Worshipping through play

We all recognise these days that ‘Play’ is a vital part of a child’s learning experience. We build time for play into the school curriculum, and even recognise that some form of ‘play’ is part of student life. But we then seem to imagine that at some point either immediately after University, or on getting one’s first responsible job, that ‘play’ stops: that it is something for children or students that we should leave behind.

Its not true, and its not good theology either. I believe that ‘Play’ should continue to be recognised as a vital part of human health throughout adult life. Adults, just like children, need to ‘play’ if they are to remain healthy and creative. ‘Playing’ is about letting the imagination off the leash, about creating different frameworks from which to view the world: its about remaining fresh and active and alive. It is also a wonderful stress-buster, taking us away from harmful negative pressures, and allowing us to re-create ourselves in new and exciting relationships that are miles away from our work. I ‘play’ by going offshore yachting, by making music, and by Morris dancing. I find that by allowing myself time to play, and by encouraging other members of my family to have their own ‘playtime’, we remain fresh, creative and alive!

And just as individuals need to take time out to ‘play’, the same is true for organisations and institutions. I have taken members of our church sailing, both in the UK and in Majorca. It has helped us to see each other in a new light, and we have gained new friends along the way. And in the middle ages, a day of Misrule used to be an annual feature, with ‘boy bishops’, jesters, and mock mayors helping people to laugh at the stupidities of life. And after a while, it was the ‘fool’ who was the one who could tell the truth to the king without fear of punishment.

On a more serious note, I have used the idea of ‘play’ to help a whole community step outside itself and understand things in a new way. Every month we would have a sermon from some mission society or other. And I would watch people’s eyes glaze over as the concepts passed six feet above their heads. Until one day, after a particularly gruelling piece of miscommunication, I asked for two volunteers from the parish to go to Africa with a video camera. By using the concept of ‘play’, my hope was that they would experience for themselves the issues and help bridge the experiential gap. We paid for their air fares, and when they returned, they transformed our understanding of mission. By using the principles of ‘play’, we were able, by proxy, to immerse ourselves in their experience of mission, and we were transformed by the process.

The freedom of creativity in play is a gift from God. You only have to look at the way animals of all ages take time out to play, to fool with each other, to realise that there is something sacred about enjoying things for their own sake, without having to find a utilitarian purpose for them. So lets have more carnivals, more sailing trips, more sheer enjoyment of life! Its all there in God’s wonderful free gift of life; and by taking our ‘playtime’ seriously, we can stay in touch with our inner selves, keep the creativity of our lives intact, and simply revel in a God who laughs, jokes and encourages us to have fun!

Revd Richard Thomas is Communications Director of the Diocese of Oxford