Things have been kind of busy around here lately. Last week I had the privilege of leading worship for the Sovereign Grace Pastor’s Conference. Had about 800 folks came, including around 170 guests.
The main messages were rich. CJ Mahaney spoke twice on 1 Pet. 5:1-4, focusing our eyes on the great Shepherd and the high calling of caring for his people. Dave Harvey addressed “What Makes the Great Commission Great?” He offered a compelling presentation of a church-based mission strategy. Jeff Purswell spoke from 2 Tim. 2:15 on “The Pastor and His Teaching.” He challenged us and equipped us for the priority of preaching God’s Word. Jared Mellinger spoke from Psalm 78 and inspired us in our commitment to serving future generations. The messages will be available for download from the Sovereign Grace website in the near future.
Along with outstanding teaching and great fellowship, we sang the praises of the One in whose name we gathered. The list of songs we used is below. One of my favorites is All I Have is Christ, written by my oldest son, Jordan. The lyrics are below and you can download the conference version here.
I once was lost in darkest night
Yet thought I knew the way
The sin that promised joy and life
Had led me to the grave
I had no hope that You would own
A rebel to Your will
And if You had not loved me first
I would refuse You still
But as I ran my hell bound race
Indifferent to the cost
You looked upon my helpless state
And led me to the cross
And I beheld God’s love displayed
You suffered in my place
You bore the wrath reserved for me
Now all I know is grace
Hallelujah! All I have is Christ
Hallelujah! Jesus is my life
Now Lord I would be Yours alone
And live so all might see
The strength to follow Your commands
Could never come from me
Oh Father use my ransomed life
In any way You choose
And let my song forever be
My only boast is You
By Jordan Kauflin. © 2008 Sovereign Grace Praise
Monday PM
Praise the Lord – (Doug Plank, Bob Kauflin)
Greater Than We Can Imagine – (Mark Altrogge)
God Over All – (Devon Kauflin)
Glorious and Mighty – (Joel Sczebel, Todd Twining, Bob Kauflin)
Crown Him with Many Crowns – (Matthew Bridges, George Elvey, Godfrey Thring)
Tuesday PM
Heavenly Father, Beautiful Son (Mark Altrogge)
All Because of Jesus (Steve Fee)
He is Jesus (Stephen Altrogge)
O the Deep, Deep Love (Samuel Trevor Francis and Bob Kauflin)
All I Have is Christ (Jordan Kauflin)
Wednesday AM
Grace Unmeasured (Bob Kauflin)
Jesus, Thank You (Pat Sczebel)
Wednesday PM
Let Your Kingdom Come (Bob Kauflin)
Greater than We Can Imagine (Mark Altrogge)
Glorious and Mighty (Todd Twining, Joel Sczebel, Bob Kauflin)
Blessed Is the One (Doug Plank)
The Lord Is (Pat Sczebel, Bob Kauflin)
I Will Glory in My Redeemer (Steve & Vikki Cook)
That was a tremendous conference. It exceeded our high expectations. Thanks for your part in it, Bob.
Good to hear from you again, Bob.
This is random and off-topic, but how does one acquire the ability to embed audio such as the Flash player in this post? I would love to post some audio to my blog, but haven’t figured out how to make it happen.
I wish we could get the choir versions, but I know I am biased just because I was in the choir. :)
Terry,
It was a joy and a privilege to meet you and Juanita. May God continue to comfort and sustain you with every blessing provided for us in our great Savior.
“All I Have Is Christ” — GREAT song — great CD! We taught this song to our youth worship team last November.
I also organize all the worship for our women’s retreats. This year it was on Vocation: “You are where you are, doing what you are doing, connected to whom you are connected, under given authorities, not because you have put yourself there in order to find fulfillment, but because God has put you there for His purposes.”
The theme song I picked for the retreat (which we sang at least once at each session) was also from LU “Thy Way, Not Mine” — Great, great hymn and love the the new tune by Joel Sczebel!!
Bob –
I was one of those 170 guests and i was BLESSED, thank you. There are many things I value and appreciate about SG, but I was so impacted by the “ethic of edification” I felt there. Every one of you who stepped up to lead so evidently sought to encourage the men and women there. Your humble, servant leadership not only refreshed me, but exhorted me to be a pastor even more committed to the encouragement of the Body of Christ. Thanks, my soul was refreshed.