One way in which the modern experience of church can be radically different from the New Testament is in the relationship between local churches. We can be passionately engaged with our own local church, its community and mission, but have little idea about how churches are meant to work together in the common mission Christ has given to us.
The picture in the New Testament is one of amazing connections between churches in different places. It’s not that they were bound together by the ties of legal structures in the way that modern denominations are. (There’s a strength in denominations as institutions, but they can become encrusted and immobile over time.) Instead, there was a flow of people and financial resources from one church to another.
When Paul finishes his letter to the Romans, he greets no less than twenty-seven people by name, in a church he has never visited! This shows how organically connected the early church was from place to place. More than that, Paul’s journeys provided another kind of connection. As he travelled and brought other travelling preachers with him it was like spreading pollen from one flower to another, sharing strengths and helping the weaknesses of each local church.
I’m mentioning this for two very important reasons: (1) This Sunday we have Adrian Holloway coming to preach. He’s an itinerant evangelist (i.e. he preaches in lots of different places), and a compelling and powerful speaker. (2) We are inviting you all to come to the Advance UK conference in November.
This conference gives us the opportunity to worship with people from other Advance churches, and hear teaching from some of the leaders. This year Donnie Griggs will be travelling over from North Carolina. I love Donnie a lot, and I can’t wait to see and hear him.
There are a couple of options.
Option 1: Saturday day ticket
Most of you will want to go down to Southampton on Saturday 16th with a day ticket. We will book a coach for as many people as want to do that (in past years we’ve brought about 40 people). If that sounds good to you, then book here and the cost will include transport.
Option 2: Full two-day conference
If you would like to go for both Friday and Saturday, then please book directly via the Advance website. You will then need to arrange your own transport and accommodation. (You won’t be alone – there are a number of us who will be going for both days.)
Whatever you decide, please bear in mind that the deadline is the end of the month.