Reformed Forum

Reformed Forum

Reformed Forum supports the church in presenting every person mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28) by providing Reformed theological resources to pastors, scholars, and anyone who desires to grow in their understanding of Scripture and the theology that faithfully summarizes its teachings.

  1. 3 HR AGO

    Why Pastors Need Deep Theology and Real Friendship

    Pastoral ministry requires more than competence, productivity, or weekly sermon preparation. It requires deep theological roots and the kind of real friendship that helps a man endure, grow, and remain faithful over time. In this conversation, Camden Bucey is joined by Derrick Brite and Sean Morris to explore why theological formation and pastoral brotherhood are essential for long-term ministry health. Together, they reflect on the value of places like Twin Lakes Fellowship, the dangers of pastoral isolation, and the way meaningful friendships can provide encouragement, accountability, and spiritual strength. They also make the case that deep theology is not a luxury for academics or large churches, but a necessity for faithful ministry in every context. This episode is a reminder that pastors are not meant to serve alone, and that rich doctrine and honest friendship are two of God's ordinary means for sustaining those called to shepherd his people. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Twin Lakes recap 02:55 Pastors Scholars Fellowship and last year's experiment 04:15 Chicago food banter—deep dish, beef, and regional cuisine 10:54 Why pastors need deep theology and real friendship 12:10 Reformed Forum updates, conference news, and the 1000th episode summit 18:03 Sean Morris on discovering Twin Lakes Fellowship 21:55 Derrick Brite on how Twin Lakes shaped his ministry path 25:01 What's at stake when pastors become isolated 36:19 Ministry networking vs. real pastoral friendship 41:57 How pastoral friendships bless wives and families too 45:06 Theology, friendship, and sharpening one another in ministry 55:36 Why deep theology matters in rural and small-church contexts 1:08:46 Theology, worship, and why doctrine leads to doxology 1:09:48 Larger for Life, listener feedback, and closing remarks This is Christ the Center episode 955 (https://www.reformedforum.org/ctc955)

    1hr 14min
  2. 10 APR

    Planting Ordinary Means of Grace Churches: Trusting Christ to Build His Church

    In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey speaks with Lee Hutchings and Ben Kappers about the work of planting ordinary means of grace churches and learning to trust Christ to build his church. Drawing from their ministry experience in North Canton, Ohio, and St. George, Utah, they reflect on the challenges of church planting, the slow and often hidden nature of growth, and the need to rest not in novelty, personality, or technique, but in the ordinary means God has appointed. Lee Hutchings serves as senior pastor of Trinity PCA in North Canton, Ohio, a congregation he planted after years of ministry in Mississippi. Ben Kappers serves All Saints Reformed Church in St. George, Utah, as an evangelist under the oversight of Northern California Presbytery, bringing experience from both the Reformed Church in America and the Presbyterian Church in America.  Together they offer pastoral wisdom on planting confessionally Reformed churches through the clear proclamation of Christ, the faithful teaching of Scripture, prayer, and the ordinary ministry of the church. This conversation encourages pastors, elders, and church members alike to labor patiently and confidently, knowing that the Lord is pleased to gather and strengthen his people through his appointed means.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Twin Lakes Fellowship, encouragement, and ministry refreshment 08:20 Lee Hutchings's Jackson years and his memorable film-extra story 13:10 Ben Kappers's path from the RCA to the PCA 19:25 How the St. George and North Canton church plants began 29:40 Trusting Scripture and Christ rather than strategy or novelty 34:05 What ordinary means church planting looks like in practice 39:20 Slow growth, discouragement, and resisting church-growth pressure 46:35 Confessional identity, Mormon context, and knowing the people you serve 56:10 Planting for future generations and final encouragement

    1hr 7min
  3. 3 APR

    Vos Group #107 — Kingdom and Church

    In this episode of Christ the Center, Camden Bucey and Lane Tipton continue their study of Geerhardus Vos's Biblical Theology. Turning to Vos's treatment of the kingdom of God and the church, they explore the importance of Caesarea Philippi, Peter's confession, and Christ's promise, "I will build my church." Lane explains why Vos sees this moment as a decisive redemptive-historical transition: the kingdom of God, proclaimed and embodied in Christ, begins to assume its ecclesial form. Together, Camden and Lane discuss the church as the kingdom in its present historical expression, the role of the Spirit poured out from the ascended Christ, and the distinction between the kingdom's inaugurated and consummated forms. They also consider how Vos's teaching helps clarify ongoing theological questions concerning the kingdom of grace and glory, the already/not-yet structure of redemptive history, the thought of Meredith Kline, and the strengths and weaknesses of more recent reductionist or two-kingdom approaches. Watch on YouTube Chapters 00:00 Introduction and transition into Vos on the kingdom and the church 01:46 The kingdom as the sphere of blessedness 05:39 Caesarea Philippi as a redemptive-historical turning point 08:16 Peter's confession and "I will build my church" 10:26 The church as the kingdom in its present historical form 15:26 The kingdom in its inaugurated and consummated forms 18:10 The kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory 22:32 Kline and the "heavenization" of the church 26:50 Two-kingdom theology and Christ's mediatorial reign 29:53 Reductionist views of the kingdom 36:30 The kingdom, the church, and redemptive-historical development 43:45 Measuring the kingdom's progress in the world 49:30 Final reflections and concluding thoughts Participants: Camden Bucey, Lane G. Tipton

    53 min

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Reformed Forum supports the church in presenting every person mature in Christ (Colossians 1:28) by providing Reformed theological resources to pastors, scholars, and anyone who desires to grow in their understanding of Scripture and the theology that faithfully summarizes its teachings.

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