Seminar Sensation

[Mathetes]

This has been on my mind lately. Is it just me, or do others notice that Christians tend to go to seminars a lot? It seems to be the fun thing for evangelicals to do: Go out for an evening to a local church to hear a famous speaker give a talk on a particular topic. I don't think there's anything wrong with that per se, and sometimes going to those events can be helpful and needful for some. But I wonder how many people who go to them are "seminar junkies" who end up not applying or remembering what they hear at the events. I wonder if the information is perhaps a replacement for action.

For me, I am at the point in my life where I simply don't want to attend any more lectures or seminars. I'd rather be out doing something that lives out my Christian life, like doing evangelism or service of some kind.

A friend of mine recently recommended I go to an 8-week seminar on a topic that she felt I needed help with. I declined but told her I'd buy the Kindle version of the book the seminar series is based on. I wanted to find out in a faster, more practical way just how helpful the content would be for me. Sure enough, the content of the book wasn't very helpful to me. The author said a few things that were strong and wise, but nothing I would have had to attend an 8-week seminar to find out.

Right now the only talk I like to hear is the Sunday sermon at my church. I take notes on it every Sunday, in fact. But beyond that, I get tired of always being passive, on the receiving end of information, information, and yet more information. I wonder if church culture in general has become a place overflowing with information but short on practice.

Anyway, I just thought I'd hear others weigh in on this to see if I am jumping to the wrong conclusions.

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

But I wonder how many people who go to them are "seminar junkies" who end up not applying or remembering what they hear at the events. I wonder if the information is perhaps a replacement for action.

That's a danger in every Christian venue, that we hear but do not listen: take, but do not apply. It's not limited to seminars. It happens every Sunday.

For me, I am at the point in my life where I simply don't want to attend any more lectures or seminars. I'd rather be out doing something that lives out my Christian life, like doing evangelism or service of some kind.

That should always be our attitude, but we have to get fed spiritually as well. Sunday Bible study and worship service certainly can do that. So can Wednesday night )or Monday, or Tuesday, or Thursday, or whatever night your church uses) Bible study. But sometimes -- like this past weekend at my church -- something special comes along that you have to hear. We had the "Truth Revealed" conference.

Sunday morning, Dr. Danny Akin of Wake Crossroads Baptist Church in Raleigh NC spoke on Sola Scriptura. Sunday evening, Dr. R.C. Sproul, Jr. of Reformation Bible College in Sanford FL and Ligonier Ministries (his father's ministry) spoke on Sola Christus, followed by Dr. Robert Smith of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham speaking on Sola Fide. Monday night was Dr. Matthew Hotchkinson, pastor of First Baptist in NYC and Dr. Fred Luter, president of the SBC and pastor at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans (want to hear a dynamic Katrina story, read about what Franklin Avenue Baptist has done). They spoke on Sola Gracia and on Soli Deo Gloria, respectively. Wouldn't have missed it for the world, and I'm confident the people who came out in a snowstorm on Sunday morning and Sunday night were there not just to hear, but to apply.

 

[Mathetes]

I agree that we need to be fed. For me, that takes place during the Sunday sermon. Of course, there is also personal Bible study and small groups. But to be honest, I get more out of Bible study when I pursue it alone. If/when I attend a small group, my main motive is to share with others and to be encouraged, but not so much to be fed. That may sound bizarre, but I just learn more on my own, when I have the time to think, meditate on the text, pray, take notes, etc.

Then again, as you pointed out, there are exceptions to this. There are some speakers that I would probably want to go and hear. If James White, for example, came to my area and debated with someone on a topic I wanted to learn more about, I'd probably attend; or if Michael Horton likewise spoke in my area, there's a good chance I would attend. We all have our favorite speakers/theologians whom we regard highly and love to hear/read. For me, though, such events are rare indeed.