Dear Friends of the GRN,
Godly ruling elders are essential to the spiritual life and health of the local church. They are also key to long-term denominational fidelity. It’s no exaggeration that as go the ruling elders so goes the church. I believe, like many of you, that the future of the Presbyterian Church in America rests, in large part, upon the spiritual state of her ruling elders. If our current and rising generations of ruling elders courageously resist the progressive ideologies of our evil age, and are committed to biblical fidelity, confessional integrity, and godly leadership, then our denomination has a very bright future.
For this reason, I am setting forth a 2025 GRN vision that will focus upon the nature and noble task of the ruling elder. In addition to feature articles, book reviews, and interviews that focus on the ruling elder, we are delighted to announce our fourth annual GRN National Conference:
THE RULING ELDER
Rediscovering the Basics of Biblical Leadership for Today’s Church
The conference, May 7-8, 2025, will be graciously hosted by our friends at St. Andrew’s Chapel (PCA) in Sanford, Florida. The beautiful campus, sanctuary, and ministry hall will serve as a wonderful venue for worship, instruction, and good fellowship. Ligonier Ministries is partnering with the GRN, not least in providing a first-class bookstore. Speakers will include Fred Greco, Burk Parsons, Rick Phillips, Guy Waters, Mel Duncan and others. There will also be edifying and instructive panel discussions featuring numerous seasoned ruling elders.
The messages and panel discussions will seek to provide encouragement and practical instruction for ruling elders on important themes such as shepherding the flock, guarding and promoting sound doctrine, cultivating personal piety, caring for the pastor, understanding polity, and faithfully serving in the courts of the church. However, the conference is not just for ruling elders. All are welcome! Indeed, we encourage teaching elders to come with their session and make it a session retreat — a time of training, growth, and relationship building. Wives and families are also welcome! We must not forget that they are also in the trenches of ministry and need our support and encouragement.
Will you make plans to join us this spring, May 7-8? Imagine the wonderful impact on our churches and denomination if hundreds of ruling elders attend and receive biblical and confessional instruction related to their calling and get informed on how to faithfully serve in the church courts! Speak to your fellow elders about attending this unprecedented national conference on the ruling elder. Early bird pricing will be limited to the first 250 registrants. Space is limited, so register soon.
Click on the link below to register for the GRN 2025 National Conference on the Ruling Elder. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to our conference coordinator, Mr. Colton Dempsey, at colton@christchurchcharleston.
We hope to see you in May!
For Christ and His Church,
Jon D. Payne
