The question of finding well-trained, qualified Bible instructors has been a long-standing denominational problem. Important as the services of a Bible instructor are to the church, the need for these workers has never been fully met.
Having to meet non-Adventists in a winning and intelligent way demands a personality that will challenge the forces of opposition. Patience and an understanding of human nature are also necessary. Conference administrators find it difficult at times to find such talented people —men or women—when the need arises, hence the oft-repeated question, Where can I find a Bible instructor?
Experience has proved that women are invaluable in reaching interested people in their homes with the message. The Spirit of Prophecy states that in the field of personal evangelism they have no competitors and that they will fill an important place in earth's closing scenes. This should give direction in our planning and determination to meet God's mind in this matter.
But how shall we continue to train women for this profession? Our colleges expect the Seminary to undertake this responsibility, but by the time they come to the Seminary many of the young women have matrimonial interests. If they become minister's wives, the training they receive is not wasted and can be used to help the husband in his evangelistic campaigns and church work. But here we repeat, Where can we find women Bible instructors who can give full time to the work of soul winning?
Although the need for Bible instructors is present at all times, the lack is more apparent when our conference leadership launches into larger evangelism. As evangelism remains basic in fulfilling the gospel commission, Bible instructors are constantly in demand, therefore we must be practical while thinking through this problem. With this in mind we would like to direct the attention of our conferences to the following experience.
A Conference Bible Instructor Training Course
In one of our Eastern (U.S.) conferences, a field where for years evangelism had not been as productive as in neighboring conferences, the picture began to change. Evangelists and pastors got a vision of the needs of the field; strong churches were raised up and the weaker ones received new life. But such an aggressive program demanded home visitation by experienced Bible instructors. It is true that a conference may occasionally borrow a Bible instructor from another field, and this conference did that. However, such a procedure meets the need only temporarily. Each conference should train Bible instructors for its own field. Where this plan is faithfully followed there is always the help needed for expanding evangelism.
This Eastern conference committee decided to experiment with an idea someone presented. It was to provide a conference Bible Instructor Training Course.
First, pastors selected from their churches women who had an interest in, and a gift for, soul winning. They studied how much time these women could devote to the Bible work in their churches. When the list reached the committee it was supplemented and trimmed until only the names of those who gave promise of being suitable material for the training experiment remained. This was no hasty selection.
Second, the committee decided that this training should be given in connection with the annual camp meeting. The program was two hours study and classwork daily, totaling fifteen hours of concentrated instruction to a picked group of about twenty.
The Ministerial Association responded to the request of the conference for an instructor during the entire camp meeting.
Interest in the class instruction grew from day to day. These women were studious and earnest. Classwork received their first attention during the camp meeting period. A free and friendly spirit helped to guide the instructor in the discussions. Methods were built around specific doctrines in evangelism. The project was not centered in any department; it was carried out by the conference committee. These ministers observed the effects of the plan from a distance, and gave the students wise guidance.
For the encouragement of the women who had been willing to be drafted for this specialized training, the conference presented a small check to them at the close of the course. There was good will in this gift and it assured confidence for the future.
Follow-up Training
In the above-mentioned project the conference had made provision for its established Bible instructor to "mother" these women in their initial church visitation and Bible work and that this plan should not cease after they have returned from the camp meeting. A recent checking with the conference president confirmed our confidence in the sincerity and ability of the trainee group. In recognition of their faithful services to the church, and with the consent of the conference leaders, the Ministerial Association Bible Instructor Certificate was granted to fourteen women who completed the course. We have learned that the pastors are harnessing this consecrated and trained group into the program of soul winning.
But a short course of Bible instructor training is not sufficient to develop a full-fledged teacher. In addition to experience, follow-up instruction should enter into this objective. Here the services of an experienced Bible instructor who is well established in the field will mean much to the success of the project. The local touch is needed, however, and periodic encouragement should be given until these newly trained women are able to stand on their own experience. Women also need fellowship in their work, and this need should be considered.
As this conference weighed its needs against its possibilities, we listened to their suggestions. Out of the group of twenty women we found two who could perhaps be used immediately for full-time Bible instructor service. These presented a background of church experience as well as an excellent training in salesmanship for a livelihood. Our leaders felt that God was now directing them into denominational service. Others of the group who carried some home responsibilities, but who could perhaps do part-time work, should be encouraged to spend a reasonable time each week assisting the pastor in his visitation of interested people. For obvious reasons the pastor must make certain that these women work with non-Adventists and do not become salaried deaconesses.
It is still too early to provide an inspiring report on the Bible work of the women under discussion, but the purpose of this article is to help lift our vision on the question before us—Where can I find a Bible instructor? We feel sure there is wisdom in the plan presented here.
An Appeal for a Training Program
This plan is not a new venture, although it needs to be adapted to the current needs of the church. The plan worked successfully in the earlier days of our message and it still holds out promises for the present and the future. Practically speaking, our colleges train a limited number of students for Bible work, but few women enter conference employment. Therefore we must turn elsewhere in our search for Bible instructors. Why should we not look to our churches? There may be promising material there. If a simple plan is used, almost any conference can carry out a training program and profit much by doing so.
For emphasis, the Bible instructor plan needs conference guidance in each local field. It should not be confused with our excellent laymen's courses guided by the Home Missionary and Missionary Volunteer departments. The training of Bible instructors for conference service requires broader instruction. This can be built on what the local church has already done for the development of its members.
If we develop the plan we have discussed here, we may find the answer to the oft-repeated question of conference leaders, Where can I find a Bible instructor?
