The Shepherd's Conference
I have been given the great privilege of liveblogging this year’s Shepherd’s Conference. The conference, which is geared primarily towards pastors and is sponsored by Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, is composed of both General Sessions and Conference Seminars.
The General Sessions “are times when we gather as one great congregation to worship the Lord in music and sit under the teaching of godly men—men who have proven themselves to be passionate teachers of God’s Word and faithful shepherds of God’s people.” The keynote speakers at these General Sessions are: John MacArthur, R.C. Sproul, Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, Mark Dever, and Steve Lawson.
The Conference Seminars allow “access to a variety of teaching from pastors and elders of Grace Community Church and professors from The Master’s College and Seminary. Seminar topics range from expository preaching and shepherdology to key theological issues vital for shepherds today.” Among the seminar leaders are Phil Johnson, Irv Busenitz, Nathan Busenitz, Rick Holland, Steve Lawson and Richard Mayhue.
There will be eleven General Seminars and each person will attend five of the more than forty Conference Seminars. While there are different “tracks” available, I am attending seminars on a variety of topics.
I have been given free rein as to how I blog the conference. My intent is to allow those who are not able to attend the conference to be able to understand what is happening and perhaps to gain some idea of the atmosphere at such a gathering. I will provide commentary on each of the General Sessions as they unfold and will also comment on the Seminars I choose to attend. I am hoping to have opportunity to speak with some attendees and ask how they are enjoying their time. I hope that my endeavors will prove valuable to those who choose to read the updates.
I am on my way to Los Angeles today (with a three-hour stop in Atlanta) and will begin blogging in earnest when the conference begins at 10 AM (Pacific Standard Time) on Wednesday March 5. I’d appreciate your prayers for my travelling safety and for the healty and safety of my family while I am away. There will be people staying with my family, so I do not really fear for their safety, but I do tend to miss them when I am away!
If you have any input as to how I can make the liveblogging of this conference more valuable for you, the reader, please do not hesitate to let me know, either by sending an email or by posting a comment.
Comments (20) »
1. mike garner
February 28, 2006
6:03 AM
Thank you for doing this. Those who cannot attend can still benefit.
I’d like a combination of reporting and editorial work for the sessions but I realize this might put stress on you and also that other people might just want the facts. So, if I had my way I’d like to hear your comments/opinion on the matter but that is just a preference.
In Christ alone, mike
2. Bibliomaniac
February 28, 2006
7:36 AM
I’m excited for you and plan to follow the liveblogging closely. The atmosphere at Grace is always pretty exciting during these conferences.
As for the blogging, let us know the “little things” you appreciate about the conference, and perhaps you could share some of the more thought-provoking questions pastors ask at the end of seminars.
Would be interesting if you were able to get brief “conference impressions” from longtimers who have been to several conferences, and also from first-timers.
And we’re all eager to see how you spend Saturday afternoon!
3. mikbry24
February 28, 2006
8:58 AM
I was hoping you would type everything in every message you hear, verbatim. Oh, and no typographical errors. :-)
4. Dan S.
February 28, 2006
9:31 AM
Have a great trip, Tim. Will be praying for you, me and all those that attend. I’m travelling as well today, from Calgary - direct flight to LAX but trying to get out of here before a huge winter storm hits.
Glad a fellow Canadian is there. There’s usually not too many of us. Hope to meet you.
By the way, I snagged some tickets to the Kings game on Saturday. How Canadian is that?
5. Dan S.
February 28, 2006
9:33 AM
How does one get one’s name to show up in the brown bar?
6. Susan
February 28, 2006
9:58 AM
Re: Dan S. question How does one get one’s name to show up in the brown bar?
You have to be named HERSHEY or NESTLE! ;-)
By now Dan, you can see it magically appears!
Tim,
How exciting to be at The Shepherd’s Conference. I can’t wait to see anything you post, misspelled or not. ;-) The prayers are going up for you and the Challies family back home in Canada.
7. Michael Beasley
February 28, 2006
10:03 AM
Have a great time Tim. My wife and I came very close to deciding to come this year, but the schedule just didn’t permit - we will look forward to your posts. You mentioned:
“I will provide commentary on each of the General Sessions as they unfold and will also comment on the Seminars I choose to attend.”
You asked for thoughts/suggestions - Whenever I have attended the conference, I find that it is helpful to talk to people about the seminars that I couldn’t attend. As you have a chance to interview folks, you might want to pop a few questions about the seminar experiences of others - it can often be informative.
Enjoy!
8. Dawn
February 28, 2006
10:44 AM
I will read your posts with great interest. My husband and son are flying out to the conference as I post this comment.
Have a great week!
9. KC
February 28, 2006
11:20 AM
Suggestion:
Ask Dr. Mohler anything about anything and be prepared for a phenomenal response. He has to be the most intelligent man in the universe. :)
10. Shelley
February 28, 2006
11:36 AM
You must be on Delta. What’s the old saw? “Even if you go to Hell, you will change planes in Atlanta.”
11. Tim Challies
February 28, 2006
11:38 AM
As a matter of fact, I just paid $10 for the privilege of logging on to the Internet in the airport here in Atlanta. I’ve got another hour and a half to wait.
Quite right - all Delta roads lead through Atlanta. Strangely, though, I think I’m flying Northwest or something out to L.A. It must be one of those “partner” deals.
12. Sam
February 28, 2006
12:12 PM
Rain, rain, go away, come again another day…
13. Scott Hill
February 28, 2006
12:28 PM
Jason and I will be there making sure you spell everything correctly.
14. Nathan White
February 28, 2006
12:57 PM
I hate to tell you Tim, but I could have gotten you on for free at the Atlanta Airport. I work for the company that supplies wireless to most of the property :)
Oh, and where can I find you at the SC? I’m here now, a little early, all the way from ATL, and I would definitely like to meet you. Drop me an email if you ever get a free moment.
SDG Nathan
15. Terry Stauffer
February 28, 2006
1:49 PM
If you want to boost the attendance at SC next year, give us a list of the books they’re giving away!
I seriously considered going (Dan S is persuasive!) but I chose T4G instead. Maybe next year!
Have a great time, Tim!
16. dwcasey
February 28, 2006
4:45 PM
Tim, will there be a special part of your site that will have info from the conf? The link from the Shepherd’s Conf. site simply links back to your main page. A “special” link or secition off the main page might be nice. Just a thought.
17. Paul
March 1, 2006
3:28 AM
Tim, If you can give us a flavour of the conference that would be really appreciated. Tell us about the good & the bad (if there are any bad bits!!!!). I would be thankful for your personal insights on any issues. We have 6” of snow in Scotland….What’s the weather like there??
18. Steven Galloway
March 1, 2006
7:05 PM
Thanks for doing this Tim. I attended the past two SC. In ‘04 the weather was great, and so were the free resources. Last year’s give-aways were still great, but the weather, not so good! Still wish i could be there, but our staff chose to attend T4G this year instead along with the Desiring God conference as always! Have fun and keep the blog rolling! SDG smg
19. jc
August 29, 2006
4:54 PM
With Terry Stauffer (commenter #15), I’m curious as to what books they gave away at the most recent conference.
Please let us know.
20. pastor osars kenoly
August 19, 2007
4:19 PM
am impressed about what i have reas in your site i would like to know more about tour organisation and i would like to participate in your programme in the nearest future rhanks and God bless.
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