Northern Ireland Messiness

Kevin Metcalfe kindly wrote this report on the Christian Resources Exhibition Messy Church seminar:
Report on CRE Belfast Messy Church Seminar
20 February 2012
At this year’s Christian Resource Exhibition in Belfast, a packed room of church leaders gathered to discover more about Messy Church. Fully booked and the most popular seminar this year, it was attended by over 70 people who wanted to hear what Messy Church was all about and how to go about using this fresh expression of church in their own churches to connect with unchurched families. There was a very positive response in seeing how Messy Church could bring something new and dynamic to Northern Ireland in reaching a new generation of families who are further from churches today.
A number of church leaders present were keen to find out where they could go to see a Messy Church in action to be able to bring members of their church along to catch the vision. This reflects a growing interest in Messy Church in Northern Ireland, where just two years ago there were no Messy Churches. Currently there are six going from across the main denominations and by the summer the number will be into double figures. It seems the time is right for many churches in Northern Ireland to discover how engaging with families can be messy and godly!