Dear Cornerstone Family,
For our Mission’s Conference Weekend, I’m grateful to welcome Dr. Gabriel (Gabe) Fluhrer, Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN, to the Cornerstone pulpit this morning. Dr. Fluhrer did his undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina and is a rabid Gamecock fan (consider yourself warned). He has a Master of Divinity degree from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Greenville, SC, and a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA.
Dr. Fluhrer has served in a variety of pastoral positions and settings over the years. He’s been a church planter, a staff minister, and a senior minister. He’s served congregations in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, and the Presbyterian Church in America.
In addition to his pastoral work, Dr. Fluhrer is a visiting professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. He has also served us locally through the growing work of RTS Nashville, recently teaching classes on covenant theology and worship.
Dr. Fluhrer is a gifted writer. He’s a regular contributor at the Reformation21 blog and Ligonier Ministries. He has written or edited several books and articles, including Atonement (P&R, 2010), These Last Days (P&R, 2011), and Alive: How the Resurrection of Christ Changes Everything (Reformation Trust, 2020).
If memory serves me right, I believe I first met Gabe at a Young Leaders of the PCA meeting at General Assembly about fifteen years ago. Seeing him serve the denomination faithfully immediately garnered my respect. Spending time with him personally endeared him to me.
Over the last year, Gabe has served with me on the Ad Interim Committee in our denomination for Revising the Directory for Public Worship. It’s been a joy to have an excuse to be in regular contact with him and to labor together in the work of ministry. Gabe is a pastor and a theologian. He has a keen mind for truth and a unique gift for communicating God’s Word. I am grateful to number Gabe among my friends in ministry and for you to benefit today from sitting under his ministry.
Finally, let me publicly acknowledge my deep gratitude for the leadership of our Mission’s Chairman, Mr. John Millard. With great assistance from John Mark Gulliver, one of our Pastoral Interns, and a committed band of Cornerstone members—Dan & Judy Apple, Jonathan Eby, Jim & Becky Payne, and Allison Millard—John has spent many hours working to make this weekend possible. Without his and the team’s dedication and sacrifice, the blessing we’ve gained from this conference would have never happened. Please take time to express your appreciation to John and the team for their faithful efforts on our behalf.
Grace & Peace,
