The Stages of Play

Analogies for the Evolving Cooperation Between Pastors and Physicians

Human development is marked by growth, learning, and increasingly complex interactions with others. Nowhere is this more evident than in the six stages of childhood play as outlined by Mildred Parten. These stages illustrate how children progress from isolated exploration to cooperative engagement as they develop and mature. Interestingly, these same stages of play can offer insightful analogies for the way pastors and physicians interact as they work together to advance the gospel in communities. By examining these parallels, we can better understand the developmental journey of collaboration and ultimately identify the most mature and effective form of partnership in pastor and physician teams.

1. Unoccupied Play: The Initial Stage of Observation
   Unoccupied play is where children explore their surroundings without an apparent goal, testing motor skills and observing cause-and-effect relationships. This stage is foundational for developing awareness and interaction.
   Pastor-Physician Analogy:
   In the early stages of collaboration, pastors and physicians might function in “unoccupied play” by working in the same community but without intentional interaction or any particular unifying goals. For example, a physician might become aware that his patients need greater power for long-term lifestyle change and consider a wholistic approach to medicine. The pastor may focus on researching spiritual principles that have made a practical difference in people’s lives and can change their relationship with God. Neither party has a specific goal of working together in unity, and neither coordinates efforts with the other party. This stage allows each professional to independently assess the environment and understand the strengths and weaknesses of their approach in the context of the community’s broader needs.
2. Solitary Play: Independent Pursuit of Goals
   Solitary play involves children engaging in activities alone, focusing on their own tasks without direct interaction with others.
   Pastor-Physician Analogy:
   At this stage, pastors and physicians might operate independently in the community but at this stage they have clear, distinct, yet completely independent goals. A pastor may organize prayer meetings and counseling sessions in his church, while the physician runs a clinic focusing on physical health. Both are pursuing their missions but without any cross-communication or collaboration. While this stage demonstrates the ability to function independently, it lacks the synergy necessary for greater impact. Many of our graduates of Adventist Medical Schools and Seminaries are at this level of interaction.
3. Onlooker Play: Observing and Learning
   In onlooker play, children watch others from a distance, learning social behaviors and gathering ideas about interaction.
   Pastor-Physician Analogy:
   This stage reflects a growing awareness of each other’s work. For instance, a pastor might observe how a physician engages with patients during a health seminar and recognize the potential for advancing the gospel with those interactions. In contrast, the physician may listen to the pastor’s sermon and become convicted of needing a broader approach to medicine that has more of an eternal impact. Though no collaboration occurs, there is mutual learning and an appreciation for the other’s role. This stage sets the groundwork for future interaction. At this stage, we often find the beginnings of conviction that a combined work between pastors and physicians should occur.
4. Parallel Play: Side-by-Side Engagement
   Parallel play occurs when children play alongside each other using similar materials but without direct interaction.
   Pastor-Physician Analogy:
   Pastors and physicians may engage in parallel activities that address similar needs but without true integration. For instance, during a church-sponsored community health fair, the physician may provide free medical check-ups while in a separate location of the health fair, the pastor offers spiritual counseling. Both are present and addressing health—one physical, the other spiritual—but their work remains distinct and independent. Other examples might include an Adventist hospital that uses spiritual modalities to achieve better physical outcomes but does not provide organized opportunities for evangelistic connections or referrals. Or Adventist churches that have Adventist hospitals in their community but do not support that hospital with a practical ministry focused on patients and non-Adventist staff. This stage showcases proximity and shared focus but misses the potential of true collaboration.
5. Associative Play: Sharing Resources and Ideas
   During associative play, children begin interacting with others sharing materials and ideas while still pursuing individual goals.
   Pastor-Physician Analogy:
   This stage represents the beginning of a partnership where there are some shared inputs, and the pastor and physician begin to make referrals to the other person’s programs. A pastor and physician might collaborate on a wellness series, with the pastor providing scriptural guidance in the planning stages of the program, or input on ways to provide spiritual follow-up, and the physician may offer medical credibility and expertise in the presentation of the church-based series. As another example, the pastor might refer congregants and visitors of the church to the physician’s clinic, and the physician might recommend the pastor’s sermons, church programs, and counseling sessions. Using the example of our Adventist institutions, an Adventist hospital may provide organized opportunities for evangelistic connections, referrals to the local Adventist Church programs, or resources available at the local Conference office. On the other hand, Adventist churches with an Adventist hospital in their community may find ways to support that hospital with a practical ministry focused on patients who need hospital services. This might include ministering to patients while the patients are in the hospital or after discharge when the patients need practical help. The church may also search for ways to minister to the needs of non-Adventist staff. This interaction begins to provide efficiency, although their work is still separate, and each still has individual objectives. They share some resources and occasionally align goals, but their efforts are not fully integrated.
6. Cooperative Play: Full Collaboration
   Cooperative play is the pinnacle of social interaction, where children create shared goals, assign roles, and work together toward a common objective.
   Pastor-Physician Analogy:
   At this mature stage, pastors and physicians fully integrate their efforts. Both the pastor and physician have evangelistic responsibilities, and both feel the duty to improve the health of their congregation and community. They plan together, set common goals, share space, and engage in unified programs. An example could be a community health initiative inside the church where the physician addresses medical conditions, and the pastor provides spiritual and emotional support in tandem. Their partnership extends beyond events, fostering wholistic care for individuals and the community. This model exemplifies the synergy of “whole-person care,” where physical, mental/emotional, spiritual, and social health are addressed collaboratively.

The Call for Maturity: Reaching Cooperative Play in Ministry
The journey from unoccupied to cooperative play mirrors the progression of collaboration between pastors and physicians. Just as cooperative play represents the highest level of interaction for children, cooperative partnerships are the most effective for advancing the gospel. By working together seamlessly, pastors and physicians can model the love and character of Christ in practical and transformative ways.
The Benefits of Mature Collaboration:
Wholistic Care: When physical and spiritual needs are addressed together, individuals experience comprehensive healing.
Increased Reach: Unified efforts amplify impact, drawing larger, more diverse audiences.
Community Transformation: Integrated programs foster sustainable change, improving both health and spiritual well-being.
Shared Vision: A common purpose aligns efforts, creating a harmonious and Christ-centered approach.

A Vision for the Future
Just as children mature and develop more meaningful ways of playing, pastors and physicians are called to grow in their collaboration. To advance the gospel effectively, we must move beyond solitary or parallel efforts and embrace cooperative ministry. This model not only reflects the unity of the body of Christ but also demonstrates His healing and redeeming power in a tangible way.
Let us strive for cooperative play—working hand in hand to meet the needs of our communities, proclaiming the gospel through actions that bring wholeness and hope. Together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.

From the light that has been given me, the medical missionary work and the gospel ministry are never to be divorced. They are to be bound together as one work. _{^{Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902), Ms 97, 1902, par. 3}}

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