Sport and Fitness Leadership

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Program Overview

Athletes and sportspeople (coaches, spectators, support staff) represent one of the largest “mission fields” in the world. The sport and fitness field includes numerous opportunities for mentoring relationships through which believers can influence others for Christ. Accordingly, the Sport and Fitness Leadership major includes a Great Commission emphasis.

The program includes coursework designed to qualify students for multiple professional certifications from organizations including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministries (CSRM). Students can choose from concentrations in Fitness Science, Sport Administration, Sport & Fitness Ministry, and Sport & Fitness Outreach.

The Fitness Science Concentration focuses on foundational knowledge and skills related to exercise science and the development of lifelong holistic wellness.
The Sport Administration Concentration equips students for administrative and management professions within the unique context of sport, recreation, and/or fitness organizations within various sectors (including youth, community, scholastic, collegiate, professional, and international). This concentration includes coursework in the School of Business & Leadership.
The Sport and Fitness Ministry Concentration focuses on how sport and fitness may be utilized within the local church and/or parachurch setting. This concentration includes coursework in the Department of Ministry Leadership.
The Sport and Fitness Outreach Concentration prepares students to serve as sport and fitness professionals in a global missions context. This includes coursework in the Department of Cross-Cultural Leadership.

Every undergraduate student pursuing a four-year degree at Johnson earns a double major – a major in Bible and Theology and a major of their choice, like Sport and Fitness Leadership. Click here to learn more about the Bible and Theology major.

Concentrations

In addition to the core classes in the Sport and Fitness Leadership major, you will have the opportunity to choose a concentration and take the following classes.

Fitness Science Concentration

Motor Learning
This course focuses on motor skill acquisition; variables that influence learning and performance of motor skills; and the relationship between skill acquisition, growth, development, and adaptation. Students apply these principles in teaching and coaching motor skills.

Essentials of Strength Training & Conditioning
This course focuses on theories, organization, methods, and techniques involved in the teaching and coaching of strength training, physical conditioning, and personal training. It includes an introduction to biomechanical principles and their application.

Health & Fitness Testing, Evaluation, & Prescription
This course provides practical experience in using laboratory instruments and methodologies to evaluate health-related components of physical fitness. Special emphasis is placed on testing protocols, interpretation, risk identification and stratification, and the application of American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines in prescribing a health and fitness regimen.

Anatomical Kinesiology
This course is designed to help students understand the most common muscles and muscle groups relevant to exercise and body movements. The course will focus on muscle origin, insertion, and action, which will better equip the students to understand what exercises target and which body movements are generated by specific muscles and muscle groups. This course will give students additional knowledge that will help improve body awareness, which, over time is helpful for lifetime health and fitness. Content of this course is a solid foundation for understanding and explaining body movement. Improving one’s understanding of body movement is important for lifetime wellness and adapting exercise to one’s abilities, and also provides some context of understanding with musculoskeletal medical needs.

Organization & Administration of Athletic Programs
Students explore practical aspects of administering athletic programs, including planning, organization, scheduling, staffing, recruiting and training volunteers, budgeting, promotion, fundraising and sponsorships, tournament and event management, working with coaches and officials, church and community resources, facility care, goal-setting, and evaluation.

3 credits from Health & Fitness electives.

Sport Administration Concentration

Principles of Management
This course will examine the four primary functions of a manager: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Students will study classical and contemporary management theories and principle.

Human Resource Management
This course examines the role managers play in the successful administration of the organization’s human resources. Topics include the functions of human resource management, relationships within the organization, policies and procedures, workplace diversity, and the role of human resources in a global economy.

Principles of Sport Marketing
Students examine principles of marketing and apply fundamental concepts of pricing, product decisions, distribution channels, promotional strategies, and public relations to the sport industry. Topics also include marketing research and assessment, branding decisions, endorsements and sponsorships, licensing and logos, and trends in technology and media.

3 credits from Health & Fitness electives.

Sport & Fitness Ministry Concentration

Conflict and Communication
This course explores both the destructive and transformative dynamics of conflict in faith communities and equips students with the self-understanding and skills needed for effective communication for conflict management. The course emphasizes individual and group settings, but also introduces the larger dimensions of corporate conflict. This is an interactive, skills-based course.

Choose two of the following:

Organization and Administration of Athletic Programs
Students explore practical aspects of administering athletic programs, including planning, organization, scheduling, staffing, recruiting and training volunteers, budgeting, promotion, fundraising and sponsorships, tournament and event management, working with coaches and officials, church and community resources, facility care, goal-setting, and evaluation.

3 credits from Health & Fitness electives.

Choose one of the following:

Strategies of Children’s Ministry
This course prepares the student to develop and maintain an effective ministry to children ages 0-11. This course introduces strategies, programs, ministries, and leadership skills necessary for effective spiritual nurture of children. A practicum is part of the course.

Foundations of Student & Children’s Ministry
This course focuses on the foundations of next-generation ministry including a theology of children’s and student ministry, child & student development, understanding culture and its implications for ministry with young people, and the foundations for developing lesson plans to teach both children’s and students.

Foundations of Biblical Preaching
This course equips students with the basic skills necessary to prepare and present biblical sermons. It gives special attention to studying a biblical text for preaching purposes; developing thesis statements, outlines, and support materials; and communicating effectively with contemporary listeners.

Spiritual Formation for Ministry
This course provides students with biblical, historical, and practical perspectives on how God works in believers through his Holy Spirit to conform them to the image of Christ and empower them for ministry. It gives special attention to using personal and interpersonal discipleship strategies to help individuals grow spiritually.

Pastoral Care in Ministry
This course equips students with the skills necessary to carry out common pastoral tasks in ministry leadership. It gives special attention to using basic counseling skills in ministry settings.

Strategies of Student Ministry
This course focuses on strategies to minister effectively to adolescents. This course introduces strategies, programs, ministries, and leadership skills necessary for effective spiritual development of students. A practicum is a part of this course.

Sport & Fitness Outreach Concentration

Living & Working Cross-Culturally
This course focuses on practical strategies of evangelism and discipleship in a cross-cultural setting that results in indigenous-led churches which reproduce themselves by planting more churches. Special attention is given to contextualization, creative access strategies into closed countries, personal spiritual development, spiritual warfare, raising support, communicating with supporters, family dynamics, choosing an organization, and the changing role of the western missionary.

Missiology
This course presents a comprehensive and dynamic view of the mandate for Christian missionary activity. Students are challenged to a growing awareness that world evangelism is four-dimensional: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. A special emphasis is given to issues revolving around cultural and cross-cultural communication, along with how sensitivity in these areas can help further realize God’s global purpose.

Intercultural Communication
This course examines the unique problems and strategies for communicating the gospel effectively in intercultural contexts. Special attention is given to the student’s personal role in intercultural communication, including language, behavior, and sensitivities needed to bridge cultural boundaries.

Choose two of the following:

Recommended: Cultural Anthropology and Biblical Interpretation Across Cultures OR Global Theology

Core Classes

Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab or Anatomy & Human Body Systems with Lab

<strong>Anatomy & Physiology I with Lab</strong>

An introduction to the structure and function of the human body, this course is designed for students pursuing health-related fields or majoring in Life Sciences. Course topics begin with discussions of organic chemicals and cells before progressing to tissues, organs, and body systems, including the integumentary, skeletal, articular, muscular, and nervous systems.  Discussions will include the significance of system homeostasis upon organismal function and will also encourage students to integrate an increased understanding of the body into a Christian worldview. The course includes lecture and integrated laboratory applications each week.

<strong>Anatomy & Human Body Systems with Lab</strong>

This course introduces students to human body anatomy and physiological functions. Topics will include but are not limited to the general and special senses as well as to the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, integumentary, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. The course will address both normal function of body systems and the impacts of system imbalance or injury.

Human Development

This course provides an overview of human development in the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual domains from conception to death in old age. Emphases include the ecological context of human development; biological and environmental influences on development; developmental anomalies and their impact on the individual and family; and implications of the knowledge of human development for Christian ministry, counseling, and family life education.

Health Science

This course explores what it means for a person to be healthy in body, mind, spirit, and relationships. Students will learn the basics of how to maintain a healthy body within current medical standards by learning and implementing behavioral recommendations for managing stress, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular physical activity. Students will also learn techniques for maintaining healthy attitudes and relationships. All of these subjects will be taught within a framework of maintaining a healthy self in order to sustainably continue in God’s kingdom work.

Kinesiology

The course serves as an introduction and foundation to the Sport and Fitness Leadership major. Students will examine how physical activity permeates all aspects of life. A strong emphasis will be placed on career exploration, career opportunities, and professional development. This will entail the creation of resumes and cover letters, bringing in guest speakers from the field of kinesiology, and enhancing student professionalism and leadership skills.

Sport & Exercise Psychology

This course is devoted to assisting students in learning and using theoretical and practical information related to the psychology of sport and physical activity. Effective mental training skills for successful sport and life performance are also discussed. Lectures, labs, discussions, role playing, and guest speakers are used to illustrate the theoretical and applied foundations of sport psychology.

Sports Ministry Models

This course begins with a historical overview of the use of sports in Christian evangelism and discipleship (e.g. athletic metaphors of the apostle Paul, the “Muscular Christianity” of the Victorian era, and the contemporary Sports Ministry movement), along with biblical, theological, and philosophical foundations for sports ministry (a theology of competition, victory, unity, character formation, and sportsmanship). Students then explore a variety of proven methods and models for using sports to share Christ with youth and adults (church leagues, sports mission trips, training camps, and clinics). Successful sports ministry programs serve as case studies providing ideas, lessons, and inspiration for their own outreach efforts. Participants learn about resources and organizations that promote sports ministry (such as the Association of Church Sports and Recreation Ministers and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes), as well as professional opportunities in the field.

Legal, Ethical, and Professional Standards for Sports Professionals

Internship Orientation

The interactive seminar introduces the parameters of the internship experience and provides an in-depth look at various internship settings. The seminar includes a discussion of student requirements, responsibilities, policies, expectations, and support prior to and during the internship. Topics include professional etiquette and behaviors, an overview of workplace policies and laws, and enhancing professional development competencies. Seminar students construct professional goals and objectives and then research and contact prospective practicum site supervisors. By the conclusion of the seminar, students are required to secure a practicum site and supervisor who agrees to supervise, mentor, and evaluate the student during the internship experience. The Internship Orientation is a prerequisite for the internship; the Internship Orientation is recommended to be taken the term immediately before doing the internship.