Sports Chaplain

LOCATION: Wayland Baptist University – Plainview Campus (2 positions)

SUPERVISED BY: Executive Director of Spiritual Life

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Wayland Baptist University seeks a spiritually mature, relationally gifted, and ministry-minded individual to serve as Sports Chaplain within the Office of Spiritual Life. The Sports Chaplain will provide spiritual leadership, pastoral care, biblical instruction, discipleship, and character development for student-athletes, coaches, and athletic department personnel.

Consistent with the mission of Wayland Baptist University to educate students in an academically challenging, learning-focused, and distinctively Christian environment for professional success and service to God and humankind, the Sports Chaplain will help integrate Christian faith into the athletic experience. The position will emphasize spiritual formation, Christlike character, servant leadership, evangelism, and the development of a Christian community within university athletics.

The Sports Chaplain will work under the direction of the Executive Director of Spiritual Life and in partnership with the Athletic Department to develop and implement ministry opportunities that encourage student-athletes to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ, discover their identity and purpose in Him, and use their influence and abilities to glorify God and serve others.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND DUTIES:

• Develop, coordinate, and lead team devotionals, Bible studies, prayer gatherings, and other spiritual formation opportunities.
• Provide biblical teaching that addresses the spiritual, personal, relational, and competitive challenges experienced by college student-athletes.
  • Encourage the development of consistent spiritual disciplines, including prayer, Scripture reading, worship, fellowship, and service.
  • Provide individual mentoring and discipleship to student-athletes seeking spiritual growth and guidance.
  • Identify and equip student-athletes to serve as Christian leaders and encourage spiritual growth among their teammates.
  • Support the broader spiritual formation initiatives and programming of the Office of Spiritual Life.

• Provide pastoral presence, prayer, encouragement, and spiritual guidance to student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff.
• Develop trusting relationships that allow individuals to seek spiritual counsel during seasons of success, disappointment, injury, transition, grief, and personal difficulty.
• Offer spiritual encouragement related to identity, purpose, perseverance, integrity, relationships, and life beyond athletics.
• Recognize situations requiring specialized professional care and facilitate appropriate referrals to university resources or qualified professionals.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality, professional boundaries, and compliance with university policies and applicable law.

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with the Director of Athletics, coaches, athletic staff, and student-athletes.
• Collaborate with coaches to identify appropriate opportunities for team devotionals, prayer, Bible study, and spiritual development.
• Maintain a visible, supportive presence at practices, competitions, team gatherings, and athletic department events as appropriate.
• Assist coaches in cultivating team environments characterized by integrity, humility, discipline, accountability, respect, and servant leadership.
• Coordinate ministry activities with athletic schedules and academic commitments.
• Respect the roles and responsibilities of coaches while maintaining the distinct pastoral and spiritual mission of the position.

• Teach and model biblical principles related to leadership, teamwork, perseverance, humility, self-discipline, forgiveness, and personal responsibility.
• Help student-athletes develop an understanding of their identity and worth in Christ rather than basing their value solely on performance, recognition, or playing time.
• Encourage student-athletes to demonstrate Christlike character in competition, academic work, relationships, and service.
• Develop opportunities for athletes to grow as servant leaders within their teams, the university, local churches, and the surrounding community.

• Encourage students to communicate and demonstrate their Christian faith through authentic relationships and Christlike conduct.
• Provide opportunities for student-athletes to participate in community outreach, service projects, mission trips, and other ministry initiatives in coordination with the Office of Spiritual Life.
• Encourage involvement in local churches and Christian communities that support ongoing spiritual growth.
• Equip interested student-athletes to share their faith and engage others with grace, humility, and biblical conviction.
• Support the university's mission to prepare students for lives of service to God and humankind.

• Work with the Executive Director of Spiritual Life to establish annual goals, ministry priorities, and programming for sports chaplaincy.
• Develop ministry resources, including devotionals, Bible study materials, leadership lessons, and prayer guides.
• Assist in planning chapels, spiritual emphasis events, retreats, and other ministry activities.
• Maintain appropriate records of ministry activities, participation, and program development.
• Provide periodic reports to the Executive Director of Spiritual Life regarding ministry engagement, program effectiveness, and opportunities for improvement.
• Participate in appropriate university meetings, training, professional development, and

The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director/Campus Dean.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor’s degree

Experience and Knowledge:

• Demonstrated Christian faith and a personal commitment to following Jesus
  • Previous experience in pastoral ministry, campus ministry, sports ministry, or collegiate athletics.
  • Experience leading Bible studies, mentoring young adults, providing pastoral care, or developing discipleship programs.
  • Familiarity with the unique spiritual, relational, and competitive pressures experienced by college student-athletes.
  • Experience collaborating with churches, community organizations, or sports ministry initiatives.

Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate biblical truth and apply Scripture to the lives and experiences of college students.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Ability to establish healthy, trusting relationships with students, coaches, and university personnel.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical ministry practices, appropriate confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries.
• Ability to work collaboratively across university departments and adapt to the demands of collegiate athletics.

• Ability to affirm and support the Christian mission, institutional values, and applicable faith commitments of Wayland Baptist University.

Work Environment:

The work environment for this position is a standard office setting and athletic facilities. Employees will work at a desk or workstation, utilizing standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and printers. The office maintains a controlled temperature. Noise levels are generally moderate, with typical office sounds such as conversations and office machinery. Employees will also work at different athletic facilities. These facilities require the employee to be on their feet and exposed to the elements.

Hours of Work: Plainview campus - Although full-time, nonexempt Plainview employees are normally scheduled to work 37.75 hours per week, the official work week for full-time salaried employees is forty (40) hours. Normal workdays are Monday through Friday

Physical Demands:

• Frequently stand and walk

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employment is subject to an introductory period to monitor employee performance. If hired, the prospective employee must present documentation within three (3) days of hire date to establish identity and employment eligibility as required by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Employee must be able and willing to travel and provide recruitment assistance to external campuses. Must be able to operate a licensed motor vehicle, have access to a dependable motor vehicle, and possess a valid state driver’s license. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driver’s record.

Wayland Baptist University does not unlawfully discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.