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Leadership & Pastoral Ministry

For the Church 2025: A Conference Reflection

October 6, 2025 ⏱ 13 min read · MN 5463 Pastoral Ministry/Leadership Practicum · Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary draft

In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Pastoral Ministry/Leadership Practicum at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS), I had the God-given privilege of attending the annual For the Church conference virtually and reading a wide range of books on Christian leadership and pastoral ministry. The conference's theme in 2025 was "Kingdom Come: Ministry in Light of Glory." The morale and energy of the conference reflected this: The Kingdom had come, and the King was present in our worship and the proclamation of His Word.

Introduction

In partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Pastoral Ministry/Leadership Practicum at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS), I had the God-given privilege of attending the annual For the Church conference virtually and reading a wide range of books on Christian leadership and pastoral ministry.1 The conference’s theme in 2025 was “Kingdom Come: Ministry in Light of Glory.” The morale and energy of the conference reflected this: The Kingdom had come, and the King was present in our worship and the proclamation of His Word. This review will highlight significant portions of the conference and what they meant to me. While I missed the first two sessions—Proclaiming the Kingdom with Dr. Tony Merida and The Keys of the Kingdom with Dr. Jason Allen—I pray that those reading this reflection will be encouraged to return to their ministry contexts ready to lead in servanthood, pray for the kingdom, represent the kingdom, anticipate the kingdom, and worship the King.

Pre-Conference — Leadership Class — Dr. Jason Allen

The Pre-Conference class with Dr. Allen was based mainly on his book Turnaround: The Remarkable Story of an Institutional Transformation and the 10 Essential Principles that Made it Happen. It is a story of God’s faithfulness to MBTS and its leaders, including Dr. Allen as President, a position he accepted in 2012.2 The book demonstrates the story of Midwestern in 10 chapters, each aligning with the 10 essential steps of leadership: 1. Know Your Context; 2. Hold Your Convictions; 3. Define Your Mission; 4. Pursue the Vision; 5. Cultivate Trustworthiness; 6. Cherish Your Team; 7. Insist on Accountability; 8. Steward Your Money; 9. Communicate Clearly; and 10. Foster the Right Culture.3 These 10 principles not only highlight MBTS’s institutional revitalization but also provide practical steps we can implement in our own ministries.4 Overall, they represent a leadership system characterized by servanthood, aligning with Mark 10:32-45.5 When James and John ask Jesus for positions of authority, He admonishes them that to lead is to “drink the cup that [He] drinks” (Mark 10:38)—a cup of suffering and service.6 Jesus concludes by saying, “whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:44-45).7 These 10 leadership principles declare the maxim: “Leadership is service.” Therefore, I am resolved to practice these 10 principles in service to my brothers and sisters in Christ.8

Session Three — Praying for the Kingdom — Dean Inserra

Dean Inserra, pastor of City Church in Tallahassee, Florida, preached a sermon based on the Lord’s Prayer: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). His insight was profound, agreeing with the Baptist Faith and Message (2000):

The Kingdom of God includes both His general sovereignty over the universe and His particular kingship over men who willfully acknowledge Him as King. Particularly the Kingdom is the realm of salvation into which men enter by trustful, childlike commitment to Jesus Christ. Christians ought to pray and to labor that the Kingdom may come and God’s will be done on earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom awaits the return of Jesus Christ and the end of this age.9

Fundamentally, when Christians pray for the kingdom to come, they pray for two things. First, that the kingdom would come in the hearts of those who do not believe, bringing them into the realm of salvation. Second, that Christ would return to consummate His kingdom at the proper time, bringing this church age to an end and completing the work He inaugurated.

Inserra’s exposition declares that praying for the kingdom does six key things: 1. Aligns us with the heart of God; 2. Reminds us of our dependence; 3. Unites believers past, present, and future; 4. Keeps us off the sidelines; 5. Pushes back darkness; and 6. Anchors us in God’s promises.10 Thus, praying for the Kingdom is not only something we should do in imitation of Christ, but something that deeply invigorates us for ministry. Let us, therefore, pray for the kingdom. One practical way of doing this is by setting a daily alarm for 10:02 AM as a reminder of Jesus’s words: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Luke 10:2).11 Another way is to “read about men of prayer, and you will get hungry to pray.”12 For example, Spurgeon argues, “we are not all leaders, but we can all be pleaders.”13 Let us heed the words of Spurgeon and the exhortation of William Wilberforce: “On then, pray, pray, pray!”14 Reflecting on these examples has challenged me to develop and cultivate deep, powerful, disciplined, and kingdom-focused prayer as both a fuel and a fire for ministry.

Session Four — Ambassadors of the Kingdom — Dr. Juan Sanchez

Dean Inserra reminded the audience that Christians pray for the kingdom, which served as a launching ground for Dr. Sanchez’s sermon on the responsibilities of Christ’s ambassadors. Not only do Ambassadors pray, but they do much more. His main points were 1. Our Status as a New Covenant People; 2. Our Mission in Proclaiming His Excellencies; and 3. Our Mission in Displaying His Holiness.15 These points were primarily based on 1 Peter 2:9-12:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Because I am a Presbyterian, I disagree with Sanchez that the New Covenant people are an entirely new group of people under an entirely new covenant. However, we do find agreement that Israel in the Old Testament was to be a light for the nations, just as we, as the Church, are a reflection of God’s holiness. Therefore, I am resolved to foster holiness in myself and my community, proclaiming the excellencies of [Christ] who called [us] out of darkness and into his marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). Just as Midwestern Seminary fosters a cheerful culture, may our churches do the same—cultivating a bright, holy community of believers that is irresistible to the surrounding context.16 The Church is “the light of the world. A city set on a hill” (Matt. 5:14).

Session Five — Anticipation of the Kingdom — Jared C. Wilson

While we radiate and proclaim Jesus and His Gospel to a hostile, dying, and defeated world, we must anticipate the restoration of all things and the return of the King. Thus, Jared C. Wilson preached “Anticipation of the Kingdom” for session five. He identified three key points of anticipation—faith is the means, joy is the spirit, and love is the reward—while simultaneously recognizing that the kingdom is both present and yet to come.17 His main passage of Scripture exclaims,

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Pet. 1:3-9)

In other words, the anticipation of Christ’s return is demonstrated by our faithful and joyful hope in Him. Moreover, this anticipation of the kingdom is marked by holiness, and the adversary seeks to corrupt and destroy (1 Pet. 5:8-9). Therefore, being watchful for the kingdom involves being watchful over yourself and your congregation, just as a shepherd guards his flock.18 Let us then be on guard for ourselves and our congregations, knowing that “when the chief Shepherd appears, [we] will receive the unfading crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4) and remain in the love of God forever.19

Session Six — The King of the Kingdom — Dr. H.B. Charles, Jr., DD(h.c.)

The conference culminated in a powerful sermon from H.B. Charles Jr., who holds an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from The Master’s Seminary, demonstrating his faithfulness and impact on Gospel ministry and preaching. His exposition on Psalm 2 divided the Messianic Psalm into four pericopes: 1. The Rebellion of Sin (Ps. 2:1-3); 2. The Response of the Sovereign (Ps. 2:4-6); 3. The Reign of the Son (Ps. 2:7-9); and 4. The Requirement of Surrender (Ps. 2:10-12). Through powerful allusions and recapitulation of various hymns, Charles emphatically declared that Jesus reigns supreme, forever and ever, and that He is Lord of all. In accordance with the conference’s theme, “Kingdom Come: Ministry in Light of Glory,” he exclaimed that “We seek heaven’s pleasure, We pursue heaven’s agenda, we declare heaven’s message, we submit to heaven’s authority,” and most definitely, “We worship heaven’s King”—the Lord Jesus who will return to judge the living and the dead, making all of creation bow before Him (Isa. 45:23; Phil. 2:10).20 He concluded the conference with the staunch imperatives to “Kiss the Son,” swear allegiance to Him, and take refuge in Him, for while His wrath is great towards those in rebellion, it is gentle and loving to those He calls His own (Ps. 2:12). Let us be one of them, and let us encourage all those around us to be likewise.

Conclusion

Overall, the kingdom truly was visible at the conference. I was encouraged to take my position in ministry more seriously, for much is at stake. More specifically, many people are at stake. Therefore, I will serve my community with joy and gladness, commit to praying for the harvest, represent my Savior well, watch for Christ’s return while I care for His flock as an under-shepherd, and worship my King who reigns. I know all who attended the conference, whether in person or virtually, like me, are resolved to do the same. Moreover, I pray that some of this eagerness, zeal, and awe has spilled over into the pages of this review. May you, reader, be encouraged to serve King Jesus in light of glory, “believ[ing] in the kingdom come, when all the colors will bleed into one.”21

Bibliography

Allen, Jason. “Leadership Class.” Pre-Conference Lecture, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025.

———. Turnaround: The Remarkable Story of an Institutional Transformation and the 10 Essential Principles that Made it Happen. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022.

Charles Jr., H.B. “The King of the Kingdom.” Plenary Address, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025.

———. “Worship and God’s Kingdom.” In On Worship: A Short Guide to Understanding, Participating In, and Leading Corporate Worship, 134-138. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2022.

Inserra, Dean. “Praying for the Kingdom.” Plenary Address, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025.

Mohler, Albert. The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership That Matters. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House, 2012.

Perman, Matt. What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Expanded Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016.

Piper, John. “Brothers, Let Us Pray.” In Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry, 68-73. Brentwood, TN: B&H Publishing, 2013.

Sanchez, Juan. “Ambassadors of the Kingdom.” Plenary Address, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025.

Sanders, J. Oswald. “The Cost of Leadership.” In Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer, 39-49. 1967. Reprint, Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2007.

The Southern Baptist Convention. The Baptist Faith and Message (2000). Accessed October 6, 2025. https://www.citychurchtallahassee.com/beliefs

U2. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” On The Joshua Tree, track 2. London, UK: Island Records, 1987.

Wilson, Jared. “Anticipation of the Kingdom.” Plenary Address, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025.

———. “The Watchful Pastor.” In The Pastor’s Justification: Applying the Work of Christ in Your Life and Ministry, 89-105. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.

Footnotes

  1. This review will primarily be concerned with the conference, yet insights from the various assigned books will be incorporated. ↩

  2. Jason K. Allen, Turnaround: The Remarkable Story of an Institutional Transformation and the 10 Essential Principles that Made it Happen (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 17. ↩

  3. Allen, Turnaround, ix. ↩

  4. The revitalization of MBTS demonstrates corporate Gospel-driven productivity discussed by Matt Perman in his book What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done. Expanded Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2016). ↩

  5. Qtd. in Jason K. Allen, “Leadership Class” (Pre-Conference Lecture, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025). ↩

  6. Dr. J. Oswald Sanders also references Mark 10:38. He says that leadership is “self-sacrifice, loneliness, fatigue, criticism, rejection, pressure and perplexity, and cost to others.” In summation, leadership is costly. The cost is great, but the reward is greater. See J. Oswald Sanders, “The Cost of Leadership,” in Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (1967; repr. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2007), 39-49. ↩

  7. Unless otherwise specified, all Scripture references in this paper are to the English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016). ↩

  8. Dr. Albert Mohler provides a more comprehensive presentation of leadership in his book The Conviction to Lead: 25 Principles for Leadership that Matters (Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House, 2012). Dr. Allen does well to consolidate these basic principles into 10 steps. ↩

  9. Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article IX, “The Kingdom,” accessed October 6, 2025. https://www.citychurchtallahassee.com/beliefs ↩

  10. Dean Inserra, “Praying for the Kingdom” (Plenary Address, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025). ↩

  11. Ibid. ↩

  12. John Piper, “Brothers, Let Us Pray,” in Brothers, We Are Not Professionals: A Plea to Pastors for Radical Ministry (Brentwood, TN: B&H Publishing, 2013), 72. ↩

  13. C.H. Spurgeon, paraphrased in Inserra. ↩

  14. William Wilberforce, qtd. in Piper, 72. ↩

  15. Juan Sanchez, “Ambassadors of the Kingdom” (Plenary Address, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025). ↩

  16. Allen, Turnaround, 163. ↩

  17. Jared C. Wilson, “Anticipation of the Kingdom” (Plenary Address, For the Church National Conference, Kansas City, MO, September 29-30, 2025). ↩

  18. Jared C. Wilson, “The Watchful Pastor,” in The Pastor’s Justification: Applying the Work of Christ in Your Life and Ministry (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013), 89-105. ↩

  19. Jared C. Wilson, “Anticipation of the Kingdom.” ↩

  20. H.B. Charles, Jr., “Worship and God’s Kingdom,” in On Worship: A Short Guide to Understanding, Participating In, and Leading Corporate Worship (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2022), 135. ↩

  21. U2, “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” on The Joshua Tree (London, UK: Island Records, 1987), track 2. ↩

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