Minecraft Church for all!

In a possible world first, the computer game Minecraft was fully integrated into morning worship at a recent local arrangement service at Kidlington Methodist Church.

While we are used to occasional café church services with accompanying activities and discussions, incorporating computer games into morning worship for the whole congregation was something quite new.  Minecraft lends itself to this very well. Everyone present who wanted to play Minecraft joined together in the same virtual world.  They were able to interact with one another virtually, as well as in person, and everything they created was visible to the whole congregation via the projector screens.

At various points in the service, the whole congregation was invited to respond to the story. In the opening prayers, everyone was asked to reflect on the concept of safety – places where they feel safe, and what makes home feel like home.  The reflections could be on paper or through quiet thought, or through building a home on Minecraft and reflecting on what made it home-like. 

When it came to the Bible readings (Ruth 1:1-18 and Mark 12:28-34), the first was read from a Minecraft book – the Minecraft world includes a Minecraft Village, with a church and a library full of different stories from the Bible.

Later, the congregation was asked to reflect on the point at the beginning of the story of Ruth when Ruth and Naomi set out together to return home.  Again, responses could be through a variety of crafts, a Zentangle mindful activity, as well as through discussions. Minecrafters could build an aspect of the story – such as the threat of famine that prompted Naomi’s initial journey, or a scary pathway into the unknown.

At all times, the play on Minecraft was an integral part of the service and visible to all.  One Minecrafter built a scary pathway with many daunting obstacles. Another built a stony pathway, but with green shoots at intervals. Yet another went exploring alone and ended up lost and unable to return to the others without help, which spoke to some of the ongoing discussions. Another Minecrafter removed all the farmed crops and food stores from a village, leaving it desolate and reminding everyone of the extreme circumstances that can push people to leave their homes. The discussions were wide-ranging and covered the plight of refugees today, as well as the hope contained in the story and the bravery of the women.

Trying out this new way of being church was certainly daunting. The congregation were stepping into the unknown. Some came despite their fears that they would be asked to do something technological which would be beyond them (it was very hard to describe exactly what the service would be like in advance), which showed real bravery. In the event there was something for everyone, and a real buzz around the occasion. It was encouraging to be part of an all-age service where all ages not only participated but contributed, and where new merged with traditional to praise God.