The Raising Expectations conference 2023, ‘HOPE Now and Forever’, has taken place at Trinity Welsh Chapel, Cockfosters, in North London.
This annual conference is aimed at all, but as the name suggests, is designed to stretch the keen Christian to think deeply and apply broadly the subject in hand. It was encouraging to see family groups and teens from various camps, as well as individual adults, using it as a reunion event and venue.
This year’s speakers were Steve Hayhow (pastor of the hosting church, photo left) and Dr Matthew Mason (en’s very own theologian in residence). Together they explored Hope, looking at what it is in the Bible; at contemporary issues to do with despair and ungrounded optimism; at how hope impacts us now (including a critique of radical two-kingdom theology’s impact on the arts) and closed with a tour de force on reclaiming a Reformed understanding of the beatific vision. The talks will be available on: www.northlondonchurch.org
