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RENDEZVOUS

Rocky Mountain Shepherds' Conference, 2001: A Resounding Refreshment

Information on the next conference.

Keynote speaker Jerry Bridges of the Navigators focused attention on the "Three-legged Stool of Trusting God: God’s sovereignty, God’s care, and God’s wisdom."

God’s sovereignty, Bridges relates, has two dimensions: His right and His power to control. Nothing is too trivial to escape His care—note His actions over the physical in Exodus 4:11-12, over death in I Samuel 2:6-7, over weather and the good and bad events of our lives in Amos 4:7-9,13, over prosperity and disaster in Isaiah 45:7, as well as the hurtful or sinful actions of others as illustrated by the life of Joseph in Genesis 45-50. Joseph’s pain was "a watercolor of the real thing" when compared with the suffering of Jesus, Bridges observed. He then reminded us that our pain can result in the blessing of another. The application? God is always in control.

The practical outworking?

1. Don’t try to understand what God is doing. Deuteronomy 29:29, "The secret things belong to God...."
2. Don’t be presumptuous of God’s sovereignty. Act responsibly, prudently. Trust Him for results.
3. Remember Romans 8:28.
4. Practice giving thanks for all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:18, in the circumstances, not for the circumstances. "This requires a sheer act of the will," Bridges reminded.

The other two "legs of the stool"? God’s care and His goodness is tenderly revealed in the two "sparrow passages" (Luke 12:6-7 and Matthew 10:29-31). Note the differences you find there.

In considering the wisdom of God, note the richness, the romance of Romans 11:33-36. We crave the reason for circumstances, but sometimes God doesn’t let us see it. "He could explain, but we haven’t the capacity to understand," Bridges quietly related.

The Joel Banham family singers brought rousing and worshipful hymns and choruses, bluegrass style. The versatile family members trade instruments with ease, and we’re looking forward to the younger children contributing to this musical clan.

Joe Smith addressed aspects of rural evangelism, noting that most programmed approaches teach how to evangelize thousands—but not someone you’ve known all your life and will see again next week at the post office. "Small towns don’t have strangers," he observed.

He challenged the audience to ask, "What is God already doing with this person?" Take the time to find out, to know, and to care about the individual. As you can see a light but only infer the electricity, so you cannot see salvation. Engage in dialog, not monolog. Smith stated firmly, "I’m a midwife, not a salesman."

Smith’s challenge: Cultivate your own relationship with God. Pray for responsive people to come into your life—"God appointments." Spend major effort on prayer. Build on common interests. Look for opportunities to serve. Look for times to plant spiritual seeds. Show preference for others. Enjoy being kind. Have a "harvest mentality." Include "pre- Christians" in your holiday celebrations. Eliminate "Christianese" but not biblical language. And finally, be patient, expect and pray for results; you’re asking someone to change the entire direction of their lives!

An excellent challenge comes out of Smith’s recount of his encounters with people: "How little can you say to make someone think?" Many individuals may be asking God in their mind, "I know You can forgive my sins, but what are You going to do about what I am?" Smith challenged us to be ready to be inconvenienced and put our own agenda second as we make visible the un-seeable work of God.

This well-attended conference reflected another facet of rural church life: the sacrificing congregations who paid the way for their pastors to attend. God sent them home refreshed, and we thank you for your part!

Information on the next conference.