Here, and There

Two ministry-related trips in consecutive weeks is as jet-set as my life ever gets. Where, and why?

Last week I was at the twice-yearly residential of the brilliant Christian Ministry Training Course. I'm one of three tutors bringing ministry training to (currently) twelve students. It's a largely audio-based learning course, with the students listening to 3-4 serious theological lectures 52 weeks of the year, covering the whole range of systematics, Bible, and ministerial subjects over a four year syllabus. They also submit essays and assignments on a regular basis. The course serves newly-retireds, keen to raise their effectiveness in serving local churches, through to newly-minted Apprentices, who are set on a lifetime's Pastoral ministry. We currently have an ex-professional cyclist, an ex-drug-addict, several guys already in full-time ministry, school teachers, a school caretaker, and other excellent guys all at full-stretch for the Kingdom.

We aim to give the residentials a practical emphasis. Last week I lectured on attitudes to and care for the Elderly, Working through Conflict and Managing Time and Priorities. I also led a taster session in Greek. I think an excellent time was had by all through the week.

I'm a big enthusiast for fulltime, residential ministerial training, and fully endorse the vision of institutions like the London Theological Seminary, where I'm a board member, which is doing a terrific job of serving prospective Pastors. Of course, not everyone can make this commitment of time out of paid employment, of moving home, and of finding the money for residential training. Some are at an earlier stage in seeking the Lord's call on their lives. So the CMTC is a fantastic provision for God's Church.

Today I'm back on the bike to Leicester, to the annual treat of the Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference. What's to say? This Conference and the fellowship I enjoy there nourish my soul like no other place. Gary Brady's got a great note from his father-in-law Geoff Thomas on its value here. I'm down to lead a discussion on preaching. I'd be so grateful for any prayers for those of us attending, and for Sarah putting in the real work with the children back here!

God's Friday

You have heard the last words of the dying Jesus commending His Spirit into His Father’s hands. And now the Life of the world hangs dead upon a tree. The Light of the world, for a time, shut up in a dismal cloud. The Son of righteousness set in the region and shadow of death. The Lord id dead; He that conquered death is now Himself to be locked up in the grave. All friends and lovers of Jesus are now invited to His funeral. “Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Death is a dragon, the grave its den, a place of dread and terror; but Christ goes into its den, grapples with it, and overcomes it, disarms it of all its terror, and not only makes it cease to be inimical, but to become the greatest blessing to the saints; a bed of rest, and a perfumed bed; they do but go into Christ’s bed where He lay before them.

John Flavel, sermon on John 19.40-42