Well, a number of you have mentioned that you'd like to see a shorter version of the new T4G video.

Here it is, Short T4G Video courtesy of the good folks at Ligonier Ministries. It may take a little time to download.

It is very quick-paced in comparison to the longer video housed at this site. But I'll try to get this to the technical geniuses that service the T4G site so that they can upload it in a larger, better format. This video also has some cutaways that will give you a visual feel for the T4G '06 gathering.

And don't miss the out-take after the final fade. Can you hear what Al says, and how Mark responds?

Our friend Al Mohler, was moved out of intensive care and into a private room at Baptist Hospital East this afternoon and continues to improve following complications from abdominal surgery that was performed Dec. 28.

Russell D. Moore, dean of the School of Theology and senior vice president for academic administration at Southern, and a good friend to the T4G team, said Mohler is in good spirits following a difficult weekend: "I am extremely encouraged after having just left his room. He is eating, he is in good spirits and it looks as though the situation is completely under control at this point. He looks strong, is in remarkably good spirits and is even cracking jokes."

“[Al] is very appreciative of the prayers of God’s people and the outpouring of support from the churches and from the community.”

Al had been placed in intensive care Friday after developing blood clots in both lungs. After nearly a week of intense abdominal pain, he was admitted to the hospital on Dec. 27 and underwent surgery the following day. While physicians reported that the procedure went well and that Mohler’s abdominal issues were remedied, the development of blood clots led doctors to move Mohler to the hospital’s intensive care unit.

It is not yet known when Mohler will be released from the hospital, however Russ said the improvement in Mohler’s condition along with his high spirits were readily evident. “He has a stack of books and articles in his bed along with a massive number of highlighters, so the Albert Mohler I know is back.”

Is his important chapter on "The Puritan Approach to Worship" in his book "A Quest for Godliness" (the British title is "Among God's Giants"), J.I. Packer, after lamenting our shallowness in worship in comparison to the practice of our evangelical forebears the Puritans, asks:

"How do we begin to get from where we are to where the Puritans show us that we ought to be in our own practice of worship? How can we, cold-hearted and formal as we so often are --to our shame-- in church services, advance closer to the Puritan ideal? The Puritans would have met our question by asking us another. How do we prepare for worship? What do we do to rouse ourselves to seek God?

"Here, perhaps, is our own chief weakness. The Puritans inculcated specific preparation for worship--not merely for the Lord's Supper, but for all services-- as a regular part of the Christian's inner discipline of prayer and communion with God.  ... What we need at the present time to deepen our worship is not new liturgical forms or formulae, nor new hymns and tunes, but more preparatory 'heart-work' before we use the old ones. There is nothing wrong with new hymns, tunes, and worship styles--there may be very good reasons for them--but without 'heart-work' they will not make our worship more fruitful and God-honouring; they will only strengthen the syndrome that C.S. Lewis called 'the liturgical fidgets'. 'Heart-work' must have priority or spiritually our worship will get nowhere."

Then Packer quotes George Swinnock:

"Prepare to meet they God, O Christian! betake thyself to thy chamber on this Saturday night, confess and bewail thine unfaithfulness under the ordinances of God; shame and condemn thyself for thy sins, entreat God to prepare thy heart for, and assist it in, thy religious performances; spend some time in consideration of the infinite majesty, holiness, jealousy, and goodness, of that God, with whom thou art to have to do in sacred duties; ponder the weight and importance of his holy ordinances ...; meditate on the shortness of the time thous hast to enjoy Sabbaths in; and continue musing ... till the fire burneth; thou canst not think the good thou mayest gain by such forethoughts, how pleasant and profitable a Lord's day would be to thee after such preparation. The oven of thine heart thus baked in, as it were, overnight, would be easily heated the next morning; the fire so well raked up when thou wentest to bed, would be the sooner kindled when thou shouldst rise. If thou wouldst thus leave thy heart with God on the Saturday night, thou shouldst find it with him in the Lord's Day morning."

Packer comments that the style of this admonition is "quaint" and so it is, but he also says that he believes that this is "a word in season for very many of us." Amen.

Watch this blog in 2007!

We are planning to come out of the blocks strong come January 1, 2007. Here's the plan. Al Mohler is going to get us rolling the first week of the New Year - posing a question that we'll all reflect and comment on. The week following, C.J. will follow suit. The third week, I'll prompt the discussion and the fourth week, Mark Dever will lead the cross examination. We'll endeavor follow this rota each month.

Meanwhile, fifth weeks will provide time for special posts, and our occasional topical posting will continue, and perhaps even increase.

Hope your Christmas was filled with Gospel thanks and joy.

Oh, by the way, be on the lookout for a blow-you-away Packer/Goodwin quote on preparing for worship, here on the T4G blog, by the end of the week.

I just received Iain Murray's latest letter and he tells of his time in Brazil. He says: "Brazil is a great country, with a population distinguished by friendliness and warmth (eminently so among the Christians, as we again experienced everywhere). The growth of its cities, and the potential for the future is hard to describe. In Manaus we stayed in a splendid building not built on our last visit in 2001. Our room overlooked part of the mighty Amazon and when there we were often at the window! How many of us have heard of Goiania, yet it is a fine state capital, with a population a good deal larger than Edinburgh. The second conference was held there, with a crowded attendance (over 400), mainly pastors. It was held in one of the Presbyterian churches (there are five presbyteries in Goiania alone!) where the normal attendance on Sunday evenings is over 600. We are not used to such numbers here in Scotland. Often the listening was intense, and the uplifting singing was worth going a long way to hear. The Presbyterian Church in Brazil has seen a marked recovery of historic Christianity in recent decades: as well as several theological seminaries, it owns three large Christian schools, and MacKenzie University in Sao Paulo, with 30,000 students. We spent a number of days with our hosts, Solano and Betty Portela, in Sao Paulo (in its metropolitan area containing more people than the whole of Australia!). On our last day in that city we were taken to see the ‘Protestant Cemetery’ where many of the first missionaries, who arrived in the 1850s, are buried. They were noble men and women, whose lives ought to be better known. [The story that follows is about] the first Brazilian convert to become a Presbyterian minister; it will give you a miniature view of the calibre of these early evangelicals. What a harvest was to follow their early sacrificial labours!"

"On Christmas Eve, 1873, a man in tattered clothes and bare feet fell by the road side, as he attempted the long walk to Rio de Janeiro. Unknown to those who found him, José Manoel da Conceição, died early the next day in an infirmary, age 52. His last words had been to thank his helpers and to request he be left alone with God.  For most of his years since he left the Roman priesthood in 1864, this Christian had been traveling in his native Brazil. An able scholar and linguist, itinerant evangelism became the great concern of his life. He grieved over his years spent in the priesthood, and spoke and preached to all who would listen to him. Thousands did, and many were led to Christ through his words, his love and his humility. Even amid all his labours in the interior of Brazil, Conceição began a translation of Merle D’Aubigne’s History of the Reformation  into Portuguese. Excommunication, persecution and poverty left him undeterred. Buried by strangers in ‘consecrated ground’, the Roman Church demanded the removal of his body; and it was finally laid to rest in São Paulo in 1877. In that city, today, the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church is named after him. One of the first evangelists of his native land, Conceição was a shining light whose example showed the way to many others."

Mark, thanks for asking about Thanksgiving customs. Initially, I was concerned about the title of your post and didn't find the idea of "Thanksgiving Exercises" too appealing. But I really appreciate the content of your post and the care and leadership you are providing for your family and friends.

Although I’m an “every day alike” kind of guy, this holiday is a wonderful opportunity for our family to express gratefulness to God for the many evidences of grace we have experienced this past year, and most of all, for the substitutionary sacrifice of His Son for our sins.

Thanksgiving Day is also a time for unhurried serious and hilarious conversation with one another—which produces fresh closeness and gratefulness for the love we share as a family.

It’s also about building memories with my children and grandchildren that will last a lifetime, and creating traditions that God-willing can be passed down to future generations I will never live to see. (You can learn all the specifics about the Mahaney family Thanksgiving traditions from my wife and daughters at the girltalk blog here, here and here.)

And of course, our Thanksgiving holiday would not be complete without an appropriate accent on athletics. The Mahaney-family "Turkey Bowl" has been a tradition since the kids were little and takes place every year, regardless of the weather.

Most of all, it is my hope that an overwhelming gratitude for the cross of Jesus Christ be the distinguishing mark of our Thanksgiving Day, and every day throughout the year.

Thanks C.J., for your report on the DGM conference. I can't wait to listen to all the messages. And thanks to you, Mark, for your sobering counsel to Thabiti, which is surely good counsel to us all. Speaking of which, you are so faithful to tell the truth, kindly but clearly, whether the crowds like it or not. You are a true and faithful teacher to us all in this way.

You did so recently at important event. John Wilson of Books and Culture gives this brief account of the J.I. Packer 80th Birthday celebration at Beeson Divinity School last week. There, Mark, bravely and kindly expressed his concerns about Packer's endorsement of ECT, and gave the best presentation on Packer, justification and ECT that I've ever read. When the book comes out folks, that one address will be worth the price. We are indebted to you (again), Mark.

Mark, Lig and Al—since I was the only one who was able to attend the Desiring God conference, “Above All Earthly Powers,” I thought I would do a brief post relating my experience. Brief, because I would have to type all day to adequately recount all I learned and enjoyed at this great event. I wish you guys could have been there.

As much as I appreciated the content of the excellent messages, the highlight for me was the time I spent with my very good friends Jeff Purswell (Dean of the Sovereign Grace Pastors College) and Joshua Harris (my favorite Senior Pastor). Conferences provide unique and all-too-rare opportunities for priorities that pastors can easily neglect, such as deepening friendships, unhurried discussions about doctrine, and strategic planning for the church. I have discovered that when I am away at a conference, and removed from the daily demands and responsibilities of ministry, I tend to think more creatively and evaluate more effectively.

Therefore, it has been my practice over the past 30 years to take my pastoral team to at least one conference or class at Reformed Theological Seminary each year, for the purpose of learning and deepening our friendship. (BTW, If you want to hear some entertaining stories, ask Don Carson about what it was like to have the Covenant Life pastoral team attend his classes, with me in the back row.) During these trips, we’ve heard great preaching and teaching. But we’ve also used our meal times (and late evenings) for discussion and application. We look into our hearts, we encourage and correct each other, and we contemplate the future together. We laugh much, think much, and eat much—all to the glory of God.

So I would encourage all pastors to build into their schedule and church budget at least one conference a year for you and your pastoral team. And if you are leading a church alone (you have my deepest respect) I would encourage you to attend at least one conference a year with a pastor(s) from another church. As I look back and consider all the wonderful memories and momentous conversations I’ve had at conferences with my friends, I am simply amazed.

Now, I’m not a conference “live blogger,” so I won’t even attempt to give a comprehensive overview of the exceptional content from this past weekend.  I think the messages will be online in just a few days, and CD’s will be available from Desiring God Ministries in the near future.

As you would expect, the conference was a feast of outstanding preaching; but I want to highlight a few moments that stood out to me. Particularly moving were Don Carson and John Piper’s comments to and care for the pastors of smaller churches during one of the panel sessions. There were two panel sessions that were both effectively led by Justin Taylor. In response to a question from Justin, Don and John wisely seized the opportunity to encourage pastors of smaller churches and those who labor faithfully but seem to see little fruit. Don’s tears as he described his father’s faithful pastoral ministry for decades in a rural setting were deeply moving. You could feel the deep effect of his words and his tears upon the souls of all pastors present, but especially those who are faithfully and heroically serving in obscurity. More importantly, you could feel the pleasure of God.

And one other moment that stood out was John Piper’s opening remarks before his message at the final session. John addressed those present who are a part of the emerging church movement and communicated his fatherly concern for them. Since it is clear (and was made clear throughout the conference) that serious doctrinal deficiencies exist in the emerging church, John wanted to communicate his care for those present with whom we disagree. John didn’t want the conference to simply be a series of critiques. Instead, he wanted to persuade and provide the doctrinal discernment that appears to be absent from this movement. And he wanted them to know how much he loved them—even with all his concerns. Again, I felt the pleasure of God.

Then, before he began his message, John made one more comment regarding observations he had previously shared about Mark Driscoll. Earlier in the conference, at the end of a panel session, John had informed us that he had received much criticism for inviting Mark Driscoll to speak at the conference. He explained why he invited Mark and what he appreciated about Mark’s message. He went on to express a concern he had regarding the content of Mark’s message. Though I would have expressed this concern to Mark privately and personally before expressing it publically, I have no doubt that his motive was to serve Mark and those present at the conference. John's critique and concern was related to Mark’s clever comments about culture throughout his message. After the panel session, someone had approached John and observed that John had a tendency to be similarly clever in his comments about the academic world. So before he preached the final session, John acknowledged the accuracy of this observation and correction and its application to his preaching. It was humble for John to inform us of this private conversation and its corrective content. I believe that long after the messages of this conference are forgotten, John’s compelling example of humility will not be forgotten. It will continue to inspire us all to true greatness—to walk humbly before God and with those we have the privilege to serve. Once again, I felt God’s pleasure.

Well, my son Chad just came and asked me if we were going to lunch, like we do each Monday. Immediately and with great joy I informed him that we were. So it’s time for this post to end. I have something much more important to do. Although I am deeply grateful for what I experienced with my friends at this conference, there is nothing that compares to returning home to the arms of the wife I missed so terribly, the son I love so deeply, the hugs of my daughters and sons-in-law, the kisses of my grandchildren, and the encouragement of the local church I love the most.

I look forward to applying all I’ve learned so that by the grace of God I might grow in godliness, serve more effectively, reach out to the lost more consistently and hopefully bring some pleasure to God, who in the mystery of his mercy killed His Son for me.

Mark, that picture from your previous post (This One’s for You, CJ) added more pain to my already burdened soul. It’s bad enough that the Yankees just swept the Red Sox, but to make matters worse, I have to root for a United States basketball team led by Coach K in the FIBA World Championship!  I did not need a fresh reminder of Duke Basketball at this time.

Seriously, I am very grateful to God you don’t know anything about sports, my friend. I am glad that you didn’t grow up in my neighborhood where all we did was play hoops. Otherwise, you may not have read the Encyclopedia Britannica in its entirety by age seven. But I’m most grateful to God for your friendship and leadership (great post on SBC mistake).

Now, it appears that the much-appreciated readers of our blog refuse to let me ignore your earlier question, “What is CJ?” By the way, what kind of question is that?

What am I? Well, here is what I am. I am the worst sinner I know. And by the grace of God I am doing better than I deserve. For I deserve the righteous wrath of God because of my sin. I deserve to be punished eternally. But in the mystery of His mercy, God sacrificed and crushed His Son on the Cross--as my substitute--so that I might be forgiven of my sin and know God as my Father rather than my Judge. What am I? I am truly amazed by the grace of God. That’s what I am.

Of much lesser importance, I have the privilege to serve and lead Sovereign Grace Ministries in its mission to plant and support local churches. And I am especially blessed to be a member of Covenant Life Church, “the dearest place on earth.”

Mark, Lig and Al, your biblical insight on this topic of faithfulness and relevance is critically needed in the church today. Thank you for serving us.

The most effective way that I can serve is to post excerpts from my favorite article on this issue: "The Power of the Gospel in the Church Today" by our friend Ray Ortlund, Jr. (Trinity Journal 18, NS, no. 2, Spring 1997). Check out Ray's theologically informed discernment, on what it means to be relevant in ministry, written with remarkable forsight nine years ago:

"We might get the wrong impression from Paul, when he writes in 1 Corinthians 9:22 that he has become 'all things to all men,' that he might by all means save some. Paul was not unbending in meeting people as they were, where they were. He was widely adaptable. But we might get the wrong impression from this passage, if we read it in isolation from Paul's other statements about ministry, as if 1 Corinthians 9 were the whole of his mind. The fact is that Paul was not infinitely flexible in his outreach strategies. He had limits, and in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 he explains one of his boundaries:

'When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God, in lofty words or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. (RSV)'

Paul deliberately chooses ('I decided') not to meet the culturally conditioned expectations of his hearers....The most embarrassing aspect of the gospel—a crucified Savior, a loser Messiah—was the very thing Paul concentrated on. Paul is here exposing to view the controlling center of his ministry strategy. 'Jesus Christ and him crucified' was for Paul, the ultimate criterion for what we today call 'relevance.' And with his typically refreshing outlook, the apostle defined relevance not as we tend to do. For him, relevance had to be defined not in terms of meeting audience expectations but in relation to the centrality of the Cross. His preaching agenda was set by that theological center, not by his audience....

Now, what lessons may we preachers today learn from this amazing passage of Scripture?

First, a biblical preacher critiques his methods, his forms of contextualization, his adaptations to culture, his style, not primarily by the standard of culture but by the superior standard of the gospel itself....The message of the Cross must discipline and control us—indeed, limit us—even though that puts us at a disadvantage in winning an audience.

What one observes in evangelicalism today is that, while many preachers can declare allegiance to all the right doctrines, their theology makes little difference in their preaching beyond drawing the widest, most amorphous and seldom alluded-to boundaries. Their formal credentials may be in order, but the theology they affirm sits very lightly on their actual practice of ministry. It is invisible to their people. Such ministers demonstrate little doctrinal specificity or even discernment—intentionally so?—in their message and style. The biblical gospel may be formally obligatory, but it is personally uninteresting and strategically incidental. Such ministers may be exacting in their methodology, but they are vague in their theology—a curious arrangement of priorities! For Paul, such thinking would have been completely alien to his soul. For him theology reigned supreme in every aspect of his ministry. Theology for him, energized him, cheered him, emboldened him. It was his ministerial fountain of youth. One wonders how far we may drift from Pauline ministry and still retain a plausible claim to biblical authenticity in our work."

I could go on and on with more great stuff from this article. I recommend every pastor obtain and read it for himself, and apply it to the leadership and preaching of your church.  Assign the article to your pastoral team or eldership and together evaluate your church in relation to the content of this article. We must do more than nod our heads as we read, we must make application to our pastoral ministry in very specific ways.

How about your pastoral reading list—is it more focused on the latest pragmatic pastoral fad than the cross of Jesus Christ? Are there more books on your desk from the business section of Barnes and Noble than there are the great works of Calvin, Edwards, Owen and Spurgeon?  Let us not be numbered among those for whom "theology...sits lightly on their practice of ministry" or pastors who are "exacting in their methodology, but vague in their theology."

May it never be said of our pastoral ministry that the gospel was "formally obligatory...but personal uninteresting and strategically incidental."  Instead, by following the example of Paul, let "theology reign supreme" with the message of "Jesus Christ and him crucified." May this be the "the controlling center" of our preaching content, the structures and practices of our church and our evangelistic strategy. Then, and only then, will the church be truly relevant to our culture.

Mark, thanks for the though-provoking post ("Assumptions and Pursuits") on relevance and faithfulness (which seems to have generated good discussion in various places on the web), and for your post on why you are a Southern Baptist. I want to follow up on both. But let me make a few brief remarks on the relevance and faithfulness post first.

I was immediately reminded of David Wells' No Place for Truth when I read your thoughts. Remember how he starts off in the preface to NPFT? "those who are most relevant to this world are those who are judged most irrelevant." This instructs us that faithfulness is always relevant, even if our contemporaries don't think it is relevant.

But, as you note, all the problems don't lie with those discounting faithfulness for the sake of relevance. One problem is that we sometimes confuse faithfulness with something in the past that holds great meaning to us, but is not inherent to the faithfulness that the Bible requires for Gospel ministry. Thus, we judge holding fast to that uncommanded thing (or even some less important thing) as faithfulness in our day, and our relevance sinks. The problem in this case is not our desire to be faithful, but our confusion over what faithfulness entails. True faithfulness is never a hindrance to real relevance, only to false relevance.

Of course, there are other dangers as well - particularly thinking that relevance requires us to modify and upgrade God's prescribed message and methods for the work of the Gospel. One problem with this tendency is that we confuse is and ought, what people want and what people need, the opinions of our contemporaries about what we ought to be doing as Christians and what God tells us in his word that we ought to be doing as Christians. Hence, the seeker approach is always vulnerable to problems entailed in the prevalent consumer mindset of our culture. The customer is always right, being one of them (in terms of Christian evangelistic appropriation of that idea, there are problems with both the subject and predicate, "sinners" do not equal "customers" and they're certainly not always right, whatever we might learn from them). Then there is another meta-problem as well.

That's where a famous German grocer can help us. Karl Hans Albrecht (born in 1920 in Essen, Germany) founded a discount supermarket chain and is among the richest men in the world. Albrecht says: "Customer needs have an unsettling way of not staying satisfied for very long." It is the combination of "give them what they want" and "they've changed their minds about what they want" that poses the threat of irrelevance to those most doggedly determined to be relevant. Faux relevance is trying to hit a moving target (and generally is trailing the bullseye by about twenty years).

"Perhaps the greatest gift any father can bestow upon his children, apart from the covenant blessings of parish life and a comprehension of the doctrines of grace, is a passion for reading. It is cheap, it consoles, it distracts, it excites, it gives a knowledge of the world, and it offers experience of a wide kind. Indeed, it is nothing less than a moral illumination."

Thomas Chalmers

Mark, what an outstanding post. Thanks. And thank also for the excellent address last night on the Westminister Directory's instructions on the preaching of the Word, given at the Presbyterian Church in America General Assembly pre-conference "The Westminster Confession for Today." Everyone needs to get the audio and listen to it. Great stuff. You and Al have been the highlights of the conference the last two years. By the way, the Opening worship service of the PCA GA began with a quote from you, Mark, out of The Deliberate Church! A great statement about the Word of God. The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) dinner tonight at the PCA GA went very well. Randy Stinson did a super job in hosting and speaking. More soon, when time allows.

Mark, Lig and Al, thanks for serving us big time with your insightful posts on this important topic. Please keep this stuff coming, boys. And Al and Mark, any possibility you guys could live-blog the Southern Baptist Convention this week? How exciting would that be?  So, how about if you cover the SBC this week, and I will take responsibility for the U.S. Open (that would be an important golf tournament, Al and Mark)? Lig, who ya got in the World Cup?

Well, you have heard from three of my favorite scholars; and now it’s time to hear from a simple, but athletic pastor. Here’s my concern: It is all too easy for us to affirm biblical manhood and womanhood and humbly contend for the complementarian position, and yet fail to intentionally and consistently apply this body of teaching to our lives and churches. So this post is a reminder to us as pastors that we must not only proclaim truth but practice truth. Preaching on biblical manhood and womanhood is not enough--we must transfer this body of truth to every member of our churches. Complementarianism must be functional in our personal lives and in our churches, not simply professed. And we must not lose sight of the difference biblical manhood and womanhood can and should make for husbands, wives, children and singles. 

Our responsibilities as pastors fall into two categories: Personal Application and Pastoral Strategy.

1)    Personal Application

Our teaching on this topic will only be as effective as our personal example. Modeling precedes teaching. Biblical instruction cannot be divorced from personal example. We must provide our churches with a genuine (not perfect) model of biblical masculinity. It is possible to skillfully teach Genesis 1-3 or Ephesians 5 and yet neglect to apply these passages to our lives. So, let me ask you: Where and how are you going to demonstrate biblical manhood to your wife and children this week? What difference is your complementarian position going to make in your life and for those you love, lead, and serve? If I spent the week with you, would your conviction about biblical masculinity be obvious?

Gentlemen, here is a gift you can give to your wife this week. Set aside a few hours of uninterrupted time, and ask her to honestly evaluate your personal example of godliness and your leadership in the home.

I dare you to ask her this question:

Where do I need to grow in serving and leading you?

For bonus points, ask this question:

Where do I need to grow in serving and leading the children?

This one conversation could initiate dramatic changes in your life.

After you’ve talked to your wife, I would encourage you to relate the details to a fellow elder, pastor or friend. Invite their questions and observations and make yourself accountable to them for application. This step will weaken pride and cultivate humility. Because God gives grace to the humble, this is a very smart thing to do. In fact, it would be stupid not to, since God opposes the proud. So, let us avoid being mere advocates of the complementarian position. By the grace of God we must be functional complementarians, and this must be evident for all to see.

I double dare you to ask your wife that question.

2)    Pastoral Strategy

Do you have a strategy for helping your church demonstrate biblical manhood and womanhood? If so, what is your strategy? What is your plan to clarify, cultivate and celebrate biblical manhood and womanhood in your church? This must be done intentionally, strategically and consistently--not occasionally. And it won’t get done if you don’t lead humbly, wisely, and boldly.

Here’s why: The members of our churches are daily being assaulted by a feminist worldview and culture. They are breathing feminist air each and every day. So do not assume that your statement of faith or last year’s teaching series are sufficient to protect your church from cultural or evangelical feminism.

Here’s how: Begin by thinking through each ministry in your church. Is biblical manhood and womanhood modeled and explicitly taught in each ministry? What about your children’s ministry? How about the youth ministry? The worship team? The counseling ministry? Thoroughly evaluate every aspect of your church, including the teaching diet on Sundays. Then devise a specific plan to channel this important body of teaching through each ministry of your church to every member of your church for every year you pastor the church.

Although I attempted to be brief and concise, this has once again become the never-ending post. My apologies. The fact is, I am not sufficiently gifted to be concise. But before I conclude, I must reaffirm that our motivation for biblical manhood and womanhood is the gospel. I am convinced that the complementarian position will strengthen the church in her God given-role to proclaim and protect the gospel. And the most effective apologetic (apart from Scripture) for the complementarian position is marriages, families and singles who radiate the beauty and wisdom of God’s plan for men and women. Biblical manhood and womanhood is the life-transforming effect of the gospel on full display. When a church teaches, practices and honors gender distinctions determined by our good and wise God, the gospel will advance. But this will only happen where there are humble and courageous pastors who lead every member and ministry of the church by personal example and with strategic pastoring.

Your post on the complementarian question was excellent Mark. I've waited a week before posting to follow up, in part because I didn't want anything else to deflect attention from your reflections on that important matter. There were dozens of comments left here at the T4G and the conversation was all over the place in the blogosphere.

Two notes before I make a few remarks. First, as I was preparing to post tonight, I think I noticed new formatting for the T4G site going up. Looks good. Way to go team. Second, I plan to start blogging through our T4G statement to give some context to it. Hope you, C.J. and Al will join me.

Now, as to the issue of younger conservative evangelicalism and complementarianism, I think your observations are spot on - though I want to point out that guys like Harry Reeder, Kent Hughes and Ray Ortlund (who were in that meeting and who are over 50) have led brilliantly and faithfully in the whole area of biblical manhood and womanhood, not to mention our own dear C.J. who has been on this issue like white on rice for years. Once again, C.J. shows his world-class discernment!

Allow me to reiterate a few points you made, as a public expression of solidarity, and to explain why I think this is so important, and warranted inclusion in our T4G statement.

One, the denial of complementarianism undermines the church's practical embrace of the authority of Scripture (thus eventually and inevitably harming the church's witness to the Gospel). The gymnastics required to get from "I do not allow a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man," in the Bible, to "I do allow a woman to teach and to exercise authority over a man" in the actual practice of the local church, are devastating to the functional authority of the Scripture in the life of the people of God.

By the way, this is one reason why I think we just don't see many strongly inerrantist-egalitarians (meaning: those who hold unwaveringly to inerrancy and also to egalitarianism) in the younger generation of evangelicalism. Many if not most evangelical egalitarians today have significant qualms about inerrancy, and are embracing things like trajectory hermeneutics, etc. to justify their positions. Inerrancy or egalitarianism, one or the other, eventually wins out.

Two, and following on the first point, the church's confidence in the clarity of Scripture in undermined, because if you can get egalitarianism from the Bible, you can get anything from the Bible. Paul may be excruciating to read aloud and hear read in a dominant feminist culture, but he's not obscure in his position! In 1 Timothy 2:11-12 he says, "A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet." Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, we find the confirming parallel to this previous pronouncement: "The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says. If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church." These verses (and many others) are uncomfortably clear and certainly politically incorrect, and though some of us may be consoled by "exegesis" that shows that they don't really mean that women can't preach, teach, rule in the church, yet there remains this nagging feeling that such interpretive moves are the victory of present opinion over clear but unpopular biblical teaching. Cultural cooption of the church's reading of the Bible, robs the church's ability to speak prophetically to the culture and to live distinctively in the culture, which in turns undermines the church's Gospel witness.

Three, because the very ideal of equality championed by egalitarianism (whether secular or Christian) is a permutation of a particular strand of Enlightenment thought, and because this particular ideal of equality is actually alien to the biblical anthropology and ethic, whenever and wherever it is read into the text of Scripture and its principles are worked out consistently, there is a competition with a biblical view of manhood and womanhood. For instance, try to find this view of equality in Genesis 1 - it's just not there. Consequently, commitment to evangelical egalitarianism opens the door for two competing but incompatible ethical norms and ideals within the individual, family and church. If the egalitarian impulse wins out, the church is compromised precisely at the point where paganism is assaulting the church today. For, as Peter Jones has brilliantly demonstrated, paganism wants to get rid of Christian monotheism by getting rid of the Creator-creature distinction. And one way paganism likes to do that is through gender confusion. Hence, the bi-sexual shaman, the sacred feminine, goddess worship, etc. Paganism understands that one of the best ways to prepare the way for pagan polytheistic monism over against the transcendent Creator God of the Bible is to undermine that God's image in the distinctiveness of male and female, and in the picture of Christ and the church in marital role distinctions, and in the male eldership of the church. Egalitarianism is just not equipped for that fight, and in fact simply capitulates to it.

Four, when the biblical distinctions of maleness and femaleness are denied, Christian discipleship is seriously damaged because there can be no talk of cultivating distinctively masculine Christian virtue or feminine Christian virtue. Yes, there are many Christian ethical norms that are equally directed and applicable to male and female disciples, but there are also many ethical directives in the NT enjoined distinctly upon Christian men as men and Christian women as women. Furthermore, the NT (and the Bible as a whole) recognizes that men and women are uniquely vulnerable to different kinds of temptations, and thus need gender-specific encouragement in battling against them in the course of Christian discipleship. Evangelical egalitarianism, fearful as it is that any acknowledged difference between men and women could set the stage for inequality of role or status, is utterly unprepared to help the believer with these distinctive commands or temptations. Egalitarian discipleship of Christian men and women has, then, an inherent androgynous bias. But that is not how God made us. He made us male and female. Thus Paul warns Christian men against the soul-peril of "effeminacy" without in any way criticizing (and, indeed, admiring and encouraging) the "femininity" of women. We need masculine male Christians and feminine female Christians, and that kind of discipleship requires an understanding of and commitment to complementarianism. Hence, denial of complementarianism compromises Gospel discipleship.

For these reasons and more, Mark, I think we were right to "deny that any church can confuse these issues without damaging its witness to the Gospel." But we'll have a chance to say more on this later.

Mark and Al, I am looking forward to our time together tomorrow night. Lig, it won’t be the same without you, my friend, but I am glad you can join us by phone later in the evening. I’m sure our conversation will prove to be edifying and exhausting (from laughing and staying up late).

The reason Mark, Al and I will be together in Louisville is because we are speaking at the New Attitude conference, led by my favorite Senior Pastor, Joshua Harris. This event equips college students with the gospel. As I play the back nine of life, few things bring me more joy than to see the next generation passionate about the gospel and the local church.

And speaking of joy, I just now glanced at a Spurgeon quote displayed on my desk. It’s my daily reminder about the importance and priority of joy:

“Moreover, labor is easy to those of a cheerful spirit; success waits on cheerfulness. The ones who work while rejoicing in God and believing with all their hearts have success guaranteed.”

My challenge each day is not so much working hard, but cheerfully working hard.  If I understand Scripture accurately, I will not glorify God simply by working hard. To truly bring Him honor, I must labor with a cheerful spirit. Therefore, I must not only serve my family each day, but I must serve them with joy. I must not only prepare a sermon, I must do it cheerfully. I must not only labor faithfully in the church, I must do so happily.  Merely working hard is not sufficient. It must be done with gladness.  It is for my good and His glory that God has given this sweet command, ‘Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psalm 100:2).

So, Mark and Al, thanks for gladly serving at this conference. Lig, Mark will be teaching a session on Biblical Theology (“The Story: Understanding the Storyline of the Bible”), and Al will be addressing “Cultural Discernment from a Biblical Worldview.” I have the privilege of speaking on “The Cross: A Meditation on Jesus’ Atoning Death (Isa. 53).” Again, Lig, you will be missed, but I respect you for joyfully serving the local church you love.

Mark, your encouragement in your most recent post (Mahaney as Bunyan) is very kind, very meaningful and very humbling, my friend. I want to communicate how deeply grateful to God I am for the education you have pursued and the difference this has made in my life. The theological training you have received and the hard work you have invested in the study of God’s Word has been a gift to all of us who learn so much from you. And I sure hope you are enjoying all the encouragement and fruit from the T4G conference. That conference was the fruit of your leadership and your heart to serve pastors. You were the one who brought the four of us together for the gospel. And you were the one who led us in this unique and memorable conference. I trust you feel our deep gratefulness.  Be assured that I am praying for you as you serve the church in Australia and as you endure an abscessed tooth. I am sorry that you will be welcomed home with a root canal, but I look forward to our time together when you return.

Lig, that was a great post on T4G Hopes. But I am still waiting for your answer to my question “What is the gospel?” my friend. In addition to your outstanding message at the T4G conference (best I’ve heard on the topic), your rap with your brother John—and I am completely serious—was an example of your winsome humility. Thanks for your example and the enduring memory. Years from now, when we are working hard to even recall the messages from the conference, your reformed rap performance will remain a vivid memory for us all.

Al, thank you for serving Covenant Life Church (the church I love the most) and my favorite Senior Pastor, Joshua Harris, so effectively this past Sunday. According to everyone I have talked to, your message, “The Bible, The DaVinci Code and the Christian” was simply outstanding. This message is yet another example of the cultural discernment you provided in your superb sermon at T4G. What a unique gift you are to the church. And our time together on Monday at Bertram’s Inkwell and lunch was a pure blast, my friend. While I wish I could have been there for your message Sunday, I had the privilege and joy of speaking at Bethlehem Baptist Church for our friend John Piper while he is on a writing sabbatical.  And I would appreciate the support of you guys in prayer as I have that privilege and joy again this weekend.

But before I leave for Minneapolis, I wanted to express my gratefulness for friends and leaders like you men. What a gift you are to me and so many.

“How can we thank God enough for you, in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” 1 Thessalonians 3:9

Since my return from Together for the Gospel, I have been asked the following question countless times: “So, how was the conference?” And each time I have paused, trying to craft an appropriate description. I’ve found it to be a difficult task. Normally, I just end up repeating the words “extraordinary” and “unforgettable.” I doubt this proves particularly helpful, but I don’t know what else to say. For me the conference was, well, “extraordinary and unforgettable.” God’s grace was richly present among us at every moment.

Your encouragement has been so meaningful to Mark, Al, Lig, and myself. You men have buried us under an avalanche of e-mails and letters sincerely and specifically communicating your gratefulness for the conference. The evidences of God’s grace you describe seem to be endless, and I often find tears filling my eyes as I read your comments. We simply cannot thank you enough for your expressions of gratefulness. To know that God enabled us to effectively serve you brings some serious joy to our souls. I only wish I could look each of you in the eye and say “thanks.” With deep gratefulness in our hearts we ascribe all glory to God for what took place. As the Psalmist says, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (118:23).

On Thursday evening I had the privilege of introducing John Piper. I asked for the assistance of Jonathan Edwards in this task. Here is how Edwards encouraged his church to view “faithful ministers of the gospel:”

“Useful men are some of the greatest blessings of a people. To have many such is more for a people’s happiness than almost anything, unless it be God’s own gracious, spiritual presence amongst them: they are precious gifts of heaven…Particularly, I would beseech and exhort those aged ones that yet remain, while they do live with us, to let us have much of their prayers, that when they leave the younger generations, they may leave God with them.”

These words are not only an appropriate introduction of John Piper, these words are an accurate description of the many pastors in attendance at T4G. You men are “some of the greatest blessings of a people.” You “are precious gifts of heaven.” And you are doing the most important and difficult work. For you daily care for the saints “[Christ] obtained with his own blood (Acts 20:28).” You “leave God with them” each week as you preach, counsel and serve the church. And one day “when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory” (I Peter 5:4).

You men are our heroes. And it was a pure privilege and joy to be with you and serve you during those few extraordinary and unforgettable days together for the gospel.

Greetings all, and welcome to Louisville.  For those of you who are here, welcome in person.  For those unable to attend "Together for the Gospel," we hope you will be with us in prayer.  We are so encouraged to see so many pastors arriving here. 

Here's a personal request from the Louisvillian among the T4TG Band of Brothers:  Please leave a good impression for the Gospel by your presence here.  Be kind to all, including the waiters and waitresses, hotel staff, and others.  We should be ashamed, brothers, to know that service personnel often cringe to see pastors arrive.  Thank you in advance for your good witness through kindness.

Our hope is that you will all be fed, strengthened, challenged, and encouraged by your time at T4TG.  We are expecting great days together.

A couple of short notes:

[1]  Mark, what did you get, the world's dinkiest iPod?  You have listed a paltry selection of (very fine) classical music.  Get with it.  Where is Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," Mozart's 'Requiem" and "Jupiter," Gorecki's Third Symphony ("Sorrowful Songs") or anything by Biber or Gabrielli?  Where is Haydn's "Creation," Handel's "Judas Maccabaeus" or Bach's magnificent organ music?  Beethoven's Sixth Symphony?  Handel's "Saul?"  That poor iPod cries out for these and so much more.  Feed it, lest it die of embarrassment.

[2]  CJ, at my Weblog today I posted a series of links to maps detailing the concentration of Christian denominations (and other groups) across the United States.  Here is the link to my posting.  Here, for example, is the map of Baptists in the U.S., who have congregated together in a clump, and here are the Presbyterians, who were predestined to be more evenly dispersed.  Where are the Sovereign Grace churches?  I want a map.  Get your people right on this.

"I think that the priority for every pastoral leader must be his own personal time with God over the Scriptures, and anything he does by way of preparation must flow out of that. The first requirement for authoritative, perceptive communication of the word of God is that you yourself should be experiencing the power of it. The Puritan John Owen said, 'A man only preaches that sermon well which first preaches itself in his own soul.' He was profoundly right." J.I. Packer

A while back I promised a post on how to develop a plan for reading and study. We’ve been covering a variety of topics on this blog, but I didn’t forget my promise. I hope this brief post proves helpful.

If you haven’t already read all the great posts on this topic--provided by Lig (his series might still be going), Mark and Al--please make time to peruse this material. And if you’ve already read it, let me encourage you to review it again. You will be freshly inspired by the content and discouraged by all you’ve forgotten.

It’s important to read these posts again, because if you don’t have a conviction about the importance of study, talking about a plan would be premature. Let the following words by Charles Bridges create a renewed conviction about the importance of studying Scripture--not simply because we are pastors, but because we are Christians:

“For if we should study the Bible more as ministers than as Christians, more to find matter for the instruction of our people than food for the nourishment of our own souls, we neglect to place ourselves at the feet of our divine teacher, our communion with him is cut off and we become mere formalists in our sacred profession.”

May God protect us from becoming “mere formalists in our sacred profession.”

So, do you have a plan for reading and study? Do you have a plan for each week, each month and each year? If not, your good intentions will be hijacked by the urgent and issues of secondary importance. You will look busy and maybe even feel productive, but eventually there will be a withering effect on your soul and in your preaching. But this doesn’t have to happen. It’s not inevitable, unless, of course, you don’t have a plan.

Here is what I recommend. Before your week attacks you (and each week will do this), attack your week. Spend time at the beginning of each week determining when and how long you need to read and study in order to cultivate passion for the Savior and prepare the sermon for Sunday. This simple practice can make all the difference. It has for me.

This practice protects my time of study from the many requests that come up each week. Because I have already determined what is most important, it is easier to decline or reschedule a request if it interferes with reading and study. Obviously, however, there will be emergencies and exceptions.

I would also recommend informing the church of your divinely prescribed mandate to study. This will help your people to understand this is a biblical priority for you as their pastor, and not simply a personal preference. Explain why you devote yourself to this task and how they will ultimately benefit. And ask them to pray for you as you devote yourself to the study of Scripture in service of the church.

So how much time should you devote to reading and studying each week, month or year? Lots! Actually, I can’t answer that question for you. You must work hard and seek counsel to come up with your own custom-designed plan. If you don’t know how or where to start, check out John Stott’s time allotments for study (apart from sermon preparation), which he has followed for many years:

One hour a day
One 3 hour period a week
One day every month
One week every year

This plan sure seems to have worked well for Mr. Stott.

Now, let me conclude with one personal recommendation. I encourage pastors to take two 3-day retreats each year for the purpose of reading, study, praying and planning. Put these dates on the calendar before the year begins. I have found that this unhurried time away from the daily routine of ministry refreshes my soul and makes all the difference in my leadership. I believe it will have the same affect on you. I would however, not recommend taking a retreat in March. The temptation to watch college basketball is too distracting. So take your retreat in a month where there is no Madness!

Thanks Al for a great post on the Gospel (and don't you love C.J.'s answer to his own questions?!), and for pointing us to Mark's important article on the atonement. Thanks Mark for the Spurgeon quote.

I quoted John Piper yesterday, during the morning services (from his Easter sermon in 2000). It's a great example of a Gospel response to the power of Christ's resurrection. John tells the story of Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards - two elderly missionaries who had just then died in Cameroon in a car accident. John says: "Ruby [was] in her eighties and Laura in her seventies. Ruby gave all her life in medical missions among the poor. Laura, a doctor who practiced in India for many years and then here in the Cities, was giving her retirement for the bodies and the souls of the poor in Cameroon. Both died suddenly when their car went over a cliff."

John then asks: "Was that a tragedy? Well, in one sense all death is tragic."

The following is John's answer:

Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards, at their age, could have been taking it easy here in retirement. Think of tens of thousands of retired people spending their lives in one aimless leisure after another - that is a tragedy. The fact that Jesus Christ took authority to make Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards valiant for love and truth among the poor and lost and diseased of Cameroon when most Americans are playing their way into eternity - that is not tragedy. And that he took them suddenly to heaven in their old age in the very moment of their love and service and sacrifice, and without long, drawn-out illnesses and without protracted and oppressive feelings of uselessness - that is not a tragedy. Rather, I say, "Give me that death, O Jesus Christ, Lord of the universe, give me that life and that ministry and that death!"

This is why Jesus came. This is why he was crucified. This is why he rose from the dead with all authority and promised to be with us to the end of the age - to create a people whose sins are forgiven, and whose hearts are full of the love of God, and who are so emboldened by the triumphant Christ, that they spend their lives with risk and sacrifice and love to help others know and enjoy the greatness of Christ forever and ever.

Is this not what you were made for? Is there not something in your own soul that witnesses to you that this is true and worthy of full acceptance?

Al, thanks for recommending Mark's article on the atonement in Christianity Today and commending Mark for this article. I couldn't agree more. And thanks for your fine post on the meaning of the gospel.

In case you guys didn't know, Mark's latest book, The Message of the Old Testament: Promises Made, was just published by Crossway. It is a must-have for every pastor's library, and it is outstanding. Not to mention, it is only 959 pages in length.

This book comes with some serious endorsements. Check out the following:

"This book is a landmark in the history of Bible expostion--a homiletical tour de force." Phil Ryken

"Mark Dever's one-sermon whole-Bible-book overviews are a treasure trove for preachers, Bible teachers and growing Christians." Ligon Duncan

"Mark Dever has done the Christian community a great service in publishing these sermons." David Peterson

"This is a bold project, some might say foolhardy, but Mark Dever has brilliantly succeeded." Vaughn Roberts

"In a day of worrisome biblical illiteracy, even among Christians, there is a pressing need for books that give the big picture and provide surefooted guides for negotiating the Bible's vast and subtle territory. To produce such a book is no easy task, yet that is what Dr. Dever has done." Carl Trueman

"Once again, this Duke graduate makes the university and the basketball team proud." Coach K

And the endorsements just go on and on, as they should for this book. Although the endorsement by Coach K cannot be verified.

Mark, thanks for all your hard work over the years preparing this material. Thanks for your compelling example in the pulpit by preaching this material. And thanks for providing pastors and Christians with this material.

C.J., what a great post! Dripping with helpfulness and insight. Thanks.

Al, no, it's not clerical garb, which I don't wear(!) [though I do don a plain, black, Geneva gown on Sunday morning - but that is utterly bereft of liturgical symbolism, and is merely the dress of a teacher of the Word, from Reformation times], it's just an orange, short-sleeve shirt,buttoned to the top, and my accompanying conference name-tag. Had to wear orange - I was lecturing on "Is the Reformation Over?" Didn't want to be unclear in my sympathies.

Mark, Twin Lakes was wonderful. Paul Curtis did a fine job representing 9Marks - and I loved the new 9Marks video. Excellent. Professor David F. Wells (of Gordon-Conwell) did a brilliant overview of "Above All Earthly Pow'rs." Professor Douglas F. Kelly (of RTS Charlotte) preached our opening sermon on "Christian Worship Overthrows Satan" - a glorious exposition of ordinary means of grace ministry and the confidence we have in God's use of his appointed means. C.J., you will love this sermon! Pastor Mike Campbell of Redeemer Church here in Jackson preached on "Christ-centered Leadership" from John 13 (some of you may know that he preached with much blessing at Bethlehem Baptist Church at the DGM Pastor's Conference this year) - it was simply glorious. Pastor Terry Johnson (of the Independent Presbyterian Church in Savannah - which, btw, has one of the most beautiful meeting houses in all of Christendom) gave a brilliant paper on the importance of reading the Scripture in public worship (a practice now almost lost in evangelicalism, except for a a few perfunctory verses that serve as the pastor's jumping off point). R.C. Sproul preached a powerful message on the Eclipse of God. And Derek Thomas (of RTS, ref21, etc) singed our hairs with a bold word from Mark 10:17-31 and the Rich Young Ruler, asking if we are really faithfully following Jesus' example in evangelism - or would we do anything to get the Rich Young Ruler into our churches. CDs and DVDs are available.

More on the Gospel soon. Counting the days until T4G.

C.J. and the T4G crew. Please forgive my non-response to your great questions. I've been buried under some pastoral issues here of late. C.J., your question is crucial - literally - and I really want to give a helpful response. Perhaps by Monday.

Meanwhile, feast on this insight from Bishop J.C. Ryle on true heart religion:

What is the first thing we need, in order to be Christians? A new heart. — What is the sacrifice God asks us to bring to Him? A broken and a contrite heart. — What is the true circumcision? The circumcision of the heart. — What is genuine obedience? To obey from the heart. — What is saving faith? To believe with the heart. — Where ought Christ to dwell? To dwell in our hearts by faith. — What is the chief request that Wisdom makes to everyone? "My son, give me thine heart."

Mark, I’m glad you asked who we are thanking God for today. I’m sure each of us has a very long list of those we simply cannot thank God enough for (1 Thess. 3:9), beginning with our wives.

Today is my son Chad’s 13th birthday and I am thanking God for my special boy. Chad, thank you, my son, for all the joy you bring to me. Thank you for the way you love the Savior, honor your parents, care for your family and serve the church. No father could be more pleased with his son. I love you with all my heart!

If you are wondering where everyone is today and what they are doing, here is my best guess:

Mark is in Cambridge, England, and you can be sure he's not thinking about March Madness.

Wherever Al is right now, he is doing at least 5 things at once and doing them all equally well. Don't even think about trying this. Mere mortals cannot do this.

Lig is no doubt leading a meeting somewhere (although he is thinking about March Madness). And no one leads a meeting more effectively than Lig, which is why Lig is the president of 16 different Christian ministries and counting.

And me, well, I am just happy as can be, because Duke lost last night.

On a serious note, let me take this opportunity to thank all the readers of our blog for your encouraging comments. Although we can’t respond to all of the comments (thanks for your understanding), we do read each one and your encouragement has been very meaningful.

In light of recent posts I’ve written for fathers and sons, there have been requests for similar practical advice for fathers and daughters. My wife, Carolyn, and oldest daughter, Nicole, wrote a book entitled Girl Talk: Mother-Daughter Conversations on Biblical Womanhood, and they asked me to address a chapter to fathers and daughters. If you are interested in reading this “Word to Fathers,” simply click here. I hope it’s helpful.

Did I mention that Duke lost? Oh happy day!

LSU 62-Duke 54

Lig, you are a rare combination of pastor, scholar and athlete, with a broad knowledge of sports. What a detailed forecast of tournament play you have provided for us! We are a unique full-service blog, are we not? Where else can you read conversations about the gospel interrupted by insightful predictions about the NCAA men’s basketball tournament?

Now, before I reveal my final four, I think it is important for me to state that I have not employed the gifts of the Spirit in the process of determining my picks. That wouldn’t be fair to my cessationist friends. So, my predictions are solely the result of my observation and not the fruit of the Spirit’s unique influence. The following picks were finalized before the tournament began:

• Boston College
• UCLA
• Connecticut
• I can’t bring myself to type the name of this last school. Let’s just say, I won’t ever buy a Chevy.

And I am predicting, right here and now on the T4G blog, that Boston College will win it all. Now, Lig, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that is a stupid pick. (Although, you wouldn't say this, because you are a humble and kind man.)

I understand your thinking. This is a stupid pick, or at least it appears to be. But look, any fool can pick UConn or that other team with the coach selling cars during commercials (Can anyone say, “Unfair recruiting advantage”?). But, if you go crazy and pick Boston College and they win, well, you look like a genius. So that’s my strategy. Actually, I just want any school to win other than the one school I don’t want to win. And even though I have tried again, I simply cannot bring my fingers to type out the name of this school.

Finally, in the interest of full disclosure, let me inform you that I’m in 7th place (out of nine) in my own family pool. My oldest daughter, Nicole, knows nothing about basketball, but she picked George Mason because she lives in Fairfax, Virginia and Georgetown because it is close by. My wife, Carolyn, is ahead of me because she picked Florida where she grew up and West Virginia because we have vacationed there. So, it appears to me that those with little or no knowledge of basketball have an advantage over those of us with a vast knowledge of the game. That is just another reason why it is appropriately called March Madness.

C.J., thanks for your great post on Sunday preparation, reminded me of M’Cheyne's words "A well-spent sabbath we feel to be a day of heaven upon earth . . . we love to rise early on that morning, and to sit up late, that we may have a long day with God" and also of Baxter's "What fitter day to ascend to heaven, than that on which He arose from earth, and fully triumphed over death and hell. Use your Sabbaths as steps to glory, till you have passed them all, and are there arrived."

I have delighted to see how droves of people have responded with appreciation to your posts (yes, we read all of the comments!). Now, in this post, I am responding obediently to your call for Final Four predictions (although this seems a precarious exercise for two athletically-challenged Southern Baptists and an increasingly pudgy Presbyterian). To engage you in the area of College hoops, given your knowledge, experience, skills and extraordinary gifting would seem to put us at a significant disadvantage!

Nevertheless, in the spirit of rushing in anyway, I offer the following. Much as I hate to admit it (because I'm an ACC guy, not a Big East guy), UConn and Villanova are proabably the two best teams in College BB (though UConn has yet to play a full game) this year.

However ‘Nova will lose to BC in their Regional bracket (why? because the ACC needs them too!). But FLORIDA will go to the Final Four after dispatching Georgetown and BC. That's a pick for our good friend, Randy Stinson, Executive Director of CBMW, who is a Gator.

Yep, Mark, I follow a similar approach in order to prepare Chad for the Sunday meeting at Covenant Life Church, only this event is much more important than basketball. Actually, as I understand it, parenting is all about preparation. I need to prepare Chad to fulfill his call as a man to serve and lead, and ultimately I must prepare him for the fast-approaching day of judgment.

My approach to preparing Chad for the Sunday meeting has been informed by the doctrine of the church as clearly taught in Scripture and the Savior’s love for the church as compelling demonstrated on the cross. I want to inform my son theologically about the church and demonstrate for him a passion for the church. I want to transfer to him my love for Covenant Life Church in particular.

Imparting a love for the church must begin with my example. Modeling precedes teaching. Before we teach, we must provide a genuine (not a perfect) example for our children. So, in order to effectively prepare Chad for Sunday, I must first prepare my own heart.

I build anticipation for Sunday by statements I make about Sunday. For many years I have referred to Sunday as my favorite day of the week. And I love Spurgeon’s description of the church as “the dearest place on earth.” That’s how I feel about CLC. So, as Sunday approaches, and finally arrives, I talk to Chad (and everyone else I come in contact with) about how Sunday is the best day of the week, when we go to the dearest place on earth.

Covenant Life Church on Sunday is also the happiest place on earth. There should be no happier gathering than the one where we are reminded of the Savior’s substitutionary sacrifice on the cross, where He satisfied the righteous wrath of God and secured our forgiveness and justification. Thus, preparing Chad for the Sunday meeting begins first in my heart and with my example. But there are certain grace-motivated practices I seek to model for Chad and inspire him to emulate each Sunday. The following would be a sampling:

• Greeting--I want Chad to serve others by cheerfully greeting them. This also helps him put to death selfishness and overcome the fear of man.

• Serving--Chad’s love for the church will grow as he serves in the church. At present, he serves on the children’s ministry administrative team, and together we hand out bulletins and greet folks as they arrive on Sunday.

• Encouraging--I want Chad to take special note of the army of folks joyfully serving each Sunday and express his appreciation to them. The Savior defines true greatness as humbly serving others for the glory of God. True greatness in the form of humility and servanthood is on display each Sunday at CLC, and I want Chad to discern and acknowledge true greatness. So, each Sunday I help Chad to be intentional about thanking folks for the different ways they serve. And I have him encourage whoever has preached that day. Yesterday, he thanked and encouraged Joshua Harris (my favorite Senior Pastor) for the outstanding message he preached from Luke 15.

• Singing--I want Chad to sing sincerely and passionately during worship. Singing is an appropriate response to the Savior for His amazing grace. Through singing, Chad is loving God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. A parent can discern a lot about their child’s heart by the presence or absence of participation and passion in worship.

• Learning--I believe in the importance of hearing expository preaching as a primary means of grace for the Christian. The preaching event must be a priority for our children. Therefore, listening carefully and responding appropriately to the sermon is very important. Both Chad and I take notes during the sermon. This helps us to listen carefully and is invaluable as we review the sermon together during the week. Yesterday, Chad told me he took seven pages of notes on Joshua’s sermon (his notebook paper is small). 

So this is what I do. I’m not suggesting you have to do the same thing, but every father must do something to prepare their sons (and daughters) for Sunday. Please don’t think that preparing my son for the Sunday meeting takes a lengthy period of time. It does not. Since we have discussed these practices at length, many times, I am able to remind him in just a few minutes. He is quite familiar with the question: “Chad, how are you and Dad going to please and glorify God at the meeting this morning?” This brief conversation can make all the difference in both our lives that day.

Before I conclude, I must mention the importance of review after the Sunday meeting. If all we do is prepare our children without review, there will be minimal application and therefore little effect. So, Chad and I have multiple conversations about the Sunday meeting throughout the week. It usually begins on the car-ride home, and is normally a part of the time we spend together each Monday afternoon. Monday is my day off, and Monday afternoon Chad and I hang out together. Unhurried conversation on a wide variety of topics is a part of this time, and we often review our experience of the Sunday meeting. If not during this time, we’ll go over the Sunday meeting when we have devotions together during the week. Much of my review with Chad involves encouraging him and celebrating how he has applied truth to his life. Discerning and celebrating evidences of grace in Chad’s life is a daily priority and practice for me as his father. I want my son to experience my affection and hear my encouragement each and every day.

Now this has gone on way too long and you shouldn’t have to devote an entire day to reading my post. But there is one more point I must make, so please hear me out. I am not an expert on fathering. Daily I am reminded of my weakness and sin, and I often need to ask for my son’s forgiveness. I am a fellow sinner and address all fathers from that perspective. And ultimately my confidence is not in my fathering skill or the aforementioned practices. My confidence is in God’s grace and His eagerness to reveal the gospel of grace to my son. Left to myself, I am in way over my head as a father. But God hasn’t left me to myself. He has called me to this holy task. He has given Chad to me as a gift and a holy assignment. Chad needs to be trained and I need to be sanctified. And God has promised to do both by His grace and for His glory.

My friends, I think we have a moral obligation to publicly reveal our picks for the final four as well as which team we think will win it all.

Mark, I’m assuming you have Cambridge winning it all, but this isn’t rowing, my friend. And Al, these can’t be Mary’s picks; they must be your picks. I had a friend suggest that if you didn’t have any help from a knowledgeable fan your final four picks would be Harvard, Stanford, Oxford and Cambridge. And did you guys know that Lig conveniently scheduled minor surgery (surgery is minor only when it’s not you) for last week? You’ve got to admire a man who knows the optimal time of year for surgery. March is always the best time for a medical procedure, followed by extensive recovery time watching the madness.

Here’s the rule. Your picks have to appear by Thursday noon or they won’t be recognized.

So, who ya got?

Oh, I almost forgot--Al and Lig, given all your titles and positions, can’t you get us tickets to the final four? I’m questioning your actual influence if you can’t deliver tickets.

Thanks for the post on the CHBC Weekender, Mark, and for your reiterated invitation to me to tell folks about the Twin Lakes Fellowship. I had some surgery on Wednesday of this week, so have been out of the loop in terms of posting though I have checked the T4G blog regularly.

The Twin Lakes Fellowship is a ministerial fraternal for kingdom extension. We want to encourage church health and growth by commending the "ordinary means of grace." This year (April 4-6 in Florence, MS, at our church's conference center) we are delighted to have David F. Wells (doing an overview of his Above All Earthly Pow'rs and particpating in a roundtable discussion), R.C. Sproul, Mike Campbell (who preached for John Piper's conference this year), Doug Kelly, Derek Thomas, Terry Johnson, and more speaking at the TLF.

The Twin Lakes Fellowship was established about eight years ago by the elders of the First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS (and receives support and oversight from several other PCA sessions and ministers in Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and South Carolina). This fellowship is designed to pursue a twofold purpose: (1) to encourage ministers and churches to promote the work of church planting through their local congregations and (2) to encourage ministers in their personal growth in grace, so as to maximize their effectiveness in promoting the work of the Gospel.

If I might express it another way, the Twin Lakes Fellowship aims to be an American version of the Crieff Brotherhood in Scotland, except with a specific, positive ministry focus: to encourage church planting through a variety of specific, practical means. The purpose of the Twin Lakes Fellowship is thus positive and Spiritual. It is also unique, in that it is concerned to promote some sense of common ministerial bonhomie, and renew our energy for historic Reformed theology and ministry.

How exactly do with aim both to encourage church planting and to encourage ministers? Well, for example, consider the following. As we gather annually, we attempt (on the church planting side): (1) to promote a heart for evangelism and church-planting among ministers through emphasis, exhortation and example; (2) to encourage some gifted pastors to consider becoming church planters themselves; (3) to encourage gifted seminarians to consider becoming church planters; (4) to encourage an ordinary means of grace approach in the Gospel ministry of church plants/ers; (5) to bring church planters into direct contact with ministers and elders from potential support churches; to church planters themselves opportunities to report, appeal and instruct, as well as to encourage them in their labors; (6) to bring potential church planters into direct contact with ministers and elders who are looking for church planters for specific works; (7) to bring missionary church planters into direct contact with ministers and elders from potential support churches; generally there will be one missionary church planting ministry represented and the rest will be North American church planting; (8) to address practical issues regarding the export of historic reformed theology and church life in a postmodern, multicultural and pluralistic society. (9) to hear from denominational servants and various presbytery spokesmen about church planting strategies and opportunities; and (10) to produce and disseminate literature and resources (books, pamphlets, video, audio, email list and distribution, and internet-available material) to foster church health and growth in the work of church planting.

On the ministerial encouragement side, we attempt: (1) to refresh ministers and glorify God through worship and the ministry of the word; (2) to promote a Gospel brotherhood in the work of Christian ministry through fellowship; (3) to encourage disheartened brethren; (4) to introduce to one another committed men with a shared theological vision; (5) to provide for a time of relaxation and recreation for servants of the Lord; (6) to encourage a pan-Reformed brotherhood by inviting like-minded men from various presbyterian and reformed backgrounds and denominations, both from the region and nation and from around the world; (7) to network with other bodies and organizations for mutual edification, encouragement and stimulation (like 9 Marks); (8) to address at least one critical theological issue per annum, via lecture and discussion, that is impacting the reformed and evangelical community; and (9) to promote theological ministry commitments which are biblical and reflective of solid Reformed convictions.

I have been worried about C.J.'s obsession with Duke basketball.  I am worried that he is more happy for Duke to lose than for his beloved Maryland to win.  This is neither good nor godly.  What can explain it?

Maybe I have found the answer -- fear of the Devil.  It must be Duke's mascot theme, the Blue Devils.  Perhaps C.J. is just like Martin Luther, ready to expose the Devil and his nefarious ways, his evil deeds, and his conspiracy to rob God of His glory.  I am comforted by this thought of my brother, waging a war of wills against the Evil One -- a war extended to any athletic team that would claim his name, wear his imagined image, and cheer his victory.  Maybe this is all about theology.

If so, C.J. can take courage from Luther, who knew how to oppose the Devil.  Consider these statements from our German brother:

The devil, too, can quote Scripture and deceive men with it.  But his use of Scripture is defective.  He does not quote it completely but only so much as it serves his purpose.  The rest he silently omits. [LW 52:175]

_________

At all hours the devil is seeking to kill us all.  After you have been baptized, he will not let you have any rest.  If he could kill you in your mother's body, he would do it.  He is not satisfied to let us have one kernel of grain on the field, one fish or piece of bread, or anything good. Far less does he spare us who are exposing his shame, who rebuke him to his face, and preach what we should -- God's grace and the works of the devil. He would now rather break my neck than let me stand here and preach and storm his kingdom.  [LW, 33:408]

Martin Luther said much more about the devil, of course, and about devils too (many of these statements are not for the faint-hearted or the olefactory-sensitive).  Luther even spoke of "white" devils who appear beautiful in their deception, though I can find no Luther references to devils in any shade of blue.   

But, maybe for C.J this is really about resisting the devil and all who would serve him.  Maybe its really about theology.  Then again, maybe not.   

Lig, your care and comfort at this difficult time are much appreciated. I didn’t expect Maryland to be invited to the big dance and they didn’t deserve to be invited (neither did Air Force, George Mason or 4 teams from the Missouri Valley Conference). Maryland fans will comfort themselves with memories of our national championship in 2002 as we anticipate the sweet news of a Duke loss in the tournament. Sunday night after the tournament selections were announced, Chad and I continued our tradition of going out to a local restaurant and filling out our brackets together. I have Duke losing in every round. Thursday can’t come fast enough. Let the madness begin!

I will do my best to provide some answers to your excellent questions about fathers and sons and sports. It is certainly an area I have given some thought and attention to, because of my love for sports and my son Chad’s participation in sports. My son is not only familiar with my love for sports, he is also aware of my idolatrous devotion to sports prior to my conversion. For me, participation in sports growing up was a means of self-exaltation. But I want my son to glorify God and not himself when he plays. So from a young age I have sought to protect him from emulating my past sinful example while building into his soul an appreciation for playing sports as a gift from God. I attempted to address this topic in chapter twelve of Humility: True Greatness.

Playing sports holds great potential for growth in godliness for our sons, but only if we as fathers lead our sons theologically and strategically. I fear that all too often our sons devote significant time to playing sports with little growth in godliness. Here is where the example and leadership of a father can make all the difference. It is our responsibility as fathers to teach and prepare our sons with biblical priorities prior to a game (or practice) and not to assume that we have fulfilled our fatherly responsibility simply by attending the game. And after the game, we should encourage and celebrate evidences of godliness and not primarily our sons’ athletic ability or achievements. Our priorities for our sons’ participation in sports must be theologically informed priorities rather than culturally celebrated priorities. Fathers who aren’t theologically informed are more impressed with athletic ability, statistics and final scores than they are biblical masculinity and godly character.

So, prior to each practice and game (Chad plays basketball and soccer) I have a conversation with my son about how he can glorify God. Here is a sampling of the biblical priorities and practices I review with him:

• Humbly receive correction from your coach and ask your coach how you can grow in character as well as athletic skill.

• Thank your coaches for the way they have served you. And thank the referees after each game.

• Encourage your teammates for their display of godly character and athletic skill--in that order of priority.

• Encourage your opponents during and after the game. If you knock someone over, extend your hand to help them up.

• Play the game passionately and unselfishly. Serve your team by playing aggressive defense [his father never did this] and passing the ball on offense [again, his father never did this].

• Humbly respond when the referee calls a foul on you. Do not complain or disagree in word or by facial expression [his father never did this].

• No inappropriate celebrating after you score; instead, recognize that others played a role [his father never did this].

• Thank the team manager for the way he served and recognize the humility and servanthood he is displaying each game. True greatness is sitting on the end of the bench.

There is nothing original or profound about this list. But helping my son apply it to his heart and life can make a profound difference. So after each game, I review the above list with my son. I go over the game with him and celebrate any and all expressions of humility and godly character. I tell him that this is more important to me than how many points he scored or whether his team won the game (although we do play to win!). Remember, fathers, what you honor and celebrate, your son will emulate. Therefore, we must celebrate godly character more than athletic ability or achievement.

This applies to watching a game as well. So as Chad and I watch the tournament, I will draw his attention to any evidence of humility or unselfishness I observe, as well as any expression of arrogance or selfishness. I will celebrate the former and ridicule the latter. I don’t just watch the game with Chad; I seize it as a teaching moment to equip him with discernment about true greatness in the eyes of God.

My passion for my son as he plays sports is that he would please and glorify God. I want him to grow in godliness, not simply athletic ability. You see, Chad will never play professional sports. His participation in sports is temporary and meant to be preparatory. Like his father, he will inevitably grow old and only be able to walk for recreation or play golf poorly. But, by the grace of God, sports can help him grow in godly character and prepare him for manhood. His participation in sports can equip him to fulfill his calling as a man to humbly and courageously serve and lead in the home, church and culture. But for that to happen, a father must teach his son to discern and adopt biblical priorities and practices while playing sports.

CJ, sorry about the Terps. But, hey, they got an NIT #1. Only a Duke loss will be able to assuage and console you now. Speaking of sports, why don't you share with us your wisdom on the following: How have you used sports to cultivate biblical masculinity in your son? Given our culture's propensity to unduly and inappropriately elevate sports figures, how have you helped your son cultivate discernment and guard against idolatry? What are some of the things you say to your son prior to his athletic events? What are some other pieces of advice you would give to fathers regarding sports and character development in their sons?

Mark, I just finished listening to your 9Marks interview with Carl Trueman - excellent! Folks you don't want to miss this one. It's entitled "Was the Reformation a Mistake?" on the 9Marks CD (though the conversation is actually significantly broader than that topic). Mark is the best theological interviewer in the English-speaking world, and puts Charlie Rose, Larry King, and Tim Russert in the shade, IMHO.

I’m here, Mark, but I’m a little distracted because March Madness has begun! I am very concerned Maryland will not be invited to the big dance, but I am looking forward to Duke losing in the tournament. I will be sure to let you know when that happens.

Hey, I experienced quite the surprise on Monday when Al called me to talk about college basketball. On the way home from the conference he read Last Dance, by John Feinstein. I was stunned. There is hope for Al, but I’m afraid I have no hope that you will develop even the slightest interest in sports. You are missing out big time, my friend, especially at this time of year. Luther would have loved March Madness.

There were a number of topics I considered posting on this week. I still intend to do a post about the importance of a plan for reading and study. But I must first add my voice to the reflections on last week’s Shepherd’s Conference--an extraordinary conference indeed. I would like to briefly draw attention to one of the pronounced evidences of God’s grace I observed.

John MacArthur, Dan Dumas, and the members of Grace Community Church put on a clinic in the art of serving. Though the preaching at the conference was outstanding, the example of servanthood (truly the fruit of expository preaching) was compelling. Every individual I encountered, from the first moment I arrived to my final moment at the conference, served with excellence--and not only excellence, but cheerfulness as well. The hundreds of members of Grace Community Church who took time off work in order to serve us were a compelling illustration and demonstration of the content of the preaching we heard. True greatness as biblically defined was on display each day of the conference. Sadly, in time, I will forget much of the excellent preaching I heard, but I will not forget the example of servanthood that I observed. I hope John, Dan, and the members of Grace Community Church feel our gratefulness and more importantly, God’s pleasure.

I do, however, have one recommendation for next year’s conference. Athletic events should be added to the schedule. Given that the overwhelming majority of the men who attend this conference are athletically inclined, there must be some way to make this a priority. How about a late night basketball tournament? This could take place from 11:00-12:00 each evening. Actually, I have already formed and finalized my team for next year’s tournament. The following guys have agreed to play on my team:

Ralph Drollinger
Joey Penberthy (And Joey’s brother, Mike, if he is back from Europe)
John MacArthur
Adam Bailies
Kurt Gebhards

These are my guys, and we will take on any other team that would like to be schooled and humbled at the conference. Of course, I issue this challenge in the spirit of servanthood and ultimately for the glory of God.

Finally, Mark, one of the unique joys for me at The Shepherd’s Conference was the time I spent hanging with and learning from you, Al and Lig. Being with you guys is exhilarating and exhausting. You seem to have another gear you shift into after all the meetings are over. At around 11pm, you get a burst of energy that carries you into the morning hours. And after a few hours of sleep, you guys do it all over again. I try to keep up, but never succeed. Even though it’s Friday and the conference ended last Saturday, I am still tired. But I love staying up late with you guys. You men work hard serving the Savior and His church. You personify 2 Timothy 2:15, and you do so with joy. And what a memory it was to be included in the panel Friday night and honored along with you men.

It was a blessing to be with John MacArthur and his team, and the good folks of Grace Community Church at this year's Shepherds' Conference. I have never been so well-taken care of in my life (thanks to Steve Hall to for carting me around everywhere!). The singing was marvelous. The spirit was joyous and encourgaing. I just wish I could have been there for more of the conference, and had had more time to spend with the brothers who were gathered there for this great pastoral confab.

Before some of the highlights slip my mind, I'll share them here:

* Dan Dumas is a genius at organization and a gracious host. Thanks so much friend for all you did and gave. I am your debtor.

* I was able to meet a colleague whom I have long admired but never met - Steve Lawson. What a dear, brave and godly servant of the Lord. Steve is just a few miles down the road in Mobile, and I hope to fellowship with him in days to come. BTW, I am now an unabashed fan of his wife Anne - who has been duly installed in my "Real Reformed Women's Hall of Fame" after hearing Steve speak about her, and meeting her for myself.

* R.C. Sproul brought his A-game and his message on Romans 1 on Friday night was powerful and timely.

* Al, Mark, CJ and yours truly - after a wonderful T4G dessert gathering on Friday night - were surprised to receive four handsome presentation pieces of Spurgeon (for CJ), Luther (for Al), Edwards (for Mark) and Calvin. How kind. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

* Al Mohler's Saturday morning talk was vintage Al. Densely packed exposition, deftly applied, which searching cultural analysis, engagement and critique. He just needed another hour!

* It was great to meet Phil Johnson in the flesh for the first time. Just wished we could have had more time to talk. He and my brother John got to have lunch on Saturday, I think.

* Seeing my brothers for a few moments. John and Mel both work for Ligonier Ministries. I even got to fly back from LA to Atlanta with my brother Mel, and walk to our next departure gate together. Fun.

* Staying up late talking with Mark, Al and CJ on Friday night. Can you say "more fun than a barrel full of monkeys"?

* Meeting Lance Quinn for this first time.