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Barnabas in Churches

Resourcing work among children and families

‘And when you welcome one of these children because of me, you welcome me.’
Matthew 18:5 (CEV)

Welcome to the Barnabas in Churches website. We are passionate about bringing the Bible to life for children and families and so, on this site you will find ideas for your Sunday and midweek groups, material for all-age worship, links to our books, resources for training and information about our programmes and ministries.

What's new

Ideas for February

It is perhaps no accident that the Olympics almost always fall in a leap year - at the very least, this means an extra day's training to achieve another 'giant leap for mankind'. So, if you are planning an Olympic theme for your programme or services, don't forget our running the race material, to which this month we have added:

  • The great feast - This idea explores Jesus' words about the first coming last and the last first through the parable of the Great Feast, and offers a creative way to tell the story.

And here is a new idea this month to use at the start of your Mothering Sunday service:

A call to worship on Mothering Sunday - This idea offers a selection of Bible verses and visuals with which to call everyone to worship at a Mothering Sunday service.

View all ideas

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Starting Your Messy Church

If you are wondering about starting a Messy Church, this book is for you. It's short, punchy and easily passed round a team to help get everyone on board. If you want to get the basics across quickly, this will give you a good idea of whether or not Messy Church is for you. It sets out all that you will need to consider, with questions you should be asking and how to avoid pitfalls that may crop up along the way. If you have a question the answer will be here!

Find out more

Read a sample (PDF)

Starting Your Messy Church 9780857460509

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Looking forward to Easter?

Do check out our books and resources for Lent and Easter, perhaps especially Family Fun for Easter by Jane Butcher.

In addition to printed books, a number of our Lent and Easter resources are available as downloads.

View all Lent and Easter titles

View all Lent and Easter downloads

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On your marks - new ideas for January

In the same way that we aimed last year to keep you regularly stocked up with useful ideas for celebrating the Bible, in 2012 we plan to build up a resource bank of Bible stories with a sporting theme. So to kick you off, under the keyword 'running the race', we have:

  • Words for a Christian sporting year - This idea brings together 12 verses from the Bible with a sporting link - one for each month of 2012 along with questions to get everyone talking.
  • Bible record breakers - This is a collection of some crazy, sporty Bible 'facts' - useful for displays and as ice-breakers.
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Ideas to celebrate festivals and special days

But, of course, 2012 is not just all about sport (thankfully!). There are plenty of ideas on the website to resource you for the various special days and festivals ahead:

  • And, looking ahead, a bunch of ideas for a Valentine's Day special: Lovely jubbly

View all ideas

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Holiday Club resources

Now's a great time to start planning for your holiday club.

View all Holiday Club resources

Find out more about Champions

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Introducing REinspired

REinspired have recently produced a video that introduces their work. To find out more, visit their website or read about the book - The Story of REinspired.

Visit the REinspired website

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Review of Side by Side with God in Everyday Life

Side by Side with God in Everyday LifeFrom Magnet - Winter 2011

Using the Contemporary English Version of Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 as a basis, Yvonne Morris has constructed a model for use by all those called to nurture children within families and without. The 28 sessions are each bible based with a story plus verses to stimulate more chatting. She uses the word 'wonder' to bring the essence of the story to mind and to share. She encourages communication with God in asking what questions need to be asked and listening for answers. Just as the writer of Ecclesiastes faced up to all aspects of life, so here laughing, weeping, building, destroying, embracing are all included. Might be worth a visit for more ideas how to link the Bible stories with everyday activities.

Reviewed by Tania Brosnan

More about Side by Side with God in Everyday Life

review

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Find out more | Past issues

Have you visited?

Visit BRF Online

BRF Online Shop - packed with resources for your ministry

Visit now

Visit the Bible Reading Notes website

Bible Reading Notes - to help you read your Bible regularly

Visit now

Visit the Messy Church website

Messy Church - the growing network of all-age church

Visit now

Visit the Faith in Homes website

Faith in Homes - nurture your children’s faith in the family

Visit now

Visit the Barnabas in Schools website

Barnabas in Schools - for teachers & schools workers

Visit now

Visit the Local Church Local School website

Local Church Local School - nurturing positive relationships

Visit site

Have you read?

Find out more about Side by Side with God in Everyday Life

Support Barnabas

All that we do is only made possible through the generosity of the individuals, churches and charitable trusts that support our work.

We are dependent each year on the financial support of those that share the vision for these pioneering ministries. Your support for our ministry is therefore vital.

Thank you.

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Meet the Team

Jane Butcher

Jane Butcher is based in Birmingham. She oversees the Barnabas Schools Team, leads teacher training across the UK and heads up BRF's Faith in Homes ministry.

More about Jane


Martyn Payne

Martyn Payne is based in London. In addition to leading events and training, Martyn is responsible for updating the Barnabas in Churches website.

More about Martyn


Chris HudsonChris Hudson joined the Barnabas Children's Ministry Team in 2007. His particular interest lies in using music, storytelling and drama to help children explore the Bible. He is increasingly spending more time on teacher training, and oversees the Barnabas in Schools website.

More about Chris