Every year, the
diocese of Leicester helps to resource local churches, such as St Paul 's, by putting on a
"Bishops Lay Congress." This took place today. The belief underlying
the Congress was that while "Church" was often unpopular, people were
still drawn to the character of Jesus.
If that is so,
it's important that individual Christians should demonstrate Christ to the
world around. It raised questions such as what is it to actually follow Jesus?
What are the disciplines, the practices and the habits of heart and mind that
Jesus calls us to in following him? How is it we are to be truly his disciples
and so become more fully alive?
The first
keynote speaker was Mark Russell, the CEO of the Church Army. This Northern
Irishman with a winsome personality stimulated us, challenged us, and offered
us suggestions of how we could be more like Jesus.
In the second
address, the Bishop of Leicester, Tim Stevens, pursued this subject in a
thoughtful, but quieter way.
The day was
completed with opening and closing worship, workshops and a question and answer
session.
We went away
challenged to be the body of Christ in our locality, in our case Oadby.