This Conference was amazing. I also was honored to get to meet John Piper. It was only brief-- actually only long enough for me to shake his hand and to tell him thank you for his ministry--but it was a wonderful experience. (His light is also borrowed). Here are the links you need:
Session 1: The Pastor as Son of the Heavenly Father by D.A. Carson
Session 2: The Call to Courage by Crawford Loritts
Session 3: The Pastor as Son of an Earthly Father by D.A. Carson
Session 4: Evangelist Bill Piper: Fundamentalist Full of Grace and Joy
Session 5: The Pastor as Father to His Family and Flock by Carson
Session 6: Fathering a Pioneer Mission Ministry by Greg Livingstone
Session 7: Q & A by All Speakers
Tuesday's Breakout Session: Strategy for Fatherhood by Gregg Harris
Or you could just go here, and visit on the links straight from DG.
I will begin posting on John Flavel's The Mystery of Providence on Friday. Currently, I am also reading The Method of Grace in our pastor's study. To keep you busy until Friday Timmy Brister has given us an introduction to Flavel; as well as many links of Flavel on the web.
In case you have not heard Union University was hit hard by the recent tornadoes. Said at Southern has links to many articles, here. Be praying for the people at Union.
John MacArthur asks a very important question; What Doctrines are Essential, today we are introduced to Part 1.
An very interesting discussion is taking place on the 9Marks blog. Mike McKinley began the discussion by defending long, boring sermons. Then Thabiti joined the discussion by helping us see that Edwards agrees as does Calvin (who also serves to balance such a statement).
Challies attemps to answer this question: “If a person is ‘a child of wrath’ from birth due to Adam’s sin and unable to choose God because of Adam’s sin, how is he responsible for his actions if he was born this way (and has no ability of his own to choose God)? … If Christ didn’t die for all men, yet all men were condemned for one sin (and by that sin, thereafter, unable to choose good), how is it just of God to condemn all men if they are ‘determined’ to be sinful by the action of Adam?”
Pulpit Magazine addresses a question that Nikki and I are now asking; Home, Private, or Public School? (Actually, financially speaking, private is probably not an option).
Trevin Wax gives 5 Reasons why the Emerging Church is Now Receding.
Les Puryear interviews Dr. Mohler on the SBC presidency. (HT: Micah)
John Piper's daughter Talitha interviews Alex and Brett Harris.
C.J. Mahaney interviews Mark Dever. (HT: JT)
Last week Jonathan Leeman continued blogging through REVEAL: Part 10 and Concluding Thoughts.
I will not give you summaries, DG has effectively shared those. I merely want to share a few observations and blessings (in no particular order) from this conference, thus far.
- D.A. Carson is far more Canadian than I ever knew. It took me about 10 minutes to figure out what a den-a-stee (dynasty) was.
- There is a reason for the phenomenal young Harris men. Josh, Joel, Alex, Brett, Isaac, and their 7 year old brother (can't remember his name) have a phenomenal God-centered, intentional, father named Greg Harris.
- Crawford Loritts, I believe, is missing a knife. At some point during his preaching, one flew forth and cut my heart. (I find, though, that it is not Crawford's knife, but it comes from the knife set that each of us are given in the powerful Word). Make certain to listen to his sermon. If you are a man listen to this. If you know a man listen to this.
- David Michael (I had lunch with him) is a wonderful humble man of God. Generations of passionate worshippers will owe much of their theological training to God using David and Sally Michael.
- John Piper will stay later than anyone else to pray for brothers in Christ. This man models the message! Thank God for the John Piper's of the world.
- I actually can turn down books. The Pastor's Conference bookstore is phenomenal. I figured if I got out with under 50 bucks I'd be succesful. So far I've only gotten two books. If I can only resist the temptress tomorrow.
- Steve Burlew of Banner of Truth is a really nice guy.
- The worship here is vibrant. You actually can combine contemporary and traditional, and have nobody notice, because the focus is so unbelievably God-centered that you can't tell which is which.
- God is really big and beautiful and grand and glorious and I am a very shallow small hypocritacal God-belittiling sinner; and yet because God is such a great beautiful-glorious-majestic-merciful-compassionate-amazing God I am His Son because of the Cross. Wow! I can't help but pray that the Lord might cause me to camp out under the Cross (obviously not to depreciate any other aspect of the Gospel)!
- I am ever excited about being a father; and yet trembling at this awesome task. To think that I will reflect Almighty God to my son. Therefore, I have also learned anew
- I really really really really really (ad infinitum) need God's mercy.
Pages: 137
Publisher: Baker
Price: 8.37 USD
Genre: Christian Ministry/Biblical Studies
This work by Carson is actually an overhaul of a series of four talks given at the ICAA (International Council of Accrediting Agencies). In it Carson hopes to show what the Cross of Christ means for preaching and ministering. He faithfully exposits the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians and then moves to 1 Corinthians 9:19-27.
Carson’s aim throughout this work is to show the centrality of the Cross in everything we do in ministry. From the central influence that the Cross has on biblical preaching to the mandate the Cross puts on our lives to take the gospel to the nations; Carson faithfully shows that the Cross is (and should remain to be) the center of all Christian ministry.
This book is not only for pastors; it speaks to every Christian in any form of ministry. This book will prove a much needed resource in the ever changing culture in which we live. If Carson’s advice is heeded we will come to believe that the Cross is central (and effective) in whatever generation it is proclaimed. “Christ crucified” is just as much the power of God unto salvation in our day as it was in Paul’s. As Carson says in his preface, this lesson “must be learned afresh by every generation of Christians, or the gospel will be sidelined by assorted fads.” This work by Carson stands in the way of such fad-driven ministries, and faithfully proclaims Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
What I Liked:
As always D.A. Carson does a wonderful job of biblical exposition. He not only teaches on the Cross and Christian leadership, but he faithfully exposits the texts with which he uses. This book could be used as much as a commentary as a book on ministry. Carson is a wonderful example of expository preaching.
Also of importance is the centrality of the Cross that Carson repeatedly lifts up. One will walk away from this book with a new resolve and confidence in proclaiming Christ and Him crucified. Wonderfully woven throughout this work are ministerial gems. Carson grounds everything in the Word and then applies it faithfully; with warnings and encouragements.
What I Disliked:
A better word than dislike would probably be disappointed. My only disapproval of the book is that it is not long enough. Carson has a wealth of insight on the Cross and Christian ministry; I was saddened after each chapter, as well as at the end of the book, that Carson did not share the depth of his insight with us. Nonetheless, it is a must have to any Christian library.
Should You Buy It?
I would most certainly buy a copy of this magazine. It would be especially effective for any young minister or newly appointed Sunday School teacher. A church could easily benefit by having its ministers go through a small group study with this book as its core. Also, I would be remiss if I did not encourage the reader (especially pastors) to pick up a copy of Arturo Azurdia’s Spirit Empowered Preaching as well as Bryan Chapell’s Christ-Centered Preaching.
I am very excited about this upcoming week. Early Monday morning my pastor and I will be heading off to the Desiring God Pastor's Conference. We will be returning late Wednesday evening. I will certainly miss my wife and child but am very happy to be attending. I will be having lunch with David Michael on Tuesday (unless plans change); so, I am very much anticipating that. I will not be at youth group on Wednesday night, Chris will be taking my place again. I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow, and then again later next week. Be praying for safe travel and for the conference. Also, if any fellow bloggers are going send me a comment and let me know you'll be there.
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Click to Buy for $9.99
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