Day 2, and I come to you from a less comfortable chair, in a busy church café at 9pm as conversations reverberate around the room… People are excited, the Gospel has been preached and the mission proclaimed… Pastors are fired up, but before I delve further let me tell you about the wonderful day, we have had at the AGC Conference here in Beamsville.

Even though we are at a conference, the team from Peoples Church is still at work. Bright and early our Youth Pastor was in the hotel lobby working on his message for this weekend’s IMPACT. I joined him as I studied the sermon for Sunday (another baptism service), and throughout the day the elders were answering emails from members seeking advice. So, with so much going on, we decided to take a little break this afternoon to head to Niagara-on-the-Lake… WOW! What a beautiful place, made even better by the tasty ice-cream (food seems to feature in this blog) and the discussion on effective ministry as we walked the water edge. What a blessing to be able to take 2 hours to rest and take in the beauty of God’s creation.

The conference had three sessions today, each as rich as the other. Norm Miller is truly a man of God that loves His Lord, the church, and the lost. I was moved to watch this humble servant preach through tears and with urgency sharing the message of the Gospel to fellow pastors. One element that speaks to his servant heart, before each message he kneels to pray… but only after eyes are closed, and when he stands back up he does so before the amen… he kneels before God but ensures others don’t see… it is not for show, but out of reverence for the Lord!

Here is session 1 outline:

Grace Received: Experiencing the Transformation of Grace (Titus 2:11-15)

• God’s grace produces transformation
• God’s grace must be the message of the church.

The grace of God brings dead people in their sin back to life. Our mission is simple, to receive this grace (being born again) and to take this grace out to the lost. If we are not on that mission, then who is?

Here is session 2 outline:

Grace Extended: Stewarding the Gifts of Grace (1 Peter 4:7-11)

• The urgency of stewarding these gifts of grace
• The grace in being given these gifts
• The ministry purpose of these gifts
• Steward gifts well for God’s glory

It was in this session that Norm “let it rip” – wow! We should not be interested in what we want in the church, or what others want in the church, but in what God wants. God’s will is clear – the lost to be saved, and the saved to live for Him! The room erupted in Amen’s and audible affirmation – yes, Jesus really is everything and our mission is to elevate Him by taking Him to the lost. Souls are dying in sin, let not one more die without having the message of Jesus impressed upon them.

An additional session:

We had the opportunity to go to a breakout session delivered by Dwayne Cline considering the pathway to an effective volunteer service. At Peoples Church, we are so grateful for the many who serve in so many different ministries. Yet, we know how many are feeling tired and pulled in lots of different directions. Dwayne was helpful to show the elders clear pathways we can develop to help new volunteers and to encourage those needing a rest. More to come on this in future, but fair to say that we are listening and looking to serve those who serve others in our church!

One element I have yet to mention is the fellowship we have enjoyed as fellow elders and with other pastors/elders from other AGC churches. From the South African Pastor who gave me a name of an immigration lawyer to help with our new visa, to the AGC leaders who were willing to talk to Pastor Seth about wider youth ministry in the AGC, all the way through to the ministry partners who shared about the needs in reaching Muslims, the 20/30s age range, and those seeking to have answers to their major life questions.

As day 2 closes out and I reflect on all the encouraging aspects of the conference, one stands out personally – the volume of singing coming from the men! Oh, how our churches would be blessed when the men sing unashamed of their praises for King Jesus.

Till tomorrow… May the grace of God bless you!