Don Carson - What Is The Gospel Coalition? from The Gospel Coalition on Vimeo.

In case you missed part one and two:

• Part 1: "Empowered Corporate Worship"
• Part 2: "Evangelistic Effectiveness"

Thanks Justin!

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We are a fellowship of evangelical churches deeply committed to renewing our faith in the gospel of Christ and to reforming our ministry practices to conform fully to the Scriptures. We have become deeply concerned about some movements within traditional evangelicalism that seem to be diminishing the church’s life and leading us away from our historic beliefs and practices. On the one hand, we are troubled by the idolatry of personal consumerism and the politicization of faith; on the other hand, we are distressed by the unchallenged acceptance of theological and moral relativism. These movements have led to the easy abandonment of both biblical truth and the transformed living mandated by our historic faith. We not only hear of these influences, we see their effects. We have committed ourselves to invigorating churches with new hope and compelling joy based on the promises received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

We believe that in many evangelical churches a deep and broad consensus exists regarding the truths of the gospel. Yet we often see the celebration of our union with Christ replaced by the age-old attractions of power and affluence, or by monastic retreats into ritual, liturgy, and sacrament. What replaces the gospel will never promote a mission-hearted faith anchored in enduring truth working itself out in unashamed discipleship eager to stand the tests of kingdom-calling and sacrifice. We desire to advance along the King’s highway, always aiming to provide gospel advocacy, encouragement, and education so that current- and next-generation church leaders are better equipped to fuel their ministries with principles and practices that glorify the Savior and do good to those for whom he shed his life’s blood.

We want to generate a unified effort among all peoples—an effort that is zealous to honor Christ and multiply his disciples, joining in a true coalition for Jesus. Such a biblically grounded and united mission is the only enduring future for the church. This reality compels us to stand with others who are stirred by the conviction that the mercy of God in Jesus Christ is our only hope of eternal salvation. We desire to champion this gospel with clarity, compassion, courage, and joy—gladly linking hearts with fellow believers across denominational, ethnic, and class lines.

Our desire is to serve the church we love by inviting all of our brothers and sisters to join us in an effort to renew the contemporary church in the ancient gospel of Christ so that we truly speak and live for him in a way that clearly communicates to our age. We intend to do this through the ordinary means of his grace: prayer, the ministry of the Word, baptism and the Lord’s supper, and the fellowship of the saints. We yearn to work with all who, in addition to embracing the confession and vision set out here, seek the lordship of Christ over the whole of life with unabashed hope in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform individuals, communities, and cultures. You will find attached both our Confessional Statement and our Theological Vision for Ministry—a vision rooted in the Scriptures and centered on the gospel.

Because we understand that many of you are already making arrangements for the conference(s) you plan to attend in 2010 and 2011, we want to make sure our next national conference has an opportunity to get on your calendar.

The next national conference for The Gospel Coalition will be April 12-14, 2011 at the McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. The theme and speakers will be announced in the coming months.

As a reminder, our national conference is held every other year. In the off years, we hold a small, private conference for our Council members for the purpose of prayer, fellowship, and discussion. During these off years, we encourage people to attend the Together for the Gospel (T4G) conference. Their next conference is April 13-15, 2010 in Louisville, KY on the theme “The (Unadjusted) Gospel."

While conferences are only part of what we do at TGC, they're a significant part. We are grateful for your prayers and support as we work hard to ensure that our next national conference is done to the glory of God.

C.J. Mahaney's talk was, I thought, absolutely extraordinary. He spoke to us from 1 Timothy and Paul's charge to Timothy to preach the word.  What was so extraordinary about it--and what I have found encouraging and challenging about C.J.'s preaching every time I have heard it--is his deep and profound understanding of his own heart, and therefore of others' hearts as well. C.J.'s sermons are typically filled with observations about the way sin works, how it begets other sins, and what thoughts and glorious truths of the gospel can be used to cut the root of sin when you've found it. His preaching makes me want to meditate more deeply.

Speaking of C.J. Mahaney, go here to listen or watch his teaching on "The Pastor's Charge" at The Gospel Coalition 2009 National Conference.