One of the outstanding problems confronting a conference in these days of financial depression is that of carrying forward a progressive program of evangelism while trying to reduce the indebtedness on the conference and the institutions, and at the same time making provision for an operating fund. In a survey recently made in a few conferences, it was revealed that only 20 to 27 percent of the tithe income was being spent directly on evangelistic work. It is, therefore, important that we give study to the question of evangelizing our fields on a limited budget.
Much, of course, depends on where the effort is to be conducted. In a large city, the cost will depend on whether it is desired to contact the population of the entire city, or whether the city is to be worked by sections. Much also depends on the evangelist himself and the amount he is able to raise by offerings. We have known of some efforts where the cost amounted to several thousand dollars, one-half of which the evangelist raised from the public. But in certain sections of the field the offerings are not nearly that much.
Where a conference has a limited budget, it has been found advisable to work the cities by sections. This minimizes advertising expense, reduces hall rent, and gives opportunity to carry on the effort with a small staff of wor'kers. Although to work the entire city by this method may cost almost as much as would a large effort, it spreads the expense over a longer period, contacts more people, and usually produces larger results.
In working small towns, I would recommend a small, neat, portable tabernacle. In all cases where this has been tried, it has proved much more successful than a tent, or the kind of hall available. We have conducted several such efforts in Oklahoma which have cost the conference but $100 to $250 each. The total cost of one of these efforts, recently conducted in a town of about two thousand, was $275. The offerings received amounted to $89, leaving a balance of $186 for the conference to provide.
These tabernacles can be transported from one place to another without much expense, and if built properly, they will look just as neat after they have been reerected as they did the first time they were used. They can also be used in country efforts where all other expenses, such as advertising, are practically nil.
In larger cities where there is a strong church, it has been found advantageous for our churches to join with the conference in putting on evangelistic efforts. We have found the churches most willing to join in providing the budget for the effort on a fifty-fifty basis. Some of these efforts cost from $1200 to $1400, less the offerings that were received—which would ordinarily reduce the amount by about $700. It seems to me that almost any conference could arrange for at least one or two such efforts where there are cities and churches large enough to call for that kind of effort.
Economical Meeting Places
In some sections of the field, schoolhouses can still be obtained for religious meetings. These will provide accommodations for a very economical effort. The advertising for such meetings usually requires only a nominal sum. An allowance of fifty to one hundred dollars for such efforts is all that is necessary, and in some cases they have been entirely self-supporting. In small towns, evangelistic efforts can sometimes be conducted quite successfully in our own church buildings. This would be true where there is no special prejudice against our organization.
We have found the public-address system quite helpful for advertising purposes in small cities and towns. It cuts down the advertising expense. We have also secured permission in some large cities to use this method of advertising occasionally, and have found it successful. While the car with the announcer drove down the street announcing the meetings, persons were stationed on both sides of the street to give out the handbills.
The lay preachers have set us a good example in carrying forward evangelistic efforts on a small budget. During some seasons of the year an arbor, neatly arranged and decorated, can be used successfully, particularly in the Southern States. One self-supporting evangelist, who received no financial aid from the conference, brought in about forty new members.
The year in which the Oklahoma conference had the largest accessions to the faith, we had only fourteen hundred dollars to devote to evangelistic efforts throughout the entire conference. This amount also had to pay the salaries of all assistants, such as choristers and Bible workers. Many of these people made real sacrifices in order to carry on their efforts, and every effort produced good results.
It has been found helpful to secure free time on radio stations. Some of our men have been successful in securing free time several days a week, and they have used this opportunity to announce their meetings over the air. This has greatly increased the attendance at our services. There are also large opportunities for giving the message through the Bible-school plan. By this method, the people are gathered in in much the same manner as they might be gathered for any other classwork, and the workers study the message systematically with them. In some of these schools the people pay a small tuition.
We believe that before the close of probation we shall have to devise plans whereby we can carry on a much larger soul-winning program than we are now promoting. May the Lord bless our faithful ministers.
