November Update
It has been a busy couple of months in October and November. Time to give an update on church planting in Arkansas.
Covenant Baptist is doing well. We have a couple of people seeking membership which is exciting. We had our 2nd annual chili cook-off and a new champion was crowned the chili-king. Our children celebrated Reformation Day on October 31st and learned about Martin Luther and the protestant movement. We also just finished our series on 1 Samuel. So, what’s next? We are preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations at the church. I believe or children will be gathering together again to have a Christmas party and learn more about the Christian origins of Christmas. As adults, we are looking forward to our 2nd annual Christmas Cookie competition on December 14th.
Grace Covenant is still in the Core Group phase. We now have families, who don’t attend Covenant Baptist regularly because of distance, eager for us to plant closer to them. They are ready to join us in worship when our new location is revealed. So you can pray for us. We are actively following up on leads that have great potential to be our launch location! I have phone calls to make on Monday! Pray God reveals where he desires us to be and that he grants us favor with those who own the properties.
It is no shave November.. and Im looking rough! Hopefully I don’t scare the children away on Sunday mornings.
Kristen and I are enjoying having an open invitation for people to join us in our home every other Friday night for meals and fellowship. We sing togther, pray and study the scriptures. Sometimes when the group is smaller we enjoy the conversation and learning more about one another. God has been so gracious to give us so many wonderful people to partner with in this work.
Tomorrow is Sunday! Another day to give thanks to God for all that he is doing in our midst. Well, thats it for my update. If you want to know more details please use the contact form on this website to reach out and Ill get back to you!
Bart
Core Group Update
Our core group meetings are in full swing. People are coming and many are waiting for us to start meeting on Sunday mornings on the west side of Hwy 49. Our last meeting was outdoors. I was hoping that the burn ban had been lifted so we could have had a fire. But, perhaps next time. We worshipped the LORD without a roof above our heads, and our voices seemed to be sucked up into the sky - I was struck by why we dont do this more. We did struggle to hear one another with such a big circle of people but what excitement to have so many joining us at such an early stage of our church planting.
October has been a busy month at Covenant Baptist Church. Next week we have our missionaries from Haiti joining us on Sunday morning to speak to us. We also will have our second annual chili cookoff!
We will begin November with another core group meeting on the 1st. We will be meeting at our home again. If you need directions or my address please visit the Grace Covenant website and use the contact page to email me. If you know anyone who would be interested in a reformed Baptist church somewhere in the tontitown - Siloam area please direct them to www.gracecovenantnwa.com.
Will you join us in praying for a facility to gather in on Sunday mornings. We are putting this before the LORD so he can direct where we are located. We wait for his providence to show us the way and give us a church home.
1 Year Celebration
We celebrated Covenant Baptist Church’s first birthday on September 15th with a potluck after church. This was the one year mark since our official launch in 2023. Josh was wise to limit his comments during the announcements to keep us from weeping in gratitude for the providence of God establishing this people who gather to praise His name in NWA.
Here are some pictures of the event.
What does the Logo mean?
I’m so glad you asked….assuming you did when you read the title… because there is a providential story that I’ve been longing to blog about. My daughter Hannah Swanson is my graphic designer and guru of all things web-related. She has been gracious to make time to help me in building strong churches with her creativity and assistance. Recently, I asked Hannah to help me again with a new logo for Grace Covenant Reformed Baptist Church. We were brainstorming ideas and icons that would convey the rich reformed theology from which this church plant derives it name. What represents well Covenant Theology and the Covenant of Grace? We began to scour other church websites seeking common expressions that others have used. This always makes me nervous because those influences can take away from a unique and significant icon and just be a cheap knock-off. To be honest, the process was frustrating as I was not seeing anything that I found a deep connection with.
So where did this image come from? Well, before moving to Arkansas, Kristen and I were attempting to revitalize a waning congregation called Seed Church in Lynnwood Washington. At that time we were rebranding the church logo and we had Hannah do the design work for us. To boost moral in the church we brought the three design concepts to the church and had them vote on the icon that they felt best represented them. This was one of those three concepts. It was a favorite of Kristen and I, mostly because of the image of the cross which is an icon of the church born from the suffering of her Savior and the atonement it purchased . Unfortunately, this design was not chosen by the church, but it was still a favorite of mine so I asked Hannah to include the icon in her work up. I was thinking it would look good as my user icon on my computer.
Well in my searching I kept clicking on my user Icon to log onto my computer until it caught my eye (sometimes things you become familiar with become invisible to you).
I was staring at the cross and the seeds that made up its arms, head and foot when I knew that this was the perfect icon to represent our church plant. It had occured to me that the Covenant of Grace (as we Baptist understand it) is a series of promises beginning in Gen 3:15 and building throughout the Old Testament until those promises find fulfillment in the cross - a new covenant made in His blood. Those promises were like seeds that God’s people waited with faith in those promises to spring up and bear the fruit of salvation for the elect. This image of a cross made of seeds within drops of blood, points to the perfect plan of God and the Covenant of Redemption made between the Father and the Son before time began.
The covenant of Grace are all the promises of God The covenant of Grace is a developing and building series of covenantal revelation bringing clarity to the plan and anticipation of its consummation. All these promises find their perfection and completion in the sealing of the New Covenant. Jesus arriving, living perfectly, dying and rising is the only solution possible. It is what we needed and what God has provided.
Thanks for letting me tell this story of providence. Before I even considered church planting, God had prepared this symbol to represent what he would accomplish in Northwest Arkansas.
Now Introducing….
The website for our new church plant in NWA is live. Check it out at www.gracecovenantnwa.com.
Our incorporation is in the works and should be completed soon.
Pray for our efforts and for God to build his church here in NWA.
Bart
Next Core Group Meeting coming soon!
Our first Church Planting Core Group meeting was a beautiful start. I am so grateful and proud of those participants who are willing to leave the nest and be sent out. Even though, we are not yet even on the edge of the nest… they are willing to push to the edge and boldly look outward to the horizon.
We will gather again at 5:30pm on September 6th at Dan and Traci’s home. We will be eating rice bowls (some call them Yum Bowls), so let us know if you are coming because we will all will bring a topping to contribute. We are studying the book of Philippians together and we will be in Chapter 2. This is a discussion based study so come ready to ask questions and share observations. The first chapter we discussed was full of connections to our desire for God to plant a church. Verse 6 told us that God will be faithful to complete what he starts. God is so capable to do the work. Verse 21 told us how important it is for us to live with God’s mission in mind… For me to live is Christ. We must focus on building His Kingdom rather than focusing on building our comfort.
Philippians chapter 2 is such an epic chapter of the bible so I am eager to hear what God reveals through our discussion together. We will also be singing many of the new worship Psalms together. Learning Psalm 23 together really paid off on Sunday when we sang it with the congregation.. It really helped those who were hearing it the first time to hear us carry the melody with confidence.
We are still praying for God to:
1. Strengthen Covenant Baptist Church to thrive as this church is sent out. We pray for a worship leader and teaching elders to support Josh.
2. Strengthen the church plant Grace Covenant Reformed Baptist Church with a common purpose and excitement for God to form a new congregation in NWA. We pray for a worship leader (in addition to Bart) and teaching elders to support Bart.
3. Provide a location for Grace Covenant Reformed Baptist Church to meet. We have a large area of focus (west of Hwy 49), but we desire God to reveal where he wants us to be specifically.
Thank you all for your prayers and support!
Thank you members of Covenant Baptist Church who remain faithfully stubborn about the vision of CBC.
Thank you to the faithful group in Washington who meets together every Tuesday evening and includes us in their powerful ministry of prayer. Never stop!
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Phil 1:3-5
Praying for success
“if now You will make my journey on which I go successful” - Gen 24:42
Abraham’s servant was sent to find Abraham's son, Isaac, a wife. He was sent to a place he did not know to find a woman who will be the bride of someone else’s son… no pressure. The odds of him even finding someone willing to come back with him are slim. But Abraham had faith. He had told his servant, “Just go. If you can’t find someone suitable, then you are released from your oath to me.” Why would he think his servant could accomplish this? Abraham believed God and said, “he will send his angel before you.”
So, Abraham’s servant begins his travels. As, he reaches his destination he prays, “if now You will make my journey on which I go successful.” Then he asks God to show him the woman that God had chosen to be Isaac’s wife. And God does.
I have a son who is also named Isaac. I pray for God to give him a wife that will bless him and join him in the mission that God has given him in this life. But that is not what strikes me when I read this passage.
I am struck by this passage and it causes me to pray as we take the next step in planting another new church in NWA. I feel the weight of uncertainty that Abraham's servant felt. What if this does not happen? Am I just wasting my time and my master’s resources? But those questions and that uncertainty are not faith. I also feel the inability to “make it happen.” Abraham’s servant must have felt his inadequacy as well. But that is also… not faith.
When men are faced with the impossible, we often self sabatoge and quit. This is because pre-emptive quitting is often a more palatable outcome than our failure. So, at all cost, don’t appear foolish because that is too big a risk for human pride to handle. If Abraham’s servant had given into this common sentiment, then his journey would have finished before it began. Yes, Isaac would have sovereignly been wed to Rebekah but God would have had to use different means to bring this couple together. But Abrahams servant takes action… he gets up and goes… that’s his part to play… God will accomplish the rest.
Faith understands that God will accomplish all that He desires.. nothing can stop him. I have only to look back at my life and see His sovereign hand leading me back here to Arkansas to gather his bride together for Him. Now, I pray “if now You will make my journey on which I go successful” then lead me forward. Direct my steps while I continue to remind myself …”O LORD. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” PS 127:1. I would imagine He does this for my pride's sake. So, that as He accomplishes another new church in NWA, no man, including myself, can take the credit (but we do get to be there and see God accomplish it). May God receive all the glory and may His house be established forever!
Stay tuned… Let's marvel at ALL that He will do!
Core Group
Beginning Friday, August 23rd, 2024 we will launch a Core Group Gathering - We will begin to gather every other Friday with the purpose of planting a new church on the west side of 49. We will gather at 5:30pm at Dan and Traci Shafer's home to share a meal, sing pray and study the Bible. Children are welcome but just like at church we will expect them to sit with their parents and learn to participate with us. If you plan to participate in the core group please speak to Bart. If you are unsure about joining and would like more information about how to participate in the mission of CBC to plant churches in NWA also talk to Bart
Also contact Bart for address of the Shafer home.
Update: August 23rd - Our core group gathering was an amazing evening of prayer, praise and scripture. There were 10 (+1 child) who gathered together in this initial meeting! Next meeting will be September 7th. If you would like to join us… its not too late. Contact Bart for more info.
The Battle Belongs to the LORD
The battle to put an extreme abortion amendment on the ballot in Arkansas in November has been defeated. The group Arkansans for Limited Government turned in over 100,000 signatures last Friday as they reached the deadline for their campaign. They had more than enough signatures, but because of a sloppy submission they failed to turn in the required documents for their paid canvassers. This mistake made 14K signatures invalid which meant they fell below their 90,700 minimum. Thus, the amendment failed to collect enough signatures by the deadline and it was thrown out.
This is why we pray. This is why we put our faith in God. “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6.
Today God won the victory. Abortions in Arkansas will continue to be unlawful except for the abortion pill. The enemies of life will rage and consume one another for awhile before they regroup. In time, they will regroup because wickedness never ceases to rage against righteousness. And when they do, we will rally to the blast of the war horn. Praise be to God.
Eph 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
UPDATE: The group gathering signatures has sued the Arkansas Attorney General. The abortion amendment is now in the hands of the Arkansas Supreme Court. Pray that it will be put down for good. We should know the results of the case after August 9th.
UPDATE #2: The Supreme Court of Arkansas upheld the Attorney General’s decision to reject the signatures gathered by paid canvassers by the group promoting the abortion amendment. Arkansas for Limited Government has lost its case against the Arkansas Attorney General and their amendment has failed to gather the required signatures in order to be added to the November Ballot. For now, Arkansas remains one of the most anti-abortion states in America. Praise the LORD.
The Battle Rages
Somehow I forgot that this week had a major holiday, July 4th and I filled my week on Sunday with appointments as usual. For some reason my Tuesday was sparse except for an early morning coffee with Gary (which was amazing, He prayed for my “easy” day…I had no idea how important that prayer would be). I had planned on catching up with some administrative/worship planning, also catching up on my bible reading and perhaps do a little bit of light cleaning around the house before Kristen got home for work. An easy day.
Then, I got the call. Only 3 days left to stand as our opponents gather signatures to put abortion on the ballot in Arkansas. In every state that abortion amendments reach the ballot… every state so far.. abortion gets enshrined in that state’s constitution. Only 3 days left to keep them from getting the last 8000 signatures needed. The call was for someone to stand in protest to abortion in Fayetteville. Someone to say this is not ok. Someone to ask people if they had read the amendment. Someone to calmly discuss the vague and deceptive language that may have them sign for something they don’t actually support. Also, someone who didn’t have much planned on his schedule today.
I had to go. I had just preached a message on Sunday that stressed loyalty to God. Part of the sermon was never spoken.. it got cut because of time… but I had written it. I was the only one to hear it. Apparently it was a challenge specifically for me. I heard from my own pen…. This week - How are you demonstrating your loyalty and allegiance to Christ… Is he first in all things? Where in your life is there competition for your loyalty.. your time.. your focus. You will either be a loyal follower or a cowardly deserter of Christ. That sounds so harsh and sadly there is no squishy middle ground… So, we must face that reality and ask, “Have I resolved in my heart my complete allegiance to Him?” Because it is very easy to say we are loyal while never showing up when it counts.
I think this was one of those times when showing up actually counted for something. I just wanted people to see someone who cared about this.. cared enough to do something. And just maybe because some guy showed up… maybe they would be convicted to stand as well. I was there for six hours, mostly alone. They (the canvassers) didn’t want me there even though I was silently standing on the sidewalk simply holding a sign and praying. One person with a sign is an easy target so they began to insight signers to come argue with me. Their tactic was to distract me with heated conversations so I couldn’t hold my sign toward the street. I’m not used to being hated or spat upon. They sent a couple of angry women my way.. so I began to get loud.. calling to the people at the signing tables. I began asking them if they had read the amendment. I asked them if they would like more information so they could make an informed decision whether to sign or not… all while standing in the public sidewalk. They really just wanted me to go away…not to get more interactive.. so they backed down. Then, Sarah Cox, Dana and Sharon showed up which was a great support. It was so good to see friendly faces. With greater numbers protesting, they resorted to taking pictures and videos with their phones. Which made sense when the police arrived. The officer was actually very nice. Since he had been called out, he was required to speak with us about what we could and could not do. All of which we knew and were in compliance. Sarah prayed for me before she left. After a long day, I left tired and very sad.
The sadness hit me hard as I felt the flood of their hatred. I stood in opposition to their sacred right so I deserved only their wrath. They were loyal to their god and I was being loyal to mine. Sadness at the futility of trying to convince them that killing a baby in its mother’s womb, for any reason, is an abomination to God. They had ears but could not hear. Also, sadness because I was surrounded by churches. There were 5 churches that were visible from where I stood and one was allowing the signature gathering in their parking lot (note: they claimed not to support abortion).
Where are God’s people?
Can you hear the blast of the war horn? Will you rally to the fray. The battle is still raging and it’s far from over.
PS. Thank you to all who prayed, called and texted me with encouragement! You heard the blast, It was great to know I was not alone….and I know it counted too. I’m so grateful for a church that desires to make a stand….with fealty only to our King.
PSS. I was on the local news several times after giving an interview. I was grateful that the media represented me well in their broadcast. You never know how they might use a sound byte!
Sorry for the face… I was using it to hold the sign so I could take the selfie!
Phase 2
Last Sunday June 23rd, 2024, Josh announced CBC’s intentions to move into phase 2 of church planting. As Josh explained, this phase is for an undetermined amount of time. We only move into Phase 3 if the necessary dominos fall into place.
What is Phase 2? I’m glad you were thinking that as I’m about to explain it.
Phase two - mobilizes members of CBC to take organizational and financial steps toward Phase 3. Ok, but what specifically happens in Phase 2?
The congregation continues to pray. Discernment and wisdom are sought. Patience is exercised, waiting on the LORD to proceed.
Typically churches strategic goals focus on small group expansion into their community but never move beyond the small group to a church plant. We are intentionally avoiding this trap. That is not to say we will not employ small groups. A small group will be established in an area that is targeted for a potential church plant. Members will in that area will be invited to join this small group with the intention of starting a new plant. This group will begin to meet regularly to form a core group, study the Bible, fellowship and discuss planting goals - specifically communicating the imminent planting of a church in their community with friends and neighbors
Preparation - church planing fund is already established. Core group can raise funds from friend and family partners.
Pastor (Bart Hodgson) and Elders for new church are identified
CBC members restart Phase 1for another plant and continues for the Phase 2 group
Summary
We feel that it is time to plant on the west side of highway 49 in the Tontitown/Siloam Springs area. Strategically, we have several people driving (including Bart and Kristen) 30 to 45 min to get to CBC. We will be announcing a core group bible study that will be starting this summer. During this time we will be looking for a permanent place to meet. Please pray for God’s provision and direction.
Here we go again!
Celebrating 1 Year (Unofficial)
I have noticed a subtle theme of Pilgrims Progress as I have read it to my grandson, Beau. That theme is the act of telling and re-telling the works and aid of the King by pilgrims. It is an act that is well received and expected by all those who help them along the way. Every place they stop to receive aid requires them to sit by the hearth and tell of the goodness of the King so far.
Covenant Baptist Church reached a miles stone yesterday. Sunday, June 18th, 2023 was the day that we first met as a church in the pool house of Lanny and Kathy Rice. It was a humble beginning with 8 adults and 6 children. A cardboard box which once held a weber grill was propped up on its end to create a pulpit. Songs were printed in a bulletin. The large sliding glass doors were open to allow a breeze as the cool early morning warmed into a summer day. Josh preached from a Psalm (I cant remember which one exactly). I can remember him making strong points about fearing God, rather than men and about prayer being the heart of this new fledgling body of Christ. I still remember as we sang together, hearing each voice (especially the children) making its own contribution of praise.
One year later, 73 people gathered in the old grange building which God provided. Now, it is beautifully restored. Tonight, we gather for a time of singing Psalms and prayer. We will sing songs and offer prayers of thanksgiving for all God has done. We worship the God who is faithful. Josh texted me this week saying, “It is amazing what has happened in a year.” He was responding to my text, “Celebrating one year - unofficially.” We say unofficial because our official launch date didn’t happen until September 17th, 2023. We delayed the launch but continued to meet in the construction rubble until the Zion Oak Grange was remodeled by adding HVAC, insulation, new windows and many coats of paint (among a lot of little things which needed repair).
I look forward to writing a post entitled - “Celebrating 1 Year (Officially)” as I am sure that God will have faithfully provided more provision and done more divine work among us at that time. I wish we could sit around a hearth together and I could tell you about all the details of this last year. However, it is too hot here in Arkansas for a fire, and many of you are so far away that this brief summary in a blog format will have to suffice... for now.
My prayer is that you will rejoice in the story of Covenant Baptist Church and that you will pass on to others this story of the goodness and faithfulness of our King and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Bart
May Update - Waiting
Waiting is hard in any season. It is especially hard to wait when you are waiting for test results while suspecting a terrible disease, waiting for a new job while you have a terrible boss, waiting for a husband while you have terrible prospects, waiting to get pregnant while you have a terrible history of no children. Waiting while you suffer can seem like an eternal process.
We are teaching through 1 Samuel at Covenant Baptist Church. In Chapter 1 we meet Hannah, a barren woman, who is faithful to Yahweh. She does not waste her emotions or seek the attention of those who can’t help her. She goes straight to the only one who can help, her God. Hannah asks first for God to remember her, then she makes her request for a son. Remarkably, Hannah desires God’s remembrance more than satisfying her longings, fears, hurts or needs. In her waiting she cries out for God. In my waiting, that is often the last thing I do.
We are waiting on the LORD at Covenant Baptist Church, but we are not suffering. Actually we are in an exciting time of watching God work in our church plant. He keeps sending new visitors. He is creating a beautiful community of believers. He is teaching the children during the service. He is providing for church. But still we are praying and waiting.
We invite you to pray and wait with us! Here are some of the things we are asking the LORD to help with.
As we wait, we want to desire Him most. We reject anxiousness or self-dependance to seek his provision and timing. So we wait..
We are praying that the group collecting signatures to add an abortion amendment to the ballot in Arkansas would fail. We are praying that Arkansans would reject this evil political scheme and “decline to sign.” There is only six weeks left for them to collect signatures. So we wait…
We desire to plant another church when God allows. We are praying for a place to gather and for God to provide men who desire to pursue Eldership. So we wait…
We are waiting on the LORD, who is good and wise.
Our job is to be faithful… God’s job is to be powerful.
Wait for it….
Our First Visitors From Crossway Fellowship
We had our first visitors from Washington this weekend. Jeff and Kerry Munson joined us at Covenant Baptist Church on May 5th. We enjoyed lunch with them and then they spent the afternoon with us seeing out little farm.
It was so good to see them and have them worship with us at the church they helped plant. We didn’t want them to leave.
We look forward to more visitors from the PNW to NWA. Let us know if you are coming this way!
Bart
1 Year Update
April 7th of last year was our arrival date in Arkansas. At that time, our total church planting contacts were Josh and Kelsey Rice (whom we had met with only once). We had made it to Arkansas but the beginning steps to plant a church were unclear. Then God started providing. The story of our first year is told in all the blog posts so far. It is an amazing story of God's providence and guidance.
After a year, the month of April brings a barbeque and lots of new babies in the church.
We have learned that this church plant is really good at preparing food. The barbeque was another great example of our ability to serve up some great food. Cory Smith's chicken marinade recipe was legendary.
Our people joined together in a wonderful way to provide a lunch for pregnant moms at the Loving Choices Springdale Resource Center. These women have chosen to keep their babies rather than abort. The luncheon was a way to continue to support and equip them as they choose. I was very proud of the spirit of service that was demonstrated by Covenant Baptist Church. We continue to look for opportunities to be involved in blessing our community and fight for life in Arkansas.
Speaking of life…we have a new congregant who was born this week and two more due to arrive before the end of the month. I can’t wait to hold these new babies and see them grow in the Lord.
Also we have our first men’s retreat this weekend with Living Hope Church in Fayetteville. I look forward to the fellowship and encouragement of this event.
Covenant Baptist Church is GROWING. We have 70-80 people gathering for worship each week which means we are getting full in the Zion Oak Grange. We are planning and praying to multiply our church by planting again. Pray for God’s provision again.
God has done amazing things in 1 year. He has firmly established Covenant Baptist Church for his glory. May we continue to be faithful.
Prayer for another gathering place
We are 5 months into our church plant and a wonderful need is on the horizon. The need is for another Sunday gathering place because we are mid way to filling our current space. So we are calling you to pray! Covenant Baptist Church will still continue to gather at the Zion Oak, but the grange can only seat about 120 people (we think). This reality necessitates the need to plant a new church to relieve the pressure as the space becomes uncomfortable. So, some of Covenant Baptist Church will need to go out and plant another church.. and then another.
We need to start praying that God provides another place for us to meet! God provided our current location at the Zion Oak Grange in such a miraculous way. Would you join us in asking him to do it again? Josh and I are praying, looking and pursuing options. Perhaps you could join us in that activity. Maybe there is a space available that you know about with an owner who desires to see another Gospel preaching church planted in Northwest Arkansas. This is an act of faith and discernment. We are asking God to show us where He would have us plant and we are believing in him to provide.
Join us
Bart
A time for signs
Let’s see if they last… or if they get removed. Update: They didn’t get removed.. and our children used them to get cars to honk after church on Sunday.
Thank you Lanny for spending 3 hours with me!
Austin bound
Kristen and I are headed to another conference in Austin this weekend. The conference is called Blueprints For Christendom 2.0 - Seven Doctrines for Ruling the World. After the conference we will be attending Joel Webbon’s Church Covenant Bible Church. We will miss our church family at Covenant Baptist Church for a weekend but we will be back the following week to worship with you all.
Here is a summary of the conference written by Joel Webbon
America will either have Christ, or it will have chaos.
All over the world, Christians are waking up to this reality. Many of them are embracing the idea of "Christian Nationalism." However, there appears to be an epidemic of what might be called "Frankenstein-Theology;" that is, doing theology "à la carte."
This same phenomenon occurred during the resurgence of Calvinism in the 1990's and 2000's. Christians began to embrace Calvinistic Soteriology, while maintaining several other doctrinal stances well outside the Reformed Tradition. And so the phrase "New-Calvinism" was coined. Suddenly, Calvinists could be Charismatics, Egalitarians, Dispensationalists, etc.
I am incredibly grateful to see so many Christians from all kinds of different theological backgrounds begin to embrace the Lordship of Christ over every area of life. And yet, there is a particular, theological blueprint which champions the universal Lordship of Christ, and has stood the test of time. In other words, there is a singular system of doctrine which possesses both fidelity to the Scripture and perfect cohesion, without any contradictions.
The purpose of this conference is to equip
Christians with the Blueprints For Christendom 2.0.
-Pastor Joel Webbon
Interesting.. I look forward to telling you all about it when I return.
Blessings
Bart
Headed to Seattle
Josh and I are traveling to the 3 strand retreat Thursday thru Saturday. Pray for our travels. Everything needs to go without a hitch so we can be back Sunday morning. We will have time to plan as elders which is very needed.
I’m excited for Josh to meet all the 3 strand pastors including all my friends from Crossway Fellowship.
Unfortunately we will be at the retreat the whole time we are there. So we won’t have a chance to visit. Thank you Mike Boseck for driving up to the retreat to take us to the airport on Saturday.