Messy FAQ's

On this page we hope to answer or point to some answers for questions we think you may want the answers to. These are simply our answers, there may be other answers and we're happy to be corrected!

So ... here goes...

What is Messy Church? 

Messy Church...

• is a way of being church for families involving fun
• is a church, not a craft club, that helps people encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour
• is found across the world
• values are about being Christ-centred, for all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration

Take a read here at what Messy Church is and isn't

Who runs Messy Church ?

Messy Church is an idea which started in a normal local church by Lucy Moore in Portsmouth and is now also staffed by a few others who help facilitate and offer support to  Messy Churches - Meet the Team 

That's the background ... but actually ... its normal local people in local churches right around the world who run messy churches ... across the denominations. So who runs messy churches ... its actually people like you!

How many Messy Churches are there? 
This is probably the most difficult of  questions as we dont really know. Over 4000 of them are registered on the Messy Map Directory ... Check it out here

In Ireland there are only a few registered as of yet but more are on their way to registering which is great! Over 10% of Church of Ireland Parishes are running Messy Churches

Is Messy Church a replacement for Sunday Morning Church?

The Quick answer is No! - Messy Church is primarily for those not attending any other church.

Having said this ... It is, (or has the potential of being) an expression of church for those who come along. Therefore there is no expectation of

How do I start a messy church? 
Once again this is a difficult or messy question

On one hand we'd say ... just do it but on the other we'd say take time! 

• Think about it ... Pray about it ... 
• Do you have the support from your church ?
• Do you have a team around about you ? 
• Listen to your community? 
• Read up on it ... there are loads of books and DVD's now to help 
• Look at the Messy Church Website 
• Contact your Regional Co-ordinator - In Ireland this is Robert Ferris - In Northern Ireland this is Jill Hamilton

Why should we bother about messy Church anyway? 
 Some good reasons ....

• We want to make disciples. 
• The people in our area who don't belong to church would like coming to a Messy Church. 
• We want to share the love of God in Jesus in a way that's as accessible as possible to families. 
• We believe that the best way for people of all ages to come closer to God is by journeying together.
• We want to share Jesus more than we want to share our particular denominational traditions. 
• We want to model who Jesus is to those around us. 
• We believe God is in Messy Church and we want to follow where he leads. 
• We think Jesus is the person to give people in our community life in all its fullness. 
• And many more.