The old adage "Well begun is half done" is doubly true in evangelism. I was able to locate in the city of Tacoma several months before our effort began, and thus had ample time to work out plans and details in a systematic way.
Spiritual preparation is foremost in importance. This should include not only the evangelist and his staff but the church members as well. The four Sabbaths preceding our opening night I used progressive sermons to build up the consecration and spirituality of the members toward assisting us in various ways in the meetings. At the close of each sermon a call for consecration and dedication was made. The first one was for the officers only, the second for parents, the third for the young people, and the last for those who wished to come to the front for prayer in behalf of loved ones or members of the church who had backslidden. By the time of the opening service, the church was ready, almost one hundred per cent, to assist us.
We were very fortunate in securing the modern, much-patronized Fellowship Hall in the Masonic Temple, which js ideally situated and attracts a cultured and educated class of people. A week before the opening I called a rehearsal of the entire staff and musicians to outline the program and to have a picture taken. We used this picture in both of the local papers in our opening advertisement, and this ad went a long way toward bringing out a full auditorium of interested people. The music and the chorus choir were one of the effective and outstanding features of our campaign, that made for a very successful appeal to the public.
We also secured permission to hang a large sign 6 by 40 feet across the street directly in front of the hall, with appropriate wording and a large arrow on either side pointing directly to the entrance of the building. The sign was plainly visible for several blocks each way.
In coming to this pastorate I have continued the radio program carried on by the former pastor. This has also been a great aid in announcing the meetings.
After the opening week end I experimented a little with the advertising by depending -almost entirely upon the newspapers. People are extremely busy especially in these shipyard cities, but they usually take time to read the papers, if they read anything. I have used just enough simplified handbills for the members to pass out to immediate friends or neighbors, and so to inform those attending the meetings of coming subjects. This has been a saving on expenses, and our attendance has been very good throughout the series.
I am a firm believer in the quotation from Gospel Workers, page 355, which states: "By the use of charts, symbols, and representations of various kinds, the minister can make the truth stand out clearly and distinctly. This is a help, and in harmony with the Word of God."
I like to work toward variety in the presentation of subjects, to encourage the audience to attend regularly over an extended period of time. I vary the program with charts, symbols, cutouts, maps, or slides, according to which method best clarifies the particular subject. I use few slides, as I prefer the eye-to-eye contact; however, on subjects such as spiritism and astronomy I always use slides. Of course, there are subjects which are most effectively presented without any visible aid other than forceful, dynamic preaching, controlled by the blessings of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of God's people.
As the Spirit of prophecy and the Bible indicate, a great awakening in evangelism is just before us. Those of us who are younger evangelists need prayerfully and painstakingly to study successful new methods to fuse with the older trustworthy methods, so that in the time of service just before us we may be able to fulfill Paul's statement, "Finish the work and cut it short in righteousness."
