There are many ways of using our medical talent in public evangelism. We would like to suggest here, and discuss briefly, seven methods that we have seen work, and work well, in evangelistic campaigns thus far. They are:
(1) The straight lecture, (2) a lecture following the showing of a film, (3) a lecture with a demonstration, (4) a panel of doctors answering questions from the audience, (5) a roundtable discussion of some topic by a group of 'doctors and nurses, (6) a doctor's own personal experience of answer to prayer in caring for the sick, and (7) cooking and nutrition or simple home-treatment demonstrations.
We suggest that the evangelistic and medical workers meet together for a period of planning and discussion before the meetings begin, determining exactly the amount of talent available to carry out some of these suggestions. If there is a doctor or nurse with speaking ability -who can be tied into the evangelistic program by appearing with the minister on the platform for a health lecture just before the sermon, we feel that this is an excellent plan. We would suggest a series of talks from the material available in the book Medical Evangelism by Mervyn Hardinge, M.D., and Lester Lonergan, M.D., which may be ordered from the College of Medical Evangelists, Loma Linda, California.
Very effective is the showing of a film such as Cancer, available from the local branch of the American Cancer Society, followed by a question-and-answer period presided over by a doctor, a nurse, or a group of doctors.
Probably nothing is quite so fascinating as a lecture or film followed by a demonstration. For example, showing a film such as V-Men (Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Film Section, 511 Wood Street, Box 868, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, free) might be followed by a demonstration of what should be included in a balanced diet, and by making available to the people a plastic-coated basic food chart, which may be ordered through the Book and Bible House at a cost of fifteen cents each. If a dietitian is not available for this demonstration, any one of our sisters who is able to set a good, well-balanced, appetizing table may take this part of the program very nicely.
if there is a group of doctors or nurses available, we feel that a panel is one of the finest ways to create an interest in health. Questions from the audience may be collected a week in advance and parceled out among the group of doctors. There will probably be a number of questions concerning different diseases. The way we handle these questions is to discuss the causes and prevention. If there are a few simple things that one can do for a common cold, for instance, such as a steam inhalation, there is no harm in telling the people. Or they may be told of some simple remedies that help arthritis. We would suggest that doctors who answer questions in that field read the book by Dr. Frank Krusen on home treatments. This may be ordered from the Mayo Clinic.
It is well to have the minister or one of the evangelistic workers who can toss the questions back and forth be the chairman of the panel. If the doctors use some big words, as of course they may, the chairman may just speak up and say, "Doctor, do you mean by 'epidermis' skin?" or something of that type. In fact, plan for a few similar situations so that the discussion does not drag. If it is possible to get a little difference of opinion, so much the better. If handled by a panel chairman properly, these differences may be capitalized on by saying, "Well, we see that doctors don't always agree, but we know they are all interested in our health, and we appreciate a good discussion like this."
A round-table discussion of a topic is probably easier to arrange than a panel to answer questions. We will give as an example the topic "Fear and Worry." The first part of this discussion could take up the effects of fear and worry on the various body organs. We feel that it is well to have on this round table not only doctors, nurses, and medical workers, but also ministers, to bridge the gap from the cause to the remedy for fear, worry, and resentment.
Round-table discussions have proved most effective, and they help avoid the possible embarrassment of not answering a question properly, as might occur on a panel. I personally am very fond of a round-table discussion.
Now for the sixth suggestion. A doctor or nurse may be asked to relate an experience of an answer to prayer in connection with caring for the sick. I know of nothing that is more effective than this personal testimony from a Christian doctor or nurse.
Because we feel that instruction in diet by medical and evangelistic workers is vital, we quote the messenger of the Lord in a statement to evangelists that appears on pages 35 and 36 of the little book A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education: "There are some who think that the question of diet is not of sufficient importance to be included in their evangelistic work. But such make a great mistake."
We feel that somewhere during the evangelistic effort a nutrition school of six or more lessons is vital. In fact, we have found that where these have been properly conducted they have been a tremendous drawing card and a wonderful impetus to the whole campaign. At a recent evangelistic effort held with Ben Hassenpflug in Miami it was all we could do to seat the people who came every afternoon during that week to hear Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Vollmer conduct the School of Health and Nutrition.
Some Helpful Suggestions
If you do not have someone qualified to carry on this work, we suggest that you get in touch with the medical secretary of your conference and see whether there is not someone in your field who has taken training under Dorothea Van Gundy or Dr. and Mrs. Vollmer and who is certified as an instructor in the field of health and nutrition. There are some four hundred who have received this training, and perhaps your conference has such an instructor. If not, we suggest that you obtain the book Food—Health and Efficiency, by Mrs. H. W. Vollmer, to use as a basis for the lessons. Mrs. Edyth Cottrell, Route 3, Box 394, Sedro Woolley, Washington, has some excellent filmstrips on this subject. With these I believe you will have equipment enough for at least one or two demonstrations.
If possible, a doctor or nurse should be present at these demonstrations to answer any questions that may arise. And it makes a real impact for the evangelist himself to appear at these demonstrations, open them with prayer, and suggest that one of the finest ways we can give glory to God is by learning how to care for our bodies by preparing food properly, and that this work begins in the kitchen with the housewife.
Now for some general information that will be of help. We suggest that you find out from your local health officer what special health week is scheduled, and that if there is one you capitalize on it in your health evangelistic work. If polio week is near, have literature, Kenny packs, and a demonstration pinpointed on that week. Capitalize in every way you can on health topics that are of current interest.
We suggest that beginning with a fifteen-minute health talk is better than a whole half hour with the possibility of raveling out for lack of ammunition. We do feel, however, that the book we have suggested on health evangelism by Drs. Hardinge and Lonergan, as well as Life and Health and Listen, will give abundant material for a series of talks. The Lord has given us the following list of health subjects: "Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power,—these are the true remedies."—The Ministry of Healing, p. 127.
We trust that these suggestions will help you as you lay plans for a medical missionary program. "In order to impress upon man his obligations to obey the law of God, Christ began His work of redemption by reforming the physical habits of man."—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 486. This is one of the most important lines of work in which we can engage, and when our doctors and ministers unite for the saving of souls, we will see a great forward move in each campaign that is held.
May the Lord help us all to see light in the wonderful instruction and counsel given to us in the Bible and the Spirit of prophecy on the combining of medical and evangelistic work.
