No matter which branch of medicine we are in, we work in a fast, ever changing environment. The demands on our time from patient expectation, bureaucracy, form-fi lling, management and meetings have never been greater. And yet, we are also called to have a personal walk with God our Father, who intimately cares about every aspect of our lives, including where we work, who we interact with there and the challenges and issues that face us.

‘Practising the presence of God’ was the theme of this year’s CMF national conference at the Hayes, Swanwick, Derbyshire on 23-25 April. Over 200 delegates enjoyed a wonderful time of teaching and fellowship with the highlights being John Lennox’s excellent Bible teaching, and an inspiring Rendle Short Lecture from Derek Munday.

John Lennox is Fellow in Mathematics and Philosophy at Green College, Oxford and formerly Senior Fellow at the Whitefi eld Institute, which exists to discover ways that Christians can have a positive role in today’s world. He has a keen interest in the interface of Christianity and Science, Work and Medical Ethics and his superb Bible expositions really hit the mark. He not only took us deeply into the text, but also gave us a vision of glory and heaven, exciting us about doing our medical work to the glory of God in the present. Just what we tired, busy doctors weighed down by forces that are beyond our control, needed to hear.

The 2004 Rendle Short lecture, given by Derek Munday, was entitled ‘A kingdom divided against itself? - Practising the presence of God at the clinician/ management interface’. Derek, who leads Christians in Caring Professions and was, until recently, Clinical Director of Wokingham PCT, explored the relationship between the clinician and the manager, and the need to face complex and diffi cult realities. He gave us real insight into the forces shaping our health service which so many of us feel are beyond our control along with some real practical help in building God’s kingdom in this environment.

A wide range of topical seminars on subjects as diverse as asylum seekers, stress and burnout, handling litigation and dealing with diffi cult colleagues completed a very full and stimulating programme.

‘You cheered up the Lord’s people, fed them spiritually, and advanced the kingdom of God signifi cantly. Not a bad weekend’s work....’, was a typical comment in the many letters of thanks sent to the West Midlands organising committee.

Another delegate summed up the weekend, ‘It was one of the best National Conferences I have been to at CMF. I thought John Lennox was brilliant as a Bible Reader with both tremendous theological depth and also great passion with plenty of personal application.’

The conference theme really struck a chord with delegates - because it opened our eyes to the sovereignty of God in the workplace. I believe that God is doing something very signifi cant in our nation at present. Everywhere people are starting to wake up to the idea that God is hugely interested in our work, and in the way we do it. There is defi nitely a new wind of God’s Spirit blowing. Christian ministries are seeking to equip God’s people to be salt and light in the workplace.

Our own national conference and Saline Solution programme, which seeks to help us integrate faith and practice, are part of this new movement. Across the Atlantic, the Saline Solution is being adapted for all professions under the title Going Public, equipping Christians in all fi elds to integrate their faith and work and bear witness to Christ through their words and deeds. Mark Greene’s Faith at Work Seminars, being run by the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, are another expression of the same theme. The Clapham Connections project, just launched this year, is bringing Christian professional organisations like CMF together, motivated by the Clapham sect of the late 18th century, to inspire them in transforming our society. And Christian Viewpoint for Men recently ran a conference on the theme of ‘Getting God to Work’ aimed at helping Christian men to ‘be godly at work.’

Of course there is nothing new about practising God’s presence at work. It is thoroughly biblical and resonates with the heart of God. If you missed the national conference then please order the tapes – and let’s continue to meet together, in local groups and at conferences throughout the autumn, continuing to stir each other up and encourage one another to love and good works – in the workplace.

‘We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in all our prayers. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.’ (1 Thessalonians 1:2,3)