RIVERSIDE, Ill. — A board game designed to teach children about handling resources has a decidedly familiar ring to it. That's because it is loosely based on the classic capitalist game Monopoly.

The Tennessean reports that "Episcopopoly" is the brainchild of Deborah Esayian, a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church near Chicago. She was trying to think of a way to teach children about stewardship and had the idea to turn the lesson into a game.

Unlike the ever-popular Parker Brothers best seller, Esayian's game is about more than just money. Instead of building houses and hotels, the object is to build a church.

"It's all about learning what it takes to run a church in terms of the upkeep or the responsibilities the church has," said Erik Vochinsky, a manager at the Washington National Cathedral Museum store, which sells the game.

Squares on the board represent churches and seminaries that agreed to sponsor the first 3,500 games, which have been nearly sold out.

Familiar game pieces, such as a top hat, a race car or a dog, have been replaced by such things as a baptismal font, a lamb, a dove and the bell tower from the University of the South, an Episcopal college and seminary in Sewanee, Tenn.

Players can draw cards when they land on either "time, talent and treasure" or "operating budget" squares instead of "Chance" and "Community Chest." Depending on the card, players may lose a turn for having their cell phone on during the service, or be forced to go back a few spaces because there was a water balloon incident at the parish picnic.

"There's no political statement behind the game," Esayian said. "But truly one of the dividends of playing the game is learning that the Episcopal Church is everywhere. These churches are all really living out outreach. It's about having the resources to go out and do ministry."