What is a Messy Pathway?
Messy Pathways, an initiative developed by Messy Church USA, is designed for Judicatory, Diocesan, Districts, Conferences and or educational bodies to equip churches within their organizations to explore, start and sustain Messy Churches. Messy Pathways is a step-by-step process that will equip participants to start strong and build sustainability into their local Messy Churches.
The movement of Messy Church began twenty years ago in the UK and is now found throughout the world. At a Messy Church gathering, all ages meet to learn about Christ through games, crafts and activities, music, and storytelling from the Bible. A foundational ingredient of Messy Church is to gather around a table for a snack or meal and build relationships with each other, God, and the world. Messy Church USA partners with the global Messy Church movement to equip local Messy Churches to start, sustain and connect in the USA.
Messy Pathways Includes Two Levels
Messy Pathway Level I
- What is Messy Church? An introductory 30-minute training for any interested participants (Online in person zoom call)
- Get Started in Messy Church in-person or online Training
- In person is a one-day six-hour Training
- Online training consists of three 90-minute trainings
- Follow Up Zoom Call to all participants three months after Get Started Training
- 1 Messy Church USA curriculum session for participants used in the Get Started training
Messy Pathway Level II (Optional Add On to Level I)
- All that is included in Level I
- Two small group cohort coaching sessions. Limited to 10 people per cohort(e.g. 5 churches with 2 persons per church). The number of cohorts is unlimited but total cost for Level II is dependent upon number of cohorts.
- A twenty percent discount for the first year of renewable Messy Church USA Supporter ($50.00 standard) or Sustainer ($200 standard) Network Membership for churches that have attended training in Messy Pathways
- One additional regularly priced $15.00 Messy Church USA curriculum session of choice
Messy Pathways Level I Details
What is a Messy Church?
This 45-minute zoom call introduces participants to Messy Church basics. The focus is on the ‘what’ of Messy Church to explore if Messy Church is a fit for communities to use to reach beyond their traditional church to share the good news of following Jesus. After a brief introduction focused on the five values of Messy Church, there will be opportunities for engagement with the trainer.
Get Started in Messy Church Training (In Person or Online)
Both the in person and online Get Started training is led by certified Messy Church leaders. The training is both theoretical and practical. Each team will learn vital tools to start strong with their local Messy Church. Participants will discover how the five foundational values and four components are used as building blocks to contextualize their Messy Church to their specific community.
A ‘mini-Messy church’ experience is included with the training.
Online Training is limited to 15 church teams or 50 individuals. If online limit is reached, MC USA will consult with event host re: extra payment for additional trainer
Follow Up Zoom Call with Trainers
A sixty-minute zoom call with participants and training leaders will be scheduled, preferably three months after the conclusion of Get Started Training. This interactive call is an opportunity to follow up with participants after they have developed their team and planned for the initial Messy Church.
Messy Church Session
A full electronic edition of the Messy Church session used in the Get Started Training will be emailed to each participant after the training. The session includes theme/ activities and instructions/ a script for the celebration time and ready to print Activity Table flyers.
Messy Pathways Level II Details
(Optional Add On to Level I)
Two Small Group Cohort Coaching Sessions
Small Group Cohort teleconference coaching sessions will be led by experienced Messy Church Leaders. Each coaching session is 60 minutes and limited to ten people per cohort. These sessions are designed for participants to build resilience and sustainability for each Messy Church. The cohort also builds connections within the sponsoring organization. The number of cohorts is unlimited. Price is dependent on total # of cohorts.
Twenty Percent Discount for First Year of Renewable Supporter or Sustainer Network Membership
Connecting with other Messy Church leaders is vital for successful Messy Churches. Messy Church USA offers three levels of yearly network membership. Membership gives permission for churches to use the Messy Church logo and provides their Messy Church information on our Messy Church Directory on our website.
The supporter and sustainer membership offers additional resources. Churches in the Level II Messy Pathways will receive a twenty percent discount for their first year of supporter or sustainer membership.
Additional Messy Church Session
Participants of the Level II Messy Pathways will receive one additional regularly priced $15.00 Messy Church USA curriculum session of their choice.
Messy Church USA
Part of All-Age Faith Formation, a 501c3
For more information, contact:
- Roberta Egli, Administrative Director roberta@messychurchusa.org
- Johannah Myers, Program Director johannah@messychurchusa.org
