When new members are brought into the church we need to find ways and means of welding them into our Adventist fellowship. Some are naturally more retiring than others and require more attention. Our church board gave study to this problem and selected a number of more mature Christians to take a special interest in these new believers. When those of similar background, age, and personality are chosen for this responsibility, better results are achieved than could be expected if names for visiting were assigned indiscriminately. Chairmen of deacon and deaconess groups keep in touch with these "buddy" leaders, and they in turn report to the pastor as to the outcome of their efforts on behalf of the new Adventists.
"It is surprising what an occasional word of encouragement, or a helping hand in case of illness, will accomplish. A visit by telephone, or personally in the home of a new believer, does much to promote good will, and such ties bring strength to the persons concerned and to the church at large. One of our sisters was able to restore a new member who had not attended services for months, and it was Christian friendliness that changed the situation. Other 'buddy' leaders appointed to this interesting yet delicate work are reporting enthusiastically on the success of this practical plan."
The preceding comment came from Margaret Atelklin, a minister's wife in Atlanta, Georgia.
Training Church Missionaries
"Our church missionary endeavors stimulate Christian activity. They provide occasions for new church members to become better acquainted with the church's burden bearers, and to learn from them the secrets of successful service for the Master. When experienced workers invite timid beginners to join them on a field day, these fearful souls soon gain confidence to start out on their own. And how they do enjoy working, knowing that some understanding partner is close at hand! This is an excellent way of developing missionary workers and solicitors.
"If missionary leaders and their band captains would give more attention to visiting new members before the beginning of the Ingathering work each year, intelligently instructing these new workers, our church campaigns would be more unified and enjoyable. My husband and I have seen the result of such visiting in our church. We believe that next year even more will be participating in our various church projects and rejoicing in their efforts."
Problems of New Believers
The "buddy plan" already referred to has true merit. It is most important, however, in our larger churches. In guiding the work of lay members selected to help the pastor as undershepherds the following problems pertaining to new believers should receive sympathetic handling:
1. Decision to follow truth often isolates the new believer from his own family and from friends in his former church fellowship. He becomes lonely.
2. In his loneliness he longs for understanding. He desires the comfort and strength of another's prayers. He also wants to learn to pray.
3. The Sabbath school and its lesson-study plan may be new to him. A friendly guidance in learning how to study the lesson, as well as acquainting him with the objectives of the Sabbath school, will help to make him feel at ease when he attends. His more experienced Adventist friend seated next to him will help him overcome any embarrassment.
4. Housewives often meet perplexity when beginning to tithe their income. They may hesitate to reveal this to the pastor or the Bible instructor. Laywomen who have themselves met this problem may prove to be good counselors.
5. Mothers in Israel are needed today. At times younger women have home problems to discuss with women of experience... They also need to learn new homemaking and cooking skills. A kitchen chat may become a practical sermon on nutrition. Both counselor and counselee are acquainted with family needs.
6. Some new Sabbathkeepers long for help in leading the youth of the family into the church. Carefully raised Adventist young people should become acquainted with the children of these new believers. By inviting them to our services we may draw them into our fellowship.
7. Transportation to the Adventist church is a real problem to many a new believer. If it is cheerfully provided by some missionary-minded church member who owns an automobile, good attendance habits will be established. When the new Sabba thkeeper realizes the significance of Adventism the matter of transportation ceases to be a problem.
8. Church missionary activities can be overwhelming to the babe in the truth. He has learned that his Master commanded His disciples to go forth sowing seed for the kingdom, but how can he do it? He must find a helpful gospel partner. (Read suggestions by Mrs. Eva Harding on this page.)
9. The thought of participating in the ordinance of humility may be disturbing to the new believer. The spirit may be willing enough, but the strangeness of this service may at first present a conflict. If his alert Adventist sponsor will call on this new communicant a week or two before the communion service, prayerfully reading with him from The Desire of Ages, chapter 71, a victory over timidity and pride will be gained. The assurance of the sponsor's partnership at his first preparatory service will materially lessen the conflict.
10. God's special gift to the church, the Spirit of prophecy, may help the new believer to a better understanding of the great principles of new-found faith. The mature Christian will dispense its instruction wisely, restraining advanced light until the new believer is prepared to receive it.
The pastor receives from Christ, the Great Shepherd, his responsibility for caring for the flock in his charge. He in turn enlists the help of undershepherds, lay helpers whom he trains to minister to the needs of the sheep. The lambs of the fold will need special attention; some may require more care than others. There must be a shepherding plan for developing healthy sheep. To be useful, the flock will need to be well nourished. Where our spiritual shepherds provide rich pastures for their flocks, and where the weak are given loving care by shepherds and undershepherds, our churches will grow in strength and efficiency. This shepherding care referred to as the "buddy plan" should be receiving a new emphasis in our evangelism. Let more of our shepherdesses learn its important skills. We prefer referring to it as the "shepherding plan."
L. C. K.
FOOTNOTE.—This material grew out of a very helpful Shepherdess meeting at which R. A. Anderson was present. It was sent to the Ministerial Association office by Mrs. Bertha Fearing, wife of the president of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference. Such problems as those under consideration require the help of our pastors and their assistants, as well as our Bible instructors. We bring them to all our workers through THE MINISTRY.
