Weekender Plus - Part 1 of ? (maybe 1)

Brothers,

Grace to you and peace be multiplied to you. A few thoughts from The Weekender (here with Joe Rowan representing our body), which is going well:
1. I like what I see here, and I am catching some of the vision that God has blessed Capitol Hills Baptist Church ("CHBC") with, including, but in no particular order: (1) the beauty of congregationalism when its lead well (interesting though that to consider the transition history of CHBC under Dever), (2) raising up leaders and pastors who care for the sheep, (3) having blessing, comradarie, and fun together in the work of ministry, (4) the patience of Mark Dever in bringing the nine marks to fruition in his congregation, and possibly others mentioned below.
2. I like books, and I would like to have a part in offering more books through our library/book stall. I especially like some small books put out by the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation in a seried called "Resources for Changing Lives." I have looked at three and think that they provide accessible, biblical, relevant information topically that can help us and our members. I have purchased three (Anger, Angry Children, and A.D.D.) which I will make available. I'm considering trying to talk to someone here at the Weekender about their book stall ministry for ideas on how to help or serve in our book ministry.
- One point that Mark Dever made that I really like related to my liking books (I'm intentionally staying away from "I love books," although in some ways I do) is that our knowledge has to lead to action of some kind, i.e. as he put it we have to put feet to what we learn and know. Amen.
3. I don't like the term "quiet time." Why? To me it is laden with guilt. I guess it is because most of the time that I hear Christians talking about their "quiet time," it is a confession of how they are not having it. I don't have daily specific times with God right now. I usually have a few minutes of prayer for me, my family, people in the church, and on miscellaneous topics. I usually lead my family in "Family Worship," once a day where we pray and read scripture, either a chapter from the book we are reading or doing scripture memory together, usually sing Psalms or Hymns, and talk about the scripture. Should I have more than this? Whatever is beneficial in me and those I lead (primarily my family) having a day of fellowship with God and doing his will of love from the heart, that is what I need. Do I get that? By faith I do until I am driven to my knees again for a current need that is too big for me, which is often.
4. Travis, I see now what you mean about Mark Dever's incredible leadership skills. He is a strong personality, a mostly under-control bull using his strength of presence for mostly good purposes, especially directing the group's thinking and also drawing people out. Although he certainly makes mistakes and depends on the group of men that God has put around him. He specifically stated that he was not a good manager, and does seem to be fine with letting go and letting others do their part. I love that he has fun with it, and seems to really enjoy people.
- One more specific point about his patience from his story of how God led them here at CHBC is that he tried to avoid fights. He would make his position known and then let others decide and leave it to God. I think that is a very commendable trait. The mutual submission I see operating here looks healthy. Of course, I am sure that there are always some stresses to work through that we do not see in a Weekender. May the Lord continue to bless their work.

Brothers, I do not know how often I will have long posts like this, but I trust that you all will skim. If I am looking for a specific response from one or all of you, I willl bold the text and ask questions with specific names. If I don't get a response from the blog, I will email you. If I don't get a response from the email, I will call you. If I don't get a response from the call or voicemail, I will come over your house and see how you are doing. Sound good, brothers? Testing this emergency response system.

Thank you to the church for giving me this opportunity. May the Lord grant me opportunity to bear fruit with the knowledge and experience gained from this weekend.

With tired, but good cheer!

Roy Huddle