Monday was a heck of a day. Final day of the Pastor's Conference and day of the Younger Leaders/Missional Network meeting.
Rather than regurgitating the day, let me interact with some good stuff that happened.
Some good conversation with many several bloggers and pastors on Monday. I can't list all of them, though I will talk about their blogs and links from time to time (like this one). Good stuff. Also met with friends: Tim Ellsworth, Scott Lamb, Jason Gray, Spencer Nix, and one of the first people I ever met after moving to Denver years ago, Duane Arledge. I'm sure I've left people out.
You know, I've had some who have talked to me about blogging and questioned whether blogging is a fad or whether blogs will last. All I know for sure is that the connections (networking) that have resulted from blogging are significant. I'm blessed to know a bunch of great young and not so young guys.
The morning on Monday was full of seminars (all were standing room only as best I could tell). I only attended the Mohler-Patterson talk on election, which was more a talk on Calvinism and Calvinism caricatures than election. And it was really was more debate-ish than I expected. Mohler, after emergency eye surgery was stellar. Seriously, he was fantastic. Patterson started with all too common criticisms (and some less helpful ones), and Mohler responded with Gospel and Gospel again. Brilliant, winsome.
Afternoon, Erwin McManus and Nelson Searcy were both great. Exactly what I needed. Reminded me of the powerful work of God in difficult areas. Joe Thorn and I both were not only impressed, but very encouraged for our own contexts. Simple, direct, convicting stuff. I met Nelson back when in seminary (he came and spoke to our class when he was in planting mode). Was great to hear him preach and meet him again briefly. If I buy any CD's here, it will be these two.
By the way, Shane and Shane were here and they were amazing. I've loved their music for some time, but live was incredible.
Monday night Joe and I spend some time with other bloggers and that was good. Sharing stories and learning new things. Answering a few good questions too. And to answer everyone's most asked question, no, Joe is not Tele Savalas' 'mini-me.'
We also had some time to talk with Greg Thornbury (Union University Dean), Ray Van Neste (Union University Prof), Greg Wills (SBTS Church History Prof), Tom Nettles (SBTS Church History Prof), and the incomparable Mark Devine of Midwestern. Mark was a great guy to meet (I'm just starting into his Bonhoeffer book). A passionate guy with a deep love for theology and the Church.
Then we hit the Younger Leaders meeting which was basically a gospel-centered meeting from Ed Stetzer who is promoting the NAMB Missional Network. We were able to meet some great guys at the meeting, some we knew by name only before Monday.
Tuesday, tons of motions and discussion and laughter. Also serious stuff about Wade Burleson. He handled himself with much grace and eloquence. For details, see the 74 other bloggers. :) Mark Dever almost made First VP, but almost didn't cut it. Too bad I think. Speaking of Dever, Joe and I were able to talk with him for a while on Monday about several things. It was hard to find time to talk with his 17 interns and associates around. Man, I wish I had that problem. If you haven't checked out his 9Marks ministry yet, it's a very helpful place.
Lunch with Todd and Paul Littleton and their wives, as well a pastor in LA named Steve Somethingerother. Steve, if you stop by, remind me of your last name. Too many Steves around, not that there's anything wrong with that.
You know what, a bunch of other stuff happened too. I wish I could do so much more for my readers. But we came to network and we are in a big way. It's been the best convention in terms of what it's doing for me and my ministry. I miss my family. Sheesh. It's honkin' late and I'm tired. Nighty nite. Pictures of the SBC stuff here.
It was great seeing you again (and meeting Joe for the first time). I was just telling another friend that one of the things I've come to love about blogs so much is the friendships involved. If I don't see you on Wednesday, I hope you and Joe have a safe trip back.
Posted by: Tim Ellsworth | 06/13/2006 at 11:36 PM
I was a little disappointed that Patterson-Mohler debate discussion was between a Calvinist and someone who said he was neither a Calvinist nor an Arminian! It probably would have been helpful to have someone giving an articulate Arminian viewpoint--someone like this guy--for the discussion, rather than the same old stock criticisms from Patterson.
Posted by: Keith | 06/14/2006 at 12:47 AM
The Patterson/Mohler debate is an example of why Calvinism continues to grow in the SBC. Calvinists really seem excited about their own position and passionate about discussing the Scripture passages that support their position. SBC anti-Calvinists are precisely that - anti-Calvinists - we hear a lot more about what they are against than what they are for. I've heard Paige Patterson talk about this issue, and I've read about other talks he has given, and I am still not sure what he actually believes about election and predestination.
Posted by: hutch | 06/14/2006 at 06:58 AM
Thanks for the reports, Steve. I checked out the site for ordering "tapes" and CDs and marvelled 1) that I can't just buy mp3s and download and 2) that tapes are eight dollars.
Which brings a story to mind...St. Thomas Aquinas paid a visit to Pope Innocent IV in Rome. Upon entering, Thomas saw the Pope before a large cache of gold. Innocent said, "We can no longer say with Peter, 'Siver and gold have I none," can we?"
Thomas replied, "Neither can we say, 'Rise up and walk.'"
Posted by: Glenn | 06/14/2006 at 09:48 AM
I googled around and it looks like this story might actually be St. Dominic and Innocent II, not Thomas and Innocent IV. Chesterton tells it in his biography of Thomas.
Anyway, it's not a big deal, but you'd think the SBC could make tapes (tapes!) available for less than $8.
Posted by: Glenn | 06/14/2006 at 10:43 AM
Thanks for the updates Steve. I look forward to hearing more about it and your reflections on it.
Posted by: Jason Allen | 06/14/2006 at 11:17 AM
Nelson Searcy is the pastor of my church here in NYC. What a great servant of the Lord!!! I've learned so much from him (and Kerrick Thomas, our other teaching pastor) that I am in awe every Sunday at how God uses those willing to serve Him to transform lives in ways that are truly miraculous and supernatural. We will know the truth and the truth does indeed make us free.
Thanks for all the info on the conference, Steve. I'm in an online debate with some of the "Soulforce" crowd. They are a homosexual Chrisitan group, and I know they have been at the conferences before to try to pursuade pastors to change the orthodox view of homosexuality. As a repentant homosexual, I find it hard to confront them on their position in a loving way. I hope that the pastors were able represent The Most High when confronted by them outside the convention center.
Again, thanks for the look into the conference and it's good to know that the young leaders are networking and sharing missional vision to reach those who don't know the Lord.
Posted by: Kgreg | 06/14/2006 at 11:31 AM
Steve I trust you guys are wearing your power suits and your good cufflinks.
Posted by: Alex F | 06/14/2006 at 11:35 AM
Steve, I'm glad to hear you guys had a good time and got to meet with lots of good folks.
Posted by: Laura Beth O'Nan | 06/14/2006 at 02:53 PM
Steve,
It was good to meet you, Joe and Ed today. I'm not a Calvinist, but I agree that Dr. Mohler was very good. He answered some of my questions... "almost thou persuadist me to be a ...." :)
But it was good to have this discussion out front and in the open rather than just the snide comments in convention sermons and church newsletters that are way too often used in the past.
Posted by: Tom Bryant | 06/14/2006 at 03:43 PM
Hi, Steve. I'm acquainted with Dr. Van Neste and hold him in high esteem,. He has a good blog, aimed at helping young pastors, called "Oversight of Souls," and is worth a visit.
Thanks for your updates from the convention!
Posted by: Barry Wallace | 06/14/2006 at 04:15 PM
I think you are right that Erwin and Nelson are working in 'difficult areas.' But what makes them difficult is a) the enormous logistic challenges (politics, space, cost of living, mobility of people) and b) the fact that the evangelical church doesn't have ministry habits that fit cities. But no one should think that the people of LA and NYC are more spiritually hard and resistent than people in Louisville or Hot Coffee, Texas. They aren't. In many, many cases they are much more open and receptive. I know you know that, but I thought I'd just mention it for the readership.
Posted by: Tim Keller | 06/14/2006 at 06:56 PM
Steve,
Hope to see you next year. Amy and I couldn't come, but we listened to a good bit of this convention on-line.
I am currently listening to the closing address. You might want to check it out if you didn't catch it. At one particular point when the volume on my computer needed to be lowered, blogging was mentioned. I'll let you guess how it went.
Posted by: Clay Layfield | 06/14/2006 at 08:52 PM