conferences 5 - From One Degree to Another

Session 1 – Sam Storms

February 1, 2010 by Phil Auxier

The conference kicked off with a video of a old guy playing with toys in a little kids play room with the quote from C.S. Lewis’ Weight of Glory about how we are satisfied with childish things while infinite joys await us.

From this, we sang about God being our Rock and Savior. We declared in song how Jesus is our Joy.

Sam Storms came and brought us a message from 2 Corinthians 1:23-24. The thrust? At the heart of pastoral ministry should be a passion to glorify God by shepherding others to find their joy in Him. This is the path that brings God the greatest glory. This message laid the foundations for Storms’ messages to us tomorrow. It was a deep way to begin, but helpful for establishing a foundation.

Check out notes taken or download the audio.

Live Streaming…

February 1, 2010 by Phil Auxier

I texted a couple of people about this, but Desiring God is live-streaming this conference.

Here’s the link for the live-stream page.

(They also told us that messages should be available for download 1 hour after they are given.)

Review of Paul Tripp’s Seminar

February 1, 2010 by Phil Auxier

We attended the Pre Conference Seminar with Paul Tripp. Desiring God has posted notes from both sessions on their blog (Session 1 / Session 2).

Bob thought that what stood out to him was how he was able to relate every problem an individual or pastor would have needs to be brought back to the Gospel. He also appreciated Tripp’s sense of humor. And thought Tripp’s strength, real-life illustrations, were helpful in his communication of truth.

I thought that this session was personally convicting in many ways. Tripp was relentless in helping us see our hearts in ways that we maybe haven’t seen them in the past. He did this masterfully for all of us in that room. Question after question and example after example helped us see our hearts and how ministry temptations must be fled from for the help that is offered in the body of Christ.

I would encourage you to read through the notes from this session.

Getting Rolling with Pre-Conference Seminar…

February 1, 2010 by Phil Auxier

Today, at 1PM, we will be taking in the Pre-Conference Seminar here at the Desiring God Conference for Pastors. The speaker is Paul Tripp. Here’s a preview of what Tripp will be presenting…

For all of the excitement and privilege of ministry in the local church, it is important to remember that ministry with, to and for the Body of Christ is accompanied by a unique set of obstacles and temptations. Successful, God-honoring, productive ministry in the church is never just a matter of mastering the requisite body of information and possessing the right set of skills. Ministry in the local church, whatever it is, is always shaped by the condition of your heart. What are the issues that are at the heart of ministry struggle and failure? What are the protections that need to be built into the life of everyone who is active in ministry of any kind? How do we assure that the message of the transforming grace of Jesus Christ is not only operating in the lives of those being ministered to, but in the one doing ministry as well?

The schedule shows 2 sessions:

Session #1:
Title: The Pastor: Who Do We Think He Is Anyway?

Session #2:
Title: The Pastor: Not Yet Perfect, Still Under Attack

After this conference, we will register, grab some dinner, and prep for the evening session with Sam Storms. If I get a chance, I’ll update everyone later.

Sunday in Minneapolis…

January 31, 2010 by Phil Auxier

Up and around this morning then out the door to Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Bloomington, MN (home of Cole Aldrich & Best Buy, a south suburb of Minneapois).

Enjoyed an amazing morning with these dear saints.
The service began at 10AM with songs centered on grace (Holy, Holy, Holy, O What Grace, Ransomed, Grace, Grace Like Rain, Grace Unmeasured and All I Have Is Christ). After a welcome, they dismissed the children to teaching Pastor Matthew Wassink gave an amazing message from 1 Peter 1:22-25 entitled, “Grow in Faith, Grow in Grace: Love One Another.” This fellowship of churches does such an amazing job in welcoming. I was so encouraged visiting with Pastor Rick Gamache.

We left from there for lunch and other fun things in Bloomington and came back to the hotel to rest. Hoping for a restful night.

Pastor’s Conference Travel Day…

January 31, 2010 by Phil Auxier

Yesterday, Saturday, January, 30th, Bob Lansdowne (a deacon at our church) and I left Hutchinson around 5:45AM and drove straight through to Minneapolis. We were able to get in here around 4:30, which was pretty good time. We checked into the hotel and headed over to Bethlehem Baptist Church (where John Piper pastors) for their evening service.

A brass ensemble called us to worship. I loved the way Piper weaved the service together with Scripture, pointing us upward. We sang songs (All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Everlasting God, You Are My King) and watched them welcome around 80 new members. They make them publicly affirm a Membership Covenant, then the congregation publicly affirms (again) their willingness to be those kind of people. It was a moving night.

Piper’s message from Matthew 16:13-18 was entitled Invincible Purpose: I Will Build My Church. The message was a historical, Biblical defense of church planting which led into John Erickson preaching. Bethlehem is launching Jubilee Community Church and this was the service to call people out to that. I must say, I was stirred to consider my life in light of planting congregations and reaching out to others.

Our hearts were full, so we finally grabbed supper after church and went to bed.

My Upcoming Week…

January 28, 2010 by Phil Auxier

I will be attending the 2010 Desiring God Pastor’s Conference in Minneapolis, MN. I am leaving Saturday AM and hoping to make in to Minneapolis in time for evening service at Bethlehem Baptist Church. On Sunday AM, we are planning on attending Sovereign Grace Fellowship in Bloomington.

The conference starts on Monday with a Pre-Conference Seminar featuring Paul Tripp. Then we get rolling through Wednesday and come back on Thursday.

Here’s the trailer for the conference:

You can catch updates on the DG Blog and I will try to get something up here.

Upcoming Conference on Shepherding

January 20, 2010 by Phil Auxier

Back in August an interview on shepherding online prompted my good friend Joe Braden to organize a conference related to the topic. I’m happy to announce the conference will be held February 23-24 at FBC St. Peters.

Here’s the rundown from Ray Van Neste’s blog…
Tuesday, February 23
12 noon- Registration
1:30 p.m. Joseph Braden -“Our Shepherd God”
3:30 p.m. John Thornbury- “The World’s Greatest Job”
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. Tom Ascol- “Gospel Saturated Preaching”

Wednesday, February 24
9:00 a.m. Ray Van Neste- “Oversight of Souls: The Heart of Pastoral Ministry”
10:30 a.m. John Thornbury- “Pastoral Pitfalls”
12 noon- Lunch
1:30 p.m. Tom Ascol- “Gospel Shaped Ministry”
3:30 p.m. Ray Van Neste- “Shepherding a Rebellious People”
5:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 p.m. John Thornbury- “Jesus Christ, the Pastor’s Message”

This should be great content for your leadership teams as you seek to pastor your people to the glory of God. Here’s the brochure and at $50, how big of a bargain is this? (I would recommend you add the meal plan from the church so that you don’t have to leave. The church does an AMAZING job at hosting this conference.)

I plan on going and hope to see you there.