Servant of the Word and Flock (continued)
way by allowing us to be a blessing to pastors in their local churches.
In May of that same year, 1980, a five-day Shepherds' Conference for pastors was convened in Sun Valley. Fewer than two hundred men were present, but for John, who presided, the venture was 'one of the greatest events here at Grace Church. It was a thrilling time for them—and for us. God has called us to assist pastors all over the world, as Christ uses them to build His church.'
Word on the value of the Shepherds' Conference spread quickly, with the result that it came to be held twice a year at Grace. The numbers soon increased. In December 1984 John could note, "We have hosted thousands of pastors at nine conferences."* Simultaneously there was a demand for John to speak to gatherings of pastors in many places. When he was invited to a conference for French-speaking pastors in Montreal, in September 1982, such was the response that it led to the opening of a Canadian branch of Grace to You three years later.
The kind of pastors' conferences that John wanted to encourage can be seen in this note he wrote on objectives:
1. Renew the flame of pastoral ministry. 2. Give them a greater desire for the ministry which they have received from God. 3. Help them to forget themselves so that they may exercise a more efficient ministry. 4. How to discern leadership within the church.
His headings for what he was to say at one of these conferences further shows his intention: Humility and teachableness—Perseverance in the face of discouragement—Devotion and loyalty to God, not the * The figure includes Shepherds' Conferences in other parts of the country as will be explained later. y
The 1980s 85 church—It is God's church—Nourish a sense of thankfulness and satisfaction for what they already have.
The need to be addressed in these conferences was more than simply the giving of instruction. After all, books can serve that purpose. It was to encourage the vision of what it means to be a 'man of God', to prompt the pursuit of godliness (eusebeia), and to warn against things that make for an unsanctified preacher.
Preachers themselves need to be preached to. When MacArthur spoke to them this is what they got in addresses that included such words as: "Watch your heart. Watch your motives. Watch your desires. Watch your conduct. Watch your behaviour.'
At the same time, in all these conferences for pastors, MacArthur is careful not to give any impression that listening to him, or trying to follow Grace Community Church, can lead other men to success. He never presents a program that will 'work anywhere; on the contrary he knows men are commonly in situations different from his own situation: There are faithful saints in churches all across the country who sense no matter how hard they work, no matter how faithful they are, their church still struggles, falters, veers off course, and loses ground. Pressure bears down on us from the world and from within our own walls. Spiritual growth comes slowly. wie
The years 1985-86 brought two major additions to John's ministry with respect to the education of youth. The first of these was entirely unsought. At this date the Los Angeles Baptist
College, founded in 1927 for the training of undergraduates at university level, was experiencing difficulties, and offered their work and its site to MacArthur and Grace Community Church.
This offer was taken up. Re-named The Master's College, with MacArthur as its President in 1985, the institution was to see its enrolment almost doubled the following year. The aim was, and continues to be, serious Christian discipleship along with academic excellence. Since then it has generally had about a thousand full-time students, along with night classes for hundreds of others. Many parents have had the happiness of seeing the aim of the college fulfilled in their young people.
The second addition was the result of a deliberate wish on the part of MacArthur and Grace Church. The Los Angeles
Baptist College had originally offered theological training. It would seem strange for Grace Church to take the control of a liberal arts college, and yet have no ultimate responsibility for the Talbot theological extension on its own campus. The time seemed right not to renew theological training at the college, but to open a new seminary under the church's oversight in place of the extension program.° Thirty-six students already trained on the campus were now serving churches and the need for larger numbers was evident. The components of the Talbot extension thus became The Master's Seminary in 1986. It was a formality for the student body of ninety-five to transfer. The same faculty of three instructors also continued, senior among them being Dr Irvin A. Busenitz, who had been a Talbot teacher since 1974.
He remains to the present time the Professor of Bible and Old
Testament. MacArthur, whose leadership lay behind the whole
MacArthur had been offered the presidency of Talbot Theological Seminary. But his acceptance was impossible, and would have involved him in items, such as the training of women students, with which he was not in agreement.