Archive for 2014
Mar 14
Welcome to Clarus ’14!
Be content with what you have, for he has said,
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.â€
– Hebrews 13:5
Today begins the first day of our annual theology conference weekend, called, Clarus, hosted by Desert Springs Church in partnership with TGC Albuquerque.
Our theme is, “Wrestling with Contentment,†based on verses like the one above. As we gather this weekend, we gather in order that we might more faithfully wrestle with contentment together as seek that contentment in Jesus Christ. Click here for a refresh on this year’s theme and an introduction to this year’s speakers, Thabiti Anyabwile and Rick Phillips, then click here for some encouragement for the weekend ahead from several of our area Gospel Coalition pastors.
For a rundown of the conference schedule Click here. And if you have any questions throughout the conference, look for conference staff with Desert Springs Church name badges and let us know how we can help.
In addition to being joined by our speakers, we will also be joined by a number of fine publishers, schools, and ministries in the Books and Resources Room:
Publishers
- Baker Books
- Banner of Truth
- Christian Focus Publications
- Crossway Books
- New Growth Press
- PR Publications
- The Good Book Company
Schools
Ministries
If you haven’t heard, the conference is sold out. If you missed out on the chance to register, look out for blog summaries here at this blog throughout the conference, and for audio and video available in the week or so following at the TGC Albuquerque Media page.
Finally, if you use Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, please use the hashtag #clarus14 when posting quotes, comments, or photos. Follow us on Twitter at @TGCAlbuquerque, on Instagram at @TGCABQ, and at our TGC Albuquerque Facebook Page.
Welcome, and enjoy the conference!
Mar 6
Conflict Between Staff and Lay Elders? Sabbaticals for Pastors?
The Gospel Coalition recently published two video round table discussions between Ryan Kelly, Rich Phillips, and Bob Doll. You should recognize two of those names. Ryan Kelly is obvious, and Rick Phillips should be obvious by now too. Rick is one of this year’s speakers for Clarus.
When Staff and Lay Elders Collide
When it comes to church leadership, the New Testament pattern is clear: a plurality of elders shepherding a flock entrusted to their care. Some of them, such as the senior pastor, often serve as paid, full-time staff at the church. But many others may not. They have “regular” full-time jobs outside the church. Senior ministers Ryan Kelly and Rick Phillips talked with lay leader Bob Doll about the conflicts that sometimes arise between staff and lay elders.
[RSS and email readers, click here to view this video]
Should Every Pastor Get a Sabbatical?
Pastors aren’t the only tired ones out there. Churches teem with people who are working demanding jobs that offer no extended periods of paid leave. Are pastoral sabbaticals necessary, then? Are they even fair?
[RSS and email readers, click here to view this video]
Videos like this are a great way to get to know our speakers. Here are a few that include our other Clarus speaker, Thabiti Anyabwile:
If you haven’t registered yet for Clarus, you can do so here.
Feb 28
Studio Recording: “Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word”
There’s a song we will sing on Sunday that you know well. We sing it from time to time as a prayer of illumination before the sermon. It’s a song to help us ask God for ears to hear and hears to love what he has said in his Word.
What you might not know is that Drew and some of DSC’s musicians recorded this song and it’s available for download here. Name your price and it’s yours.
Here are the words:
Lord, We Come to Hear Your Word
1. Lord, we come to hear Your Word;
Shine Your light! Unsheathe Your sword!
Send Your Spirit forth in pow’r;
Come and bless Your church this hour.We confess, our thoughts have strayed;
Minds distracted and dismayed;
On the Son, fix now each thought;
Help us worship as we ought.2. Lord, as we prepare to hear,
wake each soul, unstop each ear;
Conquer every stubborn heart;
Mercy, saving grace impart.We confess, without Your grace,
vain our efforts in this place;
Send illumination’s light;
Open eyes and give us sight.3. Lord, we lift up to Your care
him who stands now to declare
truth that teaches, warns, consoles;
Bless this feast to feed our souls.For Your Word, O Lord, we yearn;
Empty, let it not return;
Come, accomplish all Your will;
Draw, convict, give life, and fill.Words: Kenneth A Puls, ©1998, Music: Drew Hodge
Of course, these are perfect words to sing before the sermon, but they are also words for us to pray and sing every day. Visit the DSC Store and Bandcamp Page for a number of other songs and albums recorded at DSC.
Feb 21
From Islam to Christ: How God Saved Thabiti Anyabwile
Clarus ’14 begins three weeks from today, March 14-16! Between now and then we will publish a few posts to acquaint you with our speakers.
First among these posts is a five minute testimony from Thabiti Anyabwile of how God saved him, including the story of his journey from Islam to Christ.
[RSS and email readers, click here to view this video]
Click here to learn more about Thabiti and for a list of books he has published. If you haven’t registered for this year’s conference, click here to get it done!
