Plenary Synopsis

• Ron Allen - Jonah–Agent of God’s Grace - Most see Jonah as an agent of God’s judgment. Ron Allen will help us look at Jonah in the light of God’s grace.
• Phil Congdon - Evangelical Humanism? A Critique of Reformed Soteriology - The Reformed views on the gospel, assurance, and eternal rewards will be discussed in order to show how Reformed soteriology makes salvation dependent on man’s works, yet often minimizes or denies the doctrine of rewards for faithful Christian service because it is a result of works!
• Jim Congdon - Some Christians Need to Change Clothes (Eph 4:17-24) - The Apostle Paul gives us some provocative imperatives in vv. 22, 24. Though every Christian is a new person in Christ, some, Paul says, need to put off the old person that they no longer are and put on the new person that they already are. Our churches are full of folks who need to change clothes!
• Craig Glickman - Grace in the Song of Solomon; Love in the Song of Solomon - The meaning of The Song of Solomon has been effectively hidden for most of Jewish and Christian history. Yet properly understood, the Song elevates the portrayal and experience of both men and women more than any hidden documents from later Christian centuries could ever do. I am convinced that one of the primary reasons for this misunderstanding is our failure to recognize the grace in the Song.
• Zane Hodges - The Good Samaritan and Our Dying Subculture The grace movement for the most part belongs to the Calvinist evangelical subculture. This subculture is a backwater in European thought and seems headed toward the same fate in America. It is ill-equipped to confront the philosophical and religious trends which command the most widespread attention in the 21st century. A “second” scientific revolution in the 20th century has produced a fresh reaction to the so-called Enlightenment Project (undertaken in the 18th century) and a revival, in a new garb, of 19th century Romanticism. The parable of the Good Samaritan offers us timely advice in our 21st century context.
• Earl Radmacher - What Church IS is Basic to What Church DOES Most books on ecclesiology deal with the function of the church rather than the nature of the church. The problem with this is that being precedes function. One cannot speak about what the church should be doing until we understand what it is. In this presentation we will develop a full biblical portrait of the nature of the church by means of the word pictures (metaphors) used in Scripture. 
• Arth Rutherford - Developing Lives Full of Grace; Developing Lives Full of Truth - What does it mean to be full of grace and truth like our Lord Jesus Christ? What would our life look like if it were full of grace and truth? In this two part message, we will look at how we can develop lives that are full of grace and truth. Specifically, in how we think, speak, act, and even in how we communicate the gospel and “free grace” theology!
• Bob Wilkin - The State of the Grace Movement - Nineteen years ago I saw the need for an organization dedicated to networking people with a burden for clarity in evangelism. In light of the current trends in Evangelicalism, that need is greater than ever. In this message, we will explore our history, evaluate our present challenges, and chart a course for the future.
•     Salvation in 1 Corinthians 5:5 & 15:2: A More Reasonable Understanding - Most Free Grace people understand 1 Cor 5:5 to be talking about an immoral believer undergoing divine discipline so that he might get into the kingdom of God. In this message I will argue that a more reasonable understanding of 1 Cor 5:5 concerns a believer’s spiritual health at the Bema. I believe that this understanding might also shed light on a notorious problem passage, 1 Cor 15:2. 
•     Little Faith, Great Faith, and Everything in Between - Jesus spoke of “little faith” and “great faith.” The disciples asked Him to increase their faith. But is it possible to grow in your belief? Are there degrees of faith? In this presentation we will explore the implications of this significant issue.

Workshop Synopsis

• Alfy Austin - Managing Church Conflict with Grace and Truth
  Church conflict is unavoidable, but can actually be profitable. God’s Word provides us with much helpful teaching about conflict management and resolution. The goal of this workshop will be to present biblical principles supported by personal illustrations drawn from twenty-two years of church ministry. 
• Charlie Bing - Free Grace Theology for Beginners
  This workshop will cover the basics of grace theology and show its consistency with the Bible. We will start with a definition of grace, then cover grace in salvation and sanctification. Along the way, we will define faith, repentance, discipleship, and Lordship. We will also discuss assurance, security, perseverance, and rewards.
• J.B. Bond - Spreading the Clear Gospel Message Throughout Your Church
  The goal of this workshop is to help pastors spread and keep a clear grace message of salvation in their church. 
• Bob Bryant - Sermons Aren’t Enough
  This seminar will present a simple, practical strategy to encourage people to study the Bible in a way that it becomes more a part of their lives. 
• Fred Chay - The Problem Concerning the Identity of the “Unrighteous” in 1 Cor 6:1-11: The Possibility of the Righteous Being Unrighteous
  The question concerning the audience and intent of the Pauline saying “Shall not inherit the kingdom of God” has troubled the church and confused theologians so as to produce a less than evangelical view of the gospel of grace. This session will investigate the possible exegetical meanings and theological implications of the logion and the pastoral applications of the Pauline texts. 
• Freddie Coile - Lordship Salvation Can Destroy Your Church
  This session presents the story of how a strong grace church was almost destroyed when “good people” began to teach bad doctrine. Points of error are considered under the light of Scripture including 19 reasons why 1 John 3:9 does not teach that the saved are free from habitual sin. Shepherds must hold fast to grace!
• Lamont Conyers - The Hermeneutics of Grace Theology and Lordship Theology: A Case Study of Hebrews 5:11–6:12
  There has been a great debate within the evangelical community over the issue of salvation, discipleship, eternal life, and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The focus of this workshop is to first understand the hermeneutics of both grace theology and lordship theology and then compare how proponents of each differ in this area. 
• Ken Hornok - Does God Give Subjective Revelations Today?
  A growing trend in evangelical circles involves using “inner impressions” or feelings as a confirmation of God’s will. This unhealthy practice lacks biblical support or example. In this workshop I will try to explain why a believer’s attempt to receive confirmations from God may in reality be a pagan practice, what it means to be led by the Spirit, and how God “speaks” to believers today.
• Steve Lewis - The State of Theological Studies
  Sola Scriptura was a Reformation distinctive for a reason: the Reformers knew all too well the results of seeking authority in tradition. It is amazing, and in no small measure frightening, that we could so easily have forgotten that. In this workshop I will be focusing on one area where it is imperative that the emphasis on this principle be revived: seminary training.
• René Lopez - Old Testament Salvation—from What?
  This workshop will deal with the various nuances of the word “salvation” in the Old Testament. 
• Michael Makidon - Postmodernism: A Community Convication
  After working in the restaurant industry for over 10 years, interacting with Postmodern friends, and living in a Postmodern generation, I have first-hand knowledge of what the Postmodern mentality looks like. In this workshop I will attempt to shed light on the influence and breakdown of this philosophy upon our culture, the University, our Seminaries, and our churches. After attempting to define this philosophy, we will discuss ways in which to influence those with a Postmodern mentality. Be prepared for plenty of time for interaction. 
• Gary McNally - Anonymity and the Gospel of Grace
  In this workshop we will be looking at several great men of God who were willing to be whatever God wanted them to be and as a result were not “amibitious,” in the negative sense of the word, during their earthly lives. Essentially I will argue that the doctrines of grace and eternal rewards put us in a unique position to be willing to be “anonymous for God” while we are down here, trusting Him to “exalt us at the proper time.” 
• Barney Mulenga - The Challenge of the 21st Century Free Grace Minister
  The Free Grace minister will be faced with innumerable challenges in the 21st Century. This workshop will explain strategic methods for pastors to meet these challenges.\
• C. Gordon Olson - Eight Key Exegetical Reasons Why I’m Neither a Calvinist Nor an Arminian
  The key issues upon which the Calvinist/Arminian controversy hinge can be simply resolved by careful exegesis of crucial passages, which must begin with a re-examination of their broader contexts, the linguistic background of key Greek terms, and more in-depth study of the syntax of key expressions. Much past exegesis has assumed that too much of traditional translation is correct, although most past translators have clearly been in a rut. Simple observation of the text has been neglected in some cases. Contextual considerations have been frequently overlooked. Fresh exegesis has led me to a mediate soteriology—neither Calvinistic nor Arminian. 
• Mark Piland - Prophecy 101: Parts 1 and 2
  In the first session on the Millennium we will explore the time of Christ’s triumph and the Christian’s reward. In session two on the New Heavens and the New Earth we will pictorially explore God’s grand design for our eternal home.
• Donnie Preslar - The Functional Legalist: The Unaware Victim of Legalism
  This workshop has a two-fold purpose. The first is to recognize how believers with a theology of grace for salvation can unwittingly practice a psychology of works for sanctification. We will show how both salvation and sanctification are the work of God by grace. We have a relationship with God that begins with grace, continues with grace, and ends with grace.
  The second purpose will be to discover how believers can experience freedom from the reign of sin in their daily experience.
  Caution to all Moralists and Legalists: The contents of this study may be objectionable to your way of thinking! 
• Frank Tyler - James’ Faith Without Works Discourse
  The apostle James has much to say in his faith without works discourse. Many cult missionaries who quote from the discourse presume a definition that faith without works equals defective faith. In this workshop we will develop a simple demonstration using a bowl, apples, and oranges to illustrate that such a definition is self-contradictory.
• Bob Wilkin – The Current Crisis in Assurance
  Most Evangelicals do not believe in biblical assurance. Indeed, we in the Free Grace movement experience considerable persecution for our stand on assurance by faith apart from works.
  In this session we will respond to some of the attacks against our position and come away with a burden for those who lack certainty.
• Ken Wilson - Saving Hebrews from Hell: Restoring Christians to Reigning as Sons
  Come explore the nine uses of sozo and soteria in the book of Hebrews. What type of salvation did the author have in mind? Chapter one is the key to the book. Each use will be examined in the immediate context and overall purpose of the book. In Hebrews, salvation does not mean justification, but restoration. All believers are eternally secure by justification and are guaranteed glorification (Rom 8:30), yet not all will achieve restoration. The author will argue for soteria as an eschatological restoration to exalted world dominion as a vice-regent with God (which Adam lost). This honor stands reserved only for believers who faithfully follow Christ’s example.
• Andy Woods - An Introduction to the Open Theism Controversy
  This session will provide an introductory overview of the new theological movement known as “Open Theism.” Although this new movement impacts one’s understanding of several of God’s attributes, this session will specifically focus upon how openness theology impacts one’s understanding of God’s foreknowledge. This session will offer a critique of the openness view of divine foreknowledge from a classical theist perspective. The hermeneutical, biblical, historical, and practical issues in the debate will be explored.
• Mario Yngerto - Biblical Traits of Good Financial Stewardship
  I will attempt to discuss the biblical virtues of debt-free living, giving and tithing, and sound investment principles and give practical common day ideas we could all use to become better financial stewards and reap heavenly rewards, which is the free grace message of rewards! We all want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
  While I will discuss practical modern day ideas on the first two areas, I will also be discussing how to save more effectively, be better investors, and reduce market risk while investing, thereby potentially earning a better return.