The Coming G3 Conference and an Apology

This year I have the opportunity to go to the G3 (Gospel – Grace – Glory) Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.  For those who are not familiar with it, its a Bible Conference hosted by the Prays Mill Baptist Church where Brother Josh Buice is pastor.   This year the theme of the Conference is The Sovereignty of God.   When I was invited to go by a friend, I said yes.  As an added bonus I get to take my entire family with me.  What a blessing to get to go to experience three days of solid preaching on the sovereignty of God, including the following sermons: 

The Unquestionable Sovereignty of God
Josh Buice

The Sovereignty of God and Perseverance of the Saints
Owen Strachan

Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Phil Johnson

The Lord Reigns
Steven Lawson

God’s Sovereign Election
James Coates

God’s Sovereignty over Time
James White

Plenary Q&A
Scott Aniol, Voddie Baucham, Josh Buice, James Coates, Phil Johnson, Steven Lawson, Mike Riccardi, Owen Strachan, Virgil Walker (moderator), Paul Washer, James White

The Sovereignty of God and the Sanctity of Marriage
Voddie Baucham

The King’s Men: They Follow the Lamb Where’er He Goes
Paul Washer

TBA Video Sermon
John MacArthur

The Sovereignty of God in Creation
Ken Ham

Propitiation for His People: Sovereignty of God and Definite Atonement
Mike Riccardi

Our Sovereign God
Steven Lawson

Apparently there’s a lot of other people excited about this conference! As of this writing, there are over 8000 people scheduled to attend! That’s wild. Over 8000 people coming to hear men of God preach the Word of God. Oh and paying money to get in! Let that sink in for a moment. No Ted talks. No entertainment. No gimmicks, tricks or shows. These thousands of people are coming to hear solid doctrinal sermons on the Sovereignty of God.

Now I know not everyone is excited for this meeting.  I know because I already have gotten some flack from other brethren for going.  I don’t fault these brethren, because I was once one of the men who found fault with the G3 conferences.   A few years ago, when I first heard about it, I was ignorant and prideful and I actually found fault those who went!  I should have done research before I spoke. I should have studied the Scriptures.   

“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.” (Mark 9:38–41)

I let bigotry (the idea that “my church” or “our kind of Baptists” is better than their churches) and emotion get in the way of the clear teaching of Scripture. While this conference does have men on the program that I disagree with on some point or another, they are far from being heretics.  Furthermore, what conference does have men who agree on every point?   

I wonder, what those folks who oppose the conference would rather a person do from Thursday through Saturday? Is it a terrible sin to go hear some good preaching and to find some fellowship with God’s people? Some folks would rather their pastor sit at home and watch garbage on tv all week than attend the Bible Conference in Atlanta!

I sincerely apologize to those good brothers that I lashed out at and about years ago.  I also apologize to the church I was pastoring back then too, for I did lead y’all away from some good resources.   Check out the G3 website at https://g3min.org/. There’s some good stuff out there that has been written by men who aren’t quite like “our kind of Baptists.”  As with anything else, you have to be discerning.  That’s true even at home when it’s your own pastor.  Acts 17:11 is a great passage to consider.  

All I can say is I am a work in progress.  I am learning, and growing.

I can tell you something, I have been to homeschool conferences and I have been to southern gospel concerts.    So have most of the critics of the G3 Conference.   The G3 Conference is much more Biblical than either of those.

When I get back from the Conference, I will write some more, but I’m excited.  My initial thought is that churches ought to encourage their pastors to go, and not only that pay their way to get there. Not only am I excited to hear those preachers but also to see some old friends and some new ones too. 

May God get the glory in ALL we do.