Bethlehem Conference for Pastors
Pray for this year’s Bethlehem Conference for Pastors which is already in progress (January 30th-February 1st). John Piper, who recently learned that he is suffering from prostate cancer, explains this year’s BCP focus upon pastoral suffering:
The theme for this year’s Bethlehem Conference for Pastors is How Must a Pastor Die? The Price of Caring Like Jesus. It says something about what I think the world needs from the Christian church. It isn’t the power of political influence. It is the power of being willing to take up our cross and suffer with Jesus on the Calvary Road. “If when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:20-22). I don’t think church-growth and church-planting seminars should wave the banner: “Come have fun working for Jesus,” but “Come discover the meaning of ‘sorrowful yet always rejoicing’ (2 Corinthians 6:10).”
This will be the first conference in four consecutive years that I’ve missed. I'm wishing I were there. Anyway, Piper’s biographical message should be superb this year. It is on William Tyndale who was martyred for his passion for the spread of God’s written word. So let us pray for these 1000+ pastors who have gathered to hear the call not to turn from suffering when it comes but to embrace it in the life-giving power of the gospel.
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Thank you for this call to prayer, Dan. The conference is going well and God is meeting us all in profound ways. There has been a remarkable spirit among the men this year, evidenced particulary in their singing and the packed prayer room. They are going hard after God! The teaching from Ajith Fernando and Michael Campbell was superb! And Piper on Tundale was nothing short of profound. The Spirit is brusing and binding all in one event.
Tomorrow is the last day. Pray especially for David Sitton, the Missions Speaker, who is not feeling well. He speaks tomorrow morning 8:30-10:30 CST. Pray that God would meet us powerfully in the time that remains. And pray that the refreshment in the Cross that these men have tasted would transfer to the hundreds of congregations they serve.
(Dan, you ARE missed this year.)