The Shepherds’ Conference

Next Tuesday morning at 0-dark-30, over twenty men from Omaha Bible Church will be headed out to LA to attend the annual Shepherds’ Conference at Grace Church in Sun Valley, CA. This year our total number is twenty-six, as we will bringing men from neighboring states and churches with us.

This will be my third Shepherds’ Conference and I just want to share a few reasons as to why I think it is the best conference out there.

.1. This is a conference geared specifically for pastors. To see well over 3,000 men crowded into Grace Church to be charged to be faithful stewards of Scripture is an emotional sight at the least.

.2. Grace Church gets it. They understand that this is not about them but the attenders. They do everything they can to make sure that those who come are well served.

.3. The preaching in the General Sessions is outstanding. The scene of watching/hearing John MacArthur preach on the joy of God in redemption through the prodigal son passage last year was heavenly. As I sat with watered eyes among my friends, who likewise were moved with affection for the Savior, I sat and saw C.J. Maheney (who was seated in front of us) likewise moved, it was just awesome. This type of preaching has come to characterize this conference.

.4. The breakout sessions are geared to encouraging and warning leaders. Men like Phil Johnson, Nathan Busenitz, Bill Shannon, Rick Holland, and others serve other leaders well through their teaching.

.5. The time with our church leaders is priceless. So much ministry planning gets done. Whether talking in a Peete’s Coffee or walking in Santa Monica or riding to the conference, ministry is discussed. This is so refreshing.

.6. You get a ton of books. I think I have averaged 23 new books (free) each year. What a service.

.7. The food in CA is great. In and Out, Killer Shrimp, Todai Sushi, The Fisherman’s Wharf, it is all good. I can almost become an ammillennialist with such good eating and drinking, somehow thinking the kingdom is now. But we understand the kingdom is more than eating and drinking (Rom. 14.7) :/

.8. I am healthily brought to the end of what I can bear in evangelicalism. My good friend and pastor feels it is healthy to our souls to make us trek down to Saddleback Church and witness Rick Warren’s molestation of the Bible. Each year we have visited Robert Shuler’s Crystal Cathedral on the way. This is like having a stomach ache and being nauseous, it is not comfortable. I am brought to disgust and tears as I hear Tricky Ricky deflate the cross of all of its power while his people nod with acceptance of such things. This trip is dreaded but necessary. I just keep remembering that the Phinehas account is a narrative and not to be normative for life today (Num. 25).

.9. The encouragement that we as a church receive from the Shepherds’ Conference is immeasurable. I am so thankful for the grace of God in John MacArthur’s life, the life of Grace Church, The Master’s Seminary, and so many others who contribute. This conference is flat out good.

.10. The conference is committed to bringing out the best preachers available today. This year we will be encouraged by men such as John MacArthur, John Piper, Mark Dever, Al Mohler, and Steve Lawson. I can’t wait.

 

If you are going I’d love to meet you, so drop a comment and let me know.

Possibly Related posts:

1. Heading to the Shepherds’ Conference
2. Shepherds’ Conference Live Stream for those who can’t attend
3. Shepherds’ Conference Review
4. 2006 Shepherds’ Conference Seminar Notes
5. Overheard at the Shepherds’ Conference today…

11 Responses to “The Shepherds’ Conference”

1. Tim Challies says:

   March 1, 2007 at 6:44 am

   I’ll see you there, brother.
2. Van Edwards says:

   March 1, 2007 at 10:16 am

   Erik,
   I’ll be at the Shepherd’s Conference next week and hope to meet you. I’ve only recently found your blog and it has been a blessing to me.
3. erik says:

   March 1, 2007 at 11:28 am

   I look forward to it guys. It would be good to meet you Van. Tim- I’ll be looking for you at the scholar’s center…
4. widim says:

   March 1, 2007 at 11:49 am

   e. when you are out at the Shepherds Conference be very careful … it can be a little sippe out there. Say hi to Rick for me.
5. erik says:

   March 1, 2007 at 11:55 am

   john, thanks, that is what they tell me. i will never live that one down.
6. Jacob Allee says:

   March 1, 2007 at 12:03 pm

   You lucky, stinking, dirty dog. *sigh*

   Someday maybe I’ll go…

   Have fun!
7. Armen says:

   March 2, 2007 at 9:05 pm

   Eric – Will these be broadcast live as a video webcast? Or even just live audio?

   As a young preacher I have no doubt it would be beneficial to me – but I’m in Australia.
8. erik says:

   March 3, 2007 at 8:22 am

   Here you go Armen…
9. randall walthall says:

   March 3, 2007 at 2:14 pm

   Rick Warren and Robert Schuler! Some people have all the providence! I am not sure who does the most harm to the gospel. That these men and the ideas they promulgate have such a large following might lead one to reconsider your analogy of light beer. Isn’t diet soda more a more appropriate comparison? After all, the sweetener in most diet soda is considered to be toxic.

   Randy
10. erik says:

    March 3, 2007 at 3:28 pm

    I think I had a diet coke on the trip down…I think I heard that the sweetener in Diet soda caused short term memory loss…but i can’t remember. their preaching is toxic, that is for sure, I will never forget watching Rick Warren…But for his grace–
11. Caleb Kolstad says:

    March 8, 2007 at 8:00 pm

    My first time at your blog… Great post! I hope you enjoy the conf.

    Caleb