Recently our eyes caught an informative article in The Religious News Service, under the title, "Methodist Deaconesses Face Recruiting Problem." Because the work of specially trained Adventist women is comparable to the deaconess vocation in Methodism, we may profit by the concern expressed. Reference was made to a recent meeting held at Grant Hall in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, largest residential type of development operated by the Methodist deaconesses in the United States. We quote from this challenging item:
Failure to attract young recruits was described here as the major problem facing the Methodist deaconess movement. "Among 482 active deaconesses in the United States, only 24 are under 30 years of age," said Miss Mary Lou Barnwell, New York, executive secretary of the commission on deaconess work of the Methodist Church. She told the annual meeting of the commission that 76 deaconesses are from 30-39 years old; 103 from 40-49; 131 from 50-59; 136 from 60-69; 11 from 70-79; and one is over 80 years old. Methodist deaconesses serve as nurses, education directors, youth and settlement workers, and conduct other types of social and community activities. The requirement that deaconesses resign when they marry was suspended several years ago in an effort to reduce the loss of personnel. . . . The commission authorized committees to study other Protestant deaconess organizations in an effort to improve cooperation and exchange information across denominational lines.
We recall that a short time ago a leading Washington, D.C., newspaper called the attention of the public to its practical-nurse problem. Stating that the practical nurse, like the registered nurse, was fading out of the picture, a woman of authority in the field of nursing service raised some thought-provoking questions. She pointed to the new hospitals and the growing array of institutions demanding the services of the nurse, and asked who would be meeting the need. To her, this shortage had reached alarming proportions.
Again, we remember that an educational journal of recent date used its columns to speak out positively on the growing teacher shortage. Statistics set forth alarming facts.
Since the teaching profession has always enlisted gifted women, married or single, a newly appointed commission was assigned to study a problem that was presenting the need for emergency measures. Regretting the measure suggested in the article—enlisting women engaged in other professions—the writer questioned whether this was the right procedure for our democratic educational system—whether "robbing Peter to pay Paul" was fair play. Were not other professions facing the same problem? He was thinking constructively when he concluded that this fleecing to meet the present educational emergency was unwise, if not unprincipled. The better way would be to check unwholesome trends within the educational ranks, and to build quickly and solidly where education begins.Within the past few weeks we have been blatantly informed of the country's alarming need for more scientists. Radio, television, and many other advertising agencies seem to show up our national failure to look ahead and provide technological experts. The picture becomes confusing as men seek to lay the blame somewhere. Someone has facetiously remarked, "And so the merry-go-round keeps moving!" But does it? The problem is not handled so easily.
The Christian's attitude is not one of defeatism, as often displayed in secular channels. He is not just moving without making progress. God had a plan and purpose for every person. He has provided the aptitudes as well as the gifts for all phases of gospel work. The church is called to study its operations and to bring symmetry into God's cause. Every line of service is of equal importance.
To be specific, professions such as Bible work, nursing, and teaching in institutions built up by the church, require woman's gentle and skillful touch. The mechanical operation of push buttons, useful in some industries, will not suffice or meet the needs of warped, confused, and suffering humanity in this hour. Such professions call for dedication to a service chosen because of conviction. The Spirit of God presses home the call of each profession; it becomes a matter of the heart, not one of personal preference. On this point man may become confused, but there is no confusion with God.
To use an illustration: We may be holding Elijah's mantle, waiting for youth to accept it. But those who are called to guide these young people whom God has endowed with talent must fit the mantle to their shoulders. To be more explicit, the role of the Bible instructor and personal worker is part of God's symmetrical plan for the church in the last days. With other professions, the Bible work, which coordinates with the church's teaching and humanitarian program, is facing its shortage. But the fears of non-Adventist organizations should not frustrate us; we have received divine counsel to develop a well-balanced work.
Furthermore, a shortage is not necessarily a calamity. Administrators may reconsider their plans, thus meeting the present dilemma without confusing God's pattern for each worker's calling. Temporary adjustments will occasionally need to be made, but these will broaden the usefulness of a ministerial graduate or Bible instructor. Our kindly caution would be to consider such an adjustment a temporary measure. Failure in this respect may produce a harvest of unhappy misfits. Some may even seek to escape their frustrations by responding to the financial inducements of secular education.
The church today need not face a recruiting problem in any vocation. Educational leaders, guided by God's Spirit, may place the mantle of service upon young men and women whom God is calling. While we do well to recognize the shortage of workers, let us diligently build at the base. In this way the educational structure of the church will become one of perfect symmetry and beauty.
L. C. K.
