What began as a conversation over breakfast quickly became a moment we wanted to capture by video as Ian McConnell and Bob Kauflin elaborated further on the Transfer Conference.

In this video they discuss the following questions: 

• Why this conference?
• Who should come?
• What are we transferring?
• And, how this Transfer is linked to what God has been doing in our family of churches for the last 30 years.

We hope this conversation inspires you, as it did us, for how we hope God will use this conference as an entension of the work taking place in the local church.

Registration will open December 1st.

• 
• 
• 
• 

There is nothing like corporate worship to stir our affections toward God, encourage each other, and remind us of the glorious gospel. And few experiences better remind me of the value of corporate worship than T4G 2008, 2010, and 2012 where thousands of voices were led by my favorite worship leader, Bob Kauflin. If you were in Louisville for one of the conferences, you know what I’m talking about. And if you were not there, you’ll be able to experience for yourself something of what it was like by listening to one of the live recordings from the conference (Together for the Gospel Live, Together for the Gospel Live II).  The lastest album set to release November 27th contains 16 of the songs we sang as we gathered this year. Samples of the songs can be heard here.

For more of an ablum preview, watch this brief video capturing some of the sights and sounds from Together for the Gospel Live II. 

• 
• 
• 
• 

The Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference was a wonderful time celebrating the gospel and our partnership in mission as a family of churches. Thank you for praying for us!

Enjoy the following slideshow of pictures from our time together. 

• 
• 
• 
• 

From generation to generation... What we treasure, we must transfer!

This reality is what lies behind Transfer, a four-day gathering (May 25-28, 2013) hosted by the churches of Sovereign Grace Ministries. Transfer exists to celebrate and proclaim those biblical truths and values that are most important to pass on from one generation to the next. For values to be transferred, they must be seen, taught, and experienced in daily life, not simply at a conference. For that reason,Transfer is designed both to equip and inspire you to view your life, generation, and church as part of a much larger tapestry God is weaving for his glory. You are not alone. And at Transfer you’ll have the opportunity to join with different generations to celebrate and be strengthened in the values we treasure most.

Why this conference?

That the next generation might set their hope in God... Psalm 78:4, 7 says: “We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done... so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.” We want to transfer what matters. We want those after us to see how glorious a relationship with Jesus is. We want them to hope in God – not in our methodologies, our practices, our structures, or even our example, but in God himself. Drawing on our history as a family of churches and the amazing truths we celebrate, the Transfer Conference will create a context for us to intentionally transfer the things we treasure to the next generation. If we assume these things, we will lose them, so we must be intentional to transfer them. In a focused way, Transfer will allow us to do this by devoting each session to a particular truth we collectively treasure: God’s glory, God’s gospel, God’s word, God’s presence, God’s people, God’s design, and God’s mission.

Who should come?

Transfer is for... Young Adults. Transfer will be geared especially toward young adults (18 and over). If you’re a young adult, your season of life is an ideal time to become grounded in the things that matter most. As you seek out which things are of first importance, we want you to be established in the truths we treasure.

Transfer is for... Teens. If you’re a teenager, you also need to explore the things that matter most. We want to partner with your parents in passing on the most important things to you.

Transfer is for... Parents. If you’re a parent of a teen, you are already doing a lot of transferring. This conference can be refreshing to you as you come with your teen and hear thetruths we love once again.

It’s for... Anyone. If you don’t fit into any of the categories above, but just want to come, press into the Lord with his people, and be amazed by the things that have been amazing us for so long as a family of churches, you’re welcome to come.

Registration opens December 1st. In the meantime, enjoy this promotional video that allows you to journey through our 30-year history where we’ve sought to faithfully transfer the truth we collectively treasure.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Arche Church in Hamburg, Germany was privileged to host the annual Eckstein Conference this past week, October 18-21. Pastors, leaders, and Christians from all over Europe gathered to be further instructed from God’s Word on the transforming power of the gospel.

Sadly, the church in the land of the reformation is in poor health due to the influence of liberal theology. Many churches have moved far away from what Luther recovered. The Eckstein Conference serves to draw many to return to sound doctrine and practice according to the Word of God. This year C.J. Mahaney and Jeff Purswell served as our main speakers unpacking the Scriptures to help us further see the connection between the gospel and progressive sanctification.

One of many highlights of the conference was Jeff’s sermon from Isaiah 6 about the holiness of God. He made specific connections between the theological truth of the text and its applications to every day life. In his message Jeff made the point that just as Isaiah could not stand before God, we too need help from outside ourselves to be in the presence of a holy God. We can only find hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of the attendees commented that they have never heard Isaiah 6 preached more powerfully.

It was also a great joy to welcome C.J. Mahaney. This was his first time speaking at this conference. In his fine and joyful manner he immediately won the hearts of the Germans. In his message from James 4:1-2 he addressed how cravings underlie conflicts. His preaching was practical and uplifting for those in attendance. In his message on Hebrews 3:12-13 he addressed the responsibility we have to help each other grow in godliness. He used an illustration of a businessman preparing for an important meeting but failed to notice the cream cheese that was on his face, remaining from his earlier breakfast. No one alerted this businessman of what was obvious to others…the cream cheese on his face. This businessman was heading into an embarrassing situation and no one was willing to stop him. The stakes are much higher for us as Christians.

In attendance at the conference was a woman who was preparing to divorce her husband of 30 years. Upon returning home she wrote us:

Dear Pastors, yesterday I was at the Eckstein Conference....the sermons were so clear and convicting that I decided to humble myself by writing a letter to my husband. The result was that both of us have decided to devote ourselves to each other again. May the Lord help us. The message of C.J. Mahaney with the cream cheese was very helpful and convicting. To God be the glory for these wonderful days. God bless you all!

The Arche Church in Hamburg is thankful to God for our deep friendship with C.J., Jeff, and Sovereign Grace Ministries. To God be the glory!

---

Christian Wegert leads Gemeinde und Missionswerk Arche in Hamburg, Germany. He graduated from the Sovereign Grace Pastors College in 2008. Christian and his wife Verena have two daughters and one son.

• 
• 
• 
• 

We are only a week away from gathering as pastors and wives at our annual Pastors Conference. Those from Australia, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Canada, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Germany, Ghana, Mexico, Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States, and Zambia will join us in Orlando, Florida for 3 days of fellowship. We will have an opportunity to encourage our fellow pastors and their wives. We will be re-envisioned for the joys of loving God’s people in our own churches. We will be equipped with messages and tools useful for our responsibilities back home. And it will be an opportunity for us to drink deeply of grace. Grace that is most clearly seen in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is this grace, from first to last, that we gather to celebrate.

In anticipation of this time together, enjoy this slideshow prepared from a previous Pastors Conference.

• 
• 
• 
• 

Over the next few days, people from a number of European countries – Switzerland, Austria, Denmark, Russia, Ukraine and all over Germany – will gather in Hamburg for a conference hosted by the Arche Church. The theme for this year’s conference, which will take place October 18-21, is “The Christian and His Character: The Transforming Power of the Gospel.” Please join us in praying for C.J. Mahaney and Jeff Purswell as they have the joy of participating this year in this strategic gathering. C.J. will preach four times (as well as preaching at the Arche Church on Sunday morning), and Jeff will preach three times.

The Arche Church is a partner church in Sovereign Grace Ministries, and we had the privilege of hosting their pastor Christian Wegert at the Pastors College in 2007-08.  A second member of their team, Markus Kniesel, attended the PC this past year. The mission video we did a few years back highlighting the story of Christian and his father Wolfgang provides an inspiring glimpse into what God is doing in Germany through the Arche Church and the Wegert family.

We treasure the close relationship we share with the Arche Church, and it is our prayer that God would use C.J. and Jeff to strengthen and encourage this dear church. Let’s ask the Lord for much fruit over these next few days – that the gospel would be proclaimed and lives changed in the land of the Reformation and beyond. May God be glorified!

• 
• 
• 
• 

I’ve been receiving an increasing number of questions about WorshipGod13. Are we having one? Where will it be? Are you still alive?

Yes to questions 1 and 3. And here’s the scoop on question two.

The big news is that we’re actually planning not one, but TWO WorshipGod events in 2013. June 27-29, 2013 we’re hoping to hold a conference in Orange County, CA. For years individuals and teams have traveled across the country to attend WorshipGod in Maryland. I’ve been amazed and humbled by their commitment. But we’re finally holding a conference in a location nearer to where they live. Eric Turbedsky, pastor of Sovereign Grace Church OC, has graciously volunteered to be the “feet on the ground” in preparation for the conference. We have a few leads on a location, but we haven’t nailed down the details yet. I’d appreciate your prayers, as well as any substantive possible locations in Orange County!

We’ll also be hosting a WorshipGod conference in Louisville, KY, Aug. 1-3, 2013 at Highview Baptist Church East. While Covenant Life Church has been a superb location for the past 10 conferences, the Sovereign Grace Ministries staff has moved with its offices to Louisville, and that also happens to be where I live now. Both factors will make hosting the conference in Louisville easier.

Both events will start on Thursday morning (rather than Wednesday night) and go through Saturday noon. That way people will be able to fly/drive in on Wednesday and check in on Wednesday night (or early Thursday morning). We’ll only be dropping one main session from previous years. I hope that will make it a little easier for some people to come.

As far as a theme, I’m leaning towards something of a “back to the basics” focus. In the midst of a dizzying number of  new technologies, methodologies, meeting structures, and church philosophies, it seems wise to remember why we’re doing what we’re doing. Just getting started on speakers and musicians.

We started doing WorshipGod conferences in 2006, although we had hosted conferences since 1999. I chose that title because in our culture we use the word “worship” so frequently without specifying what we’re actually worshiping.

“I’m going to worship. I liked the worship. Who’s doing the worship? Worship was slow this morning.”

Over time, using the word “worship” like that obscures the rich, amazing, life-changing reality and activity that worshiping the living God actually is. The WorshipGod conference is intentionally focused on how to use music, the Word, and our lives to magnify God’s glory in Christ. It’s for pastors, music leaders, musicians, tech personnel, and anyone who wants to grow in the theology, heart, and skill of leading congregational worship.

Registration will most likely begin some time shortly after the start of the new year and I’ll post more details as I receive them.

Please pass this info on to anyone who might be interested. Thanks!

* This post originally appeared on Bob Kauflin's website, Worship Matters. 

---

Bob Kauflin is the Director of Worship Development for Sovereign Grace Ministries. His responsibilities include equipping pastors and musicians in the theology and practice of congregational worship, and contributing to Sovereign Grace CDs. He was a writer and arranger for the group GLAD from 1976-2006. He is a pastor and one of the worship leaders at Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville, KY. He is the author of, Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounter the Greatness. Bob blogs at Worship Matters and hosts the bi-annual WorshipGod conference.

 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Bauer Evans, Sr. Pastor of Crossway Church in Franklin, Massachusetts will serve on a panel at The Gospel Coalition-New England conference in Boston, October 19-20, 2012.  The panel Bauer is contributing to is entitled “Perspective On Ministry in New England.” Steven Chin, Chris Bass, and Danny Ovalle will join Bauer for this panel conversation. 

For additional information on this conference and the work of The Gospel Coalition in New England, you can view the video below. 

For those of you planning to attend this conference, be sure to stop by and visit the Sovereign Grace Ministires Church Planting booth. 

• 
• 
• 
• 

Today marks the first of 30 consecutive days we are intentionally praying from Scripture for our annual Pastors Conference.

Tim Kerr has prepared a simple booklet listing specific passages and categories to keep in mind when we pray. Since posting this booklet as a download on the Plant & Build blog, we’ve received dozens of emails expressing a commitment to partner in prayer with us this month. Thank you! We are most grateful!

Below we’ve provided the explanation section of the prayer booklet followed by the content for day 1. Thank you for joining us in this important work!

---

“This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14

If we expect to have our prayers answered, this verse clearly shows us that we must pray according to God’s will. That would immediately eliminate many items, as well as opening a vast world for us topray about. God’s will is found most clearly in the holy Scriptures, so for the next 30 days we will be using the Scriptures as our guide for prayer.

Each week of 7 days has two sections to it. The first section is intended primarily for personal prayer (though it could certainly be used by couples, together, or at family worship). The second section provides 3 suggested requests to be used in Small Group gatherings, Church-wide PrayerMeetings, and during Sunday Worship. During Sunday Worship these requests could be offered: 

1. During a Pastoral Prayer
2. During a moment of congregational prayer
3. As part of the Pre-Service Prayer meeting
4. As a Power Point highlight where 1-3 people come to the mic and pray one request each, etc.

WORSHIP

The personal prayer section begins with a verse focusing on God. It is actually possible to start praying without due regard for the One we are praying to. This verse is intended to quiet our busy hearts and lift them up to behold our great God! Take the time to read it over slowly and meditate on its implications for the conference. Then lift up your heart and using this text of Scripture, worship our triune God!

CONFESSION & PROMISE

The next section is confession. The 30 days will focus on questions about love. If we have not displayed a gospel-revealing nor a gospel empowered love, we will need to confess this to God. Unconfessed sin keeps us in a place where we don’t want to pray or in a place where our prayers remain somewhat fake and superficial. Worst of  all, God will not answer the prayers of one still holding on to sin. If we don’t confess our sins and receive cleansing, we have no business interceding for others—it will be a wasted effort.

“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalm 66:18

This section will also include a promise intended to generate faith for the difficult task of facing our own sins (much easier to face and clearly see others’ sin than our own). Frequent trips to the cross are good for the soul! How good it is when we carry the burdens of sin there and come back with the burdens gone!

INTERCESSION

This section is where we get down to the business of praying for the conference in earnest. Each day, a two-fold pattern for prayer will be presented. A promise regarding the Word of God, and a promise regarding theSpirit of God will be given.

The promises are intended to create faith in your heart for prayer because promises clearly articulate God’s heart and will for his people. Take each promise and use it in your prayer. Turn the entire promise into aprayer for the conference. Remember – God loves to answer his promises! 

DECLARATION

This is a much overlooked aspect of prayer that is found all over the Psalms and in many other Scriptures. We speak out truth to God and to our own souls (and to the enemies of God who listen and tremble). Doing this at public gatherings of the church can cause the faith in the room to rise exponentially. There is something about grand truths that lift the heart and strengthen it! Speak out the faith declaration. Own it as your own mini-confession of faith for the day. May these declarations be used to gradually increase your faith in God over these next 30 days and may you see many of your prayers answered powerfully!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full!” John 16:23-24

DAY 1

WORSHIP -THE BLINDING MAJESTY OF GOD

“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” I Timothy 6:15-16

CONFESSION - HAVE I BROKEN THE GREAT LOVE COMMAND?

“The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Romans 13:9

REMEMBER GOD’S PROMISE:

“The LORD your God is gracious and merciful and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.” 2 Chronicles 30:9

INTERCESSION FOR PASTORS CONFERENCE

(a) For the Power of the Word

“We also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13

(b) For the Power of the Spirit

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:13

DECLARATION

“We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.” 1 John 4:16

• 
• 
• 
•