Why is the Ligonier Conference So Popular this Year?

Having been to the last two National Conferences in Orlando and observed the attendance at those two events, I am still a little surprised that this year’s conference has already reached capacity. Don’t get me wrong. Attendance was pretty good the last two years (though it did seem down last year from the year before), but there was never an urgency to get registered like there was this year. We had friends who – the past two years – were able to register and book a hotel room at the last minute with no problems doing either. Sadly, those friends waited a little too long to try and register for this year’s conference. As I mentioned in a previous post, we almost waited too long as well, because even though Tim Challies had told me a while back that Ligonier was taking a lot of registrations for the conference, I still did not feel there was a sense of urgency to the point that I might not be able to go. As a result, I am pretty sure that Pam and I were some of the last people to register, as Ligonier announced that the conference was full shortly after we signed up. As a side note, if you have passes and are not able to go, I know of some who would be very grateful in receiving them, for money, of course.

I have been thinking about why this particular conference is so popular. What is it about this one that has so many wanting to go to Orlando? Here are what I think are some of the possibilities.

• Controversy – Not everyone is aware of this, and in all actuality probably only a minority knows much about it at all, but Ligonier has been involved in some controversy over the last year or so. It all started with the defrocking of Sproul, Jr. and Ligonier’s continued support of him. He was a speaker at the Pre-Conference Seminar last year, and will be speaking there again this year. Then there was the filing of a lawsuit against “Frank Vance”, an internet mystery blogger who has spouted all sorts of accusations from the comfort of his anonymity. And finally, there was the termination of Don Kistler, the founder of Soli Deo Gloria Books. To be sure, it sure sounds like – and I believe has been – a rough year for Ligonier’s image. But I do not believe this is much of the cause for the conference to book up. If anything, I would expect this kind of controversy and bad press to reduce attendance, not increase it.

• Conference Topic – I’ll admit the topic of a conference probably holds some considerable weight with people when they are deciding whether or not to attend. If the theme of this year’s Ligonier Conference was the Phenomenology of Religion, Zoroastrianism, or Groningen Theology, I doubt it would already be booked, and you can bet (so long as that doesn’t vioalate your conscience) that you wouldn’t see Pam and me there either. Ligonier’s focus this year will be on defending the faith…”Contending for the Truth”. That is a subject which should resonate with all believers, as we should all want to know how to contend earnestly for the faith [truth] which was once for all delivered to the saints. But, given the reality that a conference’s topic of discussion is quite important to drawing high attendance, it will mean virtually nothing without the right:

• Conference Speakers – The best Christian topic or theme in the world will produce hardly a response from the Christian public without popular speakers who are seemingly larger than life, and dare I say ‘icons’ of the Christian faith. I think the lineup of speakers at this year’s Ligonier National Conference is to be credited for the conference selling out moreso than the topic that will be discussed. Don’t get me wrong. The topic is great. But, it is the speakers that make the topic so appealing. Under one roof will be John MacArthur, Al Mohler, Ravi Zacharias, John Piper, and R.C. Sproul. What a powerhouse gathering of contemporary pillars of the faith! Not to mention the incredible music that will be heard from The Westminster Brass, and dramatic readings from Max McLean. I agree that no one aspect of the conference is respsonsible for such a large turnout this year, but I believe the main reason for the conference’s popularity in ‘07 is hte lineup of speakers. This brings up another issue of us little folk becoming so enamored with these Christian “celebrities”, which probably also needs to be addressed (such is fueled by the book signings that take place at the conference).

Well, there’s three possible reasons for the high turnout at this year’s Ligonier Conference in Orlando. I’m sure there are others (Pam and I even have some additional reasons for going). If you are going to be there (or were planning to go), I would be interested in hearing what your main reasons are.