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Brian Stiller, president of Tyndale College and Seminary in Toronto, addressed the delegation Friday and Saturday evenings.
Based on 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, his first message focused on success. The apostle Paul wanted success, but his definition of success was "integrity" the state of being complete.
Stiller said that the picture of a triumphant military procession painted by Paul emphasizes the centrality of Christ. Referring to the smudge pots along the route of the procession, Stiller said, "God isn't talking about smelling nice. He speaks of the fragrance of the knowledge of someone Jesus Christ." This knowledge of Christ contradicts the post-modern understanding that everything is relative and truth is not certain: "This fragrance is about power and authority. When Christ isn't at the centre, we lose the essence of our call."
Stiller's second message, from 2 Corinthians 3:1-6, focused on humility as the "gateway to ministry". The text suggests two "letters of recommendation" law and grace. Stiller challenged the delegates to return to the Anabaptist emphasis on conversion and transformation (grace), while noting the inclination to slip back into legalism. We are transformed by grace, but once I am transformed, "I begin to assume that God loves me because I'm acting right and I expect other people to act the way I am acting." Transformation happens when we share grace, not law, with our neighbours.
A believer's competence comes from God, said Stiller, and humility is "a celebration that our confidence is in God". Stiller cautioned his listeners not to confuse humility with weakness or meekness: "Spiritual humility is to minister with boldness."
For the remainder of his message, Stiller focused on humility as a framework on which ministry hangs: "God's work done in God's way in God's time with God's power". Using stories from Scripture, history and his own life, Stiller emphasized the importance of the Holy Spirit: "We need the Spirit, not the law the power of the Spirit to use unexpected things to bring people to Christ." CF
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