EMA
It's been quiet on the blog because I have been in Britain, far from even 3G internet access, and therefore not able to report at all. Dik and I were there for the Evangelical Ministry Assembly, the first time either of us have ever been.
We were very kindly lodged by a lovely family who live in Tower Hamlets, so after the first day when we took the bus to and from the conference, we walked either through the busy streets or "alongside the river" - in quotes because a large part of the Thames Path was closed because of moored boats.
The conference is held in St Helens, and this year it was very crowded and hot. We were glad of the free flowing tea and coffee and also the squash and water.
Bible Readings in Judges 13 - 16 (Samson) were given by Rupert Bentley-Taylor, and it was good to introduce Dik to Rupert and Margie. Widcombe have long been very supportive of our work here.
Papers on the Spirit and the word in John's gospel came from Christopher Ash, my first time to hear him. I enjoyed his rigour and his very British style - lots of understatement - an interesting contrast with John Piper.
Vaughan Roberts gave a paper on George Whitefield.
Afternoons are varied. The first was entitled "An honest conversation" between John Cole of New Wine, Liam Goligher, Terry Virgo and Hugh Palmer, chaired by Vaughan Roberts. Everyone was very kind.
The second was a discussion/debate between Wayne Grudem and Iain Hamilton on "Prophecy today", when again it became clear that the argument is really about the use of the very important word, prophecy.
The third was a lovely interview with John Piper, who also preached in the late afternoons.
Message 1 was on "Living by the Power of the Spirit", and was essentially a strongly reformed, animated expositional survey of Galatians. It was wonderful stuff, and a very interesting contrast with the earlier discussion.
Message 2 was on "Preaching in the Power of Spirit", and JP was extremely practical, giving two acronyms that he uses to help himself in ministry.
Message 3 on "Praying in the Power of the Spirit" I missed - I was on the train to Gatwick Airport.
It was wonderful to meet old friends and new - I met some old friends for the first time (oh the wonders of the internet !). A splendid time.
We were very kindly lodged by a lovely family who live in Tower Hamlets, so after the first day when we took the bus to and from the conference, we walked either through the busy streets or "alongside the river" - in quotes because a large part of the Thames Path was closed because of moored boats.
The conference is held in St Helens, and this year it was very crowded and hot. We were glad of the free flowing tea and coffee and also the squash and water.
Bible Readings in Judges 13 - 16 (Samson) were given by Rupert Bentley-Taylor, and it was good to introduce Dik to Rupert and Margie. Widcombe have long been very supportive of our work here.
Papers on the Spirit and the word in John's gospel came from Christopher Ash, my first time to hear him. I enjoyed his rigour and his very British style - lots of understatement - an interesting contrast with John Piper.
Vaughan Roberts gave a paper on George Whitefield.
Afternoons are varied. The first was entitled "An honest conversation" between John Cole of New Wine, Liam Goligher, Terry Virgo and Hugh Palmer, chaired by Vaughan Roberts. Everyone was very kind.
The second was a discussion/debate between Wayne Grudem and Iain Hamilton on "Prophecy today", when again it became clear that the argument is really about the use of the very important word, prophecy.
The third was a lovely interview with John Piper, who also preached in the late afternoons.
Message 1 was on "Living by the Power of the Spirit", and was essentially a strongly reformed, animated expositional survey of Galatians. It was wonderful stuff, and a very interesting contrast with the earlier discussion.
Message 2 was on "Preaching in the Power of Spirit", and JP was extremely practical, giving two acronyms that he uses to help himself in ministry.
Message 3 on "Praying in the Power of the Spirit" I missed - I was on the train to Gatwick Airport.
It was wonderful to meet old friends and new - I met some old friends for the first time (oh the wonders of the internet !). A splendid time.
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