Part 12
I decided to find out whether they had advertised the meeting. It was a small town where everybody is supposed to know what everybody else is doing anyway—only about 1,000 people. I went to the stores and inquired whether a meeting was going on in town. In every store I entered I was thoroughly informed about a Nazarene meeting. One fellow got so enthusiastic that he took me out on the street and showed me the preacher’s house and told me where they were holding the meeting. After they would finish their story I’d always ask if there were any other meetings going on in town. In each case the answer was, “No.”
In our meeting that night I related my experiment and its results. And I said, “Now, don’t think I told those people any better. I thought I’d help you keep the secret!” That’s the principle on which a great many churches work.
Remember that you have not advertised the work of the church when you merely let people know it’s going on. You haven’t advertised it until you _make them want a part in it_! Everybody in this country knows that the Standard Oil Company has gasoline for sale. If that were the end of advertising, they could discontinue theirs. But that’s not the purpose of it. Their purpose is to make people _want_ Standard gasoline, so they keep on advertising. Too often we think we’ve advertised the church just because people know it’s in existence, but we have not advertised it until we make them want a part in it.
7. _Handling the finances._ Another little detail that needs careful consideration is the planning of the financial program of the church. There is one important respect in which the finance of the church is different from that of any other organization. I’m not a business man, but I know, nevertheless, that it’s well for a business concern to keep a good surplus on hand. The bigger margin they can keep between their income and their outgo, the better off they are. Consequently the administrators of such businesses endeavor to build up a big bank account; but friends, that’s the worst thing that can happen to a congregation! You cannot get a group of people to give into a treasury that has several thousand dollars in the bank. You cannot get people to give to a church when they know it is not needed.
I got a big surprise a few years ago when I preached in a certain town on the subject of giving. After I’d finished the members began coming to me and saying, “Why there’s no need of telling us about that. We have several thousand dollars in the bank. Why should we give? This congregation doesn’t need any money.”
Recently I held a meeting for another church which had $10,000 in the bank. I didn’t know it, so I preached on giving and got the same reaction. During the rest of that meeting I preached on _spending_! Before the meeting closed the congregation had plans to start a new congregation in the north end of town. Since I left they have bought a building for $4,500, paid cash for it, and started a new congregation with about fifty or sixty members. They were going to wait until the war was over. I wonder what they would have done in case of the Hundred Years War! That question occurs to me when people talk about postponing church work until after the war is over. We cannot afford to let the Lord’s work wait until the world quits fighting!
It’s essential in reference to the financial program of the church that plans for Scriptural spending be kept right up with, or a little ahead of, the income; because the income is flexible. When the congregation sees an increased need and a growing program, then the contributions will be increased accordingly. I don’t blame people for not giving to a treasury that’s already overflowing. I wouldn’t want to contribute to a church whose leaders would not spend the money that was contributed. I’d find some other avenue through which to contribute. When it is necessary to set aside a fund for a new building, or some other major, anticipated expense, the money should be earmarked and not counted as part of the operating account. The financial program of the church is one of many problems that needs to be given some careful study.
8. _Avoiding disappointment._ I want to give you another illustration. When I went to a certain town to preach, the ladies, some of whom were even from another congregation, began insisting on having a ladies’ Bible class. They said that the preacher over at this other church wouldn’t have one. I asked why. They answered, “Because it always dies on his hands, and leaves a bad feeling—a feeling of failure.” I replied, “All right, we’ll have one and not let it die. We’re just going to continue it twelve weeks. Then we will be through.”
I planned a twelve-week course. The interest and attendance grew throughout the twelve weeks. Some insisted upon its being continued longer but I said, “No, we may start another one soon, but we’ve finished this one.” You know there’s a big difference between quitting because you’ve finished and quitting because you’ve failed. You can always start again if you think it wise to do so. It is prudent to set a time limit on all activities of the church except those which are essential or already established.
When I was doing missionary work in Richmond, Virginia, I didn’t ask churches to send me “a contribution;” I asked them to send me a definite amount for a definite period of time. Then, when they had promised, they felt obligated to give that much for that length of time. You know, if there isn’t some agreement about the amount and the length of time, people will think, “Well, it’s got to stop sometime and the church has as much right to discontinue it or say when it should be discontinued as the preacher has,” and so after awhile it just plays out. But if a congregation promises to send you $10 a month for twelve months, they are almost certain to do it. That’s just another one of those little details. All such things have to be worked out according to human judgment. They have to be learned by experience and observation. The Bible does not specify them.
I could go on talking like this indefinitely, but all these items are mentioned for illustrative purposes, and to emphasize the one central point I want to drive home tonight. That is, that God has left a field in which he has not made specifications, in which we must make decisions, and those _decisions ought to be made thoughtfully_. They ought to be made deliberately, and every little detail ought to be studied most carefully, for after all, _we are engaged in the greatest work on this earth!_
IV Point of Diminishing Returns
I want to raise one more question and then we’ll have to close. We hear people speaking in the business world about “the point of diminishing returns.” Maybe I should tell you what that means or give you a simple illustration. Suppose you drive out on a muddy road like Brother Estevez was talking about this afternoon and get your car real dirty and come home to wash it. You turn on the hose pipe and go over it one time, and it doesn’t look like the same car. The first going over makes a big difference, a very obvious difference, but you don’t have it clean yet. You go over it again and you get it a little bit cleaner, but it’s not as noticeable this time. Then you get some soap and wash it real good and get off some more dirt, but the difference doesn’t show very plainly this time. The car still isn’t clean. You take some cleaning wax and go over it again and get off a lot more dirt. Then you can take a rag and shine it and the more you polish it, the more it’ll shine, but after awhile you reach the point where the extra lustre that can be added by further rubbing is not worth the effort. That’s the point of diminishing returns. When you’ve reached the point where the additional result obtainable is not worth the effort required to obtain it, that’s the point of diminishing returns.
With that in mind, I want to ask this question: Do you believe that one can ever reach the point of diminishing returns in his preparation for the work of the Lord? If by ever so much effort I can make myself, even to a small degree, a better preacher, don’t you believe I ought to do it? If by ever so much effort, one can become, to any extent whatsoever, a better song leader, don’t you believe he ought to do it?
And if by ever so much study and careful thought and planning, the overseers can make the work of the church even slightly more effective, don’t you think they ought to do it? Do you believe we can ever reach the point of diminishing returns in the work of the Lord? Don’t you agree that in his work all of us should do our very, very best? I believe you do.
That’s all we have time to say tonight. In just a moment we’re going to sing the invitation song that has been announced, and in doing so we shall be urging you to accept the Lord’s invitation. {These promises are offered to the unbeliever}[5] on conditions of faith, repentance and baptism (Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38); and to the backslider on the conditions of repentance, confession and prayer (Acts 8:13, 22, 23; 1 John 1:9). As we stand and sing we entreat the lost to come to Jesus.
XII CONGREGATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
(_Note_: While this sermon was being presented the main headings of the following outline were on the blackboard. Before the second sermon on the same subject was delivered the following evening, a mimeographed copy of the entire outline was given to each person in the audience.)
_INTRODUCTION_
To set in order the work of the local church it is well to consider the objectives or results desired. Below is a list of scriptural congregational objectives and some of the activities that will help to reach the objectives.
I. _Evangelistic (Mk. 16:15, 16)_ 1. Local _a._ Lord’s day preaching _b._ Protracted meetings _c._ Newspaper and other advertising _d._ Newspaper reports _e._ Inviting and bringing others to meetings _f._ Radio preaching, contact with interested listeners _g._ Short articles in the paper _h._ Distribution of tracts—in homes, in public buildings, by mail, racks in lobbies _i._ Personal evangelism (1) Contacts at school (2) Contacts at play (3) Contacts at work (4) House to house calls _j._ Prospect file—individual and general _k._ Community Bible classes _l._ Prayer 2. Missionary _a._ Tracts _b._ Radio _c._ Financial support to preachers and missions (1) Should expect regular and complete reports (2) Workers selected carefully and well supported (3) Work carefully supervised (4) Operating funds and assistants furnished _d._ Selecting fields and planning work _e._ Leadership for rural churches near Nashville II. _Devotional (Acts 2:42)_ 1. Sunday morning 2. Sunday evening 3. Wednesday evening 4. Announcements III. _Instructional (Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 4:11-13)_ 1. Preaching 2. Sunday morning classes 3. Wednesday evening classes 4. Vacation Bible school 5. Bible story hour 6. Ladies’ Bible class 7. Other special classes IV. _Looking After Members Individually (John 10:3, 14; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17)_ 1. Church bulletin 2. Correspondence with men in service 3. Correspondence with, and in behalf of, other non-resident members 4. Contacts at meetings 5. Visiting—sick, indifferent, weak, disgruntled 6. Records of names and addresses of members 7. Attendance records 8. Special attention to new members, etc. 9. Discipline V. _Practical Training (1 Tim. 3:10; Eph. 4:11-16)_ 1. Wednesday evening meeting 2. Participation in other meetings 3. Special classes 4. Supervised activities in personal work, etc. VI. _Beneficent (Jas. 1:27; 1 Cor. 16:1)_ 1. Caring for widows 2. Caring for orphans 3. Helping the poor VII. _Incidental_ 1. Financial reports, records, etc. 2. Maintenance of church property 3. Other incidentals
We are very glad to have visitors with us today. I will not undertake to name those who are present from other places, lest I omit one. But we want all of you to realize that you have a very hearty welcome. We’re always glad to have you worship with us.
I was very glad indeed to hear that splendid report given by Brother Gregory. I wish we could have more frequent reports from those who are being assisted in their work by the Chapel Avenue congregation. Let us remember that the gospel is being proclaimed today at half a dozen, or maybe a dozen, different places by preachers supported, at least in part, by the congregation here. To me, that is a very encouraging thought.
I want to talk to you this morning upon the topic, “Congregational Objectives and Activities.” The work of the church may be outlined in several different ways, but the most practical outline that I have been able to develop is one based upon the _objectives_ of the church. In other words, what is the purpose of the church? What is the work that it should do, and how can it best do that work? I have listed on the board six or seven expressions according to which the scriptural objectives of the church may be classified: evangelistic, devotional, instructional, watching or looking after the members individually, practical training, beneficent, and incidental—some other activities which are incidental to these main objectives. These are Scriptural objectives. They are authorized by the word of God, and I believe that this outline covers everything which God intends for the church to do. Someone told me I had omitted recreational and social objectives. Well, I left those out on purpose, because I do not believe that they are authorized by the Bible. Hence, as far as I’m able to know, this list is complete.
Now I want to talk about one or two of these items at this time. Continuing the effort to give some practical lessons, I’m laying aside rhetoric or any other technical requirements for a good sermon which might stand in the way of practical effectiveness.
By the term evangelistic, of course, we mean preaching the gospel to the entire world. The Scriptural authority for that is found at many places in the Bible. For instance, the great commission as reported by Mark 16:15: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel unto every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned.” This commandment is very comprehensive. It says “Go into all the world” and the world includes the people who live here at Chapel Avenue, those who live next door to you, even those who are in the house with you. It includes the people of this city, and then, of course, people in other cities and other states throughout the entire world. Therefore, we shall discuss this subject of evangelization under two headings: local and missionary.
God has given us a charge to keep as a congregation. He has charged us to preach the gospel unto the people of this community, as well as the people of other communities. Now the question is: “How can we do it?” There’s the command; it’s a general one. God charges us to preach the gospel unto the people who live in East Nashville, and as little as you may have thought about it, there are many thousands of people right here within a few blocks of our building who do not know about the church in the New Testament—who do not believe and study the Bible and are not acquainted with the distinguishing characteristics of the New Testament church.
I Preaching on Lord’s Days
Our problem is to get the truth unto these people. What means and what methods shall we use in carrying out this charge which God has given us? One method we use is that of preaching on the Lord’s day; Sunday sermons serve an evangelistic purpose to some extent. Some of the lessons are designed for the purpose of reaching those who are on the outside, and, of course, when that is the case, a special effort should be made to get the outsiders here to hear the lessons. These regular Lord’s day meetings, then, and the lessons which are presented morning and evening can be made to serve the purpose of evangelizing this community.
But we could not confine all the lessons to that type of thinking, for to do so would be to neglect some other important matters. Even if we did make all the lessons of an evangelistic nature that would not suffice to solve this problem, for that means alone will not reach all the unsaved, even of our own community. Too many of them are at home at this hour, or worshiping at some other place where the full gospel is not presented.
II Protracted Meetings
Most congregations supplement their Lord’s day preaching then by what is called protracted meetings, or revival meetings. Such meetings accomplish much good, and they should be executed with a definite purpose in mind. Some definite purpose should characterize every activity of the church. When we hold another protracted meeting, we want to think of it as a means of helping us carry out the God-given charge to preach the gospel unto the people in East Nashville. As long as there is one soul within our reach who has not heard the truth or who has not been properly exhorted to obey it, you and I have not finished our job. Keeping the purpose of reaching the unsaved of this community clearly in mind as we plan and conduct our next meeting will contribute much to its success.
III Advertising
You will agree with me that if we should depend entirely upon Lord’s day preaching and upon protracted meetings, we would never reach all the unsaved even in our own community. God has not prescribed that our efforts shall be confined unto these methods. He has given us a general charge to preach the gospel to all the world. He expects us to use some intelligence and some good judgment in carrying out this command.
And, friends, he expects us to use every means which is at our disposal in order to make the job complete. Of course, I mean every Scriptural or legitimate means. For no other sort of means would accomplish the purpose intended. We would make a very serious mistake, then, if we relied upon any one method alone. God expects us to use every method that is legitimate within its nature in order to carry out this charge.
What are some of the other things which can be done along this line? First, we can make a greater effort to get people to come to the meetings—supplement the public meetings by putting on a special effort to get people to attend them. Newspaper advertising would be very helpful. Personal visits and invitations to attend the meetings can be used to good advantage. Another means of attracting people to the place where the gospel is preached, is publicizing reports of what is being done. Nothing succeeds like success. And _if a church will do what God intends for it to do, it will be news_!
One preacher blamed the churches themselves for not getting more newspaper publicity. He said “If there were a church which practiced what it preached, it would get its name in the headlines of the daily paper.” If you’ll stop to analyze his statement, you’ll almost have to admit that he told the truth. We are not seeking publicity for its own sake, but the Bible says “Let your light shine,” and condemns the putting of your candle under a bushel where no one can see it.
When the church does something which is worthwhile and would serve as a fine example for others, it is our duty to give it the publicity which it deserves in order that others may profit by the example. Such is authorized by the commandment, “Let your light shine, that others may see your good works and glorify God.”
IV Radio and Press
Another means which might be used to carry out this charge is radio preaching. Of course, there has been much of this done already in the city of Nashville, but there are many other places where it has not been done, and where it should be used as one of the methods of carrying out the commandment to preach the gospel to the whole world. Wherever the radio is used every possible effort should be made to form personal contact with those who become interested.
I know a number of congregations that are publishing short articles in the daily paper. The daily paper is a very fine medium through which to reach the public. The business world has known this for a long time. That’s the reason you see so many and such costly advertisements in our daily papers. Our merchants know that this is an effective way to reach the public. Jesus said that the men of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of light. It may be that this statement is applicable here, for too often churches have overlooked the use of the radio and especially the use of the daily paper as a medium through which to reach the public.
Remember, God has charged us to preach the gospel to everybody, and one soul is worth more than all the money in the world. If by ever so much use of the daily press, we can accomplish the salvation of just one soul it would be worth a million times what it cost. If we will stop to consider the value of just one soul, we will see the great importance of using every means that we can to win lost souls for Christ. Now, I’m just naming some different activities here which will help us to fulfill this duty, or to reach the objective of evangelizing our own community. Do not think that this list is complete; it is intended rather to be suggestive. Perhaps you can think of other means which would also help in accomplishing this task.
V Distributing Tracts
But even after we have done all these things there will still be some people who are not yet reached. The church here has been engaged in publishing and distributing tracts. This is another means which we can use to reach our neighbors. I wish we had some system of regularly placing tracts, appropriate tracts, in every home in this community. We can help to preach the gospel to the world by carrying tracts in person to those who live in our neighborhood, and by placing tracts in public places—the Y. M. C. A., the Y. W. C. A., the bus station, the Union Station, and other such places. The churches of Christ in general have neglected this opportunity; if you doubt this statement, visit some of these places—hospitals, terminals, etc.—and you will realize that we have been letting an opportunity slip by us in this respect.