CCA Pastors’ & Leaders’ Conference 2021
David Rosales Teaches at CCA International Pastors' & Leaders' Conference 2021
Story by Kathy Symborski
Photos by Tom Price and Josh Larson
Follow Calvary Chapel Magazine as we publish summaries of the teachings at the CCA 2021 Calvary Chapel International Pastors' & Leaders' Conference at CC Golden Springs, CA.
In this installment, Pastor David Rosales of Calvary Chapel Chino Valley, CA, urges leaders to model biblical consistency and to imitate Jesus in their lives.
Watch this teaching in its entirety at Day 4 / David Rosales
A member of the worship team leads attendees to the throne room of the Lord.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.” Acts 20:17-23
“Paul has just encountered extreme opposition. He has been preaching the Gospel in the city of Ephesus. While he was there, the silversmith, Demetrius, had fomented a near riot. This is all because Paul had developed a reputation [for] preaching the Gospel,” Pastor David Rosales explained in Session 11 on the last day of the conference. Expounding on the necessity of a lifestyle demonstrating biblical consistency that leads to credibility as a disciple of Christ, he explained to the audience how Paul was a model to follow.
"Paul has a tremendous relationship with these men he calls elders. Knowing that this will be the last time he sees them face to face, he calls them together for a ‘mini pastors’ conference,’ his final farewell to them,” David related. “And when they had come to him, he said, ‘You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,’ he points first to his personal life as a pattern for a Christian leader.”
The believer's conduct and lifestyle are always on full display for others to watch and emulate. The phrase, "We may be the only Bible people read" can be seen in verse 18 when Paul reminds the elders of the church what manner he has always lived among them. David observed, “Paul is what you call a living letter. In 1 Corinthians 11:1 he says, Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. Consistent conduct reveals a heart for Jesus Christ."
Pastor David exhorted those in attendance, “[You] are a Christian first. [You] are a pastor, elder, deacon, teacher, or whatever afterwards. So if you want to earn the respect of those you serve, consistency is the key that produces and enhances your credibility.” He mapped out how in verse 19, Paul served the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials. “Paul served God. Without pride, without selfish ambition, he served God first. And he served him with tears.” He used 2 Corinthians 2:4 to explain Paul’s motivation: “I wrote to you out of great distress and anguish of heart, with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.” And that’s what Paul had for them, a depth of love.
Assistant pastors pray for each other at a workshop designed to address their unique questions and needs.
Encouraging the church, David reminded the listeners of the instruction in Matthew 28:18-20 to “go into the world to make disciples, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded.” Paul puts skin on this in Acts 20:20: “I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” He summarized that when pastors minister, God is using them to produce a holy, godly church—the reason Paul held nothing back in order to give the whole counsel of God. “Teaching all things is of infinite importance because it produces the genuine disciple,” he emphasized.
David counseled pastors in the crowd, “It’s not numbers, it’s people. It’s not numbers, it’s needs.” Warning them not to commercialize the Gospel of Jesus for success or notoriety, he urged them to focus on looking and listening to their congregation. “They are people with hurts, and needs, and pains, and memories, and sorrows, and grief, and loss. They are sheep without a shepherd. They’ve come to hear the Good News, something to set them free, something to give them hope. When you hear people say, ‘We have hope in Jesus Christ, He’s still on the throne, He is with me, brings comfort to me, He empowers me, I can do it,’ then you are doing the job of a pastor!”
Watch this teaching in its entirety at Day 4 / David Rosales
Learn more about Calvary Chapel Association
Visit the website of Pastor David Rosales' church at: calvaryccv.org
All verses above are quoted from the New King James Version, unless otherwise noted.
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