In the Ecclesial Guide we are counseled that the objects of ecclesial operations are two-fold:
- The edification of its individual constituents in the faith;
- The exhibition of the light of Truth to ‘those that are without’.
In keeping with this balance, it is suggested as we teach the Truth to keep in mind the long term effect: those who come to accept God’s invitation and be baptized will become those who need to be edified as part of the ecclesial body.
The seminars are a great vehicle for us to spread the Good News in such a way that the world will actually listen. Years ago the world could be ‘lectured’ about the Word, but now they want to ‘learn’ about it. Although in the big picture these may mean the same, we are in different times which call for different measures to effectively communicate God’s message “to make thee wise unto salvation”.
Our ecclesia has been blessed with many baptisms from the seminars over the past 16 years. This has come from teaching that began with materials that were fuzzy, slanted on the page, and were a copy of a copy of a copy and no one knew where the original was. This didn’t seem to matter because the world was listening. This has progressed over the years to become PowerPoint high-tech colorful and appealing slides that are pleasing to look at. But with all this the consistent piece is brethren who understand their Bible, encourage questions from the students, and are enthusiastic about the message and of the great Hope they have. In addition, the seminar students come to understand that this message is something shared around the world by one community that has the same belief and conviction about it.
Our seminars start with an advertising effort sent out multiple times (usually four) prior to the seminar. This can be by leaflets in the newspaper, mailed flyers to specific zip codes or via public television, which is our latest means of advertising. The advertisement indicates the seminar is free for anyone who wants to “Learn To Read The Bible Effectively” and covers 12 weeks at the same time and place each week. It also includes a map, phone number to a real live person (one brother takes all the calls) and a registration form to mail in if they prefer not to call. Our location is our ecclesial hall, held on a consistent weeknight from 7:30 pm-9 pm.
Beginning Seminar.
This starts with two instructors who are dressed to teach. One will cover 30 minutes of Bible background, history, reading tips, examples of what to look for, and tools available to help understand what the Bible is saying. The other instructor spends 60 minutes taking the class through one chapter per week from Genesis 1-12. This is almost verse by verse explaining what the Bible is saying and can include a series of questions at the end of each chapter. This portion encourages comments and questions during the class. However, students are asked to keep only to the part of the Bible we have covered to that point and not to look ahead (they will have that opportunity in the future). At this point the instructor can show the gems hidden to the uninformed listener and his excitement for its message. After 12 weeks (give or take a week), we have now covered Creation, promises of the seed from Eden to Abraham and the hope that it comes with.
At the end of the 12 weeks we roll directly into the next section. In the past, however, we made the mistake of telling the students that this concludes the first portion and that we are moving to the next part and welcome them to stay. Having lost students from that approach (because they think it’s finished), we now move seamlessly into the next phase without a break.
Intermediate Seminar.
Using the foundation of Genesis already laid, we discuss the promises to David, the Devil, Satan, Baptism, Resurrection, One God, The Son, The Holy Spirit and explain all the first principal doctrines of God’s Truth. The approach avoids “the Bible does not teach that….” but rather focuses on allowing the Bible to speak for itself as the authority doing the instructing. This often causes comments and questions because of the student(s) who have a preconceived idea of each doctrine. This portion of the seminar is an opportunity for the instructor to take the students on a journey through other areas of the Bible to support the doctrines and principles they are learning. It is vitally important that the brother leading the seminar is sensitive to the fact that the students have other ideas and have not learned the Truth… yet. It is a process and patience (within reason) is key. It is also important that ecclesial members in the audience keep quiet and let the instructor teach! This intermediate portion can last 12 to 26 weeks depending on the instructor and the engagement of the students.
Advanced Seminar.
Having the first principles now taught, this portion takes them through the baptismal questions. At our ecclesia we have approximately 250 questions with scriptural support for each question covered in detail. This portion may take 12-18 weeks, again depending on how engaged the students are in each class.
One-On-One
At the conclusion of the advanced portion, we tell the students they need to decide if they want to be in God’s kingdom and we set up a one-on-one class for those who are interested. This provides a venue for them to ask personal or “dumb” questions and voice their concerns about this new walk of life and what it entails.
We have ecclesial members who help with handouts, refreshments, recording and assisting students to “find that verse”. We encourage our members to attend. The seminars are also a great way to help the young people as they prepare for baptism and for the members to refresh themselves on our first principle doctrines.
Another blessing of the seminars is that each instructor comes with his own personality, style and excitement to teach the Truth. Our seminar has developed by God’s blessing with much prayer, just ‘doing it’, lessons learned, trial and error, sharing our experiences with each other and an enthusiasm to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the Hope that is in you” (1Pet 3:15). It is always good to periodically measure the seminar with your own gauge to be sure it doesn’t become the same old thing. Several years of this can create stagnation and some tend to lose the new excitement they once had. If this appears to be happening it might be time to consider changing it a bit.
Over the past 16 years of seminar work, our ecclesia has come from a six week “here’s the Truth” approach to what is shown above, that can take more than one year. We have been blessed with 34 baptisms (that we can count) of which three have fallen upon stony ground or allowed the weeds to choke the Word. One has fallen asleep in Christ at the age of 101 just a few short years after baptism, truly an example of one invited to work in the vineyard in the last hour of the day.
As we rejoice with our members and their new found hope and embrace them as part of our family, they sometimes bring with them a culture of ‘the old man’ not easily left behind. In this situation, most of us find ourselves in uncharted territory as an ecclesia. At first glance this appears to be a negative thing but in the long run it is no different from long term members who struggle with the flesh. Whether new or existing, young or old, Jew or Greek, they should be approached with love and compassion but ultimately with God’s Word doing the instructing. It is important to not ignore problems if they arise and to prevent groups to form within. We are all One Family in the Lord. The blood of Christ is thicker than ours and has called all of us out of this world to “be ye separate” which is easy to teach but not always easy to live.
With this transformation can be a change for the better. New members bring with them a perspective that can invigorate our ecclesia with different ideas, an excitement that is sometimes forgotten and a spirit of willingness. They also question some old traditions that may not be the best fit anymore (can be a good thing) and overall they provide an objective eye like a child asking their parents… “why?”.
Based on my experiences with the seminars, we should view the changes that come as a blessing that brings with it responsibility for us to nurture and admonish, edify and exhort, but most importantly to be an example to one another.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One