As previously noted, plans are in progress for holding an October Bible and Science Seminar in Michigan and possibly other places. As part of the overall effort, this seminar was held in Leeds, UK Saturday, May 6, 1995. The speakers were Bre. John Bilello, James Livermore and Bill Link from the USA and Bre. Malcolm Cross, Alan Hayward and Rae Earnshaw from the UK.
Following are highlights of a report on the seminar prepared by Bre. Earnshaw and Cross.
Publicity
The seminar was advertised by 3,000 invitation cards circulated in the Leeds area and by adverts in four major newspapers. Advertising also appeared in the diary of events for the week which are circulated to all the staff in Leeds University and Leeds Metropolitan University.
Visitors
There were 30 visitors present. This is the largest number of visitors present at a witness event in Leeds for a number of years. When a special effort is held in a neutral hall, visitors usually number between zero and 5. At the regular Sunday evening lectures, 1-4 visitors are customary but most are related to members in one way or another. New visitors are rare. We are conscious that our normal witnessing seems to be aimed primarily at religious people; we do very little to attract non-religious people, pagans or young people with no religious background.
Nature of the witness
We should be prepared to try new approaches and new topics to catch the interest and attention of those who don’t currently attend our lectures. Witnessing is not only to be in the form of Acts 3 (the religious lecture with a challenge) but the appeal to reason and common sense of the nonreligious (Acts 17, Romans 1).
Demonstrating Christadelphians are sensible and knowledgeable is important in today’s society which is so full of religious cranks, hotheads and extreme fundamentalists. In this context, it is useful to demonstrate that Christadelphians are reasonable and rational people with a sensible faith.
Feedback from the seminar
Further feedback from the seminar has been very favorable. In particular, we have received many requests for the video and audio cassettes. Brethren have come forward offering to help in future efforts which is good in that more thus become involved in outreach work.
If our ecclesias were more outward looking and engaged in active witness, our members would become less discouraged by internal problems. New forms of witnessing can help in this, and keep us focused in the right direction. There is also a clear need for a book on this topic.
We pray for God’s blessing on the seed that has been, sown and pray that it may bring forth fruit to His honor and glory. We pray also that it may encourage all our brothers and sisters to think positively about our faith and our witness and be more supportive in their work and service.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One