Jack Hayford at Central Valley Sustaining Pastoral Excellence Conference

I spent the day today with the staff of KCF in Fresno at SouthPoint church which hosted Jack Hayford during a pastors conference for pastors in the Fresno/Clovis area. Jack is now well into his 70s and continues to be the "gold standard" for those of us that find themselves in the charismatic/pentecostal camp. Not only is he a true church father, but a scholar and thinker as well. Very few of the leaders within the "spirit-filled" camp are as roundly respected across the wide-spectrum of the evangelical world as he is.

Some highlights from today:

• It is crucial during this difficult economic time that the church knows: (a) what is going on in the nation, (b) how to feel about what is going on, and (c) what to do about it.
  
• James chapter 5 is a very relevant time for this moment. Its references to corrupted wealth and the stance of the Church speak to us right where we're at. Further, Elijah's story in 1 Kings 17 is the model of how God will care for believers as the seek and stay close to Him.
  
• In the last 20 years, the church has tended to be "businessed" too heavily. You cannot business the church to fruitfulness.
  
• The point of worship is not exaltation of God, but encounter with God. See the very purpose God Himself gives to Moses for the tabernacle.
  
• Compassion based ministry is probably the best way to reach a nation that is now a pagan culture. This type of outreach must be backed up by a passionate and prayerful pursuit of discipleship born and born out of a love for people.
  

The wisdom that pours out of the man is staggering. It is clear that the depth of thought and study and experience he brings to the table gives his words a tangible weight.