Podcast

Quick To Listen

Obsessed with Pokémon Go? Don’t Be Ashamed

Game Church editor-in-chief Drew Dixon on the goodness of play and why the timing of the hit game’s release is no coincidence.

The world can be divided into two camps: people who are playing Pokémon Go and people who haven’t realized what they’re missing.

Drew Dixon falls in the former camp. An avid gamer and editor-in-chief of the nonprofit Game Church, the Nashville resident has spent the greater part of this month catching Pokémon, while exploring his city and making new friends.

Earlier this week, Dixon wrote for The Local Church on what Christians miss by turning the gaming phenomenon into a recruitment tool.

“I’m beginning to suspect that by plotting ways to leverage Pokémon Go to get more people in their pews, many churches are missing out on the exploratory, community-building spirit that makes the game such a powerful cultural force—the same spirit, in fact, that represents its greatest opportunity for churches nationwide,” he wrote.

One question churches might start asking themselves instead: ”How could we possibly engage in this game redemptively in a way that would be loving to our neighbor and would celebrate something in creation that is good?”

Dixon joined Morgan and Katelyn this week to discuss the allure of video games, how churches have positively responded to Pokémon Go players, and why we love to play. Plus, everyone shares their favorite game.

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You can follow our hosts on Twitter: Morgan Lee and Katelyn Beaty

You can follow our guest on Twitter: Drew Dixon

Quick to Listen is produced by Richard Clark and Cray Allred, with help from Kate Shellnutt.

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