First VIDEO blog & my trip to Minneapolis

What do you get when you combine plaid, apple products, messenger bags and a love for God's word? 

That's right... The Desiring God Pastor's Conference! 

This last week Ryan, Matt and I (and every other Bridgeway intern) were invited to attend the annual conference for pastors (or pastors-to-be) put on by Desiring God ministries. The three of us drove there because we lack a certain monetary substance that is required to board planes nowa' days. Thankfully, we had a really nice car to get us there, and the twelve hour trip was actually pretty fun. 

Sucker. 

Anyhow, I brought my camera along so I could try putting together a video blog (Vlog?).

I think I screwed up the audio but hey, it's my first one so don't expect to see it at any film festivals.

In Pipers book, and at the conference, the speakers were largely preaching on the relevance and necessity of the spirit or the supernatural. There's a tendency today for churches to neglect such things... Especially in the Reformed circles or Restoration movements (aka Church of Christ). Both of those branches of Christianity are very... Intellectual. They're readers, their thinkers...and, more specifically, they hold the Bible in high regard but at the same time are often guilty of focussing so much on "biblically accurate ministry," if you will, that they neglect Spirit-filled ministry. 

Many times us in ministry try to avoid the supernatural altogether, and it's understandable why.

People have had bad experiences with fanatic and wild worship services, they've seen or even been a part of the abuse of spiritual gifts...  
And so as a result of that, out of fear of what we don't understand or a concern for inauthenticity, we push the spirit of God away and try to do ministry on our own- absent of God's power. Let me reaffirm what Tope said in his message, "the Bible does not give us that option."

Sometimes, as a result, many churches make the pulpit a place for professionals. And Ministry turns from being a calling to a career. Hence the plea of the conference, 'Brothers, We are not professionals.'  

Check out the conference messages here.