Play spaces

A few summers ago, I had a job with the local council working with children as part of an initiative called 'Play Wales', which was trying to address the problem that seems to be rising in this country of children not having a chance to play anymore. By play, they meant the times when a child has the freedom to explore, create games, with no boundaries, no adults telling them what they can and can't do, which often results in lot's of fun and a building of confidence.

Due to many factors (fear of paedophiles, busier parents, technology), children's leisure time has become more dictated and lacks a level of exercise, which along with poor diets, has led to a rise in child obesity. So the idea that 'Play Wales' had was to create spaces in which children could have the freedom to play.

So that's what we did.

We would go to different places around the city, be it a church hall, community centre or park and just provide a safe space in which the children could play. We provided equipment and resources for them to use, but the children had to decide what they wanted to do. We were told that the children dictated what happened. They created the games, the rules and we were only allowed to play if we were asked too and even then we had to play by their rules. Of course, we were to step in if we could see that it was getting out of hand or dangerous, but even then we were told that as much as possible we would allow risk and the children to resolve conflict themselves. It's not always beneficial for us to step in.

The main thinking was that as we gave the children space to play and explore, they would begin to learn more about themselves and their environment. They were forced to engage their mind and not just follow orders or be corrected all the time.

It was during this time that God really spoke to me about what it means to lead people in the church and gave me a glimpse of what God does for us. This experience made me realise that my role as a leader was more about creating safe spaces for people to explore, ask questions and make decisions for themselves in their faith. To give things a go, in the knowledge that someone is there to help and support them and step in when it is needed. What I am not called to do is order people around, setting rules and obligations, putting pressure on people to follow them and showing my displeasure when they don't or can't carry them out. This sounds a lot like the pharisees in Jesus time to me.

How many of you went to children's groups when you younger, where you were told what game you were playing, the rules and then told that you were having fun when you quite clearly weren't, so when you did try and make it fun you got shouted at for spoiling everyone else's fun when in fact you were only spoiling the leaders fun!

This example, I have found can often be translated into the life of the church. We attend every week and as long as we are going along with the vision of the church, we are ok, but if we question it or ask if we can do something else that we feel God is asking us to do, we find ourselves shot down and made to feel like trouble makers. It doesn't feel like a safe place you can explore or ask questions in. It's more like a club where you play by the rules or you 'go and sit in the corner until you feel like you can join us again'. I'm being a bit extreme here, but can you see the point? If the church isn't somewhere we can explore, play and ask questions, then there is something wrong.

We need to be leaders who are full of discernment, constantly asking the question "Holy Spirit, what are you saying in this situation?" We need to be willing for things to fail, for situations to get a bit messy, but in the midst of this trust that people are growing and maturing in their faith. Let's not limit what God wants to do in those around us with our fear of losing control.

We also need to remember that Jesus is the head of the Church and in many ways he sets the guidlines we need to follow! So let's study Jesus. How did he make disciples? How did he teach? How did he create these play spaces?

Let's not be leaders that hand out paint by number sheets, but give people blank canvases to create on, so that together we will see God's masterpiece.