Ingathering Time Again

For most conferences the beginning date for the greatest single concerted en­deavor of the church is fast approaching. In 1963 the November issue of THE MINIS­TRY magazine carried an editorial entitled "Ingathering Methods and Motives." The central theme was that only as this gigantic effort of Ingathering magnifies the Lord Jesus Christ can it prove successful and be of true value. The spiritual aspect of In-gathering was emphasized. Yet without organization and much enthusiasm and work our only reward may be failure.

Coffers and Baptism

It was suggested that those leaders in­terested in running an Ingathering program devoid of competition and gimmicks write to W. J. Keith, pastor of our large Takoma Park church. For a number of years he has carefully planned and organized Ingather­ing on principles other than competition and tangible rewards. Success has attended his efforts and those who have followed it carefully have found it successful in their own areas. However, there were some who tried this method and failed. In checking into the reason for failure, we found that in several instances the minister involved thought that this plan would eliminate any work. Money does not fall into our coffers nor do souls eagerly seek baptism without planning and labor by someone. Actually, more work and planning are involved in this type of program than in a competitive pressure type. Prayer and consecration are no substitute for hard work. The end re­sult is far more glorious, especially from a spiritual standpoint. It is necessary to "do all you can on your part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised His aid, but not apart from our effort."—Steps to Christ, p. 122.

Inspiration Rather Than "Pressurization"

In a recent letter from Joel Tompkins, ministerial association secretary of the Northern New England Conference, a thrill­ing report is given that proves the benefits of placing the Ingathering program on a spiritual foundation. Pastor Tompkins was in charge of one of our churches where formerly it took two months to raise the goal, but with this new method the time was reduced to two weeks. Here is his testi­mony:

"Let's face it! In the minds of many of our faithful people the Ingathering pro­gram has become a scheme to bring in money. Because of the emphasis on money all along the line our people have largely lost the vision of the spiritual benefits of the Ingathering program.

"Spiritual Ingathering lifts their sights from money to men, and the methods change from pressure to prayer. Motives change from glory to self to service for His glory. In our church the whole program is one of inspiration rather than 'pressuriza­tion.'

"The secret of the whole program is to change the emphasis from money to search­ing for souls and blessing the community with visits, singing, prayer, and encourage­ment. We stressed having a good time do­ing the Lord's work.

"When I felt pressure upon me I did not put it upon the people. When tempted to lose faith and get discouraged, I would go off alone and pray until the anxiety and concern were gone. When the people lagged, I did not embarrass or pressure them. I took the church list and prayed for my people by name, asking the Lord to in­spire them to do something for Ingathering that day. I informed my members that I was praying for them individually. This turned a defeated church group into a victorious one and it made a better man out of me.

"I followed Elder Keith's plan carefully. The only changes were in the wording. Let me warn anyone who tries this method that there is still plenty of hard work involved in planning and organization, but the em­phasis is on prayer and souls.

My Master or My Tool?

"I found that Ingathering no longer was my master but a tremendous tool not only in finding souls but in reviving the church.

I would like to list a few of the spiritual benefits that we derive from spiritual In-gathering.

1. Missionary periods were always spent in telling experiences and not counting money.
2. The Sabbath sermons were always spiritual and not pressure periods for pro­moting Ingathering.
3.  We applied no individual pressure, letting the people work in any way they desired.
4. Some gave money and then later caught the spirit and worked also.
5. We did not bribe the children with trips and prizes, et cetera. The school car­ried on a regular program during December. It was a thrill to have small children come in and relate involvements with souls.

"In short, the whole atmosphere of the church was deeply spiritual. One woman hadn't done Ingathering for years because her daughter was killed on a field trip. She was bitter and would have nothing to do with Ingathering except to give her own goal. Last year she went out several nights and had a marvelous time talking with the people she met. This proved to be a tre­mendous blessing not only to her but to the people she visited. Through this a Bible study interest was found. Our people were thrilled with the spiritual emphasis, and the financial goal was raised in the shortest time in the history of that church."

This is only one of a number of similar reports that have come to us the past several years. The finest goal a church can set in an Ingathering campaign is seeking for lost souls and the placing of a piece of litera­ture in every home. But remember that God's Spirit is enabled to do much more with a consecrated, organized group of people than with a consecrated, disorgan­ized group. Let all plans and organization be carefully worked out before presenting them to the church, and then pray as if work didn't count and work as if prayer didn't count!                               

J. R. S.