Dear Friends,
In January the GRN Executive Council met at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. During our time together, we discussed ways that the Gospel Reformation Network can further encourage the PCA, our beloved denomination, to remain steadfastly committed to Scripture and our confessional standards.
We talked and prayed about the need for more practical instruction for Ruling Elders and young ministers in the PCA, particularly on subjects that constitute the meat and potatoes of faithful ministry in the local church. We want to provide this positive instruction in the future through regional seminars, Seminary luncheons for students and faculty, presbytery and General Assembly events, and strategic publishing.
We strongly believe in the GRN’s vision to cultivate warm-hearted and evangelistic confessional Presbyterian churches in the PCA—a vision that emerges from the soil of the PCA’s founding in 1973 and fosters denominational unity and faithfulness.
Many of you already know that we have named 2025 The Year of the Ruling Elder. This year’s GRN National Conference will focus on the vital subject of the Ruling Elder’s mission-critical ministry in the church. This conference will bring encouraging and challenging biblical instruction to officers and church-members alike. All are welcome!
2025 GRN NATIONAL CONFERENCE
Our conference is being hosted by St. Andrews Chapel (PCA) in beautiful Sanford, Florida, and will take place May 7th-8th (full day on Wednesday and half day on Thursday). The speakers will expound on relevant biblical topics related to church leadership and church health.
For example, Dr. Guy Waters will speak on “How Jesus ‘Still’ Runs the Church”; Dr. Richard Phillips will speak on “The Confessional Ruling Elder”; Rev. Fred Greco will give an address on “Ruling Elder Strong — How to Impact the PCA as a Ruling Elder”; and I will speak on “Shepherding Those for Whom Christ Died” from Acts 20:28.
In addition, RE Mel Duncan will give a brief address on “Five Key Lessons for Ruling Elders” before facilitating a panel discussion with seasoned Ruling Elders drawn from across the denomination. In addition to these engaging messages, there will be a breakout session specifically focused on encouraging Elders’ wives, led by Mrs. Kerry Anderson of Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church (PCA). Therefore, gentleman, bring your wives to this wonderful conference in central Florida, if you are able!
I don’t want to fail to mention that this year’s conference will feature a meet-and-greet at Reformation Bible College on Tuesday evening for attendees who arrive early, as well as a wonderfully stocked Ligonier Bookstore. Let me encourage you to register today for the GRN National Conference. Again, all are welcome.
Now for a little news about the GRN banquet. Over a thousand were in attendance at last year’s banquet in Richmond. It was electric. This year’s banquet in Chattanooga on Wednesday evening, June 25th, is going to be even better. In addition to the warm fellowship, book giveaways, and updates from the GRN, we will hear a strong message from our friend and Executive Council Member, Dr. J. Ligon Duncan, III. He will speak on the power and spiritual blessings of an ordinary means of grace ministry. Dr. Duncan will remind us of where our confidence in ministry should be placed—not in ourselves or in man-made methods, but in Word, sacraments, and prayer. A registration page will be posted at gospelreformation.net in a few weeks.
We love the Presbyterian Church in America, and we are grateful for all that the Lord is doing in our midst. In our Executive Council meetings at Coral Ridge last month, we prayed the God would work powerfully in all of our churches and empower PCA Ruling and Teaching Elders to embrace the old paths of gospel ministry. We prayed that the unsearchable riches of Christ would be preached with clarity and passion from our pulpits, fonts, and tables. We prayed that we would not be conformed to the shifting trends of culture in our worship and mission, but conformed to the authoritative, all-sufficient, and efficacious Word of God.
Dear friends, join us in our prayers and vision to cultivate healthy Reformed churches in the PCA. We hope to see you in central Florida in May.
For Christ and His Kingdom,
