The writer received a letter from one of our faithful Bible workers connected with an evangelistic company, making a plea that the churches receiving new converts give more attention to establishing them in the truth. Her letter follows:
"I wish something could be done to help our new converts after we leave and turn them over to the local churches. Couldn't a committee of three or four good, representative members be chosen in each church to visit, strengthen, and show a real interest in these new souls who are just children in the faith-a committee who would make it their business to lead these new ones in service, and who would help rather than criticize them? This committee should be composed of individuals who have a real burden for souls, who will have the saving of the soul, rather than the making of a goal, on their hearts.
"It is surely as important to keep a soul faithful as to convert one to the faith. I find that because this work is not being done in our churches, many drop out of the church, and when they are visited at the close of the year, they have drifted too far to hold. I feel greatly concerned about this. It is impossible for those who bring them into the truth to be at the various churches to make them welcome and see after them. If we could be at each place a year or more, it might be different, for by that time they would understand all about the workings of the church, and would also understand that many of the older members do not constitute a safe example.
"Many give up jobs for the truth, give up tobacco, jewelry, coffee, etc. If someone could be appointed to keep in close touch with the new believers, to do everything possible to help them find employment, and help them hold their faith, they would not become discouraged and give up. This committee in the church should know the minute a stranger steps in the church door, and be ready to greet him. There is need for work of this kind to be done. It really is the business of every Seventh-day Adventist in the church. But since they are not doing it, some truly converted ones should be appointed to the work. This is surely as important as selecting Sabbath school superintendents or other church officers. And we, as a tabernacle company, are very anxious that the pastor of the church be the one who visits the new converts before they are taken into the church, not leaving this work to the church council or clerk, for ofttimes such are not tactful. Some go about this work in such a blunt way that they really harm those they visit. This committee, I suppose, should be a standing committee, doing that work throughout the year."
This letter was published in our union paper. Two replies are here reproduced, which stress the matter of more thorough work on the part of the evangelist, and closer cooperation with the church during the effort:
Response No. 1
"Your article which appeared in the Recorder recently, about church officers' taking better care of new converts, was timely. However, there are two lessons which can be drawn from the Bible worker's letter. It seems the one intended by the writer is to call attention to the fact that church officers are not doing their full duty in behalf of the new converts. No doubt this is true, and should be corrected.
"The question arises as to how this can be brought about. Some feel that the evangelists have been so busy in their efforts bringing converts into the church, that they have failed to permit the church officers to get well acquainted with them. The evangelist usually does all the preaching, is before the people all the time, baptizes the new converts, etc., so that when he leaves the church the new ones feel that their leader is gone. And some of them are not overly willing to take counsel from local officers. Anyway, there is not that acquaintance existing between the new members and the officers of the church which draws them together. There is need of closer fellowship.
"Is this need, however, only on the part of the church officers? We believe there should be more cooperation between the evangelist and the local workers and church officers, while the new converts are being brought into the church. Some evangelists say, 'We are afraid they will not know how; that they will hinder and not help.' Unless they have some training along this line, they will not know how to help. But how are they ever to learn unless they have the opportunity? If they do not know anything about how to help bring souls into the church, how are they expected to know how to keep them, after the one has left who did most, if not all, to bring them in? May the Holy Spirit be privileged to do the work so necessary in the lives of us all, so the church will soon be prepared to finish its work."
Response No. 2
"The article, 'A Cry of Distress,' in the Recorder, touched a phase of our work about which I have thought much. It is rather difficult to encourage new members who have lost their positions. If they had the faith in God that some of the more experienced have, our prayers would be sufficient to carry them through the testing time. I can look back to my own experience, when I gave up family, home, and everything for this message. . . . One dear brother I will never forget. When I told him my story, busy as he was, he took time to listen; and when I had finished, offered me money and encouragement that was sincere. I told him I did not want his money, that I wanted work so I could keep the Sabbath.
"I believe we had prayer together; and shortly after that the Lord opened the way for me, and for a number of years my services were in demand. I left one position and in just a few days had another, at increased salary, at which place I stayed until I saved about a thousand dollars, which I invested in an education at Pacific Union College.
"I believe we should get acquainted with every new member, and take time to encourage and strengthen each one in the message. We spend a thousand dollars to get new members, and when we get them, we are too busy to take time enough to establish them on a sure foundation, and to let them know that we are interested in their financial troubles as well as their spiritual welfare. A little time and effort at the right time may save a soul for eternity and make a valiant worker in the cause of God."
These letters illustrate the principle that whenever an evangelistic effort is to be held in connection with a church, there should be the closest cooperation between the evangelistic workers and the local church workers. To accomplish this we suggest that council meetings be held preceding the effort, so that there may be a clear understanding between the church and the evangelistic workers. Let all points be considered; then let us all do the work agreed upon, and much better results will be obtained. Los Angeles, Calif.
