How to Circulate a Church Paper

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 30, 1916

How to Circulate a Church Paper

DR. J. T. PECK, who later in life became one of the most distinguished bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, related in the Western Advocate how, when a pastor, he worked to increase the circulation of the church paper among the members of his congregation. His methods might well be copied by our workers in the circulation of our church paper. Dr. Peck says:—

“Took Paper in Pulpit”

“1. I took the paper into the pulpit. I opened it wide and showed it to the people. I expatiated upon its beauties, its benefits, its departments, its necessities to any member who would be an intelligent Methodist and know the current history of his church. I warmed with my theme and exhorted. I appealed to their loyalty; I excoriated the disloyalty that dropped the church papers and took outside papers, especially if they were cheap. . . . I swept the whole keyboard of incentives to take the paper. Then when the iron had been made hot by striking, I struck to weld it by taking subscriptions on the spot. I got all I could on Sunday as a religious work. I used blank cards often in the pews.”

“Took Paper to Prayer Meeting”

“2. I followed up this bombardment from the pulpit by a renewed attack at a closer range in the prayer meeting. I repeated this effort in the prayer meeting at intervals. I always gained some at the close of a warm prayer meeting.”

“Took Paper on Pastoral Calls”

“3. I next put a clean copy of the paper in my pocket and started out on my pastoral visitation each afternoon. By this means I had made a list of all who ought to take the paper, but had not subscribed. With this list and the paper in my pocket, I began sharpshooting at close range. I went to the house, the store, the shop, the factory. I pulled out my paper and my list. I submitted the question. Most surrendered at once when thus individually appealed to. The few that hesitated I stayed with till they saw ‘a great light’ and subscribed. Only here and there an obtuse or stingy soul escaped.”

“Took up Subscriptions for Paper”

“4. There were always a few poor people who could not afford to take the paper. On Christmas or New Year’s I would state this fact to the public congregation, and ask the well-to-do to send a Christmas or New Year gift to these poor, that would come every week in the year. This always met with quick response.”

“Took Paper to Converts”

“5. At the close of the revival each year I appealed to all new converts to take a church paper.”

“This is my ‘experience.’ It fills me with joy to recall it. It was a good work for Christ.”