So, I'm back from the Banner Conference. Attendance seemed as high as ever though I was told numbers were down and people seemed to be missing (it was quite late in April - next year's it is at the beginning).
As intimated, I arrived late and missed the opening sessions with Gerard Hemmings (John 3:16) then Sinclair Ferguson (Christus Victor, Gen 3:15), which many raved over. I always think the conference is slightly too long so missing out like that was not so bad.
The main speaker was John MacArthur who in 3 morning sessions spoke helpfully on the shame
of the cross. We also had an interesting question and answer session with him and Iain Murray and on a panel with Murray, Stuart Olyott and others chaired by Ian Hamilton. It was good to hear Dr MacArthur assert his Calvinism, share some wonderful anecdotes from his 38 years of ministry and take us back to the offensive gospel message we seek to preach.
Alun McNabb gave 2 morning messages on Christ and the Apostles as our
example. Mr M, like JM no spring chicken, is an abrasive but witty man (eg my version, your perversion). The addresses lacked theological meatiness (and perhaps exegetical rigour) but were well constructed, interesting, challenging exhortations. See here for more sermons.
In the evenings Ian Hamilton preached helpfully on what the church needs (Eph 1) and Iain Murray gave a fine paper on man of the moment John Newton. We all sang a verse of Amazing Grace at the vote of thanks to the staff on the last night. We also had two excellent 10 minute blasts - Chad Van Dixhorn on Puritan preaching; Martin Holdt on prayer. These short slots introduced a few years ago work well. There were very few reports from overseas, though reference was made to the martyrs in Turkey and some spoke (Holdt from RSA now in Germany, Jyoti Chakrabati from W Bengal, etc). Little was lost by the omission.
Prayer meetings were well attended. I never find it easy in such a large gathering to contribute or benefit. Meeting old friends is always good. Not too much bad news this year. Chatting late into the night is fun too. About 12 of us crammed into Paul Levy's room one night to listen to Iain Murray and Geoff Thomas then talk into the night.
I benefited most from the final message from Steven Curry (Ballymoney). Taking Heb 12:1-3 as his text he looked at Psalm 22 and spoke very helpfully on the suffering and triumph of the cross urging us to prayer, learning from the lives of the saints, experimental Calvinism, real faith and great hope. A fresh look at the cross is always a great tonic.
As intimated, I arrived late and missed the opening sessions with Gerard Hemmings (John 3:16) then Sinclair Ferguson (Christus Victor, Gen 3:15), which many raved over. I always think the conference is slightly too long so missing out like that was not so bad.
The main speaker was John MacArthur who in 3 morning sessions spoke helpfully on the shame
of the cross. We also had an interesting question and answer session with him and Iain Murray and on a panel with Murray, Stuart Olyott and others chaired by Ian Hamilton. It was good to hear Dr MacArthur assert his Calvinism, share some wonderful anecdotes from his 38 years of ministry and take us back to the offensive gospel message we seek to preach.Alun McNabb gave 2 morning messages on Christ and the Apostles as our
example. Mr M, like JM no spring chicken, is an abrasive but witty man (eg my version, your perversion). The addresses lacked theological meatiness (and perhaps exegetical rigour) but were well constructed, interesting, challenging exhortations. See here for more sermons.In the evenings Ian Hamilton preached helpfully on what the church needs (Eph 1) and Iain Murray gave a fine paper on man of the moment John Newton. We all sang a verse of Amazing Grace at the vote of thanks to the staff on the last night. We also had two excellent 10 minute blasts - Chad Van Dixhorn on Puritan preaching; Martin Holdt on prayer. These short slots introduced a few years ago work well. There were very few reports from overseas, though reference was made to the martyrs in Turkey and some spoke (Holdt from RSA now in Germany, Jyoti Chakrabati from W Bengal, etc). Little was lost by the omission.
Prayer meetings were well attended. I never find it easy in such a large gathering to contribute or benefit. Meeting old friends is always good. Not too much bad news this year. Chatting late into the night is fun too. About 12 of us crammed into Paul Levy's room one night to listen to Iain Murray and Geoff Thomas then talk into the night.
I benefited most from the final message from Steven Curry (Ballymoney). Taking Heb 12:1-3 as his text he looked at Psalm 22 and spoke very helpfully on the suffering and triumph of the cross urging us to prayer, learning from the lives of the saints, experimental Calvinism, real faith and great hope. A fresh look at the cross is always a great tonic.
7 comments:
Gary,
Why have you got a picture of Eamonn Holmes at the bottom of this post?
Good to see you at the Banner
As an Irish Baptist colleague of Stephen's I find that hilarious, Martin!!
Must pass that on to him when I see him next...lol
Martin, good to see you too. Andrew, I'm sure Steven's been told this before. (I've certainly mentioned it to him).
That's a shame...I was looking forward to cracking that one.
The conference sounds as though it was excellent. I'm looking forward to the CDs.
Thanks for posting your reflections, Gary.
Gary,
Good to see you at Banner. Did you really think that David Sky was a real person?
Darby and I were both taken in - hook, line and sinker. I think the Bloggy Man was onto it, mind.
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