BuildingBridges

[64.1] GETTING TOGETHER TO EXPLORE FUTURE CHURCH

Terry Tennens, who is the Building Bridges of Hope consultant and director in Britain and Ireland, assesses the working of the annual Future Church conferences that BBH runs. Here he describes what they are all about and how they work

Each year we have invited four representatives from the BBH pilot projects across Britain and Ireland. Also, their BBH accompanier attends. In addition, the national officers concerned with ecumenical mission have been invited, along with regional and local church leaders and interested lay people.

On average we have seen 75 people attend each year, with relatively little advertising and promotion in the Christian media. The conference lasts over two days, usually from lunch to lunch held on a Wednesday to Thursday, either in October or November at High Leigh Conference Centre.

We appoint Conference reflectors, to accompany the gathering as an outside reflector assisting delegates in action-reflection. Speakers have ranged from specialists in mission, leadership to pioneering practitioners – and the BBH pilot projects themselves who share their story of faithfulness, innovation and the benefit of accompaniment.

The form of conference includes worship, keynote address, question and answer sessions, inter-active dispersed small groups and plenary. An important distinguishing mark is a unique gathering of Welsh, Scottish, Irish and English Christians from a variety of Christian traditions who might not usually encounter such polarities.

BBH has provided a bridge for mutual gain so that we can all benefit from learning together. In the Future Church conferences it seeks to practise what it preaches. If you need more information, please email us at the address in the link below.

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