Pastors’ Conference Reflections: Satellite Buffalo and Two Sticks of Dynamite tagged: , ,

Pastors’ Conference Reflections: Satellite Buffalo and Two Sticks of Dynamite

Posted by in Baptist Life, IMPACT Features

Overall this may have been one of the best Pastors’ Conferences that I have ever had the privilege of attending.  The theme was drawn from Philippians 2:1, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose”. The conference was broken into the four parts found in the theme verse: same mind, same love, spirit, and purpose.  Almost all of the speakers were on theme (except for Chuck Colson and Mike Huckabee) and presented passionate appeals to unity within the convention.

My personal favorites were: #1 Francis Chan, #2 Johnny Hunt, #3 Ed Stetzer, #4 J.D. Greear, #5 David Platt, and #6 Tom Elliff.  These six are all worthy of your time. Go to the archives at www.sbc.net and watch them carefully.  Mac Brunson included in his sermon an illustration about the need to go out and include “satellite buffalo” which are the loners among us who hang out on the fringe. He makes a good enough point that I included his illustration in my title. The irony in Brunson’s message was that it seemed like he was shouting at us to be gentle and loving.  Don’t believe me—go to the convention archives at www.sbc.net and see for yourself.  The “Two Sticks of Dynamite” come from Hunt’s message about the need for God to perhaps use a couple of sticks of dynamite to blow up the beaver dam in our lives, our churches, and our denomination.  The dam is all of the little sins that we have allowed to compile.  The greatest moment in his message was when he boldly and honestly shared that the greatest need in the SBC is for repentance.

The conference closed with pastors flooding the area in front of the stage to ask for God to remove barriers to effective ministry.

If you are in Louisville or are watching on the internet, please share your impressions.