In recent years God has allowed C.J. Mahaney, my dear friend and former senior pastor, to develop some unexpected but meaningful friendships with Mark Dever, Al Mohler, and Ligon Duncan. Unexpected because CJ barely graduated from high school and these guys have lots of letters after their names. They also come from Baptist and Presbyterian roots, while CJ heads up the reformed charismatic family of churches known as Sovereign Grace Ministries. Unexpected as they are, the friendship he shares with these men is meaningful because they share a common passion for (among other things) the Gospel, Reformed soteriology, the local church, and a complementarian understanding of men and women (equal worth before God with differing roles). Their common commitment to the Savior and doctrines of primary importance has given them a deep love and respect for each other. As evidence of what God has been doing in their relationships, they are sponsoring a pastors’ conference in Louisville, Kentucky, April 26-28, called Together for the Gospel. I’ll have the privilege of leading in corporate praise from piano throughout the conference.
To stimulate discussion on the topics that will be addressed at the conference, these guys have started a blog. Since I did a series on blogging a few weeks ago, I thought this post by Mark Dever, The Unbearable Lightness of Blogs, is great counsel for anyone who reads or writes blogs. Here’s a portion:
“One reason that I’ve been reluctant to enter the blogosphere is that I am concerned that blog-writing and reading only adds to a bad tendency that we today already have–a fascination with the newest, latest, and most recent. And the newest and latest also often means that which is of only immediate value, that which is passing. That is opposed to that which is enduring, and which has in fact endured and lasted. We write words here which crawl along electronically and leap out through your fingers and eyes to take precious minutes and hours that the Lord has entrusted to us. Could these small things we write really be that important?”
Another quote: “Even beyond the Bible, there are 2,000 years of Christian reflections in print before we get to blogs.”
So why am I highlighting the “unbearable lightness of blogs” when you’re reading my blog? Two reasons. First, I don’t think that Mark is saying that blogging is worthless. He’s simply pointing out the temptations and limitations of the medium, and encouraging us to prioritize reading that is substantial and enduring. Second, I don’t want you to see Worshipmatters for more than it is: an encouragement never to be satisfied with less than what God has created you for – passionate, grateful, humble, all-of-life devotion to the rule, love, and exaltation of Jesus Christ.
To that end, I’ll be starting a series tomorrow on the role of the corporate worship leader, which I may be doing for some time. I’ll be taking time along the way to share thoughts on different topics I trust will be helpful.
PS For more thoughts on Mark’s post, check out Tim Challies’ The Profound Blessings of Blogging.
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