10 Duties of a minister according to 2 Timothy 4

1. Preach the word
2. Be prepared in season and out of season
3. Correct
4. Rebuke
5. Encourage
6. Do this with great patience and careful instruction
7. Keep your head in all situations
8. Endure hardship
9. Do the work of an evangelist
10. Discharge all the duties of your ministry (prayer, reading, visiting, etc)

10 Political Leaders whose fathers were ministers

Wilson, Hawke

1. Woodrow Wilson (Presbyterian)
2. Grover Cleveland (Independent Presbyterian)
3. Chester Arthur (Baptist)
4. Aaron Burr (Presbyterian)
5. Jesse Jackson Jr (Baptist)
6. Gordon Brown (Presbyterian)
7. Theresa May (Anglican)
8. Angela Merkel (Lutheran)
9. Kenneth Kaunda (Presbyterian)
10. Bob Hawke (Congregational)

Fraternal Week Again

As I have mentioned before on this blog I attend two quite different fraternals and they often end up in the same week (Monday and Wednesday). That is what happened this week. Last Monday it was the fairly traditional Westminster Fellowship at Westminster Baptist Church. This time John Benton was speaking to us on this thorny subject of pastoral abuse in churches. As ever, John was very helpful. About 20 of us were there. Then last Wednesday five of us met to go for a walk on Hampstead Heath. We meet at Hampstead Heath Station, walk to Kenwood for a coffee (kindly paid for by Aaron this time) and then on to Gospel Oak Station where we part. So no formality, just chatting about what we wish with whom we wish. It works well, though it would be nice to see more along.

Fortieth Anniversary

Photos courtesy of Keith Holmes (Thanks Keith)

Last Saturday we were celebrating my 40 year anniversary as minister here in Childs Hill. It was lovely to see the chapel full with old friends - family, former members, fellow ministers, etc. Robert Strivens preached an excellent semon from 1 Timothy 1:12 and my long serving deacon Paul Priest assembled four members and former members to say nice things about me. There was a wonderful cake (made by one of our Iranian members) and loads of food to follow. I also made a slide presentation of the history of the church which people enjoyed. Thanks yoou for all the cards, money, flowers, etc. Very kind iindeed. God is so good.

London Seminary End of Term

It was not possible, of course, to have the usual end of year service at the seminary with a visiting preacher and tea on the lawn. Instead we had a stripped down zoom meeting with testimonies from the leaving students and a short sermon from the principal. It is a shame that we can do no more but at least something was done. Thank you to those who arranged it. There appeared to be over 100 participating.

Westminster Fellowship Pastoralia

We had a very good couple of sessions on Monday with Bill James, Principal of the London Seminary, on pastoral care and counselling. Bill spoke about our goal as pastors and the means to it in very helpful terms. About twenty of us were there and we had a good time discussing. The Westminster Fellowship meets in Westminster Baptist Church on the first Monday of most months October-July. The above picture is of what was happening a hundred or so yards from the venue. This was the means of blocking access to Vauxhall Bridge from one side. I have highlighted the fact that several of these protesters were from Aberystwyth where this is very much a  live issue.

Charles Bridges The Christian Ministry

It was good last Monday to meet wth the members of the Westminster Fellowship. Dr Ian Densham had been asked to present a paper on the 19th century Anglican minister Charles Bridge's The Christian Ministry. Like many present I last read it over thirty years ago but unlike others I have not had chance to re-read it more recently but it was good to be reminded of its contents. It can be found easily enough online or in print. One anomaly that Ian discovered is that the Banner version (the one most of us are familiar with) lacks the final sections of the whole work

Some quotations

This sacred office is administered by agents, Divinely-called through the medium of lawful authority, and entrusted with the most responsible and enriching blessing; rendering the highest possible service to their fellow men, because that most nearly connected with the glory of the Saviour.

As to spiritual qualifications, we would be careful neither to lower, exceed, or deviate from, the Scriptural standard.

It is not easy to overcome our natural love of ease, our indisposition to self-denying devotedness, and our false tenderness in flinching from the declaration of unpalatable truths.

When we see the most "able Minister of the New Testament" that the Church has ever known, deeply penetrated, and indeed well-nigh overwhelmed, with the sense of the "necessity laid upon him" — we may well be ashamed, that with qualifications far inferior, our sense of obligation should be less accurate and constraining.”  

Except we realise a high estimation of the Church, the constraining influence of the Saviour's love, and the upholding prop of Almighty grace, what is there to preserve us from sinking in despondency?

Covetousness is far more specious than worldly conformity. It has much to plead under the cover of necessity, justice, prudence, and economy.

In the Church he " transforms himself into an angel of light" — exhibiting either the attractive idol of self-righteousness — or that most inveterate form of antichrist — the dependence on the profession of a pure doctrine.

What a large share of humility, what unceasing supply of Divine grace, is needed to resist a temptation, that falls in so powerfully with the selfish principle of the natural heart!

No one attains remarkable eminence or success, without a resolute and habitual self-denial in subordinating every secondary point to the primary object.

The kindness of the world is far more formidable than its enmity. Many, who were prepared to stem the torrent of its opposition, have yielded with compromising indulgence to its paralysing kindness.

The contempt also of the Sabbath — the predominant character of pleasure, dissipation, and the general inattention or opposition to religion in the heads of the parish — too often present a hostile front to our course of effort and instruction
Thus our whole course is a struggle against the mighty current of sin — flowing out of that restless bias of the natural heart, which upon the highest authority is declared to be "enmity against God."

The Church is the mirror, that reflects the whole effulgence of the Divine character. It is the grand scene, in which the perfections of Jehovah are displayed to the universe.
If a young man has capacity; culture and application may make him a scholar, a philosopher, or an orator; but a true Minister must have certain principles, motives, feelings, and aims, which no industry or endeavours of men can either acquire or communicate. They must be given from above, or they cannot be received.

Thus discouragements, properly sustained and carefully improved, become our most fruitful sources of eventual encouragement while love to our work bears us on above all our difficulties.

The revelations made to the Church — the successive grand events in her history — and, above all  the manifestation of "the glory of God in the Person of Jesus Christ" — furnish even to the heavenly intelligences fresh subjects of adoring contemplation.

the Divine call to this sacred office will be evidenced by a supply of competent qualifications for its discharge.

In considering "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus," we witness a most harmonious combination of seemingly opposite characteristics. The Ministry of our Lord was distinguished by the dignity of God, and the sympathy of a man and a brother — by the authority of the commissioned delegate of his Father, and yet by the humility of a servant, who " came not to be ministered unto, but to minister.

Ps I'm speaking at the next Westminster Fellowship on July 1 on Proverbs

The pastor's soul

When I was in Aber last I picked up a new little book for pastor's subtitled - the call and care of the undershepherd. Out of the Reformed Baptist stable it is written by two American pastors - Brian Croft and Jim Savastio. Only 154 pages long it is a helpful book in four parts. Jim starts with biblical commands concerning a pastor talking about taking heed to self, doctrine and flock and why it matters. Brian then contributes a short section on the need to be converted and called. It's back to Jim for part 3 and two chapters on the public and private means of grace. Brian's last section deals with six important topics - eating, sleeping, exercise, friendship, silence, rest (day off, holidays and sabbaticals). I heard Joel Beeke say last year that pastor's should read at least one of these books a year - so I'm okay for 2019. He also said (with tongue in cheek) that you cannot follow everything they recommend as there are not enough hours in the day. That is probably true of this volume although it tries hard not to be prescriptive. It would make a great book for a ministers' fraternal to discuss. Non-pastor's will find it very interesting too.

The Minister and his relaxation

See here for an article on this subject.

A day off

In theory, I am supposed to have a day off each week. It doesn't always work out so well but I managed one this week. It is perhaps worth describing to help me and may be others. What wnet well and not so well is fairly obvious I think.

A snag with my current day off perhaps is that my wife is out at work all day on that day. Anyway, it starts with a shower, breakfast (porrifge) and devotions and not far in involves taking the dog for a walk, followed by a coffee with the newspaper. I like to do the crossword and one or two other puzzles.

I wandered into the local bookshop and one or two other shops before heading back home where there was quite a bit of football to watch and a little bit of time for reading. (I am reading a book about the Kings and Queens of England at the moment). I also did a bit of blogging here and elsewhere, worked on a book I am trying to write and dealt with one or two more urgent emails.

In theory, a day off should allow time for some DIY. This week I actually did a job that has been waiting about a year or more - to put a latch on the front garden gate.

We had home made burgers for tea, which was a treat. I did spend some time with Eleri but I think this World Cup is going to be a challenge for her. We would normally have sat down and watched something on TV together but she is not a football fan (nor am I really but more than she). I did a bit more walking in the early evening to get my fitbit tally to a more respectable level.

Banner of Truth Conference 2018 Last Day 2

The very final message at the Banner ended up being on fervent prayer. Warren Peel gave us a very challenging second message on Epaphras urging us to interecessory prayer for the peopl.

He again used the same pattern moving from Epaphras back to Jesus and on to us - all of us being ministers to God's people

Early on he quoted John Owen

If men are but as they used to be, I do not believe any minister, any pastor in the world, can keep up a due love to his church, who doth not pray for them. He will meet with so many provocations, imprudences, and miscarriages, that nothing can keep up his heart with inflamed love towards them, but by praying for them continually. That will conquer all prejudices, — if he continues so doing. 

Also I think

My last reason is this, — in our prayers for our people, God will teach us what we shall preach unto them. We cannot pray for them, but we must think on what it is we pray for, and that is the consideration of their condition; and therein God teaches the ministers of the gospel. If it be so with them, this is that they should teach them. The more we pray for our people, the better shall we be instructed what to preach to them. The apostles, to take us off from all other occasions, “gave themselves to prayer and the word,” Acts vi. 4.

In Acts 4 prayer is in the first place. This is not personal but ministerial prayer for the church and the progress of the gospel. He highlighted the manner adn the matter

Manner

This is hand to hand combat. It takes pains. It is like wrestling.

Why is prayer so hard? It is a spiritual battle.

Matter

That you may stand mature and fully ...

We can learn this from Christ. There are lots and lots of examples of his prayers in the Gospels. Further, he is now interceding in heaven.

Are we wrestling? Do we have a system? Is it part of our work schedule? If a performance review was done for the last five years what woudl it reveal? Would I still have a job?

It is not the only factor but it is important.

Some quotations

Very valuable was the dying testimony of the great and godly Andrew Fuller:

I wish I had prayed more for the assistance of the Holy Spirit, in studying and preaching my sermons  John Smith

Prayer often gains success to little talents, while the greatest, without it, are useless or pernicious.

The great Welsh preacher, Mr. Williams of Wern one of the princely trio of that land of great preachers (with John Elias, William Williams and Christmas Evans) left this testimony:

“The old ministers were not much better preachers than we are, and in many respects they were inferior, but there was an unction about their ministry, and success attended upon it now but seldom witnessed. And what was the cause of the difference? They prayed more than we do. If we would prevail and have power with men, we must first prevail and have power with God. It was on his knees that Jacob became a prince, and if we would become princes we must be oftener and more importunate upon our knees.”

Dr. Griffin remarked of a young man, a pupil of his who had just commenced preaching

“He has an active mind and superior talents. The only question I have about him is, whether he will pray down the Holy Spirit while he preaches.” The probability of any minister’s success is in the question, “Will he pray down the Holy Spirit?”

I could add the exhortation of the noble French preacher, Massillon, cannot be too attentively studied: “Accompany your labours with your prayers. Speak of the disorders of your people more frequently to God than to them. Complain to him of the obstacles put in the way of their conversion by your unfaithfulness more frequently than of those which their obstinacy may present. Blame yourself alone at his feet for the small fruit of your ministry. As a tender father apologize to him for the faults of your children, and accuse only yourself.”

He also mentioned and commended Intercessory Prayer: A Ministerial Task by Eugene Bradford

Banner of Truth Conference 2018 Slot 7

This next message, from Bill Hughes, was on discouragement in the ministry. He began with a quotation of Brash Bonsall calling discouragement a child of the devil and an acceptance that we all know discouragement.

Answers to it are everywhere in the Bible it wassuggested but we were taken to Numbers 20, 21. Two or three points were made

1. The circumstances that lead to discouragement

Examples

1 Unforeseen obstructions to progress

The unhelpfulness of the King of Edom was exacerbated by the fact Israel and Edom were brother nations. It is often those closest to us who prove untrue or lack sympathy and that leads to discouragement. In 2 Corinthians we have a clear example of this happening. The Corinthians had an uncanny ability to ascribe wrong motives to Paul. In any ministry there will be knock backs. Many of these are simply what happens but some are wounds that are deliberately made by people near to us and they hurt the most and the longest.
The lack of sympathy from Edom has its roots in the relationship between Jacob and Esau. It is also referred to throughout the rest of the Old Testament. When we are attacked by fellow believers it is good to remember Isaiah 54:17 and the fact that anyone who attacks God's people needs to beware.
Moses did not force the issue with Edom. There is a lesson there. There is a time to submit even when those who oppose us are not in the right.
Your enemies can be your best friends. They will sometimes tell you things you need to know. If the criticism is invalid then we need to commit it to the Lord. Mr Hughes shared his personal experience of discouragement - We ask "Why am I here?" The answer is for them and for Him. At other times we need to stand firm and not give in. In Acts Paul and Barnabas do leave places but they also remain at times. We need to get good advice and look to the Lord and stand firm. The aspirations of a lifetime can be washed away in a moment.

Not now, but in the coming years, It may be in the better land,
We’ll read the meaning of our tears, And there, some time, we’ll understand.

We’ll know why clouds instead of sun Were over many a cherished plan;
Why song has ceased when scarce begun; ’Tis there, some time, we’ll understand.

Why what we long for most of all, Eludes so oft our eager hand;
Why hopes are crushed and castles fall, Up there, some time, we’ll understand

2 Unforeseen difficulties about the pathway
This is what comes next. It may have been the length of the journey or its hardness and knowing they cannot go back. The future is still not theirs. They react in a spirit of unbelief. That often happens in times of stress. Then they encounter the King of Arad. There is a determination to obstruct them and even destroy them. There is always opposition in the ministry. We must expect it. The common attitude today is summed up in the famous Invictus

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul.

It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

A clash is inevitable then. Think of Daniel and his friends or what happened in Acts. When people are under conviction they can become really angry. Even if they are converted the problems may only just be beginning. When you find yourself in the dungeon of discouragement you need to bear in mind that there are two forces in your life that make it a battleground. On one hand God is active in your life and has a plan and purpose. However, on the other hand, the Devil also has his designs and purposes. If we forget that then we will only add to our discouragement. This is not an afternoon game of tennis but a fight against powerful forces of evil.
A recurring question for us (as seen in the Psalms) is how long? We have to be prepared to be patient. One of Satan's devices is to demoralise you. Mr Hughes once wrote in his Bibkle this reminder "Never, never be tempted to doubt in the dark what you to be right in the light". A marathon not a sprint.

2. The effects of discouragement
For times' sake this was done much more briefly
1 They dishonoured God's person and spoke against him and Moses
Flavel says "Complain to God you may but complain of God you must not"
2 They doubted God's salvation
Look to the rock from whence you were hewn
3 They doubted God's care and concern
4 They despised what God had given them
Denigration of past blessings can quickly becomes the despising of present blessings. Jonah's story is the story of one who despite God's grace to him still ends up discouraged and angry. What a contrast with the Lord weeping over Jerusalem.
5 They discovered the discipline of God

We also began on point 3. Some of the considerations in dealing with discouragement
Here it begins with prayer and contrition .Always the way to begin. The sovereignty of God is another important matter.

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.

Ministers Fraternals

I've ended up attending two ministers fraternals this week. On Monday it was the very traditional Westminster Fellowship down in Wesminster Baptist. There Philip Eveson preached to us and spoke very interestingly on Psalms, especially the structure of the book, followed by discussion. We also prayed. There were about twenty of us and it was all very helpful. Then on Wednesday I joined the North London Baptist pastors walking across Hampstead Heath. Quite postmodern, we simply walk, stop for a cuppa and then walk a little more before dispersing. There were about ten of us. Again, very enjoyable. I guess there is a place for both sorts of fraternal. I am certainly thankful for both.

Pastoral Friendship Walks

I went for the first time today on what my friend Andrew King from Highbury calls a pastoral friendship walk. (I think there have been two before this one). We met at Hampstead Heath Station, walked across the Heath in glorious sunshine, stopping for refreshments at Kenwood House, and ending up at Gospel Oak. There were about seven of us. The idea is that sedentary men who can easily be loners get out in the fresh air, and do a little exercise and talk to each other. It is not aiming incredibly high then but you would be surprised how revolutionary sometimes the simplest ideas can be. I certainly enjoyed the walk (which I try to do anyway) and the chat. Thanks Andrew for getting us organised.

Rhodri's ordination and induction

It was a massive joy to be there in Aberystwyth last Saturday as my oldest son, Rhodri, was ordained and inducted to the pastorate. As he revealed in his side of the history of the call (more an apologia for the call than anything else - church elder Ian Jones spoke for the church) I have always said to the boys, hopefully you will be ministers but not if you aren't called.

About 200 must have been present, some having travelled a long way, and it was great to see everyone. Robert Strivens chaired and David Green preached (from Deuteronomy 6). I read, Geoff prayed and John Noble, one of the other elders at AP spoke too. Just great.

Lovely tea after too, of course.

10 Singers whose fathers were ministers

1. Alice Cooper (Mormon)
2. Marvin Gaye (House of God)
3. Katy Perry (Pentecostal)
4. Wyclef Jean (Church of the Nazarene)
5. Marcus Mumford (Vineyard)
6. Nat King Cole (Baptist)
7. Aretha Franklin (Baptist)
8. Sam Cooke (Church of Christ [holiness])
9. Tori Amos (Methodist)
10. Jonas Brothers (AoG Pentecostal)

(Roy Acuff also fits this profile; the country singer's father was a Baptist minister)

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Nat-King-Cole

10 national leaders whose fathers were ministers

1. Gordon Brown (son of a Presbyterian minister)
2. Theresa May (daughter of an Anglican vicar)
3. Woodrow Wilson (son of a Presbyterian minister)
4. Grover Cleveland (son of a Presbyterian Minister)
5. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia (son of a Presbyterian minister and missionary)
6. Lester B Pearson Canada (son of a Methodist minister)
7. Sir Charles Tupper Canada (son of a Baptist pastor)
8. Slobadan Milosevic of Serbia (son of a Serbian Orthodox Priest)
9. Angela Merkel Germany (daughter of an Evangelical pastor)
10. Aaron Burr US Vice-president (son of a Presbyterian minister)

End of year service at LTS 1983/2016

Gary Brady 1983/Rhodri Brady 2016

Lord's Day, May 22 2015

It was my birthday Sunday so I decided to preach a birthday sermon in the morning. I preached from 2 Corinthians 4:5. about not preaching ourselves but preaching Christ as Lord. In the evening we carried on in Mat8 and looked at two principles of discipleship. We were pretty low in numbers morning and evening. People were travelling elsewhere, ill, busy or (as is increasingly the case among unbelievers) working. There were no new faces either which is fairly unusual for us. No-one responded to the tracts we gave out the day before (which is more typical). So it was a little flat I'd say. You never know what happens on those Sundays, however.