My expectations for encouragement, equipping, and fellowship as well as theological, spiritual, and practical stimulation were all exceeded this past week. I’m exhausted as I write, but overjoyed with the benefits from a fruitful three days at the 2009 Shepherds’ Conference. In an abbreviated, fashion, here were the highlights for me:
Of the three days, Friday was the highlight for me. Every message hit me personally and practically (Phil Johnson, Alex Montoya’s seminar, Steve Lawson, and John MacArthur). Every song, every meal, every conversation, every moment was especially sweet to me that day. You should go and listen (or re-listen) to each of the messages from Friday. I was prepared to return to the flock.
Overall:
The messages ““ every one of them was used significantly in my heart. I could never communicate it all.
John MacArthur stirred up my passions for the authority and sufficiency of the Scriptures. He reminded me of the simplicity, yet profound impact the basics of Scriptural ministry have. He taught me again the value of plumbing the depths and doing your best to make them clear in your preaching.
Tom Pennington, challenged me to protect and build the church the way Scripture demands.
Rick Holland fixed my ministry focus on Christ and challenged me to make my pursuit of His glory ultimate.
Albert Mohler infused my soul with a passion to preach so that the authority of Christ is publicly displayed and obvious.
Phil Johnson demonstrated the relevancy of the Scriptures taught in their historical context. He powerfully demonstrated the implications of the passage (Titus 2:6-8) to the issue of our reverent speech being the public demonstration of the health of our doctrine. This was one of the most significant and timely messages, in my estimation.
Steve Lawson pushed me to a greater courage in emphasizing and defending the one true gospel of Jesus Christ.
All of the messages brought very specific, practical, and immediate ways I need to make application. I pray I will be faithful throughout this next week in being a good steward of what was entrusted to me.
The music. I cannot speak enough about the focus and intensity of our musical worship this week. @johnwmartin had me in worshipful tears during his solo. I was so refreshed through it. John and Lisa leading us in music from the piano was profound and so joyfully intense. Singing “It Is Well” while turned toward and facing half of the Worship Center was powerful. Singing about the holiness of God Friday morning was humbling and enriching. The depth, fervor, and focus of our worshiping the savior Friday night, with the full choir, orchestra, soloists, duet, and especially the congregation was an inspiring conclusion. Wow. What a rich time of musical worship.
The fellowship. To be honest, this may have been one of the most profound blessings of the conference. The messages and the music were the foundation and the substance for some of the sweetest fellowship I’ve had in a long, long time. Relationships were deepened and enriched. I am still riding on the crest of conversations had with members from our church. I was also abundantly encouraged by seeing brothers and sisters in the Lord who I rarely have the opportunity to see. Meeting with former co-workers at Grace Church who remain there and serve so faithfully, was a blessing to me. The staff and volunteers were, as always, models of service, encouragement and eagerness to bless those attending. Every meal with those we were privileged to share it with was a time of fun, good conversation, and helpful ministry in my own soul. Those who know our ministry team know that we love to laugh ““ and I haven’t laughed so much in so long. It made me thankful for the friendships I have made through the years that are built around a similar theology, a passion for the preaching of the Word, and a shared commitment to Christ.
As anticipated, I was ready to come home. I was ready to be back here with my wife and daughter who I missed greatly. I am ready to jump back into the depths of pastoral ministry this next week. The anticipated challenges have been tempered with the fuel received this week at the Conference. Thank you to Grace Community Church and those who gave so much to spiritually feed so many. I pray our churches are strengthened and Christ is more faithfully exalted because of our time spent at the Shepherds’ Conference.
Be sure to see Lukas VanDyke’s pictures of the conference (seen above).
