Messy Church

Mona is great. Her friends didn’t want to come to church. So she organised a child-friendly event raising funds for UNICEF. Then two clubs: pre-school football and Zumba dance. Then two one-day pre-school events: based on the Garden of Eden and Noah’s Ark. Many people came.

I showed her the Messy Church stuff to gived her ideas - www.messychurch.org.uk.

Then she talked with Geoff, Director of our Family Centre - http://www.westbourneparkfamilycentre.org.uk/ . Together they planned a pilot for May. To see if we can attract people who don’t come to our church. In particular, one people-group we don’t reach, middle class families. Our worship is too visceral, emotional, intense.

What’s interesting was my initial reaction. Defensive. Worried about overloading people. Concerned that doing it before I leave would unsettle the church. Much better to keep things the same, not rock the boat.

Amazing how the same old controlling clerical attitude kicks in. Thinking I am indispensible, and wanting a nice easy even situation. I soon flipped back to normal mode. Much more important to take risks, experiment.

That’s what I like about this church, this people. Always willing to try things. For the sake of the kingdom. To reach people.