WELCOME
Imagine my surprise upon reaching a large city church to see the the sign outside which read, "HELL—Wednesday Night—Welcome." Now, I don't know whether the pastor intended that his advertisement say what it says, or whether inadvertently he concocted this gem of advertising genius. He certainly isn't guilty of stagnation of the public-relations glands. You have doubtless passed some churches where the church sign is suffering for attention. The writer saw one sign that had not been changed since the preceding pastor passed on. As far as the public is concerned, the man who is there—isn't. An attractive subject out front matched by an equally powerful sermon inside can work wonders with the public. Some churches are not identified by sign and might be mistaken for the National Guard Armory. (Any similarity in fact is purely coincidental.)
Some men manage to place a philosophical gem on display each week, along with the advertisement of their church services. The subject outside should indicate that there is subject matter inside. And in the spirit of the subject previously referred to in this note, it matters not how hot the issue, or when it is presented, the passing public should know that at all times they are WELCOME.
E. E. C.
THE LAW OF KINDNESS
A few days ago in the city of Ashevine, the parking meter where I was parked ran out of time before I returned. As expected, a ticket was under the windshield wiper. A delightful surprise awaited me as I read, "We welcome you to Asheville, and hope your stay will be enjoyable. We hope you will feel free to call on our department for any assistance we may be able to render. You have parked overtime at this meter. When it is necessary for you to park for an extended period of time, we would suggest you ask any police officer to direct you to any one of our conveniently located municipal parking lots."
This was a new kind of ticket. Instead of feeling rebellious. I was filled with deep appreciation for such consideration of visitors. And naturally I determined to take extreme care never to park overtime in the future. But more. That ticket became a sermon to me. And I thought of this in relationship to our church program. Expressions of appreciation and kindness in sermons or announcements always create the desire to do better, even in the hearts of the most rebellious. Deep in our heart there may be a spirit of rebellion. To subjugate these feelings means a daily conflict with self. Too often many of our members are frustrated, inundated with overpowering self-centered desires. To constantly condemn and scold a group only adds to the flood tide of revolt. Never once did Christ try to humiliate or discourage any soul; not even His worst enemies. Then how carefully we should deal with those who are attempting to be friends with God. If a police department, the very symbol of inflexible authority, has found the secret of securing friendship and support for obeying laws by methods of kindness and consideration, surely we as ministers of the gospel should equal this record and even surpass it! "A soft answer turneth away wrath."
J. R. S.
"PREACH"
"Where shall I begin?" said one about to tell a rich experience. "Don't!" came the deafening shout of his captive audience. But for us all there must be a beginning. To be sure, the expression above is not alone in its lack of promise. "I was just sitting here wondering what to say"; "I hardly know what to talk about today"; "There are many subjects we could discuss"; and "Your pastor insisted that I preach though I desired otherwise" are all short of assurance that the message to be preached is heaven born. They reveal, rather, that the speaker lacks a sense of direction, and these expressions only serve to make this fact more obvious.
There have been many outstanding ministers to grace our age. Few were apologetic or unsure. Some were short on grammar, others on natural talent, but without exception, they spoke with conviction. They knew what had to be said, and they said it. They had a message from God for the people—and they knew it. And the people knew it too.
Do you speak for God? Then face up like a man who knows his God. You are not "honored to be the speaker"; we are "honored" to have you. You are neither reluctant nor eager to be our messenger; you are a willing agent of divine necessity. Gone are the days of the timid appeal. Needed now is the voice of conviction, the compelling manner. The world at large is insecure. It needs to be steadied. It will mistake apologetic hesitance for weakness. Be it forever remembered that the "meekest man on earth" was probably the boldest —Moses.
"You, man of God,
Creature of the sod,
God's Word expound.
The clear trumpet's blast,
Possibly earth's last,
Must now be sound."
E. E. C.
