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An Exploration of the Role and Training Needs of Hockey Chaplains

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An Exploration of the Role and Training Needs of Hockey Chaplains AN EXPLORATION OF THE ROLE AND TRAINING NEEDS OF HOCKEY CHAPLAINS BRUCE HILYARD SMITH B.A., University of New Brunswick, 2002 M.A., Reformed Theological Seminary, 2011 Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University Spring Convocation 2016 © by BRUCE HILYARD SMITH, 2016 I, Bruce Hilyard Smith, hereby grant permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to provide copies of my thesis, upon request, on a non-profit basis. Bruce Hilyard Smith Author Dr. Carol Anne Janzen Supervisor 1 April 2016 Date ii This thesis by Bruce Hilyard Smith was defended successfully in an oral examination on 1 April 2016. The examining committee for the thesis was: Dr. Robert Wilson, Chair F. Christopher Coffin, DMin, External Examiner Dr. Allison Trites, Internal Examiner Dr. Carol Anne Janzen, Supervisor Dr. John McNally, DMin Program Director This thesis is accepted in its present form by Acadia Divinity College, the Faculty of Theology of Acadia University, as satisfying the thesis requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry iii Contents Preface ..................................................................................................................................v Abstract ............................................................................................................................. vii Introduction ..........................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1. Historical Review ...............................................................................................3 A Brief History of Sports and the Church ...............................................................3 The Rise of Sports Ministries ................................................................................14 Sports Chaplains ....................................................................................................25 Chapter 2. Biblical & Theological Foundation ..................................................................30 Hockey Chaplains – Serving the Needy ................................................................30 Hockey Chaplains – Serving in a Pluralistic Society .............................................42 Hockey Chaplains – Living Kingdom Life in the Hockey World .........................60 Chapter 3. Research Methodology & Survey Results .......................................................71 Chapter 4. Being a Hockey Chaplain .................................................................................85 Hockey Chaplains – Be in Prayer ..........................................................................85 Hockey Chaplains – Be a Listener .........................................................................94 Hockey Chaplains – Be Connected ........................................................................96 Chapter 5. QMJHL Hockey Chaplaincy Training Program ............................................103 Chapter 6. Conclusion ......................................................................................................154 Appendix A ......................................................................................................................157 iv Appendix B ......................................................................................................................159 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................166 v Preface It all began over lunch with Dr. Carol Anne Janzen at the Acadia University cafeteria. I was in my third year of the DMin program and had decided to pursue a directed study option for my next course. I had been referred to Dr. Janzen having indicated my desire to explore Christian education as the topic for the DDS. In conversation, Dr. Janzen began asking a series of questions regarding my work with Hockey Ministries International (HMI). She seemed keenly interested in learning more about the role of hockey chaplains. Finally, Dr. Janzen suggested I pursue the relationship of faith and sports with the view towards my future thesis topic. This was a defining moment in the journey. It set the path in a new direction, an exciting exploration into the role of hockey chaplains. That same year I was approached by our local Fire Department concerning the possibility of serving as a Fire Chaplain. It was during a Federation of Fire Chaplains training course that the idea of developing a formal training program for Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) chaplains was born. The role of chaplain has a long and rich history in a variety of settings, from the military to hospitals, from fire departments to factories. Chaplains in sports, specifically in the sport of hockey, are a new phenomenon. This study explores the history of chaplaincy and the relationship between the church and sports, tracing the story of how sports ministries came into being. The biblical and theological foundation will also be examined to see how the Bible speaks to this ministry. The study will outline some of the roles and responsibilities associated with hockey chaplaincy, incorporating the insights and observations of chaplains across the QMJHL gained through a survey/questionnaire. Finally, based on the vi feedback from actual chaplains, a draft framework for a chaplaincy training course will be presented, for use within the QMJHL (the draft framework presented in this thesis would be further developed and augmented with additional resources for use as a formal training program). It is my hope that the training program will expand to become a formal hockey chaplaincy training course implemented throughout the entire HMI network of hockey chaplains in leagues across North America. vii Abstract The history of the relationship between sports and Christianity goes back to the early church where leaders were faced with the issue of sports’ rising popularity, and whether the church would embrace or oppose. The rise of sports ministries was one step in the process of sports acceptance by the church as a conduit for proclamation and evangelism. Sports chaplains were established on teams across a variety of sports acting as spiritual care-givers and an emotional resource for athletes and other team personnel. The concept of sports chaplains has biblical and theological support. Jesus’ parable of the “Good Samaritan” provides the directive to go to the hurting and needy to care for people with Christ’s love. Hockey chaplains encounter the many broken and wounded along the road of the hockey arena and are in place to tend to their needs. Paul’s address to the Areopagus takes place in a culture steeped in pluralism. Such a setting exists today. Here Paul provides the example of how chaplains can communicate the “Good News” of Jesus Christ to a pluralistic culture, drawing from common ground in proclaiming the message of Christ. The kingdom of God, a central theme in the ministry of Jesus, is to be lived out in the everyday and the ordinary of life. Chaplains are called to make the invisible kingdom visible in the arena. A survey/questionnaire was developed to draw from the experiences, insights and observations of existing chaplains across the QMJHL. The results provided a glimpse into the world of the hockey chaplain, receiving feedback concerning their role and responsibilities while identifying needs concerning further training and equipping. The life of a hockey chaplain requires a sacrificial commitment to making oneself available for God to use in the hockey arena. It is a life of prayer, of service, and of risk- taking as chaplains connect and engage with people. In doing so, chaplains need to be further equipped for the role and the call to go and serve in the hockey world. viii [This page is blank on purpose.] Introduction Some years ago a National Hockey League (NHL) general manager, when presented with the offer of a hockey chaplain, was quoted as saying, “Let’s not bring God into this!” There would be others associated with the game and in society who would echo this general manager’s sentiments. Such a response prompts the question, “Is there a place for the hockey chaplain in the world of hockey?” This researcher asserts that there is a legitimate and valuable role for chaplaincy within a hockey context. In fact, it will be argued, there is a urgent need for such an emotional and spiritual resource that is accessible and available to the hockey community. A growing volume of literature concerns the development of sports ministries and the place of faith in sports. The major emphasis of this material is on three of the four major sports of North America, Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) . The missing sport is hockey. This research seeks to break that trend and begin what will hopefully become a catalyst for further study regarding the place of faith in the hockey world. Hockey Ministries International (HMI) is a Christian parachurch agency that co- ordinates over 270 hockey chaplains, located across North America, serving hockey teams in 41 leagues, from the National Hockey League to junior and youth hockey. These chaplains come from a variety of denominational backgrounds and sports ministries. They are made up of lay people, pastors and full-time Christian workers. The concept of sports chaplaincy has been well established
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