New Churches Masterclass

Revelation 21 and 22 describe the new heavens and new earth as a real, renewed creation where God dwells with His people, free from sin, death, and brokenness. Matt Emerson explains how this vision offers hope for the future, assuring believers of eternal restoration and unity, and motivates mission by calling others to trust in Christ’s saving work.

Hell is a difficult but essential biblical doctrine that underscores the just consequences of sin—eternal death and separation from God for the unrepentant. Yet, alongside this sobering truth, Matt Emerson explains that the gospel offers hope through Christ’s sacrifice, calling believers to share the good news so others might be saved from this eternal judgment.

Dayton Hartman explains that Revelation 20, which describes Christ’s thousand-year reign and the defeat of Satan, is interpreted through three main views—pre-millennialism, amillennialism, and post-millennialism. Despite differing interpretations, Christians throughout history have shared a unifying hope in Christ’s victorious return and reign, encouraging believers to embrace this hope with unity rather than division.

Dayton Hartman emphasizes that the return of Christ marks the beginning of the last days, a reality Christians have lived in for over 2,000 years, calling believers to live with hopeful anticipation rather than speculation. Hartman highlights that understanding Christ’s return should motivate Christians to embody the kingdom through acts of love and service, demonstrating the gospel through their lives while actively sharing the good news with others.

Matt Emerson explores the biblical understanding of death, portraying it as an enemy territory ruled by darkness yet ultimately under God’s sovereign kingship. Emerson emphasizes that through Christ’s death and resurrection, the power of death is broken, offering believers hope of resurrection and eternal life beyond the grave.

Jonathan Pennington explores the kingdom of God as the overarching framework for understanding Scripture, emphasizing God’s kingship, rule, and the restoration of His reign throughout the biblical narrative. 

J.D. Payne emphasizes that the church’s mission includes living out the kingdom ethic through justice, mercy, and love for neighbor, reflecting God’s character to the watching world. By embodying biblical community and addressing real needs in context, the church serves as a visible witness of God’s mission, inviting others to see and join the life of His kingdom.

J.D. Payne presents the church’s mission as a biblical “pattern of purpose” that spans from Genesis to Revelation. Evangelism and discipleship are shown to be inseparable components of this mission, with the church called to both reach the lost and mature believers through intentional, Spirit-empowered proclamation and teaching.

J.D. Payne emphasizes that the church’s mission flows from and participates in the broader mission of God. Using a biblical "pattern of purpose," Payne outlines how God sends representatives to proclaim hope through judgment, invites people into covenantal relationship, and commissions them to live out and share His kingdom purposes in the world.

Fred Sanders reframes the gifts of the Spirit as Trinitarian ministries given to build, unify, and mature the church, emphasizing that these gifts belong more properly to ecclesiology than to pneumatology. By examining key passages in Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and 1 Corinthians 12, Sanders shows how spiritual gifts are diverse, divinely distributed, and best discovered through mutual service within the body of Christ.

Matt Boswell contrasts casual church attendance with the deep, intentional fellowship and gospel ministry modeled in Acts 2:42–47. Church planters are urged to cultivate a Christ-centered community marked by shared devotion to God’s Word, authentic relationships, sacrificial love, vibrant worship, and evangelistic purpose.

Exploring the biblical foundations and practical elements of corporate worship, Matt Boswell emphasizes the centrality of God’s glory in the church’s gathered and scattered life. Boswell outlines how intentional liturgy forms both the identity and mission of a thriving worshiping community.

Robert Smith traces the deep theological and historical roots of the Lord’s Supper, connecting the original Passover in Exodus to the death of Jesus and exploring how “This is my body” has been interpreted throughout church history. Smith emphasizes that the Lord’s Supper is an Eucharistic, eschatological act of worship meant to unite the church in remembrance, thanksgiving, and anticipation of Christ’s return.

Robert Smith offers a rich biblical and historical theology of baptism. Smith stresses that baptism should reflect a Spirit-empowered transformation and not be a point of division within the body of Christ.

This powerful message by Robert Smith urges ministers to return to the foundational authority of Scripture, preaching the whole counsel of God with clarity, passion, and theological depth to bring about true spiritual transformation. Smith emphasizes that the ministry of the Word is not based on emotionalism but on the Spirit-empowered proclamation of Christ.

Juan Sanchez explores the biblical foundation and heart behind church discipline, beginning in the Garden of Eden and culminating in Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18. He emphasizes that church discipline is not punitive but a compassionate rescue operation aimed at restoring those who wander from the faith, always with a posture of forgiveness and hope.

Juan Sanchez presents church government as essential to the church’s mission, not just a structural concern, comparing it to plumbing—often unnoticed until something goes wrong. Sanchez explains how Christ has structured the church with ministers of the Word and congregational authority to protect gospel ministry, prioritize discipleship, and ensure the church functions in unity, maturity, and Christlikeness.

Gregg Allison explains congregationalism and highlights the vital role of church membership, where believers commit to mutual accountability, submission to biblically qualified leaders, and active participation in the church’s mission and spiritual growth.

Emphasizing the crucial role of biblical leadership in church planting, Matt Boswell highlights the need for both faithful elders to shepherd the flock and diligent deacons to serve practical needs. Boswell underscores that a healthy, enduring church depends on a shared leadership structure that reflects God’s design, prevents burnout, and equips the congregation for effective ministry and unity.

Gregg Allison explores two essential characteristics of the church: its purity, defined as freedom from false doctrine and conformity to God’s will, and its unity, rooted in shared faith and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Allison emphasizes that church growth and maturity depend on the combined work of Christ and believers.

Gregg Allison defines the church as the people of God saved by faith in Christ, united universally and locally, and identifies seven key attributes that shape its identity. Understanding these markers helps guide church planting and ministry to align with the biblical vision of what the church is called to be and do.

Patrick Scheiner highlights the mission of the church as described in Acts 1:8, calling believers to be witnesses of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection both near and far, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Schreiner emphasizes that this mission is for all followers, not just professionals or missionaries.

Explaining the doctrine of the Holy Spirit's work within the Trinity's inseparable operations, Fred Sanders emphasizes that everything God does is a unified work of Father, Son, and Spirit rather than separate actions. Sanders highlights the Spirit’s unique role as the “thirdness” in the Godhead, whose work is broad and multifaceted.

Fred Sanders explores the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing that while the Spirit is fully God, His self-revelation in Scripture is intentionally less concrete and more mysterious. Sanders encourages believers to honor the Spirit appropriately within the context of the Trinity, recognizing the Spirit’s unique role as the divine breath and giver of life who focuses our attention on the Father and the Son.

Exploring the profound New Testament doctrine of union with Christ, Jared C. Wilson emphasizes that believers are spiritually united with Jesus in His death, resurrection, and eternal life, receiving grace upon grace and sharing in all His blessings. Wilson highlights how this union is both a positional reality and a relational experience, offering believers unwavering security, deep joy, and the felt presence of Christ throughout their daily lives and ministries.

Jared C. Wilson unpacks the rich doctrine of union with Christ, explaining it as the central theme of New Testament salvation and the believer’s deepest spiritual reality. Wilson shows how this truth transforms our identity, strengthens our assurance, frees us from fear and comparison, and anchors us in unshakable joy and security.

Addressing the widespread struggle with assurance of salvation in an age of anxiety, Gavin Ortlund emphasizes that Christians can experience deep confidence in their standing with God through the testimony of the Holy Spirit and the promises of Scripture. Ortlund offers theological clarity, pastoral insight, and practical steps for cultivating lasting assurance in the Christian life.

Jared C. Wilson explores the doctrine of glorification as the final, glorious outcome of salvation—when believers are fully transformed into Christ’s image, free from sin, death, and suffering. With vivid illustrations and rich biblical teaching, Wilson encourages church leaders to root their ministry in the hope of resurrection and eternal glory, rather than in temporary success or earthly acclaim.

Using the allegory ofPilgrim’s Progressto frame sanctification as the lifelong journey of being conformed to Christ through the Spirit’s power and the believer’s active participation, Eunice Chung unpacks the positional, progressive, and perfected aspects of sanctification. Chung urges church leaders to teach, embody, and encourage a communal pursuit of holiness rooted in Scripture and aimed toward the hope of ultimate union with God.

Eunice Chung explores the biblical doctrine of adoption, emphasizing that believers are not only saved from sin but fully embraced as beloved children of God with present and eternal implications. Chung highlights how adoption transforms identity, unites the church as a spiritual family, and should shape both personal reflection and communal life.

Jared C. Wilson powerfully unpacks the doctrine of justification by faith alone, emphasizing that salvation is entirely by grace through Christ’s finished work, not human effort, and that this truth is the heart of the Christian gospel. Wilson reminds church leaders that their worth and validation are found not in ministry success or failure, but in the unshakable righteousness of Christ credited to them by faith.

Walter Strickland explores the nature of saving faith. Strickland walks through the biblical storyline, theological distinctions, and practical implications of faith, showing how true belief leads to assurance, transformation, and worship rooted in God’s grace rather than human effort.

Trevin Wax explores the beginning of the Christian life through the twin doctrines ofconversionandregeneration—one emphasizing human response (repentance and faith), the other God’s transforming work (new birth by the Spirit). Wax also addresses differing theological views on the order of salvation.

Trevin Wax unpacks the biblical concept of calling—first to salvation, and then to service—emphasizing that believers are set apart by God’s grace, not their own merit. Drawing from Paul’s letters and theological perspectives across traditions, Wax highlights that every Christian is called not only to receive salvation but also to participate in God’s mission with humility, confidence, and a clear sense of purpose.

Trevin Wax unpacks the often-debated doctrine of election, tracing its biblical roots and theological interpretations throughout church history. Emphasizing that election flows from God’s love and sovereignty, Wax shows how this doctrine should lead to humility, mission, and praise—not pride or division—highlighting that God's choice is ultimately for His glory and our transformation.

Jonathan Pennington explores a fuller, more nuanced understanding of the gospel, portraying it not only as justification by faith but also as the comprehensive transformation of human beings into whole, image-bearing reflections of God. Pennington argues that Christian ethics—centered on love, integrity, and inner renewal—should shape the mission and message of the church.

Trevin Wax defends the biblical doctrine of Christ’s exclusivity for salvation, arguing that faith in Jesus is the only way to be saved and that diluting this truth undermines the global mission of the church. Wax calls believers to hold together the radical inclusivity of the gospel’s call—with its invitation to all people—and the radical exclusivity of Christ’s claim as the only Savior.

This session highlights the often-overlooked ascension of Christ, showing how it completes the gospel story by marking His enthronement as King and the beginning of His ongoing work in heaven. Patrick Schreiner explores how Jesus, through His ascension, now actively serves as our Prophet, Priest, and King—building His church, interceding for believers, and reigning with authority over all creation.

This powerful message emphasizes that the resurrection of Jesus is not just a confirmation of the cross but an essential, equal part of the gospel—vital for salvation, hope, and the existence of Christianity itself. Jeff Medders encourages church leaders to preach the physical, spiritual, and historic reality of the risen Christ as the core of their ministry and identity as witnesses.

Patrick Schreiner presents six key reasons why the cross stands at the center of the Christian faith. From revealing the love of the Triune God and accomplishing redemption to defeating spiritual powers and shaping Christian identity, the cross is shown as the ultimate expression of God’s love, justice, and call to discipleship.

Tony Merida explores the threefold office of Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King, showing how Jesus perfectly fulfills each role to reveal God’s truth, reconcile sinners through atonement and intercession, and rule with divine authority. Merida emphasizes how Christ’s person and work are inseparably united in His mission to redeem and reign over all creation.

Tony Merida explores the saving work of Christ with a focus on His atoning death, highlighting how Jesus’ active obedience (His sinless life) and passive obedience (His sacrificial suffering) secured redemption, justification, and adoption for believers. Merida presents the cross as the place where God's justice and love meet, offering the ultimate hope and triumph through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Brandon Smith explores the full humanity of Jesus Christ, affirming that while remaining fully God, He truly became man. Smith emphasizes that what Christ did not assume, He could not heal—making the incarnation the perfect union of divinity and humanity for the salvation and restoration of mankind.

Brandon Smith explores the full divinity of Jesus within the framework of Trinitarian theology, addressing common misconceptions and emphasizing His eternal relationship with the Father as the Son by nature. Smith highlights why Jesus must be truly God to be worthy of worship, able to save, and central to the Christian faith.

Eunice Chung unpacks the biblical covenants as essential to understanding the overarching story of Scripture, showing how God faithfully initiates and upholds His promises despite human failure. Tracing the covenants from creation to Christ, Chung highlights how each finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, revealing God’s steadfast love, redemptive plan, and the invitation for believers to live as part of His covenant community.

Joel Muddamalle unpacks the doctrine of the fall by first anchoring our understanding of humanity in the goodness and royal purpose of Eden, where Adam and Eve were created in God’s image and called to steward and expand creation. Tracing the tragic rupture caused by sin, Muddamalle points to Jesus as the covering for our shame and the hope of restoration, inviting believers to join in God’s mission of reconciliation and renewal.

Gavin Ortlund explores the foundational doctrine of creation, showing how it shapes our understanding of sin, the gospel, and what it means to be human. 

Gavin Ortlund explores the doctrine of humanity, focusing on what it means to be made in the image of God and why that truth is vital for Christian life and ministry today. Addressing modern issues like gender, AI, and human dignity, Ortlund highlights how this doctrine affirms every person’s worth, combats cultural cynicism, and points to Christ as the true image in whom we are being renewed.

Joel Muddamalle offers a biblical and balanced exploration of Satan and demons, warning against both denial and obsession. Guided by wisdom from C.S. Lewis and key Old Testament passages, Muddamalle calls Christians to sober awareness, spiritual vigilance, and reliance on Christ’s victory as we stand firm against deception and participate in God’s mission of reconciliation.

Mary Wiley explores God's communicable attributes—those He shares with humanity. Wiley emphasizes that these attributes reflect our restored image in Christ and draw us into deeper worship, transformation, and resemblance to our Creator.