Shepherds’ Conference summary

The audio for last week’s Shepherds’ Conference is now available. All sessions can be downloaded for free — a great gift from Grace Church! As I have done the past couple of years, I’ve scanned through my notes and pulled some of the statements from each session/preacher that were significant, helpful, encouraging and beneficial to […]

Session 9 – John MacArthur

The last session of the Shepherds’ Conference was John MacArthur. The only authority we have is when we speak that which God has spoken. And that makes it a horrendous thing when evangelicals come along and make it a virtue to be “humble,” and to obscure the meaning of the text. 9-MacArthur General Session.pdf

Session 8 – Steve Lawson

Wherever a spiritual famine exists, there can be no spiritual fruit. Pulpits dry up. Preachers become droughts without rain. Churches become dust bowls. People begin to die on the vine. This is precisely what the prophet Amos said in his day. It was the best of times politically and culturally. Jeroboam II was the King […]

Seminar 4 – Jim Pile

There are spiritual highs and lows in ministry — Ps. 23 echoes both themes. Cf. also Ps. 55:13, 20, 21; 56:1-2, 5-6. Sometimes this is the result of struggling with the lust of the flesh or the lust of the yes and the boastful pride of life. And others are struggling with the betrayal of […]

Session 7 – Nathan Busenitz

For many this verse is trivialized — a personal motto or motivation. It has become a declaration of personal empowerment — winning a football game, losing weight, or gaining a job. Out of context, it is a boost of personal self-confidence. But in context, it has a very specific and different meaning. In context it […]

Session 6 – Al Mohler

It’s a mystery why Apollos is so neglected. In the NT, there are only 10 verses that refer to Apollos, but in these verses, we learn much about Apollos and why he should be a model for us. 6-Mohler General Session.pdf

Seminar 3 – Jesse Johnson

The church has been given a mission: evangelism; and this is unique in the history of the world. A soup kitchen without the gospel is ineffectual and misses the point of the mission of the church. The church’s goal is not to eliminate hunger and poverty. Johnson, Missional Madness.pdf

Session 5 – MacArthur Q and A

A Q & A with John MacArthur — quite a bit of interesting personal interaction. 5-MacArthur General Session.pdf

Session 4 – Rick Holland

Pastoral ministry is not for wimps. It’s not a social alternative to another job in the world. It is the must crushing endeavor a human being can undertake. It is all about exalting the Great Shepherd and diminishing the under-shepherd. 4-Holland General Session.pdf

Session 3 – John MacArthur

Look at the church like the Lord of the church looks at it. This is the most serious work you will ever be engaged in — this is nothing to trifle with. 3-MacArthur General Session.pdf

Session 2 – Tom Pennington

What do you believe is the greatest danger to your ministry? Perhaps a family problem. Or divisive church member. Or a disgruntled elder or a staff member living in a sinful life of shame. Those are very real dangers. But the greatest danger to our souls and our ministries is our own pride. 2-Pennington General […]

Hardy – The Marks of Godly Leadership

Leadership is not optional. It is essential. Take away leadership and vision wanes and people will drift away. What kind of leader ought we to be? What does God expect of leaders? Hardy Leadership.pdf

Live streaming from the Shepherds’ Conference

Couldn’t make it to the Shepherds’ Conference? You can still enjoy the general sessions with live streaming.

Session 1 — Phil Johnson

We need to renounce the postmodern quest for innovation and go back to Paul’s simple philosophy, preach the Word. 1-Johnson General Session.pdf

At the conference

We’re at the conference, in our seats (far left), the first books have been purchased, and the excitement is building. John MacArthur preaches first this morning.