Browse by category
- Bible reading notes
- - Bible Reflections for Older People
- - Day by Day with God
- - Guidelines
- - New Daylight
- - The Upper Room
- Biblical engagement
- Children and families
- Church resources and leadership
- Events
- Holy Habits
- Messy Church
- - Get Messy! magazine
- New and upcoming
- Prayer and spirituality
- School resources
- Seasonal and gift
- Women
Messy Church
Messy Church is a way of being church for families that is found across the world.
- Get Messy! magazine provides ...
{"id":2439775682660,"title":"Being Messy, Being Church: Exploring the direction of travel for today's church","handle":"being-messy-being-church-exploring-the-direction-of-travel-for-todays-church","description":"\u003cp\u003eA series of essays by different contributors exploring what Messy Church brings to the wider church, how these different forms of church community can coexist, and what this might mean for the future of the church. Questions addressed include: What will church look like in 20 years' time? How can Messy Church help Christians unite a passion for mission with a heart for ministry? What can Messy Church and Sunday Church learn from each other?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: a church for all generations - \u003cem\u003eIan Paul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY DEVELOPMENTS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in different contexts - \u003cem\u003eKaren Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy teamwork: developing the faith of team members - \u003cem\u003eIsabelle Hamley\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy challenges: dangers and pitfalls - \u003cem\u003eGreg Ross\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMaking sacred spaces in Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eJean Pienaar\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the sacraments - \u003cem\u003ePhilip North\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY IMPLICATIONS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in a postmodern world - \u003cem\u003eSabrina Mller\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and Sunday church in conversation - \u003cem\u003eMark Rylands\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and play - \u003cem\u003eJudyth Roberts\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe pastoral implications of Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eIrene Smale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and evangelism - \u003cem\u003eTim Sanderson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the challenge of making disciples - \u003cem\u003eStephen Kuhrt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMissional structures for missional outcomes - \u003cem\u003eTim Dakin\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nA timely book offering theological insight and asking probing questions into the creativity, mess and gift of an extraordinary phenomenon. A challenging and inspiring read for those leading, helping or simply wanting to understand more.\r\n+Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThe Revd Dr Ian Paul is Managing Editor at Grove Books and Director of Partnership Development at St John's College, Nottingham, where he also teaches New Testament and hermeneutics.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Father Richard Peers on his blog \u003ca title=\"educationpriest.wordpress.com\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\" rel=\"external\"\u003eeducationpriest.wordpress.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e...I will be buying copies of Being Messy, Being Church for all my colleagues in the education team in Liverpool and recommending it to everyone who is committed to our schools contributing to Bigger Church, Bigger Difference. It is - in that over used phrase - essential reading if we are to grow as a church...\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo read the whole review \u003ca title=\"Being Messy, Being Church (editor Ian Paul): a resource for schools and Catholic Anglicans\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\/2017\/04\/22\/being-messy-being-church-editor-ian-paul-a-resource-for-schools-and-catholic-anglicans\/\" rel=\"external\"\u003eclick here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 7 July 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a collection of essays in which the authors explore what Messy Church brings to the wider Church, how it is changing and growing, and which questions remain as it takes its place as an established form of modern Christian worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe question that arises most commonly for the authors is expressed succinctly by Mark Rylands. He speaks of the expectation that Messy Church congregations have 'stepped into the rubber dinghy but won't properly be on the voyage until they have boards the Sunday church ship'. The essayists, in different ways, challenge this assumption. In doing so, they address the fundamental questions what church is and what it is for.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eJean Pienaar's chapter 'Making sacred space in messy churches' is particularly interesting in the comparison it makes between the different types of sacred space in a monastery and in a messy church setting. She explores the way in which Messy Church, instead of being at the periphery of church, reflects in its format the core values and purpose of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf Pienaar speaks of the way in which Messy Church is deeper than it first appears, Dr Irene Smale adds that its influence is wider than is often thought. She speaks of relationships and pastoral contacts that go far wider than the monthly meetings.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essayists are brave and unflinching in their enquiries of Messy Church, and dare to ask questions that we often fail to ask of traditional church. Does Messy Church make disciples? How do we support those for whom Messy Church doesn't 'work'? Is it too messy, too expensive, not engaging enough for boys?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne criticism that could be levied at this books is that there are more questions that answers. On the whole, I think that is a good sign. The essayists, all Messy Church enthusiasts, are not overkeen to leap to its defence in the face of difficult issues. When necessary, they allow the questions to hang in the air in a way that is appropriately messy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaren Rooms thanks Lucy Moore for 'giving away Messy Church', so that it can be adapted and contextualised for each parish. I finished the book excited about where Messy Church would go next, and its potential to play a leading part in the Church in the years ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Catherine Pickford, Team Rector, Benwell Team, Newcastle-upon-Tyne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:10+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:11+00:00","vendor":"Ian Paul","type":"Paperback","tags":["Mar-17"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769408774244,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464880","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Being Messy, Being Church: Exploring the direction of travel for today's church - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":231,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464880"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1549043155","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Being Messy, Being Church: Exploring the direction of travel for today's church","id":3238877692043,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857464880-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\/9780857464880-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":427}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA series of essays by different contributors exploring what Messy Church brings to the wider church, how these different forms of church community can coexist, and what this might mean for the future of the church. Questions addressed include: What will church look like in 20 years' time? How can Messy Church help Christians unite a passion for mission with a heart for ministry? What can Messy Church and Sunday Church learn from each other?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: a church for all generations - \u003cem\u003eIan Paul\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY DEVELOPMENTS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in different contexts - \u003cem\u003eKaren Rooms\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy teamwork: developing the faith of team members - \u003cem\u003eIsabelle Hamley\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy challenges: dangers and pitfalls - \u003cem\u003eGreg Ross\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMaking sacred spaces in Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eJean Pienaar\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the sacraments - \u003cem\u003ePhilip North\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eMESSY IMPLICATIONS\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church in a postmodern world - \u003cem\u003eSabrina Mller\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and Sunday church in conversation - \u003cem\u003eMark Rylands\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and play - \u003cem\u003eJudyth Roberts\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe pastoral implications of Messy Church - \u003cem\u003eIrene Smale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and evangelism - \u003cem\u003eTim Sanderson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church and the challenge of making disciples - \u003cem\u003eStephen Kuhrt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMissional structures for missional outcomes - \u003cem\u003eTim Dakin\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nA timely book offering theological insight and asking probing questions into the creativity, mess and gift of an extraordinary phenomenon. A challenging and inspiring read for those leading, helping or simply wanting to understand more.\r\n+Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThe Revd Dr Ian Paul is Managing Editor at Grove Books and Director of Partnership Development at St John's College, Nottingham, where he also teaches New Testament and hermeneutics.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Father Richard Peers on his blog \u003ca title=\"educationpriest.wordpress.com\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\" rel=\"external\"\u003eeducationpriest.wordpress.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e...I will be buying copies of Being Messy, Being Church for all my colleagues in the education team in Liverpool and recommending it to everyone who is committed to our schools contributing to Bigger Church, Bigger Difference. It is - in that over used phrase - essential reading if we are to grow as a church...\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo read the whole review \u003ca title=\"Being Messy, Being Church (editor Ian Paul): a resource for schools and Catholic Anglicans\" href=\"https:\/\/educationpriest.wordpress.com\/2017\/04\/22\/being-messy-being-church-editor-ian-paul-a-resource-for-schools-and-catholic-anglicans\/\" rel=\"external\"\u003eclick here.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times, 7 July 2017\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a collection of essays in which the authors explore what Messy Church brings to the wider Church, how it is changing and growing, and which questions remain as it takes its place as an established form of modern Christian worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe question that arises most commonly for the authors is expressed succinctly by Mark Rylands. He speaks of the expectation that Messy Church congregations have 'stepped into the rubber dinghy but won't properly be on the voyage until they have boards the Sunday church ship'. The essayists, in different ways, challenge this assumption. In doing so, they address the fundamental questions what church is and what it is for.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eJean Pienaar's chapter 'Making sacred space in messy churches' is particularly interesting in the comparison it makes between the different types of sacred space in a monastery and in a messy church setting. She explores the way in which Messy Church, instead of being at the periphery of church, reflects in its format the core values and purpose of worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf Pienaar speaks of the way in which Messy Church is deeper than it first appears, Dr Irene Smale adds that its influence is wider than is often thought. She speaks of relationships and pastoral contacts that go far wider than the monthly meetings.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essayists are brave and unflinching in their enquiries of Messy Church, and dare to ask questions that we often fail to ask of traditional church. Does Messy Church make disciples? How do we support those for whom Messy Church doesn't 'work'? Is it too messy, too expensive, not engaging enough for boys?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOne criticism that could be levied at this books is that there are more questions that answers. On the whole, I think that is a good sign. The essayists, all Messy Church enthusiasts, are not overkeen to leap to its defence in the face of difficult issues. When necessary, they allow the questions to hang in the air in a way that is appropriately messy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKaren Rooms thanks Lucy Moore for 'giving away Messy Church', so that it can be adapted and contextualised for each parish. I finished the book excited about where Messy Church would go next, and its potential to play a leading part in the Church in the years ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Catherine Pickford, Team Rector, Benwell Team, Newcastle-upon-Tyne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Being Messy, Being Church: Exploring the direction of travel for today's church
£9.99
A series of essays by different contributors exploring what Messy Church brings to the wider church, how these different forms...
{"id":2439781548132,"title":"Christmas Family Time","handle":"christmas-family-time","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Christmas gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over the Christmas holiday period. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:34+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:35+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Sep-16"],"price":250,"price_min":250,"price_max":250,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769504555108,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465214","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Christmas Family Time - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":250,"weight":32,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465214"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1549043150"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1549043150","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Christmas Family Time","id":3238878380171,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465214-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":650}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Christmas gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over the Christmas holiday period. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral."}
You may also like:
Christmas Family Time
£2.50
An affirming Christmas gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over the Christmas...
{"id":2439784824932,"title":"Easter Family Time","handle":"easter-family-time","description":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Easter gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over Easter. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:48+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:49+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Nov-16"],"price":199,"price_min":199,"price_max":199,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769555083364,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465283","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Easter Family Time - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":199,"weight":32,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465283"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1549043147"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1549043147","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Easter Family Time","id":3238878675083,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465283-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":650}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAn affirming Easter gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over Easter. This minibook aims to transfer the core values of Messy Church to the home and family context, encouraging families to talk together, be creative, be hospitable, be Christ-centred and celebratory, and including activities for all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
You may also like:
Easter Family Time
£1.99
An affirming Easter gift for Messy Churches to give to their Messy families to use at home over Easter. This...
{"id":2439753564260,"title":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous","handle":"extreme-crafts-for-messy-churches-50-activity-ideas-for-the-adventurous","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Maidment and Barry Brand provide over 50 new activities for Messy Church sessions, carefully crafted to appeal to male as well as female participants at Messy Church. They challenge the assumption that Messy Church 'isn't really for men or boys' and offer approaches for Messy Churches to engage men and boys in an intentional way, providing inspiration for creating a Messy Church that men and boys will love to be part of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'As a Messy Church trainer, I regularly have to defend Messy Church for those who pigeonhole it as a fringe activity for mums and children. I believe in Messy Church as a true expression of church, and a place where discipleship takes place. I look forward to having a resource that I can point people towards who worry about the place of men and boys at Messy Church, or who are looking for ideas on how to engage with them.'\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePete Maidment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the introduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've carefully chosen activities that fit some of those harder-to-fill areas at Messy Church. Our science experiments build on people's natural desire to solve problems and understand things: they're messy and fun, but they stretch the imagination too, expecting us to think outside the box to try to see how something is done or how it works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've included a list of 'big stuff' - activities that call for people to work together to make something bigger than they could manage alone. Which of us didn't don a hard hat as a child and head out to build something?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood has universal appeal, but our recipes (if you can call them that) are about creating great stuff to eat rather than using food as a craft tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've also included a section on art and craft, but possibly not as you've imagined it before. Whether it's just a teeny bit dangerous, extra messy or just BIG, these ideas will, we hope, appeal to everyone - even the men!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am by nature a craft sceptic. Glue, glitter and sequins are not easy for a bloke with big hands to cope with. But within a few pages of the start of this book Pete and Barry had won me over with their promise of the 'extreme activities' to come. I was not disappointed. I wanted to try building the fruit catapult, walking on eggs and mixing up some Oobleck (read the book to find out what it is!). I can still recall the excitement I felt as a child when discovering invisible ink, and I'm now desperate to give it a go again. The guidance at the back of the book about planning a male-friendly Messy Church is great stuff, but, as with the rest of the book, it's not just relevant to Messy Churches. Whatever group for families you run - Messy Church, Who Let The Dads Out? or any other - I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. It will help you make the men in your group feel welcome and energised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Chester, Founder, Who Let The Dads Out? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment is the Diocesan Youth Adviser for the Diocese of Winchester, and heads up the Messy Church Training in the Diocese. He is part of the core leadership team for the Messy Church that meets at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, where he has gained a reputation for devising some of the more wacky crafts! Pete is married and has two children, who are crazy about Messy Church and see it as their home church. In his spare time Pete is a keen runner and drinks more coffee than is probably good for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarry Brand is the families worker at the Parish of Bitterne Church LEP, and runs one of the largest Messy Churches, which regularly gets over 100 people and on two occasions 200! Barry recently took Messy Church over to Namalemba in Uganda who are partnered with Bitterne church and is always thinking of weird and wonderful ideas for Messy crafts or the lunch. Barry is married to Adele and has two children, who also help at Messy Church either on the craft tables or in the band. Barry is also a freelance graphic designer and produces all their Messy posters and advertising. When not at church, Barry enjoys cycling, camping with friends and is a keen cook, who, much to Adele's dismay, uses far more pots than necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great book of '50 activity ideas for the adventurous.' The crafts are very simple and do-able. Each has a 'mess' rating, a 'danger' rating and a 'difficulty' rating. Where appropriate, they specify what the 'danger' is so that you can do your own risk assessment. There is 'big stuff' like the collapsing house or the giant whale. There are 'Construction Crafts' like clothes peg catapults and squawking cans. There are 'science crafts' like CD hovercrafts and lava lamps. There are some great arty crafts and some edible crafts, such as 'Edible Dirt Garden'.\u003cbr\u003eThese activities are guaranteed to cause excitement, but each one is topped and tailed with Bible application and a way to talk about it. Inevitably, the applications are not precisely spelled out and sometimes the connections are a little elusive. However, that's not the point. This small book is packed with tons of fun and an indication of how it might be used. There is a useful appendix on 'planning a male-friendly messy church.' 5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Peterborough Cross Keys magazine - Summer 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\nExtreme Crafts for Messy Churches is a book containing 50 activity ideas for Messy Churches. What makes this particular craft book interesting is each activity has a different Mess, Danger and Difficulty rating. Intrigued by the book, I took it home to try a couple of the activities with my daughter Elissa, 5 and son Joshua, 3. We tried the Toy Car Track activity: Mess Rating -2\/5 -Danger Rating 3\/5 Difficulty Rating 5\/5. The craft is almost a game. The idea is that you have to get a small car from one side of the room to another with one push, not allowing it to travel on the floor. We used box lids to create a track and a paper towel tube for the shoot to launch the cars with enough speed to keep going to the end of the track. Unfortunately, we hadn't reckoned on the Hot Wheels toy car wanting to drive off the edges of the box lids. At this point, my husband Luke began to get involved - he couldn't help himself. The craft had us all working together to make a channel of straws that kept the cars on track. Needless to say we all loved it and it was surprisingly challenging. This task managed to keep us entertained all afternoon going into the evening. The children were completely engaged by the task and enjoyed their role as an integral part of the Setchfield Race Team. Elissa told me 'I feel so happy because we have to keep practicing to get it right.' They were both so proud when they managed to get their first car across the track. What I found especially good with this one activity is it fostered a real feeling of team work. Everyone worked together to come up with new ideas to solve the problems of keeping the cars on track. We were so engaged in this that we completely forgot the time. All of this came from just doing the first activity. We couldn't wait to try another. \u003cem\u003eExtreme Crafts\u003c\/em\u003e is aimed for Messy Churches but I would suggest any church or household which has children should purchase this book; it will keep you and your children entertained for hours. Review by Karen Setchfield\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Pompey Chimes June 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake it to extremes at Messy Church\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink that messy church is just for mums and small children? Think again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment, who until recently helped run Messy Church at St Wilfrid's Church, Cowplain, and Barry Brand are out to show the world that Messy Church can be for dads and teenagers too, with their book Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches. Published last month, it contains 50 ideas for exciting, big messy crafts and activities, which are perfect for Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came about after Pete was asked by Lucy Moore, who created the concept, to help get dads and older children into Messy Church. Pete then drafted in Barry, who runs Messy Church in Bitterne, to co-author it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'We do have a number of dads coming along to Messy Church and sometimes they do look a bit awkward, looking on in fear of glitter and beads,' Barry said. 'We also have a lot of young children and not really any teens so I've wanted to address that and his book seemed a great way to do it. To help others but to also get myself thinking of what could be done.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the ideas have bible passages and notes that can be combined with the activities for Sunday school or church schools. But it is also possible to use it simply as a book of ideas for fun things to do with children, outside of a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church is an opportunity to just be 'dad' and enjoy time with the family, listening to God's word in a loving environment and meeting people in the same boat as you. We hope this book will help dads be dads, ' said Barry.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:52+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:54+00:00","vendor":"Pete Maidment","type":"Paperback","tags":["May-15"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769114189924,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461629","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":111,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461629"},{"id":24424253227108,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD1629","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":{"id":8940798410852,"product_id":2439753564260,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T12:11:51+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-20T12:11:51+00:00","alt":null,"width":558,"height":850,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1550664711","variant_ids":[24424253227108]},"available":true,"name":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":899,"weight":111,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"DOWNLOAD1629","featured_media":{"alt":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous","id":3259444166795,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":850,"width":558,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1570102192"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1549043169","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1550664711"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1549043169","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous","id":3238875365515,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461629-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":426},{"alt":"Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous","id":3259444166795,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":850,"width":558,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1570102192"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":850,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD1629-l.jpg?v=1570102192","width":558}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this book Pete Maidment and Barry Brand provide over 50 new activities for Messy Church sessions, carefully crafted to appeal to male as well as female participants at Messy Church. They challenge the assumption that Messy Church 'isn't really for men or boys' and offer approaches for Messy Churches to engage men and boys in an intentional way, providing inspiration for creating a Messy Church that men and boys will love to be part of.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'As a Messy Church trainer, I regularly have to defend Messy Church for those who pigeonhole it as a fringe activity for mums and children. I believe in Messy Church as a true expression of church, and a place where discipleship takes place. I look forward to having a resource that I can point people towards who worry about the place of men and boys at Messy Church, or who are looking for ideas on how to engage with them.'\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePete Maidment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the introduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've carefully chosen activities that fit some of those harder-to-fill areas at Messy Church. Our science experiments build on people's natural desire to solve problems and understand things: they're messy and fun, but they stretch the imagination too, expecting us to think outside the box to try to see how something is done or how it works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've included a list of 'big stuff' - activities that call for people to work together to make something bigger than they could manage alone. Which of us didn't don a hard hat as a child and head out to build something?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFood has universal appeal, but our recipes (if you can call them that) are about creating great stuff to eat rather than using food as a craft tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe've also included a section on art and craft, but possibly not as you've imagined it before. Whether it's just a teeny bit dangerous, extra messy or just BIG, these ideas will, we hope, appeal to everyone - even the men!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am by nature a craft sceptic. Glue, glitter and sequins are not easy for a bloke with big hands to cope with. But within a few pages of the start of this book Pete and Barry had won me over with their promise of the 'extreme activities' to come. I was not disappointed. I wanted to try building the fruit catapult, walking on eggs and mixing up some Oobleck (read the book to find out what it is!). I can still recall the excitement I felt as a child when discovering invisible ink, and I'm now desperate to give it a go again. The guidance at the back of the book about planning a male-friendly Messy Church is great stuff, but, as with the rest of the book, it's not just relevant to Messy Churches. Whatever group for families you run - Messy Church, Who Let The Dads Out? or any other - I wholeheartedly recommend this book to you. It will help you make the men in your group feel welcome and energised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Chester, Founder, Who Let The Dads Out? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment is the Diocesan Youth Adviser for the Diocese of Winchester, and heads up the Messy Church Training in the Diocese. He is part of the core leadership team for the Messy Church that meets at St Wilfrid's Church in Cowplain, where he has gained a reputation for devising some of the more wacky crafts! Pete is married and has two children, who are crazy about Messy Church and see it as their home church. In his spare time Pete is a keen runner and drinks more coffee than is probably good for him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBarry Brand is the families worker at the Parish of Bitterne Church LEP, and runs one of the largest Messy Churches, which regularly gets over 100 people and on two occasions 200! Barry recently took Messy Church over to Namalemba in Uganda who are partnered with Bitterne church and is always thinking of weird and wonderful ideas for Messy crafts or the lunch. Barry is married to Adele and has two children, who also help at Messy Church either on the craft tables or in the band. Barry is also a freelance graphic designer and produces all their Messy posters and advertising. When not at church, Barry enjoys cycling, camping with friends and is a keen cook, who, much to Adele's dismay, uses far more pots than necessary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - Summer 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great book of '50 activity ideas for the adventurous.' The crafts are very simple and do-able. Each has a 'mess' rating, a 'danger' rating and a 'difficulty' rating. Where appropriate, they specify what the 'danger' is so that you can do your own risk assessment. There is 'big stuff' like the collapsing house or the giant whale. There are 'Construction Crafts' like clothes peg catapults and squawking cans. There are 'science crafts' like CD hovercrafts and lava lamps. There are some great arty crafts and some edible crafts, such as 'Edible Dirt Garden'.\u003cbr\u003eThese activities are guaranteed to cause excitement, but each one is topped and tailed with Bible application and a way to talk about it. Inevitably, the applications are not precisely spelled out and sometimes the connections are a little elusive. However, that's not the point. This small book is packed with tons of fun and an indication of how it might be used. There is a useful appendix on 'planning a male-friendly messy church.' 5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiocese of Peterborough Cross Keys magazine - Summer 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cem\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\nExtreme Crafts for Messy Churches is a book containing 50 activity ideas for Messy Churches. What makes this particular craft book interesting is each activity has a different Mess, Danger and Difficulty rating. Intrigued by the book, I took it home to try a couple of the activities with my daughter Elissa, 5 and son Joshua, 3. We tried the Toy Car Track activity: Mess Rating -2\/5 -Danger Rating 3\/5 Difficulty Rating 5\/5. The craft is almost a game. The idea is that you have to get a small car from one side of the room to another with one push, not allowing it to travel on the floor. We used box lids to create a track and a paper towel tube for the shoot to launch the cars with enough speed to keep going to the end of the track. Unfortunately, we hadn't reckoned on the Hot Wheels toy car wanting to drive off the edges of the box lids. At this point, my husband Luke began to get involved - he couldn't help himself. The craft had us all working together to make a channel of straws that kept the cars on track. Needless to say we all loved it and it was surprisingly challenging. This task managed to keep us entertained all afternoon going into the evening. The children were completely engaged by the task and enjoyed their role as an integral part of the Setchfield Race Team. Elissa told me 'I feel so happy because we have to keep practicing to get it right.' They were both so proud when they managed to get their first car across the track. What I found especially good with this one activity is it fostered a real feeling of team work. Everyone worked together to come up with new ideas to solve the problems of keeping the cars on track. We were so engaged in this that we completely forgot the time. All of this came from just doing the first activity. We couldn't wait to try another. \u003cem\u003eExtreme Crafts\u003c\/em\u003e is aimed for Messy Churches but I would suggest any church or household which has children should purchase this book; it will keep you and your children entertained for hours. Review by Karen Setchfield\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom Pompey Chimes June 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake it to extremes at Messy Church\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink that messy church is just for mums and small children? Think again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePete Maidment, who until recently helped run Messy Church at St Wilfrid's Church, Cowplain, and Barry Brand are out to show the world that Messy Church can be for dads and teenagers too, with their book Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches. Published last month, it contains 50 ideas for exciting, big messy crafts and activities, which are perfect for Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt came about after Pete was asked by Lucy Moore, who created the concept, to help get dads and older children into Messy Church. Pete then drafted in Barry, who runs Messy Church in Bitterne, to co-author it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'We do have a number of dads coming along to Messy Church and sometimes they do look a bit awkward, looking on in fear of glitter and beads,' Barry said. 'We also have a lot of young children and not really any teens so I've wanted to address that and his book seemed a great way to do it. To help others but to also get myself thinking of what could be done.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll the ideas have bible passages and notes that can be combined with the activities for Sunday school or church schools. But it is also possible to use it simply as a book of ideas for fun things to do with children, outside of a church context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Messy Church is an opportunity to just be 'dad' and enjoy time with the family, listening to God's word in a loving environment and meeting people in the same boat as you. We hope this book will help dads be dads, ' said Barry.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Extreme Crafts for Messy Churches: 50 activity ideas for the adventurous
£8.99
In this book Pete Maidment and Barry Brand provide over 50 new activities for Messy Church sessions, carefully crafted to...
{"id":2439822934116,"title":"Family Jesus Time: Going on the faith adventure","handle":"family-jesus-time-going-on-the-faith-adventure","description":"\u003cp\u003eLove God... Love your neighbour... Love yourself. The gospel is good news for messy people, young and old, and this minibook is designed for those who are ready to make it their own. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it helps individuals and families alike to take the next steps in their Christian journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kathy Bland, Inter-generational Church Enabler, Diocese of Hereford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Family Jesus Time book is full of ideas about what it might mean to follow Jesus and is written in a really fun and accessible way. As well as using it with my family, I have found the ideas in it are transferable and proved very useful for our inter-generational confirmation group. I especially love the 'disciples are a mixed bunch' pages - hooray for Dorcas, Joanna, Lois and others being included so that half the disciples are women! The 'how to apply the story of the Good Samaritan' section is fantastic - we had lots of discussion about the difficulties of replacing the toilet roll holder versus washing an elephant!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Mini Book series hide a richness of resources between their covers - they may be small but they are full of treasures!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Kathy Bland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:14+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:15+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["May-18"],"price":199,"price_min":199,"price_max":199,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21770127081572,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466754","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Family Jesus Time: Going on the faith adventure - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":199,"weight":35,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466754"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1549043120"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1549043120","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Family Jesus Time: Going on the faith adventure","id":3238881493131,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466754-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":650}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eLove God... Love your neighbour... Love yourself. The gospel is good news for messy people, young and old, and this minibook is designed for those who are ready to make it their own. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it helps individuals and families alike to take the next steps in their Christian journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kathy Bland, Inter-generational Church Enabler, Diocese of Hereford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Family Jesus Time book is full of ideas about what it might mean to follow Jesus and is written in a really fun and accessible way. As well as using it with my family, I have found the ideas in it are transferable and proved very useful for our inter-generational confirmation group. I especially love the 'disciples are a mixed bunch' pages - hooray for Dorcas, Joanna, Lois and others being included so that half the disciples are women! The 'how to apply the story of the Good Samaritan' section is fantastic - we had lots of discussion about the difficulties of replacing the toilet roll holder versus washing an elephant!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Messy Mini Book series hide a richness of resources between their covers - they may be small but they are full of treasures!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Kathy Bland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Family Jesus Time: Going on the faith adventure
£1.99
Love God... Love your neighbour... Love yourself. The gospel is good news for messy people, young and old, and this...
{"id":2439822409828,"title":"Family Prayer Time: On the journey together","handle":"family-prayer-time-on-the-journey-together","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis colourful, quirky and fun addition to our Messy minibooks series is designed to encourage and guide families into a habit of prayer, individually and together.\u003c\/p\u003e \r\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it offers simple prayers and addresses key questions such as 'Why should I pray?', 'Where should I pray?', 'How do I pray?' and 'What do I pray?'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and\r\ninternationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of\r\nbooks for BRF.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBaptist Times online, 19.12.12 Review by Ed Jones \u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer, as with the other Messy Minibooks, the latest edition to the series, without doubt this is a little book that packs a large punch! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe difference that Messy Church has made over the last decade is something hard to pin down or quantify. That said the whole idea of 'being church for families involving fun' is so simple, yet immensely powerful and has been a catalyst for many where the Christian faith is concerned. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFamily Prayer Time\u003c\/em\u003e, there are over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer. Engaging and interactive in its style, the booklet is written in a format that means although designed to be used within and as a family, it could easily be worked through by a child on their own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFramed through the invitation to go on a treasure, the booklet is split into eight sections. As each one is worked through, truths about prayer are unpacked and expounded upon in a variety of fun ways. Questions such as why and where should I pray, how and what do I pray, are creatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt first glance due to the size of the booklet my thought was every member of a family would need one, which at GBP2.50 per copy, could mean it less accessible to some rather than others just down to the cost. Having worked through it though, I like the idea of gathering round and pouring over it together, taking turns to read and working through the activities together. A compilation in the future of the various Messy Minibooks would be a great resource. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis all said, as someone in my 30s I'm aware I'll have a particular view on the booklets appearance, their use and potential impact. Therefore on sharing it with some children, they commented thus: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e'It looks very fun for all of the family and I really like all the colours and pictures.' (6 year old) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'I think it would be good for all ages. The way it is put together, makes it interesting and fun. The treasure hunt idea is a really good beginning to the book, it draws you.' (10 year old)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eEd Jones in minister of Battle Baptist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003e_____________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:12+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:14+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Sep-18"],"price":250,"price_min":250,"price_max":250,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21770116202596,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467157","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Family Prayer Time: On the journey together - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":250,"weight":32,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467157"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1549043121","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Family Prayer Time: On the journey together","id":3238881460363,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467157-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":650}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis colourful, quirky and fun addition to our Messy minibooks series is designed to encourage and guide families into a habit of prayer, individually and together.\u003c\/p\u003e \r\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, it offers simple prayers and addresses key questions such as 'Why should I pray?', 'Where should I pray?', 'How do I pray?' and 'What do I pray?'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and\r\ninternationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of\r\nbooks for BRF.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBaptist Times online, 19.12.12 Review by Ed Jones \u003c\/h4\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer, as with the other Messy Minibooks, the latest edition to the series, without doubt this is a little book that packs a large punch! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe difference that Messy Church has made over the last decade is something hard to pin down or quantify. That said the whole idea of 'being church for families involving fun' is so simple, yet immensely powerful and has been a catalyst for many where the Christian faith is concerned. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eFamily Prayer Time\u003c\/em\u003e, there are over 30 pages crammed full of puzzles, games, question and facts that will encourage and inspire families together in prayer. Engaging and interactive in its style, the booklet is written in a format that means although designed to be used within and as a family, it could easily be worked through by a child on their own. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFramed through the invitation to go on a treasure, the booklet is split into eight sections. As each one is worked through, truths about prayer are unpacked and expounded upon in a variety of fun ways. Questions such as why and where should I pray, how and what do I pray, are creatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt first glance due to the size of the booklet my thought was every member of a family would need one, which at GBP2.50 per copy, could mean it less accessible to some rather than others just down to the cost. Having worked through it though, I like the idea of gathering round and pouring over it together, taking turns to read and working through the activities together. A compilation in the future of the various Messy Minibooks would be a great resource. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis all said, as someone in my 30s I'm aware I'll have a particular view on the booklets appearance, their use and potential impact. Therefore on sharing it with some children, they commented thus: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e'It looks very fun for all of the family and I really like all the colours and pictures.' (6 year old) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e'I think it would be good for all ages. The way it is put together, makes it interesting and fun. The treasure hunt idea is a really good beginning to the book, it draws you.' (10 year old)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eEd Jones in minister of Battle Baptist Church\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003e_____________________________________________________\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/h3\u003e"}
You may also like:
Family Prayer Time: On the journey together
£2.50
This colourful, quirky and fun addition to our Messy minibooks series is designed to encourage and guide families into a...
{"id":2439799963748,"title":"Family Question Time: Check out the adventure!","handle":"family-question-time-check-out-the-adventure","description":"\u003cp\u003eBased on the idea of the gospel being good news for messy people, young and old, Family Question Time is designed to help families talk about the basics of the Christian faith. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, this minibook offers information alongside encouragement to ask big questions, and contains suggestions about how to express a commitment to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:49+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:50+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Sep-17"],"price":250,"price_min":250,"price_max":250,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769763717220,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466273","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Family Question Time: Check out the adventure! - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":250,"weight":31,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466273"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1549043135"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1549043135","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Family Question Time: Check out the adventure!","id":3238879887499,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"width":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857466273-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":650}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eBased on the idea of the gospel being good news for messy people, young and old, Family Question Time is designed to help families talk about the basics of the Christian faith. Written in an interactive, user-friendly and jargon-free style, this minibook offers information alongside encouragement to ask big questions, and contains suggestions about how to express a commitment to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church, a rapidly-growing ministry that is now in over 20 countries worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBefore working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer books include titles in the Messy Church series, as well as AllAge Worship, Colourful Creation, Bethlehem Carols Unpacked, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and The Gospels Unplugged. She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and guiltily watching unimproving television programmes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Family Question Time: Check out the adventure!
£2.50
Based on the idea of the gospel being good news for messy people, young and old, Family Question Time is...
{"id":3178537517156,"title":"God's Word for Messy People: 31 Bible readings and reflections","handle":"gods-word-for-messy-people-31-bible-readings-and-reflections","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWanting to go deeper in your journey as a Messy Church leader or helper, or are you just curious about what makes Messy Church a way of being church together? This accessible booklet contains 31 short Bible passages, with a reflection on each passage by Messy Church founder Lucy Moore, exploring the core values of Messy Church and reinforcing the creativity, hospitality, joy, inclusivity and character of Jesus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and internationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of books for BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-03-26T14:47:11+00:00","created_at":"2019-03-26T14:53:39+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jun-19"],"price":399,"price_min":399,"price_max":399,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":26075519975524,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467492","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"God's Word for Messy People: 31 Bible readings and reflections","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":399,"weight":600,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467492"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467492-l.jpg?v=1553612022"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467492-l.jpg?v=1553612022","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"God's Word for Messy People: 31 Bible readings and reflections","id":3264195428491,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":650,"width":467,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467492-l.jpg?v=1570103142"},"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467492-l.jpg?v=1570103142","width":467}],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWanting to go deeper in your journey as a Messy Church leader or helper, or are you just curious about what makes Messy Church a way of being church together? This accessible booklet contains 31 short Bible passages, with a reflection on each passage by Messy Church founder Lucy Moore, exploring the core values of Messy Church and reinforcing the creativity, hospitality, joy, inclusivity and character of Jesus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and internationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of books for BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
God's Word for Messy People: 31 Bible readings and reflections
£3.99
Wanting to go deeper in your journey as a Messy Church leader or helper, or are you just curious about...
{"id":3945366126686,"title":"Holy Habits in Messy Church: Discipleship sessions for churches","handle":"holy-habits-in-messy-church-discipleship-sessions-for-churches","description":"\u003cp\u003eHoly Habits meets Messy Church! The Holy Habits approach explores Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. This session material has been created to help churches explore the Holy Habits in a Messy Church context and live them out in whole-life, missional discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and internationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of books for BRF.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAndrew Roberts is a husband, father, minister, writer and speaker. He is the author of the book Holy Habits (Malcolm Down Publishing, 2016) and editor of the BRF Holy Habits original resource booklets, Bible Reflections and Group Studies. He was previously Director of Training for Fresh Expressions.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-08-13T10:12:46+01:00","created_at":"2019-08-13T10:14:59+01:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jan-20"],"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":29434803716190,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469236","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Holy Habits in Messy Church: Discipleship sessions for churches","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":160,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469236"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469236.jpg?v=1565687710"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469236.jpg?v=1565687710","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Holy Habits in Messy Church: Discipleship sessions for churches","id":3308711870603,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469236.jpg?v=1570112371"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469236.jpg?v=1570112371","width":1000}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eHoly Habits meets Messy Church! The Holy Habits approach explores Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. This session material has been created to help churches explore the Holy Habits in a Messy Church context and live them out in whole-life, missional discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and internationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of books for BRF.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAndrew Roberts is a husband, father, minister, writer and speaker. He is the author of the book Holy Habits (Malcolm Down Publishing, 2016) and editor of the BRF Holy Habits original resource booklets, Bible Reflections and Group Studies. He was previously Director of Training for Fresh Expressions.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Holy Habits in Messy Church: Discipleship sessions for churches
£8.99
Holy Habits meets Messy Church! The Holy Habits approach explores Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, identifies ten...
{"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":["Mar-13"],"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"}],"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":"Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community","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"}
You may also like:
Making Disciples in Messy Church: Growing faith in an all-age community
£7.99
Messy Church has been widely and enthusiastically adopted as a proven and effective way of introducing families to an experience...
{"id":2439741407332,"title":"Messy Christmas: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany","handle":"messy-christmas-3-complete-sessions-and-a-treasure-trove-of-craft-ideas-for-advent-christmas-and-epiphany","description":"\u003cp\u003eThree complete Messy Church sessions for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, together with a wealth of creative activities and crafts to extend the range of excitingly messy activities for your Messy Church. Sections include creative Christmas prayers, global action suggestions, games and competitions, Christmas food crafts and many other ideas to take you on into the New Year.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Introduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough these three Messy Church sessions, a local church can help 21\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003est century families own the eternal messages of Christmas for themselves so that seasonal tensions, sentimentality and material pleasures have a chance to fall into a better perspective. The three sessions are planned to run once a month on three consecutive months between November and January to encourage families to keep coming back for the next thrilling instalment and in order to have the chance to reinforce the learning and provide echoes that will deepen the worship experience over the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMaking things together - even simply making a mess together - can be one way in which God's kingdom explodes into life in a church, a community, an individual or a family. We're not just gluing and sticking: we're reflecting the God who creates and recreates and gives us the chance to be more fully human as we mirror his actions. Just as God wasn't afraid to get his hands into the stuff of the earth, touch swaddling clothes, skin, straw, smell frankincense and myrrh, taste milk and bread, the act of making things gives people a chance to get their hands too into the stuff of the earth, to give their senses a feast, to savour what is good, to feel real things in a screen-based world. Craft time makes a space to give adults and children the chance to have time together, to enjoy being a family, to marvel at each others' skills, to help each other, and it gives a 'third place' a displacement activity around which conversations with friends as well as family can flourish. And alongside the sheer joy of learning new skills, difficult Biblical themes and stories can be explored in a non-confrontational way through drawing, splatting, building and experimenting.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe hope your Messy Church will be a huge and happy gift to your community this Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is BRF's Messy Church Team Leader, responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally. She also helps to lead Messy Church in her own church. Jane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church Team, has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for twelve years. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Church Times - 2 November 2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Christmas has three sessions for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, and numerous craft activities. As usual, web-based resources, including work sheets and further ideas, support the books. There are more good ideas than any church might need for any one year; so choosing what fits this year and what might be saved for a future date will be important.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBecause these Christmas stories are so familiar to us, however, it is easy to forget the harsh reality of life in another culture and at another time. The suggestion of a 'hide-and-seek from Herod' game in Messy Christmas seems inap pro priate. We need to remember, even in our work with children, that the incarnation is not all sweetness and light, and that Herod's hide-and-seek was in fact infanticide.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Dana Delap\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:05+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:06+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Oct-12"],"price":699,"price_min":699,"price_max":699,"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":21768974106724,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857460912","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Christmas: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":699,"weight":221,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857460912"},{"id":24422702874724,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWN0912","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Christmas: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":699,"weight":221,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"DOWNLOAD0912"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460912.jpg?v=1573217058"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460912.jpg?v=1573217058","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Messy Christmas: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany","id":5674762371211,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460912.jpg?v=1573217058"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857460912.jpg?v=1573217058","width":1000}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThree complete Messy Church sessions for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, together with a wealth of creative activities and crafts to extend the range of excitingly messy activities for your Messy Church. Sections include creative Christmas prayers, global action suggestions, games and competitions, Christmas food crafts and many other ideas to take you on into the New Year.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Introduction:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThrough these three Messy Church sessions, a local church can help 21\u003csup\u003e\u003c\/sup\u003est century families own the eternal messages of Christmas for themselves so that seasonal tensions, sentimentality and material pleasures have a chance to fall into a better perspective. The three sessions are planned to run once a month on three consecutive months between November and January to encourage families to keep coming back for the next thrilling instalment and in order to have the chance to reinforce the learning and provide echoes that will deepen the worship experience over the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMaking things together - even simply making a mess together - can be one way in which God's kingdom explodes into life in a church, a community, an individual or a family. We're not just gluing and sticking: we're reflecting the God who creates and recreates and gives us the chance to be more fully human as we mirror his actions. Just as God wasn't afraid to get his hands into the stuff of the earth, touch swaddling clothes, skin, straw, smell frankincense and myrrh, taste milk and bread, the act of making things gives people a chance to get their hands too into the stuff of the earth, to give their senses a feast, to savour what is good, to feel real things in a screen-based world. Craft time makes a space to give adults and children the chance to have time together, to enjoy being a family, to marvel at each others' skills, to help each other, and it gives a 'third place' a displacement activity around which conversations with friends as well as family can flourish. And alongside the sheer joy of learning new skills, difficult Biblical themes and stories can be explored in a non-confrontational way through drawing, splatting, building and experimenting.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe hope your Messy Church will be a huge and happy gift to your community this Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is BRF's Messy Church Team Leader, responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally. She also helps to lead Messy Church in her own church. Jane Leadbetter is part of the BRF Messy Church Team, has worked as a primary school teacher and was Children's Work Adviser in the Diocese of Liverpool for twelve years. She runs L19: Messy Church once a month.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by The Church Times - 2 November 2012\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Christmas has three sessions for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, and numerous craft activities. As usual, web-based resources, including work sheets and further ideas, support the books. There are more good ideas than any church might need for any one year; so choosing what fits this year and what might be saved for a future date will be important.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBecause these Christmas stories are so familiar to us, however, it is easy to forget the harsh reality of life in another culture and at another time. The suggestion of a 'hide-and-seek from Herod' game in Messy Christmas seems inap pro priate. We need to remember, even in our work with children, that the incarnation is not all sweetness and light, and that Herod's hide-and-seek was in fact infanticide.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Dana Delap\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Messy Christmas: 3 complete sessions and a treasure trove of craft ideas for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany
£6.99
Three complete Messy Church sessions for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany, together with a wealth of creative activities and crafts to...
{"id":2439746158692,"title":"Messy Church 2: Ideas for discipling a Christ-centred community","handle":"messy-church-2-ideas-for-discipling-a-christ-centred-community","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnother messy outing from Lucy Moore, this book follows on from the popular Messy Church, which has sold over 4500 copies since it was first published in 2006. Alongside the usual mix of creativity, fun, Christian hospitality and thanksgiving Messy Church 2 explores the importance of discipleship, faith development and training for leadership.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe material includes many ideas for practical ways to promote a sense of fellowship and community. The book contains a further fifteen units of fun, food, crafts and mess, with a year's worth of material that your Messy Church will love. There is also the guidance to enable those taking part to go deeper with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTopics include:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey events in Jesus' life;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristian basics;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical stories of faith;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaptism and Holy Communion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church 2 is ideal for clergy, lay ministers and those responsible for all-age worship; it is also ideal for those involved with outreach to the wider community looking to build on the success of the Messy Church initiative. The book is written for an adult readership, but contains material designed to resource people of all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n... a wealth of well-judged, practical and supremely usable material. 'The Methodist Recorder'\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is part of BRF's Barnabas team. She makes use of original performance poetry, mime, storytelling and a variety of drama workshop activites in her work. Lucy is author of many books including The Gospels Unplugged and Messy Church, all published by Barnabas.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Regent's Reviews - October 2010\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years the Bible Reading Fellowship have been publishing some fantastic resources for churches to engage with children and families in worship. At the forefront of this has been Lucy Moore, who has spearheaded the phenomena that is 'Messy Church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA previous book introduced Messy Church to a wider audience. Messy Church 2 continues with a new set of ideas for an all-age and creative way of being church for the unchurched, but also with a desire to explore what 'Messy Discipleship' might look like. (If you are wanting an introduction to Messy Church, it is best to get a copy of the first book, as Messy Church 2 is written to readers who know what Messy Church is and are already running events.)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I found especially interesting about this sequel is a commitment to seeing how Messy Church might also encourage discipleship at home, recognising that a couple of hours a month is not enough to sustain discipleship (and neither is a couple of hours a week!). Messy Church is not the only future of the church, (and Moore in no way claims this), but it does seem to offer an excellent way of engaging with families, as a means of exploring the bible and the Christian life and left me wanting to give it a try.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Andy Goodliff, Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend on Sea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Way\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine Autumn 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSequels can be problematic, especially when following something of real innovation and value. Less than a year after reviewing Messy Church (in Country Way 49), Lucy Moore's second book is on my desk. This is an indication of how significant Messy Church has been, especially as both books successfully negotiate the no man's land of all age... whether worship, church or community. And this is where Messy Church 2 develops from the initial resource, taking seriously the context of church as community and of discipleship within community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five-fold messy ethos is maintained and a broader range of themes is introduced; 15 in all, including fundamental discipleship issues (e.g. loving your neighbour), Christian seasons (e.g. Lent), biblical role models (e.g. Ruth), theological foundations (e.g. who is Jesus?) and means of grace (baptism and 'messy' communion).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce again there is a simple, but subtle, theological introduction - this time concerning what discipleship means for people with messy lives in a messy world, and how this can be encouraged. There is helpful guidance on how teamwork lies behind this approach, and a substantial section on food and shared meals as a means of engagement, discipleship and growth. And some frequently-asked-questions are answered.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA thoroughly rewarding and important resource for any contemporary church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Simon Martin\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eThe Good Bookstall\u003c\/em\u003e - June 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e is a great follow on book - make sure you read \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e first! The concept of Messy Church is that families come together once a month to enjoy each other's company, eat together, make things together and worship together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause the idea of Messy Church is that it is church in its own right and not means of increasing Sunday morning congregations, \u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e sets out to address the issues that will arise once a Messy Church is up and running. Much of the book is focussed on how to disciple people and move them on in their Christian journey when Messy Church meets monthly and the worship session lasts only 15 minutes. The book suggests forming smaller groups to meet in between times, and also has lots of ideas for families to try at home which will help them to pray and learn about God together. It gives much to think about for a new Messy Church community and shares lessons already learnt (both successes and failures) by those that have been established for a while.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you are buying this book because you have already used all the craft ideas, meal suggestions and worship outlines in \u003cem\u003eMessy ChurchM\u003c\/em\u003e, then fear not! The back section of the book is loaded with ready to roll ideas and recipes and will take you through your second year and beyond. It even includes a Messy Church Communion and a Messy Church Baptism!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe beauty of these two books is that they really are packed with do-able crafts and worship suggestions. We have been running for a year and have found there have been more than enough ideas for each session in the book, meaning that busy people can do Messy Church without needing to do lots of planning! Well done to Lucy and her team for paving the way for the many Messy Church communities now springing up around the Country!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Kathy Bland\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:24+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:25+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jun-12"],"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":21769032794212,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857462305","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Church 2: Ideas for discipling a Christ-centred community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":248,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857462305"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1549043174","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Messy Church 2: Ideas for discipling a Christ-centred community","id":3238874906763,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.658,"height":669,"width":440,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.658,"height":669,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857462305-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":440}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eAnother messy outing from Lucy Moore, this book follows on from the popular Messy Church, which has sold over 4500 copies since it was first published in 2006. Alongside the usual mix of creativity, fun, Christian hospitality and thanksgiving Messy Church 2 explores the importance of discipleship, faith development and training for leadership.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe material includes many ideas for practical ways to promote a sense of fellowship and community. The book contains a further fifteen units of fun, food, crafts and mess, with a year's worth of material that your Messy Church will love. There is also the guidance to enable those taking part to go deeper with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTopics include:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey events in Jesus' life;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChristian basics;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBiblical stories of faith;\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBaptism and Holy Communion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church 2 is ideal for clergy, lay ministers and those responsible for all-age worship; it is also ideal for those involved with outreach to the wider community looking to build on the success of the Messy Church initiative. The book is written for an adult readership, but contains material designed to resource people of all ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n... a wealth of well-judged, practical and supremely usable material. 'The Methodist Recorder'\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nLucy Moore is part of BRF's Barnabas team. She makes use of original performance poetry, mime, storytelling and a variety of drama workshop activites in her work. Lucy is author of many books including The Gospels Unplugged and Messy Church, all published by Barnabas.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Regent's Reviews - October 2010\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn recent years the Bible Reading Fellowship have been publishing some fantastic resources for churches to engage with children and families in worship. At the forefront of this has been Lucy Moore, who has spearheaded the phenomena that is 'Messy Church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA previous book introduced Messy Church to a wider audience. Messy Church 2 continues with a new set of ideas for an all-age and creative way of being church for the unchurched, but also with a desire to explore what 'Messy Discipleship' might look like. (If you are wanting an introduction to Messy Church, it is best to get a copy of the first book, as Messy Church 2 is written to readers who know what Messy Church is and are already running events.)\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I found especially interesting about this sequel is a commitment to seeing how Messy Church might also encourage discipleship at home, recognising that a couple of hours a month is not enough to sustain discipleship (and neither is a couple of hours a week!). Messy Church is not the only future of the church, (and Moore in no way claims this), but it does seem to offer an excellent way of engaging with families, as a means of exploring the bible and the Christian life and left me wanting to give it a try.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Andy Goodliff, Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend on Sea\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eCountry Way\u003c\/em\u003e Magazine Autumn 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSequels can be problematic, especially when following something of real innovation and value. Less than a year after reviewing Messy Church (in Country Way 49), Lucy Moore's second book is on my desk. This is an indication of how significant Messy Church has been, especially as both books successfully negotiate the no man's land of all age... whether worship, church or community. And this is where Messy Church 2 develops from the initial resource, taking seriously the context of church as community and of discipleship within community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe five-fold messy ethos is maintained and a broader range of themes is introduced; 15 in all, including fundamental discipleship issues (e.g. loving your neighbour), Christian seasons (e.g. Lent), biblical role models (e.g. Ruth), theological foundations (e.g. who is Jesus?) and means of grace (baptism and 'messy' communion).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce again there is a simple, but subtle, theological introduction - this time concerning what discipleship means for people with messy lives in a messy world, and how this can be encouraged. There is helpful guidance on how teamwork lies behind this approach, and a substantial section on food and shared meals as a means of engagement, discipleship and growth. And some frequently-asked-questions are answered.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eA thoroughly rewarding and important resource for any contemporary church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Simon Martin\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eThe Good Bookstall\u003c\/em\u003e - June 2009\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e is a great follow on book - make sure you read \u003cem\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/em\u003e first! The concept of Messy Church is that families come together once a month to enjoy each other's company, eat together, make things together and worship together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause the idea of Messy Church is that it is church in its own right and not means of increasing Sunday morning congregations, \u003cem\u003eMessy Church 2\u003c\/em\u003e sets out to address the issues that will arise once a Messy Church is up and running. Much of the book is focussed on how to disciple people and move them on in their Christian journey when Messy Church meets monthly and the worship session lasts only 15 minutes. The book suggests forming smaller groups to meet in between times, and also has lots of ideas for families to try at home which will help them to pray and learn about God together. It gives much to think about for a new Messy Church community and shares lessons already learnt (both successes and failures) by those that have been established for a while.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you are buying this book because you have already used all the craft ideas, meal suggestions and worship outlines in \u003cem\u003eMessy ChurchM\u003c\/em\u003e, then fear not! The back section of the book is loaded with ready to roll ideas and recipes and will take you through your second year and beyond. It even includes a Messy Church Communion and a Messy Church Baptism!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe beauty of these two books is that they really are packed with do-able crafts and worship suggestions. We have been running for a year and have found there have been more than enough ideas for each session in the book, meaning that busy people can do Messy Church without needing to do lots of planning! Well done to Lucy and her team for paving the way for the many Messy Church communities now springing up around the Country!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Kathy Bland\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n"}
You may also like:
Messy Church 2: Ideas for discipling a Christ-centred community
£8.99
Another messy outing from Lucy Moore, this book follows on from the popular Messy Church, which has sold over 4500...
{"id":2439742980196,"title":"Messy Church 3: Fifteen sessions for exploring the Christian life with families","handle":"messy-church-3-fifteen-sessions-for-exploring-the-christian-life-with-families","description":"\u003cp\u003eA new resource for Messy Churches, providing a further 15 sessions focused around key 'Christian basics' themes such as prayer and reading the Bible. There is also an introduction exploring and addressing situations that have arisen in different Messy Churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach two-hour session includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBible reference and background\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eeasy-to-prepare recipes for the meal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eten simple theme-related craft activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e'take-away' ideas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eand a family-friendly service outline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents list\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 1 A new start\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 2 Love rules\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 3 Mothers and others\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 4 Easter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 5 The Holy Spirit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 6 The Lord's Prayer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 7 Our community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 8 Journeys\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 9 Harvest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 10 Light up the darkness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 11 Remember me\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 12 Christmas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 13 Money matters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 14 Pets and peace\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 15 Healthy body, healthy soul\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAppendix\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndex of activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBible index\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFurther resources\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eFrom the Introduction\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book you'll find 15 sessions for Messy Church that are, in the great Messy tradition, suggestions for you to adapt and improve for your own circumstances, rather than an inflexible programme to be adhered to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may look more constructive to have a series that extends over several months, but in practice, most people find it hard to hold the narrative thread across a month's gap, so a series isn't necessarily very helpful and can be restrictive. Instead, we've taken the Christian year as a whole, offering one-off sessions, which nevertheless have themes that link them, as you'll see.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sessions have a focus on the Christian year: Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and Harvest with a nod to Rogationtide and All Saints' Day. These major festivals help us to establish key points of the Christian faith: God's creation and on-going care for the world (a theme also recognised in Session 14: 'Pets and Peace'); Christ's birth, death and resurrection; and the coming of the Holy Spirit. They also give us a chance to reflect on prayer (Session 6: 'The Lord's Prayer') and on the Bible (Session 10: 'Light up the darkness', or the 'non-Hallowe'en-but-still-lots-of-fun-dressing-up-and-doing-wacky-things' session).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWhat is Messy Church?\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a way of being church that is for all ages, on a day and at a time that suits families in your area. It usually involves a welcome; a time of making things on a biblical theme; a celebration on the same theme with story, song and prayer; and a meal around tables for everyone. Its values are being all-age, being Christ-centred, hospitality, creativity and celebration. It started in 2004 in the Anglican church of St Wilfrid's in Cowplain near Portsmouth in the UK, comes under the wing of BRF, the Bible Reading Fellowship, and has since spread across all the major Christian denominations and around the world to at least thirteen countries. By the end of 2011 there were over 1000 different Messy Churches listed on the Messy Church online directory. So much for the bare bones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.messychurch.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Messy Church website\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eVisit the Messy Church website\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a great vehicle for connecting with families who'd never go through the front door of a church. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClynt French, Church Army, Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe more I do Messy Church, the more I'm excited.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaren Markusson, Lutheran Church, Denmark \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore works for BRF as Messy Church Team Leader. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. She continues to help lead Messy Church in her own church, where her husband is the minister. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, Bethlehem Carols Unplugged, The Gospels Unplugged, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and Colourful Creation (all Barnabas) and All-Age Worship (BRF, 2010). She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and watching unsuitable television. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 2 August 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 1000 messy churches are affiliated to the Messy Church network, and, over the past ten years, thousands of children and families have been introduced to God and to church in this way. The greatest strength of messy church has been the lightness of touch with which Lucy Moore and the BRF have steered Messy Church, providing a plethora of good resources without making demands about how these are used. They have responded rapidly and imaginatively to critics, and have offered helpful resources to address issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eMessy Church 3\u003c\/em\u003e, Moore offers 15 new sessions for the church year, but suggests that this may be the last book in the series. Future resources will be available on the excellent website, and through a subscription magazine.\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 Aslan Christian Books - \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.aslanchristianbooks.co.uk\" target=\"blank\"\u003ewww.aslanchristianbooks.co.uk\u003c\/a\u003e - 10 December 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom one small event in a Portsmouth Church through to over 1,000 locations around the world, Messy Church is undoubtedly one of the most innovative movements to come out of the Church of England since Alpha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea is that the local parish church puts on an event, probably monthly, which is an informal event geared towards families involving food, craft activities and a short service. The word 'messy' relates not only to the craft activities, but to the idea that people can come whatever their life is like - messy lives - and find a welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the third book from Lucy Moore, the founder of Messy Church. This book takes an idea for most months, and in particular most seasons within the Church and social year - New Year, St Valentines, Easter, Harvest festivals etc. The book starts with a clever and amusing series of fictional letters to an imaginary church who have chosen to start a Messy Church, before going on to provide flexible outlines to each of the 15 suggested sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach session has a theme based on a scripture passage, a wide range of craft ideas - with a choice of budgets and complexity before moving on to ideas for the 'celebration' part of the event which will often provide suggestions for congregational involvement, prayers and a take-home idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn many communities Messy Church can provide the only way to gather primary-age children and their families and has proven to be an invaluable and inspiring addition to the mission of the Church. As well being a great introduction to Messy Church, the resources contained in this third book are sure to continue that.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:10+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:12+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Nov-12"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21768992391268,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461209","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Church 3: Fifteen sessions for exploring the Christian life with families - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":221,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461209"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461209-l.jpg?v=1549043178"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461209-l.jpg?v=1549043178","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Messy Church 3: Fifteen sessions for exploring the Christian life with families","id":3238874644619,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461209-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461209-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":426}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eA new resource for Messy Churches, providing a further 15 sessions focused around key 'Christian basics' themes such as prayer and reading the Bible. There is also an introduction exploring and addressing situations that have arisen in different Messy Churches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach two-hour session includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBible reference and background\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eeasy-to-prepare recipes for the meal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eten simple theme-related craft activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e'take-away' ideas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eand a family-friendly service outline\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents list\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 1 A new start\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 2 Love rules\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 3 Mothers and others\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 4 Easter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 5 The Holy Spirit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 6 The Lord's Prayer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 7 Our community\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 8 Journeys\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 9 Harvest\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 10 Light up the darkness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 11 Remember me\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 12 Christmas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 13 Money matters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 14 Pets and peace\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession 15 Healthy body, healthy soul\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAppendix\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIndex of activities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBible index\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFurther resources\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eFrom the Introduction\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book you'll find 15 sessions for Messy Church that are, in the great Messy tradition, suggestions for you to adapt and improve for your own circumstances, rather than an inflexible programme to be adhered to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may look more constructive to have a series that extends over several months, but in practice, most people find it hard to hold the narrative thread across a month's gap, so a series isn't necessarily very helpful and can be restrictive. Instead, we've taken the Christian year as a whole, offering one-off sessions, which nevertheless have themes that link them, as you'll see.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sessions have a focus on the Christian year: Christmas, Easter, Pentecost and Harvest with a nod to Rogationtide and All Saints' Day. These major festivals help us to establish key points of the Christian faith: God's creation and on-going care for the world (a theme also recognised in Session 14: 'Pets and Peace'); Christ's birth, death and resurrection; and the coming of the Holy Spirit. They also give us a chance to reflect on prayer (Session 6: 'The Lord's Prayer') and on the Bible (Session 10: 'Light up the darkness', or the 'non-Hallowe'en-but-still-lots-of-fun-dressing-up-and-doing-wacky-things' session).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eWhat is Messy Church?\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a way of being church that is for all ages, on a day and at a time that suits families in your area. It usually involves a welcome; a time of making things on a biblical theme; a celebration on the same theme with story, song and prayer; and a meal around tables for everyone. Its values are being all-age, being Christ-centred, hospitality, creativity and celebration. It started in 2004 in the Anglican church of St Wilfrid's in Cowplain near Portsmouth in the UK, comes under the wing of BRF, the Bible Reading Fellowship, and has since spread across all the major Christian denominations and around the world to at least thirteen countries. By the end of 2011 there were over 1000 different Messy Churches listed on the Messy Church online directory. So much for the bare bones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/www.messychurch.org.uk\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Messy Church website\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eVisit the Messy Church website\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a great vehicle for connecting with families who'd never go through the front door of a church. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClynt French, Church Army, Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe more I do Messy Church, the more I'm excited.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKaren Markusson, Lutheran Church, Denmark \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLucy Moore works for BRF as Messy Church Team Leader. She is responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally - writing, speaking, reflecting and developing Messy projects. She continues to help lead Messy Church in her own church, where her husband is the minister. Before working full-time with Messy Church, Lucy was a member of BRF's Barnabas children's ministry team, offering training for those wanting to bring the Bible to life for children in churches and schools across the UK, and using drama and storytelling to explore the Bible with children herself. Her books include titles in the Messy Church series, Bethlehem Carols Unplugged, The Gospels Unplugged, The Lord's Prayer Unplugged and Colourful Creation (all Barnabas) and All-Age Worship (BRF, 2010). She also presents Messy Church: the DVD. A secondary-school teacher by training, she enjoys acting, walking Minnie the dog, marvelling at the alien world of her two teenage children and watching unsuitable television. She is a Lay Canon of Portsmouth Cathedral.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 2 August 2013\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMore than 1000 messy churches are affiliated to the Messy Church network, and, over the past ten years, thousands of children and families have been introduced to God and to church in this way. The greatest strength of messy church has been the lightness of touch with which Lucy Moore and the BRF have steered Messy Church, providing a plethora of good resources without making demands about how these are used. They have responded rapidly and imaginatively to critics, and have offered helpful resources to address issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eMessy Church 3\u003c\/em\u003e, Moore offers 15 new sessions for the church year, but suggests that this may be the last book in the series. Future resources will be available on the excellent website, and through a subscription magazine.\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 Aslan Christian Books - \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.aslanchristianbooks.co.uk\" target=\"blank\"\u003ewww.aslanchristianbooks.co.uk\u003c\/a\u003e - 10 December 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom one small event in a Portsmouth Church through to over 1,000 locations around the world, Messy Church is undoubtedly one of the most innovative movements to come out of the Church of England since Alpha.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe idea is that the local parish church puts on an event, probably monthly, which is an informal event geared towards families involving food, craft activities and a short service. The word 'messy' relates not only to the craft activities, but to the idea that people can come whatever their life is like - messy lives - and find a welcome.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the third book from Lucy Moore, the founder of Messy Church. This book takes an idea for most months, and in particular most seasons within the Church and social year - New Year, St Valentines, Easter, Harvest festivals etc. The book starts with a clever and amusing series of fictional letters to an imaginary church who have chosen to start a Messy Church, before going on to provide flexible outlines to each of the 15 suggested sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach session has a theme based on a scripture passage, a wide range of craft ideas - with a choice of budgets and complexity before moving on to ideas for the 'celebration' part of the event which will often provide suggestions for congregational involvement, prayers and a take-home idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn many communities Messy Church can provide the only way to gather primary-age children and their families and has proven to be an invaluable and inspiring addition to the mission of the Church. As well being a great introduction to Messy Church, the resources contained in this third book are sure to continue that.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Messy Church 3: Fifteen sessions for exploring the Christian life with families
£9.99
A new resource for Messy Churches, providing a further 15 sessions focused around key 'Christian basics' themes such as prayer...
{"id":2439795900516,"title":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches","handle":"messy-church-does-science-100-sizzling-science-based-ideas-for-messy-churches","description":"\u003ch3\u003eHelping Messy Church leaders use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn popular culture there is a perceived conflict between science and faith, yet in many ways scientific understanding can enhance faith. This resource offers Messy Churches the tools to use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith; demonstrate that science and faith are complementary; and enable children and adults alike to appreciate the wonder of creation. 100 sizzling ideas from a range of contributors provide inspiration for the Bible-based activities element of Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 \u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eKate Toogood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAlister McGrath\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 \u003cstrong\u003eEarth, stars and space\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMavis Crispin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eTim Middleton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 \u003cstrong\u003eAir\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eChris Hudson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNaomi Brehm\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 \u003cstrong\u003eLight and colour\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eNeil Hunt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAnna Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 \u003cstrong\u003eHuman body\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAlex Bunn\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAmy Johnson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 \u003cstrong\u003ePlants\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eGraham Hartland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJennifer Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 \u003cstrong\u003eAnimals\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAndy Gosler\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eLesley Gray\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 \u003cstrong\u003ePower and energy\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003ePaul Osborne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eHannah Earnshaw\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 \u003cstrong\u003eTransformations and reactions\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNick Higgs\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 \u003cstrong\u003eTime and measurement\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJoanna Collicutt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI am going to buy several copies of this book for friends active in Messy Church or any children's work. It is a resource with 100 science-based activities with much potential for all children, but particularly for engaging the 7-11 age group and boys. These are groups commonly relishing a richer diet than paper-based sitting-down activities, and for them this book will be invaluable. An additional feature is that the activities are interspersed with 10 short articles by Christian scientists - forming a compelling antidote to the lingering misconception that science and faith do not mix. They offer examples of science enriching the wonders of faith to inspire the leaders embarking on these 'wow' activities with children. I will be interested to see in practice how the links suggested with Bible and faith topics work - I wonder if some are somewhat contrived. God's work and god's word both speak to us, sometimes separately and sometimes together.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvangelicals Now. Review by 'JEB'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI love a home-grown science experiment for a children's talk in church with fascinates both adults and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource from the Bible Reading Fellowship is full of ideas for pastors, youth leaders and whoever, whether you do 'Messy Church' or not.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are experiments and illustrative demonstrations concerning water, space, air, light, the human body, plants, animals, energy and more. Some of the experiments take just a couple of minutes, others are spread over weeks, with easy-to-follow instructions and all are followed by a suggested spiritual application. Dispersed throughout the book are short testimonies from practising scientists and lecturers (like Alister McGrath), mainly aimed at overcoming the idea that science and faith are enemies.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e... a very helpful resource for those who like to do a little 'hands-on' science in church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by 'JEB'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:33+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:34+00:00","vendor":"David Gregory","type":"Paperback","tags":["Jun-17"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769704407140,"title":"Spiral bound","option1":"Spiral bound","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465795","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches - Spiral bound","public_title":"Spiral bound","options":["Spiral bound"],"price":999,"weight":453,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465795"},{"id":24427567448164,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD5795","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":{"id":8942899986532,"product_id":2439795900516,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T14:00:27+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-20T14:00:27+00:00","alt":null,"width":458,"height":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1550671227","variant_ids":[24427567448164]},"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":999,"weight":453,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"DOWNLOAD5795","featured_media":{"alt":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches","id":3259455701131,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1570102195"}}}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1549043138","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1550671227"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1549043138","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches","id":3238879592587,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1570098004"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857465795-l.jpg?v=1570098004","width":458},{"alt":"Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches","id":3259455701131,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1570102195"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/Download5795-l.jpg?v=1570102195","width":458}],"content":"\u003ch3\u003eHelping Messy Church leaders use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eIn popular culture there is a perceived conflict between science and faith, yet in many ways scientific understanding can enhance faith. This resource offers Messy Churches the tools to use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith; demonstrate that science and faith are complementary; and enable children and adults alike to appreciate the wonder of creation. 100 sizzling ideas from a range of contributors provide inspiration for the Bible-based activities element of Messy Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 \u003cstrong\u003eWater\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eKate Toogood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAlister McGrath\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 \u003cstrong\u003eEarth, stars and space\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMavis Crispin\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eTim Middleton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 \u003cstrong\u003eAir\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eChris Hudson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNaomi Brehm\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 \u003cstrong\u003eLight and colour\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eNeil Hunt\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAnna Pearson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 \u003cstrong\u003eHuman body\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAlex Bunn\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eAmy Johnson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 \u003cstrong\u003ePlants\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eGraham Hartland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJennifer Brown\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 \u003cstrong\u003eAnimals\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eAndy Gosler\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eLesley Gray\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 \u003cstrong\u003ePower and energy\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003ePaul Osborne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eHannah Earnshaw\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 \u003cstrong\u003eTransformations and reactions\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eNick Higgs\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 \u003cstrong\u003eTime and measurement\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cem\u003eDavid Gregory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePerspective - \u003cem\u003eJoanna Collicutt\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader (Spring 2018). Review by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI am going to buy several copies of this book for friends active in Messy Church or any children's work. It is a resource with 100 science-based activities with much potential for all children, but particularly for engaging the 7-11 age group and boys. These are groups commonly relishing a richer diet than paper-based sitting-down activities, and for them this book will be invaluable. An additional feature is that the activities are interspersed with 10 short articles by Christian scientists - forming a compelling antidote to the lingering misconception that science and faith do not mix. They offer examples of science enriching the wonders of faith to inspire the leaders embarking on these 'wow' activities with children. I will be interested to see in practice how the links suggested with Bible and faith topics work - I wonder if some are somewhat contrived. God's work and god's word both speak to us, sometimes separately and sometimes together.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Rosie Medhurst\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvangelicals Now. Review by 'JEB'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI love a home-grown science experiment for a children's talk in church with fascinates both adults and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis resource from the Bible Reading Fellowship is full of ideas for pastors, youth leaders and whoever, whether you do 'Messy Church' or not.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are experiments and illustrative demonstrations concerning water, space, air, light, the human body, plants, animals, energy and more. Some of the experiments take just a couple of minutes, others are spread over weeks, with easy-to-follow instructions and all are followed by a suggested spiritual application. Dispersed throughout the book are short testimonies from practising scientists and lecturers (like Alister McGrath), mainly aimed at overcoming the idea that science and faith are enemies.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e... a very helpful resource for those who like to do a little 'hands-on' science in church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by 'JEB'\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Messy Church Does Science: 100 sizzling science-based ideas for Messy Churches
£9.99
Helping Messy Church leaders use science to explore aspects of the Christian faith In popular culture there is a perceived...
{"id":4324076257419,"title":"Messy Church Starter Pack","handle":"messy-church-starter-pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eLooking to get started with your Messy Church? Our Messy Church starter pack has everything you need from the wide range of Messy Church books and resources to help get your Messy Church up and running.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePack includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/starting-your-messy-church-a-beginners-guide-for-churches?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=c44f1ff77\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Starting your messy church\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eStarting Your Messy Church\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/messy-church-fresh-ideas-for-building-a-christ-centred-community?_pos=10\u0026amp;_sid=9dfb0c963\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Messy Church\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/messy-prayer-developing-the-prayer-life-of-your-messy-church?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=6365f2d8d\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Messy Prayer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eMessy Prayer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/family-prayer-time-on-the-journey-together?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=001276cff\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"family prayer time\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eFamily Prayer Time\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/gods-word-for-messy-people-31-bible-readings-and-reflections?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=a1c1094f0\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"God's Word for Messy People\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eGod's Word for Messy People\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/collections\/get-messy\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"get messy\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eGet Messy! Magazine (current issue).\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-12-10T13:44:43+00:00","created_at":"2019-11-01T10:07:28+00:00","vendor":"The Messy Church Team","type":"Paperback","tags":["Get Messy!"],"price":2500,"price_min":2500,"price_max":2500,"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":31066461929611,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"MCPACK","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Starter Pack","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":2500,"weight":1198,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"MCPACK"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/MC_Starter_Pack_Graphic_Nov19_v2.jpg?v=1574077231"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/MC_Starter_Pack_Graphic_Nov19_v2.jpg?v=1574077231","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Messy Church Starter Pack","id":5724366766219,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":1169,"width":768,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/MC_Starter_Pack_Graphic_Nov19_v2.jpg?v=1574077231"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":1169,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/MC_Starter_Pack_Graphic_Nov19_v2.jpg?v=1574077231","width":768}],"content":"\u003cp\u003eLooking to get started with your Messy Church? Our Messy Church starter pack has everything you need from the wide range of Messy Church books and resources to help get your Messy Church up and running.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePack includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/starting-your-messy-church-a-beginners-guide-for-churches?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=c44f1ff77\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Starting your messy church\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eStarting Your Messy Church\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/messy-church-fresh-ideas-for-building-a-christ-centred-community?_pos=10\u0026amp;_sid=9dfb0c963\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Messy Church\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eMessy Church\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/messy-prayer-developing-the-prayer-life-of-your-messy-church?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=6365f2d8d\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"Messy Prayer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eMessy Prayer\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/family-prayer-time-on-the-journey-together?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=001276cff\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"family prayer time\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eFamily Prayer Time\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/gods-word-for-messy-people-31-bible-readings-and-reflections?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=a1c1094f0\u0026amp;_ss=r\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"God's Word for Messy People\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eGod's Word for Messy People\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/collections\/get-messy\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"get messy\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eGet Messy! Magazine (current issue).\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Messy Church Starter Pack
£25.00
Looking to get started with your Messy Church? Our Messy Church starter pack has everything you need from the wide...
{"id":2439744585828,"title":"Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church","handle":"messy-church-theology-exploring-the-significance-of-messy-church-for-the-wider-church","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church Theology\u003c\/em\u003e is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a variety of church and academic backgrounds and case studies by Messy Church practitioners, it gathers together some of the discussions around Messy Church and assesses the impact of this ministry, placing it in the context of wider developments within the church community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 1: Messy questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 When is Messy Church 'church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eClaire Dalpra\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 When is Messy Church 'not church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteve Hollinghurst\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Special Educational Needs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrish Hahn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 How does Messy Church travel?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 Does Messy Church make disciples?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJudy Paulsen\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church at St Christopher's\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlison Paginton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 2: Messy foundations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy theology\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Bayes\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy disciples\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Fiesta\u003cbr\u003eChristine Barton\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 From Sunday school to Messy Church: a new movement for our age?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Jackson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 What is the DNA of Messy Church?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church @ Christ Church Primacy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eKevin Metcalfe\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 3: Messy practicalities\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy maturity: paradox, contradiction or perfect match?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeth Barnett\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy Church: how far can you go before reaching the limit?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTim G. Waghorn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: the story of the 'Messy angels'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSharon Pritchard\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Some frameworks to explore Messy Church and discipleship\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Hopkins\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e12 Growing, maturing, ripening: what might an older Messy Church look like?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: St Andrew's Church, Bebington: the journey of an older Messy Church\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e13 Why we might expect mess, not merely tolerate it\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAfterword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's research unit, The Sheffield Centre, which for over a decade has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fairly substantial assessment of where Messy Church is up to and how it might sit within the wider church, and because Messy Church is inter-generational, there is much in these 13 chapters that could apply to All Age Worship of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKey recurring issues are: 'Is Messy Church really church, or is it just a part of church?'; 'Does Messy Church really disciple people adequately?'; 'How adaptable is Messy Church?'; 'What is the future of Messy Church?' Obviously the book is a forthright apologia for Messy Church. Most, but not all, contributors firmly claim that Messy Church is (or should be viewed as) a full expression of church in its own right. Certainly, it's pointed out, if the Vicar thinks it is merely a strategy to get people into 'real' church and the Messy Church Leaders feel it's a full expression of church in its own right, you are heading for trouble!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much here for All Age practitioners to reflect upon, especially in the area of discipleship. However, stronger answers still need to be developed. What's really good is that the Messy Church movement has asked searching questions of itself, and offered some answers with case-studies. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Ecclesial Practices 2:1 (2015), 121-123] - Australia May 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a creative, all-age, hospitable, celebrating expression of church whose time seems to have come. A decade on from its pioneering by Lucy and Paul Moore and team in Portsmouth, there are now 1400 registered messy churches in the UK alone, and Messy Church coordinators estimate 4000 Messy-style churches with 360,000 participants in the UK. It is the single most common and most rapidly multiplying expression model of the Fresh expressions movement, and is connecting with un-churched, de-churched and marginally churched people. Its reach has spread across denominations and continents; the Messy Church website directory shows me there are 20 in my home city of Melbourne, including 3 within 3 kilometres of my house - Anglican, Uniting and Baptist! There are more than a dozen books on how to start and run a messy church with its crafts, cooking and conversations. What Messy Church Theology uniquely explores is where Messy Church fits theologically as 'church', where it is growing (or wants to grow) in disciple-making, and what other streams of the church and missional movement could learn from Messy Church. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e19 writers contribute case studies or chapters in three sections. Firstly there are 'messy questions' exploring when fresh expressions are fresh, when they are church, and when they are messy church? What is the DNA of messy church, how transferable is it, and how does Bible Reading Fellowship as its sponsor ensure quality but not expect control? The most recurring questions are how can Messy Church foster discipleship, and how can it 'be church' for all-of-life beyond certain life stages. It is appropriate to bring an evaluative grid to innovative new expressions about how they are doing as church in making healthy disciples and being missional, but these are questions for all churches not just messy new experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section digs into 'messy foundations' - urging a theology and discipleship that is messy and curious. That is helped as we listen to and not just condescend children, and celebrate and imitate their relentless and playful questioning. Messy Church, like Alpha, allows space for questions and expressing mystery and doubt; elements that are essential for evangelism in a post-modern context, but natural in an all-age setting of Messy Church. The ethos of creativity that Messy Church fosters is intriguing and something all churches could learn from, as George Lings articulates: \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Turning church back into a creative, participatory, communal hive of spiritual life is a worthy goal that critiques much existing church practice. \r\nThrough true hospitality and creativity, those who come to us move from being clients, for whom we provide pre-cooked liturgical dishes, to being guests for whom we care. They also become co-creators with whom we are fellow artists, and co-workers with whom we are partners. In the end, even the distinction between host and guest dissolves, and so all-age, Christ-centred community emerges' (pp.160-161).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe third and final section unpacks 'messy practicalities'; not trying to tidy up all loose ends but actually celebrating the mess of life and the adventure of experimenting with church. For example, Beth Barnett offers critique of Western Enlightenment-inspired 'maturity' language, pointing more importantly to Jesus' invitation to become like a child in openness, collaboration and curiosity (rather than aspiring to power, bigness and conservatism). Barnett subversively suggests multi-sensory interactive learning and engaging together with Scripture is potentially a richer and more promising path to growth than a three point monological sermon; and that engaging with Scripture and worship with children ought to be as natural as children around the dinner table. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a rich collection of case studies scattered through the book, but I especially appreciated Tim Waghorn's Melbourne innovation of offering weekly (rather than the usual monthly) Messy Church as a way of breaking down barriers and offering church accessibly for families, complete with media-guided worship (using common technology people are used to) and sensory engaging learning. Waghorn celebrates how Messy Church involves a wide range of lay leaders and does not rely on the hired holy person, but he also challenges Ministers to engage in Messy Church leadership, as a fast-track way of connecting and being accessible. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConvinced as I am that we desperately need more innovative and colourful expressions of church that are shaped around mission, there are important lessons to learn from Messy Church. We can continue to develop and multiply Messy Churches, but also boldly reinvent church in other surprising directions and reshapings. We need the kind of courage and creativity that characterizes Messy Church, but also the permission and resourcing that existing churches and sponsors have generously given. We need to unleash the creativity of all of God's people, and not be preoccupied with a particular inherited worship format or bound by reliance on hired holy people. As we experiment, messy does not mean sloppy as George Lings warns, and churches need to be careful about focusing on and evaluating discipleship and mission and our foundational values, as the Messy Church Theology authors have done.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI have my own unanswered curious question to ask of these Messy Church Theology writers. Their concern about discipleship seems to largely settle on utilizing and the 10 minute celebration teaching time, or increasing the frequency of gathering or adding extra programs or resources. But I would love to hear more about how Messy Church practitioners utilize their craft and hospitality times for disciple-making. What can we learn - or what do we need to learn better - about coming alongside people in the midst of activity and relationships, and as spiritual companions urging one another on as disciples? In what ways can we best be open to 'God moments' that Paul Moore urges us to be attentive to (p.243) in the midst of the 'create, chill, chomp and celebrate' (p.259) of Messy Church, or even everyday life?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe rich theological reflection, practical suggestions and inspiring case studies of Messy Church Theology is excellent reading for Messy Church practitioners, anyone having a go at all-age worship or outreach, or missional church leaders ready to learn from this growing movement. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarren Cronshaw, pastor of AuburnLife and Mission Catalyst - Researcher with the Baptist Union of Victoria. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is another well-presented, easy to read book from the Messy Church team.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral themes recur in the book. It inevitably considers the wider debate of Fresh Expressions of which Messy Church can be considered one aspect. Claire Dalpra and Steve Hollinghurst debate whether Messy Church is or is not 'church', with the theme reiterated throughout the book that Messy Church is not just another activity club, Sunday school or outreach project. To be 'church' it needs to demonstrate the four creedal marks of church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe debate around Fresh Expressions inevitably raises the issue of how adults can grow as disciples within Messy Church. Judy Paulsen uses data from her doctoral research study to look into this in some depth. Tim G. Waghorn suggests that although the teaching context should be robust and relevant to connect with families, adults are likely to be kept in a 'holding pattern' until there is something else for them to feed into. Bob Hopkins discusses a framework to make discipleship more intentional, while Beth Barnett proposes that it might not be necessary to consciously strive for maturity if the congregation enjoys a constant engagement with the Bible and the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Lings suggests that Messy Churches should be measured against the core values identified by Lucy Moore: hospitality, creativity, celebration and all-age, adding a fifth: Christ-centred.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is punctuated with case studies of individual Messy Church experiences, from the Messy Church Fiesta in Scotland, the 'Messy Angels' in Northern Ireland to the Messy Church in Hemel Hempstead for children with special needs and the Messy Church in the north-west of England with some useful ideas for reaching dads and engaging the boys. These all provide a useful snapshot of recent Messy Church developments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all books of this style, there are some articles that are more useful than others. But each of the varied selection of authors has written passionately about their different areas of expertise, providing some thought-provoking material. They look back on the story so far, celebrating what God has been doing, and looking ahead to debate what might make Messy Church even more effective for the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR News late September 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'...the people group who have been theologically marginalised and ignored the longest and most consistently to the present day are children. Week by week in our churches we continue to patronise them, silence them and ignore their attempts at reframing our faith. If they are asked to share their thinking at the end of our Sunday worship, we applaud their insights into the holy scriptures rather than learning from them. And yet, if we will look and listen, the drawings and sculptures and ideas and thinking of children in every church can enormously enrich what we know about God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis explosive paragraph, by Bishop Paul Bayes, is in line with the thought-provoking material written by all of the varied authors featured in this first-rate book. Read it if you are involved in the leadership of a Messy Church or if you want to deepen your understanding of how anyone can be helped to grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI will be referring to it often!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRona Orme - Peterborough Diocese Children's Missioner.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Salvationist, 7th June 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI AM naturally more at home preparing and doing Messy Church than I am 'theologising' about it! That being said, reading Messy Church Theology has given me insight into what has made Messy Church the phenomenon it has become over the past ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nWhile the heart of Messy Church itself is all about introducing families to Christ, the various contributors to this book seek to answer questions such as, 'When is Messy Church, church?' and 'Does Messy Church make disciples?' Some of the questions raised and concerns highlighted are very much rooted in its Anglican heritage and their use of liturgy and the sacraments. However, while these may not pose the same issues for The Salvation Army, most of us would be challenged that it should not be seen as just a bridge to our Sunday meeting congregations but as a church in its own right. I particularly enjoyed Paul Moore's analogy of likening church to the variety of Cheddar cheeses available in a supermarket: 'The mild looks like soap and probably tastes bland. The vintage looks cracked and crusty and may prove dangerously pungent but the point is that it is all sold as Cheddar cheese and it is all maturing. Similarly, in a healthy maturing church we can expect to have a range of Christian commitment and maturity, from new Christians through to vintage disciples, and even if there are more mild than mature members, it still constitutes real church if the members are working together to build one another up in Christ.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nAlthough tough at points, the overall read is worthwhile and will prove beneficial to anyone involved in leading Messy Church. Case studies give inspirational examples of good practice and tie the book together in showing how Messy Church successfully reaches people with the love of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Rachel Gotobed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Mission Network News\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter nearly 10 years Messy Church has grown considerably, with over 2000 churches registered worldwide. Such growth has generated much response and debate. A collection of essays from a range of contributors has been gathered in order to provide theological reflection that will explore the significance of Messy Church for individual discipleship and for the wider church. Any who wish to engage in a broader awareness of this, or who are questioning the long-term sustainability and impact of Messy Church, will find that the essays provide a framework for thought and debate.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:17+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:18+00:00","vendor":"George Lings","type":"Paperback","tags":["Oct-13"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769010151524,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461711","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":317,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461711"}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1549043176","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":"Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church","id":3238874775691,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1570098003"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857461711-l.jpg?v=1570098003","width":426}],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMessy Church Theology\u003c\/em\u003e is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a variety of church and academic backgrounds and case studies by Messy Church practitioners, it gathers together some of the discussions around Messy Church and assesses the impact of this ministry, placing it in the context of wider developments within the church community.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 1: Messy questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 When is Messy Church 'church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eClaire Dalpra\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 When is Messy Church 'not church'?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteve Hollinghurst\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Special Educational Needs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTrish Hahn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 How does Messy Church travel?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 Does Messy Church make disciples?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJudy Paulsen\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church at St Christopher's\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAlison Paginton\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 2: Messy foundations\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Messy theology\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Bayes\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Messy disciples\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJohn Drane\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church Fiesta\u003cbr\u003eChristine Barton\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 From Sunday school to Messy Church: a new movement for our age?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Jackson\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 What is the DNA of Messy Church?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: Messy Church @ Christ Church Primacy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eKevin Metcalfe\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSection 3: Messy practicalities\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Messy maturity: paradox, contradiction or perfect match?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeth Barnett\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 Messy Church: how far can you go before reaching the limit?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTim G. Waghorn\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: the story of the 'Messy angels'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSharon Pritchard\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Some frameworks to explore Messy Church and discipleship\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eBob Hopkins\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e12 Growing, maturing, ripening: what might an older Messy Church look like?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003ePaul Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eCase study: St Andrew's Church, Bebington: the journey of an older Messy Church\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarie Beale\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e13 Why we might expect mess, not merely tolerate it\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGeorge Lings\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAfterword\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLucy Moore\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's research unit, The Sheffield Centre, which for over a decade has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinistry Today - July 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fairly substantial assessment of where Messy Church is up to and how it might sit within the wider church, and because Messy Church is inter-generational, there is much in these 13 chapters that could apply to All Age Worship of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eKey recurring issues are: 'Is Messy Church really church, or is it just a part of church?'; 'Does Messy Church really disciple people adequately?'; 'How adaptable is Messy Church?'; 'What is the future of Messy Church?' Obviously the book is a forthright apologia for Messy Church. Most, but not all, contributors firmly claim that Messy Church is (or should be viewed as) a full expression of church in its own right. Certainly, it's pointed out, if the Vicar thinks it is merely a strategy to get people into 'real' church and the Messy Church Leaders feel it's a full expression of church in its own right, you are heading for trouble!\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much here for All Age practitioners to reflect upon, especially in the area of discipleship. However, stronger answers still need to be developed. What's really good is that the Messy Church movement has asked searching questions of itself, and offered some answers with case-studies. 3.5\/5.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Dormandy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview from Ecclesial Practices 2:1 (2015), 121-123] - Australia May 2015\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMessy Church is a creative, all-age, hospitable, celebrating expression of church whose time seems to have come. A decade on from its pioneering by Lucy and Paul Moore and team in Portsmouth, there are now 1400 registered messy churches in the UK alone, and Messy Church coordinators estimate 4000 Messy-style churches with 360,000 participants in the UK. It is the single most common and most rapidly multiplying expression model of the Fresh expressions movement, and is connecting with un-churched, de-churched and marginally churched people. Its reach has spread across denominations and continents; the Messy Church website directory shows me there are 20 in my home city of Melbourne, including 3 within 3 kilometres of my house - Anglican, Uniting and Baptist! There are more than a dozen books on how to start and run a messy church with its crafts, cooking and conversations. What Messy Church Theology uniquely explores is where Messy Church fits theologically as 'church', where it is growing (or wants to grow) in disciple-making, and what other streams of the church and missional movement could learn from Messy Church. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e19 writers contribute case studies or chapters in three sections. Firstly there are 'messy questions' exploring when fresh expressions are fresh, when they are church, and when they are messy church? What is the DNA of messy church, how transferable is it, and how does Bible Reading Fellowship as its sponsor ensure quality but not expect control? The most recurring questions are how can Messy Church foster discipleship, and how can it 'be church' for all-of-life beyond certain life stages. It is appropriate to bring an evaluative grid to innovative new expressions about how they are doing as church in making healthy disciples and being missional, but these are questions for all churches not just messy new experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second section digs into 'messy foundations' - urging a theology and discipleship that is messy and curious. That is helped as we listen to and not just condescend children, and celebrate and imitate their relentless and playful questioning. Messy Church, like Alpha, allows space for questions and expressing mystery and doubt; elements that are essential for evangelism in a post-modern context, but natural in an all-age setting of Messy Church. The ethos of creativity that Messy Church fosters is intriguing and something all churches could learn from, as George Lings articulates: \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e'Turning church back into a creative, participatory, communal hive of spiritual life is a worthy goal that critiques much existing church practice. \r\nThrough true hospitality and creativity, those who come to us move from being clients, for whom we provide pre-cooked liturgical dishes, to being guests for whom we care. They also become co-creators with whom we are fellow artists, and co-workers with whom we are partners. In the end, even the distinction between host and guest dissolves, and so all-age, Christ-centred community emerges' (pp.160-161).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe third and final section unpacks 'messy practicalities'; not trying to tidy up all loose ends but actually celebrating the mess of life and the adventure of experimenting with church. For example, Beth Barnett offers critique of Western Enlightenment-inspired 'maturity' language, pointing more importantly to Jesus' invitation to become like a child in openness, collaboration and curiosity (rather than aspiring to power, bigness and conservatism). Barnett subversively suggests multi-sensory interactive learning and engaging together with Scripture is potentially a richer and more promising path to growth than a three point monological sermon; and that engaging with Scripture and worship with children ought to be as natural as children around the dinner table. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a rich collection of case studies scattered through the book, but I especially appreciated Tim Waghorn's Melbourne innovation of offering weekly (rather than the usual monthly) Messy Church as a way of breaking down barriers and offering church accessibly for families, complete with media-guided worship (using common technology people are used to) and sensory engaging learning. Waghorn celebrates how Messy Church involves a wide range of lay leaders and does not rely on the hired holy person, but he also challenges Ministers to engage in Messy Church leadership, as a fast-track way of connecting and being accessible. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eConvinced as I am that we desperately need more innovative and colourful expressions of church that are shaped around mission, there are important lessons to learn from Messy Church. We can continue to develop and multiply Messy Churches, but also boldly reinvent church in other surprising directions and reshapings. We need the kind of courage and creativity that characterizes Messy Church, but also the permission and resourcing that existing churches and sponsors have generously given. We need to unleash the creativity of all of God's people, and not be preoccupied with a particular inherited worship format or bound by reliance on hired holy people. As we experiment, messy does not mean sloppy as George Lings warns, and churches need to be careful about focusing on and evaluating discipleship and mission and our foundational values, as the Messy Church Theology authors have done.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eI have my own unanswered curious question to ask of these Messy Church Theology writers. Their concern about discipleship seems to largely settle on utilizing and the 10 minute celebration teaching time, or increasing the frequency of gathering or adding extra programs or resources. But I would love to hear more about how Messy Church practitioners utilize their craft and hospitality times for disciple-making. What can we learn - or what do we need to learn better - about coming alongside people in the midst of activity and relationships, and as spiritual companions urging one another on as disciples? In what ways can we best be open to 'God moments' that Paul Moore urges us to be attentive to (p.243) in the midst of the 'create, chill, chomp and celebrate' (p.259) of Messy Church, or even everyday life?\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe rich theological reflection, practical suggestions and inspiring case studies of Messy Church Theology is excellent reading for Messy Church practitioners, anyone having a go at all-age worship or outreach, or missional church leaders ready to learn from this growing movement. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDarren Cronshaw, pastor of AuburnLife and Mission Catalyst - Researcher with the Baptist Union of Victoria. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is another well-presented, easy to read book from the Messy Church team.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral themes recur in the book. It inevitably considers the wider debate of Fresh Expressions of which Messy Church can be considered one aspect. Claire Dalpra and Steve Hollinghurst debate whether Messy Church is or is not 'church', with the theme reiterated throughout the book that Messy Church is not just another activity club, Sunday school or outreach project. To be 'church' it needs to demonstrate the four creedal marks of church: one, holy, catholic and apostolic.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe debate around Fresh Expressions inevitably raises the issue of how adults can grow as disciples within Messy Church. Judy Paulsen uses data from her doctoral research study to look into this in some depth. Tim G. Waghorn suggests that although the teaching context should be robust and relevant to connect with families, adults are likely to be kept in a 'holding pattern' until there is something else for them to feed into. Bob Hopkins discusses a framework to make discipleship more intentional, while Beth Barnett proposes that it might not be necessary to consciously strive for maturity if the congregation enjoys a constant engagement with the Bible and the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eGeorge Lings suggests that Messy Churches should be measured against the core values identified by Lucy Moore: hospitality, creativity, celebration and all-age, adding a fifth: Christ-centred.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is punctuated with case studies of individual Messy Church experiences, from the Messy Church Fiesta in Scotland, the 'Messy Angels' in Northern Ireland to the Messy Church in Hemel Hempstead for children with special needs and the Messy Church in the north-west of England with some useful ideas for reaching dads and engaging the boys. These all provide a useful snapshot of recent Messy Church developments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs with all books of this style, there are some articles that are more useful than others. But each of the varied selection of authors has written passionately about their different areas of expertise, providing some thought-provoking material. They look back on the story so far, celebrating what God has been doing, and looking ahead to debate what might make Messy Church even more effective for the future. \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGillian Roberts\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom STAR News late September 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'...the people group who have been theologically marginalised and ignored the longest and most consistently to the present day are children. Week by week in our churches we continue to patronise them, silence them and ignore their attempts at reframing our faith. If they are asked to share their thinking at the end of our Sunday worship, we applaud their insights into the holy scriptures rather than learning from them. And yet, if we will look and listen, the drawings and sculptures and ideas and thinking of children in every church can enormously enrich what we know about God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis explosive paragraph, by Bishop Paul Bayes, is in line with the thought-provoking material written by all of the varied authors featured in this first-rate book. Read it if you are involved in the leadership of a Messy Church or if you want to deepen your understanding of how anyone can be helped to grow as a disciple of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI will be referring to it often!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRona Orme - Peterborough Diocese Children's Missioner.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Salvationist, 7th June 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eI AM naturally more at home preparing and doing Messy Church than I am 'theologising' about it! That being said, reading Messy Church Theology has given me insight into what has made Messy Church the phenomenon it has become over the past ten years.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nWhile the heart of Messy Church itself is all about introducing families to Christ, the various contributors to this book seek to answer questions such as, 'When is Messy Church, church?' and 'Does Messy Church make disciples?' Some of the questions raised and concerns highlighted are very much rooted in its Anglican heritage and their use of liturgy and the sacraments. However, while these may not pose the same issues for The Salvation Army, most of us would be challenged that it should not be seen as just a bridge to our Sunday meeting congregations but as a church in its own right. I particularly enjoyed Paul Moore's analogy of likening church to the variety of Cheddar cheeses available in a supermarket: 'The mild looks like soap and probably tastes bland. The vintage looks cracked and crusty and may prove dangerously pungent but the point is that it is all sold as Cheddar cheese and it is all maturing. Similarly, in a healthy maturing church we can expect to have a range of Christian commitment and maturity, from new Christians through to vintage disciples, and even if there are more mild than mature members, it still constitutes real church if the members are working together to build one another up in Christ.'\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\nAlthough tough at points, the overall read is worthwhile and will prove beneficial to anyone involved in leading Messy Church. Case studies give inspirational examples of good practice and tie the book together in showing how Messy Church successfully reaches people with the love of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Rachel Gotobed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Mission Network News\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAfter nearly 10 years Messy Church has grown considerably, with over 2000 churches registered worldwide. Such growth has generated much response and debate. A collection of essays from a range of contributors has been gathered in order to provide theological reflection that will explore the significance of Messy Church for individual discipleship and for the wider church. Any who wish to engage in a broader awareness of this, or who are questioning the long-term sustainability and impact of Messy Church, will find that the essays provide a framework for thought and debate.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Messy Church Theology: Exploring the significance of Messy Church for the wider church
£9.99
Messy Church Theology is the first title to encapsulate the theology of Messy Church. Through essays by contributors from a...