January Conference 2022
Having been restricted last January to a much more limited ‘virtual’ gathering (courtesy of ‘Zoom’), it was with an added eagerness that about 100 members of the Crieff Fellowship of ministers gathered again at Crieff Hydro for three days’ ministry and fellowship this January.
Although there was disappointment that Kevin DeYoung was not able to be present to minister the Word as planned, the rescheduling of the programme meant that Dan Strange was able to expand the excellent and timely material he was delivering on Cultural Engagement from two to four sessions: the additional focus thus afforded on this issue proved, in the Lord’s wise providence, to be invaluable for those present.
Dan Strange moved last summer from Oakhill to head up the new Centre for Culture, Religion and Mission at Crosslands Forum, and his ministry at Crieff over these three days was greatly appreciated by all who attended the conference. In the course of the four sessions, with the obvious passion he has for his subject, he stressed the sovereign work of the Spirit of God in salvation, showed the biblical mandate for cultural engagement, worked through the helpful framework which he’s set out more fully in his book Making Faith Magnetic, and illustrated the ways in which this framework can inform and shape the ministry of the church today.
The strapline of the Crieff Fellowship’s website is simply “ministering to ministers” and an integral part of these January gatherings is always the ministry of the Word.
To that end the book of Malachi was expounded this year over 2 sessions, under the broad title, ‘Defying gravity: lessons in long-term ministry’, with encouragement being given to old and young alike to press on in the Lord’s service by grasping again seven key themes which permeate all Scripture.
There was, of course, the very real blessing of renewed friendship, fellowship together over the three days, enriched as ever by the opportunity to join in the praise of our God and Saviour and by times of united prayer. The three days were enhanced also by the provision of a substantial CFP bookstall, and by the varied pleasures of the Hydro and its facilities — a combination which, alongside the conference sessions themselves, surely saw those present much refreshed in body, mind and spirit!
