I'm in a bind.

In 2 Corinthians Paul warns against the super apostles who promote themselves. So I am wary of promoting people lest they become puffed up and conceited. Or we turn to following men rather than God.

But I am also worried that in these technological days the reflex towards ‘non-promotion’ of people that is common amongst Sydney evangelicals can produce a leadership vacuum. This allows people from all over the world who are good at self-promotion to take the lead.

Yes. There are many good people with good ideas outside of Sydney.

But the democratisation that the cyber-world means that people can attract a following because of the number of hits or links they receive and the buzz they create on the internet, rather than because they are wise, right or have appropriate runs on the board.

Come to think of it, we often follow people because they have good things to say on one issue. But we continue to follow their lead even when they are wrong on other matters.

I write this as both a warning to myself and you.

But this is not primarily what I am thinking about today.

I think Sydneysiders are like the people of Nazareth who think it is impossible for anything good to come out of our hometown, and so we look overseas.

I think the time has come for us to begin to promote the great work God is doing in our midst and the great people he has given us locally.

That is part of the reason I am conducting a Church Planting Conference on June 25 to 26.

The people I have asked to participate in that conference are some of the best church planters in Australia, and all are people who think theologically and Biblically about what they are doing. Some are well known to you, and some are just names. But it will help us all by seeing what God is doing in our midst.

As I read 2 Corinthians I see that the Apostle does promote himself, but he is hesitant to do so. He does promotion for the benefit of his readers rather than himself. And does it by showing the work of God in and through his weakness instead of showcasing his abilities. So I will promote those who do likewise.

I think this conference will be worth much more than the two days it demands.