The methods for winning men to Christ are varied. One method is that of a dynamic personality's conducting large-scale meetings, accompanied by a large budget and specialized assistants. This method has brought its thousands into the church. It should never be minimized as a method simply because one does not have the budget or the personality. Too often a "large-scale meeting" psychosis has developed, which reasons thus : "Since my personality and budget are not equal to this criterion of evangelism, I will just devote myself to the routine program and leave evangelism alone." This negative attitude, which discourages and defeats, can be removed from our minds by considering the following facts relative to the minister's soul-winning responsibility.
Soul winning is the minister's first consideration. "Gospel Workers," p. 31.
Soul winning is the highest aim. Id., p. 124.
Soul winning is the greatest work. Id., p. 18.
Soul winning is the most important office. Id., p. 445.
Soul winning, the purpose of his ordination. Mark 3:13, 14; "Acts of the Apostles," pp. 160, 161.
We should also remind ourselves daily that evangelism is not confined to one set method and that it is more than preaching to large crowds. Evangelism is that zeal which utilizes every righteous method and opportunity to bring men to a saving knowledge of the truth. Here are some methods which are not restricted either by inadequate budgets or by the evangelist's personality.
I. Sabbath Sermon. The Sabbath sermon should be helpful, encouraging, and hopeful, and should meet human needs. It should bring men to a decision as well as check losses. It should win the young and inspire them to receive a Christian education. It should result in a revival of primitive godliness and then inspire to service for Christ.
2. Visitation in Homes. By visiting in the homes, the worker can tactfully compile a list of relatives, friends, and young people who are not church members. Relatives of church members are good prospects. They know something about the truth. It pays to become acquainted with them. Be friendly with them and invite them to special church functions and meetings. Present them with appropriate literature.
3. Pastoral Opportunities. The progressive minister is in a position to make winning contacts with people at crucial times in their individual lives. Births, deaths, marriages, sicknesses, anniversaries, graduations, special honors, are all special events which furnish contact. At such times the right word will be appreciated. A wide-awake minister will recognize his opportunities. The soul-winning minister will keep a prayer list of those with whom he is working and for whom he is praying. It is a good idea, when the right moment comes, to let the person himself know that he is on that list. It helps !
4. Home Prayer Meetings. Teach members to organize prayer services in their homes and invite their neighbors to these meetings. People are now in a praying mood. Fathers and sons are going off to war, and their loved ones want someone to pray for them. Spiritualism capitalized on this mood in the last war. Let us as Adventists awake to this opportunity. It may never come again. (Read the instruction found in "Testimonies," Volume IV, pages ii6, 122, 128; "Ministry of Healing," page 152.) In these days of gas and rubber rationing, the wise minister will recognize the value of home prayer meetings.
5. Ingathering. Do not be content with the financial goal alone. Give your members a goal of ten interested names each. Surely, the same Power that helps us to find $12.55 can also help us to find ten interested people. This will give Ingathering a fresh incentive. We have been collecting money from people for years, and it is time to gather some of these into the church. Visit the regular donors. Give them a small book or one of the papers regularly. The time has come when a church of thirty members should not only raise $300, but also discover 300 interested names. A soul-winning minister will tie up this interest with his fall effort.
6. Area Method. Pick out four or five city streets and have church workers distribute literature each Sabbath for four weeks. Have special workers canvass the area for interest in further reading material. Deliver from week to week the eight Community Lending Library books covering the main points of the message. Invite readers to attend the Sunday evening lectures or to organize cottage meetings. An area of 1,500 people was worked in this manner, and an interest of three hundred was discovered. Thirty were baptized at a total cost of thirty cents a member.
7. Colporteur Leads. Make a list of the people who have purchased our literature in your territory. Call on them with announcements of special meetings, or send by mail. If you cannot call, have your church officers call. Do not neglect these leads, for they are valuable.
8. Church School. Labor to enroll every child in the church school. Talk and preach this goal, and God will help you to realize it. Visit the school about once a week. Talk to the children in a language they can understand. Conduct at least two weeks of prayer in their behalf during the year. A soul-winning minister will realize a baptismal class periodically from his church school.
9. Sabbath School. Do not be content to bury yourself in one class. Visit the kindergarten, primary, junior, and youth divisions. Become acquainted with the children who do not attend church school. Learn to know them by their first names. When you visit their parents, they will give you a warm welcome. It all helps in bringing both children and parents over the line. Make a list of the non-Adventist visitors who attend Sabbath school, or have your superintendent keep a list of the same.
Keep in touch with such people ; for if they will come to church once, they will usually come again.
10. The Letter Method. Form a correspondence group that will write regularly to the sick, discouraged, and backslidden, to shut-ins, men in service, etc. This can blossom into a literature band as interest develops. The letters must be personal and well written. Avoid the mimeographed letter. In Boston this method has helped to keep the shut-ins in contact with the church. It saves the minister's time.
11. Youth's Meetings. The Missionary Volunteer meeting will live or die according to the interest the minister takes in it. Even if the attendance is small, keep the meetings going. It will grow if you give it attention, Preach a youth's sermon once a month. Remember that the young people are your best helpers in working out many of the methods we have just mentioned.
