Children and families
Practical and user-friendly material and resources for church children's groups, Sunday Schools and midweek groups and more.
{"id":7704534581439,"title":"Get Messy! Volume 2 - Christian basics made messy","handle":"get-messy-volume-2","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGet Messy! Volume 2 contains twelve session outlines for Messy Churches. This volume takes you through the basic themes of Christianity including: Who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit? (Pentecost). Other key Christian festivals include: Christmas – God entering the world as Jesus – and Easter – exploring Jesus’ last supper before his death and resurrection and why Christians celebrate communion. The material also covers God’s best ways of living, demonstrated through Jesus’ life; a challenge to follow Jesus and trust God with a new direction; and exploring following and belonging to Jesus through baptism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Other than the key Christian festivals Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, the sessions are standalone and can be done in any order. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Churches who wish to dig deeper into discipleship between Messy Church gatherings might like to try a complementary resource, Messy Basics, a discipleship course exploring what Christians believe through faith-based conversations in all-age groups. Messy Basics is available as a download only.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7S-CllEPkeI?si=nQI2uK9F8eHeaurD\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-v-5a160260=\"\" class=\"row avoid-break\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-v-5a160260=\"\" class=\"col\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-v-5a160260=\"\" id=\"productCardContributors\" class=\"card\" date-options=\"[object Object]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"card-body\"\u003e\n\u003cdl class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdd class=\"col-sm-10\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAike leads the BRF Ministries Messy Church team, supporting the Messy Church network both nationally and internationally, through writing, speaking, training, developing resources and projects. Aike’s Messy Church journey started in 2010, as a volunteer leader, then a paid Messy Church pioneer in her local church, before taking up a regional role for Southwark Diocese in 2017. Currently she’s involved with a Messy Church Goes Wild in Greenwich, London.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2024-04-02T12:12:36+01:00","created_at":"2024-04-02T12:12:36+01:00","vendor":"Aike Kennett-Brown","type":"Paperback","tags":["2024","Children and family ministry","Collective worship","Discipleship","For churches","Get Messy!","Messy Church","Messy Church books"],"price":1699,"price_min":1699,"price_max":1699,"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":43420906520767,"title":"Print","option1":"Print","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392878","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":35961304613055,"product_id":7704534581439,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-04-29T17:24:14+01:00","updated_at":"2024-04-29T17:24:16+01:00","alt":null,"width":2480,"height":3508,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856","variant_ids":[43420906520767,43420906553535]},"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! Volume 2 - Christian basics made messy - Print","public_title":"Print","options":["Print"],"price":1699,"weight":240,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392878","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":28729832603839,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"width":2480,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":43420906553535,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392885","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":35961304613055,"product_id":7704534581439,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-04-29T17:24:14+01:00","updated_at":"2024-04-29T17:24:16+01:00","alt":null,"width":2480,"height":3508,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856","variant_ids":[43420906520767,43420906553535]},"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! Volume 2 - Christian basics made messy - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":1699,"weight":240,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392885","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":28729832603839,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"width":2480,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":28729832603839,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"width":2480,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856"},"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GetMessy_Volume2.jpg?v=1714407856","width":2480}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGet Messy! Volume 2 contains twelve session outlines for Messy Churches. This volume takes you through the basic themes of Christianity including: Who is God? Who is Jesus? Who is the Holy Spirit? (Pentecost). Other key Christian festivals include: Christmas – God entering the world as Jesus – and Easter – exploring Jesus’ last supper before his death and resurrection and why Christians celebrate communion. The material also covers God’s best ways of living, demonstrated through Jesus’ life; a challenge to follow Jesus and trust God with a new direction; and exploring following and belonging to Jesus through baptism.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Other than the key Christian festivals Christmas, Easter and Pentecost, the sessions are standalone and can be done in any order. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Churches who wish to dig deeper into discipleship between Messy Church gatherings might like to try a complementary resource, Messy Basics, a discipleship course exploring what Christians believe through faith-based conversations in all-age groups. Messy Basics is available as a download only.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7S-CllEPkeI?si=nQI2uK9F8eHeaurD\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-v-5a160260=\"\" class=\"row avoid-break\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-v-5a160260=\"\" class=\"col\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-v-5a160260=\"\" id=\"productCardContributors\" class=\"card\" date-options=\"[object Object]\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"card-body\"\u003e\n\u003cdl class=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdd class=\"col-sm-10\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAike leads the BRF Ministries Messy Church team, supporting the Messy Church network both nationally and internationally, through writing, speaking, training, developing resources and projects. Aike’s Messy Church journey started in 2010, as a volunteer leader, then a paid Messy Church pioneer in her local church, before taking up a regional role for Southwark Diocese in 2017. Currently she’s involved with a Messy Church Goes Wild in Greenwich, London.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}
You may also like:
Get Messy! Volume 2 - Christian basics made messy
£16.99
Get Messy! Volume 2 contains twelve session outlines for Messy Churches. This volume takes you through the basic themes of...
{"id":7481158533311,"title":"Refresh: Introducing adults to faith through toddler groups","handle":"refresh","description":"\u003cp\u003eRefresh Café is a fun and effective way to build fruitful relationships with parents and carers in your community. It’s stay and play turned on its head: the children have fun, but we focus on refreshing the adults with time to talk, fresh coffee, pastries and most importantly our key ingredient: a five-minute ‘thought for the day’ where we share something of God in a gentle, relevant and accessible way. All this in a welcoming play space for the children. This book shows you how to run Refresh, and includes 33 ‘thoughts for the day’ to use in your setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TrfXxTTYsow\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaroline Montgomery is the pioneer of Refresh. Formerly Families Pastor at St Stephen’s Church, Twickenham, she has been married to Richard for 35 years and they have three grown-up sons. She enjoys walking, going to the gym, knitting and having coffee with friends.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2023-04-21T20:30:01+01:00","created_at":"2023-04-21T20:30:01+01:00","vendor":"Caroline Montgomery","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Discipleship","For churches","For individuals","Glassboxx","Leadership"],"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":42422720823487,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392168","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34356753072319,"product_id":7481158533311,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-04-21T20:31:39+01:00","updated_at":"2023-04-21T20:31:40+01:00","alt":null,"width":1748,"height":2480,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500","variant_ids":[42422720823487]},"available":true,"name":"Refresh: Introducing adults to faith through toddler groups - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":165,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392168","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26972311814335,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":2480,"width":1748,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26972311814335,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":2480,"width":1748,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":2480,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500","width":1748}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eRefresh Café is a fun and effective way to build fruitful relationships with parents and carers in your community. It’s stay and play turned on its head: the children have fun, but we focus on refreshing the adults with time to talk, fresh coffee, pastries and most importantly our key ingredient: a five-minute ‘thought for the day’ where we share something of God in a gentle, relevant and accessible way. All this in a welcoming play space for the children. This book shows you how to run Refresh, and includes 33 ‘thoughts for the day’ to use in your setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TrfXxTTYsow\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaroline Montgomery is the pioneer of Refresh. Formerly Families Pastor at St Stephen’s Church, Twickenham, she has been married to Richard for 35 years and they have three grown-up sons. She enjoys walking, going to the gym, knitting and having coffee with friends.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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Refresh: Introducing adults to faith through toddler groups
£7.99
Refresh Café is a fun and effective way to build fruitful relationships with parents and carers in your community. It’s...
{"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\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003cbr\u003eOlly Goldenberg, Children Can\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Turner is an author, speaker and the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for The Bible Reading Fellowship. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/best-christian-books-for-moms\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e December 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis is THE handbook of nurturing your children’s faith. (For my full review of it, check out \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\"\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e.) Every parent should read it! However…it’s quite long. The new version is an omnibus, featuring three books in one, so you don’t need to read all three, but even one might be a challenge for many of us. So – promise me that if you don’t have time for the book, you’ll watch the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eParenting for Faith videos (free)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, listen to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eawesome podcast\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, tune in for Rachel’s regular \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFacebook Lives\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eread their blog\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e? At the very least, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eParenting for Faith Instagram account\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e gives lots of quick pointers, ideas and starter questions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\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":false,"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":{"id":7437028032612,"product_id":2439825162340,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:25+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:19+00:00","alt":null,"width":458,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1549043119","variant_ids":[21770172170340]},"available":false,"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","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238881656971,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1549043119"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1549043119"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/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":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1549043119"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466945-l.jpg?v=1549043119","width":458}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"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\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003cbr\u003eOlly Goldenberg, Children Can\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Turner is an author, speaker and the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for The Bible Reading Fellowship. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/best-christian-books-for-moms\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e December 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis is THE handbook of nurturing your children’s faith. (For my full review of it, check out \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\"\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e.) Every parent should read it! However…it’s quite long. The new version is an omnibus, featuring three books in one, so you don’t need to read all three, but even one might be a challenge for many of us. So – promise me that if you don’t have time for the book, you’ll watch the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eParenting for Faith videos (free)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, listen to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eawesome podcast\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, tune in for Rachel’s regular \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFacebook Lives\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eread their blog\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e? At the very least, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eParenting for Faith Instagram account\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e gives lots of quick pointers, ideas and starter questions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\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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{"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":"\u003cp\u003e\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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QRoJbFAPOGc\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\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\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":["Bereavement","Jun-19","Kindle","Messy Church","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":40462176223423,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468239","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":9749515075684,"product_id":3178559209572,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-03-26T14:58:28+00:00","updated_at":"2019-03-26T14:58:28+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308","variant_ids":[40462176223423]},"available":true,"name":"Seriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":600,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468239","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3264195559563,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3264195559563,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857468239-l.jpg?v=1553612308","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QRoJbFAPOGc\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\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\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":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","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466259-l.jpg?v=1549043135"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/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":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466259-l.jpg?v=1549043135"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466259-l.jpg?v=1549043135","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"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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{"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":{"id":7436511936612,"product_id":2439743766628,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:15+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:17+00:00","alt":null,"width":426,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1549043177","variant_ids":[21769004056676]},"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","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238874710155,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1549043177"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1549043177"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/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":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1549043177"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461452-l.jpg?v=1549043177","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"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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{"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\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/33kqpzo5X-E\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"245\" height=\"245\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\"\u003e\u003c\/div\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\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Resource - September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to help children draw close to God through biblical stories of night time and sleep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not to love about this book?\u003c\/p\u003e\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\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\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\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/theresource.org.uk\/comfort-in-the-darkness-by-rachel-turner\/\"\u003eThe Resource\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAli Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egodventure - November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Beech\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times - 19 May 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA very useful aid for helping parents draw their children closer to God, and a must for the bedroom bookshelf\u003c\/h3\u003e\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\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\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.\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\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\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\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":{"id":7436642386020,"product_id":2439764377700,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:29+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:03+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1549043163","variant_ids":[21769237430372]},"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","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238876905611,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1549043163"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1549043163"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/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":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1549043163"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464231-l.jpg?v=1549043163","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"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\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/33kqpzo5X-E\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"245\" height=\"245\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\"\u003e\u003c\/div\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\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Resource - September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book aims to help children draw close to God through biblical stories of night time and sleep.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not to love about this book?\u003c\/p\u003e\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\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\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\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/theresource.org.uk\/comfort-in-the-darkness-by-rachel-turner\/\"\u003eThe Resource\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAli Campbell\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egodventure - November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Beech\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times - 19 May 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA very useful aid for helping parents draw their children closer to God, and a must for the bedroom bookshelf\u003c\/h3\u003e\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\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\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.\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\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\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Revd Dr Martin M'Caw\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e"}
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Comfort in the Darkness: Helping children draw close to God through biblical stories of night-time and sleep
£7.99
Sleep, dreams and the night can be mysterious and sometimes troubling. Children can be afraid of the dark, have nightmares...
{"id":2439784824932,"title":"Easter Family Time","handle":"easter-family-time","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Easter gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over Easter. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"188\" height=\"188\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.","published_at":"2020-03-23T09:40:45+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:49+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Easter","Families Easter","Messy Church books","Messy mini books","Nov-16"],"price":250,"price_min":250,"price_max":250,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769555083364,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465283","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"Easter Family Time - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":250,"weight":30,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465283","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1549043147"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1549043147","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878675083,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1549043147"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1549043147","width":650}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Easter gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over Easter. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"188\" height=\"188\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral."}
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Easter Family Time
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An affirming Easter gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over Easter. This...
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{"id":7130677215423,"title":"Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story: Techniques and tools for exploring the Bible with children and families","handle":"creative-ways-to-tell-a-bible-story","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis resource offers a treasure trove of ideas for opening up a Bible story (the way in), telling the story (the way through) and exploring the meaning of the story (the way out), including suggestions for reflecting on how to apply the story to our lives today. Also included are over 30 key words and phrases providing ways in which connecting threads might be explored, and a suggested yearʼs programme using the Bible stories explored in the book. A comprehensive index makes it easy to find material for a particular childrenʼs session, special event, workshop or all-age church service.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartynPayne-720_480x480.jpg?v=1676494572\" width=\"306\" height=\"306\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly part of BRFʼs Barnabas Childrenʼs Ministry and Messy Church teams, Martyn Payne has a background in teaching, Bible storytelling and leading all-age worship, and is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together. Currently pastor of a church in Essex, heʼs still telling stories!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis other books include \u003cem\u003eA-cross the World\u003c\/em\u003e (2004), \u003cem\u003eFootsteps to the Feast\u003c\/em\u003e (2007), \u003cem\u003eWhere in the World?\u003c\/em\u003e (2012), \u003cem\u003eThe Big Story\u003c\/em\u003e (2011) and \u003cem\u003eThe Barnabas Family Bible\u003c\/em\u003e (2014).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2023. Review by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delayed reviewing this book because I used it all summer for holiday club and other activities. This is a resource for three stages in sharing a Bible story: the ‘way in’, whetting the appetite for the main elements; the ‘way through’, different ways of telling the story; and the ‘way out’, exploring and reflecting on the story. There are many drama games, ways to use props, and ways to use art , all with examples linked to Bible stories. Even if you already love using Godly Play or drama, you will find lots of excellent new ideas. Above all the practical ideas are in a framework: don’t just read a story – ponder first and then tell it. Use open-ended questions, and don’t rush in with an explanation – Jesus usually didn’t. The introduction celebrates the way the biblical authors ‘were…gifted to see greater truths than they could have imagined on their own’, and this book points us to inspired story-sharing with children and families. Why not adult small groups too?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Rose Medhurst\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-01-10T15:38:39+00:00","created_at":"2022-01-10T15:38:38+00:00","vendor":"Martyn Payne","type":"Paperback","tags":["Bibles","Centenary Classics","Centenary Collection","Children and family ministry","For children","Glassboxx","Jun-22"],"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":41214267883711,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390928","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":31386735280319,"product_id":7130677215423,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-01-10T15:38:38+00:00","updated_at":"2022-01-10T15:38:40+00:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1524,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390928.jpg?v=1641829120","variant_ids":[41214267883711]},"available":true,"name":"Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story: Techniques and tools for exploring the Bible with children and families - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":140,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390928","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":23844856070335,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390928.jpg?v=1641829120"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390928.jpg?v=1641829120"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390928.jpg?v=1641829120","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":23844856070335,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390928.jpg?v=1641829120"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390928.jpg?v=1641829120","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis resource offers a treasure trove of ideas for opening up a Bible story (the way in), telling the story (the way through) and exploring the meaning of the story (the way out), including suggestions for reflecting on how to apply the story to our lives today. Also included are over 30 key words and phrases providing ways in which connecting threads might be explored, and a suggested yearʼs programme using the Bible stories explored in the book. A comprehensive index makes it easy to find material for a particular childrenʼs session, special event, workshop or all-age church service.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MartynPayne-720_480x480.jpg?v=1676494572\" width=\"306\" height=\"306\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormerly part of BRFʼs Barnabas Childrenʼs Ministry and Messy Church teams, Martyn Payne has a background in teaching, Bible storytelling and leading all-age worship, and is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together. Currently pastor of a church in Essex, heʼs still telling stories!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis other books include \u003cem\u003eA-cross the World\u003c\/em\u003e (2004), \u003cem\u003eFootsteps to the Feast\u003c\/em\u003e (2007), \u003cem\u003eWhere in the World?\u003c\/em\u003e (2012), \u003cem\u003eThe Big Story\u003c\/em\u003e (2011) and \u003cem\u003eThe Barnabas Family Bible\u003c\/em\u003e (2014).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2023. Review by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delayed reviewing this book because I used it all summer for holiday club and other activities. This is a resource for three stages in sharing a Bible story: the ‘way in’, whetting the appetite for the main elements; the ‘way through’, different ways of telling the story; and the ‘way out’, exploring and reflecting on the story. There are many drama games, ways to use props, and ways to use art , all with examples linked to Bible stories. Even if you already love using Godly Play or drama, you will find lots of excellent new ideas. Above all the practical ideas are in a framework: don’t just read a story – ponder first and then tell it. Use open-ended questions, and don’t rush in with an explanation – Jesus usually didn’t. The introduction celebrates the way the biblical authors ‘were…gifted to see greater truths than they could have imagined on their own’, and this book points us to inspired story-sharing with children and families. Why not adult small groups too?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Rose Medhurst\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story: Techniques and tools for exploring the Bible with children and families
£9.99
This resource offers a treasure trove of ideas for opening up a Bible story (the way in), telling the story (the...
{"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\u003eTransforming Ministry digital edition 2. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book contains a wealth of valuable guidance to churches seeking to be effective in ministering to the family of God at every level. It is not about how to run family services, or about children and young parents, but about the whole family of God. There is so much thought and good advice in this book that it is difficult to imagine any church running out of things to be doing. In the early chapters, Adcock considers the nature of ‘family’ in the twenty-first century, and the opportunities and pitfalls for modern ministry in a church context. She then considers seven ‘habits’ in church practice which will help any ministry team grow in effectiveness. I found the chapter on being ‘intergenerational’ to be particularly thoughtful, and the chapter on being ‘church’ in the home similarly challenging. It is not a book that many will read from cover to cover, yet it is much more than a reference book. It is not a ‘how to do it’ guide, and it does not answer all the questions it poses. But if you and your colleagues care about the nature of the church and spend time with this book, you will be able to pray about and address family issues with a deeper level of understanding than before. I commend it to those engaged in leadership within the family of the church, and those whom God may be calling to such tasks.\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\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","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465788.jpg?v=1569234809"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/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":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465788.jpg?v=1569234809"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465788.jpg?v=1569234809","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"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\u003eTransforming Ministry digital edition 2. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book contains a wealth of valuable guidance to churches seeking to be effective in ministering to the family of God at every level. It is not about how to run family services, or about children and young parents, but about the whole family of God. There is so much thought and good advice in this book that it is difficult to imagine any church running out of things to be doing. In the early chapters, Adcock considers the nature of ‘family’ in the twenty-first century, and the opportunities and pitfalls for modern ministry in a church context. She then considers seven ‘habits’ in church practice which will help any ministry team grow in effectiveness. I found the chapter on being ‘intergenerational’ to be particularly thoughtful, and the chapter on being ‘church’ in the home similarly challenging. It is not a book that many will read from cover to cover, yet it is much more than a reference book. It is not a ‘how to do it’ guide, and it does not answer all the questions it poses. But if you and your colleagues care about the nature of the church and spend time with this book, you will be able to pray about and address family issues with a deeper level of understanding than before. I commend it to those engaged in leadership within the family of the church, and those whom God may be calling to such tasks.\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\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
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A comprehensive foundation for those working in the increasingly complex and diverse area of ministry with families, The Essential Guide...
{"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\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"324\" width=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AnitaCleverlyauthorpicPREFERRED_480x480.jpg?v=1676497069\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnita Cleverly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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":["Anna Chaplaincy books","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","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466617-l.jpg?v=1549043117","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/38_cc8654b3-80a7-49fc-8222-b05387e9e603.png?v=1734095696"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/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":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466617-l.jpg?v=1549043117"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466617-l.jpg?v=1549043117","width":426},{"alt":null,"id":63560966701436,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/38_cc8654b3-80a7-49fc-8222-b05387e9e603.png?v=1734095696"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/38_cc8654b3-80a7-49fc-8222-b05387e9e603.png?v=1734095696","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"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\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"324\" width=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AnitaCleverlyauthorpicPREFERRED_480x480.jpg?v=1676497069\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnita Cleverly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\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":2439781548132,"title":"Christmas Family Time","handle":"christmas-family-time","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Christmas gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over the Christmas holiday period. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"164\" height=\"164\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:34+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:35+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Christmas","Messy Church books","Messy mini books","Sep-16"],"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":21769504555108,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465214","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Christmas Family Time - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":250,"weight":32,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465214","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1549043150"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1549043150","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878380171,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1549043150"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1549043150","width":650}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Christmas gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over the Christmas holiday period. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" width=\"164\" height=\"164\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral."}
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{"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\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\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and internationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of books for BRF.\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBaptist Times online, 19.12.12 Review by Ed Jones\u003c\/h4\u003e\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eEd Jones in minister of Battle Baptist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e_____________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\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":{"id":7437008142436,"product_id":2439822409828,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:14+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:21+00:00","alt":null,"width":650,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121","variant_ids":[21770116202596]},"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","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238881460363,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/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":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121","width":650}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"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\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\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and internationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of books for BRF.\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBaptist Times online, 19.12.12 Review by Ed Jones\u003c\/h4\u003e\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\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eEd Jones in minister of Battle Baptist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e_____________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e"}
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{"id":2439822934116,"title":"Family Jesus Time: Going on the faith adventure","handle":"family-jesus-time-going-on-the-faith-adventure","description":"\u003cp\u003eLove God... Love your neighbour... Love yourself. The gospel is good news for messy people, young and old, and this minibook is designed for those who are ready to make it their own. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it helps individuals and families alike to take the next steps in their Christian journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kathy Bland, Inter-generational Church Enabler, Diocese of Hereford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Family Jesus Time book is full of ideas about what it might mean to follow Jesus and is written in a really fun and accessible way. As well as using it with my family, I have found the ideas in it are transferable and proved very useful for our inter-generational confirmation group. I especially love the 'disciples are a mixed bunch' pages - hooray for Dorcas, Joanna, Lois and others being included so that half the disciples are women! The 'how to apply the story of the Good Samaritan' section is fantastic - we had lots of discussion about the difficulties of replacing the toilet roll holder versus washing an elephant!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Mini Book series hide a richness of resources between their covers - they may be small but they are full of treasures!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Kathy Bland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:14+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:15+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["May-18","Messy Church books","Messy mini books"],"price":199,"price_min":199,"price_max":199,"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":21770127081572,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466754","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Family Jesus Time: Going on the faith adventure - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":199,"weight":35,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466754","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1549043120"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1549043120","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238881493131,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1549043120"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1549043120","width":650}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eLove God... Love your neighbour... Love yourself. The gospel is good news for messy people, young and old, and this minibook is designed for those who are ready to make it their own. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it helps individuals and families alike to take the next steps in their Christian journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kathy Bland, Inter-generational Church Enabler, Diocese of Hereford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Family Jesus Time book is full of ideas about what it might mean to follow Jesus and is written in a really fun and accessible way. As well as using it with my family, I have found the ideas in it are transferable and proved very useful for our inter-generational confirmation group. I especially love the 'disciples are a mixed bunch' pages - hooray for Dorcas, Joanna, Lois and others being included so that half the disciples are women! The 'how to apply the story of the Good Samaritan' section is fantastic - we had lots of discussion about the difficulties of replacing the toilet roll holder versus washing an elephant!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Mini Book series hide a richness of resources between their covers - they may be small but they are full of treasures!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Kathy Bland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Family Jesus Time: Going on the faith adventure
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{"id":2439799963748,"title":"Family Question Time: Check out the adventure!","handle":"family-question-time-check-out-the-adventure","description":"\u003cp\u003eBased on the idea of the gospel being good news for messy people, young and old, Family Question Time is designed to help families talk about the basics of the Christian faith. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, this minibook offers information alongside encouragement to ask big questions, and contains suggestions about how to express a commitment to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" width=\"241\" height=\"241\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:49+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:50+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Messy Church books","Messy mini books","Sep-17"],"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":21769763717220,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466273","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Family Question Time: Check out the adventure! - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":250,"weight":31,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466273","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1549043135"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1549043135","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238879887499,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1549043135"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1549043135","width":650}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eBased on the idea of the gospel being good news for messy people, young and old, Family Question Time is designed to help families talk about the basics of the Christian faith. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, this minibook offers information alongside encouragement to ask big questions, and contains suggestions about how to express a commitment to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/LucyMoore_480x480.jpg?v=1676494651\" width=\"241\" height=\"241\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":4372424589451,"title":"Parenting for Faith: The Course - Leader’s Handbook","handle":"parenting-for-faith-the-course-leader-s-handbook","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Leader's Handbook is an essential companion for those running a Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for parents, godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, foster parents, children’s and youth leaders, church leaders and family friends – in fact, anyone who wants to support a child or teen (of any age) in their spiritual development.You don’t need any formal qualifications to run a Parenting for Faith course – just enthusiasm, a bit of preparation, and a passion to see those parenting and supporting children equipped and inspired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting for Faith provides skills and ideas for raising God-connected kids. Pioneered by Rachel Turner, the Parenting for Faith course is a video-based resource that helps parents and carers discover that they are perfectly positioned to show their children – of whatever age – the reality of a life with God, and empower them to have their own, vibrant, two-way relationship with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handbook will give you all the information you need to know to successfully lead a Parenting for Faith course. It includes session timings and questions for individual reflection and group discussion, as well as lots of top tips on how to promote and run your course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner is an author, a speaker and BRF’s Parenting for Faith Pioneer. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free eight-session video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-11-29T10:27:03+00:00","created_at":"2019-11-29T10:15:11+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jan-20","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books"],"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":31412715061387,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469854","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Parenting for Faith: The Course - Leader’s Handbook","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":499,"weight":100,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469854","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469854.jpg?v=1579022488"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469854.jpg?v=1579022488","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":6105139347595,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469854.jpg?v=1579022488"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469854.jpg?v=1579022488","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis Leader's Handbook is an essential companion for those running a Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for parents, godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, foster parents, children’s and youth leaders, church leaders and family friends – in fact, anyone who wants to support a child or teen (of any age) in their spiritual development.You don’t need any formal qualifications to run a Parenting for Faith course – just enthusiasm, a bit of preparation, and a passion to see those parenting and supporting children equipped and inspired.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting for Faith provides skills and ideas for raising God-connected kids. Pioneered by Rachel Turner, the Parenting for Faith course is a video-based resource that helps parents and carers discover that they are perfectly positioned to show their children – of whatever age – the reality of a life with God, and empower them to have their own, vibrant, two-way relationship with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handbook will give you all the information you need to know to successfully lead a Parenting for Faith course. It includes session timings and questions for individual reflection and group discussion, as well as lots of top tips on how to promote and run your course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner is an author, a speaker and BRF’s Parenting for Faith Pioneer. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free eight-session video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":4378621804683,"title":"Parenting for Faith Course Participant's Handbooks","handle":"parenting-for-faith-course-participants-handbook-pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eSave 15% when you buy this pack of Participant's Handbooks for your Parenting for Faith course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePack includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"Parenting%20for%20Faith:%20The%20Course%20-%20Participant%E2%80%99s%20Handbook\"\u003eParticipant's Handbook\u003c\/a\u003e x5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-12-17T09:43:07+00:00","created_at":"2019-12-09T15:58:54+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jan-20","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books","Parenting for Faith packs"],"price":1695,"price_min":1695,"price_max":1695,"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":31438304739467,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"PFFPARTICIPANT","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Parenting for Faith Course Participant's Handbooks","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1695,"weight":500,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"PFFPARTICIPANT","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/PFFPARTICIPANT.png?v=1579166893"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/PFFPARTICIPANT.png?v=1579166893","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":6129395957899,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":270,"width":270,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/PFFPARTICIPANT.png?v=1579166893"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":270,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/PFFPARTICIPANT.png?v=1579166893","width":270}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eSave 15% when you buy this pack of Participant's Handbooks for your Parenting for Faith course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePack includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"Parenting%20for%20Faith:%20The%20Course%20-%20Participant%E2%80%99s%20Handbook\"\u003eParticipant's Handbook\u003c\/a\u003e x5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":4372427014283,"title":"Parenting for Faith: The Course - Participant’s Handbook","handle":"parenting-for-faith-the-course-participant-s-handbook","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Participant's Handbook is a useful companion to people using the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for parents, godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, foster parents, children’s and youth leaders, church leaders and family friends – in fact, anyone who wants to support a child or teen (of any age) in their spiritual development. Intended to be used alongside the Leader's Guide and the Parenting for Faith course DVD or the online course, this handbook guides participants through the course with plenty of space for note-taking and reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting for Faith provides skills and ideas for raising God-connected kids. Pioneered by Rachel Turner, the Parenting for Faith course is a video-based resource that helps parents and carers discover that they are perfectly positioned to show their children – of whatever age – the reality of a life with God, and empower them to have their own, vibrant, two-way relationship with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handbook is designed for participants to use as they go through the course. With space for your own notes and reflections, it also acts as a reminder of the key points from each session, together with some suggested next steps to help you explore the topic more deeply or try it out with your family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner is an author, a speaker and BRF’s Parenting for Faith Pioneer. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free eight-session video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-11-29T10:26:22+00:00","created_at":"2019-11-29T10:24:38+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jan-20","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books"],"price":399,"price_min":399,"price_max":399,"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":31412728987787,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469861","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Parenting for Faith: The Course - Participant’s Handbook","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":399,"weight":100,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469861","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469861.jpg?v=1579022504"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469861.jpg?v=1579022504","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":6105140854923,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469861.jpg?v=1579022504"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857469861.jpg?v=1579022504","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis Participant's Handbook is a useful companion to people using the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for parents, godparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, foster parents, children’s and youth leaders, church leaders and family friends – in fact, anyone who wants to support a child or teen (of any age) in their spiritual development. Intended to be used alongside the Leader's Guide and the Parenting for Faith course DVD or the online course, this handbook guides participants through the course with plenty of space for note-taking and reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting for Faith provides skills and ideas for raising God-connected kids. Pioneered by Rachel Turner, the Parenting for Faith course is a video-based resource that helps parents and carers discover that they are perfectly positioned to show their children – of whatever age – the reality of a life with God, and empower them to have their own, vibrant, two-way relationship with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handbook is designed for participants to use as they go through the course. With space for your own notes and reflections, it also acts as a reminder of the key points from each session, together with some suggested next steps to help you explore the topic more deeply or try it out with your family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner is an author, a speaker and BRF’s Parenting for Faith Pioneer. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free eight-session video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Parenting for Faith: The Course - Participant’s Handbook
£3.99
This Participant's Handbook is a useful companion to people using the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for parents,...
{"id":2439746158692,"title":"Messy Church 2: Ideas for discipling a Christ-centred community","handle":"messy-church-2-ideas-for-discipling-a-christ-centred-community","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnother messy outing from Lucy Moore, this book follows on from the popular Messy Church, which has sold over 4500 copies since it was first published in 2006. Alongside the usual mix of creativity, fun, Christian hospitality and thanksgiving Messy Church 2 explores the importance of discipleship, faith development and training for leadership.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe material includes many ideas for practical ways to promote a sense of fellowship and community. The book contains a further fifteen units of fun, food, crafts and mess, with a year's worth of material that your Messy Church will love. There is also the guidance to enable those taking part to go deeper with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTopics include:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey events in Jesus' life;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristian basics;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical stories of faith;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaptism and Holy Communion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church 2 is ideal for clergy, lay ministers and those responsible for all-age worship; it is also ideal for those involved with outreach to the wider community looking to build on the success of the Messy Church initiative. The book is written for an adult readership, but contains material designed to resource people of all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n... a wealth of well-judged, practical and supremely usable material. 'The Methodist Recorder'\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is part of BRF's Barnabas team. She makes use of original performance poetry, mime, storytelling and a variety of drama workshop activites in her work. Lucy is author of many books including The Gospels Unplugged and Messy Church, all published by Barnabas.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Regent's Reviews - October 2010\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years the Bible Reading Fellowship have been publishing some fantastic resources for churches to engage with children and families in worship. At the forefront of this has been Lucy Moore, who has spearheaded the phenomena that is 'Messy Church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA previous book introduced Messy Church to a wider audience. Messy Church 2 continues with a new set of ideas for an all-age and creative way of being church for the unchurched, but also with a desire to explore what 'Messy Discipleship' might look like. (If you are wanting an introduction to Messy Church, it is best to get a copy of the first book, as Messy Church 2 is written to readers who know what Messy Church is and are already running events.)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I found especially interesting about this sequel is a commitment to seeing how Messy Church might also encourage discipleship at home, recognising that a couple of hours a month is not enough to sustain discipleship (and neither is a couple of hours a week!). Messy Church is not the only future of the church, (and Moore in no way claims this), but it does seem to offer an excellent way of engaging with families, as a means of exploring the bible and the Christian life and left me wanting to give it a try.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Andy Goodliff, Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend on Sea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Way\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine Autumn 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSequels can be problematic, especially when following something of real innovation and value. Less than a year after reviewing Messy Church (in Country Way 49), Lucy Moore's second book is on my desk. This is an indication of how significant Messy Church has been, especially as both books successfully negotiate the no man's land of all age... whether worship, church or community. And this is where Messy Church 2 develops from the initial resource, taking seriously the context of church as community and of discipleship within community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five-fold messy ethos is maintained and a broader range of themes is introduced; 15 in all, including fundamental discipleship issues (e.g. loving your neighbour), Christian seasons (e.g. Lent), biblical role models (e.g. Ruth), theological foundations (e.g. who is Jesus?) and means of grace (baptism and 'messy' communion).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce again there is a simple, but subtle, theological introduction - this time concerning what discipleship means for people with messy lives in a messy world, and how this can be encouraged. There is helpful guidance on how teamwork lies behind this approach, and a substantial section on food and shared meals as a means of engagement, discipleship and growth. And some frequently-asked-questions are answered.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA thoroughly rewarding and important resource for any contemporary church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Simon Martin\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eThe Good Bookstall\u003c\/em\u003e - June 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e is a great follow on book - make sure you read \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e first! The concept of Messy Church is that families come together once a month to enjoy each other's company, eat together, make things together and worship together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause the idea of Messy Church is that it is church in its own right and not means of increasing Sunday morning congregations, \u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e sets out to address the issues that will arise once a Messy Church is up and running. Much of the book is focussed on how to disciple people and move them on in their Christian journey when Messy Church meets monthly and the worship session lasts only 15 minutes. The book suggests forming smaller groups to meet in between times, and also has lots of ideas for families to try at home which will help them to pray and learn about God together. It gives much to think about for a new Messy Church community and shares lessons already learnt (both successes and failures) by those that have been established for a while.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you are buying this book because you have already used all the craft ideas, meal suggestions and worship outlines in \u003cem\u003eMessy ChurchM\u003c\/em\u003e, then fear not! The back section of the book is loaded with ready to roll ideas and recipes and will take you through your second year and beyond. It even includes a Messy Church Communion and a Messy Church Baptism!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe beauty of these two books is that they really are packed with do-able crafts and worship suggestions. We have been running for a year and have found there have been more than enough ideas for each session in the book, meaning that busy people can do Messy Church without needing to do lots of planning! Well done to Lucy and her team for paving the way for the many Messy Church communities now springing up around the Country!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Kathy Bland\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:24+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:25+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Christmas","Easter","Jun-12","Messy Church books"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769032794212,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857462305","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436527599716,"product_id":2439746158692,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:25+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:14+00:00","alt":null,"width":440,"height":669,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174","variant_ids":[21769032794212]},"available":false,"name":"Messy Church 2: Ideas for discipling a Christ-centred community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":248,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857462305","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238874906763,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.658,"height":669,"width":440,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874906763,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.658,"height":669,"width":440,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174"},"aspect_ratio":0.658,"height":669,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174","width":440}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAnother messy outing from Lucy Moore, this book follows on from the popular Messy Church, which has sold over 4500 copies since it was first published in 2006. Alongside the usual mix of creativity, fun, Christian hospitality and thanksgiving Messy Church 2 explores the importance of discipleship, faith development and training for leadership.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe material includes many ideas for practical ways to promote a sense of fellowship and community. The book contains a further fifteen units of fun, food, crafts and mess, with a year's worth of material that your Messy Church will love. There is also the guidance to enable those taking part to go deeper with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTopics include:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey events in Jesus' life;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristian basics;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical stories of faith;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaptism and Holy Communion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church 2 is ideal for clergy, lay ministers and those responsible for all-age worship; it is also ideal for those involved with outreach to the wider community looking to build on the success of the Messy Church initiative. The book is written for an adult readership, but contains material designed to resource people of all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n... a wealth of well-judged, practical and supremely usable material. 'The Methodist Recorder'\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is part of BRF's Barnabas team. She makes use of original performance poetry, mime, storytelling and a variety of drama workshop activites in her work. Lucy is author of many books including The Gospels Unplugged and Messy Church, all published by Barnabas.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Regent's Reviews - October 2010\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years the Bible Reading Fellowship have been publishing some fantastic resources for churches to engage with children and families in worship. At the forefront of this has been Lucy Moore, who has spearheaded the phenomena that is 'Messy Church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA previous book introduced Messy Church to a wider audience. Messy Church 2 continues with a new set of ideas for an all-age and creative way of being church for the unchurched, but also with a desire to explore what 'Messy Discipleship' might look like. (If you are wanting an introduction to Messy Church, it is best to get a copy of the first book, as Messy Church 2 is written to readers who know what Messy Church is and are already running events.)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I found especially interesting about this sequel is a commitment to seeing how Messy Church might also encourage discipleship at home, recognising that a couple of hours a month is not enough to sustain discipleship (and neither is a couple of hours a week!). Messy Church is not the only future of the church, (and Moore in no way claims this), but it does seem to offer an excellent way of engaging with families, as a means of exploring the bible and the Christian life and left me wanting to give it a try.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Andy Goodliff, Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend on Sea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Way\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine Autumn 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSequels can be problematic, especially when following something of real innovation and value. Less than a year after reviewing Messy Church (in Country Way 49), Lucy Moore's second book is on my desk. This is an indication of how significant Messy Church has been, especially as both books successfully negotiate the no man's land of all age... whether worship, church or community. And this is where Messy Church 2 develops from the initial resource, taking seriously the context of church as community and of discipleship within community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five-fold messy ethos is maintained and a broader range of themes is introduced; 15 in all, including fundamental discipleship issues (e.g. loving your neighbour), Christian seasons (e.g. Lent), biblical role models (e.g. Ruth), theological foundations (e.g. who is Jesus?) and means of grace (baptism and 'messy' communion).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce again there is a simple, but subtle, theological introduction - this time concerning what discipleship means for people with messy lives in a messy world, and how this can be encouraged. There is helpful guidance on how teamwork lies behind this approach, and a substantial section on food and shared meals as a means of engagement, discipleship and growth. And some frequently-asked-questions are answered.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA thoroughly rewarding and important resource for any contemporary church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Simon Martin\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eThe Good Bookstall\u003c\/em\u003e - June 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e is a great follow on book - make sure you read \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e first! The concept of Messy Church is that families come together once a month to enjoy each other's company, eat together, make things together and worship together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause the idea of Messy Church is that it is church in its own right and not means of increasing Sunday morning congregations, \u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e sets out to address the issues that will arise once a Messy Church is up and running. Much of the book is focussed on how to disciple people and move them on in their Christian journey when Messy Church meets monthly and the worship session lasts only 15 minutes. The book suggests forming smaller groups to meet in between times, and also has lots of ideas for families to try at home which will help them to pray and learn about God together. It gives much to think about for a new Messy Church community and shares lessons already learnt (both successes and failures) by those that have been established for a while.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you are buying this book because you have already used all the craft ideas, meal suggestions and worship outlines in \u003cem\u003eMessy ChurchM\u003c\/em\u003e, then fear not! The back section of the book is loaded with ready to roll ideas and recipes and will take you through your second year and beyond. It even includes a Messy Church Communion and a Messy Church Baptism!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe beauty of these two books is that they really are packed with do-able crafts and worship suggestions. We have been running for a year and have found there have been more than enough ideas for each session in the book, meaning that busy people can do Messy Church without needing to do lots of planning! Well done to Lucy and her team for paving the way for the many Messy Church communities now springing up around the Country!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Kathy Bland\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n"}
You may also like:
Messy Church 2: Ideas for discipling a Christ-centred community
Out of Stock
Another messy outing from Lucy Moore, this book follows on from the popular Messy Church, which has sold over 4500...
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{"id":2439783514212,"title":"Welcome to the Lord's Table: A practical programme for children on Holy Communion","handle":"welcome-to-the-lords-table-a-practical-programme-for-children-on-holy-communion","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWelcome to the Lord's Table\u003c\/em\u003e is a fully revised edition of a highly successful programme, used in many churches and denominations throughout the UK. Rewritten for a new generation, it has been brought up to date, fully reflecting changes in both church process and church culture over recent years. New illustrations and new content will enhance the book's appeal and usefulness. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAimed primarily at church ministers, children's workers, parents and teachers who want to enable children aged 7 - 9 to participate fully in eucharistic worship, the introductory chapters explore the background to the question of preparing young children for Holy Communion, give guidance on preparing the congregation, training leaders and involving the family, and include a guide to using the programme. The programme itself comprises eleven flexible teaching units and is designed to last approximately three months overall, with the children receiving Holy Communion towards the end of the programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach unit begins with leader's personal reflections to help prepare those who are leading for the task ahead. These are followed by sections on aims and objectives, resources and preparation, teaching, activity, Bible reading, focus on church, prayer and worship.\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWho am I?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus, our friend and brother\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGod's family\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e God's storybook\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus' friends\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e The glory of Good\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Sorry!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus is risen\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Let's have a party!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLet's share a meal\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e All that I am\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePunctuation points mark the journey:\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Celebrating God's word\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Celebrating God's forgiveness\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Celebrating Holy Communion\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Postscript: Looking to the future\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Welcome to the Lord\" s table activity book new edition href=\"\/9780857464965\/\"\u003eClick here to view the accompanying activity book.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMargaret Withers has worked as the Children's Adviser in the Diocese of Rochester and Chelmsford for over 12 years and, most recently, held the post of Archbishop's Officer for Evangelism among Children. Margaret continues to champion the spiritual journey of children in the local church, school and community. Among her many books she is author of Fired up... Not Burned Out, The Gifts of Baptism and Where are the Children?, all published by BRF under the Barnabas imprint.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:43+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:44+00:00","vendor":"Margaret Withers","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Jul-17"],"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":21769534865508,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464941","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Welcome to the Lord's Table: A practical programme for children on Holy Communion - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":310,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464941","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464941-l.jpg?v=1549043148"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464941-l.jpg?v=1549043148","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878544011,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"width":460,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464941-l.jpg?v=1549043148"},"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464941-l.jpg?v=1549043148","width":460}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWelcome to the Lord's Table\u003c\/em\u003e is a fully revised edition of a highly successful programme, used in many churches and denominations throughout the UK. Rewritten for a new generation, it has been brought up to date, fully reflecting changes in both church process and church culture over recent years. New illustrations and new content will enhance the book's appeal and usefulness. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAimed primarily at church ministers, children's workers, parents and teachers who want to enable children aged 7 - 9 to participate fully in eucharistic worship, the introductory chapters explore the background to the question of preparing young children for Holy Communion, give guidance on preparing the congregation, training leaders and involving the family, and include a guide to using the programme. The programme itself comprises eleven flexible teaching units and is designed to last approximately three months overall, with the children receiving Holy Communion towards the end of the programme.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eEach unit begins with leader's personal reflections to help prepare those who are leading for the task ahead. These are followed by sections on aims and objectives, resources and preparation, teaching, activity, Bible reading, focus on church, prayer and worship.\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWho am I?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus, our friend and brother\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGod's family\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e God's storybook\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus' friends\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e The glory of Good\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Sorry!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus is risen\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Let's have a party!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLet's share a meal\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e All that I am\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePunctuation points mark the journey:\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Celebrating God's word\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Celebrating God's forgiveness\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Celebrating Holy Communion\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Postscript: Looking to the future\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Welcome to the Lord\" s table activity book new edition href=\"\/9780857464965\/\"\u003eClick here to view the accompanying activity book.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMargaret Withers has worked as the Children's Adviser in the Diocese of Rochester and Chelmsford for over 12 years and, most recently, held the post of Archbishop's Officer for Evangelism among Children. Margaret continues to champion the spiritual journey of children in the local church, school and community. Among her many books she is author of Fired up... Not Burned Out, The Gifts of Baptism and Where are the Children?, all published by BRF under the Barnabas imprint.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n"}
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Welcome to the Lord's Table: A practical programme for children on Holy Communion
£12.99
Welcome to the Lord's Table is a fully revised edition of a highly successful programme, used in many churches and...
{"id":2439783219300,"title":"Welcome to the Lord's Table activity book","handle":"welcome-to-the-lords-table-activity-book","description":"\u003cp\u003eEvery page in this book has been designed to help you mark a very important journey. Step by step it will help you to learn all about belonging to God's family. So it's about you and God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can fill in the pages by yourself or with the help of a grown-up.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are using this activity book as part of your church's Welcome to the Lord's Table programme, you will have the opportunity to offer it at your first Holy Communion as a sign that you belong to God and are part of his family.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSections:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWho am I?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus, our friend and brother\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGod's family\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e God's storybook\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus' friends\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e The glory of Good\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Sorry!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus is risen\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Let's have a party!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLet's share a meal\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e All that I am\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Welcome to the Lord\" s table course book new edition href=\"\/9780857464941\/\"\u003eClick here to view the accompanying course book.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMargaret Withers has worked as the Children's Adviser in the Diocese of Rochester and Chelmsford for over 12 years and, most recently, held the post of Archbishop's Officer for Evangelism among Children. Margaret continues to champion the spiritual journey of children in the local church, school and community. Among her many books she is author of Fired up... Not Burned Out, The Gifts of Baptism and Where are the Children?, all published by BRF under the Barnabas imprint.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:41+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:42+00:00","vendor":"Margaret Withers","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Jul-17"],"price":399,"price_min":399,"price_max":399,"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":21769523363940,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464965","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436764446820,"product_id":2439783219300,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:42+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:49+00:00","alt":null,"width":455,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464965-l.jpg?v=1549043149","variant_ids":[21769523363940]},"available":true,"name":"Welcome to the Lord's Table activity book - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":399,"weight":69,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464965","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238878511243,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.7,"height":650,"width":455,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464965-l.jpg?v=1549043149"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464965-l.jpg?v=1549043149"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464965-l.jpg?v=1549043149","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878511243,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.7,"height":650,"width":455,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464965-l.jpg?v=1549043149"},"aspect_ratio":0.7,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464965-l.jpg?v=1549043149","width":455}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eEvery page in this book has been designed to help you mark a very important journey. Step by step it will help you to learn all about belonging to God's family. So it's about you and God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eYou can fill in the pages by yourself or with the help of a grown-up.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are using this activity book as part of your church's Welcome to the Lord's Table programme, you will have the opportunity to offer it at your first Holy Communion as a sign that you belong to God and are part of his family.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSections:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWho am I?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus, our friend and brother\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGod's family\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e God's storybook\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus' friends\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e The glory of Good\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Sorry!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Jesus is risen\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e Let's have a party!\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLet's share a meal\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e All that I am\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Welcome to the Lord\" s table course book new edition href=\"\/9780857464941\/\"\u003eClick here to view the accompanying course book.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMargaret Withers has worked as the Children's Adviser in the Diocese of Rochester and Chelmsford for over 12 years and, most recently, held the post of Archbishop's Officer for Evangelism among Children. Margaret continues to champion the spiritual journey of children in the local church, school and community. Among her many books she is author of Fired up... Not Burned Out, The Gifts of Baptism and Where are the Children?, all published by BRF under the Barnabas imprint.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n"}
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Welcome to the Lord's Table activity book
£3.99
Every page in this book has been designed to help you mark a very important journey. Step by step it...
{"id":2439761395812,"title":"The Whoosh Bible: 50 interactive Bible stories for children's groups","handle":"the-whoosh-bible-50-interactive-bible-stories-for-childrens-groups","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn excitingly different approach to sharing Bible stories with children \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a Whoosh?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Whoosh was created by Professor Joseph Winston of the University of Warwick and it is now widely used to support children as they develop understanding of narrative, from ancient sagas to Shakespeare and contemporary novels. It is a form of physical storytelling in which key actions, objects and words are represented physically. It is much more than acting out the story: it means actually becoming the story..\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do you Whoosh?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eTo whoosh, pupils stand in a circle, creating a performance space. They then take it in turns to become characters, objects or sounds as the leader reads the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you say 'Whoosh' everyone returns to their place in the circle, ready for the next section of the story. There are plenty of advantages of whooshing. It's a circle activity in which everyone gets a go, regardless of age, ability or command of language. It's a safe medium within which to explore new ideas and experiment with new roles. It helps to develop empathy as pupils become active participants rather than passive recipients. They are more likely to engage with the story by doing it, rather than simply reading or listening to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Whoosh?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt enables children to retain details of the narrative more effectively and to discuss the meaning of a story with greater understanding and insight. And it's lots of fun!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat's in this book?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e50 Bible stories for use with 7 - 11 year olds, follow-up activities, discussion starters and prayers, and tips for leaders on how to use the whooshing technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I use this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can be used with minimal preparation to provide a full Bible story teaching programme or to supplement an existing one, and is suitable for a range of contexts: Sunday school, midweek group, family service, holiday club, Messy Church celebration, or primary school.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/The_Whoosh_Bible_scripts.pdf?v=1729694587\" title=\"The Whoosh Bible Scripts\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eScripts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/The_Whoosh_Bible_pyramid_template.pdf?v=1729694587\" title=\"The Whoosh Bible Pyramid Template\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePyramid template\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/The_Whoosh_Bible_colouring-in_pages.pdf?v=1729694587\" title=\"The Whoosh Bible Colouring Pages\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eColouring-in pages\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGill Robins is an educational consultant and writer, and an experienced church children's worker.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch an introduction to Whoosh from the Royal Shakespeare Company\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/1ANp0cbRasU?rel=0\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWow - I wish I had had a copy of The Whoosh Bible when I was a school teacher. Storytelling is an integral element of the Christian faith and The Whoosh Bible offers a way of interacting with Bible stories that children will love. One of its most endearing features is that it can become a regular practice that will draw children into the text and help them to experience as well as understand their meaning. This is an indispensable resource for both church and school.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Trevor Cooling, Professor of Christian Education, Canterbury Christ Church University \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman beings of all ages are story-makers. The Whoosh Bible is a ground-breaking new resource written for story-making children and those who teach and learn with them in churches and schools. It can provide them with a way to walk into the stories of the Bible and live in them and thereby to find meaning for the stories of their own lives. I look forward to the day when whooshing the narratives of Scripture becomes a familiar activity in school and church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e John Shortt, Senior Adviser, European Educators' Christian Association, and Professorial Fellow in Christian Education, Liverpool Hope University\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGill Robins is an educational consultant and writer who received the UKLA John Downing Award for creative and innovative approaches to teaching English in 2010. She worked as a Deputy Head in the primary sector until 2011 and is also an experienced children's worker in a church context, including Sunday school teaching, weekday clubs and summer camps. Her published works include The Whoosh Book, a collection of literacy activities for classic and contemporary text for 7-14 year olds (Routledge, 2013).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 5 February 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 12px; text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChildren love stories, and, until the grim reality of adolescence takes hold, they also love acting them out. \u003cem\u003eThe Whoosh Bible\u003c\/em\u003e, by Gill Robins, is a joyous production, with an impeccable pedigree. The title is a catchy way of describing a strategy first developed by the Royal Shakespeare Company's education unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGill Robins has a background in English teaching, and it shows. She has applied the 'whoosh' technique to the most familiar of Bible stories. Children will stand in a circle and take turns in acting out the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe intention is that each participant becomes the story. ' Whoosh' is the code word for moving on. It's buzzy, it's simple, and the stories are easily accessible. I suspect that Year 3 and Year 4 will love whooshing. There is a delightful set of images at the end of the volume for colouring in. Children love colouring in, and it gives the teacher a welcome breather. But OFSTED will probably hate it. What is the learning objective, it will parrot? Spoilsports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:18+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:19+00:00","vendor":"Gill Robins","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Sep-15"],"price":1299,"price_min":1299,"price_max":1299,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769211969636,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857463807","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"The Whoosh Bible: 50 interactive Bible stories for children's groups - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":535,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857463807","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463807-l.jpg?v=1549043165"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463807-l.jpg?v=1549043165","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238876774539,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.702,"height":1123,"width":788,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463807-l.jpg?v=1549043165"},"aspect_ratio":0.702,"height":1123,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857463807-l.jpg?v=1549043165","width":788}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAn excitingly different approach to sharing Bible stories with children \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a Whoosh?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Whoosh was created by Professor Joseph Winston of the University of Warwick and it is now widely used to support children as they develop understanding of narrative, from ancient sagas to Shakespeare and contemporary novels. It is a form of physical storytelling in which key actions, objects and words are represented physically. It is much more than acting out the story: it means actually becoming the story..\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do you Whoosh?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eTo whoosh, pupils stand in a circle, creating a performance space. They then take it in turns to become characters, objects or sounds as the leader reads the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you say 'Whoosh' everyone returns to their place in the circle, ready for the next section of the story. There are plenty of advantages of whooshing. It's a circle activity in which everyone gets a go, regardless of age, ability or command of language. It's a safe medium within which to explore new ideas and experiment with new roles. It helps to develop empathy as pupils become active participants rather than passive recipients. They are more likely to engage with the story by doing it, rather than simply reading or listening to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Whoosh?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt enables children to retain details of the narrative more effectively and to discuss the meaning of a story with greater understanding and insight. And it's lots of fun!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat's in this book?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e50 Bible stories for use with 7 - 11 year olds, follow-up activities, discussion starters and prayers, and tips for leaders on how to use the whooshing technique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I use this book?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt can be used with minimal preparation to provide a full Bible story teaching programme or to supplement an existing one, and is suitable for a range of contexts: Sunday school, midweek group, family service, holiday club, Messy Church celebration, or primary school.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/The_Whoosh_Bible_scripts.pdf?v=1729694587\" title=\"The Whoosh Bible Scripts\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"\u003eScripts\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/The_Whoosh_Bible_pyramid_template.pdf?v=1729694587\" title=\"The Whoosh Bible Pyramid Template\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePyramid template\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/The_Whoosh_Bible_colouring-in_pages.pdf?v=1729694587\" title=\"The Whoosh Bible Colouring Pages\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eColouring-in pages\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGill Robins is an educational consultant and writer, and an experienced church children's worker.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch an introduction to Whoosh from the Royal Shakespeare Company\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/1ANp0cbRasU?rel=0\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWow - I wish I had had a copy of The Whoosh Bible when I was a school teacher. Storytelling is an integral element of the Christian faith and The Whoosh Bible offers a way of interacting with Bible stories that children will love. One of its most endearing features is that it can become a regular practice that will draw children into the text and help them to experience as well as understand their meaning. This is an indispensable resource for both church and school.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Trevor Cooling, Professor of Christian Education, Canterbury Christ Church University \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHuman beings of all ages are story-makers. The Whoosh Bible is a ground-breaking new resource written for story-making children and those who teach and learn with them in churches and schools. It can provide them with a way to walk into the stories of the Bible and live in them and thereby to find meaning for the stories of their own lives. I look forward to the day when whooshing the narratives of Scripture becomes a familiar activity in school and church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e John Shortt, Senior Adviser, European Educators' Christian Association, and Professorial Fellow in Christian Education, Liverpool Hope University\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGill Robins is an educational consultant and writer who received the UKLA John Downing Award for creative and innovative approaches to teaching English in 2010. She worked as a Deputy Head in the primary sector until 2011 and is also an experienced children's worker in a church context, including Sunday school teaching, weekday clubs and summer camps. Her published works include The Whoosh Book, a collection of literacy activities for classic and contemporary text for 7-14 year olds (Routledge, 2013).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 5 February 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 12px; text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChildren love stories, and, until the grim reality of adolescence takes hold, they also love acting them out. \u003cem\u003eThe Whoosh Bible\u003c\/em\u003e, by Gill Robins, is a joyous production, with an impeccable pedigree. The title is a catchy way of describing a strategy first developed by the Royal Shakespeare Company's education unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGill Robins has a background in English teaching, and it shows. She has applied the 'whoosh' technique to the most familiar of Bible stories. Children will stand in a circle and take turns in acting out the story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe intention is that each participant becomes the story. ' Whoosh' is the code word for moving on. It's buzzy, it's simple, and the stories are easily accessible. I suspect that Year 3 and Year 4 will love whooshing. There is a delightful set of images at the end of the volume for colouring in. Children love colouring in, and it gives the teacher a welcome breather. But OFSTED will probably hate it. What is the learning objective, it will parrot? Spoilsports.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e"}
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{"id":2439775682660,"title":"Being Messy, Being Church: Exploring the direction of travel for today's church","handle":"being-messy-being-church-exploring-the-direction-of-travel-for-todays-church","description":"\u003cp\u003eA series of essays by different contributors exploring what Messy Church brings to the wider church, how these different forms of church community can coexist, and what this might mean for the future of the church. Questions addressed include: What will church look like in 20 years' time? How can Messy Church help Christians unite a passion for mission with a heart for ministry? What can Messy Church and Sunday Church learn from each other?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: a church for all generations - \u003cem\u003eIan Paul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY DEVELOPMENTS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in different contexts - \u003cem\u003eKaren Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy teamwork: developing the faith of team members - \u003cem\u003eIsabelle Hamley\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy challenges: dangers and pitfalls - \u003cem\u003eGreg Ross\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMaking sacred spaces in Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eJean Pienaar\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the sacraments - \u003cem\u003ePhilip North\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY IMPLICATIONS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in a postmodern world - \u003cem\u003eSabrina Mller\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and Sunday church in conversation - \u003cem\u003eMark Rylands\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and play - \u003cem\u003eJudyth Roberts\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe pastoral implications of Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eIrene Smale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and evangelism - \u003cem\u003eTim Sanderson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the challenge of making disciples - \u003cem\u003eStephen Kuhrt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMissional structures for missional outcomes - \u003cem\u003eTim Dakin\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nA timely book offering theological insight and asking probing questions into the creativity, mess and gift of an extraordinary phenomenon. A challenging and inspiring read for those leading, helping or simply wanting to understand more.\r\n+Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThe Revd Dr Ian Paul is Managing Editor at Grove Books and Director of Partnership Development at St John's College, Nottingham, where he also teaches New Testament and hermeneutics.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Father Richard Peers on his blog \u003ca title=\"educationpriest.wordpress.com\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\" rel=\"external\"\u003eeducationpriest.wordpress.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e...I will be buying copies of Being Messy, Being Church for all my colleagues in the education team in Liverpool and recommending it to everyone who is committed to our schools contributing to Bigger Church, Bigger Difference. It is - in that over used phrase - essential reading if we are to grow as a church...\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo read the whole review \u003ca title=\"Being Messy, Being Church (editor Ian Paul): a resource for schools and Catholic Anglicans\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\/2017\/04\/22\/being-messy-being-church-editor-ian-paul-a-resource-for-schools-and-catholic-anglicans\/\" rel=\"external\"\u003eclick here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 7 July 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a collection of essays in which the authors explore what Messy Church brings to the wider Church, how it is changing and growing, and which questions remain as it takes its place as an established form of modern Christian worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe question that arises most commonly for the authors is expressed succinctly by Mark Rylands. He speaks of the expectation that Messy Church congregations have 'stepped into the rubber dinghy but won't properly be on the voyage until they have boards the Sunday church ship'. The essayists, in different ways, challenge this assumption. In doing so, they address the fundamental questions what church is and what it is for.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eJean Pienaar's chapter 'Making sacred space in messy churches' is particularly interesting in the comparison it makes between the different types of sacred space in a monastery and in a messy church setting. She explores the way in which Messy Church, instead of being at the periphery of church, reflects in its format the core values and purpose of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf Pienaar speaks of the way in which Messy Church is deeper than it first appears, Dr Irene Smale adds that its influence is wider than is often thought. She speaks of relationships and pastoral contacts that go far wider than the monthly meetings.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essayists are brave and unflinching in their enquiries of Messy Church, and dare to ask questions that we often fail to ask of traditional church. Does Messy Church make disciples? How do we support those for whom Messy Church doesn't 'work'? Is it too messy, too expensive, not engaging enough for boys?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne criticism that could be levied at this books is that there are more questions that answers. On the whole, I think that is a good sign. The essayists, all Messy Church enthusiasts, are not overkeen to leap to its defence in the face of difficult issues. When necessary, they allow the questions to hang in the air in a way that is appropriately messy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaren Rooms thanks Lucy Moore for 'giving away Messy Church', so that it can be adapted and contextualised for each parish. I finished the book excited about where Messy Church would go next, and its potential to play a leading part in the Church in the years ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Catherine Pickford, Team Rector, Benwell Team, Newcastle-upon-Tyne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-13T17:29:55+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:11+00:00","vendor":"Ian Paul","type":"Paperback","tags":["Kindle","Mar-17","Messy Church books"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769408774244,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464880","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436710903908,"product_id":2439775682660,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:11+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:55+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155","variant_ids":[21769408774244]},"available":false,"name":"Being Messy, Being Church: Exploring the direction of travel for today's church - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":231,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464880","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238877692043,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238877692043,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA series of essays by different contributors exploring what Messy Church brings to the wider church, how these different forms of church community can coexist, and what this might mean for the future of the church. Questions addressed include: What will church look like in 20 years' time? How can Messy Church help Christians unite a passion for mission with a heart for ministry? What can Messy Church and Sunday Church learn from each other?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: a church for all generations - \u003cem\u003eIan Paul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY DEVELOPMENTS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in different contexts - \u003cem\u003eKaren Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy teamwork: developing the faith of team members - \u003cem\u003eIsabelle Hamley\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy challenges: dangers and pitfalls - \u003cem\u003eGreg Ross\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMaking sacred spaces in Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eJean Pienaar\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the sacraments - \u003cem\u003ePhilip North\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY IMPLICATIONS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in a postmodern world - \u003cem\u003eSabrina Mller\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and Sunday church in conversation - \u003cem\u003eMark Rylands\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and play - \u003cem\u003eJudyth Roberts\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe pastoral implications of Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eIrene Smale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and evangelism - \u003cem\u003eTim Sanderson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the challenge of making disciples - \u003cem\u003eStephen Kuhrt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMissional structures for missional outcomes - \u003cem\u003eTim Dakin\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nA timely book offering theological insight and asking probing questions into the creativity, mess and gift of an extraordinary phenomenon. A challenging and inspiring read for those leading, helping or simply wanting to understand more.\r\n+Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThe Revd Dr Ian Paul is Managing Editor at Grove Books and Director of Partnership Development at St John's College, Nottingham, where he also teaches New Testament and hermeneutics.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Father Richard Peers on his blog \u003ca title=\"educationpriest.wordpress.com\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\" rel=\"external\"\u003eeducationpriest.wordpress.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e...I will be buying copies of Being Messy, Being Church for all my colleagues in the education team in Liverpool and recommending it to everyone who is committed to our schools contributing to Bigger Church, Bigger Difference. It is - in that over used phrase - essential reading if we are to grow as a church...\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo read the whole review \u003ca title=\"Being Messy, Being Church (editor Ian Paul): a resource for schools and Catholic Anglicans\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\/2017\/04\/22\/being-messy-being-church-editor-ian-paul-a-resource-for-schools-and-catholic-anglicans\/\" rel=\"external\"\u003eclick here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 7 July 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a collection of essays in which the authors explore what Messy Church brings to the wider Church, how it is changing and growing, and which questions remain as it takes its place as an established form of modern Christian worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe question that arises most commonly for the authors is expressed succinctly by Mark Rylands. He speaks of the expectation that Messy Church congregations have 'stepped into the rubber dinghy but won't properly be on the voyage until they have boards the Sunday church ship'. The essayists, in different ways, challenge this assumption. In doing so, they address the fundamental questions what church is and what it is for.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eJean Pienaar's chapter 'Making sacred space in messy churches' is particularly interesting in the comparison it makes between the different types of sacred space in a monastery and in a messy church setting. She explores the way in which Messy Church, instead of being at the periphery of church, reflects in its format the core values and purpose of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf Pienaar speaks of the way in which Messy Church is deeper than it first appears, Dr Irene Smale adds that its influence is wider than is often thought. She speaks of relationships and pastoral contacts that go far wider than the monthly meetings.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essayists are brave and unflinching in their enquiries of Messy Church, and dare to ask questions that we often fail to ask of traditional church. Does Messy Church make disciples? How do we support those for whom Messy Church doesn't 'work'? Is it too messy, too expensive, not engaging enough for boys?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne criticism that could be levied at this books is that there are more questions that answers. On the whole, I think that is a good sign. The essayists, all Messy Church enthusiasts, are not overkeen to leap to its defence in the face of difficult issues. When necessary, they allow the questions to hang in the air in a way that is appropriately messy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaren Rooms thanks Lucy Moore for 'giving away Messy Church', so that it can be adapted and contextualised for each parish. I finished the book excited about where Messy Church would go next, and its potential to play a leading part in the Church in the years ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Catherine Pickford, Team Rector, Benwell Team, Newcastle-upon-Tyne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":2439744585828,"title":"Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church","handle":"messy-church-theology-exploring-the-significance-of-messy-church-for-the-wider-church","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church Theology\u003c\/em\u003e is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a variety of church and academic backgrounds and case studies by Messy Church practitioners, it gathers together some of the discussions around Messy Church and assesses the impact of this ministry, placing it in the context of wider developments within the church community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 1: Messy questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 When is Messy Church 'church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eClaire Dalpra\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 When is Messy Church 'not church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteve Hollinghurst\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Special Educational Needs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrish Hahn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 How does Messy Church travel?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 Does Messy Church make disciples?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJudy Paulsen\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church at St Christopher's\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlison Paginton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 2: Messy foundations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy theology\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Bayes\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy disciples\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Fiesta\u003cbr\u003eChristine Barton\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 From Sunday school to Messy Church: a new movement for our age?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Jackson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 What is the DNA of Messy Church?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church @ Christ Church Primacy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eKevin Metcalfe\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 3: Messy practicalities\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy maturity: paradox, contradiction or perfect match?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeth Barnett\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy Church: how far can you go before reaching the limit?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTim G. Waghorn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: the story of the 'Messy angels'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSharon Pritchard\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Some frameworks to explore Messy Church and discipleship\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Hopkins\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e12 Growing, maturing, ripening: what might an older Messy Church look like?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: St Andrew's Church, Bebington: the journey of an older Messy Church\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e13 Why we might expect mess, not merely tolerate it\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAfterword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's research unit, The Sheffield Centre, which for over a decade has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fairly substantial assessment of where Messy Church is up to and how it might sit within the wider church, and because Messy Church is inter-generational, there is much in these 13 chapters that could apply to All Age Worship of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKey recurring issues are: 'Is Messy Church really church, or is it just a part of church?'; 'Does Messy Church really disciple people adequately?'; 'How adaptable is Messy Church?'; 'What is the future of Messy Church?' Obviously the book is a forthright apologia for Messy Church. Most, but not all, contributors firmly claim that Messy Church is (or should be viewed as) a full expression of church in its own right. Certainly, it's pointed out, if the Vicar thinks it is merely a strategy to get people into 'real' church and the Messy Church Leaders feel it's a full expression of church in its own right, you are heading for trouble!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much here for All Age practitioners to reflect upon, especially in the area of discipleship. However, stronger answers still need to be developed. What's really good is that the Messy Church movement has asked searching questions of itself, and offered some answers with case-studies. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Ecclesial Practices 2:1 (2015), 121-123] - Australia May 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a creative, all-age, hospitable, celebrating expression of church whose time seems to have come. A decade on from its pioneering by Lucy and Paul Moore and team in Portsmouth, there are now 1400 registered messy churches in the UK alone, and Messy Church coordinators estimate 4000 Messy-style churches with 360,000 participants in the UK. It is the single most common and most rapidly multiplying expression model of the Fresh expressions movement, and is connecting with un-churched, de-churched and marginally churched people. Its reach has spread across denominations and continents; the Messy Church website directory shows me there are 20 in my home city of Melbourne, including 3 within 3 kilometres of my house - Anglican, Uniting and Baptist! There are more than a dozen books on how to start and run a messy church with its crafts, cooking and conversations. What Messy Church Theology uniquely explores is where Messy Church fits theologically as 'church', where it is growing (or wants to grow) in disciple-making, and what other streams of the church and missional movement could learn from Messy Church. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e19 writers contribute case studies or chapters in three sections. Firstly there are 'messy questions' exploring when fresh expressions are fresh, when they are church, and when they are messy church? What is the DNA of messy church, how transferable is it, and how does Bible Reading Fellowship as its sponsor ensure quality but not expect control? The most recurring questions are how can Messy Church foster discipleship, and how can it 'be church' for all-of-life beyond certain life stages. It is appropriate to bring an evaluative grid to innovative new expressions about how they are doing as church in making healthy disciples and being missional, but these are questions for all churches not just messy new experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section digs into 'messy foundations' - urging a theology and discipleship that is messy and curious. That is helped as we listen to and not just condescend children, and celebrate and imitate their relentless and playful questioning. Messy Church, like Alpha, allows space for questions and expressing mystery and doubt; elements that are essential for evangelism in a post-modern context, but natural in an all-age setting of Messy Church. The ethos of creativity that Messy Church fosters is intriguing and something all churches could learn from, as George Lings articulates: \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Turning church back into a creative, participatory, communal hive of spiritual life is a worthy goal that critiques much existing church practice. \r\nThrough true hospitality and creativity, those who come to us move from being clients, for whom we provide pre-cooked liturgical dishes, to being guests for whom we care. They also become co-creators with whom we are fellow artists, and co-workers with whom we are partners. In the end, even the distinction between host and guest dissolves, and so all-age, Christ-centred community emerges' (pp.160-161).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe third and final section unpacks 'messy practicalities'; not trying to tidy up all loose ends but actually celebrating the mess of life and the adventure of experimenting with church. For example, Beth Barnett offers critique of Western Enlightenment-inspired 'maturity' language, pointing more importantly to Jesus' invitation to become like a child in openness, collaboration and curiosity (rather than aspiring to power, bigness and conservatism). Barnett subversively suggests multi-sensory interactive learning and engaging together with Scripture is potentially a richer and more promising path to growth than a three point monological sermon; and that engaging with Scripture and worship with children ought to be as natural as children around the dinner table. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a rich collection of case studies scattered through the book, but I especially appreciated Tim Waghorn's Melbourne innovation of offering weekly (rather than the usual monthly) Messy Church as a way of breaking down barriers and offering church accessibly for families, complete with media-guided worship (using common technology people are used to) and sensory engaging learning. Waghorn celebrates how Messy Church involves a wide range of lay leaders and does not rely on the hired holy person, but he also challenges Ministers to engage in Messy Church leadership, as a fast-track way of connecting and being accessible. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConvinced as I am that we desperately need more innovative and colourful expressions of church that are shaped around mission, there are important lessons to learn from Messy Church. We can continue to develop and multiply Messy Churches, but also boldly reinvent church in other surprising directions and reshapings. We need the kind of courage and creativity that characterizes Messy Church, but also the permission and resourcing that existing churches and sponsors have generously given. We need to unleash the creativity of all of God's people, and not be preoccupied with a particular inherited worship format or bound by reliance on hired holy people. As we experiment, messy does not mean sloppy as George Lings warns, and churches need to be careful about focusing on and evaluating discipleship and mission and our foundational values, as the Messy Church Theology authors have done.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI have my own unanswered curious question to ask of these Messy Church Theology writers. Their concern about discipleship seems to largely settle on utilizing and the 10 minute celebration teaching time, or increasing the frequency of gathering or adding extra programs or resources. But I would love to hear more about how Messy Church practitioners utilize their craft and hospitality times for disciple-making. What can we learn - or what do we need to learn better - about coming alongside people in the midst of activity and relationships, and as spiritual companions urging one another on as disciples? In what ways can we best be open to 'God moments' that Paul Moore urges us to be attentive to (p.243) in the midst of the 'create, chill, chomp and celebrate' (p.259) of Messy Church, or even everyday life?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe rich theological reflection, practical suggestions and inspiring case studies of Messy Church Theology is excellent reading for Messy Church practitioners, anyone having a go at all-age worship or outreach, or missional church leaders ready to learn from this growing movement. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarren Cronshaw, pastor of AuburnLife and Mission Catalyst - Researcher with the Baptist Union of Victoria. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is another well-presented, easy to read book from the Messy Church team.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral themes recur in the book. It inevitably considers the wider debate of Fresh Expressions of which Messy Church can be considered one aspect. Claire Dalpra and Steve Hollinghurst debate whether Messy Church is or is not 'church', with the theme reiterated throughout the book that Messy Church is not just another activity club, Sunday school or outreach project. To be 'church' it needs to demonstrate the four creedal marks of church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe debate around Fresh Expressions inevitably raises the issue of how adults can grow as disciples within Messy Church. Judy Paulsen uses data from her doctoral research study to look into this in some depth. Tim G. Waghorn suggests that although the teaching context should be robust and relevant to connect with families, adults are likely to be kept in a 'holding pattern' until there is something else for them to feed into. Bob Hopkins discusses a framework to make discipleship more intentional, while Beth Barnett proposes that it might not be necessary to consciously strive for maturity if the congregation enjoys a constant engagement with the Bible and the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Lings suggests that Messy Churches should be measured against the core values identified by Lucy Moore: hospitality, creativity, celebration and all-age, adding a fifth: Christ-centred.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is punctuated with case studies of individual Messy Church experiences, from the Messy Church Fiesta in Scotland, the 'Messy Angels' in Northern Ireland to the Messy Church in Hemel Hempstead for children with special needs and the Messy Church in the north-west of England with some useful ideas for reaching dads and engaging the boys. These all provide a useful snapshot of recent Messy Church developments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all books of this style, there are some articles that are more useful than others. But each of the varied selection of authors has written passionately about their different areas of expertise, providing some thought-provoking material. They look back on the story so far, celebrating what God has been doing, and looking ahead to debate what might make Messy Church even more effective for the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR News late September 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'...the people group who have been theologically marginalised and ignored the longest and most consistently to the present day are children. Week by week in our churches we continue to patronise them, silence them and ignore their attempts at reframing our faith. If they are asked to share their thinking at the end of our Sunday worship, we applaud their insights into the holy scriptures rather than learning from them. And yet, if we will look and listen, the drawings and sculptures and ideas and thinking of children in every church can enormously enrich what we know about God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis explosive paragraph, by Bishop Paul Bayes, is in line with the thought-provoking material written by all of the varied authors featured in this first-rate book. Read it if you are involved in the leadership of a Messy Church or if you want to deepen your understanding of how anyone can be helped to grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI will be referring to it often!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRona Orme - Peterborough Diocese Children's Missioner.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Salvationist, 7th June 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI AM naturally more at home preparing and doing Messy Church than I am 'theologising' about it! That being said, reading Messy Church Theology has given me insight into what has made Messy Church the phenomenon it has become over the past ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nWhile the heart of Messy Church itself is all about introducing families to Christ, the various contributors to this book seek to answer questions such as, 'When is Messy Church, church?' and 'Does Messy Church make disciples?' Some of the questions raised and concerns highlighted are very much rooted in its Anglican heritage and their use of liturgy and the sacraments. However, while these may not pose the same issues for The Salvation Army, most of us would be challenged that it should not be seen as just a bridge to our Sunday meeting congregations but as a church in its own right. I particularly enjoyed Paul Moore's analogy of likening church to the variety of Cheddar cheeses available in a supermarket: 'The mild looks like soap and probably tastes bland. The vintage looks cracked and crusty and may prove dangerously pungent but the point is that it is all sold as Cheddar cheese and it is all maturing. Similarly, in a healthy maturing church we can expect to have a range of Christian commitment and maturity, from new Christians through to vintage disciples, and even if there are more mild than mature members, it still constitutes real church if the members are working together to build one another up in Christ.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nAlthough tough at points, the overall read is worthwhile and will prove beneficial to anyone involved in leading Messy Church. Case studies give inspirational examples of good practice and tie the book together in showing how Messy Church successfully reaches people with the love of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Rachel Gotobed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Mission Network News\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter nearly 10 years Messy Church has grown considerably, with over 2000 churches registered worldwide. Such growth has generated much response and debate. A collection of essays from a range of contributors has been gathered in order to provide theological reflection that will explore the significance of Messy Church for individual discipleship and for the wider church. Any who wish to engage in a broader awareness of this, or who are questioning the long-term sustainability and impact of Messy Church, will find that the essays provide a framework for thought and debate.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:17+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:18+00:00","vendor":"George Lings","type":"Paperback","tags":["Messy Church books"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769010151524,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461711","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436517671012,"product_id":2439744585828,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:19+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:16+00:00","alt":null,"width":426,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176","variant_ids":[21769010151524]},"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":317,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461711","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238874775691,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874775691,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church Theology\u003c\/em\u003e is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a variety of church and academic backgrounds and case studies by Messy Church practitioners, it gathers together some of the discussions around Messy Church and assesses the impact of this ministry, placing it in the context of wider developments within the church community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 1: Messy questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 When is Messy Church 'church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eClaire Dalpra\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 When is Messy Church 'not church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteve Hollinghurst\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Special Educational Needs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrish Hahn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 How does Messy Church travel?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 Does Messy Church make disciples?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJudy Paulsen\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church at St Christopher's\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlison Paginton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 2: Messy foundations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy theology\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Bayes\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy disciples\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Fiesta\u003cbr\u003eChristine Barton\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 From Sunday school to Messy Church: a new movement for our age?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Jackson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 What is the DNA of Messy Church?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church @ Christ Church Primacy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eKevin Metcalfe\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 3: Messy practicalities\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy maturity: paradox, contradiction or perfect match?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeth Barnett\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy Church: how far can you go before reaching the limit?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTim G. Waghorn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: the story of the 'Messy angels'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSharon Pritchard\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Some frameworks to explore Messy Church and discipleship\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Hopkins\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e12 Growing, maturing, ripening: what might an older Messy Church look like?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: St Andrew's Church, Bebington: the journey of an older Messy Church\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e13 Why we might expect mess, not merely tolerate it\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAfterword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's research unit, The Sheffield Centre, which for over a decade has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fairly substantial assessment of where Messy Church is up to and how it might sit within the wider church, and because Messy Church is inter-generational, there is much in these 13 chapters that could apply to All Age Worship of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKey recurring issues are: 'Is Messy Church really church, or is it just a part of church?'; 'Does Messy Church really disciple people adequately?'; 'How adaptable is Messy Church?'; 'What is the future of Messy Church?' Obviously the book is a forthright apologia for Messy Church. Most, but not all, contributors firmly claim that Messy Church is (or should be viewed as) a full expression of church in its own right. Certainly, it's pointed out, if the Vicar thinks it is merely a strategy to get people into 'real' church and the Messy Church Leaders feel it's a full expression of church in its own right, you are heading for trouble!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much here for All Age practitioners to reflect upon, especially in the area of discipleship. However, stronger answers still need to be developed. What's really good is that the Messy Church movement has asked searching questions of itself, and offered some answers with case-studies. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Ecclesial Practices 2:1 (2015), 121-123] - Australia May 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a creative, all-age, hospitable, celebrating expression of church whose time seems to have come. A decade on from its pioneering by Lucy and Paul Moore and team in Portsmouth, there are now 1400 registered messy churches in the UK alone, and Messy Church coordinators estimate 4000 Messy-style churches with 360,000 participants in the UK. It is the single most common and most rapidly multiplying expression model of the Fresh expressions movement, and is connecting with un-churched, de-churched and marginally churched people. Its reach has spread across denominations and continents; the Messy Church website directory shows me there are 20 in my home city of Melbourne, including 3 within 3 kilometres of my house - Anglican, Uniting and Baptist! There are more than a dozen books on how to start and run a messy church with its crafts, cooking and conversations. What Messy Church Theology uniquely explores is where Messy Church fits theologically as 'church', where it is growing (or wants to grow) in disciple-making, and what other streams of the church and missional movement could learn from Messy Church. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e19 writers contribute case studies or chapters in three sections. Firstly there are 'messy questions' exploring when fresh expressions are fresh, when they are church, and when they are messy church? What is the DNA of messy church, how transferable is it, and how does Bible Reading Fellowship as its sponsor ensure quality but not expect control? The most recurring questions are how can Messy Church foster discipleship, and how can it 'be church' for all-of-life beyond certain life stages. It is appropriate to bring an evaluative grid to innovative new expressions about how they are doing as church in making healthy disciples and being missional, but these are questions for all churches not just messy new experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section digs into 'messy foundations' - urging a theology and discipleship that is messy and curious. That is helped as we listen to and not just condescend children, and celebrate and imitate their relentless and playful questioning. Messy Church, like Alpha, allows space for questions and expressing mystery and doubt; elements that are essential for evangelism in a post-modern context, but natural in an all-age setting of Messy Church. The ethos of creativity that Messy Church fosters is intriguing and something all churches could learn from, as George Lings articulates: \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Turning church back into a creative, participatory, communal hive of spiritual life is a worthy goal that critiques much existing church practice. \r\nThrough true hospitality and creativity, those who come to us move from being clients, for whom we provide pre-cooked liturgical dishes, to being guests for whom we care. They also become co-creators with whom we are fellow artists, and co-workers with whom we are partners. In the end, even the distinction between host and guest dissolves, and so all-age, Christ-centred community emerges' (pp.160-161).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe third and final section unpacks 'messy practicalities'; not trying to tidy up all loose ends but actually celebrating the mess of life and the adventure of experimenting with church. For example, Beth Barnett offers critique of Western Enlightenment-inspired 'maturity' language, pointing more importantly to Jesus' invitation to become like a child in openness, collaboration and curiosity (rather than aspiring to power, bigness and conservatism). Barnett subversively suggests multi-sensory interactive learning and engaging together with Scripture is potentially a richer and more promising path to growth than a three point monological sermon; and that engaging with Scripture and worship with children ought to be as natural as children around the dinner table. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a rich collection of case studies scattered through the book, but I especially appreciated Tim Waghorn's Melbourne innovation of offering weekly (rather than the usual monthly) Messy Church as a way of breaking down barriers and offering church accessibly for families, complete with media-guided worship (using common technology people are used to) and sensory engaging learning. Waghorn celebrates how Messy Church involves a wide range of lay leaders and does not rely on the hired holy person, but he also challenges Ministers to engage in Messy Church leadership, as a fast-track way of connecting and being accessible. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConvinced as I am that we desperately need more innovative and colourful expressions of church that are shaped around mission, there are important lessons to learn from Messy Church. We can continue to develop and multiply Messy Churches, but also boldly reinvent church in other surprising directions and reshapings. We need the kind of courage and creativity that characterizes Messy Church, but also the permission and resourcing that existing churches and sponsors have generously given. We need to unleash the creativity of all of God's people, and not be preoccupied with a particular inherited worship format or bound by reliance on hired holy people. As we experiment, messy does not mean sloppy as George Lings warns, and churches need to be careful about focusing on and evaluating discipleship and mission and our foundational values, as the Messy Church Theology authors have done.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI have my own unanswered curious question to ask of these Messy Church Theology writers. Their concern about discipleship seems to largely settle on utilizing and the 10 minute celebration teaching time, or increasing the frequency of gathering or adding extra programs or resources. But I would love to hear more about how Messy Church practitioners utilize their craft and hospitality times for disciple-making. What can we learn - or what do we need to learn better - about coming alongside people in the midst of activity and relationships, and as spiritual companions urging one another on as disciples? In what ways can we best be open to 'God moments' that Paul Moore urges us to be attentive to (p.243) in the midst of the 'create, chill, chomp and celebrate' (p.259) of Messy Church, or even everyday life?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe rich theological reflection, practical suggestions and inspiring case studies of Messy Church Theology is excellent reading for Messy Church practitioners, anyone having a go at all-age worship or outreach, or missional church leaders ready to learn from this growing movement. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarren Cronshaw, pastor of AuburnLife and Mission Catalyst - Researcher with the Baptist Union of Victoria. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is another well-presented, easy to read book from the Messy Church team.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral themes recur in the book. It inevitably considers the wider debate of Fresh Expressions of which Messy Church can be considered one aspect. Claire Dalpra and Steve Hollinghurst debate whether Messy Church is or is not 'church', with the theme reiterated throughout the book that Messy Church is not just another activity club, Sunday school or outreach project. To be 'church' it needs to demonstrate the four creedal marks of church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe debate around Fresh Expressions inevitably raises the issue of how adults can grow as disciples within Messy Church. Judy Paulsen uses data from her doctoral research study to look into this in some depth. Tim G. Waghorn suggests that although the teaching context should be robust and relevant to connect with families, adults are likely to be kept in a 'holding pattern' until there is something else for them to feed into. Bob Hopkins discusses a framework to make discipleship more intentional, while Beth Barnett proposes that it might not be necessary to consciously strive for maturity if the congregation enjoys a constant engagement with the Bible and the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Lings suggests that Messy Churches should be measured against the core values identified by Lucy Moore: hospitality, creativity, celebration and all-age, adding a fifth: Christ-centred.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is punctuated with case studies of individual Messy Church experiences, from the Messy Church Fiesta in Scotland, the 'Messy Angels' in Northern Ireland to the Messy Church in Hemel Hempstead for children with special needs and the Messy Church in the north-west of England with some useful ideas for reaching dads and engaging the boys. These all provide a useful snapshot of recent Messy Church developments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all books of this style, there are some articles that are more useful than others. But each of the varied selection of authors has written passionately about their different areas of expertise, providing some thought-provoking material. They look back on the story so far, celebrating what God has been doing, and looking ahead to debate what might make Messy Church even more effective for the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR News late September 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'...the people group who have been theologically marginalised and ignored the longest and most consistently to the present day are children. Week by week in our churches we continue to patronise them, silence them and ignore their attempts at reframing our faith. If they are asked to share their thinking at the end of our Sunday worship, we applaud their insights into the holy scriptures rather than learning from them. And yet, if we will look and listen, the drawings and sculptures and ideas and thinking of children in every church can enormously enrich what we know about God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis explosive paragraph, by Bishop Paul Bayes, is in line with the thought-provoking material written by all of the varied authors featured in this first-rate book. Read it if you are involved in the leadership of a Messy Church or if you want to deepen your understanding of how anyone can be helped to grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI will be referring to it often!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRona Orme - Peterborough Diocese Children's Missioner.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Salvationist, 7th June 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI AM naturally more at home preparing and doing Messy Church than I am 'theologising' about it! That being said, reading Messy Church Theology has given me insight into what has made Messy Church the phenomenon it has become over the past ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nWhile the heart of Messy Church itself is all about introducing families to Christ, the various contributors to this book seek to answer questions such as, 'When is Messy Church, church?' and 'Does Messy Church make disciples?' Some of the questions raised and concerns highlighted are very much rooted in its Anglican heritage and their use of liturgy and the sacraments. However, while these may not pose the same issues for The Salvation Army, most of us would be challenged that it should not be seen as just a bridge to our Sunday meeting congregations but as a church in its own right. I particularly enjoyed Paul Moore's analogy of likening church to the variety of Cheddar cheeses available in a supermarket: 'The mild looks like soap and probably tastes bland. The vintage looks cracked and crusty and may prove dangerously pungent but the point is that it is all sold as Cheddar cheese and it is all maturing. Similarly, in a healthy maturing church we can expect to have a range of Christian commitment and maturity, from new Christians through to vintage disciples, and even if there are more mild than mature members, it still constitutes real church if the members are working together to build one another up in Christ.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nAlthough tough at points, the overall read is worthwhile and will prove beneficial to anyone involved in leading Messy Church. Case studies give inspirational examples of good practice and tie the book together in showing how Messy Church successfully reaches people with the love of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Rachel Gotobed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Mission Network News\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter nearly 10 years Messy Church has grown considerably, with over 2000 churches registered worldwide. Such growth has generated much response and debate. A collection of essays from a range of contributors has been gathered in order to provide theological reflection that will explore the significance of Messy Church for individual discipleship and for the wider church. Any who wish to engage in a broader awareness of this, or who are questioning the long-term sustainability and impact of Messy Church, will find that the essays provide a framework for thought and debate.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church
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Messy Church Theology is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a...
{"id":7395855466687,"title":"The Christmas Story","handle":"the-christmas-story-1","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eExplore the story of the first Christmas together as a family!\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMultipack offers are available, please do select the quantity you require below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 10 copies save 10% XMASSTORY10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 25 copies save 20% XMASSTORY20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 50 copies save 30% XMASSTORY30\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 100 copies save 40% XMASSTORY40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePraise for\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Easter Story\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Matters\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormerly part of BRF’s Messy Church team, Martyn Payne is a gifted storyteller whose previous books The Big Story (2011) and Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story (2012) demonstrate the variety of approaches he uses to bring the Bible alive for children and adults alike. He is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis little book covers the Christmas story from the announcement to Zechariah of the coming of the Christ child, to the escape to Egypt of the Holy family. Each section offers a reading from scripture, followed by a commentary, questions, ideas and activities for families to do together. The author was part of BRF’s Messy Church team and is passionate about the richness experienced when families talk about faith together; this book would make an excellent inexpensive pre-Christmas gift and would generate new ideas and conversations about the importance of celebrating the Nativity and what it means to us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-11-08T11:49:45+00:00","created_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:55+00:00","vendor":"Martyn Payne","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Children and family ministry","Christmas","For children","Parenting"],"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":42085442519231,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391208","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33641497002175,"product_id":7395855466687,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:57+00:00","updated_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:57+00:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","variant_ids":[42085442519231]},"available":true,"name":"The Christmas Story","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":250,"weight":100,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391208","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26237856612543,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26237856612543,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eExplore the story of the first Christmas together as a family!\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMultipack offers are available, please do select the quantity you require below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 10 copies save 10% XMASSTORY10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 25 copies save 20% XMASSTORY20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 50 copies save 30% XMASSTORY30\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 100 copies save 40% XMASSTORY40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePraise for\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Easter Story\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Matters\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormerly part of BRF’s Messy Church team, Martyn Payne is a gifted storyteller whose previous books The Big Story (2011) and Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story (2012) demonstrate the variety of approaches he uses to bring the Bible alive for children and adults alike. He is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis little book covers the Christmas story from the announcement to Zechariah of the coming of the Christ child, to the escape to Egypt of the Holy family. Each section offers a reading from scripture, followed by a commentary, questions, ideas and activities for families to do together. The author was part of BRF’s Messy Church team and is passionate about the richness experienced when families talk about faith together; this book would make an excellent inexpensive pre-Christmas gift and would generate new ideas and conversations about the importance of celebrating the Nativity and what it means to us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Christmas Story
£2.50
Explore the story of the first Christmas together as a family! The Christmas Story is written for parents, grandparents and carers to...
{"id":2439735869540,"title":"Fill the Gap!: 120 instant Bible games for Sunday schools and midweek groups","handle":"fill-the-gap-120-instant-bible-games-for-sunday-schools-and-midweek-groups","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFill the Gap!\u003c\/strong\u003e contains 120 easy-to-play Bible-based games with little or no preparation needed - perfect for picking straight off the shelf!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ideas are designed to help local churches fill up those awkward gaps of time in Sunday schools, midweek clubs, holiday clubs, after school clubs and children's camps.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe games are divided equally across the Old Testament and the New Testament and offer a fun-filled way to reinforce a teaching point or help children unfamiliar with Bible stories. There are two games for each story, one aimed at 4-7s and the other at 7-11s, but many of the games can be modified slightly to make them appropriate for older or younger children to take part.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the games are suitable for both smaller and larger groups of children and many can be easily adapted to fit different Bible stories, allowing favourite games to be used again with a different emphasis.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eFrom the Introduction:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the games\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFill the Gap! covers 60 well-known Bible stories and suggests two games for each story, one aimed at younger children aged 4-7 and the other at older children aged 8-11 years. Each game is designed to bring a fun element to every Bible story, to help children remember what they have learnt. Many of the games can be easily adapted to fit different Bible stories (see 'Helpful hints').\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout group sizes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost of the games in this book are suitable for both smaller and larger groups of children. For large groups, it is suggested that more teams are used rather than having large numbers of children in each team. It is hoped that leaders will join in with the games and will make up numbers where necessary. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout age bandings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe age bandings given in this book are only suggestions. Most games can be modified slightly to make them appropriate for older or younger children. Where children of mixed ages are playing a game, particular care should be taken of the safety of the younger children; it is suggested that less physical games are used with younger children. For groups with a wide age range, the most suitable game relating to each story is also noted as 'All ages'. In some cases, both games are appropriate for mixed age ranges and are therefore both noted as such.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRebecca Parkinson is a trained teacher, experienced youth and children's worker and published author. She taught full time for four years at primary level before becoming a teacher adviser for Lancashire and working alongside Lancashire Business and Enterprise Team to develop curriculum-based Road Show packages for Early Years and KS1 and 2. Rebecca lives in Lancashire and is an active member of her local Methodist Church where she runs the youth and children's work with her husband.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:44+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:46+00:00","vendor":"Rebecca Parkinson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Oct-12"],"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":21768899526756,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857460042","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Fill the Gap!: 120 instant Bible games for Sunday schools and midweek groups - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":298,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857460042","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460042-l.jpg?v=1549043183"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460042-l.jpg?v=1549043183","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874153099,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":676,"width":443,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460042-l.jpg?v=1549043183"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":676,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460042-l.jpg?v=1549043183","width":443}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFill the Gap!\u003c\/strong\u003e contains 120 easy-to-play Bible-based games with little or no preparation needed - perfect for picking straight off the shelf!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe ideas are designed to help local churches fill up those awkward gaps of time in Sunday schools, midweek clubs, holiday clubs, after school clubs and children's camps.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe games are divided equally across the Old Testament and the New Testament and offer a fun-filled way to reinforce a teaching point or help children unfamiliar with Bible stories. There are two games for each story, one aimed at 4-7s and the other at 7-11s, but many of the games can be modified slightly to make them appropriate for older or younger children to take part.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMost of the games are suitable for both smaller and larger groups of children and many can be easily adapted to fit different Bible stories, allowing favourite games to be used again with a different emphasis.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eFrom the Introduction:\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the games\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFill the Gap! covers 60 well-known Bible stories and suggests two games for each story, one aimed at younger children aged 4-7 and the other at older children aged 8-11 years. Each game is designed to bring a fun element to every Bible story, to help children remember what they have learnt. Many of the games can be easily adapted to fit different Bible stories (see 'Helpful hints').\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout group sizes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost of the games in this book are suitable for both smaller and larger groups of children. For large groups, it is suggested that more teams are used rather than having large numbers of children in each team. It is hoped that leaders will join in with the games and will make up numbers where necessary. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout age bandings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe age bandings given in this book are only suggestions. Most games can be modified slightly to make them appropriate for older or younger children. Where children of mixed ages are playing a game, particular care should be taken of the safety of the younger children; it is suggested that less physical games are used with younger children. For groups with a wide age range, the most suitable game relating to each story is also noted as 'All ages'. In some cases, both games are appropriate for mixed age ranges and are therefore both noted as such.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRebecca Parkinson is a trained teacher, experienced youth and children's worker and published author. She taught full time for four years at primary level before becoming a teacher adviser for Lancashire and working alongside Lancashire Business and Enterprise Team to develop curriculum-based Road Show packages for Early Years and KS1 and 2. Rebecca lives in Lancashire and is an active member of her local Methodist Church where she runs the youth and children's work with her husband.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n"}
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Fill the Gap!: 120 instant Bible games for Sunday schools and midweek groups
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{"id":2439755661412,"title":"Blended A Call to Reimagine Our Church Family: Rethinking how we can be church together","handle":"blended-a-call-to-reimagine-our-church-family-rethinking-how-we-can-be-church-together","description":"\u003cp\u003eChurch as we know it is changing... with conversations and initiatives bubbling up around how our churches can be truly intergenerational, functioning in close and loving community as the body of Christ. Eleanor Bird speaks into the debate with a challenge to rethink our work with all ages from the ground up, offering practical observations drawn from her experience of developing children's and youth ministry in a local church context, together with a biblically based framework for how this thinking can be taken forward in your church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEleanor Bird is Head of Children and Youth Ministry at St Chad's Romiley in Greater Manchester, overseeing all ministries with two to 19-year-olds. She has been involved in children's work leadership since she was twelve and in full-time ministry since the age of 21, leading children's venues for New Wine and workshops and seminars for leaders across the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEleanor Bird is Head of Children and Youth Ministry at St Chad's Romiley in Greater Manchester, overseeing all ministries with two to 19-year-olds. She has been involved in children's work leadership since she was twelve and in full-time ministry since the age of 21, leading children's venues for New Wine and workshops and seminars for leaders across the UK\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn order for us to see nations changed, we need to see the full body of Christ rise up together across all ages, to walk and minister shoulder to shoulder. Blended invites us to see that it is not only necessary, but possible. No matter what size community or denomination we belong to, this book gives us ways of seeing and doing church together with a new heart that will reap great rewards for the kingdom. Rachel Turner, author and speaker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 13 May 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eHERE'S another of those paperbacks whose title alone makes you believe it might provide the answer to all the challenges facing the life of your local church. \u003cem\u003eBlended - A Call to Reimagine our Church Family\u003c\/em\u003e by Eleanor Bird (brf, 8.99), subtitled 'Rethinking how we can be church together', is about investigating a 'new way of being God's family'. And in the ensuing 14 chapters there is much to give church leaders a lot of food for thought. When you realise that the author is 'head of children and youth ministry' at a thriving Anglican church in Romiley, Greater Manchester, overseeing all ministries with two- to 19-year-olds, you have a good idea of what it is all about. In fact, this book could be the answer to your prayers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Singleton\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Well magazine. The Methodist Church Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eBlended\u003c\/em\u003e, Eleanor Bird invites us to reimagine a new way of being Church together: a Church that no longer divides by age lines but instead embraces being a community of different generations. For too long, she says, Christian communities have been separated; children, youth and adults each following their own programmes. Her vision is one where the lines drawn between these groups become blurred; rubbed away to become a more unified and connected body of believers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focus of Bird's book is the times when church communities gather for worship. Her philosophy is built on four key values: \u003cbr\u003e not calling Church 'work; '\u003cbr\u003e giving everyone in church equal influence; \u003cbr\u003e training when apart, for the times we gather as Church; \u003cbr\u003e making the most of the times we gather to experiment and explain what's happening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese building blocks underpin all that Church is and does. They serve to create a community that thrives in worship, both when together and apart. So the times when groups pursue their own programme are seen as vital opportunities to prepare and develop understanding for when all gather together. She advocates a model in which style and content are gradually merged, helping worship times become increasingly seamless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis emphasis on worship (in the narrow sense of sung worship and teaching) is central in developing a more cohesive church community. Bird makes the case for church to embrace its whole spectrum of family, yet the question remains what form this may take beyond Sunday services. What the features of a blended church might be outside of these times is the next natural field to explore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBird's personal testimony and experience are threads throughout the book, this adds an authentic dimension when she recounts how her own faith and understanding developed. As readers, we're urged to join her on this road of discovery that sees God's kingdom grow in our churches and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGail Adcock, Methodist Family Ministry Development Officer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-13T17:23:16+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:59+00:00","vendor":"Eleanor Bird","type":"Paperback","tags":["Church life","Kindle","Leadership","Oct-15"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769138929764,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461124","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436583305316,"product_id":2439755661412,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:59+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:08+00:00","alt":null,"width":426,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461124-l.jpg?v=1549043168","variant_ids":[21769138929764]},"available":false,"name":"Blended A Call to Reimagine Our Church Family: Rethinking how we can be church together - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":166,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461124","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238875431051,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461124-l.jpg?v=1549043168"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461124-l.jpg?v=1549043168"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461124-l.jpg?v=1549043168","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238875431051,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461124-l.jpg?v=1549043168"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461124-l.jpg?v=1549043168","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eChurch as we know it is changing... with conversations and initiatives bubbling up around how our churches can be truly intergenerational, functioning in close and loving community as the body of Christ. Eleanor Bird speaks into the debate with a challenge to rethink our work with all ages from the ground up, offering practical observations drawn from her experience of developing children's and youth ministry in a local church context, together with a biblically based framework for how this thinking can be taken forward in your church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEleanor Bird is Head of Children and Youth Ministry at St Chad's Romiley in Greater Manchester, overseeing all ministries with two to 19-year-olds. She has been involved in children's work leadership since she was twelve and in full-time ministry since the age of 21, leading children's venues for New Wine and workshops and seminars for leaders across the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEleanor Bird is Head of Children and Youth Ministry at St Chad's Romiley in Greater Manchester, overseeing all ministries with two to 19-year-olds. She has been involved in children's work leadership since she was twelve and in full-time ministry since the age of 21, leading children's venues for New Wine and workshops and seminars for leaders across the UK\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn order for us to see nations changed, we need to see the full body of Christ rise up together across all ages, to walk and minister shoulder to shoulder. Blended invites us to see that it is not only necessary, but possible. No matter what size community or denomination we belong to, this book gives us ways of seeing and doing church together with a new heart that will reap great rewards for the kingdom. Rachel Turner, author and speaker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 13 May 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eHERE'S another of those paperbacks whose title alone makes you believe it might provide the answer to all the challenges facing the life of your local church. \u003cem\u003eBlended - A Call to Reimagine our Church Family\u003c\/em\u003e by Eleanor Bird (brf, 8.99), subtitled 'Rethinking how we can be church together', is about investigating a 'new way of being God's family'. And in the ensuing 14 chapters there is much to give church leaders a lot of food for thought. When you realise that the author is 'head of children and youth ministry' at a thriving Anglican church in Romiley, Greater Manchester, overseeing all ministries with two- to 19-year-olds, you have a good idea of what it is all about. In fact, this book could be the answer to your prayers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Singleton\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Well magazine. The Methodist Church Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eBlended\u003c\/em\u003e, Eleanor Bird invites us to reimagine a new way of being Church together: a Church that no longer divides by age lines but instead embraces being a community of different generations. For too long, she says, Christian communities have been separated; children, youth and adults each following their own programmes. Her vision is one where the lines drawn between these groups become blurred; rubbed away to become a more unified and connected body of believers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focus of Bird's book is the times when church communities gather for worship. Her philosophy is built on four key values: \u003cbr\u003e not calling Church 'work; '\u003cbr\u003e giving everyone in church equal influence; \u003cbr\u003e training when apart, for the times we gather as Church; \u003cbr\u003e making the most of the times we gather to experiment and explain what's happening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese building blocks underpin all that Church is and does. They serve to create a community that thrives in worship, both when together and apart. So the times when groups pursue their own programme are seen as vital opportunities to prepare and develop understanding for when all gather together. She advocates a model in which style and content are gradually merged, helping worship times become increasingly seamless.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis emphasis on worship (in the narrow sense of sung worship and teaching) is central in developing a more cohesive church community. Bird makes the case for church to embrace its whole spectrum of family, yet the question remains what form this may take beyond Sunday services. What the features of a blended church might be outside of these times is the next natural field to explore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBird's personal testimony and experience are threads throughout the book, this adds an authentic dimension when she recounts how her own faith and understanding developed. As readers, we're urged to join her on this road of discovery that sees God's kingdom grow in our churches and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGail Adcock, Methodist Family Ministry Development Officer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e"}
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Blended A Call to Reimagine Our Church Family: Rethinking how we can be church together
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Church as we know it is changing... with conversations and initiatives bubbling up around how our churches can be truly...
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{"id":2439754350692,"title":"Help! It's the All-Age Slot: 52 instant talk outlines for church services","handle":"help-its-the-all-age-slot-52-instant-talk-outlines-for-church-services","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e52 easy-to-use all-age talks for church services: minimum preparation, maximum effect!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource offers material that is thoroughly enjoyable for adults and children alike. The talks are easy to use, all-age in presentation, and ensure that the theme will be communicated effectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCovers key occasions in the church year plus more general themes\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eProvides fresh material for a whole year\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEasy to adapt, with suggestions given\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRebecca Parkinson is a trained teacher, experienced youth and children's worker and published author. She taught full time for four years at primary level before becoming a teacher adviser for Lancashire and working alongside Lancashire Business and Enterprise Team to develop curriculum-based Road Show packages for Early Years and KS1 and 2. Rebecca lives in Lancashire and is an active member of her local Methodist Church where she runs the youth and children's work with her husband.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI was deeply put off by the title because, for me, All Age is not about a slot! Once I'd got over that hump, I found this to be an outstanding book. It comprises 52 instant talk outlines, most of which use objects or visual activities of one kind or another.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOut of 52 outlines, there will always be some which are weaker than others. I went through and marked all the ones I thought would work, would be easy, were just 'ok', etc. Some of them I have road-tested in primary school assemblies. Each chapter follows the same format: Aim, Bible Links, 'You will need' list, Talk Outline, and Challenge. The Challenge is great, and is something we have included in each of our All Age services for over a year now. Here, it is the other bookend to the Aim. It concludes the talk and offers a challenge you can leave your congregation to follow up.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is more or less structured around the church's year and there is an appendix with lectionary links for each of the chapter-weeks. Some of the chapters need sharpening up or adapting. For example, Chapter 48 ('Waiting is Good') on Advent, might be better presented as 'Preparation is Good.' This is a reminder to me that 'off the peg' quick help guides require a little bit of thinking and adapting to your own local language or culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent book of its type and worth the money as a source of ideas. A Bible references index would have been helpful. 4\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:54+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:56+00:00","vendor":"Rebecca Parkinson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Church life","Jun-15"],"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":21769124413540,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857460233","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Help! It's the All-Age Slot: 52 instant talk outlines for church services - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":184,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857460233","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460233-l.jpg?v=1549043169"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460233-l.jpg?v=1549043169","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238875398283,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":990,"width":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460233-l.jpg?v=1549043169"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":990,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460233-l.jpg?v=1549043169","width":650}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e52 easy-to-use all-age talks for church services: minimum preparation, maximum effect!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource offers material that is thoroughly enjoyable for adults and children alike. The talks are easy to use, all-age in presentation, and ensure that the theme will be communicated effectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCovers key occasions in the church year plus more general themes\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eProvides fresh material for a whole year\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEasy to adapt, with suggestions given\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRebecca Parkinson is a trained teacher, experienced youth and children's worker and published author. She taught full time for four years at primary level before becoming a teacher adviser for Lancashire and working alongside Lancashire Business and Enterprise Team to develop curriculum-based Road Show packages for Early Years and KS1 and 2. Rebecca lives in Lancashire and is an active member of her local Methodist Church where she runs the youth and children's work with her husband.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI was deeply put off by the title because, for me, All Age is not about a slot! Once I'd got over that hump, I found this to be an outstanding book. It comprises 52 instant talk outlines, most of which use objects or visual activities of one kind or another.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOut of 52 outlines, there will always be some which are weaker than others. I went through and marked all the ones I thought would work, would be easy, were just 'ok', etc. Some of them I have road-tested in primary school assemblies. Each chapter follows the same format: Aim, Bible Links, 'You will need' list, Talk Outline, and Challenge. The Challenge is great, and is something we have included in each of our All Age services for over a year now. Here, it is the other bookend to the Aim. It concludes the talk and offers a challenge you can leave your congregation to follow up.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is more or less structured around the church's year and there is an appendix with lectionary links for each of the chapter-weeks. Some of the chapters need sharpening up or adapting. For example, Chapter 48 ('Waiting is Good') on Advent, might be better presented as 'Preparation is Good.' This is a reminder to me that 'off the peg' quick help guides require a little bit of thinking and adapting to your own local language or culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent book of its type and worth the money as a source of ideas. A Bible references index would have been helpful. 4\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e"}
You may also like:
Help! It's the All-Age Slot: 52 instant talk outlines for church services
£9.99
52 easy-to-use all-age talks for church services: minimum preparation, maximum effect! This resource offers material that is thoroughly enjoyable for...
{"id":7393469857983,"title":"Comfort in Uncertain Times: Ukrainian Edition","handle":"comfort-in-uncertain-times-ukrainian-edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eUncertainty and change can be hard, and even more so for a child. Feelings of confusion, powerlessness and insecurity may be overwhelming. Scripture is full of people just like our children who had to cope with uncertainty and transition and flourished as they saw God’s hand and presence within it all. Designed as a series of stories and discussions for families, this book lays a biblical foundation for who God is in uncertain times and how to stay connected to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"216\" width=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreviously a full-time children’s and families worker and the National Children’s Work Coordinator for New Wine, Rachel Turner continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, church leaders and youth workers. She is the pioneer of Parenting for Faith, author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series and presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals. Until March 2022, she led the Parenting for Faith team at BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-11-11T16:56:06+00:00","created_at":"2022-11-11T16:56:05+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Centenary","Children and family ministry","For individuals","Parenting"],"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":42077788176575,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392328","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Comfort in Uncertain Times: Ukrainian Edition","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":185,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392328","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26213938462911,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eUncertainty and change can be hard, and even more so for a child. Feelings of confusion, powerlessness and insecurity may be overwhelming. Scripture is full of people just like our children who had to cope with uncertainty and transition and flourished as they saw God’s hand and presence within it all. Designed as a series of stories and discussions for families, this book lays a biblical foundation for who God is in uncertain times and how to stay connected to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"216\" width=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreviously a full-time children’s and families worker and the National Children’s Work Coordinator for New Wine, Rachel Turner continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, church leaders and youth workers. She is the pioneer of Parenting for Faith, author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series and presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals. Until March 2022, she led the Parenting for Faith team at BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Comfort in Uncertain Times: Ukrainian Edition
£8.99
Uncertainty and change can be hard, and even more so for a child. Feelings of confusion, powerlessness and insecurity may...
{"id":2439831126116,"title":"Nursery Rhyme Nativities: Three easy-to-perform plays for pre-school and early years of learning","handle":"nursery-rhyme-nativities-three-easy-to-perform-plays-for-pre-school-and-early-years-of-learning","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the biggest problems faced by those working with very young children at Christmas is how to involve pre-readers in the nativity story with the minimum of fuss and manageable preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is an ideal solution that will delight teachers and parents alike. In this book, popular author Brian Ogden offers three very diverse plays - all of which can be performed with groups of any size. Each one tells the story of the first Christmas from a difference perspective, using well-known nursery rhyme tunes to bring the storyline to life. Simple directions, costumes and props ensure that the children are given the opportunity to participate fully in the performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes photocopy permission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nBrian Ogden was for many years a teacher and RE advisor for the diocese of Peterborough and Chelmsford. He is author of several books published under the Barnabas imprint. He is a regular speaker in schools, typically sharing his stories and his work with more than 7,000 children in the course of a year.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Friends told us it was the best nativity they'd seen Reception perform.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'The children found the songs really easy to learn and wanted to do it again and again.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKey Stage One Teachers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the \u003cem\u003eAssociation of Christian Teachers\u003c\/em\u003e website - October 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book commends itself as a book of three Christmas plays, aimed at the youngest of our children, which can be performed with a minimum of fuss and manageable preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories are told with the suggestion that adults (or very competent older children) should read the parts of the narrators, with the young children miming the action and singing the songs with the audience joining in the singing. The songs all use the tunes of nursery rhymes and have newly written words to fit the story e.g. Mary's Song sung to the tune of 'London Bridge is Falling Down'. Illustrated photocopiable pages of song words are given with the suggestion that they could be put on acetate or made into booklets. The book includes simple music scores and craft templates including animal masks and crib figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a wonderful resource for pre-school and KS1 teachers and also for church groups who rarely have a full complement of actors until the day of the play - the numbers of those acting is infinitely flexible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book that I will be passing on to my vicar, our pre-school leader and my KS1 manager. I rather suspect that they will be fighting over it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Jan Randall, Class Teacher and RE Manager, Nursling Primary School, Southampton, Hampshire\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:48+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:49+00:00","vendor":"Brian Ogden","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Christmas","For schools","Sep-02"],"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":21770266312804,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857460677","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7437066436708,"product_id":2439831126116,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:49+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:15+00:00","alt":null,"width":460,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460677-l.jpg?v=1549043115","variant_ids":[21770266312804]},"available":true,"name":"Nursery Rhyme Nativities: Three easy-to-perform plays for pre-school and early years of learning - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":228,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857460677","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238882181259,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"width":460,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460677-l.jpg?v=1549043115"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460677-l.jpg?v=1549043115"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460677-l.jpg?v=1549043115","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238882181259,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"width":460,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460677-l.jpg?v=1549043115"},"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857460677-l.jpg?v=1549043115","width":460}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the biggest problems faced by those working with very young children at Christmas is how to involve pre-readers in the nativity story with the minimum of fuss and manageable preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is an ideal solution that will delight teachers and parents alike. In this book, popular author Brian Ogden offers three very diverse plays - all of which can be performed with groups of any size. Each one tells the story of the first Christmas from a difference perspective, using well-known nursery rhyme tunes to bring the storyline to life. Simple directions, costumes and props ensure that the children are given the opportunity to participate fully in the performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes photocopy permission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nBrian Ogden was for many years a teacher and RE advisor for the diocese of Peterborough and Chelmsford. He is author of several books published under the Barnabas imprint. He is a regular speaker in schools, typically sharing his stories and his work with more than 7,000 children in the course of a year.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cem\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Friends told us it was the best nativity they'd seen Reception perform.'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'The children found the songs really easy to learn and wanted to do it again and again.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKey Stage One Teachers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the \u003cem\u003eAssociation of Christian Teachers\u003c\/em\u003e website - October 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book commends itself as a book of three Christmas plays, aimed at the youngest of our children, which can be performed with a minimum of fuss and manageable preparation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories are told with the suggestion that adults (or very competent older children) should read the parts of the narrators, with the young children miming the action and singing the songs with the audience joining in the singing. The songs all use the tunes of nursery rhymes and have newly written words to fit the story e.g. Mary's Song sung to the tune of 'London Bridge is Falling Down'. Illustrated photocopiable pages of song words are given with the suggestion that they could be put on acetate or made into booklets. The book includes simple music scores and craft templates including animal masks and crib figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a wonderful resource for pre-school and KS1 teachers and also for church groups who rarely have a full complement of actors until the day of the play - the numbers of those acting is infinitely flexible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book that I will be passing on to my vicar, our pre-school leader and my KS1 manager. I rather suspect that they will be fighting over it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Jan Randall, Class Teacher and RE Manager, Nursling Primary School, Southampton, Hampshire\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Nursery Rhyme Nativities: Three easy-to-perform plays for pre-school and early years of learning
£8.99
One of the biggest problems faced by those working with very young children at Christmas is how to involve pre-readers...