Rev. Michael Durso
Rev. Dr. John Piper
Rev. Dr. Tim Keller
Rev. Dr. AR Bernard
Andy Stanley
Mark Driscoll
...to name a few! My criteria is pretty simple:
Sound Doctrine
Intellectual Rigor
Creativity
Authenticity
Skill
Humor
Relevance
Longevity
Intentional Focus
As I mentioned, one favorite is Rev. Dr. AR Bernard.
In the last year or so, I've had the opportunity to collaborate on ministry projects with his church, the Christian Cultural Center - most recently on a co-sponsored event we did together called Bizarro World - a student & leaders conference.
Set up:
Growing up at Christ Tabernacle, there were three precious women in our church who started out in ministry with Dr. Bernard at Household of Faith. They would say to me all the time 'we love you because you're like our old pastor.' I found out years later they were referring to Rev. Dr. AR Bernard. I promise there is a point!
For obvious reasons, I've never told THIS story (because it sounds like a lie in my dreams) but after I preached my first weekend sermon ever at Christ Tabernacle - a man handed me a sermon at the end of service and said to me: 'please listen to this message, you remind me of him'! To my shock and utter surprise, it was a message from Rev. Dr. AR Bernard. After the compliment, I needed a thorn in my side to accompany my new found revelation.
Fast forward January 2010, I was leading a small breakout among a list of speakers at the conference we were co-hosting. Due to a last minute schedule change, my workshop was moved into the main sanctuary - no big deal, right?
We'll I've watched Dr. Bernard from a distance at services, conferences and on television - now I was getting the chance to teach MY workshop from HIS pulpit - no big deal, right? For me, a kind of dream come true...sort of!
I seized the moment and made one request which was graciously honored by the staff at Christian Cultural Center: I asked for the CCC engraved posted notes Dr. Bernard uses when he teaches on television - and thanks to Elizabeth Fernandez aka LizPix - I now have the proof forever. Thanks Liz!
Whether I LOOK like him or TEACH like him really doesn't matter - but I've treasured the 'kind of dream come true sort of' moments along the way because they encourage and challenge me to stay committed to the course...to stay committed to the call...and to stay committed to the craft of being the most effective communicator possible.
How about you? Do you take the time to consider and catch the little things God might be doing for you 'along the way'? I'm sure I've missed plenty of opportunities to appreciate the providence and sovereignty of God, but I'm glad this moment is recorded in the books - actually in the blog!
Luke 2:19
...she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Ralph
