Eccentrics

First thing Monday morning I headed off with my parents-in-law to Cardiff. They've been in London for a few weeks. We dropped off Iola at her daughter's and Geoff and I headed to Hebron Hall for the third Eccentrics Conference. The two day gathering is organised by Steve Levy with the help of an excellent team from the church in Swansea where he ministers, Mount Pleasant Baptist. Steve is a one off and the conference bears his stamp. There was some coming and going but about 35 gathered, mostly younger men ministering in South Wales. I guess I know about a third of them to some extent. The conference is quite relaxed and focuses on messages (no singing and a minimum of prayer) discussions formal and informal and 'avin' a laugh. We were slightly late but we kicked off with a prayer and share in small groups. It was nice to share with the new ministers at Libanus, Morriston (Stuart) and Crickhowell (James who I've met before), one of Steve's apprentices (Emrys) and the new assistant in Newtown (Rob). I also had a nice chat to Ceri from Cwmtwrch later over the meal later. (The catering was of a high standard not ideal for dieters).

Dick Lucas gave two addresses on Philippians on the first day. He's 82 now and this was vintage Dick - some fascinating insights, blasts at the Charismatics and the long gone higher life movement, one or two well worn but good anecdotes and illustrations. In between some of us played football in the gym. That evening we also had a paper on the Lord's Supper from Bob Letham (slightly blunted for me by having been at the Carey Conference earlier in the month and hearing not only Bill James on the same subject but some of Bob's gems in discussion too). Oh yes, what sort of man wears a kilt to speak at the Carey and trousers to speak to the eccentrics? Now, that is eccentric!

Stayed up until some inordinate hour before bed. Roomed with Steve's brother Paul who ministers just down the road to me. Nice to see Paul and to meet Chuck, from the same church and a worker among Muslims. After a surfeit of bacon and other good things Geoff gave two messages - on ministerial anxiety and depression. Great stuff. In between Heresy Huntin' Martin Downes (see his blog) gave us the Seven habits of highly effective heretics. This was followed by small group and open discussion. Saw my sisters-in-law then and nephews and niece before heading home on the bus asleep.