For decades now, the Evangelical Free Church of America has drawn together for a handful of days during the coldest stretch of the year in order to celebrate the gospel as we warm ourselves at the fires of sound doctrine and Christian fellowship. This past winter was no exception as we gathered at The Orchard EFC (Arlington Heights, IL) for the EFCA Theology Conference 2025 – Theological Anthropology. Led by our national Director of Theology and Credentialing Greg Strand, the 500+ in attendance at this year’s theology conference were treated to a remarkable series of preconference, plenary, and breakout sessions dedicated to helping us see and savor the truth that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
While there there was much food for the soul during these days, a handful of the standout presentations included Donald Fairbairn’s three preconference messages “Nicea and the Nicene Creed: 1700th Anniversary”, Michael Wilkinson’s plenary session “Theological Anthropology and Christology: How Does Jesus Define What It Means To Be Human?”, as well as John Kilner’s plenary session “Theological Anthropology, Creaturely Limitations, and Disability”. As Fairbairn’s messages summoned us to recall the glorious trinitarian truths at the heart of our Christian faith, Wilkinson’s address stretched us to consider the correspondence between ourselves as mere man in light of the Chaledonian confession of Christ as true man, and Kilner’s talk drew us into a deeply biblical and personal meditation on the meaning, opportunity, and benefits of human disability. These three presentations are only a taste of the fare that we enjoyed together, and you are encouraged to explore the entire banquet made available through our national website.
Brothers and sisters, we are blessed in the EFCA to be a part of a movement that so values the Scriptures and the gospel they proclaim that we gather annually for theological reflection so that we might be strengthened and encouraged together in our mission to multiply transformational churches among all people. Our annual theology conference is truly unique in its combination of doctrinal depth, contemporary application, and focus on equipping pastors and church leaders for ministry in the local church. If this is an event that you’ve never before attended, perhaps you might consider joining us next winter in 2026. You’ll be glad that you did.
Director of Credentialing