I’ve been a bit off my blogging schedule this week. Oh well.
Monday afternoon I arrived with a few good friends and about 1200 other pastors at Basics Conference 2015. Since Monday afternoon I witnessed 6 main session talks and 3 breakouts.
I wanted to dump out a few thoughts of things that really challenged me in those nine sessions (each sermon/presentation was about 45 minutes)
If you’re curious, you can see the talks and speakers by clicking this link.
- Suffering was a theme of this conference, even if it was unintended.
- Suffering is something God can always use.
- It is very important to know what is true about the culture.
- It is very important to know what is true about God.
- Those who think the culture is right do not know the truth about God.
- Many think they know God but do not understand the truth about Him.
- Each speaker addressed the decline of American culture, yet affirmed the confidence pastors should have in staying strong in leading others.
- A pastor at his core should be an evangelist.
- Boldness and courage must inhabit pastors and Christians.
- The challenge: if you’re not up for a tough road ahead, don’t get in full time ministry (or by implication, get out of it).
- It comforts me to hear from nationally known pastors that they have struggles in their lives, calling, and churches. No pastor is perfect.
- I was gone for 48 hours. It felt like almost a week. It was a much needed break.