Why I Wouldn’t Want to Attend the John 3:16 Conference Even If I Weren’t Reformed

On March 21-22 the second John 3:16 Conference will be held. The purpose of this conference will be to inform local churches of the viewpoints of New Calvinism. It is to be part of the continued discussion on the Calvinist Resurgence within the SBC and broader evangelicalism. Those speaking will defend a non-Calvinistic (or a self-dubbed Tradiontalist viewpoint).

They will be discussing topics like limited atonement, inherited guilt, regeneration and faith, historical views of salvation, election, and the sinners prayer among other things. It looks like it could be an interesting conference. And I appreciate that Jerry Vines’ intention is that all the speakers be “irenic in tone, theologically well versed and evangelistic and missions minded.” Yet…

I have no desire to attend

And that has nothing to do with the fact that I am Calvinistic. I’m not up in arms that these men will be promoting a theology that is not my own. In fact if this were a conference led by Calvinists that had the same topics I would also not have a burning desire to attend. Why? I’m very similar to John Newton in that I like my Calvinism as I do my sugar:

‘I am more of a Calvinist than anything else; but I use my Calvinism in my writings and my preaching as I use this sugar’—taking a lump, and putting it into his tea-cup, and stirring it, adding, ‘I do not give it alone, and whole; but mixed and diluted.’

Conferences like this hold very little appeal to me because I think they are largely distracting. And if I had any counsel to give to the non-Calvinists among us I would say that it would be to their benefit to make their non-Calvinism like their sugar.

If your position is true then proclaim it as truth and stop spending so much time battling this New Calvinism. If it’s of the Lord then you’re battling Him. If it’s not of the Lord then it’ll eventually die and fizzle. Just keep proclaiming the truth as faithfully as you can. God’s is faithful to His gospel and He’ll lead His church into all truth.

Honestly I think this is part of the reason why Calvinism has seen a resurgence…

T4G

Fundamentally, I would argue that Calvinism is surging for God-ordained reasons. But even if you don’t care to agree with that, consider with me the practical reasons. You have to admit that there is a great movement among younger generations to focus on Christ and His gospel and not be tied down by a ton of controversy. I believe that is part of the appeal of Together for the Gospel for my generation.

Look at the 2006 conference. Yes, all the speakers were Calvinists. But that’s not the driving force in the conference. That year it was preaching. Their Calvinism was used like sugar; mixed and diluted. In 2008 the only message that was overtly Calvinistic was John MacArthur’s on the doctrine of absolute inability.

2010 and 2012 were the two that I have been able to attend. And I left those conferences without one thought about Calvinism. I left those conferences reinvigorated with a love for Jesus and a new drive to engage in Christ-honoring ministry. Why? Because though all the speakers are Calvinists and their Calvinism shapes everything it is “mixed and diluted”**.

And this is the way it ought to be. That’s why when I hear conferences like T4G being advertised I get excited and hope that I can attend. Sure it makes me comfortable knowing that these guys largely have the same theological leanings that I do. But at the end of the day what really drives me is a passion to see Jesus Christ the only boast of this generation.

This is also why I wouldn’t attend the John 3:16 Conference even if I weren’t Reformed. I’d likely stay away from a John 6:44 Conference as well. For me it depends on what the driving force is behind the conference. If it’s a get together to discuss theology and you hope that everybody leaves being informed about New Calvinism, Old Calvinism, Good Calvinism, Bad Calvinism, Ugly Calvinism, or anything of the sort I’ll stay home. As much as I like to discuss theology, I’ll save my limited conference money to go to some place where I’m going to walk away enthralled by the risen Savior.

I want to attend a conference whose aim is in some fashion to enjoy God and extend His glory.

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**Now those with an idea that we Calvinists are involved in some sort of vast conspiracy will turn that “mixed and diluted” phrase and say that they are hiding their Calvinism and that people are swallowing errant theology without even knowing it. I guess theoretically that could be what is happening. But as one being shaped by the Spirit’s use of this movement I believe it is something much different. These men aren’t obsessed with Calvinism. They are Calvinists and yes it impacts the way they see everything, but it’s not the driving force behind these conferences.

Notes from T4G: Three Errors in a Churches Display

These may seem a little late in coming since I attended T4G at the beginning of April.  It is, however, deliberate that I have waited a month to post these.  I wanted to wait a few weeks and let the conference high wane and then look back over my notes and see what really stuck. 

One of my favorite messages at T4G was the one given by Mark Dever.  He is one of those unique pastors that will say something only in passing that could potentially spark an entire book.  I have several one-liners like this scattered throughout my notes that Dever just kind of added as side-notes to his message. 

I am not confident that I titled this correctly.  Towards the end of his message Dever listed three common errors of churches in the way that they present their church.  The church is to be the display of God’s glory and character.  What Dever listed here are three common errors of display:

1. To present a church without holiness.  It can be really tempting to want to present the church as tolerant and accepting of all types of sinners—even those that are unrepentant.  Yet, our motivation must be the love of God that is contrary to this world.  If anyone knows Mark Dever this one comes as no surprise.  It is the next two that I was glad Dever emphasized…
2. To present a church without suffering.  True Christianity calls us to suffering and not away from it.  Dever rightly denounced the health and wealth gospel, and then challenged those of us in attendance to consider if we ourselves are selling a soft prosperity gospel.  He then said, “If you want to get a lot of fake Christians in your church, tell them that picking up the cross daily is for those who order Extra Large when they order their spiritual meal.”
3. To present a church without love.  One of the most provocative things Dever said here is that he often tells young guys that like to read the Puritans that if they refuse to get up early to help a 90-year old guy get to church perhaps they aren’t Christians.  A church without love will attract theological accountants.  I found this part especially helpful.  Many (undoubtedly those who view it from a distance) would accuse the church Dever pastors of being unloving.  But Dever made a great argument that a community of true biblical love is both repellent and attractive. 

Dever’s entire message (False Conversions: The Suicide of the Church) is worthy of watching and reflecting upon.  You can do so here:

Notes from T4G: Come, I will show you the Bride…

Matt Chandler is one of those preachers that God will use to greatly encourage your heart and impact your soul but then a few months later you’ll say things like, “I don’t really remember what the preacher said but I know that God used it to redirect my heart”.  Of course once I go back over my notes I start to remember those things that the Lord used to really impact me. 

One particular thing struck me as a pastor from Chandler’s message.  After being really honest about how messed up the church is, and after sharing a really difficult couple weeks in his pastorate, Chandler really opened up Revelation 21:9. 

“Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, ‘Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.’”

That verse had never really caught my attention before.  But the way that Chandler shared it and with the imagery that he used I saw that verse for what it is saying.  I was reminded of how amazing it was whenever the green doors flew open in that little country church in 2004 and my exquisite radiant princess came through the doors.  She was beautiful and she was my bride. 

Chandler reminded us that though it is amazing when the door swings open and we see our earthly bride, this moment when we see the fruit of God’s work and we see the bride will be infinitely more beautiful. 

Thinking of it this way caused me to reflect for awhile on what a bride does in preparing for that day.  Bride’s don’t just throw on sneakers, sweat pants, and unkempt hair and then fling open the door and say, “Here I am”.  It takes effort.  But once she sees her excited husband, with heart pounding, tears streaming, and an uncontainable joy on his face, she knows that all that effort and preparation was worth it. 

As a pastor we deal with the muck and grime of everyday life.  We are doing the manicures, sanding down toe nails, etc.  Sometimes we forget that we are doing all of this for that day when the doors swing open and we hear, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb”.  On that day the blood, sweat, and tears will be worth it. 

If you are a discouraged pastor or a discouraged Christian, then listen to Matt Chandler’s sermon from T4G.  It was encouraging then and it is encouraging now.  Enjoy:

Notes from T4G: 9 Marks of Confidence in the Gospel

I found myself going through notes from T4G this morning and thought that some of them might be helpful to those of you that could not attend (or helpful reminders for those that were in attendance). 

In his address at T4G Thabiti Anyabwile asked whether or not our gospel could transform a terrorist.  His major point was an exhortation to have confidence in the gospel.  He concluded his talk by listing 9 Marks of a having gospel confidence. 

If we had confidence in the gospel:

1) We would position ourselves around the worst of sinners.  (Confidence in the gospel puts us in close proximity to those who need the gospel). 

2) We would share the gospel slowly and clearly.

3) We would redirect our fears from man to God.  (We would fear being unfaithful more than being unfruitful).

4) We would endeavor to preach the gospel every Sunday.

5) We would be careful with new converts and evangelistic methods.

6) We would study the gospel in deeper and more varied ways.

7) We would preach to open eyes and not just transfer information.

8) We would ask, “Is my confidence in self or the power of the gospel”. 

9) We would preach in such a way that “their faith would rely upon the power of God”. 

The entire message is worthy of your viewing:

7 Reflections on #T4G12

First of all I am thankful to my wife and church family for giving me the opportunity to attend this event.  It was a blessing to me and a great encouragement to my soul; both as a pastor and as a believer.  The speakers were faithful, the worship was wonderful, the fellowship enlivening, and the books were many.  I will not go into specifics as to what a particular speaker said, etc. but ere are a few things that I took from the conference. 

1. I have been underestimating the power of the gospel.  I need to stop it.  It’s not that I’ve been trying to “add” to the gospel.  It’s just that I have been silent or neutered in speaking when I should have been bold and confident in the Lord’s power.

2. I need to get over myself. 

3. God is really really amazing, and really really powerful, and really really a bunch of others words that cannot adequately describe how GOD, God is.  (I know that sentence didn’t make sense—but the only word to describe how ___ God is, is to use His own name).  He is sufficient.  He is worth every ounce of difficulty.  He is the point. 

4. I am to passionately labor with every bit of energy that I have within me to make Christ the only boast of this generation.  I am invited by God to join with Him in His task of creating a people from every people group.  That’s an awesome and joyous task. 

5. Jesus paid it all.  He really is going to keep me.  Yes, I labor and do it passionately and prayerfully.  But He is mighty to save!  Though many can take this statement the wrong way—it is helpful to my soul to know that I can missionally and pastorally screw up and Revelation 21-22 is still going to be a reality.  I don’t want to mess up.  I want to be faithful.  But the blood of Christ frees me up to just live. 

6. My task=be faithful to what God has called me to.  I don’t need to strive to anything other than faithfulness. 

7. There is nothing quite like being passionately involved in praising and worshiping God with 9,000 other passionate worshippers.  Heaven is going to be amazing (understatement of the millennium). 

The Point of “Two Ways to Sell a Book”

Yesterday I said that there are two ways to sell books on church and ministry.  (If you haven’t read that post yet spend a couple of minutes and read it).  There are two ways to sell books because there are two different visions about church and ministry.  One vision is what I will call the Effective Model the other is the Biblically Faithful Model. 

Lest you be offended I am not intending to apply that those that are concerned with being biblically faithful are not also concerned with being effective.  Nor am I for a moment suggesting that those that desire to be effective are not at all concerned with being biblically faithful.  What I am concerned with is the ultimate aim.  Regardless of whatever lip service we might give at the end of the day what ultimately drives us is revealed by the words we use and the words we choose not to use. 

Real Words from Real Books

While yesterdays post may have been an exaggeration, many of the words I used came from actual books on church and ministry.  The selling point for one can be summed up by the word—effective.  The selling point for the other can be summed up by the words—biblically faithful. 

Now, I know that if you asked any of these authors if their ultimate desire is to be biblically faithful, they would all give a resounding yes.  I do not intend to question the heart or motive of any of these men.  But the problem is that while they would say that their ultimate desire is to be biblically faithful at the end of the day their work exposes that perhaps something else drives them. 

It has been my experience that being biblically faithful is simply assumed in many of these books.  It’s as if they say, “this is our foundation, duh!  Now, how do we grow this church for the sake of Jesus.”  So as a result the end becomes—how do we effectively reach people. 

And for proof that I am not just being a jerk look at the selling point on the books.  There is a marked difference between an option #2 book and an option #1 book.  And it is not just that they have different publishers.  They are different authors with different audiences and different visions for the church.  They have a different gauge for success and apparently so do their audiences.  One ultimately asks what is effective, the other ultimately asks what is biblically faithful.

The Point

I have a rather simple point in all of this.  I know that most of those that read my blog are people passionate about Jesus and the church.  Most of my readers want to see the church grow and want to see the church be healthy.  Many probably read some of the same books I do about church and ministry.  My goal in these posts is to convince you that we should focus our time and energy on being biblically faithful and let the Lord decide whether we are “effective”. 

In other words if you are a church leader I encourage you not to take an “effective model” type of book and try to implement it in your church.  Yes, it may “work” in their church.  Yes, it may even “work” in your church.  But just taking someone else’s “effective model” will short change you of the God-ordained process of patiently shepherding your people towards biblical faithfulness. 

Tomorrow I want to make the argument that biblical faithfulness and effectiveness are not synonymous, and conclude by urging you to focus on biblical faithfulness over against mere effectiveness…

Two Ways to Sell a Book on the Church and Ministry

There are two ways to sell a book on church and ministry. 

Option #1:

On the back cover you read:

“__Guy that is obviously cooler than you  , became pastor of   Cool Name Church  in 1994.  This once struggling church now has 3,000 members, 12 multi-campuses, and is reaching world for Christ.  Through this book you will discover the effective tools for creating change, energizing people, and expanding your church.    Insert cool guys name  , will help you take your church from simply suck to success.”

And just for good measure you will see words like dynamic, thriving, transforming, practical, vision, innovation, (biblical will be on there somewhere, and maybe we can throw in a "Jesus" here and there), cutting edge, workable, make it happen, enhancing, inspiring, etc. smattered all over the back page.

You may even get a picture of a smiling dude that you just know has it all together.  And somewhere on the back cover or inside the book you will have blurbs from other pastors that have been effective, successful, and have created change also.  These guys tell you—read this book—and you’ll be innovative, dynamic, thriving, and a world changer. 

There is an offshoot of this strategy that takes some of the glam out.  It’s hip dudes that just want to love Jesus.  We just want to get back to church the way it was in the New Testament man.  But the end result and buzz words are often the same.  The people in the blurbs are different and have different shaped glasses, but the end result is still—be effective!

Option #2:

On this back cover you read:

“   Guy that is obviously smarter than you  , has thought a great deal about ecclesiology.  This book will address come of the most crucial issues facing the church today.    Smart dude looks at what the Bible says about the way a church should be structured.  His passion is to be biblically faithful, and to see you implement these biblical changes in your church for God’s glory.  The hope is that this book will change your life and ministry.”

You will see a few words like practical, helpful, etc. on the back cover but mostly you will see words like biblical, faithful, theology, pray for reformation, healthy, biblical priorities, pastoral, insightful, gospel, Scriptures, foundational, timeless, historical, biblical prescription, etc.

With option #2 it is an unspoken rule that you must have a blurb from John Piper, John MacArthur, Al Mohler, Mark Dever, C.J. Mahaney, or one of those guys.  Somebody from T4G has to approve this book.  And these guys will assure you that the book that you have in your hands is approved and is biblical. 

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Now obviously I have overstated these positions but there is something behind this that I want to mention for your consideration…tomorrow. 

O Great God! from T4G

This is one of the songs from T4G that has remained stuck in my head:

T4G2010 -- O Great God from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

 

You can find the lyrics and back story here. 

Faithful Plodding

If you are not reading Kevin DeYoung yet then you need to be.  He has written another great piece, this time for Ligonier.  This gem is entitled The Glory of Plodding.  In it DeYoung makes the argument that our generation needs “less revolutionaries and a few more plodding visionaries.” 

I realized something along these lines when I attended T4G a couple months ago.  I look up to many of these men as faithful pastors and leaders.  I think most young pastors (especially of a more Reformed persuasion) want to be leading churches like Dever’s Capitol Hill or Piper’s Bethlehem.  We want to be leaders like Ligon Duncan and Al Mohler.  And we want that to happen within the first couple years of our tenure.  But consider this:

• Mark Dever has been pastor at Capitol Hill since 1994. 
• John Piper has been pastor at Bethlehem since 1980.
• John MacArthur has been pastor at Grace Community since 1969.
• C.J. Mahaney pastored at Covenant Life for 27 years. 
• Albert Mohler has been President at Southern since 1993.
• Ligon Duncan has been pastor at 1st Presbyterian Church of Jackson since 1996.
• RC Sproul has been faithfully plodding along as pastor, author, teacher.  Ligonier has been around since 1971. 
• Thabiti Anywabile may be the only exception—but he has the heart of a faithful plodder. 

What’s the point?  These men aren’t where they are necessarily because they are “radical”.  These men are respected because they faithfully plod.  But not every faithful plodder will be asked to speak at T4G.  There are many faithful pastors that may not stand before a crowd of 4,000 but will stand before the Lord Jesus and hear him say, “well done, good and faithful servant”.  And that comes from faithful plodding not from flash in the pan ministry. 

How to win the “best book on the nature of church ministry”

That is how Mark Dever described The Trellis and the Vine. 

According to this book, Christians are to be disciple-making disciples and pastors are to be trainers. Superb! This book sets out a crucial shift that is needed in the mindset of many pastors. The authors have carefully listened to the Bible. And they've worked on this book. The result is a book that is well-written and well- illustrated, but even more, a book that is full of biblical wisdom and practical advice. This is the best book I've read on the nature of church ministry."

And this book can be yours for absolutely FREE.  You have three chances to win.  If you do the third one your name will be entered three times in the drawing. 

1. Leave a comment with your name
2. Leave a comment with your name and how you subscribe to this blog
3. Leave a comment with your name, how you subscribe to this blog, and a link to this article on your blog.

That’s it.  You have until 11:59 PM Saturday, June 5th.  Winner will be announced on Monday. 

Note: Jeremy has yet to claim his prize from the previous drawing.

T4G Book Giveaway: Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

You have probably heard the name J.I. Packer.  I am guessing you have also heard of Evangelism.  And you may have even wondered how that fits with a robust doctrine of the sovereignty of God.  Put those three together and you get this amazing book.  It’s only 135 pages and it is jam-packed with awesomeness.  And I am giving it away.
To be entered in the drawing is simple.  If you subscribe to this blog on Google Reader or some other feed reader just leave your name and indicate in what way you subscribe to this blog.  You will be given two chances to win.  If you want to be a loser and not subscribe then all you have to do is leave your name and I will be forgiving and still enter you into the drawing. 
Your chance to win will end this Friday at 11:59 pm.  I will be drawing a winner and announcing it on Saturday.  Even if you do not win you can buy this gem for under 10 bucks.

UPDATE: Congratulations to Jeremy!  If you are not Jeremy do not fear you will have another chance to win next week.  Stay Tuned!

T4G Reflections: My Broken Prayer, All I Have is Christ

I forget who said it.  Honestly, I forget what they said.  All I remember is asking myself asking one question. What am I unwilling to lose?  Quickly rising up in my soul was the answer: my life.  Of course that means a ton of different things.  It means I have had a death grip on trying to attain a certain outcome for my life.  It means I have foolish, yet tight fisted, reign on what I am willing to do and not do in my walk with Christ.  I struggle with pride, self-righteousness, and just outright complacency. 

All of this was simmering in my heart for a day.  Wednesday evening during the first song Bob Kauflin said, “all I have is Christ” in one of his songs.  This jolted my heart.  I had trouble focusing on the next couple of songs because I let (rather was prodded to let) these words toss around in my soul.  Then he played this song:

That video was from a NA Conference not T4G.  But the lyrics are the same. 

Then John Piper preached essentially what this song meant.  You can watch the sermon if you like, but I will attempt to summarize.  Piper’s text was Luke 18.  He pointed out the self-righteousness of the Pharisee.  It was not that he was trusting in his own works and merits.  The Pharisee was trusting in a God wrought righteousness in his own life.  The problem, said Piper, is that he was not trusting on Christ—the tax collector was.  He brought out Philippians 3 and Paul essentially was the Pharisee and now he is the tax collector.  Piper further gave the example of the Rich Young Ruler—one thing he lacked: let go of money, let it fall to the poor, and cling to Christ.  The one thing he lacked was Christ.  In other words the song of the believer truly is All I Have is Christ.  Watch the Piper video if you want, but please do not neglect to read my closing comments:

T4G 2010 -- Session 6 -- John Piper from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

God used this song and this sermon to renew a spark of the gospel in my heart.  During this time I found myself praying that the Lord would break me.  Break me of every vestige of self-righteousness that I may cling to Christ alone.  Break me of a foolishness that wants to cling to my life. 

If you follow this blog, or are my friend and read this, remind me in a couple of months when I’m “broken” about this prayer and where my brokenness stems from.  Lord make me a gospel man!

Quotes from T4G

On his blog, Matt Schmucker gave his three favorite quotes from John MacArthur at Together For The Gospel

"1. "Soft preaching makes for hard people."
2. "Preachers are the only ones in the world who can take no credit for everything we do (except the mistakes)."
3. "It's not about how cool you are, but how clear you are."

If I remember correctly, MacArthur also pointed out that "Hard preaching makes for soft hearts/people."

T4G '08

I had privilege of attending Together For The Gospel again this year. Its hard to put into words all the Lord said/did in my heart. Of course others have blogged much and since one can download the sessions, I'd suggest you do that. Do not forget to download the panel discussions when they become available. Much of value is found there.

It was refreshing to hear these Evangelical heavy-weights in their group discussion, especially when they opened up to admit they too struggle with issues such as having to work oneself up to witness to a lost person. (John Piper)

Thabiti Anyawabile's sermon was powerful and opened our eyes to the necessity of seeing those people who look/act/talk/dress/etc differently as fundamentally being just like us.....sinners in the need of God's grace.



While the messages and flow of things at T4G '06 was wonderful and meaningful, there was something of a different spiritual plane in '08. I know that topics were assigned and arranged. But the hand of God was powerfully moving as these men went through their sermon preparation. It was as if all eight got together, looked over one another's sermons, made some adjustments, and then preached one deep, powerful, connected, inspiring, convicting 8 hour sermon. It was clear from some of the comments made during panel discussions that they were taken aback at how God fine tuned this one.


I do have one, personal observation to make regarding this or any other conference of this nature one might attend. I went to T4G a bit tired, worn-out, and physically unprepared. It's always good to get away to refresh. I certainly was moved by the Spirit throughout. However, I know I did not get all I could from T4G this year because of my worn-out condition leading up to the conference. From time to time, my attention lagged and I had to work to keep up. I look back realizing that had I made sure that I was well rested before my arrival, the blessings would have been all the more.

So, what did I learn from this?
Don't just show up with packed bags, money to buy books, and a hotel reservation.
Prepare for the conference itself.
Pray. Meditate. Get plenty of sleep BEFORE you go.
(Hmmmmm, perhaps Sundays would be all the more if I made sure that my Saturday schedule was conducive to rest and preparation for His Day.)

Borrowed Light: This Week in Blogworld

Perhaps you've noticed the change in title. Instead of doing a "Today in Blogworld" we will now be moving to a "This Week". If something is pressing then I will provide a link throughout the week. As of now, we will be posting all of our links on Friday or Saturday of every week.

Michael Patton charts four views of God's sovereignty? Where are you on the chart? I am in between meticulous sovereignty and providential sovereignty. I'm probably a little to the right of John Piper.

Pulpit Magazine offers us a series on ministry to children. They consider When to Baptize Your Children, Proverbs and Parenting, Evangelizing Your Children Part 1 and 2.

Jared hits the nail on the head with his post on The New Legalism

Erin Sutherland continues the New Attitude series on applying the gospel to every day life. She discusses The Gospel and Relationships (for Girls)

Phil Johnson's final entry on Acts 17: Paul and Charitableness

Many bloggers went to the Together 4 the Gospel Conference (Hence, the small number of links). I was not one of them. I could link to all of their notes, but instead I will only point you to the audio for all the sermons. This should keep you busy.

This is also from T4G:
(HT:Challies)