Ministers Conference 2015 – Briefing Paper
Introduction
The London Baptist Association is made up of over 300 Baptist Churches located within the inner and outer
London boroughs. These churches are diverse in their locations, from inner city to outer suburb. They are
diverse in their ethnicity, theology and spirituality. The total membership of those churches is
approximately 25,000 members.
Our vision states:
We are a Spirit empowered community of churches growing in holiness and unity, working to be at
ease with our diversity, and aiming to reach London for Christ.
We seek to fulfil our vision by promoting unity, mission, giving leadership and celebrating the international
nature of our churches.
While all churches are members of the Association it is governed by a board of Directors and employs four
Regional Ministers who work to support the churches and promote its vision.
150th Anniversary.
In 2015 we will be celebrating our 150th Anniversary. In 1865 three individuals, C H Spurgeon, Dr William
Landels and Dr William Brock gathered disparate and declining churches together with a vision to promote
evangelism and build churches in the capital. These men were inspirational and we are seeking to recover
their vision and passion as we celebrate our anniversary. We believe the God who inspired these men is still
able to work in us today. We expect our anniversary to refocus the life of the Association on unity for
mission.
The Conference
The conference is an annual gathering that meets for three days beginning at Monday lunchtime and
finishing with lunch on Wednesday. It is an opportunity for ministers from around the Association to meet
together for fellowship, inspiration and to receive ministry. More formal sessions are focussed around a
particular theme, but there is good opportunity for more informal gathering around meals and other times.
Times of worship and prayer give space for engagement with the Holy Spirit and offer refreshment and
inspiration to ministers, some of whom may be struggling in their local situations.
Our focus for 2015 is around our 150th Anniversary and celebrates the ‘Incredible Passion’ of the founders of
the Association.
Speakers:
Monday Afternoon – History that Inspires
Rev Dr Ruth Gouldbourne was ordained in 1980 and spent time in ministry in Bedford before taking a up a
teaching post at Bristol Baptist College where she was a tutor in history and doctrine. She became minister
at Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church in 2006.
Ruth will be reflecting on the lives of the founders of the London Baptist Association, Spurgeon, Brock and
Landels. She will be considering what inspired them and what we can learn from them.
Monday Evening - Celebration
Monday evening gives us the opportunity to celebrate our 150th Anniversary. We have upgraded our
evening meal and inviting people to dress smartly, perhaps wearing national dress. Rev Lynn Green, General
Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, will be joining us and sharing her story and vision for the
Union.
Tuesday Morning – Opportunities in London
Pastor Agu Irukwu is a law graduate from the University of Warwick, a Barrister and former investment
banker. He was ordained pastor in August 1993 and took over as Senior Pastor of Jesus House in April 1994.
(To be confirmed)
Bishop Christopher Chessun, has been an Anglican priest since the 1980s. He has spent much of his ministry
in London and became the Bishop of Southwark in March 2011.
Baroness Berridge of the Vale of Catmose. Elizabeth Berridge became Baroness in January 2011. Her
professional career was as a barrister. She is a trustee of the thinktank British Future which focuses on
identity, integration, migration and opportunity.
It would be easy to become overwhelmed by the challenges of London. However, we believe that with
those challenges come many opportunities to live as the people of God, sharing the good news in word and
deed. Pastor Agu and Bishop Christopher as church leaders will be speaking to us about the opportunities of
London from the perspectives of their respective denominations. Baroness Berridge will bring us a wider
political and civic perspective.
Wednesday Morning – Confidence in the Gospel
Pastor Steve Uppal has been Senior Leader of All Nations Christian Centre, Wolverhampton, since 2001. He
is well-known and inspiring speaker. It is easy to become overwhelmed with the challenges to the gospel in
our day. Steve will bring to us a message that will encourage us to be confident in the gospel we have
received.
Worship
Rev Pete Leveson, Minister of South Norwood Baptist church will be leading worship throughout the
conference.
Worship is an important part of the Conference. For ministers who are used to leading worship the
conference provides an opportunity for them to be led in worship. Our aim is to provide worship that
enables ministers to be engaged with God. We recognise that people approach worship in different ways.
While most of those who attend the conference are happy with contemporary worship there are differences
of opinion of how this should be delivered. Some prefer loud and lively while others look for something
quieter. In addition to this we are aware that there are those who attend who prefer something more
contemplative. All seem to appreciate a combination of the traditional and contemporary. Worship at the
conference will recognise these factors.
Worship at the conference will seek to lead those at the conference into the presence of God, but also
create opportunity for God to speak into the conference.
Other Activities
Other Activities will include:
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A session led by BMS World Mission
An opportunity to hear about the work of the Mission Strategy Forum
The Youth Forum will be speaking about their work.
A representative from Spurgeon’s College will be attending to speak about opportunities for further
study.
We pray God will be present at our Conference renewing our faith and confidence in the gospel of Jesus
Christ.