\u201cWhen I came to CHBC,\u201d Dever explained, \u201cI was very clear with them that I was happy for every aspect of my public ministry to fail, if necessary, except for the preaching of God\u2019s Word.\u201d The hyperbole was intentional. Dever wanted the church to understand the primacy of the preached Word in the congregation\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPreaching is central to the pastoral ministry,\u201d Dever explained at the congregational Q&A in 1993. \u201cA lot of churches in America don\u2019t think that. I think they\u2019re wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dever began by preaching expositionally through Mark\u2019s Gospel. From his time studying the Puritans, Dever realized that in a \u201cChristian culture,\u201d the way you preach evangelistically to self-conscious Christians who may not be converted is by constantly repeating the same truth in sermons: This is what a Christian is like. The Gospels provided the perfect lens to do so through Jesus\u2019s words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p><\/p> What are the marks of a faithful pastor?
Preach
Pray
Love
Stay
On the 30th anniversary of Mark Dever's installation as pastor of @CHBCdc<\/a>, here are some reflections on how these goals have shaped Mark's ministry on Capitol Hill.https:\/\/t.co\/rhunQTIFQm<\/a><\/p>— Caleb Morell (@calebmorell) September 25, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>