Church Workers’ Missionary Institute by A. T. Robinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 8, 1910

Church Workers’ Missionary Institute

By A. T. Robinson

“To his church God has committed the work of diffusing light and bearing the message of his love.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 427.

“The church of Christ on earth was organized for missionary purposes.”—Id., Vol. VIII, page 29.

“The entire church, acting as one, blending in perfect union, is to be a living, active, missionary agency, moved and controlled by the Holy Spirit.”—Id., Vol. VIII, page 47.

“Enfeebled and defective, needing constantly to be warned and counseled, the church is nevertheless the object of Christ’s supreme regard.”—Id., Vol. VII, page 16.

For some time it has been borne in upon the minds of the workers in the Nebraska Conference that the organization commanded, ordained, and cherished by the Lord, has almost been lost sight of in the many special lines into which its work has been divided and subdivided; and that in our zealous care for the branches, we have left the root to wither.

The later volumes of the Testimonies constantly refer to the sad condition of the churches, and clearly point to neglect of proper education and training as the cause of this condition.

“Because of the lack of proper instruction among the church-members by those whom God has placed as overseers, there is not one merely, but scores, who are slothful, and who are hiding their talents in the earth. They need to be tended as do sick children.”—“Home Missionary Work,” page 15. (See Vol. VI, page 435.)

“Were the kind of labor of which it stands in need bestowed upon the church, many who are doing nothing would be educated to become diligent laborers in the harvest-fields.”—“Home Missionary Work,” page 14.

Pages of like import might be quoted from the spirit of prophecy. Earnestly desiring to meet the mind of the Lord in this matter, a beginning was made in our conference by planning and holding four “church workers’ missionary institutes,” in which we endeavored to reach the officers of all our churches with definite, practical instruction in reference to their duties, and how they might get the church-members into active service at home.

These institutes were not simply a “Sabbath and Sunday visit” to a single church, but were held in four different sections of the State, in order to accommodate delegates from all the churches, as well as the isolated brethren and sisters, of whom there are over three hundred in this conference. In order to encourage a good attendance, the conference offered to pay the expenses of one delegate from each church to the nearest meeting. It was recommended that each church also pay the expenses of one delegate, and that a general attendance be urged.

All told, in addition to the members of the churches where the institutes were held, one hundred fifty-six persons, nearly all of whom were church officers, attended the institutes. Ten days, filled to the last minute with about sixty services, were spent at each place.

Believing that, since the church is a missionary institution, every branch of successful church work is based upon strong missionary principles, these principles were clearly set forth as the strong foundation and motive power for all Christian effort.

Nearly all the instruction was in the nature of class work, and no effort was spared to secure competent instructors, and make all lessons intensely practical.

The duties of all church officers were made clear. The books of the church clerk, church treasurer, and missionary secretary were carefully explained, and a set of accounts in each was carried through by the class.

The missionary, educational, Sabbath-school, religious liberty, canvassing, and health reform departments of the work received careful attention, and we feel sure that a healthy interest was created in these different lines of work, which will show the usual result of more intelligent interest—more effective work.

Our people are already responding nobly to the plans presented, and there are glowing prospects for these branches of the work in all parts of the field.

A good display of our books was made at each place. Two thousand magazines were sold and the retail value of the books and periodicals sold was $747.54. It was truly refreshing to see our people literally “loading up” with message-filled books, tracts, and papers to be used among relatives, friends, and neighbors in missionary work.

A “field day” was held at each institute, and the experience at each place demonstrated the same thing—that our magazines can be sold anywhere, and that our church workers can sell them.

Excellent Bible studies were given each morning, and the evening services were strongly evangelistic. In these meetings, backsliders were reclaimed, some with whom work had already been begun by our laborers were led to decide definitely for the truth, and some took their stand for the first time without previous work having been done. The Lord’s Spirit witnessed his approval of the efforts put forth.

A vacant building was rented at each place, fitted up with rented furniture, and the delegates all roomed and boarded at the same place, thus getting the full benefit of the lessons given in domestic science.

We feel that the largest plans are awaiting our co-operation that the Lord has ever given us the privilege of having a part in. In the following sentences, which we wish might be burned into the consciousness of every professed follower of Christ, lies the secret of our success and our aim for this year:—

“A thousand doors of usefulness are open before us. We lament the scanty resources at present available, while various and urgent demands are pressing us for means and men. Were we thoroughly in earnest, even now we could multiply the resources a hundredfold.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, page 38.

A. T. ROBINSON.