Adam's Trip to York, England

Having worked in full-time ministry since 2003, few topics have been as difficult to approach, challenging to maneuver, and contentious to discuss as youth sports.  This reality led me to focus my attention during my doctoral program at Fuller Seminary on this challenging topic.  Since completing my degree last May, I have set out to write and present on this topic as often as I can. 

At the Symposium on Faith and Culture at Baylor University back in November where I presented a paper, I learned of a significant conference happening this summer in York, England: The Inaugural Global Congress on Sports and Christianity .  I consulted several trusted friends and advisors about the benefit of my attending and presenting at this conference.   After having spent several years now interacting with the literature in this emerging field, I recognize this would be a signicant opportunity for me.  All along, however, I have known that funding was going to be a challenge. 

My friends and collegues suggested submitting proposals, waiting to see if they were accepted, and if so, trying to figure out a way to secure the funding.  I submitted two proposals, and recently found out they had both been accepted.  Now . . . the financial side has come into focus.

Having just completed my doctorate of ministry, most of that degree was accomplished with credit card debt.  As a result, I am reluctant to go further into debt in pursuit of getting my message out.  Working for a small church has numerous blessings, but financial resources are not one of them!  The Alum Creek Church is a wonderful family and they will do what they can to help , but they have been generous in recent months helping me present my material at conferences in Colorado and Texas.   Therefore, I have chosen to ask for your help in this endeavor. 

I have set the campaign up for $3,000.  Estimated costs of the trip are as follows:
* Airfare (Columbus, OH to Manchester, England): $1,500
* Conference Registration and accomodations: $650
* Trainfare (Manchester to York): $100
* Food/misc. expenses: $250

If I can secure the bulk of this funding, I would also like to tack a few days on to the end of the trip for sightseeing and exploring.  The $3,000 campaign will provide me $2,500 seed money (after gofundme and everyone else takes their portion) to get me to this conference and help me continue my contribution to the emerging field of sports and Christian theology. 

Many of the presenters at this conference will be academics appearing on behalf of their institutions, but I believe there is an essential need for local pastors to be part of these conversations, particularly pastors from small churches.  In order for this to happen, I will need the help of friends from far and wide.

If I am able to attend the conference, I will be presenting two papers with the following titles:

The American Youth Sports Industrial Complex, the Betrayal of Local Community, and its Impact on Local Congregations (this paper explores some of the sociological implications of my dissertation)

The Priests of the Games: A Call for More Christian Referees (this paper will be a firsthand reflection of my role as a high school football official) 

Anyone who contributes is more than welcome to have an advanced copy of these papers upon completion.

I believe strongly in my work in this area and believe that I am well positioned to contribute the unique perspective of a local church pastor who is also an academic, a sports parent, and game official. 

The conference is August 24 - 28, 2016, and in order for me to make appropriate plans, I need to secure at least the financing for registration by May 1.