Newday 2006: Uttoexter Racecourse

On Tuesday I got back from this year's Newday (a youth conference run by Newfrontiers).

I was there as a server, working in Global Cafe, which meant I got in for free and had lunch and dinner provided! And not only was it free food, but incredibly yummy food too. I would recommend going to serve just for the food, although it was incredibly exhausting.

The exciting thing is that I also got a chance to get to most of the meetings, and got to meet with God in a powerful way. Someone summarised the week in two words, and I agree that this is what God was saying: "I'm coming!"

The Holy Spirit was powerfully present as hundreds of people (including contractors brought on site to do work for Newfrontiers) were saved, and this wasn't limited to the teenagers! Many of the adults would be on their backs for hours in these meetings, and God was doing some amazing things.

One of the highlights had to be the seminar by Baroness Cox (the deputy speaker in the House of Lords) where she highlighted the position of persecuted Christians throughout the world, and identified some of her international work for God, much of which is illegal.

My experience of the last few years of Newday have been amazing, and it's definitely a priority for me to go to serve again - who wouldn't want to be somewhere where God is moving so very powerfully?!

Mobilise 2006: Pete Cornford

Seminar One

"So you want to go church planting?" was the title of Pete Cornford's seminar. He was standing in for Nick Sharp who had been the azdvertised speaker for the session, but Pete did an excellent job at short notice.

Using John Ortberg's idea of "boat potatoes" as those who won't do anything to rock the boat or step out in faith in any way, he started by asking us "What is your boat?"

"To be a follower of Jesus you must remove comfort as the ultimate value of your life" says John Ortberg, and Pete used this to help us get a picture of what life needs to be like in a church plant. I didn't choose this seminar out of anything other than curiosity, by the way (ie. there was no secret plan to go off church planting, and I didn't even know if I would for sure, just that I wanted to know more about it).

The potential of church planting - why do it?

• The need of the world
• Jesus loves the Church
• It's Biblical
• Responding to the prophetic
• Population growth
• Churches are constantly closing
• It's an effective way to grow
• The number of unreached people groups (about a third of the world)

Pete then drew us a picture of a church planter, being someone who among other things hears God, posesses faith, is a people person and has a clear vision ("when the vision is unclear the cost is too high"). He then went through some characteristics of leaders:

• Generalist not specialist
• Healthy communication skills
• Creative evangelistic skills
• Strategic planning skills
• Financial management skills
• Proven track record

"Anyone can pioneer a church provided they like people" - COLIN BARON

There was then some time spent on preparing for a church plant, including praying, serving God where you are already and giving until it hurts (is comfort the priority?). We ended with the story of the Crown Church, Hillingdon and with some faith-building quotes:

"I believe that to be part of the church is therefore to be part of the most important work God is doing on the earth today. The church is the very epicentre of God's focus and attention. Nothing can be more worthwhile than to be a part of what God is giving such attention to on the earth." - JOHN HOSIER

"The most effective way of expanding the Kingdom of God was by planting new churches. We still believe that here." - JOHN WIMBER

"If God calls you to be a preacher don't stoop to be a King" - CHARLES SPURGEON

"I am convinced the the great tragedy is not the sins we commit, but the life we fail to live" - ERWIN MCMANUS

"Some people read history, some people write history, some people make history" - RAM BABU

Acts 13:36 - David served the purposes of God in his generation - will you serve them in yours?