T. E. BOWEN by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 1, 1909

T. E. BOWEN

By T. E. Bowen

The Relation Between the Local Church and the Mission Fields—No. 3

T. E. BOWEN

“Fitly Joined Together”

THE two former articles dealt with the organization of this cause, and a few points in connection with the work of the Mission Board. This wonderful system of organization is not the result of man's sagacity. It is from the Lord himself. From the very first, it has withstood strong opposition. At this point we wish to call special attention to one feature. One of the surest evidences we have that the plan is from the Lord is that every part of the organization is dependent upon some other part. This reveals the wisdom of the Lord. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” Eph. 4:15, 16.

In the actual working of this cause, how true it is that “the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth . . . maketh increase.”

Let it be observed that the General Conference itself has no territory of its own from which to draw its resources in men and means with which to carry on its work in the mission territory. It is dependent upon the conferences in the Protestant countries of Europe, Australia, and the United States to supply these resources.

Selecting Workers

When a worker is selected to answer some call, the Mission Board does not write directly to the individual worker, but first submits the call to the president of the union conference in which he is laboring. Yet there are times when it becomes necessary, to save time, to write to the president of the local conference at the same time the union president is consulted. But this is the exception, and not the rule. In such instances a note of explanation is addressed to the union conference president.

If the consent of the union and local committees is obtained for the release of the worker, and they concur in the judgment of the Board that his qualifications entitle him to answer the call, then correspondence is taken up with him in view to his going.

Keeping the Wires From Getting Tangled

Our enemies sometimes throw out the charge that some central board exercises lordship and kingly authority in the management of affairs. But how can this be, when the Mission Board is wholly dependent upon the co-operation of those in charge of the work out in the union and local conferences?

Some may ask, Well, why have any General Conference management at all? Why not let each local conference, or anyhow each union conference, or possibly every church, do its own sending out of workers?—Simply because that would result in a medley of confusion at once. There could be no concert of action in a plan of this sort. All wires of purpose and action would be crossed and recrossed, and become hopelessly entangled. Some mission fields would be entirely neglected, while others might be worked altogether out of proportion to others. No; while the General Conference is dependent upon the local fields, likewise the local conferences are dependent upon the counsel and help the General Conference is prepared to give.

As these general men are called to attend the meetings in the union and local conferences, and from time to time visit the mission fields, a familiarity with the entire world field is thus obtained, so that when these different representative men who have entered into the labors of the brethren in charge of the local fields come together in council, they are prepared in an eminent way to conserve the best interests of the whole field in general. All can see this at a glance. Thus the expense of attending these general gatherings, and going to the mission fields, and the time taken to become familiar with the work and workers, is by no means misspent or unnecessary. On the other hand, the interests of the whole field are conserved by intimate acquaintance with each part.

Takoma Park, D. C.