The Battle Creek Biennial Council, just ended, was an epochal occasion in many ways. A marked spirit of unity prevailed throughout the sessions, and it was evident that the Spirit of the Lord was leading throughout the study and decision of many delicate yet momentous problems. Faced by the most critical international economic situation in modern times, the decision of our world leaders in session was to pursue by faith our appointed world mission program without any appreciable retrenchment. Certain adjustments were necessary, and simplification in operation was planned for; but these were highly desirable quite apart from the immediate necessity in order to counteract the spirit and trend of an extravagant age. Even more pronounced moves in this direction will doubtless be imperative from time to time.
So serious are financial conditions throughout the divisions, however, that it was deemed necessary, as an emergency measure of economy, to postpone the next General Conference from 1934 to 1936. This was the expressed desire and unanimous vote of the representatives of the world divisions. It was evident, however, that a backward move in the advent message was unthinkable. There was determination to hold our present lines, and to plan for advance. "Normalcy" in the accepted sense of the term a few years ago will probably never return to this old world. There will doubtless be recoveries and relapses, but our work will close amid increasing world perplexities and crises, and we must consequently adjust ourselves to changing circumstances as God's movement marches triumphantly forward.
The Council was conspicuous for its constructive legislation, the actions of which appear in full in our general church paper, the Review, of November 24. Aside from actions touching upon various phases of church interest and endeavor, there were six series of recommendations which are of vital and immediate concern to every gospel worker. These will be discussed at greater length in the January Ministry, but brief allusion in this last-minute note will indicate their general character and objective.
First, a comprehensive plan was outlined for an intensive and general revival work among our churches this winter.
Second, and inseparably connected therewith, a solemn call was issued to all workers, summoning us to holiness of life and humbling of heart before God, so that He can use us effectually as His spokesmen in this forward movement. Without controversy this is the logical order of revival: first with the ministry, then with the laity.
Third, a general summons to personal evangelism, that is, to aggressive soul winning, as the supreme objective on the part of all laborers individually, in whatever type of work engaged. This tendency toward slackness, because of the growing complexity and the pressure of our work, is so well known that it needs but bare mention here.
Fourth, a specific plan for concerted conference evangelism through a survey of unoccupied territories, definite planning for their occupation, the setting apart of more men for full-time evangelism for raising up new churches, and definite divisional and conference goals for souls.
Fifth, a strengthening of the ministerial interneship plan for the material and moral encouragement of ministerial and Bible worker graduates in this time of unprecedented financial stringency, and for the protection of the employing conferences as well, expanding the present one-year term to a two-year provision, thus more adequately covering the period of trial and experimentation, and if these are successfully passed, then placing these recruits upon the same platform of service as the regular conference workers.
Sixth, an earnest invitation to all laborers to enter unitedly upon a chronological study of the Bible during the next two years—the Old Testament in 1933 and the New Testament in 1934—seeking a minimum of 1,500 registrants for the 1933 Reading Course, which begins a three-year survey and study of church history, the first year of which covers those vital first five centuries of the Christian era in the new course just announced.
A painstaking study of these six great objectives will be presented by our general leaders in early issues of this journal. Truly we live in days vibrant with great issues, great opportunities, great challenges, and unprecedented needs. Only the spirit and power of the living God is sufficient for a time like this. A humbling of heart, a new dedication of life, a renewed fidelity to present truth, and a return to greater simplicity, economy, and true holiness of life, will alone suffice for such an hour as the present, and we are confident that there will be a hearty and sincere response to this great forward program. To this solemn summons every reader of the Ministry is urgently invited to respond.
L. E. F.
