Yesterday, the Bethlehem Conference for Pastors concluded. The theme of the conference was “The Pastor, the People, and the Pursuit of Joy: The Apostolic Aim of Pastoral Ministry.”
Ministry and joy. It’s not surprising that John Piper chose those topics or that he put them together in this conference. It is, however, likely that many people (including pastors) might not consider those topics compatible.
The conference was previewed this way:
For over 20 years, we’ve assumed the foundation of Christian Hedonism at the Desiring God Conference for Pastors. But we’ve never focused on it. Until now.
Join hundreds of other pastors this February to explore how the pastor’s pursuit of joy is wrapped up in the pursuit of his people’s joy.
I didn’t go, but since all the audio is now available online (along with several of the manuscripts), I’m looking forward to listening to the messages over the next couple of weeks.
[At this conference, John Piper delivered his biographical sermon on C. S. Lewis. Those biographies are typically some of my favorite listening and reading each year.]
Words of Grace 