Ingathering Hangover

Ingathering Hangover

Overcoming low levels of enthusiasm or depression regarding ingathering.

Stig B. Anderson, Minister, West Lebanon, New Hampshire

 


I am sure many workers have felt as I  have in the past regarding Ingathering. Little enthusiasm was manifested among our people and certain feelings of despair, like a hangover, would be shown at Ingath­ering time. Then we would hear the ex­cuses. Some would say, "We should not have to go out begging," or "I'll give my goal and then I won't need to go out." And so the fact was that a very small percentage of our church membership went out Ingath­ering and thus failed to receive the bless­ing that Ingathering brings.

Some time ago I saw an article in THE MINISTRY magazine that discussed the In-gathering program. I began to investigate the approach suggested in the article. This changed my despairing and hangover feel­ings to an experience of real joy.

The actual plan is simple and I received it from W. J. Keith, who at that time was pastor of the Takoma Park church in Washington. I had to adapt the plan, of course, to fit my size of church. But it is a marvelous plan and really works! It is a thrill to see the new spirit that has taken hold of our people since using this plan.

The plan is to lift the Ingathering above the plan of human devising. Give it a spir­itual approach. Emphasize the witnessing part of Ingathering. The goal is one hun­dred per cent participation rather than a goal of dollars and cents. And the main ob­jective, an Ingathering leaflet placed in every home. The money then becomes the by-product, and this is as it should be.

During the campaign we never once talked of money. However, we did stress, during the Sabbath missionary hour, the wonderful experiences that the people had had Ingathering during the week. This showed a strong spiritual approach, and many who had never been out before wanted to have a part. As the congrega­tion hears the testimonies from week to week those who have not yet tried the ex­perience of Ingathering are inspired and encouraged to go out too.

On the day we announced the reaching of the goal it was wonderful to see how much joy had been connected with this en­deavor. Yes, Ingathering can be a joy or a drudgery, but when we show our mem­bers that there is a way of making the bur­dens lighter by using the right methods, then we will have the whole church work­ing with us sharing the burdens and the blessings.

At the victory social we did away with the usual presentation of ribbons and indi­vidual glorifications of those who had raised the highest amounts. It was a real joy instead to give the glory to God for the victory that He had given to us.

I am grateful to God for showing us the way to make this work a joy and a blessing, a way that leaves no nasty hangovers. Try the following way and you will be amazed at the results:

Ingathering Program: Divine Counsel

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

"Happiness that is sought from selfish motives, outside of the path of duty, is ill-balanced, fitful, and transitory; it passes away, and the soul is filled with loneliness and sorrow; but there is joy and satisfac­tion in the service of God; the Christian is not left to walk in uncertain paths; he is not left to vain regrets and disappoint­ments."—Steps to Christ, p. 124.

Objective

To encourage every member to partici­pate in the Ingathering program. "Strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service."—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 105. "Satan is now seeking to hold God's people in a state of inactivity, to keep them from acting their part in spreading the truth, that they may at last be weighed in the bal­ance and found wanting."—Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 260. "If there is a large number in the church, let the members be formed into small companies, to work not only for church members, but for unbelievers."­Ibid., vol. 7, p. 22.

Plans and Procedures

  1. Ten working bands are given a terri­tory with the objective to place an Ingath­ering paper in each home.
  2. Every member of the church is in­vited to join one of the ten activity bands.
  3. A member may work independently of a band if he so desires. However, it would be better if as many as possible would join a band of their choice. It is not easy to be a band leader, and the leaders are en­couraged by the willingness of the mem­bers to unite with them in a band fellow­ship. A member may turn in offerings in his own name in a tithe envelope and re­ceive the regular receipt from the treas­urer, and yet it can be credited also to the band of his choice by writing the name of the band leader across the face of the tithe envelope.
  4. Every shut-in member is to be visited and given an opportunity to participate.
  5. Anyone who desires to do soliciting at some store should arrange this through the individual band leader.
        6. Band operation and procedure are as follows:

             a. Each band has its own—

                     (1)     Time to meet. Preferably to start and finish early in the evening.

                     (2)     Place to meet. A home in the terri­tory of the band is ideal. It is better for bands not to meet at the church.

                     (3)     Method or methods. Singing bands, public-address unit, and house-to-house so­liciting.

             b. There is no competition between bands or individuals.

             c. There is no listing of amounts raised by individuals or bands.

             d. There is little or no appeal in credits or awards, except for the children.

             e. The goal of each band member is to visit every home in the territory in which his band is working.

              f. At the close of the evening's work, the band returns to the regular meeting place.

                    (1)     The offering is counted.

                    (2)     The per capita is determined and announced. Anyone who desires credit keeps his own record.

                    (3)     The offering is recorded by the leader and turned in to the treasurer of the church in the name of the band.

                    (4)     A prayer of thanks should be offered.

                    (5)     A warm drink may be served and a joyful fellowship will be conducive to a restful night of sleep.

                    (6)     Create and foster a social atmos­phere within the band.

           g. Each band should have a territory guide, who, without delay, knows exactly where the band is to work each evening.

           h. If electronic equipment is used, a re­sponsible person should be in charge and always have equipment in readiness.

           i. The success of a quick campaign de­pends upon:

                   (1)  Every member doing whatever he plans to do for Ingathering at the same time.

                   (2)  Every member being willing to have some part in the program.

                   (3)  Every member cooperating fully with the leader, thus making it possible for the band to function successfully.

            j. We should never let the band fail to go out on a scheduled evening.

           k. Always dress warmly and keep your feet dry.

           l. Be willing to sacrifice other things for this work of the Lord. The more we give up other interests for the work of the church, the closer we are drawn to Christ. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21).

          m. If the church is willing to forgo so­cials in the evenings until after Christmas Eve, and all are willing to do their very best during this short period, all working together the goal could be reached during the holiday season (Neh. 6:3). All would have the joy of accomplishment, and this would form a pattern of cooperative effort that would carry over into other areas of church activity.

               ii. The general plans are as follows:

           a. The sermons will not emphasize money.

           b. The reporting of amounts raised will be eliminated except on Victory Sabbath.

           c. Each band will try to raise at least $300 but will not feel under pressure to raise a definite amount. All bands will con­tinue to work until the task is completed.

          d. A quick campaign is assured if each member will talk courage and faith, and act in unison.

              8. All who desire to give to the Ingath­ering fund will be urged to do so before December 31. Let us give "not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7).

              9. If we desire to do business soliciting, contact the pastor.

             10. God gives us assurance through His messenger: "If Christians were to act in concert, mov­ing forward as one, under the direction of one Power, for the accomplishment of one purpose, they would move the world."—Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 221.

Let us have the faith of Caleb and Joshua, who in facing the giants and the walled cities of Jericho said: "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Num. 13:30).


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Stig B. Anderson, Minister, West Lebanon, New Hampshire

 


September 1968

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