My story

Former pastor of evangelical church who become a catholic.

I have been involved with the Celebrate conference for more years than I care to recount. I have been privileged to be a speaker at many different kinds of conferences around the world and in my opinion Celebrate is one of the very best!

Why do I say that? Well it is charismatic and full of life. It is also very well organised and administrated. Over the years Sue Whitehead has done a great job with the bookings so that when you arrive they are expecting you and room keys and info are on hand. On site there are numerous people from stewards to ‘stream’ leaders who work tirelessly to make your stay pleasant and enjoyable. I really appreciate that. It’s what allows Celebrate to be so ‘spontaneous’ and spiritually enriching.

Celebrate is a family conference. It is not full of holy people doing holy things 24/7! It is full of families of all kinds with a full programme of activities with something for everyone. You can opt in or opt out to whatever level you like after all it is a holiday!

The all age aspect in my view is its strongest aspect. From ‘Little Stars’ to grandparents they all find a place with lots of encouragement and support. Over the years it has been my greatest joy to see teenagers and parents rediscover their faith and find their level of service in the Church and society.

Celebrate is a Roman Catholic conference that has maintained a very healthy and productive ecumenism. I attended for many years as a Protestant Pastor. In that time I was always respectfully received and warmly listened to while speaking, with even a few ‘amens’ of encouragement thrown in for good measure! This aspect of celebrate is particularly important. Often we have wrong ideas about each other simply because we don’t get a chance to meet the other side or interact with them.

This interaction at celebrate allows for healthy social encounters and even theological discussion (for those who like that kind of thing). Having said all that there is of course no pressure whatsoever to convert or conform. In many many years of involvement with Celebrate I cannot remember even one attempt to get me to become Roman Catholic. I can say that I was many times almost embarrassed and often humbled with the warmth of love and appreciation I received. Let me give you one example of that.

Some years ago I was sitting in on a committee meeting. We were reviewing our progress so far and praying for the few days left that we would be able to follow the Holy Spirit. By the way there is a lot of prayer before after and during Celebrate. Much of it, not all, is ‘hidden’ and maybe all the more powerful for that. Anyway back to the committee meeting (must we I hear you say). One person there thoughtfully felt that “we have not honoured our Lady yet”. Charles suggested that we pray and discern what we might do. I being an evangelical Pastor and not known for my shyness’, shared that I had a teaching on Mary quickly adding the condition that it was only what the Scriptures said about her. “That is what we want” said Charles encouragingly and so with the full approval of all present I was duly appointed to deliver said talk to the conference.

I will never forget that night. Having boldly put myself forward I was now wracked with doubt and foreboding. What was I doing! How can an evangelical protestant Pastor give a talk on Mary to a Roman Catholic audience, not to mention all the Priests and Religious that were present!! To my amazement, gratitude and relief it was warmly received and even applauded. That is Celebrate for you.

I have given that talk on Mary many times since but it was my involvement with Celebrate that taught me that if we speak in love and respect to each other we just might discover that there is more that unites us than divides. Ecumenism at Celebrate is a healthy holding to one’s own traditions and norms while seeking to understand and listen to the others point of view. Since that time it has been my great privilege to be received into the Roman Catholic Church, on Easter Saturday (2011). As you can guess that was a momentous decision for me and my wife Mary and we have prayed, laughed and cried over it.

We as a couple are now living out ecumenism, as I enjoy the sacraments and friendships at my local parish church and she remains part of our local evangelical church where we enjoy fellowship and good Bible teaching.

Many have asked me why I have taken this step. It is hard to explain. I feel a bit like Peter in the house of Cornelius (Acts 10). It all feels a little bit alien and I know the church is where God wants me to be, but am still trying to understand more fully the customs and language of this household.

My wife’s advice is both practical and spiritual. She simply says, “Let the dust settle and then we will see the way forward”. So watch this space as the dust settles. I do know that Celebrate and its people had a lot do to with my joining the church as I have seen there a Catholicism that is charismatic, vibrant and very very attractive.