Discipleship
Resources promoting understanding of what it means to follow Jesus, and helping those who choose to do so.
You may also be interested in Holy Habits: Missional discipleship resources for churches.
{"id":4853444214923,"title":"Mentoring Conversations: 30 key topics to explore together","handle":"mentoring-conversations-30-key-topics-to-explore-together","description":"\u003cp\u003eA core resource for anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, Mentoring Conversations provides a basis for spiritual conversation in a mentoring context through 30 short chapters structured around six key topic areas: Foundations; Steps to growth; Living out your faith; Going deeper; Staying strong; and Living with mystery. Each chapter begins with a Bible passage or text, followed by the author’s comment on the topic, questions for discussion, scriptures for further reflection and suggestions for further reading.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a well-respected author and retreat leader with a lifetime’s experience in mentoring others, including church leaders and missionaries, in Britain as well as overseas. His book \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2016) has helped many to understand the importance of mentoring in today’s church, and to take their first steps in mentoring others. For the last ten years he has convened an annual Spiritual Mentoring Forum for those wishing to develop their interest in this vital area of disciple-making.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-05-01T16:32:57+01:00","created_at":"2020-05-01T17:28:28+01:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","For individuals","Group reading","Oct-20","Pastoral care","Spirituality"],"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":33575301152907,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469250","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"Mentoring Conversations: 30 key topics to explore together","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":999,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469250"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469250.jpg?v=1588350510"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469250.jpg?v=1588350510","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":7670340681867,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469250.jpg?v=1588350510"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469250.jpg?v=1588350510","width":1000}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA core resource for anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, Mentoring Conversations provides a basis for spiritual conversation in a mentoring context through 30 short chapters structured around six key topic areas: Foundations; Steps to growth; Living out your faith; Going deeper; Staying strong; and Living with mystery. Each chapter begins with a Bible passage or text, followed by the author’s comment on the topic, questions for discussion, scriptures for further reflection and suggestions for further reading.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a well-respected author and retreat leader with a lifetime’s experience in mentoring others, including church leaders and missionaries, in Britain as well as overseas. His book \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2016) has helped many to understand the importance of mentoring in today’s church, and to take their first steps in mentoring others. For the last ten years he has convened an annual Spiritual Mentoring Forum for those wishing to develop their interest in this vital area of disciple-making.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Mentoring Conversations: 30 key topics to explore together
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{"id":2439785447524,"title":"Followers of the Way: Ancient discipleship for modern Christians","handle":"followers-of-the-way","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most pressing issues in today's church is encouraging people to become true and effective disciples of Jesus Christ. If, in simple terms, discipleship is about connecting more deeply with God and connecting God with the whole of life, Simon Reed argues, we're looking at a lifelong process for which we require long-term skills rather than short-term courses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celtic and Desert Christians, drawing on Old and New Testament practices, taught and modelled how to do this through the practice of living by a Way of Life. By drawing together today's need for disciples and Celtic Christianity, Followers of the Way inspires authentic Christian discipleship for the contemporary world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat is discipleship and why does it matter?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe way to be a disciple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 1: Be a lifelong learner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 2: Journey with a Soul Friend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 3: Keep a rhythm of prayer, work and recreation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 4: Live as simply as possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 5: Celebrate and care for creation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 6: Heal whatever is broken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 7: Be open to the Holy Spirit and listen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 8: Pray for good to overcome evil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 9: Pursue unity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 10: Share Jesus and justice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree life-giving principles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGetting started\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConclusion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, West London. He is also one of the three Guardians of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, an international and cross-denominational network of Christians who draw inspiration from the Celtic saints for the renewal of today's church. He has written regularly for Scripture Union's Closer to God Bible Notes for over ten years. Recently he contributed a chapter to Ray Simpson's book High Street Monasteries, giving a biblical perspective on this insightful introduction to contemporary 'new monasticism'. He has been a seminar speaker at Spring Harvest and been involved in leading their reflective worship stream.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great wee book. Simon Reed is an Anglican minister in London who has attempted something that most avoid. He attempts to help his two congregations live out their lives along Celtic Christian principles, or at least a contemporary version of what might have been some of the emphases of our predecessors. For many, Celtic Christianity is something that works for them as an individual, but given the community focus of Celts and most primal peoples, this sort of defeats the purpose. His earlier book \u003cem\u003eCreating Community \u003c\/em\u003etells that story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFollowers of the Way \u003c\/em\u003eReed outlines what it means to be a follower of Jesus and what the key aspects of this life are to be. In many ways much of this is fairly straightforward and part of what is a mainstream Christian understanding. But the Celtic themes shine through. Chapters remind us of our need to care for creation, live simply, share Jesus and justice, journey with a soul friend, find an appropriate rhythm of work, prayer and rest, and to be a lifelong learner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in such a straightforward way, this book could very usefully be given to a new Christian to help them understand what being a disciple is all about. It's not a programme to be followed but a way of life to be lived. It will, at best, enable any of us to understand core principles of our life and how we are different to many of those who don't follow Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's very realistic in that it doesn't pitch our discipleship in a way that a saint would struggle to emulate. Rather it enables the reader to see this way of life as ordinary, attainable, attractive and Christ-like. Reed avoids numerous historical diversions and maintains a rootedness in the 21st century. Part of the great contribution I think Reed brings is to enable busy contemporary Christian people to discover a more authentically Christian way of life for themselves as individuals and as a gathered community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReed doesn't try and claim vast success. Rather the impact on individuals and congregations is a work in progress. And perhaps that is as it should be. As disciples we should be progressing to be more Christ-like; literally a work in progress. This is a fine, short, readable book that will help us to better understand how to follow Jesus, and that resonates with our heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDirector of Scholarship, Research and Innovation, the British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:51+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:53+00:00","vendor":"Simon Reed","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","Kindle","Sep-17"],"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":21769564061796,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465382","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Followers of the Way: Ancient discipleship for modern Christians - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":270,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465382"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465382-l.jpg?v=1549043147"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465382-l.jpg?v=1549043147","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878740619,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465382-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465382-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":427}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the most pressing issues in today's church is encouraging people to become true and effective disciples of Jesus Christ. If, in simple terms, discipleship is about connecting more deeply with God and connecting God with the whole of life, Simon Reed argues, we're looking at a lifelong process for which we require long-term skills rather than short-term courses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celtic and Desert Christians, drawing on Old and New Testament practices, taught and modelled how to do this through the practice of living by a Way of Life. By drawing together today's need for disciples and Celtic Christianity, Followers of the Way inspires authentic Christian discipleship for the contemporary world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat is discipleship and why does it matter?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe way to be a disciple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 1: Be a lifelong learner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 2: Journey with a Soul Friend\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 3: Keep a rhythm of prayer, work and recreation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 4: Live as simply as possible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 5: Celebrate and care for creation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 6: Heal whatever is broken\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 7: Be open to the Holy Spirit and listen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 8: Pray for good to overcome evil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 9: Pursue unity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaymark 10: Share Jesus and justice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree life-giving principles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGetting started\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConclusion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, West London. He is also one of the three Guardians of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, an international and cross-denominational network of Christians who draw inspiration from the Celtic saints for the renewal of today's church. He has written regularly for Scripture Union's Closer to God Bible Notes for over ten years. Recently he contributed a chapter to Ray Simpson's book High Street Monasteries, giving a biblical perspective on this insightful introduction to contemporary 'new monasticism'. He has been a seminar speaker at Spring Harvest and been involved in leading their reflective worship stream.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great wee book. Simon Reed is an Anglican minister in London who has attempted something that most avoid. He attempts to help his two congregations live out their lives along Celtic Christian principles, or at least a contemporary version of what might have been some of the emphases of our predecessors. For many, Celtic Christianity is something that works for them as an individual, but given the community focus of Celts and most primal peoples, this sort of defeats the purpose. His earlier book \u003cem\u003eCreating Community \u003c\/em\u003etells that story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFollowers of the Way \u003c\/em\u003eReed outlines what it means to be a follower of Jesus and what the key aspects of this life are to be. In many ways much of this is fairly straightforward and part of what is a mainstream Christian understanding. But the Celtic themes shine through. Chapters remind us of our need to care for creation, live simply, share Jesus and justice, journey with a soul friend, find an appropriate rhythm of work, prayer and rest, and to be a lifelong learner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in such a straightforward way, this book could very usefully be given to a new Christian to help them understand what being a disciple is all about. It's not a programme to be followed but a way of life to be lived. It will, at best, enable any of us to understand core principles of our life and how we are different to many of those who don't follow Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's very realistic in that it doesn't pitch our discipleship in a way that a saint would struggle to emulate. Rather it enables the reader to see this way of life as ordinary, attainable, attractive and Christ-like. Reed avoids numerous historical diversions and maintains a rootedness in the 21st century. Part of the great contribution I think Reed brings is to enable busy contemporary Christian people to discover a more authentically Christian way of life for themselves as individuals and as a gathered community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReed doesn't try and claim vast success. Rather the impact on individuals and congregations is a work in progress. And perhaps that is as it should be. As disciples we should be progressing to be more Christ-like; literally a work in progress. This is a fine, short, readable book that will help us to better understand how to follow Jesus, and that resonates with our heritage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDirector of Scholarship, Research and Innovation, the British Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Followers of the Way: Ancient discipleship for modern Christians
£7.99
One of the most pressing issues in today's church is encouraging people to become true and effective disciples of Jesus...
{"id":2439748878436,"title":"The Soul of Football: One man's story of football, family and faith","handle":"the-soul-of-football-one-mans-story-of-football-family-and-faith","description":"\u003cp\u003eCloning Jamie Carragher\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLionel Messi's mistakes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's all Wayne Rooney's fault\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e... are just three of the issues BRF's Who Let The Dads Out? founder Mark Chester reflects on in his new book The Soul of Football. An unusual book for us to be publishing you might think? You only have to listen to a match commentary or read game reports to know that football has a unique and widely accepted language quite unlike any other. Could that language be used to explore the deeper issues of life and faith and spark conversations with football fans across the UK and beyond?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book of two halves Mark delves into his footballing story of success and dreams of success, of the joys of winning and the sadness of one of the worst football stadium disasters in history at Hillsborough. This is a story of a long search for the soul of football, its true essence and its essential and emotional nature - a search he very nearly did not conclude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the second half, 'Soccer soul', he weaves together his football and faith experiences, using the language of football learnt so well over the years to begin to explore 15 key areas of the Christian faith. These are things like the value of team work, with each member being used in the position where their skills can contribute most to team success, and the importance of team forgiveness when things don't quite work out to the game plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nFootball offers us great enjoyment, whether to school kids playing in a park with jumpers as goal posts or to crowds watching a vital game in one of our mega stadia. Winning seems to bring most happiness, but for those who look deeper, football offers more: a chance to contribute to a team; an opportunity to improve on one's best, to win by playing the right way, to be tested by the challenge the opposition provides; and the possibility of learning lessons in the present for use in the future. This book gets beyond the surface of football, and reminds us that we need to get beyond the surface of life, too. Revd John K Boyers, Chaplain, Manchester United\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMark Chester is a writer and speaker. He is the founder of Who Let The Dads Out?, a movement of churches reaching out to fathers and their children, and works for BRF to support the growth of the movement. He is married to Su, and with their two children, Megan and Billy, they worship at Hoole Baptist Church in Chester. Mark still plays football as often as his body allows, hits a golf ball badly, jogs reluctantly and swims slowly.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Reflections...Diocese of Hereford Summer 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than a game\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis short book has different messages for its readers, depending on whether you live north of Ludlow or south of Leominster. Shrewsbury Town have won promotion from League 2 while Hereford United seem just an unhappy memory. Mark Chester knows both the triumph and the tragedy of football. It is an unusual football book, because the write disagrees with Bill Shankly's famous statement 'Football isn't a matter of life and death- it's more important than that.' He tells us about growing up with a fantasy of playing for Liverpool but fell out of love with The beautiful Game after a good friend died in the Hillsborough tragedy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe eventually recovered his appetite for playing and watching, but he got the game into a new perspective. God, and family, and church, are far more important to him. Mark Chester is a committed amateur player, but he writes mainly as a fan. As well as telling his story, the book also collects lots of short, accessible thought-for-the-day reflections on faith, each starting from football. This is a quick and easy read. You could easily put it into the hands of a friend who is more interested in football than in God. But first, read it yourself. One of Chester's earliest spiritual experiences was when, as a child, he found an open chapel where he could go an sit. He shows that it is possible for the church to connect with young men. Open churches, and speaking to young men: both are massages we need to hear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaddy Benson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA new book published by the Bible Reading Fellowship came to my attention this week. Written by Mark Chester, a Welshman who was once a member of Carmel youth football in Holywell, before joining Rhyl's youth team and a number of local teams in the Deeside area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis book, \u003cem\u003eThe Soul of Football\u003c\/em\u003e focuses on developing the relationship between football and family values supported by the author's strong Christian faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to being a writer, Mark Chester works today for the Who Let the Dads Out? a Christian initiative developed by himself that has by now been established within various churches and chapels to encourage fathers and their children to spend time together in activities that enhance and promote family values and Christian principles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark previously worked as a family officer for Liverpool football club, leading the Tactics 4 Families initiative, aimed specifically towards applying the language and principles of football as a basis for promoting a closer relationship within families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiverpool FC provided much support for this initiative that included football related activities such as the impact of collective teamwork, singing your support and following the principles of the Kop anthem of \u003cem\u003eYou'll Never Walk Alone\u003c\/em\u003e, and these programmes were supported and attended by leading members of the club, such as Jamie Carragher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark's book has been endorsed by Peter Lupson the author of the book \u003cem\u003eThank God for Football\u003c\/em\u003e, and also by the Manchester United chaplain, the Revd. John K. Boyers as an opportunity to reflect on how the principles of the game may be replicated within family activities within the modern world. The book also allows us to contemplate how we can contribute as a family team member in response to the various challenges our modern life style and demands throw at us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark has dedicated his book in memory of his friend John McBrien who lost his life in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. A chapter refers to the friendship between Mark and John and how this affected Mark's life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Oakley, chief executive of the Christian movement, Ambassadors Football, has provided the foreword to the book, and refers to the author's contribution towards promoting family values that have been based around the principles and activities of football and how these have managed to strengthen family ties between fathers and their children over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also a reference to a quote by the existentialist philosopher and one of the greatest writers in the French language, Albert Camus, when he said that 'all that I know most surely about morality and the obligations of man, I owe to football', a quote I can assure you that I absolutely agree with 100 per cent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the many books that have revolved around football, this one offers a new alternative perspective, focusing on the various influences and impact it makes on our lives. Certainly, this is a book that offers itself as one worth reading and one that encourages the reader to reflect upon its message over the forthcoming summer weeks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Glyn Griffiths, Blog Radio Cymru\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Church of England newspaper March 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are times when Mark Chester's book is a classic. It tells the story of his love of football, and Liverpool Football Club in particular. It is at its best in painting a picture of what it is to be a young person in love with the game. Mark Chester is the founder of Who Let the Dad's Out? It is a movement of churches reaching out to dads, and what better way than through football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI especially liked Mark's depiction of life in the 70s and the way life was much, much more rough and ready then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a fellow dreamer I certainly responded to the author's illusion that one day he might be plucked from the terraces to play in the first team. I had just such a dream, but with a far superior club, QPR. Mark weaves the story of his youth and his football, and his dad, in the most natural way. He tells of the horror of Hillsborough and how it ended his love of the game, for a while. He speaks movingly of his journey with God as well and the way his faith journey moulded his life. God works in mysterious ways. It is a good book but not a perfect one. The last section of ruminations is tacked on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needed a much more demanding editor. But it is a great read and I thoroughly recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Steve Morris\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:35+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:36+00:00","vendor":"Mark Chester","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","Jan-15","Kindle","Mission"],"price":699,"price_min":699,"price_max":699,"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":21769060778084,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781841016542","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"The Soul of Football: One man's story of football, family and faith - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":699,"weight":102,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781841016542"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841016542-l.jpg?v=1549043173"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841016542-l.jpg?v=1549043173","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238875070603,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.658,"height":748,"width":492,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841016542-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.658,"height":748,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841016542-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":492}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eCloning Jamie Carragher\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLionel Messi's mistakes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's all Wayne Rooney's fault\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e... are just three of the issues BRF's Who Let The Dads Out? founder Mark Chester reflects on in his new book The Soul of Football. An unusual book for us to be publishing you might think? You only have to listen to a match commentary or read game reports to know that football has a unique and widely accepted language quite unlike any other. Could that language be used to explore the deeper issues of life and faith and spark conversations with football fans across the UK and beyond?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book of two halves Mark delves into his footballing story of success and dreams of success, of the joys of winning and the sadness of one of the worst football stadium disasters in history at Hillsborough. This is a story of a long search for the soul of football, its true essence and its essential and emotional nature - a search he very nearly did not conclude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the second half, 'Soccer soul', he weaves together his football and faith experiences, using the language of football learnt so well over the years to begin to explore 15 key areas of the Christian faith. These are things like the value of team work, with each member being used in the position where their skills can contribute most to team success, and the importance of team forgiveness when things don't quite work out to the game plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nFootball offers us great enjoyment, whether to school kids playing in a park with jumpers as goal posts or to crowds watching a vital game in one of our mega stadia. Winning seems to bring most happiness, but for those who look deeper, football offers more: a chance to contribute to a team; an opportunity to improve on one's best, to win by playing the right way, to be tested by the challenge the opposition provides; and the possibility of learning lessons in the present for use in the future. This book gets beyond the surface of football, and reminds us that we need to get beyond the surface of life, too. Revd John K Boyers, Chaplain, Manchester United\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nMark Chester is a writer and speaker. He is the founder of Who Let The Dads Out?, a movement of churches reaching out to fathers and their children, and works for BRF to support the growth of the movement. He is married to Su, and with their two children, Megan and Billy, they worship at Hoole Baptist Church in Chester. Mark still plays football as often as his body allows, hits a golf ball badly, jogs reluctantly and swims slowly.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Reflections...Diocese of Hereford Summer 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than a game\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis short book has different messages for its readers, depending on whether you live north of Ludlow or south of Leominster. Shrewsbury Town have won promotion from League 2 while Hereford United seem just an unhappy memory. Mark Chester knows both the triumph and the tragedy of football. It is an unusual football book, because the write disagrees with Bill Shankly's famous statement 'Football isn't a matter of life and death- it's more important than that.' He tells us about growing up with a fantasy of playing for Liverpool but fell out of love with The beautiful Game after a good friend died in the Hillsborough tragedy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe eventually recovered his appetite for playing and watching, but he got the game into a new perspective. God, and family, and church, are far more important to him. Mark Chester is a committed amateur player, but he writes mainly as a fan. As well as telling his story, the book also collects lots of short, accessible thought-for-the-day reflections on faith, each starting from football. This is a quick and easy read. You could easily put it into the hands of a friend who is more interested in football than in God. But first, read it yourself. One of Chester's earliest spiritual experiences was when, as a child, he found an open chapel where he could go an sit. He shows that it is possible for the church to connect with young men. Open churches, and speaking to young men: both are massages we need to hear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaddy Benson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA new book published by the Bible Reading Fellowship came to my attention this week. Written by Mark Chester, a Welshman who was once a member of Carmel youth football in Holywell, before joining Rhyl's youth team and a number of local teams in the Deeside area.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis book, \u003cem\u003eThe Soul of Football\u003c\/em\u003e focuses on developing the relationship between football and family values supported by the author's strong Christian faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to being a writer, Mark Chester works today for the Who Let the Dads Out? a Christian initiative developed by himself that has by now been established within various churches and chapels to encourage fathers and their children to spend time together in activities that enhance and promote family values and Christian principles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark previously worked as a family officer for Liverpool football club, leading the Tactics 4 Families initiative, aimed specifically towards applying the language and principles of football as a basis for promoting a closer relationship within families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiverpool FC provided much support for this initiative that included football related activities such as the impact of collective teamwork, singing your support and following the principles of the Kop anthem of \u003cem\u003eYou'll Never Walk Alone\u003c\/em\u003e, and these programmes were supported and attended by leading members of the club, such as Jamie Carragher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark's book has been endorsed by Peter Lupson the author of the book \u003cem\u003eThank God for Football\u003c\/em\u003e, and also by the Manchester United chaplain, the Revd. John K. Boyers as an opportunity to reflect on how the principles of the game may be replicated within family activities within the modern world. The book also allows us to contemplate how we can contribute as a family team member in response to the various challenges our modern life style and demands throw at us.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark has dedicated his book in memory of his friend John McBrien who lost his life in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. A chapter refers to the friendship between Mark and John and how this affected Mark's life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Oakley, chief executive of the Christian movement, Ambassadors Football, has provided the foreword to the book, and refers to the author's contribution towards promoting family values that have been based around the principles and activities of football and how these have managed to strengthen family ties between fathers and their children over the years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is also a reference to a quote by the existentialist philosopher and one of the greatest writers in the French language, Albert Camus, when he said that 'all that I know most surely about morality and the obligations of man, I owe to football', a quote I can assure you that I absolutely agree with 100 per cent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the many books that have revolved around football, this one offers a new alternative perspective, focusing on the various influences and impact it makes on our lives. Certainly, this is a book that offers itself as one worth reading and one that encourages the reader to reflect upon its message over the forthcoming summer weeks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Glyn Griffiths, Blog Radio Cymru\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Church of England newspaper March 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are times when Mark Chester's book is a classic. It tells the story of his love of football, and Liverpool Football Club in particular. It is at its best in painting a picture of what it is to be a young person in love with the game. Mark Chester is the founder of Who Let the Dad's Out? It is a movement of churches reaching out to dads, and what better way than through football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI especially liked Mark's depiction of life in the 70s and the way life was much, much more rough and ready then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a fellow dreamer I certainly responded to the author's illusion that one day he might be plucked from the terraces to play in the first team. I had just such a dream, but with a far superior club, QPR. Mark weaves the story of his youth and his football, and his dad, in the most natural way. He tells of the horror of Hillsborough and how it ended his love of the game, for a while. He speaks movingly of his journey with God as well and the way his faith journey moulded his life. God works in mysterious ways. It is a good book but not a perfect one. The last section of ruminations is tacked on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt needed a much more demanding editor. But it is a great read and I thoroughly recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Steve Morris\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Soul of Football: One man's story of football, family and faith
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Cloning Jamie Carragher Lionel Messi's mistakes It's all Wayne Rooney's fault ... are just three of the issues BRF's Who...
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{"id":2439744979044,"title":"Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community","handle":"making-disciples-in-messy-church-growing-faith-in-an-all-age-community","description":"\u003cp\u003eMessy Church has been widely and enthusiastically adopted as a proven and effective way of introducing families to an experience of Christian community and the good news of Jesus. Sceptics ask, 'Are people becoming Christians through Messy Church?' The evidence is clear that they are. But the next challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church also nurture their faith and make these converts into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of this book, by telling stories, analysing the journey to faith, and reflecting on what being a disciple means and the various methods of making disciples found in scripture and church tradition, is to encourage ministers and lay leaders to see how their Messy Church can be an intentional disciple-making community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore writes...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a Thursday afternoon back in 2004 when the first ever Messy Church took place at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, near Portsmouth, where I am vicar. Our prayer was to introduce people to Jesus by providing a positive, fun-filled experience of Christian community for families who rarely, if ever, go to a traditional church service. Back then, we had no idea that Messy Church would develop and spread the way it has done from Shetland to Cornwall and from Alaska to Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut it's one thing to be able to draw a crowd; are people becoming Christians through Messy Church? Praise God, the answer is definitely, 'Yes'. The key challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church nurture the faith of these new believers and make them into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn my new book \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e I aim to\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ehelp church leaders to grasp how Messy Church really can become a disciple-making community, provided we go about it in a deliberate way. To help us become more intentional, the book contains insightful stories and tips from the experience of Messy Churches in the UK and abroad. It provides some tools to enable us to chart what may be a long journey towards faith for families who have little or no Christian background, so that we can offer people the right support and encouragement at the various stages of their journey into discipleship. It also explores what becoming and growing as a disciple means today, looking at the different ways in which disciples were made in Old and New Testament times and later in the history of the church in various contexts. Out of this come recommendations for leaders and questions for further thought and creativity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt's amazing to see how God is using Messy Church to bless people and draw them to Jesus. I hope this book will be an encouragement to all who are involved in leading and helping in Messy Churches to reflect on the wonderful stuff God is doing\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs Messy Church making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat are disciples and how are they made?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOld Testament discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJesus and discipleship in the Gospels: kingdom community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciples in Acts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciple - making in the Epistles and Revelation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA community discipleship curriculum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn alternative - catechesis then and now\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntergenerational discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and faith at home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForeword\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a gift from God, one of the Holy Spirit's wonderful surprises, where a step of faith by one very ordinary church has opened the way for more than a thousand others to engage with families who had no serious connection to a church. No one anticipated that the story publicised in the first Fresh Expressions DVD in 2006 would take on such a life of its own. Messy Church is now a movement in its own right, within the wider Fresh Expressions movement. This book, from Paul Moore, the vicar of that church, presents insights from the oldest member of this young family of churches. They are insights from which all who are committed to disciple-making can benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose who have been unsure of Messy Church, who would like it to be less messy, and who wonder if it really is church, have frequently raised the question of discipleship. How can you possibly make disciples among all that mess, especially if you meet just once per month? On the contrary, I have always believed that Messy Church is as valid a fresh expression of church as any of the many other models and examples. Because of this, I have always been convinced that the secrets of making disciples through Messy Church lay within the gift itself, in the DNA of the original idea given by the Holy Spirit, and that they would emerge over time. The temptation to bolt on ideas from a different model in order to answer questions or solve apparent problems about disciple-making has always been misguided. It is also evidence of impatience. As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years, the secrets have begun to be revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church world is not closed to learning from other sources. Paul draws helpfully from Scripture, from ancient tradition, from other mission practitioners and researchers, from educational theory and from the worldwide Messy family. But, above all, he draws from the underlying values of Messy Church. He tells us not so much how to make disciples through Messy Church as how to create Messy Church as a disciple-making culture, which is much more important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe sets realistic expectations about the time it takes to journey from no church connection to active faith. He robustly defends intergenerational learning. He wants parents equipped to take responsibility for their children's spiritual development, and team members to see Messy Church as their church, not just the place where they volunteer once a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suspect that there may be even more to be unpacked from this surprising gift over the coming years, but for now this will do very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Graham Cray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArchbishops' Missioner and Leader of the Fresh Expressions Team\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten with clarity and conviction, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and helpful book for a movement that is deeply serious about discipleship. Drawing on biblical, monastic and catechetical approaches, the book contains much wisdom and inspiration for those seeking to make disciples in all forms of church, not just the phenomenon that is Messy Church. The affirmation of the places of family and community in discipleship formation is especially welcome. I warmly and wholeheartedly commend this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Andrew Roberts, Methodist Minister and Director of Training for Fresh Expressions \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscipleship is probably the biggest single issue the Church needs to grapple with in our present times. This book has some vital things to say on this central issue, not only to those interested in Messy Church but to all churches. My advice would be: read it, think about what you read and then apply it in your own situation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Male, Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning, Cambridge \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is growing from a single fresh expression of church into a whole movement of mission. Making Disciples in Messy Church brings vital wisdom culled from scripture and from experience to all involved in making disciples. Its lessons are vital for all those engaged in Messy Church and for all those involved in making disciples.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church movement is fantastic, helping connect people to Christ and his church through community and creativity. Paul has been on the journey with Messy Church since the start, and in this fascinating book shows how Messy Church is not only reaching people with the Gospel, it is raising up disciples across the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Canon Mark Russell, CEO Church Army \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA joy to read and a contemporary Epistle from a Paul of our time, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and essential read for all who are serious about building upon the good connections to the local community made through Messy Church and seeking how to making disciples in our contemporary age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Stephen Lindridge, Fresh Expressions Methodist Connexional Missioner \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore writes out of first-hand experience. To this he brings deeper and wider thought. The book brings disparate things together in one place: various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship, lively material from a wide range of Scripture, some ecumenical perspectives and sensible questions to ponder. It ends with solid practical suggestions and knocks on the head the critique that Messy Church has no answers to questions of discipleship. It deserves to be read and applied.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e George Lings, Director of the Sheffield Centre\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul Moore is a member of the team that launched Messy Church in 2004. Paul is Archdeacon for Mission Development in Winchester Diocese.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis interesting book delves further into the thorny issue of whether Messy Church really makes disciples. To do this, Paul Moore asks what disciples are and how they are really made, as well as showing how Messy Church moves people onto the discipleship journey. He then carries out a survey of discipleship in the Bible, applying the models he finds there to the practice of Messy Church. It's a good attempt to drill down into a difficult area in order to make sure that Messy Church is not only fun but fruitful. Once again, the connections for All Age Worship of every kind are obvious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes the balance between describing discipleship patterns in the Bible and actually applying them to Messy Church is too heavily weighted in favour of the former. As a book simply on biblical patterns of discipleship, it is not really sufficient. The real value lies in the application to Messy Church, and I feel more space and depth of analysis could have been given to that application. Each chapter ends with questions for further reflection. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Magnet Summer 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore was part of the team that launched the first Messy Church in 2004. Since then Messy Church has spread worldwide as an intergenerational movement. Bishop Graham Cray in his foreword says, 'As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years the secrets have begun to be revealed.' Moore reveals some of these 'secrets' and shows how Messy Church has become a disciple-making phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those sceptical about the worth of Messy Church, this book should be read. Paul convincingly explores the journey of discipleship through biblical, monastic and early church material and draws on various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship. After much thoughtful and clearly stated discussion on this important issue he concludes. 'I believe there are lots of good reasons why age-segregated discipleship groups is not necessarily the best way to go. I believe we should persevere with intentional intergenerational disciple-making in our Messy Churches and see how God makes us grow as disciples together'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Tania Brosnan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Simon Martin in Country Way - January 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important book, not least because messy churches, and church leaders more widely, are increasingly asking questions like:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre people coming to faith through Messy Church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs it making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan it justify its claim to be a church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOr is it just a form of pre - evangelism - a bridge to something deeper, perhaps an Alpha course, and then graduation to Sunday church attendance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Of course, these questions are just as urgent and relevant for traditional or inherited forms of church!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the key things considered in Making Disciples in Messy Church is what discipleship looks like for people with messy lives, as Messy Churches are genuinely attracting large numbers of non - churchgoers. Not just children, but teenagers and adults - both the children's family members and others; not just fringe members - but people who have never been to a church. As Messy Church grows, collectively and individually those involved are having to face up to the need for nurture and discipleship for this disparate group of would - be believers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of discipleship in the contemporary world, rural people and communities are not much different to those in this book. There are recognised issues to do with the nature of small, relatively close - knit communities that may affect the way rural churches engage in evangelism and mission; but most of the key elements of the process of Messy Discipleship outlined above are very important in rural circumstances: suspicion of traditional church, a need to identify and become involved, a desire to support something that is of clear benefit to their children, an appreciation of the holistic and communal elements of becoming part of a Messy Church 'family'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a great deal more to this book than just these things. It considers several potential models of discipleship that might be appropriate (community discipleship, a catechetical approach, intergenerational discipleship, and discipleship within the family); and it lays firm biblical foundations for discipleship from both Old and New Testaments. There is also some more theoretical background on how people come to faith and how their faith develops. Making Disciples in Messy Church is not the whole answer, but it is a vital and readable tool in helping all of us work out what is appropriate in our own places. Read it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Childrenswork magazine - December 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e provides wisdom and theological support for the successful movement of Messy Church. If those two words (Messy Church) don't mean anything to you then I'd encourage you to read the book and learn more about a God-given strategy for doing all-age church. For those of you, like myself, who are already involved in leading some form of Messy Church expression, then you might find this reasonably light read useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertainly, some of the questions posed at the end of every chapter are provocative and helpful. However, I often found myself asking, who is this book written for? Children's workers? Clergy? Or just those who work at Messy Church HQ? But for a quick read and a book that starts and finishes well, I'd recommend it. Certainly if you're asking the question, 'How do we pass our faith on from one generation to another?' - then it's for you. And if you're not asking that question, perhaps you should be!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Diocese of Gloucester Clergy Bulletin - July 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the questions often asked about 'Messy Church' are 'Is it really church?' 'Doesn't it just entertain people on the fringes of the church?' 'How can such a simple approach actually help people become disciples?' Paul Moore, who with his wife Lucy began Messy Church at St Wilfred's, Cowplain, seeks to address these questions in this book. It's very readable and straight-forward but has some very profound things to say about how people become disciples with lessons on making disciples whether or not you are doing 'Messy Church'. He presents a very helpful overview of how the Bible shows disciples being made in a variety of contexts. He also looks at ideas such as catechesis and inter-generational discipleship. Along the way there are helpful insights into the ways people come to faith, the importance of relationships and involvement in helping people learn and grow, how different learning styles need to be considered. He argues that the Messy Church approach addresses many of these challenges. This book will help those doing 'Messy Church' to think through what they are doing and how it can make disciples but it will help everyone think about how we are seeking to make disciples too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Brian Parfitt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 2 August 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen a Christian community begins to form, requests for baptism and possibly holy communion often follow. Requests for support in growing disciples in an all-age community has resulted in \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e by Paul Moore. He responds to the claim that messy churches are not real church communities with examples of how families have come to faith through messy church, although some would unfairly question his definition of church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant number of those attending messy church have little or no church background. Moore offers a helpful beginners' guide to faith development, as participants move through stages of openness to, and spiritual awareness of, God. He makes a strong biblical case for the part played by the all-age community of the church in discipleship and formation, while recognising the substantial commitment of time and resources that effective discipleship demands. \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e would be an excellent resource for PCC members who are engaging with issues of mission and evangelism in general, as well as required reading for those who lead a messy church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Dana Delap is Assistant Curate of St James and St Basil, Fenham, in the diocese of Newcastle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Pobl Dewi - June 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book of 120 pages divides into three. The first section looks at what it means to be growing as disciples of Jesus and where this might be happening in Messy Church. The second considers discipleship in scripture and how that might affect Messy Church. The third offers recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrototype disciples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are familiar with models of discipleship, the first section will probably offer little that is new, and 'success' stories from elsewhere are not always encouraging. The central section gives much food for thought: Abraham and Sarah as prototype disciples and the messiness of their situations; how, in the Old Testament, growing in discipleship was done with others, as a people. Community is a recurring strand, and the 'doing together' element of Messy Church does help to build relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do we grow a community of disciples, rather than concentrating on the individual? Jesus and the apostles formed a community that teaches us to model discipleship where responsibility is given early, and where learning is, initially, largely through experience and doing. Similarly in Acts, it is argued, baptism comes early to the disciple, followed quickly by doing and serving; catechesis comes only later. Does Messy Church mirror that of the epistles in being more rooted in the everyday and less- focussed on 'the special'? It's not just about Sunday morning - there is a space for hospitality and serving and not just for worship services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conclusions are well drawn and they are valid for all work across generations. If you are not a fan of Messy Church, the book's subtitle, 'Growing faith in an all age community' is surely something we are all interested in. However good the recommendations, the temptation to jump straight to the end and miss out the central discussion is worth resisting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelting pot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI admit to having been predisposed to recommend this book. I was already convinced that the principles of Messy Church are simple, achievable by most congregations, and that they can create the melting pot of church and community in which disciples might grow. I was hoping for ideas to add to my Messy Church to encourage that growing of disciples. (And the book did challenge me about the need to be 'intentional about faith building.') So, did I get some ideas? Yes. Very much so. The book assumes that there is a core team overseeing the Messy Church. I need to identify that core team. If we can study this book together, the accompanying thought, discussion and prayer might, God-willing, move on our Messy Church from being a melting pot into a crucible in which faith is forged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Alan Chadwick\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:19+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:20+00:00","vendor":"Paul Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","Mar-13","Messy Church books","PDF"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769014771812,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857462183","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":133,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857462183"},{"id":33193177907339,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390638","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":799,"weight":133,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390638"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1549043176"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1549043176","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874808459,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462183-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":427}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eMessy Church has been widely and enthusiastically adopted as a proven and effective way of introducing families to an experience of Christian community and the good news of Jesus. Sceptics ask, 'Are people becoming Christians through Messy Church?' The evidence is clear that they are. But the next challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church also nurture their faith and make these converts into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aim of this book, by telling stories, analysing the journey to faith, and reflecting on what being a disciple means and the various methods of making disciples found in scripture and church tradition, is to encourage ministers and lay leaders to see how their Messy Church can be an intentional disciple-making community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore writes...\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was a Thursday afternoon back in 2004 when the first ever Messy Church took place at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, near Portsmouth, where I am vicar. Our prayer was to introduce people to Jesus by providing a positive, fun-filled experience of Christian community for families who rarely, if ever, go to a traditional church service. Back then, we had no idea that Messy Church would develop and spread the way it has done from Shetland to Cornwall and from Alaska to Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut it's one thing to be able to draw a crowd; are people becoming Christians through Messy Church? Praise God, the answer is definitely, 'Yes'. The key challenging question is, 'Can Messy Church nurture the faith of these new believers and make them into disciples?'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn my new book \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e I aim to\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003ehelp church leaders to grasp how Messy Church really can become a disciple-making community, provided we go about it in a deliberate way. To help us become more intentional, the book contains insightful stories and tips from the experience of Messy Churches in the UK and abroad. It provides some tools to enable us to chart what may be a long journey towards faith for families who have little or no Christian background, so that we can offer people the right support and encouragement at the various stages of their journey into discipleship. It also explores what becoming and growing as a disciple means today, looking at the different ways in which disciples were made in Old and New Testament times and later in the history of the church in various contexts. Out of this come recommendations for leaders and questions for further thought and creativity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt's amazing to see how God is using Messy Church to bless people and draw them to Jesus. I hope this book will be an encouragement to all who are involved in leading and helping in Messy Churches to reflect on the wonderful stuff God is doing\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cstrong\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContents\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs Messy Church making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat are disciples and how are they made?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOld Testament discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJesus and discipleship in the Gospels: kingdom community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciples in Acts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisciple - making in the Epistles and Revelation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA community discipleship curriculum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn alternative - catechesis then and now\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntergenerational discipleship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscipleship and faith at home\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForeword\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a gift from God, one of the Holy Spirit's wonderful surprises, where a step of faith by one very ordinary church has opened the way for more than a thousand others to engage with families who had no serious connection to a church. No one anticipated that the story publicised in the first Fresh Expressions DVD in 2006 would take on such a life of its own. Messy Church is now a movement in its own right, within the wider Fresh Expressions movement. This book, from Paul Moore, the vicar of that church, presents insights from the oldest member of this young family of churches. They are insights from which all who are committed to disciple-making can benefit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose who have been unsure of Messy Church, who would like it to be less messy, and who wonder if it really is church, have frequently raised the question of discipleship. How can you possibly make disciples among all that mess, especially if you meet just once per month? On the contrary, I have always believed that Messy Church is as valid a fresh expression of church as any of the many other models and examples. Because of this, I have always been convinced that the secrets of making disciples through Messy Church lay within the gift itself, in the DNA of the original idea given by the Holy Spirit, and that they would emerge over time. The temptation to bolt on ideas from a different model in order to answer questions or solve apparent problems about disciple-making has always been misguided. It is also evidence of impatience. As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years, the secrets have begun to be revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church world is not closed to learning from other sources. Paul draws helpfully from Scripture, from ancient tradition, from other mission practitioners and researchers, from educational theory and from the worldwide Messy family. But, above all, he draws from the underlying values of Messy Church. He tells us not so much how to make disciples through Messy Church as how to create Messy Church as a disciple-making culture, which is much more important.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe sets realistic expectations about the time it takes to journey from no church connection to active faith. He robustly defends intergenerational learning. He wants parents equipped to take responsibility for their children's spiritual development, and team members to see Messy Church as their church, not just the place where they volunteer once a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI suspect that there may be even more to be unpacked from this surprising gift over the coming years, but for now this will do very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Graham Cray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArchbishops' Missioner and Leader of the Fresh Expressions Team\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten with clarity and conviction, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and helpful book for a movement that is deeply serious about discipleship. Drawing on biblical, monastic and catechetical approaches, the book contains much wisdom and inspiration for those seeking to make disciples in all forms of church, not just the phenomenon that is Messy Church. The affirmation of the places of family and community in discipleship formation is especially welcome. I warmly and wholeheartedly commend this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Andrew Roberts, Methodist Minister and Director of Training for Fresh Expressions \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscipleship is probably the biggest single issue the Church needs to grapple with in our present times. This book has some vital things to say on this central issue, not only to those interested in Messy Church but to all churches. My advice would be: read it, think about what you read and then apply it in your own situation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e David Male, Director of the Centre for Pioneer Learning, Cambridge \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is growing from a single fresh expression of church into a whole movement of mission. Making Disciples in Messy Church brings vital wisdom culled from scripture and from experience to all involved in making disciples. Its lessons are vital for all those engaged in Messy Church and for all those involved in making disciples.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Steven Croft, Bishop of Sheffield \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Church movement is fantastic, helping connect people to Christ and his church through community and creativity. Paul has been on the journey with Messy Church since the start, and in this fascinating book shows how Messy Church is not only reaching people with the Gospel, it is raising up disciples across the world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Canon Mark Russell, CEO Church Army \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA joy to read and a contemporary Epistle from a Paul of our time, Making Disciples in Messy Church is a timely and essential read for all who are serious about building upon the good connections to the local community made through Messy Church and seeking how to making disciples in our contemporary age.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Stephen Lindridge, Fresh Expressions Methodist Connexional Missioner \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore writes out of first-hand experience. To this he brings deeper and wider thought. The book brings disparate things together in one place: various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship, lively material from a wide range of Scripture, some ecumenical perspectives and sensible questions to ponder. It ends with solid practical suggestions and knocks on the head the critique that Messy Church has no answers to questions of discipleship. It deserves to be read and applied.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e George Lings, Director of the Sheffield Centre\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul Moore is a member of the team that launched Messy Church in 2004. Paul is Archdeacon for Mission Development in Winchester Diocese.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis interesting book delves further into the thorny issue of whether Messy Church really makes disciples. To do this, Paul Moore asks what disciples are and how they are really made, as well as showing how Messy Church moves people onto the discipleship journey. He then carries out a survey of discipleship in the Bible, applying the models he finds there to the practice of Messy Church. It's a good attempt to drill down into a difficult area in order to make sure that Messy Church is not only fun but fruitful. Once again, the connections for All Age Worship of every kind are obvious.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes the balance between describing discipleship patterns in the Bible and actually applying them to Messy Church is too heavily weighted in favour of the former. As a book simply on biblical patterns of discipleship, it is not really sufficient. The real value lies in the application to Messy Church, and I feel more space and depth of analysis could have been given to that application. Each chapter ends with questions for further reflection. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Magnet Summer 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaul Moore was part of the team that launched the first Messy Church in 2004. Since then Messy Church has spread worldwide as an intergenerational movement. Bishop Graham Cray in his foreword says, 'As the gift of Messy Church has been unwrapped during its early years the secrets have begun to be revealed.' Moore reveals some of these 'secrets' and shows how Messy Church has become a disciple-making phenomenon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those sceptical about the worth of Messy Church, this book should be read. Paul convincingly explores the journey of discipleship through biblical, monastic and early church material and draws on various frameworks to assess progress in discipleship. After much thoughtful and clearly stated discussion on this important issue he concludes. 'I believe there are lots of good reasons why age-segregated discipleship groups is not necessarily the best way to go. I believe we should persevere with intentional intergenerational disciple-making in our Messy Churches and see how God makes us grow as disciples together'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Tania Brosnan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Simon Martin in Country Way - January 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important book, not least because messy churches, and church leaders more widely, are increasingly asking questions like:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre people coming to faith through Messy Church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs it making disciples?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan it justify its claim to be a church?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOr is it just a form of pre - evangelism - a bridge to something deeper, perhaps an Alpha course, and then graduation to Sunday church attendance?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(Of course, these questions are just as urgent and relevant for traditional or inherited forms of church!)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the key things considered in Making Disciples in Messy Church is what discipleship looks like for people with messy lives, as Messy Churches are genuinely attracting large numbers of non - churchgoers. Not just children, but teenagers and adults - both the children's family members and others; not just fringe members - but people who have never been to a church. As Messy Church grows, collectively and individually those involved are having to face up to the need for nurture and discipleship for this disparate group of would - be believers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of discipleship in the contemporary world, rural people and communities are not much different to those in this book. There are recognised issues to do with the nature of small, relatively close - knit communities that may affect the way rural churches engage in evangelism and mission; but most of the key elements of the process of Messy Discipleship outlined above are very important in rural circumstances: suspicion of traditional church, a need to identify and become involved, a desire to support something that is of clear benefit to their children, an appreciation of the holistic and communal elements of becoming part of a Messy Church 'family'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a great deal more to this book than just these things. It considers several potential models of discipleship that might be appropriate (community discipleship, a catechetical approach, intergenerational discipleship, and discipleship within the family); and it lays firm biblical foundations for discipleship from both Old and New Testaments. There is also some more theoretical background on how people come to faith and how their faith develops. Making Disciples in Messy Church is not the whole answer, but it is a vital and readable tool in helping all of us work out what is appropriate in our own places. Read it!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Childrenswork magazine - December 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e provides wisdom and theological support for the successful movement of Messy Church. If those two words (Messy Church) don't mean anything to you then I'd encourage you to read the book and learn more about a God-given strategy for doing all-age church. For those of you, like myself, who are already involved in leading some form of Messy Church expression, then you might find this reasonably light read useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCertainly, some of the questions posed at the end of every chapter are provocative and helpful. However, I often found myself asking, who is this book written for? Children's workers? Clergy? Or just those who work at Messy Church HQ? But for a quick read and a book that starts and finishes well, I'd recommend it. Certainly if you're asking the question, 'How do we pass our faith on from one generation to another?' - then it's for you. And if you're not asking that question, perhaps you should be!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Diocese of Gloucester Clergy Bulletin - July 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong the questions often asked about 'Messy Church' are 'Is it really church?' 'Doesn't it just entertain people on the fringes of the church?' 'How can such a simple approach actually help people become disciples?' Paul Moore, who with his wife Lucy began Messy Church at St Wilfred's, Cowplain, seeks to address these questions in this book. It's very readable and straight-forward but has some very profound things to say about how people become disciples with lessons on making disciples whether or not you are doing 'Messy Church'. He presents a very helpful overview of how the Bible shows disciples being made in a variety of contexts. He also looks at ideas such as catechesis and inter-generational discipleship. Along the way there are helpful insights into the ways people come to faith, the importance of relationships and involvement in helping people learn and grow, how different learning styles need to be considered. He argues that the Messy Church approach addresses many of these challenges. This book will help those doing 'Messy Church' to think through what they are doing and how it can make disciples but it will help everyone think about how we are seeking to make disciples too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Brian Parfitt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 2 August 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen a Christian community begins to form, requests for baptism and possibly holy communion often follow. Requests for support in growing disciples in an all-age community has resulted in \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e by Paul Moore. He responds to the claim that messy churches are not real church communities with examples of how families have come to faith through messy church, although some would unfairly question his definition of church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA significant number of those attending messy church have little or no church background. Moore offers a helpful beginners' guide to faith development, as participants move through stages of openness to, and spiritual awareness of, God. He makes a strong biblical case for the part played by the all-age community of the church in discipleship and formation, while recognising the substantial commitment of time and resources that effective discipleship demands. \u003cem\u003eMaking Disciples in Messy Church\u003c\/em\u003e would be an excellent resource for PCC members who are engaging with issues of mission and evangelism in general, as well as required reading for those who lead a messy church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Dana Delap is Assistant Curate of St James and St Basil, Fenham, in the diocese of Newcastle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Pobl Dewi - June 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book of 120 pages divides into three. The first section looks at what it means to be growing as disciples of Jesus and where this might be happening in Messy Church. The second considers discipleship in scripture and how that might affect Messy Church. The third offers recommendations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrototype disciples\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are familiar with models of discipleship, the first section will probably offer little that is new, and 'success' stories from elsewhere are not always encouraging. The central section gives much food for thought: Abraham and Sarah as prototype disciples and the messiness of their situations; how, in the Old Testament, growing in discipleship was done with others, as a people. Community is a recurring strand, and the 'doing together' element of Messy Church does help to build relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do we grow a community of disciples, rather than concentrating on the individual? Jesus and the apostles formed a community that teaches us to model discipleship where responsibility is given early, and where learning is, initially, largely through experience and doing. Similarly in Acts, it is argued, baptism comes early to the disciple, followed quickly by doing and serving; catechesis comes only later. Does Messy Church mirror that of the epistles in being more rooted in the everyday and less- focussed on 'the special'? It's not just about Sunday morning - there is a space for hospitality and serving and not just for worship services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe conclusions are well drawn and they are valid for all work across generations. If you are not a fan of Messy Church, the book's subtitle, 'Growing faith in an all age community' is surely something we are all interested in. However good the recommendations, the temptation to jump straight to the end and miss out the central discussion is worth resisting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelting pot\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI admit to having been predisposed to recommend this book. I was already convinced that the principles of Messy Church are simple, achievable by most congregations, and that they can create the melting pot of church and community in which disciples might grow. I was hoping for ideas to add to my Messy Church to encourage that growing of disciples. (And the book did challenge me about the need to be 'intentional about faith building.') So, did I get some ideas? Yes. Very much so. The book assumes that there is a core team overseeing the Messy Church. I need to identify that core team. If we can study this book together, the accompanying thought, discussion and prayer might, God-willing, move on our Messy Church from being a melting pot into a crucible in which faith is forged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Revd Alan Chadwick\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community
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{"id":2439740391524,"title":"Creating Community: Ancient ways for modern churches","handle":"creating-community-ancient-ways-for-modern-churches","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere is much talk today of 'new ways of being church' and 'new monastic spirituality'. As Simon Reed explored the Celtic roots of the Christian faith, in community with others who drew inspiration from our spiritual ancestors in the British Isles, he came to realise that the third millennium church has much in common with the first millennium church, and more importantly, much to learn from it.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Creating Community, he introduces us to a new but at the same time very old way of being church which is based upon three core elements: a Way of Life, a network of Soul Friends, and a rhythm of prayer. The book shows how the rediscovery of these elements by Christians today offers a vital key that opens up an ancient way for modern churches, one which not only helps to bring believers to lasting maturity but creates genuine and much-needed community in an increasingly fragmented world.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForeword\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book could be titled From the Ordinary Church: a Way of Life. Its author share the vision that the local church is the hope of the world and that each church can find its distinctive vocation. He observes that whereas many contemporary churches try to attract a crowd and then turn it into a community, the early churches in Celtic lands started as small communities and then gathered wider numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut can our long-established small churches become living communities? From his own experience Simon argues that they can if they adopt three practices - a way of life, a network of soul friends and a rhythm of prayer. He establishes that a way of life coheres with New Testament practice and explores how to develop these.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI know Simon as a friend and colleague in The Community of Aidan and Hilda, which has Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical members. He tells his personal story from within his own tradition. Always - and this is so refreshing - he is more concerned with the product than with the label.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is timely for, as the author points out, the moral disintegration which underlies the unravelling of community and society could herald a new dark age. Winston Churchill, when his country had its back to the wall in World War Two, famously said 'Give us the tools and we will finish the job'. Simon gives us some tools. Let us, the readers, help to finish the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Simpson\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eHoly Island of Lindisfarne | \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.raysimpson.org\" target=\"blank\"\u003ewww.raysimpson.org\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, West London. He is also one of the three Guardians of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, an international and cross-denominational network of Christians who draw inspiration from the Celtic saints for the renewal of today's church. He has written regularly for Scripture Union's Closer to God Bible Notes for over ten years. Recently he contributed a chapter to Ray Simpson's book High Street Monasteries, giving a biblical perspective on this insightful introduction to contemporary 'new monasticism'. He has been a seminar speaker at Spring Harvest and been involved in leading their reflective worship stream.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet me pay tribute to Simon's \u003cem\u003eCreating Community\u003c\/em\u003e. I think a great deal of contemporary Celtic Christian interest has reduced Celtic Christianity to an individual interest and those individuals come together to form communities, but that is a long way from what we might think about authentic Celtic community. What attracted me to Simon's book (and its one of a small number I point all Celtic mission students to) is the attempt to make Celtic Christian insights work for an existing community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev Dr Stephen Skuce, Research Programme Leader (Director of Scholarship, Research and Innovation for the British Methodist Church), Cliff College\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat the world (and the church) needs now more than anything else is a sense of community. Starting with the author's excellent summary of Aladair Mcintyre's After Virtue at the end of this excellent guidebook on building purposeful Christian community this is a 'How To' book which has the potential to transform the small village congregation, the burgeoning suburban church and the tentative Fresh Expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDrawing on his experience as a church minister and his membership of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, Simon lays out the building blocks which can transform any gathering of Christians into the world changing community Christ means it to be.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAnd simple steps they are as well. A shared Way of Life (sometimes called a Rule), A commitment to journeying with a Soul Friend (sometimes called a Spiritual Director), and a decision to have a set Rhythm of Prayer (sometimes called keeping the Divine Office).\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eToo often the pattern for Christian community, tried and tested and proven effective down the ages, has been seen to be the preserve of the professional monk or nun instead of the inheritance of every Christian. So there is a deliberate down playing of language, without a diminishing of commitment.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis book, taken seriously - especially by the leadership of a church - will transform relationships and bring the gospel to life amongst the congregation who chooses to take its programme seriously.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIt is worthwhile to summarise the consequence of putting these three principles into practice - aims to which many churches aspire:\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommunity, not just congregation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRhythms of prayer, not just places of worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelationships, not just activity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpiritual life, not just structural maintenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrganism, not just organisation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnection, not isolation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Revd Andrew Dotchin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Way\u003c\/em\u003e - October to December 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThat looks like my cup of tea, I said seeing this book on a colleague's desk. Which proves one shouldn't judge a book by its cover or title. I assumed this would be about the church engaging with the local community. Instead it's about how the church builds itself into a community. John Pritchard in Living Faithfully suggests that the church is too often concerned with itself, its structure and inward life, and he calls the church to make connections with neighbourhoods. Misjudging the intention of Creating Community I became disappointed, for it is about something else.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Reed provides an apologia for a particular view of the church as a community, based on a Celtic way of the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He introduces three core elements of being church: a way of life; a network of soul friendship; and a rhythm of prayer. He writes in a chatty style. I read it mostly on a series of train journeys and felt his companionship through his thoughts and ideas. He makes short shrift of other ways of being church that he disagrees with or where his experiences are negative. He is best describing and working through the core elements and there are some helpful passages particularly concerning prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI found his notion of praying through the day retrospectively a helpful corrective to constantly looking ahead to the next diary entries. Ideally a second volume would move from focusing on the church's internal community to how the core elements help build an external community that grows the kingdom in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Glyn Evans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Good Bookstall - April 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book works on so many levels! In fact I almost want to just say this book works - read it, find that out for yourself. But then that wouldn't be a very helpful review would it? Whatever words I say here probably won't do it justice - just so we are clear...\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a foundational guide to doing church, to becoming community and more importantly to living community - something it could perhaps be said we have lost a little. This book guides the reader back onto the track of experiential living, where everything is community rooted and where everything is in its own way an act of prayer, where we live not only our lives but our faith together - even when we are apart!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a guide book for individuals and a study book for churches and real communities - it reflects on ancient ways, yes, but it pulls in the very real and modern life we live using solid examples from the Community of Aidan \u0026amp; Hilda, and also reflection from other communities including the Northumbria Community, L'Arche, The Franciscan Third Order and others - demonstrating the pull towards community, the need for it and the lessons we can learn from it.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo ok perhaps I'm a tad biased, I'm a member of a new, small but real, fresh expressions community here in Lincoln called Luminous... but I still think that this book works and will talk to many, even those that aren't community-centric already because the heart of our gospel, our faith, is community and this book helps lead us into that journey and insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Melanie Carroll\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWaves of enthusiasm for all things 'Celtic' have swept across Irish and British shores at various points in modern history. It seems this ancient tide is here again. In Creating Community, London vicar Simon Reed cracks open this old indigenous stream of spirituality. It was for his own congregations - the Church of the Ascension and St Mary's Church in Ealing - that he needed to find a pathway to growth. He found it in the early church of these islands. 'One feature of the church in Britain in the fourth to eighth centuries was that it held together many of the strands of Christianity which today have become separated,' he writes. 'The Celtic church had an Evangelical emphasis upon the Scriptures and upon mission, a Catholic sense of the importance of incarnation and sacrament, a Pentecostal - charismatic experience of the work of the Holy Spirit, and an Orthodox vision of God as Trinity.' As a 'guardian' of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda, the author encourages us to learn from former ways of 'doing church'. These are mainly: a rule of life, a way of connecting with God and others; a rhythm of prayer, simple patterns of worship, prayer and Bible reading; and soul friendship (anam cara), a process of spiritual mentoring. SIMON SAYS, 'BE CELTIC'! W JULY - SEP 2013 VOX 43 Simon's explanation of a 'rule of life' is one of the clearest and most concise I have seen. He puts it into three basic principles of simplicity, purity and obedience, to develop 'a disciplined spirituality', as he puts it. I'm inspired by soul friendship but also hesitant because of its darker modern counterpart, the heavy shepherding movement. Still, we should be open to the healthier notion of soul friends, if we're to be fully human. Linked to this, the author shares helpful and practical pointers about prayer and reflection as a community - including an astonishing experience of welcoming a Muslim into his church who wanted sacred space. Throughout the book, Simon uses the phrase 'ordinary Christians', drawing everyone into this journey. He concludes that a new monasticism with old roots will be the salvation of our broken society. Simon shows the message of Celtic Christianity has outlasted the trendy years. Practical and profound, Creating Community is recommended reading for church leaders everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Clive Price from Vox Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:01+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:03+00:00","vendor":"Simon Reed","type":"Paperback","tags":["Apr-13","Discipleship","For churches","Spirituality"],"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":21768957657188,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857460097","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Creating Community: Ancient ways for modern churches - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":167,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857460097"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460097-l.jpg?v=1549043179"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460097-l.jpg?v=1549043179","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874480779,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":561,"width":368,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460097-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":561,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460097-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":368}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThere is much talk today of 'new ways of being church' and 'new monastic spirituality'. As Simon Reed explored the Celtic roots of the Christian faith, in community with others who drew inspiration from our spiritual ancestors in the British Isles, he came to realise that the third millennium church has much in common with the first millennium church, and more importantly, much to learn from it.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn Creating Community, he introduces us to a new but at the same time very old way of being church which is based upon three core elements: a Way of Life, a network of Soul Friends, and a rhythm of prayer. The book shows how the rediscovery of these elements by Christians today offers a vital key that opens up an ancient way for modern churches, one which not only helps to bring believers to lasting maturity but creates genuine and much-needed community in an increasingly fragmented world.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eForeword\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book could be titled From the Ordinary Church: a Way of Life. Its author share the vision that the local church is the hope of the world and that each church can find its distinctive vocation. He observes that whereas many contemporary churches try to attract a crowd and then turn it into a community, the early churches in Celtic lands started as small communities and then gathered wider numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut can our long-established small churches become living communities? From his own experience Simon argues that they can if they adopt three practices - a way of life, a network of soul friends and a rhythm of prayer. He establishes that a way of life coheres with New Testament practice and explores how to develop these.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI know Simon as a friend and colleague in The Community of Aidan and Hilda, which has Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical members. He tells his personal story from within his own tradition. Always - and this is so refreshing - he is more concerned with the product than with the label.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is timely for, as the author points out, the moral disintegration which underlies the unravelling of community and society could herald a new dark age. Winston Churchill, when his country had its back to the wall in World War Two, famously said 'Give us the tools and we will finish the job'. Simon gives us some tools. Let us, the readers, help to finish the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Simpson\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eHoly Island of Lindisfarne | \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.raysimpson.org\" target=\"blank\"\u003ewww.raysimpson.org\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, West London. He is also one of the three Guardians of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, an international and cross-denominational network of Christians who draw inspiration from the Celtic saints for the renewal of today's church. He has written regularly for Scripture Union's Closer to God Bible Notes for over ten years. Recently he contributed a chapter to Ray Simpson's book High Street Monasteries, giving a biblical perspective on this insightful introduction to contemporary 'new monasticism'. He has been a seminar speaker at Spring Harvest and been involved in leading their reflective worship stream.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLet me pay tribute to Simon's \u003cem\u003eCreating Community\u003c\/em\u003e. I think a great deal of contemporary Celtic Christian interest has reduced Celtic Christianity to an individual interest and those individuals come together to form communities, but that is a long way from what we might think about authentic Celtic community. What attracted me to Simon's book (and its one of a small number I point all Celtic mission students to) is the attempt to make Celtic Christian insights work for an existing community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev Dr Stephen Skuce, Research Programme Leader (Director of Scholarship, Research and Innovation for the British Methodist Church), Cliff College\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat the world (and the church) needs now more than anything else is a sense of community. Starting with the author's excellent summary of Aladair Mcintyre's After Virtue at the end of this excellent guidebook on building purposeful Christian community this is a 'How To' book which has the potential to transform the small village congregation, the burgeoning suburban church and the tentative Fresh Expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eDrawing on his experience as a church minister and his membership of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, Simon lays out the building blocks which can transform any gathering of Christians into the world changing community Christ means it to be.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAnd simple steps they are as well. A shared Way of Life (sometimes called a Rule), A commitment to journeying with a Soul Friend (sometimes called a Spiritual Director), and a decision to have a set Rhythm of Prayer (sometimes called keeping the Divine Office).\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eToo often the pattern for Christian community, tried and tested and proven effective down the ages, has been seen to be the preserve of the professional monk or nun instead of the inheritance of every Christian. So there is a deliberate down playing of language, without a diminishing of commitment.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThis book, taken seriously - especially by the leadership of a church - will transform relationships and bring the gospel to life amongst the congregation who chooses to take its programme seriously.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIt is worthwhile to summarise the consequence of putting these three principles into practice - aims to which many churches aspire:\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommunity, not just congregation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRhythms of prayer, not just places of worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelationships, not just activity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpiritual life, not just structural maintenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrganism, not just organisation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnection, not isolation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Revd Andrew Dotchin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Way\u003c\/em\u003e - October to December 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThat looks like my cup of tea, I said seeing this book on a colleague's desk. Which proves one shouldn't judge a book by its cover or title. I assumed this would be about the church engaging with the local community. Instead it's about how the church builds itself into a community. John Pritchard in Living Faithfully suggests that the church is too often concerned with itself, its structure and inward life, and he calls the church to make connections with neighbourhoods. Misjudging the intention of Creating Community I became disappointed, for it is about something else.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Reed provides an apologia for a particular view of the church as a community, based on a Celtic way of the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He introduces three core elements of being church: a way of life; a network of soul friendship; and a rhythm of prayer. He writes in a chatty style. I read it mostly on a series of train journeys and felt his companionship through his thoughts and ideas. He makes short shrift of other ways of being church that he disagrees with or where his experiences are negative. He is best describing and working through the core elements and there are some helpful passages particularly concerning prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI found his notion of praying through the day retrospectively a helpful corrective to constantly looking ahead to the next diary entries. Ideally a second volume would move from focusing on the church's internal community to how the core elements help build an external community that grows the kingdom in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Glyn Evans\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Good Bookstall - April 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book works on so many levels! In fact I almost want to just say this book works - read it, find that out for yourself. But then that wouldn't be a very helpful review would it? Whatever words I say here probably won't do it justice - just so we are clear...\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a foundational guide to doing church, to becoming community and more importantly to living community - something it could perhaps be said we have lost a little. This book guides the reader back onto the track of experiential living, where everything is community rooted and where everything is in its own way an act of prayer, where we live not only our lives but our faith together - even when we are apart!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a guide book for individuals and a study book for churches and real communities - it reflects on ancient ways, yes, but it pulls in the very real and modern life we live using solid examples from the Community of Aidan \u0026amp; Hilda, and also reflection from other communities including the Northumbria Community, L'Arche, The Franciscan Third Order and others - demonstrating the pull towards community, the need for it and the lessons we can learn from it.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo ok perhaps I'm a tad biased, I'm a member of a new, small but real, fresh expressions community here in Lincoln called Luminous... but I still think that this book works and will talk to many, even those that aren't community-centric already because the heart of our gospel, our faith, is community and this book helps lead us into that journey and insight.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Melanie Carroll\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWaves of enthusiasm for all things 'Celtic' have swept across Irish and British shores at various points in modern history. It seems this ancient tide is here again. In Creating Community, London vicar Simon Reed cracks open this old indigenous stream of spirituality. It was for his own congregations - the Church of the Ascension and St Mary's Church in Ealing - that he needed to find a pathway to growth. He found it in the early church of these islands. 'One feature of the church in Britain in the fourth to eighth centuries was that it held together many of the strands of Christianity which today have become separated,' he writes. 'The Celtic church had an Evangelical emphasis upon the Scriptures and upon mission, a Catholic sense of the importance of incarnation and sacrament, a Pentecostal - charismatic experience of the work of the Holy Spirit, and an Orthodox vision of God as Trinity.' As a 'guardian' of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda, the author encourages us to learn from former ways of 'doing church'. These are mainly: a rule of life, a way of connecting with God and others; a rhythm of prayer, simple patterns of worship, prayer and Bible reading; and soul friendship (anam cara), a process of spiritual mentoring. SIMON SAYS, 'BE CELTIC'! W JULY - SEP 2013 VOX 43 Simon's explanation of a 'rule of life' is one of the clearest and most concise I have seen. He puts it into three basic principles of simplicity, purity and obedience, to develop 'a disciplined spirituality', as he puts it. I'm inspired by soul friendship but also hesitant because of its darker modern counterpart, the heavy shepherding movement. Still, we should be open to the healthier notion of soul friends, if we're to be fully human. Linked to this, the author shares helpful and practical pointers about prayer and reflection as a community - including an astonishing experience of welcoming a Muslim into his church who wanted sacred space. Throughout the book, Simon uses the phrase 'ordinary Christians', drawing everyone into this journey. He concludes that a new monasticism with old roots will be the salvation of our broken society. Simon shows the message of Celtic Christianity has outlasted the trendy years. Practical and profound, Creating Community is recommended reading for church leaders everywhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Clive Price from Vox Magazine\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Creating Community: Ancient ways for modern churches
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There is much talk today of 'new ways of being church' and 'new monastic spirituality'. As Simon Reed explored the...
{"id":2439731314788,"title":"Mentoring for Spiritual Growth: Sharing the journey of faith","handle":"mentoring-for-spiritual-growth-sharing-the-journey-of-faith","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn recent years the ancient Christian practice of spiritual direction has become increasingly popular, as more and more people from every part of the Church seek to know God more deeply. Terms such as 'mentoring' and 'soul' or 'spiritual' friendship are also being used to describe the process of one person coming alongside another to help them grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis accessible book is an introduction to spiritual mentoring, for those exploring this aspect of discipleship or embarking on training for ministry as a mentor within their church. As an experienced spiritual mentor, Tony Horsfall uses the metaphor of a journey to explain what mentoring means, its benefits to all involved, and how to explore the call to mentor others. It will encourage you to prioritise your own spiritual growth, as well as consider whether God may be calling you to be a 'soul friend'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the best introductions to mentoring I've read.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Lawrence, Leadership Principal, CPAS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book provides rich refreshment for the head and heart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFaithworks Magazine \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer (www.charistraining.co.uk) with a passion to help individuals deepen their relationship with God. He leads retreats and quiet days both in the UK and abroad and writes regularly for BRF's New Daylight notes. Among his other books are Working from a Place of Rest, Rhythms of Grace, and Servant Ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA letter from a reader:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDear Tony\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'm sure you get plenty of thank you emails. I simply wanted to add to them. Your books: Rhythms of Grace, Working from a Place of Rest, and Mentoring for Spiritual Growth are being used to redirect our ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn August last year, after six years of running our smallholding in Cornwall as a place of prayer and recovery from addiction, mental illness... we came very close to burnout. God stepped in, through a number of friends and supporting churches, and put us on a sabbatical break. Friends in Birmingham, who had been to one of your seminars, suggested we read your books. It's now my second time reading through them and my wife and I can feel God calling us back to his vision for this place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThank you for helping us get back on track.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eRetreats 2009\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is an introduction to spiritual direction, written by an evangelical Christian for evangelicals. Most discussions of 'direction' start with some diffidence about the term itself, and Tony Horsfall is no exception. He is aware that 'director' is also a 'suspicious' term in some circles, and settles on the term mentoring. But this is actually - as his first sentence concedes - 'a book about spiritual direction'. Horsfall has clearly experienced it, benefited from it, and practised it. Appreciating its value, he's keen to promote it 'in the evangelical and charismatic sections of the church'. So he takes pains to root it in Scripture, skims briefly over the breadth and depth of the Christian spiritual tradition, and quotes extensively from contemporary evangelical writers who have influenced him, many from a North American stable. So, for example, he reworks the traditional 'Three Ways' in models from three such writers. He writes accessibly and anecdotally (of himself and others) and makes full use of the image of 'journey' for chapter headings - 'The Scenic Route', 'Losing the Way', and 'Travelling by Night' give the flavour. He is an enthusiast for 'Group Travel' (small group direction), and his appendix on lectio assumes a group use of this. The appendices offer useful introductions to some prayer exercises. There is no mention of structured preparation or support for mentors\/directors (such as training courses or supervision). This book could helpfully fulfil its description at the start of this review.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Peter Lippiett\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e From\u003cem\u003e The Church Times\u003c\/em\u003e - Summer 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall's book looks at the philosophy behind spiritual direction, its place in scripture and history, what it means to be a spiritual director, and how we develop spiritual awareness. If you are already involved in spiritual direction, this book will be of only limited use to you. It is essentially an attempt to sell spiritual direction from scripture, and quoting Evangelicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuch time is spent, early on in the book, justifying spiritual direction from scripture, and quoting Evangelical leaders who approve of the practice. This non-Evangelical reviewer found these parts of the book slightly tedious; and the description of spiritual direction as 'an enabling relationship which results in empowerment for the mentoree, specifically helping the person to access the multi-faceted grace of God for themselves' should give the reader some idea of the jargon that occasionally obscures the important points Horsfall makes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book gets better and better, however; and towards the end of the text his descriptions of small-group spiritual direction in churches, and the importance of retreats and away-days, are very good indeed. The exercises at the back of the book, although basic to anyone with much experience of spiritual direction, are well presented and explained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a shame that, of 27 books named in the bibliography, only three - by Merton, Nouwen, and Leech - would be recognised in the wider Church as classics of the genre; but, then, this book is not aimed at the wider Church. Horsfall is making a play for the heart of the Evangelical constituency; and this book, aided by Rob Frost's foreword, must surely succeed in its aim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ereviewed by Robert Mackley\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed on the \u003cem\u003eCPAS Church Leadership Blog\u003c\/em\u003e - June 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is clear that this book is about spiritual direction, and the focus throughout is on this practice. But there is so much good material here that it would be a pity if readership was limited to those solely interested in spiritual direction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a short, simple, sensitive reflection on an aspect of the mentoring relationship. These reflect the author's breadth of reading and personal experience as a spiritual director. Thus they offer great practical insight on 'how to mentor'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving read fairly extensively in this area, I think that this is among the best introductions to the subject that I have come across, characterised by a wonderful gentleness and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well organised, beginning with helpful definitions. Tony then examines his subject biblically and historically, before going on to distinguish very helpfully between the qualities \/ skills \/tools of a mentor. He also examines the mentoring process itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter 'Road maps and guidebooks' outlines four ways of locating where someone might be in his or her 'development journey'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough I don't think I am particularly suited to being a spiritual director, I have still learned a great deal from this book on the 'ministry \/ leadership' aspects of mentoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHighly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by James Lawrence\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e From: \u003cem\u003ePresence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction \u003c\/em\u003e - September 2008 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth: Sharing the Journey of Faith\u003c\/em\u003e is a book about spiritual direction. Though author Tony Horsfall prefers the term \u003cem\u003e mentoring, spiritual direction\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003e spiritual guidance\u003c\/em\u003e is interchangeable in this context. The introduction defines \u003cem\u003espiritual mentoring\u003c\/em\u003e uses lenses from a variety of people in their respective ministerial fields, addressing three key questions: 'Who is involved (people)? What actually happens (process)? What is it for (purpose)?' (14). Horsfall shows how spiritual mentoring differs from pastoral care, discipling, coaching, teaching, and counseling. Key to the mentoring process is the relationship between the mentor and the person being mentored. Horsfall writes, 'The Holy Spirit is the true Spiritual Mentor, and he is always with us, and always coming to our aid - but he often ministers to us through other people. Spiritual mentors are those who seek to cooperate with the Spirit in the process of coming alongside God's pilgrim people' (80-81).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorsfall writes primarily for the 'evangelical and charismatic sections of the church' (11) and then widens his audience to those seeking mentoring, church leaders reenvisioning ministry, students preparing for ministry, and friends meeting together in faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e offers seekers and opportunity to understand the potential benefits of spiritual mentoring, the history of spiritual direction in the Bible and in the Christian church, and the qualities and skills to seek in a mentor. The experienced spiritual mentor can use the text as a mirror to revisit how spiritual mentoring is practiced. Every reader is reminded to look for God in the world, in daily life, in specific circumstances, and in other people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA number of authors and important topics are introduced throughout the text. For example, discernment is often a key element of mentoring. Horsfall includes author Jeanette Bakke's outline of common elements for a discernment process and James Fowler's six stages of faith development, which address \u003cem\u003ehow we believe\u003c\/em\u003e rather than \u003cem\u003e what we believe\u003c\/em\u003e, highlighting crisis and growth along the way. An important chapter about the spiritual dark night experience teaches that 'God is actually paying us the greatest compliment when he allows the dark night to come upon us, because he is entrusting us with an experience not many could bear' (101). Horsfall addresses spiritual mentoring through small groups and outlines a clear facilitation process. He describes three types of small groups, using the work of Heather Webb: the story-centered group, the text-centered group, and the prayer-centered group. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for people to share their lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAppendix A develops the five spiritual exercises that both the mentor and the mentee can use to recognize how God moves in daily life. Appendix B outlines and develops the method of \u003cem\u003e lection divina\u003c\/em\u003e, and Appendix C includes ethical guidelines for spiritual mentoring. The bibliography offers a helpful selection of books for further reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI recommend \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e for everyone who offers spiritual direction, spiritual guidance, or, as Horsfall calls, it, spiritual mentoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Bobbie Bonk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eFaithworks Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e - Summer 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDon't be misled. Being 140 pages short and describing itself as an introduction to spiritual mentoring, you might think this is basic stuff for newcomers. Not so! This book provides rich refreshment for the head and heart. Underpinned by the metaphor of journey (as you'd expect) and with a strong biblical backdrop, the author carefully examines mentoring from 14 different aspects including the philosophy behind it, the tools required and addressing the issue of when God seems absent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author's personal stories are sensitively woven in without being dominant; he also draws on sources both historic (Ignatius) and contemporary (Ortberg). Although lacking questions for reflection at the end of the chapters, which would have worked really well, there is plenty here to stimulate fruitful conversation. This book is for people experienced in mentoring as well as those exploring it for the first time; it is for leaders whether in a business, congregational or community context. It is also versatile enough to lend itself to use as a small group resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Chris Spriggs, Director of Lifespace.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:27+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:19:28+00:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","For churches","Jun-14","Leadership","Spirituality","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":21768838873188,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781841015620","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Mentoring for Spiritual Growth: Sharing the journey of faith - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":126,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781841015620"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841015620-l.jpg?v=1549043185"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841015620-l.jpg?v=1549043185","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238873923723,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":670,"width":440,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841015620-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":670,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9781841015620-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":440}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eIn recent years the ancient Christian practice of spiritual direction has become increasingly popular, as more and more people from every part of the Church seek to know God more deeply. Terms such as 'mentoring' and 'soul' or 'spiritual' friendship are also being used to describe the process of one person coming alongside another to help them grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis accessible book is an introduction to spiritual mentoring, for those exploring this aspect of discipleship or embarking on training for ministry as a mentor within their church. As an experienced spiritual mentor, Tony Horsfall uses the metaphor of a journey to explain what mentoring means, its benefits to all involved, and how to explore the call to mentor others. It will encourage you to prioritise your own spiritual growth, as well as consider whether God may be calling you to be a 'soul friend'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the best introductions to mentoring I've read.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Lawrence, Leadership Principal, CPAS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book provides rich refreshment for the head and heart.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFaithworks Magazine \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer (www.charistraining.co.uk) with a passion to help individuals deepen their relationship with God. He leads retreats and quiet days both in the UK and abroad and writes regularly for BRF's New Daylight notes. Among his other books are Working from a Place of Rest, Rhythms of Grace, and Servant Ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA letter from a reader:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDear Tony\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI'm sure you get plenty of thank you emails. I simply wanted to add to them. Your books: Rhythms of Grace, Working from a Place of Rest, and Mentoring for Spiritual Growth are being used to redirect our ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn August last year, after six years of running our smallholding in Cornwall as a place of prayer and recovery from addiction, mental illness... we came very close to burnout. God stepped in, through a number of friends and supporting churches, and put us on a sabbatical break. Friends in Birmingham, who had been to one of your seminars, suggested we read your books. It's now my second time reading through them and my wife and I can feel God calling us back to his vision for this place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThank you for helping us get back on track.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eRetreats 2009\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is an introduction to spiritual direction, written by an evangelical Christian for evangelicals. Most discussions of 'direction' start with some diffidence about the term itself, and Tony Horsfall is no exception. He is aware that 'director' is also a 'suspicious' term in some circles, and settles on the term mentoring. But this is actually - as his first sentence concedes - 'a book about spiritual direction'. Horsfall has clearly experienced it, benefited from it, and practised it. Appreciating its value, he's keen to promote it 'in the evangelical and charismatic sections of the church'. So he takes pains to root it in Scripture, skims briefly over the breadth and depth of the Christian spiritual tradition, and quotes extensively from contemporary evangelical writers who have influenced him, many from a North American stable. So, for example, he reworks the traditional 'Three Ways' in models from three such writers. He writes accessibly and anecdotally (of himself and others) and makes full use of the image of 'journey' for chapter headings - 'The Scenic Route', 'Losing the Way', and 'Travelling by Night' give the flavour. He is an enthusiast for 'Group Travel' (small group direction), and his appendix on lectio assumes a group use of this. The appendices offer useful introductions to some prayer exercises. There is no mention of structured preparation or support for mentors\/directors (such as training courses or supervision). This book could helpfully fulfil its description at the start of this review.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Peter Lippiett\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e From\u003cem\u003e The Church Times\u003c\/em\u003e - Summer 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall's book looks at the philosophy behind spiritual direction, its place in scripture and history, what it means to be a spiritual director, and how we develop spiritual awareness. If you are already involved in spiritual direction, this book will be of only limited use to you. It is essentially an attempt to sell spiritual direction from scripture, and quoting Evangelicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMuch time is spent, early on in the book, justifying spiritual direction from scripture, and quoting Evangelical leaders who approve of the practice. This non-Evangelical reviewer found these parts of the book slightly tedious; and the description of spiritual direction as 'an enabling relationship which results in empowerment for the mentoree, specifically helping the person to access the multi-faceted grace of God for themselves' should give the reader some idea of the jargon that occasionally obscures the important points Horsfall makes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book gets better and better, however; and towards the end of the text his descriptions of small-group spiritual direction in churches, and the importance of retreats and away-days, are very good indeed. The exercises at the back of the book, although basic to anyone with much experience of spiritual direction, are well presented and explained.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a shame that, of 27 books named in the bibliography, only three - by Merton, Nouwen, and Leech - would be recognised in the wider Church as classics of the genre; but, then, this book is not aimed at the wider Church. Horsfall is making a play for the heart of the Evangelical constituency; and this book, aided by Rob Frost's foreword, must surely succeed in its aim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ereviewed by Robert Mackley\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed on the \u003cem\u003eCPAS Church Leadership Blog\u003c\/em\u003e - June 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is clear that this book is about spiritual direction, and the focus throughout is on this practice. But there is so much good material here that it would be a pity if readership was limited to those solely interested in spiritual direction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a short, simple, sensitive reflection on an aspect of the mentoring relationship. These reflect the author's breadth of reading and personal experience as a spiritual director. Thus they offer great practical insight on 'how to mentor'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving read fairly extensively in this area, I think that this is among the best introductions to the subject that I have come across, characterised by a wonderful gentleness and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well organised, beginning with helpful definitions. Tony then examines his subject biblically and historically, before going on to distinguish very helpfully between the qualities \/ skills \/tools of a mentor. He also examines the mentoring process itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter 'Road maps and guidebooks' outlines four ways of locating where someone might be in his or her 'development journey'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough I don't think I am particularly suited to being a spiritual director, I have still learned a great deal from this book on the 'ministry \/ leadership' aspects of mentoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHighly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by James Lawrence\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e From: \u003cem\u003ePresence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction \u003c\/em\u003e - September 2008 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth: Sharing the Journey of Faith\u003c\/em\u003e is a book about spiritual direction. Though author Tony Horsfall prefers the term \u003cem\u003e mentoring, spiritual direction\u003c\/em\u003e or \u003cem\u003e spiritual guidance\u003c\/em\u003e is interchangeable in this context. The introduction defines \u003cem\u003espiritual mentoring\u003c\/em\u003e uses lenses from a variety of people in their respective ministerial fields, addressing three key questions: 'Who is involved (people)? What actually happens (process)? What is it for (purpose)?' (14). Horsfall shows how spiritual mentoring differs from pastoral care, discipling, coaching, teaching, and counseling. Key to the mentoring process is the relationship between the mentor and the person being mentored. Horsfall writes, 'The Holy Spirit is the true Spiritual Mentor, and he is always with us, and always coming to our aid - but he often ministers to us through other people. Spiritual mentors are those who seek to cooperate with the Spirit in the process of coming alongside God's pilgrim people' (80-81).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorsfall writes primarily for the 'evangelical and charismatic sections of the church' (11) and then widens his audience to those seeking mentoring, church leaders reenvisioning ministry, students preparing for ministry, and friends meeting together in faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e offers seekers and opportunity to understand the potential benefits of spiritual mentoring, the history of spiritual direction in the Bible and in the Christian church, and the qualities and skills to seek in a mentor. The experienced spiritual mentor can use the text as a mirror to revisit how spiritual mentoring is practiced. Every reader is reminded to look for God in the world, in daily life, in specific circumstances, and in other people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA number of authors and important topics are introduced throughout the text. For example, discernment is often a key element of mentoring. Horsfall includes author Jeanette Bakke's outline of common elements for a discernment process and James Fowler's six stages of faith development, which address \u003cem\u003ehow we believe\u003c\/em\u003e rather than \u003cem\u003e what we believe\u003c\/em\u003e, highlighting crisis and growth along the way. An important chapter about the spiritual dark night experience teaches that 'God is actually paying us the greatest compliment when he allows the dark night to come upon us, because he is entrusting us with an experience not many could bear' (101). Horsfall addresses spiritual mentoring through small groups and outlines a clear facilitation process. He describes three types of small groups, using the work of Heather Webb: the story-centered group, the text-centered group, and the prayer-centered group. He emphasizes the importance of creating a safe space for people to share their lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAppendix A develops the five spiritual exercises that both the mentor and the mentee can use to recognize how God moves in daily life. Appendix B outlines and develops the method of \u003cem\u003e lection divina\u003c\/em\u003e, and Appendix C includes ethical guidelines for spiritual mentoring. The bibliography offers a helpful selection of books for further reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI recommend \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e for everyone who offers spiritual direction, spiritual guidance, or, as Horsfall calls, it, spiritual mentoring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Bobbie Bonk\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eFaithworks Magazine\u003c\/em\u003e - Summer 2008\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDon't be misled. Being 140 pages short and describing itself as an introduction to spiritual mentoring, you might think this is basic stuff for newcomers. Not so! This book provides rich refreshment for the head and heart. Underpinned by the metaphor of journey (as you'd expect) and with a strong biblical backdrop, the author carefully examines mentoring from 14 different aspects including the philosophy behind it, the tools required and addressing the issue of when God seems absent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author's personal stories are sensitively woven in without being dominant; he also draws on sources both historic (Ignatius) and contemporary (Ortberg). Although lacking questions for reflection at the end of the chapters, which would have worked really well, there is plenty here to stimulate fruitful conversation. This book is for people experienced in mentoring as well as those exploring it for the first time; it is for leaders whether in a business, congregational or community context. It is also versatile enough to lend itself to use as a small group resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Chris Spriggs, Director of Lifespace.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Mentoring for Spiritual Growth: Sharing the journey of faith
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In recent years the ancient Christian practice of spiritual direction has become increasingly popular, as more and more people from...