Historical Sketch of Church Recreation

THE BEGINNINGS of organized recreation programs sponsored by churches in the United States occurred during the 20th century. Prior to the first two decades of the 1900's, most - if not all - religious denominations and local churches viewed play and recreation as sinful and a tool of the devil. Even as late as the 40s and 50s, some denominations and churches had not changed their earlier Puritanical beliefs that recreation should not be allowed in the church, nor sponsored by the church. Still today, as we have entered the 21st century, there are a few religious groups that hold strong convictions against church-sponsored recreation.

Concepts and beliefs about play and recreation in the church have changed through the years. Various conceptual stages regarding church recreation have been observed, including the following: (1) objection and rejection; (2) resistance; (3) indifference; (4) tolerance; (5) passive acceptance; (6) active acceptance; (7) genuine belief-in; and (8) necessity. The general and overall beliefs of the members of some churches have passed through all of these stages; other churches are stuck on one way of thinking - and have been for years! Some churches object to the idea of having church recreation; other churches see recreation as an important vehicle in carrying out their mission and ministry. The concepts and beliefs of many other churches are somewhere between these points of view. It is interesting to note, however, that for the past several years there has been a growing trend toward more acceptance of recreation as one of the ministering arms of the church.

Several denominations have encouraged their churches to establish and continue ongoing programs of church recreation and leisure ministries. Some denominations have seen their role as enablers for church leaders by suggesting methods, as well as providing materials and training, in order for them to assist their churches in ministering to the needs of the total person: mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

Catholic churches have been supporters of recreation, although many of their programs are carried out through their parochial schools. The Church of the Brethren has also promoted the idea of church recreation. Some Lutheran churches have used recreation as a ministry. The Methodist denomination has led their churches to include leisure ministries. Presbyterians have also been actively involved in providing recreation for themselves and for others in their communities. Perhaps, however, Southern Baptists have been the most active, as one of the main-line Christian denominations, in promoting church recreation as a ministry.

The history of church recreation for Southern Baptists goes back to 1922. Dr. T. B. Maston, a professor of Christian ethics at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, became the first voice and seed-planter when he wrote and circulated his thoughts concerning church recreation. His work was finally published in 1937 and was titled A Handbook for Church Recreation Leaders. In 1925, the first recreation program was started by a local church: the College Hills Baptist Church in Ft. Worth. In 1939 at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention held in Oklahoma City, Dr. Chester Swor was promoting the idea of church recreation in the hallways and exhibit space of the convention center. He was quickly branded as a "young liberal." Later, however, at the Baptists' annual meeting in Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, Swor was asked to be a last-minute replacement for an invited speaker who was unable to be present. Swor, a professor at Mississippi College in Clinton was glad to be a substitute! He brought a stirring address; he challenged the Convention's leaders to develop a department to aid churches in establishing recreation ministries. His speech brought a standing ovation from the huge crowd of listeners!

In 1954, the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention took the action that Swor had requested in the meeting six years earlier, and the Church Recreation Service was born. From then to the present day, the ministry of church recreation has been promoted by the Baptists on a national and world-wide scale by numerous dedicated leaders and staff members. Principal leaders who have served as department directors have included Agnes Pylant (1954-1962); Bob Boyd (1962-1971); Ray Conner (1971-1992); Tommy Yessick (1992-1996); and John Garner (1996-present).

Church recreation is alive and well in the United States today! Several denominations - and thousands of churches - are utilizing recreation in expanded ministries. And, because of the work and influence of missionaries, recreation is also being used to reach people in other countries with the message of God's love.
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-- The recreation building of First Baptist Church, Bolivar, Missouri is shown above. The facility was opened in 1975.

Agnes Pylant, Church Recreation Specialist

AGNES DURANT PYLANT was an early pioneer and a specialist in recreation sponsored by a religious organization or denomination in America. Her long career in recreation and leisure ministries first came to the attention of Baptist denominational leaders during the decade of the 1930's and continued into the 1940's. She was noticed because of her colorful personality and organizational skills as she led numerous types of recreation activities at camps, assemblies, and conference centers from Virginia to Arkansas and across the southern states. In the early 1950's, Mrs. Pylant served as dean of women at Wayland Baptist College in Plainview, Texas. As an additional assignment, she taught the first class ever offered in church recreation at the Texas school.

Born in 1900 in Palmetto, Florida, Agnes Durant was later married to Lake Pylant. The couple raised two daughters: Rose Melody and Patsy Lake. A tragic accident claimed the life of husband Lake. He was killed in an airplane crash in 1953.

On February 1, 1954 in Nashville, Tennessee, Agnes Pylant was employed by the Baptist Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention as the first director of a brand new area of ministry: the church recreation service. For eight years Pylant served as head of church recreation for the nation-wide denomination. Her duties included traveling from coast to coast leading recreation conferences and workshops, as well as directing recreation activities, for state Baptist association meetings, regional and national assemblies, colleges, and churches. She also served as editor of "Church Recreation Magazine," the only publication of its kind in the world.

In 1962 Pylant retired from her position in Nashville and returned to Palmetto, the place of her birth, where she became the part-time minister of senior adults at First Baptist Church. She continued to help churches across the country in the area of church recreation and senior adult ministry during all of her retirement years. She was in demand as a speaker, a conference leader, and a program personality. She was an accomplished pantomime artist and entertainer!

Pylant was the writer of numerous articles concerning church recreation, and was the author of several books on church recreation and senior adults. Some of her more popular titles included Playtime, Fun Plans for Church Recreation, Gee Whiz - I'm Old, and Fourscore and Ten - Wow. In addition, Pylant was the voice on several professional tape recordings.

Agnes Pylant was a graduate of Texas Christian University and Southwestern Seminary. She also received an honorary degree, the doctor of ministry (D.Min.) in church recreation, from Southwest Baptist University in 1976. She passed away in the summer of 1985.

Agnes Pylant was the model for a life well-lived. As a church recreation specialist, she stood head and shoulders above all who followed in her steps. And, at least in Baptist circles, she will be remembered as one of the greatest servant-leaders the denomination has ever produced. May her tribe increase!
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-- Photo provided by John Garner and Lifeway Christian Resources.

Gardening Can Be Fun?

WORKING IN A GARDEN is considered by a huge number of people to be nothing more than hard work - and therefore something to be avoided. However, by perhaps an equally large group, it is viewed as a whole lot of fun! Actually, at least for some individuals, gardening does qualify as recreation: "something interesting to do during leisure - just for the enjoyment of it;" or "the refreshment of body, mind, or spirit." Since gardening is work for some and recreation for others, what makes the difference? The basic answer is attitude and choice! Consider a couple of scenarios.

Fred Jenkins, the president of a company, is driving home in late afternoon from his office thinking about a wonderful evening. He pictures his wife greeting him at the door, changing into shorts and a t-shirt, then relaxing in his recliner with the evening paper. However, when he arrives home, his wife immediately says, "Fred, don't forget to chop down those weeds in the garden." So, Fred changes into his grubbiest jeans, grabs the hoe, goes to the garden and starts chopping down weeds as he grumbles underneath his breath. Sweat drops form on his brow and fall to the dirt below. In this case, gardening is nothing but work - and no fun at all.

In another scene, Fred is driving home in late afternoon from his office thinking about a wonderful evening. He pictures his wife greeting him at the door, changing into his old jeans, getting the necessary tools, and going to his vegetable garden to chop down some weeds. When he arrives home, his wife immediately says, "Fred, supper will not be ready for a while, so you have some time to relax and read the paper." But, Fred has other ideas. He changes into his garden clothes, grabs the hoe, goes to the garden and starts chopping down weeds as he whistles a happy tune. As he goes about his task, sweat drops form on his brow and fall to the dirt below. In this case, working in his garden is really not work at all, but is an enjoyable free-time activity.

For an activity to be truly recreative to an individual, it cannot be ordered, imposed, or forced; it must be voluntary. Therefore, a person may play a game, but not really enjoy it. A person may work in a garden, but it is real drudgery. Or, the exact opposite may be true in both these examples.

Whether it's working with vegetables or flowers, gardening is great fun to many people! For some, gardening is considered to be their favorite recreation activity. Others would have a strong difference of opinion. What matters is attitude and choice!