I am blessed to be a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, where my pastor is John Piper. His sermons and writings have made a lasting impact in my walk with Christ. He is a very humble man, even though he is an evangelical leader with an ever-growing influence. Desiring God is the ministry our church started to help spread pastor John’s writings and books. And for the past several years they’ve held a national conference here in Minneapolis.
I haven’t yet attended one, largely because it conflicts with my job schedule and I can’t afford it. But with Desiring God’s policy to spread sermons in print, audio and video formats for free, I get to enjoy them anyway. Here’s a run down on this year’s conference. I haven’t started listening yet, but I’m planning on downloading and listening to all the messages.
- This link will take you to the conference online headquarters with info about the speakers, and all the introductory videos, etc.
- This link will list the links for downloading all the messages or listening/watching them online.
- Here is a list of a series of blog posts at DG’s blog which summarize the 6 messages and 2 speaker panels:
- The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12 by Sinclair Ferguson
- Panel Discussion – Piper, Driscoll, and Ferguson
- Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing? by Bob Kauflin
- How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words by Mark Driscoll
- The Life-Shaping Power of Story: God’s and Ours by Dan Taylor
- Panel Discussion – Piper, Tripp, Kauflin, and Taylor
- War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God’s Sake by Paul Tripp
- Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross by John Piper
If you did attend the conference, share your thoughts with us. In the meantime, I think I’ll start with Bob Kauflin’s message. I have great respect for his wisdom and insights, and he has written some of the best and richest songs I’ve ever heard.
Even though I don’t agree with why you have changed what you believe I respect your willingness to not drink the kool-aid just because it was handed to you. I have had to make similar stands myself. You mentioned your pastor, John Piper. Is it true that your church no longer requires baptism by immersion for church membership?
Nope. Not true. There was a motion to explore this as a possible option, a two-tiered membership of sorts, similar to John Bunyan’s views. But our church rejected it and the elders pulled the motion.
Thanks for the comment.
Blessings on you through Jesus,
Bob Hayton
Wow, so there are other former Indie fundie baptists out there? I was raised in one of those women wear skirts, don’t watch TV, only use the KJV, don’t shop at JC Penny because people will think you bought lingerie churches. John Piper is great, he seems to be the perfect balance between a pastor and a theologian (I know these should be that same thing, but unfortunately they often are not) I did read a wonderful message of his about the reasons for credo-baptism, one of the first I read that seemed to understand the issue and not just throw verses at it. It can be found here if anyone is interested.
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/sermons/bydate/1999/1088_How_Do_Circumcision_and_Baptism_Correspond/
Thanks, Eric. Glad my blog is a help. It is nice to know you’re not alone.