2021 Spring Theology Conference

When is the 2021 Conference?

Tuesday, March 9 - Thursday, March 11, 2021

Where is the 2021 Conference?

The conference itself will be held at Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church in Simpsonville, SC. However, pre-conference activities will take place at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Taylors, SC. The GPTS Explore prospective student open-house will also take place at the Seminary. Other fellowship gatherings will take place at other locations, as indicated in our "Events" section.

How much does it cost to attend the 2021 Conference?

We try to make registration simple and affordable. The registration price for the 2021 Conference includes attendance, but not the optional catered meal or lodging. We have made special arrangements with local hotels. See our "Food & Lodging" section (above) for more information.

The full pricing schedule is available on our Registration Page. There are special rates listed for students and their wives. Youth under the age of 18 years old are permitted to attend the conference free of-charge. The early-bird registration rate will expire after 2/1, and there is a final jump in price after 3/8.

Please note that as of two years ago, the price of the Conference has been dramatically lowered, and all special discount codes have been discontinued. We made this change in order to simplify the administrative work of the Seminary staff. If you have any questions about pricing, please contact Director of Advancement & Admissions Mr. Zachary Groff at zgroff@gpts.edu or by calling 864.322.2717 ext. 324.

Where can I watch the Tuesday and Wednesday evening sessions online?

You can view it on our website at gpts.edu/livestream. You can also open it up in your Internet browser by clicking this link.

Where will I stay overnight?

Conference attendees are responsible for their own lodging arrangements, though we are happy to help! We have made special arrangements with local hotels. See our "Food & Lodging" section (above) for more information.

What do attendees usually wear?

While some of us will be wearing the clothes we would usually wear to church on Sunday, most of us dress down a notch (or two). Most men will wear button-down shirts and khaki slacks, but some men will attend the conference in polos and jeans. Most ladies wear modest slacks, skirts, or dresses, with similarly modest tops. Be sure to bring footwear that is comfortable for walking, as you will be moving between the sanctuary and the fellowship area quite a bit during the week.

For both men and women, keep in mind that our group will be modest and comfortable. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@gpts.edu.

How can I register for the 2021 Conference?

You can register online until Monday March 8, 2021. Click here to register online!

You can also register for the conference on-site at Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church. Register before February 1, 2021 for "Early Bird Tuition." Evening sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday are open to the public, and do not require registration.

What if I need to cancel my registration?

We'll miss you at the Conference! You can cancel a registration and receive a refund of your payment minus a $15 non-refundable deposit, if you cancel on or before February 19, 2021. Cancellations may be requested by contacting Mr. Jonathan Bartlett (jbartlett@gpts.edu or 864.322.2717 ext. 305). Requests for a refund after the deadline will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Can I transfer my registration to someone else?

Yes. Registrations are transferable until Monday, March 8, 2021. You can make substitutions by contacting Mr. Jonathan Bartlett (jbartlett@gpts.edu or 864.322.2717 ext. 305). There is no cost for substitutions.

Who is providing the bookstore?

Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary will be providing the bookstore this year, in partnership with Reformation Heritage Books, Presbyterian & Reformed Publications, Reformation Trust, and the Banner of Truth Trust.

Will I be able to purchase recordings of the sermons and lectures onsite?

No. We are discontinuing the production of CD/DVD media this year. All plenary sessions (lectures and panel discussions) will be available for download at sermonaudio.com/gpts within two weeks of the close of the Conference. Please contact Mr. J. Andrew Wortman the Seminary's Librarian (awortman@gpts.edu) for more information.

Will there be a banquet this year?

Yes. There will be a banquet on Thursday, March 11, celebrating the Inauguration of Dr. Jonathan L. Master as President of Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Proceeds from the banquet will benefit the Student Scholarship Fund. For more information, please contact Mr. Zachary Groff at zgroff@gpts.edu or visit gpts.edu/banquet.

Will I get a refund if the Conference is cancelled?

If the Conference is cancelled for any reason (including governmental restrictions affecting gatherings in the State of South Carolina), you will be offered a full refund. In such a contingency, you will be given the option to donate your conference registration payment as a tax-deductible gift to the Seminary.

The Seminary is not liable for any travel restrictions imposed by other jurisdictions. Please see our refund policy for more information.

What precautions are you taking in light of developments surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic?

As has been our practice since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we seek to exercise prudence while avoiding alarmism. Thus, we are looking forward to a fairly typical GPTS Spring Theology Conference experience this March while implementing some reasonable precautions, detailed below.

Each morning during Conference week, please take your temperature before leaving your lodging place. If your temperature is above normal (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit for most adults) or if you are presenting any other symptoms of contagious disease (e.g., cough, loss of sense of taste/smell, etc.), please stay home and utilize our livestream option. We cannot guarantee refunds for those attendees who have to make a last-minute adjustment to livestreaming due to illness or potential illness.

While at the Conference, we ask that you practice common courtesy and basic social distancing. We will have hand sanitizer in various locations around the church, including the foyer, gym, information desk, registration desk, and bookstore. Please wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, and do not hesitate to use hand sanitizer when appropriate.

At this point, we are not requiring masks to be worn at the Conference, though we are not forbidding or discouraging their use by anyone who attends. Please be respectful of others’ decisions with regards to wearing a mask.

We are immeasurably blessed in the Upstate with a cohort of local congregations pastored and governed by godly and wise officers. What we are seeking to do as a Seminary in large part emulates and mirrors what our closest church partners are doing in the area.

In our various efforts to respond to the pandemic, we desire nothing less than to bring glory to God by promoting the health, holiness, and edification of the Seminary community, our neighbors, our visitors, and our friends. Thank you for praying for your brothers and sisters in the Seminary community, and for following these reasonable directives to the best of your ability.