THE year of MISSION '72 is now upon us. Never in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has so much time, planning, and praying gone into a single program or project. MISSION '72 represents an evangelistic thrust far beyond anything ever before attempted. It is intended to bring to the attention of millions the glorious good news that we have a Saviour who once died for our sins and who is soon to return in glory.
The concerned, dedicated elder of the church will naturally ask, Just what can I, as an individual and an elder of my church, do to help make MISSION '72 in our church all that God would want it to be? Here are a few suggestions:
1. Personal Devotion. Search your own heart. Come to know Jesus better. This means you must take time for your own devotional life. You must become better acquainted with Jesus through Bible study and prayer. Unless you do this you can never have the power in your life to give the spiritual leadership so necessary. This must be a daily concern. It must be a matter of self-discipline. The certain alternative is a Laodicean, mediocre experience in the things of God. So, as the new year begins, give this suggestion priority: Set up a definite systematic plan of daily, personal Bible study and devotion. Then stick to it.
2. Witness. Begin to witness more faith fully to your own experience. Be more bold to tell others what Jesus has done for you. Let your spiritual influence be felt in your home, among your neighbors, in your community in all your social and business relationships, and in your church. Claim the promise: "There is no limit to the usefulness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God." --Christian Service, p. 254.
3. Have a Personal Concern. Let your pastor, your church board, and your church know that you accept MISSION '72 as the greatest challenge and opportunity yet to come to your church and that your great burden is to see your church enter into the program in such a way as to reap the maximum results. This will mean personal encouragement to many who other wise might not participate. The great concern will be that every member of the church be involved in one way or another.
4. Set the Pace in Action. Let your actions speak as loud as your words. Not only will you publicly and personally encourage every member to have a definite part, but you will set the pace. You will reach deep into your own bank account to help sup port a massive literature distribution and advertising program. And not only will you give financial support, but you will be right on the spot ready to distribute the Reach Out tracts in the area assigned to you. As the meetings draw near you will not only urge others to invite their friends and neighbors, but you will do the same. When the meetings begin, you will have your own program planned in such a way as to avoid conflicts of interest that would keep you from being present. You will practice what you preach, and in so doing inspire your congregation toward all-out support.
5. Don't Let Satan Trip You Up. You will guard against discouragement. We can be sure that every time a major effort is put forth toward revival and evangelism, Satan, with his emissaries, will be there to hinder. He will come up with all kinds of problems and differences designed to disrupt and discourage. We can expect that problems will arise, but we must recognize these as evidences of Satan's fright at the work to be accomplished. These problems should draw us closer to the Lord as we seek for divine wisdom. They should spur us on to even greater faithfulness.
God is on our side. It is His cause that we champion. He has promised, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Let us claim the promise and not permit ourselves to be sidetracked from the Lord's business by petty differences, grievances, personal ambitions, or irrelevant is sues. With the help of God we can maintain the true spirit of unity and fervor in the Lord's work without letting the devil get us bogged down in the quagmires of petty problems or unworthy motives.
What a Challenge
The local elder, fully dedicated to the Lord and His work, can make a tremendous spiritual impact upon the congregation. On the other hand, if his own heart is not fully warmed with the love of God and worldly cares are too much with him, the opposite effect can be equally great.
MISSION 72 is the greatest challenge and the greatest opportunity to finish our task that has ever come to our church. What a tragedy if the local church leaders are themselves irresponsive to the call and unappreciative of the opportunity. This must not be. In this last urgent hour when every energy should be directed toward hastening our Lord's return, we cannot permit this to happen.
The pastor must himself set the pace in spiritual dedication and leadership, but right at his side are the local elders of the church. What an important place you occupy. Your attitudes and influence can do much to mold the character and attitude of the entire church. Your degree of enthusiasm for the work will be duplicated in the lives of many.
If This Doesn't, What Will?
If MISSION 72, prefaced with the tremendous need for revival and reformation, doesn't arouse many of the sleeping saints and stir them to action, then pray tell, what will? But if we, as spiritual leaders, are in dead earnest, and if the flocks en trusted to our care and direction can see that our lives have been touched and changed, then surely they will follow. Shame and hypocrisy will go. Strife and desire for supremacy will cease. Trial and sacrifice for Christ's name will become a pleasure. Unity will prevail. The Holy Spirit will be poured out. Others will see that Christ is with us and thousands will respond to the last urgent invitation, "Come out of her, my people" into the ranks of those that "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." The work will be finished and Christ will come.
My prayer: Lord, this is my great desire, the longing of my heart. May this experience come to me and to the church I serve. Forgive our past failings. Unite us in more active service for Thee. Give us wisdom and enthusiasm as we enter into the privileges of MISSION '72. Bless this program, not only in our local church, but in its thrust in many lands. In Jesus' name, Amen.
