Conducting Lay Workers' Classes

Sound theory is essential, and we spend much time instructing our people in the principles of soul winning; nevertheless we usually desire the practical application. We must know the how of it. One of the questions frequently asked is, "How can a successful lay workers' class be conducted?" I shall attempt to give In detail the work of our class in South Bend, Indiana, in the hope that it may aid and encourage others.

I do not feel that the success of this class is to be attributed to any one man. It has developed through the ministry of three different pastors, and has flourished even when there was no pastor located in the city. Its success is due rather to the fact that it was an attempt to fulfill God's plan as outlined in the Spirit of prophecy.

I. Permanence Desired.—First, a success­ful class should be formed on a permanent basis. Spasmodic efforts are, of course, better than none at all. But we need to realize that while lay workers have talents that may be developed for efficient workmanship, neverthe­less laymen are not supermen. We feel it nec­essary to train the regular ministry through four years of college, and follow this period with an internship. Then, later, we urge our ministers to enlarge their education by ad­vanced work in our Theological Seminary. But many times we have assumed that a week­end convention with a spasmodic class for a few weeks thereafter, should accomplish for some that which for others has required years of training. We have become discouraged when these short, intensive efforts have not produced phenomenal results.

One of the first essentials, therefore, for a successful class, is to establish it upon a per­manent basis. Our lay workers' training class in South Bend is therefore a permanent fixture. With but few exceptions, it meets every Sab­bath afternoon at four-thirty. During the winter months this service merges into a vesper service, and forms a fitting close to the Sabbath.

2. It Pays to Advertise.—Second, that it pays to advertise. As a pastor, I have found it very helpful to frequently mention the lay­men's work at the morning church services. It may be a new cottage meeting, or the need of funds for special equipment, or the estimated number of families being reached at that par­ticular moment by the laymen. Once a quarter we plan a special layman's day. During the morning church service the laymen have a symposium. Usually, three men speak on some spiritual or timely topic. The prayer is offered by a layman, and in general it is a layman's day. An offering is taken on this morning for equip­ment for the lay workers. Needless to say, such a service advertises the accomplishments of this group as nothing else could.

One way to sponsor interest in lay work is to mention to the audience on the days of bap­tism that certain candidates are the result of lay work. This affords an opportunity to urge others to faithful service, and it also increases the financial returns for equipment. During the first nine months of 1940, the laymen in South Bend were privileged to see seventeen persons baptized as the result of their work. In addition, many more are attending services from week to week.

3. Opportunity for Practice.—The third essential for success in a class is to provide opportunity for men unfamiliar with preach­ing methods to practice. This may be accom­plished in two ways. First, time is allowed in the class period for practice preaching. Cer­tain men are appointed from week to week to present certain topics in five-or-ten-minute talks. We have found short periods to be better than long, because this provides a series of changes that holds the interest of the large number who attend. After each speaker pre­sents his topic, we allow the listeners to "throw the brickbats and roses." This frank and helpful criticism is given in such a way as not to create discouragement.

But this is not the only means of practice. The second way is to provide suitable field activity. This is done by arrangements with five other churches in the district at which these men may speak once or twice a month on Sabbaths. As the lay worker develops to the point that we feel that he is efficient, he is urged to take a circuit some week. This helps the men and also assists materially in spon­soring the general work in a district of nine churches.

4. Educational Program.—Fourth, an edu­cational program helps to make a class suc­cessful. The pastor who founded the class spent much time in instructing in the art of preaching. He enlarged upon points he had learned from years in the work. More re­cently the class has completed two courses from the Home Study Institute. Both of these courses have been conducted as a class. Much supplementary material has been brought into the period to make it adaptable to particular needs. Various individuals were assigned topics for discussion, which not only helped in the class study, but also gave practical experi­ence. At present, a portion of the time is used in a study of the B'ible School of Evan­gelism material. A lesson at a time is dis­cussed, the purpose of presenting that particu­lar topic is made clear, and the main points are emphasized. Every new feature to be intro­duced into the class is announced at the Sab­bath morning service, and this tends to attract others to join the class.

5. Avoid Monotony.—Fifth, wholesome changes foster success in any endeavor, and this is also true in a lay workers' class. Our general program is to begin with a song, fol­lowed by prayer, then practice preaching and discussion of certain topics; yet this is never allowed to become monotonous. Changes are introduced. The song may be any good mis­sionary hymn, or "Win Them One by One," which was chosen as our theme song. The prayer, usually offered by a layman, may be preceded by a Scripture, a short inspirational talk, or by selections from the Spirit of prophecy as chosen by a layman. Class study and practice preaching is varied from week to week. Neither is allowed to monopolize all of the time. Occasionally a whole period will be devoted to a round-table discussion of some topic of special interest, such as "Advertising for Lay Efforts," or "How to Secure Interests for Cottage Meetings!' Variety of program is secured from time to time by showing a film covering some Bible topic. These films are used regularly by the laymen in their work.

Whether it be special music, guest speakers, or some other feature already mentioned, each tends to bring new men and women to the class. They in turn catch the spirit and yield themselves to lay work. We have found these five methods successful. In other places they may need to be varied. But whatever is needed, the results fully justify the effort. Lay work is in God's plan, and God's plans never fail.