Daring to say — and play — the ‘G’ word
Team building with adults through ‘game’ play is the focus of an APCE workshop

MEMPHIS — As attendees at the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) 2025 Annual Event entered the meeting room and observed with mounting curiosity the unusual props that surrounded them — decks of cards, mini drinking cups, LEGO® bricks and even a nickel or two — many wondered what on earth they had signed up for.

Joel Winchip, executive director of the Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA)/Campfire Collective, quickly explained.
Winchip’s Jan. 30 workshop, titled “There is No ‘I’ in Team,” was centered on activities designed to help adult groups develop effective communication and problem-solving skills.
“We’re going to talk and play games,” he said, "but when introducing team building-activities to adults, don’t ever call them 'games.'”
“Don’t use the ‘G’ word,” he cautioned. “You might as well just yell, ‘Fire,’ or say, ‘We’re playing name games,’ and everyone will be gone. Just launch into the instructions for what you want to do with your adult group.”
Winchip, who also serves on the adjunct faculty of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, where he teaches camp/conference ministry and recreation courses, said that in his experience, games using tangible things help adults wrap their heads around what they are doing.
“I’m a big fan of props,” he said.
And, if the workshop participants were ever under the impression that they’d be staying seated and taking notes, out came the props.
Winchip then called everyone to their feet as a succession of games with such names as Up Jenkins, Octopus Draw, Flip Flop Tower and LEGO® Re-Creation — and hearty laughter — ensued.

An hour or so later, Winchip led the exhilarated participants through a debriefing on what they had experienced.
“Through games, you can find out the true dynamics of your group,” he said. “For example, some people like to touch everything and show off what they know. You can tell things like who the introverts are versus the extroverts. Normally, people in recreation cannot hide who they are.”
Because leadership teams, committee members, and ministry staff are all groups that need to work together, game play can help group members broaden their abilities and work together.
“I like incorporating games in adult education,” said the Rev. Cassie Waits, associate pastor of Discipleship at the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, Georgia. “And since I’ve never played any of these games before, the workshop was even better than I expected!”
Camp and Retreat Sunday is celebrated on Feb. 9 or whenever your faith community lifts up camp and retreat ministry. Click here for the 2025 resource list, which includes liturgy and program resources for celebrating camp, including campers and counselors commissioning and lifting up camping ministry with local congregations.
The Office of Christian Formation has resources here.
APCE is an association made up of those who are serving or have served in educational ministries, as ministers, professional or volunteer educators, or students, in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Reformed Church in America, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Moravian Church in America. The 2025 Annual Event wash held at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis.
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