OUR program of evangelism is different. We don't preach, sing, or make altar calls. We conduct health and Bible classes. We get decisions in the home.
Most of the people attending our classes have not attended an Adventist meeting before. Getting decisions for church fellow ship from them takes time and a well-organized program of home visitation. They must be brought to Christ a step at a time.
But first, we must get them to attend. Most of our attendance is the result of a community survey which the members start ten weeks before our classes open. After five weeks of taking surveys they return with result sheets, and on the third contact enroll as many as possible in the "adult education classes." We visit those who are enrolled, former members, and husbands or wives of members.
Printed health and Bible lessons which the class members fill out at home are an intricate part of our evangelistic approach. If the prospect misses a class, he fills out the eight-page printed lesson, and in this way studies every subject whether or not he attends all of the classes.
All of our visits the first two weeks have one objective: to get as many people as possible filling out the printed lessons. If necessary we sit down with them in their homes and help them do the first lessons.
The health classes during the third week deal with how to stop smoking. We visit every person each day who is trying to break tobacco, tea, coffee, or alcohol habits. If we can help them gain the victory over these habits, they have made a big step toward full surrender to Christ. The Bible classes during this time are on healthful living (including unclean flesh foods), standards of dress, entertainment, and tithing. After we get the people to discontinue the use of tobacco, we lead them to give up unclean flesh foods, jewelry, et cetera.
Prayer plays an important part in getting decisions. We pray for the individual and with the individual, and we teach the interested ones how to pray. We say very simple prayers in the homes, thus making it easier for them to say a prayer, too.
The Decision on Jewelry
Working for a decision on jewelry this early in the series may be a new thought to some, but we find it very effective in bringing the people along. After they have filled out the lesson on Christian standards, I say something along this line on my next visit: Had you ever studied before what the Bible teaches about jewelry?
[Response.]
Why do you suppose that God asks us not to wear bracelets, ear rings, necklaces, rings, and so forth? Have you given this any thought? [Response.] When people don't realize what God expects, they seldom live up to His standards. In heathen lands the people are decked out with earrings, nose jewels, and bracelets around their arms and legs and sometimes even around their necks. They paint up like something out of a nightmare. But you know, after they accept Christ they take all of that stuff off. They don't paint up anymore. Isn't it wonderful the way the gospel of Christ changes people? [Response.] As I close the visit with prayer, I thank God for this lovely person (or family) who is willing to follow all that the Bible teaches. Then I ask them to pray. Notice, I do not ask them to take off their jewelry. Usually it is off by the next class, and they have advanced a giant stride toward the kingdom.
The Decision for the Sabbath
The Sabbath is introduced the fifth week, with the next four classes being also Sabbath related. We allow two weeks of our visiting program for getting a Sabbath commitment and bringing the people to church.
Here is what I say on my first visit after they have completed the Sabbath lesson: Had you ever heard before that Saturday is really the Sabbath? [Response.] What do you think about this Saturday business? Do you feel that Saturday is the day that the Bible teaches we should keep? If their response is favorable I continue: Have you thought about attending church on Saturday?
Any problems, such as Sabbath work, come to light here. I ask: Is your faith strong enough to believe that God can take care of you if you decide to keep the Sabbath? Usually they do feel that God can take care of them. So I ask God in prayer to take care of this man (or woman) and his family, thanking God for their great faith in Him. Then I add: If it is Thy will that this man continue at his present job, please open the way for him to get his Sabbaths off so that he can start attending church with his family. But if it is not Thy will for him to continue working at this job, please help him find other employment. Then I ask the interested person to pray.
After his prayer, I ask him if he wants me to go with him to talk to his employer, or if he would rather handle it himself. Usually individuals prefer to take care of it themselves, but we must be ready to help them in every way we can.
If there were no obstacles, such as Sabbath employment, I invite the prospect to church that Sabbath to hear a special sermon on the evidences of the flood ("When Time Ran Out"). I also invite them to the pastor's Bible class at 9:30 A.M. It is gratifying to see the number of prospects who attend church that very first Sabbath.
It is not difficult to bring people to a decision for baptism if the way has been properly prepared, for they are off their bad habits, jewelry is no longer a problem, and they have started attending Sabbath services. If they have kept up on the printed lessons they have learned all the doctrines of the church including the gift of prophecy. The last four weeks of our program have been reserved to lead people through this final step (this includes two weeks of follow-up after the regular classes are completed). We schedule three baptisms be ginning with the graduation service.
The Commitment for Church Fellowship
In getting this final commitment for church fellowship, I first ask the prospect if he has enjoyed attending the Adventist church. Then I say: We would be very proud to have you as a member with us. Have you thought about joining? I then give them Arthur Lickey's book, Fundamentals of the Everlasting Gospel, and ask them to fill in the blanks. I make an appointment to call back.
My call-back is about a week later. Al most always they have read the book. I ask if there are any questions. I review briefly the major points of faith. Then I ask if they have signed the covenant on page 40. If they haven't (which is generally the case) I open their book to the covenant and hand them my pen. I ask them to sign their name just the way they wish it to appear on the church records. As they sign the covenant I instruct them on what to bring to the baptism.
This approach is successful. We baptize half of our graduates (about one-third who attend graduate). This procedure has several advantages over an altar call: (1) The people are brought along a step at a time. (2) The appeal for baptism is made when the people are actually ready for it. (3) No one is missed. We go to the home. We do not depend on their attendiance at a service where a call is to be made. (4) There is no pressure to this approach. The appeal is made in a positive way. We know where the individual stands when we make the appeal.
There are many ways to lead souls to Christ. This is our method. But of course, even our meetings are different!
