A
Message from
our Chairman
Dear
friends,
The extraordinary meeting held at Llanidloes on 11th June 2005 voted for the proposal that: “Control and responsibility for Flames of Fire Conference should be entrusted to New Wine Cymru.” This was a decision that was not made lightly nor without prayer and much listening to each side of the debate. Peter James, who has been involved with ARM (Wales) for many years, chaired the meeting in a way that gave opportunity for people to express their views openly. Whilst the meeting concerned a subject that meant a lot to people attending, the general atmosphere was good and friendly.
Although
a postal ballot was not available, members of ARM (Wales) were invited to send
written views and comment, which were made available to the meeting.
This was done so that we could have a sense of the general feeling of the
membership at large and not just that in the room.
The 38 written responses indicated that there was a move in favour of the
motion put to the meeting, there being no written response against, and just 5
who were not too clear on the issues involved.
The last few months have been a time of tension for ARM (Wales) and so it
is good that a decision has now been made.
So,
what now for ARM (Wales)? The
meeting had come about because of the need to be able to focus the resources and
energy of ARM (Wales) on the need for Renewal in the Anglican Church in Wales.
A good part in that work has been played by the conference over the
years, and can still be seen in that light now.
But ARM (Wales) seems to have become distanced from the needs for renewal
in the local parish. The “Flames of Fire” conference has been a good
experience for people who have attended over the years, but how much like a
typical parish situation is it? ARM
(Wales) now has the freedom and needs to explore the whole area of Anglican
Church life in Wales, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, for how we might
best be used for the renewing of the Church.
It
seems to me that the starting point for ARM (Wales) is that of facilitating
consultation in order that we can learn about what God seems to be doing in
different places. Listening to
people’s stories about ministry in the power of the Spirit in Llanidloes, for
instance; or, the experiences of church planting in Merthyr Tydfil, or ministry
amongst the students of, say Aberystwyth, or renewal in a more rural church
setting in the Wye Valley. These
are all giving some idea of the work that God is doing in the life of the
Anglican Church. I am sure that ARM
(Wales) can discover its role amongst all that is going on here.
In
many of the Welsh Dioceses Renewal teams are at work seeking to support and
encourage renewal in those places. Having
been a member of the Llandaff Diocesan team for around 20 years (and chairman
for quite a few of those years), I know that there is such a wealth of
experience in these teams that needs to be discovered and even encouraged.
Each Diocesan team works independently of each other and there may be a
role for ARM (Wales) in being a bridge between these teams.
Consultation with the Diocesan teams could reveal needs that would inform
ARM (Wales) of its role for the future.
What
of the conference? The arrangements
for Flames of Fire for this year are well in hand with a line up of excellent
speakers including past favourites such as Christina Baxter, Stuart Bell and
Marcus Green along with new friends such as Kenny Borthwick. Seminars range from the environment and dance to prophecy and
church planting. Arrangements have
been made for some seminars in the medium of Welsh and for greater inclusion of
Welsh in the worship.
For
the future it is hoped that we shall be able to hold on to the atmosphere that
everyone appreciates at the conference. The
atmosphere of friendliness of the conference, which is small and personal, may
seem to be threatened by the thought of growing in numbers.
But the harsh reality is that without growth, the conference is under
threat anyway. The costs rise each
year and that means there is need for greater income.
That comes either from increased delegates fees or from increased numbers
of delegates.
The
change of body having responsibility for the conference is not about exclusion,
rather about greater inclusion. It
is not about shutting out ARM (Wales) or Anglicans but extending the welcome.
That New Wine Cymru does not have a denominational label should give
permission for others to benefit from the blessing of Flames of Fire in the way
that many of us have for the last 9 years.
That
the conference has proved such a blessing is due to those who, having heard God,
took steps of faith in order to make it happen. I know that at the beginning some of the problems seemed
almost insurmountable. But people
held on in there, trusting God in the darkest times.
Over the last few years some of the original conference team have needed
to step down, but their contribution should not be forgotten or dismissed as we
enter into a new season. They are
men and women of faith who have both trusted God and been faithful in their
serving of God through the conference. Their
contribution is greatly valued and I would hope that we should build on their
efforts in such a way as to reflect our gratitude.
I
conclude with a request for prayer, both for ARM (Wales) and the Flames of Fire
conference that we would in both continue to move forward in response to God’s
word and inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit see the Church and this
nation transformed for God’s purpose in the world.
With
my Prayers,
Nicholas