To function smoothly, an organization needs the wholehearted cooperation of all its integrated departments. This is equally true of the business of the church. The church must have a program, with specific plans for its pro motion. The promotional possibilities of the Seventh-day Adventist pastor in this respect are unlimited. He is one of the connecting links in the organization's promotional chain extending from the General Conference down to the local church. But since a chain is no stronger than its weakest link, the success of those plans the church must promote will reflect the vision and zeal of every one of its pastors.
Most of our denominational campaigns originate at headquarters as the result of the combined study of committees and councils. These plans and resolutions then reach the church through a fixed channel; the course is from General Conference to union conference to local conference, the pastor being the last to receive them. As far as the local church is concerned, the program would be paralyzed if the pastor ignored his part of the circuit. Some have occasionally complained of pressure from above, but the best way to relieve it is to become a channel instead of a dam, passing on these plans and programs to our people rather than holding them back. This brings the joy of service.
"The church of Christ on earth was organized for missionary purposes"; therefore the main objective of every campaign should be the salvation of souls at home or in mission lands. All church promotion that does not ring in this key is certain to become but sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. One of the sweetest experiences in the pastor's life is to so promote these plans and programs in the church that in the hearts of the people a lively enthusiasm is created, charged with spiritual fervor and dignified zeal in behalf of others. This .procedure takes the pain out of any campaign, and helps some people to do some things they may not even enjoy doing. It leads them to action because "the love of Christ constraineth us."
Success Depends on the Leader's Attitude
These plans, with their financial or service goals, in church and Sabbath school need not become a burden. Like a mirror, the church will reflect the pastor's attitude toward these campaigns and appeals for funds. If he becomes frustrated, they will react in the same way. If he groans under the pressure, they will soon do the same. Again, if he considers it merely departmental propaganda, it will quite likely appear the same to his church members. These departmental streams of activity flowing from the General Conference to the local church may become a great blessing to our people as the pastor enthusiastically channels them into one main stream of missionary endeavor to refresh and strengthen the church.
Most significant is the fact that the very activity we are sponsoring may be made a great soul-saving agency, and thus bring new life and encouragement to all taking part. This may be illustrated by our Ingathering singing bands. The young people of the Hollywood, California, church of which I am pastor have for several years now annually won some souls through the Ingathering. These persons won to the truth were at first enlisted to drive the truck for transportation of the singing band or else serve in some other way. Two of our church deacons and a young man now enrolled in the ministerial course in one of our colleges were won to the truth in this way. The love, zeal, and prayers .of loyal band members are a great incentive for winning them to the message.
Each year almost half of our church membership participates in these active Ingathering singing bands. In 1950 they established what we learned was a world record for singing bands when in one evening they received |1,950. At the close of the campaign the church per capita was over $30. And best of all, souls were won through this band organization. This year we have selected a young man not of the faith to drive one of our trucks; the young people fully expect to see him also won to the truth. No one seems to dread this mission, and many are praying that we may become a double Minute Man church in 1951.
The promotional possibilities of the pastor as leader of missionary projects are indeed challenging. We are facing the task of finishing the work in this generation, and we are reminded that "where there is no vision, the people perish." But vision without thorough organization may become merely a daydream, and on the other hand a task without vision is bound to become drudgery. So vision and organization for the task we face demonstrate that "the things which are impossible with men are possible with God." And as Paul well stated, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Realizing, then, that each campaign may become a means for deepening the ardor and spirituality of the church, the pastor may lead his flock into joyful activity.
