SMBC preaching conference

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:

1. biblical theology,
   
2. systematic theology,
   
3. historical theology and
   
4. 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.

one-stop shop two

A quote from John Chapman at the MTS Challenge Conference (formerly known as Club 5):
We need to be like the Americans and plant churches next to the Golden Arches.
I think this may have been borrowed by him from someone else, but nevertheless it is something to think about; how different to the world do we need to be? If there's nothing wrong with Maccas, why not use them for us?
(if you really believe this, don't look here!)
welcome to St Ronalds. here's your outline. would you like fries with that?

(i especially like the reminder of the promise God made with Noah in Genesis 9! any out-there theories of what the rainbow may have to do with Maccas are welcome.)