p. 15 | Three Essentials for a Successful Missionary Meeting

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 7, 1913

Three Essentials for a Successful Missionary Meeting

Earnest, cheerful, leader.
Good program.
A report from each member.

1. The leader, the captain of the Lord's regiment, to go before and lead.

How much depends on the leader of a missionary meeting! He can bring life and interest into every item rendered if his own heart is full of the missionary spirit. He will need tact and wisdom to guide matters at times. He should see that nothing drags, that everything is done in an earnest manner, and be prepared to fill in any gaps that may occur through some one's being unavoidably absent. He should know beforehand what subject will be considered at the meeting. He should also see that the missionary meeting receives proper announcement in the church services, to insure a good attendance.

2. The program, the plan of campaign, planned for by the missionary committee, the officers of the Lord's regiment.

A committee should be appointed who will counsel together with reference to the program for the missionary meeting. Fully two weeks should be given for preparation to those who are asked to take part in the meeting. All phases of missionary work, both home and foreign, should be considered, and members encouraged to assist in presenting these subjects. Some might also assist in selecting subject-matter that could be studied with profit by the society. The entire rendering of the program should not exceed one hour. Far better close your meeting at its most interesting point than have your members become weary. Let your meeting be like the fascinating magazine article — continued in our next. Attendance is then assured for your next meeting.

3. Good reports, the services of the people, the privates of the Lord's regiment, who carry forward the campaign.

Each member should realize that he is responsible for the success of the missionary meeting. If he fails in his part, the meeting is a failure to just that extent. His report of work for the week is necessary. If he has been active, he will bring life and inspiration to the

meeting. Good reports are absolutely necessary to a good, live missionary meeting.

"Plan ways whereby a live interest may be kindled, and train up the young to do what is appointed them. Let them have a part to act, and from week to week let them bring in their reports, telling what they have experienced, and through the grace of Christ, what success has been theirs. If the missionary meeting were a meeting where such reports were brought in by consecrated workers, it would not be dull, tedious, and uninteresting. It would be full of intense interest, and there would be no lack in attendance."—"An Appeal on Home Missionary Work."

It therefore takes all—leader, missionary committee, and church-members—to conduct a successful missionary campaign and hold an interesting missionary meeting.