(Postscript: One conference that we missed out on here was the CMS Autumn Summer School which will run from April 8–10 in Tamworth. This conference will feature Bible talks by Peter Jensen and mission talks by Bruce Dipple)
TGCA – With Easter coming up, we asked those preparing to speak at the various Easter conventions what they were going to be talking about. Here’s what they said:
Al Stewart – Mount Tamborine (QLD)
There are many today in Australia who who want to tell us that to follow Jesus will mean certain health, wealth and beauty and success. But that isn’t what the Bible promises – not in this life anyway. Where do we go for strength when life is inevitably difficult and we are suffering?
At Mt Tamborine Easter convention we’ll be looking at the life of Moses, and aiming to learn from his faith and courage. We’ll think about his costly decision to honour God at the age of 40, and how God taught him hard lessons in the wilderness. We’ll discover that it was through these hard lessons that God taught him humility and prepared him for his massive task. Finally, we’ll look at the disappointments in life, and what do we make of the Moses not being allowed into the promised land. Moses’ courage and faith can show us a lot about what it means to trust God and to follow the Lord Jesus.
Richard Coekin – Katoomba (NSW)
I love Jonah. It’s not about Jonah and the big fish (that’s a red herring!) It’s about God and reluctant evangelists. Like Israel then – and us now.
Jonah shows us how God is our sovereign creator (chapter 1); our gracious saviour (chapter 2); our merciful judge (chapter 3); and our compassionate missionary (chapter 4).
Jonah speaks of one greater than Jonah who rose from the belly of the earth to proclaim the gospel – our Lord Jesus Christ. It tells us about a pagan city that experienced a great revival when they repented from their sin. How appropriate to think of our risen evangelist over the Easter weekend!
I will also be very relieved to be visiting you at a time when we [England] hold the ashes.
Rory Shiner – Belgrave Heights (VIC)
At Belgrave we will be exploring the topic of “Reflecting Christ” in Colossians. Rather than work chapter-by-chapter through Colossians (which is what I believe Chris Chia will be doing in his talks on 1 Corinthians), these talks will be slightly more thematic. We’ll trace out the path of salvation, from “enemies of God” to being forgiven, justified and set of a path of love and service. I really want us to come at Colossians with specific questions: What is our state outside of Christ? What has Christ done? How are we a part of it? How should we live in response to it?
I think Colossians has profound answers to each of those questions, and I am very much looking forward to exploring them together with God’s people gathered at Belgrave for the Easter Convention.
Tom Kimber – Wimmera (VIC)
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul reminds these believers about their true identity as children of God. The bedrock foundation of their faith and ours is the person and work of Jesus Christ. At the upcoming Wimmera Easter Convention, we will be looking at Colossians for wisdom about how to stand firm in the gospel in these challenging times. What does it mean to be people who have been transformed by the gospel? What would a transformed community look like? The theme of this year’s convention is “Transform or Conform.” We’ll see how Jesus’ completed work on the cross gives us a new identity; transforms our communities; and is the only means of redemption for this world. This ancient letter is surprisingly contemporary, calling us to stand firm in the gospel and not be conformed to the constantly changing whims of this world.
Photos: Mars Hill, Seattle, flickr
