Carey Conference Day 2 Final Session

We were free after lunch on day two, reconvening at 4.30 pm for a traditional question and answer session with all the main speakers, including Linda Alcock who has been taking the women through Titus in the alternative sessions for them. Many of the questions were directed to Leonardo de Chirico but everyone contributed including John Benton who had not spoken at that point.

He spoke in the evening on the psychology of Samson for leaders. John, who has recently retired from pastoral ministry to work with the John Owen centre helping pastors in ministry, has a new book out (Lion's honey), just a hundred pages long, it is described as follows

"John Benton brings his wide pastoral experience to bear on the realities of Christian leadership as many experience it: “Our own sins always leave scars on us. These can go deep. There are also the bruises that come from being on the wrong end of other peoples’ sins. No one has a perfect past or a perfect upbringing. So Christian leaders can be damaged goods. Furthermore, each of us, no matter how ‘regular’ we may a

ppear outwardly, has his own weaknesses.… On his worst days, a Christian leader might actually be frightened of himself and what he is capable of, apart from God’s grace. Here we are called to be a blessing to the church but we could so easily be the opposite.… It is my hope that this short study of the life of Samson as a defective Christian leader will enable others to be honest, and to understand themselves and to persevere in fruitful ministry.”

I did hear most of what he had to say and found it convicting and yet encouraging. I did not take, notes, as I was busy with my grandson Ezra, who is herewith his mam and dad (Gwilym is with Nain in London).