A Forward Movement in Church Missionary Work by E. R. P.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 16, 1911

A Forward Movement in Church Missionary Work

By E. R. P.

At the recent autumn council of the General Conference Committee provision was made for placing the church missionary work upon a stronger basis. For many years this work was under the direction of the International Tract Society. Since the organization of the General Conference Publishing Department, the church missionary work has been under the direction of this department; but the development of the colporteur work and of many other interests connected with a rapidly growing publishing work, has been allowed to overshadow the church missionary work, so that it has not received the attention which its importance demands. Besides, it has been the opinion of many that the church missionary work would develop more successfully on a general basis of its own, under the immediate direction of church officers, conference laborers, the tract society officers, and a General Conference secretary, than it has under the care of one department. Therefore, the following recommendations were adopted:—

“Whereas, The responsibility for the development of the church missionary work rests primarily upon church and conference officers, and other laborers representing the work of the cause as a whole, instead of resting largely upon any one department; and,—

“Whereas, The work of the Publishing Department has so developed as to make it difficult for that department to give the attention to the church missionary work that its great importance demands; therefore, we recommend,—

“1. That provision be made by conference and church officers for a strong, active development of the church missionary work.

“2. That conference laborers be urged to take this responsibility, and enter actively upon the work of leading our churches into all important lines of missionary activity, and of instructing the churches how to do the work.

“3. That each conference tract society be given sufficient help to enable the secretary, or some one appointed for that purpose, to give primary attention to the development of church missionary work, both by correspondence and by personal labor in the field.

“4. That conference and church missionary conventions be held, as the needs may require, for the promotion of this work, and for giving help and instruction to conference laborers, church officers and members.

“5. That the General Conference employ an experienced missionary secretary to labor for the organization and advancement of the church missionary work.”

The above recommendations are self-explanatory. As soon as possible, the General Conference will appoint a secretary not connected with any one department, but under the direction of the General Conference officers, to take general oversight of the development of the church work. We trust that conference officers will make the necessary adjustments in the tract society office, and communicate with conference laborers and church officers concerning the details of this arrangement, so as to insure the rapid organizing and developing of the work along the natural familiar lines set forth in these recommendations. T. E. Bowen, assistant secretary of the General Conference, has been asked to take charge of this work until a permanent secretary has been secured. The Publishing Department will continue in charge of the circulation of all classes of literature, and, like other departments, will work through the church missionary society for the promotion of its special features of church work.

E. R. P.