A balanced program in every conference is largely an executive problem. In order that strength and unity may be maintained in a conference, there must be equal or proportionate consideration given to all departments. If this is not done, a one-sided program will develop, which will, in a short time, reflect a decided weakness in the field.
To make our conference work strong, to give a healthy tone to the work as a whole, we must give proper promotion to every line of endeavor. A conference cannot be said to be in a good strong condition, even though some departments of the work seem to be prospering, if at the same time other lines of work are down or dragging.
It is but human for a person to be interested in his own field of activity. To every individual some lines of work appeal more strongly than others. By natural temperament and ability men are best adapted to certain lines of endeavor. According to Scripture, men are endowed with certain gifts. It is because of these very factors that conference executives must constantly watch to see that a balanced program is carried on in each field. If executives look upon one branch of the work as most important, fostering this particular field and neglecting the others, they will have an unbalanced program in the conference, and this will be reflected in disappointing results. Every department of our work should be given equal attention.
We are instructed that "the presidents of our conferences and others in responsible positions, have a duty to do in this matter, that the different branches of our work may receive equal attention."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 329. "Equal attention" would imply that efforts should be-made to see that all lines of work receive the same sympathetic interest and consideration.
There are times in every field when strong promotion and perhaps special consideration should be centered on someone department of our work. For illustration, suppose we were facing a religious-liberty crisis. Naturally we would rally our forces, meet the issue, and as far as possible give this department of our work all the help we had at our command. It might be that for a time the greater part of our denominational efforts and strength would be centered upon this one department. When the emergency was passed, we would relax our efforts. But we all know the results that would follow if we continued to promote and emphasize this one line at the expense of all others.
What is said of the religious-liberty department could be said especially of every other line. "Ministers should be guarded, lest they thwart the purposes of God by plans of their own. They are in danger of narrowing down the work of God, and confining their labor to certain localities, and not cultivating a special interest for the work of God in all its various departments."—Ibid., vol. 3, PP. 34, 35.
In giving "various departments" "equal attention," we do not understand this to mean an exact division of time or man power to each particular line of work. In some cases this might be necessary. The growth of the work in a particular field, or the lack of growth, may have a very definite bearing as to the amount of help and promotion that should be given.
Our work is so developed and organized that weakness will soon appear if any of the various departments are neglected. For instance, if we fail to carry a strong evangelistic program we soon discover we have a dying church, a church shrinking smaller and smaller year by year. Strong promotion of the other departments will never compensate for the loss sustained because of our failure to carry on a strong evangelistic program.
A progressive evangelistic program in every conference is an absolute necessity if the church is to grow. But a strong program of evangelism will not solve the problem of Christian education or of mission funds. Along with evangelism these departments, with all others, must be carefully promoted.
