p. 2 | How to Make a Church Prosper

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 9, 1916

How to Make a Church Prosper

DR. O. L. WILLIAMS, in a recent number of the Christian Advocate, offers some very practical suggestions as to how to make a church prosper. These suggestions are well worthy of consideration, not alone by members of the Methodist Church to whom they were addressed, but by the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. We present them as follows:—

“There is a sure way of prosperity. It has never failed, and never can. The following rules observed by all the members of any church will insure good days. If the church is decaying, the decay will soon be arrested. If it is standing still, it will soon begin to grow. If it is already flourishing, it will grow more rapidly.

“1. Attend all services regularly. If possible, be on time; you need at least five minutes after coming in to find a seat, and to compose body and mind for the service.

“2. Never miss a service needlessly. If you have visitors, invite them to go with you; they will respect you more as a Christian if you are faithful to your duty.

“3. If it rains or snows, make a special effort to go. Our churches stand much in need of storm-proof religion.

“4. Take part in the service. You go to worship, not to be entertained.

“5. Be devout in every attitude; all whispering should be studiously avoided. Find the hymn, and sing it if you can; and share the book with your neighbor.

“6. Speak to strangers, and invite them to come again; a hearty handshake will add much weight to the invitation.

“7. Be friendly to all. Remember hand-shaking has not gone out of style. A hearty Christian greeting means much by way of cheer, comfort, and encouragement.

“8. Accept gladly any work assigned you. If the pastor or some one else is struggling under a load, take hold and help. At least, do not increase the burden.

“9. Always show proper respect for others’ opinions.

“10. Never encourage strife, but be a peacemaker. Peacemakers, you know, are called ‘the children of God.’

“11. Avoid gossip as you would an enemy; it is one of Satan’s best agents for starting church troubles.

“12. Give cheerfully, according to your ability. The Lord has dealt bountifully with you; hence you should be liberal to his cause.

“13. Take a church paper. Church members should keep posted on the affairs of their church.

“14. Think of services through the week, speak of them to others, and pray that they may be attended with divine blessings.

“15. Pray for the sick and the poor. Help the Lord to answer your prayers.

“16. Pray for the pastor. His usefulness will be greatly increased by the daily prayers of all the people.

“17. Pray for some unsaved soul in particular.

“18. Pray, pray, pray! Keep prayed up to date. No Christian should be back in his prayer accounts.

“19. It is a great deal braver to try to do something to better conditions than to stand around and criticize. If you mean to help along, don’t get in front and block the way. Get behind and push. You will then see how little you feel like finding fault with the burden bearers after you have shouldered your part of the load.

“20. In short, pray, praise, push, and keep sweet!”