The ‘last London Men’s Convention in its present form’ was bathed in sunshine as hundreds of Christian men from various parts of the UK arrived for the evening session at Westminster Central Hall on April 26.
Andy Fenton led the singing – how great it is to praise God in a big crowd. Having started in 2002, those gathered reflected on the past 12 years of the convention and gave thanks to God for men coming to a saving faith during the conventions and for many Christians being encouraged.
Resurrection
This year focussed on the resurrection of Jesus, and how this is the ‘pumping heart’ of the Christian faith, the Bible and the universe. Not only that Christ died for our sins, but also that he conquered death and will regenerate the universe.
Graham Daniels spoke from Luke 24 (when Jesus meets the men on the Emmaus road). Drawing parallels from the stages of the conversation Jesus has, Graham’s encouragement was to think about witnessing in a similar way. Banter – love life, live it with others, tell them about Jesus. Bible – open the Bible with non-Christian friends. Belief – the Spirits’ work opening hearts to see.
Pete Woodcock’s seminar looked at the hope the resurrection brings to a lost world. With the analogy of most people driving without looking out of the front windscreen as there’s no vision or lasting future, Pete outlined some of the views the world has ‘driving’ their lives. Only as Christians is the view hopeful and exciting. Based on Acts 17, Pete gave some ‘hints’ for evangelism: Be convinced of the gospel. Know what makes people happy, sad, afraid… Double listen, to their needs, and to the Scriptures. Get a hearing, communicate – don’t just repeat ‘slogans’. Identify with them, point out what’s wrong, invite them to explore Jesus’s claims. Use logic – Christianity fits all our life experiences. Don’t be afraid to cause a clash – there is only one way to relationship with God.
Finally, Vaughan Roberts set the scene of an increasingly hostile climate for Christians in this country. Looking at 1 Peter 1 the men were encouraged to praise, despite the environment – the resurrection changes everything.
There’s no LMC next year, but with a new committee it’s coming back to the Royal Albert Hall on May 21, 2016, to continue to encourage, challenge and equip Christian men.
