Geoff, Bob and Godly/Churchly Ambition
June 6, 2011
Here are two thought provoking paragraphs from Geoff Thomas's recent address at Westminster. No quotations from Alice Cooper but there is one from an even higher source, perhaps in honour of Bob's 70th. As GT said to me afterwards, `You never saw that coming, did you?'
Aberystwyth is a small town of 18,000 people, 9,000 of whom are students, a university town divided into town and gown, further divided into two languages, Welsh and English, what has been dubbed the cultural capital of Wales. There I have built two churches, our own, and the one everyone goes to. You understand that there were lines that I couldn't cross, ethical lines, theological lines, ecumenical lines, liturgical lines. Others were happy, indeed zealous to cross them, but for me there were issues through which a salvation all of grace in its conception, continuance and consummation would have been compromised if I had crossed those lines, as would have been a worship which must be characterized by reverence and godly fear, for our God . . . our God . . . is a consuming fire. How could I ignore the Holy Spirit, and grieve him, when his presence and work in the church was totally indispensable? Without him I can do nothing . . . and nothing means nothing. The possibility of a mega church at the cost of modifying a free grace gospel was not a difficult option to reject. You wouldn't want the reputation of becoming a 'communicator' whilst not communicating God's sovereign work of redemption would you? That's not a name to be savoured is it? You wouldn't have asked me to speak here today if you were looking for such a 'communicator' would you? In the words of your most famous lyricist, "That's not me babe, oh no, no, it's not me babe. I'm not the one you're looking for."....
Let me exhort you to thank God if he has put you in that river of living grace. There is no greater privilege than to be a pastor-preacher. In the para-church there is extraordinary fascination and vitality (but also there can be self-promotion), and you may well be drawn into some of its ministries, but consider the rich diversity and satisfaction of the work of the local minister. He teaches the Bible to all ages and states of men and women, boys and girls. He lives on to see the fruit of his ministry in their lives. He evangelizes, visits the dying, counsels, writes, organizes, goes to people's homes, inspires, rebukes, stirs things up and cools things down, involves himself with the affairs of his congregation and denomination, attends conferences, assemblies and serves on committees. There is no richer or happier life. Its foundation is the donation of the ascended, reigning Lord who gives some pastors and teachers. Its boundaries and priorities are defined by the apostolic conviction, "We will give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word." Its sustenance is the divine river of grace. God never puts us where he is not present and where his grace cannot keep us. God never gives graces that he does not intend to be used for his glory and the good of his people. There is a need everywhere for sensible, caring, sound and holy ministers of the new covenant. God is their all sufficiency. May you be satisfied with him and be kept by him for long, enriching lives of Christian service. Prepare for the blessedness of such a vocation by daily appropriating your great High Priest.
Aberystwyth is a small town of 18,000 people, 9,000 of whom are students, a university town divided into town and gown, further divided into two languages, Welsh and English, what has been dubbed the cultural capital of Wales. There I have built two churches, our own, and the one everyone goes to. You understand that there were lines that I couldn't cross, ethical lines, theological lines, ecumenical lines, liturgical lines. Others were happy, indeed zealous to cross them, but for me there were issues through which a salvation all of grace in its conception, continuance and consummation would have been compromised if I had crossed those lines, as would have been a worship which must be characterized by reverence and godly fear, for our God . . . our God . . . is a consuming fire. How could I ignore the Holy Spirit, and grieve him, when his presence and work in the church was totally indispensable? Without him I can do nothing . . . and nothing means nothing. The possibility of a mega church at the cost of modifying a free grace gospel was not a difficult option to reject. You wouldn't want the reputation of becoming a 'communicator' whilst not communicating God's sovereign work of redemption would you? That's not a name to be savoured is it? You wouldn't have asked me to speak here today if you were looking for such a 'communicator' would you? In the words of your most famous lyricist, "That's not me babe, oh no, no, it's not me babe. I'm not the one you're looking for."....
Let me exhort you to thank God if he has put you in that river of living grace. There is no greater privilege than to be a pastor-preacher. In the para-church there is extraordinary fascination and vitality (but also there can be self-promotion), and you may well be drawn into some of its ministries, but consider the rich diversity and satisfaction of the work of the local minister. He teaches the Bible to all ages and states of men and women, boys and girls. He lives on to see the fruit of his ministry in their lives. He evangelizes, visits the dying, counsels, writes, organizes, goes to people's homes, inspires, rebukes, stirs things up and cools things down, involves himself with the affairs of his congregation and denomination, attends conferences, assemblies and serves on committees. There is no richer or happier life. Its foundation is the donation of the ascended, reigning Lord who gives some pastors and teachers. Its boundaries and priorities are defined by the apostolic conviction, "We will give ourselves to prayer and the ministry of the word." Its sustenance is the divine river of grace. God never puts us where he is not present and where his grace cannot keep us. God never gives graces that he does not intend to be used for his glory and the good of his people. There is a need everywhere for sensible, caring, sound and holy ministers of the new covenant. God is their all sufficiency. May you be satisfied with him and be kept by him for long, enriching lives of Christian service. Prepare for the blessedness of such a vocation by daily appropriating your great High Priest.
