The Truth Lectureship: What It Is & Is Not
I have received a brotherly and friendly request to briefly explain the rationale and nature of the Truth Magazine Lectureship which began in 2004.
1. The Guardian of Truth Foundation exists as a business because of the interest of individual Christians to provide Bible teaching materials. In offering these Bible lectures or lessons, we are acting together on an individual basis to teach the truth of God's Word as other Christians may do at any time and place they can find such an opportunity.
2. We are not acting as an agency of any local church or churches in any way or in any sense. We have no desire and take no action to organize the churches to join in doing anything. All local churches can and must press forward to do their own work.
3. We do not wish to pressure anyone to attend or approve our lectures, any more than a family which might provide Bible study lessons in their home. We do not pressure or throttle any speaker in an effort to limit what he
must say or not say if he agrees to present a lesson. If a brother does not wish to attend or speak, we consider him to be sound and faithful the same as any other brother. At the first lectureship in 2004, we even set aside time in the open forum for anyone to speak who wished to express disagreement with our lectureship. That same door remains open when we conduct open forums at subsequent lectureships. We have no divisive or factional spirit about this matter.
Since some brethren have raised the issue of the missionary society, let me offer this observation. Our situation is very different from that of the missionary society. 1. The missionary society was not a business which afforded individuals a means to produce and to provide teaching materials. Rather, it was organized as an ecclesiastical organization which sought and received representatives from the churches. 2. The missionary society organized in 1849 was the direct result of Alexander Campbell's many articles in the 1840's advocating some means of centralizing the work of local churches.
For additional study, consider my article entitled, "Let the Church Be the Church!" (Truth Magazine XLVIII, 18 [Sept. 16, 2004]:560, 563-65 [16, 19-21]). For more detailed study, see The Garrett-Humble Debate (an oral debate which occurred in 1954, published in 1955, and reprinted by the Guardian of Truth Foundation in 2005) and the book entitled We Have A Right: Studies in Religious Collectivities by Dan King and Mike Willis (Guardian of Truth Foundation: Bowling Green, KY, 2005).
As brethren discuss their views of the lectureship, let us all express ourselves in a kind and courteous way. First, this promotes a good atmosphere for study and exchange of thoughts. Second, such matters relate to personal conclusions and activities which do not involve the local church or our relationship as brethren. A calm and courteous spirit in discussing such matters will help to avoid any unnecessary friction and alienation.
- Ron Halbrook, 3505 Horse Run Ct., Shepherdsville, KY 40165-6954
