LOVE is a popular word these days. In this hippie age we see the word written everywhere. Love slogans and signs are as prolific as the "flower children" themselves. But words written on paper or walls or signs do not bring the warmth to the soul felt by the giver and the recipient of real love. The light of truth on love is found in the short Biblical sentence, "God so loved . . . that he gave." If we would love we must give of ourselves.
One of the most frequent cries heard in this modern generation is, "Nobody cares. Why shouldn't I just 'do my own thing'? No one really cares what I do." When Seventh-day Adventists hear this their thoughts go first to the pot-smoking hippie or the college student with his LSD "trips" and co-ed dormitory living. But it is time we took a long hard look at our own local church, yes, even our own homes.
Soon after getting settled in our new pastor ate I found I had inherited the position of church clerk. While reorganizing, filing, and typing new membership cards, I found with sorrow that many names had no address. It just didn't seem right to leave it that way. One thing led to another and I am now in the midst of a personal campaign to reclaim some of the members and to prevent others from leaving through the back door.
Finding Lost Members
The first step involved investigation to find addresses. Perhaps this grandmother might know the address of Sandra. Mary might know where Mrs. Roberts lived. No, she didn't know, but was sure that Mrs. Brewer did. And so on. Finally they were found, all but one. (I still have reason to believe I will have that one be fore long.) One man died before I found his address, but happily his minister-nephew had been in contact with him.
As each address was found I set about the task of writing each person individually. Since I'd never met any of these folk I began by telling a bit about my husband, their new pastor, and myself and our family. I simply stated that we were trying to keep in touch with all members near and far. Many had moved to distant areas, some were at college, and a few were elderly members who no longer attended church. Above all I tried to make each letter friendly.
I waited, but not for long. In one week alone I received five replies, much to my happy amazement. I have continued to write to these people, some even weekly. Usually the latest church bulletin is enclosed along with a short personal note, or perhaps a monthly pastoral letter or a handbill to our evangelistic meetings. In the note I try to tell of any new work done or planned for our church and even certain family events. The main object is to try to communicate the fact "we care about you" and make each one feel a part of the church family.
The Results
Only time can tell the full results, but from answers received thus far I can be encouraged. The following came from a college student: "I greatly appreciate your interest and efforts . . . especially your first letter about your family." This from a nursing student: "It's so nice to be remembered. I know the Lord sent your family to us." A young woman working away from home states, "It's so nice to hear about home." A young Air-Force wife enjoyed the pastoral letter and said she knew almost all of the members mentioned on the birthday list for the month. Then she tells of her new family and that they must move again soon and hope to find an Adventist church nearby. One of my most treasured replies comes, not from a member, but from a relative of a young man. He has had many difficult problems and is still trying to find his way. How have these letters affected him? Listen. "He was greatly pleased and surprised that you would write to him 'just a boy you don't even know' and he now looks for your letters."
There are many more responses. Some from the elderly or lonely and discouraged ones. My folder of replies is filling quickly. One lady has started attending church regularly, yet I haven't mentioned church attendance except to say, "We miss you."
This is good counsel: "We should ... let the love of Christ constrain us to be very compassionate and tender, that we can weep over the erring and those who have backslidden from God." Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 188.
A Patient Work
Not all to whom I write are backsliders but many are in those areas where backsliding be comes easier. A move away from home, a job transfer and not quickly looking up the nearby Adventist church, can cause members to lose out and become careless of church attendance. Students at school need the close touch with their home church. All need to know that some one cares. This is especially true of those who have really apostatized. As a nurse I learned long ago the value of tender loving care TLC we call it. I find it works here, too. There are no great number of people flocking back to the church immediately, but a warm response is there and only God knows the results. So often we look for quick results when it may have taken a long time of neglect or gossip or criticism to injure that soul in the first place. Rather, it usually requires patient, tender, and often time-consuming work. Some of these members may never return to our own local church, but if they start back to church wherever they are, the effort will be greatly repaid.
Would I recommend this method to others? Not if you're in a hurry to see people reform. Not if you would write only once and forget it the next few weeks. Certainly not if you feel you would like to "tell these members a thing or two." But if you don't mind sitting down Sunday or Monday morning and writing to the same folks week after week many of whom you may not even know then I would answer a hearty Yes! If you do, you will know the joy of extending a cord of love to a brother and sister. And in the end you may see some find their way back into the church.
In larger churches several willing people with big hearts and a bit of time could "adopt" several of the missing folks and carry out this work.
Love and diligence do pay off. Jesus said, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."
