A DEDICATED lay leader of one of our small churches writes expressing deep concern for the work in the small towns and churches of our vast country. After lauding the progressive spirit of her town, she adds, "But our beautiful Seventh-day Adventist church has too many empty pews."
Her real inspiration for writing the letter was in relation to an experience that occurred on a particular Sabbath. As she drove up to the church she observed that parked in front was a large motor home. Before long she learned that it belonged to a retired missionary and his wife. They were traveling across the country, and in so doing were contacting as many of the small churches as possible "to see how the work was holding up."
She writes: "What a wonderful message he brought, making us all so happy by encouraging and restrengthening our hearts." Then she added, "This missionary was so happy. He loves God's work so much that I don't believe he would accept a lush carpeted office. He seems very happy doing field work for the small churches."
This woman no doubt expresses the feelings of many in our small churches who, perhaps, see their own pastor sometimes as little as once a month because of the number of churches in his district.
Are there not more among those that have already given long years of service who may wish to continue their labor of love, working especially among those who are often without the help of a minister? Living in a mobile home or a motor home and visiting the small churches is a way that at least one family has found most rewarding, and their work is much appreciated.
