In chapter 6, ‘Doing Sports Chaplaincy in a Fatherless Age,’ the various themes include fatherhood and fatherless biblical overview, fatherlessness in the contemporary era, and the duty of sports chaplains in caring for players’ souls. According to the biblical overview, God’s fatherhood is a significant belief and story throughout the biblical canon, and the traits assigned to God are compassion, care, and love. Chaplains operating in modern sport settings must possess these qualities. Secondly, in the last two decades, the worrying rise in fatherlessness, particularly in modern industrialized societies, has been mirrored in the global church, significantly reducing male church attendance across church dominions (Watson et al., 2018). A theology of paternity and maleness, according to sports scholars, could assist in combating fatherlessness in contemporary times. Finally, the overall role of sports chaplains in the spiritual care of the fatherless is giving an ear, loving, and offering guidance to them.
It may seem implausible to believe that sports chaplains may have a significant redemptive and correcting impact on fatherless generations. I suggest that sports chaplains play a critical role in treating wounds of the fatherless in sports, based on the concept that Christians are called to love people whom God brings across their paths. Furthermore, while I am confident that chaplains from all over the world have often filled the void left by fatherlessness by taking on the role of father or mother in their sports ministry, this assertion does not apply to overall sports chaplains (Watson et al., 2018). The paradoxical function of sports chaplains in loving and guiding players is further complicated because some chaplains may be violent. As a result, many players are left anxious and in need of a non-judgmental fatherly mentor or friend. Finally, by demonstrating how sports chaplains provide crucial assistance to fatherless players, this chapter has inspired me to continue appreciating and supporting their role in sports.
Reference
Watson, N. J., Jarvie, G., & Parker, A. (2018). Editorial: Religious, sociological and capability perspectives. Quest, 71(2), 113-120. Web.