Conferences

Biblical Priorities for Church Ministry

The theme for the 2013 conference was Biblical Priorities for Church Ministry with an emphasis on understanding the contemporary Christian worship controversy. Scott Aniol, the keynote speaker and author of "Worship in Song", a book we highly recommend, provided critical insight into understanding that there is biblically consistent music and music that contradicts a Christian worldview.

Tens of thousands of churches have almost identical doctrinal statements. However, when attending them they may seem vastly different. That difference is what is usually called the “philosophy of ministry” and basically describes the priorities and emphases of any given church or ministry. Sadly, apostasy, division, and church splits are more often the result of differences in how to “do church”, than in what we believe, and few churches ever articulate their philosophy of ministry.

One of the most divisive areas of philosophy of ministry today is not only the meaning of the word “worship”, but its exclusive identification with music. Our keynote speaker, Scott Aniol, is exceptionally qualified to address this topic and has written and spoken much about this over the years. Other significant areas that must be addressed relate to the priority of Bible teaching in a local church, what it means to be a pastor, ministry to men, and ministry to children, along with many other day-to-day activities of a local church.

The men teaching at this conference combine decades of experience in numerous different venues of church ministry. Each is committed to the sufficiency of Scripture and the prime directive of Scripture to “feed the sheep,” “teach the Word,” and to do the work of an evangelist. But we also need to think through how these priorities shape the day-to-day operation and decision making in the local church.

Hosted by West Houston Bible Church from March 4-6, 2013, the speakers at the conference also included daytime speakers Charles Clough, Robert Dean, Bruce Einspahr, Bryan Hult, George Meisinger, Jim Myers, Mark Perkins, David Roseland, Paul Schmidtbleicher, Jeremy Thomas, and Andy Woods.

To view all video Bible studies in the 2013 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

Sanctification

The Chafer Theological Seminary annual Pastors' Conference, hosted by West Houston Bible Church. The 2011 conference was held March 7th through 9th, 2011. This year's theme was Sanctification.

Dr. Dean has spent much time in the past 30 years researching the differences between the different basic approaches or models to sanctification. Each model—Reformed, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Keswick, or Chaferian—reflects the theological presuppositions each system has in each area of theology. Most Christians are confused by teaching on the spiritual life because much that is taught in this area is an eclectic stew of inconsistent interpretations.

Each night of this conference Dr. Dean focused on the implications of Jesus’ command to “Abide in Me” (John 15:1–7) for understanding the central sanctification passages in Romans, Ephesians, Galatians, and 1 John. The daytime presentations formed the backdrop for understanding these passages. In these three evening messages, Dr. Dean brought together the results of these presentations to present a view of the spiritual life that is internally consistent and which most accurately fits a free grace gospel and a dispensational view of God the Holy Spirit.

Keynote Speaker was Dr. Robert L. Dean. Other speakers included Bruce Bumgardner, Charlie Clough, David Dunn, Dan Inghram, George Meisinger, Jim Myers, Mark Perkins, David Roseland, Paul Schmidtbleicher, Clay Ward, and Andy Woods.

To view all video Bible studies in the 2011 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

Biblical Hermeneutics

Conference materials for the 2009 Chafer Theological Seminary annual Pastors Conference. The theme for this year’s conference was Biblical Hermeneutics and was hosted by West Houston Bible Church from March 9-11, 2009. The Keynote speaker was Dr. Ron Merryman. Other speakers included special guest speaker Dr. Robert Thomas, as well as Rev. Charles Clough, Dr. J.B. Hixson, Dr. Tommy Ice, Dr. George Meisinger, Pastor Clay Ward, and Prof. Andy Woods.

To view all video Bible studies in the 2009 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference series, click here (Vimeo) or here (YouTube).

Understanding the Muslim Mind

Conference materials for the 2007 Chafer Theological Seminary annual Pastor's Conference held at West Houston Bible Church. The theme for the 2007 conference was Understanding the Muslim Mind and featured Keynote speaker Pat Cate and special guest speaker Walid Shoebat, a former Islamic terrorist who converted to Christianity. Other speakers at the conference included Dave Anderson, Charles Clough, Tommy Ice, Ron Merryman, Jim Myers, Tim Nichols, Mark Perkins, and Mike Thompson. The dates of the conference were March 19-21, 2007.

To view all video Bible studies in the 2007 Chafer Theological Seminary Bible Conference series, click here.

How does the Holy Spirit guide the believer? To what degree is the Holy Spirit involved in everyday decision making? In this series, Dr. Dean answers these questions and distinguishes between the view consistently presented throughout scripture concerning the Holy Spirit's leading and guiding ministry in the believer's life and today's scripturally unsupported but popular mystical view.

The 2006 Spring New England Bible Conference was held at the Preston City Bible Church, April 5-7, 2006.