HOSTING A SEMINAR TO ADDRESS THE CHANGE MOVEMENT

Among the many things an eldership can do to alert and inform the brethren in their area of the dangers of the change movement is to host a seminar on the subject.  The following suggestions might be helpful to those inclined to do so.

	For best success, a one day program will be sufficient. A Saturday is preferable.
	To have a program that brethren will want to attend you need to men of recognized soundness and ability to do the speaking.
	Your speakers must be men who are well-read on the subject and able to speak with authority. Just because one is a capable speaker or sound in his faith does not mean he can do a good job for your program addressing the “change movement.”
	Be careful not to invite speakers who are radical in their approach. Ultraconservatives have made such a bad impression on our brethren that many have turned to the liberals simply because they manifested a more cordial, congenial spirit. Moderation is essential if you are hoping to influence others to take a firm stand in the face of this apostasy (Phil. 4:5).
	Send out two invitations to all the congregations in a 75 mile radius. The first notice should be sent a month before hand so recipients can reserve the date and then one to arrive a week before, lest they forget it.
	By starting at 9:00 and going until 4:00 p.m. you can have seven sessions in one day. Have a moderator that will make sure each man stays within his allotted time.
	In your planning and in your presentation make sure the atmosphere is one of prayer and godly concern for the church and your brethren (Phil. 3:17-18). It is easy for such meetings to tilt towards anger and animosity which tends to drive weak brethren away rather than to reclaim them for Christ. Such would not be helpful. ·It is important to have provisions for lunch at your meeting place, lest the people scatter and not return for the afternoon sessions.
	By all means have at least an hour for questions and answers.  Many people will have questions that speakers will not have answered. Points will need to be clarified. ·Invite a Christian book dealer to come and bring books and tracts that address the change issue.  Display both those materials promoting change and those answering it. Brethren need to have these materials in hand for their personal study and use in refuting the error. Also encourage publishers of sound journals that address the “change movement” to display their papers.
	Presentations should provide a mix of positive statements of what we believe and why as well as exposing the errors of the promoters of change.
	You should have on hand a strategy paper to place in the hands of all who attend.  It should recommend to them a number of things they can do in their home congregations to fortify them and inoculate them against the virus of the change agents. Such a paper can be found @ www.christianity-then-and-now.com.
	Before closing there should be a period of exchange giving brethren opportunity to express their impressions and soliciting ideas for ongoing efforts to block the spread of the heresy in your region. History teaches us that this type of problem will challenge our brotherhood for the next 20-50 years. A one shot approach will not suffice.
	Two things to avoid: No one should be allowed to blacklist preachers or congregations who do not seem to appreciate the problem before us or who may be tilting towards error. Remember that each man and congregation must answer to God for their choices and conduct (II Cor. 5:10).  Also you must resist the temptation to form any type of organization to be a watchman or supervisor of other congregations. Providing factual information, sound teaching, timely warnings and brotherly encouragement to action  is all that we can scripturally do.

Elders and preachers: Such a seminar on the fundamentals of the faith and the dangers of apostasy would greatly benefit your congregation and the churches near you.  Why not plan one for the near future. Time is of the essence. In this day of crises we cannot afford to be indifferent to the threat.