Thread by @homebringwine

Thoughts on the @gospelrefnet conference:

The men in attendance were JOYFUL. I love them dearly.🥰 They are the brothers I never had, dorky dads, masters of puns, complete goofballs who give me hope for the PCA. They love Jesus, the Word, Christ's Bride, and they love to laugh.

There is a misconception that the "confessional side" are mean, nasty, spiteful people just waiting to pounce on every controversy. And there are people like that, but they wouldn't be welcome at the GRN.

These men want peace and purity in the church won with gracious behavior.

There will always be old cankerous relics or immature, petulant little twerps in every corner of the church, but these brothers are not them.

We were encouraged to refrain from quick judgement of others of who disagree - to build up amidst reformation. We were called to piety.

Two addresses stood out to me:

Dr. Jonathan Master, President of @GPTSeminary gave a fantastic lecture on the history of Old Princeton, its rise and fall, and what makes our seminaries strong: a combination of rigorous biblical training, personal piety, and Godly mentorship.

@RevKevDeYoung encouraged us greatly in our pursuit of holiness; that though we may stumble as we move forward in sanctification, God is not displeased with His children because they do not offer Him works of perfection. What father is displeased with his child's feeble attempts?

This was not a company of gentlemen plotting and scheming in hidden corners, set on vehemently eviscerating their opponents.

This was a gathering of pastors praying fervently for revival - a group reminding each other they have no enmity against brothers, merely disagreement.

As a woman, what I left with was an amazement of how many good men I am privileged to know, and how the Lord continues to purify His people, calling men to righteousness amidst a wicked culture, and equipping them to serve and further His kingdom. May the Lord raise up many more.