Earlier this year, we made the decision to join the G3 Church Network. As a non-denominational church plant, we recognize the value of belonging to a larger group of churches in which we can utilize helpful resources as well as benefit from fellowship with other like-minded pastors & congregations.
Church networks are not denominations and typically have no official part in church governance or oversight. We are autonomous in that regard. The value of participating in a network is usually found in training, coaching, encouragement, support, identity, and fellowship.
While there are dozens of church networks available to join, there are a small handful that I have had my eye on since we launched in 2021. With all of the current cultural and ecclesiological winds shifting, I had wanted to spend some time observing how these different organizations responded to issues such as social justice, government mandates, women pastors, and marriage & gender.
I am extremely excited for the alignment that we share with the G3 network. For those that don’t know anything about this ministry, G3 (gospel, grace, & glory) began about a decade ago as a conference that was focused on teaching the truth of God’s Word. It has become one of the largest evangelical conferences in the country with nearly 7,000 attendees in 2021.
Speakers such as John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, Paul Washer, Voddie Baucham, James White, John Piper, Tim Challies, David Platt, and Mark Dever have taken the stage in the past few years. While those men don’t share complete unity on every last doctrinal issue, they all love Jesus, His Word, and His bride. Many of those men’s ministries have had a strong impact on me, which is reflected in the beliefs, values, and convictions of The Garden.
The churches belonging to the G3 network are generally reformed in their theology, expository in their preaching, and complementarian in their governance. All G3 churches affirm the 1689 London Baptist Confession as well as the Dallas Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel.
We are proud to be a part of this Jesus-loving, Bible-proclaiming community!