Martyn Payne

Why do more and more people advocate the idea that the generations should explore faith together, and what does the Bible have to say about this? How does this fit with our inherited model of age-related groups for learning and discipleship? And is it really practical and possible to have an experience of church where the youngest to the oldest share the same meeting space, service theme and time to worship? Edited by Aike Kennett-Brown, in Messy Togetherness Martyn Payne discusses Messy Church as an intergenerational expression of church and the benefits of this to the church community. He explores current thinking about faith development and give a biblical rationale for the all-age approach, offering practical advice and sharing stories and ideas from across the Messy Church network. Chris Barnett provides a brand-new chapter on being intentionally intergenerational.

The BRF Book of 100 Prayers combines prayers by Martyn Payne with artwork by Martin Beek. Suitable for use in a range of settings from individual devotions to corporate worship.|An illustrated collection of prayers by Martyn Payne

This resource offers a treasure trove of ideas for opening up a Bible story (the way in), telling the story (the way through) and exploring the meaning of the story (the way out), including suggestions for reflecting on how to apply the story to our lives today. Also included are over 30 key words and phrases providing ways in which connecting threads might be explored, and a suggested year’s programme using the Bible stories explored in the book. A comprehensive index makes it easy to find material for a particular children’s session, special event, workshop or all-age church service ‘Engaging, interactive and reflective methods and ideas to bring Christianity to life with children and young people.’ Jane Butcher, former Barnabas in Schools team leader

Explore the story of the first Christmas together as a family! The Christmas Story is written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link. Praise for The Easter Story: ‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray, Church Matters 'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg, Transforming Ministry

Explore the story of the first Easter together as a family! The Easter Story is written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link.

When families experience bereavement and loss, it can be hard for the wider church community to know how best to support them. In this book, four experienced authors and practitioners offer intergenerational approaches for engaging with questions of death and life in a safe and supportive setting. The material guides church communities who are dealing with the death of loved ones and other situations of loss in talking together as a church family, in applying the Christian message of the resurrection in challenging situations, and in listening to each other and developing their own insights. The opening chapters offer an easy-to-read overview of issues of death and dying, and why this is such an important topic for churches. Part 2 consists of a series of five short theological reflections, exploring traditional images and the language that Christians have always used when talking about death. The five Messy Church sessions in Part 3 continue these themes, each offering material for a two-hour all-age Messy Church service followed by a meal together.

Coming up with craft and activity ideas to explore a Bible story is one thing; but when it comes to sharing that story in the gathered celebration, many Messy Church leaders struggle to find the right language and approach. The parables that Jesus told intrigued, inspired and engaged the crowds in his day, combining everyday imagery with surprising twists that prompted all ages to wonder and discover the treasures of the kingdom of heaven for themselves. This resource aims to recapture that storytelling style for Messy congregations today.

Equipping your Messy team to pray and encourage others to do so, both within and outside the Messy Church context - Communicating prayer as a concept - Praying as a team in advance and on the day - Prayer ideas for the activity time, celebration time, and at home as a family - Ways of praying the Lord’s Prayer - Ways to reimagine other traditional prayers - Creating a prayer space - A Messy Quiet Day outline

Designed to enable children and adults to see the cross through the eyes of other cultures and traditions Promotes discussion and debate on why this single, historical event continues to exercise such an influence worldwide Explores how Christians in a wide variety of places, different times in history and in different circumstances, have lived purposeful lives because of their faith in a Christ, who died and who is risen - all symbolized by the cross Covers crosses from a wide diversity of cultures and faith traditions Includes an 'A-cross the Year' section suggesting ways the material can be used for activity days, holiday clubs, seasonal events and all-age worship.