We have just published details of 'Fulcrum Conference London: Spirituality of Unity', which will be held on Saturday 16 May 2009, 10.00-4.00pm, at Christ Church, New Malden.

For a map, click here. To book, click here. It greatly helps us if you book via the web. Cost £15 (theological students £8).

Our three speakers in the morning, 'Spirituality of Unity: Three Perspectives', are:

Hugh Palmer, Rector of All Souls' Langham Place, London

Jane Morris, Vicar of St Gabriel's, Cricklewood, London

Adrian Chatfield, Director of the Simeon Centre for Spirituality, Ridley Hall, Cambridge

Our afternoon session, 'Spirituality of Unity in Practice', will be in groups facilitated by Phil Stone, Vicar of St Mark's Kensal Rise, London, followed by a Bible Study by Ian Paul, Dean of Studies, St John's College, Nottingham, editor of Grove Books and on the Fulcrum leadership team.

Given the strains and stresses among Evangelical Anglicans, the conference will provide an important opportunity to explore the spirituality that undergirds our unity together and ways to handle difference on the basis of that unity. Speakers are drawn from the different streams of Evangelical Anglicanism.

Looking forward to seeing many people there. 

any further plans for a Fulcrum North Conference for those of us who are geographically challenged... and are 6 hours away from the Capital.

sometimes it really does seem that for some evangelicalism exists not outside of the South and South East

Kevin

Given the conference is focussing on UNITY, it would be a shame if the North and South of England were divided.... perhaps there could be a webcast so those who could not get a train or coach down to London can join in this important conference?   

(perhaps a more central location in London would also help people to get to it more easily?)

Thanks, Kevin and Nersen. Yes, we are very conscious of the difficulties of geography and travel. We had a Fulcrum Conference in the North in June last year in Bradford and we would be open to suggestions for this year. The local organiser is a key post and the timing and theme are important considerations. 

People are free to contact the leadership team through the web site with offers or suggestions.

Thanks Graham,

I will make a considered response privately. A more knee jerk one is that is that I find is sad that all the names on your Leadership pages, with the exception of Ian are southern based... and wonder whether this needs addressing.

I will endeavour to book into the conference, but you do need to accept for some of us this will entail not only the minimal costs of the conference, but finding of cover. Realistically, I will not be back in central London until 5:30ish and then have a 5-6 hour journey ahead of me. I realise that this special pleading given the distances involved... and wonder whether you might consider a mid-week conference rather than a Saturday one in future

I want to add that Fulcrum is a fantastic resource, but when it moves from the web into meeting physically, it could be done a little closer.

Kevin

Many thanks indeed for your comments, Kevin. Looking forward to your email.

The discussion about whether there is a north-south problem and about the location of the conference reminds me that occasionally there has been mention of local groupings of Fulcrum supporters - occasional mention, but nothing further ever seems to happen. Could I ask whether this has been discussed or investigated by the leadership? Would it be feasible, or are supporters too thinly scattered to make it worthwhile? Would other Fulcrum members welcome knowing who else was reasonably local to them, or do we all have more than enough networks already?

‘Fulcrum Conference London 2009

Spirituality of Unity

Given the strains and stresses among Evangelical Anglicans, the conference will provide an important opportunity to explore the spirituality that undergirds our unity together and ways to handle difference on the basis of that unity. Speakers are drawn from the different streams of Evangelical Anglicanism’

This statement makes the assumption that there is a ‘spirituality that undergirds our unity together’. And of course, if we are all Christians, objectively, in the sight of God, then we are all united with God in Christ and with each other. But the ‘strains and stresses’ and the differences are about ‘what are the truths of Christianity?’. It is vital to keep this question distinct from the closely related question ‘who are the Christians?’ because, as I keep saying, it is possible for people who are Christians, objectively, in the sight of God, to believe things which are ruled out by Christianity and to refuse to believe things which are among Christianity’s vital truths. The only way forward ‘to handle difference’ is to be painfully and thoroughly frank and honest about the different views on ‘what are the truths of Christianity’ as we explore how fundamental and vital those differences are. No impartial observer of Fulcrum and other debates between ‘open’ and ‘conservative’ evangelicals can be in any doubt that there is a distinct possibility that the differences are very vital and very fundamental.

Phil Almond

Phil - I agree completely that unity must be based on agreement re truth.  I don't think you should take contributions on this blog to represent "open" evangelicals or Fulcrum....anyone can post (even people who are not Christian can post)....

 The Fulcrum leadership's statements do represent Fulcrum and I think those statements show that "open" and "conservative" evangelicals are not really very different when it comes to the authority of scripture and how we live out our faith. Based on the Fulcrum leadership's statements, I think conservatives can support Fulcrum's efforts to build evangelical unity as we are not really in dispute about what is true and what is false.... do you not agree?

Our Lord said that if we only greet our compatriots and similars then something is lacking in spirituality. I think it would be a great shame if Evangelicals put great time and energy into -- erm -- pan-Evangelical unity !

A vigorous and vibrant spiritulaity will be reaching out to Others

'agreement in truth' - if you think Truth or even truth can be listed (shopping-list style) then you don't (yet) know (of) it. That's my sense of it ...