Desiring God Conference - Day 1

I was blessed by people in the fellowship at Calvary North Bay. A bunch of folks decided that they wanted to send me to the Desiring God Conference for Pastors in Minneapolis so that I could get a time of refreshment and nourishment. What none of them new was that I had been listening to this conference yearly and had always thought, "One of these years, I'll make it out to that conference". So I was blessed when I was told about their righteous scheming.

I awoke at 3:30 am PST and hopped a plane out to Minneapolis. I just wanted to share some thoughts with you.


I'm Grateful for Living Faith Heroes

As a pastor who is affiliated with Calvary Chapel, I'm often struck when I go to the Senior Pastor's Conference by the magnitude of the way in which God has used Chuck Smith. The Lord wanted to start a movement and He chose a man. Being here shows me that John Piper, like Chuck Smith, has been chosen by God to start a movement. I am so grateful first to the Lord for these men. It was His choice and as always, 'He has done all things well'. I am also grateful to these men for following hard after Jesus. Both men, although flawed like the rest of us, have ministries that are soo broad and deep, more than any of us realize. John Piper has inspired the men at this conference and has been used mightily in their lives. I'm grateful for what I have learned from both men.

The United States is Radically Diverse

When you go to a Calvary conference, a large majority of the pastor's are from California (and SoCal at that) which lends itself to a certain style or way. Here, I would say, the majority of men are from the South. This also lends itself to a certain quality. It's amazing though, no matter where you go, you are part of a glorious family, the body of Christ. I find that I desire, more and more, to link myself with the greater kingdom of God in all of it's wondrous diversity. I've heard it said, 'The more spiritual a person is, the less denominational (or nondenominational) a person becomes'. This indeed is a true statement. In all denominations and non-denominations, it's the pet doctrinal emphases that give a group it's identity. But Jesus calls us to be His bride, and He's no polygamous. He has one bride, and the question is, are we her?

One Word - Bookstore

The bookstore at the conference is SICK! Did I say SICK? Well if I didn't, I mean to say SICK. So many great books. Great prices. There is nothing like walking up to the Banner of Truth section of the bookstore. I love books and this bookstore is a glorious temptation for me.

Emphasis on Prayer

I'm loving the conferences emphasis on prayer. There is a huge auditorium that is devoted to intercession and prayer. There are prayer request boxes everywhere (and in that auditorium I saw about 20 folks praying over the little cards). I was encouraged no less than 6 times to make sure I got prayed for and over and was told that they are committed to praying for every prayer request through the summer. Yes! Being in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'll take all the prayer we can get.

Minneapolis is Cold!

When we touched down they said, "Welcome to Minneapolis where the local time is 2:05 pm. The weather outside is 7 degrees and sunny". Enough said.

My One Downer

And this really has nothing to do with the conference, just with the body in general. Piper is the front line in what is called the 'New Calvinists". I've had many conversations with people and when they said, "Well you're Reformed" and I said, "Well no, not really", they give you that kind of 'I pity you' look. This is the same as you would get in Calvary Chapel is you 'I believe in Reformed Theology or I don't believe in the Rapture'. As I've gotten older, I just find that this is soo not the heart of God. JESUS IS WHO UNITES US. Whether or not we are regenerated monergistically or synergistically or how it works out in the end of days is nothing compared to faith in the finished work of Jesus. Again, we need to identify ourselves with Jesus and not our pet secondary doctrines. Just my opinion.

Session #1 - Mark Dever

Really quickly, as I need to go eat and I want to get over to the conference.

Mark Dever did the first session on 'What is the Gospel?' because you really can't talk about evangelism until you define the message that you are calling 'good news'.

Here are a few quote highlights (at least for me)

'Are we unwilling to offend with the Gospel? We aren't translating the Gospel properly unless people are somewhat offended'

'Talking to non-Christians about evangelism is super helpful. Is there anything that I can do to make this more helpful to you?'

'We are heralds of the Gospel. We don't have to wait for people to sense their own need.'

'It is not about their discontentment with themselves but about God's discontentment with them.'

'The cross is both a gross injustice (perpetrated by humans), as well as the self giving love of God'

'Definition of the local church - an assurance of salvation cooperative.'

3 REASONS TO DO EVANGELISM
1) a desire to be obedient to God's command - Matthew 28
2) a love for the lost
- 1/2 of 1% when polled said there is no chance of them going to hell
- "better to be never born then not born again"
3) our love fro God

'The call to evangelism is a call to turn our lives outward.

Okay, well I'll try to check in later.
God bless