In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul encouraged those in the churches who were facing difficulties and prayed that, “…you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)
Like the Ephesians we are living through various changes, challenges and opportunities. This generation are witness to seismic changes in personal and communal life, and ways of being. These changes take place on many different fronts and come in different forms. They arise as a result of the impact of new technology, and of rapidly shifting academic, political and societal norms which sometimes lead to confusion, conflict and uncertainty.
Recognising some of these pressures whilst planning for the 2024 conference, the team at ACC sensed that we wanted to provide a space where members and delegates are invited and encouraged to remember that they gain strength through being rooted and established in God’s love. Likewise as practitioners strength comes from being rooted and established in the knowledge and skills of their profession and pastoral roles. It's a 'back to basics' approach.
We hope the conference provides an opportunity to experience
being anchored in the fertile ground of God’s boundless love, and a reminder
that this is what enables us to grow through the changing seasons bearing
fruit, providing shelter, able to weather many storms (Jeremiah 17:8). It is
our prayer that we will gather “with all the Lord’s holy people” not only to
grasp together the “love that surpasses knowledge”, but also to root and
establish ourselves in the foundations of the work of counselling and pastoral
care so that we “may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” in
who He has called us to be and what He has called us to do.
We hope you can join us to learn and grow together in faith and professional development, and we look forward to welcoming you in person at the conference.
Please see our programme (PDF) here (or e-book version).
For information on how to get to the venue, please visit the Hayes conference centre website here.
Where possible, please use debit card to make the payment.
Please see our programme for cancellation policy.