Why attend the Spring School? ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.’ (Philippians 2:3-4) As Congregational churches and members, we celebrate the fact that we are part of Christ’s huge family on earth, we enjoy fellowship with friends across denominations, and we are actively involved in joint ventures with other churches and organisations in our local and global service. We are certainly not minded to ‘blow our own trumpet’ in any inappropriate way, or to prefer ourselves over other Christians or churches. However, we should not be embarrassed at the distinctives of our Congregational way of life and worship, and our way of being church. Nor should we be reluctant to stand by our conviction that we must play our part under God in challenging any and all injustices in our society. While being part of the whole family of the church, we are also part of what is usually called the nonconformist, or dissenting, tradition of Christian values and principles. We have always stood with those Christians who speak out against interests that neglect or actively harm vulnerable and disadvantaged people, whether these interests belong to government bodies or other powerful groups in society with vested interests, including, if necessary, church bodies. With this in mind, we are launching the first of what we hope will become an ongoing series of Spring Schools whose aim is both to encourage and to challenge us to play our ongoing part in the public life of the UK today. We will explore our distinctive values, perspectives and principles, reminding ourselves of our call to radical discipleship under Christ.
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