Old Wisdom but still true today

My friend Simon over at Just Another Blog just posted "Old Wisdom for Preachers Today". In it he blogs some notes from his reading of Richard Baxter's "The Reformed Pastor" (available here). It always brings me a smile that this generation in our 20s and 30s are rediscovering and re-reading the Puritans - they were men of convictions and character who sought to live Christ-honouring lives.

Simon wrote the following short notes which are also applicable to those called to some form of Christian Leadership within the body of Christ.

The Oversight of Ourselves -
1. Be diligent to keep myself in a spiritually fit and healthy condition;
2. Make sure your life agrees with your teaching; and
3. Make sure you have what it takes to be a good minister of Jesus Christ.

Application - The Need for Humility
Beware of -
1. Pride;
2. That we do not give the Lord’s work all the energy it requires; and
3. The worldliness amongst us

And lastly,
The management of personal work - It is vital people are convinced of their pastors ability and love for them. If his ability is suspect they will not value his teaching. If the sincerity of his love is questionable they will not trust him. If ministers tried harder to win people’s affection their ministry would be more effective.

The last paragraph caused me to pause for reflections: Do I love the young people I've been privileged to have influence over? Do I give my all to ensure I'm competent in ministry and in the teaching of God's Word? I need to love them and lead and teach them well.

HT. Simon Murphy

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Grace and Peace
Ollie
Dec 2008

What is the Gospel in 60 seconds

We have started some conversations about what is the Gospel at the blog - Towards a Gospel-Centred Church. Friends, feel free to drop in and interact with us.

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Grace and Peace
Ollie
Dec 2008

Towards a Gospel-Centred Church

Last night I met up with four other brothers-in-Christ - Eugene, Huaizhi, Edward and Simon. Though we only knew each other for a short period of time, there was a common bond in the Gospel. We had a good discussion over dinner. I was encouraged that there are like-minded brothers who are captivated by the Gospel, passionate about the Word of God and committed to the local church. We shall be starting a blog to capture some of our discussions and reflections. We hope to see the gospel advance in Singapore (and beyond) through healthy, gospel-centred local churches that display God’s glory in the way they teach and live out the gospel. You can eavesdrop on our discussions and conversations here.

Ollie
Dec 2008

Love and Labels!

I've just had a week of Youth Camp (from 7 to 12 Dec 08) - 6 days and 5 nights of living in camp with a bunch of 70 active and noisy youths and young adults - and I'm still a little tired from the experience. For this camp we decided to focus on the Gospel and emphasize the exposition of 1 John, resulting in more time in the Word of God compared to previous camps. Contrary to what many believed about the young people of today, many of them sat through and were taking notes diligently during the expositions which sometimes lasted an hour. And the youth leaders in preparation for the camp were doing devotions from CH Spurgeon who they found to be solid and deep, prompting them to think harder and moving them to live rightly. Who can imagine older teens reading from a 200 year old dead pastor and theologian and loving it!? When the Gospel and God's Word is faithfully declared; transformation occurs. The relationships in this camp were markedly different; being characterised by a love response and gratitude that God first loved us and that He demonstrated that through Jesus. We had one conversion and it was amazing to see the transformative effect of the Gospel - the countenance and posture of the youth was noticeable changed after repenting and believing into Christ. I am again in awe of what God can do when we seek to place the Gospel centre of our lives and Faith. Lastly, thank you to all those who kept us in prayer.


Ollie
Dec 2008

Grace Baptist Church Youth Camp 2008

Grace Baptist Church
Youth Camp 2008
8 - 12 Dec
@ MOE Diary Farm Adventure Centre
30 Diary Farm Road.
Singapore 679058.

This will be my ninth Youth Camp that I'll be involved in. The past camps have seen me play different roles - as part of the organising committee or conducting a workshop or giving a talk or simply visiting to encourage the youths and the youth leaders. This year I've again the delight and privilege of serving the youths in Grace Baptist Church by working closely together with a team of younger youth leaders. This will be my last youth camp before I head out to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary to pursue a graduate course in Christian Education. In the course of preparing for this camp, I'm thankful to God for raising a team of young adults youth leaders who are passionate and committed to the Gospel and who love the next generation. I count it my joy to be able to serve and minister alongside them. God is sovereign and good; and he has raised others to continue to work with the youths here at Grace Baptist Church.

I invite you to keep us in prayer over the coming week as we run this Grace Baptist Church Youth Camp 2008. Please pray:

1. For the youth camp participants to be transformed by power of the Gospel and for them to Grow in the Lord.

2. For the camp speakers; workshop speakers; and young expositors as they prepare and share from God's Word.

3. For the youth camp leaders that they lead with servants' heart and with dependence on God.

4. For safety and good health for the youth camp participants; and a smooth running of the youth camp programme.

5. That in all things, we bring glory to God (1 Corinthian 10:31)

Ollie

Dec 2008