How shall we conserve our membership gains ? What steps can we take to reduce our apostasies ? These are intensely vital questions. They challenge attention. They require that something be done without delay. We cannot—in fact, we dare not—treat them lightly or with little concern. To go on, status quo, is unthinkable.
In the last issue of the Ministry we discovered that apostasy is taking a mighty toll from our ranks. I must confess that the loss is far greater than I imagined. Doubtless the readers of this journal were likewise astonished at the figures presented. Indeed, a loss of 90,521, when compared with a net gain of but 92,618 during the two-decade period under consideration, is startling. Such a revelation as this must give the leadership of this movement grave concern. It should move us mightily. There must be, it would seem, a concerted action in the proper solution of the problem.
With no thought, desire, or purpose to place blame on any for this deplorable and distressing situation, we need to face it frankly With open hearts we need to consider some things which may have at least a bearing on the situation. Certainly we need to discover, if possible, the root cause. Then we must apply the remedy.
First, before considering in detail the Auturnn Council recommendation, might it not be well to pause a moment to review further the one phase of the problem touched upon in last month's article? It seemed clear then, and it seems just as clear now, that one cause for such heavy losses lies in the fact that we are producing Christian activities more rapidly than we are developing Christian experience. This we found to be a grave danger. Obviously, in our zeal to hasten on with the work, we give so much time to pushing activities that spiritual and devotional life is to a marked degree neglected. But you question, "Dare you make such an assertion?" Indeed we feel we can safely do so, for during recent years at camp meetings and general gatherings, not a few workers have confessed this very lack. Let it be said in all earnestness of soul that activity, zeal, and success in promoting this or that program can never, no never, supplant or supply the spiritual power demanded by these times.
We admit that programs, campaigns, and activities are important; in fact, they are necessary. When these are permitted to overshadow all else, however ; when they become so major and so absorbing in their demands upon our time that we have little if any time left to devote to keepino-b our own vineyard well cultivated, we shall fail, utterly fail, to keep our own spiritual life, as well as the spiritual atmosphere of the church, what it should be in this dark hour. We need to devote more time to soul culture. Unless we give heed to this necessity, we cannot hope to succeed. Let us remember, what we need most is not more machinery, more plans, more methods, or more activity. We need more Pentecostal power.
Thus with this brief review of one of the underlying causes which doubtless affords reason for present-day apostasies, we turn to the Autumn Council recommendation relative to conserving our membership gains. The first part of the recommendation states : "That all our workers—ministers, Bible instructors, institutional and office workers—exemplify personally by holy life and conversation the exalted truths we are commissioned to proclaim."
Really, when we stop to consider seriously such an appeal as this, we see that it is a reflection on us as leaders. In other words, we should have lived and labored daily in such a manner that such a council action would not have become necessary. However, it does behoove us to consider our failures frequently, that we may thereby profit and prepare for more constructive service in the future.
This resolution is a heart-searching statement. It calls for a life which, publicly and privately, will truly exemplify the noble, exalted excellency of the truth which we proclaim. How 0-rave our responsibility to live as we should ! ?--Iow lofty our calling ! How necessary that we guard every word, act, and deed so as to keep them in harmony with the truth. How do we measure up to such a standard? If the messenger of God were alive today, would she address the ministry somewhat as she did many years ago, when she penned :
"I looked to see the humility of soul that should ever sit as a fitting garment upon our ministers, but it was not upon them. I looked for the deep love for souls that the Master said they should possess, but they had it not. I listened for the earnest prayers offered with tears and anguish of soul because of the impenitent and unbelieving, . . . but heard them not.
... I looked for the burden bearers, who in such a time as this should be weeping between the porch and the altar ; . . . but I heard no such supplications. A few earnest, humble ones were seeking the Lord.
... But a large majority of the ministers had no more sense of the sacredness of their work than children."—"Testimonies," Vol. V. pp. 165, 166.
What a sad portrayal ! Is it overdrawn ? Would the servant of the Lord repeat the same today if she were with us ? Does this quotation set forth a present-day condition, a prsent-day shortcoming? Should we consider it, taking counsel of it, or shall we lay it aside as applying only to the clay when given? What do you say? "God brings against ministers and people the heavy charge of spiritual feebleness."—Review and Herald, Feb. 25, 1902. God never brings a false charge or indictment. If such counsel was needed back in 1902, what of our time and hour ? Further we are told, "The Lord has need of men of intense spiritual life."—"Testimonies," Vol. VI, p. 412. Indeed, the hour calls for—
"Ministers . . . who will educate themselves by solemn, reverential communion with God in the closet, so that they shall be men of power in prayer. Piety is degenerating into a dead form, and it is necessary to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die."—Review and Herald, May 24, 1892.
"Spiritual things have not been discerned. Appearance and machinery have been exalted as of power, while the virtue of true goodness, noble piety, and heart holiness, have been made a secondary consideration."—Id., Feb. 27, 1984.
Because such conditions exist, apostasy continues to take a heavy toll. Come now ! Earnestly, solemnly, yet soberly and anxiously, we confront the question, How do we measure up? Oh, how often in camp meetings, conference sessions, Autumn Councils, and other gatherings do we find levity, unsavory conversation, and un-Christlike actions consuming much time. These things ought not to be named among God's servants, for we read: "In one who is learning of Jesus, there will be manifest a growing distaste for careless manners, unseemly language, and coarse thought. When Christ abides in the heart, there will be purity and refinement of thought and manner."—"Mount of Blessing," p. 42.
The shame of it all ! May God forgive us wherein we have become a stumbling block to others. There needs to be a reformation. As ministers and workers we are to be a savor of life unto life to the laity, not a hindrance.
Thorough Preparation of Candidates
Sections two and three of the recommendation deal with the care which needs to be exercised in the preparation of candidates for baptism. Here is one place in which we find a distinct weakness in our work, which leads to a loss in membership. In the June and July, 5942, issues of THE MINISTRY we dealt at some length with this question. It would be well to read those articles again in connection with these two sections. Even though the Spirit of prophecy is clear, forceful, and explicit in its counsel regarding the preparation of candidates, many who are not ready are hurriedly received into fellowship. Many are received into church membership who are converted to the doctrines only. They know absolutely nothing of being born again. There is no change in nature and conduct.
Sad but true, some are baptized who cling to forbidden habits and practices and still follow worldly custom. They give no evidence of being truly begotten of the Spirit. Such an experience proves tragic to the individual concerned as well as to the church. In many of these cases apostasy soon follows. A longer period of preparation during which the individual is held under observation, instruction, and spiritual
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