New Wine in Old Wineskins: (Steve Atkerson) A brief overview of the church and its purpose.
Ministering families: (Matthew Durning) What we will look at in this exhortational session is the importance of the Father's role in the family and how his leadership and influence impacts the Church. Secondly, we will be looking at the life of Asaph (for Scriptural guidance) to see what keys of wisdom he used to pass on a godly heritage and vision to his children. If we want strong Churches to reach out and minister to the world until Christ comes back, then foundationally, that means we are going to need to build strong families. By way of clarification, this session will by no means diminish the role and necessity of a mother in the design of the family. Our goal is to examine the responsibilities that we have as fathers, and in the process show how (unfortunately) these responsibilities have been abdicated and neglected by the Church and society in general.
Primary Track Sessions - Saturday
The Lord's Supper: A Full Fellowship Meal
(Primary Track #1)
Considering the way the Lord's Supper is typically observed today, is it really fair to describe it as a "supper"? Would it not be better to call it what it actually has become: an appetizer or sample? Did our Lord truly intend to launch a memorial snack? In this session we will explore how the New Testament church observed the Lord's Supper, how often they observed it, and why they observed it. Is the Lord's Supper to be forward-looking or past-looking? Is there to be a funeral or a wedding atmosphere? What function do having one cup and one loaf serve? How does the Lord's Supper fit in with the purpose of a church meeting? Many people have expressed that adopting the practice of the early church in how they celebrated the Lord's Supper has made more of an edifying impact upon their fellowship than any other single change they made as a body of believers.
Interactive Church Meetings (Primary Track #2)
We are all familiar with the typical Sunday morning "worship service." Amazingly though, if one compares a New Testament church meeting (1 Cor. 14) to what goes on today, very little resemblance will be seen between the two. Interactive, participatory church meetings are not only the New Testament. pattern, but are expressly prescribed! Related to how we conduct our meetings, Paul wrote, "If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lords command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored" (1 Cor. 14:37-38). Obviously, what we do when we assemble is very important! Is worship really the purpose for a church service? What kinds of things are to go on in such a meeting? Who is allowed to speak? Who can teach? How many different people can address the church? What about the kids: are they to be in children's church or with their parents? What size meeting was typical in the New Testament? Come and find out in this eye-opening study.
Consensus Governing (Primary Track #3)
Did Jesus really mean that "the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves" (Luke 22:26)? The youngest children and those who wait upon tables typify those in society who don't have any authority. In this session, we will discuss the relationship that ought to exist between a church and its leaders. Exactly where does the "power" lie? Who has authority over whom? What is the role of an elder or overseer? How does consensus work? You'll be surprised at what the Bible does (and does not) say concerning biblical church government by consensus. We will argue for elder-led churches more so than elder-ruled churches. We'll push for government by consensus, not command. We'll suggest that an elder's "authority" is earned, not conferred.
Apostolic Tradition (Primary Track #4)
Suppose a new church in first century Alexandria, Egypt, wrote asking the apostle Peter for direction concerning the proper way to organize their fledging congregation. How would Peter have responded? Could a church legitimately deviate from the apostolic example? Or, were all NT churches to obey the commands of Jesus as delivered through His apostles? Some 2,000 years later, how are we to view the way the apostles did things? Is the NT way of doing things merely interesting history, or did God intend for it to be normative for all churches in every age? This session will examine the various Biblical commendations and commands to churches with respect to the tradition of the apostles. We conclude that the question is not, Do we have to do things the way they did? Rather, the question to be asked is, Why would you want to do things any other way?! Respect for our Lord who hand picked the apostles and for the Holy Spirit who led them should induce us to prefer their way of doing things to whatever our inferior wisdom might suggest.
Secondary track sessions - Saturday
Loving to Serve and Serving in Love:
(Nathaniel Caouette)
Refocusing on God's primary heart for ministry, this talk addresses the motivation and calling of all believers to walk in daily faithfulness as ministers of Christ.
The Gospel according to Jesus: (Matthew Durning) Is the gospel that is being preached today the same as the gospel Jesus preached?...... At the core of the gospel is the command for us to be willing to take up our cross and come follow our Lord (Matthew 16). If the gospel we preach does not contain " the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)" are we really sharing the gospel? What constitutes true conversion?..... How does the Scripture define faith and belief ?.... What are the differences between faith and belief?..... These questions and more will be dealt with from an extensive look into the Scriptures. This session will undoubtedly challenge the status quo that has largely been accepted by the western Church over the last half century or so.
Reaching the Lost: (Matt Whelan)
In this session we will unearth the heart of God in reaching out to a lost world. Moving from program styled events to a relational lifestyle of outreach, we will get a fresh and encouraging look into "backyard" missions. Following scriptural instruction, we will look at some practical ways in which all of God's children can impact our towns, cities and beyond.
Apostolic Workers: (Rick Thompson) This session will explore the NT epistolary evidence for itinerant ministry. We will look at the ascension gifts of Ephesians 4:11, with particular emphasis on the apostolic. We will also make a case for support of full-time itinerant workers. Following the teaching, I will offer a few reflections on the state of the region and entertain questions.
Breakout Topics
Singleness vs. marriage: (Rick Thompson) This session will focus on the calling of singleness in a Christian's life, whether for a relatively shorter or longer time period, and on four Scriptural reasons for marriage.
Principles of Song and Music: (Paul Fiore) What is the purpose of music in the House Church? What is the function and responsibility of the minstrel as part of the body? Planning and time utilization. The importance and impact of lyrics and music. Following principles vs rules. Music in different Christian settings. Should the musician practice? if so, how? Helpful musician tools. The power of our past experiences.
Parenting and Children: (Mike Derewianka) A well behaved child is a glory to the Lord and a joy to those who meet him (or her). This session will provide the parent with biblical instruction on how to train children. We will cover common situations: First time obedience, whining, passive rebellion, toddler mealtime issues, correction, sitting still in the meeting, building strong families, home schooling vs. public schooling, peer influence, using skits to encourage children in Lord's Day meetings, encouraging families with difficult children, and more. Question and Answer session. Proverbs 22:6: Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.
The Right Stuff: (Steve Atkerson)
Key Ingredients for Planting A Church In this very practical talk we will focus not so much on how to start a church but rather on what types of factors need to be in place for the plant to be a success. Considered will be such things as theological training, ministry experience, ordination, commissioning, family situation, personality types, spiritual maturity, the giftings of the Holy Spirit, length of time in an area, the stages of life, etc.
