IF AN unconverted circus manager ever sot to heaven, can you imagine what o J O would occupy his time? He probably would try to talk Daniel into challenging the lions again. Lazarus would get top billing as a man who died and was resurrected twice. Enoch, the first earthly space traveler on record, would be immediately contacted with a contract for public appearances. Joshua's act of stopping the sun, if repeated, would guarantee a large attendance. Heading the list would be the Master Himself. Think of advertising a person who could instantaneously cram a bakery with bread all made from five small loaves. Or fill a lake with fish in minutes, starting with two oversized minnows!
What peace will be ours when the "spectacular" is omitted. Think what would happen if we eliminated any taint of this business from our church. Well do I re member sitting in one of our meetings when the announcer appeared and began a build-up introduction fit for royalty. Some of us thought a visitant from outer space was about to appear. Certainly an equal to Queen Elizabeth must be behind the curtains. The introducer continued with the "thrilling story" of this individual's conversion. Finally the word Holly wood slipped in. Then the giant audience became one big ear. Someone next to me suggested the name of a famous movie star that even the strictest Mennonite had heard about. The introduction's climax came when the name of this notable per son blared out over the loud-speaker system. I tried to look amazed and excited and I found out later that most of my friends did too, although none of us had ever heard the name. In all fairness it must be admitted that our acquaintance with the names of the twinklers in Hollywood was severely limited. Our business was the Bible, not the theater.
But the point is that the church or at least some in the church began getting all the mileage possible out of this event and personality. The person was used in numerous large functions as the main attraction. Some full-page advertisements even used terminology such as "starring so-and-so." All newspaper accounts connecting the conversion story with the church were treasured.
Finally, apostasy put a stop to the whole affair. This nauseating experience of manipulation taught some of us a lesson, but not all.
I still sit on committees for planning programs when remarks have been made such as, "Well, what can we do this year that will really capture people's attention?" "Let's get so-and-so, he has a fantastic, spellbinding presentation." "What we need is a 'spectacular' that will ensure a big attendance!" "Let's invite Brother Blank. He is a controversial figure; that's what we need—something that will stir up the brethren."
So another meeting comes and goes with its "spectacular" program. The members return to their Rip Van Winkle state of existence and wait to be aroused again by a new, thrilling, colossal "spectacular."
Perhaps if we followed the instruction of the Lord, we wouldn't be so burdened down with so much program planning. There would be plenty of planning for work, of course. Actually, the main work of a preacher is not in the pulpit but in planning for the members. Listen to this counsel direct from Heaven which is as up to date as tomorrow.
"Let church members, during the week, act their part faithfully, and on the Sabbath relate their experience. The meeting will then be as meat in due season, bringing to all present new life and fresh vigor. When God's people see the great need of working as Christ worked for the conversion of sinners, the testimonies borne by them in the Sabbath service will be filled with power. With joy they will tell of the precious experience they have gained in working for others."— Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 19. (Italics supplied.)
Note those words "new life and fresh vigor." The church needs this experience today as much as we need oxygen. Instead of catapulting one or two celebrities from assembly to assembly, we need to turn our churches into theaters of action where spectators are transformed into active witnesses. Think of the time, energy, and money we could save if we had thousands of celebrities who could give a vibrant, living testimony of what the Lord has done for and through them. It would be unnecessary to take one or two divine healing recipients and take them from place to place. Nor would it be necessary for us to jet one or two witnessing "experts" from union to union. Every church would have a group of expert soul winners in its own back yard.
It won't happen overnight, but this "new life and fresh vigor" experience can start in a small way if we really plan an action program for our members. It may mean that a preacher will have to take several of his members out and show them how to visit from door to door, how to give Bible studies, not in a class situation, but in actual practice. Of course, the preacher will have to be an expert himself, but that's what we are paid for. We are given a salary for the simple reason that our entire time is to be dedicated to the planning and promotion of soul winning in our districts. More could be said, but the blueprint in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy writings is replete with admonition on this subject.
In a sense our work is the real "spectacular." Any preacher who can train, organize, put members to work, and come up with results is doing something definitely spectacular! Neither he nor his members may receive recognition at some rally or congress, but in the courts of heaven the angels smile every time his or any of his working members' names come up for discussion.