I want to share with readers of THE MINISTRY a unique way of building up offerings during the evangelistic campaign. A similar plan, of course, has been in use for several years in increasing our offerings in radio work, but I had never heard of its being used in our public evangelistic work until I tried it out in a recent effort in Memphis, Tennessee, which has a population of about 250,000 white people. The net cost of the effort, including all expenses, ran about $11,000, and the Lord blessed with a bit over $7,000 returns in freewill offerings. The church members pledged $400, which was paid in during the effort and included in the total offerings. The balance was received in the public meetings.
Beginning with the third Sunday night, we began giving a Crisis book away to each one who placed a dollar or more in the offering. A different book was used each Sunday night from then on. One must be careful in choosing the gift books, and not distribute any that would include subjects not yet presented. In our Memphis effort we gave away over three thousand five hundred Crisis books, that represented more than 3,500 dollar bills placed in the offering baskets. The Crisis books cost us 12.50. They were not sold at the bookstand, so the only way they could be obtained was through the freewill offerings plan.
This accomplished a twofold purpose. It built up the offerings, and gave the people the silent message to read in their homes. By the time the campaign was over, people had libraries of our Crisis books in their possession.
On Friday and Sunday nights the "Special Thank Offering" envelope was placed in the hand of every, person who desired it. A statement was made concerning the contents and value of the gift book to be given away after the Sunday night offering. Immediately after the offering was received, the ushers were supplied with books by the head usher, and then they were given to those who raised the hand, showing that they had placed a dollar or more in the offering basket. The opportune time to present the books was immediately following the "offering.
After the tithe question had been presented, we no longer used the "Special Thank Offering' envelope, but changed over to the "Tithe and Freewill Offering" envelope, which educates the people to pay tithe before they are baptized. Receipts were given to the people as soon as they began tithing.
