Reformation 500

OVERVIEW

In every age the Lord in His sovereign providence provides men and women who hold fast to the word of life. Five hundred years ago, the Reformers did just that; they held on to the revealed truths in God’s word that man could only be saved through faith in Jesus Christ, by God’s grace alone and for God’s glory alone. 500 years on, and we find ourselves in need of rekindling our fervour and steadfast focus on these established truths. The Reformation might be an historical fact, but reforming continues. Although the Reformation was a battle for Biblical and theological truth, the men of the reformation sought holiness and righteousness in the sight of God, because at the heart of it all, were men and women who knew their need for a Saviour.

The Fellowship of Reformed Baptist Churches of New Zealand presents this special conference to commemorate and think about the implications of the Protestant Reformation.

The conference will be lead by Dr. Stephen Yuille, pastor of Grace Community Church in Glenrose Texas and Pastor Robert Briggs from Immanuel Baptist Church in Sacramento, California. Their messages will lead us over the course of the weekend to consider God’s amazing grace in His Son, Jesus Christ and how His church remains as relevant now, as it was 500 years ago, and will be until Christ’s return.

We trust that many of you will be able to join us for this weekend.

Andre Bay | Pastor – Shore Baptist Church Auckland

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Dr. Stephen Yuille

Grace Community Church
Glen Rose, Texas

Dr. Stephen Yuille will start us off by visiting the roots of the Reformation by first considering the 5 Solas. These five key phrases identify the main themes the Reformers returned to during the Reformation: Sola Scriptura, Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus and Soli Deo Gloria. God used men like Wycliffe, Huss, Tindale, Calvin & Zwingli to cause teh church to return to the scriptures and all of these men are worth studying, but none is more renowned and influential than the “Wild Boar” – Martin Luther. therefore, Dr. Yuille will use one session to look at how the Reformation began with Luther in Germany. We’ll then consider Reformed Piety and how it impacts life, before asking the question ‘what is there for us to learn from this epic time in our church history ?’

Originally from Ontario, Dr. Stephen Yuille and his family came to GCC in January, 2009. Dr. Yuille copmpleted his Ph.D. in historical theology at the London School of Theology. He has authored a number of books related to Biblical studies and Christian piety,a nd serves as a the associate professor of Biblical Spirituality at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. His wife, Alison, has completed a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and teaches at GCC’s Grace Preschool. They have two daughters, Laura and Emma.

Robert Briggs

Immanuel Baptist Church
Sacramento, California

Pastor Robert Briggs has the glorious task of focusing in on one of the key doctrines of the Reformation – A Return to Christ Alone. For some time before the Reformation the church had added sacraments and rituals as well as unbiblical practices to the Christian Faith, while the Reformers returned the focus to the preeminence of the Lord Jesus Christ, showing that salvation is found in Him alone, through His work alone ad HE is the head of His church. Pastor Briggs’ sessions will examine this by looking ath three offices of Christ our Lord – Christ Jesus our Prophet, Priest and King.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Pastor Briggs attended Queens University, Balfast in Northern Ireland where he graduated with a Bachelor of Divinity in 1992. He served in pastoral ministry in northern Ireland from 1992 to 2003 when he was called to pastor Immanuel Baptiat Church of Sacramento. He presently serves as President of the Reformed Baptist Seminary as well as Chaplain to Sacramento’s local soccer team, Sacramento Republic FC. He has been married to his wife, Elaine, since 1992 and has four children: Lois, Esther, Deborah & Andrew.

Conference Food X

Friday
8pm break	hot savouries; slices; fruit; carrots/celery sticks, crackers and cheese, water, juice, tea and coffee (Kids table – fruit, savouries and biscuits)
Saturday
10:30 break	cakes, slices, fruit and vege platters, potato chips, biscuits, gluten free slab cake, water, juice, tea and coffee (kids table – fruit and biscuits)
1pm Lunch	soup in a cup option and lunch in a bag – chicken sandwich, yoghurt, fruit, cookie time cookie, (same for kids); water, tea and coffee
3:30pm break	tea, coffee cold drinks
5pm Dinner	Finger food buffet style – sushi, hot chicken nibbles, dumplings, mini quiches, cheese platters, mini pikelets with salmon, vogel’s with ham & cheese, pizza slices (Same for kids). Dessert: cupcakes

PROGRAM

Friday, 6th October
5:30pm	Registration
7:00pm	Session 1 Stephen Yuille “The Wild Boar” – How the Reformation began with Luther
8:00pm	Break details…
8:30pm	Session 2 Robert Briggs Jesus Christ our Prophet – God’s final word to us
9:30pm	Close
Saturday, 7th October
9:00am	Registration
9:30am	Session 3 Stephen Yuille “My Heart I Offer to You, Lord” – “Reformed Piety” and how it impacts life
10:30am	Break
11:00am	Session 4 Robert Briggs Jesus Christ our Priest – God’s final sacrifice for us
12:00pm	Questions & Answers
1:00pm	Lunch
2:30pm	Session 5 Stephen Yuille “Is the Reformation Over?” What we need to learn from the Reformers
3:30pm	Break
4:00pm	Session 6 Robert Briggs Jesus Christ our King – God’s gracious ruler over us
5:00pm	Dinner
6:30pm	Questions & Answers
8:30pm	Prayer & Thanksgiving
9:00pm	Close
Sunday, 8th October
10:30am	Dr. Stephen Yuille – Worship Service – Shore Baptist Church
10:30am	Robert Briggs – Worship Service – South City Reformed Baptist Church
Refreshments will be provided during the short breaks; Lunch & Dinner will be provided on Saturday. All food is included in the Conference Registration fee.

RECORDINGS

The Reformation 500 – Conference is over!

Audio recordings of the keynote addresses are available if you click on this link.

Reformation 500 Conference Venue:

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Accommodation
If you wish to arrange accommodation the following facilities are in the vicinity of the Conference Venue
Quest Albany	32 Kell Drive, Albany	09 414 0024
Browns Bay Olive Tree motel	24 Glencoe Road, Browns Bay	09 929 4616
Ponderosa Lodge	5 Margaret Henry Crescent	09 476 7896
Members of Shore Baptist Church & South City Reformed Baptist Church may be able to host delegates from outside Auckland who require accommodation while attending the conference. If you are in need of accommodation, please use the contact form below to let us know in plenty of time!
TRANSPORTATION
Members of the two churches above may also be able to provide transport to and from the Airport and/or Britomart Bus/Rail Station. If you need help getting to the North Shore on Thursday (5th) or Friday (6th), please use the contact form below.
PARKING
Plenty of free parking is available at the conference venue.

CONTACT

Send an email to the Conference Planning Committee using the form below: