Denominations: Your Grandfather’s Oldsmobile?

Are denominations a thing of the past? Are they sin because they divide the body of Christ? Has the church actually experienced a fracture at any point? Historically, denominations came about in order to protect peoples’ consciences under the Word of God to practice what they believe the Bible is teaching them. In this panel, hear these brothers discuss the history, current state, and future of denominations in light of the wide spectrum across evangelicalism.


Speakers

John Yates

John Yates has been the Rector of The Falls Church in Falls Church, Virginia, since 1979. John has been an instrumental figure in the Anglican renewal movement here in the U.S. over the last several decades. He attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, graduating in 1968, Phi Beta Kappa and a Morehead scholar. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1971, and in 1984 earned a Doctorate of Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary. His work over the years with Christian young people and young families has especially equipped him as a spokesman on family life. He and his wife are deeply involved in the Little Rock, Arkansas-based ministry, Family Life, and they speak regularly at Weekend to Remember conferences around the country. John is married to Susan Alexander Yates. They have five adult children and 21 grandchildren.

Kevin DeYoung

Kevin DeYoung is the senior pastor at Christ Covenant Church (PCA) in Matthews, North Carolina and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte). Prior to the summer of 2017, he pastored at University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan (2004-2017). Kevin holds a Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and received his Ph.D. in early modern history at the University of Leicester. He is the author of several books, including The Biggest Story, The Hole in Our Holiness, Crazy Busy, and Just Do Something. Kevin and his wife, Trisha, have nine children.

Ligon Duncan

Ligon Duncan is Chancellor/CEO of Reformed Theological Seminary, and John E. Richards Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology. Born in Greenville, South Carolina, and reared in a Christian home, he did his studies at Furman University, Greenville, SC (BA); Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis (MDiv & MA); and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (PhD). Ligon and his wife, Anne, have two children. Ligon has edited, written, and contributed to numerous books, most recently including: The Gospel As Center, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Preaching the Cross, Fear Not: Death and the Afterlife from a Christian Perspective, In My Place Condemned He Stood, and Does Grace Grow Best in Winter?.

Mark Dever

Mark Dever serves as the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. A Duke graduate, Mark holds a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Ecclesiastical History from Cambridge University. He is the president of 9Marks and has taught at a number of seminaries. Mark has authored several books and articles, most recently, Compelling Community, Baptist Foundations, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, What is a Healthy Church?, and Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. He and his wife Connie live and minister on Capitol Hill. They have two adult children.