The Westminster Seminary California Graduation Reception is an evening for graduates and their families to reflect upon their time here.

The Westminster Seminary California Graduation Reception is an evening for graduates and their families to reflect upon their time here.

The Westminster Seminary California Graduation Reception is an evening for graduates and their families to reflect upon their time here.

“The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Tim 1:5). The apostle Paul, in one of the most informative biblical books on pastoral ministry, gives this charge to his beloved child of the faith, Timothy.

Chad Vegas speaks at the WSCal 2024 Robert G. and Nellie den Dulk Lectures: Semper Reformada and Ministry. The lectures hope to address the question: what gives ministers and elders the courage to reform the piety and practice of the church entrusted to their care?

In times of distress, darkness, and hopelessness, the Psalmist exhorts believers to turn to the Lord and dwell in the shadow of the Almighty. God who is faithful will answer and will show his people His salvation.

As stewards of the gospel, Christians are called to share in Christ's afflictions in order to take His gospel to the nations.

God led his people through the rushing Jordan River to demonstrate that his power and presence are more than sufficient to meet his people’s needs. We serve a God who takes a particular delight in ordaining difficult circumstances to serve as the perfect context in which he proves his unrivaled power on our behalf.  

Saving faith is vindicated by Spirit-wrought good works.

Dr. Bitner reads through the letter of James in its entirety in this special morning devotion.

In the story we see the hopelessness of seeking salvation through the law and the beauty of salvation found in Jesus Christ. He is the merciful king who seeks, saves, and loves us.

James compares two forms of God’s law, the royal law that condemns us for just one sin and the law of liberty by which God shows us mercy. We who are under the latter law must speak and act mercifully.

Psalm 61 provides the believer a wonderful roadmap for prayer, bringing us back into the way of trusting God when we cry out for guidance, remember his faithfulness, and long for his presence.

God is working all things for our salvation, but the path that gets us there is rarely that of least resistance. In Exodus 2, we find the crooked roadmap that prepares Moses to be the savior of Israel–prefiguring the cruciform itinerary that leads Christ to be the Savior of the world.

James teaches how hearing God’s word and responding to it ought never be separated and how seeing and remembering who we are as sinners and objects of God’s grace draws the two together.

At the halfway point of my ministry career, Lord willing, I will reflect on a few hard lessons learned about ministry and myself as I relate to Simon P in the gospel of Luke.