The Messy Pew
By The Messy Pew
The Messy Pew podcast is about drinking beer (or cider if you're gluten free), parenthood, geekery, and looking at the Christian faith, with more questions then answers.
Andy might not be as funny as he thinks. He's sorry about that.
The Messy PewMar 12, 2022
Visiting The Gaia Exhibition at Exeter Cathedral
Andy has taken a trip to see the Gaia Exhibition at Exeter Cathedral, attempts to describe wonder, and gets jumped on by a 10 year old.
His daughter, not any random child.
Gaia tour dates can be found here - my-earth.org/tour-dates
Keep an eye on our socials for pictures and videos of it.
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Church And Artificial Intelligence.
What does the Church have to say about Artificial Intelligence? Indeed if anything at all?
As one Andy is sadly not able to join this week, the other Andy jumps head first into his Digital life, and wonders with the rise of apps like Chat GPT, what does the Church have to say about Artificial Intelligence?
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
"The Bible Says" is not a starting point
We go on a little bit today. Sorry about that.
We continue to read the book of Acts, and talk about all things journalling - could it also be a form of prayer?
There is talk about social awkwardness in Church, particularly with tackling small talk, the peace... and well... Holy... well....
And. There was a big panic on Twitter this week over Andy Stanley from Northpoint Church in America saying "The Bible Says" is not a starting point when talking with adults over what the Bible Says. We chat, and find out more about Andy as a youth worker.
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Reading Acts in 2023.
When we're being sensible this week, we're talking about reading Acts, why we're doing that, and wonder where the spirit of God could be found.
One Andy talks about Christmas travel, the other one talks about surviving ice skating.
We also accidentally talk about the price of drinks in Ibiza.
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Will 2023 be terrible?
As we face 2023, we try and face the future with positivity.
And fail. We talk why we feel tired and despondent at the end of 2022.
While looking forward we do wonder if while 2023 may be rubbish, will we see an upsurge in kindness, and creativity?
Trigger warning by the way for chat about politics, wine, cider, and other drinks. You know, stuff we dont talk about in church.
Andy reads a thing at the end of this. The full version can be found here.
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Celebrating All Things Advent on Christmas Eve
With it being Christmas Eve, we take a chance to look back at advent, talk about how we marked advent, and accidentally get caught up in Bible-reading guilt.
What is advent anyway? And what really is the point of Advent? (Chocolate calendars not included)
We also mention Cotley Farm in Devon alot, find more information about them here cotleychristmas.co.uk
(This is the start of two episodes we recorded in a car, in a random pub car park, when it was raining)
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
The Advert Break
Taking a quick break from regular chaos, and Andy is taking the chance to talk all things Gluten Free.
For Gluten Free food ideas, fun, and drink give him a follow on instagram - https://www.instagram.com/glutenfreedevon/
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
When my family likes going to Church more than I do...
Our Advent thought is a look at the census, well the latest one anyway saying that less people are calling themselves Christians. Is there more to the story than what the headlines are shouting about?
With shoutouts to content from Confessions of a Crappy Christian, MidFaith Crises, The Bible for Normal People, and Love Thy Nerd.
More about Lectio 365 found here: www.24-7prayer.com/resource/lectio-365/
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Why Does Jesus Want Coffee for Christmas?
This week we accidentally start a series of Advent Thoughts. This week: Why Does Jesus Want Coffee for Christmas?
Also, We talk Warm Banks - Great idea - terrible name? We continue Andys search for Bible Study notes. And Andy is amazed at Andys ability to walk out of a Christian bookshop - and not buy anything!
I'm sorry. We ramble a little bit this week!
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
How is Church like watching Football?
Did you watch the USA v England World Cup game?
Terrible wasn't it?
It was just shown when we recorded this, so we decided to chat about how Church is similar to football - or indeed, what could church learn from a football game?
We have our new section. Good news of the week! (It doesn't go well)
And can you recommend Bible Study notes for Andy??
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We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Mastodon, AND TIKTOK!
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.co
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Is Everything Terrible?
Hello you! How've you been?
We talk about our summer, and... well, we sound a bit bitter at points.
So I guess trigger warning for general attitude, humor as defense mechanism, mild bad language, and general... blahness.
We'll try and be more positive. And more together with everything next week.
Honest.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Where is God Found in Gaming?
Andy is dealing with a curve ball, so the other Andy is talking Video Gaming, particularly the question. Where is God found in Gaming?
Andy makes an attempt to point where God can be found in gaming, while trying not to linger on the image of Jesus playing Among Us for to long. For more chat about about gaming in general, check out Skill Check podcast, or the Taming Gaming website.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Where a Bible Verse is mentioned
Life has thrown a bit of a curve ball this week, so the other Andy is taking the chance to plead for questions or stories of when you failed at Church Life.
There is also a hint of The Beatitudes.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Are we worthy enough?
Andys back, and we're finishing our chat about when Andy got shouted at on Facebook for saying that the Church needs a shake. We question how we talk about ourselves in the church, what could it look like if we embrace how God looks at us?
We also get upset at the news. If you can help us understand it all. Please get in touch.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
A Chat About Digital Church
So. Andy has realised he's going on holiday.
The good news he's left me something to waffle on about, and sent me the following message:
"Could do about more about your experience of digital church. Do you get that same connection as you would in real life, what about fellowship and building relationships, is it easier to be invisible is that good or bad?
could virtual 24/7 prayer rooms be a thing?"
Here's my attempt at answering the above.
Complaints / comments / ideas / questions / embarrassing church stories can come via @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
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Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Spiritual Self Esteem / Church Culture Shaking
The other week, Andy commented on Facebook that the Church needs a shake...
We're carrying on our chat about giving the church a shake.
Particulary asking if Spiritual Self Esteem is a thing, how can we look after it?
Also. Does the Church do too much a good job at replicating culture?
We say somethings you want to complain over, complaints can come via @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
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Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Meta Churches, Spiritual Self-Esteem, and When Facebook Comments lead to Podcasts
So we took a bit of break. During that time, Andy went to Church online, the other Andy commented on Facebook that the Church needs a shake... he got challenged about what he meant by that.
So we're starting to look at that.
Do we talk up the sinner part of ourselves a little bit much?
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Worshipping At 30,000 feet
Its all a bit weird this week, and we chat about that video clip of a worship session on a plane, talking creation theology with a nine year old, before revisiting our chat about Holy Saturday. Not Easter Saturday. Holy Saturday.
(Andy may get confused)
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Stopping at Easter Saturday
But before we get there, there's Easter Saturday. What if, instead of rushing to talk about the Sunday, we focused on the Saturday?
Also expect talk about drunk theologians, being gluten free, and chocolate.
On a serious note, here's the link to The Mental Health Foundation.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Does Judas Need New PR?
This week, we try and focus on Judas.
Yes, Judas. Him known for being a traitor. Is it that straight forward?
Or do we find ourselves tangled in a complicated mess of confusion? After all, If it wasn't for Judas... Would Easter had happened? Should Judas be an opening for talking about regret?
Also look out for talk about dentists, bad backs, casual use of pain killers, and generally two old men sounding grumpy this week.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Music by Monday_Hopes from Pixabay
Does Peter Need New PR?
Our mini series looking at Bible characters who are... misrepresented has taken us to one of the main characters mentioned in Easter.
Peter. Star of that favourite Sunday School story where we talk about him denying Jesus. Would it have been so easy to do anything different? Also - that whole walking on water thing... just to end up sinking?
Also featuring a post Dentist trip Andy. Yes. He's gone to the dentist again. He would welcome any thoughts / prayers / chocolate that can be offered to him.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Does Jonah Need New PR?
Is he more complex then being told "listen to God or be whale vomit"?
Sulkings also ok right?
Find Jonah: poet in extremis by Richard Littledale on Amazon.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
The One After The Dentist
Meaning that this weeks episode, looks (sounds) more like a trailer, but the guy speaking has just been to the dentist.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Does Doubting Thomas Need New PR?
Inspired by a sermon, we're asking if Doubting Thomas Need New PR? We wonder if there are some characters in the Bible that get given a hard time, if that is fair, and would we do anything different?
Really?
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Can we give up Lent?
Lent. What is Lent all about? What are we giving up, should we be giving up stuff, and well... why Lent?
One of the Andy's has just been to Dentist, and is a little grumpy about it. Being told he's not allowed to give up going to the Dentist, has also made him more grumpy...
With apologies to John Mark Comer for possibly misquoting him.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
What do you pray when the world feels like its on fire? What to pray when you just don't' know what to pray?
On the day of recording (24th February 2022), Russia has invaded Ukraine, what do you pray when the world feels like its on fire?
How do you pray when the thing you're praying for just feels so... complicated?
With apologies to Pete Greig for possibly misquoting him.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Can You Swear In Prayer?
Its just Andy this week, and he continues to wonder if its ok to swear in prayer?
This... is presuming that its all in age appropriate company obviously.
A few of the links that Andy steals ideas from are:
https://www.christianforums.com/threads/swearing-while-praying.1630826/
https://thejesuitpost.org/2020/10/did-you-know-its-ok-to-curse-in-prayer/
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Magic 8 Ball. What is my purpose? (aka "You Don't Have to be J.John")
We've been asked about Gods purpose for our lives. Well the question was: "Does God give us each a specific purpose, generic or both?"
Is there a specific formula for finding Gods purpose, or is it something more complicated? And indeed, do we get more hung up on then we should do?
Do we have to be J.John?
Can Bill and Ted help us in our thinking about God, and finding God's purpose?
Is it more helpful to think about it all along the lines of "finding our why"?
We also touch on what language we can use in a prayer journal.
Also... Is it socially acceptable to record a podcast in a 24/7 prayer room?
On a side note, we had a few technical issues with his one, and I think you can tell. Sorry about that, and also Andys voice. It sounds... a little more odd then normal. but he has been ill.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Live From The 24/7 Prayer Room
Things are a little different this week, Andy is recording live from the 24/7 prayer room in Exeter, and has a quick chat about what he thought of it before, what he's found there on his first visit, and ponders what prayer looks like.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Do You Get Excited For Church Anymore?
We've had some questions about Church sent in...
- Do you get excited for Church anymore?
- Is Church something to be excited about?
- What should we be excited about?
We attempt to answer the above, while being both honest... and positive. Andy also apologises for going off on a tangent about Star Wars in Church. There may also be bit of detail about Christian festivals...
This is also our first in person recording. Live from a car, in a darkened car park, in the middle of Devon. We didn't look dodgy at all...
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email (Your complaints to) at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
22ish Reasons Why The Rapture Will Happen in 2022
After finding a book entitled 88 Reasons Why The Rapture Will Happen in 1988, we wonder if we can think of 22 reasons why the rapture will happen in 2022.
With thanks to David Tennant and Michael Sheen, for being themselves.
And sorry for lots of nonsense. (Possibly more than normal)
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Or email (Your complaints to) at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Happy New Year! How are you improving yourself?
Its the time of year we talk resolutions, actually. Is that healthy for us?
Do Christians need to have "Read the Bible in a year" as a New Years resolution?
Is there a heathier alternative to New Years resolutions?
Between all of that, one of us forgets the name of the podcast, the other accidentally wonders if he should be a monk.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
The Christmas Day Episode. Where we mostly talk Monk Beer, Dealing with Christian Families at Christmas, and Doctor Who.
It's the Christmas day podcast episode!
And in grand Christmas tradition. Its chaotic. Like Christmas.
We predict what time our respective kids woke us up this morning, ask what Christmas is all about, (no we don't give the right answer), worst Christmas presents, talk Christmas drinks, and what is the catch with Monk Beer?
Also. Christian families at Christmas, and the pressure to be theologically correct.
Most importantly (for Andy) we also discuss a lack of Doctor Who Christmas Special.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Advent. The Time of Christian Peace and Hope?
Advent. Its a time of hopeful anticipation for Christmas, where we spend time peacefully preparing our hearts for the celebration of Jesus' birth, right?
But if thats the case, why are we all so flippin tired?
Not tired... but really tired. Its not a covid thing, but everyone seems to be tired at this time of year. Is it because we try and do everything?
Go to the Christmas parties? (Once we've worked out if we should)
Go to the Christmas services.
Go to the Carol services.
Work out what friends we should see.
Worry about our bank balance. (Allegedly not if you're a plumber in a famous mega church. Allegedly.)
Where can we find peace in amongst this mess?
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
The Bible Is Scary
Inspired by last weeks Bible chat we ask, Is the Bible scary? And if so, what parts of The Bible are kinda scary?
We talk scary Bible stories, bad beer, Andy plays a silly game, and we wonder about context in the Bible.
Please feel welcome to share your feedback, or embarrassing church stories with us.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Don't Drink Vinegar Kids!
Our first minipod this week, with one of those announcements that should have been made earlier. A little like one of those Church Notices that get made after the service has finished and everyone is starting to stand, turn around, and plan how we get to Sunday Lunch.
There's also talk of some terrible beer.
Please feel welcome to share your feedback, or embarrassing church stories with us.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
The Not Bible Readers Anonymous
This week is all about the questions.
Questions such as Why are we called The Messy Pew (because we didn't answer that last time), but we also ask ourselves a number of questions about The Bible.
Where are we meant to read the Bible? Are we really meant to read a chapter a day? Where has the whole idea of a quiet time come from anyway? (Cant it be "sitting upset time"?) Is everyone else reading the bible more than you? And what if you're not a natural reader? Does that mean you just stuck to a life of guilt whenever Bible reading is mentioned in Church?
Could less be more?
What is the point of Deuteronomy?
Andy also shares another story of socially failing in Church.
Please feel welcome to share your feedback, or embarrassing church stories with us.
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Church Coffee Stories, Shallow Puddles, and Thankfulness
So we have to start somewhere, so here we are with episode 1 of The Messy Pew Podcast.
Today we seem to talk alot about church related worries... "I'm I the only one who thinks this" or struggles with that... And failing at after Church Coffee times... You know when someone asks you a question, and its only 5 hours afterwards when you realise you live a far more interesting life then you could remember in the moment? That sort of thing.
We also ask. What is Deuteronomy good for?
Please send us your stories of any Church fails or anything similar to the above, we'd love to hear from you!
We can be found on @messyPew on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Or email at TheMessyPew@gmail.com
Episode Zero
Pay no attention to the man below the jumper. Seriously this is 28 seconds of chaos.