From Monday to Thursday this week, preachers from 20 CCCNZ/Open Brethren Heritage churches were at The Ark Ministry & Conference Centre outside Cambridge learning to be better trainers of preachers.
Standing (left to right): Clint Craig, Nigel Winder, Marina Shannon, Brian Ropitini, Jason Winslade, Simon Sim, Paul Windsor, Doug Benn, Mark Fryer, Lance Robinson, Neville Knight, Brett Campbell, Nevin Beukes, Grant Birks, Justin Thompson, Mark Grace, Tim Hodge, Dave Bradley, and Paula Almada. Seated in front (left to right): Nick Goodwin, Jerram Watts, Matt Meek, Jenny Gill, Richard Goodwin, Shannon Samuels, and Daryl Bay. Missing from picture: Andrew Clemow.
It was a blessing to have Jenny Gill and Jerram Watts from The Street Church. I appreciated Shannon Samuels and Marina Shannon being able to be with us immediately after HM Rage. What a joy to have preachers from both ends of the country with us; Nigel Winder and Neville Knight from Rosedale Bible Chapel in Invercargill, and Andrew Clemow from Clark Road Chapel in Whangārei!
Paul Windsor, the International Director for the Langham Preaching programme, spent this week training us to be better trainers of preachers. Langham Partnership was founded by John Stott. Paul oversees indigenous preaching movements in 90 countries.
Most of our three days together were spent in table groups, practically observing the text, finding the ‘big idea’, creating sermon structures, and thinking about application. The work of each table was placed on paper and posted around the room for everyone to evaluate and consider. It’s practice, practice, practice, and then Paul talks through the theory.
I do not think any of us are going to forget how our hearts burned within us as God ministered to us from Psalm 126 as Paul quietly and conversationally preached to us.What a joy to meet Brett Campbell from Church on Ingestre who is now involved with the preaching team there and to hear that his first sermon was a brief ‘sermon share’ at the church. Doug Benn, Elder and Pastor at Church on Ingestre mentioned that this Sunday he is sharing 7-10 minutes of his sermon with someone who is doing their first ‘sermon share’.
I was encouraged as these leaders went into regional groups and considered together how they could work together to train a new generation of preachers in their region.
Watch out, Canterbury! It was lovely overhearing Matt Meek from Riccarton Community Church and Lance Robinson from Rutland Street Church brainstorming about training others.
By Mark Grace, CCCNZ Ambassador
