ISSN 0362—0816


THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED


PRESBYTERIAN VOL. 45 NO. 2


Susan L. Tanner, Editor arpeditor@arpsynod.org


, Assistant Editor sosheal@arpsynod.org


Kevin Owens, Graphic Designer


Advertising rates on request. Advertising competitive with any agency or institution of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church is not accepted. Publication of advertisements does not necessarily con- stitute an endorsement by this magazine.


The Associate Reformed Presbyterian (Publication No. USPS 414770) is published bimonthly by the Board of The Associate Reformed Presbyterian, 918 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Greenville, SC 29607. Telephone 864-232-8441. Subscription rates: $20 one year, $38 two years, $54 three years. For churches in the Church Club Plan: $16.50 a year (90% participation). Periodicals Postage paid at 


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ARP News Update (www.ARPnews.org) 6 PRESBYTERIAN


THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED


Contents FEATURES


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March/April 2020


Moderator’s Challenge - There’s No Future in The Past! Embrace your past with all its joys and sorrows and move forward with your hand in the hand of Jesus.—Leslie Holmes


Synod Emphasis - Thriving Church, Dying Culture What is the secret to growth and can it be replicated?—Neil Stewart


24 Testimony - The Woman on the Bus Sharing the Gospel as an introvert.—Drew Gordon, editor of the


RPCNA Witness AGENCIES


9 Bonclarken 10


Christian Education Ministries


Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permis- sion. All rights reserved.


11 Erskine 12 Erskine Seminary 13 ARP Foundation 14 Outreach North America 15 World Witness 19 Women’s Ministries


ARPC Spotlight ARPC Spotlight


Back to Bonclarken: A Simple Retreat for College


Students in Need of Ministry By Lucy Kirkpatrick, ARP Magazine Intern


I


t is no secret that the ARP Church has an incredible history of ministry in the lives of children and youth. Many students


grow up going to Camp Bonclarken and then to Quest and Horizon at Bonclarken Conference Center. It is through the youth groups of individual churches that many students develop close relationships with their peers and a deeper understanding of the gospel. However, as students move to


March/April 2020


college and transition out of youth group,        - ence the same level of involvement in their churches.


Effective and consistent college


ministries are hard to maintain in many churches, especially if most of the church’s college students are only home a few times during the school year. However, just because a college ministry


can be hard doesn’t mean that it is impossi- ble. As the members of First ARP Church in Lancaster, SC, found out, it is actually quite simple to put together a college retreat. While the college students were home over Christmas break, a group of twelve students and leaders went to Bonclarken for a week- end trip. They spent time together prepar- ing meals, playing games, and listening to the preaching of the Word. Ethan McCon- nell, the church’s Pastoral Intern, noticed that “strong churches have an emphasis on ministering to people in college and in the early years of their careers.” So, with that idea in mind, the Second Annual College Retreat spun into motion and opened up


EVERY MONTH


16 Family Pages 17


Prayer Calendar


22 ARPinterest 24 Testimony 26 News In Brief 28


All in Our Family 29 Classified Ads


opportunities for discussion on the week- end’s topic: a proper fear of the Lord. The weekend was a perfect way for old


youth group friends to further their rela- tionships with the Lord and with each other, and “in doing so, solidify their role in the lo- cal church,” according to Ethan McConnell. First ARP Lancaster hopes to continue the development of this simple way to minister - tion to other churches in the area in the years to come.


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