On Monday, three seminars and two sets of breakout sessions further developed the theme to wrap up the conference for this year. Roy Holladay also announced the results of the ballot for Council members. These results had been delayed Sunday night because of a tie. John Jewell was returned to the Council as an international representative. Aaron Dean was returned to the Council, and Jim Franks and Doug Horchak were also selected to serve on the Council.

Melvin Rhodes gave his presentation Saturday night (for elders who wouldn't be able to stay until Monday) and again on Monday morning. He pointed out that the world has changed since the elders listening to him first came into the Church. Then the United States and British Commonwealth in Prophecy booklet was the most requested booklet. Now it's Why Does God Allow Suffering? Those coming in contact with the Church today don't know God's laws and so they face suffering in their lives and don't know how to get out.

Mr. Rhodes said the emphasis in the past was too often on punishment and control, putting people out of the Church for various problems. Matthew 9:9 shows that Jesus mixed with sinners; He said they were the ones who need help. John 8 describes the woman caught in adultery. Jesus said, "Go and sin no more."

The word trespasses in James 5:16 means a moral fault. People in the Church should be able to share their problems and get help. Paul knew there were people with the sins described in 1 Corinthians 6:9 who had overcome them.

But people in the Church with difficult problems may feel afraid to talk to the pastor, he said. And in our world today, so many people God is calling face these difficult problems. The following examples are from United: One woman wrote that her husband was addicted to pornography on the Internet. A manic/depressive person was told by his pastor not to go to a psychiatrist. Two ladies were attracted to each other. A man had feelings for other men, but was not sexually active. A woman was addicted to alcohol—she had started drinking after being raped.

Ephesians 4 talks about equipping the saints for the work of ministry. This involves preparing them to help the ministry, and also to help others in the Church. The ministry is to educate members on the causes of some of the great problems in our world today, as well as the solutions.

The minister's initial reaction is important. Mr. Rhodes said he will always regret the time he pulled away from a leper in Ghana years ago. We have to be careful how we react to people seeking help. Consider Christ's example in John 8. Christ wasn't a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Christ didn't react negatively; He listened and thought things through. He was very forgiving. What if she had sinned again? Matthew 18 refers to forgiving 70 times 7.

Micah 7:18-19 shows God's mercy. Hebrews 4:15 shows that Christ understands our weaknesses. John 11:35 and Matthew 5:4 show His compassion. He gave His life for the woman caught in adultery and all of us (John 3:16; 1 John 3:16; Romans 8:1).

Luke 15—the parable of the prodigal son—shows God's forgiveness to a repentant sinner. But sometimes the "brothers" in the Church want the person to be punished. They can be harsh to others even when they have been forgiven of the same sins.

People need assurance they can talk to their minister about anything. The example in 1 Corinthians 5 shows that there are reasons to put some out of the Church. But in most cases if you put someone out, he or she won't come back. Some seem to think you have to be perfect to come to Church.

A teen asked, "Why can't all ministers be on the same page?" He had earrings, and one congregation accepted him, while another turned him away.

Mr. Rhodes asked how we want to be remembered. As merciful?

Mr. Rhodes' seminar was followed by six breakout sessions to discuss these concepts further.

Bob Berendt used the story of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I's funeral to introduce his subject. When the emperor's casket arrived at the church, it was not allowed in when announced with all the emperor’s many exalted titles. But when he was announced as a poor sinner, the doors opened wide. The Catholic Church designed this ceremony to remind the royalty of the need for humility.

How can ministers be both humble and bold? Mr. Berendt compared it to riding two horses at one time: Humble and Bold. First we have to mount Humble.

Mr. Berendt gave several biblical examples of the interplay of humility and boldness. Job was chosen by God, but God allowed Satan to test him. Job 42:5-6 shows that Job learned humility and then was given the opportunity to be bold in praying for his friends.

Moses and the children of Israel were afraid and trembling at Mount Sinai (Hebrews 12), but we come before an even more awesome "mountain," with a greater understanding of the great God than the children of Israel had. James 3 shows that teachers have a greater responsibility, which is humbling since we all stumble. The greatest form of teaching is by our example.

Mr. Berendt pointed out that humble means low or modest—but not being a doormat, not saying "I'm dumb" when you are smart. We need to recognize what we are before God. God deserves perfect servants, so we need to pray daily that God will forgive our lacks. We can never boast before God.

Yet God expects us to be bold and daring, acting with confidence in our service to Him.

Mr. Berendt said it’s astonishing that we can enter the holiest, and not just once a year (Hebrews 10:19). We are a team. The ministry is called to be lights to the lights—an awesome responsibility. When a minister falls, it hurts a lot of people. He encouraged the audience to study the stories in the Bible and avoid the pitfalls.

In his session, Dave Johnson taught the elders principles and practices of effective teaching. He pointed out that preaching and teaching are not identical tasks, and they require different skills. Preaching can involve announcing a message, with no special regard for the response of the hearers. Teaching implies there is a connection between the teacher and student, helping the student understand the information and how to use it.

He showed that the Greek words translated as "preach" or related words are used nearly 130 times in the New Testament, and preaching should occupy an important place for the ministry. Interestingly the Greek words for "teaching" and related words are used more than 230 times! Also, 46 times Christ was called Master, which means teacher. He set the example for His servants in His own teachings, for example, in the questions He asked. For someone who had all the answers, Jesus sure asked a lot of questions!

Educators have learned that people learn in three fundamental areas, which they refer to as the cognitive domain (intellectual knowledge), the affective domain (heart knowledge) and the psychomotor domain (how we act on the knowledge). In the field of adult education, these are commonly called ideas, attitudes and actions. Mr. Johnson asked the audience to consider 1 John 5:3, a verse that involves all three areas of knowledge. What if you leave one aspect out? It creates a distorted view.

Mr. Johnson also asked, "How well do I know what I know?" He used this to show that we understand intellectual knowledge at different levels, and he also showed how different kinds of questions can help students deepen their level of understanding. He outlined six levels of understanding, starting from the basic to the deeper levels.

1. Knowledge. He mentioned that we tend to forget things quickly if they are just memorized. Some people really like questions with only one right answer, but these might create a false sense of security for someone who then thinks they have mastered the material.
2. Comprehension. This would involve asking the students to rephrase the information.
3. Application. On this level, generalizations are used to solve a concrete problem. Mr. Johnson asked, "Are your questions stimulating people at this level?"
4. Analysis. This level involves how concepts work together, cause and effect, identifying the motive. It involves asking, "Why?"
5. Synthesis. At this level the student assembles learned material to produce original material. Synthesis can also involve predicting, planning and designing.
6. Evaluation. Those ready for a deeper level of understanding are ready for questions that ask the student to judge the merit of a solution to a problem. What's your opinion? For example, Did Paul do the right thing in refusing to take John Mark?

What level of understanding does a Christian need? Memorization or just understanding the facts is not enough. Mr. Johnson said a "Joe Friday" sermon—just the facts, ma'am—is not enough. Our goal is spiritual growth, not preparing members for a Bible trivia contest. We have transformational knowledge that must be presented in a transformational way.

Mr. Johnson also addressed the affective area of learning—how we internalize the information. This also has deepening levels, from receiving, to responding, to valuing, to organization (changing), to characterization (making it part of our character). We choose the Christian life because we believe it is the right way. This heart knowledge includes appropriate emotions. Mr. Johnson pointed out that a presentation with no emotion can be dull and flat (while overt emotionalism can be embarrassing).

Mr. Johnson then addressed the psychomotor domain, the action step. Once someone knows the material and is excited about it, what do they do? Adults want to know how they can apply the material they learn in the real world.

Mr. Johnson said that learning is interesting, but memorization is boring. He encouraged the elders to dig deeper into the subject of education and apply it in planning and delivering sermons as they grow in being effective teachers. This presentation was also followed by six breakout sessions for discussion of the material.

Roy Holladay ended the conference with words of encouragement to the elders. We're all heading for God's Kingdom, he said, and we're here to be the helpers of the members' joy.

If there is one thing God's people are looking for in a minister, it is that he cares for them (Philippians 2:19). Timothy was a good example. Caring for the members includes giving thought to them.

Mr. Holladay said he often goes back to Psalm 23 since ministers are called to be shepherds. Jesus Christ cares for us (1 Peter 5:7)! We are to follow that example.

What can pastors do? Mr. Holladay gave the following steps.

• First, be praying for those God gives us (James 5:14).
• Spend time with the flock. A shepherd doesn't just visit a couple of times a month. One of the responsibilities of a minister is to visit, and not just in an emergency.
• Nourish and cherish the Church (Ephesians 5:25, 28). In 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Paul compares this with the warm, loving bond between a mother and her nursing child.
• Encourage the members (1 Thessalonians 5:11). The picture is not of someone cheering from the sidelines, but some right there in the race with them, saying, "We can do it!" Mark Twain said, "I can live off a good compliment for a week." Don't dole compliments out sparingly.

Mr. Holladay concluded his talk by saying that one of the things that will sustain a congregation is to know that their pastor cares for them.