City-wide evangelism involves the united efforts of the visiting evangelistic company, the entire resident church membership and its pastor, and the conference administration. Each one is dependent on the other, and only by close coordination and harmonious co-operation can satisfactory results be obtained. Teams, like machines, function best when there is no sand in the gearing. This is only another way of saying that it takes the grace of Christ to bear one another's burdens. To win a bountiful harvest of souls, everyone interested should go "all out" in behalf of the program.
The resident pastor or district leader can render valuable service in preparing his congregation spiritually and in contributing aid whenever and wherever needed. He can do much as an advance agent, with his knowledge of the city and where to get needed materials or equipment. He can introduce his new associates to the right people. The pastor by his attitude can do much to help or hinder the success of the meetings. He, like a mother in a home, unconsciously creates atmosphere. He should not only repeat the words of John, when he yokes up with the evangelist—"He must increase, but I must decrease"—but for the duration of the effort he should live that role. Congregations quickly discern the spirit of the group of workers, and either respond to the grace of loving-kindness, or are repelled by self-seeking and vainglory.
The series of meetings held in Jackson, Michigan, this past summer and fall, paralleled by a field school of evangelism, was more than a lecture course on the advent message in that it partook of the nature of a field laboratory, in which conference interns and theological students were given a practical experience in applying theories studied in college. Under the able leadership of the homiletics teacher of Emmanuel Missionary College, five prospective preachers, their wives, and three Bible instructors were introduced to and participated in public and personal soul winning. In such a situation the resident pastor can be helpful in showing the inexperienced workers how to make pastoral visits that later in the effort materially aid in bringing interested prospects to a favorable decision.
The pastor's example in punctuality and faithfulness in attendance builds for effective teamwork and also encourages his congregation to support the meeting with their presence. By sitting in an inconspicuous position in the early part of the meetings, he can make observations of weakness and defects in organization and execution. Then in workers' meetings he can point the way to improvement without being considered an obstructionist.
Even a new congregation is quickly infected with the spirit that radiates from the working staff. Their mannerisms and personalities are scrupulously observed, and wield a magnetic influence, as well as does the speaker who presents the message from the desk.
Evangelism and stewardship are the two main pillars that uphold the superstructure of the church and justify its perpetuation. Since we are carrying out the Saviour's commission to teach others and make disciples of all who will accept the gospel, when we launch a united effort, the public appointments naturally take priority over the regular church schedule. The pastor can give the right mold to collective thinking by soliciting the good will of his church board and also of the leaders of the various departments and church activities.
The wise pastor, like Aaron and Hur, will hold up the hands of the evangelist, who becomes the mouthpiece of the company. To say the least, he can keep out from under the feet of the one who is in the limelight. He does not have to be a "Yes, yes" man, saying "Amen" to every proposal, but by being on the alert, by giving helpful suggestions, and by being willing to give and take, he will be co-operating so that plans for action can be worked out that will spell success and become the joy and satisfaction of all who have part in the united endeavor.
It is no small item in these days of congestion and housing shortage in our cities to provide living quarters for a group of workers when even sleeping accommodations are at a premium. Here again the pastor can either show zeal or listless indifference for the comfort and well-being of his associates. Unless the workers are comfortably and respectably cared for, they cannot be happy nor put their best into the intense demands that are made on their time and energy. Shabby living quarters have a tendency to provoke introvertive thinking and a feeling of neglect and homesickness.
In some respects, most humans are like dogs —they like to be noticed. But when a hound is in hot pursuit of a rabbit, he forgets the need of a kennel and even an affectionate pat on the head by his master. When he has run down his quarry, then he exudes the satisfaction of having had a part in the chase. So it is in fishing and hunting for souls ; there is lasting satisfaction and enjoyment in executing the Master's orders and sharing the joy of His salvation with others.
Because of the demand for men who have the ability to gather and hold the attention of large audiences, there are some evangelists who become professional specialists. Experience has taught them methods that produce good results, and causes them to refrain from repeating mistakes that tend to failure. This is well and good, of course, but there is a tendency on the part of some of these brethren to ride roughshod over their associates who must carry the responsibility of feeding and shepherding the flock after the excitement of the effort is over and the evangelist leaves. Much grief can be spared those who follow up the public effort if the evangelist reciprocates the build-up the pastor gave him when he took over. At the beginning of a series of meetings it means a complete readjustment of the customary program of the church to mesh into the evangelist's plans. Likewise, at the close of the campaign the congregation must undergo another readjustment so that the impression will not obtain that the church has just experienced a religious spasm, but a sound healthy growth in grace and knowledge of the truth.
The ideal program as to pastor and evangelist relationship was successfully demonstrated in the field school of evangelism recently held here in Jackson.
