A Ministry Update from The Daniel Foundation

February 2011

Dear Friends,

Sometimes I come across something and think to myself, “I just gotta send this out to my supporters!” What follows is one such item (underlining & summarizing mine), comprised by my friend and partner in encouraging civic renewal, Brett Illig of the Message of Hope Foundation. As always, thank you so much for making this mission of spiritual and civic renewal possible!

Warmly,

Greg Porter

Athletic & Civic Renewal

According to a study, which was presented at the American Public Health Association's 137th Annual Meeting & Exposition in Philadelphia, which examined the association between sports team participation and risky behaviors, found that of the male respondents, sports team participation was associated with increased levels of self-reported fighting, drinking and binge drinking. The same study showed that there were no links between participation in girl's team sports and risky behavior of any kind.

What is it about young men and their participation in sports? How does it affect their view of themselves and others? How is it that statistics are now showing that the longer a young man is involved in sports, the less likely he is able to make a moral and or ethical decision?

Along with Greg Porter of The Daniel Foundation I have created and instituted an 8 week long MENtoring Program with members of the Phoenixville Area High School Baseball Team. The MENtoring Program is a multi dimensional program, involving discussions (which one of the young men called his "Sports Therapy", which I thought was an interesting word choice), videos, statistics, concrete and creative ways of experiencing sports through a new & different paradigm.

That paradigm involves the encouragement of young men to build their lives on a new foundation consisting of relationships, purpose, virtues, and connection to others, rather than a power & conquest which results in a constant "emotional state" of comparing and competing with one another. The new paradigm suggests that they can compete in a way that is healthy and true. At the end of the day we are offering an alternative view of themselves and, correspondingly, of sports. It views success in two ways.

Relational Faithfulness: Are you caring for each other and the needs of one another?
Effort & Excellence: Are you bringing all your talents everyday to practice and the game?

In a result based culture where winning in athletics for young men equates to self-worth, this radical view of sports may be viewed as heresy, yet it may be that heresy is just what our current state of sports needs the most.

NOTE: As you can imagine, this new paradigm has its share of critics. Their fear is that it will make kids “soft.” Such critiques are well intended and warrant a thorough response which we intend, shortly, to offer. May the public conversation ensue. What’s more, may it be characterized by a spirit and tone that is commensurate with the paradigm that we are advocating.
- Greg


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