I’ve come back from the ReNew conference with a spring in my step. The evening I got back, I told friends at dinner that I was “really very cheerful.” I said something about being heartened by time with teammates from across the country. And on reflection, here’s what blessed me most about ReNew.
Encouraged and equipped
I need all the help I can get to treasure Jesus. Bible teaching about His beautiful sacrificial leadership helped me. Singing to Him with hundreds of people helped me. News from other churches doing brave things because He's worth it – that helped me too.
I left with multiple notebook pages of ideas for my ministry in Toxteth. This year particularly, I heard lots of comments of "that’s something our church has implemented since last year’s ReNew." And ReNew raises longer term questions that I naturally neglect. I’d hardly considered how to get our PCC prepared for having to appoint a new vicar one day. I needed the spur to think again how I can train up future leaders.
