This weekend our elders and wives attended a New Ground conference at Ashfield International Hotel. The weekend was hosted by Dave and Liz Holden who lead New Ground Newfrontiers the group of churches we belong to. The vision and passion behind New Ground is to help churches take new ground for the Kingdom of God. Eldership couples from around the UK & Europe came together for an annual time of connecting, refreshing, and vision.
Throughout the Friday and Saturday Dave and his team hosted sessions of prayer, worship and preaching. There was also free time to socialise and build relationship with other leadership teams on the Friday evening with some entertainment from a jazz band. Dave Holden led through the first session with contributions from Liz Holden and our very own Simon Elliot. The theme of this session was living sustainable lives. During the second session Phil Moore did an excellent job at preaching into the changing season of life and Newfrontiers. Phil challenged two groups of people; those who are very aware of difficulties within change, and others who don’t notice the change in seasons. He preached into how God is shaking up our dreams, leadership and nations from the minor prophets. The exaltation was not to grieve or ignore, but stay focussed on Jesus, who loves to use small and weak people like you and I. During session three we had a few different people coming to share news of training events, conferences and finances. Session four was a time of worship and prayer, with a final message from Dave Holden on not dwelling on the past from Isaiah.
Here is some helpful information on a number of key training and conference events mentioned during session three:
New Ground Academy
“Leaders aren’t born. Leaders are made.” A training academy for church leaders and church shapers, connected to the New Ground family of churches. Leaders are created when people invest in their own potential and when they find gifted people who are willing to invest in them too. That’s why we think you are going to love the New Ground Academy. If you are a church leader or church shaper, or if you would like to be, then find out more at: www.newgroundacademy.org
New Ground Impact
This is a discipleship gap year. Most young people want to do a gap year to see the world, what about doing a gap year where you can be trained to change the world! Based at a local church, serving that local church. Costs £1150, date Sept 2014, training held at East Grinstead. DNA:
- Dynamic teaching – key biblical theology, x7 residential training blocks
- Nurturing relationships – brothers and sisters who help us grow as disciples of Christ. Community discipleship, small group discipleship…
- Apostolic Mission – plugging into an apostolic vision for the nations!
Centre Parcs – New Ground Impact features a week together with other national impact training basis, having lots of fun, training and getting caught up with bigger Newfrontiers.
New Ground Leadership Conference
27th-29th June held at Kings church Mid Sussex. With no Ashburnham in 2014 we have the opportunity to put on a conference for all leaders in our churches. Special guest PJ Smyth from Johannesburg will be preaching.
New Ground 20’s-30’s Conference ‘Connect’
14th-16th November. A conference to gather 100’s of singles and couples coming together to encounter God and have lots of fun together.
Make sure you keep up to date with all the New Ground events, news and blogs posts www.newgroundchurches.org
Pete Benton is an elder of Jubilee Community Church
