mgpcpastor's blog

Mark Driscoll reflects on ‘Fourteen Long, Good, Hard, Glorious, Painful, Amazing, Frightful Years’ as planting pastor of Mars Hill.
One observation: “I needed more training and should have waited a few more years. Had I to do it over again, I would not have given up looking for a godly older pastor to help sand off my rough edges and help me get ready not just to start a church, but lead it well for a lifetime. I had tried a few older men and each relationship went badly, so I gave up trying to be rebuked, mentored, and trained. But I should have persevered in that effort.”
Another: “I did not consider Grace’s [Driscoll’s wife] needs as I should have. The pressures of a high-stress corporate job and the church plant caused serious medical complications for her that ultimately led to me repenting to her and pulling her out of work so that we could start our family. Thankfully, her health improved immediately and has been great ever since.”
Overall: “But God was gracious. That’s the whole story. That’s the real secret. That’s the full truth. God was, is, and will be gracious.”
The rest is worth a read, as are the early Driscoll photos.

On the Sovereign Grace blog Geoff Purswell muses on ‘New Year’s, Resolutions, and—Immutability?’ and poses the question to pastors: “What do you believe about how God works in his church and in the world?”
It is possible to lose: “confidence in the power of God’s Word to convert hearts, to change lives, and to build the church.”
Preachers must be convicted that: “the preached Word is living and active. It’s not merely information to interest the mind or spiritual principles to apply to life: God’s Word personally addresses us, illuminating eyes and eliciting faith and transforming hearts, affections, and perspectives.”
So Purswell offers a timely new year invitation to all who preach the Bible: “Let’s not waver in our conviction that the pastor’s peculiar call is to bring God’s Word to bear upon his people. Amidst all the responsibilities and duties that clamor for the pastor’s attention, none transcends the call to teach God’s Word.”

The Desiring God blog provides ‘8 Reasons for Biblical Preaching’ by Sam Storms (along with links to more material by him). The reasons include: “We must preach because preaching (aside from reading) is the most effective means for transmitting the truths of Holy Scripture.” and “We must preach because preaching is not simply the fuel for worship, preaching is worship.”

Also on Sovereign Grace, C.J. Mahaney commends the work of Ken Sande, author of a book called ‘The Peacemaker’. Mahaney particularly commends a curriculum set: ‘The Leadership Opportunity: Living Out the Gospel Where Conflict and Leadership Intersect.’
Sounds interesting. There’s not a lot of material like this around. Follow the link for more details.
Because these folk all seem to know each other, Justin Taylor posts ‘Seven A’s Of Confession’ from Sande’s Peacemaker Ministries website:
1. Address everyone involved (All those whom you affected)
2. Avoid if, but, and maybe (Do not try to excuse your wrongs)
3. Admit specifically (Both attitudes and actions)
4. Acknowledge the hurt (Express sorrow for hurting someone)
5. Accept the consequences (Such as making restitution)
6. Alter your behavior (Change your attitudes and actions)
7. Ask for forgiveness

Al Bain makes the succinct observation: ‘Motivation without opportunity leads to frustration.’
He states: “It is incumbent on church leaders to motivate their people to ministry. And it’s also incumbent on them to provide opportunities/support/encouragement/follow-up/feedback etc if they want their people to actually do anything.
It’s sad when you come across a church where the preacher is a wonderful motivator, but a lousy opportunity giver.”
Boy are we wrestling with this one. We’re finding the Ministry Papers helpful, but intentionality comes slowly, it seems.