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a healthy church...transformingLIFE

Tasmanian Anglican

October 2002

 

 

 

 

 

Power to energise with ear plugs and determination

by David Blyth

 

 

Armed with a packet of ear plugs and determination to avoid sitting in front of the intimidating speaker stacks, I felt prepared for the Energizer02 conference.

My registration letter had arrived in the mail a few days earlier and my application for two days annual leave, at rather short notice, had been approved. The electives, 'Effective Sunday Services' and 'Worship Teams' had persuaded me to attend the conference. I saw this as a timely opportunity to broaden my experience and to hopefully glean some alternative approaches that might be applicable to my own church.

Thrilled and overwhelmed

Well over a thousand people attended the opening evening, almost filling the Wrest Point Conference Centre. I was impressed by the speaker, by the diversity of music, the use of drama and the professionalism of the entire evening. I was pleased to find that the ear plugs were not needed: I sat towards the back!

The conference was opened by the Lord Mayor of Hobart and invited guests included federal members from the two major political parties. The evening gatherings were open to anyone, however the organisers where thrilled and overwhelmed to find that this year 700 people had registered as day delegates.

Diversity of expression

Over the next two days we were challenged and inspired to be people and churches that make a difference in today's society. There was simply too much from the conference to share in a short article. However I will close with a personal reflection.

It is timely to respect the traditions of all parts of the church as legitimate and proper expressions of the faith; and even more, to celebrate the rich diversity of expression, that to some degree reflects the diverse culture of the wider community.