When I first learned that it would be possible for me to attend the winter quarter of our Theological Seminary, I began to plan what courses I would take. As I had been in the ministry for twelve years, and had held many evangelistic efforts, baptized hundreds of people, and observed the methods of preparation and approach of successful evangelists through the years, I did not feel the necessity of enrolling in the course offered in methods of evangelism. However, after arriving in Washington, D.C., and talking to President Kern and several of the students, I decided that I would enroll for the course.
After listening to the very first lesson as taught by J. L. Shuler, I realized that he had something of very great value for every man engaged in soulsaving work. I was deeply impressed with the many details in a successful evangelistic program, which Elder Shuler has carefully worked out. Step by step, the essential points necessary to a successful conclusion in an effort were considered. It was most interesting and helpful to study the technique which he has used in organization, before, during, and after a meeting in his large successful city efforts.
There was open and free discussion of the methods presented, and the methods used by the students were stated and discussed. Thus, all contributed to the success of the class. The following points cover, in a brief way, the problems discussed:
1. Evangelism, or soulsaving, is the most important work in the world ; and next to the matter of our personal preparation for heaven, it is the most vital consideration of all life.
2. Eight essential factors in preparation for a meeting:
a. Prayer.
b. Revival in the church, preceding meeting.
c. Distribution of literature to prepare ground.
d. Enlisting proper persons to provide special music and serve as ushers.
e. Rallying church members to unite and bring friends to the meetings.
f. Securing volunteers to distribute printed announcements each week.
g. Appropriate instruction to members regarding their conduct in the meetings.
h. Conducting a personal workers' training course.
3. Six factors of organization.
a. Organizing territory into districts.
b. Preparing and following an appropriate literature-distribution schedule.
c. Organizing the evangelistic company.
d. Securing names of interested people.
e. Providing for personal follow-up work with interested.
f. Arranging subjects in the order that will produce best results.
g. These topics were discussed point by point, and a detailed explanation was given. It was the emphasis placed on careful organization that caused me to realize that here was a class which presented something that I needed in my evangelistic work. Among other things of vital importance that were very carefully presented were:
1. Place of meeting, and guiding principles on location.
2. Meeting-place essentials.
3. Securing an attendance.
4. Effective advertising.
5. Use of radio.
6. Question-and-answer service.
7. Building and holding interest.
8. Financing the effort.
9. Presenting the Sabbath truth.
10. Principles and technique in securing decisions.
11. Preparation for baptism.
12. Establishing converts, and the follow up.
One very important factor presented by Elder Shuler was his method of presenting the Sabbath question through the medium of a "court trial" with a jury of twelve non-Adventists. He has worked this out very carefully, and as a result gets many decisions for the Sabbath in this particular meeting. Many printed helps were given to the class as they studied from day to day, which can be used in the future.
It is my opinion that Elder Shuler's program of methods to be used before, during, and after a meeting, merit the intensive study not only of all our interns, but also of those who have been ordained to the gospel ministry. I heartily recommend this course to all of our evangelists and ministers, and feel that they should make every attempt to attend the Theological Seminary, thus bringing to their own hearts a new call to study and a renewed vision of the work in these last days.
