It’s church, but not as you know it.

Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Luke 12:24 (NIV). I was inspired after our Messy Church Goes Wild session, ‘Wild on the Wing’, to dig into the Messy Church value of ‘hospitality’ and see if I could welcome more birds into my suburban London garden.

At Messy Church, we’re always looking for ways for different generations to interact. Reading together is one approach. Providing a quiet book corner alongside the hustle and bustle of a busy Messy Church might give a parent/carer the opportunity for some quality 1:1 time as they read with their young child. It also allows the introverts and those with a studious spiritual style, to pick up a Bible and read about the theme of the day.

At the end of every Messy Church, I always like to ask the team: What went well? Even better if? Where is God at work? How...

Whilst driving down a country lane in Devon, I was suddenly aware of thousands of birds flying overhead. We followed the flock and pulled over as the starlings settled in a field of sheep, both parties seemingly unaware of each other. I felt like I’d stumbled into a David Attenborough ‘Wild Isles’ episode and stood excitedly, wondering what would happen next.