Evangelicals Now
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I didn't want the day to end

The London Women's Convention, October 2

Many of us were feeling fortunate just to be at the London Women's Convention as it opened on Saturday morning, October 2.

Places had been hard to come by with the tickets sold out on the first day they went on sale a few months ago! As the day unfolded, our expectations were not disappointed. In the company of 1,000 believers we were treated to clear and challenging teaching in an uplifting atmosphere of encouragement and fellowship.

One of the attendees said: 'I didn't want the day to finish. If they are running the event twice next year, I am tempted to go both times.' Ann Benton, the Chairman of the Convention, reflected: 'I realised the day was going well because the singing got louder and more passionate as the day progressed. By the time the women were singing "My Jesus, my Saviour", we were raising the roof. There was a real sense that God was with us.'

The servant attitude

The Emmanuel Centre in London's Westminster is a pleasant venue. The theme 'Women with Attitude' was fleshed out by looking closely at Philippians 2, exploring the way in which Jesus is our role model, with his attitude of humility and servanthood.

In the opening address, Ann Benton taught from verses 1-5, spelling out the focus of the convention which is to teach God's Word so that women will grow in godliness to the benefit of their local churches. She had four main points. Our union with Christ and all it entails gives us unsurpassed inspiration to live our lives in a way that glorifies him (v.1). Because of this the unavoidable implication is a call to unity of love, spirit and purpose (v.2), and the unusual inversion in the way we conduct our relationships - not acting out of self-centredness but esteeming others above ourselves (vv.3,4). Finally she closed with verse 5 and its directive to unashamed imitation of Christ Jesus - he is the pattern for our attitude.

Christ's example

This was further developed by the second speaker, Liam Goligher, who taught from verses 5-11. He carefully expounded what this passage teaches about Christ's position as God, and the amazing depths to which he humbled himself in obedient servanthood in his incarnation and crucifixion. If Christ, being who he was, did not grasp at his rightful place but humbled himself for our sakes, how much more should we turn from nurturing our own small dignities to living lives as his humble servants. Are we afraid of talking to people about Christ because it might be embarrassing? This point was brought home more than once during the day.

Energy and fun

The third speaker was certainly up to the task of keeping us awake and interested after a long day of learning and listening. Lizzy Smallwood delivered a talk full of energy, fun, challenge, warmth and practical wisdom. With Philippians 2.12-18 as her text, she encouraged us to live obedient lives of sacrificial service wherever we are. The graphic illustration concerning Oprah Winfrey's diet regime certainly opened up the meaning of 'working out your own salvation as God works in you (you had to be there!). With the very practical admonition to 'do everything without complaining or arguing', we were encouraged to stand out as witnesses for Christ 'like stars' and to 'hold out the word of life'.

Although these are familiar themes, all three speakers did a marvellous job inspiring us to press on with this counter-cultural mind-set and life style.

Seminars

Before and after lunch there were seminars with a good mix of topics on offer, dealing with ambition, suffering, materialism, singleness, marriage relationships and service in the church.

I heard positive feedback about the seminars I didn't attend, and certainly valued the ones I joined. Of particular surprise was the one I was assigned by default. Having thought and read a great deal about suffering I did not want to choose this topic. However, I found it a very valuable session led by Barbara Sherwood, whose own life experience gives particular weight to her teaching in this area. Her talk was well focused, cutting to the important issues quickly. She emphasised God's sovereignty and love, and looked particularly at Jesus's life and attitudes to suffering.

Throughout the day Andy Fenton and a team of talented musicians led us in our songs of worship. I was especially amazed by the woman who was playing what I can only assume was a recorder - but to such a high standard that it bore no similarity to what I usually hear from that instrument! Although more than a few people in the hall had coughs and colds, we sang with hearts full of joy and praise and enjoyed worshipping God together in this way. I especially loved to hear the voices a cappella when the musicians dropped out from time to time.

At lunchtime many took advantage of the thus far dry day to have their packed lunches in a small park alongside the Thames and in view of Westminster Palace. It was a lovely setting and it was good to see the lively fellowship of friends and new acquaintances.

Though Richard Coekin of London Men's Convention, interviewed at the start of the day, rightly said that the success of these conventions can only be measured by their long-term benefit to the churches, all the signs look good.

Next year's London Women's Convention will take place at Central Hall, Westminster. Although this is a bigger venue that will accommodate more people than Emmanuel Centre, the organisers have decided to offer the programme on two separate dates to avoid the disappointment of so many women who were not able to come this year. The dates set for 2005 are October 1 and 15, and information is available on www.christianconventions.org.uk. Why not come along next year? - I can highly recommend it!

Alicia Felce