Recognising the importance of play time

Just a generation ago, Sundays were a very different affair.  For a large number of the population it would have involved a trip to church or Sunday school (even if their parents weren’t church-goers).  The idea of playing in sports matches, going to the swimming pool or, for some, even watching television on a Sunday was almost unheard of.  Today, for better or worse the ‘Sunday culture ‘ is changing. Sundays are ‘play-day’; a day to pursue hobbies and leisure activities.  But how does the church respond to these changing attitudes?  Are church and play mutually exclusive, or does play form an integral part of our worship and church life?

The Oxford Vineyard Church hit the headlines last month when they announced they were moving their morning service to 4pm. Church Leader, Andrew Myatt feels this was an essential move to try to accommodate changing lifestyles.
‘Our observation was that more and more people are busy on a Sunday morning and don’t have time to go to church.’
‘Young people in our congregation felt that trying to get friends along to church for 10.30 was almost impossible’
 ‘We felt that we should do whatever it takes in terms of our church culture to reach unchurched people’

Although these are early stages, he sees positive signs that this has been a success:
 ‘Sunday is a day of rest and it suits people to be able to rest on a Sunday morning. People do seem more relaxed in the afternoon. And they arrive on time!’

In Andrew’s opinion, the move to an afternoon service does not mean that church and play are entirely separate entities, but that it provides opportunities to reach people outside the church building:

‘We encourage our people to be fully engaged in business and sport and leisure activities.  The bible is relevant to every part of our lives and culture and we want people to be salt and light in every area of their community.’
‘Jesus had a very holistic view of life. Our relationship with God should impact everything that we do.’

Greyfriars in Reading, a growing Church of England church also believe it is important to reach people where they are.  As a result they have a wide and varied programme of children’s and young people’s work that incorporates church and play.  From toddler groups that meet in the week to play, to children’s groups that meet during the church service for stories, crafts, drama and other forms of interactive learning.

The way that children’s church is conducted is changing in many churches.  Jenny Hyson, Diocesan Children’s Officer, has been very involved in the development of Godly Play.

‘Within Godly Play there is a deliberate attempt to follow the shape of worship in the way the children's time is spent in Sunday groups. For several years many of those involved in working with children have struggled to move away from the image of Sunday School or worse still a créche.’
‘Godly Play works from the premise that children are unique individuals, with different needs, ways of learning and responding, and that play is a vitally important element to learning.’

Derek Attrill, the Youth Pastor at Greyfriars says that play is an important area of church life and church outreach; for children, young people, and for the church as a whole.

‘Parents these days don’t necessarily send their children to Sunday school, so it’s all about building relationships. One of the models that I work to is an upside down triangle. At the top are events, which are Christian-run but low Christian content.  “The Mix” has pool tables and PlayStations and the idea is that young people come along and just play. They meet Christians for the first time. There’s no ‘God Spot’ as such. Further down the triangle we have activities with gentle but more blatant Christian content, presentation type style.  That then works its way down to youth alpha, cell groups and church.’

And play isn’t just for the kids:
‘The church each year has a Fun Day and we book a farm for the day. We have a service in the morning and we rent inflatables, have barbeques, play volleyball and football.  It’s a time for the church to increase fellowship and it was amazing how successful it is.’

As leisure activities and ‘play’ become a greater focus for our society, the challenge for churches to meet the needs of their church and local community increases.   Many churches recognise the importance of play as part of their teaching, worship and fellowship time, and are also finding that play provides a unique opportunity to reach out to people. Whether in church-led activities, or social events, at work or at play, God wants to be present in every part of our lives.  Generation X, the 18 –30’s group at Greyfriars state on their web site: ‘We are committed to seeing ‘Church’ as who we are and what we do all week, rather than just a building or a Sunday meeting’.  It’s a challenge to us all.

Natalie Abbott is The Door's Editorial Assistant