Priest of the Parish

The Priest of the Parish is a fun and engaging icebreaker game that can be played with large groups, broken down into teams. Its purpose is to warm up players’ vocal cords, legs, and memory muscles while fostering team spirit through call-and-response interactions. The organizer initiates the round by accusing a specific team of losing the priest’s thinking cap, which then leads to a scripted conversation between the accused team and the organizer. If teams fail to speak in unison or make mistakes, they must move to one end of their row, with the goal being to stay as far from the “loser’s end” as possible. This game encourages participation, excitement, laughter, and connection among players. Variations include using individual names instead of team numbers and incorporating more complex scripts for added challenge.

1. Arrange players into teams of equal number, with each team having 5-10 players.
2. Have teams stand in two rows a few meters apart, facing each other.
3. Give each team a number or name.
4. The organizer starts the round by stating the script, naming one of the teams as responsible for losing the priest’s thinking cap.
5. The accused team stands up and follows the script in unison with the organizer.
6. The team being accused in the script becomes the accuser in the next round, pointing to another team.
7. If a team speaks out of unison, fails to stand up when they should, or stands up when they shouldn’t, that team moves to one end of their row and the other teams move up to fill the gap.
8. The goal is to be as far from the “loser’s end” of the rows as possible while maintaining a fun and engaging atmosphere.
9. Variations include playing with individuals instead of teams, using more complex scripts, and assigning numbers or names to positions in the row rather than teams.

• Players: A group of people, divided into teams of five to ten players each.
• Space: A large enough area to accommodate two rows of teams facing each other, with enough distance between the rows for players to stand up and move around.
• Organizer: One person to lead the game, memorize and recite the script, and facilitate the progression of the game.
• Team numbers or names: Unique identifiers given to each team, used in the call-and-response script during gameplay.

To set up for the Priest of the Parish icebreaker activity, follow these steps:

1. Arrange the players into teams of equal number. The recommended team size is five to ten players. For example, you can have six teams of five for thirty players, or ten teams of ten for one hundred players.
2. Have all players stand in their teams in two rows a few meters apart, facing each other, so that each team faces another team.
3. Give each team a number or name.

1. Arrange the players into teams: I recommend having five to ten players per team. For example, for thirty players, you can divide them into six teams of five. Make sure there is an equal number of teams.
2. Have all players stand in their teams in two rows a few meters apart: Position each team facing another team. This arrangement allows the teams to interact with each other during the game.
3. Give each team a number or name: Assigning numbers or names to teams will help you keep track of which team’s turn it is and make the game more engaging for the participants.
4. Organize the script for the game: The organizer starts by stating that “The priest of the parish has lost his thinking cap. Some say this, and some say that, but I say it was Team [X].” (Replace [X] with one of the team names or numbers.)
5. Respond when your team is announced: When your team’s name or number is called, stand up and say “Who me, sir?” in unison.
6. Follow the organizer’s prompts: After the initial response, the organizer will continue with the script by asking questions, which you should answer accordingly. The goal is to correctly recite the script in unison with your team-members.
7. Handle mistakes gracefully: If a team speaks out of unison, fails to stand up when they should, or stands up when they shouldn’t, move that team to one end of their row. This adds an element of competition and encourages participants to pay attention and work together.
8. Strive for inclusion and fun: The primary goal of the game is to get everyone speaking up, rushing, getting excited, making mistakes, and having a few laughs. Focus on fostering team spirit and creating a positive atmosphere.
9. Explore variations of the game: Consider adjusting the script or rules to better suit your group’s size, age range, or preferences. For example, when playing with individuals instead of teams, you can refer to everyone by name, making it an excellent introductions game. Or, if you are playing in teams, assign numbers or names to positions within the row, adding a new challenge for participants.

Back to top

• Improves Memory and Recall Ability: As players must remember the script and their team number or name, this game helps to enhance memory and recall ability. It encourages players to think quickly and stay focused on the game.
• Promotes Teamwork and Communication: By playing in teams and speaking in unison, players develop a sense of camaraderie and team spirit. This game encourages effective communication and working together towards a common goal.
• Boosts Confidence and Public Speaking Skills: The Priest of the Parish icebreaker requires players to speak up, articulate their responses clearly, and project their voices. This helps to build confidence and improve public speaking skills.
• Encourages Active Listening and Attention to Detail: Players must listen carefully to the organizer and their team members to respond appropriately. This game encourages active listening and attention to detail, which are important skills in any social or professional setting.
• Provides a Fun and Engaging Icebreaker Activity: The Priest of the Parish icebreaker is a fun and engaging activity that can help break the ice in a group setting. It creates a lively atmosphere and encourages laughter and excitement, making it a great way to bring people together.
• Customizable and Adaptable: This game can be easily customized and adapted to fit different group sizes, ages, and abilities. The script can be modified to make the game more challenging or accessible, depending on the players’ needs.
• Promotes Active Participation and Inclusion: By requiring all players to participate and speak up, this icebreaker promotes active participation and inclusion. It ensures that everyone has a chance to contribute and be heard, which can help build a stronger sense of community and belonging.

Back to top

• Communication skills: Playing the Priest of the Parish icebreaker requires players to communicate effectively with their team-members, as they must speak in unison and respond promptly to the organizer’s statements. This helps build confidence in speaking and listening to others.
• Memory muscles: The game relies on a specific script that players must remember, which can be challenging for larger groups or when the script becomes more complex. Practicing this skill can help improve memory retention and recall.
• Team spirit: Working together as a team to speak in unison is an essential aspect of the game. By fostering a sense of unity and collaboration, players can develop stronger relationships with their peers.
• Adaptability: The game’s variations require players to adjust to new rules or scripts, which helps build adaptability and flexibility. This skill is valuable in many real-life situations where quick thinking and problem-solving are necessary.
• Critical thinking: When playing with complex scripts, players must carefully consider their responses to avoid mistakes and “Objections” from other players. This process can help develop critical thinking skills, as well as the ability to think on one’s feet.
• Confidence building: The game’s playful and competitive nature can help build confidence in players, as they learn to speak up, make mistakes, and laugh about it. This positive attitude can carry over into other areas of life, making it easier for individuals to express themselves and engage with others.

Back to top

I appreciate the Priest of the Parish icebreaker because it effectively fosters team spirit and active participation from all players. The game’s structure encourages attentiveness, memory recall, and unison speaking, creating an engaging atmosphere that helps break the ice among group members.

The versatility of this icebreaker is another reason I like it. It can be easily adapted for various group sizes, ranging from small gatherings to large events with over a hundred participants. The game can also be played with teams or individuals, allowing organizers to tailor the experience based on their specific requirements and the composition of their group.

Moreover, the script’s flexibility enables customization, which adds complexity and excitement to the game. This versatility ensures that players remain engaged and challenged throughout the activity, regardless of whether they are playing as part of a team or individually.

Personally, I find the Priest of the Parish icebreaker an effective tool for promoting interaction and communication in a fun and dynamic way. The potential for laughs, learning, and relationship-building makes it an invaluable addition to any youth group gathering or team-building event.

Back to top

• Consider seating arrangements: Ensure that players are seated in a way that allows for easy communication between team members. This could mean arranging chairs in a circle or having teams sit at tables facing each other.
• Modify the script: Make the script more inclusive by using gender-neutral language and avoiding stereotypes. For example, instead of using gendered titles like “sir,” consider using terms like “team member” or “player.”
• Provide visual aids: Use visual aids such as flashcards or posters to help players remember the script and their team names or numbers. This can be especially helpful for those who are visual learners or have difficulty with memorization.
• Encourage participation: Make sure everyone feels comfortable participating by creating a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere. Encourage players to support each other and celebrate mistakes as learning opportunities.
• Offer accommodations: Consider offering accommodations for players with disabilities or language barriers. This could include providing written copies of the script, allowing extra time for responses, or offering translation services.
• Consider cultural sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural differences and avoid using language or references that may be offensive or unfamiliar to some players. Make an effort to create a welcoming environment for all participants, regardless of their background.
• Provide clear instructions: Take the time to explain the game and its rules clearly and concisely. Consider demonstrating the game yourself or having a more experienced player show others how it’s done.
• Allow for flexibility: Be open to modifying the game to better suit the needs and abilities of your players. This could mean adjusting the script, changing the seating arrangements, or offering different variations of the game. The most important thing is that everyone has fun and feels included.

Back to top

1. What did you enjoy most about playing “The Priest of the Parish”? This question can help participants reflect on what they found enjoyable or fun about the game, which can create a positive atmosphere and encourage further participation in similar activities.
2. How do you think this game helped build team spirit? By asking participants to consider how the game fostered teamwork, facilitators can encourage reflection on the value of collaboration, communication, and unity in group settings.
3. What challenges did you face while trying to speak in unison with your team-members? This question can help participants recognize the importance of active listening, attentiveness, and clear communication when working in a team.
4. Did you make any mistakes during the game? How did you handle them, and what did you learn from them? Encouraging reflection on mistakes and how to learn from them is essential for personal growth and resilience-building. This question can help participants develop a growth mindset and become more comfortable with making and recovering from errors.
5. What variations of the game did you experience or observe, and how did they change the dynamics of the activity? Discussing different versions of the game can promote creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability as participants consider how to modify rules to enhance group engagement and learning.
6. How might you apply the skills you practiced in “The Priest of the Parish” (such as memory recall, teamwork, and communication) to other aspects of your life or activities? This question can help participants see the relevance and transferability of the skills they developed during the game, fostering a sense of purpose and empowerment.
7. How did you feel about being “accused” during the game, and how did it impact your participation? By asking participants to reflect on their emotions and reactions during the game, facilitators can encourage empathy, resilience, and self-awareness. This question may also help participants recognize the value of giving and receiving constructive feedback in a group setting.
8. What strategies did you use to remember your team’s lines or your individual role in the game? Encouraging reflection on memory techniques and learning strategies can support participants in developing their cognitive skills and confidence in their abilities.

Back to top