Faithful Servants

The Savannah River Presbytery is pleased to offer a day of encouragement, aimed especially at its elders and deacons. The aim is to exhort the officers of Christ's church to a seriousness about piety, or an obedient Christian life as a thankful response to the work of Christ in redemption. 1 Peter 1:15 says it this way:  "As he who called you is holy, you also be holy  in all your conduct."

We invite you to come as officers and be refreshed. Bring others along as well. In addition to encouraging current officers, you can also use the event as an aid for officer training for prospective officers, or simply as a way to encourage congregants in their walk with the Lord.

Lunch will not be provided, so please come prepared. 

9:00-9:50am - Session 1 » Forming Personal Piety (Dr. Ian Hamilton)
Personal piety is not the basis of our salvation, but it is the inevitable fruit of it. Because believers are united to Christ, they share in both his saving benefits and his transforming life. Drawing on Calvin, piety is reverence and love for God arising from the knowledge of his grace—a godly life that reflects true faith. As those united to Christ, Christians are called to cultivate piety by growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, deepening their communion with him and bearing the fruit that flows from that union.

10:00-10:50am - Session 2 » Forming Family Piety (Dr. Ian Hamilton)
A father’s personal piety is the foundation of family piety. His walk with God will either give weight and credibility to his leadership in the home or render it ineffective. Family piety is cultivated through faithful worship, honoring the Lord’s Day, sacrificial love for one’s wife, patient and affectionate parenting, regular family worship and prayer, hospitality, and a growing vision for God’s kingdom. As fathers model sincere devotion to Christ, they help create a home where faith is both taught and lived.

11:00am - 1:00pm - Lunch break - on your own

1:00pm - 1:50pm - Session 3 » Breakout Sessions 
Option 1: The Officer & Prayer (Rev. Roland Barnes)
Option 2: The Officer & the Bible (Rev. John Fender)
Option 3: The Officer & the Sacraments (T.B.D.)

2:00pm - 2:50pm - Session 4 » Forming Congregational Piety (Dr. Ian Hamilton)
The cultivation of congregational piety depends upon a church’s commitment to the ordinary means of grace. Through the faithful preaching of the whole counsel of God, earnest prayer, pastoral care, and godly leadership, believers are nurtured in spiritual maturity. Congregations are further strengthened through catechetical instruction, a rich appreciation of the sacraments, worship that is consciously Trinitarian, and a wholehearted commitment to Christ’s Great Commission. As these biblical priorities shape church life, the people of God are equipped to grow in faith, holiness, and gospel witness.

Dr. Ian Hamilton
Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology Westminster Seminary UK

Ian Hamilton is a Scottish Reformed theologian, pastor, author, and conference speaker who serves as Professor of Historical and Pastoral Theology at Westminster Seminary UK. Educated at the Universities of Strathclyde and Edinburgh (BA, BD, MPhil), Hamilton spent more than three decades in pastoral ministry, most recently at Cambridge Presbyterian Church. He has also taught at London Seminary and Edinburgh Theological Seminary, serves as a trustee and adjunct professor at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and has been involved with the Banner of Truth Trust as both trustee and editor. Recently he was appointed President of The Paton Society, which aims to challenge Presbyterian congregations and Presbyteries to reach the thousands of unreached language groups and plant Reformed churches. Widely respected in Reformed evangelical circles, Hamilton is the author of numerous books and commentaries, including works on Ephesians and the letters of John, and is known for his emphasis on doctrinally rich, pastorally grounded ministry and theological education.

Saturday, August 2, 2025
8:30am - 3:00pm