Highlights from the Desiring God Pastor’s Conference
I wanted to get some quick thoughts down on my experience at the Desiring God Pastor’s Conference this year. This was my 4th year to attend, and before they all start blurring together, I thought I should keep this record.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
- Traveling with Bill Streger. Always a pleasure.
- The singing. There is something about the robust, nearly-out-of-breath singing of great hymns with 1500 other men that is moving beyond description. The a capella “Mighty Fortress” had me undone.
- Being a part of this conversation.
- Friends. I met new friends (Zach Wartes, John Geaney, Graham Buck, and others), met some online friends and heroes for the first time (Steve McCoy, Joe Thorn, and the satirical genius @XIANITY), and connected with some old friends (Abraham Piper, Travis Cardwell, Jeff Medders, Mike Smith, Brad Hankins, Mitch Jolly, and others…).
(SIDENOTE: I hate Georgia, and small town Georgia seems like Hell on earth to me. But, 4 of the guys listed above are from a small town in Georgia, and I’ve got to admit… anywhere Mike, John, Mitch, and Brad are is a fun place to be.)
- The sessions. Yes, I just played that card. However, if forced to pick the most influential, I would pick Chan and Beeke. What I loved most about Beeke is the small glimpse we got into his great pastoral heart. He’s one of my favorite theologians in print, and now he’s one of my favorites to sit under as well.I felt pastored by him.
- John Piper laid hands on me and prayed for me, my wife, and my ministry.
- Lunch at Fogo de Chao. ARE YOU KIDDING? This was practice for the Great Wedding Feast of the Lamb.
- Magners Draft at The Local.
- The video embedded below led to a semi-celebrity status, and people stopped me dozens of times. One particularly uncomfortable moment was when the guy at the urinal next to me said, “Hey. Haven’t I seen you online?” Creepy.
