Ways of Finishing the Work

Now and then we hear the suggestion that the need of evangelists to enter the large cities and towns is not as urgent as it once was, but that the work of God will be finished almost entirely by the lay members.

By J. K. JONES, President, Southern Union Conference

Now and then we hear the suggestion that the need of evangelists to enter the large cities and towns is not as urgent as it once was, but that the work of God will be finished almost entirely by the lay members. This statement in the "Testimonies" is fre­quently cited:

"The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.—Voturne IX, p. 117.

We find no suggestion in this statement, how­ever, that the lay member is to finish the work independently of the minister. The reference makes it very clear that it is God's plan that the minister serve as guide and director of the work to be performed by the lay members.

Nothing could prove more injurious to our cause than to work on the theory that the day of the evangelist is passing-. Years ago the messenger of the Lord made it clear that evan­gelists should be finding their way into the large cities with messages that would startle the hearers. Surely there is more urgent need today for evangelists of outstanding ability to enter these cities, than there was years ago when this testimony was given.

Events Today Present Challenge

The very nature of the events that are taking place daily presents a mighty challenge to us as a people to send forth ministers who can gather and hold large audiences in the unwarned cities and towns in every conference. In other words, our evangelists should be conducting more and larger efforts just as long as we are pertnitted to work in these cities. It is equally clear, however, that the work of God can never be finished by the minister alone. He must have the help of the rank and file of the church membership. Mrs. White says:

"In the closing controversy now waging between the forces for good and the hosts of evil, He expects all, laymen as well as ministers, to take part"— "Testimonies," Vol. IX, p. 216.

"The ordained ministers alone are not equal to the task of warning the great cities. God is calling not only upon ministers, but also upon physicians, nurses. colporteurs, Bible workers, and other consecrated laymen of varied talent who have a knowledge of the word of God and who know the power of His grace, to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. Time is rapidly passing, and there is much to be done. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved."—"Acts of the Apostles," pp. 158.159.

"Men in the humble walks of life are to be en­couraged to take up the work of God." "There should be no delay in this well-planned effort to educate the church members."—"Testimonies," Vol. IX, pp. 118, 119. (See also page 128.)

The outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost was soon followed by a terrible persecution that scattered the believers to all parts of the then-known world. Many of these were laymen who became mighty preachers of truth. Some were mighty in the Scriptures and developed into forceful public speakers.

It is of interest to note that in the early days of Methodism, John Wesley placed great dependence upon the use of lay preachers to carry on the work of his church. The lay preacher is destined to act an important part in the closing days of this message, and we believe the time has come for this line of serv­ice to fnd its proper place in this movement.

In speaking of the closing events in connection with the giving of the message, the messenger of the Lord gives us this testimony in Volume IX:

"In all fields, nigh and afar off, men will be called from the plow and from the more common com­mercial business vocations that largely occupy the mind, and will be educated in connection with men of experience. As they learn to labor effectively, they will proclaim the truth with power."—Id., p. 96.

In carefully looking over the statements from the Spirit of prophecy, we find a well-rounded program for the finishing of the work. That program is divinely ordained, and wher­ever followed, will bring success.

First, Golfs plan is that evangelists are needed as never before to enter the large cities and present the truth to the masses. The work of the evangelist is to increase in im­portance, rather than decrease. More and stronger public efforts is the program called for.

Second, not only is the minister to conduct public efforts himself, but God calls him to train laymen to become public speakers. He should show these men how to advertise their meetings, help them to find a meeting place, and let them have the use of slides, films, charts, etc., to make their work successful. The most successful evangelist will be the man who is willing to train lay members to become lay preachers. By surrounding himself with these self-supporting workers, he will greatly in­crease his own efficiency, as well as baptize many more converts. Thank God, there is the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, and the lay preacher is coming upon the stage of action in all parts of the field. This development is surely one of the signs that the work is closing.

Third, the minister is to encourage our lay members to engage faithfully in a systematic, weekly circulation of properly prepared litera­ture throughout the year, until every home has received the warning. Through this agency, names of interested persons are to be secured for follow-up work in the way of Bible studies or further reading. As this literature work is carried on, the minister at the same time should be conducting a Bible workers' training class in his church, so that when interested persons are found, he will have someone trained to conduct Bible studies in the homes, or in community Bible schools where a larger number gather together for systematic Bible study.

To promote these lines of endeavor is as much the work of the minister as is the holding of public meetings. By this threefold union, the minister preaching, the minister training lay preachers and Bible workers, and the min­ister training the lay members to carry on sys­tematic house-to-house literature circulation, the work of God is to be finished. The time for it has come, and our people are ready and willing.

By J. K. JONES, President, Southern Union Conference

August 1941

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