WHILE some of us find the Ingathering program an onerous duty that comes along with frightening rapidity, yet it has been, it is, and will continue to be one of the great blessings in God's church.
This campaign, originated by a layman, approved by the pioneers of our faith, and conducted by laymen and ministry alike, produces millions of dollars to expand God's work and spreads the gospel message as no other single campaign does. Why, then, if this is true, do we find such an aversion to it?
In my mind the problem is largely due to our attitude toward it. If we tell ourselves we don't like something, then we won't like it. If we go at a task in a half-hearted manner it will be long and tedious. If we convey to our lay men a strong dislike for Ingathering we will get the same reaction from them. If no enthusiasm is shown to accomplish this goal our people will respond in kind.
Yet this work is God's work without question, and without it we would have to devise new means of raising the same vast sums of money. We would have to labor much more diligently all during the year than now to cover the same territory with missionary contacts. It is highly unlikely that we could substitute any other program for Ingathering that would accomplish the same ends.
My observation over the years has been that far too many solicitors, both of the ministry and the laity, go about the Ingathering program in an apologetic undignified manner. If we would remember that we are Christ's servants, on Christ's mission, bearing a blessing to those solicited, there is no reason why we couldn't change our entire attitude at every call. With a manner exuding confidence, stressing assurance, having the glow that comes from knowing that we are as important as any other person on earth as we represent Christ's church, why should we fear?
The dignity of the church and the ministry is demeaned when we enter a store or a shop in a hesitant, apologetic way, cautiously peering about the counters, shyly asking a clerk for the manager, and having an air of "Well, I hope he's not here." How can we have an attitude that will convey itself to the solicited per son to which he will respond and give a liberal offering? How can we influence him to read the material after we have left, and influence him to send for the free material and/or Bible course?
It is my experience that when I enter a store with a positive manner, planning to give a blessing to this manager to the best of my ability, proceeding with an air of competence to present my mission in quiet dignity, without apology, while exuding as much confidence as I can muster, he will respond favorably. In case there is an instance where no contribution is given, at least I attempt to leave an impression that will in no way militate against my returning another year.
When the manager responds favorably it is a simple matter to volunteer to have a brief prayer before leaving. This should be done only in private, however.
I have found that when I begin my day's work planning to bring a blessing to everyone possible with a word of comfort and brief prayer that my entire attitude toward In gathering is on a much higher level than it is if I approach the day with fear and trepidation. After a successful canvass where prayer was offered it always seems that when I leave my footsteps are a little lighter, my heart is more cheerful, and I know that the per son will have in his hands an opportunity for salvation.
Whenever we leave a piece of missionary literature we do leave an opportunity for salvation. The money is important, very important. Without it the mission program would be in serious difficulty. However, even more important is the spiritual side of each encounter. When we conduct Ingathering in a manner that is Christlike in every way we are much more likely to prepare the person's heart to receive favor ably what he will read in the literature. The thousands of cards we receive each year from the Ingathering campaign show that an increasing number of people are reading the literature and obviously looking for something better. They are turning to the Bible and spiritual literature to find it.
Ingathering is what we make it. Our attitude will determine whether we go at this great campaign with confidence and assurance of success, or whether we enter with timid feet hoping the sky will split asunder and the Lord will come before we have to make another contact.
