Comments on: Femininity, Diversity, and the Next Generation: Remembering TGCW12

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 04:01:11 +0000

You nailed it!!! I was so pleased that this conference was frill-free and fluff-free of anecdotes and those girl-stories about the mayhem of being a woman. SO REFRESHING!!! To be completely honest, by Saturday evening I was so saturated I couldn't get any more into my brain - I was in need of a mental break. There was truth coming at me like bullets for hours on end! But Sunday morning I was raring to go again and ready for the rapid fire of our truth-tellers! Nielson and Carson did not disappoint - the exposition of Revelation 4&5 and 21&22... magnificent!

It might take me 2 years to recuperate and re-orient according to my new understanding, but I'll be ready again in 2014... Thank you, TGC - thank you! There are clearly thousands of us out here that need and desperately want what you have brought to the table for us. We have been really hungry for a really long time!!!

God was glorified and magnified and exalted!

By: Grace

Grace — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:29:02 +0000

Aw, man! I can't believe I missed this one! Will the next conference be in 2014 for sure?

By: EMSoliDeoGloria

EMSoliDeoGloria — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 15:27:37 +0000

Yay! I love my sisters in the Lord but have pretty much sworn off "women's events" in my complementarian circles because I almost always leave them discouraged because (1) I can't possibly be as perfectly girly as all the women held up as role models, (2) I have no interest in the "cutsy" decor, flowers, and frilly gift bags that characterize these events, (3) the content is often characterized by theology-lite, formula heavy, substance deficient material. I love chocolate as much as the next gal (or guy) but I want to learn about God and what what it means to reflect his image and glory in the world I live in. I have gone to church / denomination run women's events that were less bad than others but can't remember leaving one truly encouraged in the Lord yet... This is not because they are led or taught by women, but because they are generally led and taught by women who have little or no theological training themselves and who have bought in - at some level - to the idea that men's discipleship is serious and substantive and godward but women's discipleship is supposed to focus on keeping the house clean, the laundry done, the menu planned, the children outwardly respectful, the husband sexually satisfied and secure in his position as king of the home and the next wedding / baby shower / Christmas party / summer picnic well executed. That's exhausting and not the least bit soul satisfying. Sounds like this conference was something more! I hope to listen to the talks once they are posted online.

By: Charissa

Charissa — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 11:35:50 +0000

Amen and amen! With regard to the chocolate though, if you stuck around for the Friday night Focus gathering on Parenting Issues, you would have received a YUMMY chocolate sucker :)

By: Aimee Byrd

Aimee Byrd — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 11:18:58 +0000

I was also very impressed by the volunteers. They served with a smile, for sure. I once attended a Saturday women's retreat where the men of the church served all of us ladies lunch. It was such a beautiful message of how much they love and appreciate us. I thought of that as I saw the men serving, and especially as I thought about all of the husbands back at home holding everything together so that we could be there. I came home to a clean house (with only a few things out of place...where the heck did my carrot peeler go while I was gone?). I am so thankful for my husband's hard work and positive encouragement that enabled me to go be fed with such great theology.
And I was very thankful we weren't subjected to playing silly "get to know you games," or talks about food and laundry.

By: James S

James S — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 00:59:17 +0000

When will the audio/video be posted?

By: Kate

Kate — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:51:42 +0000

Yes! Yes! Yes! And it is precisely because we were not placed at the center of this conference, but rather God was, that we walked away more filled and encouraged and strengthened as women. Thank you Gospel Coalition and thank you God! Can't wait for 2014

By: Lisa writes...

Lisa writes... — Sat, 30 Jun 2012 16:40:40 +0000

As an older woman (not old, mind you, just older--ha), I too was greatly impressed by the number of young women in attendance! I am excited for this upcoming generation of women!

I also chuckled at bit at your mention of hospitality and decorating forming the substance of much of what we've been taught as women. Not so last weekend! I'm ashamed to admit that while I was eagerly expecting to hear the Word taught in power and precision from Piper, Carson and Keller, I was surprised to hear that same power and theological depth from the women plenary speakers. Why did I not expect the same from them? Have I subconsciously bought into the stereotype of women's roles and abilities? Hmmmm... Food for thought and I hope to think through it and post something on my blog in the next few days.

Thanks for your thoughts here!