A THEOLOGY graduate whose Ph.D. research topic focused on how Gen Z and Millennials encountered God outside church buildings has created trading cards “with Pokémon-style aesthetics” to present biblical wisdom.
Dr Michael Tang, a programme coordinator for Southwark diocese and a barista, told the Church Times that he hoped to engage a new generation through the cards. “I tried to make something which is more accessible, supports culture, and squeezes in a message on to the training card,” he said.
Launched in September, each of the Kairos Cards features scripture and theological reflection. They are priced at £8 each and available online and in the church café Sacred Grounds, Dean Street, in Soho.
Michael TangDr Michael Tang, creator of Kairos Cards
The “empty tomb” card shows a tomb with a white cloth blowing in the wind, and three crosses standing on a hill in the background. Underneath is Mark 16.6: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
Dr Tang said that the collection had received positive feedback. “People like it, and kids keep asking their parents to buy it.”
Originally from Hong Kong, Dr Tang has covered the cost of producing the first set of cards, but has since created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a further series, which will present questions about everyday life, such as why people suffer. He hopes to raise £2000 to print 800 sets. He plans to create cards that feature Joseph, Job, and Elijah, as well as figures from the New Testament.
These future series will also present wisdom from historic thinkers, including Christian theologians.
Dr Tang’s favourite card features the resurrection of Jesus, and will be released in time for Easter.
“These cards contain real theological substance, because Gen Z is actually hungry for meaning. They’re just done with church language that feels irrelevant to their lives,” he said.
The cards were portable, he said. “You can’t easily share a theology textbook, but you can pull out a card over coffee, post it on your [Instagram] story, give it to a friend. It transforms theology from something you study in isolation into something you discuss in community.”
Kairos Cards are available to buy in English and Traditional Chinese at: soloist.ai/kairos-en