I asked God for a birthday treat yesterday as I was away from home and out of reach of my pile of presents waiting there (though to my joy, my cooked breakfast arrived with a birthday candle stuck into the sausage!)
And during the day someone who had better remain nameless presented me with this treat of a story: before they started their Messy Church, the Area Dean had told their church that they were no longer viable and would have to lose their minister, which would mean closure. They started Messy Church nonetheless. It is now the biggest congregation and families are happily moving from Messy Church into other services, asking for baptism and joining the PCC.
Recently the church has been told by the Area Dean that their church is now the most missional in outlook in the deanery and they can have another half-time paid minister to build on the growth they’re experiencing! God brings resurrection out of death once again.
You may also like
Creating Safe Spaces
25th Nov 2024As our media fills up with stories of abuse and coverups within religious organisations, it was very timely that children and family ministry denominational leaders met to discuss ‘Safeguarding’ at the Children’s Ministry Network Conference November gathering at High Leigh Conference centre.
Woman at the Well
3rd Nov 2024After a busy 3 day of leading seminars, networking, and being on the Messy Church stand at Church of Norway conference, I had the opportunity to visit a sauna, called The Well, Oslo. It’s the Nordic region’s largest Spa in Scandinavia, with baths, saunas and spa treatments from all over the world.
Seaside Sojourn
21st Oct 2024It seems that I always get booked to deliver in-person training at seaside locations. This trend continued last weekend, as I headed off to the coastal village of Seaton, Devon.
Our Survey Said…
7th Oct 2024Back in February 2024, Church of England kindly sponsored a survey, completed by 330 Messy Church leaders. This is what we...
