My Feelings So Far about T4G

So far here is my summary of T4G. The conference is one of the most unique conferences that I have ever attended in that it seems less like a conference and more like a big reunion. Granted most of the attendees do not know each other personally, but it feels like we are all distant cousins. You sense a connection, a family connection, to everyone in the room and have an interest in how their life is going. Usually in a conference my focus is on the speakers, seminars, and schedule. But here the seminars feel more like a gathering rather than anything else. Now I know that I have used the word "feeling" more times in this post than I have in all Fide-O posts combined, but that is just the reality of my experience.

You know the old saying, "Less is more." That is true of this conference. The scope and structure of this conference has been narrowed down to this one common denominator -- We are here for the Gospel's sake. And it has been quite refreshing. Simple, and simply profound. I haven't heard anything new this week; I haven't walked out and said of a seminar that it was theologically challenging. Of course, there may be some here that have not been preaching the gospel of justification and imputation in their church. Hopefully, they have been convicted and plan to increase the theological teaching within their ministry. But for me, I have been greatly encouraged to stand faithful, keep my eye on the prize, and become more sensitive to the Gospel ministry of others. The Apostle Paul often reminded people of what they knew; he encourged Timothy to be faithful to what he had been taught since a child. That is what I feel the speakers have done to me. I've been encouraged, edified, strengthened, and refreshed.

Someone may say that such can be accomplished at conventional meetings and such. But I disagree. Everyone here has more in common from a philosophy of ministry and theological disposition than you would find at a conventional meeting. Thus there is that great sense (feeling) of fellowship.

Below is the written purpose of this conference which was signed by its speakers:

We are brothers in Christ united in one great cause -- to stand together for the Gospel. We are convinced that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been misrepresented, misunderstood, and marginalized in many churches and among many who claim the name of Christ... We are also brothers united in deep concern for the church and the Gospel. This concern is specifically addressed to certain trends within the church today. We are concerned about the tendency of so many churches to substitute technique for truth, therapy for theology, and management for ministry... that God's glorious purpose for Christ's church is often eclipsed in concern by so many other issues, programs, technologies, and priorities.... [there is] confusion over crucial questions concerning the authority of the Bible, the meaning of the Gospel, and the nature of truth itself... We stand together for the Gospel -- and for a full and gladdening recovery of the Gospel in the church.

[The above quote is part of the preamble of a document published for this conference that consisted of 18 articles of affirmations and denials concerning the Gospel. I will blog on each of those soon.]