Conference Audio

Audio from the 2016 Conference has been uploaded and is now available here.

Live Video Stream

The live streams of today's conference messages have been archived and available below:

The Origin and Scope of Death by Leroy Cole of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Otisville

The Death of Christ by Doug Phillips of South Church in Lansing

The Death of the Believer by Jim Mascow of Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fenton

The Death of Death by Chris Winans of Cornerstone EPC in Brighton

Death, Be Not Proud - Message Titles

October 29th is rapidly approaching and we are looking forward to the 13th annual Mid-Michigan Reformation Conference! Once more, our theme for the conference will be Death, Be Not Proud, borrowed from the first line of Sonnet X by John Donne.

We will examine the often neglected topic of death as our speakers give the following four addresses:

Leroy Cole of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Otisville - The Origin and Scope of Death

Doug Phillips of South Church in Lansing - The Death of Christ

Jim Mascow of Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Fenton - The Death of the Believer

Chris Winans of Cornerstone EPC in Brighton - The Death of Death

2016 Speaker Profile...Doug Phillips

Doug Phillips is the Executive Pastor for Ministries at South Church in Lansing, where he has served since 2004. He is speaking for the second time at our conference, having blessed us in 2014 with his message on The Holy Spirit in the Church Today.

What’s your wife’s name and how long have you been married?

• Becky, 17 years 

Share a little about your educational background.

• B.A. from Cedarville College in Ohio; M.Div. from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary

What were your favorite parts about your educational experience?

• Learning how to exegete Scripture and to think theologically, amidst the relationships to key profs and good friends How long have you been in your current pastorate? 

12 years Have you pastored elsewhere?

• Yes, Okemos, MI 

What have been some of the best lessons you’ve learned in your role as a pastor?

• That God’s Word, illumined by the Spirit, is uniquely powerful to bring us into a vital, saving, life-shaping, presently experienced relationship with Him, especially in the fellowship of His people/the church 

What would you most like your church to be known for?

• Faithful, vital ministry of the Gospel and Word of God 

What books of the Bible have been most impactful on your personal growth and ministry (and why)?

• Genesis, since it frames all that follows; Deuteronomy and Psalms since they describe authentic Biblical, experiential spirituality; Gospel of Matthew since it draws the Kingdom of God theme to a crucial climax; Romans, as the pinnacle and most comprehensive of God’s saving plan 

Who are some of your greatest spiritual influences in these three categories:

a. Pastors/scholars/authors from the past?

• Dr. James Grier, pastor/prof, who mentored me in college, seminary and during my pastoral life; John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, J.C. Ryle; John Newton; John Bunyan; John Stott; C.S. Lewis 

b. Current pastors/scholars/authors:

• J.I. Packer; D.A. Carson; Tim Keller; Warren Wiersbe; David Powlison 

c. People we maybe haven’t ever heard of…but would be blessed by if we had

• Dr. Grier? (described above); Dick and Martha Baldwin; David Warren 

Are there any books that you find yourself regularly re-reading?

• Packer’s “Knowing God”; Calvin’s Institutes; Spurgeon’s “All of Grace”; Stott’s “The Cross of Christ” 

If you could spend an entire day with one person of your choosing from the Bible (not including Jesus), who would you choose and why?

• Paul, for his combination of theology and spirituality 

If you could have been present at any event in the Bible, which event would you choose and why?

• Resurrection, since it is the linchpin of Christ’s saving work 

What are some of your hobbies/interests apart from the Bible/theology?

• Golf, racquetball and extreme croquet

2016 Speaker Profile...Chris Winans

What’s your wife’s name and how long have you been married?

• My wife’s name is Carey and we’ve been married for 10 years. 

How many children do you have and how old are they?

• We have three children: Caleb (6), Natalie (5), and Thomas (4 months) 

Share a little about your educational background.

• I started out my education in music and have a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in Music performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Later in life, I went to seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL. 

What were your favorite parts about your educational experience?

• My favorite part of being in school was belonging to a community with others who shared similar goals and passions. (Sounds like something we should be fostering in our churches!) 

How long have you been in your current pastorate?

• I’ve been at Cornerstone EPC in Brighton, MI for three years. 

Have you pastored elsewhere?

• No, with the exception of an internship at Goodwill Church in Montgomery, NY. 

What have been some of the best lessons you’ve learned in your role as a pastor?

• So many things…but one powerful thing I’ve learned is that every person is unique; that each of us sees the world, God, and others from a unique perspective. Every human being is a walking story, an evolving novel. I’ve learned that my role as a pastor is to help people make the connection between their story and the Christian narrative as embodied in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Their story becomes incorporated within His story; their poetry is weaved into the divine poetry. 

What would you most like your church to be known for?

• Different churches can be known for different things…maybe great doctrine, or dynamic worship. My dream would be for Cornerstone to be known for an outward love for others that reflects the heart of Christ for the world. 

What books of the Bible have been most impactful on your personal growth and ministry (and why)?

• I have been most impacted by the books of Amos and Romans. Amos continues to show me that God’s care for people is holistic, it encompasses both body and soul. Jesus displays holistic care when he displays concern for people’s physical needs as well as their spiritual needs. How we treat the poor, marginalized, and outcast matters to God. On the other hand, the book of Romans has impacted me intellectually. It continually pushes against my assumptions and reminds me that my ‘system’ is never adequate. I think the Reformers reflected this in their maxim of “Always Reforming.” 

Who are some of your greatest spiritual influences in these three categories:

1. Pastors/scholars/authors from the past

• The author from the past that has had the most influence on my life is Martin Luther…particularly his book The Bondage of the Will, which was my baptism into Reformed thinking. I wasn’t the same person before and after I read it.  

2. Current pastors/scholars/authors

• As for current authors, I have been most influenced by N.T. Wright and James KA Smith. Unfortunately, Wright isn’t kosher among some in the Reformed tradition due to his position on justification; an issue which is largely semantic rather than substantive. Personally, I have found him a helpful guide in knowing how to read, ask questions of, and understand the Bible. I have also been influenced by Stanley Hauerwas and Tim Keller.

 3. People we maybe haven’t ever heard of…but would be blessed by if we had

• Two authors who have been helpful to me to understand ethics and modern culture has been Charles Taylor and Alasdair MacIntyre. 

Are there any books that you find yourself regularly re-reading?

• One book I find myself looking through and thinking about regularly is Miroslav Volf’s book Exclusion and Embrace. Volf’s book paints an important picture of how Christians should be relating to others, especially those we call our enemies. Another (especially given this particular election) is the book by James Hunter called To Change the World. So much energy has been wasted and people turned away from the church by aligning Christianity with partisan politics. Hunter shows a different way…something he calls ‘Faithful Presence.’ His analysis of culture and the institutions that form it is very helpful. 

If you could spend an entire day with one person of your choosing from the Bible (not including Jesus), who would you choose and why?

• Probably the Apostle John…only so that I could sit down with him and go through the book of Revelation together. Can you imagine THAT Bible study?

If you could have been present at any event in the Bible, which event would you choose and why?

• I would be present at the burning bush. I SO identify with Moses and his feeling of inadequacy, and love the merciful response of God that He will be with Moses and teach him what to say. 

What are some of your hobbies/interests apart from the Bible/theology?

• Apart from Bible/theology, I’m a jazz nut (or more likely…nerd). It drives my wife crazy because if we’re hanging out somewhere and jazz is playing in the background, I get instantly distracted (although I can usually name the musicians performing…like I said…nerd!)

2016 Speaker Profile...Jim Mascow

What’s your wife’s name, how long have you been married, and how many children do you have?

• I am married to my wife Sandy since 1978. We have three children (Marjorie, Danielle and Josiah) with our first grandchild on the way. Dani and her husband Alex live in the Boston area. They attend a conservative Anglican church. Josiah lives in Dallas, Texas and is in the mortgage business.  He attends The Village Church, pastored by Matt Chandler. We have a heart for ministry to special needs children and their families since we have been blessed with our daughter Margie. 
  
  
  Sandy is an avid reader, a full time care giver, she teaches a woman’s Bible Study, she is the current President of Fenton Right to Life, and she enjoys acting with the Fenton Village Players. (Obviously Sandy is the more versatile one in our marriage.)

Share a little about your educational background.

• I did my undergraduate work at Central Michigan University where I came to faith through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry. I was a youth director at Tyrone Presbyterian Church in Fenton, Michigan for two years before attending Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis from 1980-1984. 

How long have you been in your current pastorate?

• After pastoring churches in Wisconsin for 13 years we returned to Fenton succeeding Dr. Robert L. Berkey as senior pastor of Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church. 

What have been some of the best lessons you’ve learned in your role as a pastor and who are some of your greatest spiritual influences?

• Pastoring a congregation for almost two decades allows us to know some families generationally. The gospel remains fresh as we marvel at God’s amazing grace in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. I am inspired by the great leaders of the Reformation and have many of their theological books on my shelves (someday I may actually read them).  

If you could spend an entire day with one person of your choosing from the Bible (not including Jesus), who would you choose and why?

• The Biblical character that I would spend a day with would be Balaam’s donkey. He made more sense than many of our leading presidential candidates of today and would get my vote if he were running. 

What are some of your hobbies/interests apart from the Bible/theology?

• Speaking of running, that is what I enjoy doing for recreation because it takes no talent or brains to put one foot in front of the other. I was able to run in the Boston Marathon this past April taking first in my division (PCA pastors from Fenton, Michigan over 60 years old). 

Is there anything else we should know about you?

• I enjoy these Reformation conferences at Calvary and spending time with Pastor Pete Scribner (who owes me a lunch because the Detroit Tigers beat his beloved Cardinals last year in two of three games in St. Louis). 

Misconceptions about Death

Misconceptions about death are far too widespread not just in the wider culture, but specifically within the church. The shelves of Christian bookstores are filled with books that misguide us in regards to this topic of eminent importance. It is our hope that this year's conference will help to serve as an antidote to this condition.

David Platt will not be one of the speakers at our conference this year. But listen below as what he has to say speaks directly to our theme!

2016 Speaker Profile...Leroy Cole

In an effort to help you get to know our conference speakers, we share a Q&A profile on each of them. Up first is Leroy Cole.

What’s your wife’s name and how long have you been married?

• My wife Cora and I recently celebrated our 59th anniversary.

How many children do you have?

• We have four grown sons.

Share a little about your educational background.

• I am a graduate of Kearsley Hih School, class of 1957. I received my BD from Bible Baptist Seminary in 1967.

How long have you been in your current pastorate?

• I have been at Emmanuel Baptist Church on and off since 1967. I'm presently retired in place there. During most of the years I was not there, I served as a Ruling Elder at Calvary Presbyterian Church.

What have been some of the best lessons you’ve learned in your role as a pastor?

•   The sufficiency of Christ to know and bless his sheep through appointed shepherds.

What would you most like your church to be known for?

• I would like the church to be Christ-like minded in its life and love.

What books of the Bible have been most impactful on your personal growth and ministry?

• Having been in ministry for over half a century, it is hard to narrow in on a few books. Certainly Romans more than Jeremiah, Genesis over Revelation. In fact, Genesis and Romans are usually connected in my mind as I study the other 64 books.

Who are some of your greatest spiritual influences?

• Charles Spurgeon from the 19th century, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones from the 20th and R.C. Sproul from the last 30 years.

• There have been so many people that have joined me for a segment of my pilgrimage and have enriched my journey and sharpened my sanctification! It would be impossible to number those blessed people. And it is ongoing.

Are there any books that you find yourself regularly re-reading?

• I seldom re-read an entire book, but Packer and Lloyd-Jones works seem to recycle across my desk more than others.

If you could spend an entire day with one person of your choosing from the Bible (not including Jesus), who would you choose and why?

• I should say Paul, but it would probably be Peter. Somehow I seem to relate to him and understand his actions.

If you could have been present at any event in the Bible, which event would you choose and why?

• I should say the crucifixion and/or the resurrection/empty tomb, but the Day of Pentecost would be my choice. However, the 40 days of the post-resurrection walk of Christ would have been like the pre-Fall Garden: the Son of God inhabiting His people without the persecution of man interrupting the fellowship.

What are some of your hobbies/interests apart from the Bible/theology?

• Automotive history, now fading into history. That's about all there is to me. Lloyd-Jones said in those dying weeks, "I am a forgiven sinner; that's all there is to me." And with one toe in the river, that's all that is really important.

Conference Registration

For the fourth straight year, we are thrilled to invite you to attend the Conference free of charge! We do ask the you would register in advance by clicking here so we can prepare for your attendance. 

If you would like to financially support the conference to ensure that it will continue to be free in future years, there will be a donation box at the conference. All donations to Calvary Presbyterian Church designated for the Conference will go into a special fund, 100% of which is used to support the Mid-Michigan Reformation Conference.

Audio from Past Conferences

2016 marks the 13th time Calvary has hosted this annual conference.Click here to access audio from our previous years. You can also subscribe to the conference podcast through iTunes to automatically receive audio from future conferences.

2016 Speakers

October 29th, Calvary Presbyterian Church will be hosting the 13th annual Mid-Michigan Reformation Conference. Our theme this year will be Death, Be Not Proud, as we examine the oft avoided, oft misunderstood topic of death in an effort to help us develop a more biblical corrective. Speakers for the conference are:

• Leroy Cole, Emmanuel Baptist Church (Otisville)
• Doug Phillips, South Church (Lansing)
• Jim Mascow, Tyrone Covenant Presbyterian Church (Fenton) 
• Chris Winans, Cornerstone Evangelical Presbyterian Church (Brighton)

The conference is once again free this year, including a delicious hot lunch. Please click here to register in advance.

2016 Conference Theme Announced

In determining a theme for the 13th annual Mid-Michigan Reformation Conference, we considered a number of topics. In the end, we decided on one that impacts every one of us, yet we far too often neglect to deeply consider: Death.

A quick stroll through most Christian bookstores will reveal numerous evidences that even when we do think about death, our thinking is frequently misguided. With the year's conference, we hope to bring a Biblical corrective to this often muddled thinking. Our title will be Death, Be Not Proud, inspired by John Donne's Sonnet X, and our four talks will be on the following:

Talk 1: "The Source and Scope of Death”

·         Talk 2: “The Death of Christ”

·         Talk 3: “The Death of the Believer”

·         Talk 4: “The Death of Death”

Please plan on joining us at Calvary Presbyterian Church from 10am-4pm Saturday, October 29th for a time of learning and fellowship. As has become our practice, the conference is free (including lunch). We simply ask that you click here to register so that we can prepare for your attendance.

Death Be Not Proud

Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and souls deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better than thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more, Death, thou shalt die.

        - Sonnet X  by John Donne