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Join us on May 17-18 at Liberty of Conscience 2025. This teaching series develops and applies the Westminster Confession’s doctrine of the conscience.
Key Themes of Lectures:
1. Lordship and the Conscience - WCF 20.2 states that "God alone is Lord of the conscience", meaning that no human authority—whether civil or ecclesiastical—may impose doctrines or commands contrary to or beyond what Scripture requires. This teaching affirms that the conscience is subject to God’s Word alone, and any attempt to bind it by human traditions is an affront to Christian liberty (Col. 2:20-23, Acts 5:29).
2. Legislation of the Conscience - WCF 21.1affirms that God has placed His moral law within man, revealing His will and righteousness. This is reflected in Romans 2:14-15, where Paul explains that even the Gentiles, who do not have the Mosaic Law, have a law written on their hearts. The conscience, therefore, functions as an internal witness to God's moral law, convicting and guiding human behavior in accordance with divine righteousness.
3. Lethargy of the Conscience (Hardening of the Conscience) - WCF 20.4 warns of those who, under the guise of Christian liberty, justify sin or dismiss moral obligations. The Scripture repeatedly warns against a seared conscience (1 Tim. 4:2), a defiled conscience (Titus 1:15), and a hardened heart (Heb. 3:13). This teaching addresses the reality that the conscience, when repeatedly ignored or twisted, can become numb to sin and ultimately lead to divine judgment (Rom. 1:28).
4. Love and the Conscience - Paul teaches that love governs the proper use of conscience (1 Cor. 8:9-13), especially in matters where believers may differ (adiaphora). WCF 20.1 affirms that Christian liberty is never an excuse to harm others, but must always be exercised in love. A well-trained conscience is not only biblically informed but also charitably applied, ensuring that freedom does not become a stumbling block to others.
5. Liberty of the Conscience (Adiaphora and the Conscience) - WCF 20.2-3affirms that matters not directly commanded or forbidden in Scripture (adiaphora) fall under Christian liberty. However, this liberty is not absolute—it must be exercised within the bounds of God's revealed will and with a mind toward edification. The conscience must neither be unduly bound by legalism nor abused under the guise of permissiveness.
6. Learning of the Conscience (The Training of the Conscience) - WCF 1.6 states that while not everything is explicitly spelled out in Scripture, "good and necessary consequence" allows for wisdom and discernment in applying biblical principles. The conscience must be trained by Scripture alone (sola Scriptura), shaped through the means of grace (preaching, prayer, sacraments), and exercised with humility and diligence.
Speakers:
Pastor Jess Stanfield grew up in a non-Christian home, where he developed a deep love for the outdoors. After serving in the United States Army in his early twenties, he experienced the transformative grace of God and committed his life to Jesus Christ. From that moment, the study of God's Word became one of his greatest passions.
For 34 years, Pastor Stanfield has been a devoted husband to his wife, Deborah. Together, they have raised three daughters and now cherish the joy of grandchildren. Over the past two decades, Pastor Stanfield has faithfully served in two congregations and is currently the pastor of Chalcedon Presbyterian Church in Cumming, GA.
Pastor Stanfield pursued his education at Luther Rice Bible College, with a focus on Theological Studies, and at the Atlanta School of Biblical Studies, with a focus on Nouthetic Counseling. He completed his ordination training with the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the United States and was ordained as a Teaching Elder in the RPCUS in 2005.
Pastor Stanfield's life and ministry are marked by his unwavering commitment to the authority of Scripture and his passion for shepherding God's people.
Dr. Glenn Dire resides in Hoschton, Georgia with Beth, his wife of 37 years. They have one son and daughter-in-law. Glenn holds a BA and MATS from the American University of Biblical Studies. Additionally, he earned an M. Div. from Luther Rice College and Seminary, a Th. M. from Erskine Theological Seminary, and his Ph. D. from the Free University of Amsterdam in conjunction with the Union School of Theology in Wales, UK. The title of his dissertation is “Ceremonial Law in Christian Ethics: The Westminster Assembly’s Hermeneutic of Mosaic Legal Rites.”
Glenn is also a business owner who has served Christ’s church as a ruling elder, Sunday school teacher, and through short-term mission work in Haiti, Africa, Guatemala, Jamaica, and the United States. Along with that, Glenn passionately enjoyed serving the Lord as a professor at the American University of Biblical Studies. Currently, he and Beth attend Chestnut Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Rev. G.H. Elliott is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church in America and has served in pastoral and Christian education ministries for over forty years. He is the founder and president of New Covenant Temple Foundation and host of New Covenant Conversations . His sermons and discussions can be found at New Covenant Conversations on SermonAudio.
Saturday:
8:00-8:50 am - Fellowship - Coffee, juice, fruit and donuts
9:00-9:15 am - Introduction
9:15-10:30 am - First Lecture - Pastor Jess Stanfield
10:30-10:45 am - Break
10:45-11:50 am - Second Lecture - Dr. Glenn Dire
12:00-1:30 pm - Lunch
1:30-2:30 pm - Third - Pastor Gary Elliott
2:30-3:00 pm - Break
3:00-4:00 pm - Fourth Lecture - Pastor Jess Stanfield
4:00-5:00 pm - Q & A/Fellowship
5:00-9:00 pm - Pizza Night! - Worldview Academy Team-building Games, Dancing!
9:30-10:30 am - Fifth Lecture - Dr. Glenn Dire
11:00 am-12:30 pm - Worship Service - Sixth Lecture - Pastor Gary Elliott
12:45-2:00 pm - Lunch
2:30-4:00 pm - Panel Questions and Answers
Please click here the link to register for our Liberty of Conscience Conference.
$10 per individual or $20 per family!
