Article - Game Time by Jamie Doyle

By Jamie Doyle

I have to admit that once in a while I get a little arrogant over menial things to make myself feel better about the ideas I have or the goals I want to accomplish. But you would never guess what came of my arrogance one summer evening in St. Paul, Minnesota. I was at a church conducting a children's crusade. There were adult services being held at the same time. The adult services were running for several hours and I knew I was in for a long haul. The children's pastor at this particular church told me to plan about an hour and a half and he'd take care of the rest. I asked myself, "what is this guy going to do for the rest of the time?" I didn't think about it again until the night I got there and began to set up for the service.

As I set up for the services, my friend began to prepare for the rest of the evening's activities. He and his workers set out board games of every kind. He also set up a Bible-Quiz game on his computer for others to play. I stood there watching, thinking to myself… who does this guy think he is? Doesn't he care about the spiritual condition of these kids? Games just aren't going to cut it! I decided not to say anything and just go through the evening as if nothing were wrong. As the children arrived, they were greeted and escorted over to the game area of the room. While there, I stood by watching… confused about how to feel. For the first hour the children played games and laughed and had fun. I'm all for fun in church, but what about the priorities?

Then it was time for service. I was introduced, the music started and the service went off without a hitch. Children responded to the altar call and some even received Christ for the first time. It was an exciting time! As the last few children were leaving the altar to go back to their seats, I saw parents starting to gather by the door. My friend dismissed the children and I went home. That night as I lay awake in bed, I wondered and prayed about "playtime" before "church time". I decided that I would investigate more that next evening at the service.

I arrived early again to set up for the service. My friend began to set up the games and activities. As the children entered I sat down at a game table were several children and I engaged in a very intense game of Chutes and Ladders. I played several other games and got to know many of the children. Then things began to happen. It seemed that one by one different children would approach me to tell me about the needs in their lives… or difficult times they were facing. I had a chance to pray with several children that night before the service even started. I got to know children by name and I saw them making friends with new kids. I was touching lives without a microphone. It was so beautiful and I couldn't help the tears in my eyes as I left to prepare for the service.

That night and every night afterwards during that crusade I was with the kids at the game tables prior to the service. You know what? When those kids came to the altar those nights to pray for needs, I was able to relate with those children better. As I laid my hands on them to pray I knew what to pray for.

In the past few years I've begun to realize that I've never had a child call me on the phone and schedule and counseling session. I've never had a child approach me after church and ask me if I could pencil him in to discuss his problems at school or at home. But I can counsel them at special activities and game times where children are allowed to relax and do what they want and have fun. I've also realized that most of our programs for children are so jammed packed with regimented activities and learning time that there is no time left for the children to make Christian friends... often times morals that we expect of our students. I've also notice that with all of the programming, most children don't have a chance to get to know their leaders, pastors, teachers or those who are trying to build a relationship with them.

My friend in St. Paul Minnesota had the right idea. He knew what he was doing. And now I know what to do. Give the children and time and a place to make friends and get to know you. I purposely schedule game days on a Saturday or Friday night where children can do what they want, when they want with some minor supervision. There's no schedule, deadlines or time limits for activities. Just tables with board games, over in the corner is Twister, across the hall is open gym. Children can play what they want, when they want and for as long as the game day has been scheduled. The great thing is, I get to play the games and get to know the kids, kids get to know each other, I get to pray and counsel. "Playtime" can be the best tool for building up your ministry to children.

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