The LEAD09 Conference: Chester and Dodson in Maine (October 9-10)

October 9th & 10th 2009
Auburn Maine

560 Park Ave. Auburn Maine 04210

Cost: by September 18th -$75ea | after September 18th $100

And here’s some stuff on the material and speakers:

Windham Baptist Church is partnering with Atmosphere Church (of EABC) to host a conference October 9-10 that we hope God will use to bring about gospel renewal throughout Maine, New England and beyond. It’s called Lead ‘09 and the theme is Gospel, Community and Mission.  This two-day conference is a call to each of us and our churches to take Jesus seriously–to radically reshape our lives around the gospel word so that we can truly be his gospel community on God’s mission.

Our two speakers are both God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-dependent leaders who teach the Word of God  faithfully with passion, humility and urgency.  Tim Chester is a writer, Bible teacher and church planter in Sheffield, UK. An author of many books, Tim is also the co-author of Total Church, a biblically-rich book on what it means to BE the church. Jonathan Dodson is the lead pastor of Austin City Life in Austin, TX. His articles have often blessed our church family, especially “Fight Club” and “Anger: the image of Satan.” On a personal note, Jonathan is a treasured friend. Having served with him in both the local church and in global missions, I can tell you without hesitation that you will be blessed by his teaching.

I said this yesterday, but it’s really exciting to see Maine churches holding a conference of this kind that will promote church health and gospel advancement.  Because of the culture of disbelief and the considerable challenges to ministry in their regions, New England and Northeast Christians, like Christians from other places, can sometimes adopt a retreat mentality.  They can grow timid.  This response is understandable; indeed, ministry in the Northeast can be terribly difficult in a way that Christians from other places may struggle to understand.

But what the church needs is not to retreat, but to advance (I nabbed this from Mars Hill).  This conference should provide encouragement, both practical and theological, toward that end.  We should be realistic about our hopes, but we should also be hopeful, asking the Lord to bring revival.  Our great God is strong and faithful.  He sees His people in particularly dark places.  He will strengthen and reward them.  As they continue on, fighting the good fight, He will bless them. 

Many churches in this world may not grow huge or feature world-renowned preaching, but those are not the church’s goals, anyway.  The point of it all is to be faithful, trusting, and aggressive for the gospel.  It would be great to see churches and organizations that have these goals unite together–for example, to have accomplished groups like NETS and NECEP at this conference, making connections with like-minded folk.  Christians can only benefit by banding together, particularly in dark regions like New England and the Northeast.

I’m hugely encouraged by what East Auburn Baptist Church, Atmosphere Church, and Windham Baptist Church are doing.  May this conference draw many, and may it have an effect that goes beyond a few days of corporate thinking and meditating.  May the Lord grant New England and Northeast Christians unity, boldness, and blessing in the gospel.  Even if you’re thousands of miles away, will you pray for this conference, and for the work of the gospel in New England and the secular Northeast?