Yes, And…

Yes, And…

Here is something I’m irrationally excited about! It’s a new ministry I’m embarking on. It’s a Dungeons and Dragons Ministry. Here’s how this came about…

I recently had a meeting with two school representatives. They know we work with the local elementary in providing food to families. They know we work with the library in providing snacks for the kids who show up after school there. They know we are a mission-driven church.

These two great leaders wanted us to start a tutoring place in our church, give space to middle school kids so they could hang out, provide snacks and after-school activities, and more!

I was overwhelmed and happy that they would ask this of our church. These are good and needed things. Yet the timeline would be NEXT fall for us to do all of these things. The need felt more immediate.

I don’t like saying “no.” I have learned that I get farther in my life if I say, “Yes, and…” This posture is more open, I feel, to the workings and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

So in this instance, I said, “Yes, and I’ll get back to you in 5 days.”

So I started calling, I started looking at our building use calendar and which groups were where on what days. I asked around for volunteers so we could keep with our safe-church policies to ensure child and volunteer safety. I was quickly drowning. It was too much.

Then Kate said, “Why not just have it at the library? They are already there. And why don’t you play games with them?”

Oh… Games you say? Yes, and I can play D&D with them!

I play Dungeons and Dragons. Have for 6 years in Sylvania and I’m in two groups here in Medina. One is a group where I’m the Dungeon Master (that’s the guy in charge of telling the story and making sure the rules are followed) and in the other I am an adventurer.

Now some say that D&D is satanic and demonic and bad. I don’t find it that way nor do I think those types have ever played the game. I have found the following benefits from playing:

  • More interest in story-telling and reading and English skills
  • Improvement in basic math skills
  • Teamwork and strategy
  • Following rules and learning systems
  • Improved ethical and philosophical thinking
  • And the best part… NO SCREENS.

In our digital and video game age, it’s revolutionary for people to sit around and talk face-to-face. D&D helps with this practice. There is a strict no-phones rule at my table to help people stay present to what is happening.

Medina… 900 years in the future… With vampires.

Plus the world I’m creating will be one the youth will recognize. The game is set in Medina, but 900 years into the future. Because humans weren’t fighting Climate Change, the vampires rose up and conquered us. Now humanity has become slaves and under the rule of these terrible blood sucking fiends. Due to the vampires coming out of hiding, they unleashed all the magic that kept them hidden and we are now living in a world of magic and high fantasy. Too much information? Oh, sorry. Geeks gotta geek out…

The adventurers will be freedom fighters set out to free the oppressed and become a source of hope and good in the world. Isn’t that something we should be teaching our children to be anyway?

“Yes… and…”

How do you see the “Yes, and…” Working in your life? Would you be willing to give it a try? And do you have any thoughts on my D&D Ministry? I’m all ears. Thanks!

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