News
Churches Fail Christian Video Games
Cordova, TN; May 4, in the year of our Lord 2015--Family
Friendly Gaming, the industry leader in covering the family
friendly video games is hitting hard with an important issue for
the modern day American churches and the video game industry.
Churches have failed Christian video games. Churches have failed
the entire video game industry. There are so many wonderful
ideas for video games that will teach good lessons. Yet the
churches go out of their way to ignore the video game industry.
I have gone around talking to numerous churches, and I get the
same responses. The paid members of the staff at these churches
care about their own growth. Missions is what is done in other
countries. They are trying to take the speck out of their
brothers eye while ignoring the beam in their own.
There are millions upon millions of gamers who never hear about
God. They never learn of the sacrifice Christ made for their
sins. They are denied that right at school, and elsewhere as
they interact with the government. They do not go to church.
They do not hear about God in the video games they play. The
harvest is plentiful in the video game industry, and the workers
are few. The overwhelming majority of video game missionaries
are unfunded by the modern day American church. I know plenty of
people making video games with an eternal focus. I know plenty
of people reporting on video games from a kingdom perspective. I
know plenty of people reviewing and writing about video games
from a Christ centered focus. Why aren’t the churches helping?
Do you know what I have heard hundreds of times from pastors,
church members, elders, and deacons in relation to where God
called me? I hear: “it is so wonderful you are doing this. It is
awesome that you are reaching people for God.” Then when I
suggest some assistance, or make a prayer request I hear this:
“I don’t want to get involved with that.” When I press them by
what they mean I hear: “video games are evil.” Only when the
churches concedes them to Satan. Video games are a teaching tool
with interactive entertainment. What the game has the player do
teaches the lessons. The development and design determine if
something is used for good, or for evil. An axe can be used for
good, or for evil. I guess they will never interact with an axe
because some people use it for evil.
There are so many wonderful ways churches could help the video
game industry. First off they could purchase Christian video
games. They could fund future Christian video games. They could
volunteer time and expertise to make Christian video games even
better. They could interact with well established Christian
gaming media outlets like ChristCenteredGamer, Clash
Entertainment, and Family Friendly Gaming. They could get teams
together within their own churches and create their own
Christian video games. They could have game nights at their
churches with only Christian video games to play. They could
give out gifts of Christian video games to their friends and
neighbors. There is so much opportunity. It is my hope and
prayer they will humbly accept this gentle, loving, and sincere
rebuke.
God bless,
Paul Bury
Family Friendly Gaming