Part of growing up is an increasing independence, which when you are almost one means that you are no longer happy to be fed and the only way food is going to enter your mouth is if you put it there yourself. But when you are not quite one that usually results in quite a mess.
I have a book on my shelf called 'Messy Church' - which talks about a style of doing church which involves children and incorporates craft activities. The 'messy' refers to painting and sticking and cutting etc.
But I wonder if there isn't another kind of messy that church is supposed to be. Children will not learn to eat for themselves unless they are allowed to make a mess as a part of the learning process. If all Christians are supposed to contribute to the life of the local church, using the talents and abilities that God has given them, then surely church will be a messy place as people learn and develop their gifts. I wonder whether we would rather continue with the spoon feeding because that's a lot quicker and certainly a lot cleaner - but it doesn't lead to maturity. Maybe as a church leader I need to be prepared for a bit more mess. What's the sign of a growing church? Maybe it is a place where people make a mess - and a place where people are allowed to make a mess.
