Perhaps some think that we ought to talk of longer campaigns rather than speedier campaigns. However, I believe that faster work will bring more converts. Let me make myself clear at the outset. I am not suggesting that we should start rushing converts through to baptism before they are prepared. That is not what is meant by speedier campaigns. Every convert to God's last-day message has the right to be well born. God expects the evangelist to leave nothing undone to bring this about.
Neither do I wish to suggest that an evangelist should rush off without seeing the results of the campaign properly established. There is a great danger here. But what I do suggest is that where we are now conducting only one campaign in one year, we could conduct two, or even more, in the same time, thus doubling our present numerical results. Are we convinced that there is need for us to do faster work in order to get a larger number of converts? In Volume VII of the Testimonies, we read:
"Ministers and people, wake up! Be quick to recognize and seize every opportunity and advantage offered in the turning of the wheel of providence. God and Christ and the heavenly angels are working with intense activity to hold in check the fierceness of Satan's wrath, that God's plans may not be thwarted."—Page 14.
Time's hour is late. The days of trouble, long foretold, are upon us. Probation soon will close. The world is in a state of unprecedented upheaval. The conflict of the nations spreads throughout the earth._ The old order is passing. What we fail to do in times of comparative peace and prosperity, in lands still open to us, will soon have to be done under the most forbidding conditions. (See Ibid., Vol. V, p. 463.)
Can we say, in the light of these statements, and by our personal observations, that we are satisfied with our results? It is not the campaign itself that makes Seventh-day Adventists, but rather the personal work with each convert. Therefore, the sooner can the evangelist expect to bring his convert to a decision. The week-night meeting particularly lends itself to a closer contact, and the subjects dealt with at that time are usually those which call for a personal decision on the part of the listener. One cannot overemphasize the need for smaller decisions being made by the hearer before he is brought to the time when he is expected to take the large and important step.
If you are going to leave all your preaching to the Sunday night, then, of course, your campaign will take a long time—perhaps too long to be really effective. Surely, as soon as the Sabbath has been thoroughly presented, those who have seen its significance should be invited into a baptismal class conducted by the evangelist personally. There he can do a thorough and quick work of preparation.
I believe that there is some similarity between military and evangelistic campaigns. A long-drawn-out military campaign is bad for the morale of the soldiers and very expensive in loss of life and money; so also is an extended evangelistic campaign. There are three headings under which we might well study this question of speedier campaigns.
I. Efficient Leadership.—The best army in the world will fail under poor leaders, whereas the worst army can do exploits if ably led. There are many things the conference can do to make speedier campaigns possible, such as continuing to release evangelists from church work as far as possible and practical.
2. Group Efficiency.—Let there be perfect harmony among the evangelistic company. Let it not be a one-man show, nor a band of critics, but an equal sharing of the burdens.
3.—Individual Efficiency.—Cut out unessentials. They can easily creep into our lives. We call ourselves by the name of evangelist on our handbills. Let us act as such. From start to finish plan the days. Plan the day of your baptism, and then work for that day.
After all is said and done, the real solution to the problem of speedier campaigns is the personal presence of the Holy Spirit, united with human effort.
"What can I say to my brethren in the name of the Lord? What proportion of our efforts has been made in accordance with the light the Lord has been pleased to give? We cannot depend upon form or external machinery. What we need is the quickening influence of the Holy Spirit of God. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.' Pray without ceasing, and watch by working in accordance with your prayers. As you pray, believe, trust in God. It is the time of the latter rain, when the Lord will give largely of His Spirit. Be fervent in prayer, and watch in the Spirit."—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 512.
"The radio force is the church's air force."