Our Purpose
Why have we continued to plan and promote the Worldview Apologetics Conference Northwest annually for more than twenty years? Why do we care? Why should you care?
Just as “make disciples” (Matthew 28:18-20) and “entrust these things to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2) are presented in Scripture as commands to obey, not options to consider, debate, or dismiss, so too Christians are commanded to “always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you…” (1 Peter 3:15), to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the Saints.” (Jude 3), and to “Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity.” (Colossians 4:5).
Making disciples & contending for the faith
The jobs of learning how to make disciples and how to contend for the faith are both essential components of making healthy, reproducing, disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Neither side of this coin is limited to a select few Christians, nor is either contingent upon our spiritual gifting or comfort level. They are responsibilities that all obedient ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) and soldiers (Philippians 2:25) of Jesus Christ are supposed to be involved in as long as they have opportunity to do so. “I am not gifted to do that.” or “I am not comfortable doing that.” or “I might not do it correctly.” are excuses that represent disobedience, even if they are spoken with sincerity. Most job responsibilities and challenges are accomplished more effectively and efficiently when we have been trained in how to do them. This is true whether the job is making a cake, fixing a car, making disciples or contending for the faith.
Equipping believers to understand more about their own faith
The Worldview Apologetics Conferences are designed to help equip believers to understand more about their own Christian faith, and how to provide reasonable answers for reasonable questions to the cynic, the curious, the carnal, and the committed. Our testimonies, both private and public, ought to be that we are consistently prepared, polite, and persuasive; not unprepared, impolite, or unpersuasive.
To the degree that these outcomes are accomplished, we can rejoice and give glory to God. Once again, from our team to you, thank you for participating with us at our annual Worldview Apologetics Conference.
From me and for the team,
Karl I. Payne