EFFICIENT CHURCH WORK

By J. W. M. Williams  

            Beautiful and attractive houses of worship are erected; cultured and eloquent ministers are secured; artistic music is furnished; frequent changes in the pastorate are made; an immense amount of machinery is used, with the hope of increasing the congregation. All these, no doubt, have their influence to attract many. But may it not be, that we have placed too much reliance on such things, and not enough on the Holy Spirit? Ours is “a jealous God.” “He will not give His glory unto another.” It is true yet: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD.” The Lord works along the line of a consecrated people. So long as Israel had God-fearing leaders, and adhered to them, He caused them to prosper. When otherwise, He turned away from them, and they brought terrible judgment upon themselves. The great need of the churches at this day, and the one thing essential to enlarge our congregations is more purity and consecration in the pulpit and in the pew. The Spirit of the Lord is restrained for the want of holy, loyal, consecrated churches to work through. We are straitened in ourselves, and not in the Lord.

            The object of this article is to impress upon the reader---especially if he be a young convert---that while much depends upon the minister to enlarge the congregation, much also depends upon the members---depends on you personally. If the following suggestions are put to practice, I am quite sure that the congregation where you worship will be enlarged;

            1. Realize that your church is made up of individuals; that its honor and usefulness is in a sense committed to you; that you have a work to do which no one else can perform; do not attempt to throw responsibility upon others; neither upon the pastor, the officers, committees, or members; realize that the Divine Master says to you: “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that My house may be filled;” find out what you can do in this direction, and do it---do it yourself.

            2. Keep your own heart right in the sight of God. Aim to be a consistent Christian; let your light so shine that men can see it. Then they will be influenced by you when you show an interest in their salvation.

            3. Be personal in your effort to bring others under the influence of the preached Gospel.

            The best way to reach the masses, is to reach one at a time. One thousand consistent Christians talking personally with one thousand unconverted persons, will accomplish far more than one man addressing a congregation of a thousand. Direct personal effort on the part of the entire membership of your church is one of the very best ways to enlarge the congregation where you worship.

            Our churches trust too much to ministers, officers, committees and machinery to do this. Go yourself and invite the people to come in, that the Lord’s house may be filled. Study John 1:35-51.

            “He brought him to Jesus.” Let each one bring another, and the house will soon be full. “He brought him to Jesus.” “He.” Who? A believer; one who was sure he had found the Messiah. It is the work of believers to bring others to Jesus. “Brought him.” Did not write him a letter, or send another to invite him; he went after him, and brought him---he came with him. “Brought him.” Whom? His own brother, Simon. Commence with those nearest to you. “Brought him to Jesus.” Never be satisfied until those whom you bring to the house of God know Jesus as their Saviour, Teacher and King. “Brought him”---a better man than himself. Peter proved to be much more efficient in the cause than Andrew. So you may bring to Jesus a much more useful one than yourself. Many a mother, father, Sunday-school teacher, has done this. This is Heaven’s own plan, to reach the masses and to enlarge the congregation. I have more confidence in this scriptural, personal effort to enlarge the congregation, than in all the machinery of modern times. I have tried, and seen tried, almost every imaginary kind of machinery to enlarge the congregation; but all, sooner or later, had to be abandoned. There can be no improvement on Heaven’s own plan. When Jesus created food for the multitude, His disciples distributed it to the people. Let the ministers preach, and the members bear it off to others, and invite them to come and hear for themselves.

            Any church may have as many assistant pastors as it has members. Be an assistant pastor in your own church. All acting thus, they would soon double the congregation.

            Like produces like. Addition to our churches through these personal efforts will be like a character, influence, and position to those who bring them in. The poor will bring the poor; the rich will bring the rich; the mechanic will bring the mechanic; the merchant will bring the merchant; and so through all grades of society.

            4. Pray for your pastor. That will help him, and bring you in sympathy with him and his work. Never indulge in adverse criticism on his preaching or his conduct, especially in the hearing of your children or the impenitent; never allow others to do so in your presence. Talk him up; never talk him down. Many are kept from the house of God by the bearing of church members towards their pastors. If you cannot pray for your pastor, or speak well of him, or be edified by his preaching, then seek another church home, and do not remain where your presence is a curse rather than a blessing. The pulpit may draw, but the pew may repel. Thus the members are frequently more to blame for small congregations than the minister.

            5. Do your part to keep the church pure, peaceful and attractive. “Follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”

            Be loyal to your own church; never depreciate it, or permit others to do so. Stand up for the church of which you are a member. Aim to make it so attractive that others may feel it to be a privilege to be associated with it, saying: “We will go with you; for we have heard that God is with you.”

            6. Aim to be present at all the meetings of your church. Do this for the sake of the example, for your own good, and that you may welcome those whom you have invited, and introduce them to your pastor, and show them other attention that will make them feel at home, and anxious to come again.

            7. Resolve, God helping you, so to discharge the trust committed to you, that if your congregation is not enlarged, you can appeal to Heaven, and say: It is not my fault.

            (The Pulpit Treasury, Sept. 1886, pp. 310-312).