In this world, God’s people are strangers and pilgrims who are walking the path to glory. Along the way to our inheritance, each of us will face the trials of discouragement, conflict, and fatigue. But in Hebrews 12:1-3, God calls us to press onwards with our eyes on Christ and with the help of his surrounding saints.
This conference will explore how we can give wise and loving care to each other as fellow pilgrims. Dr. Tim Lane will address us with Scriptural truth and practical guidance regarding conflict and forgiveness. Dr. Mark Jones will speak on the theme of “the Pilgrim’s Regress” and how believers can guard against backsliding. Dr. Reuben Bredenhof will focus on the centrality of God’s faithfulness in our spiritual care. There will also be time for Q&As, two panel discussions, and excellent food and fellowship.
Giving spiritual care is the privilege of all believers.
We welcome everyone to register.
- The conference will begin with a free evening lecture on Friday, January 9 at 8 pm (no registration required).
- On Saturday, January 10, our sessions will start at 9 AM and finish by 3 PM (registration required).
- All sessions will be held at the Ebenezer Canadian Reformed Church at 607 Dynes Rd in Burlington, Ontario.
Session 1
Cultivating the Virtue of Practicing Good Conflict
By Tim Lane
Based upon Tim’s book, Relationships: A Mess Worth Making, this speech will address the important topic of conflict. Conflict is inevitable. You can’t avoid it in either your personal or professional life. We also live in a time where conflict is very much a part of our public life. What does it look like to engage in conflict well? In this session we will look at how to fight to understand rather than fight to win.
Session 3
Cultivating the Virtue of Practicing Forgiveness
By Tim Lane
Based upon Tim’s book, Relationships: A Mess Worth Making, this speech will address the vital topic of forgiveness. Research shows that this aspect of a relationship is one of the greatest predictors of relationships flourishing. Since we will fail in our relationships, how do you repair a relationship once it has been ruptured?
Session 4
Don’t Stop Believing
by Mark Jones
There are many reasons why professing Christians backslide. It is usually a case of several interrelated spiritual disciplines that wane or go missing. The only way to not backslide is to move forward in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus. Recognizing the problem is important, but the solution to the problem is also important.
Session 5
Counselling & the Faithfulness of God
by Reuben Bredenhof
Pastoral counselling points us to the Triune God, whose perfections always resonate with our deepest human needs. This presentation will explore the counselling implications of God’s faithfulness. Through select examples, it will be shown how the New Testament writers’ appeal to divine faithfulness provides a valuable pattern for counselling today in situations of temptation, persecution, loss of assurance, and guilt.
Sessions 2 and 6 are Panel Discussions
