Interview

Net '95-it's a net, not a hook!

An interview with Alfred C. McClure, president of the North American Division, by J. David Newman, editor of Ministry

J. David Newman is the former editor of Ministry

Ministry: What is NET '95?

McClure: NET '95 is an exciting new innovative concept in evangelism. It takes advantages of breakthroughs in modern technology to communicate the gospel. Through the miracle of satellite transmission a single evangelistic series can be viewed in churches throughout North America.

Recently Billy Graham conducted a satellite evangelistic campaign from Europe with over two million attendees participating in 1,400 cities in 59 countries. Surprisingly, decisions for Christ were higher in meetings using large screens than in the live meeting where Mr. Graham was personally present.

Since the mission of the church is evangelism, NET '95 lifts our vision to something bigger than we have yet achieved. It places priority on evangelism. It unites the division in a common purpose. It is a process of on going systematic evangelistic training and outreach as a way of life for the North American Division.

Ministry: Why should a local church participate in NET '95?

McClure: There are ten advantages that a local church will receive by participating in NET '95.

1. NET '95 gives local congregations a sense of unified purpose. It enables them to be part of a larger plan to win North America for Christ.

2. NET '95 links local churches who may not have skilled trainers to a "speakers bureau" of the most out standing presenters the North American Division has to offer.

3. NET '95 enables pastors with multichurch districts to conduct revival meetings, training events, and public evangelistic meetings under the direction of a competent elder where the pastor may not be personally present. These will be available on a regular, on going basis.

4. NET'95 achieves an "economy of scale" by purchasing evangelistic supplies in large quantities.

5. NET '95 focuses on local congregations' attention to evangelism. It lifts the vision to mission.

6. NET'95 provides local churches an opportunity to purchase the necessary satellite equipment at reduced cost. The equipment can be used to receive Adventist Communication Network broadcasts regularly.

7. NET '95 enables a local congregation to conduct a full-scale evangelistic meeting at a reduced cost.

8. NET '95 brings the expertise of one of Adventism's most experienced evangelists to a local congregation thus maximizing the potential of having a successful evangelistic meeting.

9. NET '95 provides local pastors with a support base to do effective evangelism. Division staff, Adventist Media Center personnel, and successful evangelists across the country will be available to provide counsel as well as answer questions.

10. NET '95 will provide local pastors the creative skills of Adventism's leading evangelistic thinkers in developing effective handbills, advertising, slides, sermon materials, and seminar support materials.

Ministry: What is the difference be tween satellite evangelism and a conventional series of meetings? What are the advantages and disadvantages?

McClure: Satellite allows us to evangelize in 4,632 places simultaneously. Imagine how long it would take us to accomplish the same outreach if we had to travel to each church one at a time. No church great or small need miss the convenient opportunity provided by satellite evangelism. One potential disadvantage is the impersonal nature of television. However, with proper organization on the local level and warm, friendly staff, this disadvantage is easily overcome. Keep in mind that television brings every thing right into our living rooms and that form of the "personal" has been a great success.

Ministry: Who will satellite evangelism appeal to?

McClure: Satellite evangelism could reach North Americans of all races, ages, backgrounds, and cultures. It can reach urban and rural areas, large and small churches. It will also reach be hind doors that we could not otherwise penetrate.

Ministry: What preparation should a local church plan?

McClure: For most churches most of the plans have already been developed. However, on January 14, 1995, a Discover Jesus Seminar will be uplinked from Chattanooga. This is an inspiring seminar on the "Greatest Life Ever Lived." This seminar especially emphasizes Jesus' prayer life, the cross, second coming, and how to live the Spirit-filled life. This seminar continues weekly in local congregations for five weeks until the beginning of the evangelistic meetings.

Ministry: Where and when will this evangelistic series be conducted?

McClure: The evangelistic series will originate in the Chattanooga Convention and Trade Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It will begin February 18, 1995, and end March 25, 1995.

Ministry: Who will conduct the series?

McClure: Pastor Mark Finley, speaker of the It Is Written telecast, will be the speaker. Pastor Charles Brooks, of the Breath of Life telecast, will share in every presentation by answering Bible questions in a question- and-answer format.

Ministry: What equipment is needed and what will it cost?

McClure: All events will be broad cast live from Chattanooga for participation across North America. Each church will need a satellite signal reception dish, an addressable VCR, control boxes, cables to bring the signal into the church, a large-screen video projector, and screen or simply a large television set depending on the size of the church. The cost to the local church will be for the satellite signal reception equipment for which the Adventist Media Center has arranged a special price of approximately US$3,000. However, if there is some local equipment already available, this amount can be reduced. A large-screen video projector costs about US$2,000. In addition to this there is the cost of whatever local advertising the church may wish to do.

Ministry: What costs will be paid by the division, union, conference, and local church?

McClure: The North American Division will pay for all production and satellite broadcast expenses. Policies will vary slightly in each union and conference. However, there will be financial support from the unions and conferences to help pay for advertising, materials, and possibly provide equipment subsidies. There is no cost to the local church for any of the broad cast programs.

Ministry: What will be done to fol low up the evangelistic series?

McClure: Follow-up will be cared for at the local level. This should include:

1. Personal visits;

2. A baptismal class or Discover Jesus Seminar;

3. Fellowship activities in the homes of church members and at the church building;

4. Training programs to ready new believers to share their faith with others and to serve Christ. We plan to offer several special events by satellite. These will be advertised at a later time.

Ministry: How many churches have signed up for this special event and is it still possible for churches to sign up?

McClure: At least 800 churches are planning to be involved in NET '95. Yes, there is still time to become involved, but a church would need to contact its conference leaders immediately to work out the details.

Ministry: Can individual members who have a satellite dish participate by hosting meetings in their home?

McClure: Yes! Small groups can be formed in homes, and I hope that thou sands will participate in this way.

Ministry: Where can a person get further information?

McClure: Most information can be secured from your local conference ministerial secretary. For information on equipment you can call 1-800-ACN-1119.

Ministry: What would you like to say in conclusion?

McClure: God has blessed us with all kinds of exciting technology that can be used for the proclamation of the gospel. We need to use every avail able medium to prepare the world for the soon return of Jesus Christ. Satellite evangelism is one important way that we can use this new technology. But more important than any technology is each member of the church. The most effective witness is how each member lives out the life of Jesus in their own individual lives.

Ellen White reminds us that if we were "kind and courteous and tender-hearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one" (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 189). Hundreds of prayer groups are forming across the division, pleading with God to make this evangelistic outreach something out of the ordinary. Here is a grand opportunity for this church to share with our neighbors in the North American Di vision what Jesus means to us.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

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J. David Newman is the former editor of Ministry

December 1994

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