ANYONE who is working his heart out for a cause must be prepared for criticism. This is true of those in positions of leadership in the work of the church, and it is especially true of the public evangelist. Among the most distressing criticisms are the charges that his "converts don't stick," that "they aren't well indoctrinated," or that "their campaigns are too expensive."
Sometimes these criticisms are justified. Because of this he must put forth extra effort to do a thorough work, and make every penny as fruitful in souls as possible. Even then, criticisms will come. But remember this: the great majority of people are for you and are praying for conversions. So press on and don't waste time or nerve energy worrying about criticism your time and energies are too precious.
As for dropouts, regardless of the charges few drop out because of weak indoctrination. They drop out because of their weakness in resisting temptation, their lack of faith in Sabbath tests, or their inability to refrain from old habits. Few go back be cause of the doctrines.
Actually, my visits in the homes of several thousand backsliders have revealed that the majority drop out because of hurts received in the church or misunderstandings with some stern and "pious" members. Many just fade away unattended, unvisited, and uncared for.
"You're Only Trying to Make a Showing"
This is another criticism the evangelist will meet. The trouble is that there may be some truth in it, so let's check ourselves. What are our real motives a desperate longing to see souls saved, or partly a desperate longing to see ourselves glorified?
Watch this. It's a dangerous trap. Actually an evangelist gets far more praise than criticism, and this can be dangerous. Our work is public and evangelism may seem to be a little spectacular. So we must re main humble or crash. After all, only God can save a soul.
However, not only evangelists are tempted to strive for a good "showing." So are departmental leaders, institutional administrators, and conference presidents. We must all pray for humility.
But the charge is disastrous, when true, that evangelists try to crowd into their baptisms those who actually are not ready. We cannot fight back against such criticism if it applies.
Always remember that you are working for God and for souls alone. NEVER for a report or as men-pleasers. You're at bat. Keep your eye off the grandstands and on the ball. As you go forth to seek and save the lost think of judgment day, not of a picture in the forthcoming issue of the union paper or the coming worker rally. You are not striving for a record. You are striving for souls souls for eternity! Now let us leave the negative and consider the positive attributes essential to a successful evangelist.
Basic Qualifications
I am taking it for granted that you have surrendered your heart to Jesus and are trying to follow Him all the way. But there is one thing of which you must be certain and that is to be sure you remain fully surrendered. So let's go on from there.
Getting Along With Others
I purposely put this qualification at the top of the list because in your whole evangelistic experience you are going to be working near, around, for, under, over, and with people.
Perhaps more than any other worker (except of course a pastor) an evangelist must not only love people, but he must be able to get along with people.
First your team. You must love them and they must sense this. Pity the evangelist who quarrels with his associates. He is miserable and so are they. He not only grows ulcers--he gives them.
Never forget your associates' work is just as important as yours. See that wages and allowances are equal. Be thoughtful of personal things such as holidays and children's graduations. Yes, you will love the children in the team as well--they will be some of your best backers, and future workers.
Harsh words can never fully be recalled. You must guard your tongue; it can be your worst enemy. "Speak evil of no man" is a principle that will save a lot of regrets, apologies, and heartaches--yours and theirs.
An evangelist's heart must be filled with love. This is your greatest single asset. Love for souls and love for your associates.
Conference Presidents Are Human
You must be able to get along with your conference president, and also the conference treasurer. They are your superiors and have the right as well as the duty to direct your work. If you are kindly in your dealings with them, they will usually go the limit to help out in your evangelistic plannings. Don't consider it belittling to be a subordinate; a loyal servant is a valuable person. Be that person.
It takes a soft heart and a pliable will to be an evangelist. You can't afford to be officious, domineering, grudging, grumbling, griping, groaning, grieving, or gloating.
Try to see the other person's viewpoint. What if you were president with all his responsibilities? What if you were treasurer and had the care of all the workers resting on your heart?
Don't burden your superiors with petty problems. If you are bright enough to be an evangelist (and let's hope you have a fair IQ), you can solve most of your problems yourself and they will love you for it.
Don't be a tattler (or a rattler). No one is perfect. Don't go complaining to the conference president or treasurer about the minister you are working with how "he hasn't cooperated." Go ahead and act as though he has. Let him know you appreciate what he is doing to help, and thus you will be building a stronger pastor and in creasing the morale of the whole field.
Don't talk to Pastor Blue about the weak points of Pastor Green. Pastor Blue will only develop an uneasy feeling that you'll be talking about him in your next series with Pastor Brown. Pastor Gray, Pastor White, and Pastor Brown will also all feel the same way. Be loyal to the men you work with and they will usually be loyal to you. These men may have some odd quirks, but haven't you? Surely your wife has not yet ironed them all out of you, has she?
The Bargain Hunter
Everyone likes a bargain and no one likes to be fleeced. But do your bargain hunting down on third street at the pawn shop or flea market.
In other words, be very careful of your business dealings with others. Don't borrow money from members or interests go to the bank or your wife. Don't become involved in business deals with members, interests, or other workers.
In every business deal somebody gets ahead. If you're the winner the other party will ever remember it and feel you sort of swindled him (even if you pay tithe on your gain). And if you are the loser, you'll waste a lot of time licking your wounds and feeling sorry for yourself.
Don't go too deeply in debt you're miserable and your wife will lie awake nights worrying because you're not worrying. Debt weakens a man's zeal and saps his energy and you pay heavy interest in many ways.
Respect None
What's that? Say that again, please. Well, what I meant to say was this: "Don't be a respecter of persons." Ah, that's better. Respect all.
A very, very important attitude in an evangelist's life (and this goes for others too) is: treat rich, poor, influential, and no bodies alike. I have had the privilege of knowing personally and working closely with three of our greatest leaders: Elder W. H. Branson, Elder Robert H. Pierson, and Elder H. M. S. Richards. There is one thing they had in common they treated "little" people with just as much kindness and attention as they did the prominent or the wealthy. And it wasn't a condescending benevolence; it was a genuine love for the lowly ones.
Can an evangelist do less? In all of your dealings be kind and gentle to everyone rich and poor alike. This includes sinners and saints alike too. (Sometimes it takes a little more grace to love the oversainted than it does the sinner.) Of ourselves none of us amounts to much. In unaffected humility let us be a servant to all, remembering that we will be accountable for the souls of all at the judgment day.
Laugh
at yourself, that is. A sense of humor is one of life's best (and most enjoyable) shock absorbers. Life can be fun. The pres sure of the work is great. You are in dead earnest in your struggle to save souls. At times the load will almost crush your heart. You cannot live under this strain all the time. You will break. Sometimes you must laugh or you will weep.
Try to see the funny side of life. Enjoy life as you go through it. Don't be silly and don't be a clown, but don't be afraid to smile or even to laugh once in a while. Of course if you do, some may suspect that you are almost human and who knows, maybe you are! One who can laugh along the way will last longer "a merry heart doeth good like _____." You finish it. Anyway it's better than Maalox and injections or even _____ oil.
On one occasion the General Conference sent me a questionnaire regarding a certain prospective missionary. I had to be truthful. I advised against his being sent overseas even though he was a personal friend. Why? Because he had no sense of humor. He slaves away at work but doesn't laugh life is drab for him and he makes it that way for others. In less than two years he was already a "returned" missionary.
An evangelist without a sense of humor is like a dry crust of bread. It has some food value, but is very hard to swallow.
"In Honour Preferring"
Boost die other man. No, no. Not in mock humility or condescending gentlemanliness. Take a real interest in the other man's success. Be glad about the other man's success. Thank God for the success of another evangelist. Remember you can't go home until his work is done, so take joy in the progress and accomplishments of others.
Oh, please treat interns kindly. Don't make their early days in the ministry seem like an elimination contest. Some ministers seem to think it their duty to test young men to "see if they can take it" (seemingly forgetting that these spirited young men will one day be their conference or union president). Be loyal and kind to trainees. Someday when you are limping toward the finish line (sustentation or social security or a retirement home) you'll be glad for the friendship and backing of younger hearts.
One caution though. If you should hap pen to be assigned to work under a minister who feels it his responsibility to break the fractious spirit of young colts, don't let it get you down. Take whatever breaking-in shocks that come. You must survive such tests because there will be many more all along the way. So take heart. Let each heartache or disappointment be a building block in the character you must have to do a more perfect work.
(To be continued)
