Groups and streams are often known for particular aspects of Christian experience. Being associated with one aspect sometimes indicates the absence of another. Being a Baptist indicates you don’t christen babies, being an Anglican that you don’t look to Rome. Charismatics are often thought of as people who don’t delve very deeply into the Bible.

It is on this point that Newfrontiers stands out. To be a family of churches that is strong in both Word and Spirit is unusual, especially in the UK. The received wisdom is that Charismatics are all shout and no substance, and that reformed evangelicals are lions in the pulpit but decidedly “vanilla” everywhere else.

For decades, in Newfrontiers, there has been a consistent commitment to the person, work and gifts of the Holy Spirit and to the systematic exegesis of the Scriptures. This dynamic combination is one of the keys to the longevity and success of what Newfrontiers is and does. I was recently listening to Mark Driscoll passionately demanding that preachers no longer expound the church doctrines of Paul without living the life of Paul. I wholeheartedly agree. Part of that church planting strategy was ministering in the Spirit. Healing the sick, confronting demonic powers and doing “extraordinary miracles” (Acts 19 v 11) Surly the same applies to the power as to the teaching. (see David Devenish, Wednesday, Main Session)

Both aspects of ministry are clearly in play here in Acts 19. The teaching in the hall of Tyrannus and the extraordinary miracles. For some there is no concept that a both-and rather than an either-or approach is even possible.

Can I again encourage you to download (FREE) and listen to the excellent teaching form the conference?

To reach a desperate world requires truth and power.

It’s great to see my good friend Adrian Warnock here, having rushed back from the States to be at this conference. For an in depth synopsis of the main sessions visit adrianwarnock.com.

andy cottingham

• Family

Husband, Father, Pastor