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Conference 2011 was held from 24th to 26th January on the theme
Grace and Truth: "Turning the world upside down"
(Members can access MP3s of talks on Members' Arena)
                                         
 

Long-time FPE Member, Steve Hollinghurst, whose 'day' job is Researcher in Evangelism to Post-Christian Culture, was our main speaker

 

The gathered company were 'blown away' as he expounded on the first evening on:

Knowing Jesus in grace and truth - The heart of the gospel and the heartbeat of the evangelist 

John 1:1-18:  ‘The law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ …. who is close to the Father’s heart.’

Much of Steve's thinking was based on Dietrich Bonhoeffer's writings: ‘Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate’
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer – the Cost of Discipleship).

 

Proclaiming Jesus in grace and truth  - The gospel in a post-Christendom, post-modern pluralist age

John 14:1-17: ‘I am the way the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me’ 

‘what is bothering me … is the question what Christianity really is, … who Jesus really is for us today. The time when people could be told everything in words … is over … religion is over. … How can Christ become the Lord of the religionless as well? What is a religionless Christianity?’
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Letters and Papers from Prison)

 

The final session in Communion on the last morning:

The hope of Christ in grace and truth - The gospel and a vision for society and creation after Christendom

Ephesians 1:3-23: ‘In him we have redemption …. according to the riches of his grace. …. In him you also when you heard the word of truth … were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit: that is the pledge of our inheritance’ ‘I should like to speak of God not on the boundaries but at the centre, not in weakness but in strength; and therefore not in death and guilt but in man’s life and goodness.

 ….. In what way are we the ecclesia, those who are called forth, not regarding ourselves from a religious point of view as specially favoured, but rather as belonging wholly to the world? In that case Christ is no longer an object of religion, but something quite different, really the Lord of the world.’
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Letters and Papers from Prison)

 

What Conference thought:

Great!  Tools for the job       
Excellent speaker, informative, educational, thorough introduction – challenging – need to listen again
Really liked and challenged by this
Loved this deep reflection of God’s word
Excellent session – encouraging – found new thoughts and ideas – challenging, inspiring, excited about the future
Excellent – at last, some theological food in a reasonably barren few months
A lovely atmosphere
Excellent, in ‘anticipation’!
Brilliant
Best yet

Answered some questions and thoughts that I had.  Encouraging.  We can in grace and truth turn the world upside down.  Alleluia.
  


Sue Hope, part-time priest in charge of St Paul’s Shipley, in the diocese of Bradford and part-time Adviser in Evangelism in the Diocese, spoke on the "Bible and Evangelism"
Her easy-going style communicated with many of those there and her challenges to us really set us thinking.  She also enjoyed us enough to want to come back!

What folk thought:
Excellent – a gifted speaker Walter who energised.  Not heard Sue before.
Excellent
Encouraged me to continue with “Story Telling”
Really enjoyed this session.  Encouraging – ideas for future, inspiring, Hope for the future.
Really hit the spot
Brilliant – real gems to take away and apply.  Excellent.
Great practical ideas
Good speaker and a lot to think about

 

 

Pam Moon, lay minister at St Peter’s Anglican Church, Little Aston in the Diocese of Lichfield, where her husband, the Rev Phil Moon is vicar, brought the Shroud of Turin, a large and stunning exhibition.  Pam also explained how the exhibition could be used in evangelism.  A challenge to some, but probably the word most heard talking with others was 'intriguing'!  But here is what they wrote:

Very thought provoking
Still not sure!  But interesting!
A profound meditation on Christ’s sufferings, even for the sceptic
Interesting
Not convinced – but interesting nonetheless
Really glad to finally see
Intriguing – very interesting resource and presentation

 

The Conference ended with a very special time round the Lord's Table.  Steve spoke during the ministry time and Communion was led by (The Right Rev) Lee Rayfield, long time member of the Fellowship.


In addition there was a mix of fpe old favourites and something new!

  • Worship was led by Mick Ellor & Team

  • Super-Market Place! A forum for the exchange of ideas and stories 

  • Prayer ministry

  • Meal & bar times catching up with old friends and making new ones, and this year, dodging Archdeacons!! 


And so much more but this report is long enough!
The next Conference is 23rd to 25th January 2012
Don't miss it!