This week I will attend my sixteenth Shepherds’ Conference. I have been attending since 1991, when I was pastoring a church in Texas, and have only missed 2 since then. For a number of reasons, I have found it to be one of the best and most encouraging conferences I have attended in my ministry.
It highlights the effective ministry of one local church.
Grace Community Church has been pastored by John MacArthur for forty years. His ministry of faithful exposition has permeated the church’s culture and has produced a healthy congregation. I am always encouraged to interact with the members of GCC during the conference. One of the highlights for me in the early years was actually staying in the homes of the members and seeing the fruit of the church’s ministry.
It provides exposure to a seminary located on the campus of a local church. One of the key issues that attracted me to study at The Master’s Seminary was the close connection the seminary shares with the church. The seminary is actually located on the church’s campus. Students interact with the pastors of GCC, and a few actually have the opportunity to work at the church and get an inside look. The majority of the professors are involved in pastoring local churches in addition to their teaching responsibilities. Few seminaries can provide this sort of essential connection to the local church like TMS.
It highlights the expositional preaching of God’s Word. We will interact deeply and regularly with the Scripture this week. We will hear from some of the best Bible expositors in the country. We will spend hours taking in rich preaching that is not merely sprinkled with the biblical references, but will actually plunge us deep into the text. I do not know of another conference (and there are many good ones out there) that highlights expositional preaching like the Shepherds’ Conference does.
It gathers theologically like-minded pastors from across the world. When the conference was much smaller than it is now, this proved to be very fruitful and foundational for me personally. I was able to personally meet pastors from various parts of the country and we shared such a camaraderie over so many theological convictions, that I left highly encouraged. I met some brothers with whom I could keep contact throughout the year. Operating from a similar theological center makes for some rich and beneficial worship, instruction, and fellowship.
It allows the opportunity to reconnect with friends from across the country. Since I did graduate from The Master’s Seminary, the Shepherds’ Conference is somewhat of an annual homecoming for alumni. It provides the time to catch up with former classmates, find out about their ministries, their families, and how the Lord is using them where He has planted them. I really look forward to this.
It emphasizes a wide-variety of deep, encouraging, God-centered music. I love music. I love many different styles of music. We’ll hear and sing through so many different kinds of music through the week. From the opening song sung by all the students of The Master’s Seminary, to the choir from Grace Church, to 3,500 men singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, to the full orchestra, brass choir, small band, and single piano, to the chorale from The Master’s College, we will be treated to a wealth of not only good music, but God-centered, Scripturally focused music. I always learn some new songs and find my heart deeply enriched by the times of musical praise.
It goes out of its way to shower pastors and church leaders with practical means of encouragement. The conference brings in wonderful Christian publishers, and provides a number of excellent books to each of the conference attendees. The bookstore is large and full of titles that are not found at the majority of Christian retail stores. Throughout the campus are snacks, fruit, and drinks. The members of the church at each station are so friendly. The details the conference leaders give attention to throughout the week are exceptional.
It offers many excellent breakout seminars on theological, practical, and specialized areas of pastoral ministry. From eschatology, to preaching, youth ministry, counseling, evangelism, family life, and personal life, seminars will be provided by pastoral staff from GCC and professors from TMS and TMC. Always excellent material and provides good material to sharpen my ministry.
It provides a unique, focused opportunity to spend time with men from my church to discuss ministry, theology, and life issues. Bringing men with me is one of the highlights. We will have great discussions between seminars and at every meal. I really anticipate this to be a good opportunity to grow with the brothers from our church who come along.
It always leaves me ready to return and engage in pastoral ministry more focused, more eager, and more determined than when I arrived. This is the highlight for me. When I attended my first conference in 1991, I was very discouraged. I figured I would come out to GCC and never want to leave. Not so. Every year I have attended, I have found myself ready and eager to get back to my place of service and pour more of my life into the flock I’m privileged to serve. I find myself wanting to study more fervently and deeply and involve myself more personally with the church. I’m ready to be refreshed this week.
No promises on any live-blogging from the conference. I rarely like to tote my laptop around with me though the conference. I will no doubt Twitter my way through the conference with my phone. This year I will be attending not only with my three brother pastors from FBCSJ, but also our three interns and two other church members (Dan, and Chad ““ Father and brother to a very famous Shepherds’ Conference personality). I’m really looking forward to the time we will spend together in worship, taking in the Word, and the rich discussions that will no doubt take place about ministry, theology, and life. Also, I will have too many books, cups of coffee, books, snacks, and books in my hands to be able to tote much else around. Maybe I’ll post some reflections at night when we get back to the hotel and have some time to debrief from the day.
The main portion of the conference is held on Wednesday-Friday. If you cannot attend, but would like to listen to the live-stream audio and see some live-blogging from the conference gurus, check out the Shepherds’ Fellowship site.
