For the past decade or so, when earnest effort has been made to reach the masses in our cities through public efforts conducted by strong evangelists, the impression has obtained among many that it is impossible to carry on successful evangelism in the vast centers of population unless large sums of money are made available by the conference treasury. There is grave danger that should this idea become widespread, we shall come to depend upon dollars rather than upon the Lord. While money may be necessary in carrying on a strong work, we have placed too much emphasis upon that need. In this connection, a statement in the "Testimonies," Volume IX, page 110, is to the point:
"There is a necessity, it is true, for expending money judiciously in advertising the meetings, and in carrying forward the work solidly. Yet the strength of every worker will be found to lie, not in these outward agencies, but in trustful dependence upon God, in earnest prayer to Him for help, in obedience to His word. Much more prayer, much more Christlikeness, much more conformity to God's will, is to be brought into the Lord's work. Outward show and extravagant outlay of means will not accomplish the work to be done."
If we were thus admonished in times of prosperity to practice economy in evangelistic work, it is imperative that we heed this counsel in days when money is scarce. We must learn to work inexpensively, and yet win souls. Personally I believe every evangelist should study ways and means of making his public efforts self-supporting. Some are doing this. In the last few years several of our men in large cities have not asked the conference for a single dollar, yet have found ways to meet the expense of their efforts. And they have won as many souls as workers who received a liberal operating allowance.
Located in cities where there were Seventh-day Adventist churches, they have secured pledges from the members. The funds thus provided, together with collections taken at the public services, have covered the entire expense. The men were careful, in advertising and in other expenditures, not to spend more than they received. Rather than insert large, expensive advertisements in the papers, they have been content with modest displays. I firmly believe in newspaper advertising, but do feel that we often use more expensive advertisements than are necessary. The most effective way an evangelist can advertise his meetings is to make the message so attractive and appealing that his audience will wish to hear him again. Unless he does this, no newspaper or other advertising will ever bring back his people. After the meetings are well started, surely there is no justification for continuing expensive advertising. I verily believe this time of economy will lead us to adopt God's plans to a degree that we have not done heretofore.
Evangelists should avail themselves of the assistance church members are willing to render in circulating literature in the community where an effort is conducted. By this plan, openings are found for Bible studies and cottage meetings, which often prove more effective than public preaching services in actually winning souls to Christ and His message. The increasing financial stress compels us more and more to adopt inexpensive and yet effective methods of labor. No minister today need feel crippled in his work because a conference is unable to provide a certain sum of money for the conduct of an effort. There are wonderful resources in the faithful members of our churches. When they see evangelists modest in their expenditures, and realize that the conference treasury cannot supply funds, they gladly give of their time and means to forward the work.
There may be occasions when the conference and the church are both unable to finance an effort. Even then services can be held in the church, and the members can invite their friends and neighbors to attend. I have seen excellent audiences present in our large churches entirely as the result of the invitations of church members, without a single cent having been spent for advertising after the meetings were under way. Openings for Bible studies and cottage meetings were found, and the conference workers were kept busy teaching and baptizing interested hearers.
Surely in a time when the angels of God are speaking to honest hearts, and many are asking, "What do these things mean? when our people are willing to work, and when we have an abundance of inexpensive, soul-winning literature, no evangelist should point to the shortage of funds in the conference treasury as the reason for failure to win souls for the kingdom.
South Lancaster, Mass.
