A Splendid Playground For Fitness And Fellowship

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

[This article originally appeared in the February/March 2010 issue of Faith & Fitness Magazine.]

Back in 2000 I experienced fitness on a level I had never seen before. It cast a vision of what I believe can be a standard practice for exercise, wellness and true social networking in every community. It should be an initiative spawned by churches everywhere. Since the “church” in its simplest form is in fact “you” (not a building or organization)--- I hope you’ll catch the vision.

I was traveling in China doing media production. It is a culture much different from mine. On a Sunday evening after arriving to my hotel in Guangzhou, a major city, I decided to take a twenty-minute run through Liuhua Lake Park, a charming city park across the street. It was quiet. I had the sidewalks and trails practically all to myself. Knowing I would have a busy day, I decided I would wake early Monday morning and do another solo run.

THE PARK 'PLACE'
I was up and at the park before 6 a.m. Only this time the scene was very different. People were running everywhere on the now congested paths. These runners and walkers were just the first people I encountered.

Around every bend I discovered something new. There was an outdoor pool full of people swimming laps and children taking lessons. A small plaza had been converted into a field of ping-pong tables.

On the pristine banks of one lake was one of many groups doing Taiji Quan, a traditional form of Chinese shadow boxing with gentle and slow actions. With the daylight I could see the permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment --- now all fully in use. People played badminton, young people were lifting weights and I even found a group of seniors playing hakisak. To finish, there was a tea house in the park to strengthen internal health with fine herbal teas.

I ran further and faster than I had planned trying to keep pace with my racing curiosity for what I would find next. The park I discovered is a place that is nothing short of a splendid playground for a few thousand people to congregate daily and start a new day of life with a unified sense of fellowship and inner worship.

I love to get to state parks and national parks here in the United States. They are in my opinion world class. Honestly though I don't often get to city parks. Some of those parks offer some great programs, services and facilities. My park experience in Guangzhou certainly stands out in my memory as having a massive number of people all coming together early in the morning to be active. I'd love to see more parks all around the world bustling with such community. What I really want to find are people of faith that have vision to start such an initiative at their local park and lead their community to a new understanding of devotion.

CHURCH CAMPUS OR COMMUNITY CENTERPIECE?
A new generation of ministry leader is embracing the vision for church to have a greater role in community life. The sanctuary for Sunday-only religious services is now being viewed as simply a part of a more functional church campus that is designed and equipped to be the neighborhood gathering-place. Less commercial than a shopping mall, churches are designing conference centers, fitness facilities, dining areas, schools, assisted living, health care and much more all connected by a park-like campus. The approach is a departure from the “third place” mentality in favor of a master-planned community that is truly a hub for daily life. In my article Redefining Fitness Now For The Future I describe this opportunity as a Marketplace Ministry Suite. I've discovered some versions of these throughout the United States and encourage you to find some and study them as examples from which you can build.

The people where you live need to see a good example and then develop a devotion to rise early for the purpose of seeking wisdom, health, peace, fellowship, joy and God --- the very essence of life. The model of community wellness and fellowship at your park may include some of the traditions practiced in China, but I believe it will have some very different elements.

The physical exercises might include Frisbee, basketball, dancing, skateboarding, bootcamp exercises, pet walking and much more. They will be the activities popular in your community. Beyond that imagine pockets of people gathering in your park for early morning prayer, Bible or book reading, praise and worship.

NOW IMAGINE THIS

Those pockets of people in some instances may be primarily men, women, children or older adults. BUT - in many instances the activities can be done with the added Biblical dimension of being intergenerational.

That happens by encouraging all ages to participate together. The interaction and engagement that results from intergenerational fitness physically, socially and spiritually strengthens all ages. Learn more then CONTACT US.

As a public park those wouldn’t be the only kinds of groups to gather. Yet consider the impact on a community when people participate in a daily celebration of life where your faith is woven into the tapestry. Think of starting your day with others in a commitment to making life new every morning.

Don’t just read this magazine and appreciate the “nice ideas”. Get engaged. Do something more than you have done up to now. To bring this vision to life in your community doesn’t cost money or require special permits to get started. Go take a nice long quite walk in your park. Wear a pedometer and you can measure the benefit of your exercise. However, with each step, think about all the people in your community that are thirsty for hope, seeking compassion and in need of a healthy purpose for their life. How will you get active?

Train strong in Christ,
-Brad Bloom

Brad Bloom is the publisher of Faith & Fitness Magazine the premier source of information, ideas and networking for those pursuing an active physical and spiritual life. He provides leadership to organizations that recognize that growth comes by fueling the passion of members and delivering genuine “intimate care”. He helps businesses to move beyond the cliché concepts of “body, mind, spirit” and become innovative communities. His concepts are defining new directions for the lifestyle industry. A communicator and media producer, Brad is president of Lifestyle Media Group. He lives with his wife and children in the Chesapeake Bay area of Virginia.