Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a non-profit interdenominational Christian organization founded in 1954 and that has been based in Kansas City, Missouri since 1956. It falls within the tradition of Muscular Christianity.[1][2][3] Although established by evangelical Protestants, the concept has spread to where chapters have been opened in several Catholic schools.[4] Members are encouraged, but not required, to be athletes.
A religious organization, FCA uses the influence of coaches and athletes as a means of Christian evangelism. The group operates chapters based in schools, and operates camps, workshops and conferences. FCA currently has about 600 paid employees.
The organization's headquarters are located across Interstate 70 from the Truman Sports Complex.
Awards
The National Bobby Bowden Award
In 2003 the Fellowship of Christian Athletes presented the first of what is now a yearly award in Bobby Bowden's name, The National Bobby Bowden Award, which honors one college football player for their achievements on the field, in the classroom and for his conduct as a "faith model" in the community. Nominees must have a 3.0 GPA or better and must also have the backing of his school's athletic director and head football coach. The award is presented each year prior to the Bowl Championship Series' national title game. Committee members are Bobby Bowden, Terry Bowden, R. C. Slocum, Vernon Brinson, Vince Gibson, Les Steckel, Dal Shealy, Grant Teaff, John O'Dell, and Tommy Boney.
Winners:
- 2003: Jason Wright, Northwestern University, Signed by San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted rookie
- 2004: Billy Bajema, Oklahoma State University, Drafted by San Francisco 49ers
- 2005: D.J. Shockley, University of Georgia, Drafted by Atlanta Falcons
- 2006: Carl Pendleton, University of Oklahoma, Medical School
- 2007: Jacob Tamme, University of Kentucky, Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts
- 2008: Stephen McGee, Texas A&M University, Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys
- 2009: Colt McCoy, University of Texas, Drafted by Cleveland Browns
- 2010: Christian Ponder, Florida State University, Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings
Camps
Every summer for several years, the FCA has held sports and leadership camps for youth and high school students. The camps are held at different colleges throughout the United States, and feature professional athletes such as Steve Fitzhugh, Ray Simmons, Mike Cobb, Wade Hopkins and former NFL player Harry Flaherty. The FCA camps feature sport practices and conditioning as well as daily chapels and huddles.
Criticism
The organization has been labeled an "anti-gay organization" by the media initiative Equality Matters.[5] The FCA Ministry Leader application requires applicants to agree to a statement saying that homosexuality is "an alternate lifestyle" and is not acceptable.[6] The FCA website also includes the testimony of a coach who claims, "I was delivered from homosexuality."[6] The concept of homosexuality as a changeable condition or disease in need of cure has been largely dismissed by mental health professionals such as the American Psychological Association.[7][8]
See also
Notes
- ^ Dane S. Claussen (2000). The Promise Keepers: essays on masculinity and Christianity. McFarland & Company. http://books.google.com/books?id=sYc2dfSbwXMC&pg=PA3&dq=Muscular+Christianity+Athletes+in+Action&hl=en&ei=JTo3TsL0CMfY0QG97OmZDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CEgQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=Muscular%20Christianity%20Athletes%20in%20Action&f=false. Retrieved 1 August 2011. "In the twentieth century muscular Christianity has often employed the language of sports and athletics. The Men and Religion Forward Movement of 1911-12, for instance, used rallies and display ads in the sports sections of newspapers to appeal to men, and such groups as Athletes in Action and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes routinely uphold Christian athletes as paragons of masculine piety. Promise Keepers stands very much in this tradition of muscular Christianity."
- ^ John Corrigan (2002). Business of the Heart: Religion and Emotion in the Nineteenth Century. University of California Press. http://books.google.com/books?id=MT5QjTGyLSMC&pg=PA264&dq=Muscular+Christianity+Athletes+in+Action&hl=en&ei=ljs3TsbEI8j40gGUt4XSAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=Muscular%20Christianity%20Athletes%20in%20Action&f=false. Retrieved 1 August 2011. "The re-emergence of muscular Christianity came about through the activities of organizations such as Youth for Christ, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Athletes in Action, Pro Athletes Outreach, and eventually, the International Sports Coalition."
- ^ Ellis Cashmore; Ernest Cashmore (2000). Sports Culture: an A-Z guide. Taylor & Francis. http://books.google.com/books?id=jcic9JoAh9kC&pg=PA318&dq=Muscular+Christianity+Athletes+in+Action&hl=en&ei=ljs3TsbEI8j40gGUt4XSAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=Muscular%20Christianity%20Athletes%20in%20Action&f=false. Retrieved 1 August 2011. "After the Second Worled War, muscular Christianity yielded to what some called "Christian muscularity," meaning that sports seemed to generate nearreligious emotion, fervor and zealotry. It is significant that the evangelist Billy Graham selected sports venues such as the Yankee and Wembley stadiums and the Los Angeles Coliseum for his early crusades. Athletes in Action was founded in 1966 as a decision of Graham's Campus Crusades for Christ: star athletes were invited to "share" their conversions publicly."
- ^ Catholic High School, New Iberia. La. October 2010 Newsletter
- ^ http://equalitymatters.org/blog/201103220005
- ^ a b http://www.fca.org/vsItemDisplay.lsp?method=display&objectid=CBDD168E-C29A-EE7A-E1BA41A7675B0760
- ^ http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/copptherapyaddendum83100.cfm
- ^ http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/justthefacts.html#2
External links