Richard Coekin to Offer Insights on Gospel Training in Sydney

Richard Coekin, Senior Pastor of 'The Co-Mission Initiative' in South-west London, will offer new insights at two back-to-back events in Sydney, Australia this weekend, being held to raise gospel workers to a higher level through intensive training.

The events bring together two ministries which work specifically on clergy and lay members of the church who are keen to sharpen their ministry skills and abilities.

While 'The Ministry Intensive' focuses specifically on the empowerment of clergy and full-time ministry workers, the 'Cathedral Spring Convention' targets the many Christians in the churches who are thirsty for the know-how that will enable them to grow in their ministry positions.

Richard Coekin hit the media spotlight earlier in the year over the debacle surrounding the revocation of his clergy license due to the irregular ordination of three of his staff.

The irregular ordinations followed three years of appeals to and refusals from the Bishop of Southwark to ordain fully trained staff.

Coekin was eventually reinstated in June when the Archbishop of Canterbury stepped in to end the debacle.

The Anglican Diocese of Sydney welcomed Coekin's presence at the events in its promotional material, saying, "We are pleased Richard has accepted our invitation to speak at the inaugural Ministry Intensive and the 2006 Spring Cathedral Convention."

"We look forward to his careful teaching from the Bible, his advice on multiplying churches through the growth and training of people, and his reflections on the recent obstacles he has had to face to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Coekin will be joined in leading the sessions by Phillip Jensen, the Dean of Sydney and Director of the Ministry Training and Development Department of the Diocese of Sydney.