sport wouldn’t exist. But how do we ‘love’ them as our neighbour rather than hate them as our enemy in opposition?
In our culture, our looks and our bodies and our diets seriously matter. How do we live distinctly as Christians in this world?
An open letter to one of our readers
Psychology is a big deal in modern sport. From Steve Peters' now famous 'chimp paradox' to the in-house sports psychologists employed by many professional clubs. Now it is almost as common to have a therapist as it is a personal trainer. What are we to make of this from a Christian point of view?
Sport on a Sunday and the conversation parents and pastors need to have.
How can I make the most of my sporting talent as a Christian? Can I strive to get to the top, while still following Jesus? `
Danno chats to former rower Debbie Bruwer (née Flood), whose 15-year international career included two Olympic silver medals and three World titles. Like all the former athletes we’ve featured in this series, retirement was far from a smooth process for Debbie
Danno chats to former rugby wildman turned youth coach Chris Jones and ex-Winter Olympian Adam Pengilly about retirement. Chris talks about trying to fill a void in his life left behind by rugby, while for Adam, it was easy to think that part of his identity had disappeared
Danno chats to former professional golfer Alison Nicholas about her retirement. Although she achieved great success on the course with 18 tournament wins, Alison found the transition to life after golf far harder than she expected
Having played more than 400 professional matches over a 17-year career, Linvoy shares some of the challenges he faced in making the transition to life after football and offers advice to elite athletes approaching retirement today
You want to be part of the team on and off the field, but you know the alcohol might be flowing and getting drunk will be the name of the game. If you’re a follower of Jesus, how should you react?
There are few harder things to deal with in sport than injury. So how can we approach this perennial enemy as Christians in sport? What does the Bible say about injury?
It has been amazing to see how God has grown the work of supporting professional and elite-level footballers. Here, two members of our Performance Team explain how they are encouraging the next generation of UK footballers.
A free booklet helping young elite sportspeople connect sport and faith
Why should Christian athletes at the top level get stuck into church? Having met a series of elite sportspeople over the course of the year, we now discuss another key issue that comes out of many of the interviews
A professor of kinesiology at Gordon College, Massachusetts, Val Gin was a successful women’s volleyball and softball coach for 13 years before changing her focus to training coaches of the future
It has to be one of the most coveted prizes in sport, let alone golf...but it's a prize that is only temporary.
We can all think of great sporting captains and leaders. But what should it look like when a follower of Jesus steps up to lead?
Danno meets former West Brom, Derby and Portsmouth defender Darren Moore
An accident at 16 years old saw Niel have his left arm amputated below the shoulder. Having been a keen athlete and rugby and tennis player, his promising sporting career looked in doubt...
Adriano is a motor racer, now himself racing with his own ‘Jesus Saves’ team in the UK in the Classic Formula Ford Championship. Having grown up as a motor racing mad youngster near the Interlagos track in Sao Paolo, he is now looking to use the sporting gifts he has been given to make Jesus known
Sport has a love-hate relationship with justice and fairness. On one hand it cannot function without it, but so much debate circles around the many unfair decisions and outcomes. So what does the Bible say about fairness?
The legendary American football coach Vince Lombardi once said “Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is”. This might be overstated but have you ever had the nagging feeling that wanting to win is inherently ‘un-Christian’.
Should Christians be those who recite the old amateur mantra ‘It is not about the winning, but the taking part’? Does ‘turning the other cheek’ mean that we shouldn’t even want to win in the first place?
Having met a series of elite sportspeople over the course of the year, we now discuss this key issue that comes out of many of the interviews. Maybe it’s something you’re asking yourself as you seek to follow Jesus or are considering doing so?
Turn to the back pages at the moment and it is difficult to get away from doping scandals. How as Christians should we think about these issues?
The Bible says lots of things...but what, if anything, does it say about sport?
A short film explaining the gospel for sportspeople
Danno meets Olympic rower Debbie Flood as she narrates her unlikely start in sport and how her faith has fundamentally impacted her life in a career full of highs and lows
There’s no doubt that the tension between Sunday sport and Sunday church services is a significant problem for the church. How do we decide what to do? Well we need to be clear on the biblical principles at stake here.
University group meeting outline
