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4 Great Conferences in 2011
- 11/08/10
- 25
The Christian world certainly suffers from no shortage of conferences. In fact, there are so many that it can be difficult to determine which, if any, to attend. I took a look ahead to 2011 to find a few that look particularly compelling. And here they are: 4 great conferences coming our way in 2011.
NEXT
NEXT (formerly known as New Attitude) has changed location several times in the past few years and in 2011 it is making the move to Orlando. This is rather a good idea, I think, since Orlando is one of those places that is [relatively] easy and inexpensive to get to, especially when compared to Baltimore and Louisville. This conference is sponsored by Sovereign Grace Ministries and will feature speakers D.A. Carson, R.C. Sproul, Kevin DeYoung, Jeff Purswell and Scott Oliphint. It also offers general breakout sessions along with something rather interesting—sessions based on different career paths. NEXT is geared to a college and career/young adult kind of crowd with 18 being the minimum age of those who may attend.
Notable by their absence are C.J. Mahaney and Joshua Harris, both of whom have spoken at every conference since 2004. It seems that the new location, new format and the absence of Mahaney and Harris mean that the event is transitioning into something a little bit different.
I have been to this conference one time and was very impressed by it. I would have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone in their late teens or early to mid-twenties.
Date: May 28-31
Location: Orlando, FL
Cost: $150 - $175
Web: thisisnext.org
Gospel Coalition
I am never quite sure how to introduce the Gospel Coalition conference. It is a conference that is geared toward pastors and yet it is attended by far more than pastors. This year the plenary sessions will be directed at pastors with many of the breakout sessions targeted at the rest of us. Keynote speakers this year are Al Mohler, Tim Keller, Alistair Begg, James MacDonald, Conrad Mbewe, Matt Chandler, Mike Bullmore and D.A. Carson. Breakout speakers are far too many to list.
I suspect that Gospel Coalition will be the place to be in 2011, at least for this New Calvinism kind of crowd. And with all of those breakout sessions, there will be more than ever to enjoy. I was at the last Gospel Coalition conference (in 2009) and found it a very profitable event. If you want to have an opportunity to hear your favorite preachers and to meet them, this is probably the best place to do so. It’s very much a who’s-who type of event.
Date: April 12-14
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: $200 and up
Web: thegospelcoalition.org/conferences/2011/
Ligonier Ministries 2011 National Conference
What happens if you take John Piper and Desiring God and smash them into R.C. Sproul and Ligonier Ministries? You get Light & Heat: A Passion for the Holiness of God. Here is how R.C. Sproul introduces the theme: “Several essential doctrines of the Christian faith are under attack in our day, even from within the church, and it is important that we be well grounded in these truths so that we may have a deep affection for our triune God. John Piper will join me and Ligonier teaching fellows Sinclair Ferguson, Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, and R.C. Sproul Jr. as we look at several important tenets of the faith, such as divine sovereignty, biblical worship, evangelism and missions, apologetics, and justification. John and I will also host special sessions on the history of the work of both Ligonier and Desiring God, and we will endeavor to share some of what we have learned in our ministries as pastors and theologians.”
I have been at the Ligonier National Conference several years in a row and am always blessed by the teaching and by the atmosphere of the event. It is a great event to attend with your spouse or with a couple of friends, and especially so if you are from the north and are looking for a respite from winter.
Date: March 24-26
Location: Orlando, FL
Cost: $129 - $179
Web: ligonier.org/events/2011-national-conference/
Basics 2011
Basics is a pastors’ conference hosted by Alistair Begg’s Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. It is easily one of my favorite conferences and one I have been to three times. One of the great strengths of the event is that it all happens at Parkside Church; it is a relatively small event and one that has a sense of intimacy to it. This year’s speakers are Alistair Begg, Rico Tice and John Dickson and the conference theme is “Do the work of an Evangelist.”
If you want to send your pastor to a conference that will not be overwhelming, that will be a time of focused teaching and yet genuine relaxation, consider this one. I can pretty much guarantee that he’ll enjoy it.
Date: May 9-11
Location: Chagrin Falls, OH
Cost: $120 - $140
Web: parksidechurch.com/partners/basics/
Of course there are so many more I could list, and maybe in the future I can list a few more. These represent only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, only four of the many that stand out.
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, a husband to Aileen and a father to three young children. I worship and serve as a pastor at 
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Comments (25)
Can you tell me how we can find out about any upcoming conferences? We would love to plan on attending one that would fit our schedule but since we aren’t in any kind of ministry position we don’t know where to start the search.
Tim, have you ever been to a PCRT in any of its four locations? Given that you’ve been to quite a few different conferences I’d be interested to hear your thoughts about it relative to the others. As I understand, that is one of the oldest - if not the oldest - of the American conferences.
Very few things would ever tempt me back to Ohio, but Rico Tice is certainly one of them!
One of the great new elements of this year’s Gospel Coalition conference is that it’s incorporating women speaking on topics related to teaching women more Biblically, counselling, etc. If ever there was a year for pastoral staffs to consider sending wives or other women in leadership, this would be it.
Can you tell me how we can find out about any upcoming conferences? We would love to plan on attending one that would fit our schedule but since we aren't in any kind of ministry position we don't know where to start the search.
I used to maintain a list, but gave it up a while back. I may get back into it at some point. It’s just a lot of work to maintain.
Tim, have you ever been to a PCRT in any of its four locations?
No, sir.
I, for one am extremely disappointed that NEXT is closed to under-18, and that Harris and CJ will be missing. We were planning on taking our 16-year old, as she’s read Harris’ books and attended the Harris twin’s conference.Do you know of anything great for High-school believers? What do you think of Resolved?Does anyone else have any thoughts on a great conference for the believing teen?
Wretched Radio (wretchedradio.com) will be doing a series of Psalm 119 conferences on discernment next year, in several locations. The list of places and dates is not finalized yet; keep checking their website. I attended the first one last May in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and was very blessed by it!
To Michele - How about the 2011 Children Desiring God Conference that is advertised on Tim’s web site (at the right)?
I haven’t been one to go to conferences but for the last 2 years I have been to this one and have enjoyed it greatly. http://www.truechurchconference.com
It’s only 3 to 3 1/2 hours from where live.
For anyone in the area the Anchored in Truth conference is in Muscle Shoals, AL, Feb. 17-20th. Theme will be “The Gospel-Centered Church,” speakers Jeff Noblit, Bruce Ware, Steve Lawson and David Miller.
Wes, the Children Desiring God conference is geared towards children’s ministry workers and parents, not really young ‘uns. But Michele, our daughter has been to the Desiring God conference (at age 11) and Ligonier (at age 12) and enjoyed both.
Michele, if you want my 2 cents, RESOLVED is awesome! The worship is terrific, the speakers are the best, and the attendees are great for fellowship. There are more college students than teens, but if your teen is reading those books, then she is mature enough to understand the college level preaching. I’ve been 4 times, and cant wait to go again =D
Jeri amazing we both posted about the same conference at the exact same time.
True Church Conference by Anchored in Truth is one of the few best kept secrets. I went to this on whim and an invitation from a friend of the ministry, and was BLOWN AWAY.
Last year they opened each night with a Baptism, and the speakers were incredible. They’ve upped the ante this year adding Steve Lawson to the mix. Just wanted to tip my hat in that direction. Anchored in Truth is rising up and the Reformed/Baptists need to take notice!
http://www.anchoredintruth.org
http://www.truechurchconference.com
Michelle,
Our Young Adults group has been going to Resolved pretty much since it’s started. I’ve gone to 4 of them, and I think they’re great. The last two years, we began inviting graduating seniors from our church to join us, and I’d recommend taking your 16 yr. old with you. Interestingly, this year I saw more pregnant women and young mothers than I ever had in years past.
As one other commenter noted, the music is great. Even Bob Kauflin, at Worship God 09, said that they do Sovereign Grace songs better than SG (they do). However, what’s great is knowing the hearts of those who are leading, whether in preaching or music. Some of our pastors have some history with Grace Community and The Master’s Seminary, so they know those who put the conference on. It’s definitely worthwhile, the crowd is largely younger, and it’s relatively cheap (at least it is for us, since we live in the Central Valley of CA).
Just don’t expect to get a good seat without fighting for it. One of my only beefs with that conference is the mob-rush of people to get to the front and save seats with the lint in their pockets for others who won’t come for an hour.
-James
Tim,
You’re right on about Alistair’s Basics Conference. I attended way back in 2003 and remember how intimate, low key and relaxing it was to have the conference at Parkside Church. I left refreshed and felt like I was able to absorb much while listening to the Pastor’s various teachings.
Also, the Parkside bookstore was a very nice place to spend some vast amounts of solitude with those fantastic Reformed books. :-)
Thanks so much, All. My older kids have attended and loved Resolved. I guess I was thinking it more for college. I’ll definitely consider it.
I’m glad that The True Church conference was mentioned. It is a very good conference in Muscle shoals Alabama.
D3
http://events.sbts.edu/d3/
Tim, there seems to be a resounding silence about DESIRING GOD 2011. Almost choked saying that…i dont know why.
Sho did! :) Will you be there this year Steve? My family is planning to attend.
I must not understand the “reply to a specific comment button.” My comment above was meant for Steve @ 4:41 pm 11/08!
PCRT’s (Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology) 2010 stop in Grand Rapids, MI was my first one and I loved it, hence my earlier question. It sounds much like what I read in other comments about Basics; intimate setting along with preaching by Drs. Begg/Duncan/Beeke/Carson, a day-long seminar by Dr. Venema, and music contributions from the Westminster Brass. Rev. Richard Phillips was present to moderate the conference. Other cities saw Drs. Horton/Ryken/Ferguson in place of some of the above. Great traveling bookstore, and a personal touch by a well organized army of volunteers from First Byron CRC who prepared all kinds of baked goods for attendees.
Yes I plan on being there again. I haven’t worked out the details yet. I hope I can get some other people from my area to go.
Tim,Thanks for your kind recommendation for Basics.Matt
Another hidden gem is the 2-yr old Ocean City Bible Conference in O.C. NJ. it is held at OC Baptist. Although the time is fall of the school year, it is one that families can really grow together (we happen to homeschool). The speakers are excellent and challenging and you can’t beat the price for conf. + hotel! www.ocbibleconference.org to see the details.