As this issue of THE MINISTRY reaches our readers in the North American Division, our overseas delegates and others from their divisions will have already be gun their journey to the General Conference session. Those in attendance at the last session in 1950 will recall the enthusiasm of the ministerial council which convened four days before the session opened. Those were intensive days and nights, and the whole world field has felt the impact of the evangelistic emphasis so pronounced during those days in the presession council.
Last time we occupied Polk Hall of the Civic Auditorium, or at least the major part of it, a section having been walled off in order to make room for other meetings. In planning for this forthcoming council, the brethren felt that we needed the whole space in Polk Hall, and we were happy in anticipation of that. But word from the world field and the unions in this division indicates a much larger attendance than was at first contemplated, and in order to provide the kind of appropriate accommodations for such an important council, it is now planned to have this convene in the First Congregational Church, at the corner of Post and Mason streets.
Many of our readers will remember this as the place where we held our Sabbath meetings during the last presession council. It has seating accommodations for about two thousand, and excellent auxiliary rooms for smaller councils and demonstrations. Its very fine gallery and sloping floor make it an ideal place for a council of this kind, and we are grateful indeed for the opportunity of using this church. The officials and pastors of this congregation are our friends, for we have used this same church building for ministerial institutes and union sessions.
Personal contacts with our workers in many places and cor respondence from the field reveal the enthusiasm and interest of our evangelists and pastors in this project. We wish all our workers could be in attendance, for this council will provide inspiration as well as instruction for the most experienced of our workers and for those who are just beginning their service. An excellent agenda has been prepared, and every minute of every day will be filled with interest. One of the nearby unions is sending all its evangelists. That is com mendable, and whatever the expense en tailed in such a program, there is little doubt that the direct results of this council will be seen in the increased potential of all who are privileged to attend.
Evangelistic leaders from many parts of the world field will be there to unfold be fore us the techniques that bring results in their fields. This council will be intensely practical. It will deal with the over-all field of the ministry public, personal, and pastoral evangelism. These will form the main fields of our discussions, but, as last time, prominence will also be given to the place of our various church departments in the over-all picture of soul winning and pastoral care of the flock.
Yes, San Francisco is calling, not only in a general way; but if it is at all possible for you to be there, then this council is calling you individually. It is obviously impossible for everyone to be there, but all who can should attend. We feel you owe it to the conference in which you labor, to the churches you serve, and to your future development and usefulness in the great field of the ministry to be at this ministerial world council.
Billy Graham recently expressed a truth that we believe will be translated into fact in this council. He said, "America is the spiritual arsenal of the world. God is sparing us for a purpose ... to get the gospel to the ends of the earth."
That language sounds familiar to us. The carrying of the gospel to the ends of the earth is truly our objective. These are days of vast undertakings, but also of marvelous opportunities. And as workers we need to become inspired for greater tasks. Our vision needs to be enlarged, our techniques improved, and our dedication renewed. Then can we expect larger results in our harvesting for God.
So we will be looking for you at seventhirty Thursday night, May 20. This will be the opening meeting of this great presession ministerial council. Remember the location: First Congregational Church, corner of Post and Mason streets. See you then!
