Messy Church Course
What is Messy Church? Messy Church was started up because families/children were only coming to the holiday clubs. Messy Church is directed at all ages – so that children can be nurtured in a church environment more regularly. Parents can spend time with children – KEY to Messy Church Any child that is on their own shouldn't really be on their own otherwise parents may leave their children there (if there is a 10 year old who wants to come – ask them to get the a parent or if they can see an adult they know that will be responsible for them) Questions to consider when setting up Messy Church Should we be bringing families into Sunday services or should we just accept Messy Church is Church? Answer - Messy Church is Church. If families were interested in coming on a sunday then they would already be coming. Most families use sunday to spend time as a family, or its sometimes when children have football etc on. Messy Church is another congregation of the Church. We should be a Church for them. At what point do you charge for coming to Messy Church? Answer - Sunday congregation should pay as part of its outreach mission. Messy Church is a community. You can do raising money activities with Messy Church (Lucy Moore's Messy Church is “twining one of her church toilets with one in India” etc). Show that God loves to give things for free. Should there be a final goal? What should it be? Answer - To experience a Christian community, to help them come to Christ and to help “plant seeds”. How do we get Children in upper primary school age and children that are into sporty activities rather than crafts active? Answer - Try to get activities to fit all ages. Do we provide a Meal? Answer – Yes it shows the people who are from outside the church our faith as well as our church is a community. What Messy Church is not It's not a club for kids but for all ages. It's not a Church for church families but for the unchurched. It's not a bridge into normal church but it's a church in its own right. It's not just a fun social activity but a way to help people discover Jesus. Messy Church should be based on the following values Christ Centered – learning through play Creativity Hospitality – allowing adults to come even if they haven't brought children – its a chance for people eg elderly who are lonely to socialise. Celebration All ages One Messy Church in Derby changed its name to Messy Play then more families started coming as a result. Setting Up Messy Church Creating a Team (Lucy Moore's suggestion) Core Team (3-4 people) Welcomers Blokes/teens/edgy – if we want dads and teens coming more then we need dads and teens as helpers. Craft helpers Cooks Celebration leaders Chatters – if people running the day are busy then they can't go around talking to everyone therefore people can be God's ears and eyes. Pray-ers (sometimes don't have always to pray before starting) Child protection *One church got the young people to lead celebration section as all children and young people have a ministry Set up plan (Lucy Moore's suggestions) Welcome Registration Name Badage Colouring/Games Drinks Chats Intro to the theme Crafts (Lucy Moore's suggestions) Choice Different types – different learners and ages Include activities that doesn't involve being taken home eg science activities Helpers at each station Linked to theme Short For adults too Celebration (Lucy Moore's suggestions) Different room? Short Simple Involves everyone Keep to one theme Clear language Bible based Meal (Lucy Moore's suggestions) Simple Sustainable Imaginative link to theme Make sure each family is eating together Mix team and families to ensure everyone is together Age appropriote Cost effective Goodbye (Lucy Moore's suggestions) Birthdays Further events Reminder of next date Take home handouts Gifts (one Messy Church leader asked companys for gifts to promote their products for the 200 people that attend their Messy Church) Messy Church Discipleship (Lucy Moore's suggestions) Relationships Unique to every place Ongoing (but need for milestones) Lifelong Modelled (caught not taught) Oblique For team For congregation as individuals and families Making the most of opportunities within Messy Church itself. People feel belonged within Messy Church – even athiests are coming and inviting friends. (Research from a Messy Church in Surrey) It also found that both leaders and parents were nervous about asking religious questions as they didn't have built up relationships. Next Steps Faith at home – porous grace – Messy Church is best not more than once a month. Family as a model – Just go to church or pray together etc. We should provide and equip families to provide Christianity in homes. Faithinhomes.org.uk Tread lightly – Don't ask people to get their children baptised etc Craft websites that were suggested Infinite Crafts – they provide anything you need (if you want 12 disciples then they will provide them) Bakeross (both of these are 10% off if you say your Messy Church) Docrafts Espro Report by Becki Cole
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