Lucy writes: I could use some help. I’m trying to create some thinking around Messy Theology. I’m not a theologian and may be doing this all wrong, so please chip in with practical help if you can. I THINK it’s about looking at theology through a lens of Messiness. Why do I want to do this? I’m interested to see whether a robust understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a Messy approach might provide a safe space for churches to use in matters over which we disagree. Also, it’s interesting, just for its own sake.
There’s a chapter by Bishop Paul Bayes in Messy Church Theology, which has been a good starting point.
Here are the first few paragraphs of my musings. I’ll pop the rest in another blog post to avoid overload. Can you add anything?
‘Messy theology involves an acceptance of, a contentment with, a welcome of: uncertainty, doubt, creativity, spontaneity, lack of control, space, generosity, hospitality, mutuality, power-sharing, mystery, exploration, incomprehension, interdependence, ambiguity, humility, brokenness, relationship, incompleteness, work-in-progress. It is non-judgemental, gentle, playful, not-for-profit, risk-taking. It rejoices in the physical and the spiritual, often finding the fuller expression of one through the other.
‘Messy theology excludes: arrogance, self-righteousness, rigidity, predictability, power-seeking, pragmatism, over-confidence, authoritarianism, dogmatism, perfectionism, constrictive structures, desire for completion, manipulation, exploitation of the weak, individualism, judgementalism, harshness, profiteering, security, restriction, niggardliness, competitiveness, possessiveness, silos and separatism.
Its danger is that without a strong relationship at the centre, it risks becoming woolly and vague, reliant on experience, senses and emotions. It risks remaining at the playful stage without making space for reflection and conscious learning. Its contentment with mystery means there is a risk of being lazy about discovery. Its gentleness means it may run the risk of avoiding tough challenges and confrontations.’
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!