Around 90 people gathered from all over Australia for the Banner of Truth Conference at Collaroy, near Sydney, from March 4-7.
There was a happy mix of age groups and nationalities. The conference began with a sermon on ‘Christ Risen’. The three evening sessions were taken by Murray Capill, Principal of Reformed Theological College, Geelong, on the subject of ‘Application in Preaching’. The whole gathering valued these addresses on a very relevant need in preaching.
Speaking at the conference for the first time was Simon Manchester, who serves a North Sydney parish. In two addresses he spoke on the necessity of godliness in the church, and on steadiness for the long term. His, and other addresses, were especially valued by men serving in small congregations, and his practical observations from his own ministry since the 1980s were relevant for all of us. Simon’s subjects dovetailed with an address from Joel Radford, pastor of Drummoyne Baptist Church, Sydney, on ‘Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome’. Those present were much encouraged to hear Dr Radford and the reminder he gave us that faithfulness, not success, will come first in God’s judgment.
