In this sentence from the ''Testimonies," the importance of organization is stressed: "Time is short, and our forces must be organized to do a larger work."—Vol. IX, p. 27. There is no stereotyped method of organizing to do a larger work. My purpose is not to outline a criterion after which all should model, but to present one more means, the effectiveness of which has been proved. This method of organizing a church for service is the operation of what is called "A Planned Program for the Church Year."
"By a Planned Program for the Church Year is meant a comprehensive outline of the objectives and activities of the local church in all its varied expressions, prepared in advance, for a period of twelve months. It is a church planning on a yearly basis, by which desired goals are set, soundest methods are selected, and a calendar of chief events and activities of the church year is prepared."---"If the Minister Is to Succeed."
There is nothing new in long-term, planning. It is considered essential to success by governments and commercial organizations. We read of this or that nation's launching a carefully outlined five or ten year plan. Large corporations and public utilities look ahead, anticipating the needs, dangers, and opportunities that face them. Furthermore, our own denomination's efficiency would be gravely imperiled if well-defined plans were not outlined for long periods in advance. Would it not be advisable for local churches to avail themselves of the marked advantages derived from longterm planning?
The planned program for the church year can be used in small as well as in large churches. Adjustments can be made to meet local needs and conditions. The first step in utilizing the planned program is to form a council. The personnel of this council should include the missionary leader, the Sabbath school superintendent, the Missionary Volunteer leader, the Dorcas leader, and the pastor. In larger churches it might be necessary to add other department heads. It is advantageous to have the annual election early, if the yearly program is to begin with the calendar year. The officers for the following year should make up this council, and should have time to shape its program a month to six weeks in advance of January I.
In preparing for the council meeting, each department leader should first consult his committee. For instance, the Sabbath school superintendent meets with the Sabbath school council, the Missionary Volunteer leader with his committee, etc. This gives each committee an opportunity to prepare an outlined schedule of coming activities and events. The minister also prepares a tentative schedule for the year. The data which the departments and the minister submit is the material with which the council builds a program. This data should include financial goals, goals in souls, dates for campaigns, and special programs that will occur during the year.
Advantages of the Yearly Plan
Thus the council builds, a year in advance, a program of major events and activities for the church year. Conflicts and duplications are eliminated, and calendars are made. Each department head has a complete outline, not only of his program, but also of those of the other departments. This becomes a guide to the respective committees throughout the year. Financial projects are distributed over the twelve-month period to prevent giving the membership an overdose at any one time.
There are other advantages. Church officers who otherwise would have aimlessly wandered through the year without an objective are more likely to take a long-period view of their responsibilities, and make more adequate preparation for the activities of their departments. Often, with the passing of the months, some grow weary of their responsibilities, and allow carelessness to creep into their administration. A planned program would to a great degree eliminate such an attitude. This plan creates a more effective layman participation in carrying the load of administrative detail. 'We are instructed that it is better for the minister to put ten men to work than to do the work of ten men. The minister is benefited by being free from many of the details of organization.
A major step has been taken in organizing the church for service. But there is another step—the functioning of the church missionary committee. It is the duty of the church missionary committee to rally the entire church membership into soul-winning enterprises. This demands careful planning, and the use of every available resource in an enthusiastic execution of plans. Well-organized, super-vised literature campaigns must be fostered. Too often literature campaigns end fruitlessly because of a lack of organization and supervision. Planning ways and means of financing the local missionary enterprises is a part of the council's duty. The interest which the laity arouses should be taken care of by the laity. Therefore Bible training classes and community Bible schools are logical supplements to literature campaigns.
No phase of missionary endeavor should be overlooked by the committee. As an illustration, the modest task of supplying public literature racks can be made a greater asset. Instead of depending upon anybody and everybody to discharge this task, the committee should appoint a dependable person. Once a quarter the missionary leader can call for the names and addresses of all who have old literature in their homes. The one in charge of the Tacks gathers up "the fragments," "that nothing be lost." The papers are then sorted, stamped with the church address, and placed in the rack. Stamping the literature with the church address may result in directing someone to the local church who might otherwise never have, been reached.
With an efficient committee of this type, the fifteen-minute missionary service is transformed from a period of "monotonous fill-in" to one full of interest and spiritual value. New converts are put to work. A hive of drones becomes alive with the buzz of workers. The minister who will exert enough extra effort to organize his church for greater service will find that it will yield large dividends. More souls will be added than he otherwise could have won. There will be a gratifying decline in church troubles. And finally, a planned program for the church year will minimize apostasy in our ranks.
