Don Carson and Dale Ralph Davis spoke to us over four days at the 2007 sydney missionary and bible college preaching conference.
Ralph Davis was really impressive, especially when we worked out he was translating on the run from the hebrew. i think most people walked out, keen to preach thru OT narratives.
Don took us thru:
- biblical theology,
- systematic theology,
- historical theology and
- preaching and pastoral theology
some of it i still have to process a little more, but a few highlights from his last talk, when asking how do we do pastoral theology?
cultivate compassion - how do you feel when you see sheep without a shepherd?
cultivate an understanding of people and their needs in biblical categories - if you analyse people in sociological categories, you'll start thinking of (pop)-sociological solutions
cultivate a prepared mind and heart for turning points in people's lives - be prepared to rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep, and often both on the same day! think about how you are preparing people for eternity in light of those events.
cultivate a connection between lofty thoughts of God, and people - hear hear.
cultivate a healthy independence from your congregation - fear God more than your congregation. they need you to be their pastor first, not letting your friendship get in the way of that.
cultivate your own maturation (and check your motivation) - your people need to see you being shaped and matured by the word of God
great conference, really encouraging, correcting and cautionary.
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