Saturday afternoon - I was at the LTS for the packed annual end of term service. Around 9 students were leaving - 5 British and 4 from the far east was it? They all spoke well. Luke Jenner has been under us during the two years and is about to become an assistant in Welwyn with Mostyn Roberts. Mr Eveson, the Principal, was looking well despite treatment for cancer at the end of last year. Graham Harrison is retiring after sterling service from the inception 30 years ago. Iain Murray preached well from Acts. Tea on the lawn followed as usual and (apart from sneezing with hay fever) I greatly enjoyed the time to chat with everyone.
Sunday evening - I was back to preach in the same chapel for around 60 who gathered for the evening service of the Kensit Memorial Church. I preached on John 3:16. Communion followed. We were one communion cup short - so I went without wine (a rather Catholic thing to do in the heart of Protestantism - it's the PTS HQ). The congregation seems to be much more white and middle class compared to us. They are without a pastor at present.
Monday morning - This time I was in the Library and meeting under the auspices of the John Owen Centre in the Theological Study Group. Six of us, mostly pastors, meet every few months to discuss a book. This time it was an EP book by American pastor Tom Barnes on Living in the hope of Future Glory on 'The glorification of the Christian'. We all appreciated the book but felt it laboured under certain deficiencies - Chiefly a lack of clarity and a questionable approach to systematics. I prepared the outline for the study and it is always good to work through a book for an occasion like that. Next time we are planning to look at John Owen on justification.
What a privilege to have such a place on my doorstep. Next week they will have Mark Garcia lecturing on Calvin on union with Christ. I'd love to be there but for various reasons it's just not going to happen.
No comments:
Post a Comment