Loading...Richard Foster and Chris Webb brought their message of depth in spiritual formation to attendees at the Renovare Essentials Conference April 21.
Nearly 300 participants, including members of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster, Mount Calvary Episcopal Church in Camp Hill, and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Manheim, heard empowering presentations on grace, spiritual renewal, and practical strategies for spiritual growth during the day-long conference at Leffler Chapel, Elizabethtown College.
Richard Foster, known for books such as “Celebration of Discipline” and “Freedom of Simplicity,” opened the day with a powerful message on grace. “Spiritual growth is the penultimate goal of Christian life,” he said. “Jesus is the divine paradigm by which we learn to conjugate the verbs of life.”
Chris Webb, a Welsh Anglican priest who currently serves on the Renovare ministry team, focused on spiritual renewal and growth in his presentations. “The church at its best,” said Webb, “ought to be a reflection of the nature and character of Jesus.” Participants had the opportunity to break into small groups to experience Renovare's model of small group formation for themselves in the afternoon.
The Rev. Jonathan Currier, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Lancaster, served as a member of the organizing team that brought the conference to central Pennsylvania. Of the conference, Currier says, "It exceeded expectations... and my expectations were high, to begin with! Chris Webb and Richard Foster were wonderful presenters, feeding off one another's energy with humor and grace. They are both highly articulate evangelists of the disciplined life of the spirit every Christian is called to, but to which, sadly, too few adhere. I am hopeful their efforts, guided by the Spirit, will generate something of a spiritual quickening for both our parish and the diocese at large."
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