As a people we have long felt the need of strong, practical training among the young men preparing for the gospel ministry. Various methods have been devised, and plans tried, to orientate these prospective ministers in evangelism and pastoral ministry. I have come to feel that wherever possible, young men leaving our colleges should connect with a field school of evangelism as soon as possible.
Men of experience, who have been successful in finding techniques that work well in the winning of souls, should be most willing to share these methods with the young men under their care. The Scriptures speak of one attribute that should characterize the minister—that he be "apt to teach." I believe that more is involved in this exhortation than the presentation of our message to unbelievers. It means that we should cultivate the ability to outline our program in detail, to make clear each step in our process of evangelism and pastoral ministry, as well as the philosophy behind our actions.
It is very true that there are many things a young man cannot learn until he is completely on his own, but I am sure that the sympathetic worker who unselfishly shares those items which made his ministry a success will shine brightly in the kingdom of God. It is not the man at the "bat," to use common parlance, that gets the credit, but it is "our team" that will win. As workers we do many obviously simple things—minor details—which are vital to our success. These we too often overlook as we explain our work to younger men.
Now I am not sure that it is always wise to permit a young man to take over any major responsibility in public work in his first experience out of school. Decisions in this matter, of course, depend upon the size of the effort, the place, etc.
Many times a young man does not have sufficient confidence, nor does he know his message well enough to produce the drive and power that is so essential to the gathering and holding of large audiences. There are, however, many public features that our young men can undertake. In this way they can get the "feel" of a large audience. They can make progress and gather confidence and ability.
The chief benefit that the school of evangelism will produce for an intern will be found in his personal contacts. His first responsibility should be in personal work. It is here that he learns how to deal with minds. It is here that he learns What to preach. It is here that he learns the differences in human nature, which must be appealed to collectively when he speaks in public. I believe we do a lasting job in right training when we instill in a young man's heart a new and stirring conception of the age-old term "personal work." This is the secret of any man's successful ministry, for if the Seventh-day Adventist evangelist is to obtain his largest and best results, he must know that preaching alone will not accomplish it.
Preaching is usually too general to accomplish the fine work of influencing men to take the final step. If we can teach our youth that it takes the personal touch, the pathos of the voice, the kindly and loving expression of the face, the grip of the hand, and genuinely sincere friendship, we are doing a work that will be lasting. With sympathetic instruction and wise training, what an enlarged service we can do for the Master in the field training of young men!
The Mechanics and "Know How"
In this short series of articles on field schools of evangelism, great stress will be laid on the "how" of this important work. We shall point out in detail the mechanics of such a program. However, it should always be kept in mind that the success of molding men for the ministry does not depend upon right methods alone. Edward M. Bounds, in one of his books on prayer, makes a statement to this effect : "While we are looking for better methods, God is looking for better men. God ordains men, not methods." With a consecrated man, alive to his opportunity, right methods will be the result.
We have the fundamental principle of Scripture before us—"not by might, nor by power," but by God's Holy Spirit. Utter dependence upon God for wisdom in dealing with human minds is one, of the first essentials we must learn for ourselves and teach our associates.
We have been asked by The Ministry, in discussing the technique of such a school, to picture the work that we carried on in Jackson, Michigan, this past summer. Then, in connection with our program here, we will discuss variations in methods that might be tried.
Jackson is a typical Midwestern city of 65,000 population. It is an old city, with more than its quota of established churches. The religious complex of the place is not out of the ordinary, with the exception that a large percentage of the people are Catholics and fundamentalist Baptists.
In searching for a suitable auditorium we found only two possible locations. One was a commodious city auditorium seating 1,600 people, at a fair rental price, with the exception of high union fees for all stage hands. The other was a desirable Masonic Auditorium with a good reputation, one block from the heart of the business section, where we were not required to pay union stage hand and musician fees. In my discussion with the young men associated with me, I showed that in a city where opposition might attempt to thwart our work, the wiser choice would be to take the auditorium which was not owned by the city. Since the use Of the city building was controlled by city servants, there was danger that we might lose our place of meeting no matter how much tact was exercised in our presentation. This has happened more than once.
We signed the contract with the officers of the Masonic Association for the use of their building, with the. privilege of continuing our meetings on Sunday nights in the auditorium after the close of the effort proper. Each worker was instructed in the procedure of getting acquainted with newspaper, radio, and post-office officials. Arrangements were made at the bank for handling the accounts of the effort and the workers.
Solving the Housing and Eating Problem
One of the major problems connected with any group of this kind is that of housing. Our good pastor, H. L. Shoup, and I, along with two real-estate men who are church members, worked for weeks to find suitable living accommodations for ten workers, some with families. An apartment was secured for the evangelist, but the only possible arrangements that could be made for the other couples were sleeping rooms.
This brought us face to face with the problem of dining facilities. We finally settled upon a plan to rent a small Y.M.C.A. kitchen and dining room for a nominal sum. In co-operation with the conference officers, we decided that the operation of this dining hall would be a department of our effort activities. Each worker was to pay $5 a week for his food, the wives were to prepare it, and the conference rented the facilities. We organized the dining hall setup so that the labor involved rested equally upon each worker. Much time is thus saved for visitation, and the gathering around one long table for each meal affords an excellent opportunity to discuss problems, exchange ideas, and share the enthusiasm of a growing interest. Arrangements were made to purchase our food at wholesale rates. In fact, our entire plan is somewhat like camp meeting arrangements.
Our conference president sent word to each of the workers that they were to be on hand and settled in their living quarters by the evening of a certain date. On this evening we arranged to have the entire church gather in somewhat informal fashion to hear the plans for the effort, and to receive the instruction that our people need before launching into such a program.
As the evangelist,. I had spent some time with the church members on previous Sabbaths, preparing them spiritually for the effort. On this particular night, however, the people were kindly but earnestly instructed as to their effort meeting conduct. This instruction was so presented as to encourage enthusiastic co-operation on the part of our people. Every evangelist recognizes that our members are a good people, and they mean well, but at times their zeal is misdirected. Careful instruction has to be given to secure their fullest cooperation. Our new workers need to see how this is done, and how it is possible to deal with such problems with kindness and love. They must be shown that we are here to save men's souls—to lead them into evangelistic endeavor, not to herd them or drive them. This makes an excellent first lesson for your associates.
The next morning was given over to an extended workers' meeting at which there was laid before each worker a somewhat detailed review of the plan of evangelism to be used in the effort. Responsibilities were outlined, and a mimeographed working policy was handed to each one. On this working policy sheet is placed the name, address, and phone number of the evangelist, pastor, and each associate worker. Leadership responsibilities are listed in detail, such as music director, assistant music director, pianist, organist, florist, director of the Bible-Book Center (a better name than bookstand), finance director, director of the Bible school, superintendent of mailing, superintendent of auditorium and ushering, sound technician, .etc.
A list of appointments followed, with a note reading: "Please plan for these appointments so that you can meet them promptly. The success of a group project such as this makes it imperative that all workers co-operate to meet appointments." Meal hours were also listed, and workers' meeting appointments.
