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Golfing Ministry

Playing golf can be an excellent mission field for the Christian golfer who wants to use his or her recreation to produce fruit for God's kingdom. The contacts and relationships which naturally occur while playing golf provide perfect opportunities to share the Good News of our Savior with those who might never hear it otherwise.

A golfing ministry can also assist the church in carrying out its commission to reach all people with Gospel by empowering its members who golf to be on mission on the course and in the clubhouse. A church could further enhance this ministry through providing chaplaincy programs and similar services to golfers and golf course personnel.

Further, a Christian golfing ministry can be a key through which new congregations can be started and grown, in and around golfing communities. Christian golfers have access to settings that are often closed to outsiders.

If you are a golfer, you know how many people walk the fairways. When Christian golfers and their churches catch a vision for this ministry opportunity, thousands could be won to Christ.

This article provides an introduction to the possibilities of a golfing ministry. It is based on the Christian Golfers Ministry manual, which was written to help Christian golfers and their churches carry out a golfing ministry.

Christian Golfers Ministry is a membership organization whose purpose is to encourage and equip Christian golfers who seek effective ways to share Christ with fellow golfers and others on the fairways of life. This material is one of the witnessing tools provided to help every golfer to share Christ in a relaxed manner.  Members receive a number of other witnessing helps which include bag tags, logo towels, tees and ball markers with a witnessing message, tract cards and bag Bibles. All of these items are marked with an acrostic that tells of God's Good News in Jesus Christ:

God - "The Word became a human being and lived here with us.  We saw His true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From Him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us" (John 1:14, CEV).

Offers - "God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent Him to save them" (John 3:17, CEV).

Love - "God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never die" (John 3:16, CEV).

Forgiveness - "No one who has faith in God's Son will be condemned. But everyone who does not have faith in Him has already been condemned for not having faith in God's only Son" (John 3:18, CEV).

Eternal - "Everyone who has faith in the Son has eternal life. But no one who rejects Him will ever share in that life, and God will be angry with them forever" (John 3:36, CEV).

Redemption - "God loved the people of this world so much that He gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never really die" (John 3:16, CEV).

Will you consider joining with us to help those who play the game discover how to walk the fairways of life with Christ! 

Start sharing Christ every time you tee up!

The Front Line - Your Personal Witness

1.  Teeing Up the Ball
As a golfer you must always approach the tee with the attitude that you are going to get off to a great start.  When you expect great things to happen, you have half the battle won! 

Being prepared to hit that first shot is so important. You select your club, remove a ball, and a tee. You then walk up to the tee box. You have with you everything needed to hit the shot. 

When you share a witness for Christ on the golf course or anywhere you must have everything you need to do so. We provide some personal tools that can help you begin the conversation about Christ. When they are used properly they will actually have you being asked rather than you having to start the conversation. However, if you don't go prepared to share Christ you will not have the opportunity, just as if you walk to the tee box without a club, ball and tee you will not be able to tee off.  

The most important personal witnessing tool you have is your story of what Christ has done in your life. Christ has done something positive in every Christian's life. Be prepared to tell your story - know it well. Write down a summary of your encounter and walk with Christ. From that, work out a two to three minute story of what Christ means to you.

2.  The Drive
The drive is a very important shot. It sets the tone of the whole game. Some people hit long pretty drives and others hit short, sometimes not so pretty, drives. Many teaching pros will tell you that you should take a low and slow swing as you drive. Always look at the ball and be smooth with your swing.

The way in which you approach people about their relationship with Christ will most of the time set the tone for the whole opportunity. It can be long and impressive or short and sweet without using big words or stories. The end result is what counts, which is the ability to get started.

One example of how to get started is the use of the personal witnessing tools you brought with you. Your bag tag or towel will create the conversation. Most likely, those you are playing with will meet on the putting green, or greet in the clubhouse, will see the GOLFER acrostic on your bag. They may then ask: What does that mean? Why do you carry that? Where did you get this?

All these questions, as well as others, open a door for you to begin to share Christ. Maybe they don't know our Savior, which means you are open to share more about Him. Maybe they have fallen away from serving Him, which means you are open to encourage them. Maybe they are Christians who may need a way to share Christ through their sport, which means you have spread the message with a new member who can share his or her faith.

Be prepared to share with them not just that you are a part of Christian Golfers Ministry, but how God offered to you love, forgiveness and eternal security.

When you use the acrostic, explain what it means. The following scripture passages can help you as you share your faith:

• John 1:1 — God always was, is and will be.
• John 1: 12, 3:3, 6:29 — He cares for us no matter what.
• John 3:16 — He gave His all because He loves us.
• John 3:17,21, 8:12 — He wants us to repent and seek forgiveness.
• John 5:24, 10:27-29, 11:25-26, 14:1-3 — He wants to have eternal fellowship with man.

When using the acrostic, always refer back to John 3:16 as the proof God gives to all of us!

If they don't ask you, then show them your Christian concern with your personal attitude during play. Also say, "Did you notice my bag tag?" or "Have you ever heard of CGM?" Both of these inquiries can lead to the same conversations mentioned above.

3.  Preparing for the Second Shot
When you have engaged a person in conversation you will then be able to talk with them about our Lord. Remember, nothing is more important than your personal story. Prepare yourself and the person by asking simple questions. "Do you attend church?" or "Tell me about your church." These questions will open up feelings and let you know something about their relationship with the Lord. Always remember, people like to hear themselves talk, so let them talk! They may in turn ask you the same questions.

4.  Hitting the Approach Shot
Once you have some idea of their relationship with the Lord, then you can close in on your approach. When hitting the approach shot to the green, we often walk up to see what the green looks like: how big it is and where the pin placement should be. You have done just that with Number Three. Now, begin to key in on that person's needs. Share with them the acrostic. Let them know that Christ offers them love, forgiveness and eternal redemption. Listen to them. They may have some experience in their past that has caused them to fall away from God or church. Be considerate of their concerns and share the positive things that have happened in your life and church.

5.  Watching out for the Hazards
Hazards are a part of playing the game. Very few golfers play a full 18 holes of golf that don't end up in a hazard on the course. It may be that large pond you are not sure you can hit over. It may be a slice where you lost control, and your ball went deep in the woods. It might be that shot you hooked out of bounds. Hazards will most likely create a penalty. They don't always need to cost you your game. 

When a person throws you in a hazard, don't panic. Panic always leads to a bad shot. Listen to their objection.  Evaluate where you are and what is the best way to get back in the fairway. Maybe you should take a drop (regroup and start over). Maybe you should hit out to a safe place so that your next shot can be on line. 

Always remember that you may be talking with someone who has never had a relationship with Christ. "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God" (John 8:47, NIV). To prepare your life for hazards when sharing Christ, read John 15:18- 21.

6.  Approaching the Green
The walk to the green is sometimes a relief. You are finally at the place where you can finish the hole and total the score. On the green you will putt the ball and  attempt to get it in the hole - your ultimate goal! Sometimes your ball may end up on the heart of the green, other times out on the fringe. But as you go to the final steps, always remember you have arrived. This is what you worked toward. Much in the same way a person may begin to show real interest in what you have shared with them. They have expressed an interest in knowing more about Christ, about growing in faith, or about church relationships. You have arrived! The door is now open for you to finish what you started.

7.  Preparing to Putt
Many golfers agree that this is the most skilled part of the game. Some golfers "one putt." Some "two, three or four putt." Here your game can be won or lost. A total score can be improved or blown away. 

Golfers who care always look over the situation. They look to see the shape of the green. Will their ball break right or left, up or down, or straight into the hole? We must do the same when sharing Christ. Remember, your goal is to get the ball in the hole with as few strokes as possible. Try not to hit it too hard or too soft. Christ never called anyone or sent anyone out without knowing the situation. Listen to the person and know where they are.  They may be ready to accept Christ like a straight-in-putt.  They may be a little left or right, up or down. Take your time. Get ready.

8.  Sinking the Putt
The definition of "putt" in the dictionary is "a light golf stroke made on the putting green in an effort to place the ball in the hole." 

Now is the time to "ask for the sale." In the age old schools of witnessing we have always said you never get what you don't ask for. In the quiet moment on the green you simply finish the job, asking, "Do you know Christ? Is Jesus your Lord? Have you ever considered serving Christ with all your heart?" 

This is much like putting. Putting could be the hardest part. You need courage, energy, and the peace of God to help you here! When they respond, then you can respond. Be willing to listen. Explain the promise of John 3:16 and the change Christ has made in your life. Take a moment to pray with them in your own words and their own words for Christ to come into their heart and control their life.

9.  Retrieving the Ball from the Hole!
You have reached your goal - the ball is now in the hole.  Christ never healed a person or called a person that He didn't ask to do something: Pick up your bed, go out, follow me! 

You must go to the hole and get your ball in order to continue to play the game. Go to the next tee and be ready for the next opportunity to share the Savior that others might walk the "fairways of life" with the peace and joy you have. Give the new or renewed Christian a copy of the booklet of John, so that they may grow in the Spirit. Keep up with them and help them grow as they locate a place of worship and spiritual growth.

Related Reading:
Goal of a lifetime: Paul Henderson
Live a life of purpose
Need advice? ask us.

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Used with permission -  Special Ministries Unit, North American Mission Board, SBC