From The Touchline | Soccer Chaplains United

Israel's first military test and battle coming on the heels of their escape from Egypt could have been disastrous, but God intervened. Exodus 17 records their first military test after a bit of a struggle for water in the desert. They won through the presence and power of God and the obedience of Moses in […]

Injuries are common place in sports, especially in professional soccer. I recently sat with an athlete before surgery and it got me thinking back to the various surgery centers, hospitals, and other clinics where I have been present with people before this often difficult moment in one's career. Whether it's the waiting room of a […]

Well, I recently moved office. It didn't take long—two-three trips to move a couple miles away— but I was certainly in a funk. I don't like change. Moving is hard (for me), even if it's just a short ways away. It's likely more to do with change or dealing with the unexpected. It begs the […]

This is the last in our series on mental health that we've been talking about through the month of May. How can one's faith inform and help heal and sustain our mental health challenges and struggles? The story of Jesus encountering two disciples on the road to Emmaus, found in Luke 24:13-36, is a story […]

May is mental health awareness month. Mental health is an important issue in sports and especially elite level soccer. As a chaplain, I believe that Christian faith can help with mental health challenges and struggles, but I think sometimes we don't understand or see the different stories and tools and resources that are needed or […]

May is usually carries an emphasis on mental health. Mental health is a massive issue in professional sports, especially soccer. So, as a chaplain, I have been asking, “how can we integrate more of our Christian faith so that it helps with our mental health?” I think certain texts in the Bible stand out to […]

I have podcasted before on The Emmaus Road as a biblical text that helps us to make sense of grief, but as Luke 24:13-35 is one of my favorite texts, it has grown on me a bit more with some new and different insights and I wanted to revisit it again during this month of […]

Psalm 137 is one of those parts of the Bible that can make someone cringe if we don't look deeper into the text and historical context…known as an “imprecatory psalm” is calls about a curse for a particular city and its people. Can we do that as Christians? It's a little bit longer of a […]

Psalm 134 is a song that would have been sung by worshippers as they were leaving the temple in Jerusalem and are blessing the Levite workers who remain there readying the temple for the next day. In the Soccer Psalm version from my recent book, I've imagined Psalm 134 to come out like a song […]

Today, on the podcast, we look at Psalm 22 in both the Bible and the Soccer Psalm from my recent book. Psalm 22 is the most-oft quoted psalm in the New Testament. All four Gospel writers talk of Jesus saying the opening lines from the cross. The psalm gives language to a person who feels […]

Today, on the podcast, we continue going through The Soccer Psalms. I read the 2nd Psalm and Soccer Psalm from my recent book, and offer a reflection and mediation on understanding that there is evil in the world. How do we reconcile that evil with a God who is supposedly “good”? And the fact that […]

Today, on the podcast, I read—Psalm 1 and Soccer Psalm 1—from my recent book, The Soccer Psalms. In the reflection and mediation questions, we consider what it looks like to live a life as a footballer and as a person that follows a road which seeks out the pathway of God. Psalm 1 is the […]

A few weeks ago, we hit a major milestone with the From the Touchline podcast: 300 episodes. This is episode #303 and in honor of living and working and being in the 303 area code (Denver), we're going to take a look back on the past. All the while, I've been working to create a […]

Prayer is one of the pivotal practices that Christian people focus in on during the season of Lent and the lead up to Easter. Prayer is perhaps one of the most foundational aspects of Christian living because it is about a conversation with God and sometimes we struggle to know what to say or what […]

As we go through the season of Lent, there are three spiritual disciplines and practices that Christians often observe — prayer, fasting, and giving. Last week, we looked at generosity and giving. This week we look at the spiritual discipline of fasting and some of its parallels and connections to soccer. Today, on the podcast, […]

Ash Wednesday is today, and as the season of Lent begins, three spiritual disciplines come more sharply into focus: fasting, giving, and prayer. But not all spiritual disciplines are treated equally! Today, on the podcast, I want to give attention to what I have deemed “the least of these” practices and in a word hopefully […]

Ramadan begins this weekend — the annual fast for Muslims can be challenging for the professional player – especially in certain times of the year. At the start of a season, a player is trying to earn a spot. In the middle of summer, the heat and humidity can severely impact an athletes physiology. Ash […]

For many years, I struggled with some of the derision for the work and the environment of soccer where my work gets played out as a volunteer chaplain. I was the only one, either, as some athletes and coaches had friends and family who would comment — when will you grow up? when will you get […]

An introduction in any industry or business is critical and key — whether a 24-year veteran volunteer soccer chaplain or a first-year chaplain. An introduction to athletes, coaches, and staff at a football club usually come as a result of a trusted relationship or at the end of some sort of process that someone has […]

Usually the beginning of the Major League Soccer (MLS) season sees me reflecting back and looking forward for the season to come. I usually do a lot of praying because there is a lot change and movement — not only for the athletes, but pretty much everyone else involved in the game. This time of the […]

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms, as a self-published work. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and […]

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms, as a self-published work on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, […]

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms, as a self-published. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors […]

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms, as a self-published work on Amazon. (You can also find The Football Psalms-a British version-if you appreciate the different terms around the game). Both books are available globally on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, […]

This past December, I released a new book, The Soccer Psalms! You can also find The Football Psalms (a British version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. Both books are available on Amazon and contain 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms” — with words, language, and metaphors that connect […]

Today, December 25, is Christmas Day. Billy Cerveny, a chaplain with Soccer Chaplains United, shares his musical gifts with a rendition of O Holy Night. Have a blessed Christmas and see you in the New Year of 2025! From the Touchline is a short-feature (10-15 min) podcast with Rev Brad Kenney, Founder and Executive Director […]

The Soccer Psalms! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on […]

The Soccer Psalms! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on […]

The Soccer Psalms! Just in time for Christmas, I am releasing a new book. You can also find The Football Psalms (an anglicized version) if you appreciate the different terms around the game. The books are available on Amazon and contains 31 psalms that have been translated into “soccer psalms.” I include some reflection on […]

Sometimes our story doesn't quite go the way that we think it should. God often has plans for us (if we will see them) that go beyond our wildest dreams. My story and journey with soccer is very much like this — I would never have thought that I would be doing the work that I […]

People always think that a chaplain in soccer must have played at a high level of the game. This is a bad misnomer, but usually chaplains in soccer have some love and affinity and connection to the game. And the same holds true for myself, (Rev Brad). Today, on the podcast, we dip back into […]

Saint Martin of Tours' Feast Day was November 11 — also known as Veteran's Day (US) and Remembrance Day (UK). Advent (Celtic) begins November 15 — this season of 40 days preceding Christmas is a time of preparation and reflection. So what to talk about on the podcast that is sandwiched between the two? Today, on […]

Last month was Pastor/Chaplain Appreciation Month and we took time to feature some of our new chaplains with Soccer Chaplains United this year. Well, we've added so many new people that we thought we'd carry on that we couldn't contain into just one month and we love our volunteer chaplains because they serve so willingly […]

October is Pastor/Chaplain Appreciation Month. All month long we're featuring some of our new chaplains on the podcast because we really appreciate our volunteer people who serve without renumeration or much glory. Today, on the podcast, it's part one of my interview with Jason Rollins. Jason has been serving as volunteer chaplain to Colorado Springs […]

During the month of October we are featuring some of our chaplains and the excellent work they provide to the soccer teams and clubs they serve. It's Chaplain Appreciation Month and we really appreciate our chaplains who serve without renumeration or much glory. Today, on the podcast, it's part 2 of my interview with Geraud […]

October is Chaplain Appreciation Month. It's a time when we at Soccer Chaplains United highlight and acknowledge the great people that work with us and serve particular soccer clubs and teams. Today, on the podcast, special guest, Geraud Brumfield. Geraud serves as the volunteer chaplain to Central Valley Fuego FC. He began serving just a […]

This week is part 2 of an interview with Volunteer Chaplain Ben Pflederer. During the month of October in honor of Pastoral Appreciation/Chaplain Appreciation Month we will be interviewing and highlighting some of our newest and best and brightest people involved with Soccer Chaplains United. Today, on the podcast, in part 2 with Ben we […]

October is Pastoral Appreciation Month and that means it is Chaplain Appreciation Month, too. It's a time to acknowledge the work, the love, and the care provided by the best asset of Soccer Chaplains United, our people! Today, on the podcast, I interview Chaplain Ben Pflederer. Ben serves as the volunteer chaplain to the Colorado […]

Alex Hunter is a fictional character that is playable in several versions of EA Sports Fifa video game. As a character, his storyline and attempt to become a big time footballer is a bit of a “Choose Your Own Adventure” element to one of the most popular video game franchises of all time. What response […]

Amma Syncletica is one of those women who paid a dear price to follow Christian faith. And she's known for one of the most intriguing statements for her time. Those who are great athletes must contend against powerful enemies. These are powerful words for a 4th century Desert Mother, even more so for her day […]

Most Americans will remember where they were on September 11, 2001. It was a terrible day of tragedy and shock. 23 years later, the world looks very differently than it did before then. And 9/11 was one of those moments which stopped the global game of soccer the world 'round. Today, on the podcast, I […]

There's often a choice facing a coach prior to match day — do we play our game, or do we adapt and change because of the opponent we're facing or the situation and circumstances? Most would say a team ought to play to their strengths and just be themselves. But how do we cope when that […]

I once had a coach say to me, “I guess chaplains are just there for when things go wrong…” I lament that my apologetic for soccer chaplaincy and our conversation had led him to that conclusion. It's a common myth, though, that chaplains are only there for people when bad stuff happens. Of course, we […]

Sometimes people ask me, “Rev, do you pray for wins?” What usually follows is, at least for me, an interesting conversation if we have the time to get into it. But a common myth or belief that chaplains (or, simply, Christian people who enjoy sports) can fall prey to, is believing that somehow one's prayers […]

Much of my work outside of being the lead volunteer chaplain to the Colorado Rapids is working to develop chaplaincy with other teams in North America. This involves educating teams on what chaplaincy is and what chaplaincy isn't. As I have different conversations and interactions with coaches, executives, and owners around the various leagues, one […]

Sometimes when I introduce myself and share about the work that I do as volunteer chaplain to a professional soccer team, people don't even stop to ask. Instead, they just say, “Oh, you must have played soccer at a high level…” Well, truth be told, I was never going to rise to such a level […]

So much soccer is happening this summer, and much of it has an international flavor and a unique sense of competition — whether we're talking about the Euros, Copa America, the Olympics, or Leagues Cup — the opportunity to watch the teams and athletes on these varied and different stages represents something different and unique […]

I shared. last week, a reflection from a recent family vacation to Yellowstone National Park. This week, another reflection from my time there and this time it has to do with the wildness that we encountered there. It might seem a far stretch to speak about wildness and connect it somehow into faith and football, […]

A return from family vacation last week to Yellowstone National Park has been reflecting on a couple of things. Perhaps, the greatest takeaway is that I imagine that Yellowstone is something like Heaven — indescribable, unimaginable, and more. Even like certain elements of the Beautiful Game — there is just a limit to how much one can […]

One of the headlines that is seemingly more and more fused with football is the issue of politics. A few weeks ago, high profile players came out and urged young people in their nation to get out and vote. Around the world, there has been a rise of the “activist super-player” who seemingly has more […] The post Halftime: Platforms and Politics first appeared on Soccer Chaplains United.

Currently, in the U.S., there are two days set aside for recognizing freedom: Juneteenth (June 19) and July 4th. One celebrates a freedom fought for and won from British colonialism, the other celebrates the eventual and final execution of a proclamation of freedom. Today, on the podcast, in the time that a team might have […] The post Halftime: Differences in Freedom first appeared on Soccer Chaplains United.