By It was with anticipation that I looked forward to the Melbourne conference after hearing about it last year. I was keen to see the response and also eager to "swap notes" with others who had travelled the same path that the small fellowship of which I am a part has travelled in the last 3 years.
I had been receiving both the "Contending Earnestly for the Faith" and "Vanguard" periodicals of CWM and we'd had Philip Powell visit and speak to our fellowship on several occasions in the past; the bona fides of those involved looked good.
If there was a concern it was that the conference could mark the genesis of another organisation or structure that would consume people's time and energy and so become a substitute for one's relationship with God. However, this was not to be as at the outset it was made clear to participants that the conference was not intended to be a call to exclusivity and the production of another "movement" which would, as history has proved so many times, end as a "monument".
Some reflections:

Organisation

The pre-conference publicity was prepared in ample time to allow people to make arranagements and register. Suggestions from the organisers for accommodation and travel were appreciated by those who had to travel from out of town.
The availability of food, drink and meals at the venue was made possible by the very hard-working manageress of CWM and her group from the host assembly and this enabled people to share experiences with and encourage others; a very important part of fellowship.
The professionalism with which the audio-visual team prepared tapes for purchase was of the highest degree and that was well complemented by the large range of resources made available from CWM and Moriel.

Program

The program was packed as tightly as it could have been with a teaching session on the Friday evening, four sessions on Saturday and three on Sunday. Interspersed among the teaching sessions were meal and coffee breaks. With participants from virtually all corners of Australia, there is no doubt that the best use was made of the time available.
Philip Powell and Aeron Morgan, the conference speakers, are to be commended for their transparency and honesty that were evident during the several question/answer sessions. During these sessions participants were free to raise concerns in a frank and open manner; a necessary part of the exchange of ideas and concepts if we are to grow as a body.
Praise and worship sessions were led by a most enthusiastic host pastor and were conducted "decently and in order".

Teaching

In the preface of their book, "Gathering the Faithful Remnant", Philip Powell and Aeron Morgan note that the eight teaching sessions start "... with the call to the faithful remnant and developing from there with Aeron Morgan presenting Holiness and Philip Powell Supernaturalism as the two pillars of our Pentecostal heritage."
Both speakers developed the conference theme in an orderly and logical way without in any way compromising Biblical truth. It was evident that both men spoke with absolute conviction and enthusiasm for their topic and that they "walked the talk" thus leaving the listener in no doubt as to their integrity and the relevancy of the message.

And so?

I have been greatly encouraged by the conference in that there are others who have seen the error that is within the Church and are prepared to stand without compromise and to call for a return to Biblical values and standards.
Numbers in the faithful remnant may be small but we need to be reminded and encouraged that the way is narrow and that we must endure. This conference was no small reminder and no small encouragement!

Letters from conference attendees

Hello Mr Morgan
I attended the CWM Conference this past weekend with my wife. We were able to catch up with you and ask some questions, particularly about Bible Colleges.
I want to say thank you for your effort and obvious preparation for the conference. I got (truly) saved on Sunday morning during your sermon, "Revival: The Agency of Preaching." Whilst it was Mr Morgan I saw and heard on stage that Sunday morning, it was Jesus Christ: Saviour and Redeemer, whom I saw clearer than ever!
Thank you for your faithfulness in preaching and teaching the Word of God, and for your "Zero Tolerance Policy" when it comes to modern-day false teachers. I said to you on Sunday that it was sad that in one hour of listening to your sermon, I heard more Christian doctrine and clarity of "Christ crucified" than in one year of sitting at Hills!
During my time at Hills, it is not with God whom I have become disappointed. Rather, He has drawn me after Himself. And when we see Jesus in clear-cut sermons whose basis is (correctly interpreted) Scripture, we see the Christ in His place of pre-eminence. I pray that you continue to faithfully execute the charge to "preach the Gospel in all its fullness." No more, and no less! Regards,

BI, NSW

The Melbourne weekend was one of the most significant I have ever spent, and I thank you and Aeron for pouring yourselves so wholeheartedly into it. The topics covered unravelled a lot of thorny issues, and both the teaching and the presence of other like-minded people was a mighty encouragement. Thank you. As you tend the sheep of His pasture, may the Great Shepherd of the sheep be your constant companion and guide.

JH, Sydney