Perhaps a recital of the experience of one who has for a number of years been engaged in personal evangelism might prove helpful in pointing the way toward a definite recognition of its needs, and how to meet them. In my early childhood, my grandfather, Elder Jefferson Bartlett, one of the pioneers of the message, inspired me with the desire to have an active part in the Lord's work.
From that time on I began to look forward with eager anticipation to attending our nearest denominational college where I could receive the necessary instruction and preparation to enter the Bible work. But my hopes were doomed to disappointment when I came to matriculate, for I was perplexed to learn that no such course was offered. The nearest to it was the ministerial course, which I chose. It developed that since the purpose of the course was to train preachers, the assigned classwork was wholly in the field of public effort. No instruction was given along the line of personal evangelism. The lecture method forbade the freedom of classroom discussion, or the answering of any puzzling questions. There was no incentive for scholarly research.
My college course completed, I sought to enter my chosen field, only to discover that there was no opening. It seemed that Bible workers were unwanted. So I taught school for several years and did administrative work, but all the while my heart was longing to be directly in personal evangelism.
Finally, at long last, the opportunity came for me to intern in the Bible work. My first appointment was with an evangelist much younger than I, who probably for that reason felt reticent about giving me any instruction as to how to proceed. I have since discovered, however, that many evangelists are not themselves conversant with methods of personal work. I was disappointed in not being placed with an experienced Bible teacher whom I could observe and from whom I could receive counsel. I felt handicapped by lack of adequate training in methods of personal evangelism—how to meet the public, how to make contacts for Bible study. I was unhappily ignorant of just what the evangelist expected of me. The ever-pressing goal seemed to be that a large number must be baptized, and if that was not accomplished, the harassing fear of an ever-present Damocles sword was felt.
After more than three years of learning the hard way by methods of trial and error, and "muddling through," I was placed with an experienced and sympathetic Bible teacher, whose loving counsel proved invaluable. At last I have achieved the satisfaction of some measure of success, with happy prospects for the future. But what a high price to pay in time, money, and wasted effort for a training that should have been a part of our college curriculum!
My main purpose in thus relating my own personal experience is to demonstrate the crying need for a thorough course in Personal Evangelism-to be offered and promoted in our schools of higher education. In view of the actual needs of the field, I suggest the following course of study:
(I) Applied Psychology—to develop one's personality, tactfulness, Christian courtesy, and the social amenities; to teach how to work co-operatively with others, how to approach and meet people, both in public and in their homes, how to win confidence, how to influence people, and how to apply the principles of salesmanship to secure a favorable decision, etc.
(2) A strong course in English—correct and effective speech, public speaking, etc.
(3) A strong background of History, in order to understand and present the fulfillment of prophecy.
(4) A strong course in Bible, in which there is freedom of discussion regarding how to meet objections, answer questions, and fearlessly face such issues as evolution.
(5) A study of the Principles of Personal Evangelism, including, (a) field work under the instruction and supervision of an experienced and successful Bible worker, (b) a study of various plans and methods used by different evangelists, and how to work with them.
(6) Principles and methods of Pedagogy, applied to the field of personal evangelism.
(7) A study of Health Principles, Home Economics, and Practical Nursing.
(8) God's secrets as revealed in Science and Archeology.
Another cause I wish to help in the writing of this account is that of the high calling and dignity of the profession of Bible teacher as a personal evangelist. The Bible work should be given recognition : (a) by investing the graduate from that course with a fitting insigne of that high office; and, (b) after she completes a designated period of internship in actual service, there should be some attractive ceremony in which the Bible teacher is dedicated a personal evangelist, and given some additional insigne. Such recognition would appeal to young people of high ideals, and attract them to a very needy field of labor. There is as little point to the argument that a Bible teacher trained for her profession would be less co-operative and adaptable in her service than one untrained, as that a physician should prefer an untrained assistant to a trained nurse, or that a businessman should prefer for his secretary one without training, or that a man of culture should choose for his wife an uneducated woman in order to be sure that she should be docile, and unresentful of any discourtesy.
Surely personal evangelism, that line of work which the Spirit of prophecy designates as the "noblest," "greatest," "all important," and "highest of all sciences," should demand the training and respect commensurate with its importance.
Illustrating and Illuminating Truth
This is a picture-minded generation. The market provides innumerable devices to catch and to hold our interest. This is also the time for the personal Bible teacher, who is to make plain the last-hour message, to find ways to illuminate the minds of the spiritually blinded. The Bible worker must deal with busy people, and overcome distracting elements. Prophetic illustration is a Heaven-endorsed art much needed in the proclamation of our message. The field is still wide open for many appealing ideas. Any chart or device must do more than catch interest; it must provide a visual education that will reach hearts with a life-and-death message. Here is counsel that we should heed :
"With intense interest God is looking on this world. He has noted the capacity of human beings for service. Looking down the ages He has counted His workers, both men and women, and has prepared the way before them saying : 'I will send My messengers to them, and they shall see great light shining amid the darkness. Won to the service of Christ, they will use their talents to the glory of My name. They will go forth to work for Me with zeal and devotion. Through their efforts the truth will appeal to thousands in a most forcible manner, and men spiritually blind will receive sight, and will see of My salvation.
"'Truth will be made so prominent, that he who runs may read. Ways will be devised to reach hearts. Some of the methods used in this work will be different from the methods used in the past, but let no one, because of this, block the way by criticism.' "—"Testimonies," Vol. VII, p. 25.
To help the personal Bible teacher to hold the interest in the prophetic instruction of the Word, and also to crystallize his study material, special charts have been prepared by the Review and Herald Publishing Association. These are printed in four colors, on high-grade, verminproof, waterproof cloth that can be either rolled or folded. There are thirteen charts in the series, and they are sold only in full sets at $14. These charts fill a real need for the field, and our evangelistic workers will want to avail themselves of this opportunity. For further information please turn to page 47 of this issue of the Ministry.
L. C. K.
