That sounds great Pete. The latest Briefing is about how the church is exploding in the Global South (South Africa and South America) and is a ‘hundred miles wide’, but only an ‘inch deep’. That’s really important work your doing there, because one day they’ll be sending missionaries back here — if not to Sydney then maybe around us, Perth, etc.

I assume David, that you are being unconventional…

You all make good contributions. Conventions and Conferences are good. They mix up the normal trend and provide a reviver for people stuck in a rut through the year.
However, are we forgetting the idol of conventions. I recently discussed with a fellow Christian that they didnt feel like they had grown in their relationship with God. Given that growing in a relationship with God is a can of worms that will remain closed for now, there is a problem that people rely on conferences and conventions more than we think. To our youth KYLC, KYCK and other youth conventions are a major cult following because that is what everyone is doing, there is a buzz they get from it and ultimately they come away feeling like the convention was really great but life sucks in comparison. Emotional following is a major draw back to conventions. Also the fact that people will go because my friends are going might be an excuse to get someone to hear good teaching but is it what we want them to base their decision on?
Having been apart and still apart of the St Paul’s Carlo culture, conventions and events are a major draw back. Like Leigh has stated changes in lifestyle is a big factor in going to conventions. A lot of people feel the need to go, but when they realise they can’t then a sense of unworthiness or spiritual depression sets in. People stop feeling like they are learning about God. Events and conventions create such a vibe that Church and fellowship (accountability, encouragement, love for others, etc not just hanging out) become unimportant to the church goer.
Eventually the Church goer doesn’t learn for themselves. Conventions, events and such stop people from learning for themselves. they stop struggling with passages and topics and just go to the next convention or just find a podcast on the passage or topic. Is this helpful?

so how much damage is helpful teaching at conventions actually doing? I think this cannot be answered easily as context always applies to your sheep. But there are always dangers that are not being addressed.

Hi Daniel,
Welcome to these forums....
and thanks for a very thoughtful first post.
Grace & peace,
Terry