Counsel on Pastoring Adoptive Parents and Those Considering Adoption

Jason Kovacs of Together for Adoption has a guest post on the Desiring God Blog called 10 Ways to Pastor Adoptive Parents and Those Considering Adoption.  In light of the topic of adoption the Together for Adoption Conference is happening this October.  Click here for more information on the general session and the breakout sessions as well as speakers and topics.

Jason Kovacs:

There are many ways that you can express your pastoral care for those considering adoption and those who have adopted already. As an adoptive father and former pastor, I offer a few thoughts on how to help adoption become a biblically based, heart-led, missional movement in your church and not merely another program on your church’s list.

Below are the 10.  Read the whole post to see him elaborate on each.

1. Develop your own heart for the fatherless.

2. Do a biblical study on God’s perspective on orphans.

3. Educate yourself on basic facts about adoption and orphan care.

4. Ask questions.

5. Remind them that they desire a good and God-magnifying thing.

6. Keep on encouraging them.

7. Provide financial counsel and help.

8. Cry with them and celebrate with them.

9. Celebrate adoptions publicly in services.

10. Don’t feel like you have to have all the answers.

First Sermon Advice For Aspiring Pastors

Paul Kaiser over at The Reformed Evangelist has a great post on first sermons.

John Calvin for the 21st Century

There is an upcoming conference that Justin Taylor has mentioned on his blog as well as some audio from a recent conference Magnifying God: The Legacy of John Calvin in the 21st Century.

I realize that John Calvin is somewhat of a controversial figure for those who are not familiar with his work.  All I ask is that you drop any type of baggage that may go with his name and actually read his work such as The Institutes of the Christian Religion before making any type of opinion about him.  I have been through The Institutes and they are life changing.  Although you may not agree with everything he writes about you can definitely see his vision and heart for God through The Institutes.  Calvin is a gem of a theologian and one of the greatest Christian thinkers in church history.  You will be blessed!

Below is some information on an upcoming conference and some audio from a recent conference.

Justin Taylor:

Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary is hosting an interesting conference this August 27-29. Here’s the lineup of speakers and topics:

• • David Murray: “Calvin on Preaching Christ from the Old Testament”
  • Michael A.G. Haykin: “Calvin and Missions for the 21st Century”
  • Neil Pronk: “Calvin on the Church”
  • David Murray: “What Kind of Love is This?”
  • Ligon Duncan: “The Resurgence of Calvinism in America”
  • Gerald Bilkes: “Calvin on the Word of God”
  • Joseph Pipa: “The Work of the Holy Spirit for the 21st Century”
  • Derek Thomas: “Redemption: Speaking Peace in the 21st Century”
  • Michael A.G. Haykin: “Christian Marriage in the 21st Century”
  • Derek Thomas: “Reforming the Church”
  • Joel Beeke: “Why is Calvin important Today?”

Breakout Sessions

• • Nelson Kloosterman, “Calvin on Ethics”
  • Cornel Venema, “Calvin on the ‘Believers’ Benefits”
  • Ligon Duncan, “Calvin on the Early Church”
  • Donald Sinnema, “Calvin on Reprobation”

In related news, the audio is now online from the conference, Magnifying God: The Legacy of John Calvin in the 21st Century:

• • Collin Hansen, Calvin’s Kin: Why They’re Multiplying
  • Collin Hansen, Calvin’s Kin: What They’re Facing
  • Collin Hansen, Calvin’s Kin: Where They’re Headed
  • Collin Hansen, The Great Awakening
  • Kevin DeYoung, All Men are Like Grass: The Life of John Calvin
  • Adam Barr, Embracing Mystery…Reformation Style: How a Reformed Understanding of Mystery Addresses Emergent Concerns and Confusion
  • Jason Helpolous, Striking the Right Notes: Calvin’s View of Worship
  • Doug Phillips, Calvin for the Whole Church: His Influence Among Baptists, Anglicans and Beyond
  • Barr, DeYoung, Hansen, Helopoulos, Phillips, Panel Discussion