The Gospel: What? Why? How? The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Rom. 1:16) "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Lk. 2:19). Thus was heralded the Messiah of Israel and the Savior of the world by the angel to the shepherds of Bethlehem. Ever since that glorious announcement, the Christian faith has spread with good news of salvation for men and women lost in sin. Martyn Lloyd-Jones exclaimed: "Gospel! The first thing, therefore that we say about the Christian faith is that it is the announcement of some great and wonderful good news." One of the healthiest and most encouraging signs in recent years has been a reemphasis on the gospel as the heart of the Christian message and life. Yet, while the gospel is spoken of more and more, the actual good news of Jesus is not always clearly proclaimed. In this year's conference we will consider the message and the method of the gospel. What makes the gospel a source of such abounding joy? What is the bad news, to which the gospel is the remedy? What is the power with which the gospel brings salvation? How is the cross the very center of the gospel? What was the distinct gospel message that Jesus preached, and how do we preach it today? How do pastors and churches take up the gospel ministry of reconciliation, of which we read in the Bible? These are subjects we will consider in our exploration of the gospel. In our seminars, we will bring our gospel focus upon the contemporary church scene to consider our situation, our challenges, and our opportunities in sending forth the good news of great joy in Jesus Christ. Our pre-conference seminar this year will have a strong pastoral focus, with the title: Preaching the Gospel. Harry Reeder will bring his long record of experience in the pulpit, together with careful consideration he has given to this subject. Schedule Friday Preconference: 8:00 a.m. Pre-Conference Registration 9:15 a.m. Devotional: A Minister of the Gospel Eph. 3:7-9, Richard Phillips 9:45 a.m. The Necessity of Gospel Preaching – Romans 10:13-17, Harry Reeder 10:45 a.m. Coffee Break 11:00 a.m. The Profile of Gospel Preaching – I Cor. 2: 1-5, Harry Reeder 12:00 p.m. Lunch (at local restaurants) 1:30 p.m. The Man, The Message & The Method of Gospel Preaching – II Tim 2:14-4:8, Harry Reeder 2:30 p.m. Question & Answer: Harry Reeder and Richard Phillips 3:15 p.m. End of Pre-Conference Conference: 7:00 pm The Gospel of Great Joy - Luke 2:10-12, Sinclair Ferguson Saturday 8:00 a.m. Late Registration 9:00 a.m. The Gospel Remedy for Bad News – Romans 3:21-26, Harry Reeder 10:00 a.m. The Gospel Power of God – Romans 1:16, Sinclair Ferguson 11:00 a.m. Question and Answer Session 12:00 p.m. Lunch (at local restaurants) 2:00 p.m. The Gospel Preaching of the Cross – 1 Corinthians 1:17, Ligon Duncan 3:15-4:30 p.m. Seminars - Please choose one The Gospel in the Contemporary Evangelical Churches, Ligon Duncan A Gospel Reformation: Then and Now, Robert Godfrey (MI) Getting the Gospel Out, Liam Goligher (PA) The Full Gospel: Justification and Sanctification, Richard Phillips 4:30 p.m. Dinner (at local restaurants) 6:30 p.m. Sacred Concert 7:00 p.m. The Gospel Message of Christ – Mark 1:14-15, Robert Godfrey (MI); Liam Goligher (PA) Sunday AM Worship - The Gospel Ministry of Reconciliation – 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Ligon Duncan Speakers Dr. William (Liam) Goligher has been Senior Minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church since May of 2011. He previously pastored churches in Ireland, Canada, England, and in his native Scotland. Dr. Goligher has been closely involved in Bible teaching and evangelistic ministry among college students. He has spoken at conventions throughout the world, and he has preached regularly at conferences and churches in the United States. Liam has contributed to more than ten books and authored four: A Window on Tomorrow, The Fellowship of the King, The Jesus Gospel, and Joseph - The Hidden Hand of God. He has spoken at pastor training conferences in Ireland and Scotland, and his Sunday sermons are web cast on the internet. Liam married Christine Nora Hughes in 1972. They have five children and four grandchildren. Dr. Harry Reeder is beginning his 13th year as the senior pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. Pastor Reeder is devoted to the ministry of Church Revitalization hosting multiple Embers to a Flame Conferences both nationally and internationally. He is the author of a number of published works including From Embers to a Flame - How God Can Revitalize Your Church and most recently The Leadership Dynamic. In addition he is the host of a growing radio ministry entitled In Perspective. The program is heard Monday through Friday on a number of stations in the southeast. He and his wife, Cindy are natives of Charlotte, North Carolina. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Locations March 23-25 Byron Center First Christian Reformed Church 2450 85th Street S.W. Byron Center, MI 49315 April 20-22 Tenth Presbyterian Church 1701 Delancey Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 Hotels Grand Rapids - Baymont Inn and Suites 8282 Pfeiffer Farms Drive Byron Center, MI 616-583-9535 2.9 miles from church Hyatt Place Grand Rapids-South 215 Metro Lane Wyoming, MI 49519 888-492-8847 3.7 miles from church Philadelphia - Crowne Plaza, 1800 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 6 blocks from church 888-233-9527, Rate: $125 Book by March 20, 2012 Other area hotels have availability for those booking early. Call Alliance customer service for recommendations 1-800-956-2644