Just got back from our first "elder visit" of this fall schedule. What a great night, spent in meaningful and encouraging conversation with a young couple in our church.
I used to pray like mad that I would be able to visit like this, but it always seemed so difficult to make it happen. Now, I cannot imagine pastoral ministry without them.
I think I will blog more in the coming days on how we go about doing these visits. Tonight, I just wanted to whet the appetite of all you pastors out there! This is a good and necessary thing!
you are a modern day baxter! thanks for the inspiration! Looking forward to hearing more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul. This is one of the most difficult aspect of my ministry and I shall be looking forward to your insights.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Puddleglum
Fancy a pastoral visit to Southampton?
ReplyDeleteJason - A Baxter I am not! He was way more godly and way more organized than I could ever hope to be. But for all you readers out there, I do recommend his, "The Reformed Paster." It is not a book about "reformed theology." It is a book about humbling your pastoral pride (and the business of pastoral visitation). I try to read it at least once every 2-3 years.
ReplyDeletePuddleglum - I know what you mean about being difficult... I shall have more to say about that later.
Turncoat - If you fly me across the pond by burning up some of your 8.3 million frequent-flyer miles... I am there in a heartbeat!
Hey Paul,
ReplyDeleteI REALLY look forward to these posts. In fact, I requested that you post on this about six months ago! I need to hear some wisdom on how I, and the elders here at Binbrook Baptist, can grow in this!
re: Sundin - what a slap shot, and shorthanded! Made a very weary guy very happy he didn't go to bed before the 1 minute of overtime!
re: your live-blogging of the conference - wow. I saw you and the laptop and thought you might have been doing that. Weren't the messages amazing? On saturday Dever's message on worship in the Puritans (i.e. preaching as the center of puritan worship) was a word I needed to hear. I recommend it highly.
Finally, I can't wait to sit under your ministry here in Binbrook on Sunday.
Ian.
Ian -
ReplyDeleteJust as it took me three months to confirm I could come and preach... so it has taken me 6 months to blog on elder visits! Which is just confirming the point that with me, I may not get to it today, but I will probably get to it some day!
We are more excited than you for Sunday, brother!
Can you send us a not-so-live post of Dever's Saturday message. I was not able to be there but very much want to hear what was said! Send me a Word file and I will guest post you here! :-)
Hey Paul,
ReplyDeleteGood things come to those who wait, eh (i.e. me).
re: Dever notes - it may take a day, but I'll try to get it from my chicken scratches to my computer, to yours.
I shouldn't keep beating this drumb, but I REALLY look forward to being fed by you this Sunday. I rarely hear anyone preach on a Sunday morning (aside from myself). I NEED to hear the Word badly!
Ian.