Happy days… just back from a course at Lee Abbey focusing on Messy Church with about 20 wonderful people, ranging from those who were already running their own Messy Church to those who were really there for a nice time by the sea, and why not? It was a lovely group of enthusiastic generous people and we had some very interesting discussions.
My favourite was the Messy Discipleship discussion. On that subject, though not there and then, one person at a lunch table had said, ‘Oh yes, I was brought up in a Christian household.’ ‘How do you know?’ I enquired, keen to collect thoughts on how people ‘do discipleship’ at home. ‘Um… well, I don’t really know… I suppose my parents took me to church.’ ‘But did you do anything specifically Christian at home?’ ‘Well, no’ Interesting.
In the group, specifically Christian input ranged from prayers at bedtime to saying grace before meals. ‘We sound like Victorians!’ sniggered someone, when Family Bible Reading was mentioned. Our conversation about how Messy Church might be a vehicle for re-introducing parents to the concept that they can do faith at home was very thought-provoking.
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Super storytelling with Superbook Academy
25th Mar 2025Messy Church is a place where people of all ages encounter Jesus in a creative, welcoming, and engaging environment. We love to explore the Bible story through our activities, but when it comes to storytelling during the celebration, we know that some team members quiver at the thought of delivering a captivating Bible story, that engages both adults, young children and every age in between.
Feed the Birds!
4th Mar 2025Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24 (NIV). I was inspired after our Messy Church Goes Wild session, ‘Wild on the Wing’, to dig into the Messy Church value of ‘hospitality’ and see if I could welcome more birds into my suburban London garden.
