FIEC Conference (Part 1 of 3)
My ten takeaways from day 1 of the FIEC leaders conference, feel free to comment and add your thoughts!
1. Torquay is really quite far away, but worth the visit: at nearly 6 hours’ drive away, it was certainly a trek to get here. However, a trip to the coffee shop, a walk along the pier and a seat out in the sun made the trip worth it. Sometimes, to truly be refreshed, you need to get completely away from your surroundings!
2. Meeting friends: with nearly 1000 people in attendance at the FIEC conference, I still managed to bump into friends. Guys from the Fraternal I attend, folks from New Tribes Mission and folks I know from my time serving in Scotland. Ministry is never alone!
3. Meeting new people: On arrival, we sat at a table in reception, soon after a young man sat with us and introduced himself. He was working as a ministry intern having led a worldly life for many years. What an inspiration. At dinner, we spoke with a couple and shared stories of how God is blessing our churches. We met the wife of a Pastor whom I look up to, an encouragement to hear they had been praying for our daughter when she was sick. Encouragement comes from seeing God working in others’ lives.
4. A new take on a well-known passage: John Stephens, Director of the FIEC, preached from Ephesians 4. I had never thought that as a Pastor, God gives me to the church, to help grow and develop the church. I do not give myself; God trains me, develops me and then gives me to the church. He reminded us that our purpose for ministry should not be to have an identity, rather our identity in Jesus fuels our ministry. Jesus is sovereign overall!
5. Colin Smith – Simply fantastic: Colin spoke on the 7-point profile of a church leader, unusually using Deuteronomy as the thrust of his message. A reminder that nobody is perfect, yet we should still see progress. Godliness before action is key to biblical leadership. Not perfect, but by God’s grace making progress.
6. A joy to be served: Having preached or spoken twice a week for some time now, it was a joy to sit and listen to well prepared, deep, hard hitting and unapologetic Biblical teaching. Pastors should not forget their own need to be served by sound doctrine.
7. Books: Pastors joke about always buying books. It is good to come to a conference and be reminded of how important it is to read, to learn and to broaden our thinking. So dedicated is the FIEC and 10ofthose, to such a principle that they have provided the ground floor to selling books and are making them available at affordable prices. Reading reminds us that many have gone before, it is upon their shoulders that our ministry stands.
8. A retreat to be refreshed: This year, Miriam and I are attending the FIEC conference together. With the busyness of children, ministry and a host of other activities, it is lovely to spend time together. Some would joke ‘some kind of date that is’, but we can think of nothing better than spending time together, being fed by the word of God and having time to talk! I am blessed by my ‘Pastors wife’ and grateful to spend time with her.
9. Technology aids ministry: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Apps, Website, Photos and Videos are all being used this week. Sure, they can be a danger, but they can also help. I am meeting people, sharing ideas and communicating Godly insights via these platforms. Not only am I encouraged, but others are encouraged. Use modern technology to aid ministry, NOT to gain a following.
10. Scotland & Amazing Grace: Singing Amazing Grace to the tune off ‘auld lang syne’ was a moment to be a proud Scotsman and a blessed Pastor. Scotland forever!