From One Degree to Another

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Shoddy Journalism?

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I was reading Baptist Press (who allegedly pride themselves on being “news with a Christian perspective) this morning and came across this story about Mark Driscoll. Needless to say, after reading my first thought was, I wonder if they tried to talk to Driscoll. Timmy Brister weighs in, as does the seminary where Driscoll spoke this week.

I simply think we need to be more Christian in our actions towards (or in this case our words about) others. Driscoll’s not perfect (and that doesn’t excuse his sin) but I’ve also heard him be very transparent about sins and weaknesses. I just think allowing him to weigh in on criticism would show how “sinister” he really is. After all, Jesus said, did He not in Matthew 7:12, in the context of judgment, that we should treat others as we would like for them to treat us. I wonder if this is really demonstrating a love for a neighbor?

Then again, I wonder if my life demonstrates a love for others when I proudly act self-righteous compared to those with whom I associate. Lots to think about in this regard.

Talking Taxes…

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Last night, Meg and I collated all the info in our lives to give to our accountant so that we can fulfill the governmental obligation that comes our way every April. It occurred to me that many of us take great pains to make sure that the government gets its due and we forget to render to God what is His.

Why am I more passionate about having accurate taxes than having a life that honors God?

The Future…Prepared?

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This Sunday, Lord willing, in the AM service, we will be looking at Mark 13:5-23 and the incredible way that Jesus prepares His followers for the future. There is much here for us. What strikes me, though, is the way we as humans are so consumed with the here and now that we don’t focus on what’s to come. This might be a subtle self-centeredness. It is because I am so confident in my abilities and ability to live life that I forget that life is a vapor and I need to be oriented to the greater future I will live after this life into all of eternity. May God grant us grace to have an eternal perspective through His Word.

Bible Arcing (pronounced ARKing)

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Heard about this method of Bible study at the DG Pastor’s Conference. Here’s a description from their website: “Arcing is a graphical tool used to determine, document,
and discuss the flow of thought in the Biblical text.”

Visit their website and check out the method.

Coming Back…

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I am getting excited for services on 2/8. Conferences are fun and all, but real Christianity is not found in some mountain top experience. Real Christian living is me getting back with the people of Crestview and our working together toward sanctification and spreading the Gospel to Hutchinson. Tomorrow, we get back to this by looking at Mark 13:1-4 and the utter supremacy of Jesus Christ. Should be a good day.

Conference Wrap Up

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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.

Tues PM & Wed AM

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Well, we are in the van and on our way to Kansas City (we’re driving into KC tonight and will enjoy good fellowship and “conference detoxification”/wrap up, then get into Hutch tomorrow). Here’s what’s happened since I last posted:

Tues Night’s session was a good finale from Dever. In session 1, he had defined the Gospel and briefly discussed why we share that message. Then, in the Tues AM session he taught, he urged pastors to lead a certain way. In this final session, he came full circle with how we can create “cultures of evangelism” within our churches. It was chocked full of good application.

After this session, our group got together and had profitable fellowship, prayer and discussion.

This morning was hurried and crazy, getting packed and loaded up. But the session was outstanding. Michael Oh was the missions speaker and he emphasized fasting and missions. He dealt with some questions that really made me think a lot about where I am at as a pastor sending money to the missions field.

We ended with a Q & A with all the speakers.

We are full, like we have just experienced a spiritual buffet. There is much to think and about weigh, so we are hoping for good discussion and fellowship on our return home. Pray to that end.