Bookings have now closed
Staying hopeful coaching sessions
Staying hopeful in evangelism
Rico Tice (Evangelist, Christianity Explored Ministries), Paul Jump (St Clement’s Church, Manchester) and Piyush Jani (St Andrew the Great, Cambridge)
What most discourages you in evangelism and what keeps you going? We’ll be asking those questions and seeing how passages like the Sower keep us realistic and persevering. There’ll be lots of time for Q&A and above all we’ll be wanting to send people away with real confidence in the gospel and in the God who calls people to his Son.
Staying hopeful in church leadership
Angus MacLeay (St Nicholas Sevenoaks), Mark Glew (St Mary’s Haughton Green) and Jo Richards (All Souls Langham Place, London).
How can you remain hopeful in the face of significant forces of opposition either within the culture or the denomination which discourage us? An opportunity to reflect on the means God provides from the Book of Ezra to encourage us in our work for the Lord.
Staying hopeful with the global church
John McLernon (Mission Director, Crosslinks)
Life in churches in England is challenging for many at present, but in a sense that is all relative. Let us look beyond the British Isles to see what grieves churches around the world and hear their responses to the difficulties that they face. What does it mean for our brothers and sisters to “give thanks in all circumstances”? What does hope look like and how do they pray in those circumstances? Partnership has more than often meant our global partners being on the receiving end of our resources, but what can we humbly learn from them that may be equally, if not more, valuable?
Staying hopeful while contending
Paul Darlington (Oswestry Holy Trinity)
There are all sorts of potential discouragements in contending (talking to brick walls, support from an expected ally disappearing, mixed views in our congregation, the step by step progress of revisionists). Using the Scriptures and the experience of others we will find why we should remain hopeful.
Contending coaching sessions
Contending in a mixed church
Steve Rees (All Saints Church, Crowborough) and Matt Graham (St Stephen’s Prenton, Chester)
It was so exciting to get my first Vicar post in a mixed congregation. The reality was both exhilarating, as we saw new people saved and the church growing, mixed with opposition, huge stress, distress and blunders by me. Maybe right now you are facing the heartache and challenge of leading a mixed congregation. Come and share, learn and pray for the challenges and opportunities that the Lord is giving us.
Contending in a united church
Jon Tuckwell (Christ Church Cockfosters) and Matt Lanstone (Christ Church Cockfosters)
Contending can be contentious – even when there is agreement that a response must be made. As part of the lay and clergy leadership in a local church we will seek to share some of the principles we’ve formed, lessons we’ve learnt, and how we’ve sought to lead a contending church whilst protecting precious unity within church family.
Contending when it’s just you
Tudor Boddam-Whetham (St John the Evangelist, Carlisle)
We expect to be a lone voice at times in the world, but to experience it in the visible church is harder, even more so when it is most/all of the time. Come and connect with others in a similar ‘boat’, and hear & share (we pray) some godly wisdom to help us all honour Jesus.
Contending with a view to leaving the CofE
James Leggett (St James’ Church, Ryde), Charlie Newcombe (Christ Church Huntingdon) and Nicola Harrison (Christ Church Huntingdon)
In this coaching session we will be looking at the process, timeline and pastoral care involved in the journey to leaving the Church of England. While every situation will be different, finding the position of a settled conscience, clear conviction and securing a gospel future are of supreme importance. We will have testimonies from those who have gone through this process.
Dinner Conversation
Biographers Clare Heath-Whyte (St Lawrence church, Morden) and Andrew Atherstone (Latimer Trust) engage in conversation about some of the characters in Clare’s books, and how evangelicals in previous generations learnt to lament with hope.