Analysis of Mars Hill Conference

Many people concurred that a conference of evangelical seminary students could not have happen 10 or even 5 years ago. If that's true, what has changed and what does it mean?

  1. This event marks the beginning of renewed evangelical interest in the theological education of PCUSA seminarians.

    2. With the questions about the stability of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), theological education was not the top priority among evangelicals. There was a serious question about whether there would be a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) tomorrow, never mind five years from tomorrow. Having gone through the battles and seeing a renewed interest in the theological heritage of the Reformed tradition throughout the denomination, it is only natural to see a renewed interest in the theological training of those who would be ministers of Word and Sacrament.

    The Mars Hill Conference is a manifestation of that renewed interest. It demonstrates the belief among evangelicals that there is a future for them in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and also their desire to participate in the shaping of that future.

     

  2. It was a celebration; a picture of the Presbyterian Church(U.S.A.) that is to come.

    3. There was a celebration atmosphere, like something really important was discovered. There was joy in discovering other people striving to be faithful to God from all corners of the country. It was a celebration of our common Lord that was a cause for celebration. It was exciting to hear about renewal taking place in seminaries. It was wonderful to share laughter, to share fellowship, to share in prayer with brothers and sisters desiring to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.

    There have been precious few opportunities for celebration among evangelicals in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The joy that was shared here is a foretaste of banquets to come: celebrating fellowship together in the name and for the purpose of worshipping Jesus Christ our Lord.

     

  3. It was an encouragement to those that participated: students, professors, pastors and resource people.

    4. Many of the participants in the conference came from areas where advocacy of the gospel is discouraged in favor of "tolerance" of all theological positions. For students, it was a time of connection and building up one another. It was encouraging for the students to hear and understand how much time, energy and effort was spent on their behalf. For those in the parish ministry, there was joy in meeting and observing the next generation — a generation full of passion, knowledge and desire. For those from the academic community, it was a nice opportunity to apply critical tools within the context of building up the faithful. The resource people were encouraged to see the fruits of their labor.

  4. There is hope in the future of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The bunch of people at Austin is a creative lot. There will be new and exciting ideas about how to do ministry that reaches more people for Christ. The new ideas will have feet and hands, too. Having pulled off this conference, it shows that they intend on making their mark for Christ in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Five years ago evangelical Presbyterians saw themselves as an isolated, persecuted minority. That is no longer the case. Evangelicals are no longer abandoning the larger church for the sake of the local community, but are taking the time and effort to re-engage in what is happening around the entire church.

The work is not over. It is just starting. It is an exciting time to be called to ministry in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Questions/Comments? Presbydave@earthlink.net