George Lings
{"id":2439744585828,"title":"Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church","handle":"messy-church-theology-exploring-the-significance-of-messy-church-for-the-wider-church","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church Theology\u003c\/em\u003e is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a variety of church and academic backgrounds and case studies by Messy Church practitioners, it gathers together some of the discussions around Messy Church and assesses the impact of this ministry, placing it in the context of wider developments within the church community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 1: Messy questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 When is Messy Church 'church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eClaire Dalpra\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 When is Messy Church 'not church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteve Hollinghurst\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Special Educational Needs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrish Hahn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 How does Messy Church travel?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 Does Messy Church make disciples?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJudy Paulsen\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church at St Christopher's\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlison Paginton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 2: Messy foundations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy theology\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Bayes\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy disciples\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Fiesta\u003cbr\u003eChristine Barton\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 From Sunday school to Messy Church: a new movement for our age?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Jackson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 What is the DNA of Messy Church?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church @ Christ Church Primacy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eKevin Metcalfe\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 3: Messy practicalities\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy maturity: paradox, contradiction or perfect match?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeth Barnett\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy Church: how far can you go before reaching the limit?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTim G. Waghorn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: the story of the 'Messy angels'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSharon Pritchard\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Some frameworks to explore Messy Church and discipleship\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Hopkins\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e12 Growing, maturing, ripening: what might an older Messy Church look like?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: St Andrew's Church, Bebington: the journey of an older Messy Church\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e13 Why we might expect mess, not merely tolerate it\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAfterword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's research unit, The Sheffield Centre, which for over a decade has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fairly substantial assessment of where Messy Church is up to and how it might sit within the wider church, and because Messy Church is inter-generational, there is much in these 13 chapters that could apply to All Age Worship of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKey recurring issues are: 'Is Messy Church really church, or is it just a part of church?'; 'Does Messy Church really disciple people adequately?'; 'How adaptable is Messy Church?'; 'What is the future of Messy Church?' Obviously the book is a forthright apologia for Messy Church. Most, but not all, contributors firmly claim that Messy Church is (or should be viewed as) a full expression of church in its own right. Certainly, it's pointed out, if the Vicar thinks it is merely a strategy to get people into 'real' church and the Messy Church Leaders feel it's a full expression of church in its own right, you are heading for trouble!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much here for All Age practitioners to reflect upon, especially in the area of discipleship. However, stronger answers still need to be developed. What's really good is that the Messy Church movement has asked searching questions of itself, and offered some answers with case-studies. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Ecclesial Practices 2:1 (2015), 121-123] - Australia May 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a creative, all-age, hospitable, celebrating expression of church whose time seems to have come. A decade on from its pioneering by Lucy and Paul Moore and team in Portsmouth, there are now 1400 registered messy churches in the UK alone, and Messy Church coordinators estimate 4000 Messy-style churches with 360,000 participants in the UK. It is the single most common and most rapidly multiplying expression model of the Fresh expressions movement, and is connecting with un-churched, de-churched and marginally churched people. Its reach has spread across denominations and continents; the Messy Church website directory shows me there are 20 in my home city of Melbourne, including 3 within 3 kilometres of my house - Anglican, Uniting and Baptist! There are more than a dozen books on how to start and run a messy church with its crafts, cooking and conversations. What Messy Church Theology uniquely explores is where Messy Church fits theologically as 'church', where it is growing (or wants to grow) in disciple-making, and what other streams of the church and missional movement could learn from Messy Church. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e19 writers contribute case studies or chapters in three sections. Firstly there are 'messy questions' exploring when fresh expressions are fresh, when they are church, and when they are messy church? What is the DNA of messy church, how transferable is it, and how does Bible Reading Fellowship as its sponsor ensure quality but not expect control? The most recurring questions are how can Messy Church foster discipleship, and how can it 'be church' for all-of-life beyond certain life stages. It is appropriate to bring an evaluative grid to innovative new expressions about how they are doing as church in making healthy disciples and being missional, but these are questions for all churches not just messy new experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section digs into 'messy foundations' - urging a theology and discipleship that is messy and curious. That is helped as we listen to and not just condescend children, and celebrate and imitate their relentless and playful questioning. Messy Church, like Alpha, allows space for questions and expressing mystery and doubt; elements that are essential for evangelism in a post-modern context, but natural in an all-age setting of Messy Church. The ethos of creativity that Messy Church fosters is intriguing and something all churches could learn from, as George Lings articulates: \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Turning church back into a creative, participatory, communal hive of spiritual life is a worthy goal that critiques much existing church practice. \r\nThrough true hospitality and creativity, those who come to us move from being clients, for whom we provide pre-cooked liturgical dishes, to being guests for whom we care. They also become co-creators with whom we are fellow artists, and co-workers with whom we are partners. In the end, even the distinction between host and guest dissolves, and so all-age, Christ-centred community emerges' (pp.160-161).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe third and final section unpacks 'messy practicalities'; not trying to tidy up all loose ends but actually celebrating the mess of life and the adventure of experimenting with church. For example, Beth Barnett offers critique of Western Enlightenment-inspired 'maturity' language, pointing more importantly to Jesus' invitation to become like a child in openness, collaboration and curiosity (rather than aspiring to power, bigness and conservatism). Barnett subversively suggests multi-sensory interactive learning and engaging together with Scripture is potentially a richer and more promising path to growth than a three point monological sermon; and that engaging with Scripture and worship with children ought to be as natural as children around the dinner table. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a rich collection of case studies scattered through the book, but I especially appreciated Tim Waghorn's Melbourne innovation of offering weekly (rather than the usual monthly) Messy Church as a way of breaking down barriers and offering church accessibly for families, complete with media-guided worship (using common technology people are used to) and sensory engaging learning. Waghorn celebrates how Messy Church involves a wide range of lay leaders and does not rely on the hired holy person, but he also challenges Ministers to engage in Messy Church leadership, as a fast-track way of connecting and being accessible. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConvinced as I am that we desperately need more innovative and colourful expressions of church that are shaped around mission, there are important lessons to learn from Messy Church. We can continue to develop and multiply Messy Churches, but also boldly reinvent church in other surprising directions and reshapings. We need the kind of courage and creativity that characterizes Messy Church, but also the permission and resourcing that existing churches and sponsors have generously given. We need to unleash the creativity of all of God's people, and not be preoccupied with a particular inherited worship format or bound by reliance on hired holy people. As we experiment, messy does not mean sloppy as George Lings warns, and churches need to be careful about focusing on and evaluating discipleship and mission and our foundational values, as the Messy Church Theology authors have done.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI have my own unanswered curious question to ask of these Messy Church Theology writers. Their concern about discipleship seems to largely settle on utilizing and the 10 minute celebration teaching time, or increasing the frequency of gathering or adding extra programs or resources. But I would love to hear more about how Messy Church practitioners utilize their craft and hospitality times for disciple-making. What can we learn - or what do we need to learn better - about coming alongside people in the midst of activity and relationships, and as spiritual companions urging one another on as disciples? In what ways can we best be open to 'God moments' that Paul Moore urges us to be attentive to (p.243) in the midst of the 'create, chill, chomp and celebrate' (p.259) of Messy Church, or even everyday life?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe rich theological reflection, practical suggestions and inspiring case studies of Messy Church Theology is excellent reading for Messy Church practitioners, anyone having a go at all-age worship or outreach, or missional church leaders ready to learn from this growing movement. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarren Cronshaw, pastor of AuburnLife and Mission Catalyst - Researcher with the Baptist Union of Victoria. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is another well-presented, easy to read book from the Messy Church team.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral themes recur in the book. It inevitably considers the wider debate of Fresh Expressions of which Messy Church can be considered one aspect. Claire Dalpra and Steve Hollinghurst debate whether Messy Church is or is not 'church', with the theme reiterated throughout the book that Messy Church is not just another activity club, Sunday school or outreach project. To be 'church' it needs to demonstrate the four creedal marks of church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe debate around Fresh Expressions inevitably raises the issue of how adults can grow as disciples within Messy Church. Judy Paulsen uses data from her doctoral research study to look into this in some depth. Tim G. Waghorn suggests that although the teaching context should be robust and relevant to connect with families, adults are likely to be kept in a 'holding pattern' until there is something else for them to feed into. Bob Hopkins discusses a framework to make discipleship more intentional, while Beth Barnett proposes that it might not be necessary to consciously strive for maturity if the congregation enjoys a constant engagement with the Bible and the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Lings suggests that Messy Churches should be measured against the core values identified by Lucy Moore: hospitality, creativity, celebration and all-age, adding a fifth: Christ-centred.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is punctuated with case studies of individual Messy Church experiences, from the Messy Church Fiesta in Scotland, the 'Messy Angels' in Northern Ireland to the Messy Church in Hemel Hempstead for children with special needs and the Messy Church in the north-west of England with some useful ideas for reaching dads and engaging the boys. These all provide a useful snapshot of recent Messy Church developments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all books of this style, there are some articles that are more useful than others. But each of the varied selection of authors has written passionately about their different areas of expertise, providing some thought-provoking material. They look back on the story so far, celebrating what God has been doing, and looking ahead to debate what might make Messy Church even more effective for the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR News late September 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'...the people group who have been theologically marginalised and ignored the longest and most consistently to the present day are children. Week by week in our churches we continue to patronise them, silence them and ignore their attempts at reframing our faith. If they are asked to share their thinking at the end of our Sunday worship, we applaud their insights into the holy scriptures rather than learning from them. And yet, if we will look and listen, the drawings and sculptures and ideas and thinking of children in every church can enormously enrich what we know about God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis explosive paragraph, by Bishop Paul Bayes, is in line with the thought-provoking material written by all of the varied authors featured in this first-rate book. Read it if you are involved in the leadership of a Messy Church or if you want to deepen your understanding of how anyone can be helped to grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI will be referring to it often!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRona Orme - Peterborough Diocese Children's Missioner.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Salvationist, 7th June 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI AM naturally more at home preparing and doing Messy Church than I am 'theologising' about it! That being said, reading Messy Church Theology has given me insight into what has made Messy Church the phenomenon it has become over the past ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nWhile the heart of Messy Church itself is all about introducing families to Christ, the various contributors to this book seek to answer questions such as, 'When is Messy Church, church?' and 'Does Messy Church make disciples?' Some of the questions raised and concerns highlighted are very much rooted in its Anglican heritage and their use of liturgy and the sacraments. However, while these may not pose the same issues for The Salvation Army, most of us would be challenged that it should not be seen as just a bridge to our Sunday meeting congregations but as a church in its own right. I particularly enjoyed Paul Moore's analogy of likening church to the variety of Cheddar cheeses available in a supermarket: 'The mild looks like soap and probably tastes bland. The vintage looks cracked and crusty and may prove dangerously pungent but the point is that it is all sold as Cheddar cheese and it is all maturing. Similarly, in a healthy maturing church we can expect to have a range of Christian commitment and maturity, from new Christians through to vintage disciples, and even if there are more mild than mature members, it still constitutes real church if the members are working together to build one another up in Christ.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nAlthough tough at points, the overall read is worthwhile and will prove beneficial to anyone involved in leading Messy Church. Case studies give inspirational examples of good practice and tie the book together in showing how Messy Church successfully reaches people with the love of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Rachel Gotobed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Mission Network News\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter nearly 10 years Messy Church has grown considerably, with over 2000 churches registered worldwide. Such growth has generated much response and debate. A collection of essays from a range of contributors has been gathered in order to provide theological reflection that will explore the significance of Messy Church for individual discipleship and for the wider church. Any who wish to engage in a broader awareness of this, or who are questioning the long-term sustainability and impact of Messy Church, will find that the essays provide a framework for thought and debate.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:17+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:18+00:00","vendor":"George Lings","type":"Paperback","tags":["Messy Church books"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769010151524,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461711","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436517671012,"product_id":2439744585828,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:19+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:16+00:00","alt":null,"width":426,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176","variant_ids":[21769010151524]},"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":317,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461711","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238874775691,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874775691,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church Theology\u003c\/em\u003e is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a variety of church and academic backgrounds and case studies by Messy Church practitioners, it gathers together some of the discussions around Messy Church and assesses the impact of this ministry, placing it in the context of wider developments within the church community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 1: Messy questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 When is Messy Church 'church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eClaire Dalpra\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 When is Messy Church 'not church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteve Hollinghurst\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Special Educational Needs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrish Hahn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 How does Messy Church travel?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 Does Messy Church make disciples?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJudy Paulsen\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church at St Christopher's\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlison Paginton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 2: Messy foundations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy theology\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Bayes\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy disciples\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Fiesta\u003cbr\u003eChristine Barton\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 From Sunday school to Messy Church: a new movement for our age?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Jackson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 What is the DNA of Messy Church?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church @ Christ Church Primacy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eKevin Metcalfe\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 3: Messy practicalities\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy maturity: paradox, contradiction or perfect match?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeth Barnett\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy Church: how far can you go before reaching the limit?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTim G. Waghorn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: the story of the 'Messy angels'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSharon Pritchard\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Some frameworks to explore Messy Church and discipleship\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Hopkins\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e12 Growing, maturing, ripening: what might an older Messy Church look like?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: St Andrew's Church, Bebington: the journey of an older Messy Church\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e13 Why we might expect mess, not merely tolerate it\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAfterword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's research unit, The Sheffield Centre, which for over a decade has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fairly substantial assessment of where Messy Church is up to and how it might sit within the wider church, and because Messy Church is inter-generational, there is much in these 13 chapters that could apply to All Age Worship of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKey recurring issues are: 'Is Messy Church really church, or is it just a part of church?'; 'Does Messy Church really disciple people adequately?'; 'How adaptable is Messy Church?'; 'What is the future of Messy Church?' Obviously the book is a forthright apologia for Messy Church. Most, but not all, contributors firmly claim that Messy Church is (or should be viewed as) a full expression of church in its own right. Certainly, it's pointed out, if the Vicar thinks it is merely a strategy to get people into 'real' church and the Messy Church Leaders feel it's a full expression of church in its own right, you are heading for trouble!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much here for All Age practitioners to reflect upon, especially in the area of discipleship. However, stronger answers still need to be developed. What's really good is that the Messy Church movement has asked searching questions of itself, and offered some answers with case-studies. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Ecclesial Practices 2:1 (2015), 121-123] - Australia May 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a creative, all-age, hospitable, celebrating expression of church whose time seems to have come. A decade on from its pioneering by Lucy and Paul Moore and team in Portsmouth, there are now 1400 registered messy churches in the UK alone, and Messy Church coordinators estimate 4000 Messy-style churches with 360,000 participants in the UK. It is the single most common and most rapidly multiplying expression model of the Fresh expressions movement, and is connecting with un-churched, de-churched and marginally churched people. Its reach has spread across denominations and continents; the Messy Church website directory shows me there are 20 in my home city of Melbourne, including 3 within 3 kilometres of my house - Anglican, Uniting and Baptist! There are more than a dozen books on how to start and run a messy church with its crafts, cooking and conversations. What Messy Church Theology uniquely explores is where Messy Church fits theologically as 'church', where it is growing (or wants to grow) in disciple-making, and what other streams of the church and missional movement could learn from Messy Church. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e19 writers contribute case studies or chapters in three sections. Firstly there are 'messy questions' exploring when fresh expressions are fresh, when they are church, and when they are messy church? What is the DNA of messy church, how transferable is it, and how does Bible Reading Fellowship as its sponsor ensure quality but not expect control? The most recurring questions are how can Messy Church foster discipleship, and how can it 'be church' for all-of-life beyond certain life stages. It is appropriate to bring an evaluative grid to innovative new expressions about how they are doing as church in making healthy disciples and being missional, but these are questions for all churches not just messy new experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section digs into 'messy foundations' - urging a theology and discipleship that is messy and curious. That is helped as we listen to and not just condescend children, and celebrate and imitate their relentless and playful questioning. Messy Church, like Alpha, allows space for questions and expressing mystery and doubt; elements that are essential for evangelism in a post-modern context, but natural in an all-age setting of Messy Church. The ethos of creativity that Messy Church fosters is intriguing and something all churches could learn from, as George Lings articulates: \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Turning church back into a creative, participatory, communal hive of spiritual life is a worthy goal that critiques much existing church practice. \r\nThrough true hospitality and creativity, those who come to us move from being clients, for whom we provide pre-cooked liturgical dishes, to being guests for whom we care. They also become co-creators with whom we are fellow artists, and co-workers with whom we are partners. In the end, even the distinction between host and guest dissolves, and so all-age, Christ-centred community emerges' (pp.160-161).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe third and final section unpacks 'messy practicalities'; not trying to tidy up all loose ends but actually celebrating the mess of life and the adventure of experimenting with church. For example, Beth Barnett offers critique of Western Enlightenment-inspired 'maturity' language, pointing more importantly to Jesus' invitation to become like a child in openness, collaboration and curiosity (rather than aspiring to power, bigness and conservatism). Barnett subversively suggests multi-sensory interactive learning and engaging together with Scripture is potentially a richer and more promising path to growth than a three point monological sermon; and that engaging with Scripture and worship with children ought to be as natural as children around the dinner table. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a rich collection of case studies scattered through the book, but I especially appreciated Tim Waghorn's Melbourne innovation of offering weekly (rather than the usual monthly) Messy Church as a way of breaking down barriers and offering church accessibly for families, complete with media-guided worship (using common technology people are used to) and sensory engaging learning. Waghorn celebrates how Messy Church involves a wide range of lay leaders and does not rely on the hired holy person, but he also challenges Ministers to engage in Messy Church leadership, as a fast-track way of connecting and being accessible. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConvinced as I am that we desperately need more innovative and colourful expressions of church that are shaped around mission, there are important lessons to learn from Messy Church. We can continue to develop and multiply Messy Churches, but also boldly reinvent church in other surprising directions and reshapings. We need the kind of courage and creativity that characterizes Messy Church, but also the permission and resourcing that existing churches and sponsors have generously given. We need to unleash the creativity of all of God's people, and not be preoccupied with a particular inherited worship format or bound by reliance on hired holy people. As we experiment, messy does not mean sloppy as George Lings warns, and churches need to be careful about focusing on and evaluating discipleship and mission and our foundational values, as the Messy Church Theology authors have done.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI have my own unanswered curious question to ask of these Messy Church Theology writers. Their concern about discipleship seems to largely settle on utilizing and the 10 minute celebration teaching time, or increasing the frequency of gathering or adding extra programs or resources. But I would love to hear more about how Messy Church practitioners utilize their craft and hospitality times for disciple-making. What can we learn - or what do we need to learn better - about coming alongside people in the midst of activity and relationships, and as spiritual companions urging one another on as disciples? In what ways can we best be open to 'God moments' that Paul Moore urges us to be attentive to (p.243) in the midst of the 'create, chill, chomp and celebrate' (p.259) of Messy Church, or even everyday life?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe rich theological reflection, practical suggestions and inspiring case studies of Messy Church Theology is excellent reading for Messy Church practitioners, anyone having a go at all-age worship or outreach, or missional church leaders ready to learn from this growing movement. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarren Cronshaw, pastor of AuburnLife and Mission Catalyst - Researcher with the Baptist Union of Victoria. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is another well-presented, easy to read book from the Messy Church team.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral themes recur in the book. It inevitably considers the wider debate of Fresh Expressions of which Messy Church can be considered one aspect. Claire Dalpra and Steve Hollinghurst debate whether Messy Church is or is not 'church', with the theme reiterated throughout the book that Messy Church is not just another activity club, Sunday school or outreach project. To be 'church' it needs to demonstrate the four creedal marks of church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe debate around Fresh Expressions inevitably raises the issue of how adults can grow as disciples within Messy Church. Judy Paulsen uses data from her doctoral research study to look into this in some depth. Tim G. Waghorn suggests that although the teaching context should be robust and relevant to connect with families, adults are likely to be kept in a 'holding pattern' until there is something else for them to feed into. Bob Hopkins discusses a framework to make discipleship more intentional, while Beth Barnett proposes that it might not be necessary to consciously strive for maturity if the congregation enjoys a constant engagement with the Bible and the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Lings suggests that Messy Churches should be measured against the core values identified by Lucy Moore: hospitality, creativity, celebration and all-age, adding a fifth: Christ-centred.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is punctuated with case studies of individual Messy Church experiences, from the Messy Church Fiesta in Scotland, the 'Messy Angels' in Northern Ireland to the Messy Church in Hemel Hempstead for children with special needs and the Messy Church in the north-west of England with some useful ideas for reaching dads and engaging the boys. These all provide a useful snapshot of recent Messy Church developments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all books of this style, there are some articles that are more useful than others. But each of the varied selection of authors has written passionately about their different areas of expertise, providing some thought-provoking material. They look back on the story so far, celebrating what God has been doing, and looking ahead to debate what might make Messy Church even more effective for the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR News late September 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'...the people group who have been theologically marginalised and ignored the longest and most consistently to the present day are children. Week by week in our churches we continue to patronise them, silence them and ignore their attempts at reframing our faith. If they are asked to share their thinking at the end of our Sunday worship, we applaud their insights into the holy scriptures rather than learning from them. And yet, if we will look and listen, the drawings and sculptures and ideas and thinking of children in every church can enormously enrich what we know about God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis explosive paragraph, by Bishop Paul Bayes, is in line with the thought-provoking material written by all of the varied authors featured in this first-rate book. Read it if you are involved in the leadership of a Messy Church or if you want to deepen your understanding of how anyone can be helped to grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI will be referring to it often!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRona Orme - Peterborough Diocese Children's Missioner.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Salvationist, 7th June 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI AM naturally more at home preparing and doing Messy Church than I am 'theologising' about it! That being said, reading Messy Church Theology has given me insight into what has made Messy Church the phenomenon it has become over the past ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nWhile the heart of Messy Church itself is all about introducing families to Christ, the various contributors to this book seek to answer questions such as, 'When is Messy Church, church?' and 'Does Messy Church make disciples?' Some of the questions raised and concerns highlighted are very much rooted in its Anglican heritage and their use of liturgy and the sacraments. However, while these may not pose the same issues for The Salvation Army, most of us would be challenged that it should not be seen as just a bridge to our Sunday meeting congregations but as a church in its own right. I particularly enjoyed Paul Moore's analogy of likening church to the variety of Cheddar cheeses available in a supermarket: 'The mild looks like soap and probably tastes bland. The vintage looks cracked and crusty and may prove dangerously pungent but the point is that it is all sold as Cheddar cheese and it is all maturing. Similarly, in a healthy maturing church we can expect to have a range of Christian commitment and maturity, from new Christians through to vintage disciples, and even if there are more mild than mature members, it still constitutes real church if the members are working together to build one another up in Christ.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nAlthough tough at points, the overall read is worthwhile and will prove beneficial to anyone involved in leading Messy Church. Case studies give inspirational examples of good practice and tie the book together in showing how Messy Church successfully reaches people with the love of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Rachel Gotobed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Mission Network News\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter nearly 10 years Messy Church has grown considerably, with over 2000 churches registered worldwide. Such growth has generated much response and debate. A collection of essays from a range of contributors has been gathered in order to provide theological reflection that will explore the significance of Messy Church for individual discipleship and for the wider church. Any who wish to engage in a broader awareness of this, or who are questioning the long-term sustainability and impact of Messy Church, will find that the essays provide a framework for thought and debate.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church
£9.99
Messy Church Theology is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a...
{"id":2439772504164,"title":"Reproducing Churches","handle":"reproducing-churches","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book investigates the theological basis for church planting and creating fresh expressions of church. Based on extensive research, senior church planting authority George Lings argues that the church has a divine calling and capacity to reproduce, albeit in ways that are intentionally non-identical. Using the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as key passages throughout scripture, he shows how such reproduction fulfills the mission of God. The book also includes many practical examples drawn from church history, to help apply the message to congregations today.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: why this book?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 Different lenses, different views of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 Creation and covenant's mandate to reproduce\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 The reproductive strand in the kingdom and the Gospels\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 The Trinity and the Church seen as community-in-mission\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Looking to Jesus the pioneer\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Following Jesus in dying to live\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 The Holy Spirit and the surprises in reproduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 Christendom's eclipse of a reproducing Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Reproduction and the classic 'four marks' of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 The useful outworking of the reproductive strand\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Rehabilitating the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's Research Unit, which for 20 years has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church. He has written over 50 booklets on the evolving theory and practice of bringing to birth fresh expressions of church, through the Encounters On The Edge series, which had an international subscription base of 500. Moreover the content of his book proposal has been peer-tested for academic rigour for it rests upon the findings of a recent PhD.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:57+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:59+00:00","vendor":"George Lings","type":"Paperback","tags":["Kindle","Leadership","Mar-17","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769363980388,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464644","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Reproducing Churches - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":263,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464644","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238877462667,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis book investigates the theological basis for church planting and creating fresh expressions of church. Based on extensive research, senior church planting authority George Lings argues that the church has a divine calling and capacity to reproduce, albeit in ways that are intentionally non-identical. Using the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as key passages throughout scripture, he shows how such reproduction fulfills the mission of God. The book also includes many practical examples drawn from church history, to help apply the message to congregations today.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: why this book?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 Different lenses, different views of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 Creation and covenant's mandate to reproduce\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 The reproductive strand in the kingdom and the Gospels\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 The Trinity and the Church seen as community-in-mission\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Looking to Jesus the pioneer\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Following Jesus in dying to live\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 The Holy Spirit and the surprises in reproduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 Christendom's eclipse of a reproducing Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Reproduction and the classic 'four marks' of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 The useful outworking of the reproductive strand\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Rehabilitating the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's Research Unit, which for 20 years has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church. He has written over 50 booklets on the evolving theory and practice of bringing to birth fresh expressions of church, through the Encounters On The Edge series, which had an international subscription base of 500. Moreover the content of his book proposal has been peer-tested for academic rigour for it rests upon the findings of a recent PhD.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Reproducing Churches
£9.99
This book investigates the theological basis for church planting and creating fresh expressions of church. Based on extensive research, senior...
{"id":4853409153163,"title":"Seven Sacred Spaces: Portals to deeper community life in Christ","handle":"seven-sacred-spaces-portals-to-deeper-community-life-in-christ","description":"\u003cp\u003eToo often people’s understanding of and engagement with ‘church’ is reduced to corporate worship, when it is so much more. George Lings identifies seven characteristic elements in Christian communities through the ages, which when held in balance enable a richer expression of discipleship, mission and community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the monastic tradition these elements have distinctive locations: cell (being alone with God), chapel (corporate public worship), chapter (making decisions), cloister (planned and surprising meetings), garden (the place of work), refectory (food and hospitality) and scriptorium (study and passing on knowledge). Through this lens George Lings explores how these seven elements relate to our individual and communal walk with God, hold good for church and family life, and appear in wider society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHear more from George Lings in an interview with Fresh Expressions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe style=\"border: none; overflow: hidden;\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffreshexpression%2Fvideos%2F980536085782965%2F\u0026amp;show_text=0\u0026amp;width=560\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowtransparency=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanon Dr George Lings has been a banker, student, vicar, writer, mentor and researcher. From 1997 to 2017 he led Church Army’s Research Unit specialising in fresh expressions of church and gaining a PhD. In 2017 he was awarded the Canterbury Cross for outstanding service to the Church of England. He now serves as a companion of Northumbria Community, vice-president of The Bible Reading Fellowship and consultant to a number of individuals and dioceses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn weaving together ancient monastic wisdom, fresh insights from contemporary developments and the author’s rich experiences of the adventure of faith, Seven Sacred Spaces provides a valuable, timely and practical resource for all on the Jesus Way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Aisthorpe, author of The Invisible Church and mission development worker for the Church of Scotland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book is knowledgeable, quirky and inspirational. The seven sacred spaces are drawn from their monastic roots to provide a framework for discipleship, Christian community and wider human well-being. As someone who has long inhabited the seven sacred spaces in his own discipleship, George Lings enthuses about their potential, illustrating it from the experience of a variety of contemporary expressions of church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSally Gaze, archdeacon for rural mission and leader of the Lightwave Community, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is a radical, one who believes that we should explore the deep roots of faith if we are to live well. Seven Sacred Spaces distils the wisdom of decades of looking, listening, reflecting. Read it if you want to be a deep-rooted Christian today. I recommend it very, very highly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere we are presented with the challenging proposal that the rhythm of monastic life with its seven sacred spaces – refectory, cell, scriptorium, chapel, garden, cloister and chapter – does not need to be confined to the monastery. Rather it can shape and enrich the lives of men and women of all ages and in all states of life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSister Frances Dominica OBE, DL, founder of the first children’s hospice, Helen House\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book drew me into a world of monastic spaces and monastic practices. Exploring these seven spaces, with current and historic examples, helped me to reflect on the value of these distinctive modes and ways of being church. I highly recommend Seven Sacred Spaces to those who are interested in finding out more about monasticism and those imagining how church can develop alongside and beyond the Sunday service. It has certainly helped me to imagine how these spaces and practices could enhance discipleship, community and mission within my own context of a suburban parish church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar, All Saints Ecclesall Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is as perceptive and prophetic as ever, as he explores what the ancient idea of the seven sacred spaces means for us today. Much of this exploration comes out of George’s own experience and is all the richer for this. Whether you are thinking about your own life or your church community, this book is worth reading. There is a wealth of practical experience in this book which can bring change and transformation for you and your church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dave Male, director of evangelism and discipleship, Church of England\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn his typical thorough, imaginative and fair way, George Lings explores some essential disciplines from the ancient life and witness of the monastery, and he demonstrates how a grasp of these can radically affect how we live and witness for Christ in today’s culture. Anyone reading this will be inspired and challenged by reading George’s fascinating study of each of these sacred spaces.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Michael Mitton, writer, speaker, spiritual director, and canon emeritus at Derby Cathedral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur church and other ecclesial physical spaces are a crucial resource that we are once again beginning to value in our increasingly post-secular, post-Christendom context. I unreservedly recommend this book that draws on the story and purposes of Christians committed to radical community and Christian discipleship to reimagine church and church buildings for the reality of mission and ministry for today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIan Mobsby, assistant dean for fresh expressions in the Diocese of Southwark, guardian of the New Monastic Society of the Holy Trinity, and interim pioneer rector at Christ Church Southwark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-05-01T16:32:57+01:00","created_at":"2020-05-01T17:19:13+01:00","vendor":"George Lings","type":"Paperback","tags":["Group reading","Kindle","Leadership","Sep-20","Spirituality"],"price":1099,"price_min":1099,"price_max":1099,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":33575180533899,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469342","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Seven Sacred Spaces: Portals to deeper community life in Christ","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1099,"weight":260,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469342","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":7670218981515,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eToo often people’s understanding of and engagement with ‘church’ is reduced to corporate worship, when it is so much more. George Lings identifies seven characteristic elements in Christian communities through the ages, which when held in balance enable a richer expression of discipleship, mission and community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the monastic tradition these elements have distinctive locations: cell (being alone with God), chapel (corporate public worship), chapter (making decisions), cloister (planned and surprising meetings), garden (the place of work), refectory (food and hospitality) and scriptorium (study and passing on knowledge). Through this lens George Lings explores how these seven elements relate to our individual and communal walk with God, hold good for church and family life, and appear in wider society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHear more from George Lings in an interview with Fresh Expressions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe style=\"border: none; overflow: hidden;\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffreshexpression%2Fvideos%2F980536085782965%2F\u0026amp;show_text=0\u0026amp;width=560\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowtransparency=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanon Dr George Lings has been a banker, student, vicar, writer, mentor and researcher. From 1997 to 2017 he led Church Army’s Research Unit specialising in fresh expressions of church and gaining a PhD. In 2017 he was awarded the Canterbury Cross for outstanding service to the Church of England. He now serves as a companion of Northumbria Community, vice-president of The Bible Reading Fellowship and consultant to a number of individuals and dioceses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn weaving together ancient monastic wisdom, fresh insights from contemporary developments and the author’s rich experiences of the adventure of faith, Seven Sacred Spaces provides a valuable, timely and practical resource for all on the Jesus Way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Aisthorpe, author of The Invisible Church and mission development worker for the Church of Scotland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book is knowledgeable, quirky and inspirational. The seven sacred spaces are drawn from their monastic roots to provide a framework for discipleship, Christian community and wider human well-being. As someone who has long inhabited the seven sacred spaces in his own discipleship, George Lings enthuses about their potential, illustrating it from the experience of a variety of contemporary expressions of church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSally Gaze, archdeacon for rural mission and leader of the Lightwave Community, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is a radical, one who believes that we should explore the deep roots of faith if we are to live well. Seven Sacred Spaces distils the wisdom of decades of looking, listening, reflecting. Read it if you want to be a deep-rooted Christian today. I recommend it very, very highly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere we are presented with the challenging proposal that the rhythm of monastic life with its seven sacred spaces – refectory, cell, scriptorium, chapel, garden, cloister and chapter – does not need to be confined to the monastery. Rather it can shape and enrich the lives of men and women of all ages and in all states of life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSister Frances Dominica OBE, DL, founder of the first children’s hospice, Helen House\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book drew me into a world of monastic spaces and monastic practices. Exploring these seven spaces, with current and historic examples, helped me to reflect on the value of these distinctive modes and ways of being church. I highly recommend Seven Sacred Spaces to those who are interested in finding out more about monasticism and those imagining how church can develop alongside and beyond the Sunday service. It has certainly helped me to imagine how these spaces and practices could enhance discipleship, community and mission within my own context of a suburban parish church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar, All Saints Ecclesall Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is as perceptive and prophetic as ever, as he explores what the ancient idea of the seven sacred spaces means for us today. Much of this exploration comes out of George’s own experience and is all the richer for this. Whether you are thinking about your own life or your church community, this book is worth reading. There is a wealth of practical experience in this book which can bring change and transformation for you and your church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dave Male, director of evangelism and discipleship, Church of England\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn his typical thorough, imaginative and fair way, George Lings explores some essential disciplines from the ancient life and witness of the monastery, and he demonstrates how a grasp of these can radically affect how we live and witness for Christ in today’s culture. Anyone reading this will be inspired and challenged by reading George’s fascinating study of each of these sacred spaces.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Michael Mitton, writer, speaker, spiritual director, and canon emeritus at Derby Cathedral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur church and other ecclesial physical spaces are a crucial resource that we are once again beginning to value in our increasingly post-secular, post-Christendom context. I unreservedly recommend this book that draws on the story and purposes of Christians committed to radical community and Christian discipleship to reimagine church and church buildings for the reality of mission and ministry for today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIan Mobsby, assistant dean for fresh expressions in the Diocese of Southwark, guardian of the New Monastic Society of the Holy Trinity, and interim pioneer rector at Christ Church Southwark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Seven Sacred Spaces: Portals to deeper community life in Christ
£10.99
Too often people’s understanding of and engagement with ‘church’ is reduced to corporate worship, when it is so much more....