TJ Tims

The New Commandment As The Radical Future of The Church

The world today is saturated with competing truth-claims. So much so, that it can be hard to know who or what to trust. Where is God truly to be found in the world today? That burning question is why the visible love of Jesus inside healthy churches matters more than ever. Jesus says in the New Commandment, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” In this Opening Session, Dr. T.J. Tims will show how the future church can once again become ground-zero for the truth of God’s love. 

THREE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

Better Together! Accessing The Full Life of Scripture Through The Church

Jerry Gillis

All of life hinges on knowing how to interpret God’s Word rightly, and it is not a solitary discipline. If you are serious about obtaining life in the Bible to the fullest, it must be with others! See how God has ordained your personal study of his Word to be naturally and beautifully interwoven within the context of the local church; and how it is through community that the Word of God blesses, perfects, and protects you.

Navigating Conversations Around Sexuality & Identity.

Sam Allberry

A huge question for leaders, families, and all believers, these conversations are as potentially volatile as they are potent for good. Yet they open outreach opportunities like few other things. What does the Bible say about LGBTQ issues? How do you set the right posture, the right tone, with biblical conviction, humility and grace? For years, Sam Allberry has publicly engaged LGBTQ societies on campuses and countless other settings. Learn how to steward these conversations well and not have to duck the issue or just to hold the line. Gain confidence in the gospel as good news, in every area of life, no less the case when we apply it to the issues of human sexuality.

Public Witness in a Politically Polarized World:

Dan Trippi & Stephen Johnson

How are we to think about and engage politics and our faith? Dr. Dan Trippi and Stephen Johnson facilitate a friendly, lively discussion about the dangers of political polarization and its effects on the church.

THREE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth (Part 1 of 2)

Craig McClure

Only a tiny percent of Christians has had any formal training in how to study the Bible! Yet God's blessing for positive change in our own life, and for a deeply hurting world, begins by renewing our mind with God’s Word (Romans 12:2). With a handful of interpretive skills, the Bible comes alive in whole new ways, bringing God’s involvement and guidance into every question and area of our lives! New or seasoned believers will be eternally changed by this 2-part seminar on how to rightly study and interpret the Bible.

Faith, Fear, Science & Tech: The Future Is Now.

Scott Shafer

Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, Autonomous Vehicles, Blockchain, Brain–computer interfaces...where's the church in all this?! See & hear about some mind blowing advancements in science and technology, as they plunge us all headlong into the future. What does Scripture have to say about these rapid advancements? Scott helps give believers a practical framework of faith not fear, for ethically and morally parsing the challenges of a changing world.

Postmodern Monks

Bryan Wandel

How can we use the ancient Biblical traditions of spiritual formation (liturgy, sacrament, spiritual direction) to grow spiritual powerhouses in the 21st century? Fr. Bryan Wandel shares from his journey through Pentecostal and Anglican traditions toward personal renewal, mission, and family discipleship.

THREE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

Gospel Culture as Plausibility Structure

Speaker: TJ Tims

Culture is not just what we see but what we see with, making it difficult to talk about and cultivate. This matters because church culture is what makes the gospel we preach more (or less) plausible in hearts and minds! This breakout will help Christians refresh their thinking in powerful ways, seeing their church cultures as plausibility structures: how do we “do church” together in ways that make the truth of the gospel believable?

The Future of the Church is Off Grid

Speaker: Mark Stevens

Uncritical adoption of digital technologies has distorted the way we think about discipleship, about local assemblies, about gifts and callings of individuals, and about the Great Commission. In all these areas we are tempted by efficiency and measurable outcomes rather than God's ways of careful foundation building, long-term wisdom, deep relationships, and face-to-face incarnational presence. Is it possible for the church today to live out her calling even more effectively by strictly limiting technology?
Mark Stevens has been home-steading, home-schooling, home-churching, and self-employed for decades. He and his wife Janice have intentionally pursued a radically low technology life while building one of Buffalo’s largest urban farms, the Wilson Street Farm, in one of its poorest neighborhoods.

“I think, therefore I’m Trans”: A Closer Look at Transgenderism

Alycia Wood

The rise in the number of people identifying as transgender has risen sharply the past decade. This rise has caught the attention of journalists, scientists and the medical community and has led many to conclude that something is very wrong. Coupled with the “detransitioners” movement, the culture seems to be shifting on its view of transgenderism. In this talk we will look at how we got here, causes of Gender Dysphoria, what Transitioning is like on the body (including the effects of taking puberty blockers and hormones), look to the Bible for clarity, and challenge Christians that this is the time to decide how we can show the love of Christ to a hurting people.

THREE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

Walking In The Light: Honesty & Authenticity In The Church

Barnabas Piper

If the future of the church is not about honesty and authenticity, there is little future to be had. Nothing is uglier than a church posing and pretending. A dishonest church denies the gospel by the church's reality, even if it professes the gospel in its theory. Every church can be living proof of the gospel by embodying a culture of honesty -- honesty about God's grace and honesty about ourselves in our messiness. Come explore the doctrine, the practice and the power of a church walking together in the light. 1 John 1:7

Learning from Gen Z Disciplers

Panel Discussion w/Q&A

The most diverse generation in U.S. history, and the first to grow up with the internet, Gen Z (~1997-2012) are future-oriented info-seekers, often financially aware, with empathy for the experiences of others. Join our panel of seasoned college ministers as they explore the future of discipleship based on their deep experience

Title #3 (coming soon)

PASTORS/LEADERS: You & your staff are invited for a Complimentary Day of Seminars (12 to choose from!) Friday May 2, followed by Pastors/Leaders Dinner & Dessert w/Guest Speaker Sam Allberry, & Evening Keynote w/Robbie Symons. Sponsored by MissionGo

Note: Space is limited - MUST RSVP BY April 10 at https://www.thetheologyproject.com/fcc2025-dinner

Registration for FutureChurch Conference is not required for pastors/leaders for the complimentary all day Friday seminars, pastor/leader dinner & evening keynote.

For church and group discounted registration to the full conference, or questions: Contact us at theo@thetheologyproject.com or call the Kingdom Bound office at 716-633-1117.  We’d love to see your whole congregation or organization’s members at the entire conference.    

(For full or part time or volunteer ministry staff / ministry leaders: e.g. pastor, assoc. pastor, exec pastor, elder/dept head, small groups/discipleship leader, executive director, ministry leadership staff/team member, etc.)

Pastor/Leader Dinner with SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER Sam Allberry, best-selling author & co-host of the popular pastoral podcast heard by over 700,000 listeners in 4 seasons. "Pastor, You're Not Crazy": Being a pastor is hard. Whether it’s relational difficulties in the congregation, growing opposition toward the church as an institution, or just the struggle to continue in ministry with joy and faithfulness, the pressure on leaders can be truly overwhelming. It’s no surprise pastors are burned out, tempted to give up, or think they’re going crazy. Sam helps weary leaders renew with Scripture-focused advice on gospel culture, honesty, honor, preaching, leadership, and mission to support and help them regain a beautiful, and ongoing Christ-centered vision for their ministries.

The Future Church

Robbie Symons.

We live in a time of crisis and opportunity. What it means to be a Christian is being informed, reshaped, and even forgotten, before our very eyes! Media, gender, politics, science, tech and art have been confronting us with challenges we’re hardly prepared for. The U.S. is undergoing the largest and fastest religious seismic shift in history, with millions exodusing the church, including our children. What will the church of tomorrow be and believe? Will anyone go to church in ten years? How do we develop a Biblical path to the future?

Counterfeit Gospels: A Quiet Crisis.

Trevin Wax

Named by Christianity Today as one of the top millennials shaping the next generation of evangelicals, Trevin asks what if the biggest danger to the church's future is not blatant heresy, the moral failures of church leaders, persecution, the rise of Islam or the loss of our rights? What if the biggest threat is counterfeit gospels within the church that lead to a gradual drift from the real gospel? Trevin Wax exposes six subtle and popular counterfeits to beware of, and charts a way to see through and overcome them, for an empowered life and church!

THREE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM:

The Art of Disagreeing

Gavin Ortlund

It’s hard to deny that the temperature has dramatically risen in our culture when it comes to politics, religion, culture wars, etc. We seem to have lost the ability to disagree well. As followers of Jesus, we are called to rise above the rancor and "cancel culture" tactics of the world around us. Come learn together how to stay self-aware when engaging in disagreements with others. The two virtues that lay a foundation for healthy disagreement are kindness and courage, which play important roles in listening, persuasion, and more.

Convergence of Word and Spirit

Sam Storms

For the church to flourish in an increasingly broken and skeptical future, we need the power of the Holy Spirit! But how do we get it right? In this session, Dr. Sam Storms provides vital skills for a carefully studious and Biblically informed approach to the centrality of the written Word and the charismatic power of the Spirit.

The Future of Our Neighbor

Dr. Myron Glick

What we believe about God shapes everything we become. If we, and our children, are to see the church as relevant now and for the future, it is essential we understand loving our neighbor as ourselves. Come explore practically and theologically, the clear prophetic voice throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, that speaks of the heart of God for the poor, most vulnerable and marginalized. Also includes audience Q&A and panel discussion with church and ministry leaders.

TWO SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM

Finding the Right Hills to Die On

Gavin Ortlund

Some hills are worth dying on. Others are not. How do we know which? When should doctrine divide, and unity prevail? Just as a medic on a battlefield treats the severely wounded first then moves on to the less serious injuries, we must prioritize doctrine in order of importance. Pastor Gavin Ortlund implores us to cultivate humility as we prioritize doctrine into four ranks―essential, urgent, important, and unimportant―so that we will be as effective as possible at advancing the gospel in our time.

Rightly Dividing The Word of Truth (Part 2)

Craig McClure

Only a tiny percent of Christians has had any formal training in how to study the Bible! Yet God's blessing for positive change in our own life, and for a deeply hurting world, begins by renewing our mind with God’s Word (Romans 12:2). With a handful of interpretive skills, the Bible comes alive in whole new ways, bringing God’s involvement and guidance into every question and area of our lives! New or seasoned believers will be eternally changed by this 2-part seminar on how to rightly study and interpret the Bible.

THREE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM

Trinity: The Deep Things of God

Fred Sanders

If you've desired deeper knowledge of God and want to catch a fresh vision and renewed sense of the grandeur of the Christian life, come explore God’s inner life, a livelier life than any other life! The doctrine of the Trinity is grounded in the gospel itself and has massive implications for the believer, restoring depth to prayer, worship, Bible study, missions, tradition, and understanding of Christianity’s fundamental doctrines.

The Holy Spirit: A Path Forward

Sam Storms

Discipleship challenges, lethargy, the "great dechurching": How can this be if if we have the very Holy Spirit of God? What needs to happen -- and what may need to change -- in our understanding and practice regarding the Spirit? Often debated, resulting in confused extremes of exploitation or neglect, the role of the Spirit is fundamental to a vital healthy Christianity. In this session, Dr. Sam Storms brings theological vision and provides examples of practical application -- with Q&A -- as he examines a path forward for a truly Spirit empowered future.

Changing The Story Where You Live

Doug Logan

What does it mean to be the people of God in the midst of a severely broken and battered world? What are the challenges facing churches in diverse urban contexts and how can churches reflect their communities, prioritize prayer, and equip believers for ministry? Doug will help you change the story on your own block, wherever that may be. If you are a pastor trying to mobilize your church, or a Christian trying to live with purpose, Doug will inspire you to do what matters, take steps of faith, and watch God work!

THREE SESSIONS TO CHOOSE FROM

Living By The Spirit

Fred Sanders

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15,16 NIV). As the church plunges into a future of socio-political, cultural and technological change, everything seems relative, and truth is up for grabs. In the Bible we see visions, trances, divine coincidences, definite guidance, Scripture interpretation, and so on. But all toward the goal of getting God’s people into full alignment with his word. Hear vital teaching on how the Holy Spirit leads us in reading, understanding -- and accurately interpreting -- God’s Word, which ultimately determines how we live.

Making Decisions in a "Re-paganized" World. (How do we respond to pressures coming at us from every direction?).

Dan Trippie

Life is full of complexity – family, work, even church -- and challenging questions arise daily it seems. Christian principles often become eroded, even erased and replaced gradually with worldly, ungodly values. How do we decide what is truly good, beautiful, and true regarding the world? This session will provide practical steps for making decisions in a post-Christian culture as Dr. Dan Trippi helps us move into a future where all of us — Christian leaders and laypersons — are equipped with basic tools for handling difficult (and often divisive) topics in everyday life (arts, media, politics, religion, gender, science, etc.)

Help My Unbelief: Why Doubt is Not the Enemy of Faith

Barnabas Piper

Can the church move effectively into the future if we have questions about faith? We assume doubt is always a bad thing. But the beauty of a gospel culture is, instead of God making Himself smaller and easily understood, he invites us into a larger faith—one that has room for questions, victories, failures, and mystery...and hope for our future. Come explore the roots of doubt and how it can actually lead to a deeper faith.

Rediscovering The Gospel

Sam Allberry

We don't need another "expert" teaching more "techniques". That's what led so many leaders and churches to insanity in the first place. Rather, the approach must be more like those in first-century Galilee, who heard a man speak like they'd never heard before, and said to their friends, "come meet this Jesus". Sam Allberry gives a life-altering future vision for gospel doctrine and gospel culture in our churches: Without strong doctrine, the culture is unsustainable, and without the culture, the doctrine seems pointless. Together, let's rediscover the Christianity Jesus himself looks at and says "that’s what I'm talking about!"

Future Church: Renewal Within Reach

Ray Ortlund

How are we responding to impressions and pressures coming at us? Why is God often not real, not vivid to us? Is what we need for our lives today a resolving of the past, managing the present, or confidently savoring a glorious future hope that eclipses both? Rather than some tweaking here and there, we need nothing less than the re-Christianization of our Christianity, and the time is now: Actionable, theological and practical -- but not programmatic -- renewal is within our reach! What does that look like?

Note About Sunday

• Your church home is the place to be on Sunday

• If your church would like to stream the Sunday morning Keynote it will be available via YouTube (it will also be recorded and available at a later date). Keynote service times & streaming are 9 & 11 a.m. at our host church The Chapel at CrossPoint, & Cheektowaga, Lockport & Niagara Falls campuses. 

• Or we encourage you to consider celebrating your church’s future with your own service and message on our theme exploring the future of a powerfully renewed church!  To learn more, let us know, we’d love to help!

FCC2025 is for all who care deeply about their journey with Christ, and the Christian church. Everyone desiring to explore what a powerfully renewed church may look like! Pastors, congregations, laypersons and ministry leaders. See “Why FCC2025” & “Topics” below.

• The U.S. is undergoing the largest and fastest religious shift in history, with millions exodusing the church, including our children often leaving the faith when they leave home. There is mass confusion about who and what God is, and how we should live.

• A SHOCKINGLY small -- 4 percent -- of Americans have a Biblical worldview, including 1% of adults under 30, ~5% ages 50 to 64. (Barna, Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change Since the Start of the Pandemic).

• Media, gender, politics, race, science/tech and the arts have been confronting us with challenges we’ve been unprepared for. In the church and the mainstream there is an increasing sense of division and spiritual dysphoria that is felt deeply, and nationally, as what it means to be a Christian is being informed, reshaped, and even forgotten, before our very eyes!

• We tend to be short on time and often distracted by the wrong things, rather than resources that lead us to a more vibrant faith and hopeful future.

• What will the church of tomorrow be and believe? How will we get there?

• Discipleship, and Biblical literacy: How is the church equipping future generations to know and articulate truth? In what ways can the church thrive in today’s culture? What are the tremendous opportunities set before us?

• This is our moment: How can we work together, to be inspired and filled with gospel hope, gospel culture, and gospel doctrine as we are on-mission for Christ?

• How are we responding to pressures coming at us from every direction, in and outside the church: Seminars on political polarization, gender, technology, urban ministry, justice and more.

• The Holy Spirit and The Trinity: Why is God not real or vivid to us?

• First, be intentional: Inform your congregation or group about FCC2025.

• Contact us for a special DISCOUNT CODE for your members to use when registering.

• Download the Media Kit from our website. Share with your church or group in your services, meetings, bulletins, and social media. Help spread the word!

• One of the best things a leader can do is ENERGIZE their organization about the future! FCC2025 provides that opportunity!The Sunday morning final Keynote can be streamed at your church location or simply plan your own service on our theme of a powerfully renewed future church. (The Sunday Keynote will be recorded so you can view it at a later date as well). We’d be happy to help!

There a many types and places to eat in the area, close to The Chapel At Crosspoint. Here are several:

Crosspoint Business Park (1 mile)

Rachel's Mediterranean Grill

• https://rachelsgrill.com/

Amherst Pizza & Ale House

• https://www.amherstpizzaandalehouse.com/

Olympia Grill (Greek)

• https://www.olympiagrillny.com/

Dunkin Donuts

Getzville Plaza  (3 miles)

Elmos Restaurant (Sports bar)

• https://www.yelp.com/biz/elmos-getzville

• Burrito Bay, Vietnamese food, Subway and more.

• The entire plaza can be viewed here: https://bdvlp.com/properties/getzville-plaza/

John's Pizza and subs (2 miles)

https://www.johnspizzaandsubs.com/

Sean Patricks (finer eating) (1 mile away)

https://spatricks.com/

Burger King (3 miles)

Tim Hortons (2 miles) and (3 miles near Getzville plaza)

John and Mary’s (Pizza, Subs, Salads, 3 miles) near Getzville plaza

http://johnandmarysgetzville.com/

We have a discount for FCC2025 at Fairfield Inn & Suites Buffalo Amherst/University for only $139/night

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1737837032347&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true&app=resvlink