Chaplaincy in the History of the Olympics: U.S. Sport Chaplaincy at the Olympic Level

By Madeline Manning Mims

Why Focus on Christian U.S. Sport Chaplains?

Part of the volunteer service offered by the host country during the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the athletes of the world is religious services. Christian Olympic sport chaplains from the United States are among the volunteers who are called upon to professionally step into positions of pastoral care. They serve the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, accessing and caring for faith-based needs. Christian doctrine calls for its believers to be witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word and deed (Colossians 3:17). There are many Christians on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams, both Catholic and Protestant, who appreciate the loving care of U.S. Christian sport chaplains. These sport chaplains are trained not to avoid athletes in the sport community of other faiths, but to show a Christlike love to everyone without being judgmental, invasive, or biased toward other personal beliefs.

The objectives of this study are to:

Unveil and enlighten the need for professional pastoral care currently being met by volunteer sport chaplains in the sports community. Give credence to the position of the Christian sport chaplain as a professional vocation. Develop a strategy to set forth educational criteria needed to credential Christian Olympic sport chaplains. Discuss the origins of religion and sports. Qualify and initiate potential Christian sport chaplains at a professional level to serve Olympic and Paralympic sports.

Olympians and Paralympians who have experienced the Olympic culture are best suited to serve their peers at this level. The call has gone out and many are seeking training to prepare them to answer the call.

Named one of America's Outstanding Young Women, Madeline is a GOLD AND SILVER OLYMPIC MEDALIST in track and a member of four OLYMPIC TEAMS for the United States. Among many athletic Halls of Fame, she is inducted in the National and Olympic Halls of Fame and is named an Olympic Legend. Presently, she is the only American woman to win a gold medal in the 800 meter run. She has served as an Olympic Chaplain at the last nine Olympic Games. She is the founder and president of a non-profit organization, United States Council for Sports Chaplaincy (USCSC). Madeline has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Tennessee State University, a Masters of Divinity and Doctorate of Ministry degree from Oral Roberts University. She is the author of The Hope of Glory, an International Speaker, a Contemporary Gospel Recording Artist, and inductee into the Tulsa Jazz Hall of Fame. Truly, one of America's "OUTSTANDING YOUNG WOMEN". . . Dr. MADELINE MANNING MIMS.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1943361517
• ISBN13: 9781943361519
• Release Date: January 2018
• Publisher: Insight International Inc.
• Length: 102 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.5" x 8.5"