Tuesday 19 May 2015

AMEN Conference 2015 Day 2 - Tuesday

I apologised to Chris Fatherheart that I'd been stuck in the bedroom catching up with admin and doing yesterday's blog.  Today's challenge: to walk to Living Stones, as I'd excused my presence at the Farm for its central location between the places we'd be meeting during the AMEN week programme.  Well it was either an early morning walk and then return after lunch, or a jog this afternoon. 

Two minutes before I arrived, Claire rang: "Are you coming today?"  Wouldn't you know.  Then, remarkably, Mark and Christiaan arrived after me.  "Two Swiss guys: late!" went up the chorus.  "Ah, but it was an African driving the car," Desmond confessed, laughing.

Matthew and Mark had joined us from Kings Church, Medway.  Matthew was due to give the morning's inspiration.  He made a great job of it, taking his full allotted two hours speaking on apostolic administration, and fielding questions afterwards.  He pointed out that 'ruling/managing', in broadest terms, stretches from God's instruction to Adam in Genesis chapter 1, to the gift empowered by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, and on to the eternal destiny of the saints (Revelation chapters 5, 20, 22).  So, we'd better get into this purpose of God.  He sprinkled his teaching with examples from bible characters (Joseph, Daniel, Paul) and Kings Church's own ministry.

Shortly he goes to Brazil, linking up with Desmond to formally commission the new Multiply group.  And we'll see him sharing the leadership of 11 July London Day.

Kelly and his team talked about the new planting in Milton Keynes and the fathering and release that was involved.  The Living Stones group are ahead of any other part of our church in pioneering this way.

Over lunch, I cornered Gregory about conference arrangements for August's East Africa visit.  Ed has confirmed that the container of donated goods will ship on 27 May - putting pressure on our priorities.  A couple of the team will need to check out international driving for the minibus journey overland to Uganda, too.

The international guys were scheduled to spend the afternoon together, to agree matters of their concern, reporting back later in the week.  I chose the canal towpath for the walk back.  It was great, until the heavens opened and a heavy hailstorm broke.  Mercifully, Claire had her oil-filled radiator at full blast when I dripped my way into Central Office.

Huw was around, too, so we compared notes on AMEN progress so far.  On Saturday Steven had prayed about shaking together our hearts, minds and spirits.  Yes, it's been meaty stuff, and we're only half way through.

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