First, let me say thank you to those who made the effort to attend the Biblical Counseling Training Conference this year. It was truly an awesome week. Quite frankly, when I came into work on Saturday, I was met with the reality that I was in the building alone. Just 24 hours earlier, this place was teeming with people. We could not help miss the wonderful time we had together. Hopefully, this article will bring back sweet memories. If you were not able to come to the BCTC this year, then maybe this will give you a taste of what God did here in Lafayette last week.
#1. The Lord was working
You could see it as the Lord used session after session to touch the hearts and lives of people. Lines formed at the end of the sessions not to debate or antagonize the speaker, but to thank them for their ministry. In some cases the guests expressed hope in the midst of hardship, joy in their union with Christ, and excitement in the ministry tools they were learning. God was also breaking hearts and bringing about repentance. Last week, God worked in the lives of his people, encouraging them on in the path of becoming like Jesus.
#2. We all were rejoicing during the worship services, during the track sessions, and during breaks
Just look at some of the faces from this year’s conference (this is the video, but if you prefer the stills, check out the album).
#3. We all were thinking about how we need to grow first
One of the highlights for me is hearing the number of people tell me that they need to be a godly husband, or wife, or parent. Maybe they need to forgive. Maybe they need to run to Jesus in the midst of their trial. Maybe they need to walk in the light. As people tell these stories it is encouraging, convicting, and an opportunity for prayer.
#4. There were tons of planning meetings about how this could strengthen individual ministries
I had the chance to meet with two different churches last week. Both churches were actively doing the same thing – they were seeking to understand how biblical counseling could be used to glorify God and strengthen his people. Don’t you just love that? These are established churches that have lots of wonderful things already going. Yet, they were asking how they could be good stewards in the personal, one on one ministry of the Word found in biblical counseling. I don’t know if I was able to be an asset to them, but I do know that I walked away from the conversation encouraged.
#5. Over 1,700 people who love Jesus were seeking to love others more
I also loved the attitude of the people. No one was being snarky or rude. They were seeking answers so that they might be able to do what Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40, love God first and then your neighbor as yourself.
It is difficult to put into words the wonderful time that we had together at the BCTC. These were just 5 of my highlights. Please comment and share some of yours.
