Congregational Studies Conference
Conference Chairman: Dr Digby L. James
Conference Secretary: Rev. Peter Beale
A Congregational Studies Conference is held in March each year to learn from the history of Congregationalism
When I was at school I was very pleased to drop history from my exam subjects. I was much in agreement with Henry Ford, who said in 1916, “History is more or less bunk. It’s tradition. We don’t want tradition. We want to live in the present …” Then I became a Christian and quickly realized that Christianity is an historical faith based upon a book of history. If the Bible is not historically true my faith is futile and I am still in my sins.
Importance of history
It was because of the importance of history that EFCC started the Studies Conference in 1981 which has continued up till now. Many subjects have been dealt with over the years to help us learn from past mistakes and be encouraged by past glories. This year’s Conference will be held on 13th March at Orange Street Congregational Church in London (located behind the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square). This year we will have two papers, one on The History of Congregationalism in Ireland by George Speers of Ballynahinch, Co. Down, and one on The Life of Cornelius Winter, companion of George Whitefield and minister of Painswick Congregational Church, Gloucestershire, by Dr Robert Oliver of Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire.
Future papers
We are always open to suggestions of subjects for future papers dealing with Congregational history or the development of doctrine and practice. We want the Conference to be helpful to everyone and stimulate thought and discussion to help us be more godly and more effective in communicating the Gospel.
Dr Digby L. James, Conference Chairman
Booking
A booking fee of £10 per person is required for attendance to cover Conference costs. If you wish to attend please download the booking form (below) and send to the EFCC office with a cheque for the appropriate amount.
The Publicity Poster can be downloaded here:
The Programme (with map) can be downloaded here:
The Booking Form can be downloaded here:
Conference Papers & Tapes/CDs
Copies of Conference Papers from 1981-2009 are available to purchase. Tapes/CDs dating from 1989 are also available. Please see the Publications Page for further details and how to order. Most of these recordings are also available from www.sermonaudio.com
