Defeating loneliness

Published 22nd July 2016 by lucy moore

Church Urban Fund have written a paper on loneliness and how churches can combat this sense of isolation that so many people suffer from. It strikes me that Messy Church might be one small way churches can respond to the challenge of loneliness. In the summary, Tim Burton-Jones writes that the three main findings are:
Group based activities are better than one-to-one interventions
Activity groups based on mutual interest are more effective than groups that target lonely people
Groups are most effective when they allow members to take responsibility for leadership
So a few implications for Messy Churches might include having one activity that is a communal one, like a big piece of art; inviting your congregation and team to think about someone in the neighbourhood they could invite personally to come along and be part of the congregation; encouraging Messy congregations to help out with all the jobs that needs doing and become part of the leadership team step by step; an dperhaps most importantly, fo te whole Messy Church to be looking out for people on their own.
I visited a local Messy Church team last night from inner-city Portsmouth who shared the story of one mum who described how she was left very isolated by the other parents at school drop-off and pick-up times, but at the Messy Church, she found herself welcomed and spoken to as a friend. These stories matter hugely in helping people in our communities have ‘life in all its fullness’ as Jesus so gloriously said.
If you’re passionate about social action and transformation, why not chat to Kathy Bland?

You may also like

Under Pressure

26th Mar 2024
by Lucy Moore

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch.’ Mark 14:32-35 (NIV).

Read more

Being Strategic!

11th Mar 2024
by Lucy Moore

Last Friday, I made my way to Church House in London to celebrate the ‘end’ of my cohort’s Strategic Leaders Programme (GFSLP). It was, as Growing Faith Programmes Lead Stephen Beamond put it, a ‘tank-filling’ day!

Read more
by Lucy Moore

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God”. During Lent, traditionally I would give something up, but the last few years have involved me taking up something. This year I am making space to know God more in the everyday things.

Read more

Embracing Difference

7th Feb 2024
by Lucy Moore

Last Friday was Culture Day at my daughter’s secondary school in SE London. Digging into my German family history (how else did I get a name like Aike?),

Read more