Eccentrics 2017

 I long ago realised that it is not possible to record everything on this blog I want to and there are times when things just don't get covered. I don't want to let the opportunity to mention the Eccentrics Conference in Swansea go by. For several years now Steve Levy has run this.more recently from the church he pastors in Swansea, Mount Pleasant. I went last year after a bit of a lay off. My records suggest this is only the fourth time I've been. One thing that swung me this time was that I was able to stay with my son who is a student in Cardiff and meet another son who is now pastoring in Aber plus my father-in-law who also came down. I think we were about 40, all men ministering in Wales, apart from myself.

I like the laid back formula and the fact I get a bit nervous about who is there and what they might go and say (Steve is friendly with the continuationists from Newport for example). Anyway the speakers were Pete Greasley from Christchurch, Newport and a friend from the States Dave Harvey (Westminster Seminary graduate, executive director of Sojourn Network, pastor at Four Oaks Church, Tallahassee, and author of several books including Letting Go: Rugged Love for Wayward Souls). Steve himself started us off with an exposition (in the chapel as the electrics temporarily went). We always had Paul Blackham too, this time on angels. We also had good sharing sessions with John Williams (Gorseinon), Andy Pitt (Merthyr), James Sercombe (Crickhowell) and others.

The food as ever was excellent, the fellowship great and the atmosphere very positive. Thanks Steve and all at Mount Pleasant. Your efforts are much appreciated.

The Eccentrics Conference 2016

After an absence of more years than I had realised I got myself down to Swansea this week for the famous Eccentrics Conference, the brainchild of the unique Steve Levy and now based in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. The conference's distinctives (apart form being Reformed and very Welsh) are its brevity (only a day and a half), no singing, a great deal of informality, plenty of humour and lots of time for informal chat. None of the messages are taped - probably freeing people up to speak in a more relaxed and open way. They also make a big effort to look after us (day one included an afternoon trip to Joe's for ice cream, followed by scones and cream, with a slap up meal a short while later).

The programme changed last minute as one speaker was unable to come. It worked out okay in the end. We had four speakers who gave six messages.

Paul Mallard is a well known and popular speaker (currently pastoring in Bath) and he gave us two expositions from the life of Elisha. Warm and thorough they were good messages to hear. Steve's good friend Paul Blackham (now based in Neath) took us to Isaiah 11 and gave us a very stimulating exposition of the return of Christ. Refuting Aquinas's super-spiritual beatific vision he argued for a much more biblical bodily resurrection and participation in the life of the new world.

Steve has also struck up a friendship with Peter Greasley of Christchurch, Newport and he was given opportunity to speak. He spoke very warmly from the heart from Philippians 2 and Romans 5 firstly pleading for honesty and humility and then to expect trouble and to help one another in it, which involves seeking out fellowship. It was interesting to hear later of Pete's journey.

It was agreed by all present that the highlight of the conference was Chris Rees from Narberth speaking on what he wished he's been told before he entered the ministry. There were three things - to trust no-one but love everyone; how important it would be to watch over yourself; how hard it was going to be (spiritually, mentally, physically). Full of wonderful stories it is not possible to convey what a blessing it was to ear so I won't try.

It was great to see Mike Leaves, Jonny Raine and Steve Tucker, Dave Gobbett, Jeremy Bailey, etc, etc and to meet people I'd not met before. It was good to catch up with my Swansea based son and his housemates too.