Four Functions: Play

(part 4 of 5 posts on the four functions of neighborhood life)

All four functions--belong, serve, grow, and play--were modeled for us by the first Christians in Acts 2. Of the four, play is the most often overlooked. If you read Acts 2 through a pious lens, you'll miss the fact that the early Christians were distinguished in their community by their enjoyment of life together: "They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people." (2:46-47) How this picture morphed into the kind of formal, smile-free image of religiosity we associate with Christian living today, I'll never know. And if the example of the early church is not enough, the life of Jesus himself tells us all we need to know. Perhaps second to his claim of divinity, the greatest criticism of Jesus was that he spent too much time partying with the wrong people. "He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners," they would say. Jesus hung out alot, and it appears that he actually liked people and wanted to be with them whenever he could. Kids always seemed to be playing around Jesus, and he wouldn't let anyone stop them. When he got a chance to describe the Kingdom of God, he chose to tell a story of a master who was inviting everyone he could find to a party, and Jesus cast himself in the story as the one delivering the invitations.

At the Springs, we want to champion the Christian value of play. Say it however you like: we encourage pool parties, game night, golf day, barbecues, and getting together to watch the big game. The Christian rep of having a corn cob in the wrong place has certainly been earned, but it's still a ridiculous and unbiblical way to live. Whether it's a block party with a live band and giant inflatable stuff for the kids, or just sitting on out on the sidewalk in the evening while the kids play--this is the stuff Neighborhood Life is made of.

Now there is a difference in the way Christians should play, but it's not primarily in the amount of adult beverages consumed. As a musician and worship leader, I've always looked at it this way: when our culture turns on the radio or goes club hopping, we're usually looking for the music to have an effect on us, give us a reason to be happy, or a reason to escape, or just something to make us feel good. Worship music is the opposite of that: the Christ-life is our reason to celebrate, and the music is the means, not the motive. Play is the same: in its most "Christian" form, it's an expression of enjoying life, not a way to escape an unenjoyable life. We're not "working for the weekend" as much as celebrating the week. The activities may be very similar, but the motive and the result are dramatically different.

Are you having fun? If not, you're doing it wrong. Our cares are real, but so is our hope. Play is worship. You don't believe me?--watch a kid.