Catalyst Conference 2023 Day 3

 

Our final day was as good as the previous ones. We again started with David Gibson in Psalm 23 and Stafford Carson on pastoralia, this time on disicpleship and discipline. Sinclair Freguson was again excellent on the pastor as theologian. He made the point that one way or another we have to get systematic theology into our people, which I have always felt and so used various means to inculcate it. The final paper from Jonathan Gibson was on the great commission. Apart from one jarring note of Presbyterian polemic (fair enough in such a conference) that was great. The highlight of the day was perhaps when Dr Ferguson related that well known Warfield story with which he concludes his article “Is the Shorter Catechism Worth While?” which was originally in The Westminster Teacher (April 1910) but that we all know from his Selected Shorter Writings (ed John E. Meeter P&R 1970) Vol 1 pp 383, 384.

What is “the indelible mark of the Shorter Catechism”? We have the following bit of personal experience from a general officer in the United States army. He was in a great western city at a time of intense excitement and violent rioting. The streets were over-run daily by a dangerous crowd. One day he observed approaching him a man of singularly combined calmness and firmness of mien, whose very demeanour inspired confidence. So impressed was he with his bearing amid the surrounding uproar that when he had passed he turned to look back at him, only to find that the stranger had done the same. On observing his turning the stranger at once came back to him, and touching his chest with his forefinger, demanded without preface: “What is the chief end of man?” On receiving the countersign, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever” - “Ah!” said he, “ I knew you were a Shorter Catechism boy by your looks!” “Why, that was just what I was thinking of you,” was the rejoinder.

It is worth while to be a Shorter Catechism boy. They grow to be men. And better than that, they are exceedingly apt to grow to be men of God. So apt, that we cannot afford to have them miss the chance of it. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Catalyst Conference 2023 Day 2

Another good day at IPC Ealing for the Catalyst Conference. David Gibson again kicked us off with more from Psalm 23 - this time God our companion though the Valley of the Shadow of death. He quoted Spurgeon saying that we shuld "Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality." This may be right but I'm not sure it stands up exegetically. Stafford Carson (above) followed and was fine again, this time on our calling as ministers to be servants and stewards.

In the afternoon because things have been rearranged we ended up with a double dose of Sinclair Ferguson adn that was fine by all of us. In his follow up to yesterday he spoke on preaching the Word and then for the final session took us through parts of the directory for worship on preaching emphasising individuality and preaching Christ. Another very good day.

Catalyst Conference 2023 Day 1

It was good to be once again at the Catalyst Conference in Ealing with the usual crowd plus some newbies. David Gibson started us off from Psalm 23, just concentrating really on The LORD is. Stafford Carson spoke after the break helpfully on some of the divisions and disagreemnets that can plague church life. After lunch, Sinclair Ferguson on what we are to be as ministers, as men, was a highlight. Matthew Roberts ended the day with something positive on the cult of self that plagues our day. Hot day, I was tired at the end of it.

(David Gibson had a quote via Spurgeon where someone speaks of shepherds he saw in his own day:

The shepherds themselves had none of that peaceful and placid aspect which is generally associated with pastoral life and habits. They looked more like warriors marching to the battle-field - a long gun slung from the shoulder, a dagger and heavy pistols in the belt, a light battle-axe or ironheaded club in the hand. Such were the equipments; and their fierce flashing eyes and scowling countenances showed but too plainly that they were prepared to use their weapons at any moment.

An interesting insight into pastoral ministry!)