Page 6 - Demo

Godly Play training in South Africa.
you don’t know and now I’m going to tell you’ attitude. Our goal is not that the hearers assent to a set of propositions that the story is meant to assert. We simply wonder and let the circle determine what meaning the story may have for them.
Now the dialectical approach of coming at things may, in some cases, make sense of something, but it does not make meaning. In Godly Play we employ a sacramental imagination, which suggests that in the process of wondering, God the Spirit is active in the circle. Such an approach honours the innate spirituality of all and the work of the Spirit in all. Such an approach must remain one of the central aspects of the Godly Play way that we hold to without compromise.
And Much More
When it comes to the ways in which the context should bend towards Godly Play, there is, of course, more that could be said. We could talk about how space and materials matter in the face of the all too prevalent practice of consigning children’s ministry to sub-standard spaces with whatever inadequate resources may be at hand. We could note that in Godly Play the circle is more important than the individual— but not more important than the authority of the all- knowing one. And certainly there are more principles that we could identify as being central and important to hold
to with conviction. I wonder what we could leave out and still have everything that we need?
I have argued for the necessity of context to bend towards Godly Play and for the authority of certain Godly Play principles. But I would also maintain that this conviction should be held lightly and applied with sensitivity. If we introduce and impart Godly Play with this in mind, then I suspect that these deeply held convictions will be imbued rather than enforced. And that is as it should be.
Andrew describes his introduction to Godly Play in this way: “It was love at rst sight!” Andrew immediately recognized the value of this innovative program and became an early advocate of the program in the Diocese of Toronto. He is an Anglican priest and professor and an experienced adult educator. Besides being a
Godly Play Trainer and storyteller, Andrew functions as the Godly Play Advocate for International Development. andrew@godlyplay.ca
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the CIRCLE | SEPTEMBER 2017