The athletic program at MGCS is designed to help us achieve our mission. There are lessons that may be taught and learned on the athletic field that are difficult to teach in the classroom. Student-athletes learn to set goals and strive to achieve them, develop strength in the face of adversity, develop teamwork and leadership skills, and face victory and defeat with grace.
Accordingly, we have adopted the following principles to guide our approach to athletics:
- Coaches, players, and spectators will represent the Lord well to our community by conducting themselves in a manner that honors Him.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16
- Coaches will use athletics as a tool to teach biblical principles.
“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8
- We will always compete to win.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
A competitive emphasis is perhaps the most scrutinized element of a Christian school’s athletic program. However, the Christian life demands a level of strength, courage, perseverance, and tenacity that athletic competition may help to cultivate. When believers are exhorted in the Scriptures to “fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12),” we are presumably expected to know how to fight. When there comes an hour in which God commands us to “be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:7-9),” we must have developed strength and courage. For the one who is given talent, succeeding with that talent is not only honorable but demanded (Matt. 25:14-30). While athletic competition is by no means the only avenue through which these qualities can be developed, we approach sports with these characteristics in mind.
