Children and families
Practical and user-friendly material and resources for church children's groups, Sunday Schools and midweek groups and more.
{"id":3178559209572,"title":"Seriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life","handle":"seriously-messy-making-space-for-families-to-talk-together-about-death-and-life","description":"\u003cspan\u003eWhen families experience bereavement and loss, it can be hard for the wider church community to know how best to support them. In this book, four experienced authors and practitioners offer inter-generational approaches for engaging with questions of death and life in a safe and supportive setting. The material guides church communities who are dealing with the death of loved ones and other situations of loss in talking together as a church family, in applying the Christian message of the resurrection in challenging situations, and in listening to each other and developing their own insights. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe opening chapters offer an easy-to-read overview of issues of death and dying, and why this is such an important topic for churches. Part 2 consists of a series of five short theological reflections, exploring traditional images and the language that Christians have always used when talking about death. The five Messy Church sessions in Part 3 continue these themes, each offering material for a two-hour all-age Messy Church service followed by a meal together.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003euthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRevd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt is Karl Jaspers Lecturer in Psychology and Spirituality at Ripon College Cuddesdon. She is also an associate minister in an Oxfordshire parish. Her other books include The Psychology of Christian Character Formation (SCM, 2015) and Thinking of You: A resource for the spiritual care of people with dementia (BRF, 2017).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2020. Review by Rona Orme\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough written for use in Messy Churches, this book is a gift to the whole church. The first half should be essential reading for everyone in ministry. Whether we are involved in children’s ministry or not, we all meet parents and grandparents and teachers who want advice on how to talk to children about death. Death cafés are becoming popular with older folk, but children need to have these conversations too. Most children have experience of death, so they need the vocabulary to reflect on it. A solid theological base underpins this thoughtful book, so it contains hope and wise advice. We are encouraged to face the difficult conversations rather than to avoid an upsetting subject. There are many helpful suggestions for this. The second half includes five full Messy Church sessions. These contain a wealth of ideas for discussing issues of decay, loss, remembering, hope and safe spaces, which could be used in many different settings. This book is a challenge to include discussion of death in our exploration of the fullness of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Rona Orme\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Review by Martine Oborne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen my son was a teenager, he was in hospital after an accident. A friend sent him a Get Well card, and I opened it for him and read out the message: ‘Get messy soon!’ I asked my son what this meant. Was it anything to do with making dens, water fights, or craft activities? ‘No,’ he replied. ‘It means “Let’s go out and get drunk.”’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, when I saw the title of this book, I thought, at first, that it was about teenage drinking. But it’s not that kind of messy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church, an initiative that has been going for about 15 years in the UK, seeks to provide a church experience for families who have not found other forms of church engaging. It usually involves paint, glue, glitter, and other messy substances, as craft activities are set up to explore a particular Christian theme or message; and this book is \u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy \u003c\/em\u003ebecause it addresses a serious subject: death. Is Messy Church a format that can be used to do that?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into three parts. The first gives an overview of the topic and touches on some of the reasons that we find it so challenging to think and talk about death. Part 2 comprises five short theological reflections on how Christians talk about death: remembering; saying goodbye and hello; sleeping tight; being loved and finding safe spaces. Part 3 sets out five Messy Church sessions with suggestions for activities and ‘celebrations’ that could be used as church services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two parts I found helpful, and the whole concept of encouraging intergenerational conversation about death seems a good thing. I struggled, however, with Part 3: some of the activities struck me as too much ‘fun’ for the serious nature of the subject. I could not imagine doing them with someone still in the very raw and early stages of a bereavement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNone the less, I recommend the book. It sets out the theological framework that underpins our\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristian hope — that death is not the end, that we do not go into that last goodnight alone, that love triumphs over death. And it encourages us to find ways both to hear people’s doubts and fears and also to bring hope and comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Martine Oborne, Vicar of St Michael’s, Chiswick, in London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 18.10.19. Review by Karen Murphy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church initiative has been something of a revolution over the past few years with its focus on providing an appropriate and useful space for [people of all ages] to explore spirituality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy\u003c\/em\u003e is a fascinating book, developing the theme of spiritual exploration through practical and creative ideas that should be warmly welcomed by faith communities. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTalking about death and our mortality is unfamiliar territory for our society. We are inclined to ignore the inevitable and pretend it ‘doesn’t mean us’. My experience in hospice chaplaincy is that older people, particularly, become anxious and fearful as the prospect of death draws nearer. It’s not unusual for someone in their 80s or 90s to close down a conversation about funeral\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eplanning and wishes for the future with considerable abruptness. I have also observed that younger patients are more willing to engage with the death and dying conversation as a general rule and see it as a practical duty in some respects to get things sorted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeriously Messy offers an excellent range of ideas, thought-provoking activities and creative ways in which conversations about death and dying can be encouraged. The ideas are presented with clarity and sensitivity, there is recognition of the potential difficulties of engaging in these conversations, but the authors build into the activities thoughtful ways of acknowledging the need for boundaries and safety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonally, I will be using some of these ideas in our hospice reflective sessions with patients and families. These are usually people who are able to face the reality of facing their death. I can certainly commend the value of using this resource in worship, church groups and community projects such as ‘death cafes’ or bereavement support groups. This resource encourages us all to think about our mortality. Although we know it will happen to us all, death remains the taboo subject that raises fears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors of Seriously Messy have created an excellent means of encouraging conversation around this most sensitive of subjects, and I completely commend it to our faith communities as a means of demystifying the one thing we are certain of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Karen Murphy is a chaplain to Weston Hospicecare Ltd.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-03-26T14:55:47+00:00","created_at":"2019-03-26T14:57:50+00:00","vendor":"Joanna Collicutt","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jun-19","Kindle","Messy Church books","Pastoral care"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"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":26075616051300,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468239","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Seriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":600,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468239"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3264195559563,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1570103142"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1570103142","width":427}],"content":"\u003cspan\u003eWhen families experience bereavement and loss, it can be hard for the wider church community to know how best to support them. In this book, four experienced authors and practitioners offer inter-generational approaches for engaging with questions of death and life in a safe and supportive setting. The material guides church communities who are dealing with the death of loved ones and other situations of loss in talking together as a church family, in applying the Christian message of the resurrection in challenging situations, and in listening to each other and developing their own insights. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe opening chapters offer an easy-to-read overview of issues of death and dying, and why this is such an important topic for churches. Part 2 consists of a series of five short theological reflections, exploring traditional images and the language that Christians have always used when talking about death. The five Messy Church sessions in Part 3 continue these themes, each offering material for a two-hour all-age Messy Church service followed by a meal together.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003euthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRevd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt is Karl Jaspers Lecturer in Psychology and Spirituality at Ripon College Cuddesdon. She is also an associate minister in an Oxfordshire parish. Her other books include The Psychology of Christian Character Formation (SCM, 2015) and Thinking of You: A resource for the spiritual care of people with dementia (BRF, 2017).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2020. Review by Rona Orme\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough written for use in Messy Churches, this book is a gift to the whole church. The first half should be essential reading for everyone in ministry. Whether we are involved in children’s ministry or not, we all meet parents and grandparents and teachers who want advice on how to talk to children about death. Death cafés are becoming popular with older folk, but children need to have these conversations too. Most children have experience of death, so they need the vocabulary to reflect on it. A solid theological base underpins this thoughtful book, so it contains hope and wise advice. We are encouraged to face the difficult conversations rather than to avoid an upsetting subject. There are many helpful suggestions for this. The second half includes five full Messy Church sessions. These contain a wealth of ideas for discussing issues of decay, loss, remembering, hope and safe spaces, which could be used in many different settings. This book is a challenge to include discussion of death in our exploration of the fullness of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Rona Orme\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Review by Martine Oborne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen my son was a teenager, he was in hospital after an accident. A friend sent him a Get Well card, and I opened it for him and read out the message: ‘Get messy soon!’ I asked my son what this meant. Was it anything to do with making dens, water fights, or craft activities? ‘No,’ he replied. ‘It means “Let’s go out and get drunk.”’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, when I saw the title of this book, I thought, at first, that it was about teenage drinking. But it’s not that kind of messy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church, an initiative that has been going for about 15 years in the UK, seeks to provide a church experience for families who have not found other forms of church engaging. It usually involves paint, glue, glitter, and other messy substances, as craft activities are set up to explore a particular Christian theme or message; and this book is \u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy \u003c\/em\u003ebecause it addresses a serious subject: death. Is Messy Church a format that can be used to do that?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into three parts. The first gives an overview of the topic and touches on some of the reasons that we find it so challenging to think and talk about death. Part 2 comprises five short theological reflections on how Christians talk about death: remembering; saying goodbye and hello; sleeping tight; being loved and finding safe spaces. Part 3 sets out five Messy Church sessions with suggestions for activities and ‘celebrations’ that could be used as church services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two parts I found helpful, and the whole concept of encouraging intergenerational conversation about death seems a good thing. I struggled, however, with Part 3: some of the activities struck me as too much ‘fun’ for the serious nature of the subject. I could not imagine doing them with someone still in the very raw and early stages of a bereavement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNone the less, I recommend the book. It sets out the theological framework that underpins our\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChristian hope — that death is not the end, that we do not go into that last goodnight alone, that love triumphs over death. And it encourages us to find ways both to hear people’s doubts and fears and also to bring hope and comfort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Martine Oborne, Vicar of St Michael’s, Chiswick, in London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 18.10.19. Review by Karen Murphy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church initiative has been something of a revolution over the past few years with its focus on providing an appropriate and useful space for [people of all ages] to explore spirituality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy\u003c\/em\u003e is a fascinating book, developing the theme of spiritual exploration through practical and creative ideas that should be warmly welcomed by faith communities. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTalking about death and our mortality is unfamiliar territory for our society. We are inclined to ignore the inevitable and pretend it ‘doesn’t mean us’. My experience in hospice chaplaincy is that older people, particularly, become anxious and fearful as the prospect of death draws nearer. It’s not unusual for someone in their 80s or 90s to close down a conversation about funeral\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eplanning and wishes for the future with considerable abruptness. I have also observed that younger patients are more willing to engage with the death and dying conversation as a general rule and see it as a practical duty in some respects to get things sorted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeriously Messy offers an excellent range of ideas, thought-provoking activities and creative ways in which conversations about death and dying can be encouraged. The ideas are presented with clarity and sensitivity, there is recognition of the potential difficulties of engaging in these conversations, but the authors build into the activities thoughtful ways of acknowledging the need for boundaries and safety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonally, I will be using some of these ideas in our hospice reflective sessions with patients and families. These are usually people who are able to face the reality of facing their death. I can certainly commend the value of using this resource in worship, church groups and community projects such as ‘death cafes’ or bereavement support groups. This resource encourages us all to think about our mortality. Although we know it will happen to us all, death remains the taboo subject that raises fears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors of Seriously Messy have created an excellent means of encouraging conversation around this most sensitive of subjects, and I completely commend it to our faith communities as a means of demystifying the one thing we are certain of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Karen Murphy is a chaplain to Weston Hospicecare Ltd.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Seriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life
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When families experience bereavement and loss, it can be hard for the wider church community to know how best to...
{"id":2439795900516,"title":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches","handle":"messy-church-does-science-100-sizzling-science-based-ideas-for-messy-churches","description":"\u003ch3\u003eHelping Messy Church leaders use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn popular culture there is a perceived conflict between science and faith, yet in many ways scientific understanding can enhance faith. This resource offers Messy Churches the tools to use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith; demonstrate that science and faith are complementary; and enable children and adults alike to appreciate the wonder of creation. 100 sizzling ideas from a range of contributors provide inspiration for the Bible-based activities element of Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 \u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eKate Toogood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAlister McGrath\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 \u003cstrong\u003eEarth, stars and space\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMavis Crispin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eTim Middleton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 \u003cstrong\u003eAir\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eChris Hudson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNaomi Brehm\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 \u003cstrong\u003eLight and colour\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eNeil Hunt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAnna Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 \u003cstrong\u003eHuman body\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAlex Bunn\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAmy Johnson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 \u003cstrong\u003ePlants\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eGraham Hartland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJennifer Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 \u003cstrong\u003eAnimals\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAndy Gosler\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eLesley Gray\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 \u003cstrong\u003ePower and energy\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003ePaul Osborne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eHannah Earnshaw\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 \u003cstrong\u003eTransformations and reactions\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNick Higgs\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 \u003cstrong\u003eTime and measurement\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJoanna Collicutt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevd Dr David Gregory is Senior Minister of Croxley Green Baptist Church and as 'Dr Dave' leads a Messy Church Science Lab as part of a monthly Messy Church. He has a background in physics, astronomy, meteorology and climate, and continues to take an interest in science, offering talks on connections between science and faith, as well as weather and climate change, to schools, churches and community groups. He is the 2017-18 Vice-President of the Baptist Union.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am going to buy several copies of this book for friends active in Messy Church or any children's work. It is a resource with 100 science-based activities with much potential for all children, but particularly for engaging the 7-11 age group and boys. These are groups commonly relishing a richer diet than paper-based sitting-down activities, and for them this book will be invaluable. An additional feature is that the activities are interspersed with 10 short articles by Christian scientists - forming a compelling antidote to the lingering misconception that science and faith do not mix. They offer examples of science enriching the wonders of faith to inspire the leaders embarking on these 'wow' activities with children. I will be interested to see in practice how the links suggested with Bible and faith topics work - I wonder if some are somewhat contrived. God's work and god's word both speak to us, sometimes separately and sometimes together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvangelicals Now. Review by 'JEB'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI love a home-grown science experiment for a children's talk in church with fascinates both adults and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource from the Bible Reading Fellowship is full of ideas for pastors, youth leaders and whoever, whether you do 'Messy Church' or not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are experiments and illustrative demonstrations concerning water, space, air, light, the human body, plants, animals, energy and more. Some of the experiments take just a couple of minutes, others are spread over weeks, with easy-to-follow instructions and all are followed by a suggested spiritual application. Dispersed throughout the book are short testimonies from practising scientists and lecturers (like Alister McGrath), mainly aimed at overcoming the idea that science and faith are enemies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e... a very helpful resource for those who like to do a little 'hands-on' science in church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by 'JEB'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:33+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:34+00:00","vendor":"David Gregory","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jun-17","Messy Church books","PDF"],"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":21769704407140,"title":"Spiral bound","option1":"Spiral bound","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465795","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches - Spiral bound","public_title":"Spiral bound","options":["Spiral bound"],"price":999,"weight":453,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465795"},{"id":24427567448164,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD5795","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":8942899986532,"product_id":2439795900516,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T14:00:27+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-20T14:00:27+00:00","alt":null,"width":458,"height":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1550671227","variant_ids":[24427567448164]},"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":999,"weight":453,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"DOWNLOAD5795","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3259455701131,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1570102195"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1549043138","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1550671227"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1549043138","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238879592587,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":458},{"alt":null,"id":3259455701131,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1570102195"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1570102195","width":458}],"content":"\u003ch3\u003eHelping Messy Church leaders use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn popular culture there is a perceived conflict between science and faith, yet in many ways scientific understanding can enhance faith. This resource offers Messy Churches the tools to use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith; demonstrate that science and faith are complementary; and enable children and adults alike to appreciate the wonder of creation. 100 sizzling ideas from a range of contributors provide inspiration for the Bible-based activities element of Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 \u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eKate Toogood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAlister McGrath\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 \u003cstrong\u003eEarth, stars and space\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMavis Crispin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eTim Middleton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 \u003cstrong\u003eAir\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eChris Hudson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNaomi Brehm\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 \u003cstrong\u003eLight and colour\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eNeil Hunt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAnna Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 \u003cstrong\u003eHuman body\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAlex Bunn\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAmy Johnson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 \u003cstrong\u003ePlants\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eGraham Hartland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJennifer Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 \u003cstrong\u003eAnimals\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAndy Gosler\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eLesley Gray\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 \u003cstrong\u003ePower and energy\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003ePaul Osborne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eHannah Earnshaw\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 \u003cstrong\u003eTransformations and reactions\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNick Higgs\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 \u003cstrong\u003eTime and measurement\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJoanna Collicutt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevd Dr David Gregory is Senior Minister of Croxley Green Baptist Church and as 'Dr Dave' leads a Messy Church Science Lab as part of a monthly Messy Church. He has a background in physics, astronomy, meteorology and climate, and continues to take an interest in science, offering talks on connections between science and faith, as well as weather and climate change, to schools, churches and community groups. He is the 2017-18 Vice-President of the Baptist Union.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am going to buy several copies of this book for friends active in Messy Church or any children's work. It is a resource with 100 science-based activities with much potential for all children, but particularly for engaging the 7-11 age group and boys. These are groups commonly relishing a richer diet than paper-based sitting-down activities, and for them this book will be invaluable. An additional feature is that the activities are interspersed with 10 short articles by Christian scientists - forming a compelling antidote to the lingering misconception that science and faith do not mix. They offer examples of science enriching the wonders of faith to inspire the leaders embarking on these 'wow' activities with children. I will be interested to see in practice how the links suggested with Bible and faith topics work - I wonder if some are somewhat contrived. God's work and god's word both speak to us, sometimes separately and sometimes together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvangelicals Now. Review by 'JEB'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI love a home-grown science experiment for a children's talk in church with fascinates both adults and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource from the Bible Reading Fellowship is full of ideas for pastors, youth leaders and whoever, whether you do 'Messy Church' or not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are experiments and illustrative demonstrations concerning water, space, air, light, the human body, plants, animals, energy and more. Some of the experiments take just a couple of minutes, others are spread over weeks, with easy-to-follow instructions and all are followed by a suggested spiritual application. Dispersed throughout the book are short testimonies from practising scientists and lecturers (like Alister McGrath), mainly aimed at overcoming the idea that science and faith are enemies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e... a very helpful resource for those who like to do a little 'hands-on' science in church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by 'JEB'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches
£9.99
Helping Messy Church leaders use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith In popular culture there is a perceived...
{"id":2439787118692,"title":"Messy Parables: 25 retellings for all ages","handle":"messy-parables-25-retellings-for-all-ages","description":"\u003cp\u003eJesus' parables intrigued, inspired, engaged and challenged the crowds, combining everyday imagery with surprising twists that prompted all ages to wonder and discover the treasures of the kingdom of heaven for themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough 25 tried-and-tested retellings, together with sections on the importance of story, the power of parable, the challenge of all-age storytelling and becoming a Messy storyteller, this resource communicates the immediacy and relevance of Jesus' message for Messy congregations today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart 1: All about storytelling\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe importance of story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe power of parable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe challenge of all-age storytelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecoming a messy storyteller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart 2: Messy parables\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Messy baking: The parable of the yeast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 Messy bridesmaids: The parable of the ten young women\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 Messy brothers: The parable of the two sons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Messy builders: The parable of the wise and foolish builders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy choices: The parable of the rich man and Lazarus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy coins: The parable of the lost coin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 Messy contracts: The parable of the workers in the vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 Messy excuses: The parable of the great banquet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy families: The parable of the prodigal son\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy fishing: The parable of the fish caught in the net\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 Messy forgiveness: The parable of the unforgiving servant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 Messy friends: The parable of the friend at midnight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e13 Messy gifts: The parable of the talents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14 Messy harvest: The parable of the wheat and the weeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e15 Messy justice: The parable of the widow and the judge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e16 Messy livestock: The parable of the lost sheep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e17 Messy market day: The parable of the sheep and the goats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e18 Messy motives: The parable of the shrewd manager\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e19 Messy riches: The parable of the man who built bigger barns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e20 Messy seeds: The parable of the mustard seed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e21 Messy soils: The parable of the sower\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e22 Messy tenants: The parable of the tenants and the vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e23 Messy travellers: The parable of the good Samaritan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e24 Messy treasures: The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e25 Messy words: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePostscript: A parable about Messy Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore retiring in 2017, Martyn Payne was BRF's Messy Church researcher. His role was to visit Messy Churches up and down the UK, listening to the stories of how Messy Church is developing, networking good practice and bringing encouragement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe has a background in Bible storytelling and leading all-age worship and is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartyn, who is a qualified teacher, worked with BRF for over twelve years contributing to training and resources and leading Barnabas RE days; prior to this he worked with the Church Mission Society as its national children's work coordinator. His books include A-cross the World (2004), Footsteps to the Feast (2007), Where in the World? (2012), The Big Story (2011), Creative Ways to tell a Bible Story (2013) and The Barnabas Family Bible (2014).\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:00+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:01+00:00","vendor":"Martyn Payne","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jun-17","Messy Church books","PDF"],"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":21769592307812,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465504","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Parables: 25 retellings for all ages - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465504"},{"id":24423429472356,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD5504","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":8940041404516,"product_id":2439787118692,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T11:35:10+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-20T11:35:10+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD5504.jpg?v=1550662510","variant_ids":[24423429472356]},"available":true,"name":"Messy Parables: 25 retellings for all ages - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":999,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"DOWNLOAD5504","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3259440889995,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD5504.jpg?v=1570102191"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465504-l.jpg?v=1549043145","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD5504.jpg?v=1550662510"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465504-l.jpg?v=1549043145","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878904459,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465504-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465504-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":427},{"alt":null,"id":3259440889995,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD5504.jpg?v=1570102191"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD5504.jpg?v=1570102191","width":427}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eJesus' parables intrigued, inspired, engaged and challenged the crowds, combining everyday imagery with surprising twists that prompted all ages to wonder and discover the treasures of the kingdom of heaven for themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough 25 tried-and-tested retellings, together with sections on the importance of story, the power of parable, the challenge of all-age storytelling and becoming a Messy storyteller, this resource communicates the immediacy and relevance of Jesus' message for Messy congregations today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart 1: All about storytelling\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe importance of story\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe power of parable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe challenge of all-age storytelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecoming a messy storyteller\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart 2: Messy parables\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 Messy baking: The parable of the yeast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2 Messy bridesmaids: The parable of the ten young women\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3 Messy brothers: The parable of the two sons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e4 Messy builders: The parable of the wise and foolish builders\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy choices: The parable of the rich man and Lazarus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy coins: The parable of the lost coin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e7 Messy contracts: The parable of the workers in the vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 Messy excuses: The parable of the great banquet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy families: The parable of the prodigal son\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy fishing: The parable of the fish caught in the net\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e11 Messy forgiveness: The parable of the unforgiving servant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e12 Messy friends: The parable of the friend at midnight\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e13 Messy gifts: The parable of the talents\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e14 Messy harvest: The parable of the wheat and the weeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e15 Messy justice: The parable of the widow and the judge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e16 Messy livestock: The parable of the lost sheep\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e17 Messy market day: The parable of the sheep and the goats\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e18 Messy motives: The parable of the shrewd manager\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e19 Messy riches: The parable of the man who built bigger barns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e20 Messy seeds: The parable of the mustard seed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e21 Messy soils: The parable of the sower\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e22 Messy tenants: The parable of the tenants and the vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e23 Messy travellers: The parable of the good Samaritan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e24 Messy treasures: The parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e25 Messy words: The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePostscript: A parable about Messy Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore retiring in 2017, Martyn Payne was BRF's Messy Church researcher. His role was to visit Messy Churches up and down the UK, listening to the stories of how Messy Church is developing, networking good practice and bringing encouragement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe has a background in Bible storytelling and leading all-age worship and is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartyn, who is a qualified teacher, worked with BRF for over twelve years contributing to training and resources and leading Barnabas RE days; prior to this he worked with the Church Mission Society as its national children's work coordinator. His books include A-cross the World (2004), Footsteps to the Feast (2007), Where in the World? (2012), The Big Story (2011), Creative Ways to tell a Bible Story (2013) and The Barnabas Family Bible (2014).\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Messy Parables: 25 retellings for all ages
£9.99
Jesus' parables intrigued, inspired, engaged and challenged the crowds, combining everyday imagery with surprising twists that prompted all ages to...
{"id":2439744979044,"title":"Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community","handle":"making-disciples-in-messy-church-growing-faith-in-an-all-age-community","description":"\u003cp\u003eMessy Church has been widely and enthusiastically adopted as a proven and effective way of introducing families to an experience of Christian community and the good news of Jesus. Sceptics ask, 'Are people becoming Christians through Messy Church?' The evidence is clear that they are. But the next challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church also nurture their faith and make these converts into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of this book, by telling stories, analysing the journey to faith, and reflecting on what being a disciple means and the various methods of making disciples found in scripture and church tradition, is to encourage ministers and lay leaders to see how their Messy Church can be an intentional disciple-making community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore writes...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a Thursday afternoon back in 2004 when the first ever Messy Church took place at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, near Portsmouth, where I am vicar. Our prayer was to introduce people to Jesus by providing a positive, fun-filled experience of Christian community for families who rarely, if ever, go to a traditional church service. Back then, we had no idea that Messy Church would develop and spread the way it has done from Shetland to Cornwall and from Alaska to Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut it's one thing to be able to draw a crowd; are people becoming Christians through Messy Church? Praise God, the answer is definitely, 'Yes'. The key challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church nurture the faith of these new believers and make them into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn my new book \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e I aim to\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ehelp church leaders to grasp how Messy Church really can become a disciple-making community, provided we go about it in a deliberate way. To help us become more intentional, the book contains insightful stories and tips from the experience of Messy Churches in the UK and abroad. It provides some tools to enable us to chart what may be a long journey towards faith for families who have little or no Christian background, so that we can offer people the right support and encouragement at the various stages of their journey into discipleship. It also explores what becoming and growing as a disciple means today, looking at the different ways in which disciples were made in Old and New Testament times and later in the history of the church in various contexts. Out of this come recommendations for leaders and questions for further thought and creativity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt's amazing to see how God is using Messy Church to bless people and draw them to Jesus. I hope this book will be an encouragement to all who are involved in leading and helping in Messy Churches to reflect on the wonderful stuff God is doing\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs Messy Church making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat are disciples and how are they made?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOld Testament discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJesus and discipleship in the Gospels: kingdom community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciples in Acts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciple - making in the Epistles and Revelation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA community discipleship curriculum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn alternative - catechesis then and now\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntergenerational discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and faith at home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForeword\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a gift from God, one of the Holy Spirit's wonderful surprises, where a step of faith by one very ordinary church has opened the way for more than a thousand others to engage with families who had no serious connection to a church. No one anticipated that the story publicised in the first Fresh Expressions DVD in 2006 would take on such a life of its own. Messy Church is now a movement in its own right, within the wider Fresh Expressions movement. This book, from Paul Moore, the vicar of that church, presents insights from the oldest member of this young family of churches. They are insights from which all who are committed to disciple-making can benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose who have been unsure of Messy Church, who would like it to be less messy, and who wonder if it really is church, have frequently raised the question of discipleship. How can you possibly make disciples among all that mess, especially if you meet just once per month? On the contrary, I have always believed that Messy Church is as valid a fresh expression of church as any of the many other models and examples. Because of this, I have always been convinced that the secrets of making disciples through Messy Church lay within the gift itself, in the DNA of the original idea given by the Holy Spirit, and that they would emerge over time. The temptation to bolt on ideas from a different model in order to answer questions or solve apparent problems about disciple-making has always been misguided. It is also evidence of impatience. As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years, the secrets have begun to be revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church world is not closed to learning from other sources. Paul draws helpfully from Scripture, from ancient tradition, from other mission practitioners and researchers, from educational theory and from the worldwide Messy family. But, above all, he draws from the underlying values of Messy Church. He tells us not so much how to make disciples through Messy Church as how to create Messy Church as a disciple-making culture, which is much more important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe sets realistic expectations about the time it takes to journey from no church connection to active faith. He robustly defends intergenerational learning. He wants parents equipped to take responsibility for their children's spiritual development, and team members to see Messy Church as their church, not just the place where they volunteer once a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suspect that there may be even more to be unpacked from this surprising gift over the coming years, but for now this will do very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Graham Cray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArchbishops' Missioner and Leader of the Fresh Expressions Team\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten with clarity and conviction, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and helpful book for a movement that is deeply serious about discipleship. Drawing on biblical, monastic and catechetical approaches, the book contains much wisdom and inspiration for those seeking to make disciples in all forms of church, not just the phenomenon that is Messy Church. The affirmation of the places of family and community in discipleship formation is especially welcome. I warmly and wholeheartedly commend this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Andrew Roberts, Methodist Minister and Director of Training for Fresh Expressions \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscipleship is probably the biggest single issue the Church needs to grapple with in our present times. This book has some vital things to say on this central issue, not only to those interested in Messy Church but to all churches. My advice would be: read it, think about what you read and then apply it in your own situation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Male, Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning, Cambridge \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is growing from a single fresh expression of church into a whole movement of mission. Making Disciples in Messy Church brings vital wisdom culled from scripture and from experience to all involved in making disciples. Its lessons are vital for all those engaged in Messy Church and for all those involved in making disciples.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church movement is fantastic, helping connect people to Christ and his church through community and creativity. Paul has been on the journey with Messy Church since the start, and in this fascinating book shows how Messy Church is not only reaching people with the Gospel, it is raising up disciples across the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Canon Mark Russell, CEO Church Army \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA joy to read and a contemporary Epistle from a Paul of our time, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and essential read for all who are serious about building upon the good connections to the local community made through Messy Church and seeking how to making disciples in our contemporary age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Stephen Lindridge, Fresh Expressions Methodist Connexional Missioner \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore writes out of first-hand experience. To this he brings deeper and wider thought. The book brings disparate things together in one place: various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship, lively material from a wide range of Scripture, some ecumenical perspectives and sensible questions to ponder. It ends with solid practical suggestions and knocks on the head the critique that Messy Church has no answers to questions of discipleship. It deserves to be read and applied.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e George Lings, Director of the Sheffield Centre\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul Moore is a member of the team that launched Messy Church in 2004. Paul is Archdeacon for Mission Development in Winchester Diocese.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis interesting book delves further into the thorny issue of whether Messy Church really makes disciples. To do this, Paul Moore asks what disciples are and how they are really made, as well as showing how Messy Church moves people onto the discipleship journey. He then carries out a survey of discipleship in the Bible, applying the models he finds there to the practice of Messy Church. It's a good attempt to drill down into a difficult area in order to make sure that Messy Church is not only fun but fruitful. Once again, the connections for All Age Worship of every kind are obvious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes the balance between describing discipleship patterns in the Bible and actually applying them to Messy Church is too heavily weighted in favour of the former. As a book simply on biblical patterns of discipleship, it is not really sufficient. The real value lies in the application to Messy Church, and I feel more space and depth of analysis could have been given to that application. Each chapter ends with questions for further reflection. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Magnet Summer 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore was part of the team that launched the first Messy Church in 2004. Since then Messy Church has spread worldwide as an intergenerational movement. Bishop Graham Cray in his foreword says, 'As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years the secrets have begun to be revealed.' Moore reveals some of these 'secrets' and shows how Messy Church has become a disciple-making phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those sceptical about the worth of Messy Church, this book should be read. Paul convincingly explores the journey of discipleship through biblical, monastic and early church material and draws on various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship. After much thoughtful and clearly stated discussion on this important issue he concludes. 'I believe there are lots of good reasons why age-segregated discipleship groups is not necessarily the best way to go. I believe we should persevere with intentional intergenerational disciple-making in our Messy Churches and see how God makes us grow as disciples together'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Tania Brosnan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Simon Martin in Country Way - January 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important book, not least because messy churches, and church leaders more widely, are increasingly asking questions like:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre people coming to faith through Messy Church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs it making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan it justify its claim to be a church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOr is it just a form of pre - evangelism - a bridge to something deeper, perhaps an Alpha course, and then graduation to Sunday church attendance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Of course, these questions are just as urgent and relevant for traditional or inherited forms of church!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the key things considered in Making Disciples in Messy Church is what discipleship looks like for people with messy lives, as Messy Churches are genuinely attracting large numbers of non - churchgoers. Not just children, but teenagers and adults - both the children's family members and others; not just fringe members - but people who have never been to a church. As Messy Church grows, collectively and individually those involved are having to face up to the need for nurture and discipleship for this disparate group of would - be believers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of discipleship in the contemporary world, rural people and communities are not much different to those in this book. There are recognised issues to do with the nature of small, relatively close - knit communities that may affect the way rural churches engage in evangelism and mission; but most of the key elements of the process of Messy Discipleship outlined above are very important in rural circumstances: suspicion of traditional church, a need to identify and become involved, a desire to support something that is of clear benefit to their children, an appreciation of the holistic and communal elements of becoming part of a Messy Church 'family'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a great deal more to this book than just these things. It considers several potential models of discipleship that might be appropriate (community discipleship, a catechetical approach, intergenerational discipleship, and discipleship within the family); and it lays firm biblical foundations for discipleship from both Old and New Testaments. There is also some more theoretical background on how people come to faith and how their faith develops. Making Disciples in Messy Church is not the whole answer, but it is a vital and readable tool in helping all of us work out what is appropriate in our own places. Read it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Childrenswork magazine - December 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e provides wisdom and theological support for the successful movement of Messy Church. If those two words (Messy Church) don't mean anything to you then I'd encourage you to read the book and learn more about a God-given strategy for doing all-age church. For those of you, like myself, who are already involved in leading some form of Messy Church expression, then you might find this reasonably light read useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertainly, some of the questions posed at the end of every chapter are provocative and helpful. However, I often found myself asking, who is this book written for? Children's workers? Clergy? Or just those who work at Messy Church HQ? But for a quick read and a book that starts and finishes well, I'd recommend it. Certainly if you're asking the question, 'How do we pass our faith on from one generation to another?' - then it's for you. And if you're not asking that question, perhaps you should be!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Diocese of Gloucester Clergy Bulletin - July 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the questions often asked about 'Messy Church' are 'Is it really church?' 'Doesn't it just entertain people on the fringes of the church?' 'How can such a simple approach actually help people become disciples?' Paul Moore, who with his wife Lucy began Messy Church at St Wilfred's, Cowplain, seeks to address these questions in this book. It's very readable and straight-forward but has some very profound things to say about how people become disciples with lessons on making disciples whether or not you are doing 'Messy Church'. He presents a very helpful overview of how the Bible shows disciples being made in a variety of contexts. He also looks at ideas such as catechesis and inter-generational discipleship. Along the way there are helpful insights into the ways people come to faith, the importance of relationships and involvement in helping people learn and grow, how different learning styles need to be considered. He argues that the Messy Church approach addresses many of these challenges. This book will help those doing 'Messy Church' to think through what they are doing and how it can make disciples but it will help everyone think about how we are seeking to make disciples too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Brian Parfitt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 2 August 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen a Christian community begins to form, requests for baptism and possibly holy communion often follow. Requests for support in growing disciples in an all-age community has resulted in \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e by Paul Moore. He responds to the claim that messy churches are not real church communities with examples of how families have come to faith through messy church, although some would unfairly question his definition of church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant number of those attending messy church have little or no church background. Moore offers a helpful beginners' guide to faith development, as participants move through stages of openness to, and spiritual awareness of, God. He makes a strong biblical case for the part played by the all-age community of the church in discipleship and formation, while recognising the substantial commitment of time and resources that effective discipleship demands. \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e would be an excellent resource for PCC members who are engaging with issues of mission and evangelism in general, as well as required reading for those who lead a messy church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Dana Delap is Assistant Curate of St James and St Basil, Fenham, in the diocese of Newcastle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Pobl Dewi - June 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book of 120 pages divides into three. The first section looks at what it means to be growing as disciples of Jesus and where this might be happening in Messy Church. The second considers discipleship in scripture and how that might affect Messy Church. The third offers recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrototype disciples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are familiar with models of discipleship, the first section will probably offer little that is new, and 'success' stories from elsewhere are not always encouraging. The central section gives much food for thought: Abraham and Sarah as prototype disciples and the messiness of their situations; how, in the Old Testament, growing in discipleship was done with others, as a people. Community is a recurring strand, and the 'doing together' element of Messy Church does help to build relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do we grow a community of disciples, rather than concentrating on the individual? Jesus and the apostles formed a community that teaches us to model discipleship where responsibility is given early, and where learning is, initially, largely through experience and doing. Similarly in Acts, it is argued, baptism comes early to the disciple, followed quickly by doing and serving; catechesis comes only later. Does Messy Church mirror that of the epistles in being more rooted in the everyday and less- focussed on 'the special'? It's not just about Sunday morning - there is a space for hospitality and serving and not just for worship services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conclusions are well drawn and they are valid for all work across generations. If you are not a fan of Messy Church, the book's subtitle, 'Growing faith in an all age community' is surely something we are all interested in. However good the recommendations, the temptation to jump straight to the end and miss out the central discussion is worth resisting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelting pot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI admit to having been predisposed to recommend this book. I was already convinced that the principles of Messy Church are simple, achievable by most congregations, and that they can create the melting pot of church and community in which disciples might grow. I was hoping for ideas to add to my Messy Church to encourage that growing of disciples. (And the book did challenge me about the need to be 'intentional about faith building.') So, did I get some ideas? Yes. Very much so. The book assumes that there is a core team overseeing the Messy Church. I need to identify that core team. If we can study this book together, the accompanying thought, discussion and prayer might, God-willing, move on our Messy Church from being a melting pot into a crucible in which faith is forged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Alan Chadwick\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:19+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:20+00:00","vendor":"Paul Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","Mar-13","Messy Church books","PDF"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"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":21769014771812,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857462183","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":133,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857462183"},{"id":33193177907339,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390638","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":799,"weight":133,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390638"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1549043176"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1549043176","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874808459,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":427}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eMessy Church has been widely and enthusiastically adopted as a proven and effective way of introducing families to an experience of Christian community and the good news of Jesus. Sceptics ask, 'Are people becoming Christians through Messy Church?' The evidence is clear that they are. But the next challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church also nurture their faith and make these converts into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of this book, by telling stories, analysing the journey to faith, and reflecting on what being a disciple means and the various methods of making disciples found in scripture and church tradition, is to encourage ministers and lay leaders to see how their Messy Church can be an intentional disciple-making community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore writes...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a Thursday afternoon back in 2004 when the first ever Messy Church took place at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, near Portsmouth, where I am vicar. Our prayer was to introduce people to Jesus by providing a positive, fun-filled experience of Christian community for families who rarely, if ever, go to a traditional church service. Back then, we had no idea that Messy Church would develop and spread the way it has done from Shetland to Cornwall and from Alaska to Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut it's one thing to be able to draw a crowd; are people becoming Christians through Messy Church? Praise God, the answer is definitely, 'Yes'. The key challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church nurture the faith of these new believers and make them into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn my new book \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e I aim to\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ehelp church leaders to grasp how Messy Church really can become a disciple-making community, provided we go about it in a deliberate way. To help us become more intentional, the book contains insightful stories and tips from the experience of Messy Churches in the UK and abroad. It provides some tools to enable us to chart what may be a long journey towards faith for families who have little or no Christian background, so that we can offer people the right support and encouragement at the various stages of their journey into discipleship. It also explores what becoming and growing as a disciple means today, looking at the different ways in which disciples were made in Old and New Testament times and later in the history of the church in various contexts. Out of this come recommendations for leaders and questions for further thought and creativity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt's amazing to see how God is using Messy Church to bless people and draw them to Jesus. I hope this book will be an encouragement to all who are involved in leading and helping in Messy Churches to reflect on the wonderful stuff God is doing\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs Messy Church making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat are disciples and how are they made?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOld Testament discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJesus and discipleship in the Gospels: kingdom community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciples in Acts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciple - making in the Epistles and Revelation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA community discipleship curriculum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn alternative - catechesis then and now\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntergenerational discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and faith at home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForeword\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a gift from God, one of the Holy Spirit's wonderful surprises, where a step of faith by one very ordinary church has opened the way for more than a thousand others to engage with families who had no serious connection to a church. No one anticipated that the story publicised in the first Fresh Expressions DVD in 2006 would take on such a life of its own. Messy Church is now a movement in its own right, within the wider Fresh Expressions movement. This book, from Paul Moore, the vicar of that church, presents insights from the oldest member of this young family of churches. They are insights from which all who are committed to disciple-making can benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose who have been unsure of Messy Church, who would like it to be less messy, and who wonder if it really is church, have frequently raised the question of discipleship. How can you possibly make disciples among all that mess, especially if you meet just once per month? On the contrary, I have always believed that Messy Church is as valid a fresh expression of church as any of the many other models and examples. Because of this, I have always been convinced that the secrets of making disciples through Messy Church lay within the gift itself, in the DNA of the original idea given by the Holy Spirit, and that they would emerge over time. The temptation to bolt on ideas from a different model in order to answer questions or solve apparent problems about disciple-making has always been misguided. It is also evidence of impatience. As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years, the secrets have begun to be revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church world is not closed to learning from other sources. Paul draws helpfully from Scripture, from ancient tradition, from other mission practitioners and researchers, from educational theory and from the worldwide Messy family. But, above all, he draws from the underlying values of Messy Church. He tells us not so much how to make disciples through Messy Church as how to create Messy Church as a disciple-making culture, which is much more important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe sets realistic expectations about the time it takes to journey from no church connection to active faith. He robustly defends intergenerational learning. He wants parents equipped to take responsibility for their children's spiritual development, and team members to see Messy Church as their church, not just the place where they volunteer once a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suspect that there may be even more to be unpacked from this surprising gift over the coming years, but for now this will do very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Graham Cray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArchbishops' Missioner and Leader of the Fresh Expressions Team\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten with clarity and conviction, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and helpful book for a movement that is deeply serious about discipleship. Drawing on biblical, monastic and catechetical approaches, the book contains much wisdom and inspiration for those seeking to make disciples in all forms of church, not just the phenomenon that is Messy Church. The affirmation of the places of family and community in discipleship formation is especially welcome. I warmly and wholeheartedly commend this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Andrew Roberts, Methodist Minister and Director of Training for Fresh Expressions \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscipleship is probably the biggest single issue the Church needs to grapple with in our present times. This book has some vital things to say on this central issue, not only to those interested in Messy Church but to all churches. My advice would be: read it, think about what you read and then apply it in your own situation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Male, Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning, Cambridge \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is growing from a single fresh expression of church into a whole movement of mission. Making Disciples in Messy Church brings vital wisdom culled from scripture and from experience to all involved in making disciples. Its lessons are vital for all those engaged in Messy Church and for all those involved in making disciples.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church movement is fantastic, helping connect people to Christ and his church through community and creativity. Paul has been on the journey with Messy Church since the start, and in this fascinating book shows how Messy Church is not only reaching people with the Gospel, it is raising up disciples across the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Canon Mark Russell, CEO Church Army \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA joy to read and a contemporary Epistle from a Paul of our time, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and essential read for all who are serious about building upon the good connections to the local community made through Messy Church and seeking how to making disciples in our contemporary age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Stephen Lindridge, Fresh Expressions Methodist Connexional Missioner \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore writes out of first-hand experience. To this he brings deeper and wider thought. The book brings disparate things together in one place: various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship, lively material from a wide range of Scripture, some ecumenical perspectives and sensible questions to ponder. It ends with solid practical suggestions and knocks on the head the critique that Messy Church has no answers to questions of discipleship. It deserves to be read and applied.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e George Lings, Director of the Sheffield Centre\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul Moore is a member of the team that launched Messy Church in 2004. Paul is Archdeacon for Mission Development in Winchester Diocese.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis interesting book delves further into the thorny issue of whether Messy Church really makes disciples. To do this, Paul Moore asks what disciples are and how they are really made, as well as showing how Messy Church moves people onto the discipleship journey. He then carries out a survey of discipleship in the Bible, applying the models he finds there to the practice of Messy Church. It's a good attempt to drill down into a difficult area in order to make sure that Messy Church is not only fun but fruitful. Once again, the connections for All Age Worship of every kind are obvious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes the balance between describing discipleship patterns in the Bible and actually applying them to Messy Church is too heavily weighted in favour of the former. As a book simply on biblical patterns of discipleship, it is not really sufficient. The real value lies in the application to Messy Church, and I feel more space and depth of analysis could have been given to that application. Each chapter ends with questions for further reflection. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Magnet Summer 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore was part of the team that launched the first Messy Church in 2004. Since then Messy Church has spread worldwide as an intergenerational movement. Bishop Graham Cray in his foreword says, 'As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years the secrets have begun to be revealed.' Moore reveals some of these 'secrets' and shows how Messy Church has become a disciple-making phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those sceptical about the worth of Messy Church, this book should be read. Paul convincingly explores the journey of discipleship through biblical, monastic and early church material and draws on various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship. After much thoughtful and clearly stated discussion on this important issue he concludes. 'I believe there are lots of good reasons why age-segregated discipleship groups is not necessarily the best way to go. I believe we should persevere with intentional intergenerational disciple-making in our Messy Churches and see how God makes us grow as disciples together'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Tania Brosnan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Simon Martin in Country Way - January 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important book, not least because messy churches, and church leaders more widely, are increasingly asking questions like:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre people coming to faith through Messy Church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs it making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan it justify its claim to be a church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOr is it just a form of pre - evangelism - a bridge to something deeper, perhaps an Alpha course, and then graduation to Sunday church attendance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Of course, these questions are just as urgent and relevant for traditional or inherited forms of church!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the key things considered in Making Disciples in Messy Church is what discipleship looks like for people with messy lives, as Messy Churches are genuinely attracting large numbers of non - churchgoers. Not just children, but teenagers and adults - both the children's family members and others; not just fringe members - but people who have never been to a church. As Messy Church grows, collectively and individually those involved are having to face up to the need for nurture and discipleship for this disparate group of would - be believers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of discipleship in the contemporary world, rural people and communities are not much different to those in this book. There are recognised issues to do with the nature of small, relatively close - knit communities that may affect the way rural churches engage in evangelism and mission; but most of the key elements of the process of Messy Discipleship outlined above are very important in rural circumstances: suspicion of traditional church, a need to identify and become involved, a desire to support something that is of clear benefit to their children, an appreciation of the holistic and communal elements of becoming part of a Messy Church 'family'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a great deal more to this book than just these things. It considers several potential models of discipleship that might be appropriate (community discipleship, a catechetical approach, intergenerational discipleship, and discipleship within the family); and it lays firm biblical foundations for discipleship from both Old and New Testaments. There is also some more theoretical background on how people come to faith and how their faith develops. Making Disciples in Messy Church is not the whole answer, but it is a vital and readable tool in helping all of us work out what is appropriate in our own places. Read it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Childrenswork magazine - December 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e provides wisdom and theological support for the successful movement of Messy Church. If those two words (Messy Church) don't mean anything to you then I'd encourage you to read the book and learn more about a God-given strategy for doing all-age church. For those of you, like myself, who are already involved in leading some form of Messy Church expression, then you might find this reasonably light read useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertainly, some of the questions posed at the end of every chapter are provocative and helpful. However, I often found myself asking, who is this book written for? Children's workers? Clergy? Or just those who work at Messy Church HQ? But for a quick read and a book that starts and finishes well, I'd recommend it. Certainly if you're asking the question, 'How do we pass our faith on from one generation to another?' - then it's for you. And if you're not asking that question, perhaps you should be!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Diocese of Gloucester Clergy Bulletin - July 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the questions often asked about 'Messy Church' are 'Is it really church?' 'Doesn't it just entertain people on the fringes of the church?' 'How can such a simple approach actually help people become disciples?' Paul Moore, who with his wife Lucy began Messy Church at St Wilfred's, Cowplain, seeks to address these questions in this book. It's very readable and straight-forward but has some very profound things to say about how people become disciples with lessons on making disciples whether or not you are doing 'Messy Church'. He presents a very helpful overview of how the Bible shows disciples being made in a variety of contexts. He also looks at ideas such as catechesis and inter-generational discipleship. Along the way there are helpful insights into the ways people come to faith, the importance of relationships and involvement in helping people learn and grow, how different learning styles need to be considered. He argues that the Messy Church approach addresses many of these challenges. This book will help those doing 'Messy Church' to think through what they are doing and how it can make disciples but it will help everyone think about how we are seeking to make disciples too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Brian Parfitt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 2 August 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen a Christian community begins to form, requests for baptism and possibly holy communion often follow. Requests for support in growing disciples in an all-age community has resulted in \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e by Paul Moore. He responds to the claim that messy churches are not real church communities with examples of how families have come to faith through messy church, although some would unfairly question his definition of church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant number of those attending messy church have little or no church background. Moore offers a helpful beginners' guide to faith development, as participants move through stages of openness to, and spiritual awareness of, God. He makes a strong biblical case for the part played by the all-age community of the church in discipleship and formation, while recognising the substantial commitment of time and resources that effective discipleship demands. \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e would be an excellent resource for PCC members who are engaging with issues of mission and evangelism in general, as well as required reading for those who lead a messy church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Dana Delap is Assistant Curate of St James and St Basil, Fenham, in the diocese of Newcastle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Pobl Dewi - June 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book of 120 pages divides into three. The first section looks at what it means to be growing as disciples of Jesus and where this might be happening in Messy Church. The second considers discipleship in scripture and how that might affect Messy Church. The third offers recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrototype disciples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are familiar with models of discipleship, the first section will probably offer little that is new, and 'success' stories from elsewhere are not always encouraging. The central section gives much food for thought: Abraham and Sarah as prototype disciples and the messiness of their situations; how, in the Old Testament, growing in discipleship was done with others, as a people. Community is a recurring strand, and the 'doing together' element of Messy Church does help to build relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do we grow a community of disciples, rather than concentrating on the individual? Jesus and the apostles formed a community that teaches us to model discipleship where responsibility is given early, and where learning is, initially, largely through experience and doing. Similarly in Acts, it is argued, baptism comes early to the disciple, followed quickly by doing and serving; catechesis comes only later. Does Messy Church mirror that of the epistles in being more rooted in the everyday and less- focussed on 'the special'? It's not just about Sunday morning - there is a space for hospitality and serving and not just for worship services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conclusions are well drawn and they are valid for all work across generations. If you are not a fan of Messy Church, the book's subtitle, 'Growing faith in an all age community' is surely something we are all interested in. However good the recommendations, the temptation to jump straight to the end and miss out the central discussion is worth resisting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelting pot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI admit to having been predisposed to recommend this book. I was already convinced that the principles of Messy Church are simple, achievable by most congregations, and that they can create the melting pot of church and community in which disciples might grow. I was hoping for ideas to add to my Messy Church to encourage that growing of disciples. (And the book did challenge me about the need to be 'intentional about faith building.') So, did I get some ideas? Yes. Very much so. The book assumes that there is a core team overseeing the Messy Church. I need to identify that core team. If we can study this book together, the accompanying thought, discussion and prayer might, God-willing, move on our Messy Church from being a melting pot into a crucible in which faith is forged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Alan Chadwick\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community
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{"id":3945364815966,"title":"The Essential Guide to Family Ministry: A practical guide for church-based family workers","handle":"the-essential-guide-to-family-ministry-a-practical-guide-for-church-based-family-workers","description":"\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive foundation for those working in the increasingly complex and diverse area of ministry with families, \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e presents an overview of contemporary family life, sets out the principles that underpin this work and offers strategic and practical approaches to working with families. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn essential read for all who are involved in this field and passionate about seeing God’s kingdom come in families, churches and communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGail Adcock is Family Ministry Development Officer with the Methodist Church GB, equipping and resourcing those working with families across the UK. She has a primary education background, was family pastor at Stopsley Baptist Church for ten years and completed an MA in Children and Family Ministry in 2013.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGail Adcock's \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e is just that. it is grounded in research, personal practitioning experience, deep listening and reflection and this is expressed in the content and structure of the book. The seven habits for highly successful family ministry are born out of insight and experience and are realistic and achievable. The book has reflective questions and theological reflections and can be used both as an exploration tool and a mirror to existing ministry. It is ideal for a book group, pastoral group, church, or leadership team to read and explore together to help develop new ministry with and among families or to review existing ministry. It is essential for those who want to understand context and where to start in family ministry as well as those who are already on the journey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePenny Fuller, Children, Youth and Family Co-ordinator The Connexional Team \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFamilies don’t come in one size – nor does family ministry. In this much-needed book, Adcock lifts the lid on the theological underpinning and practical outworking of ministry with families of all shapes, stages and sizes. She lays out the map of family ministry and invites churches to explore theology and practice before planning their journey of ministry with families of all shapes, stages and sizes. Whether your church is just starting this journey, or has been on it for some time, there is plenty here to refresh your vision, understanding, strategy and practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMary Hawes, National Children and Youth Adviser, Church of England\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGail Adcock’s work is timely in a country facing uncertainty and turbulence, when we need to nurture unity. Scratch the surface, and we find that creating and building family remains of utmost importance to most people across all ages. The author’s emphasis on adopting a family-style intergenerational approach as a priority is prophetic and life-giving, not only for the flourishing of church community, but for the health of society as a whole.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Dollard, Marriage and Family Life Adviser, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhether you’re starting out working with families or you’ve been working in the field for a while, this well-researched book of cultural and theological reflection combined with practical wisdom will help you develop impactful ministry with families.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Beech, creator of GodVenture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFamily ministry can be such a nebulous concept for churches to grapple with. What are it’s boundaries? Is there even anything left for the rest of the church leadership to focus on once we’ve listed everything we think the family ministry worker should be doing? In this clear and concise book, Gail Adcock helps churches think theologically and strategically to define family ministry for their setting. A must read for all church leaders as well as their family ministry teams.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSue Price, Hand in Hand Children’s and Family Ministry Conference Director, Kingsway CLC Trust\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGail’s extensive knowledge and experience offers strong foundational principles and examples of good working practice to resource family ministry. Covering aspects such as the changes within family life and its impact on church life and ministry is helpful to set a base from which the reader would be able to apply the material in a way that is relevant to their context. Whether a leader or church is just starting out or has years of experience, this book will be a valuable addition for use now and to be revisited as it offers such a wealth of material that can be referred back to, enabling family ministry to be reviewed and adapted to ensure it remains effective and relevant whatever the setting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Butcher, Children and Families Pioneer, BRF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 24.07.20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Philip Welsh\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book seeks to shape the approach of churches of all sorts towards families of all sorts, and Gail Adcock draws on wide experience as the Family Ministries Development Officer of the Methodist Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the outset, she underlines the sheer diversity of contemporary family life, and then insists on the need to establish some theological perspectives. Here she looks at the home as the primary place of Christian nurture; the Trinity as paradigm of distinct persons dwelling in unity; and the challenge of Jesus’s inclusiveness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdcock points out the wide range of approaches to families inside and outside the congregation which can shelter under the umbrella of family ministry, and is emphatic that each church needs to clarify just what it is aiming to achieve before it starts setting up any initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuch of the book then consists in introducing what she calls Seven Habits for Highly Effective Family Ministry: to be strategic, supportive, collaborative, intergenerational, missional, holy at home, and reflective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese chapters are full of sound advice, necessarily of a fairly generalised kind, offered in an easy-going style for the general reader. This is not a how-to-do-it book full of bright ideas and recommended activities. It aims, rather, to shape the basic attitudes and values that motivate ministry to families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author is keen ‘to get away from the silo mentality of seeing family ministry as an isolated speciality’. It is refreshing that she recognises that single people and same-sex couples are part of the picture, though this is not developed. And she notes as a particular current trend ‘the rise of grandparents’. She is clear that being an intergenerational church is more about mind-set than programme, and will, no doubt, raise a weary cheer for her reserve about all-age services, ‘which in reality have become painful for everyone involved’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdcock does not claim originality, is generous in introducing the influential work of others, and offers a particularly helpful list of further resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry is not just a book for those who work with young families. It will also be of value to clergy and PCC members at the outset of any review of their church’s ministry in relation to the pluriform reality of contemporary family life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Philip Welsh is a retired priest in the diocese of London\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNicki Jemphrey, Family Ministry Coordinator of Knock Presbyterian Church, July 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide\u003c\/em\u003e … is a bold claim for any author or publisher to make of their book. Up until now there has been no work published in the UK which equals \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e in its breadth of definition of the term, depth of scholarship, sound theology and wealth of practical suggestions, all in response to extensive research in which the author was personally involved. The points made in the Family Ministry Short Course at Cliff College that I attended are expanded and fleshed out. The author writes in a relaxed and readable style, often referencing her own experience of family and practice, which helps the reader to engage with the often complex issues she is describing.\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first part of the book Gail Adcock examines the changing nature of family life within the UK and stresses the urgency in understanding this and in creating new frameworks in response to it. The importance of family function over form with regard to how we approach family ministry is introduced here and is a recurring theme of the book; fewer and fewer families in the UK fit the nuclear model of the mid-twentieth century and this is something not to be lamented but actively engaged with. She helpfully proposes three different theological perspectives which can offer practitioners a foundation for our ministry with families: Holiness at home, Trinity as family and the Jesus shaped family, all of which should involve reaching out to and including the outsider and have an intergenerational aspect where possible. The first section of the book concludes with some of the findings of the \u003cem\u003eWe are Family\u003c\/em\u003e report, which recognises the need for a holistic approach to family ministry, one which provides the dual strands of ministry and support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second part of the book goes on to examine what this might look like in practice, under the heading of “Seven Habits for Highly Effective Family Ministry”. Each habit is examined in detail, with plenty of practical tips for its implementation. The habits I found particularly helpful and feel I need to develop most in my role were the need to Be Strategic, Be Collaborative and Be Reflective. There is some overlap in the points made in these sections but that is no bad thing; they are principles of which we need to be constantly reminding ourselves. The habit I found most challenging was the need to Be Reflective. I very much identified with the barriers to good reflective practice mentioned: time, other people, ourselves and no better way. I know I need to improve in this area in order to become a more effective practitioner and will consider the different suggestions offered: keeping a reflective journal, peer support and mentoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo does \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e live up to its title? In the drawing together of other important writing and thinking on the subject, combined with the findings of recent UK research and the knowledge of a vast range of practitioners as well as her own considerable experience, Gail Adcock has created a handbook which no family worker in the UK should be without. So rich is it in concepts and practical suggestions that it would be impossible to take in everything in one reading. It is indeed an indispensable guide, which should be kept close to hand and consulted on a regular basis. I am planning to do just that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRachel Ridler March 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rachelridlermumonamission.co.uk\/2020\/03\/spring-book-reviews\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/rachelridlermumonamission.co.uk\/2020\/03\/spring-book-reviews\/\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have found this book so fascinating, and for anyone who is involved in children’s or families ministry, or church leadership in general, I think this is a must read. The first part of the book sets up how family life has changed through the generations, leading us to the world we find ourselves in now. How the 'extended family' of the pre-1900’s where everyone lived close and was in and our of each others lives changed to the 'nuclear family' ideal of the 50’s and 60’s, to the many many different ways that families can be now, with more acceptance of step-families, working families and dispersed families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author then goes on to talk about the theology behind family ministry and what it should look like in our churches today. That actually we need to encourage faith at home, be more inter-generational rather than always splitting off age groups, and be missional in our activities too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe last part of the book outlines 7 habits for highly effective family ministry, and these are all really thought provoking. It has certainly got me thinking about how I plan the activities in my new role. So if you are re-thinking how you reach families or just if it is even important, then this is one to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter Feb\/Mar 2020. Review by Revd Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s always a brave move to call your book ‘The Essential …’. You are saying that basically everything that is needed is in this book. And fair play to Gail Adcock. This excellent book covers the broad range of issues, is very readable and works really well as a one book resource for family ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book helpfully begins with a consideration of the changing shape of the family. The last 50 years have witnessed an increasing pace of change and as we reach out to all families, we engage with the myriad of family contexts. There is a good theological foundation laid, and then an overview chapter highlighting the variety of family ministry found in Britain today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bulk of the book is given to seven chapters that cover habits for highly effective family ministry. Some may react against this approach as the subtitle implies a formulaic ‘do this and excellent ministry will result’. But, once you get into the chapters you quickly recognise the importance of the habits or practices across a range of family ministry settings. Indeed, they are much more widely applicable than just family ministry. We are challenged to be strategic, be supportive, be collaborative, be intergenerational, be missional, be holy at home, and be reflective. Quite a bit of the insight in this book is drawn out of the influential ‘We are Family’ research project into family ministry from 2014. This helps to give a very objective and solid basis to the insights that are developed. There are very helpful ‘questions for reflection’ and ‘further reading section’ at the end of each chapter, with both books and easily accessible online material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the chapter titled ‘Be Strategic’ the author argues for developing priorities that are focused on achieving what has been discerned as the key objectives. Most of us don’t, as ‘we’re keen to just get on and do the work of family ministry’ (p75). However, ‘by adopting a plan for our ministry, we can avoid the danger of jumping in too quickly before having a clear sense of what the goals are or how these might be accomplished’ (p76). This is clearly important in family ministry, but of course is much more widely applicable and stands as a good challenge to the activism of Irish Methodism where we are keen to do stuff, but often don’t develop strategy and consequently don’t always (or even usually?) see the results we are hoping for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps two final things to note here. Gail Adcock is Family Ministry Development Officer for the British Methodist church and it’s good to see a British Methodist colleague leading the way in family ministry. And this excellent book is just £8.99. BRF are producing an increasingly significant range of resources for the Church, and are managing to keep these are a fairly low cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDistrict Superintendent, the North Western\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eMethodist \u003c\/em\u003eDistrict\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-08-13T10:03:32+01:00","created_at":"2019-08-13T10:09:57+01:00","vendor":"Gail Adcock","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Jan-20","Kindle"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"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":29434801127518,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465788","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Essential Guide to Family Ministry: A practical guide for church-based family workers","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":210,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465788"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465788.jpg?v=1569234809"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465788.jpg?v=1569234809","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":1514673176715,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465788.jpg?v=1569234809"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465788.jpg?v=1569234809","width":1000}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA comprehensive foundation for those working in the increasingly complex and diverse area of ministry with families, \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e presents an overview of contemporary family life, sets out the principles that underpin this work and offers strategic and practical approaches to working with families. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn essential read for all who are involved in this field and passionate about seeing God’s kingdom come in families, churches and communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGail Adcock is Family Ministry Development Officer with the Methodist Church GB, equipping and resourcing those working with families across the UK. She has a primary education background, was family pastor at Stopsley Baptist Church for ten years and completed an MA in Children and Family Ministry in 2013.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGail Adcock's \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e is just that. it is grounded in research, personal practitioning experience, deep listening and reflection and this is expressed in the content and structure of the book. The seven habits for highly successful family ministry are born out of insight and experience and are realistic and achievable. The book has reflective questions and theological reflections and can be used both as an exploration tool and a mirror to existing ministry. It is ideal for a book group, pastoral group, church, or leadership team to read and explore together to help develop new ministry with and among families or to review existing ministry. It is essential for those who want to understand context and where to start in family ministry as well as those who are already on the journey.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePenny Fuller, Children, Youth and Family Co-ordinator The Connexional Team \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFamilies don’t come in one size – nor does family ministry. In this much-needed book, Adcock lifts the lid on the theological underpinning and practical outworking of ministry with families of all shapes, stages and sizes. She lays out the map of family ministry and invites churches to explore theology and practice before planning their journey of ministry with families of all shapes, stages and sizes. Whether your church is just starting this journey, or has been on it for some time, there is plenty here to refresh your vision, understanding, strategy and practice.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMary Hawes, National Children and Youth Adviser, Church of England\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGail Adcock’s work is timely in a country facing uncertainty and turbulence, when we need to nurture unity. Scratch the surface, and we find that creating and building family remains of utmost importance to most people across all ages. The author’s emphasis on adopting a family-style intergenerational approach as a priority is prophetic and life-giving, not only for the flourishing of church community, but for the health of society as a whole.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaroline Dollard, Marriage and Family Life Adviser, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhether you’re starting out working with families or you’ve been working in the field for a while, this well-researched book of cultural and theological reflection combined with practical wisdom will help you develop impactful ministry with families.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Beech, creator of GodVenture\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFamily ministry can be such a nebulous concept for churches to grapple with. What are it’s boundaries? Is there even anything left for the rest of the church leadership to focus on once we’ve listed everything we think the family ministry worker should be doing? In this clear and concise book, Gail Adcock helps churches think theologically and strategically to define family ministry for their setting. A must read for all church leaders as well as their family ministry teams.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSue Price, Hand in Hand Children’s and Family Ministry Conference Director, Kingsway CLC Trust\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGail’s extensive knowledge and experience offers strong foundational principles and examples of good working practice to resource family ministry. Covering aspects such as the changes within family life and its impact on church life and ministry is helpful to set a base from which the reader would be able to apply the material in a way that is relevant to their context. Whether a leader or church is just starting out or has years of experience, this book will be a valuable addition for use now and to be revisited as it offers such a wealth of material that can be referred back to, enabling family ministry to be reviewed and adapted to ensure it remains effective and relevant whatever the setting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Butcher, Children and Families Pioneer, BRF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 24.07.20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Philip Welsh\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book seeks to shape the approach of churches of all sorts towards families of all sorts, and Gail Adcock draws on wide experience as the Family Ministries Development Officer of the Methodist Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the outset, she underlines the sheer diversity of contemporary family life, and then insists on the need to establish some theological perspectives. Here she looks at the home as the primary place of Christian nurture; the Trinity as paradigm of distinct persons dwelling in unity; and the challenge of Jesus’s inclusiveness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdcock points out the wide range of approaches to families inside and outside the congregation which can shelter under the umbrella of family ministry, and is emphatic that each church needs to clarify just what it is aiming to achieve before it starts setting up any initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuch of the book then consists in introducing what she calls Seven Habits for Highly Effective Family Ministry: to be strategic, supportive, collaborative, intergenerational, missional, holy at home, and reflective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese chapters are full of sound advice, necessarily of a fairly generalised kind, offered in an easy-going style for the general reader. This is not a how-to-do-it book full of bright ideas and recommended activities. It aims, rather, to shape the basic attitudes and values that motivate ministry to families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author is keen ‘to get away from the silo mentality of seeing family ministry as an isolated speciality’. It is refreshing that she recognises that single people and same-sex couples are part of the picture, though this is not developed. And she notes as a particular current trend ‘the rise of grandparents’. She is clear that being an intergenerational church is more about mind-set than programme, and will, no doubt, raise a weary cheer for her reserve about all-age services, ‘which in reality have become painful for everyone involved’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdcock does not claim originality, is generous in introducing the influential work of others, and offers a particularly helpful list of further resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry is not just a book for those who work with young families. It will also be of value to clergy and PCC members at the outset of any review of their church’s ministry in relation to the pluriform reality of contemporary family life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Philip Welsh is a retired priest in the diocese of London\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNicki Jemphrey, Family Ministry Coordinator of Knock Presbyterian Church, July 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide\u003c\/em\u003e … is a bold claim for any author or publisher to make of their book. Up until now there has been no work published in the UK which equals \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e in its breadth of definition of the term, depth of scholarship, sound theology and wealth of practical suggestions, all in response to extensive research in which the author was personally involved. The points made in the Family Ministry Short Course at Cliff College that I attended are expanded and fleshed out. The author writes in a relaxed and readable style, often referencing her own experience of family and practice, which helps the reader to engage with the often complex issues she is describing.\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first part of the book Gail Adcock examines the changing nature of family life within the UK and stresses the urgency in understanding this and in creating new frameworks in response to it. The importance of family function over form with regard to how we approach family ministry is introduced here and is a recurring theme of the book; fewer and fewer families in the UK fit the nuclear model of the mid-twentieth century and this is something not to be lamented but actively engaged with. She helpfully proposes three different theological perspectives which can offer practitioners a foundation for our ministry with families: Holiness at home, Trinity as family and the Jesus shaped family, all of which should involve reaching out to and including the outsider and have an intergenerational aspect where possible. The first section of the book concludes with some of the findings of the \u003cem\u003eWe are Family\u003c\/em\u003e report, which recognises the need for a holistic approach to family ministry, one which provides the dual strands of ministry and support.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second part of the book goes on to examine what this might look like in practice, under the heading of “Seven Habits for Highly Effective Family Ministry”. Each habit is examined in detail, with plenty of practical tips for its implementation. The habits I found particularly helpful and feel I need to develop most in my role were the need to Be Strategic, Be Collaborative and Be Reflective. There is some overlap in the points made in these sections but that is no bad thing; they are principles of which we need to be constantly reminding ourselves. The habit I found most challenging was the need to Be Reflective. I very much identified with the barriers to good reflective practice mentioned: time, other people, ourselves and no better way. I know I need to improve in this area in order to become a more effective practitioner and will consider the different suggestions offered: keeping a reflective journal, peer support and mentoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo does \u003cem\u003eThe Essential Guide to Family Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e live up to its title? In the drawing together of other important writing and thinking on the subject, combined with the findings of recent UK research and the knowledge of a vast range of practitioners as well as her own considerable experience, Gail Adcock has created a handbook which no family worker in the UK should be without. So rich is it in concepts and practical suggestions that it would be impossible to take in everything in one reading. It is indeed an indispensable guide, which should be kept close to hand and consulted on a regular basis. I am planning to do just that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRachel Ridler March 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/rachelridlermumonamission.co.uk\/2020\/03\/spring-book-reviews\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/rachelridlermumonamission.co.uk\/2020\/03\/spring-book-reviews\/\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have found this book so fascinating, and for anyone who is involved in children’s or families ministry, or church leadership in general, I think this is a must read. The first part of the book sets up how family life has changed through the generations, leading us to the world we find ourselves in now. How the 'extended family' of the pre-1900’s where everyone lived close and was in and our of each others lives changed to the 'nuclear family' ideal of the 50’s and 60’s, to the many many different ways that families can be now, with more acceptance of step-families, working families and dispersed families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author then goes on to talk about the theology behind family ministry and what it should look like in our churches today. That actually we need to encourage faith at home, be more inter-generational rather than always splitting off age groups, and be missional in our activities too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe last part of the book outlines 7 habits for highly effective family ministry, and these are all really thought provoking. It has certainly got me thinking about how I plan the activities in my new role. So if you are re-thinking how you reach families or just if it is even important, then this is one to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter Feb\/Mar 2020. Review by Revd Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt’s always a brave move to call your book ‘The Essential …’. You are saying that basically everything that is needed is in this book. And fair play to Gail Adcock. This excellent book covers the broad range of issues, is very readable and works really well as a one book resource for family ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book helpfully begins with a consideration of the changing shape of the family. The last 50 years have witnessed an increasing pace of change and as we reach out to all families, we engage with the myriad of family contexts. There is a good theological foundation laid, and then an overview chapter highlighting the variety of family ministry found in Britain today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bulk of the book is given to seven chapters that cover habits for highly effective family ministry. Some may react against this approach as the subtitle implies a formulaic ‘do this and excellent ministry will result’. But, once you get into the chapters you quickly recognise the importance of the habits or practices across a range of family ministry settings. Indeed, they are much more widely applicable than just family ministry. We are challenged to be strategic, be supportive, be collaborative, be intergenerational, be missional, be holy at home, and be reflective. Quite a bit of the insight in this book is drawn out of the influential ‘We are Family’ research project into family ministry from 2014. This helps to give a very objective and solid basis to the insights that are developed. There are very helpful ‘questions for reflection’ and ‘further reading section’ at the end of each chapter, with both books and easily accessible online material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the chapter titled ‘Be Strategic’ the author argues for developing priorities that are focused on achieving what has been discerned as the key objectives. Most of us don’t, as ‘we’re keen to just get on and do the work of family ministry’ (p75). However, ‘by adopting a plan for our ministry, we can avoid the danger of jumping in too quickly before having a clear sense of what the goals are or how these might be accomplished’ (p76). This is clearly important in family ministry, but of course is much more widely applicable and stands as a good challenge to the activism of Irish Methodism where we are keen to do stuff, but often don’t develop strategy and consequently don’t always (or even usually?) see the results we are hoping for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerhaps two final things to note here. Gail Adcock is Family Ministry Development Officer for the British Methodist church and it’s good to see a British Methodist colleague leading the way in family ministry. And this excellent book is just £8.99. BRF are producing an increasingly significant range of resources for the Church, and are managing to keep these are a fairly low cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDistrict Superintendent, the North Western\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eMethodist \u003c\/em\u003eDistrict\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Essential Guide to Family Ministry: A practical guide for church-based family workers
£8.99
A comprehensive foundation for those working in the increasingly complex and diverse area of ministry with families, The Essential Guide...
{"id":2439738982500,"title":"Starting Your Messy Church: A beginner's guide for churches","handle":"starting-your-messy-church-a-beginners-guide-for-churches","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEverything you need to get your Messy Church going!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bigger picture... What Messy Church is and isn't... Why the values?... Commitment needed... Checklist of starting strategies... Why the network?... Questions to ask... What to expect... Organising your team... Sustaining your Messy Church... Review questions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource is for churches who want to see what's involved in starting up a Messy Church, or who are ready to go ahead with one. It includes checklists, milestones, questions to ask a Messy Church you're visiting, review strategies and a resources section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is BRF's Messy Church Team Leader, responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally. She continues to help lead Messy Church in her own church. Jane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church team. She has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for 12 years. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Country Way - June to September 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe were having problems with the format of our all-age worship in a small rural church - we weren't reaching young families so we thought we would try something different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is just what it says in its introduction: 'short, punchy ....it gets the basics across quickly.' It's not a book about setting up yet another children's programme. God is at the heart of it, with a passion shining through for all generations to meet Jesus in a fun and accessible way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a useful resource with some practical checklists and lots of encouragement. It sets out the principles and values of Messy Church, and is full of practical tips - about praying, funding, venue, child protection etc.. It shares some useful experiences of those already involved with established Messy Churches. It doesn't pull its punches about the difficulties and challenges likely to be faced but it does stress the encouragements and excitement the team will experience as they too grow as disciples as they get involved in the vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have decided to give it a go, you are not on your own. The book lists lots of other resources - more books, the Messy Church website, training and regional networks - you never need to be short of ideas and inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have been running Messy Church now for six months. It's hard work but it's fun. It's encouraging our regular church families and it's involving people who, a year ago, 'wouldn't darken the doors of a church'. It's an opportunity to share the Gospel with them and to build relationships. Above all - it's messy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Gillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Country Way Issue 60 - May 2012 - \u003ca title=\"www.countryway.org.uk\" rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.countryway.org.uk\"\u003ewww.countryway.org.uk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe introduction to this book says it is 'short, punchy and easily passed round a team... It gets the basics across quickly...' That is exactly what it does. It gives a straightforward clear and concise overview of what Messy Church is and isn't. It tells you how to set up and maintain a Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is both its strength and the weakness. St Wilfrid's, Cowplain, (where it started) were innovative and thought creatively when they set up the first Messy Church. It is that innovation and the ability to think outside the box that other churches need to replicate. But just following a process that worked extremely well for St Wilfrid's may not work for other churches. Parts of the book recognise this: 'there are plenty of equally valid different ways of doing Messy Church and God is there in all of them.' Other parts of the book don't: 'stick with the Messy Church 'brand'. It is tried and tested; don't fall into the trap of ...tinkering about with it.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI shall be passing the book around in the hope that it will encourage us to learn from the Messy Church experience. I hope we will take the good ideas in it, think about what will work here, and no doubt will tinker about with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Robert Barlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Good Bookstall - 30 April 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a slim volume of 55 pages (sales help fund the Messy Church ministry) introducing this popular Fresh Expression of church to those considering starting a Messy Church in their community. It sets out to be 'short, punchy and easily passed round a team' and it fulfils this aim well. Providing help to think through whether or not this is for your church, it counsels not rushing into starting a Messy Church. 'What matters is that your want to help families meet Jesus' this is not just for children, but a form of church for children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality. The big picture to hold in mind is that it is all about making disciples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupport from the whole church is needed, along with commitment from the leadership and prayer, and there is also good advice in seeking out the 'unlikely' people to be involved. It stresses that this is a team ministry and all will need to be prepared for hard work. Messy Church once a month is the normal pattern giving time for preparation and reflection between the sessions. The availability of help, encouragement and resources from the wider Messy Church network through people, books and online support is also covered.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eReview by Margaret Brasier, Beeston, Nottingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Church Times - 17 February 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMESSY CHURCH, say Lucy Moore and Jane Leadbetter, is not a children's church, nor a way of attracting more people to a church's existing services. It is, they explain in \u003cem\u003eStarting Your Messy Church: A beginner's guide for churches\u003c\/em\u003e, a form of church for children and adults which involves creativity, celebration, and hospitality. It meets at a time and sometimes in a place that suit people who don't belong to a church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'The way you go about making disciples may involve horrifying amounts of icing sugar and glitter glue,' they say - but making disciples is what it's all about. The aim is 'to introduce Jesus through hospitality, friendship, stories, and worship'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the Bible Reading Fellowship's Messy Church Team Leader, and her co-author is a member of the team. Their small book is jolly, encouraging, and full of good and detailed advice for those interested in this kind of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:56+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:57+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jan-12","Messy Church books","PDF"],"price":499,"price_min":499,"price_max":499,"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":21768939667556,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857460509","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Starting Your Messy Church: A beginner's guide for churches - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":499,"weight":81,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857460509"},{"id":24427683119204,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"Down0509","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":8942993244260,"product_id":2439738982500,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T14:04:42+00:00","updated_at":"2020-01-15T09:27:40+00:00","alt":"Starting your Messy Church PDF Download","width":444,"height":676,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0547.jpg?v=1579080460","variant_ids":[24427683119204]},"available":true,"name":"Starting Your Messy Church: A beginner's guide for churches - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":499,"weight":64,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"Down0509","featured_media":{"alt":"Starting your Messy Church PDF Download","id":3259455864971,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":676,"width":444,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0547.jpg?v=1570102195"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460509.jpg?v=1579080460","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0547.jpg?v=1579080460"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460509.jpg?v=1579080460","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":6112611467403,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460509.jpg?v=1579080446"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460509.jpg?v=1579080446","width":1000},{"alt":"Starting your Messy Church PDF Download","id":3259455864971,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":676,"width":444,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0547.jpg?v=1570102195"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":676,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0547.jpg?v=1570102195","width":444}],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEverything you need to get your Messy Church going!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bigger picture... What Messy Church is and isn't... Why the values?... Commitment needed... Checklist of starting strategies... Why the network?... Questions to ask... What to expect... Organising your team... Sustaining your Messy Church... Review questions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource is for churches who want to see what's involved in starting up a Messy Church, or who are ready to go ahead with one. It includes checklists, milestones, questions to ask a Messy Church you're visiting, review strategies and a resources section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is BRF's Messy Church Team Leader, responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally. She continues to help lead Messy Church in her own church. Jane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church team. She has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for 12 years. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Country Way - June to September 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe were having problems with the format of our all-age worship in a small rural church - we weren't reaching young families so we thought we would try something different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is just what it says in its introduction: 'short, punchy ....it gets the basics across quickly.' It's not a book about setting up yet another children's programme. God is at the heart of it, with a passion shining through for all generations to meet Jesus in a fun and accessible way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a useful resource with some practical checklists and lots of encouragement. It sets out the principles and values of Messy Church, and is full of practical tips - about praying, funding, venue, child protection etc.. It shares some useful experiences of those already involved with established Messy Churches. It doesn't pull its punches about the difficulties and challenges likely to be faced but it does stress the encouragements and excitement the team will experience as they too grow as disciples as they get involved in the vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have decided to give it a go, you are not on your own. The book lists lots of other resources - more books, the Messy Church website, training and regional networks - you never need to be short of ideas and inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have been running Messy Church now for six months. It's hard work but it's fun. It's encouraging our regular church families and it's involving people who, a year ago, 'wouldn't darken the doors of a church'. It's an opportunity to share the Gospel with them and to build relationships. Above all - it's messy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Gillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Country Way Issue 60 - May 2012 - \u003ca title=\"www.countryway.org.uk\" rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.countryway.org.uk\"\u003ewww.countryway.org.uk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe introduction to this book says it is 'short, punchy and easily passed round a team... It gets the basics across quickly...' That is exactly what it does. It gives a straightforward clear and concise overview of what Messy Church is and isn't. It tells you how to set up and maintain a Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is both its strength and the weakness. St Wilfrid's, Cowplain, (where it started) were innovative and thought creatively when they set up the first Messy Church. It is that innovation and the ability to think outside the box that other churches need to replicate. But just following a process that worked extremely well for St Wilfrid's may not work for other churches. Parts of the book recognise this: 'there are plenty of equally valid different ways of doing Messy Church and God is there in all of them.' Other parts of the book don't: 'stick with the Messy Church 'brand'. It is tried and tested; don't fall into the trap of ...tinkering about with it.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI shall be passing the book around in the hope that it will encourage us to learn from the Messy Church experience. I hope we will take the good ideas in it, think about what will work here, and no doubt will tinker about with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Robert Barlow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Good Bookstall - 30 April 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a slim volume of 55 pages (sales help fund the Messy Church ministry) introducing this popular Fresh Expression of church to those considering starting a Messy Church in their community. It sets out to be 'short, punchy and easily passed round a team' and it fulfils this aim well. Providing help to think through whether or not this is for your church, it counsels not rushing into starting a Messy Church. 'What matters is that your want to help families meet Jesus' this is not just for children, but a form of church for children and adults that involves creativity, celebration and hospitality. The big picture to hold in mind is that it is all about making disciples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupport from the whole church is needed, along with commitment from the leadership and prayer, and there is also good advice in seeking out the 'unlikely' people to be involved. It stresses that this is a team ministry and all will need to be prepared for hard work. Messy Church once a month is the normal pattern giving time for preparation and reflection between the sessions. The availability of help, encouragement and resources from the wider Messy Church network through people, books and online support is also covered.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eReview by Margaret Brasier, Beeston, Nottingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Church Times - 17 February 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMESSY CHURCH, say Lucy Moore and Jane Leadbetter, is not a children's church, nor a way of attracting more people to a church's existing services. It is, they explain in \u003cem\u003eStarting Your Messy Church: A beginner's guide for churches\u003c\/em\u003e, a form of church for children and adults which involves creativity, celebration, and hospitality. It meets at a time and sometimes in a place that suit people who don't belong to a church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'The way you go about making disciples may involve horrifying amounts of icing sugar and glitter glue,' they say - but making disciples is what it's all about. The aim is 'to introduce Jesus through hospitality, friendship, stories, and worship'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the Bible Reading Fellowship's Messy Church Team Leader, and her co-author is a member of the team. Their small book is jolly, encouraging, and full of good and detailed advice for those interested in this kind of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Everything you need to get your Messy Church going! The bigger picture... What Messy Church is and isn't... Why the...
{"id":2439825162340,"title":"Parenting Children for a Life of Faith omnibus: Helping children meet and know God","handle":"parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-omnibus-helping-children-meet-and-know-god","description":"\u003cp\u003eEquipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith, Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose,\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Confidence\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book provides inspiration and wisdom for nurturing children into the reality of God's presence and love, equipping them to access him themselves and encouraging them to grow in a two-way relationship with him that will last a lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis book brings together three of Rachel Turner's books in one place. Full of nuggets and practical insights it will help your children to connect with God as an overflow of a growing relationship with Him. It should be found on every Christian parent's bookshelf. Olly Goldenberg, Children Can\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtract from review by Lucy Rycroft in her blog: 'Desertmum - Pursuing discipleship through the haze of early parenting', 30.11.18\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have been reading an excellent book ... which I'm delighted to share with you today. 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith', by Rachel Turner, has been around for a few years, along with its sequels 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose' and 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut in October, BRF brought out 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith (Omnibus Edition)' which comprises all three books, and it is this book which I've had the pleasure to read and now share with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a pretty hefty tome, containing three books, but there's no need to be daunted. All the chapters are short and extremely readable. Rachel Turner has a very accessible style, with plenty of stories and examples to bring her points to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's also very possible to dip into different chapters (as I've been doing for this review). I would recommend reading it from start to finish (as I intend to in more depth, over the coming months), because Rachel introduces frameworks and patterns which she then refers to in subsequent chapters - but you can find plenty to inspire you if you only have time to dip into a chapter now and then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book was just how much I need it. After nine years of parenting, I feel I am only just scratching the surface in terms of understanding how my kids respond to events, and how I respond to them, and how that may or may not be affecting them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, I'd go as far as to say that just when I think I've got parenting all wrapped up, at least one of my kids moves into a new 'phase', and the whole thing needs rethinking again. I'll be honest and say that, just right now, I'm feeling pretty negative about my ability to nurture the four precious souls God has given me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo I need this book. And maybe you do too. As intentional as I am about my parenting, this book opened my mind to so much that I'd never even considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, I'd never thought before about the wrong views of God that my children might have picked up, and how to re-align them. I'd kind of assumed, rather arrogantly, that we were teaching them all the Right Stuff. But we're sinful - they hear our words, and they see our actions, and these don't always match up. And then there's all the stuff they're hearing from school and church and the media. All in all, that can make for a pretty confusing idea of who God is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother idea that I picked up, and started to put into practice immediately, is encouraging our kids to 'chat' to God, rather than follow the rather formulaic (and, if you think about it, non-relational) 'thank you - please - sorry' model. As Rachel points out, these are all essential words to use too. Any strong marriage features them in its communication: but if that was all I said to my husband, we wouldn't have a very close relationship at all! Likewise, our relationship with God can be more 'chatty', and maybe this starts more of a genuine and personal connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ideas came from the first of the trilogy of books contained in this omnibus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut the second book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose', offers great brain fodder too - specifically on the idea of nurturing our children into using the gifts God has given them - both practical and spiritual, so that they are aware from an early age of their place in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence', might sound a little 'self-help' in theme, but the very first chapter reveals that it's anything but.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContrary to the world's idea that we should be confident because we are awesomely wonderful - or the incorrect 'Christian' theology that we should be confident because God made us and we're awesomely wonderful - Rachel outlines that we should be confident because we trust in God - in other words, our confidence is in Him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rest of the book goes into more detail, and no tricky area is avoided: peer pressure, bullying, body image, competition. All the areas which might shake a child's confidence, Rachel calls out with truth and boldness, giving us helpful and practical ideas on how to handle these situations with grace and Biblical promises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne thing I particularly appreciated about all three titles was the helpful way Rachel reduces concepts to simple frameworks which are easy to remember. That's not all there is - Rachel expands on these throughout each book - but for a tired and busy parent, it's good to have short, memorable phrases to pull out when we need them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book there's an extensive collection of FAQs, including how to disciple a child if your partner is not a believer, how to nurture the faith of a child who doesn't like to read, and how to encourage children to exercise spiritual gifts. No stone has been left unturned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, just to recap, this is THREE BOOKS IN ONE. Don't be put off by the size: it can easily be read one book at a time, or even one or two chapters at a time. Rachel Turner's style is endearing, easy-to-read, challenging and helpful. She is a parent and children's worker of many years' experience, so she sees the full picture of kids and their developing faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith would make a fabulous Christmas present for a Christian mum or dad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/lucyrycroft.com\/2018\/11\/29\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e for full blog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, April 2020. Review by Veronica Bright\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner sets out to empower, inspire and assist Christian parents to guide and help their children develop a lasting and vibrant two-way relationship with God. The book consists of three sections. [nb: this is an omnibus edition of three previous titles]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of faith\u003c\/em\u003e, Turner says, ‘What gets missed out most often in our retelling of Bible stories is God’s relationship with people within the story.’ She stresses the importance of relationships, and suggests ways parents can help children to ‘chat’ to God and ‘catch’ his messages. The second section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003epurpose\u003c\/em\u003e, explores how Christian parents can equip their children with confidence, helping them live compassionately and courageously, understanding the power of love. The third section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of confidence\u003c\/em\u003e, helps the reader to understand and shape their children’s attitude to life. There are ‘evangelical’ clichés in the text, and there is a tendency to take all Bible stories literally, which would not suit everybody. However, this book could be a great help to people where the whole family is Christian. The book is part of a Bible Reading Fellowship initiative, and links with a free video course \u003cem\u003eParenting for Faith\u003c\/em\u003e, found at www.parentingforfaith.org.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Veronica Bright \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:24+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:25+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Kindle","Oct-18","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books","Torch Trust"],"price":1299,"price_min":1299,"price_max":1299,"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":21770172170340,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466945","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Parenting Children for a Life of Faith omnibus: Helping children meet and know God - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":396,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466945"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1549043119"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1549043119","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238881656971,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":458}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eEquipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCollecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith, Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose,\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Confidence\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book provides inspiration and wisdom for nurturing children into the reality of God's presence and love, equipping them to access him themselves and encouraging them to grow in a two-way relationship with him that will last a lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis book brings together three of Rachel Turner's books in one place. Full of nuggets and practical insights it will help your children to connect with God as an overflow of a growing relationship with Him. It should be found on every Christian parent's bookshelf. Olly Goldenberg, Children Can\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtract from review by Lucy Rycroft in her blog: 'Desertmum - Pursuing discipleship through the haze of early parenting', 30.11.18\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have been reading an excellent book ... which I'm delighted to share with you today. 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith', by Rachel Turner, has been around for a few years, along with its sequels 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose' and 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut in October, BRF brought out 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith (Omnibus Edition)' which comprises all three books, and it is this book which I've had the pleasure to read and now share with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a pretty hefty tome, containing three books, but there's no need to be daunted. All the chapters are short and extremely readable. Rachel Turner has a very accessible style, with plenty of stories and examples to bring her points to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's also very possible to dip into different chapters (as I've been doing for this review). I would recommend reading it from start to finish (as I intend to in more depth, over the coming months), because Rachel introduces frameworks and patterns which she then refers to in subsequent chapters - but you can find plenty to inspire you if you only have time to dip into a chapter now and then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book was just how much I need it. After nine years of parenting, I feel I am only just scratching the surface in terms of understanding how my kids respond to events, and how I respond to them, and how that may or may not be affecting them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, I'd go as far as to say that just when I think I've got parenting all wrapped up, at least one of my kids moves into a new 'phase', and the whole thing needs rethinking again. I'll be honest and say that, just right now, I'm feeling pretty negative about my ability to nurture the four precious souls God has given me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo I need this book. And maybe you do too. As intentional as I am about my parenting, this book opened my mind to so much that I'd never even considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, I'd never thought before about the wrong views of God that my children might have picked up, and how to re-align them. I'd kind of assumed, rather arrogantly, that we were teaching them all the Right Stuff. But we're sinful - they hear our words, and they see our actions, and these don't always match up. And then there's all the stuff they're hearing from school and church and the media. All in all, that can make for a pretty confusing idea of who God is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother idea that I picked up, and started to put into practice immediately, is encouraging our kids to 'chat' to God, rather than follow the rather formulaic (and, if you think about it, non-relational) 'thank you - please - sorry' model. As Rachel points out, these are all essential words to use too. Any strong marriage features them in its communication: but if that was all I said to my husband, we wouldn't have a very close relationship at all! Likewise, our relationship with God can be more 'chatty', and maybe this starts more of a genuine and personal connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ideas came from the first of the trilogy of books contained in this omnibus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut the second book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose', offers great brain fodder too - specifically on the idea of nurturing our children into using the gifts God has given them - both practical and spiritual, so that they are aware from an early age of their place in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence', might sound a little 'self-help' in theme, but the very first chapter reveals that it's anything but.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContrary to the world's idea that we should be confident because we are awesomely wonderful - or the incorrect 'Christian' theology that we should be confident because God made us and we're awesomely wonderful - Rachel outlines that we should be confident because we trust in God - in other words, our confidence is in Him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rest of the book goes into more detail, and no tricky area is avoided: peer pressure, bullying, body image, competition. All the areas which might shake a child's confidence, Rachel calls out with truth and boldness, giving us helpful and practical ideas on how to handle these situations with grace and Biblical promises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne thing I particularly appreciated about all three titles was the helpful way Rachel reduces concepts to simple frameworks which are easy to remember. That's not all there is - Rachel expands on these throughout each book - but for a tired and busy parent, it's good to have short, memorable phrases to pull out when we need them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book there's an extensive collection of FAQs, including how to disciple a child if your partner is not a believer, how to nurture the faith of a child who doesn't like to read, and how to encourage children to exercise spiritual gifts. No stone has been left unturned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, just to recap, this is THREE BOOKS IN ONE. Don't be put off by the size: it can easily be read one book at a time, or even one or two chapters at a time. Rachel Turner's style is endearing, easy-to-read, challenging and helpful. She is a parent and children's worker of many years' experience, so she sees the full picture of kids and their developing faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith would make a fabulous Christmas present for a Christian mum or dad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/lucyrycroft.com\/2018\/11\/29\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e for full blog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, April 2020. Review by Veronica Bright\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner sets out to empower, inspire and assist Christian parents to guide and help their children develop a lasting and vibrant two-way relationship with God. The book consists of three sections. [nb: this is an omnibus edition of three previous titles]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of faith\u003c\/em\u003e, Turner says, ‘What gets missed out most often in our retelling of Bible stories is God’s relationship with people within the story.’ She stresses the importance of relationships, and suggests ways parents can help children to ‘chat’ to God and ‘catch’ his messages. The second section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003epurpose\u003c\/em\u003e, explores how Christian parents can equip their children with confidence, helping them live compassionately and courageously, understanding the power of love. The third section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of confidence\u003c\/em\u003e, helps the reader to understand and shape their children’s attitude to life. There are ‘evangelical’ clichés in the text, and there is a tendency to take all Bible stories literally, which would not suit everybody. However, this book could be a great help to people where the whole family is Christian. The book is part of a Bible Reading Fellowship initiative, and links with a free video course \u003cem\u003eParenting for Faith\u003c\/em\u003e, found at www.parentingforfaith.org.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Veronica Bright \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Parenting Children for a Life of Faith omnibus: Helping children meet and know God
£12.99
Equipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens. Collecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as Parenting Children for...
{"id":2439749664868,"title":"Messy Easter: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Lent, Holy Week and Easter","handle":"messy-easter-3-complete-sessions-and-a-treasure-trove-of-craft-ideas-for-lent-holy-week-and-easter","description":"\u003cp\u003eThree complete sessions for Lent, Holy Week and Easter, together with a wealth of activities to extend the range of excitingly messy activities for your Messy Church - creative prayers, games, food crafts, and ideas for organising an Easter trail. Craft templates and a session planning grid are included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nJane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church team, has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for twelve years. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from the Diocese of Peterborough Late Jan 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of the national Messy Church team, Jane provides three complete Messy Church sessions for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. There are lots of crafts, games and activities as well as ideas for things to do at home to follow-up each session. We are also given ideas for the celebration each time and lots of suggestions for prayers. This book is worth buying even if you are not running a Messy Church!\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:37+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:39+00:00","vendor":"Jane Leadbetter","type":"Paperback","tags":["Easter","Messy Church books","Nov-14","PDF"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"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":21769075458148,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781841017174","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Easter: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Lent, Holy Week and Easter - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":221,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781841017174"},{"id":23546599538788,"title":"PDF download","option1":"PDF download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD7174","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":17571413196952,"product_id":2439749664868,"position":2,"created_at":"2020-06-22T10:15:42+01:00","updated_at":"2020-06-22T10:15:42+01:00","alt":null,"width":650,"height":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7174.jpg?v=1592817342","variant_ids":[23546599538788]},"available":true,"name":"Messy Easter: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Lent, Holy Week and Easter - PDF download","public_title":"PDF download","options":["PDF download"],"price":899,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"DOWNLOAD7174","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":9745522917528,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7174.jpg?v=1592817342"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841017174.jpg?v=1584620109","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7174.jpg?v=1592817342"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841017174.jpg?v=1584620109","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":6963363577995,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841017174.jpg?v=1584620109"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841017174.jpg?v=1584620109","width":1000},{"alt":null,"id":9745522917528,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7174.jpg?v=1592817342"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7174.jpg?v=1592817342","width":650}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThree complete sessions for Lent, Holy Week and Easter, together with a wealth of activities to extend the range of excitingly messy activities for your Messy Church - creative prayers, games, food crafts, and ideas for organising an Easter trail. Craft templates and a session planning grid are included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nJane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church team, has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for twelve years. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from the Diocese of Peterborough Late Jan 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePart of the national Messy Church team, Jane provides three complete Messy Church sessions for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. There are lots of crafts, games and activities as well as ideas for things to do at home to follow-up each session. We are also given ideas for the celebration each time and lots of suggestions for prayers. This book is worth buying even if you are not running a Messy Church!\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Messy Easter: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Lent, Holy Week and Easter
£8.99
Three complete sessions for Lent, Holy Week and Easter, together with a wealth of activities to extend the range of...
{"id":2439764377700,"title":"Comfort in the Darkness: Helping children draw close to God through biblical stories of night-time and sleep","handle":"comfort-in-the-darkness-helping-children-draw-close-to-god-through-biblical-stories-of-night-time-and-sleep","description":"\u003cp\u003eSleep, dreams and the night can be mysterious and sometimes troubling. Children can be afraid of the dark, have nightmares and night terrors, sleepwalk, or have insomnia. How do we deal with their concerns and fears and help them to draw close to God at night? This collection of Bible story retellings exploring God's character and promises will enable parents to help children grow in peace, confidence and understanding of who God is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRachel Turner has been a full-time children's and families worker and the National Children's Work Coordinator for New Wine, and continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, children and youth workers around the UK and Europe. She is the author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Resource - September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to help children draw close to God through biblical stories of night time and sleep.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not to love about this book?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA helpful introduction from Rachel sets the scene - encouraging us to make the book our own. This is not a 'how to' manual of navigating the night time if our children struggle to sleep or are going through that traumatic stage of night terrors - rather, it gives tools for parents to engage, reflect and ask questions with their children - to journey with them through the night and, most importantly, for them to know that God is present there - just as much as in the day time.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e16 stories from the Bible are skilfully retold with just the right amount of drama, suspense and awe - perfect for a shared story!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eParents can use the additional sections after each story to take things further . . . but, just simply sharing these stories and creating a rhythm and pattern of reading together creates a calming atmosphere - build a routine around story telling and sharing a night that becomes as familiar as brushing teeth and having a bath.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eGet hold of this wonderful book and find comfort in the darkness - not just for your children, but maybe for you as parents too .\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/theresource.org.uk\/comfort-in-the-darkness-by-rachel-turner\/\"\u003eThe Resource\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAli Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egodventure - November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a book on sleep training, but one which will create a positive relationship with God at night-time - for you and your children! Rachel vividly retells 16 Bible stories, each where someone, usually a child, experiences something of God at night-time. It's simple, it's clever and it's profound. I found my own perspective on night-time changing along with my children's, as they quoted to me things we had discovered of God at night-time. I particularly loved the story of Herman, based on Psalm 88, who discovers that God gives us songs in the night to draw close to Him. We had a fab time asking God to give us songs and singing them together. Great book for any parent - especially, but definitely not exclusively, any with children who struggle at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Beech\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times - 19 May 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA very useful aid for helping parents draw their children closer to God, and a must for the bedroom bookshelf\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Saturday our six and seven year old granddaughters have a sleepover with us because they love to come to church on Sunday mornings.They like to sleep with the bedside light on low but neither of them have nocturnal problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey are a vivacious pair. The trouble with bedtime is switching off Peppa Pig, or getting them off their tab, and calming them down. When they are finally between the sheets, reading a bedtime story is a great relaxer.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\nThese 16 Bible stories are all simply written in a manner that allows the reader to add timely pauses and thoughtful expression. They are all set in a night time context through which God's presence and purpose are revealed whether life is easy, perplexing or fraught with trouble and danger. In order to get the most out of the stories the 'Extras for Parents' should be read well before involving the children. A good friend of mine describes it as finding and providing emotional intelligence.\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever this is neither a D.I.Y. Sunday School manual nor a lesson book. The Discussion Points are useful if it's appropriate to prolong bedtime a little, but should not be imposed if the conversation is going to erase sleepiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe prayers that come after each story, sensitively link the thoughts and feelings from the characters with how the children may have reacted and brings them into the love and care of the Lord. Their aim is to develop a sense of prayerfulness in the closeness of God as they snuggle down. It's a far cry from the old kneel by your bed and say your prayers routine. That may have been fine for God to bless mummy and daddy, the cat the dog and the goldfish, tell me about it, but it did hardly anything to develop prayerfulness.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Frequently Asked Questions found at the end of the book are required reading prior to the book being used. They can be very useful in helping parents settle children's anxieties, understand the world around them and how best to relate to it. Comfort in the Darkness is a very useful aid for helping parents draw their children closer to God and a must for the bedroom bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:28+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:29+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Parenting","Parenting for Faith books","Sep-16","Torch Trust"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"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":21769237430372,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464231","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Comfort in the Darkness: Helping children draw close to God through biblical stories of night-time and sleep - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":167,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464231"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1549043163"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1549043163","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238876905611,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":427}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eSleep, dreams and the night can be mysterious and sometimes troubling. Children can be afraid of the dark, have nightmares and night terrors, sleepwalk, or have insomnia. How do we deal with their concerns and fears and help them to draw close to God at night? This collection of Bible story retellings exploring God's character and promises will enable parents to help children grow in peace, confidence and understanding of who God is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRachel Turner has been a full-time children's and families worker and the National Children's Work Coordinator for New Wine, and continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, children and youth workers around the UK and Europe. She is the author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Resource - September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to help children draw close to God through biblical stories of night time and sleep.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not to love about this book?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA helpful introduction from Rachel sets the scene - encouraging us to make the book our own. This is not a 'how to' manual of navigating the night time if our children struggle to sleep or are going through that traumatic stage of night terrors - rather, it gives tools for parents to engage, reflect and ask questions with their children - to journey with them through the night and, most importantly, for them to know that God is present there - just as much as in the day time.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e16 stories from the Bible are skilfully retold with just the right amount of drama, suspense and awe - perfect for a shared story!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eParents can use the additional sections after each story to take things further . . . but, just simply sharing these stories and creating a rhythm and pattern of reading together creates a calming atmosphere - build a routine around story telling and sharing a night that becomes as familiar as brushing teeth and having a bath.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eGet hold of this wonderful book and find comfort in the darkness - not just for your children, but maybe for you as parents too .\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/theresource.org.uk\/comfort-in-the-darkness-by-rachel-turner\/\"\u003eThe Resource\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAli Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egodventure - November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a book on sleep training, but one which will create a positive relationship with God at night-time - for you and your children! Rachel vividly retells 16 Bible stories, each where someone, usually a child, experiences something of God at night-time. It's simple, it's clever and it's profound. I found my own perspective on night-time changing along with my children's, as they quoted to me things we had discovered of God at night-time. I particularly loved the story of Herman, based on Psalm 88, who discovers that God gives us songs in the night to draw close to Him. We had a fab time asking God to give us songs and singing them together. Great book for any parent - especially, but definitely not exclusively, any with children who struggle at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Beech\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times - 19 May 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA very useful aid for helping parents draw their children closer to God, and a must for the bedroom bookshelf\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEvery Saturday our six and seven year old granddaughters have a sleepover with us because they love to come to church on Sunday mornings.They like to sleep with the bedside light on low but neither of them have nocturnal problems.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThey are a vivacious pair. The trouble with bedtime is switching off Peppa Pig, or getting them off their tab, and calming them down. When they are finally between the sheets, reading a bedtime story is a great relaxer.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\nThese 16 Bible stories are all simply written in a manner that allows the reader to add timely pauses and thoughtful expression. They are all set in a night time context through which God's presence and purpose are revealed whether life is easy, perplexing or fraught with trouble and danger. In order to get the most out of the stories the 'Extras for Parents' should be read well before involving the children. A good friend of mine describes it as finding and providing emotional intelligence.\r\n\u003cp\u003eHowever this is neither a D.I.Y. Sunday School manual nor a lesson book. The Discussion Points are useful if it's appropriate to prolong bedtime a little, but should not be imposed if the conversation is going to erase sleepiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe prayers that come after each story, sensitively link the thoughts and feelings from the characters with how the children may have reacted and brings them into the love and care of the Lord. Their aim is to develop a sense of prayerfulness in the closeness of God as they snuggle down. It's a far cry from the old kneel by your bed and say your prayers routine. That may have been fine for God to bless mummy and daddy, the cat the dog and the goldfish, tell me about it, but it did hardly anything to develop prayerfulness.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Frequently Asked Questions found at the end of the book are required reading prior to the book being used. They can be very useful in helping parents settle children's anxieties, understand the world around them and how best to relate to it. Comfort in the Darkness is a very useful aid for helping parents draw their children closer to God and a must for the bedroom bookshelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e"}
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Comfort in the Darkness: Helping children draw close to God through biblical stories of night-time and sleep
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Sleep, dreams and the night can be mysterious and sometimes troubling. Children can be afraid of the dark, have nightmares...
{"id":2439743766628,"title":"Messy Church: Fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community","handle":"messy-church-fresh-ideas-for-building-a-christ-centred-community","description":"\u003cp\u003eOverflowing with creative ideas to draw the community together for fun, food, fellowship and worship, this resource book contains 15 themed programme outlines. Each outline has ideas for creative art and craft activities, meal plans and recipes for eating together and family-friendly worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/i\u003e grew out of one church's desire to reach out to those on the fringes of the church community and experience the love of Christ through creativity, fellowship and worship together. There is also a dedicated website at www.messychurch.org.uk which explains what Messy Church is, why it got started and who is doing it now.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n...crammed with good things... delights on every page... full of good fun, deep wisdom and practical know-how. Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is BRF's Messy Church Team Leader, an international speaker and an Associate Missioner for Fresh Expressions. Her books include The Gospels Unplugged, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged, All-Age Worship, Messy Church, Messy Church 2, Messy Crafts and Colourful Creation. She also presents the Messy Church DVD. \n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Sign - April 2011\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOffering 'fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community', Lucy Moore's book is an engaging, lively and humbly thoughtful account of a church's experiment with community worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church' began as a way to listen to what local people might want in the way of services. The result has taken off into a worldwide movement for all-age worship which meets the needs of people who are used to the old patterns of churchgoing.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, you'll find out what she and her husband, a vicar in Hampshire, did with a committed team of church members, and you're offered ideas for how to make Messy Church in your own place.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf the idea of 'mess' and 'church' seem mutually exclusive, Lucy Moore challenges that. They found, if a church is going to welcome people as Christ did, it has to accept that they come in a 'mess' - not perfect, conforming, educated and easy-to-manage adult worshippers, but people struggling with many demands imposed by work, children, illness, disability, divorce, emotional baggage and aspirations.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 'mess' is also - internal emotion, theological and spiritual. It's also about accepting that tidy boundaries around faith and churchgoing are not necessarily the way to experience the Holy Spirit. And in Lucy's church, 'mess' was also about creative play and artistic impression - though to enable that mess to happen, there has to be allot of careful planning.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you don't see anything spiritual in paint blots and angels with paper doily wings, the cover of this book may deter you - but inside there is a potent the theological understanding of what parish worship can embrace, without losing other traditional ways of worshipping. It deserves to be read carefully and discussed by PCCs and church members, and anyone who wonders why lots of people don't come to church any more.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Life Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e - Autumn 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e describes what happened to one suburban church that realised 'we simply weren't connecting' - especially with children and families - despite suitable premises, leaders and volunteers, and some good ideas. But very importantly, neither church nor author consider this experience to be a model to be copied; rather it is an example to be learnt from.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe word messy might be off-putting, but part of it might be spelt risk. This experiment was about moving to, and beyond, the edges of the church, and - to a degree - away from the formal or the familiar. The people the church wanted to reach and serve were 'messy'. Their lives were not easily circumscribed by what normally went on in church. It was successful, particularly in how it brought all ages together in one worshipping community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book starts by describing the background, with brief but pragmatic theologies of messiness and the church. The key to messy church is a five-fold ethos: creative, hospitable (i.e. food!), all-age, Christ-centred and worshipping. There are very practical sections on safety, recipes and preparing for a messy church experience. The second and longer part is devoted to details of thematic programmes taking messy church through one year.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany \u003cem\u003eCountry Wide\u003c\/em\u003e readers will be from rural churches with fewer resources than the original messy church. But, like much all-age and children's material from the bible Reading Fellowship, this resource lends itself to picking, choosing and adapting. I believe that, if we are serious about reaching people beyond the comfortable fringes of normal church, this may be of a great help whatever community we represent and whatever the size of your church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Simon Martin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eThe Methodist Recorder\u003c\/em\u003e - 10 January 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor a taste of a realistic appraisal of the needs of the wider Church today, coupled with a wealth of well-judged, practical and supremely usable material, look no further than \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Lucy Moore has drawn on the skills she has employed in youth work, drama, training programmes and creative presentations in order to produce a book so replete with wisdom that it is difficult to know which quote to choose as illustration. One such is:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'... This journey to faith involves bits of belonging, a little believing, a certain amount of ownership all swilling around together in a life-changing primeval soup while the Spirit works in us to bring us nearer to Jesus in our many different ways.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHence: \u003cem\u003e'If you juggle with this idea, you soon arrive at a church that not only is a joyful mess but which makes a mess joyfully.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first 64 pages examine the concept and considerations of messiness while the remaining 130-odd contain programmes for the summer, autumn and spring terms, with three more for use throughout the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA summary of a messy church midweek session, as practised at the Anglican St Wilfrid's church in Portsmouth, begins at 3.30pm with half an hour of board games, drink and biscuit, followed by an hour's craft time, a 15-minute church celebration service and a last half-hour devoted to a hot meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is also featured among a series of short stories on the Fresh Expressions DVD.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eThe Church Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 26 Oct 07\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an accessible, honest and highly practical book about a self-consciously fresh expression of church in Portsmouth. Its title is a reminder of the messiness of our individual and corporate journeys of faith, and it also reflects Lucy Moore's conviction that the Church 'should not only be a joyful mess but one which should make a mess joyfully.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church at St Wilfrid's meets together once a month after school on Thursdays, when 60-90 people of all ages come together to do crafts, worship and share food. The stated aim of Messy Church is to be 'a worshipping community of all ages, centred on Christ, showing Christian hospitality, and giving people a chance to express their creativity, to sit down together to eat a meal, and have fun within a church context.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMoore is clear that Messy Church is to be regarded as a church in its own right, not merely a parachurch group that serves to introduce people to the real thing on Sundays.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is designed to be both a stimulus and a resource for other churches. Its first section summarises familiar arguments about the necessity to experiment with different forms of church, before describing, in concrete terms, how Messy Church started and has evolved. It is generally a well-thought-through model, resourced by an enviable array of talented, committed and available people; and Moore is honest about some of the limitations, and the areas in which further work is required - for instance, the relationship between Messy Church and the regular Sunday congregation of St Wilfrid's.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section provides 12 units of high-quality thematic material (enough for a year), including details of numerous craft activities, and suggestions for worship. The book also contains recipes and hints for catering for large numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe theological reflection in this book is sometimes a bit thin. I also found it puzzling that, despite the enormous amount of importance which Messy Church (rightly) attaches to food and eating together, there is no mention of this church's celebration of the eucharist. This is, however, undoubtedly a valuable resource for churches engaged in all-age activities and worship, and has much to commend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Dr Grenfell, Team Rector of Sheffield Manor and Course Director at Ripon College, Cuddesdon.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: The Lincoln and Grimsby Methodist Church website\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEveryone in the church seems to be talking about 'Fresh expressions of church'! So, what about Glentham?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWell, I have come across a wonderful concept called 'Messy Church' And so I found myself trawling the Internet for inspiration for our 'Interactive Easter Family Worship' and I came across a book called 'Messy Church' by Lucy Moore As I read the blurb about it I felt excited, it seemed to be just what we were looking for (and more!)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is Messy Church?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church is a once-monthly time when families come together to enjoy being together, making things together, eating together and celebrating God together through his work, through music and through prayer. It's different from a children's activity day because it's an event for children and their carers or parents together, and it's more than a local authority fun day because of the element of worship that underpins it all.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd that's just the beginning. The book is very easy to read and wonderfully inspirational with loads of practical ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eChristian Marketplace\u003c\/em\u003e - August 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of church are designed for those on the outside or edge of the Christian community. Messy church is a 'must have' for anyone - clergy, children's workers, creative people - serious about reaching people on the edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a brilliant little paperback jam packed with ideas. It is easy to read, laying out the theology and aims of messy church as well as giving 15 plans for all age sessions. Messy church is interactive church, including lots of easy to do craft, worship, Bible story and response, prayers and meals together. There are even recipes for meal suggestions!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is designed for weekdays because of the fall in numbers of families coming to church on a Sunday. However, I have tried ideas from it at an All Age on a Sunday too, with positive response. Any book that suggeets that people are asked to 'sit down' rather than 'be seated' usually meets with my approval!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Ann Eyre.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eReform\u003c\/em\u003e - March 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book's main intention is 'to kick start some thinking about what particular form of fresh expression church might take.' The experience behind the book is of an Anglican church - St Wilfrid's. But I knew immediately who would love this book, someone who is part of a URC 'fresh expression' church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is part of the Messy Church team. This book places adults and children together in the context of fun, food, fellowship and worship. Messy Church is a monthly experience for families, children and carers, which runs from 3.30pm to 5.45pm on Thursdays. It is structured, but fun! After a welcome slot, there are craft activities, worship and food.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of Messy Church is 'to be a worshipping community of all ages, centred on Christ, showing Christian hospitality - giving people a chance to express their creativity, to sit down together to eat a meal and have fun within a church context.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first part offers the story and concept of Messy Church, with a simple and superb section on messy theology. The point is to reach those for whom traditional church does not make much sense.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second part offers four units of ready worked out programmes for three terms - summer, autumn and spring. There are also three unites on biblical landscapes - mountains, roads and seasides. Each unit has an aim, biblical background, food recipe, ten activities and an outline for celebration worship. The songs suggested are usually from either the \u003cem\u003eHumungous Song Book\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eKidsource\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eShout to the Lord Kids\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eGreat Big God\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Pompey Chimes, the Diocese of Portsmouth's newspaper - February 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is both inspiring and challenging. It's not one on how to keep your church clean, but about a concept started in St Wilfrid's Church, Cowplain, where parents, carers and children can express their creativity, eat a meal together, experiences worship and have fun within a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a book that starts to explore a particular 'Fresh Expression' of church, a joint Church of England and Methodist initiative which encourages churches to find different ways of being Church for different people and situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is for church leaders, children's and youth workers and anyone looking at ways of reaching out to their community. The book starts with an overview of Messy Church then moves on to what it is and its aims.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you want to imitate Messy Church or not, it gets you thinking about what your church situation is and what Fresh Expressions of church are happening (or not) in yours.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe gives guidance as to how to create a Fresh Expression of church. It then moves of to 15 themed programmes: each programme consists of a meal idea, 10 crafts, a talk and worship outline with a suggestion of appropriate songs to use (all songs that I am familiar with!).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI found the ideas very simple and easy t follow and will definitely be looking at trying some out.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe crafts are fun and could be used for any midweek group, holiday club or Sunday programme. The talks are short and very user-friendly and again are suitable for other events.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI love Lucy's style and humour and found the book very easy to read. A lot has been packed into this book. I think it is a must for all children's workers - an excellent resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eStart the Week\u003c\/em\u003e - 18 November 2006\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of church is a topic hot for debate and exploration. By recognising the need for our churches to 'be church' in new ways for different people and situations, fresh and exciting projects are springing up around the country. One such 'fresh expression' is Messy Church that enjoys the gifts of food and creativity to help people come closer to God and each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn her book \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e Lucy Moore describes the monthly Thursday afternoon church where Mums, children, carers, grandparents can meet to enjoy craft activities, a meal and a short celebration of God's love for us. The book describes the concept and theology behind such a church. 15 themed programmes are provided with Bible references, craft and art activities, easy to prepare recipes for the meal and family-friendly worship outlines. A complete programme for creative activities, a nutritious meal and a short celebration allow for the community to have fun, be fed and experience worship in a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eMessy Church is one of those learning places. It's crammed with good things and there are delights on every page.\u003c\/em\u003e' From the foreword by Steven Croft.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is part of BRF's \u003cem\u003eBarnabas\u003c\/em\u003e team. She is a published writer, gifted performer and creative arts director. At \u003cem\u003eBarnabas\u003c\/em\u003e ministry and training events she shares the Bible through lively original poetry and drama, mime and storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReproduced from \u003cem\u003eStart the Week\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:14+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:15+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Christmas","Easter","Messy Church books","Oct-11"],"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":21769004056676,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461452","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Church: Fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":235,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461452"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1549043177"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1549043177","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874710155,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":426}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eOverflowing with creative ideas to draw the community together for fun, food, fellowship and worship, this resource book contains 15 themed programme outlines. Each outline has ideas for creative art and craft activities, meal plans and recipes for eating together and family-friendly worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/i\u003e grew out of one church's desire to reach out to those on the fringes of the church community and experience the love of Christ through creativity, fellowship and worship together. There is also a dedicated website at www.messychurch.org.uk which explains what Messy Church is, why it got started and who is doing it now.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n...crammed with good things... delights on every page... full of good fun, deep wisdom and practical know-how. Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is BRF's Messy Church Team Leader, an international speaker and an Associate Missioner for Fresh Expressions. Her books include The Gospels Unplugged, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged, All-Age Worship, Messy Church, Messy Church 2, Messy Crafts and Colourful Creation. She also presents the Messy Church DVD. \n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Sign - April 2011\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOffering 'fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community', Lucy Moore's book is an engaging, lively and humbly thoughtful account of a church's experiment with community worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church' began as a way to listen to what local people might want in the way of services. The result has taken off into a worldwide movement for all-age worship which meets the needs of people who are used to the old patterns of churchgoing.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, you'll find out what she and her husband, a vicar in Hampshire, did with a committed team of church members, and you're offered ideas for how to make Messy Church in your own place.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf the idea of 'mess' and 'church' seem mutually exclusive, Lucy Moore challenges that. They found, if a church is going to welcome people as Christ did, it has to accept that they come in a 'mess' - not perfect, conforming, educated and easy-to-manage adult worshippers, but people struggling with many demands imposed by work, children, illness, disability, divorce, emotional baggage and aspirations.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe 'mess' is also - internal emotion, theological and spiritual. It's also about accepting that tidy boundaries around faith and churchgoing are not necessarily the way to experience the Holy Spirit. And in Lucy's church, 'mess' was also about creative play and artistic impression - though to enable that mess to happen, there has to be allot of careful planning.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you don't see anything spiritual in paint blots and angels with paper doily wings, the cover of this book may deter you - but inside there is a potent the theological understanding of what parish worship can embrace, without losing other traditional ways of worshipping. It deserves to be read carefully and discussed by PCCs and church members, and anyone who wonders why lots of people don't come to church any more.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Life Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e - Autumn 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e describes what happened to one suburban church that realised 'we simply weren't connecting' - especially with children and families - despite suitable premises, leaders and volunteers, and some good ideas. But very importantly, neither church nor author consider this experience to be a model to be copied; rather it is an example to be learnt from.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe word messy might be off-putting, but part of it might be spelt risk. This experiment was about moving to, and beyond, the edges of the church, and - to a degree - away from the formal or the familiar. The people the church wanted to reach and serve were 'messy'. Their lives were not easily circumscribed by what normally went on in church. It was successful, particularly in how it brought all ages together in one worshipping community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book starts by describing the background, with brief but pragmatic theologies of messiness and the church. The key to messy church is a five-fold ethos: creative, hospitable (i.e. food!), all-age, Christ-centred and worshipping. There are very practical sections on safety, recipes and preparing for a messy church experience. The second and longer part is devoted to details of thematic programmes taking messy church through one year.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMany \u003cem\u003eCountry Wide\u003c\/em\u003e readers will be from rural churches with fewer resources than the original messy church. But, like much all-age and children's material from the bible Reading Fellowship, this resource lends itself to picking, choosing and adapting. I believe that, if we are serious about reaching people beyond the comfortable fringes of normal church, this may be of a great help whatever community we represent and whatever the size of your church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Simon Martin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eThe Methodist Recorder\u003c\/em\u003e - 10 January 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFor a taste of a realistic appraisal of the needs of the wider Church today, coupled with a wealth of well-judged, practical and supremely usable material, look no further than \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAuthor Lucy Moore has drawn on the skills she has employed in youth work, drama, training programmes and creative presentations in order to produce a book so replete with wisdom that it is difficult to know which quote to choose as illustration. One such is:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'... This journey to faith involves bits of belonging, a little believing, a certain amount of ownership all swilling around together in a life-changing primeval soup while the Spirit works in us to bring us nearer to Jesus in our many different ways.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHence: \u003cem\u003e'If you juggle with this idea, you soon arrive at a church that not only is a joyful mess but which makes a mess joyfully.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first 64 pages examine the concept and considerations of messiness while the remaining 130-odd contain programmes for the summer, autumn and spring terms, with three more for use throughout the year.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA summary of a messy church midweek session, as practised at the Anglican St Wilfrid's church in Portsmouth, begins at 3.30pm with half an hour of board games, drink and biscuit, followed by an hour's craft time, a 15-minute church celebration service and a last half-hour devoted to a hot meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is also featured among a series of short stories on the Fresh Expressions DVD.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eThe Church Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 26 Oct 07\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an accessible, honest and highly practical book about a self-consciously fresh expression of church in Portsmouth. Its title is a reminder of the messiness of our individual and corporate journeys of faith, and it also reflects Lucy Moore's conviction that the Church 'should not only be a joyful mess but one which should make a mess joyfully.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church at St Wilfrid's meets together once a month after school on Thursdays, when 60-90 people of all ages come together to do crafts, worship and share food. The stated aim of Messy Church is to be 'a worshipping community of all ages, centred on Christ, showing Christian hospitality, and giving people a chance to express their creativity, to sit down together to eat a meal, and have fun within a church context.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMoore is clear that Messy Church is to be regarded as a church in its own right, not merely a parachurch group that serves to introduce people to the real thing on Sundays.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is designed to be both a stimulus and a resource for other churches. Its first section summarises familiar arguments about the necessity to experiment with different forms of church, before describing, in concrete terms, how Messy Church started and has evolved. It is generally a well-thought-through model, resourced by an enviable array of talented, committed and available people; and Moore is honest about some of the limitations, and the areas in which further work is required - for instance, the relationship between Messy Church and the regular Sunday congregation of St Wilfrid's.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section provides 12 units of high-quality thematic material (enough for a year), including details of numerous craft activities, and suggestions for worship. The book also contains recipes and hints for catering for large numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe theological reflection in this book is sometimes a bit thin. I also found it puzzling that, despite the enormous amount of importance which Messy Church (rightly) attaches to food and eating together, there is no mention of this church's celebration of the eucharist. This is, however, undoubtedly a valuable resource for churches engaged in all-age activities and worship, and has much to commend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Dr Grenfell, Team Rector of Sheffield Manor and Course Director at Ripon College, Cuddesdon.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: The Lincoln and Grimsby Methodist Church website\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEveryone in the church seems to be talking about 'Fresh expressions of church'! So, what about Glentham?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWell, I have come across a wonderful concept called 'Messy Church' And so I found myself trawling the Internet for inspiration for our 'Interactive Easter Family Worship' and I came across a book called 'Messy Church' by Lucy Moore As I read the blurb about it I felt excited, it seemed to be just what we were looking for (and more!)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is Messy Church?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church is a once-monthly time when families come together to enjoy being together, making things together, eating together and celebrating God together through his work, through music and through prayer. It's different from a children's activity day because it's an event for children and their carers or parents together, and it's more than a local authority fun day because of the element of worship that underpins it all.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAnd that's just the beginning. The book is very easy to read and wonderfully inspirational with loads of practical ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eChristian Marketplace\u003c\/em\u003e - August 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of church are designed for those on the outside or edge of the Christian community. Messy church is a 'must have' for anyone - clergy, children's workers, creative people - serious about reaching people on the edges.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a brilliant little paperback jam packed with ideas. It is easy to read, laying out the theology and aims of messy church as well as giving 15 plans for all age sessions. Messy church is interactive church, including lots of easy to do craft, worship, Bible story and response, prayers and meals together. There are even recipes for meal suggestions!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is designed for weekdays because of the fall in numbers of families coming to church on a Sunday. However, I have tried ideas from it at an All Age on a Sunday too, with positive response. Any book that suggeets that people are asked to 'sit down' rather than 'be seated' usually meets with my approval!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Ann Eyre.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eReform\u003c\/em\u003e - March 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book's main intention is 'to kick start some thinking about what particular form of fresh expression church might take.' The experience behind the book is of an Anglican church - St Wilfrid's. But I knew immediately who would love this book, someone who is part of a URC 'fresh expression' church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is part of the Messy Church team. This book places adults and children together in the context of fun, food, fellowship and worship. Messy Church is a monthly experience for families, children and carers, which runs from 3.30pm to 5.45pm on Thursdays. It is structured, but fun! After a welcome slot, there are craft activities, worship and food.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of Messy Church is 'to be a worshipping community of all ages, centred on Christ, showing Christian hospitality - giving people a chance to express their creativity, to sit down together to eat a meal and have fun within a church context.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe first part offers the story and concept of Messy Church, with a simple and superb section on messy theology. The point is to reach those for whom traditional church does not make much sense.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second part offers four units of ready worked out programmes for three terms - summer, autumn and spring. There are also three unites on biblical landscapes - mountains, roads and seasides. Each unit has an aim, biblical background, food recipe, ten activities and an outline for celebration worship. The songs suggested are usually from either the \u003cem\u003eHumungous Song Book\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eKidsource\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eShout to the Lord Kids\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003eGreat Big God\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Pompey Chimes, the Diocese of Portsmouth's newspaper - February 2007\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is both inspiring and challenging. It's not one on how to keep your church clean, but about a concept started in St Wilfrid's Church, Cowplain, where parents, carers and children can express their creativity, eat a meal together, experiences worship and have fun within a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a book that starts to explore a particular 'Fresh Expression' of church, a joint Church of England and Methodist initiative which encourages churches to find different ways of being Church for different people and situations.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is for church leaders, children's and youth workers and anyone looking at ways of reaching out to their community. The book starts with an overview of Messy Church then moves on to what it is and its aims.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you want to imitate Messy Church or not, it gets you thinking about what your church situation is and what Fresh Expressions of church are happening (or not) in yours.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eShe gives guidance as to how to create a Fresh Expression of church. It then moves of to 15 themed programmes: each programme consists of a meal idea, 10 crafts, a talk and worship outline with a suggestion of appropriate songs to use (all songs that I am familiar with!).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI found the ideas very simple and easy t follow and will definitely be looking at trying some out.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe crafts are fun and could be used for any midweek group, holiday club or Sunday programme. The talks are short and very user-friendly and again are suitable for other events.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI love Lucy's style and humour and found the book very easy to read. A lot has been packed into this book. I think it is a must for all children's workers - an excellent resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eStart the Week\u003c\/em\u003e - 18 November 2006\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of church is a topic hot for debate and exploration. By recognising the need for our churches to 'be church' in new ways for different people and situations, fresh and exciting projects are springing up around the country. One such 'fresh expression' is Messy Church that enjoys the gifts of food and creativity to help people come closer to God and each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn her book \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e Lucy Moore describes the monthly Thursday afternoon church where Mums, children, carers, grandparents can meet to enjoy craft activities, a meal and a short celebration of God's love for us. The book describes the concept and theology behind such a church. 15 themed programmes are provided with Bible references, craft and art activities, easy to prepare recipes for the meal and family-friendly worship outlines. A complete programme for creative activities, a nutritious meal and a short celebration allow for the community to have fun, be fed and experience worship in a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e'\u003cem\u003eMessy Church is one of those learning places. It's crammed with good things and there are delights on every page.\u003c\/em\u003e' From the foreword by Steven Croft.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is part of BRF's \u003cem\u003eBarnabas\u003c\/em\u003e team. She is a published writer, gifted performer and creative arts director. At \u003cem\u003eBarnabas\u003c\/em\u003e ministry and training events she shares the Bible through lively original poetry and drama, mime and storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReproduced from \u003cem\u003eStart the Week\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Messy Church: Fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community
£9.99
Overflowing with creative ideas to draw the community together for fun, food, fellowship and worship, this resource book contains 15...
{"id":2439822409828,"title":"Family Prayer Time: On the journey together","handle":"family-prayer-time-on-the-journey-together","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis colourful, quirky and fun addition to our Messy minibooks series is designed to encourage and guide families into a habit of prayer, individually and together.\u003c\/p\u003e \r\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it offers simple prayers and addresses key questions such as 'Why should I pray?', 'Where should I pray?', 'How do I pray?' and 'What do I pray?'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and\r\ninternationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of\r\nbooks for BRF.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBaptist Times online, 19.12.12 Review by Ed Jones \u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer, as with the other Messy Minibooks, the latest edition to the series, without doubt this is a little book that packs a large punch! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe difference that Messy Church has made over the last decade is something hard to pin down or quantify. That said the whole idea of 'being church for families involving fun' is so simple, yet immensely powerful and has been a catalyst for many where the Christian faith is concerned. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFamily Prayer Time\u003c\/em\u003e, there are over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer. Engaging and interactive in its style, the booklet is written in a format that means although designed to be used within and as a family, it could easily be worked through by a child on their own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFramed through the invitation to go on a treasure, the booklet is split into eight sections. As each one is worked through, truths about prayer are unpacked and expounded upon in a variety of fun ways. Questions such as why and where should I pray, how and what do I pray, are creatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt first glance due to the size of the booklet my thought was every member of a family would need one, which at GBP2.50 per copy, could mean it less accessible to some rather than others just down to the cost. Having worked through it though, I like the idea of gathering round and pouring over it together, taking turns to read and working through the activities together. A compilation in the future of the various Messy Minibooks would be a great resource. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis all said, as someone in my 30s I'm aware I'll have a particular view on the booklets appearance, their use and potential impact. Therefore on sharing it with some children, they commented thus: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e'It looks very fun for all of the family and I really like all the colours and pictures.' (6 year old) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'I think it would be good for all ages. The way it is put together, makes it interesting and fun. The treasure hunt idea is a really good beginning to the book, it draws you.' (10 year old)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eEd Jones in minister of Battle Baptist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003e_____________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:12+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:14+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Messy Church books","Messy mini books","Sep-18"],"price":250,"price_min":250,"price_max":250,"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":21770116202596,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467157","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Family Prayer Time: On the journey together - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":250,"weight":32,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467157"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238881460363,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":650}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis colourful, quirky and fun addition to our Messy minibooks series is designed to encourage and guide families into a habit of prayer, individually and together.\u003c\/p\u003e \r\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it offers simple prayers and addresses key questions such as 'Why should I pray?', 'Where should I pray?', 'How do I pray?' and 'What do I pray?'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and\r\ninternationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of\r\nbooks for BRF.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBaptist Times online, 19.12.12 Review by Ed Jones \u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer, as with the other Messy Minibooks, the latest edition to the series, without doubt this is a little book that packs a large punch! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe difference that Messy Church has made over the last decade is something hard to pin down or quantify. That said the whole idea of 'being church for families involving fun' is so simple, yet immensely powerful and has been a catalyst for many where the Christian faith is concerned. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFamily Prayer Time\u003c\/em\u003e, there are over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer. Engaging and interactive in its style, the booklet is written in a format that means although designed to be used within and as a family, it could easily be worked through by a child on their own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFramed through the invitation to go on a treasure, the booklet is split into eight sections. As each one is worked through, truths about prayer are unpacked and expounded upon in a variety of fun ways. Questions such as why and where should I pray, how and what do I pray, are creatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt first glance due to the size of the booklet my thought was every member of a family would need one, which at GBP2.50 per copy, could mean it less accessible to some rather than others just down to the cost. Having worked through it though, I like the idea of gathering round and pouring over it together, taking turns to read and working through the activities together. A compilation in the future of the various Messy Minibooks would be a great resource. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis all said, as someone in my 30s I'm aware I'll have a particular view on the booklets appearance, their use and potential impact. Therefore on sharing it with some children, they commented thus: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e'It looks very fun for all of the family and I really like all the colours and pictures.' (6 year old) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'I think it would be good for all ages. The way it is put together, makes it interesting and fun. The treasure hunt idea is a really good beginning to the book, it draws you.' (10 year old)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eEd Jones in minister of Battle Baptist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003e_____________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e"}
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Family Prayer Time: On the journey together
£2.50
This colourful, quirky and fun addition to our Messy minibooks series is designed to encourage and guide families into a...
{"id":2439827161188,"title":"Faithful Grandparents: Hope and love through the generations","handle":"faithful-grandparents-hope-and-love-through-the-generations","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere has never been a more important time to find meaningful and acceptable ways of passing on faith from one generation to the next. Part of this privilege and responsibility lies with grandparents who live authentic Christian lives. They can be the vital link between the gospel and the faith of a younger generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFaithful Grandparents\u003c\/em\u003e is a visionary call to an older generation to take the initiative with courage and wisdom, humour and prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, Spring 2020. Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is more than an element of truth in the adage, ‘You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.’ I was attracted to review this book because I am a grandparent with four grandchildren between the ages of 1 and 13. To be honest, I was expecting either a book which looked at the ideals of grandparenthood, where everything is hunky-dory and love abounds everywhere (a very creditable aim) or what to do (or not to do) to be the perfect grandparent. Being a realist, I wanted something between those two extremes, that was useful and practical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book looks at relationships between grandparents, children and grandchildren – warts and all. There is seriousness: for example, the acrimonious breakdown of a marriage and grandchildren denied contact with grandparents, contrasting with the grandmother whose favourite activity was to camp in the attic with her grandchildren under a blue sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is humour: the mere thought of the author playing on a trampoline with her grandchildren who ‘shrieked with delight, deliberately throwing me off balance as I hurtled around.’ This is an image which should remind all grandparents of the need to recognise their physical abilities are more restricted than those of their grandchildren!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book draws attention to the responsibility of grandparents to pass on Christian values and ethics, to live Christian lives and to impart the Gospel message to their grandchildren, to be a constant in a world of disbelief. As parents are often working full time, this gives a fantastic opportunity to influence the lives of children for the good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a well-researched, well-written book, full of wisdom, practical advice and helpful hints, balanced with biblical references and relevant quotes from people such as CS Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Timothy Keller and many others including Jo Swinney.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany may consider the book a bit of a hotch-potch or disjointed, but that is part of its charm, and a way to encourage readers to read more which they reflect on their own relationships with their grandchildren. Well worth reading!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 27.09.19. Review by Dennis Richards \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis entertaining and challenging volume is written by a Christian grandparent for other grandparents. Its purpose is clearly defined. It is primarily intended to help grandparents who wish to hand on the baton of faith to a younger generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is unashamedly biblical, and the writer freely acknowledges her Evangelical roots. But do not be misled. Anita Cleverly has lived a rich and interesting life. There is an avowedly ecumenical flavour to her life’s history, and one is left very much with the impression that her story still has chapters to be written.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf her 35 years in church ministry, in various guises, ten of them were spent in inner-city Paris, and it shows. She has clearly come under the influence of some great Catholic theologians, and speaks warmly of her Jesuit friends in Oxford. As she says, ‘My own church history has taken me through “Label Land”.’ She finds herself increasingly exploring the contemplative tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost important in a volume of this nature, the author is very aware of the speed of change in contemporary culture. The internet has changed everything. Individualism and relativism are today fundamental to the teenagers’ creed. She is well aware that grandparents today may face the prospect of a blended family, or a gay marriage and transgender discussion. She is very sure that ‘unconditional love’ defines what should be ‘on the tin’ for Christian grandparents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven the vocabulary has changed, as I know to my cost. Writing this review as a grandfather of six, I find myself being mocked, lost in bewilderment, and, at times, genuinely scared that I’ve totally lost the plot. Pathetically trying to join in a game of football, I am exhorted to ‘Stop flexing, Grandad!’ Far from being worried about my physical welfare, they are actually telling me to stop showing off. Blank incomprehension on my part. Hilarity all round on theirs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author’s predicament was even worse. She climbed on the grandchildren’s trampoline. Bad mistake. All of which tells you that there is plenty to make you smile in her account of her own experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest of all, it is a volume that makes you think. What kind of grandparent am I? Formal? Fun-seeker? Surrogate parent? Reservoir of family wisdom? Distant? It is also reassuring. Some things haven’t changed. The definitions for example. Grandparent: so easy to operate, even a child can do it. Grandparent: breaks most of the rules and loves every second of it. I can live with that. Thanks Anita.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDennis Richards is a former head of St Aidan’s C of E High School, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eevangelicals now October 2019. Review by Val Archer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven the seismic cultural, moral, sexual and social upheaval in Britain today, the author’s call to the older generation of Christians to model courage, wisdom, faith and prayer is both timely and vital – not least in passing on the ‘faith once delivered’ to children generally – and one’s grandchildren especially. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnita Cleverly has a lifetime of experience as a Christian mother and grandmother and in family ministry, which she ransacks to great effect. She writes with a light touch, interweaving gospel truths and scriptural wisdom with a sharp understanding of the complex challenges facing Christian parents today. All in all it makes for both an enjoyable and stimulating read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the opening insightful chapter on ‘21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Century Grandparents’, she quotes \u003cem\u003eThe Daily Telegraph \u003c\/em\u003ecolumnist Allison Pearson, who has discovered that ‘two thirds of the nation’s grandparents – that’s 5 million people – now provide regular childcare for their grandchildren’. The contact time with grandchildren in Britain today is at a very different level than was generally the case with previous generations. After the parent-child relationship, grandparents usually provide the second most important emotional influence in a child’s life. The opportunity and need is immense. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 11 chapters which follow, the whole landscape of grandparenting is explored and practical biblical wisdom and advice brought to bear on a whole raft of issues – the art of listening, storytelling the family history, seeking to reach the heart of the child with the gospel, the vital place and role of the church and church family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo chapters, one ‘A Grandparent’s Creed’ and the other ‘A Grandparent’s Prayers’, are outstanding and worth buying the book for. Taking the Apostles’ Creed and reflecting and meditating on each phrase in the context of the challenges facing children today in our oft-pernicious culture, is so helpful. Praying for and with grandchildren takes the focus to that which any Christian parent of grandparent wants for their offspring – that they grow to love and serve Christ all their days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAddressing some of the cultural, social and sexual changes in a chapter entitled ‘Shifting Tectonic Plates’ brings a rootedness and contemporary awareness that is much needed in Christian thinking today. Pointing out that it is not all ‘gloom and doom’, that many of the changes in society have been for the good, is a welcome corrective that recognises ‘common grace’ has not yet left town! At the same time the author goes on to provide a thoughtful critique of the blatantly anti-God agenda that is so prevalent. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe light Charismatic influences and context from which the author writes mean that on occasion there are one or two things those in other traditions might not always go along with, or perhaps express in different ways. However, to major on these would be to lose the great benefit and blessing this delightful book provides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Val Archer: conference speaker, mother of four and grandmother of seven. Member of both The King’s Church Chessington and The Globe Church London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2019. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is for Christian grandparents. Anita Cleverly writes of her own journey and approach as a grandparent, and covers the responsibilities of the grandparent’s role in the twenty-first century, together with the opportunities we have, and the limitations we are subject to. The chapters on sensitive listening, the wonder of the created world, Bible stories and children’s questions are well covered. There is an encouraging view of the church today, and valuable advice regarding the changing landscape of culture and today’s technology. The chapter I enjoyed most was the one on praying for and with our grandchildren. Anita Cleverly has written a book of authentic Christian wisdom and grace, sprinkled with real comments from real people, and pieces of practical advice, for ourselves as well as for our families. She writes with feeling about the difficulties of being a faithful grandparent as well as the joys. I commend it to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e___________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform, May 2019. Review by Ruth Allen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a gem. I read it quickly, because it is hard to put down, and I shall immediately read it again more slowly, to savour the wisdom that’s on every page. The title tells you what it’s about: encouragement for grandparents to share their faith with their grandchildren.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnita Cleverly is an experienced spiritual director and bereavement counsellor. Her sensitivity undergirds the wise words in every chapter. Never does she forget that we have our grandchildren on loan, and that discipline and criticism, however gently applied, are not our lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two chapters of the book survey what grandparenting really is, in our time and culture, recognising the different situations that many grandparents find themselves in. Many grandparents are left with very limited opportunities to build the relationship which permit the sharing of faith stories. There are useful suggestions for grandparents who have little contact with their grandchildren to make the most of the possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral chapters help us to identify the essentials of our own faith, and ways in which they could be put over. One uses the Apostles’ Creed to help us focus. There are chapters on the Church and on the problems facing people of faith in an increasingly secular world, as well as one on the contentious issues facing Christians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubjects like human sexuality are dealt with gently and sensitively. We are encouraged never to pontificate but to accept our grandchildren’s choices with grace and love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is full apposite quotations from the bible and other Christian writers. It is very easy to read, the writer having the wonderful gift of being able to speak apparently straight to the individual reader. There are anecdotes galore, both funny and sad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am genuinely looking forward to reading this a second time, and wholeheartedly commend it to any grandparent. Your grandchildren will be much blessed through it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRuth Allen is \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ea retired United Reformed minister based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:33+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:35+00:00","vendor":"Anita Cleverly","type":"Paperback","tags":["Feb-19","Kindle","Parenting","Retired and inspired"],"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":21770212933732,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466617","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Faithful Grandparents: Hope and love through the generations - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":214,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466617"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466617-l.jpg?v=1549043117"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466617-l.jpg?v=1549043117","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238881820811,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466617-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466617-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":426}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThere has never been a more important time to find meaningful and acceptable ways of passing on faith from one generation to the next. Part of this privilege and responsibility lies with grandparents who live authentic Christian lives. They can be the vital link between the gospel and the faith of a younger generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFaithful Grandparents\u003c\/em\u003e is a visionary call to an older generation to take the initiative with courage and wisdom, humour and prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, Spring 2020. Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is more than an element of truth in the adage, ‘You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.’ I was attracted to review this book because I am a grandparent with four grandchildren between the ages of 1 and 13. To be honest, I was expecting either a book which looked at the ideals of grandparenthood, where everything is hunky-dory and love abounds everywhere (a very creditable aim) or what to do (or not to do) to be the perfect grandparent. Being a realist, I wanted something between those two extremes, that was useful and practical.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book looks at relationships between grandparents, children and grandchildren – warts and all. There is seriousness: for example, the acrimonious breakdown of a marriage and grandchildren denied contact with grandparents, contrasting with the grandmother whose favourite activity was to camp in the attic with her grandchildren under a blue sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is humour: the mere thought of the author playing on a trampoline with her grandchildren who ‘shrieked with delight, deliberately throwing me off balance as I hurtled around.’ This is an image which should remind all grandparents of the need to recognise their physical abilities are more restricted than those of their grandchildren!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book draws attention to the responsibility of grandparents to pass on Christian values and ethics, to live Christian lives and to impart the Gospel message to their grandchildren, to be a constant in a world of disbelief. As parents are often working full time, this gives a fantastic opportunity to influence the lives of children for the good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a well-researched, well-written book, full of wisdom, practical advice and helpful hints, balanced with biblical references and relevant quotes from people such as CS Lewis, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Timothy Keller and many others including Jo Swinney.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany may consider the book a bit of a hotch-potch or disjointed, but that is part of its charm, and a way to encourage readers to read more which they reflect on their own relationships with their grandchildren. Well worth reading!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 27.09.19. Review by Dennis Richards \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis entertaining and challenging volume is written by a Christian grandparent for other grandparents. Its purpose is clearly defined. It is primarily intended to help grandparents who wish to hand on the baton of faith to a younger generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is unashamedly biblical, and the writer freely acknowledges her Evangelical roots. But do not be misled. Anita Cleverly has lived a rich and interesting life. There is an avowedly ecumenical flavour to her life’s history, and one is left very much with the impression that her story still has chapters to be written.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf her 35 years in church ministry, in various guises, ten of them were spent in inner-city Paris, and it shows. She has clearly come under the influence of some great Catholic theologians, and speaks warmly of her Jesuit friends in Oxford. As she says, ‘My own church history has taken me through “Label Land”.’ She finds herself increasingly exploring the contemplative tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost important in a volume of this nature, the author is very aware of the speed of change in contemporary culture. The internet has changed everything. Individualism and relativism are today fundamental to the teenagers’ creed. She is well aware that grandparents today may face the prospect of a blended family, or a gay marriage and transgender discussion. She is very sure that ‘unconditional love’ defines what should be ‘on the tin’ for Christian grandparents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEven the vocabulary has changed, as I know to my cost. Writing this review as a grandfather of six, I find myself being mocked, lost in bewilderment, and, at times, genuinely scared that I’ve totally lost the plot. Pathetically trying to join in a game of football, I am exhorted to ‘Stop flexing, Grandad!’ Far from being worried about my physical welfare, they are actually telling me to stop showing off. Blank incomprehension on my part. Hilarity all round on theirs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author’s predicament was even worse. She climbed on the grandchildren’s trampoline. Bad mistake. All of which tells you that there is plenty to make you smile in her account of her own experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest of all, it is a volume that makes you think. What kind of grandparent am I? Formal? Fun-seeker? Surrogate parent? Reservoir of family wisdom? Distant? It is also reassuring. Some things haven’t changed. The definitions for example. Grandparent: so easy to operate, even a child can do it. Grandparent: breaks most of the rules and loves every second of it. I can live with that. Thanks Anita.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDennis Richards is a former head of St Aidan’s C of E High School, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eevangelicals now October 2019. Review by Val Archer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven the seismic cultural, moral, sexual and social upheaval in Britain today, the author’s call to the older generation of Christians to model courage, wisdom, faith and prayer is both timely and vital – not least in passing on the ‘faith once delivered’ to children generally – and one’s grandchildren especially. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnita Cleverly has a lifetime of experience as a Christian mother and grandmother and in family ministry, which she ransacks to great effect. She writes with a light touch, interweaving gospel truths and scriptural wisdom with a sharp understanding of the complex challenges facing Christian parents today. All in all it makes for both an enjoyable and stimulating read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the opening insightful chapter on ‘21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Century Grandparents’, she quotes \u003cem\u003eThe Daily Telegraph \u003c\/em\u003ecolumnist Allison Pearson, who has discovered that ‘two thirds of the nation’s grandparents – that’s 5 million people – now provide regular childcare for their grandchildren’. The contact time with grandchildren in Britain today is at a very different level than was generally the case with previous generations. After the parent-child relationship, grandparents usually provide the second most important emotional influence in a child’s life. The opportunity and need is immense. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the 11 chapters which follow, the whole landscape of grandparenting is explored and practical biblical wisdom and advice brought to bear on a whole raft of issues – the art of listening, storytelling the family history, seeking to reach the heart of the child with the gospel, the vital place and role of the church and church family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo chapters, one ‘A Grandparent’s Creed’ and the other ‘A Grandparent’s Prayers’, are outstanding and worth buying the book for. Taking the Apostles’ Creed and reflecting and meditating on each phrase in the context of the challenges facing children today in our oft-pernicious culture, is so helpful. Praying for and with grandchildren takes the focus to that which any Christian parent of grandparent wants for their offspring – that they grow to love and serve Christ all their days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAddressing some of the cultural, social and sexual changes in a chapter entitled ‘Shifting Tectonic Plates’ brings a rootedness and contemporary awareness that is much needed in Christian thinking today. Pointing out that it is not all ‘gloom and doom’, that many of the changes in society have been for the good, is a welcome corrective that recognises ‘common grace’ has not yet left town! At the same time the author goes on to provide a thoughtful critique of the blatantly anti-God agenda that is so prevalent. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe light Charismatic influences and context from which the author writes mean that on occasion there are one or two things those in other traditions might not always go along with, or perhaps express in different ways. However, to major on these would be to lose the great benefit and blessing this delightful book provides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Val Archer: conference speaker, mother of four and grandmother of seven. Member of both The King’s Church Chessington and The Globe Church London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2019. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is for Christian grandparents. Anita Cleverly writes of her own journey and approach as a grandparent, and covers the responsibilities of the grandparent’s role in the twenty-first century, together with the opportunities we have, and the limitations we are subject to. The chapters on sensitive listening, the wonder of the created world, Bible stories and children’s questions are well covered. There is an encouraging view of the church today, and valuable advice regarding the changing landscape of culture and today’s technology. The chapter I enjoyed most was the one on praying for and with our grandchildren. Anita Cleverly has written a book of authentic Christian wisdom and grace, sprinkled with real comments from real people, and pieces of practical advice, for ourselves as well as for our families. She writes with feeling about the difficulties of being a faithful grandparent as well as the joys. I commend it to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e___________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform, May 2019. Review by Ruth Allen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a gem. I read it quickly, because it is hard to put down, and I shall immediately read it again more slowly, to savour the wisdom that’s on every page. The title tells you what it’s about: encouragement for grandparents to share their faith with their grandchildren.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnita Cleverly is an experienced spiritual director and bereavement counsellor. Her sensitivity undergirds the wise words in every chapter. Never does she forget that we have our grandchildren on loan, and that discipline and criticism, however gently applied, are not our lot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two chapters of the book survey what grandparenting really is, in our time and culture, recognising the different situations that many grandparents find themselves in. Many grandparents are left with very limited opportunities to build the relationship which permit the sharing of faith stories. There are useful suggestions for grandparents who have little contact with their grandchildren to make the most of the possibilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral chapters help us to identify the essentials of our own faith, and ways in which they could be put over. One uses the Apostles’ Creed to help us focus. There are chapters on the Church and on the problems facing people of faith in an increasingly secular world, as well as one on the contentious issues facing Christians.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubjects like human sexuality are dealt with gently and sensitively. We are encouraged never to pontificate but to accept our grandchildren’s choices with grace and love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is full apposite quotations from the bible and other Christian writers. It is very easy to read, the writer having the wonderful gift of being able to speak apparently straight to the individual reader. There are anecdotes galore, both funny and sad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am genuinely looking forward to reading this a second time, and wholeheartedly commend it to any grandparent. Your grandchildren will be much blessed through it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRuth Allen is \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ea retired United Reformed minister based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Faithful Grandparents: Hope and love through the generations
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{"id":2439800324196,"title":"It Takes a Church to Raise a Parent: Creating a culture where parenting for faith can flourish","handle":"it-takes-a-church-to-raise-a-parent-creating-a-culture-where-parenting-for-faith-can-flourish","description":"\u003cp\u003eParents are the primary disciplers of their children, but we as a church are called to be their community who supports them as a family, equips them to succeed, and cheers them on the path of parenting for faith. This book will help children's, youth and senior leaders to learn how to position themselves for maximum impact, develop foundational values and practices to operate out of, and establish practical steps to shape a culture where parenting for faith can flourish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRachel Turner has been a full-time children's and families worker and the National Children's Work Coordinator for New Wine, and continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, children and youth workers around the UK and Europe. She is the author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.readers.cofe.anglican.org\/resources.php\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Susanne Mitchell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title is a twist on the old adage 'It takes a village to raise a child', but the twist is key to the book. Parents spend 2,000 to 3,000 hours a year with their children compared with the 100 hours a Church youth worker might have. So, it makes more sense to focus on serving the parents than the children if you want to disciple the children. The next key message is that there is no one right way to parent for faith. Turner does not offer a formula but writes from distilled experience. Dividing the book into three sections, Vision, Skills, Church Culture, her advice is well structured and easy to follow. Just when you think she is stating common sense you recognise a pitfall you might well have fallen in. Her points are grounded in topical, relevant and humorous comparisons - M\u0026amp;S adverts, IKEA, the station helpdesk, sports coaching. She constantly reminds us to offer rather than instruct; to suggest and draw on existing skills; to build rather than set up for a fall. Some of what she says might apply to other areas of ministry but in the section on Church Culture she makes a useful distinction between children's and youth ministry. This book is for church leaders and is a pretty comprehensive, though compact, volume to accompany prayer and planning around this particular ministry, before perhaps using BRF's \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.parentingforfaith.org.uk\"\u003ewww.parentingforfaith.org.uk\u003c\/a\u003e website and course. The book itself explains why parenting for faith is a 'whole church' task and suggests how to encourage those who do not think they have a part to play, as well as how to work with families where only the children have faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Susanne Mitchell\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 1 June 2018. Review by Dana Delap\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exciting book challenges the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. Rachel Turner, the Bible Reading Fellowship's Parenting for Faith Pioneer, suggests that parents have the most significant impact on the faith and discipleship of their children and young people, but that only one third of parents feel confident about passing on their faith within the family. The village or church should not try to replace the family, but provide encouragement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurner longs for churches to have the skills to mentor and empower parents to raise God-conscious children. She argues that they need to lay the foundations of a church culture in which communities journey alongside parents, carers and grandparents, nurturing, equipping and encouraging them to be confident about their faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past decade, resources aimed at enabling churches and their leaders to help children become disciples have proliferated. But 'experts' on evangelism, clergy, Readers and children's and youth workers have disempowered the family members who live with the children and young people whom the Church wants to influence. The people who make the most difference in the lives of the young are the adults who can feel least equipped to do so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChildren and teenagers need to see what a real relationship with God looks like in the everyday highs and lows of life, and the church community needs to learn how to create a vision of what parenting that nurtures faith can be, raising expectations among parents while offering the affirmation that there is no 'right way' to do it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf churches can summon up enough humility to admit that parents, carers, and grandparents have more impact on the faith of the children than they have, then the multi-generational support that they offer will inspire parenting of that kind. But that is easier in a large church than a small one. In many contexts, a multi-generational church community is only an aspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book and its accompanying website give a vision of what families helping their children to learn faith can look like, and how the church can help. It might not be possible to offer a full programme in every church context, but it is a vision towards which all should be striving. Every congregation has a member who knows how to hold a baby, walk with a toddler, or hold a song-book for a child; if this book does no more than encourage a generous welcome to a family in church, it has begun to fulfil its promise to enable a church to raise a parent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon Delap is Team Missioner and Vicar of Blockley, in Gloucestershire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald, October 2018 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a parenting book that is not for parents. Rather, it is a book for church leaders and other volunteers within children's ministry to think about how to support parents as they share their faith at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt aims to encourage those who journey alongside parents as they are on the frontline of raising children. It is a book that gives us ideas and practical advice of how we can keep the promise that we make at a child's baptism to support those parents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is written in three parts: part one is about creating the vision for parents so that they know that sharing their faith is a vital part of being a Christian parent, but in a way that is accessible and allows for choice. Part two is about setting out skills that are necessary for the job to help parents see how they can share their faith in the everyday. Part three is about creating a culture within the church that supports parents but also shows how everyone has a role to play in the journey of faith of children and young people. This last part is also about reminding everyone that they have a part to play in supporting, encouraging and teaching faith as a community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is yet another great book by Rachel Turner; it is easy to read and full of practical ideas, as well as big-picture thinking. A definite must-read for church leaders in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:51+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:52+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Feb-18","Kindle","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books","Torch Trust"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"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":21769774661732,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466259","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"It Takes a Church to Raise a Parent: Creating a culture where parenting for faith can flourish - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":197,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466259"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466259-l.jpg?v=1549043135"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466259-l.jpg?v=1549043135","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238879920267,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466259-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466259-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":426}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eParents are the primary disciplers of their children, but we as a church are called to be their community who supports them as a family, equips them to succeed, and cheers them on the path of parenting for faith. This book will help children's, youth and senior leaders to learn how to position themselves for maximum impact, develop foundational values and practices to operate out of, and establish practical steps to shape a culture where parenting for faith can flourish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRachel Turner has been a full-time children's and families worker and the National Children's Work Coordinator for New Wine, and continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, children and youth workers around the UK and Europe. She is the author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.readers.cofe.anglican.org\/resources.php\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Susanne Mitchell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title is a twist on the old adage 'It takes a village to raise a child', but the twist is key to the book. Parents spend 2,000 to 3,000 hours a year with their children compared with the 100 hours a Church youth worker might have. So, it makes more sense to focus on serving the parents than the children if you want to disciple the children. The next key message is that there is no one right way to parent for faith. Turner does not offer a formula but writes from distilled experience. Dividing the book into three sections, Vision, Skills, Church Culture, her advice is well structured and easy to follow. Just when you think she is stating common sense you recognise a pitfall you might well have fallen in. Her points are grounded in topical, relevant and humorous comparisons - M\u0026amp;S adverts, IKEA, the station helpdesk, sports coaching. She constantly reminds us to offer rather than instruct; to suggest and draw on existing skills; to build rather than set up for a fall. Some of what she says might apply to other areas of ministry but in the section on Church Culture she makes a useful distinction between children's and youth ministry. This book is for church leaders and is a pretty comprehensive, though compact, volume to accompany prayer and planning around this particular ministry, before perhaps using BRF's \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.parentingforfaith.org.uk\"\u003ewww.parentingforfaith.org.uk\u003c\/a\u003e website and course. The book itself explains why parenting for faith is a 'whole church' task and suggests how to encourage those who do not think they have a part to play, as well as how to work with families where only the children have faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Susanne Mitchell\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 1 June 2018. Review by Dana Delap\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exciting book challenges the adage that it takes a village to raise a child. Rachel Turner, the Bible Reading Fellowship's Parenting for Faith Pioneer, suggests that parents have the most significant impact on the faith and discipleship of their children and young people, but that only one third of parents feel confident about passing on their faith within the family. The village or church should not try to replace the family, but provide encouragement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTurner longs for churches to have the skills to mentor and empower parents to raise God-conscious children. She argues that they need to lay the foundations of a church culture in which communities journey alongside parents, carers and grandparents, nurturing, equipping and encouraging them to be confident about their faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOver the past decade, resources aimed at enabling churches and their leaders to help children become disciples have proliferated. But 'experts' on evangelism, clergy, Readers and children's and youth workers have disempowered the family members who live with the children and young people whom the Church wants to influence. The people who make the most difference in the lives of the young are the adults who can feel least equipped to do so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChildren and teenagers need to see what a real relationship with God looks like in the everyday highs and lows of life, and the church community needs to learn how to create a vision of what parenting that nurtures faith can be, raising expectations among parents while offering the affirmation that there is no 'right way' to do it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf churches can summon up enough humility to admit that parents, carers, and grandparents have more impact on the faith of the children than they have, then the multi-generational support that they offer will inspire parenting of that kind. But that is easier in a large church than a small one. In many contexts, a multi-generational church community is only an aspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book and its accompanying website give a vision of what families helping their children to learn faith can look like, and how the church can help. It might not be possible to offer a full programme in every church context, but it is a vision towards which all should be striving. Every congregation has a member who knows how to hold a baby, walk with a toddler, or hold a song-book for a child; if this book does no more than encourage a generous welcome to a family in church, it has begun to fulfil its promise to enable a church to raise a parent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon Delap is Team Missioner and Vicar of Blockley, in Gloucestershire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald, October 2018 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a parenting book that is not for parents. Rather, it is a book for church leaders and other volunteers within children's ministry to think about how to support parents as they share their faith at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt aims to encourage those who journey alongside parents as they are on the frontline of raising children. It is a book that gives us ideas and practical advice of how we can keep the promise that we make at a child's baptism to support those parents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is written in three parts: part one is about creating the vision for parents so that they know that sharing their faith is a vital part of being a Christian parent, but in a way that is accessible and allows for choice. Part two is about setting out skills that are necessary for the job to help parents see how they can share their faith in the everyday. Part three is about creating a culture within the church that supports parents but also shows how everyone has a role to play in the journey of faith of children and young people. This last part is also about reminding everyone that they have a part to play in supporting, encouraging and teaching faith as a community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is yet another great book by Rachel Turner; it is easy to read and full of practical ideas, as well as big-picture thinking. A definite must-read for church leaders in the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_______________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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It Takes a Church to Raise a Parent: Creating a culture where parenting for faith can flourish
£8.99
Parents are the primary disciplers of their children, but we as a church are called to be their community who...
{"id":2439738458212,"title":"A-cross the World: An exploration of forty representations of the cross from the worldwide Christian Church","handle":"a-cross-the-world-an-exploration-of-forty-representations-of-the-cross-from-the-worldwide-christian-church","description":"\u003cp\u003eAround the world today the cross is, arguably, the one universally recognized symbol of the Christian faith, but this unifying sign for diverse Christian communities has been much adapted, decorated and interpreted to convey particular stories that are dear to the community from which they come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book tells the stories behind forty crosses from a wide diversity of cultures and Christian faith traditions and sets out to promote discussion and debate on why this single, historical event continues to exercise such an influence worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two sections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSection One contains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStories, information, Bible links, wondering questions and suggested activities on the forty crosses, together with suggested prayers and words from across the world based on that particular cross. The material for this section was originally produced in-house by the Church Mission Society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSection Two contains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wealth of extension material ideal for use in the classroom at Key Stage 1 and 2, in collective worship and in church-based activities, including icebreakers, games, prayers and poems, crafts and session outlines for special activity days, assemblies, holiday clubs and all-age worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased in east London, Martyn Payne taught languages and RE for 18 years at secondary level and then for eight years worked in primary schools nationally as the Children's Education Officer for a large Anglican Mission Society before joining the Barnabas Team. Martyn has produced a wide range of materials for primary schools about contemporary expressions of Christianity around the world, as well as articles and worship material for RE Today, Together with Children and Roots magazines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eWorld Mission - BMS\u003c\/em\u003e July\/August 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA-cross the World\u003c\/em\u003e as the title cleverly suggests is a children's work resource which explores the way the central symbol of the church has been illustrated and interpreted a-cross the world. Here is a collection of 40 crosses, from different countries, each with its own understanding and interpretation of the Christian faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two sections, the first giving us the background for each cross. They are well illustrated (with photocopy permission given), and linked to a particular Bible story. We are also given the background behind each cross and details about the life of the Church in that part of the world. The book has been divided to represent six different regions: Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australasia, the Americas and Europe. Another useful bonus is that all of the crosses are available as colour illustrations on the BRF website, and can be downloaded to use in presentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSection two contains teaching materials for leaders and teachers so that a programme can be built around the different crosses. As with most BRF children's material, it has been designed in a way which makes it relevant for school and church use. For churches there is a holiday club outline programme, several Sunday school or children's club outlines, with ideas for all-age worship, discussion starters and craft ideas for producing the different crosses. Although the idea of producing 40 crosses as a craft project sounds very mundane, they have succeeded in coming up with a wide range of mediums including clay, straw, metal, fabric, wood, paper and card. For school use the material has been divided into key stages 1 and 2, with plenty of ideas for collective worship. Within this section there is a wealth of ideas including icebreakers, games, prayers, poems, quotations, craft ideas, stories and references.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe this resource is a useful reference and practical ideas book for those who work with children in school or church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Aled Davies, Baptist minister in North west Wales and Director of the Council for Sunday School and Christian education in Wales.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eMorovian Church Youth \u0026amp; Children's Newsletter\u003c\/em\u003e Spring 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost people recognise the cross as symbolic of Christians - but have you ever thought about how many variations there are on the theme? In this book you will find forty different representations of the cross - from African and Anchor to Taize and triparted - as well as a huge range of activities, crafts, worship ideas and games that could be used in churches, with after school groups or in holiday clubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy look at these crosses? Because they reflect the many different cultures where Jesus is worshipped and give some idea of the range and breadth of Christian symbolism around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is clearly illustrated, has masses of material and would be brilliant as the basis of a holiday club for 5-11 year olds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eMagnet}\u003c\/em\u003e Spring 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very attractive, well produced book will be of interest to adults and children alike. It tells the stories behind forty crosses from a wide variety of cultures and Christian. traditions and encourages discussion as to why this symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus continues to have such a worldwide influence. There are plenty of craft ideas which are easy to follow, with suggestions for use in schools and churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eStar News London diocese newsletter for children's leaders\u003c\/em\u003e January 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround the world, the cross is recognised as a symbol of the Christian faith, but Christian communities have adapted, decorated and interpreted it to express something of the story from which they come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA-Cross the World\u003c\/em\u003e explores 40 different representations of the cross from Christian communities including Sudan, South India, Ethiopia, El Salvador and Iran.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first part of the book gives the background, Bible links and activity ideas for each of the crosses. The second part has extension material which could be used in school, Sunday groups or holiday clubs. This part has ideas for icebreakers, assemblies, activity days and all-age worship. With a bit of adaptation, you could also use it as the focus for a Lent course with adults or mixed ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChilds Talk: Liverpool diocese newsletter for children's workers\u003c\/em\u003e January 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst published by CMS in ring binder format, this book includes fifteen new crosses and a wealth of suggestions as to how to use the resource with school \u0026amp; church groups or as part of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart One contains stories of forty crosses from around the world, including a Bible link, craft ideas, and information about the life of the Christian Church in that part of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart Two contains material and ideas for special events and situations such as all-age worship, a two-hour programme and holiday club. Includes permission for photocopying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:55+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:56+00:00","vendor":"Martyn Payne","type":"Paperback","tags":["For schools","Oct-11","PDF","RE"],"price":1599,"price_min":1599,"price_max":1699,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21768935440484,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857460745","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"A-cross the World: An exploration of forty representations of the cross from the worldwide Christian Church - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1699,"weight":523,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857460745"},{"id":24424076836964,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD0745","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":8940646301796,"product_id":2439738458212,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T12:04:15+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-20T12:04:15+00:00","alt":null,"width":609,"height":863,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0745-l.jpg?v=1550664255","variant_ids":[24424076836964]},"available":true,"name":"A-cross the World: An exploration of forty representations of the cross from the worldwide Christian Church - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":1599,"weight":523,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"DOWNLOAD0745","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3259443445899,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":863,"width":609,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0745-l.jpg?v=1570102192"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460745-l.jpg?v=1549043181","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0745-l.jpg?v=1550664255"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460745-l.jpg?v=1549043181","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874349707,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"width":460,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460745-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460745-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":460},{"alt":null,"id":3259443445899,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":863,"width":609,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0745-l.jpg?v=1570102192"},"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":863,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD0745-l.jpg?v=1570102192","width":609}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAround the world today the cross is, arguably, the one universally recognized symbol of the Christian faith, but this unifying sign for diverse Christian communities has been much adapted, decorated and interpreted to convey particular stories that are dear to the community from which they come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book tells the stories behind forty crosses from a wide diversity of cultures and Christian faith traditions and sets out to promote discussion and debate on why this single, historical event continues to exercise such an influence worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two sections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSection One contains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStories, information, Bible links, wondering questions and suggested activities on the forty crosses, together with suggested prayers and words from across the world based on that particular cross. The material for this section was originally produced in-house by the Church Mission Society.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSection Two contains:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA wealth of extension material ideal for use in the classroom at Key Stage 1 and 2, in collective worship and in church-based activities, including icebreakers, games, prayers and poems, crafts and session outlines for special activity days, assemblies, holiday clubs and all-age worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased in east London, Martyn Payne taught languages and RE for 18 years at secondary level and then for eight years worked in primary schools nationally as the Children's Education Officer for a large Anglican Mission Society before joining the Barnabas Team. Martyn has produced a wide range of materials for primary schools about contemporary expressions of Christianity around the world, as well as articles and worship material for RE Today, Together with Children and Roots magazines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eWorld Mission - BMS\u003c\/em\u003e July\/August 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA-cross the World\u003c\/em\u003e as the title cleverly suggests is a children's work resource which explores the way the central symbol of the church has been illustrated and interpreted a-cross the world. Here is a collection of 40 crosses, from different countries, each with its own understanding and interpretation of the Christian faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into two sections, the first giving us the background for each cross. They are well illustrated (with photocopy permission given), and linked to a particular Bible story. We are also given the background behind each cross and details about the life of the Church in that part of the world. The book has been divided to represent six different regions: Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australasia, the Americas and Europe. Another useful bonus is that all of the crosses are available as colour illustrations on the BRF website, and can be downloaded to use in presentations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSection two contains teaching materials for leaders and teachers so that a programme can be built around the different crosses. As with most BRF children's material, it has been designed in a way which makes it relevant for school and church use. For churches there is a holiday club outline programme, several Sunday school or children's club outlines, with ideas for all-age worship, discussion starters and craft ideas for producing the different crosses. Although the idea of producing 40 crosses as a craft project sounds very mundane, they have succeeded in coming up with a wide range of mediums including clay, straw, metal, fabric, wood, paper and card. For school use the material has been divided into key stages 1 and 2, with plenty of ideas for collective worship. Within this section there is a wealth of ideas including icebreakers, games, prayers, poems, quotations, craft ideas, stories and references.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI believe this resource is a useful reference and practical ideas book for those who work with children in school or church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Aled Davies, Baptist minister in North west Wales and Director of the Council for Sunday School and Christian education in Wales.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eMorovian Church Youth \u0026amp; Children's Newsletter\u003c\/em\u003e Spring 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost people recognise the cross as symbolic of Christians - but have you ever thought about how many variations there are on the theme? In this book you will find forty different representations of the cross - from African and Anchor to Taize and triparted - as well as a huge range of activities, crafts, worship ideas and games that could be used in churches, with after school groups or in holiday clubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy look at these crosses? Because they reflect the many different cultures where Jesus is worshipped and give some idea of the range and breadth of Christian symbolism around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is clearly illustrated, has masses of material and would be brilliant as the basis of a holiday club for 5-11 year olds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom: \u003cem\u003eMagnet}\u003c\/em\u003e Spring 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very attractive, well produced book will be of interest to adults and children alike. It tells the stories behind forty crosses from a wide variety of cultures and Christian. traditions and encourages discussion as to why this symbol of the crucifixion of Jesus continues to have such a worldwide influence. There are plenty of craft ideas which are easy to follow, with suggestions for use in schools and churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eStar News London diocese newsletter for children's leaders\u003c\/em\u003e January 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAround the world, the cross is recognised as a symbol of the Christian faith, but Christian communities have adapted, decorated and interpreted it to express something of the story from which they come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA-Cross the World\u003c\/em\u003e explores 40 different representations of the cross from Christian communities including Sudan, South India, Ethiopia, El Salvador and Iran.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first part of the book gives the background, Bible links and activity ideas for each of the crosses. The second part has extension material which could be used in school, Sunday groups or holiday clubs. This part has ideas for icebreakers, assemblies, activity days and all-age worship. With a bit of adaptation, you could also use it as the focus for a Lent course with adults or mixed ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChilds Talk: Liverpool diocese newsletter for children's workers\u003c\/em\u003e January 2005\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst published by CMS in ring binder format, this book includes fifteen new crosses and a wealth of suggestions as to how to use the resource with school \u0026amp; church groups or as part of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart One contains stories of forty crosses from around the world, including a Bible link, craft ideas, and information about the life of the Christian Church in that part of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart Two contains material and ideas for special events and situations such as all-age worship, a two-hour programme and holiday club. Includes permission for photocopying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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A-cross the World: An exploration of forty representations of the cross from the worldwide Christian Church
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Around the world today the cross is, arguably, the one universally recognized symbol of the Christian faith, but this unifying...
{"id":2439763492964,"title":"Messy Prayer: Developing the prayer life of your Messy Church","handle":"messy-prayer-developing-the-prayer-life-of-your-messy-church","description":"\u003cp\u003eEquipping your Messy team to pray and encourage others to do so, both within and outside the Messy Church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCommunicating prayer as a concept\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePraying as a team in advance and on the day\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePrayer ideas for the activity time, celebration time, and at home as a family\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eWays of praying the Lord's Prayer \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eWays to reimagine other traditional prayers\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCreating a prayer space\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA Messy Quiet Day outline\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nJane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church team, has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for twelve \r\nyears. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is excellent, packed with simple, practical ideas that can be used or adapted for many an All Age service. Aimed specifically at Messy Church, the book is structured around the particular elements of that format (the celebration time, the meal time, the home), but these are easily adaptable. Of particular interest for some is a very substantial chapter by Lucy Moore on 'Liturgical Prayers'. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThere is also a useful chapter on 'Creating a Prayer Space', which doesn't have to be a permanent installation. It could be created and themed for a particular service. Of course, this might be limited by the size of the user-group or congregation. In some contexts, it might be necessary to adapt the ideas here into multiple stations. At our last holiday club, we made a huge igloo from milk bottles, which could take up to fifteen children with adults, but it would be tricky to use on a Sunday morning when the congregation can be up to 150.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book ends with three chapters on a Messy Church session on prayer, a Quiet Day for your team, and a Messy Retreat. Even if you never hold these precise events, they might be adapted for your next church weekend. This book is handy, practical, and great value. 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\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 17 June 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Prayer\u003c\/em\u003e by Jane Leadbetter offers practical and creative ways to introduce messy congregations to prayer. In her introduction, she points out that for many of us in childhood, collective prayer was passive: someone else prayed on our behalf, and we said 'Amen.'As an alternative, she suggests hands-on ways of engaging in 'prayerful chatter' with God, so that prayer begins to come naturally as part of a real relationship. I have been involved in running messy churches for several years, and have noticed that seasoned practitioners tend to have a check list for deciding whether to choose a particular activity. A. Can the children we have do it, or will we mainly end up doing it for them? B. Do we have the materials, or can we scavenge them without asking the congregation to collect used bottle tops for weeks on end? C. Do the children have a fighting chance of making the connection between the activity and message? As a former primary-school teacher and messy-church practitioner, Leadbetter is clearly on the same page. Her ideas are simple to execute, and use everyday materials, and she is excellent at making the message integral to the task. She also suggests developments for messy-church teams looking for new ideas, like a Quiet Day for leaders and a messy retreat. I am going to take this book to our messy-church planning sessions, and I can imagine using it with my own children, too, as a way of helping us to pray together as a family.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Catherine Pickford - Team Rector in the Benwell Team Ministry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book explains the importance of spirituality in the life of a Messy Church and the importance of prayer in the life of families. It is filled with practical ideas for creating a prayer space and for using prayer in the celebration time of a Messy Church. There are ideas for liturgical prayers and for meal-time graces, and for a whole Messy Church session on prayer. Obviously many of these ideas could be used in other settings such as schools, Sunday clubs and activity sessions. It is a useful addition to the children's leader's bookshelf - and their practice!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR - Diocese of Peterborough December 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:25+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:26+00:00","vendor":"Jane Leadbetter","type":"Paperback","tags":["For churches","Messy Church books","Nov-15","PDF","Prayer"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"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":21769224945764,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857463791","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":10536023556196,"product_id":2439763492964,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-05-16T13:05:38+01:00","updated_at":"2019-05-16T13:05:48+01:00","alt":null,"width":426,"height":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857463791-l.jpg?v=1558008348","variant_ids":[21769224945764]},"available":true,"name":"Messy Prayer: Developing the prayer life of your Messy Church - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":134,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857463791","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3266369716363,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857463791-l.jpg?v=1570103550"}}},{"id":24431590015076,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD3791","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Prayer: Developing the prayer life of your Messy Church - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":799,"weight":147,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"DOWNLOAD3791"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857463791-l.jpg?v=1558008348"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857463791-l.jpg?v=1558008348","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3266369716363,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857463791-l.jpg?v=1570103550"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857463791-l.jpg?v=1570103550","width":426}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eEquipping your Messy team to pray and encourage others to do so, both within and outside the Messy Church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCommunicating prayer as a concept\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePraying as a team in advance and on the day\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePrayer ideas for the activity time, celebration time, and at home as a family\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eWays of praying the Lord's Prayer \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eWays to reimagine other traditional prayers\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCreating a prayer space\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA Messy Quiet Day outline\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nJane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church team, has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for twelve \r\nyears. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is excellent, packed with simple, practical ideas that can be used or adapted for many an All Age service. Aimed specifically at Messy Church, the book is structured around the particular elements of that format (the celebration time, the meal time, the home), but these are easily adaptable. Of particular interest for some is a very substantial chapter by Lucy Moore on 'Liturgical Prayers'. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThere is also a useful chapter on 'Creating a Prayer Space', which doesn't have to be a permanent installation. It could be created and themed for a particular service. Of course, this might be limited by the size of the user-group or congregation. In some contexts, it might be necessary to adapt the ideas here into multiple stations. At our last holiday club, we made a huge igloo from milk bottles, which could take up to fifteen children with adults, but it would be tricky to use on a Sunday morning when the congregation can be up to 150.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book ends with three chapters on a Messy Church session on prayer, a Quiet Day for your team, and a Messy Retreat. Even if you never hold these precise events, they might be adapted for your next church weekend. This book is handy, practical, and great value. 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\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 17 June 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Prayer\u003c\/em\u003e by Jane Leadbetter offers practical and creative ways to introduce messy congregations to prayer. In her introduction, she points out that for many of us in childhood, collective prayer was passive: someone else prayed on our behalf, and we said 'Amen.'As an alternative, she suggests hands-on ways of engaging in 'prayerful chatter' with God, so that prayer begins to come naturally as part of a real relationship. I have been involved in running messy churches for several years, and have noticed that seasoned practitioners tend to have a check list for deciding whether to choose a particular activity. A. Can the children we have do it, or will we mainly end up doing it for them? B. Do we have the materials, or can we scavenge them without asking the congregation to collect used bottle tops for weeks on end? C. Do the children have a fighting chance of making the connection between the activity and message? As a former primary-school teacher and messy-church practitioner, Leadbetter is clearly on the same page. Her ideas are simple to execute, and use everyday materials, and she is excellent at making the message integral to the task. She also suggests developments for messy-church teams looking for new ideas, like a Quiet Day for leaders and a messy retreat. I am going to take this book to our messy-church planning sessions, and I can imagine using it with my own children, too, as a way of helping us to pray together as a family.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Catherine Pickford - Team Rector in the Benwell Team Ministry, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book explains the importance of spirituality in the life of a Messy Church and the importance of prayer in the life of families. It is filled with practical ideas for creating a prayer space and for using prayer in the celebration time of a Messy Church. There are ideas for liturgical prayers and for meal-time graces, and for a whole Messy Church session on prayer. Obviously many of these ideas could be used in other settings such as schools, Sunday clubs and activity sessions. It is a useful addition to the children's leader's bookshelf - and their practice!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR - Diocese of Peterborough December 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n"}
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Messy Prayer: Developing the prayer life of your Messy Church
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Equipping your Messy team to pray and encourage others to do so, both within and outside the Messy Church context....
{"id":2439753564260,"title":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous","handle":"extreme-crafts-for-messy-churches-50-activity-ideas-for-the-adventurous","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Maidment and Barry Brand provide over 50 new activities for Messy Church sessions, carefully crafted to appeal to male as well as female participants at Messy Church. They challenge the assumption that Messy Church 'isn't really for men or boys' and offer approaches for Messy Churches to engage men and boys in an intentional way, providing inspiration for creating a Messy Church that men and boys will love to be part of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'As a Messy Church trainer, I regularly have to defend Messy Church for those who pigeonhole it as a fringe activity for mums and children. I believe in Messy Church as a true expression of church, and a place where discipleship takes place. I look forward to having a resource that I can point people towards who worry about the place of men and boys at Messy Church, or who are looking for ideas on how to engage with them.'\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePete Maidment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the introduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've carefully chosen activities that fit some of those harder-to-fill areas at Messy Church. Our science experiments build on people's natural desire to solve problems and understand things: they're messy and fun, but they stretch the imagination too, expecting us to think outside the box to try to see how something is done or how it works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've included a list of 'big stuff' - activities that call for people to work together to make something bigger than they could manage alone. Which of us didn't don a hard hat as a child and head out to build something?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood has universal appeal, but our recipes (if you can call them that) are about creating great stuff to eat rather than using food as a craft tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've also included a section on art and craft, but possibly not as you've imagined it before. Whether it's just a teeny bit dangerous, extra messy or just BIG, these ideas will, we hope, appeal to everyone - even the men!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am by nature a craft sceptic. Glue, glitter and sequins are not easy for a bloke with big hands to cope with. But within a few pages of the start of this book Pete and Barry had won me over with their promise of the 'extreme activities' to come. I was not disappointed. I wanted to try building the fruit catapult, walking on eggs and mixing up some Oobleck (read the book to find out what it is!). I can still recall the excitement I felt as a child when discovering invisible ink, and I'm now desperate to give it a go again. The guidance at the back of the book about planning a male-friendly Messy Church is great stuff, but, as with the rest of the book, it's not just relevant to Messy Churches. Whatever group for families you run - Messy Church, Who Let The Dads Out? or any other - I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. It will help you make the men in your group feel welcome and energised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Chester, Founder, Who Let The Dads Out? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment is the Diocesan Youth Adviser for the Diocese of Winchester, and heads up the Messy Church Training in the Diocese. He is part of the core leadership team for the Messy Church that meets at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, where he has gained a reputation for devising some of the more wacky crafts! Pete is married and has two children, who are crazy about Messy Church and see it as their home church. In his spare time Pete is a keen runner and drinks more coffee than is probably good for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarry Brand is the families worker at the Parish of Bitterne Church LEP, and runs one of the largest Messy Churches, which regularly gets over 100 people and on two occasions 200! Barry recently took Messy Church over to Namalemba in Uganda who are partnered with Bitterne church and is always thinking of weird and wonderful ideas for Messy crafts or the lunch. Barry is married to Adele and has two children, who also help at Messy Church either on the craft tables or in the band. Barry is also a freelance graphic designer and produces all their Messy posters and advertising. When not at church, Barry enjoys cycling, camping with friends and is a keen cook, who, much to Adele's dismay, uses far more pots than necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great book of '50 activity ideas for the adventurous.' The crafts are very simple and do-able. Each has a 'mess' rating, a 'danger' rating and a 'difficulty' rating. Where appropriate, they specify what the 'danger' is so that you can do your own risk assessment. There is 'big stuff' like the collapsing house or the giant whale. There are 'Construction Crafts' like clothes peg catapults and squawking cans. There are 'science crafts' like CD hovercrafts and lava lamps. There are some great arty crafts and some edible crafts, such as 'Edible Dirt Garden'.\u003cbr\u003eThese activities are guaranteed to cause excitement, but each one is topped and tailed with Bible application and a way to talk about it. Inevitably, the applications are not precisely spelled out and sometimes the connections are a little elusive. However, that's not the point. This small book is packed with tons of fun and an indication of how it might be used. There is a useful appendix on 'planning a male-friendly messy church.' 5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Peterborough Cross Keys magazine - Summer 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\nExtreme Crafts for Messy Churches is a book containing 50 activity ideas for Messy Churches. What makes this particular craft book interesting is each activity has a different Mess, Danger and Difficulty rating. Intrigued by the book, I took it home to try a couple of the activities with my daughter Elissa, 5 and son Joshua, 3. We tried the Toy Car Track activity: Mess Rating -2\/5 -Danger Rating 3\/5 Difficulty Rating 5\/5. The craft is almost a game. The idea is that you have to get a small car from one side of the room to another with one push, not allowing it to travel on the floor. We used box lids to create a track and a paper towel tube for the shoot to launch the cars with enough speed to keep going to the end of the track. Unfortunately, we hadn't reckoned on the Hot Wheels toy car wanting to drive off the edges of the box lids. At this point, my husband Luke began to get involved - he couldn't help himself. The craft had us all working together to make a channel of straws that kept the cars on track. Needless to say we all loved it and it was surprisingly challenging. This task managed to keep us entertained all afternoon going into the evening. The children were completely engaged by the task and enjoyed their role as an integral part of the Setchfield Race Team. Elissa told me 'I feel so happy because we have to keep practicing to get it right.' They were both so proud when they managed to get their first car across the track. What I found especially good with this one activity is it fostered a real feeling of team work. Everyone worked together to come up with new ideas to solve the problems of keeping the cars on track. We were so engaged in this that we completely forgot the time. All of this came from just doing the first activity. We couldn't wait to try another. \u003cem\u003eExtreme Crafts\u003c\/em\u003e is aimed for Messy Churches but I would suggest any church or household which has children should purchase this book; it will keep you and your children entertained for hours. Review by Karen Setchfield\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Pompey Chimes June 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake it to extremes at Messy Church\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink that messy church is just for mums and small children? Think again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment, who until recently helped run Messy Church at St Wilfrid's Church, Cowplain, and Barry Brand are out to show the world that Messy Church can be for dads and teenagers too, with their book Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches. Published last month, it contains 50 ideas for exciting, big messy crafts and activities, which are perfect for Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came about after Pete was asked by Lucy Moore, who created the concept, to help get dads and older children into Messy Church. Pete then drafted in Barry, who runs Messy Church in Bitterne, to co-author it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'We do have a number of dads coming along to Messy Church and sometimes they do look a bit awkward, looking on in fear of glitter and beads,' Barry said. 'We also have a lot of young children and not really any teens so I've wanted to address that and his book seemed a great way to do it. To help others but to also get myself thinking of what could be done.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the ideas have bible passages and notes that can be combined with the activities for Sunday school or church schools. But it is also possible to use it simply as a book of ideas for fun things to do with children, outside of a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church is an opportunity to just be 'dad' and enjoy time with the family, listening to God's word in a loving environment and meeting people in the same boat as you. We hope this book will help dads be dads, ' said Barry.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:52+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:54+00:00","vendor":"Pete Maidment","type":"Paperback","tags":["May-15","Messy Church books","PDF"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"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":21769114189924,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461629","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":111,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461629"},{"id":24424253227108,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD1629","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":8940798410852,"product_id":2439753564260,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T12:11:51+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-20T12:11:51+00:00","alt":null,"width":558,"height":850,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1550664711","variant_ids":[24424253227108]},"available":true,"name":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":899,"weight":111,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"DOWNLOAD1629","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3259444166795,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":850,"width":558,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1570102192"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1549043169","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1550664711"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1549043169","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238875365515,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":426},{"alt":null,"id":3259444166795,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":850,"width":558,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1570102192"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":850,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1570102192","width":558}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Maidment and Barry Brand provide over 50 new activities for Messy Church sessions, carefully crafted to appeal to male as well as female participants at Messy Church. They challenge the assumption that Messy Church 'isn't really for men or boys' and offer approaches for Messy Churches to engage men and boys in an intentional way, providing inspiration for creating a Messy Church that men and boys will love to be part of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'As a Messy Church trainer, I regularly have to defend Messy Church for those who pigeonhole it as a fringe activity for mums and children. I believe in Messy Church as a true expression of church, and a place where discipleship takes place. I look forward to having a resource that I can point people towards who worry about the place of men and boys at Messy Church, or who are looking for ideas on how to engage with them.'\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePete Maidment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the introduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've carefully chosen activities that fit some of those harder-to-fill areas at Messy Church. Our science experiments build on people's natural desire to solve problems and understand things: they're messy and fun, but they stretch the imagination too, expecting us to think outside the box to try to see how something is done or how it works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've included a list of 'big stuff' - activities that call for people to work together to make something bigger than they could manage alone. Which of us didn't don a hard hat as a child and head out to build something?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood has universal appeal, but our recipes (if you can call them that) are about creating great stuff to eat rather than using food as a craft tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've also included a section on art and craft, but possibly not as you've imagined it before. Whether it's just a teeny bit dangerous, extra messy or just BIG, these ideas will, we hope, appeal to everyone - even the men!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am by nature a craft sceptic. Glue, glitter and sequins are not easy for a bloke with big hands to cope with. But within a few pages of the start of this book Pete and Barry had won me over with their promise of the 'extreme activities' to come. I was not disappointed. I wanted to try building the fruit catapult, walking on eggs and mixing up some Oobleck (read the book to find out what it is!). I can still recall the excitement I felt as a child when discovering invisible ink, and I'm now desperate to give it a go again. The guidance at the back of the book about planning a male-friendly Messy Church is great stuff, but, as with the rest of the book, it's not just relevant to Messy Churches. Whatever group for families you run - Messy Church, Who Let The Dads Out? or any other - I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. It will help you make the men in your group feel welcome and energised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Chester, Founder, Who Let The Dads Out? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment is the Diocesan Youth Adviser for the Diocese of Winchester, and heads up the Messy Church Training in the Diocese. He is part of the core leadership team for the Messy Church that meets at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, where he has gained a reputation for devising some of the more wacky crafts! Pete is married and has two children, who are crazy about Messy Church and see it as their home church. In his spare time Pete is a keen runner and drinks more coffee than is probably good for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarry Brand is the families worker at the Parish of Bitterne Church LEP, and runs one of the largest Messy Churches, which regularly gets over 100 people and on two occasions 200! Barry recently took Messy Church over to Namalemba in Uganda who are partnered with Bitterne church and is always thinking of weird and wonderful ideas for Messy crafts or the lunch. Barry is married to Adele and has two children, who also help at Messy Church either on the craft tables or in the band. Barry is also a freelance graphic designer and produces all their Messy posters and advertising. When not at church, Barry enjoys cycling, camping with friends and is a keen cook, who, much to Adele's dismay, uses far more pots than necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great book of '50 activity ideas for the adventurous.' The crafts are very simple and do-able. Each has a 'mess' rating, a 'danger' rating and a 'difficulty' rating. Where appropriate, they specify what the 'danger' is so that you can do your own risk assessment. There is 'big stuff' like the collapsing house or the giant whale. There are 'Construction Crafts' like clothes peg catapults and squawking cans. There are 'science crafts' like CD hovercrafts and lava lamps. There are some great arty crafts and some edible crafts, such as 'Edible Dirt Garden'.\u003cbr\u003eThese activities are guaranteed to cause excitement, but each one is topped and tailed with Bible application and a way to talk about it. Inevitably, the applications are not precisely spelled out and sometimes the connections are a little elusive. However, that's not the point. This small book is packed with tons of fun and an indication of how it might be used. There is a useful appendix on 'planning a male-friendly messy church.' 5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Peterborough Cross Keys magazine - Summer 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\nExtreme Crafts for Messy Churches is a book containing 50 activity ideas for Messy Churches. What makes this particular craft book interesting is each activity has a different Mess, Danger and Difficulty rating. Intrigued by the book, I took it home to try a couple of the activities with my daughter Elissa, 5 and son Joshua, 3. We tried the Toy Car Track activity: Mess Rating -2\/5 -Danger Rating 3\/5 Difficulty Rating 5\/5. The craft is almost a game. The idea is that you have to get a small car from one side of the room to another with one push, not allowing it to travel on the floor. We used box lids to create a track and a paper towel tube for the shoot to launch the cars with enough speed to keep going to the end of the track. Unfortunately, we hadn't reckoned on the Hot Wheels toy car wanting to drive off the edges of the box lids. At this point, my husband Luke began to get involved - he couldn't help himself. The craft had us all working together to make a channel of straws that kept the cars on track. Needless to say we all loved it and it was surprisingly challenging. This task managed to keep us entertained all afternoon going into the evening. The children were completely engaged by the task and enjoyed their role as an integral part of the Setchfield Race Team. Elissa told me 'I feel so happy because we have to keep practicing to get it right.' They were both so proud when they managed to get their first car across the track. What I found especially good with this one activity is it fostered a real feeling of team work. Everyone worked together to come up with new ideas to solve the problems of keeping the cars on track. We were so engaged in this that we completely forgot the time. All of this came from just doing the first activity. We couldn't wait to try another. \u003cem\u003eExtreme Crafts\u003c\/em\u003e is aimed for Messy Churches but I would suggest any church or household which has children should purchase this book; it will keep you and your children entertained for hours. Review by Karen Setchfield\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Pompey Chimes June 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake it to extremes at Messy Church\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink that messy church is just for mums and small children? Think again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment, who until recently helped run Messy Church at St Wilfrid's Church, Cowplain, and Barry Brand are out to show the world that Messy Church can be for dads and teenagers too, with their book Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches. Published last month, it contains 50 ideas for exciting, big messy crafts and activities, which are perfect for Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came about after Pete was asked by Lucy Moore, who created the concept, to help get dads and older children into Messy Church. Pete then drafted in Barry, who runs Messy Church in Bitterne, to co-author it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'We do have a number of dads coming along to Messy Church and sometimes they do look a bit awkward, looking on in fear of glitter and beads,' Barry said. 'We also have a lot of young children and not really any teens so I've wanted to address that and his book seemed a great way to do it. To help others but to also get myself thinking of what could be done.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the ideas have bible passages and notes that can be combined with the activities for Sunday school or church schools. But it is also possible to use it simply as a book of ideas for fun things to do with children, outside of a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church is an opportunity to just be 'dad' and enjoy time with the family, listening to God's word in a loving environment and meeting people in the same boat as you. We hope this book will help dads be dads, ' said Barry.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous
£8.99
In this book Pete Maidment and Barry Brand provide over 50 new activities for Messy Church sessions, carefully crafted to...