The Playground: Ancient Christian Practices Reimagined for Today

About The Playground

The Playground provides ministry leaders with curated spaces to explore and embody practices like Sabbath, Holy Play, or Rule of Life, fostering spiritual and communal renewal. Through year-long cohorts led by esteemed theologians, participants will:

• Gather for an in-person kickoff learning experience in St. Augustine, FL (February 5-8, 2026).
• Participate in virtual sessions that deepen understanding and provide ongoing support.
• Embark on a fully-funded pilgrimage tailored to their chosen track.
• Facilitate the pre-designed course they completed, sharing these transformative practices within their own communities, with support from The Playground team.

Our goal is to equip leaders with tools to bring these practices to their congregations or organizations, sparking widespread renewal and healing.

We are especially committed to supporting leaders in under-resourced communities and contexts, recognizing their unique challenges and gifts.

Commitment

The Playground requires a one-year commitment, which includes:

• Attending an in-person kickoff in St. Augustine, FL (February 5-8, 2026).
• Participating in virtual learning sessions.
• Embarking on a summer pilgrimage (Dates vary depending on selected course).
• Sharing what you’ve learned by teaching your selected course in your ministry context.

Eligibility
This opportunity is open to ministry leaders or key community members who:

• Are actively serving congregations or non-profits.
• Demonstrate a need for rest, renewal, and innovative ministry tools.
• Commit to full participation in all program components.

Program Fees and Scholarships

The Playground is a fully immersive program valued at $12,000 per participant, which includes:

• Accommodations, meals, and programming during the kickoff event.
• A comprehensive online course taught by expert theologians.
• A curated pilgrimage experience, including airfare, lodging, and activities.
• A wellness stipend distributed at key milestones.
• A complete curriculum package for use in your ministry context.

Thanks to our scholarship fund, we ask participants to contribute only $1,000. Please note that participants are also responsible for their travel to and from the kickoff event in St. Augustine, FL (February 5-8, 2026).

Additional Scholarships: If the $1,000 fee and/or travel costs are a barrier, additional scholarships may be available. Our goal is to make this program accessible to leaders from all contexts.

Application Instructions

Please review the sections below and complete all required fields. Be sure to upload two reference letters, as outlined in the final section.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact:
Email: theplayground@flagler.edu

We look forward to journeying with you as you rediscover the power of rest, play, and renewal in ministry.

As part of The Playground, you’ll participate in approximately 10 virtual sessions spread throughout the year. These sessions include:

• Course Content Discussions: Guided sessions covering the material for your chosen track.
• Pilgrimage Preparation and Reflection: Sessions to brief and debrief your pilgrimage experience.
• Teaching Support: Check-ins to help you successfully facilitate the course in your ministry context.

Sessions will take place biweekly at the beginning and transition to monthly as the program progresses.

As part of The Playground, you’ll facilitate the course you selected and participated in during the program within your own ministry or community context. This pre-designed course package is a ready-to-teach resource that includes:

• Video lessons tailored to your chosen track.
• A facilitator guide with comprehensive instructions and tips.
• A participant guide to engage your audience effectively.

Support and Evaluation
To ensure your success, The Playground staff will provide:

• Scheduled check-in calls to offer support and guidance.
• An evaluation process to help reflect on the course’s impact and gather feedback for future improvements.

Your Context

Describe how you will facilitate this pre-built course in your community:

• Who is your intended audience? (e.g., congregation, Bible study group, community organization)
• What is the setting? (e.g., church, community center, online platform)
• Are there any unique aspects of your context that might shape how you facilitate the pre-built course?

The Playground is a fully immersive program valued at $12,000. This includes:

• Accommodations, meals and programming during the 2026 kick-off gathering (February 5-8, 2026, in St. Augustine, FL).
• A comprehensive online course taught by expert theologians, with engaging virtual sessions throughout the year.
• A curated pilgrimage experience, including airfare, lodging, and activities tailored to your chosen track.
• Wellness stipend distributed at key milestones throughout the experience to support your renewal journey. 
• A ready-to-teach curriculum package for use in your context, including video lessons, a facilitator guide, and participant materials. 

Through our scholarship fund, we subsidize this cost significantly, asking participants to contribute a participation fee of $1,000 as well as travel to and from the Kick-off Gathering in St. Augustine, FL in Feb. 2026.

Scholarship Support:
If the $1,000 fee or travel costs are prohibitive, additional scholarship support may be available. Our goal is to make The Playground accessible to leaders from all contexts.

Please upload two letters of reference to support your application:

1. One letter from the governing body of your church (e.g., session, vestry, elder board).
2. One letter from a personal reference who can speak to your character and suitability for this program.

Ensure the letters are signed and include the contact information of the reference.