TRIPS to distant places and entertaining visitors might appear to frustrate the work of the gospel during holiday seasons, but there are advantages and compensations connected with these special seasons of which the gospel worker should be mindful.
Summer Months Fruitful
Many a pastor has made the sometimes barren summer months fruitful in terms of soul winning by coaching the youth of the church in the conduct of an evangelistic campaign. What better way to recruit youth for the Master's service! Repeated demonstrations have shown that our youth can attract a crowd and can present the message in such a way as to win souls. This could be the answer to evangelizing some of the small towns and suburbs where a series of meetings has not been held for many years.
The vacation months afford an excellent opportunity for a pastor to get close to the young people of the church. Those of our youth who have neglected baptism should be sought out and encouraged. All youth need opportunities to serve so that Christianity becomes in their experience reality rather than theory.
While summer may not be the ideal time for meetings in some areas, it would be better to hold a summer effort than no effort. An attitude of optimism and enthusiasm coupled with proved methods will produce a harvest of souls even in the summertime. "Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields. They will find their harvest wherever they proclaim the forgotten truths of the Bible." ---Christian Service, p. 67.
Christinas Season--New Birth
We should preach the gospel in season and out of season, but there are certain seasons that are especially appropriate for an appeal for surrender and baptism. What greater gift could any mortal make to the Master to honor His birth than the gift of oneself in full surrender? The new birth to honor the Saviour's birth. Year's end provides the basis for a natural appeal to start the new year with Jesus. A baptismal service might be planned for the last Sabbath of the old year, or a special New Year's Eve service might be built around a baptism.
Spring--the Resurrection
It is no compromise with paganism to preach on the resurrection theme in the spring. The time of year when new life is springing forth in woodland, field, and garden is an ideal time to appeal for the surrender that makes possible that new life in Christ. His resurrection is compared to the new life that begins for us at baptism.
Mother's Day
Mother's Day might provide the ideal occasion for appealing to those who could answer the prayer of a Christian mother by taking a stand for Christ. In some cases that mother may have fallen asleep in death feeling that her prayer was unanswered. What a joy it would be if she should awaken from the sleep of death when Jesus comes to find that the answer to her prayer had only been delayed. Those with mothers still living might cheer that mother's heart on Mother's Day with a gift sweeter than the loveliest roses the news that a wayward son or daughter, perhaps in a distant place, has been baptized. There are husbands who could give their wives the Mother's Day gift of a home united in Christ.
Thanksgiving
The appeal of the Thanksgiving season is apparent. What truer token of thanksgiving to a beneficent heavenly Father could there possibly be than the gift of oneself? Occasionally it is possible to schedule a baptism to coincide with a birthday or an anniversary, thus making it truly a high day.
In order to make these special baptisms truly successful, it is necessary to plan them and promote them for several weeks in advance. As you visit prospective members, mention the plans for a baptism during the coming holiday season. You will be delighted to see the added appeal provided by relating baptism to other established sentiments. Especially effective is this plan in working with those who keep delaying their decision for baptism.
A pastor and his wife were delivering love baskets to the elderly members of the church just before Christmas. The daughter of one beneficiary was visiting her mother when the love gift was delivered. So impressed was she by this gesture of kindness on the part of the pastor and his wife that her own interest in the church was revived. She invited the thoughtful pastor to visit her home. Within a year the daughter, her married son, and his wife were baptized by this pastor who had a vision of ministry to others during the holiday season.
If ministers and lay members go forth bearing the message in word and deed "they will find their harvest." Youth, and laymen in general, will work with and for a pastor who will claim this promise and venture forth to proclaim the message in city suburbs and country towns. "They will find their harvest wherever [and we might add, whenever they proclaim the forgot ten truths of the Bible."
