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The Gospel Coalition: Historical Anomaly?

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Is The Gospel Coalition a historical anomaly? Not according to Ryan Kelly, TGC Council member and pastor of Desert Springs Church in Albuquerque. He sat down with Mark Mellinger to discuss historical precedents for parachurch networks like TGC.

Kelly cites John Calvin’s 16th-century “company of pastors,” a network of sharpening friendships among ministers, and past “prophesying conferences” in England for preaching and prayer. From the Westminster Assembly’s interdenominational makeup to John Owen’s occasional synods, Christian history includes other examples similar to today’s networks. Consequently, he says, “What we’re trying to do with TGC is not novel at all.”

Moreover, TGC isn’t just a website or a conference. Kelly is also part of a regional chapter made up of dozens of pastors who gather quarterly for fellowship, prayer, theological discussion, advice, encouragement, and more. The group plans to host its own regional conference in March.

Watch the full eight-minute video to hear Kelly discuss learning from our predecessors, conferences as self-indulgent vacations, “sheep tracking,” and more.

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