Before me is a Religious News Service dispatch, reporting on a keynote address made by a prominent Christian businessman that has led me to do some thinking and now this article.
Amory Houghton, Jr., is chairman of the board of the Corning Glass Works, one of our nation's leading industrial corporations. He was speaking at a convocation of clergymen sponsored by the Episcopal Theological Seminary, gathered to give study to the role of Christian ministry in a secular society. His burden was that the church make greater and more significant use of its "greatest untapped resource"—its lay members. He chided the church for not using the laymen more effectively. "If we do significant things in our vocation, don't ask us to do insignificant things in the church," he said.
"We will fix the rectory roof or run the Sunday school picnic, but ask us for more," he continued. "Ask us not just to tithe money but to tithe time."
"Ask us to carry the gospel along with you. It will not embarrass us."
Generally speaking, Seventh-day Adventist laymen are more involved with church activities than are other church groups. Still, we frequently discover dedicated laymen, pre-eminently successful in their profession or vocation, gifted with unusual ability and talent, but sitting on the side lines as far as their active contribution to the vital role of the church is concerned.
We confess that there are some who love to have it so; still others among them would welcome a challenge and would give outstanding service.
The church with its mission is the most important institution on earth. It is more important than the United Nations. It is greater than General Motors or Standard Oil. What goes on in our churches and how our members relate to the commission of our Lord is of greater concern to Him than the progress of the war in Vietnam, the population explosion, or the continuing crisis in the Middle East. In fact, the significance of what happens all around the world is relative to its effect upon the work of the gospel.
The privilege and responsibility of participating in this work is the greatest challenge and the most rewarding experience that can come to anyone. There is none greater!
Then let us give the challenge. Let us call upon our laymen to share their best in this grand enterprise. Let us invest them with a greater voice in the planning and with greater responsibilities in seeing this work accomplished. Hold before them the unparalleled importance of the task, then discover together ways by which they can make a truly significant contribution.
One reason many talents lay dormant is that the pastor has not really become well enough acquainted with the parishioner to recognize the contribution he could make. Most pastors will remember times when they have come almost to the point of moving to another parish, only to discover at such a belated hour certain capabilities in dedicated laymen that had not been utilized for the church—untapped resources!
Our church programs, both their internal operation and their evangelistic outreach, are so varied that men and women, young people, even the boys and girls, with varied talents and abilities can be put to the task. None need be left out!
Although there are those who are waiting to press forward in shouldering heavier responsibilities, there are others who hesitate, feeling utterly unqualified to make any worthy contribution. But have you not felt the thrill of seeing such laymen, when pressed into service, develop far beyond anything they might have thought possible? It may have been as an elder, a deacon, a Sabbath school officer or teacher. It may have been as a visitor among backsliders or interested prospects. It might possibly have been in giving Bible studies or even as a successful lay evangelist Among our laymen there are some who, because of their education and vocational background and experience, are eminently qualified to serve on, or chairman, various committees. It may be the building committee or the finance committee. Some may have unusual ability in the area of organization. Are we using them as we should? Do we seek their counsel? Are we capitalizing on the success they may be enjoying in the business or professional world and giving them the opportunity to make their greatest contribution to the more important task?
Much has been said and written in recent months about the apostolate of the laity. In the Seventh-day Adventist Church our dear laymen have always played an important and necessary role. As the church grows and the work continues, the part they play must be enlarged. We hear of the "generation gap," the "credibility gap," and of all kinds of "gaps." We must by all means avoid the "ministerial gap," or the "administrative gap."
Who knows how many of our laymen, if given the challenge, might respond with meaningful suggestions, willing service, and financial means far beyond anything heretofore committed to the cause; means that would enable the church to launch out into new areas. Consider, for example, the opportunities for greater utilization of mass communications. We have not begun to touch what ought to be done. Whole populations may be reached through radio, television, the printed page, and now telephone evangelism; and this in areas where now the voice in too many instances is almost muffled behind church walls.
The time has surely come to move forward into new and enlarged areas. Under the power of the Holy Spirit new ventures are to be made. New plans are to be inaugurated. New methods are to be tried. This challenge comes to us as ministers, but it must be shared with our churches—our laymen.
Many are waiting for such a call to more venturesome, dynamic, and significant service. Others, although they may feel they have but a few loaves and fishes to bring, will rejoice to see how God will multiply their seemingly meager efforts.
Why not set up a committee to make a survey of your church members in a sincere effort to discover the "untapped resources." Then call a meeting for meaningful dialog. Discuss together how the varied talents and interests and means of the laity can best be utilized in unprecedented proportions for the furtherance of the gospel. Talk and plan and pray together at the grass-roots level. Many will be surprised to see what members will dare to do and invest for God and His church when the challenge is rightly presented and the heart and soul really captured for Christ.
O.M.B.
