A CONFERENCE Bible instructor, available to the whole field, is the answer the Ohio Conference has adopted to meet the problem of "Not enough Bible instructors to go around."
Philip FoIIett, Ohio Conference president, recognizes the importance of the professional Bible instructor to the soul-winning program of the church, especially in the work of training laymen. But as in most conferences, the number of trained, qualified women is limited and not sufficient to meet the challenge of the large metropolitan areas of the conference.
And so, early in 1974, the conference assigned one of their experienced workers, Mary Lou Davies, as conference Bible instructor, to be used where needed throughout the conference.
The president has informed his workers of her availability and the requirements for obtaining her services. The pastor makes the request, then works with the president and lay activities secretary of the conference in working out a program.
This is how the plan works. The conference lay activities secretary goes into an area with Mrs. Davies to get the program started. They hold training classes for the church (or in some cases a district of churches) one night a week for six weeks. During that day Mrs. Davies takes teams of laymen, consisting of two ladies or a lady and a man, to visits and studies. Usually she can work three teams a day, one each in the morning, afternoon, and evening.
She shows how to make the initial contact, how to follow up, how to initiate studies, and finally how to actually conduct the study in the home.
Prepared lessons are generally used by the laymen. They are taught such techniques as how to lead interests to a decision for Christ and for the truth.
During the course of the training, the layman has opportunity to conduct a Bible study with Mrs. Davies present. When he is sufficiently trained, he in turn will take other laymen with him to teach them what he has learned.
The pastor works closely with Mrs. Davies, providing hand-selected trainees for the program, an up-to-date name file of interests, and assisting in the development of a well-organized program of soul winning. The latter is a prerequisite for having the program. Usually her three-month loan to the church is focused toward a definitely scheduled reaping program. The pastor's interest in and determination to make the program work is the key to its success, says FoIIett, for if the objectives of this plan are to be met it must be an on-going program after the Bible instructor leaves the district.
What is the specific objective? To develop in every congregation where she serves, a well-trained corps of lay Bible instructors who will continue to do the work and will themselves train other laymen. What pastor wouldn't be delighted to have a good strong army of well-trained laymen in his congregation? Yet, how many pastors, especially of larger churches, are able to actually spend time in on-the-job training of laymen? It is with this purpose in mind that the conference Bible instructor position has been created.
Has the program worked? Elder Follettreports that the results so far have exceeded their expectations. In the first six months of the program a number of baptisms, five in one district and six in another, have resulted from Bible studies conducted by laymen Mrs. Davies has trained.
Pastor Marlo Fralick reports that the lay force in his church has been greatly strengthened. Those who were already active have learned better methods and techniques of soul winning, and four new lay workers have been added who had never given Bible studies before. He hopes to continue an on-going program of constant training and recruitment.
When asked if the Ohio Conference might be setting a new precedent, Follettagreed that the program holds some real possibilities. He described the kind of person he believes is needed for this kind of position. She must have skill and experience in teaching and training laymen for the work. Her ability to relate and adapt to a variety of pastors is essential. And finally, her schedule must be such that she is available to go where needed. (Mrs. Davies is married, her children grown, and her husband is a willing partner to sharing her for the Lord's work. Follettcommented, with a twinkle in his eye, that he thinks Mr. Davies ought to have two stars in his crown for every one his wife will have.)
A conference Bible instructor in every conference may be only a dream at this point, but Ohio has made a good start in the right direction !
