Recent Deaths of Faithful Pastors

Over the last three weeks at least three faithful ministers of the Lord have gone to their reward. I believe Achille Blaize died back in mid-August and then Walt Chantry died on September 9. Peter Beale died on September 24 and his funeral is on October 13. Each of these men lived to a good age.

A brief notice about Walt Chantry can be found here.

A funeral notice about Peter Beale can be foud here.

I also understand that Gordon Hoppe who ran the Christian Bookshop in Pratts Bottom and was involved in many other aspects of Christian work has died.

Last Saturday at Wesley's Chapel

There is a phenomenon I have noticed. When I start to like something it quickly goes out of fashion and becomes hard or even impossible to get hold of. I experienced this once again recently with the Congregational Studies Conference. I remember years ago seeing the annual meetings advertised and thinking about going. I was slightly put off by the fact I am not a Congregationalist. Anyway three years ago I started attending. I think it was the presence of Michael Haykin that finally jerked me into action. Well, this year they announced to be the last. If like me you have often thought about going and never made it I suggest you get in touch with Digby James or someone else and tell them that if they will get one organised nest year you promise to come. See what you can do.

As for the conference itself we had three good papers and a short presentation on Trevecka College by Digby. I missed Digby and the first paper from Dominic Stockford (although he kindly let me have his printed manuscript which I have now half read). Dominic gave The Alan Tovey Memorial Lecture on Calling a Minister (What are we looking for and how do we go about it?).

In the afternoon Richard Underwood spoke helpfully on Supporting the Ministry and Peter Beale again helpfully on The Minister in Retirement.

The mp3s are on the website as are details of the lectures as they are published. See here. A recording of my own lecture from 2017 is here.

The picture above shows the conference secretary Peter Beale seated and the conference chairman Digby James standing.

Westminster Conference 2016 Day One

It was a good day today at the Sally Army place on Oxford Street. We were around 120 and we are expecting more tomorrow. We began with two papers on Luther from Ken Brownell and Peter Beale. Ken dealt with the 95 Theses with some background and a 9.5 thesed summary. Peter took us through four major works (On good works, To the Christian nobility, Babylonian captivity and On Christian liberty) all from 1520 (what a productive year), The second paper coming in the graveyard shift was harder to listen to but we had a better discussion - on preaching to the nation.

The third and final paper was from James Mildred on the Puritans on repentance after which we discussed preaching faith and repentance. We were given a host of good quotations. Examples

Thomas Watson A pardon will make the hardest heart relent, and cause the stony heart to bleed: and, is it thus with us? Have we been dissolved into tears for sin. God seals his pardon upon melting hearts.
(Body of divinity)
George Swinnock 

A stroke, from guilt, from wrath, broke Judas’ heart into despair; a look from love, from Christ, broke Peter’s into tears.

Richard Sibbes 

It is not enough to leave sin for some by ends, as fear of punishment, shame, and the like; but we must loathe it also.

(Bruised Reed)

John Owen But I say also, there is no inconsistency between spiritual joy in Christ and godly sorrow for sin; yea, no man in this life shall ever be able to maintain solid joy in his heart, without the continual working of godly sorrow also; yea, there is a secret joy and refreshment in godly sorrow, equal unto the chiefest of our joys, and a great spiritual satisfaction.

(Gospel Grounds and Evidences of the Faith of God's Elect)
A good day.

Banner Leicester 06b

Next we had three older men speak to the current situation

1. Peter Beale. He highlighted the present lack of pastors, how few people read seriously, the lack of studiousness among ministers and the emphasis on holiness of the past.
2. Alun McNabb. He spoke of the number of small struggling churches there are and the joy of preaching. We must not be too distracted by the empty seats but encourage people.
3. Stuart Olyott. Greatest encouragement - young people. Hundreds and hundreds. Discouragement - old Lutheran idea very much alive - that salvation is mediate (by the Word) but it is immediate (by the Holy Spirit). This wrong mentality is ruining things all around. Lydia's heart was opened directly by God.

Iain Murray also spoke about some of the books available here.