Many years ago I noticed this statement in the Testimonies: "Just as soon as a church is organized, let the minister set the members at work. They will need to be taught how to labor successfully. Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received."—Volume VII, p. 20.
We all recognize that this phase of the minister's work is of the utmost importance. Not a small part of the success he enjoys in his ministry is due to the helpful co-operation of church officers and members. How can this spirit of co-operation be fostered? What should be the relationship of the gospel worker to the church officers, who are the natural leaders of the church, in all their labors for souls?
When a minister is invited to labor in an unentered field, there is no one to consult, apart from his fellow workers, and therefore no one to influence. But when he is called to work in a town where there is already an established church, the situation is entirely different. Whether the minister is asked to conduct a public campaign or not, he cannot afford to dispense with the services of officers and members. Church officers do not like to be forgotten. Even though they may be unable to give much help along public evangelistic lines, yet they do know the layout of the town, and they do know, to some extent, the people, and should be in a position to make valuable suggestions. Their assistance is needed and should be requested for bill distribution, ushering, etc. It is hardly fair to ask for their help in this manner unless we are prepared to take them into our confidence, so far as is practicable, in other and possibly more interesting phases of the work. Besides, how can they pray intelligently for individuals if they know little or nothing about them?
It is a good plan for the conference worker to hold an officers' meeting once a month, or oftener, during a campaign, with the object of presenting interesting facts and problems that are associated with the effort. Such a meeting would enable the minister to discuss his needs and perplexities. It would also give him the opportunity of teaching, educating, and molding the characters of his hearers. As the officers discover through these monthly meetings that the worker is not sharp or critical or exacting, they will strive to overcome these faults in themselves, if the faults exist.
The worker's responsibility for the helping and training of local leaders does not end with the suggested officers' meeting. He can do even more important work for them when he deals with them individually. Let us, then, consider the relationship of the minister to the holders of some of the offices of the church.
Local Elder.—In the absence of the minister the elder is the recognized leader of the church. Normally he is the home missionary leader, the one who promotes, guides, and controls the religious activities of the members. There should be the closest possible co-operation between the minister and this officer. Where this happy, cordial association is lacking, one of two things is likely to occur. Either the worker will take entire charge of the direction of the church, leaving the troubled elder to fret and fume inwardly ; or the leader will magnify his office to such an extent that the worker himself is ignored. Let the minister not think it beneath his dignity to seek the advice of the elder with reference to the church work in general, and even with regard to the campaign. Often such advice, supported by years of Christian experience, would prove of great value.
The Deacons.—While I would not go so far as to say that these brethren can make or mar an effort, I would say that they can be of very great help, provided they know in what way they can help, and provided they are assured that their assistance is welcomed. Many of the brethren have not had the educational privileges that our workers enjoy, but quite often they have a good stock of common sense, as well as the spirit of consecration and devotion to the cause for which they have sacrificed. It pays the worker to know these men intimately, to make them his friends as well as his colaborers.
Church Treasurer.—The treasurer is usually a trustworthy, discreet church worker who goes on his way efficiently and unostentatiously. What can the conference worker have to say to him? He can say something that will encourage him. A word of appreciation as to the thorough and painstaking way in which the treasurer does his work will always be in order. Also this officer should know that he has the entire confidence of the minister, who will be glad to give special counsel that might be needed from time to time. For example, old members understand the system of tithe paying by means of envelopes, but new members have to be instructed concerning such matters. The treasurer can tactfully help them, and thus assist the minister in training the new believers.
Sabbath School Officers.—These may be divided into three classes—good, bad, and indifferent. Can we do anything for the good ones? Yes, a great deal. By showing ourselves to be interested in their work, by attending Sabbath school regularly, by always being there on time and having studied our lesson seven times each week, we can make the good officers better ones. They will be so inspired and encouraged by the example of their pastor that they will make up their minds to do their very best. They will discuss their plans with him, and thus give him the opportunity of passing on friendly and brotherly advice.
Can we help the poor officers in any way? We can, in much the same way as we help the good ones. Generally they are holding office because there is no one else. But because they are poor, it does not follow that they cannot improve. Many a superintendent, for example, started out With fear and trembling; yet in the course of time he became efficient, alert, confident, happy in his work for God.
What about the indifferent ones? They are the most difficult ones to help. It is unfortunate that they are in office. But there they are, and it cannot be helped. 'What can we do? Let us try to do for them what we would do for the others, and then just a little bit more. Let us take them on our hearts in a very special way, praying for and with them, in our homes and in their homes, about the missions, about the teachers, about the youth and the children, about the Sabbath school itself—in fact, about anything that may fan into a flame the spark of interest that the indifferent one may still cherish. Their case is not helpless or hopeless. Remember the story of the Laodicean church and the counsel given in connection with that church.
Missionary Volunteer Officers.—Much has been said concerning the need for encouraging our youth, but not too much. Many ideas and plans have been thought out and carried into effect in behalf of our young people, but not too many. No sacrifice that could be made to save our boys and girls for the kingdom of Christ would be too great. That is why it is necessary for the conference worker to associate very closely with the officers of the young people's society in their efforts to hold our youth. The worker should not take the place of the local leader but should help him with the programs and with the activities of the society. There may be times when the minister or other conference worker would be advised to act as leader of a local young people's society. But if a layman can be found who is at all qualified for the work, it is better that he should do it. The worker, however, will attend the meetings of the society and take part in them as he may be invited from time to time. He should always be accessible to the local young people's leader, ready to lend a sympathetic ear to the recital of difficulties and problems as they arise; and he must not only be ready to listen but ready to help in facing the difficulties or solving the problems.
What the conference worker is to the officers we have mentioned here he should be to the rest of the believers who hold office in the church. To him they all stand on an equality before God, because they are all engaged in essential work for God. He should have no favorites. He should not prefer one above another. He should support them all alike, realizing that they are all striving toward one common aim: the salvation of precious souls.
Lay Preachers.—There is one class of church workers which cannot be described under the general heading of church officers, and that is the lay preacher. He is surely a worker, even though he holds no office. He is a worker whom the minister should take delight in encouraging in every possible way. We may increase the number as well as the efficiency of these lay preachers by:
- Publicly presenting the need for such workers.
- Publicly presenting Christ's methods in soul winning.
- Personal work among the members.
- Personal work among the lay preachers themselves.
- Conducting classes for members willing to take up work of this nature.
The work of increasing the efficiency of lay preachers is actually no easy matter. Not all of them show eagerness to improve. Some feel that they can take a meeting, that their efforts are acceptable, and that further study is superfluous. Probably they do not know that the gospel minister is always trying to become more efficient.
For those lay members who humbly and sincerely desire to conduct efforts, however small, and who have taken the elementary course of evangelism, something a little more advanced should be prepared. In the absence of such a course the minister should group them together into a sort of pastoral training class, where special training can be given as to the selection of subjects for public work, the order in which they should be presented, and the best method of handling them.
Whatever the conference worker may do for the officers of the church, as such, he should take the lay preachers particularly under his wing and be an example to them and say to them: "Follow me, but only so far as I follow Christ, the Master Teacher, the greatest Preacher and Evangelist of all time. As you co-operate with me in the glorious work of saving souls, I shall give you the benefit of my experience and help you in every way. Let us be workers together with God."
