Neil's blog

Safely back in Melbourne I relearnt the age old adage that you can very sincerely be heading in the opposite direction from where you want to to go. I ended up on a 48 tram heading away from my sports chaplaincy course destination. I’d asked a student if the tram took me to my venue, humoring me he nodded his head, so I relaxed & enjoyed people watching till I sensed something was up. Yes siree Bob! I was heading in the opposite direction from my target! God is good, I repented & started back in the right direction, arriving 35 min’s late; getting into Etihad stadium’s media centre, the course venue was another huge challenge, but that’s another story!

I’m staying in a nice wee apartment in the city centre, courtesy of the Scots Church, which is very kind of them. When Dorothy & the gals arrive in a few weeks time we’ll move into the O’Brien’s house in Surrey Hills.

“We Australians play sport as if our lives depend on it!” The Sports Chaplaincy Australia (SCA) course is first class! With 11 other sports mad folk passionate to share God’s Love in sporting situations, we’re unpacking our potential roles of: Prophet, Priest, Pastor, Prince & Presence. It’s biblical, practical & inspirational!

The SCA’s mission statement is, “To see chaplains serving in every local & high performance sports community in Australia.” They’re more extensively organised than us in the U.K. They are also more up front about sharing faith than we are. It’s all a part of the culture change we need to see in our churches, recognising that we are all called into the world to be Christ’s salt & light, everyone a chaplain of sorts, with people to care for & help experience God’s Love in Christ. I reflected on Luke 10 & found tremendous solace & support in face of the immense task of reaching our generations with the Gospel. Our tendency might be to get overwhelmed with the task & feel the weight too heavy on our shoulders or to simply ignore the task due it being beyond us (‘the workers are few&rsquo, but Jesus tells us ‘the harvest is plenty’, therefore ‘‘Ask the Lord of the harvest to send more labourers...’ Fantastic! “Dear Lord Jesus, please send more workers into the world of sport here in Oz & the U.K, please help me to be ready to be involved in training up new workers for the harvest in the three ‘flock realms’ I’m involved with (Fullarton Parish, Irvine Royal Academy, & KFC); may I ever be looking to You to provide. Amen!” Indeed, the Kingdom of God is much nearer to people than we or they may realise!

Over & out for another week, keep on keepin' on!

p.s. Photo - At the Etihad Stadium in the dock where Aussie Rules footy players face their sentences for stepping out of line. Venue for our course!