Not to Sound Like a Broken Record, But ...

This Friday, May 2nd, is the "early bird" deadline to register for the upcoming Banner of Truth 2008 U.S. Ministers' Conference. The price goes up after Friday! I am really looking forward to having Iain Murray with us this year. Also, I had several conversations with Rick Phillips at last weekend's PCRT in Philadelphia; Rick will be with us, too, in addition to others. But I'd like to get away from pushing conferences through the "Christian celebrities." Instead, just know that you'll get solid, reformed, biblical teaching/preaching plus personal fellowship among like-minded guys in ministry that you just don't get at other such conferences.

"Them's the facts!"

:-)

You can download a conference brochure and even register online through the link you'll find at http://www.banneroftruth.org/.

I am not ashamed!

I have restarted my read through D.M. Lloyd-Jones sermons on the book of Romans. I confess to really not having been a reader of sermons much before coming to work at Banner of Truth, but I have been converted, without a doubt, to believing in the incredible value that they hold. And the Lloyd-Jones series is so rich; I am reading it together with a 17-year old guy from our kids' school. Now there's a challenge for you ... keeping up with a 17-year old!
"I am not ashamed of the gospel ... it is the power of God unto salvation."
My family are I are heading into the woods today for two days of camping. D.M. Lloyd-Jones is going with us. In addition to playing with the fam, and perhaps as a follow-up to last week's T4G, I want to both meditate on and relish in the thought of the gospel. In just one part of Lloyd-Jones sermon, he preached about this "salvation" that this gospel is "the power of God unto" - "What does it mean?" he asks. His answer: First, it must mean that man is delivered from sin ... from the guilt of sin, from the power of sin, and from the pollution of sin. Secondly, it means that we are completely reconciled to God; our communion with God is completely restored. And the third thing he mentions is that it restores to us the hope of glory. You know, I have to ask myself ... why would anyone be ashamed at such a thing as that?
I hope you take time to medidate on the gospel today, as well.
Grace & peace to you,
Steve

Starbucks Musings After T4G

Sitting in Starbucks at the Louisville airport, I got to enjoy a rare, relaxed conversation with a dear brother who works for another well-known ministry organization. Such relationships are just one of the many "perks" I enjoy from doing what I do. So as we sat there, we reflected back some on the just-concluded T4G. Part of our discussion included mention of the significant percentage of the audience that was so young (and it's not just that I am getting so old!). And we pondered ... just perhaps, might it be possible that the Lord is awakening a new generation? There have, of course, been other signs to this effect as documented in various places. Clearly we at Banner moved a lot of books, obviously good and solid books, hand chosen by Mark Dever and crew. And I also engaged in conversation after conversation with many a young person who exhibited what appeared to be a genuine thirst for the deeper things of God. Oh, may we be so honored as to play some small part in such a grand movement!
Praying towards that end ...
Steve

Headed to Louisville ... BEFORE Launching a NEW SERIES for Banner!

This week is the second "Together for the Gospel" conference in Louisville, KY ... and my first. Looking forward to seeing many. Stop in to the conference bookstore and say hi if you're headed to Louisville, also! And after I return, I'll start telling you about a totally new series of books that Banner of Truth is on the verge of releasing! Exciting stuff!

Why Has Reformed Theology Surged Among the Younger Generation?

This was the recent subject of an interesting post at reformationtheology.com and there is an summary post on David Westerfield's site. You might want to check them out.

Calling Fellow Bloggers ...

SPREAD THE WORD ...

THE BANNER OF TRUTH

2008 MINISTERS' CONFERENCE

Theme: "The Preachers' Task"
May 27-29, 2008 ... Grantham, PA

Questions have been coming in, so here are some answers. Yes, Iain Murray will be with us this year along with Richard Phillips, Craig Troxell, David Campbell, Ian Hamilton.
Also, Tim Challies of challies.com will be here, continuing his daily blogs. It would be GREAT if we could spread the word through the blogging community about this event. Invariably, after it's all over, I'll hear from some disappointed guys who would have come if they had only known! Here are some pictures of last year's conference. If you're a "man in ministry," as in pastor, elder, deacon, missionary, chaplain, or preparing for such as a seminary student, download the brochure HERE, or register online by clicking HERE. The price is certainly right (make sure you know it includes lodging and meals, plus more!). We would absolutely love to have you a part of this Banner of Truth event. Questions? Let me know.
Steve
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Looking Forward to May!

THE BANNER OF TRUTH
2008 MINISTERS' CONFERENCE:

It's hard to believe, but we are once again coming up on another Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference, May 27-29, on the campus of Messiah College in Grantham, PA. I get to a number of conferences, and even with admitting my bias, I so appreciate the intimate fellowship of like-minded men in ministry that takes place at the Banner conference - men ministering to men, brother to brother, and interacting/fellowshipping around such spiritual nourishment that pours forth in that chapel building. And we're not just talking old guys here! Seminary students and guys in their first pastorate are really engaging with others who have been in the ministry for 30+ years. It's great!

Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Missionaries, Chaplains, Seminary Students ... here, read some of what I've gotten in the mail from guys who are returning again from last year:

"Three years ago I was invited to attend the Banner of Truth Conference by another minister - what a blessing it has been to me ever since.... It is where I go to sit under the sound preaching of the Word and have my soul fed in great abundance. This year was no disappointment."

"I consider the Banner Conference the highlight of my year and plan to be there! As a preacher we seldom get the time to sit under the Word as a live minister of the Gospel opens and applies it to our hearts. What a joy to sing with so many men and then fellowship around the mealtimes. Praying with brothers down by the river is another highlight I look forward to. I would not miss the conference for anything but the most sovereign providence of God."

"I have been there about twenty (20) straight years and, the Lord willing, I plan to come again this year."

"I've been looking forward to this conference from the minute I got in my car at the close of last year's conference. It was my first year and I fell in love with everything that went on in those wonderfully Christ-focused three days. I envied the stories of those men who had been attending for a lifetime and quietly looked forward to the day when I'll be able to wear the coveted Banner polo shirt from decades back. :-) "

"YES, I am coming, so add me to your list! I would walk to Pennsylvania to attend the Banner Conference. It is the mainstay of my collegial fellowship and my primary time to sit under the preaching of the Word of God each year. And I cannot begin to find the words to share how vital Banner books are to my soul and my ministry."
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To download the conference brochure, CLICK HERE or on the brochure image above. Like-minded men in ministry, coming together in a relatively small gathering, enjoying the nourishment from a bountiful spiritual smorgasbord from the Word of God and the sweet fellowship of dear brothers in Christ. Consider it this year, would you?
Steve