It’s now way past my bedtime following a full day of travel to Louisville, Kentucky, where I am attending the first ever Together for the Gospel conference. The idea is simple: four friends, all pastors from different denominations, celebrating the centrality of the Gospel; in other words, keeping “the main thing” the main thing.
The ballroom of the Galt House, a massive hotel and conference complex in downtown Louisville, was packed for the conference. After a time of welcome led by Dr. Mark Dever, pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., we were led in a time of singing hymns. The sound of 2800 men singing with one heart robustly is an incredible experience. Following our time of worship, C.J. Mahaney, president of Sovereign Grace Ministries and former pastor of Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, Maryland, undertook an extended and often riotous introduction for Dr. Dever, who was to be addressing us tonight.
Dr. Dever’s assigned topic was The Pastor’s Understanding of His Role. By walking us through the fourth chapter of 1 Corinthians, he clearly identified three marks which must characterize the Christian minister:
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He must carry a Cross-filled message. (v.1-7)
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He must live a Cross-filled life. (v.8-13)
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He must cultivate Cross-filled followers. (v.14-21)
A more comprehensive summary of these marks can be found at Challies Dot Com. Following a brief break, the format shifted to a group dialogue, where the four hosts (Ligon Duncan, Mark Dever, Al Mohler, C.J. Mahaney) questioned one another on the topic of Why I’m Doing What I’m Doing with My Life. Hilarious, warm, striking, beautiful. I grasp in vain to find appropriate adjectives that would give this time justice.
Tomorrow should be fantastic as well. Drs. Mohler and Duncan are preaching, as well as R.C. Sproul and John Piper. Updates to follow soon!
