BJ Not BK

Today was day one of the Text and Context conference hosted by Mars Hill Church, Seattle, Washington.

The purpose?  To bring pastors and teachers together to train and equip in keeping with the integrity of the text of the Bible while being able to contextualize it in relevant terms, media, methods, etc.

Today's session was part of the pre-conference program which included check-in to the conference, an hour long session with the small group/community group and counseling pastors, and worship in the 4:30 service (Mars Hills has three evening services 4:30, 6:30, and 8:30). 

The session with the small group/community group pastors was insightful.  The staff pointed out that their main purpose in community groups was to have the body live out their faith on a daily, weekly basis inside of community and that community groups enable the church to minster to the body on a large scale while growing community and holding one another accountable.  The pastors left plenty of time for q & a and I took some great notes but am currently too tired to share right now.

Tomorrow is another full day as the conference begins at 9:00 A.M. and ends at 9:00 P.M.  Some of the topics include:

Biblical Stress Management

Humble Incarnational Ministry

Text and Context - Pastoral Character and Loving People

Why I trust the scriptures - Dr. John Piper 

NOTE:  I received 2 books in my conference goody bag today, 1. Vintage Jesus and 2. The Future of Justification, John Piper

I thought it perfect timing to receive the second item in light of all the discussion going on here at Steeple regarding Paul and the gospel.