by Johannah Myers, Associate Director of Messy Church USA
It’s funny how one word can make a huge difference in how we understand something. As we were setting up for Celebrate the Mess last month, one of the workshop leaders used the word “liturgy” to describe what I’ve always called the “model” of Messy Church. Just hearing her say “liturgy” has got my head spinning in new ways.
So, in the spirit of ONE WORD’s power to make a difference, here are a few ONE WORDs I’ve been pondering since Celebrate the Mess.
INSPIRING – I don’t know about y’all, but I was inspired by all the exciting Messy things happening around the country (and around the world). I came home from Celebrate the Mess with a ton of new ideas and hopes for my own Messy Church.
SONG – The power of music to make community was put into action throughout the conference thanks to leadership of Breen Sipes and Charles Murphy from Music That Makes Community.
PEOPLE – As in, “these are my people!” There’s something special about being together with other people who care about intergenerational discipleship and Messy Church. There’s a spirit of collaboration and energy that we don’t find often in the church world. It was so wonderful to spend some days “with my people!”
CELEBRATE – It doesn’t always feel like we have much to celebrate in the Church these days. I know we’re all feeling the strains of post-pandemic burnout, declining funds, changing family patterns and more. To be able to gather and truly celebrate all the ways God is working in our Messy communities was a gift I don’t take lightly.
And finally, one more word:
THANKS – I am thankful for all of the hard work of the Celebrate the Mess planning team, the gracious hospitality of the folks at Northfield Community Church, and all those who gave up days away from family and work to be present at Celebrate the Mess!
What word would you add to describe your time at Celebrate the Mess?
