My wife, Mary, shares about a conference we recently attended.
Rev. Geoff Banister and Ryan Elliott
Verity Institute was the venue for the Reforming Families Conference, sponsored by the Free Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis, whose pastor is Rev. Geoff Banister. Elder Ryan Elliott was the workhorse behind the conference. It was attended by about 130 folks from far and near, including some large and beautiful families. The fascinating things these families seem to have in common are:
- Variety—in age, in color (by adoption), personality
- Dedication to the family—they help each other, they are involved in the same work and activities.
- Purity—of course they are sinners, but their parents try to protect their children from the evils of the world, while at the same time they prepare them for life in society. The kids still bicker but the parents intervene in a loving and teaching way.
- Counter-cultural—One family was sharing how they get primarily negative responses when they are out in society because they have so many young children. It can be discouraging but they feel blessed to receive the gift of children from God.
It was great to make many new God-fearing friends.
The theme for the conference was “Life in the Family of God,” and the speakers and topics were: Dr. David Murray on “Adopted Sons & Heirs,” “Loving Our Bridegroom & Beloved,” and “Using Technology Effectively in the Family”; Rev. Brad Baugham on “Recognizing Our God-glorifying Gender Roles” and “Understanding Headship and Submission”; Rev. David McClelland on “Getting Along” and “Preventing Authority Abuse and Conflict”; Rev. Geoff Banister on “Families Reforming in the Power of Gratitude”; and my husband on “Training Your Family for Godly Living,” “Covenantal Foundations for Parenting,” “Bringing Children to Christ,” and “Practical Steps for Child Rearing.”
The themes that stood out were:
- The relationship of Christ and the Church is a beautiful model for our families and our church families. If Christ is submissive to the Father, why would we ever resist being submissive to those in headship roles? Most of us have relationships where we are called to submit and others where we exercise headship.
- Church leadership, especially in times of conflict, must be like a shepherd, loving yet strong, fully dedicated, and humble.
- Children of God, young and old, have inestimable privileges, including adoption, love, and covenantal grace. Christian families are to live out of those privileges, loving one another in Christ, modeling their families after scriptural guidelines.
Esther Beeke and her volunteer helper, 8-year-old Hannah
All of the messages are posted on www.sermonaudio.com
Our daughter, Esther, was with us and managed the book table. Most families bought a good pile of books.
Now, this week we look forward to our own annual Puritan Reformed Conference (August 22–24) in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on “The Beauty and Glory of Christian Living.” It is not too late to register and join us! (Walk-ins are also accepted if there is room.)
