King’s Lynn Baptist Church runs Norfolk’s only known ‘Sweaty Church’, a nationally growing form of being church for families with children who learn and engage through active games and play.
Sweaty Church is a form of church that began at St Pauls, York and has grown nationally inspired by the huge success of Messy Church. Rather than using craft to connect and build community, Sweaty Church is structured around games, sports and activity.
King’s Lynn Baptist Church (KLBC) started running its Sweaty Church on October 10, 2011 and has been meeting regularly ever since. From 3.15pm – 5.30pm families enjoy a lively range of games and activities pointing to a Biblical theme or story followed by tea together.
Claire Archer, Youth Worker for KLBC, said: “We aim to appeal to those families that would come to a Messy Church but struggle to sit and concentrate on anything after a school day!
“The name was taken from an event run by a church in York but we have no outside space so we have adapted to suit our circumstances.”
Sweaty Church begins at 3.15pm when early birds from the closest schools start to arrive. They are offered healthy snacks and drinks or the opportunity to go straight into play with equipment such as swing ball, spinning plates or a crafty activity.
At 4.30pm everyone meets together in the main hall for active games around a theme from the Bible. The team are currently using parachutes to tell stories through the Bible. A very short DVD clip is often shown as a settling tool before a very brief sum up of the message. An active song is then sung before the Sweaty Grace at 5pm when everyone washes hands and eats together. At 5.30pm there is a last quick play around before leaving at 5.45pm.
Claire said: “Some have been coming right through since we started and others have come and gone as circumstances have changed, but anyone who comes joins a very special community who loves having fun together around the Bible. Our Facebook page ‘King’s Lynn Baptist Church Youth and Children’ keeps everyone up-to-date so they can join in other church activities.”
There is a £1.50 charge for each person eating.
There are now more than 10 Sweaty Churches in the UK and they have just launched in New Zealand. The national Sweaty Church website has resources for those who wish to start their own Sweaty Church.
Contact [email protected] if you would like to find out more about the Sweaty Church at King’s Lynn Baptist Church.
KLBC, Wisbech Road, King’s Lynn, PE30 5JS.
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