Mass movements toward Christianity in mission lands are usually the natural result of organized work in the church. Wherever the church as a whole takes the Lord's commission to heart, the Holy Spirit uses everyone in it to bring into the fold those who are still unwarned. This we know to be true in Africa. Such a program can be carried out only by a sanctified ministry and a pure church. In Pentecostal days the entire church was engaged in taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. The apostles, as leaders, had gone through a course of preparation for their task at the feet of Jesus Himself, and were finally ready to be endued with the gift of the Holy Spirit. If we desire the church to enjoy the experience of Pentecostal days, the advent ministry must be prepared at this time, just as the disciples were prepared for the gift then.
It is impossible to conceive of large movements without a church. It is the business of the evangelist to raise a church and train it for service. The messenger of the Lord says : "When missions are opened in foreign lands, it is of special importance that the work be started right."—"Gospel Workers," p. 461. How unfortunate it is when the base is unsound and the members who are taken into the church are untrained, or, in other words, just numerical figures!
Personal Touch.—The first contact, particularly among primitive peoples, is a personal one, with individual members of the community. To make this first meeting effective, one needs to have a knowledge of the language of the people. Too many talk through interpreters. The soul of a people can be reached only through the medium of its own tongue.
"It is highly important that a pastor mingle much with his people, and thus become acquainted with the different phases of human nature. He should study the workings of the mind, that he may adapt his teachings to the intellect of his hearers. "--I.D., p.191.
Sympathy.—There is no hope of success if there be lack of sympathy for the people for whom we labor. And true sympathy comes from a knowledge of the people, their customs, and their weak as well as their strong points. Some are too prone to uproot customs which are considered anti-Christian without understanding them thoroughly enough to enable them to replace them by uplifting, ennobling ways that can be accepted, even among primitive peoples. True religion must be compelling by its appeal to reason and to the heart. It teaches the people how to work. It is mindful of their health and education, and leaves no resource untouched that can contribute to the development of the community. A harmonious activity along these lines will prepare the people to receive the message. "Nothing will or ever can give character to the work like helping the people just where they are."— "Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 280.
Activity of the Church Members.—The church needs intelligent leadership to organize it to do a missionary work that will be profitable. Though the members lack much in ability to inculcate all the truth to the people, they can help a great deal. Bands of ten or twelve can be organized, the band leader being an advanced Christian who can give simple Bible studies. Each band receives a well-defined stretch of territory to work. The members visit the people, and leave no house untouched throughout their assigned district. They invite the people to the meeting to be held in the vicinity by their band leader. If they find people in need, they do their best to help them. They take wood and water to the sick, cook for them, and attend to the care of their gardens. They come to the rescue of unfortunate ones whose house has been destroyed by fire, and help build a new one.
Evangelistic Efforts.—Besides this regular weekly activity, there is a six-week evangelistic effort carried on each year in various districts by trained workers. As many lay members as can be secured are invited to help in these efforts. One or two meetings are held every day. The people are invited to the meetings by the helpers who visit everybody. They give special attention to the interested, and introduce them to the leaders in the effort. Large numbers are led to the truth during these efforts. The new converts are gathered into a class called the hearers' class. They attend these twice a week for a period of a year. A teacher gives them an examination at the close of that period, and those who can satisfactorily answer the questions regarding our faith are accepted into a probationers' class.
They spend a full year in this class. Their lives are the continual object of the attention of Missionary Volunteers. They receive instruction twice a week from some teacher. When the time for baptism comes, they are thoroughly examined regarding doctrine, and their lives must be worthy of the new name which they take at the time of baptism. Building up a church is easier than shepherding it. True success is dependent on the degree of enduring love which the church members have for the truth and for sinners.
Keep the Church Work.—It is pleasing to lead an active church, but it is most disheartening to shepherd one that is idle. Sin seldom finds its way into the heart of an active member. Therefore, to combat sin, it is well to keep everybody busy in the church. It would be useless to hold new efforts to bring new members into the church if the old members were not living up to the mark.
"In laboring where there are already some in the faith, the minister should at first seek not so much to convert unbelievers, as to train the church members for acceptable cooperation."—"Gospel Workers," p. 196.
Discouraged Members.—The whole church is concerned when one of its members falls into discouragement, but it is more particularly the duty of the church elder to seek out such a one and pray with him. There should be no neglect here. The fall of a member is always harmful.
Beware of False Teachings.—Large mass movements are apt to give birth to ideas foreign to the truth. This is particularly true if there is a lack in the control of the teaching.
These are some of the leading factors which lie back of successful and abiding group or mass movements toward Christianity.