Something that really struck me at the Academy was how amazingly healthy some churches around the UK are, despite the kind of opposite impression most people seem to have, especially the media. Senior Pastors from Birmingham, Cardiff, Derby and Northampton came together as a team to share what God is doing in their locations, and to bless and help the several church leadership teams that were present. They told stories of huge gatherings of people of all ages, worshipping enthusiastically and making an impact in their communities for Christ. Of course, they have their problems too, but their willingness to share and be open was a real inspiration.
Here are a few of quotes:
"Some people think that if they have a million pound vision they will only have a one pound problem! A million pound vision usually comes with million pound problems!" (Stephen Ball quoting Paul Scanlon I think)
"We are traders in hope" (Stuart Blount)
"Sundays are for God" (Jason Heron)
"Does your team member light up the room and can you imagine working with them for a long time?" (Mark Ryan)
"The church that does everything usually ends up doing nothing" (Mark Ryan)
"All that we do in church life should be driven by vision not the fear of man or anything else". (Mark Ryan)
"The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them" Genesis 11:6.
