p. 8 | A Suggestive Missionary Program by A. M. DORMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 30, 1915

A Suggestive Missionary Program

By A. M. DORMAN

A. M. DORMAN

AFTER a rousing missionary hymn and an earnest prayer, the leader calls for the relation of experiences which the members have had in actual service for the Lord during the past week. In some cases he may even begin with the front row and call upon each in turn.

Nothing else will so enliven and stir a company of believers as a meeting of this sort. Those who are unable to think of anything to relate, will be awakened to their real condition by the fact that they have nothing to tell.

A good experience in the Lord cannot be related without the manifestation of a certain degree of enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is contagious. It spreads quickly from one to another. The entire congregation catches the spirit of service.

After the relation of these experiences, the leader may call for expression on the part of the members as to plans by

which the message can be advanced in their locality. They may be asked to tell their individual plans for service. When one helps to plan for a work, he at once assumes more or less responsibility for the carrying out of the plan. Thus under wise leadership, let the church be organized for service.

It is true that in some cases missionary societies are organized for this kind of work. It is also true that often but a small proportion of the church members belong to the society or attend its meetings. Those who do belong are those who are already awake to the work. The crying need is for the arousing of interest and enthusiasm among those who are now asleep. Those who do not attend the missionary meetings must be reached at the regular church service.

The church exists for the sole purpose of saving sinners. Its work in saving men is twofold: First, it saves the individual sinner; second, it trains the regenerated heart for service. The church exists to complete the work begun by Christ. The purpose of God for each of its members is contained in the command of Christ, the Head, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.”

Are the churches fulfilling the purpose of God for them? This question is an important one. The church itself was intended to be a missionary society. A church may be prosperous and successful in many ways, but it is truly successful only as it reaches the real purpose of its existence.

“All the preaching in the world will not make men feel deeply the need of perishing souls around them.”—Testimonies for the Church, Vol. IX, page 117. “The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them.”—Id., Vol. VI, page 49. “Should all the labor that has been expended on the churches during the past twenty years, be again expended upon them, it would fail, as it has failed in the past, of making the members self-denying, cross-bearing followers of Christ. Many have been overfed with spiritual food, while in the world thousands are perishing for the bread of life. Church members must work.”—Id., Vol. IX, page 140.

When each church fulfills the purpose of God in its existence, the message will go forward as a fire that burneth.

Lamar, Colo.