Favorite Posts [4] : Leadership Conference '07

Last April, I had the distinct joy of attending Sovereign Grace's 2007 Leadership Conference with a couple of my dear friends. It was the first Pastors conference that I ever attended in person, and LC07 set a very high bar for any deal-io that I might attend in the future.

Unlike the bulk of my other 'favorite posts', this post contains no Bible exposition, no ranting, and no ... well, that's pretty much all my posts contain under normal circumstances.

What makes this post memorable is two things: First off, it's a chance to reflect (again) trip memories that still warm my heart and challenge my head. The fellowship and teaching were fabulous* and I'm already watching eagerly for registration to open for LC09.

However, more importantly, it's a chance to cheer for people who (by God's grace) are rightly deaf to the noise of the crowd. What I observed at LC07 was a group of people committed to diminishing their own reputation so long as the name of Christ is lifted up. In a world where we are taught - even in the church - to build bigger barns, it is helpful to be reminded of the humility the Gospel should create and the great calling that we've received.

[LC07 Part 1] [LC07 Part 2]

* Plus, they had Krispy Creme donuts in abundance... Who can argue with that?

Always buy... Right away.

If I have one regret from attending Sovereign Grace's Leadership Conference in April, it is this:

While walking around the first day, I noted to Tim and MLF that the bookstore had copies of Pierced for Our Trangressions (PFOT). This new book out of the UK was already being hailed as a fabulous defense of Christ's substitutionary atonement and being blasted by the other side. When I first read about it, the book was only available in the UK. However, Crossway had announced that they would be publishing the book in the states.

At LC, I kinda assumed that the book was now available on our side of the pond so I decided to wait to order it. Of course, CJ announces the next night that the copies in the bookstore were shipped in from 'across the pond' and the US edition wouldn't be out 'til fall. Needless to say, the bookstore was sold out before I could get there.

Lesson: If it's a book you want and you see it, always buy it right away. Grrrr.

Anyway, the PFOT is starting to generate some major buzz on the internet. Adrian Warnock has posted an interview with the authors which seems to have stirred up a bit of a storm in the comments. Adrian responds with deadly accuracy to the rumblings in a subsequent post.

On our side of the Atlantic, Sam Storms has posted a two-part review that goes into much more depth on the author's argument. Both parts (Part 1 and Part 2) are great reading for anyone wondering what the controversy is all about.

CJ, in promoting the book at LC, referred to PFOT as "our generations Cross of Christ". With that extreme compliment, the rest of us should be itching for November to get here. Buy early, buy often... They make great gifts.

LC07 Reflections

How do you take a week's worth of stuff and condense it down to a few words on a page? It's a hard thing to do with a work week let alone something that's really meaningful to you... Such is the quandry of this post. While I want to post something about my time at Sovereign Grace's Leadership Conference, I know that whatever I post is going to feel 'unfinished' and inadequate. I lead off with that because, in a warped way, that's the highest praise I can give to the conference - whatever I say is not good enough.

Again, I'd strongly advise that you get your 'feel' for the conference from Shepherd's Scrapbook. So, let me just post some highlights...

Whenever you can, travel with good friends. I have no doubt that a substantial part of this trip's blessing for me was the time spent with Tim and Michael. Every moment in the car was filled with us laying our hearts open to one another. Exhortations, corrections, and insights were offered freely. Every night was filled with roundtable reflections on the messages we had heard during the day. In addition to these profundities, more than a few laughs were had along the way.

The event staff at Covenant Life were, beyond a doubt, the most gracious, service-oriented, and happy group of people I've ever seen. If I had a nickel for every time someone asked how they could 'serve us', I'd be rich beyond my wildest dreams. From the very nice lady who took our Krispy Kreme plates from us ("I want you to be free to fellowship") to the numerous greeters - everyone enthusiastically sought to make the Conference maximally rewarding/enjoyable for those of us who were in attendance. What is most striking is the deep love that was evident and the Christlike humility that was displayed over and over again. Watching these people work was to see Christ's hands truly in action.

On the topic of service, the MA crew of pastors are (to use the local vernacular) 'wicked nice'. The three of us were blessed to enjoy a meal and conversation with the contingent from Massachusetts. Bauer and Paul (along with Dan) - and their spouses - graciously gave up a meal together to fellowship with us. Yes, that is surely a sacrifice. They patiently and honestly answered our naive questions - carefully presenting us a real picture of themselves and SGM. What a joy to sit down with people and immediately have connection rooted in Christ. And what a blessing to see the heart these families have for their churches. May God continue to pour out His grace on their ministries.

Every preacher should listen to Mike Bullmore talk about preaching. I had never heard Mike speak, though I had seen his name floating around. I had the distinct privilege to attend a workshop he gave on sermon preparation. When people speak practically on things, there's always a danger that the big picture gets obscured in the details. Mike actually managed to preach about preaching - arming those of us in the room with wonderful pearls of wisdom and a renewed sense of awe at the weight of the preacher's office. If you ever see him speaking somewhere go right away, go quickly, and go twice.

Dave Powlison is a deep person. If you're an audio downloader, Powlison's general session on introspection made my head heart in an awesome way. CJ introduced Dave as the 'wisest guy in the room' - a fact which was abundantly clear as he spoke. I've heard a number of people (including Tim) speak of Powlison's work/teaching in glowing terms. Trust me, it's that's good.

While I'm speaking about downloading things, CJ's session on Trinitarian Pastoral ministry was simply outstanding. It was an incredible exhortation to reclaim a robust view of the pastor's office and calling. It was delivered with classic CJ pathos and joy - which I was thrilled to see in person having only heard CJ preach through my iPod previously. What was really moving about this message to me was CJ's call to robust 'continuationism' within Sovereign Grace. While everyone knows the SGM folks are 'charismatic', CJ rallied us around the cross of Christ, Scripture, and then a well-rounded embracing of the "broad work of the Holy Spirit". I was moved to tears to hear the priorities of this family of churches so passionately (and correctly) set forth...

But none of these rate as my favorite moment of the Conference. The most impactful moment came during the 2nd general session on Friday morning. I went to this conference because if I were to write down what I'm about as a Christian, I'd end up with something that looks very much like Sovereign Grace's Statement of Faith. I went to visit this conference to learn and experience fellowship - but I also went to see if their people were really who they seemed to be from a distance.

The 11:30 general session on Friday allowed us guests to sit and observe a SGM family meeting. One by one the regional leaders came forward and updated us all on the various happenings within the family and through its ministries abroad. I cried during the session and couldn't speak without tears for a long time afterwards. Story after story was offered where Sovereign Grace, with no regard for their name being praised, was using the blessings of God on their ministry to reach out and advance the Gospel. I lost count of how many countries that SGM pastors had visited to train and equip local pastors... I can't begin to recount the sacrifices so many people have made to see Christ preached where He is not known. And I still marvel at the palpable humility displayed as such amazing feats were reported. There was no back-slapping, self-congratulating whooping or hollering. Instead, I was struck by the sense that we were viewing something intensely intimate. Outside of that family meeting, there was no desire for people to know the name 'Sovereign Grace Ministries' - but only that the name of Christ, the Risen Lamb would be made great.

In a world where self-esteem is so prized and even churches measure ourselves against one another, what a refreshing thing it is to see God raising up men and women who count their lives, reputations, memory, honor, and fortunes as offerings to be laid down to glorify Christ.

What a humbling thing to see. What an encouragement. Would that God would create in all of us that kind of heart! "Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also!" I am so grateful to God for allowing me to be with these people - to learn from them, to fellowship with them, to build friendships, and to be humbled by their example. I pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to use that experience to bear fruit in my life...

Back on the 'grind'

Well, we're back... Three weary travelers returned to the Upper Valley from Sovereign Grace's 2007 Leadership Conference late on Sunday. The weather for the return trip was 'teh cruddy', but the Lord graciously kept us and the traffic around us on the road. No doubt that Michael is even more road-weary, having just returned to his mission field via bus yesterday (Monday) evening.

I'm going to try to post a 'review' of the trip later... Perhaps this evening. If you're really looking for a flavor of the Leadership Conference, I'd direct you to Tony Reinke's summary posts. Tony's a far better writer than I am and his reflections have already blessed me greatly.

Up front, let me say what a profound joy it was to be a guest of the SGM folks. The event staff served us graciously and, I must say, spoiled us richly. The teaching encouraged, challenged, and humbled all of us. If it weren't for the fact we had to leave our families behind, I can't think of anywhere I would've rather been for a week.

Thanks to those of you who prayed for us... God clearly answered your prayers.

More later...