WE NOW come to the last part of our plan for the short evangelistic campaign—the order in which we present our subjects. The order given here need not be followed exactly, but it is the one we used in the campaign we have been discussing.
Order of Subjects
1. Saturday—The Secret or Happiness and Peace in Our Shattered World.
Signs of the times in relation to Bible prophecy and the coming of Jesus.
2. Sunday—The Devil—Why Suffering? Sermon designed to show the unfailing love of God.
3. Monday—Space Travel.
The how, why, and when of Christ's second coming.
4. Tuesday—Our Beloved Dead.
Biblical teaching on the state of the dead and the danger of spiritism and hypnotism in these last days.
5. Wednesday—The Destiny of the World.
Daniel 2 and Daniel 7—showing how they coincide. Sermon closes with a description of the second coming of Christ.
6. Thursday—Is God Particular?
Grace and Law vs. Grace or Law? Preparing the audience for the next two services.
7. Friday—Five Musts of God—What Must I Do to Be Saved?
Conversion, key text Romans 12:2. A definite call to accept Christ. Have an aftermeeting for those who respond.
8. Saturday—Which Day Should Christians Keep?
Biblical teaching concerning the Sabbath—-first-day texts giving evidence that the day has been changed by man.
9. Sunday—Heaven or Hell?
Dealing first with the Biblical teaching of hell, and closing with heaven and all its glorious realities.
10. Monday—The Sanctuary. Climaxed on Wednesday night.
11. Tuesday—Home—Family Night.
Psalm 136:2. Stress the fact that if our Christianity doesn't make us a better husband, wife, son, or daughter, it is not worth much. The film for the evening breaks into the film series and instead Bible on the Table is shown.
12. Wednesday—The Judgment. Continuing Monday night's subject of the sanctuary and 2300 days.
13. Thursday—Tithing.
Advertised as "One Sin Seldom Mentioned." Dealing with the sin of covetousness in its broadest sense.
14. Friday—Baptism.
Climax with a baptism of persons that the pastor has been studying with prior to the team's arrival.
Note.—Sabbath morning: "Christ Alone." Showing that Christ and Christ only could be the Saviour of the world.
15. Saturday, 6:00 p.m.—Christ or Barabbas?
(Decision sermon).
First definite call to join the church. Three groups: (a) Those who have never been baptized; (b) Christians for many years but who have received added light concerning Bible truths; (c) former Adventist church members to reunite. From decisions a class is formed.
16. Saturday, 7:30 p.m.—"Martin Luther"
(film).
This helps the audience to relax after decision meeting.
17. Sunday—The Mark of the Beast. Should be presented with love and earnestness.
18. Monday—Health.
Followed by a baptismal instruction class.
19. Tuesday—The Millennium. Followed by the baptismal class.
20. Wednesday—The True Church. Revelation 12 and 14. Followed by the baptismal instruction class.
21. Thursday—The Way of Jesus.
A brief summary of Bible teaching as outlined in the baptismal certificate. This is followed by the baptismal instruction class.
Friday—Team members visit as many prospects as possible and have them sign baptismal certificates for either of the next two Sabbaths, preferably the first.
22. Friday—Why So Many Denominations? Followed by a baptismal instruction class.
Present certificates to those who were not visited. Encourage all to fill in and write the date as to which Sabbath they plan to be baptized. This will give time for the team to work for others during the following week. The pastor talks to those to be baptized the following Sabbath and instructs them as to the procedure of the baptismal service.
Note.—Sabbath morning—Does Church Membership Save?
Preceded or followed by the baptismal service.
23. Saturday, 6:00 p.m.—The Last Night on Earth.
Decision sermon, climaxed with a definite call. Announce baptismal instruction class to meet Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday of the follow-up week at 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday nights after regular evangelistic meeting of the follow-up week.
24. Saturday, 7:30 p.m.—Drama of the Ages. Musical program. Once again this gives opportunity for all to relax after the call service.
25. Sunday—The Unpardonable Sin.
At the close a definite call is made. Those who respond are told of plans for a baptismal class and are asked to join with the class during the follow-up week.
Follow-up Week
26. Wednesday—Gifts to the Church. Followed by a baptismal instruction class.
27. Friday—Decision Sermon.
A definite call. Decision means names are given to the pastor for definite follow-up. At the close of this service the regular baptismal instruction class meets, and those who have not already signed for baptism are urged to do so.
The pastor is encouraged to start or continue a special prophecy class for the new converts and nonmembers who have been attending the meetings. This class meets during the regular Sabbath school classes, preferably in a separate room, and is taught by the pastor.
28. Sabbath school—Emphasize the importance of the prophecy class.
Sabbath, 11:00 a.m.—Doing God's Will. Stress especially the practical aspect of keeping the Sabbath in the home.
Visitation Plans
During the first week of the meetings the team members visit those whose names are on the visiting information blanks. These include the names on the pastor's list. After the first few days, names received on the opening night are added to the visiting list. The entire team including the pastor engages in visitation. During this first visit the aim is to get the folks to attend the services nightly, especially by the weekend. All on the lists should be visited by Friday.
One may need to visit up until the time of the meeting or on Sundays in order to find all at home.
The second week of the meetings the team members should (1) visit those whose names were collected on the following or second Sunday night from the first week's book-award card; (2) visit "A" interests—those attending from the first week's visit; (3) visit "B" interests—those who show good prospects from previous week's visitation.
The names are divided so that a different member of the team visits them during the second week. The aim of this visit is to encourage their attendance at all services, especially the Friday evening service on baptism and the Sabbath evening decision meeting "Christ or Barabbas," at which time those who take their stand are organized into a baptismal class.
The third week the team visits (1) new names on book-award cards for second week. (2) After weeding out those who do not prove interested from the previous week's list, all the names are divided again and visited. A special effort is made to visit the best of the "A" and "B" interests who have not yet joined the baptismal class. The aim of this visit is to get them out for the last weekend services, especially the last Sabbath evening decision service.
During this week the one teaching the class, together with the pastor, visits the members of the baptismal class with the purpose of discussing any personal problem.
Obtaining Names and Advertising Procedure
1. Getting names of people to invite for the opening night.
a. Voice of Prophecy names.
b. Names from the telephone book.
c. Names from our doctors. This is a special hand-picked list of their best interests.
d. Names from members on visiting information blanks.
e. Names from the visitors' book. /. The pastor's list of interests.
2. Advertising for the opening night.
a. A special letter from the Voice of Prophecy and Faith for Today to listeners in the area. A handbill is enclosed in these letters.
b. Bulk-mail letter with a handbill and coupon for a free picture is sent to all telephone book names. This may be sent at nominal cost. Where the coupon idea is not used, one may wish to use the formal invitation.
c. Special formal invitations are sent to all doctors' interests and church interest names. The plan is to have the doctor hand pick his list of names. A handbill is placed with the invitation.
d. Place window cards in public places.
e. Mail formal invitations to special list. /. Mail special letter to the special list.
g. Mail letter to church members before opening night.
h. Use newspaper ads for opening night with free picture coupon, one to a family.
3. Getting names during the campaign.
Form master file from names below. These can be made up on No. 10 envelopes and mailed during the final week.
a. Special-interest list names.
b. Names gathered on opening night from literature requests or register. A workable and efficient plan that has been used to get names on the opening night is to have No. 10 envelopes with pencil enclosed distributed and addressed by those requesting the literature.
c. Names from other literature request cards that may be taken periodically, e.g., the presentation of the "Sabbath" and "The Mark of the Beast."
d. Names from decision cards.
e. Names from the book-of-the-week cards.
/. Names that come in from special nights when a free picture is given to all newcomers, or new names that come in response to a free Bible given to the one who brings visitors and who lists his guests' names and addresses.
4. Advertising during the campaign.
a. Newspaper advertising. (At a minimum.)
b. Special letter to those on the master mailing list and members' list mailed by Wednesday of the second week. This letter is primarily planned to advertise the early Saturday evening meeting.
c. Second special letter to the master mailing list and members' list, mailed by Wednesday of the third week, again emphasizing the last weekend meetings of the three-week series.
d. Special night features.
(1) Picture offered to all newcomers and to the one who invites them.
(2) Bible or book offered to the individual who invites and brings to the meetings at least five newcomers.
In this type of evangelistic program most of the advertising is done before the opening night and during the first week of the series. However, for special subjects the gift Bible, book, or picture may be used to build up the attendance.
Instruction for Ushers
After studying the "I Will Help" forms, those chosen first are those who plan to attend most regularly. The following steps of organization are covered:
1. Ushers are placed one on each side of the front row of chairs and are responsible for about 8 to 15 rows behind them. Two more are placed one on each side of the next section, and so on. One offering container is allotted for each row —one usher distributes the container while the other receives it. In this way the ushers work in pairs. The taking up of the offering is the main item for the ushers, and this is done at the close of the announcement period.
2. Ushers should be in their places before or during the theme song at the close of the song service.
3. Periodically there will be other things to distribute and collect during the announcement period. For example, on the opening night they will take up the letters that have been self-addressed by those in attendance. The ushers are asked to listen and wait until called to act.
4. If possible wear dress shirt and tie—preferably a dark suit and dark bow tie.
5. The head usher stands at the back and sees that all goes according to plan. He also sees that there are enough ushers each night, and is responsible for the care of the offering and sees that it is given to the one responsible for it in the team.
6. Two capable ushers (more if necessary) will be needed to stand at the back of the auditorium to usher the people to their seats. Flashlights will be needed during the first fifteen minutes of each meeting while the film is being shown.
7. When meeting with the ushers it is well to give them a brief summary as to the evening program and then ask them to be available at least fifteen minutes before starting time.
Instruction for Receptionists
The evangelist's wife should organize and instruct the receptionists. The following items are kept in mind when organizing:
1. Placement.
a. The evangelist's wife should be at the front door with the pastor's wife, head deaconess, or head church receptionist.
b. Two ladies should stand at main outside door to punch free book cards.
c. One will be needed at all other entrances to punch the cards.
d. The same number as in b and c are used at inside doors to pass out songbooks. In each songbook a stamped envelope with pencil is inserted. This is for literature request. Also the book-of-the-week punch card with the first punch already given is inserted in the songbook. In a small campaign with limited help it may be necessary to have the songbooks, et cetera, already on the chairs. In this way one can eliminate the receptionists, who would normally stand at the inside doors. On the opening night those who punch cards will welcome the comers and collect tickets, coupons, et cetera.
2. What to wear. Appearance should always be in accordance with church and Bible standards. The suggestion is—for summer, white blouse and black skirt; for winter, dark suit or dress. Corsages are supplied by the evangelistic team for the receptionists and woman organists and pianists.
3. Urge all helpers to be at the hall one-half hour before meeting time.
4. Encourage all who have reason to meet the guests to be businesslike, cheerful, friendly, attend to business, and not to congregate or talk extensively with church members or others, thus allowing many to go by unattended.
5. Discourage any change of positions from night to night. Most people like to see the same people when they come each night and it is also easier to get acquainted with those who attend regularly. It is important that the receptionists learn to know everyone and seek to get acquainted with the new folks. Avoid over-friendly demonstrations and treat all people the same. Discourage attentiveness to the church members more than to the visitors.
6. On opening night receptionists should be prepared to distribute at the close of the service a mimeographed list of announcements to the folks as they leave. Also mimeographed texts each night after the opening night. When collecting the book-award cards each week they should be sure that the name and address is on each card. These are given to the evangelist.
Other Help Needed
1. Projectionist.
2. Two ushers to take care of screen (preferably two of those who have been stationed at the front of the auditorium). These men are responsible for all equipment on the platform, including the projector screen, blackboard, et cetera.
people to question as to what type of men are needed in our missions program.
It seems to us that all of these various questions, arising from many sources with as many backgrounds and as many reasons for asking them, could be gathered into one fundamental question, "Why should we carry the gospel to those who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour from sin?"
Unquestionably, a missions program is a daring enterprise to which we give our best. It is daring for a conference to forward to one of its best workers a call for missions service when the leadership of that conference knows that a diligent search will have to be made to find another worker to adequately fill the gap in the program of the conference left by the worker if he accepts the call.
It is daring for the worker who accepts the call because he goes to new ways of living and working that will call for considerable adaptability on his part. There will be economic problems, problems of health for him and his family, and often serious problems in the education of his children.
It is daring for the parent who sees his child go. We vividly remember the day in the station when my wife's parents said good-by to us. Tears streamed down their faces at the separation and the uncertainties—yet they were proud as could be, and would not have had it otherwise.
Missions are also an expensive enterprise to which we give the bulk of our funds. For instance, the bulk of our Sabbath school offerings and a good percentage of our Ingathering goes to missions. There are also other special funds that go either largely or wholly to our mission program.
Such a daring and expensive program should be undertaken or continued only for the best of reasons. It is advantageous for us to re-examine these reasons from time to time, that we may have a clear picture for ourselves, and that we may be ready to give an answer to questions coming to us regarding that program. We propose in future articles to make such re-examination.