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To Church Officers

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 16, 1915

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 92, No. 62.

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To Church Officers

By M. E. Kern

THE officers of the church have a sacred duty, as well as a precious privilege, to foster the young people's work. If “very much has been lost to the cause of God by lack of attention to the young,” then surely we must neglect them no more. If “the Lord has appointed the youth to be his helping hand,” it is certainly the duty of the overseers of the church to give most careful consideration to the organization through which the denomination is seeking to enlist them in the service of God right where they are.
At this time all our churches are considering the question of their officers for the coming year. It will soon be the duty of the churches to elect officers for the Missionary Volunteer Societies for the first six months of 1916. The success or failure of the work of the young people depends very largely on their leaders. How important, then, that the right ones be chosen!
What can the church elder and his associates do?
1. First, pray that God will give you an insight into the needs of your children and youth, and help you to know what to do and what not to do. I am coming more and more to think that we can find the solution to our problems in the secret place of prayer.
2. Give earnest thought to the leadership of the Missionary Volunteer Society, asking the Lord to help the church to choose well. Remember that this society is organized for personal work and other lines of Christian effort. The first essential qualifications of those who lead out in this work are deep spirituality and earnest activity in Christian work. It is far better to have a devout Christian who prays and works for souls, even though he may not have other desirable accomplishments, than to have one who is ever so brilliant but has not a real love for Jesus and his work. It is very necessary, of course, that a leader should have initiative and some ability to plan for others; but one thing is sure,—no one can lead others in soul winning who is not himself a soul winner.
3. In appointing the church nominating committee, remember that the Missionary Volunteer Society should be represented. It is pitiful to see a nominating committee with little knowledge of or interest in the Missionary Volunteer Society, choose persons as officers who are not qualified for the work, and who are not acceptable to the society. The young people need counsel and direction in their work, but not absolute dictation. Their desires should be considered. Their responsibility should be recognized by appointing one or more members on the church nominating committee from the active Missionary Volunteer workers.
4. When the Missionary Volunteer officers are elected, let the other church officers recognize them as fellow workers. Let those who are older help themby their counsels and by their prayers to do a work for our children and youth which so much needs to be done.
M. E. KERN.