Messy Church International Conference Reflection: What Now?

Part 1 of 4

Roberta J. Egli

Leyla and I looked on a bit helplessly as the train we had just boarded to Broxbourne station; the stop for the conference center of the (MCIC)  2019 event, left the station with two of our traveling companions (Marty and Lynn) left standing on the platform.  We had navigated the labyrinth of the London tube from the airport to the hotel, we had gotten lost while following the directions of google maps through London the day before, we had found our way back to the tube station the morning of the conference where it took several attempts to add money to our oyster cards, (btw- we added way too much money!) and had successfully made tube line transfers to the train station where we got separated when the door of the train shut after I got on the train and we could not get the door back open.   

What now? Yes, I admit there was a brief moment of panic but after a few text messages, we realized that Leyla and I simply needed to proceed to the Broxbourne station and then wait for Marty and Lynn to catch the train. When they arrived about twenty minutes after us, they had already made friends with another MCIC delegate from Scotland with whom we shared a taxi to the conference center.

I have now returned home following an inspiring four days with over 200 delegates from all over the world. The conference was filled with excitement and we heard many stories of how Messy Church has changed individual lives of the leaders of Messy Church and the communities of faith where they serve. I find myself asking again…what now?

The idea of Messy Church USA was birthed at the 2016 MCIC. Over three years we have worked together to create something new. We have formed a Board of Directors and became a separate nonprofit entity with a signed agreement with Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) to be the home for Messy Church in the USA.

We have developed strategic plans and three year goals for our future. However, as I was reminded by our travel experience, I know there are and will be times when our reality will not follow our neatly drafted plans. Rather than panicking or doubting our plans, we are called to trust the leading of the Spirit and adjust. Discerning the leading of the Spirit is an adventure to live into. I pray that we will have the grace to move forward with a sense of curiosity, discovery and a sense of play. My question for you… How have you trusted the Spirit at your Messy Church within the past two months as you have needed to adjust your plans?

Look for three more reflections from my experience at MCIC over the next two weeks.

Messy Blessings,

Roberta