2023 Annual Conference Speakers
Dr. Bradley J. Bitner
Our Aim is Love
Paul argues in 1 Timothy 1:5-7 that being mindful of the goal in Christian ministry and discipleship keeps us from swerving and wandering. That goal is love–not a love of power or position or platforming, not a love of winning the argument, nor a love of hearing oneself talk. The aim is instead an exemplary love and care for others that finds its source in God’s grace that overflows to us in Christ. When we aim for this love, the church grows and God is glorified.
Dr. A. Craig Troxel
A Pure Heart
Wisdom says, "keep the heart with all vigilance, because from it flow the springs of life." Paul agrees. To safeguard love as the proper aim of the ministry, we must also consider its source in a "pure heart." The fountainhead impacts everything that proceeds from it. The integrity of one's ministry begins here, in a heart of refined simplicity. The task before us is to discern what a pure heart is and how it relates to love as the aim of the ministry.
Dr. Jason Pickard
A Good Conscience
A good conscience is not something we talk about much these days. However, Paul teaches us that pastoral love comes, in part, from a good conscience. Therefore, in this lecture, we will explore the resurrection of the conscience as a fundamental aspect of pastoral care. We will also ask how we develop a good conscience–spoiler alter: it is only in Christ!
Dr. David E. Briones
A Sincere Faith
There is a lot being said about "faith" these days that challenges the heart of Reformation. Faith is defined as "faithfulness" or "loyalty." What these scholars are trying to capture is the connection between faith and love, which results in a "sincere faith." We will challenge their definition of faith, discover the way in which faith works through love, and consider the practical differences between "sincere" and "insincere faith," all with the aim of bolstering the saving faith of the saints.
President Joel E. Kim
A Faithful Stewardship
In an age when words and phrases like influencers, platforming or deplatforming, thought-leaders, and viral are commonplace, how does the church and her leaders carry out their ministry? The word that the Bible emphasizes for our ministry of love is faithfulness, faithfulness of the message proclaimed and the messenger who proclaims that message. Thus this message will reflect on the biblical emphasis of quiet faithfulness as stewards of the message of the Gospel.
