Mary Hawes sent through this blog from Heather Zempel with some thoughts about mess in general in a godly context. I think my posture (point 1 below) is that of instigator, as Heather would agree if she could see my desk at the mo. Heather writes:
‘There’s always a connection between mess and transformation, mess is the environment in which the greatest transformation usually occurs.
Types of messes: the sin mess (someone in community sins), the relational mess (what happens when people are naturally in relationship together) and the life mess (when tragedy strikes the group).
What to do when a mess happens in community:
Acknowledge the mess: what is your posture? Will you be an inspector (someone who points out the areas of mess) or an engineer (someone who creates a better environment)? Don’t just ignore the mess, acknowledge it!
Identify: what type of mess are you dealing with (sin, relational, life)?
Have the right perspective: mess isn’t the end, it usually is the beginning of something great.
Ask good questions: there is usually a gap between the information that we know and the reality of the situation. Ask questions in order to understand the current reality.
Gain great counsel: talk to the right people who can help guide you through the messy process.
Communicate the biblical goal of the mess: for growth to occur and for God to glorified.
Be willing to fight through the mess: complete the process and fight for community and transformation.’
Additional resources: heatherzempel.com | twitter: @heatherzempel
You may also like
![](https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Andy-blog-1-aspect-ratio-258-230.jpg)
Doing Things Differently in Different Places
6th Aug 2024When we hear these two words ‘Messy Church’, we may well have a picture in our minds of what we hope will happen and h...
![](https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/IMG_01741-1-scaled-aspect-ratio-258-230-1024x913.jpg)
Reuben on Resources…
15th Jul 2024I've never been able to sit quietly in church - as a student I was always on the sound desk or keeping busy in some other way. When my children were born, I helped with the parents and toddlers’ group, and ran a small Sunday school group.
![](https://www.messychurch.brf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Football-Fortitude-1-scaled-aspect-ratio-258-230-1024x912.jpg)
When football and faith collide
11th Jul 2024As you might have guessed from last week’s Facebook live, I love sport, in particular football and F1 so it’s been quite a few days! When faith and football collide, that makes me very happy!