Well, we are finished with the 2009 Desiring God Conference for Pastors and making the final 3 hour journey home. Our time of fellowship last night was rich and had good reminders of the highlights many of us experienced. Here are some personal things I am taking away from each of the sessions…
From Dever’s first talk, I was encouraged to keep hammering out the precise nature of the Gospel week in and week out. This should be the continual conversation of our people. Can you tell the gospel in 60 seconds or less?
From Chandler’s talk, I need to exemplify a life that is shaped by the Gospel for my people–this is the brunt of the charge from 1 Timothy 4.
From Dever’s second talk, I have a role to fulfill as a pastor leading my people in evangelism. This means both in my teaching and modeling this as an example for them.
From Piper’s bio of Whitefield, I take away a profound challenge to mend heart and mind in preaching. Deep truth should be presented (especially in preaching) in a ho-hum way.
From Dever’s last talk, I need to lead my church into a culture of evangelism. This is more than programs and has many far-reaching applications.
And from Oh’s talk, there was much to think about. I think fasting needs to be a more continual discipline in my life. Furthermore, there is a distinction between all people in my church being missionaries and the people we actually send. I need to show what the distinction is. This has ramifications in missional discussions as well.
I come home stuffed spiritually and am anxious to get back to the good labor to which I have been called. I am humbled that I got to participate in this conference with men from our church. Now, I only hope that I can be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me in this.