At the request of our elders Patrick and I attended the above named seminar sponsored by Harding’s Institute for Church & Family on January 26th & 27th  in Searcy.  We appreciate being able to go and found the seminar, for the most part, Scripturally accurate and thus educational and informative.
     Brother Everett Ferguson, professor emeritus of Biblical Studies and Historical Theology at ACU, presented some excellent material relating to issues facing the Lord’s church today.  He stated his purpose as being the need to recover the importance of the church – collective verses individual emphasis.  We are seeing, in our day, an inward focus with some brethren wanting to showcase their talents in various ways, such as in singing solos, drama groups and instrumental music in the worship.  Entertainment value is much sought after and the meeting of human needs seems to be a priority among some.
     Questions were entertained after each session. Ferguson apparently touched a nerve with some as many querists reflected a liberal bias seemingly seeking his personal sanction for such unauthorized practices as applauding in worship, women teaching in mixed assemblies, personal testimonials, solos, praise teams, etc.  It seemed, however, that brother Ferguson did not consistently apply the principles he taught. For example, he believed it allowable for women to offer public prayer in mixed assemblies in private settings contrary to the teaching of Paul in 1 Timothy 2:8.  The expression “in every place,” in that passage means in every place, whether it be under the roof of a church building or in a private setting, such as in one’s home.