The Theology of Play Conference started in 2018 as a theology of play conversation that invited five Presbyterian game designers to Menucha Retreat and Conference Center in Corbett, Oregon to meet with national staff around the topic of a theology of play and game design. From that gathering a robust conversation emerged about what it meant to have an embodied theology of play as ministers and in our ministries. One year later we launched a fuller expression of that conversation with our 2019 conference TOPCON! Over forty folks from around the country gathered to explore this important doctrine (and to play a lot of games).
Due to the pandemic in 2020, we held our second TOPCON! gathering as a thirteen-hour online conference. Then after a four-year hiatus, TOPCON returned. In March of 2024, Stony Point Center hosted our third gathering. Hailed by 2019 and 2024 participants as the “best conference they had ever attended,” we’re excited for the return of TOPCON!
This year, the Theology of Play Conference will center around the theme–Keeping the Faith. As religious adherence and expression decline in the face of western secularism, how does a developed theology of play help us form, educate, and engage the church in its identity, mission, and ministry to the world? More specifically, how might tabletop games contribute to our formation as Christians and help us keep the faith.
Our special keynote speaker is Greg Loring-Albright, professor of Game Design and Interactive Media at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. He has been, throughout his life, a Presbyterian, a Mennonite, a Quaker, an Episcopalian, and a “none.” Greg is most known for his pirate themed game AHOY (Leder Games, 2023). The theme for this year’s TOPCON comes from Greg’s upcoming game Keep The Faith.
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