Keswick 2015? A refreshing, uplifting, enjoyable and well-planned time of Christian teaching, corporate worship and spiritual renewal.
I write as a ‘first-timer’ – well the first time in 39 years anyway! And I also write in an unofficial capacity (rather than on behalf of the organisers) because the editor of en asked me too! Here are some of the things that were good:
(1) Excellent teaching: in Week One we had John Risbridger of Above Bar Church, Southampton, speaking on Daniel at the main Bible readings. A tall order, perhaps, to speak on the whole book in just a few days – but, aided by a really helpful pamphlet of talk outlines, he did just that in a very engaging and inspiring way.
A key point I took away (as he spoke about the response God requires from us in Daniel 3-5 of repentance and humbling) was his phrase that ‘as broken people we should be able to cope with the brokenness of others’ – which he applied to whether convention-goers were showing patience in Keswick coffee shops if the service was a bit sloppy.
I couldn’t get to all the teaching sessions – with so much going on – but another real highlight was the Wednesday evening talk by Patrick Fung, General Director of OMF International, on Living in the Light of Suffering, from 1 Peter 3.14 – 4.19 (but really the whole book). My pen could scarcely write notes fast enough – I can’t recall being so transfixed in my seat for a long time.
On the Thursday night we had a very moving appeal for missionaries from veteran evangelist George Verwer, and it was poignant to see a surprising number of people streaming forward to find out more.
(2) Terrific music: in week one the music was led by Steve James from Holy Trinity Platt in Manchester. It was really spot on, and, (in a good, God-honouring way), rather fun, I thought. Mr Piano Man – I don’t know who you were, but, as a fellow pianist, I was in awe of your playing!
(3) Efficient organisation: as a ‘broken person’ who is generally pretty impatient in a somewhat sinful way with ‘the brokenness of others’ resulting in any hint of inefficiency or ineptitude, I am happy to report that the Lord gave me a week’s break from being sanctified in this particular area as the whole event seemed to run like clockwork. There must be a huge team of people working very hard to make it run so seamlessly – or alternatively a smaller team working extremely hard – and it was impressive.
(4) Positive tone: there was a warmth, graciousness, biblical diversity and twinkle-in-the-eye humour in the feel of the event which betokens conservative evangelicalism at its finest. It was theologically clear without being monochrome, party-spirited or defensive.
And finally... there was no admission cost to the convention itself. That was a surprise! I have got used to paying to attend this sort of thing. But, as my son (13) observed, when I remarked in passing on it to him, ‘Isn’t the Word of God meant to be free?’ And I took that away to ponder, too.
The Convention is now seeking to acquire a new site at a cost of £5 million. Visit www.keswickministries.org/derwent and you’ll find out more about it. And apparently admission will still be free.
