1. Begin with prayer. 
2. Begin conversations with potential Character Coaches to better understand their passions. 
3. Recruit someone that you know who has strong character and their life reflects Christ.
4. Recruit a wide range of people from your community: businessmen who were athletes, former Coaches, Pastors, Youth Leaders, College Athletes, etc. 
5. Recruit someone who is enthusiastic. 
6. Recruit self-starters who will follow through with their commitments. 
7. When appropriate, have another volunteer ‘tag along’ or ‘shadow’ to learn how to be a Character Coach.

A wide variety of people can serve the people of sport as Character Coaches. One need not be a sport ministry professional to faithfully serve and to significantly impact the lives of coaches and athletes. 

Among those who could serve in this role are:

• Parents of players in youth sports (school based teams or club sports).
• Coaches of youth sports teams, school based teams or coaches at higher levels of sport.
• Community leaders with an interest in developing character.
• Athletic trainers or other support personnel with sports teams.
• Pastors or other ministry professionals.
• Church members who desire to make an impact by serving others.

FCA wants to provide teams with the best-trained, most effective Character Coaches that they can, so we have created a process:

• Completion of the on-line application called the Ministry Leader Application, click HERE to start your application.
• Initiation of a relationship with an FCA staff member in your area for further training, encouragement, facilitation and accountability.
• Communication with the FCA staff prior to the season for planning, prayer, resources, etc
• Communication with the FCA staff during the season for encouragement, problem solving and further direction.
• Communication at the end of the season for evaluation, reporting of results, etc…
• Complete  E3 online training and become a mobilized volunteer, click HERE.

1. Approved Volunteer Application- Volunteers interested in working with coaches, athletes, huddles, and at camps will fill out a MLA (Minisry Leadership Application) and have a background check.  MLA is online HERE.
2. Orientation- Volunteers will be given a comprehensive orientation on the standards, policies, and practices of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
3. Know the FCA Social Media Guidelines.
4. Work under the direction of local FCA Staff, and have a plan for communication and accountability.
5. Character coaches could also be life coaches willing to help all of the players (including those of other faiths or no faith at all) with a variety of issues.
6. Character Coaches should only discuss faith in meetings, where students voluntarily attend or when asked a question by a student one-on-one.
7. All one-on-one meetings and counseling appointments must be done in public view. 

1. Focus on the coaches and players, not the fans, the media or others. Coaches are key. Invest in their lives and build trust with them. Respond to the athletes who show interest. Follow up with those who ask questions or indicate a desire for spiritual things.
2. Know their names, positions, uniform numbers and all you can about their backgrounds. Show a personal interest in them and they'll be more open to you.
3. Ask good questions about the sport, their roles, their expectations and their goals. 
4. Be available to them, even when it's terribly inconvenient. The point of crisis or the inconvenient phone call is often the situation that either wins or loses you their trust and confidence. 

 Be Brief. 

    - Stay under 7 minutes! 

    - Time yourself as you prepare. Do not abuse the Coach’s wishes…this is the quickest way to lose respect and trust. 

• Be Personal. 

    - Sharing a personal story or experience makes a great impact and it will help you connect with the audience. 

• Be Simple. 

    - Do not try to cover too much information. Be simple and focused. Give them something they can remember and repeat. 

• Be Motivational. 

    - Remember that these athletes are about to go into (or have just finished) intense competition. Always try to end your message with a charge for them to take action! What is it that you want them to do as a result of what they have just heard? 

1. Know the coaches and athletes by name; show a personal interest in them and their families. You will be trusted when you show you care about them. 
2. Be present. If possible, drop by practice twice a week. A short time on the field will open hearts and it speaks volumes about how much you really care about them. Walk around at practice and speak to anyone and everyone…listening to ways you can best serve them. 
3. Be affirming and encouraging. Always look for opportunities to build them up. You might be the only person who tells one of the coaches or athletes that you believe in them. 

1. Understand that you are in that position for a reason that is bigger than athletics. Take honor in your role…it is a great responsibility. 
2. Be loyal. Never hang around people who constantly criticize the coaches…do not listen to them and do not entertain those conversations. 
3. Do not be presumptuous. If the coaches want you on the sidelines or to ride the bus for road games, they will ask you.

1. Respect and value the culture of sport. Study it; learn its history and language. Ask good questions of the coaches and players. 
2. Look for opportunities to serve the team and don't seek privileges. If they want to outfit you with team gear, they'll ask for your size. Don't seek such privileges. An arrogant, presumptuous attitude will quickly invalidate your ministry. 
3. Encourage always and don't become critical. If they want your opinion, they'll ask for it. Maintain a supportive attitude and you'll be a highly valued person. If you are constantly critical or finding fault, you'll soon be marginalized or ignored. 
4. Don't talk about religion. Talk about faith in the context of the sport. Help them see what genuine faith is through their sport experience. 

1. Read and become familiar with the Appendix section of the playbook.  Download HERE.
2. Know the students’ rights to express their faith at school. 
3. Know the rights of Volunteers to participate in religious Clubs, team devotions, team bible studies, pre-game meals, attend practice, etc.

1. Take a relational approach; have a missionary mindset! Do not approach this role with an agenda other than to serve. 
2. Focus on people rather than methods and strategies. Give your heart to the coaches and athletes. Be expressive in letting them know you care about them. 
3. Don’t talk down to anyone and always be available…you never know what other opportunities may arise by simply being in the right place at the right time.