Preacher`s Magazine Volume 47 Number 10

Transcription

Olivet Nazarene University
Digital Commons @ Olivet
Preacher's Magazine
Church of the Nazarene
10-1-1972
Preacher's Magazine Volume 47 Number 10
James McGraw (Editor)
Olivet Nazarene University
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Recommended Citation
McGraw, James (Editor), "Preacher's Magazine Volume 47 Number 10" (1972). Preacher's Magazine. Book 496.
http://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/cotn_pm/496
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-OCTOBER 1972
BEWARE OF CONFIRMED IMMATURITY
G en e ra l S u p erin ten d en t C o u lter
OF PROBLEMS AND PEOPLE
T h e E d ito r
A BIBLE READING-PREACHING PROGRAM
M ark E. M oore
HOLD THAT LINE!
W. E. Z im m erm an
REVIVAL PREACHING
L e o n C h a m b ers
TEMPTED TO QUIT?
W esley D. T racy
■proclaiming Christian Holiness
THE
PREACHERS
MAGAZINE
OCTOBER, 1972
V o lu m e 47
N u m b e r 10
JA MES McGRAW
Editor
C ontribu ting Editors
S amuel Young
V. H. Lewis
George C oulter
E dw ard Lawlor
E u gen e L. Stowe
Orville W. Jenkins
G eneral Superintendents
('h u rc h of the N azarene
CONTENTS
B e w a r e of C o n f i r m e d I m m a t u r i t y , G e n e r a l S u p e r i n t e n d e n t C o u l t e r .
O f P r o b l e m s a n d P e o p le , E d i t o r i a l .......................................................................
A B ib le R e a d i n g - P r e a c h i n g P r o g r a m , M a r k E. M o o r e ..............................
T h e D e l a y e d A n g e l, T. W . W i l l i n g h a m .............................................................
R ev iv al P r e a c h i n g , L e o n C h a m b e r s .....................................................................
A L ittle D i f f e r e n t — a M a r v e l o u s R esult! P ra ctic al P o i n t s .........................
L e s s o n s in L e a d e r s h i p f r o m a T o w T r u c k , / . K e n n e t h G r i d e r ...............
P r o b l e m P e o p le , R o b e r t E. M a n e r .......................................................................
R e a c h i n g t h e R ich w i t h t h e G o s p e l, R o y W e l l s ..............................................
H o l d T h a t L in e ! W . E. Z i m m e r m a n .....................................................................
M e n o f S t r e n g t h , H u b e r t H e l l i n g .........................................................................
A b o u t J a c k - o ’- l a n t e r n s a n d C h r is ti a n s , M r s. B. E d g a r J o h n s o n .............
G o d Is A b le A N D W I L L I N G , W a r r e n E. F o x w o r t h y .................................
A V e n t u r e in F a i t h , J o h n R. C l a y t o n ....................................................................
T e m p t e d to Q u i t ? W e s l e y D. T r a c y ....................................................................
G l e a n i n g s f r o m t h e G r e e k , R a l p h E a r l e .............................................................
S u n d a y S c h o o l A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Id e a s , A sa / / . S p a r k s ...................................
1
2
4
6
8
9
10
11
12
14
16
33
.'34
35
.36
.37
44
DEPARTM ENTS
P a s t o r ’s S u p p l e m e n t , pp. 17-32 • T h e P r e a c h e r ’s W if e , p. 33 • G l e a n
in g s f r o m t h e G r e e k , p. 3 7 • T i m e l y O u t l i n e s , p. 3 8 • B u ll e ti n Barrel,
p. 45 • H e r e a n d T h e r e A m o n g Books, p. 4 6 • C a l e n d a r D ig e s t , p. 48 •
P r e a c h e r s ’ E x c h a n g e , p. 48 • A m o n g O u r s e l v e s , in s id e b a c k c o v e r
Published monthly by the NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE, 2923Troost Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 64109. Editorial Officeal
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Mo. Address all correspondence concerning subscriptions to Nazarene Publishing House, P.O. Box 527, Kansas City, Mo.
64141. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Send us your new address, including the "Z IP ” code, as well as the old address, and en
close a label from a recent copy. Authors should address all articles and correspondence to James P. McGraw, NazareiU
Theological Seminary, 1700 E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64131.
Printed in U.S.A.
Olivet
NiJ
M
e ^ l^
e C o i , egi,
\
BEWARE of
Confirmed Immaturity
By General Superintendent Coulter
here
should
com e
a t im e
i n e v e r y p r e a c h e r ’s l i f e w h e n h e s t r i k e s
d e e p e r lev els of d e v o t i o n , u n d e r s t a n d i n g , a n d c o m m i t m e n t to
his task.
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , in s o m e m e n i m m a t u r i t y s e e m s to b e c o m e a c o n
f i r m e d w a y o f life. In t h e p r e a c h e r ’s b e g i n n i n g y e a rs it m a y b e to l e r
a t e d , b u t p e o p l e h a v e a r i g h t to e x p e c t g r o w t h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t w i t h
t h e p a s s i n g o f t h e years. Y o u th h a s its o w n c h a r m , e v e n in p r e a c h e r s —
im p u l s i v e n e s s , a g g r e s s iv e n e s s , e n t h u s i a s m . B u t s o m e d e e p e r a n d r i c h
e r q u a l i t i e s m u s t b e a d d e d to a m a n ’s m i n i s t r y as t i m e g o e s b y if he
is to fulfill his h i g h ca lling .
F u ll m a t u r i t y as a C h r i s t i a n m i n i s t e r is n o t a lw a y s a m a t t e r of
a g e o r e x p e r i e n c e . A n d r e w W . B la c k w o o d w a r n e d a b o u t t h e d a n g e r
of “ c h ro n ic im m a tu r ity .”
It r e v e a l s itself in a n a t t i t u d e o f c o n s t a n t re s tle s sn e ss a n d d e s i r e
fo r c h a n g e . If a p r e a c h e r ’s t h o u g h t s a r e c o n s t a n t l y fixed o n his next
c h u r c h , his b ig o p p o r t u n i t y , o r his h o p e d - f o r p r o m o t i o n , h e is n o t like
ly to d e v e l o p a n d g r o w in his p r e s e n t c i r c u m s t a n c e s .
If a m i n i s t e r allo w s h i m s e l f to b e c o m e d i s il lu s i o n e d w i t h p e o p l e
a n d to i n d u l g e in s e l f-p i ty o r c y n ic i s m , h e r e v e a l s his o w n in n e r
im m a tu rity .
H o w c a n a g r o w i n g , m a t u r i n g m i n i s t r y b e a t t a i n e d ? F ir st, b y
liv in g b y re a lis tic id e a ls a n d g i v i n g his b e s t e f f o r t to a t t a i n th e m .
S e c o n d , b y f o r m u l a t i n g s o u n d p a t t e r n s o f w o r k a n d c o n s c i e n ti o u s ly
fo l lo w in g th o s e p a t t e r n s in d a il y life. T h i r d , b y lo s in g o n e s e l f in th e
g r e a t c a u s e o f s e r v in g p e o p l e a n d t h e i r n e e d s . F o u r t h , b y m a i n t a i n i n g
a f r e s h n e s s of s p i r it u a l b le s s in g b y f r e q u e n t i n n e r r e n e w i n g s fr o m th e
p r e s e n c e of G o d .
N o G o d - c a l l e d m i n i s t e r o f t h e g o s p e l n e e d s to live in a s t a te of
c o n f i r m e d i m m a t u r i t y . H e c a n c o n t i n u e to g r o w in m i n is te r i a l s t a t u r e
a n d s t r e n g t h . H e c a n rise a b o v e t e m p t a t i o n s to d e s p a i r . H e c a n fulfill
his h o ly c a ll in g a n d fin ish his c o u r s e w i t h jo y a n d g la d n e s s .
J
EDITOR
Of Problems
and People
a t c a m p m e e t i n g , a n d t h e s c e n e w a s pleasant
to b e h o ld . V o l u n t e e r t e e n - a g e r s w e r e s y s t e m a t i c a l l y w a l k i n g over
e v e r y in c h of g r o u n d p ic k i n g u p all t h e little p ie c e s of p a p e r t h a t had
b e e n a c c u m u l a t i n g fo r s e v e r a l d ays. A h e a d of t h a t line of a d va nc ing
y o u t h w e r e c a n d y , g u m , a n d ic e - c r e a m w r a p p e r s , t h e r e m i n d e r s of tasty
s n a c k s w h i c h h a d b e e n c o n s u m e d b y p e o p l e w h o h a d c a re le s s ly thrown
t h e w r a p p i n g s a sid e w ith n o t h o u g h t of t h e w o r k t h a t w o u l d b e necessary
to re s to re n e a t n e s s to t h e g r o u n d s . B e h i n d t h a t lin e of h a p p y , d e te r m i n e d
y o u t h t h e r e w a s b e a u t y a g a in . T h e g r o u n d w a s c l e a r e d of w astep ap er
a n d t h e l i tt e r w a s g o n e .
T h is b it of e c c le s ia s tic a l ritu a l, w h i c h w o u l d b e r a t h e r amusing
w e r e it n o t so p a t h e t i c , p o r t r a y s o n a s m a ll scale a n e p i t o m e of th e work
of t h e C h u r c h in t h e w o rld . It is t h e m i c r o c o s m of t h a t p a r t of t h e C'liurch
g a t h e r e d t h e r e on th e c a m p g r o u n d fo r a w e e k o f w o r s h i p a n d evangelism.
It is also r e p r e s e n t a t i v e of t h e c h u r c h e s fr o m w h i c h t h o s e worshippers
c a m e , a n d t h e d e n o m i n a t i o n s to w h i c h t h e y b e lo n g . S o m e p e o p l e throw
w r a p p i n g s d o w n o n th e g r o u n d ; o t h e r p e o p l e c o m e a l o n g l a t e r a n d pick
t h e m up! T w o life-styles. O f c o u r s e t h e r e is a th i r d life-s ty le t h e r e too—
t h o s e w h o n e i t h e r th r o w p a p e r s o n t h e g r o u n d n o r h e l p to p ic k th e m up.
T o p u t it a n o t h e r w ay, t h e r e a r e p e o p l e w h o c r e a t e p r o b l e m s , there
a re th o s e w h o so lv e p r o b l e m s , a n d t h e r e a r e t h o s e w h o d o n o t get in
v o lv e d if t h e y c a n h e l p it, n o t s e e i n g a n y r e a s o n w h y t h e y sh o u ld con
c e r n t h e m s e l v e s w i t h s o l u ti o n s for p r o b l e m s w h i c h t h e y h a v e n o t caused.
T h e r e l a ti v e ly s m a ll n u m b e r in t h e g r o u p w h o w e r e p ic k i n g up the
p a p e r s is ty p ic a l of t h e s c a r c it y of s u c h p e o p l e e v e r y w h e r e . O f 3,000 or
m o r e w h o c a m e , w h o saw, w h o h e a r d , a n d w h o e x p e r i e n c e d to g e th e r in
t h e c a m p m e e t i n g t h a t w e e k , a score o r less w e r e t h e n u m b e r who
w a lk e d , w h o s t o o p e d , a n d w h o r e s t o r e d o rd e r. O n e p e r c e n t g o t involved,
d i d t h e jo b , a n d m a d e r i g h t a g a i n s o m e t h i n g t h a t h a d g o n e wrong.
T h e size of t h e s e c o n d g r o u p of p e o p l e , w h o n e v e r t h i n k of such
d e ta i ls as a i m i n g a t tr a s h c a n s in s t e a d of le a v i n g t h e l i tt e r a ro u n d for
I
2
t w as S a tlk d a y m o h n in g
The P reacher's Magazine
s o m e o n e e ls e to r e m o v e , is la r g e e n o u g h to b e a c a u s e fo r c o n c e r n . It
is p r o b a b l y a m i n o r i t y , b u t it is a v e ry t r o u b l e s o m e m i n o r i t y , th is so c ie ty
of s c r a p - h a p p y l i t t e r b u g s w h o ty p i f y t h o s e w h o c a u s e t h e p r o b l e m s o t h e r
p e o p l e m u s t solve. T h e i r t h o u g h t l e s s n e s s is n o e x c u s e fo r t h e i r w a y of
li vin g. “ T h e r e is n o n e so i g n o r a n t as h e w h o will n o t l e a r n , ” so th e
a n c ie n t p ro v e rb d ec la re d , a n d th ese p e o p le are ig n o r a n t a fte r th e m a n
n e r of t h o s e w h o d o n o t c a r e e n o u g h to t h i n k a b o u t w h a t t h e y a re d o in g .
T h e t h i r d life-s ty le ty p i f i e d in th is d r a m a is t h a t of t h e p e o p l e w h o
n e i t h e r c a u s e t h e p r o b l e m s n o r h e l p solve t h e m . T h e y m a y n o t h a v e d is
c a r d e d a n y c a n d y w r a p p e r s all w e e k lo n g , b u t n e i t h e r h a v e t h e y p ic k e d
a n y u p ; a n d t h e y h a v e n o t c a ll e d o u t to r e m i n d a n y o n e else t h a t he
s h o u l d r e f r a i n f r o m t h r o w i n g tr a s h o n t h e g r o u n d . T h e i r a t t i t u d e , is th e
o n e t h a t w ill d o m o r e to h i n d e r t h e C h u r c h t h a n e i t h e r o f t h e o th e rs.
T h e y r e p r e s e n t t h e u n i n v o l v e d , t h e u n c o n c e r n e d , t h e u n i m p r e s s e d , th e
u n i n t e r e s t e d . T h e i r s is a r e l ig i o n of r e t r e a t , a c u lt of t h e casu al, a w itn e s s
for w ith d raw a l. T h e u n in v o lv e d are th e b a n e of th e K ingdom .
P e o p l e w h o c a u s e p r o b l e m s a r e like t h e p o o r; t h e y will a lw a y s b e
w i t h us. T h e r e a r e s o m e p e o p l e w h o will n e v e r b e m u c h of a n a ss et to th e
C h u r c h , b u t t h e C h u r c h m a y b e a b l e to assist t h e m in t h e i r s p o r a d ic
e f f o r ts to fo llo w Jesu s. W e h a v e n o o t h e r c h o ic e t h a n to e x t e n d t o w a r d
t h e m t h e a g a p e lov e t h a t G o d is b e s t o w i n g u p o n us, w h i c h is u n d e s e r v e d .
P e o p l e w h o so lv e p r o b l e m s a r e t h e salt of t h e e a r t h , a n d it is a p ity
t h e i r n u m b e r is as s m a ll as it is. T hey h a v e l e a r n e d t h e m e a n i n g of disc ip l e s h i p , t h e s o u r c e o f jo y , a n d t h e k e y to v ic t o r i o u s C h r i s t i a n living.
In lo s in g t h e i r lives, t h e y h a v e f o u n d t h e m . In g i v i n g of t h e m s e l v e s ,
t h e y h a v e re c e i v e d t h e m o s t p r e c i o u s of all gifts, t h e d e e p s e n s e of
a p p r o v a l fr o m H i m w h o s e will fo r us m e a n s m o r e t h a n life itself.
P e o p l e w h o d o n o t g e t in v o l v e d a r e t h e g r e a t e s t s o u r c e of f r u s t r a
ti o n a n d a t t h e s a m e t i m e th e m o s t e x c it in g s p h e r e of o p p o r t u n i t y fo r
t h e t h o u g h t f u l p a s to r. C a n t h e y b e m o t i v a t e d to g e t i n t o t h e a r e n a
w h e r e t h e a c ti o n is? B e fo re g i v i n g u p o n t h e m , p a s t o r, c h e c k th is list
o f s t r a t e g y ite m s , o r d e v is e a p l a n o f y o u r o w n :
• G i v e th e u n i n v o l v e d C h r is tia n a n e x a m p l e . T h e p a s t o r s h o u l d b e
“ o u t of b r e a t h in p u r s u i t o f so u ls,” as w a s said o f W e sle y . S o m e t i m e s th e
m e n of G od d o g e t w eary, a n d th e ir n erves b e c o m e frayed, a n d th e y are
a t w i t ’s e n d as t h e y fe e l t h e y a r e g o i n g in circles a n d g e t t i n g n o w h e r e .
B u t th e g o o d o n e s h a v e a w a y of b o u n c i n g b ac k . T h e y d o n ’t q u i t , a n d
t h e y d o n ’t ru n. T h e y a r e t h e m s e l v e s e x a m p l e s of to t a l in v o l v e m e n t .
• G i v e t h e u n i n v o l v e d C h r is tia n a p la n . S o m e of t h e m , if n o t all,
w o u l d h e l p if t h e y k n e w w h e r e to b e g i n a n d h o w to g e t s t a r te d . A m b i g
u o u s g e n e r a l i t i e s w o n ’t h e lp , s u c h as a d m o n i t i o n s to “ w o r k h a r d for th e
L o r d . ” A s p e c i f ic a s s i g n m e n t , s u c h as “ W ill y o u d o this w i t h u s ? ” is
better.
• G i v e t h e u n i n v o l v e d C h r is ti a n t h e p r o p e r m o t i v a t i o n . It w a s th e
lov e o f C h r i s t t h a t c o n s t r a i n e d t h e A p o s tl e P au l, a n d it is lov e t h a t b r i n g s
p e o p l e o ff t h e b e n c h e s of in a c t iv i ty a n d i n t o t h e t h i c k of t h e s t r u g g l e
to d a y . D r iv i n g , b r o w b e a t i n g , p l e a d i n g , b r i b i n g — e v e r y t h i n g else falls
s h o r t of t h e m o t i v a t i n g p o w e r o f d i v i n e L O V E .
T h a n k G o d fo r t h o s e w h o solve t h e p r o b l e m s ; d o n ’t sto p t h e flow
of p a t i e n c e fo r t h o s e w h o c r e a t e t h e m ; a n d b y G o d ’s h e l p g e t t h e u n
in v o l v e d in to t h e th i c k o f it w h ile t h e r e is still tim e.
October, 1972
3
A pastor is excited because of a
secret source of power in his
preaching m inistry
A Bible Reading-Preaching
Program
th e
w e ll- k n o w n
P a l l e y ’s B ib l e
P a n d b o o k is t h e s t a t e m e n t o n p a g e
69: “ T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p a g e in th is
b o o k is 6 6 2 .” O n p a g e 98 is t h e s t a t e
m e n t : “ T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t p a g e in
th is b o o k is 6 6 2 . ” O n p a g e s 113, 129,
a n d over a n d o ver ag ain th r o u g h o u t
t h e b o o k th is s t a t e m e n t is r e p e a t e d .
W h a t is so i m p o r t a n t o n th is p a g e t h a t
t h e e m i n e n t B ible sc h o la r, Dr. H a ile y ,
feels s h o u l d h a v e p r e e m i n e n c e o v e r t h e
o t h e r 6 7 5 p a g e s in his h a n d b o o k ?
W h e n I t u r n e d to it 1 read :
“ T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g in th is
b o o k is th is s i m p l e s u g g e s tio n : T h a t
e a c h c h u r c h h a v e a c o n g r e g a t i o n a l p la n
o f B ib l e r e a d i n g a n d t h a t t h e p a s t o r ’s
s e r m o n b e f r o m th e p a r t o f th e B ib l e
re a d th e p a s t w e e k . T h u s c o n n e c t i n g
t h e p a s t o r ’s p r e a c h i n g w i t h t h e p e o
p le s B ib le r e a d i n g . . .
“ It w o u l d b e b e s t t h a t it b e a p l a n of
c o n tin u o u s reading; not th e h u n tin g
u p of s c a t t e r e d o r f r a g m e n t a r y p a s
sag es ; b u t real r e a d i n g : a b o o k , or
g r o u p of t h e s m a ll e r b o o k s fo r a w e e k ;
n o t less t h a n t h e e q u i v a l e n t of tw o or
t h r e e c h a p t e r s a d a y . R e a d i n g larg e,
c o n n e c t e d p o r t i o n s of S c r i p t u r e is m o r e
a p t to g iv e t h e re al m e a n i n g , h a v e a
c u m u l a t i v e e ff e c t, a n d g iv e b a l a n c e
to o u r id e a s of its tr u th .
“ It s h o u l d b e a s c h e d u l e t h a t w o u ld
I
n
By Mark E. Moore
Pastor, Piqua, Ohio
4
c o v e r t h e Bible e v e r y y e a r o r tw o . T h e n
y e a r a f t e r y e a r r e p e a t t h e s c h e d u l e with
v a ria tio n s .
“ H a v e t h e s c h e d u l e fo r t h e year
p r i n t e d . D i s t r i b u t e it a m o n g t h e church
p e o p le . F r o m S u n d a y to S u n d a y call
a t t e n t i o n to it . . . K e e p th is u p , till the
p e o p l e c o m e to k n o w t h a t t h e i r pastor
is in e a r n e s t a b o u t it.
A B ible r e a d i n g p l a n ? A p r i n t e d plan
fo r a y e a r ? C o m e n o w , D r. Hailey,
su r e ly n o t fo r a n e v a n g e l i c a l church!
It m i g h t w o r k fo r a s t r a ig h t , old-line
c h u r c h , b u t w e w a n t t h e l e a d i n g of the
Spirit. W e b e l i e v e in f r e e d o m a n d li
b e r t y in o u r s e r v ic e s a n d messages.
B esid es, h o w c o u l d I h a v e a B ible read
i n g - p r e a c h i n g p l a n for a y e ar, w h e n I
h a v e d i f f i c u l t y k n o w i n g w h a t I want
for next S u n d a y ?
T h e n so m ething
h a p p e n e d — over
10 y e a rs a g o — a n d m y p r e a c h i n g minis
tr y h as b e e n f o r e v e r c h a n g e d .
It all b e g a n w h e n I r e a d t h e p la n by
t h e N a t i o n a l A s s o c ia tio n o f E v an g eli
cals to c h a l l e n g e t h e C h u r c h to greater
B ible r e a d i n g w i t h th is s i m p l e phrase:
“ R e a d It T h r o u g h in 6 2 . ”
1 a c c e p t e d t h e c h a l l e n g e a n d plan
fo r t h e c h u r c h . B ib le r e a d i n g progress
re c o r d s w e r e k e p t a n d B ib le reading
m e n t i o n e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e year. W hen
t h e y e a r e n d e d , in o u r c h u r c h — which
h a d a n a t t e n d a n c e o f a b o u t 100— 1
p r e s e n t e d B ib le R e a d i n g Certificates
to o v e r 2 0 p e r s o n s w h o h a d “ Read It
The P reacher's Magazine
O ld T e sta m e n t. T his was a very good
y e a r w i t h all m e s s a g e s f r o m t h e b o o k s
of M o s e s, b o o k s o f p o e tr y , t h e p r o p h
ets, a n d o t h e r s e l e c t e d O l d T e s t a m e n t
books.
In 1965 t h e t h e m e w a s “ L ift C h r is t
H i g h in ’6 5 .” T h e p e o p l e w e r e c h a l
l e n g e d to r e a d 65 c h a p t e r s e a c h m o n t h ,
w h i c h c o v e r e d all t h e N e w T e s t a m e n t
again, a n d selected O ld T e s ta m e n t
b o o k s n o t c o v e r e d t h e p r e v i o u s year.
E a c h m o n t h f o l lo w e d a t h e m e : C h r is t
W h e n 1 a c c e p t e d th is c h a l l e n g e — so
t h e A lp h a a n d O m e g a , C h r i s t t h e L o rd ,
n e w to m e a n d m y p e o p l e — I w a n t e d to
C h r i s t t h e H o ly O n e , C h r is t t h e E x a m
s ta rt w i t h s o m e t h i n g t h a t w o u l d b e
ple, C h r i s t t h e M i r a c le W o r k e r , a n d
e a sy fo r all o f us to follow'. I fe e l t h e
s i m i la r t h e m e s .
L o rd g a v e m e g u i d a n c e . I f o u n d t h a t
S p a c e d o e s n o t allow' m e to tell of t h e
th e A m e r i c a n B ib le S o c ie t y in th e i r
p l a n s for e a c h y ear, b u t s o m e t h e m e s
P e n n y G o s p e l P o r ti o n s c o v e r e d th e
i n c l u d e d w e r e “ T h e L a w O u r S c h o o l
N e w T e s t a m e n t in 11 s m a ll b o o k le ts. 1
m a s t e r to B rin g Us u n t o C h r i s t ” (Gal.
o r d e r e d e n o u g h c o p ie s of e a c h b o o k le t
■3:24), “ T h e B l e n d i n g o f t h e O ld T e s t a
to d i s t r i b u t e to t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n e a c h
m e n t L aw a n d th e N ew T e s ta m e n t
m o n t h , a n d t h e y w e r e c h a l l e n g e d to
G r a c e . ” In 1969, “ T h e s e T i m e s — G o d
r e a d it t h r o u g h t h a t m o n t h . F r o m th e
Is A b l e ” w a s b a s e d o n t h e p o w e r t h a t
“ B ook of t h e M o n t h
th e p asto r
is o u r s in C h ris t.
b r o u g h t his S u n d a y m o r n i n g m e s sa g e .
O n e of t h e ric h e s t y ea rs o f p r e a c h i n g
T h u s I b e g a n t h e p r a c t i c e of:
h a d t h e s i m p l e s t p la n . E a c h m o n t h o n e
1. F o l l o w i n g t h e p l a n fo r 11 m o n t h s
of t h e G o s p e ls w a s t h e “ B o ok of th e
of e a c h y e a r, l e a v i n g D e c e m b e r fre e
M onth.
O f c o u r s e th e G o s p e ls w e r e
for t h e u s u a l C h r i s t m a s t h e m e s .
r e p e a t e d d u r i n g t h e y ea r, a n d o n e
2. C a p i t a l i z i n g o n B ible S u n d a y in
m o n t h t h e B ook of R e v e la t io n w as
D e c e m b e r as t h e d a y f o r a w a r d i n g
u sed . T h e t h e m e of t h e y e a r w a s “ Lord,
sp e c ia lly p r i n t e d Bible R e a d i n g C e r t i
S p e a k to M e . ” E a c h m e s s a g e w a s b a s e d
fic a te s to all w h o h a d fo l lo w e d t h e p la n
on w h a t C h r i s t h a d to s a y — a b o u t dist h a t yei'r.
c ip l e s h i p , a b o u t s t e w a r d s h i p , a b o u t
•3. A llo w in g a g r a c e p e r i o d o f D e
s a n c t if i c a ti o n ,
c o n s e c r a ti o n ,
fa m ily
c e m b e r fo r a n y w h o h a d n o t fu lly
life, p r a y e r . H is s e c o n d c o m i n g , a n d
c o m p le te d th e read in g assignm ent.
4.
U s i n g t h e p l a n o n ly fo r t h e S u n o t h e r s u b jects.
T h r o u g h th is y e a r of 72, w e are
d a y m o r n i n g m e s s a g e s , a ll o w i n g full
f
o
llo
w in g t h e p l a n I call m y P L O N .
f le x ib ility fo r S u n d a y n ig h ts .
T h e b a s i c f o r m a t is this: P — 12 p sa lm s;
T h r o u g h t h e years, t h e B ib le r e a d
I .— 1 N e w T e s t a m e n t l e t t e r o r tw o ; O
i n g - p r e a c h i n g p l a n h a s v a r i e d a n d it
—
O l d T e s t a m e n t p o r t i o n ; N — N ew
h as b e e n t h r il li n g to see t h e l e a d i n g of
T e s t a m e n t p o r t io n . T h i s r e q u i r e s r e a d
t h e Lord.
in g ail a v e r a g e o f 99 c h a p t e r s a m o n t h ;
In 1964 t h e y e a r w a s d i v i d e d n o t
b u t o u t of a n a t t e n d a n c e of a r o u n d
o n ly in t o m o n t h s , b u t i n t o q u a r t e r s ,
150, o v e r 4 0 p e rs o n s , i n c l u d i n g ju n io rs,
w i t h f o u r m a i n t h e m e s fo r t h e year:
te e n s , a n d a d u lt s , h a v e a c c e p t e d th e
G r e a t P e r s o n a l i t i e s in t h e O l d T e s t a
c h a l l e n g e to “ R e a d It T h r o u g h in ’7 2 ."
m e n t , G r e a t P r o p h e t s of t h e O l d T e s t a
I c a n testify , a f t e r f o llo w in g a Bible
m e n t, G re a t P o e tr y of th e O ld
T e s t a m e n t , a n d G r e a t P a s s a g e s of th e
(Continued on page 45)
T h r o u g h in ’6 2 . ” S e v e r a l r e a d t h e B ib le
:h r o u g h tw ice. O n e m a n , t h e g r e a t e s t
Bible r e a d e r I h a v e e v e r m e t , r e a d t h e
3ld T e s ta m e n t th r o u g h fo u r tim es a n d
h e N e w T e s t a m e n t t h r o u g h 12 tim es.
B ib le r e a d i n g c a m e a liv e to m e a n d
:o o u r c h u r c h . O u r p e o p l e w e l c o m e d a
3 ib l e - r e a d i n g p la n . F o r o v e r 10 y e ars
low' I h a v e s t a r t e d e a c h y e a r w i t h a
d e f i n i t e B i b l e r e a d i n g - p r e a c h i n g p la n
f o r t h e year.
O ctober, 1972
5
The Delayed Angel
th e
te n th
ch apter
o f D a n ie l a
sto ry is to l d t h a t is a l m o s t i n c r e d i
ble. In fact, it w o u l d n o t h e a c c e p t e d
e x c e p t fo r t h e fa c t t h a t it h a s t h e h a c k
in g of t h e d iv in e .
T h i s is t h e a c c o u n t o f a n a n g e l fr o m
h e a v e n b e i n g i n t e r c e p t e d e n r o u t e to
D a n ie l w i t h a m e s s a g e f r o m G o d , a n d
b e i n g h e ld for 21 d a y s b y “ t h e p r i n c e
. . . of P e rs ia .” M o r e i n c r e d i b l e is t h e
f a c t t h a t h e w a s n o t a b le to e s c a p e t h e
c l u t c h e s of th is “ p r i n c e
a lo n e — h elp
h a d to c o m e fr o m a b o v e . “ M i c h a e l
c a m e to h e lp [ h i m ] . ’
T h e sto ry g iv es us s o m e v e ry p e n e
tr a t i n g in s ig h t s in to w h a t is g o i n g on
in t h e “ h i g h pla ce s. T h e r e is c o n s t a n t
c o n flic t b e t w e e n t h e “ p o w e r s of d a r k
n e s s ’ a n d t h e “ a n g e ls o f light.
W h e n a n a n c i e n t w r i t e r tells us t h a t
“ t h e y f o u g h t f r o m h e a v e n ; t h e stars
in t h e i r c o u rs e s f o u g h t a g a i n s t S is e ra ”
(J u d g . 5:20 ), a n d t h e R e v e l a t o r in f o rm s
us t h a t “ t h e r e w a s a w a r in h e a v e n :
M i c h a e l a n d his a n g e ls f o u g h t a g a i n s t
th e d rag o n ; a n d th e drag o n fo u g h t an d
his a n g e l s ’’ (R ev. 12:7), t h e y a r e b u t
r e c i ti n g c h a p t e r s f r o m t h e lo n g h is to ry
of s t r u g g l e b e t w e e n t h e fo rc e s of evil
a n d t h e k i n g d o m of G o d . T h i s w a r h as
T x
by
T. W. Willingham
Kansas City, Mo.
6
b e e n in p ro g r e s s for a g e s a n d ages.
T h e A p o s tle P a u l tells us of it in his
l e t t e r to t h e E p h e s i a n s a n d r e m i n d s us
t h a t “ w e w r e s t l e n o t a g a i n s t fle sh and
b lo o d ,
but
a g ain st
p ri n c ip a l it ie s ,
a g a in s t p o w e r s , a g a i n s t t h e r u l e r s o f the
d a r k n e s s of th is w o r ld , a g a i n s t sp iritu al
w i c k e d n e s s in h ig h p l a c e s ’ ( E p h . 6:12).
T h e i n t e n s i t y of this s t r u g g l e a n d the
f i e r c e n e s s w i t h w h i c h it is c a r r i e d on
a r e p la in ly s e e n in t h e a n g e l s h e lp le ss
n e s s b e f o r e t h e “ p r i n c e o f d a r k n e s s . ’’
G o d ’s foe is n o w e a k lin g , a n d angels
w h o w o r k o n t h e f r o n t lin es a re quick
to a d m i t it.
E v e n “ M i c h a e l th e a r c h a n g e l , when
c o n t e n d i n g w i t h t h e d e v il . . . d u r s t not
b r i n g a g a i n s t h i m a ra i li n g accusation,
b u t said. T h e L o rd r e b u k e t h e e (Jude
9). W e a k a n d i g n o r a n t C h r i s t i a n s may
s p e a k li g h t l y of t h e d e v i l ’s p o w e r , but
n o t a n g e ls , w h o b e a r t h e i r messages
f r o m G o d to m e n t h r o u g h t h e hostile
te r rito ry .
H a v e t i m e s c h a n g e d ? H a v e wicked
s p irits b e c o m e less f i e r c e J H a s th e war
in t h e h e a v e n s c e a s e d to r a g e ? If not,
t h e n w h y d o w e k n o w so little about
it? W h y o u r c o m p l a c e n t jo u r n e y ?
T h e a n s w e r is s u g g e s t e d in t h e story
in D a n ie l. W h a t o c c a s i o n e d t h e celes
tial c o n fl ic t ? W h o s t a r t e d th is strenu
o u s e n c o u n t e r in t h e h e a v e n l i e s ? Let
t h e r e c o r d sp eak .
D a n ie l w a s tr y i n g to p i e r c e his way
to t h e t h r o n e of G o d to o b t a i n informa
tio n o n w h a t h a d b e e n w r i t t e n concern
in g his p e o p le . It s e e m e d to h im that
t h e h o u r h a d a r r i v e d fo r t h e fulfillment
of J e r e m i a h ’s p r o p h e c y c o n c e r n i n g his
p e o p le . H e a p p e a l e d to t h e heavens
The P re a ch e r’s Magazine
for t h e a n s w e r.
H e w a s e a r n e s t — e v e n d e s p e r a t e . H is
long fast r e f le c ts his d e e p in t e re s t . H is
p ra y e r w a s h e a r d a n d t h e a n g e l d is
p a tc h e d . t h e n t h e d u e l in t h e h e a v e n s .
The p a ssio n ate p ra y e r of th e p ro p h e t
sp a r k e d t h e c o n flic t, a n d his p e r s i s t
ence b r o u g h t t h e t h e a n s w e r .
J e s u s said, “ T h i n k n o t t h a t I h a v e
co m e to s e n d p e a c e o n t h e e a r t h : 1
ca m e n o t to s e n d p e a c e , b u t a s w o rd
(M att. 10:34). T h e s w o r d h a s b e e n
p la c e d in t h e h a n d o f t h e C h r i s t i a n ,
b u t n o b a t t l e e n s u e s u n le s s h e u se s it.
T h e c h il d of G o d m u s t b e t h e a g g r e s
sor in th is w a r f a r e . T h e s h e a t h e d s w o rd
of t h e C h r i s t i a n e x p la i n s t h e q u i e t n e s s
in t h e c a m p of t h e e n e m y . W h y s h o u l d
the e n e m y a t t a c k us? “ T h e w h o le
w orld li e th in t h e w i c k e d o n e (I J o h n
5:19, m a r g in ) . H e n e e d n o t l i g h t u n til
s o m e o n e w a g e s w a r a g a i n s t his c it a d e l
a n d seeks to r e s c u e t h o s e w h o m h e has
t a k e n c a p t i v e a t his will.
It w a s t h e p l e a d i n g , f a s t i n g p r o p h e t
w h o p r o v o k e d th is b a t t l e in t h e skies.
R e st a s s u r e d t h a t t h e d e v il will f i g h t
w h e n his k i n g d o m is a t t a c k e d in fa i th
a n d p o w e r . T h e lull o n t h e b a t t l e f i e l d
is t h e c o m a of d e a t h t h a t is c r e e p i n g
o v e r t h e c h i l d r e n o f G od .
In C h r i s t ’s sto ry of t h e w ise a n d
foolish v ir g in s , e v e n t h e w is e h a d g o n e
to sle e p . “ T h e c a r e of th is w o rld , a n d
th e d e c e i t f u l n e s s of ric h e s a r e ta k i n g
t h e i r toll of s p i r it u a l life, a n d t h e cry,
"A w ak e, th o u th a t sle ep est,” sh o u ld be
c a r r i e d o n a l o u d - s o u n d i n g re c o rd .
T h e m e s s a g e of D a n i e l , a l t h o u g h
d i s t u r b i n g , e n d s well. R e c r u i t s w e r e
sent a n d th e m essag e a rr iv e d — d e
la y e d , b u t n o t d a m a g i n g l y so. In th is
t h e r e is h o p e — t h e s a m e h o p e h e l d o u t
b y J e s u s in H i s tw o s t o r ie s o f i m p o r
tu n ity — th e im p o r tu n a te w id o w an d
th e n e ig h b o r seeking bread .
D o e s th is m e s s a g e s p e a k to us? D o es
a n y m e s s a g e f r o m t h e W o r d s p e a k to
us? H a v e o u r e a r s b e c o m e d u l l o f h e a r
in g ? D o w e n o t b e l i e v e in i m p o r t u n i t y ?
H a s t h e s i n f u ln e s s o f o u r a g e b e e n
O ctober, 1972
accepted
as i n e v i t a b l e ?
D o e s th e
d ro w n in g m a n n eed no aid ? H as our
r e s p o n s ib i li ty to let o u r li g h t s h i n e in
th is d a r k h o u r b e e n c a n c e l l e d 0 J u s t
w h e r e a r e w e in th is sto rv ? W h a t a re
w e doing?
D o e s n o t t h e p e r s i s t e n t fa i th o f D a n
iel i n s p ir e u s? D o e s n o t t h e a n g e l s
s t r u g g l e to b r e a k t h r o u g h e n c o u r a g e
us? H a s G o d g r o w n d i s i n t e r e s t e d , o r
h a v e w e g r o w n n e g l i g e n t ? It is foolish
to a c c e p t d e f e a t as i n e v i t a b l e u n til t h e
t h e i n s t r u m e n t s o f su c c e s sfu l c o n q u e s t
h ave b e e n em ployed.
“ Arise, m y soul, arise; s h a k e off th y
g u i l t y fe a r s . . .” T h is h a s b e e n th e
t h e m e s o n g of s u c c e s s fu l w a r r i o r s of th e
p a st, a n d m a y w e ll serv e o u r p u r p o s e
to d a y .
T h e c u t t i n g e d g e of th is w a r cry is
“ t h v g u i l t y fears.
N o c o n q u e s t for
r i g h t e o u s n e s s in o u r d a y will b e a t
t e m p t e d u n ti l w e s e n s e o u r o w n g u ilt:
g u i l t of f e a r (fo r w e h a v e b e e n c o m
m a n d e d to “ f e a r n o t ” ), g u i l t of d is
o b e d i e n c e , g u i l t of g ro s s n e g le c t, g u il t
of id le n e ss, g u i l t of m i s s p e n t e n e r g i e s ,
g u i l t o f e m p t y v a u lt s in t h e skies, g u il t
of p ra y e r le s s n e s s , g u i l t of e a s e a n d
p l e a s u r e , g u i l t of m i s p l a c e d lo v e —
g u il t, g u ilt, a n d m o r e g u ilt! M a y th e
g o o d L o r d h a v e m e r c y a n d a r o u s e us,
lest w e s l e e p t h e s l e e p of d e a th !
D a r e w e r e m a i n “ a t e a s e in Z i o n ”
w h i l e w r e s t l i n g a n g e ls b a t t l e o u r foes
to g e t to u s? S h all w e s l e e p o n w h ile th e
e v e r sle e p le ss S a v io u r m a k e s c o n s t a n t
i n t e r c e s s io n fo r us? Shall w e t a k e o u r
p r a y e r h o u r s c a s u a l ly w h ile t h e b le s s e d
H o l y S p ir it m a k e s in t e r c e s s io n fo r us
“ w ith g ro a n in g s w h ich c a n n o t be
u tte re d ” ?
D a r e to b e a D a n ie l! D a r e to t u r n
y o u r fa c e t o w a r d t h e h e a v e n s in e a r n e s t
a n d c o stly p l e a d i n g u n t i l y o u r e n r a p
t u r e d so ul h e a r s t h e w a r r i n g m e s s e n
g e r say, “ T h y w o r d s w e r e h e a r d , a n d I
a m c o m e fo r t h y w o r d s . ” T h i s m e s s a g e
w ill g iv e m e a n i n g to t h e w o r d s o f Jesu s,
“ Ask, a n d y e sh a ll re c e iv e , t h a t y o u r
jo y m a y b e f u l l” ( J o h n 16:24).
7
The cost of revival is m easured by
m ore than the m oney required
REVIVAL PREACHING
P
a sto r,
how
church
to
m uch
have
d o e s it c o s t y o u r
a
one-w eek
re v i
v al? ”
“ W e u s u a l ly p r e p a r e a b u d g e t of
$ 1 ,3 0 0 fo r a w e e k w i t h a p r e a c h e r a n d
s i n g e r .’’
T h is is p a r t of a c o n v e r s a t i o n h e ld
r e c e n t l y w i t h a p a s t o r w i t h w h o m I w as
w o r k in g . F r a n k l y , th is is e n o u g h to
fo r c e a s e r i o u s - m i n d e d e v a n g e l i s t to
p r a y t h a t h e will a lw a y s g iv e his b e s t
to G o d a n d t h e c h u r c h w ith w h o m h e is
w o rk in g . S o m e c h u r c h e s raise m o r e
m o n e y a n d s o m e raise less t h a n th e
a b o v e illu s tra tio n . In all c h u r c h e s ,
m u c h of t h e m o n e y is g i v e n a t a g r e a t
sacrifice.
T h e m o n e y , h o w e v e r , is n o t t h e m a
jo r factor. T h e s p i r it u a l n e e d is t h e
m ajo r concern. “ B rother C h a m b e rs ,
w ill y o u m a k e a c o v e n a n t o f p r a y e r
w i t h m e ? W e h a v e t h e son o f a m i n i s t e r
in o u r c h u r c h . H is h o m e is b r o k e n , a n d
h e is a n alco ho lic. P le a s e h e l p us p r a y
By Leon Chambers
Evangelist, Gadsden, Ala.
fo r h i m . ” M u l t i p l y th is b y th o u s a n d s
of s i m i la r n e e d s , a n d o n e b e g i n s to
fe e l t h e b u r d e n o f t h e c h u r c h . N o ser
v ic e o f t h e re v iv a l is u n i m p o r t a n t . T h e
e v a n g e l i s t m u s t w o r k a n d p r a y to be
at his b e s t in e v e r y service.
A m o n g h u m a n eff o rts , p r e a c h i n g is
t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r in w in n in g
souls. T h e s o u l - w i n n i n g s e r m o n must
b e b a s e d s o lid ly u p o n t h e B ible and
C h r i s t i a n d o c t r i n e . C h r i s t i a n d o c trin e
is t h e c o ll e c ti v e t e a c h i n g s o f t h e Scrip
tu r e s o n a s t a t e d s u b j e c t. W i t h a bibli
cal f o u n d a t i o n t h e s e r m o n s h o u l d be
p r e a c h e d w i t h a u t h o r i t y . T h e listeners
m u s t feel t h e i n t e n s e c o n v i c t i o n of the
e v a n g e l i s t . L o g ic m a y c o m m u n i c a t e
to t h e i n t e ll e c t, b u t o n ly f e e l in g will
m o t i v a t e to a c ti o n . P e o p l e live in a
w o r l d c i r c u m s c r i b e d a n d c o lo r e d by
t h e w a y t h e y feel a b o u t th in g s.
T h e s e r m o n s h o u l d m a k e th e un
s a v e d feel t h a t t h e y sit b e f o r e th e high
a n d h o ly G o d . T h r o u g h t h e Holy
S p i r i t ’s u se of t h e s e r m o n , h e a r t s should
b e t r o u b l e d a n d c o n s c i e n c e s activated.
S u c h h e a r t - s e a r c h i n g p r e a c h i n g can
c o m e o n l y f r o m a p r e a c h e r w ith a
y e a r n i n g soul. T h e e v a n g e l i s t m u s t be
a b l e to say w i t h P au l, “ F o r I c o u ld wish
t h a t m y s e lf w e r e a c c u r s e d fr o m Christ
fo r m y b r e t h r e n , m y k i n s m e n accord
in g to t h e f l e s h ” (R o m . 9:3). T h is is the
p o r t r a i t of a b r o k e n h e a r t e d evangelist.
The P re a ch er's Magazine
It is t r u e t h a t t h e e v a n g e l i s t is n o t
solely r e s p o n s i b l e for t h e revival. B ut
it is also t r u e t h a t h e w ill h a v e m o r e to
do w i t h t h e s u c c e s s o r f a i lu r e of th e
revival t h a n a n y o n e p e r s o n . T h e
c h u r c h will b e b e t t e r o r p o o r e r b e c a u s e
he p a s s e d t h a t w ay.
T h e ev an g elistic serm o n should be
p r i m a r i l y a i m e d fo r p e r s u a s i o n . T h i s is
harvesttim e. S u ch p r e a c h in g can best
be d o n e t h r o u g h t h e u s e of o ld a n d
tr ie d d o c t r i n a l s e r m o n s . T h e h is to ry
of re v iv a ls g iv e s a n a b u n d a n c e of
e v i d e n c e t h a t d o c t r i n a l p r e a c h i n g will
bring p e o p le face-to-face w ith th e ir
sins a n d t h e i r h o p e o f f o r g i v e n e s s a n d
s a lv a tio n . T h e law is p r o c l a i m e d , b u t
w ith a b r o k e n h e a rt.
W h e n t h e H o l y S p ir it m o v e s u p o n
th e e v a n g e l i s t , t h e s e l f - r i g h t e o u s will
s h e d his s e l f - i m p o s e d b l i n d n e s s ; t h e
b a c k s l id e r , a c k n o w l e d g e his fall; th e
s l e e p i n g s i n n e r will b e a w a k e n e d ; a n d
th e C h r i s t i a n will g r o w in g ra c e .
T h e s e r m o n s h o u l d b e to t h e p o i n t
a n d s h o u l d b e b r i e f e n o u g h to allo w
ti m e for t h e in v i t a t i o n . T h e il lu s tr a
tio n s s h o u l d b e c le a r, v iv id , a n d r e l e
v a n t to t h e s u b j e c t. T h e r e is no ro o m
for h o b b i e s o r f o r c o m p l i m e n t se e k in g .
T h e s e r m o n is t h e c r u c i a l t i m e w h e n
t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n faces G o d .
T h e e v a n g e l i s t w ill s o o n fin d t h a t
e v a n g e l i s t i c p r e a c h i n g is m o r e t h a n a
gift. A n y t a l e n t t h a t G o d h a s g iv e n
m u s t b e c u l t i v a t e d , so t h a t o n e will
g iv e his b e s t to G o d . T h i s d e m a n d s
m e n t a l d e d i c a t i o n . A g o o d sp irit, n ic e
p e r s o n a l i t y , o r g ifts a r e n o s u b s t i t u t e
fo r h a r d w o rk . T h i s is t r u e fo r t h e e x
p e r i e n c e d p r e a c h e r as w ell as t h e i n
experienced.
E v a n g e l i s t i c p r e a c h i n g a ls o d e m a n d s
s p i r it u a l a g o n i z i n g . It is t r a g i c fo r o n e
to p r e a c h o n t h e C ro ss, j u d g m e n t , hell,
or an y C h ristian do ctrin e w ith o u t a
s o u l t h a t has b o r n e a b u r d e n of i n t e r
c e s s o ry p r a y e r . P ra y e r , b u r d e n s , a n d
s o r ro w w e r e a p a r t of t h e m i n i s t r y of
o u r L ord, a n d w e sh o u ld not e x p ect o ur
(Continued on page 46)
O ctober, 1972
Practical
Points
that make
a difference
A Little Different—
A Marvelous Result!
D e a r Son:
Sunday night w as a g re at service! I have
n ever seen one just like it. W h e n th ere was
no response to the altar call, the pastor
d im m e d the lights and then invited the
choir an d c o ng reg ation to the a ltar to m eet
G o d be fo re going out into the world.
As one left the a ltar a n o th e r w ou ld take
his place, and the peo ple m oved to the
fro n t seats w a itin g for th e ir turn. T h e m in
isterial staff sat in the co n g reg atio n a w a it
ing th eir tim e to pray even as their people
did.
D o you know w h a t h app e n e d ! A son
said, “ T h a t is th e first tim e I have ever
seen m y 73-year-old fath er at an altar.”
And he was in m id w e e k service th e fol
low ing w eek. A young m a rrie d couple
held h an d s tightly as th ey knelt and co m
m itted th eir lives to the Lord. A tee n -a g e r
said, “ Say, th a t w as n eat; th a t helped
m e !”
You see, occasionally w e all like to m e e t
ou r L ord at an a ltar w ith o u t the stigm a of
a b ro k en relationship w ith G o d w h ich the
a ltar should n o t— bu t m a n y times seem s to
— im ply.
As th e lights slowly b eca m e brig hter
and the o rg an p lay ed “ S w e eter th an All,”
I felt a new touch from G o d an d a close
ness w ith o th e r m e m b e rs as th o u g h we
w e re at last achieving hoinonia (c o m m u n
ity). It w as a g reat day!
L o ve
By J. Kenneth Grider
Professor, Nazarene Theological Seminary
Lessons in Leadership—
From a Tow-truck
How long should an e ccle sia stica l tow chain be?
W h a m ! C o u l d I c o n tr o l it? W o u l d
m y c a r b r e a k loo se f r o m t h e o t h e r ea r?
W o u l d I h it t h e o t h e r c a r? M y c a r w as
b e i n g to w e d 6 0 m i le s o n a r a i n y n ig h t,
a n d a t t i m e s it w a s y a n k e d u n ti l it w as
a l m o s t o u t of c o n tr o l.
B e in g a t r a i n e r o f p a sto rs, a n d a
w r i t e r , a n d h o p i n g to m a k e a t least
s o m e t h i n g c o u n t fo r C h r i s t a t a t i m e
w h e n tro u b le h a d in tru d e d , I m u s e d on
w h a t p a s t o r a l l e a d e r s h i p s h o u l d b e like.
F o r o n e th i n g , I t h o u g h t , t h e p a s t o r
s h o u l d n o t le a d at to o clo se a p r o x i m i ty
to his p e o p le . T h e m a n h i r e d to to w m e
t h a t n i g h t h a d tie d t h e c h a i n so t h a t
a d i s t a n c e of o n ly a b o u t t h r e e f e e t
s e p a r a t e d his c a r fr o m m i n e . T o a v o id
h i t t i n g his c a r I d r o v e t h e e n t i r e d is
t a n c e w i t h m y fo o t t o u c h i n g t h e b r a k e
a n d w i t h m y e y e s o n t h e l e a d c a r s taillig h t. I w a s c i r c u m s c r i b e d , h e m m e d
in, a lw a y s u n e a s y , n e v e r free.
T h a t ’s h o w it is w i t h t h e lay p e o p l e
if t h e p a s t o r le a d s at to o close p r o x i m i ty
to t h e m . C e r t a i n l y h e s h o u l d le a d t h e m
as a p e r s o n m i g h t le a d a m o t o r c a d e —
o u t a h e a d o f t h e m w h ile t h e y fo llo w
u n d e r t h e i r o w n s p i r it u a l d y n a m i s m
a n d m a k e th eir ow n S p irit-g u id ed
d e c is io n s a b o u t h o w to a d v a n c e , w i t h i n
c e r t a i n p r e s c r i b e d limits.
If t h e p a s t o r c h e c k s u p o n t h e p e o
p le to t h e p o i n t o f b e i n g n o se y , t h e y
m i g h t fe e l l e g i s l a te d in t h e i r s p i rit u a l
life. It w ill u s u a l ly b e e n o u g h to say
to s o m e o n e w h o h a s m i s s e d a service,
“ I m i s s e d y o u , ” in s t e a d of, “ W h e r e
w e r e y o u ? ” It will u s u a l ly b e e n o u g h
to say, “ J o h n , I ’m s u r e y o u will d o w h a t
y o u feel t h e L o r d w o u l d h a v e y o u d o
10
in t h e b u i l d i n g f u n d c a m p a i g n ,
in
s t e a d o f a s k i n g h i m p r i v a t e l y the
a m o u n t h e i n t e n d s to give.
O n t h e o t h e r h a n d , e v e n as t h e m an
t o w i n g m y c a r s h o u l d n o t h a v e p u lle d
it a t t h e e n d o f a 4 0 - f o o t c h a i n , so the
p a s t o r s h o u l d n o t le a d a t to o g r e a t a
d i s t a n c e fr o m t h e p e o p le . I c o u l d have
g o t t e n m y f r o n t w h e e l s t a n g l e d u p in a
lo n g , lo ose c h a in . T h e p e o p l e of God
c a n b e c o m e g r e a t l y e n t a n g l e d with
t h a t w h i c h i m p e d e s t h e i r p ro g r e s s if
t h e p a s t o r s e e m s to b e so f a r a h e a d of
t h e m s p i r i t u a l l y t h a t h e is n ’t really
h u m a n a n d w o u l d likely n o t b e u n d e r
s t a n d i n g of t h e i r h u m d r u m pro b le m s.
L ik e w is e if h e a p p e a r s to t h e m to be
as th e o l o g i c a l l y a le r t as a n H. O rto n
W il e y , t h e y m i g h t r e f r a i n f r o m asking
his h e l p o n a c o m m o n C h r i s t i a n be
lief, lest h e t h i n k t h e m q u i t e illiterate
d o c t r i n a l ly.
S o m e t h i n g else I t h o u g h t of is that
e v e n as t h a t t o w c a r re a lly d i d le a d me,
so t h e p a s t o r re a l ly d o e s l e a d th e peo
p le of G o d . As t h e to w c a r c o u ld have
led m e i n t o t h e w r o n g la n e o n t h e high
w a y , so a p a s t o r m i g h t w ell le a d his
p e o p l e d o w n t h e w r o n g l a n e — since
t h e y h a v e s u c h c o n f i d e n c e in h im . How
i m p o r t a n t it is fo r h i m to l e a d th e way
p r o p e r l y o n s u c h m a t t e r s as b e lie fs and
p ra c tic e s ! H e is t h e m o s t t r u s t e d hu
m a n l e a d e r of all, for m a n y o f his peo
p l e — if n o t m o s t of t h e m . J e s u s knew
t h a t “ if o n e b l i n d m a n g u i d e s an o th er
t h e y will b o t h fall in t o t h e d it c h ”
( M a tt. 15:14, N E B ).
T h e s e a r e s o m e o f t h e t h o u g h t s that
w e n t t h r o u g h m y m i n d a t a ti m e when
a s m a ll t r o u b l e h a d i n t r u d e d .
ok o u r
m in is te r s was over
h e a r d r e s p o n d i n g to a d is tr i c t
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t , “ I d o n ’t m i n d p r e a c h
ing to t h e p e o p l e ; 1 ju s t h a t e to h a v e to
fool w i t h t h e m . ” S u c h u n d i s g u i s e d
h o n e s ty f r o m t h e h e a r t of a g o o d m a n
is rare. B u t w h a t p a s t o r h a s n o t h a d th e
sam e s e c r e t f r u s t r a t i o n ? T h i s m a n h a d
p a s t o r e d s o m e sm all, d i f f i c u l t c o n g r e
g a ti o n s t h a t n o o n e e ls e w o u l d tak e. F o r
m an y years he h ad s u p p o r te d him self
a n d his f a m i l y b y w o r k i n g o n t h e side.
N ow he w as o n e of th e o ld e r pastors
on t h e d i s tr i c t a n d h o n e s t l y e x p r e s s in g
his fe e lin g s. N o o n e e v e r q u e s t i o n e d
his s p i r it u a l in t e g r i ty . M a n y c o u ld
i d e n t if y w i t h his o b j e c t i o n .
I have never m et a N azarene preach
er w h o d is li k e d p u l p i t p r e a c h i n g . I
h a v e r e a d o f s o m e in o t h e r d e n o m i n a
tio n s w h o d i d n ’t e v e n e n j o y p r e a c h i n g ,
b u t fo r m o s t m i n is te r s , p r e a c h i n g is a
p l e a s a n t p a r t of t h e w ork . E v e n less
g if te d m e n h a v e e x p e r i e n c e d sea so n s
of a n o i n t i n g b y G o d as t h e y p r e a c h e d
t h e g o s p e l. W h i l e p r e a c h i n g is t h e m o s t
i m p o r t a n t f a c e t o f t h e m i n i s t r y , it is
n e i t h e r t h e m o s t ta x i n g n o r t h e m o s t
t i m e - c o n s u m i n g . T h e c o m p l e x s o c ie ty
in w h i c h t h e c h u r c h m u s t m i n i s t e r has
t h r u s t its c o m p l e x i t i e s u p o n t h e s h o u l
d e r s of t h e p a sto r.
S u c c e s s o r f a i l u r e is d e t e r m i n e d in a
m a n ’s m i n i s t r y to a l a r g e e x t e n t b y his
r e l a t i o n s h i p to p e o p le . E v e n t h e m a n
w h o is m a k i n g t h e c h u r c h “ b o o m
s o m e t i m e s g e ts a h e a v y v o t e a g a in s t
h i m b e c a u s e of t h e w a y h e d o e s t h e
job. T h e g r e a t e s t “ p u l p i t e e r ” th e
c h u rc h has e v e r h a d m ay not be
t h e m a n lo n g e s t a n d m o s t f o n d l y r e
m e m b e r e d . B u t t h e m a n w h o lo v e d his
p e o p l e will n e v e r b e f o r g o t t e n . H o w
e v e r d if f ic u l t s o m e p e o p l e a re , real
lo v e will b e r e c i p r o c a t e d .
O
ne
P r o b l e m p e o p l e are u s u a l ly p e o p l e
w ith problem s. T h e m a n on th e board
t h a t g iv e s t h e m o s t t r o u b l e is o n ly
r e f l e c t i n g his soul. P e o p le h a v e a w a y
of m a k i n g t h e c h u r c h , t h e p a s t o r, a n d
e v e n G od th e ir scapegoat. T h e m an
O ctober, 1972
S uccessor failure is
determ ined in a m an’s m inistry
to a large extent by his
relationahip to people
Problem
People
By Robert E. Maner
Pastor, First Church, Garland, Tex.
t h w a r t e d a t w o r k o r h o m e o r in so c ie ty
f i n d s h e c a n t h r o w his w e i g h t a r o u n d
a t c h u r c h a n d g e t a w a y w i t h it. T h e
s o l u ti o n lies, n o t in a d d i n g a n o t h e r
a r e a of d e f e a t , b u t in lo c a t i n g his b asic
p r o b l e m a n d h e l p i n g h i m w ith a so lu
tion.
P ro b lem p e o p le n e e d n o t b ec o m e
o u r p ro b le m . O b jectiv ity m a y sound
im p o s s i b le w h e n lov e is t h e e s t a b l i s h e d
c r i t e r i o n for su ccess, b u t t h e d o c t o r
n e e d n o t c a t c h t h e d is e a s e to c u r e th e
p atient.
L in i n g u p tw o o p p o s i n g sid es like
a r m i e s in b a t t l e c a n re s u lt in a war.
W h i l e s p i n e le s s a c q u i e s c i n g in e v e r y
c o n f l ic t is n o s o lu tio n , t h e p a s t o r n e e d
n o t c h a m p i o n t h e c a u s e of e i t h e r side.
W h e n p r i n c i p l e s a r e n o t a t stak e, it is
fa r b e t t e r to k e e p t h e lo ve a n d r e s p e c t
of all t h a n to h a v e y o u r sid e w in th e
d i s a g r e e m e n t . V ic to r y s o m e t i m e s costs
m o r e a n d n e t s less t h a n d e f e a t . In
e i t h e r case, t h e p e o p le , n o t a b u i l d i n g
n or a bus n or a coat of p ain t, are th e
m o s t i m p o r t a n t it e m in q u e s t io n .
P ro b lem p e o p le n e e d no t m a k e a
p r o b l e m pastor. A p a s t o r c a n b e a p r o b
le m to t h e local c h u r c h , to t h e d is tric t,
to h im s e lf, a n d to G o d . T h e L o r d has
c a ll e d Mis m e n to d o a jo b . T h e w o rk
11
w a s h e r e b e f o r e w e c a m e a n d w ill b e
h e r e lo n g a f t e r w e a r e g o n e . T h e p r o b
le m s will b e h e r e to o ( t h a t is, u n le s s
w e a re t h e p r o b l e m s ) . T o allo w t h e
d if fic u ltie s o f a n y g i v e n s i t u a t i o n to
m a k e u s b i t t e r a n d c ritic a l is fa r m o r e
t r a g i c t h a n t h e s i t u a t i o n itself. If w e
a llo w t h e p r o b l e m s o f t h e c h u r c h to
w reck o u r h ealth or o u r m arria g e, w e
h a v e n o t o n ly d o n e n o t h i n g to b e t t e r
th e church; we have a d d e d im m e a s u r
a b l y to t h e to t a l p r o b l e m . W h i l e it is
i m p o s s i b le to d i v o r c e o u rs e lv e s e m o
ti o n a ll y f r o m a c h u r c h - r e l a t e d p r o b l e m ,
it is n e c e s s a r y to k e e p its e m o t i o n a l
i m p a c t f r o m b l i g h t i n g e v e r y o t h e r re
l a t i o n s h i p in life.
P r o b l e m s will b e w i t h us as lo n g as
w e a r e th is sid e of t h e g a t e s o f h ea v e n .
B u t t h e y a r e G o d ’s p r o b l e m s too. E v ery
p a s t o r m u s t l e a r n to lay his b u r d e n
d o w n a t n ig h t , t u r n o ff his "w orrier,
c o m m i t it all t o G o d , a n d g o to sleep.
T h e p r o b l e m s w e c a n n o t s o lv e by
p r a y e r a n d lo v e a n d w i s d o m c a n be
e n d u r e d b y g ra c e .
The “ up-and-outer” needs Christ
as much as the “ d ow n-and-outer”
Reaching the Rich with the Gospel
By Roy Wells*
this h a s b o r n e o n m y
m ind. I h av e h o p e d th a t p e rh a p s
s o m e o n e w i t h a m o r e a b le p e n w o u ld
w r i t e a n a rtic le a b o u t th is s u b j e c t, fo r
I fe e l I d o n o t s t a n d a l o n e in m y c o n
c e r n a b o u t t h e s e p e o p le . T h e r e are
t h r e e re a s o n s w h y I b e li e v e w e s h o u l d
i n c l u d e t h e w e a l t h y in o u r m in is try .
F
o r so m e tim e
F irst, t h e y are h u n g r y . T h e e x p e r
ience I have h ad w ith these p eo p le
r e v e a ls t h e y a r e h u n g r y . I h a d b e e n
p r a y i n g fo r a c o n tr a c to r , f r o m w h o m
w e b o u g h t t h e lots o n w h i c h to b u il d
o u r n e w c h u r c h . I h a d m a d e it a p o in t
to visit h i m a n d h a d g i v e n h i m a sp e c ia l
i n v i t a t i o n to visit w i t h u s t h e first S u n
d a y in o u r n e w b u i l d i n g . T o m y sur-
“Pastor, M aryland Ave. C hurch, Dayton, Ohio.
12
p r i s e h e said, “ M y w ife a n d I have
b e e n ta l k i n g a b o u t it a n d w e h a d al
r e a d y d e c i d e d to a t t e n d c h u r c h s o m e
w h e r e th is S u n d a y , b u t w e d i d n t know
o u r visit w o u l d b e to y o u r c h u r c h . ”
T h e y cam e, a n d th e y c a m e w ith hun
g r y h e a r t s . At t h e clo se of t h e service
w h e n t h e in v i t a t i o n w a s g iv e n , they
b o t h c a m e f o r w a r d fo r p r a y e r a n d were
b o t h s a v e d in t h e first serv ice. I have
k n o w m a n y p o o r p e o p le , o r m id d le class, w h o w e r e h a r d e r to r e a c h th an
th ese.
I w a s s h o c k e d o n e d a y t o le a r n th at
m y d o c to r , w h o w a s in his th irtie s , had
d i e d d u r i n g t h e n i g h t f r o m a n overdose
o f s l e e p i n g pills, a n d left a w ife and
f o u r y o u n g c h i l d r e n . 1 said to myself,
S u r e l y t h e r e w a s a h u n g e r t h a t h a d not
b e e n m e t.
The P re a ch e r’s Magazine
It is t r u e t h a t t h e c o n g r e g a t i o n s of
th e a v e r a g e C h u r c h of t h e N a z a r e n e
are m a d e u p of t h e m i d d l e - c l a s s a n d
th e p o o r. V e r y fe w e x p e n s i v e l i m o u s in e s
are f o u n d a t o u r p a r k i n g lots o n S u n d a y
m o r n in g . Y et t h e r e is n o t a N a z a r e n e
p r e a c h e r w h o w o u l d n ’t fe el h o n o r e d to
see a fe w d r i v e u p o n S u n d a y m o r n i n g .
Yet, I ask y o u , a r e n o t t h e w e a l t h y
n e g l e c t e d in o u r c h u r c h e s ? H a v e w e
no t left t h e m for t h e m o r e f o r m a l
c h u r c h e s ? T h e r e is a g o s p e l a n d t h e r e
is a sp irit in t h e C h u r c h of t h e N a z a
rene. O u r m i n i s t e r s a r e g o o d p r e a c h e r s ,
a n d o u r m e s s a g e of h o li n e s s is t h e a n
swer. W h y n o t i n c l u d e all m e n in o u r
m issio n t o s a v e t h e w o r l d ?
S e c o n d , t h e y c a n b e r e a c h e d . As 1
c h e c k e d t h r o u g h t h e "no c h u r c h p r e f
e r e n c e ” in o u r local h o s p i ta l , I c a m e
acro ss a n a m e a n d a s k e d t h e r e c e p t i o n
ist a b o u t th is m a n . S h e l o o k e d r a t h e r
s u r p r i s e d a n d to ld m e h e w a s v e ry
w e a l t h y , a n d t h e b i g g e s t g a m b l e r in
to w n . B u t I t o l d h e r h e n e e d e d G o d
j u s t like e v e r y o n e else, a n d w i t h i n a
few m i n u t e s I w a s g e t t i n g a c q u a i n t e d
w i t h h im . T h e d a il y visits t h a t f o l lo w e d
p r o v e d t h a t t h e r e c e p t i o n i s t w a s rig h t.
A b o u t t h e o n l y t h i n g th is m a n c o u ld
say w a s t h a t h e d i d b e li e v e t h e r e w a s a
G o d s o m e w h e r e . Y et h e w a s h u n g r y
to k n o w m o r e a b o u t H im . T h e a t t i t u d e
th a t th e re c e p tio n ist h ad to w a rd him
s e e m e d to b e t y p i c a l o f m o s t o f us. It
is t h e a t t i t u d e t h a t t h e y h a v e g o n e to o
fa r o r a r e to o w i c k e d to b e i n t e r e s t e d
in a n y t h i n g b u t sin. B u t th is i d e a m u s t
b e e r a s e d f r o m o u r m i n d s if w e a re
e v e r to h e l p t h e m . W e m u s t h a v e t h e
a t t i t u d e t h a t all m e n a r e h u n g r y fo r
G o d a n d can b e reached.
O n e o f t h e l e a d i n g p a s t o r s of m y
to w n c o n fr o n te d m e o n e d a y c o n c e rn
in g a m e m b e r o f h is o w n c h u r c h a n d
said, “ If y o u c a n h e l p h i m I w o u ld
a p p r e c i a t e it. I a d m i t m y c h u r c h c a n t
d o a n y t h i n g f o r h i m , b u t I fe e l yo u
c a n . ” W h a t h e w a s re a lly s a y i n g w a s
t h a t his c h u r c h ’s p r o g r a m o f r e f o r m a
tio n c o u l d n ’t d o a n y t h i n g f o r t h e m a n ,
O ctober, 1972
b u t o u r m e s s a g e o f t r a n s fo r m a t io n
c o u ld . T h e C h u r c h a t P e n t e c o s t to o k
p e o p l e as th e y c a m e —-s id e s t e p p in g no
o n e . T h i s is still t h e a t t i t u d e w e m u s t
h a v e . W e p r e a c h t h a t t h e t h i n g s of t h e
w o r l d will n o t satisfy. Y et w h e n w e
see t h e m w ith so m u c h o f th is w o r l d ’s
g o o d , o u r a t t i t u d e is t h a t t h e y h a v e
n e e d of n o th i n g . W e re a lly o u g h t to
c h a n g e o u r m e s s a g e o r p u t it i n t o p r a c
tice. T h i s d o e s n o t m e a n t h a t w e
n e g l e c t o th e r s in o r d e r to r e a c h th o s e
w h o m ig h t p a d o u r c h u rc h treasury;
b u t on th e o th e r h an d , o u g h t th e y not
to h a v e a n e q u a l c h a n c e to h e a r th e
gospel?
T h i r d , t h e y h a v e soids.
It is to ld t h a t w h e n P e t e r C a r t w r i g h t
w a s p r e a c h i n g o n e n ig h t , t h e p a s t o r
n u d g e d h i m a n d said, ‘K i n d l y t a k e it
e a s y t o n i g h t , fo r A b r a h a m L in c o l n h as
ju s t w a l k e d i n . ” L in c o l n w a s t h e n a
s e n a t o r . M r. C a r t w r i g h t m u m b l e d
s o m e t h i n g o f a s s e n t, b u t b e f o r e th e
m e s s a g e w a s o v e r h e said, “ I a m told
t h a t A b r a h a m L in c o l n is in t h e a u d i
e n c e , b u t b e it k n o w n t h a t u n le s s h e
r e p e n t s like e v e r y o n e else h e will g o
to h e ll j u s t like e v e r y o t h e r s i n n e r . ”
C a r t w r i g h t sa w L in c o l n , b u t h e also
saw his soul. At t h e e n d o f t h e serv ice
M r. L i n c o l n c a m e a r o u n d a n d to o k h i m
by th e h a n d a n d gave h im a w arm
h a n d s h a k e , e x p r e s s in g a p p r e c i a t i o n for
h is sin c e rity . Yes, e v e r y m a n is e n
d o w e d b y his C r e a t o r w i t h a soul. T h e
ric h h a v e t h e i r h e a r t a c h e s , b u r d e n s ,
d i s a p p o i n t m e n t s . S a t a n is n o r e s p e c t e r
of p e rs o n s.
I h a v e v is ite d , c o u n s e l e d , a n d p r a y e d
w i t h t h e s e p e o p le . T h e h u n g e r , t h e
n e e d , t h e d e s i r e a r e j u s t t h e s a m e as in
all o th e r s . W e d o n ’t h a v e to fe e l w e
n e e d to c h a n g e t h e m e s s a g e , d i l u t e it,
o r m a k e it a n y d i f f e r e n t for t h e m . T h e y
m a y h av e a un iv ersity e d u c a tio n a n d
k n o w n o t h i n g a b o u t h o w t o b e saved .
T h e p r i c e m a y b e h i g h fo r t h e m , b u t
t h e p o w e r o f t h e g o s p e l is “ to e v e r y o n e
th a t b e lie v e th .” W e can reach them .
W h y n o t tr y it?
13
The name of the gam e is defense when
the opposition threatens to defeat us
Hold That Line!
TT
t h a t l i n e ! H o ld t h a t li n e ! ”
A g r e a t c r o w d o f c o ll e g e s t u d e n t s
a n d r o o t e rs c h a n t e d fo r t h e i r h o m e
t e a m as t h e y w e r e b e i n g p r e s s e d to
t h e i r g o a l line b y t h e i r rival o p p o n e n t s .
W h a t a t e n s e m o m e n t it was! “ T h i r d
d o w n a n d o n e y a rd to t h e g o a l , ” said
th e announcer. A g re a t roar w e n t up
f r o m t h e cro w d . T h e y d i d n o t m a k e it.
" F o u r t h d o w n a n d a fo ot to g o ! ” said
t h e a n n o u n c e r . ' H o l d t h a t line! H o ld
t h a t li n e ! ” c a m e f r o m t h e b le a c h e rs .
A g a in t h e o p p o s i n g t e a m p l u n g e d ,
b u t th e y d i d n o t m a k e it. T h e r e f e r e e
m o t i o n e d for t h e h o m e t e a m to ta k e
po ss essio n of t h e ball.
T h e r e c o m e t i m e s in t h e re lig io u s
s t r u g g l e w h e n w e n e e d to “ h o ld t h a t
li n e . ” I b e li e v e P a u l h a d th is in m i n d
w h e n he w ro te th e E p h esian ch u rc h
a n d e x h o r t e d t h e m to p u t o n t h e w h o l e
a r m o r of G o d , t h a t t h e y m i g h t s t a n d
a g a i n s t t h e w ile s of t h e d e v i l — “ a n d
h a v i n g d o n e all, to s t a n d ” ( E p h . 6:13).
1 b e l i e v e w e h a v e r e a c h e d a d a y in
o u r c h u r c h w h e n w e n e e d to " h o l d t h a t
l i n e ” a g a i n s t s o m e t h i n g s t h a t are
p r e s s in g in u p o n us. M o d e r n e v a n o ld
by
W. E.
Zimmerman
Nazarene Evangelist,
Marion, Ohio
g e l i s m is s w e e p i n g m a n y o ff t h e i r feet.
T o o o f t e n th is m e a n s “ m a k i n g d e c i
s i o n s ” fo r C h r i s t in s t e a d o f g e t t i n g a
re a l e x p e r i e n c e of s a l v a ti o n ;; “ a c c e p t
in g C h r i s t ” in s t e a d o f r e p e n t i n g for
sin; g i v i n g o n e s e l f to C h r i s t i a n service
i n s t e a d o f d y i n g o u t to self a n d being
s a n c t i f i e d w h o lly ; j o i n i n g a c h u r c h and
b e c o m i n g a C h r i s t i a n p r o f e s s o r in
s t e a d of g e t t i n g a C h r i s t i a n possession.
H e r e is a r e p o r t o n a y o u t h c a m p
w h i c h says, “ W h e n t h e last a l t a r call
w a s m a d e , e v e r y o n e h a d c h o s e n C hrist
a n d m a d e a c o m m i t m e n t to H i m . ”
N o w t h a t is n o t th e l a n g u a g e to d e
s c r ib e w h a t ta k e s p l a c e a t o u r N a z a re n e
a ltars. W h e n p e o p l e c o m e to t h e altar
in o u r c a m p s , t h e y c o m e to g e t saved,
i.e., c o n v e r t e d , r e c l a i m e d , o r sanctified.
T h i s “ a c c e p t C h r i s t , ” “ m a k e a decision
fo r C h r i s t , ” o r " m a k e a c o m m i t m e n t
to C h r i s t i a n s e r v ic e ” is t h e l a n g u a g e of
t h e m o d e r n c h u r c h a n d t h e p o p u la r
revival. It is n o t t h e l a n g u a g e of the
h o li n e s s c h u r c h .
T h i s le a d s m e to say t h a t w e n e e d to
“ h o l d t h e l i n e ” f o r a re al w o r k of divine
g r a c e to b e d o n e a t o u r altars. R ecently
I h a v e h e a r d s o m e s l i g h t i n g r e m a rk s on
t h e m a t t e r of “ p r a y i n g t h r o u g h . ” Now
I re a liz e t h e r e a r e s o m e th in g s that
t a k e p l a c e a t o u r a lta rs t h a t d o not
m a k e s e n s e to s o m e o n lo o k e rs, but
w h e n t h e re s u lts a r e all t a b u l a t e d , it is
still t h e b e s t p l a c e f o r s i n n e r s to come
a n d f i n d t h e i r w a y t h r o u g h to G o d ; and
fo r C h r i s t i a n s t h a t a r e sick o f th e i r car
nal spells to d i e o u t to them selves,
m a k e a c o m p l e t e c o n s e c r a t i o n a n d have
the thrill of b e i n g s a n c t i f i e d b y th e
b a p tis m w i t h t h e H o ly S pirit. J u s t last
ev en in g in t h e m i d s t of a n a l t a r service,
I h e a r d a p a s t o r g i v i n g o n e of his m e m
bers, w h o w a s at t h e a l t a r s e e k i n g th e
e x p e rie n c e of h o lin e s s , s u c h m a r v e l o u s
in s tru c t io n t h a t I b e li e v e h e r e c e i v e d
m o re th e o l o g i c a l t r a i n i n g in five m i n
utes t h a n h e c o u ld h a v e g a i n e d b y
re a d i n g b o o k s fo r ho u rs. W h e n p e o p l e
so m e to t h e a lta r, t h e y a r e in s u c h a
b u m b l e sp irit a n d a t t i t u d e o f soul t h a t
th e y c a n re c e i v e t h e t r u t h .
H e r e is a n o t h e r r e p o r t o n a r e t r e a t :
So m a n y y o u n g a d u l t s c a m e f o r w a r d
and m a d e a r e c o m m i t m e n t of t h e m
selves to t h e L o r d . ” T h i s s o u n d s like
the o ld j a r g o n t h a t w e h e a r d in th e
dead c h u rc h e s from w h ic h we cam e
:>ut. T h e p r o g r a m t h a t w e w e r e s u p
p o sed to c a r r y o u t in th o s e d a y s w a s to
h a v e a c o n s e c r a t i o n s e r v ic e o n c e a
m o n t h . T h i s w a s to g iv e all m e m b e r s
w h o h a d c a r n a l sp ells d u r i n g t h e m o n t h
a c h a n c e to c o m e to t h e a l t a r wi th a lot
i)f o t h e r folk a n d g e t " f i x e d u p . ” B ut
this m u s t n o t b e t h e p r o g r a m in o u r
h o lin e ss c h u r c h e s . T h e o n ly w a y to d e a l
w ith c a r n a l i t y is to h a v e t h e o ld m a n
c ru c ifie d . Y ou d o n o t g e t t h e o ld m a n
c ru c i f i e d b y c o r n i n g to t h e a l t a r w i t h a
w h o le g r o u p o f c h u r c h m e m b e r s a n d
r e c o n s e c r a t i n g y o u r s e lf to t h e L o rd a n d
H is service. A c o n s e c r a t i o n t h a t b r i n g s
a p e r s o n i n t o t h e e x p e r i e n c e of h o li
ness is a o n e e - f o r - a l l c o n s e c r a t i o n a n d
n o t a o n c e - a - m o n t h trial. It is e a s y to
g e t folk to c o m e to t h e a l t a r to r e c o n
se c r a te , a n d g e t a little c lo s e r to t h e
L o rd . It is n o t so e a s y to g e t t h e m to
c o m e to d ie o u t to t h e m s e l v e s a n d sin,
o n c e a n d fo r all. L e t ’s " h o l d t h a t l i n e ”
fo r a real, d e f i n i t e e x p e r i e n c e of
s e c o n d - b l e s s i n g h o line ss.
W e n e e d to " h o l d t h a t l i n e ” fo r a
" h e a r t f e l t r e l i g i o n . ” T h e s e a re d a y s
w h e n w e a re s u b s t i t u t i n g e d u c a t i o n to r
re v e l a ti o n . By t h e p ro c e s s of i n s t r u c
t i o n w e c a n tell a m a n h o w to g e t sav ed ,
b u t it ta k e s t h e r e v e l a t i o n o f t h e Spirit
to le t h i m k n o w h e is saved .
W e n e e d to " h o l d t h a t l i n e ” in
g i v i n g t e s t i m o n y to t h e e x p e r i e n c e of
ho liness. T h is h o ld s fo r t h e p r e a c h e r s
as w ell as for t h e l a y m e n . I h a v e lis
t e n e d to s o m e of o u r c a m p m e e t i n g
p r e a c h e r s p r e a c h fo r 10 d a y s a n d n e v e r
o n c e h a v e I h e a r d t h e m g iv e t e s t i m o n y
of h o w o r w h e n t h e y re c e i v e d t h e e x
p e r i e n c e of holiness. O f c o u r s e t h e y
p r e a c h e d s o m e a b o u t h o lin e s s a n d i n
v it e d folk to se ek t h e e x p e r i e n c e , b u t
n o t o n c e d id t h e y g iv e t h e i r t e s t i m o n
ies.
B e fo re I b e c a m e a N a z a r e n e , I p u b
lis h e d a n d e d i t e d t h e C h r is tia n W i t n e s s
p a p e r , w h i c h w a s t h e o fficia l o r g a n of
t h e N a t i o n a l H o lin e s s A ssoc iatio n. In
th is c a p a c i t y I r e c e i v e d m a n y i n q u i r i e s
c o n c e rn in g c a m p m e e tin g preachers.
T w o q u e s t i o n s t h e y a lw a y s ask ed : D o es
h e p r e a c h s e c o n d - b l e s s i n g holiness,
a n d . D o e s h e te s tify to h a v i n g t h e e x
p e r i e n c e : 1 It w a s o u r p riv il e g e to sit
u n d e r t h e m i n i s t r y of s o m e of th o s e
g r e a t h o lin e ss p r e a c h e r s of t h e e a rly
t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y , a n d o n e t h i n g th e y
a lw a y s d i d b e f o r e t h e y w e n t fa r in to
t h e i r m e e t i n g s w a s to g iv e a p e r s o n a l
t e s t i m o n y . R e a d a f t e r w r it e r s like Hills,
W o o d , C a r r a d i n e , a n d o t h e r s a n d y ou
will n o t r e a d f a r u n ti l t h e y will tell
w h e n t h e y s o u g h t a n d f o u n d t h e b les s
in g of ho liness.
I n d e e d w e w a n t to m a k e n u m e r i c a l
g a i n s a n d m a k e a few t o u c h d o w n s , b u t
r e m e m b e r s o m e t i m e s g a m e s a re w o n
n o t o n ly b y m a k i n g t o u c h d o w n s , b u t
b y " h o l d i n g t h e line. If P a u l t h o u g h t
it w a s g o o d a d v ic e for t h e E p h e s i a n
c h u r c h in his d a y , I b e l i e v e it is g o o d
a d v i c e fo r us in th is v e r y day .
S o m e of us “ kick a g a in s t th e p ric k s ” for a life tim e , all th e w h ile
b e li e v in g th a t w e a re s u r r e n d e r e d to th e w ill of G o d .
— A. W . T o z e r
O ctober, 1972
15
mmm
MEN
of
STRENGTH
By Hubert Helling
Missionary, Japan
“ All t h e w a t e r in
t h e o c e a n c a n n o t sink a s h i p u n le s s
t h e w a t e r s t a rts g e t t i n g in s i d e . ’’ A n
o t h e r w r i t i n g in r e s p o n s e to th is said,
“ All t h e t r o u b l e s in t h e w o r l d c a n n o t
sink a h u m a n b e i n g u n le s s th o s e
t r o u b l e s i n v a d e his i n n e r life .” I n w a r d
s t r e n g t h is r e a lly w h a t c o u n t s in t h e
l o n g ru n , a n d as Dr. C h a p m a n o n c e
said, “ I t ’s t h e lo n g r u n w e ’re i n . ” I t ’s
n o t h o w s t r o n g a m a n s e e m s to b e on
t h e o u ts id e , b u t it’s t h e re s ilie n c e , t h e
bou n ce-b ack , th e in n e r ten ac ity that
m a k e s h i m re a lly s tro n g .
T h e r e ’s q u i t e a d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n
t o u g h n e s s a n d h a rd n e s s . S o m e m e n
m a y b e ju s t h a r d o r in f le x ib le o r u n
y ie ld in g . T h e y w o n ’t e v e r g iv e, b u t
w h e n t h e p r e s s u r e g e t s to o h e a v y , s o m e
o f t h e s e b re a k . W i t h o u t i n n e r s t r e n g t h ,
w e will c a v e in, collapse. T o u g h n e s s
c o m e s f r o m w ith i n . It c o m e s fr o m th e
d e v e l o p m e n t o f o u r i n n e r re s o u rces.
I t ’s w h a t h e lp s m a k e a m a n a g o o d f i n
isher. A f te r all, it’s t h e fin ish t h a t
c o u n ts , n o t j u s t t h e b e g i n n i n g .
S
o m e o n e h a s s a id ,
T h e r e ’s q u i t e a th rill to h e a r t h e
co u n td o w n ,
5-4-3-2-1,
b last-o ff!
T h e r e ’s a th r ill in h e a r i n g t h e s o u n d of
th e w h irrin g m otors an d th e tr e m e n
d o u s p r e s s u re . B ut it’s n o t j u s t t h e
16
b la s t- o f f t h a t c o u n t s ; it’s t h e finish.
S o m e d o n ’t c a r r y t h r o u g h to t h e targ et.
T h e i r e n e r g y is s p e n t b e f o r e t h e y reach
it. It is s p e n t b e f o r e it is a c t u a l l y most
needed.
T h e n t h e r e a r e t h o s e w h o m a y start
slow , b u t t h e y e n d u r e . T h e y g e t hit
s o m e t i m e s , b u t t h e y b o u n c e back
T r o u b l e s s e e m to c o n v e r g e o n t h e m
u n ti l it m i g h t s e e m as t h o u g h th ey
w o u l d b e w r e c k e d , b u t t h e y p lo w right
th r o u g h . T h e y m a y lose a b a t t l e once
in a w h ile , b u t t h e y a r e w i n n i n g the
w a r. T h e s e a r e t h o s e w h o h a v e the
i n n e r r e s o u rc e , t h e r e s p o n s e t h a t comes
f r o m b e i n g in t o u c h w i t h G o d d ow n
d e e p in t h e i r h e a rts . T h e y resp o n d
o f f e n s iv e l y e v e r y t i m e
t h i n g s get
rugged.
T i m e a l o n e w i t h G o d is a b so lu te ly
i m p e r a t i v e fo r t h e m a n w h o desires
to b e a t his b est. It t e m p e r s , it seasons
a n d s e t tl e s a m a n . It b u i l d s stre n g th
i n t o t h e v e r y f i b e r o f his life. Isaiah in
4 0 :3 1 w r o te : “ T h e y t h a t w a i t u p o n the
L o r d sh all r e n e w t h e i r s t r e n g t h .
L e t us b e m e n of s t r e n g t h — inner
stren g th .
FOR FIELDS
ALREADY
WHITE
UNTO
HARVEST
no
|
M
THANKSGIVING
OFFERING
CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
Compiled b y The G eneral S tew ardship C om m ittee/
Harold
o.
Parry, Editor
STEWARDSHIP
HAVING PROBLEMS DECIDING WHAT
TO DO ON LAYMEN’S SUNDAY?
W HY
NOT
CHECK
THE
LA YM EN ’S SU ND A Y BRO-
D O N ’T BE TEMPTED TO OVERLOOK
ESTIMATE
ANYONE.
EVERY
OR UND ER
LAYMAN
IS
IM
PORTANT!
October, 1972
17
Why use Full-Time Commissioned Evangelists P
1. They have a sense of being called to full
time evangelism.
2. They have prepared themselves for full
time evangelism.
3. They are acquainted with the latest evan
gelistic means and methods.
4. They are com m issioned by the district as
sembly and approved laborers in full-time
evangelism.
5. They offer specialized skills in soul winning.
6.
They understand pastoral responsibilities.
Support your full-time evangelists this year!
Contact your district superintendent for an
“ O pen Date Listing” of evangelists.
Preacher's Magazine
ACHIEVEMENT
AWARD
REQUIREMENTS:
PRAYER and S E LF-D E N IA L C O M M ITM ENTS
70% of Total NW M S M em be rsh ip
KNOW:
R eaders— 70% of Total NW MS M e m bership and
C om plete th e Study
CARE:
M e m b e rs— 70% of C hurch M e m bership
GIVE:
G eneral and D is tric t O blig a tio ns Paid in Full
SHARE:
O ther Sheep S u b scrip tio n s— 40% of Total NWMS
M e m bership
NAZARENE WORLD MISSIONARY SOCIETY
Pensions and Benevolence
•
A A A A A
I I I ....................................................... I ....................... A
.........................................................................................................................
................................................. .... .... ............................
/ /
■ • ■ ■ • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • a „<^ «^-iv ,e
1111111111111111111111 V / . V ^
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
................................................................................................. /
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/
/
/
/
/
: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :
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^
^
/
: : : : : : : : : : : : :
20
,
.................................................* v >
^ > v v o ^ / / V
: : : : : : : : : :
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Preacher's Magazine
COM M UNICATIO NS
CO M M ISSION
(RADIO)
OFFERS THE GREATEST OPPORTUNITY to Touch Every
Person in North A m erica with an Invitation to Jesus Christ,
Our Saviour.
INVEST SOME THOUGHT— INVEST PRAYER HOURS—
MAKE HUGE PLANS THAT REQUIRE G O D’S HELP— ENLIST
EVERY ATTENDER AT YOUR SERVICES— GO ALL OUT—
IT MAY BE THE LAST W IDE-OPEN OPPORTUNITY— USE
THE MASS M ED IA IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE— BE NAZARENES— GET THE JOB DONE— JESUS IS COM ING !
Do You Have a Spanish Population?
— Get “LA HORA NAZARENA” on a Local Station.
Do You Have a Portuguese Population?
— Get Our Portuguese Program on Your Station.
Do Your People Speak English?
— Give Them “SHOWERS OF BLESSING.”
p a dio
C O M M U N IC A TIO N S C O M M ISSIO N
October, 1972
Radio Division
21
CHRISTIAN SERVICE TR AINING
IS THE TIME TO START
A CST TRAINING
PROGRAM!
H E R E ’S HOW
1. Select a C S T Director. (Get his n am e in the district minutes).
2. Establish a training co m m it te e. This c o m m ittee could be
m ad e up of the following representatives from each area of the
church.
— SS S u p e rin te n d e n t
— C h u rc h School Board C h airm an
— NYPS President
— N W M S P resident
— M usic D irector
— CST D irector
This com mittee would recommend:
— W h a t training program s are n eed e d
— W h en to schedule the courses (Since all d e p a r tm e n t heads
are present, it will be easier to schedule a m eetin g time
w ithou t conflicting with SS, Sunday evening, W e d n e s
day evening, or o th e r activities.)
3. Purchase a “Prepare to Share L i b r a r y ” or bring yours up to
date.
4. Set up an individual f i l e o f training c o m p l e t e d , using the
R-43 card. H ere are some suggestions for this project.
— M ake two cards for each person: one for the file, one for
the individual. (This saves you from a co nstant b arrag e of
q u estio n s.)
— Bring your records up to date. Keep current, by listing
H o m e Study credits and class reports.
— If you n e e d copies of class reports for the past 10 years,
your CST office will provide th e m free up on request.
5. Secure a Teacher Training Poster. List nam es of teachers,
substitutes, a n d prospective teachers, giving record of training.
Post on the bulletin board.
6. Consider p a yi ng evaluation f e e f o r H o m e Stu dy w o r k c o m
p le te d b y volunteer workers. It can be charged to SS account
w h en requested.
TRAINING PAYS OFF!
S H U Aft
MOW 1 GN
CHURCH SCHOOLS
N O W lN O jV jfi
NN O O W Wi H ol Sw ii r ' ■I
N O W S
n
o
w
N O W
I I
r i
i w
!
!
N
N
V
E
M
B
I E
R
EL
ZE
I
O
t6e (kqyeat neaaoet fin
Plan your efforts and receive
members
The goal: 5 percent of Sunday school members joining
the church by profession of faith. Write for the bro
chure—
“The Sunday School Winning Souls”
HOME MISSIONS
LAYMENS
The hour for action is here.
There are areas near
not
being preached. Your
endent can supply a ,|s(
,he 90s Pel
's,r,ct superin-
Another Nazarene Development Site),
a 10 Percent Missionary Special.
ff your area has few challenges, select a
companion area with great needs and lend a
helping hand.
OCTOBER 8,1972
BIG BROTHER” DISTRICTS
Some areas of need:
1. Canadian districts where there are 154 cities over 10,000
population that do not have a Church of the Nazarene.
2. A western Canadian city of 1 million population, a new church
that desperately needs help.
3. A city of 80,000 population in New York where some holiness
people are interested in joining with us in starting a Church of the
Nazarene.
4. A city in New Jersey near a huge army base; we have many
local contacts as well as servicemen.
5. A New Jersey city in a Negro area where prayer meetings are
held in a home.
The Department of Home Missions has many more on record just like
these.
Name
Address ----------------------------------------------------
Zip.
I have been c h a l l e n g e d to ac ti on. Please send m e m o re
inform ation on:
| | Locating Another Nazarene Development Site— a 10 Per
cent Special
□ Black Work
|~l Other______________ ___________________________________
We would “double team ” to help start a new church.
mail to: Departm ent of Home Missions
6401 The Paseo
Kansas City, Mo. 64131
n
Undated, A d u lt E lective Studies o f 13 lessons each fo r
your a d u lt Sunday s c h o o l classes and Young A d u lt F el
low ship
J
I)
IM M 'lS i
m iL L M J :
Latest Releases!
DISCOVER
YOUR
BIBLE
DARE
TO
D ISCIPLINE
W
O th e r
title s
THE NOW
LOOK OF
EVANGELISM
WHOLESOME
INTERPERSONAL
RELATIONSHIPS
All Leader’s Guides, $1.00
IlM i*
Pupil Books ('e x c e p tio n ), $1.25
‘ DARE TO D IS C IPLIN E — paper, $1.95; cloth, $3.95
Prices s lig h tly h ig h e r o u tsid e th e c o n tin e n ta l U n ite d S ta tes
A va ila b le When YOU A re
NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE •
BOX 527, K A N S A S C IT Y , M IS S O U R I 64141
PASTORS
PRAYER MEETING
PUBLICATION
PRESENTATION
A PLAN TO ENCOURAGE YOUR LAYM EN TO READ TH E B E S T IN CU R REN T RELIG IO U S LITE R A TU R E
Current Selection
TIIE MEYITABLC
C n C O IM TER
Melvin McCullough
Present it in the prayer meeting hour for your laymen to
purchase.
$1.25
5 or m ore (40% d is c o u n t* ) ,
75c e a c h
Plus 3c per b o o k fo r postage
* P e rso n al
purch ase on ly .
For additional information consult special flyer in the
September Ministers’ Book Club Mailing.
NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE
KANSAS CITY
Pasadena
READING LAYM EN BUILD AN A LER T, GROWING, E F F E C T IV E CH URCH !
Toronto
YOUTH
John Wesley once said: Let us unite the two so long
divided: knowledge and vital piety.
Let ETC. help you in your equipping m inistry among the young
adults of your congregation. M ake certain they get a chance to read
ETC. re g ula rly— and they may not get that chance w ithout your help.
C heck with your church schools literature ordering secretary.
M ake certain that enough copies of ETC. are com ing every month
for every young adult in your church to have a copy.
. . . and for those young adults away at college, send them a
ye ar’s subscription for $2.50.
Y ou’ll also want to see that every m ilitary person in your con
gregation is registered with the S ervicem en’s Division of the De
partm ent of Youth. That way, the y’ll receive ETC. free.
October, 1972
27
WORLD MISSIONS
1 SUCCESSFUL MISSIONARY CONFERENCE
I
II.
L o rd ’s le a d in g
in
liv es a re h elp fu l.
P R E P A R A T IO N O F T H E
PASTO R
A. S eek a w o rld v isio n a n d b u rd e n
b y s tu d y in g th e m issio n a ry
e m p h a sis in th e B ib le a n d
re a d in g m iss io n a ry books.
B. G e t a c q u a in te d w ith th e D e
p a r tm e n t o f W o rld M issions.
C . E x p ec t g re a t th in g s a n d p lan
ca refu lly .
C.
P R E P A R A T IO N O F T H E
CH U RC H AS A W H O LE
P re p a ra tio n o f th e c h u r c h as a
w h o le c e n te rs on g ro u p p a rtic i
p a tio n in v a rio u s a c tiv ities:
A. D e c o ra tin g th e c h u rc h
B. S e ttin g u p s c h e d u le s o f m ea ls
fo r m issio n a ry p e rs o n n e l
C . D is trib u tio n of a n n o u n c e m e n ts
D. C o m m u n ity v is ita tio n a n d in
v ita tio n
E. S e ttin g u p s p ec ia l m e e tin g s
fo r c h ild re n in th e c o m m u n ity ,
u sin g th e m issio n a ries to sp ea k
to th e m
F. P ra y e r m e e tin g s fo r th e c o n
fe re n c e in h o m es
G. P la n n in g fo r lad ies to c a re for
th e n u rs e ry d u rin g all services
P R O G R A M M IN G
A v a rie d a n d c h a lle n g in g p ro
g ra m e a c h y e a r s tim u la te s in
te re s t a n d a v o id s a set p a tte r n .
T h e p ro g ra m sh o id d also b e
p la n n e d to in v o lv e e v e ry ageg ro u p .
A. C h ild r e n in c lu d e d in th e p r o
gram
1. F irst 15 m in u te s o f th e
w e e k d a y e v e n in g services
c a n b e fo r th e m .
2. M issio n a ry o u tlin e
from
th e B ible d e v e lo p e d a b it
e a c h e v e n in g .
3. S o m e th in g o n th e ir level
fro m
th e
m issio n a ry — a
c u r io e x p la n a tio n , a cu s
to m , s o m e th in g a b o u t a
c h ild on a m issio n field.
4. A
c o n tin u e d
m issio n a ry
s to ry c a n Ix* g iv e n a b it
e a c h e v e n in g .
5. A c h ild re n 's
a tte n d a n c e
c o n te st, w ith c h ild re n re
c e iv in g c re d it fo r an y o n e
th e y b rin g to th e m e e tin g .
D. S p e c ia l f e a tu r e s o n th e p r o
gram
1. In fo rm a tiv e d r a m a — a skit
th a t p o rtra y s c u ltu ra l life,
C h ris tia n c h a ra c te rs , a n d
t h e m issio n a ry a t w ork.
M o n o lo g u e s
and
p a n to
m im e s c a n Ix* u s e d cx'casionallv.
2. C u rio ta lk s— t h r e e to five
m in u te s , e x p la in in g a c u rio
o r d ra w in g a lesson fro m it.
3 . T h e m issio n a ry g iv in g a
s h o rt a c c o u n t o f a ty p ical
d ay .
4. A c o u p le o f m in u te s o f a c t
in g o u t g re e tin g s o r a p a r
t ic u la r cu sto m .
III
B.
Y o u th in v o lv e m e n t in th e p r o
gram
1. A u d io v isu al m e th o d s will
h elp . M aps, c h a rts , o u t
lin es, p ro je c te d o n th e
sc re e n b y th e o v e rh e a d
bac k v iew
p ro je c to r, c r e
a t e in te re s t.
2. C a s e h isto ries fro m th e
m ission field g iv e n by th e
m iss io n a rie s
c h a lle n g e
y o u n g p eo p le .
3. S o m e u n u s u a l in c id e n t in
a m iss io n a ry 's life a n d in
s ig h t in to c u ltu re a n d c u s
to m s a p p e a l to th is age.
4. P erso n a l
te s tim o n ie s
of
- m issio n a ries
as
to
th e
th e ir
N u m b e r o f s p e a k e r s o n th e
p ro g ra m
1. O n ly on sp e c ia l occ asio n s
s h o u ld o n e s p e a k e r b e u sed
fo r th e e v e n in g m e e tin g s.
2. T w o to fo u r c a n b e u sed
e a c h session.
3. C h a n g in g p e rs o n n e l o n th e
p la tfo r m c re a te s a n tic ip a
tio n a n d s tim u la te s in tere st.
4. M ost m essag e s, e x c e p t th e
S u n d a y m o rn in g w o rsh ip
se rv ic e a n d p e r h a p s th e
fin al c h a lle n g e m e s s a g e of
t h e c o n fe re n c e , c a n b e h eld
to 15 m in u te s . S h o rt fivem in u te fe a tu re s m a y b e
g iv e n Ix 'fo re t h e m essag e s
o r b e tw e e n m essages.
IV
S A M P L E E V E N IN G
PROG RAM
T h e le n g th o f serv ic e: a lx m t an
h o u r a n d a half, w ith few p r e
lim in a rie s, to g iv e all tim e p o ssi
b le to th e m issio n a ry th ru st.
O p e n in g so n g , p ra y e r, v e rs e o r tw o
o f song
C h ild r e n 's M o m e n ts (15 m in u te s )
G r e e tin g s fro m O t h e r L a n d s
(5 m in u te s )
M essa g e o r S lid e s
(1 5 m in u te s )
S p ecia l M usical M lim b e r
(3 m in u te s )
C a s e H is to ry o f a N a tio n a l o n th e
M ission F ie ld
OR
A S h o rt S kit
(1 0 m in u te s )
M essa g e
V.
P R O M O T IO N
A. T a lk a b o u t th e c o n f e re n c e as
t h e r e is o p p o rtu n ity . A n n o u n c e
it in all t h e serv ic es. S u n d a y
sch o o l te a c h e rs ta lk a b o u t it to
th e ir classes. A n n o u n c e it in
c h u r c h b u lle tin s , l<x-al n e w s p a
p e rs , a n d sp o t a n n o u n c e m e n ts
on th e radio. P rin t s im p le , a t
tra c tiv e flyers, u sin g p ic tu re s
o f th e m issio n a ries, fo r d is tr i
b u tio n o r m ailin g . L et th e c o m
m u n ity know w h a t is g o in g on
in y o u r c h u rc h .
B. P o s te r c o n te st for th e c h ild re n .
P o ste r b o a rd 22 x 28 in ch e s
C
b o u g h t a n d sold to th o s e w h o
d e s ire to e n t e r th e c o n te st.
T h e y m ay c u t o u t p ic tu re s of
p e o p le a n d c o u n trie s from
m a g a z in e s , u se c ra y o n s , d o
a rtw o rk , a n d p rin t m issio n a ry
s lo g a n s o r B ible verses. O n e
g otxl p riz e m a y b e o ff e re d e a c h
a g e -g ro u p ,
and
p a rtic ip a n ts
m u s t d o t h e ir o w n w ork. P ost
ers w ill Ix* o n d is p la y d u rin g
th e
w h o le c o n f e re n c e and
j u d g e d S a tu rd a y n ig h t.
B a n n e r w ith c o n f e re n c e th e m e
s h o u ld b e m a d e to h a n g in
fro n t o f c h u r c h a u d ito riu m . F or
e x a m p le , “ S O S E N D I Y O U .”
A w o rld m a p s h o u ld Ix- p lac ed
in a p ro m in e n t p la c e b e fo re th e
a u d ie n c e . If a g lo b e c a n Ix* o b
ta in e d , p la c e it o n a s ta n d n ea r
th e fro n t o f th e c h u rc h .
V I. P R O G R A M :
A. S p e c ia l M u sic: F ro m th e m is
s io n a rie s, y o u th , o r an y o n e
q u a lifie d . T h e s p e c ia l n u m b e r
c a n Ix* d u r in g th e o ffe rin g tim e
o r a t lx*ginning o f service.
K e e p c o n g r e g a tio n a l sin g in g
to a m in im u m . Y o u r th ru s t is
p re s e n tin g
m issio n a ry work.
B. T h e m e ch o ru s: C h o o s e a short,
s u ita b le c h o ru s th a t g<x*s w ith
th e th e m e o f th e co n fere n ce .
P rin t it on s o n g s h e e ts o r o n the
b a c k of th e p ro g ra m .
C . C o n fe r e n c e t h e m e , slo g a n , or
verse: This a n d th e them e
c h o ru s s h o u ld tie to g e th e r.
D. T a p es: P o rtio n s o f ta p e s giving
a s o n g o r te s tim o n y from a
m issio n field c r e a te interest.
C u ltu r a l s o u n d s o r an y th in g
th a t p o rtra y s life in th e co u n
try h e lp s th e a u d ie n c e u n d e r
s ta n d th e field . T a p e s from
k n o w n m iss io n a rie s o n th e field
a re go<xl fo r c o n f e re n c e tim e.
E. F ilm s a n d slid es: A vailable
th ro u g h th e N a z a r e n e Pub
lish in g M ouse. P .O . Box 327,
K an sas C ity . M o. 64141.
F. F e llo w s h ip s u p p e r : H a v e it the
m ost s u ita b le e v e n in g of the
c o n fe re n c e . It h e lp s p e o p le feel
a c q u a in te d w ith th e m ission
a rie s a n d Ix* fre e to ask them
q u e s tio n s .
F o u r P in g re d ie n ts fo r a Successful
M issio n a ry c o n fe re n c e :
1. P ra y e r
2. P re p a ra tio n
3. P ro g ra m
4. P a rtic ip a tio n
S et u p a m iss io n a ry c o m m itte e for the
c o n f e re n c e a n d g e t as m u c h partici
p a tio n fro m as m a n y as possible.
T h e c o n trib u tio n o f th e con fere n ce
to y o u r c h u r c h s h o u ld first o f all In*
in fo rm a tio n .
se c o n d ly
inspiration,
a n d th e n a c tiv ity le a d in g th e people
of C<xl to a c c o m p lish th e task of
w o rld w id e ev a n g e lis m .
STEWARDSHIP
J H
b
s
e
W
b
J E
b
v
e
S
o
d
JBove J ill <&Gopk
CveryzofierQ.
A*Tuhta.1
A
N “ C iii*
HOW ?
BY:
— praying for the conversion
of those who do not know
Christ
~*r
*
.
r o le
UKfTKDKIWCIXU*
’ p .r*
— supporting our missionaries
with our prayers
— generously giving of our
means to support the cause of
world evangelism
— giving of ourselves in service
on the foreign field dr home
land
*
.V A t> * ~ i s s m
*
E
R
1
c
► ;•
ro T
S TAT
l J
ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO SHOW HIS LOVE BY G IV IN G
IN THE TH A N K S G IV IN G OFFERING ON NOVEMBER 19
GOAL— $ 3 , 200,000
October, 1972
29
NAZARENE INFO RM ATIO N SERVICE
Good Neighbor Newspapers
Good N e w s p a p e r is resp o n siv e to
re a d e r interests. It h a d b e tte r be
or it soon w ith e rs a n d dies.
A
A li s t e n e r o r v i e w e r c a n t u n e o u t, b u t
d o e s t h e s t a t i o n r e s p o n d ? U s u a ll y t h e
s a m e d is c j o c k e y o r e n t e r t a i n e r is
f l a u n t i n g h is s t u f f if t h e s t a t i o n is r e
tu ned.
Subscriber Is “ King”
B u t n o t so a t t h e n e w s p a p e r . W h e n
a s u b s c r i b e r d o e s n ’t like s o m e t h i n g , h e
o f t e n c a n c e l s t h e s u b s c r ip t io n .
T h a t is w h y a c o m p e t e n t e d i t o r c o n
t i n u a l l y s t u d ie s t h e c o v e r a g e a r e a a n d
its fa m il ie s to d e t e r m i n e ta s te s a n d
in te re sts.
T h is does n o t m e a n a n e w sp a p e r
c o n s c i o u s ly “ s h a d e s ” its n e w s r e p o r t
ing. It m e a n s t h a t , if a c o m m u n i t y b e
c o m es m in o rity -co n scio u s, an a le rt
n e w s p a p e r will p u b l i s h m o r e o b j e c t i v e
a n d i n t e r p r e t i v e a rtic le s o n t h e su b je c t.
Churches Make N ews
A n d w h e n a c h u rc h surges forw ard,
b u i l d s a l a r g e r s a n c t u a r y , h e l p s to m e e t
n e e d s in t h e a re a , a n e w s p a p e r is
a n x io u s to c o o p e r a t e w i t h n e w s sto ries
of t h e e v e n ts .
N e w s p a p e r s c o n t i n u a l l y liste n to
p a n e l s o f its r e a d e r s . T h e y in v ite
c ritic a l an alysis.
S u c h a p a n e l o f f o u r p e r s o n s in t h e
E ast in cluded a young m o th er, a
N e g r o , w h o h a d s e r v e d o n t h e sch o o l
board.
S h e a s k e d r e p o r t e r s to g e t c lo s e r to
e v e r y s e g m e n t of t h e c o m m u n i t y “ to
t a k e a d e e p e r lo ok a t f r u s t r a t i o n s a n d
30
c o n c e r n s o f m i n o r i t y a n d m a jo rity
g ro u p s.”
A y o u n g m i n i s t e r a s k e d fo r more
c o l u m n s o f n e w s a n d a s k e d t h e new s
p a p e r to lo c a liz e n a t i o n a l s t o r ie s — to
“ e d i t t h e n e w s t h r o u g h t h e e y e s o f the
re a d e r.”
T h e t h i r d p a n e l i s t , a n e x - m a r i n e and
f o r m e r F B I a g e n t , n o w a c o rp o r a tio n
e x e c u t iv e , a s k e d t h e n e w s p a p e r to do
all in its p o w e r to “ m i n i m i z e t h e alien
a t i o n in t o d a y ’s so c ie ty , to h e l p m a in
t a i n a s e n s e o f v a lu e s , a n d t o increase
r e s p e c t f o r la w a n d o r d e r . ”
H e u n d e r l i n e d t h a t n e w s p a p e r s are
n o t a n e u t r a l i n f l u e n c e in a c o m m u n it y ,
b u t t h e c h i e f s o u r c e o f i n f o r m a t i o n and
in f lu e n c e .
W ithin Local Framework
“ Y o u m u s t r e p o r t t h e fa c ts w ithin
t h e f r a m e w o r k o f y o u r c o m m u n i t y so
t h a t t h e c o m m u n i t y c a n u n d e r s ta n d
t h e m , ” h e to ld t h e n e w s p a p e r editors.
T h e c o n c l u d i n g p a n e l i s t w a s a crim
in a l la w y e r w h o a s k e d fo r m o r e aggres
sive e d i t o r i a l p o s i ti o n s a n d “ much
m o r e k n o w l e d g e a b l e e d i t o r i a l re
search .”
S u m m a r i z i n g t h e p a n e l ’s views:
“ O u r r e a d e r s a re f a c e d w ith a
c o m p l e x a n d d if f ic u l t w o rld . Most
e s t a b l i s h e d i n s t i t u t i o n s s e e m either
u n r e s p o n s i v e o r ir r e s p o n s i b l e to them.
“ A g o o d n e w s p a p e r h e l p s to lead
to a s e n s e o f c o m m u n i t y f o r all.
C h u r c h o u t r e a c h is n e w s.
O. J O E O L S O N
Preacher’s Magazine
CHURCH SCHOOLS
MILLION AMERICANS
ARE 65 AND OVER
(1 out o f 10)
M A N Y ARE LO N ELY
A N D F E E L USELESS
Forced retirement, inactivity, poverty, and useless
ness make the “golden years” a bad joke for thou
sands.
Tl?e Horpe Departrpept
Cap Minister to Tl^csc
Needs
• Social Contact through ac
tivities
• The Word through private
study and classes
• Usefulness through service
to God and others
D o n ’t f o r g e t . . .
HOME DEPARTMENT SUNDAY
November 5
AT YOUR CHURCH
with the NEW . . .
C HRISTM AS PROGRAM BUILDER No. 25
The answ er fo r those responsible fo r planning. GRACE
RAMQUIST com piles an outstanding variety of tim e- and
work-saving m aterial for all ages fro m w hich you can e asi
ly put together a m eaningful, w ell-balanced program .
Includes several pages of age-group m aterial, a play
using three women, an all-departm ent service, and C h rist
mas scenes fo r adult and youth choir. M inim um of three
copies needed.
MC-125
75c
with a NEW drama . . .
THE LITTLE LAME SHEPHERD
By MILDRED L. W ILLS. W onderful things take place in
this five-scene play when a m otherless crippled boy is
reunited w ith his fath er and m iraculously healed at the
manger. Requires three wom en, six girls, eight men, one
boy. P erform ance tim e, approxim ately 40 m inutes. Ten
copies needed fo r production.
MC-241
75c
with our latest worship service
C HRIST IS BORN TODAY
Here is a service of C hristm as m usic and narration for
congregation, choir, and m inister, by BOB BORROUGHS.
Original and fam ilia r m usic, scriptu re reading, and se lect
ed talks blend into an inspirational and rew arding o c
casion. Takes a m inim um o f rehearsals.
MC-22
60c
with our latest cantata
REJOICE!
This Christm as cantata of praise is from one of today's
outstanding com posers, OTIS SKILLING S.
Many of the old and favo rite carols are arranged into a
contem porary setting, giving a beautiful presentation of
the events of C hrist's birth. Includes six solo passages
and an opportunity fo r several instrum ental num bers.
64 pages.
MC-25
$1.50
D ire c to r's K it a n d S e rv ic e F o ld e r A ls o A v a ila b le . W rite f o r In fo rm a tio n .
Exam ination copies available to any program director^
or choir leader requesting them.
NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE
PO ST O FFIC E BO X 527, KANS AS CITY. M ISS O U R I 64141
W a s h in g to n a t Brese e, Pa sad en a. C a lifo rn ia 91104
IN C A N A D A : 1592 B lo o r S tre et, W est, T o ro n to 9, O n ta rio
i l l
K
M
H
’d W fD IF l
Mrs. B. Edgar Johnson
About J a c k -o ’-lanterns
and Christians
c h i l d r e n w e r e c a r v i n g j a c k - o ’l a n t e r n s f r o m p u m p k i n s fo r H a l
lo w e e n . “ I ’m g o i n g to m a k e m i n e rea l
scary-looking!” e x c la im ed one. “ N ot
m e , ’’ r e s p o n d e d t h e o t h e r . “ M i n e is
g o i n g to b e a f r i e n d l y p u m p k i n w i t h a
n ic e sm ile.
A third “ c a rv e r’ d e c id e d
to e x p e r i m e n t a bit. A f te r r e m o v i n g t h e
s eed y po rtio n , she p a in s ta k in g ly b e g a n
t o “ s p o o n ” o u t t h e p u l p , b it b y bit,
u n t i l t h e sh ell w a s v e r y t h i n , so w h e n
t h e c a n d l e w a s p l a c e d in s id e , t h e w h o le
p u m p k i n w o u l d glow .
T
he
C h r i s t i a n s a r e s o m e t h i n g like jack o ’- l a n t e r n s . G o d p u t s H is li g h t w ith i n ,
b u t w e a r e fr e e to c a r v e t h e k in d of
face or p erso n ality th r o u g h w h ich th at
l i g h t m a y sh in e . I k n o w s o m e C h r i s
tians w h o h av e th e L ig h t w ith in , b u t
it c o m e s t h r o u g h r a t h e r “ sc a r v s o m e
tim e s . O t h e r s p r e s e n t a n a p p e a l i n g a n d
w i n s o m e im p r e s s io n .
P u m p k i n s c a n b e c a r v e d in a m a t t e r
of m i n u t e s a n d t h e r e is litt le c h a n c e to
c h a n g e t h e m . S p i r it u a l f i g u r e s are
c a r v e d m o r e slow ly, a n d w e c a n seek
G o d ’s h e l p if t h e i m a g e is n o t to o u r
s a tis f a c tio n .
T h e t h i r d c a rv e r , w h o w a s tr y i n g to
m a k e t h e p u m p k i n g lo w , r e m i n d e d m e
of t h e w o r d s o f J o h n t h e B a p tis t c o n
c e r n i n g Je s u s , “ H e m u s t in c r e a s e , b u t
I m u st decrease.
T h ese w ords seem
like a g o o d m o t t o fo r t h e s a n c t if i e d
C h r i s t i a n . T h e in itia l c l e a n s i n g o f th e
c a r n a l se lf— w h i c h “ is n o t s u b j e c t to
t h e law of G o d , n e i t h e r i n d e e d c a n
b e — is a c c o m p l i s h e d . B u t t h e “ g r o w t h
in g r a c e
is in p ro g re ss. T h e “ h u m a n
O ctober, 1972
s e lf” r e m a in s , w i t h m a n y u n d e s i r a b l e
t r a its o f d is p o s it io n a n d p e r s o n a lit y ,
m a n y u n - r e f i n e m e n t s a n d in f irm itie s
of t h e fle s h a n d of t h e m i n d . T h i s h u
m a n self m u s t d e c r e a s e , t h a t C h ris tlik e n e s s m a y in crea se.
B u f u s M o s le y , in his b o o k P e r fe c t
E v e r y t h i n g , says, “ A t t h e p o i n t o f e n
tire v i e l d i n g n e s s a n d r e s p o n s e o n o u r
p a r t , G o d is r e a d y to ta k e t h e e n t i r e
f r e e p o ss e ssio n of u s a n d g iv e u s as
m u c h o f t h e I lo lv S p ir it as w e a r e c a p a
b le o f r e c e i v i n g . ” F i l l e d w i t h H is
S p irit, b u t c a p a b l e of in c r e a s i n g o u r
ca p a c ity !
T h e “ h u m a n ” can be
“ p a r e d ” as w e d i e d a il y to e v e r y fo r m
o f se lfish n ess, to e v e r y a s s e rti o n o f th e
self.
A real e x a m p l e w a s t h e s a i n tl y Bev.
E. B. G a llo w a y , w h o m w e h a d th e
p r i v il e g e o f p a s t o r i n g u n ti l his d e a t h
at 102 y ea rs of ag e. As his b o d y b e c a m e
m o r e frag ile , his sp irit s e e m e d to g r o w
m o r e ro b u s t. 1 c a m e to feel t h a t h e w as
a l m o s t t r a n s p a r e n t — his sp irit s e e m e d
to s h i n e t h r o u g h . H e ta l k e d to “ his
F a t h e r ” as i n t i m a t e l y a n d r e a d i ly as
if H e w e r e a v isib le c o m p a n i o n . I n
d e e d , t h e i n e f f a b l e u n i o n w ith th e i n
d w e l l i n g S p irit is m u c h c lo s e r t h a n a
v is ib le c o m p a n i o n . B r o t h e r G a llo w a y
h a d n e v e r b e e n in a h o s p i ta l u n ti l th e
last w e e k s of his life. T y p i c a l of his
sp irit, h e d e c l a r e d , “ T h i s is a n e w ex
p e r i e n c e , a n d G o d is m a k i n g it a w o n
d e r f u l o ne.
L o rd , h e l p m e to “ c a r v e ” c a re f u ll y
to d a y . A n d h e l p m e to i n c r e a s e th e
m e a s u r e of m y r e c e p t i v i t y a n d r e
sp o n se.
33
(^ faith in
ACTION
God Is Able and Willing
By Warren E. Foxworthy*
A fte r p r e a c h i n g fo r o v e r 10 years,
h a v i n g b e e n o r d a i n e d for fiv e y e a rs a n d
p resen tly p asto rin g m y th ird ch u rch , I
h a v e ju s t d i s c o v e r e d t h e s e c r e t of t r u e
p o w e r in b o t h m y life a n d m y p a s t o r
ate.
T h a t is n o t to say t h a t m y m i n is tr y
has b een co m p letely unev en tfu l. T o
t h e c o n tr a r y , G o d h as b le s s e d m y m i n
is try b e y o n d m y w ild e s t e x p e c t a tio n s .
H o w e v e r , 1 n o w re a liz e t h a t H e has
d o n e th is w i t h o u t m y h e l p in a v e ry
r e a l sense.
All of m y life I h a v e b e e n t a u g h t th e
p o w e r of p ra y e r . 1 w a s w e ll a w a r e of
t h e s t a n d a r d p r a v e r - p r o m i s e s c r ip tu r e s
s u c h as: "A s k , a n d it sh all b e g i v e n
y o u ” ( M a tt. 7 :7 ); “ H e t h a t a s k e t h rec e iv e th ( M a tt. 7 :8 ); “ A n d w h a t s o e v e r
ye shall ask in m y n a m e , t h a t w ill I do,
t h a t t h e F a t h e r m a v b e g lo r if i e d in th e
S o n ” ( J o h n 14:13)'.
A n s w e r s to p r a y e r h a v e c o m e m y
w a y o cca sio n a lly . R i g h t th e r e , h o w
e v e r , w a s m y p r o b l e m . G o d w a n t s to
an sw e r p ray er m o re th a n ju st occa
sionally. H e w a n t s to a n s w e r p r a y e r
da ily . H e d e s i re s t h a t a n s w e r e d p r a y e r
b e c o m e a w a y of life, a life -s ty le fo r t h e
b e liev er.
T h is r e v e l a t i o n d a w n e d u p o n m e a
f e w w e e k s a g o as I w a s r e a d i n g a little
b o o k . T h e P o w e r o f P o s itiv e P ra y in g ,
b y J o h n B isag n o . O n e s e n t e n c e in t h a t
b o o k h as r e v o l u t i o n i z e d m y life. B e
c a u s e of t h a t o n e lin e t h a t l e a p e d in to
m y consciousness from th e w ritte n
p age, I h av e m o v ed from th e n egative
to t h e p o s itiv e side o f C h r i s t i a n living.
"Pastor, First C hurch, Port Arthur, Tex.
34
(I t r u s t t h a t t h e r e a d e r will n o t b e u n
d u l y h a r d o n m e fo r m a k i n g th is reve
la tio n , fo r I feel t h a t m a n y p e o p l e still
e x is t in t h e g r e y a r e a o f life w h e r e I
u s e d to liv e.)
T h e o n e w r i t t e n lin e t h a t h a s so c o m
p l e t e l y c h a n g e d m y life r e a d as fol
lows: “ F a i t h is n o t b e l i e v i n g G o d can;
f a i th is b e l i e v i n g G o d will.
T h e m o m e n t t h e full s ig n if i c a n c e of
t h a t p a s s a g e d a w n e d u p o n m e , I be
c a m e a c h a n g e d p e r s o n . It w a s as if
s o m e p a r t i c l e of f a i th w a s ly in g d o r
m a n t w i t h i n m e j u s t a w a i t i n g such a
b o l d s u g g e s t i o n as this.
S in c e t h a t m o m e n t e v e r y s e r m o n I
h a v e p r e a c h e d , e v e r y a c t i o n i have
ta k e n , e v e r y w o r d I h a v e s p o k e n has
b e e n s c r e e n e d t h r o u g h t h e m e s h of
t h a t o n e s e n t e n c e . I n t i m a t e d by that
t h o u g h t is t h e id e a t h a t t h e t r u e prayer
of fa ith re le a s e s t h e h a n d s of G od on
b e h a l f o f t h e b e li e v e r. Also im p lie d is
t h e r e a l iz a t io n t h a t spe cific , faith-filled
p r a y e r a lw a y s b r i n g s r e s u lts — always
w i t h o u t e x c e p t io n ! W h e n th e true
b e l i e v e r p r a y s t h e p r a y e r o f faith and
fu lly e x p e c t s G o d to a n s w e r , t h e n God
h a s o b l i g a t e d h i m s e l f b y H is W o r d to
a n s w e r t h a t p ra y e r .
I n d e e d , m y life h a s b e e n c h a n g e d . I
n o l o n g e r sing, “ F a i t h in G o d c a n move
a m i g h t y m o u n t a i n , ” b u t r a t h e r I now
sin g, “ F a i t h in G o d w i l l m o ve a
m i g h t y m o u n t a i n ; f a i th w il l c a lm the
t r o u b l e d sea. F a i t h w il l m a k e th e desert
lik e a f o u n t a i n ; fa i th w il l b r i n g the
v i c t o r y . ” A n d w h e r e a s m a n y people
p r a y so g e n e r a l l y t h a t t h e y c a n ’t be
s u r e w h e t h e r o r n o t G o d e v e r answers
The P re a ch er’s Magazine
th e i r p r a y e r s , I h a v e l e a r n e d to p r a y
spe cific ally , e x p e c t i n g G o d to a n s w e r.
A nd P R A I S E T H E L O R D , H e h as
answ ered every p ra y e r I have prayed
since d i s c o v e r i n g th is p o w e r fo r m u la !
S u c h B ib le p a s s a g e s as: “ If ye h a v e
faith as a g r a i n o f m u s t a r d se ed , ye
shall sav u n t o th is m o u n t a i n , R e m o v e
h e n c e to y o n d e r p la c e ; a n d it shall r e
m o v e ; a n d n o t h i n g sh all b e im p o s s i b le
u n t o yo u ' ( M a tt. 17:20); “ All th i n g s ,
w h a t s o e v e r y e shall ask in p r a y e r , b e
l i e v i n g , ye shall r e c e i v e ” ( M a t t . 2 1 :2 2 ) ;
“ All t h i n g s a r e p o s s ib le to h i m t h a t
b e l i e v e t h " ( M a r k 9 :2 3 ) ; a n d , “ T h e r e
fo r e I say u n t o you. All th i n g s w h a t s o
e v e r ye p r a y a n d ask for, b e l i e v e t h a t
ye r e c e i v e t h e m , a n d ye sh all h a v e
t h e m ” ( M a r k 11:24, ASV), h a v e t a k e n
o n e n t i r e l y n e w m e a n i n g . T h e k ey
t h o u g h t in e a c h p a s s a g e b e i n g t h a t of
fa ith , t h e k ey w o r d b e i n g “ b e l i e v e . ”
A n s w e r s to p r a y e r a r e n o w c o m i n g
m y w a y e v e r y d a y , a n d m y fa i th in
c re a s e s as a r e s u lt of e a c h a n s w e r. T h is
h a s b e c o m e a w a y of life a n d m i n is tr y
fo r m e . F a i t h is n o t ju s t b e l i e v i n g G o d
ca n; f a i th is also b e l i e v i n g G o d will!
A Venture in Faith
S t e p p i n g o u t o n f a i th in 1970-71, a
c h u r c h t h a t h a d a v e r a g e d 71 in S u n d a y
s ch o o l t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r p r o m i s e d
$ 4 ,5 0 0 in a “ F a i t h P r o m is e O f f e r i n g "
for w o r l d e v a n g e l i s m . O v e r 9 6 p e r c e n t ,
o r 8 4,3 4 0 , w a s g iv e n . ( T h e G e n e r a l
B u d g e t fo r t h a t y e a r w a s S I , 3 7 0 .)
T h is v e n t u r e in fa i th p r o d u c e d
o t h e r b e n e f i t s to t h e c h u r c h b e s i d e s
a n in c r e a s e in g iv in g . T o q u o t e th e
p a s t o r, “ L a s t y e a r fo r t h e first t i m e in
six y e a rs w e h a d a n in c r e a s e in S u n d a y
sc h o o l a t t e n d a n c e . W e a v e r a g e d 85,
w h i c h w a s a 2 0 p e r c e n t in c r e a s e o v e r
t h e a v e r a g e o f t h e p r e v i o u s y ear. As
f a r as I h a v e b e e n a b l e to f i n d ( s e a r c h
in g b a c k re c o r d s ), last y e a r w a s t h e
first t i m e in t h e h is to r y o f t h e c h u r c h
t h a t all b u d g e t s w e r e p a i d in full. W e
a r e s h o w i n g n e a r l y a 2 0 p e r c e n t g a in
in t i t h e s a n d o ff e rin g s , a n d o u r b u il d -
By John R. Clayton
Missionary, Taiwan
O ctober, 1972
in g f u n d is a b o u t t h e s a m e o r s lig h tly
h i g h e r t h a n last year. O u r S u n d a y
sc h o o l o f f e r in g s h a v e also i n c r e a s e d . ”
T h i s last O c t o b e r in t h e i r s e c o n d
m i s s i o n a r y c o n v e n t i o n , t h e p e o p l e of
t h e D r e x e l C h u r c h of t h e N a z a r e n e in
D a y t o n , O h io , p r o m i s e d $ 7 ,0 0 0 fo r
w o r l d e v a n g e l is m . T h e c o n v e n t i o n h a d
b een preced ed by prayer and p re p a ra
tio n b y b o t h p a s to r, m i s s i o n a r y p r e s i
d e n t , a n d p e o p le . A g o a l of $ 5 ,0 0 0 h a d
b e e n set; b u t t h e m i s s i o n a r y p r e s i d e n t ,
2 1 - y e a r - o l d S h ir le y P h e lp s , w a s h o p i n g
fo r $ 6,00 0. O n S u n d a y m o r n i n g , a t th e
r e q u e s t o f t h e p a s to r, C l y d e O. W a its,
I read th e a m o u n ts p rom ised. T h e y
i n c l u d e d su c h p l e d g e s as $ 5 .0 0 p e r
w e e k , $ 1 0 .0 0 p e r m o n t h , $ 5 0 0 a n n u a l
ly, $ 3 0 .0 0 p e r w e e k , $ 8 3 2 a n n u a ll y ,
a n d as m u c h as $ 1 0 0 p e r m o n t h . W i t h
t h e m i s s i o n a r y p r e s i d e n t k e e p i n g to tal
o n a b o a r d c o v e r e d w i t h a m a p of th e
w o r ld , w e saw t h e a m o u n t g o to $7,000.
T h a t d a y t h e r e w'ere a b o u t 110 in
S u n d a y school. T h e s e w e r e o r d i n a r y
w o r k i n g p e o p le , g r e a t in f a ith , c l a i m
in g t h e p r o m is e s of G o d a n d b e li e v in g
t h a t H e will o p e n to t h e m t h e w i n d o w s
of h e a v e n a n d p o u r o u t a b le s s in g t h a t
t h e r e sh all n o t b e r o o m e n o u g h to r e
c e iv e it.
35
H a d I not b een th e re on th a t S u n
d a y m o rn in g I w o u ld have d o u b te d
t h a t s u c h a s m a ll g r o u p of p e o p l e c o u ld
d o su c h g r e a t th i n g s fo r C o d . It w as
i n d e e d a jo y a n d p ri v il e g e to b e t h e r e
a n d see t h e i r f a i th e x p r e s s e d n o t o n ly
in w o r d b u t in d e e d .
Tempted to
QUIT?
By Wesley D. Tracy*
a n d lib er
al a n y m o r e t h a t I a m se rio u sly
t e m p t e d to tr y to f i n d a n d j o i n a m o r e
s p i r it u a l c h u r c h , ” c o m m e n t e d o n e
m in is te r.
In t h e s a m e m e e t i n g in a n o t h e r c o n
v e r s a tio n a n o t h e r p a s t o r r e m a r k e d ,
“ W e a re so h u n g u p o n le g a l is m a n d
n a r r o w - m i n d e d n e s s t h a t I d o n ’t k n o w
h o w m u c h l o n g e r I c a n t a k e it . ”
T h e c h u r c h w a s to o li b e r a l fo r on e,
to o c o n s e r v a t i v e for t h e o th e r . In a
stran g e w ay th e ir differen ces b ro u g h t
th e m to g e th e r at one p o in t— b o th w ere
t e m p t e d to w a lk o ut.
C o u ld th e y b o th b e rig h t? O r both
be w ro n g ? R ight or w rong, we know
t h a t t h e C h u r c h o n e a r t h is i m p e r f e c t —
a lw a y s h a s b e e n a n d a lw a y s will be.
B u t w e m u s t g u a r d a g a i n s t a ll o w i n g t h e
im p e r f e c tio n s of th e C h u r c h (or a
c h u r c h ) to k e e p us fr o m b e i n g f r u itf u l
s e r v a n ts w i t h i n it. W e c a n ’t h o l d o u t
u n t i l e v e r y t h i n g s h a p e s u p to s u it us
b efo re w e u n w ra p o u r talen ts a n d pu t
t h e m to w ork. T h e f a c t is t h a t - i f th e
c h u r c h w e r e p e r f e c t w e w o u l d n ’t k n o w
it. W e a re so i m p e r f e c t o u rs e lv e s, w e
w o u l d n ’t b e a b l e to r e c o g n i z e it.
If t h e i m p e r f e c t i o n s o f t h e c h u r c h
a r e t e m p t i n g y o u to q u it , c o n s i d e r th e
s w o rd in E d w a r d R. Sill s p o e m “ O p -
T
h e c h u r c h is so w o r l d l y
° Kansas City, Mo.
36
p o r t u n i t y . ” In t h e p o e m t h e a u t h o r
v ie w s a b a t t l e o n a d u s t y p la in . As th e
b a ttle raged
A prince’s banner
Wavered, then staggered backward,
h e m m e d by foes.
A craven h u n g along the battle's edge.
A n d thought, " Had I a sword o f keener
steel—
That blue blade that the king's son
bears— bu t this
B lunt thin g!’’ He sna pp ed and f l u n g it
fr o m his hand
A n d, lowering, crept away and left the
field.
Then came the king's son, w ounded,
sore bestead.
A n d weapoidess, a nd saw the broken
sword.
Hilt-buried in the dry and trodden
sand.
A n d ran a n d s n a t c h e d it, a n d w ith
battle-shout
L i f t e d a fr e sh he h e w e d his e n e m y
down.
A n d saved a great cause that heroic
day.
N o w y o u r c h u r c h , p a s t o r, is t h e w e a
p o n w h i c h G o d in H is w ise p ro v i d e n c e
h a s g i v e n y o u to h a c k o u t sign ifican t
s p i r it u a l, m o r a l, a n d so cial victories
fo r H is k i n g d o m .
T r u e , it m a y r e s e m b l e t h e sw o rd in
t h e p o e m . It m a y b e b l u n t e d b y w o rld
li ness a n d m a t e r i a l i s m , n ic k e d by
h a c k - m a r k s of l e g a l is m ; p o r t i o n s of the
c u t t i n g e d g e m a y b e c h i p p e d a w a y by
l e t h a r g y . It m a y b e o u t of balance
t o w a r d s e c o n d a r y s t a n d a r d s of success
o r t w i s t e d w i t h d o g m a t i c a d h e r e n c e to
a n t i q u a t e d m e t h o d s — c e r t a i n l y it isn't
p e r f e c t. N o o n e e v e r sa id it was! But
it is still t h e w e a p o n t h a t G o d has put
in t o y o u r h a n d . It is still t h e b e s t w ea
p o n y o u c a n f i n d to w ie ld a g a i n s t sin
a n d S a ta n .
So f u s s in g a b o u t b l u n t n e s s o r tossing
o u r w e a p o n s a w a y b e c a u s e t h e y have
w e a k n e s s e s is n o t t h e p a t h of wisdom.
P e r h a p s w e s h o u l d ta k e o u r swords
“ w i t h b a t t l e - s h o u t lifte d a f r e s h ” and,
like t h e p r i n c e in t h e p o e m , w e just
m i g h t see a “ g r e a t c a u s e ” sav ed.
GLEANINGS Jl M j|
from the Greek
7 ,
|
I Cor. 7:1-9
“ F o r n i c a ti o n ” or " T h e F o rn i c a ti o n s ” ?
“ Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let
every m an have his own wife, and let every
woman have her own h u sb a n d ” (v. 2). This
seems to suggest a low motive for marriage.
But instead of “ to avoid fornication,' the
Greek reads: “ on account of the fornica
tions. T h e NASI? renders it correctly, “ be
cause of immoralities, for porneia is used
in the New T estam en t for all kinds of im
morality, including ad ultery and homosex
uality.
I
he reason for Paul’s adm onition was
that C orinth was at th at time perhaps the
most im moral city in the world. Cases of
im morality were to be seen on every side.
T h e N EB puts it well: “ because there is so
much im morality.” T h e Christians at C o
rinth were safer to be married, since they
had to live in such immoral surroundings.
“ D u e B e n e v o le n c e ”
T h e Greek is simply ten opheilen (v. 3).
This comes from the verb opheilo, which
means, “ I owe. S« it means “ o n e ’s d u e .”
T h e correct translation is “ w h a t is d u e her
(NEB). T h e context suggests th at the refer
ence is to " h e r conjugal rights, that is,
norm al marriage relationships. Both hus
band an d wife owe this to each other. Peo
ple w ho are not p rep ared to do this should
not be married.
“ D e f r a u d ” or “ D e p r iv e ” ?
T h e verb is apostereo (v. 5). Its earliest
m eaning was "steal, rob.” T h e n it came to
signify " d e f r a u d , ” as we use that term to
day. But the context (cf. v. 3) suggests that
Paul is saying, “ Do not deprive one an
oth er” (W eym outh). O n e could sav “ re
fuse” (RSV) or " d e n y ” (NEB). Phillips,
with his paraphrase, spells it all out: " D o
not cheat each other of norm al sexual inter
course. This is rather obviously the cor
rect meaning.
phone, “ sound.” So the literal meaning is
“ agreeing in sound.” Metaphorically it is
used in the sense of “ harmonious, agree
ing.” So the phrase here means “ by agree
ment.
T his adjective occurs only here in the
New Testament. T h e same is true (if the
noun sym ph on ia (Luke 15:25), which
meant a musical symphony. All this sug
gests that married life should be a true sym
phony, with no jarring, discordant sounds.
It s the “ sour notes” in marriage th at ruin
the symphony. We keep in tune with each
oth er w hen we all follow the Maestro,
Christ.
“ G iv e” or " D e v o t e ” ?
W e do not find here the com m on word
for " g i v e ” — didomi. Rather the verb is
scholasete, from which we get "scholastic.”
W h a t’s the connection?
The verb scholazo comes from the noun
schole. Originally this m ea nt "freed om
from labor, leisure. In later Greek it was
used for " a place where there is leisure for
anything, a school” (Thayer). This is its
m eaning in the only place where it is found
in the New T estam ent, Acts 19:9. Learning
takes time. Someone has said, " W ith o u t
leisure there is no true education. Proba
bly that is the reason there are so few really
ed ucated people today. Most of us d o n ’t
take time to think. Even in school there is
so m u ch busy work th at the students have
little time for thinking through the m e a n
ing of life.
The verb used here originally m eant " t o
cease from labor ”; th en “ to be free from
labor, to be at leisure . . . to have leisure for
a thing, i.e. to give o ne’s self to a th ing ”
(Thayer). Abbott-Smith spells it out even
more clearly: " t o he at leisure, hence, to
have time or op portunity for, to devote
oneself to.’’ T h e best translation here is
“ devote.”
By Ralph Earle
Professor of New Testament
Nazarene Theological Seminary
Kansas City, Mo.
“ C o n s e n t” or “ A g r e e m e n t” ?
It is the adjective sijmplionos, which is
co m po u n d e d of syn, “ tog ether,” and
O ctober, 1972
37
“ F a s t in g ” ?
Paul says th at the h usband and wife
should not deprive each oth er of norm al
married relationship except by m utual
ag reem ent for a short time, “ th at ye may
give yourselves to fasting and prayer.”
But the oldest and best Greek m anuscripts
— the third-century Papyrus 46, to gether
with all the fourth- and fifth-century m anuscripts and the earliest versions— do not
have "fasting here. They simply mention
“ prayer.” The strong emphasis on fasting
was a part of the dev elo pm en t of asceticism
in the Early Church, u nd er the evil influence of Gnosticism. This heresy tau g h t th at
all spirit is good and all m atter is evil; so
the physical body must be suppressed as
an evil thing. The first chapter of Genesis
teaches that God created m a tter and called
it " g o o d .” W he n H e crowned it all with
the creation of man. He surveyed the re
sults and pronounced them "very good
(Gen. 1:31). Asceticism is a denial of
biblical theology.
always passive in the New Testam ent. But
almost all the m o dern translations agree
th at the correct m eaning is “ to be aflame
with passion (RSV). W e y m o u th had: For
marriage is better th an the fever of passion. As usual, the NASB gives a literal
rendering, " t o b u rn ,” bu t it adds in the
margin: “ I.e., burn with passion.
Robertson and P lum m er call attention to
the fact th at the verbs
contain
and
" b u r n are in the present tense of continuous action. T hey com m ent: "A prolonged
and painful struggle seems to be intended;
a condition quite fatal to spiritual peace
and grow th (ibid., p. 139).
It is true th at in our day, as at ancient
Corinth, when the Christian is surrounded
by flagrant, blatant immorality, the safest
most people is a norm al mar
ried life. T h a t was whai God ordained in
Eden, and it is still Ilis p attern lor human
beings.
“ In c o n tin e n c y ”
This is an archaic translation of akrasia
(only here and Matt. 23:25). T he proper
rendering todav is "lack of self-control '
(W eym outh, RSV, NEB, NASB).
“ P e rm iss io n ” or “ C o nce ssio n” ?
T h e apostle states th at the advice given
in verse 5 he speaks " b y permission, and
not of com m andm ent.
4’he noun syng n o m e means “ concession. Robertson and
P lum m er write: " T h e word occurs nowhere
else in N.T. and is very rare in LXX. In
a footnote they comm ent: " By permission
(AV) is ambiguous; it might mean, I
am perm itted by God to say as m uch as
this’ . . . It means By way of concession :
he is telling people that they may marry,
not that they must do so” (ICC, p. 135).
“ C o n ta i n " or “ H av e S elf-control” ?
The verb egkrateuo (v. 9) occurs only
here and in 9:25. It means " t o exercise selfcontrol," and th at is the way to translate
it here.
“ B u rn ” or “ Be A flam e” ?
On the surface, verse 9 could be taken as
meaning: " I t is better to marry than to burn
forever in hell.
It is true th at the verb
pyroo (from pyr, "f ire " ) means “ to be set
on fire, to b u rn ” (Abbott-Smith)— it is
38
God’s Day Will Surely Come
T ext:
II Pet. 3:10
I n t h o d l c t k ) \ : P eter’s prophecy in this
verse requires no stretch of the imagina
tion in these days of nuclear fission.
Not only the Hebrew and Christian
prophets, but even the ancie nt Greek phil
osophers, ta u g h t of a coming geological
conflagration.
The day o f the Lord is an im portant doc
trine in biblical prophecy. Nothing is more
certain, more disconcerting, more devasta
ting.
J. B. Phillips translation is graphic:
"Yet it remains true th at the day of the
Lord will come as suddenly and unex
pectedly as a thief. In th at day the heavens
w ill disappear in a terrific tearing blast; the
very elem ents will disintegrate in heat and
the earth and all th at is in it will be burned
up to nothing.
I. T h e D a y o f t h e
L o r d I s S ig n if ic a n t
A. God's day in history
1. It is G od's decisive day of interven
tion in history for the ju d g m e n t of m a n
kind, the vindication of His kingly rule,
the red em p tion of His people, and the con
summation of His purposes.
2. It is a supra-historical das1, when
God’s foes, celestial an d terrestrial, are
destroyed and His universal reign estab
lished.
B. As predicted in prophecy
1. It is a concept th at increases in detail
and po rten t from the earliest of the writing
prophets to the New T estam en t apostles.
2. It is ushered in by C h rist’s return and
is filled with cataclysmic portents in the
physical world. Its chief concern is with
moral issues, however. It is probably an
indefinite time span, rath er th an a single
24-hour day. It is always twofold in the
biblical picture: redem ptive and retribu
tive. It brings deliverance to G o d’s people
and destruction and ju d g m e n t to His foes.
It culm inates in the conflagration and
ju d g m e n t and is succeeded by the new hea
vens and new earth.
3. After N oah ’s flood, it is the second
great world cataclysm.
II. T h f D ay o f t h e L o r d Is C e r t a i n .
A. In spite o f delays it W I L L come.
1. P eter’s expression "will come is e m
phatic here.
2. T h o u g h still future it is nonetheless
certain.
3. W e are now 2,000 years nearer to it
than when Peter spoke.
B. G od has the tim e appointed.
1. In spite of the mockers.
2. In the secret councils of His own wis
dom.
III. T h e D ay o f t h e L o r d Is S u d d e n .
A. U nexpected
1. " W i t h a sudden surprise to the skeptic
scoffers, it w ill catch them in the midst of
their scoffs and rob them of their arg u
ment (W h e d o n ).
2. N ote the emphasis upon this su d d e n
ness in Rev. 3:3: 16:15.
3. Vet it need not be so to those who
w atch and observe the signs of its coming.
O ctober, 1972
B. U nannounced
1. "L ik e a thief in the nig ht,” without
warning. Matt. 24:43; Mark 13:33; Luke
12:39.
2. Peter rem em bered C hrist’s answers
to his own questions about it.
IV . T h e D ay o f t h e
L ord Is S e a r in g .
A. Dissolving all things with its burning
heat (v. 11).
1. The heavens d epart w ith a loud blast.
T h e Greek indicates a "crashing roar.”
Isa. 34:4; Rev. 6:14.
2. T h e elements will disintegrate with
scorching heat. By elem ents we may u n der
stand simply the ru dim ents of which any
thing is com pounded. For the ancient
Greeks these were earth, air, water, and
fire.
3. T he "earth-w o rk s” will disappear in
consum ing fire. W e say " b u r n e d up ; the
Greek here says “ bu rn e d down.
B. Thus will the theatre o f hum an his
tory go down into nonexistence.
Some manuscripts read: "The earth and
the works therein shall not be fo un d.’
Tiie D ay o f t h e L o r d Is S u m m a r y .
A. W ith o u t cerem ony or delay. C ata
clysmic, in other words. Rev. 20:11; I John
2:17.
Y.
B. The great consum mation
1. The final great sum mation of events
in world history.
2. A final dram atic completion of the
divine program on a worldw ide scale.
3. After this comes the "n e w heavens’
and the "new earth. ” (See Wiley, Christian
T heo log y, Vol. Ill, pp. 387-93.)
C o n c l u s i o n : God’s day w ill surely come —
what then?
Respite runs out.
Retribution returns.
Today is “ m a n ’s little day ; tomorrow is
“ God s great day.
“ W atch ye therefore, says Jesus. Mark
13:32-37.
(F u rth er theological study on this them e might in
clude: A. B. Davidson, T h eo lo g y o f th e O ld T esta m en t,
pp. 374-84; II. O rton Wiley. C hristian T h eo lo g y . Vol.
III. pp.. 306-19; and for a good general discussion of
New T estam ent esehatology see Floyd Y. Filson, Jesu s
C hrist th e Risen L ord . C hapter 11.)
R o ss E.
P h ic k
39
The Need for
Spiritual Strength
T ext:
Isa. 4 0 : 2 8 - 3 1
P u r p o s e : T o show that, for holy living,
spiritual power and strength come to the
Christian by G o d’s graciousness.
Strength for holy living is
needed by all Christians and is received
from God by faith and trust in His o m n ip
otence. This strength can and must be
utilized in the Christian’s daily walk.
I
n t r o d u c t io n
:
D uring the construction of one of the
East River bridges in New York City, the
engineers were baffled by an old sunken
barge which lay e m b e d d e d in the river
bottom. Powerful engines, steel cables,
derricks, and rafts were all powerless to
move the obstruction. A young man, fresh
out of technical college, received perm is
sion to try his hand at moving the barge.
At low tide he had a large barge towed to
the spot and the ends of it tied to the sunk
en barge. As the tide came in, the floating
barge rose, pulling with it the sunken
wreck. T h e young enginee r had linked to
his task the limitless pow er of th e ocean
tides. Christians can link the m ight of God
with their tasks if they w ant to be effective.
W hoever consecrates himself to any aim
or task th at is in accordance with God s
will always has the limitless pow er of God
linked with his own effort. Let us look at
the words of the prop het Isaiah to see what
suggestions he has for strength in holy
living.
I. T h e Source of This Strength
A. God gives pow er and strength
(v. 29).
1. Acts 1:8— God's Spirit em p o w
ering m an for service and d edi
cation.
2. The Holy Spirit is the needed
factor in m a n ’s life. Illus.: dis
ciples before and after P en te
cost.
B. God’s power is everlasting (v. 28).
1. M an ’s ability is not enough.
2. Even the strength and power of
youth fail.
40
II. T h e N e e d o f This Strength
M any in the C h u rc h are in need of
spiritual strength:
A. The joyless person— no joy in serv
ing God and man.
B. T he h alfh earted — will
God his all.
not
give
C. T h e fain th ea rte d — has no courage
to try, therefore never succeeds or
fails.
D T he te m p te d — open
tem ptation.
to
undue
III. T h e M e t h o d o f R eceiving This
S trength
A. It is received as a gift from God.
B. T h e kev to receiving is "w aiting ”
(v. 3 1 ) /
1. A confidence, trust, faith that
God will not desert His people.
Ill us.: Israelites waiting upon
God throu gh ou t their history.
2. N o t a “ rocking chair faith, but
confidence in action— faith at
work.
3. “ W aiting while you work. Be
lieving God for the m om ent and
the next minute.
IV. T h e A d a p ta b ility o f this Strength
A. G od’s strength for holy living can
m eet the situation, whatever it
m ight be.
1. Causes the weary to run (v. 31)
2. Causes the faint to walk (v. 31)
B. G od ’s strength can enable man to:
1. Resist tem ptation
2. E nd ure trials and problems
3. Become more like Christ
4. Be steadfast in faith
5. Be joyful in the midst of sorrow
6. Be perseverant
G od ’s pow er and strength can
help you reach higher levels of holy living
an d d eep er depth s of consecration to
H i m and His service.
Do you have this strength?
Do you trust God for every moment of
every day and have th at confidence in ac
tion?
H a r o l d O. P arry
C o n c lu sio n :
The P re a ch er’s Magazine
A. T h a t they be established “ unblameable in holiness’’ (3:10-13). T hey
were not yet established.
Entire Sanctification
Is for Believers
Sc r ip t u r e :
B. T h a t they be sanctified wholly (5:23)
1. After all his com m endations and
instructions, his prayer is that
“ the very God of peace sanctify
you wholly. ”
2. W ord m eans " t o purify” or " t o
make holy.
3. T h e life Paul prays for them to
have in the prayer in the last
of 3:13, he here prays for them
to obtain.
4. W hy? So that they would be pre
served blameless unto the coming
of the Lord.
5 Not that they be sanctified at
death, in purgatorial fires, or
grow into it, bu t now, so they can
be preserved.
lllus.: Housewife preserves only
fruit that is sound and whole—
cuts out spots and core. “ God
does not propose to preserve men
with sin in their hearts; He first
cleanses the heart from all sin
by the baptism with the Holy
Ghost and fire, and then p re
serves blameless” (C. W. Ruth).
6. W hole being can be sanctified by
G od— spirit, soul, and body.
7. T h e promise: “ Faithful is he that
calleth you, who also will do it.”
I Thess. 3:13; 5:23-24
T h e Apostle Paul was very
much concerned a b o u t the church at Thessalonica. He w an ted to see th e m established
and in the highest possible experience. T h e
church was founded on the second mission
ary journey (Acts 17:1-10).
Paul, Silas, and T im oth y were forced
to leave after three Sabbaths. In his con
cern, Paul sent T im o th y to them. T im othy
re turned with a good report.
It is from Paul’s expression of his regard
for the Thessalonians and the prayers in
our text that we have one of the strongest
arg um ents for entire sanctification in the
New Testam ent.
I n t r o d u c t io n :
I.
C
h a r a c t e r is t ic s
ok
the
C
hurch
A. Called breth ren by Paul (1:2, 4;
2:1; 5:14— 14 times altogether).
B T h e y had accepted the gospel.
1. H ad been persecuted (1:6; 2:14).
2. W ere examples to others (1:7-8).
C. Paul spoke highly of their Christian
lives (1:3).
1. Work of faith
2. Labor of love (Cf. 1:8.)
3. Patience of hope
4. A people possessing active faith,
laboring to bring others in, and
end u rin g patiently the trials of
life (not letting ou tw ard condi
tions make slaves of them )
D. O th e r high com m endations
1. Lovers of the brethren (4:9).
2. Received the tru th as the Word
of God and not as of m en (2:13).
3. T hey were looking for the return
of the Lord (4:13 ff.).
E. T h e Thessalonians were exemplary
Christians to the extent that Paul
called the m his crown of rejoicing.
T h ey were his glory and joy (2:1920). T h ey were proof th at God had
sent Paul and his fellow workers to
Thessalonica as true messengers of
the gospel.
II.
P a u l ’s Prayers
ia n s
O ctober, 1972
for
the
T
hessalo n
o n c l u s i o n : Here is the picture of a church
of which Paul th o ug ht very highly. He had
reason to think this way, as we have seen.
Any church should rejoice to receive these
comm endations. Yet Paul’s prayer is that
they be sanctified. H ere is clear, biblical
proof th at entire sanctification is for b e
lievers only.
A l l a n W. M i l l e r
C
The Pentecostal Preaching
Sc r ip t u r e :
Acts 2 : 1 4 - 4 2 ( R S V )
T e x t : vv. 21-42
T h e coming of the Spirit at Pentecost
launched the C h urch upon a ministry th at
we atte m p t to em u late today. Let vis study
Peter’s message and the crow d’s response
in order to u nderstand better w hat we are
trying to achieve in our services today.
I. T h e
S erm on
( v v . 2 1- 3 6 )
A. Text: v. 21, quoted from Joel 2:32
B. Proposition: Jesus is th at Lord upon
w hom men may call for salvation.
C. Argument:
1. He was crucified as planned by
God (vv. 22-23).
2. He was raised as promised by
God (vv. 24-35).
a. David prophesied the Resur
rection.
b. T h e ou tpo ured Spirit evi
denced the Resurrection.
D Conclusion: "God has m ade him
both Lord and Christ, this Jesus
w hom you crucified’ (v. 36).
T h roughout, the emphasis is upon the
acts of God (vv. 23-24, 32, 36).
A Sincere Prayer Heard
9:18-26
S c r ip t u r e : M a tt.
I n t r o d u c t i o n : Jesus ears are always open
to the faintest cry of those who call upon
H i m in the h ou r of great need. Whenever
a m an relies upon Jesus in g reat distress,
l i e is always near to lend a helping hand.
From this scripture we see:
I. A
F
G
et
ather
H
elp
W
W
ho
io n
O
D
as
ne
H
e
e t e r m in e d
L
oved
to
— “ My
d a u g h te r .”
A. Ilis concern was greatly manifest
ed.
1. This d a u g h te r was the “ apple of
his eve.
2. He would not be thwarted in
his efforts for her healing.
B. H er condition d e m a n d e d immedi
ate attention. Divine intervention
was necessary.
II. T h e I n v i t a t i o n ( v v . 37-40)
A. T h e hearers convicted: “ W h a t shall
we do? " (v. 37)
\
II. A
F
a t iie u
W
ho
W
as
D
e v o te d to
G od
Ilis H o u s e —“ A certain ruler . . .
w orshipped him.
A. His prayer an d desire were not
superficial.
and
B. T h e convicted instructed: “ Repent,
and be baptized . . . for the for
giveness of sins” (vv. 38-39).
1. Blended divine grace and h u
man responsibility
2. Fortified appeal with promise
C. T he instructed exhorted:
yourselves . . .” (v. 40).
III.
B. His position and prestige did not
lessen his faith in God. He des
perately held to the promises of
God.
“ Save
T h e R e s p o n s e (v v . 4 1 -4 2 )
III. A
H
A. Faith: “ Received his word . . .”
(v. 41)
B. New Life (v. 42)
1. Intellectually: “ T h e apostles’
doctrine . . .”
2. Socially: “ Fellowship . . .”
3. Spiritually: “ T he breaking of
bread, and in prayers . . .”
T h e acts of God upon which the message
and response were g rou nd ed are enduring
in their merit and power and claims and
effects. To us God addresses His Word,
setting the risen Jesus before us as Lord and
Christ, calling us to repen t and believe,
and promising us new life and forgiveness
and cleansing by His o utpoured Spirit.
W. E. M cC umber
42
F
is
ather
D
W
iio
aughter's
W
as
D
e l ig h t e d
in
R e s t o r a t i o n —“ The
maid arose.”
A. A dem o nstratio n of Christ's power
was manifested.
B. C hrist can raise those w ho are dead
in sin to newness of life.
C. C hrist can furnish the pow er of de
liverance w hen we exercise the
faith.
D Christ rewards those w ho diligent
ly seek Him.
o n c l u s i o n : Christ is the Answer to our
needs, w h e th e r there be sickness or death,
or whatever. A sincere plea for mercy will
not go unnoticed or unheard.
H e n ry
T. B e y e r , J r .
C
The P reacher's M agazine
B. Because of the blindness of m a n ’s
eyes (I Cor. 4:4). He fails to see the
seriousness of sheer neglect and its
consequences (Gal. 6:8).
Illus.: Bitter consequences result
when a man neglects his family,
job, body, soul, etc.
Some Marks of a Christian
Sc r i p t u r e :
I Pot. 1:17-25
If
you profess to be a
Christian, certain tilings should be char
acteristic of your lite:
I You will live a reverent, careful life
(v. 17).
II
III.
W
A
You will pray regularly (v. 17).
III. You were red eem ed by th e precious
blood of Christ (vv. 18-19).
B. He cannot escape the dam natio n
of hell (Rev. 20:13-14). He stands
alone at ju d g m e n t w hen sentence
is passed (Rom. 14:12).
IV You believe in God through Jesus
Christ (v. 21 ).
\ . You have faith and hope (v. 21).
\ I. You are entirely sanctified (v. 22).
I s T h is E s c a p e So I m p o s s i b l e ?
He cannot evade a guilty con
science. W hy? Ps. 51:9. It is an in
separable com panion (Ps. 51:3).
hy
IV.
VII. You will love others (v. 22).
\ 111 You have a scriptural experience (vv.
23-25).
W i l l i a m C. S i m m e r s
h a t Is t h e O n l y M e a n s o f E s c a p e ?
A. Faith in Christ and g enuine re
pentanc e (John 14:5; Rom. 5:1;
I John 1:9)
B. Full reliance upon the saving and
keeping pow er of our Lord (Jude
24).
W
o n c l u s i o n : If there is the slightest provo
cation concerning your rejection of truth
and light, and you have thereby resolved
to give your heart and life to Jesus in full
surrender, I beg of you to trust Him now.
H e n k y T . B e y e h , Jh.
C
Neglected Salvation
T
ext
:
1leb. 2:1
This text should be the con
cern of everv individual today. Failing to
give heed to C od 's W ord will only je opar
dize on e’s destiny. W e need grace to carry
out the d e m a n d s suggested in this verse of
scripture. Let us und erstan d the im portance
of this trem end ou s text.
I.
W
hy
Is
T h is S a l v a t i o n
So G
reat?
A. Because its A uthor is great (Ps.
104:1).
1. He possesses unerring ability
and creative skill (Ps. 78:72).
2. He has absolute sovereignty and
authority ( Ps. 105:39, 41).
3. He is un ch a n g in g in veracity
and faithfulness (Ps. 33:4).
B. Because of 11 is plan an d purpose
for m a n ’s rede m p tio n (Rom. 5:21).
II
W
hy
Is
T
h is
S a l v a t io n
So T
e r r ib l y
NECLECTED?
A. Because of the hardness of m an s
h eart (Acts 28:27). N eglect means
to disregard or to overlook.
O ctober, 1972
Election year—
M an y politicians w h o have b e e n sw ept
into office should have b een brush ed
aside.
o
a
o
a
B etter be one-sided than tw o-faced.
COUNT YOUR TREASURE
C o u n t your garden by the flowers,
N ever by the leaves that fall.
C ou nt your day by golden hours;
D on't re m em b er clouds at all.
C o un t your nights b y stars, not sha
dows;
C o u n t your life by smiles, n ot tears;
A n d, with jo y on every birthday,
C ou nt your age b y frien d s— not
years.
A
uthor
U
nknow n
By Asa H. Sparks*
Sunday School
Administration
1. W h e n the education co m m itte e gets
ready to appoint Sunday school teachers,
instead of asking for an oth er request to
serve, ask for a worker-interest survey. Pre
pare a questionnaire on which people can
answer such questions as: W hat has been
personally satisfying this year? W hat has
been difficult? How do you feel the Lord
leads for the future? Are you willing to take
CST courses? Do you wish to discuss m a t
ters with the pastor?
2. A balloon launch can really be excit
ing for your Sunday school. Have your
balloons all ready at the close of the m orn
ing worship. It will take a b o u t 30 seconds
to fill and launch each balloon. Have each
person present sign a single card of invita
tion. An award can be promised to the p er
son who mails in the card from the balloon
that travels the greatest distance.
3. For your next Valentine’s attendance
promotion, try sending half a heart to peo
ple, telling them you will give the m the
other half of the heart when they come on
S unday.— Grestview, III.
4. Old-tim ers’ day at Louisville First
C hurch brought out six who were over 100
years of age. A choir was m ade up of those
80 years and older. A sermon was delivered
by a retired preacher— in this case, only
115 years old.
5. Stir a little excitem en t into your
S unday school with an All-States Day. An
nounce th at you will check the states to see
where people were born.
6. A color-coded visitation system may
p ut life into your calling program. Lise
green cards for contacting a new prospect;
° Pastor, Gastonia, N.C.
44
a yellow card the first Sunday w hen some
one is absent; a caution card of orange for
two Sundays’ absence; a d a n g e r card of
red for missing three Sundays; a casualty
card of gray for those missing a month.
Have a hook for each class in the Sunday
school and hang the cards on the hooks
each Sunday morning or evening.
7. A workable visitation program can be
designed by selecting a specific group of
10 visitors for a specific length of 10 weeks
and giving th em specific prospects of two
per week, leaving the time of visit up to
them. Several of these small groups can he
reappointed periodically and rotated in the
church.
8. It will am aze you to learn how much
your children in S unday school know or
d o n ’t know. Try a g ro up of insight ques
tions such as: W hy do we pray? W ha t is sin?
W here is heaven? A lthough the answers
will seem humorous, they w ill reveal our
tragic weaknesses.
9. A n easy th e m e to build a special-day
program around is railroads. Classes can he
Beginnersville, Primary Junction, etc. For
the program use timetables.
10. Child E vangelism Fellowship, Box
1156, G rand Rapids, Mich., provides many
special flannelgraph stories which can be
used effectively by the child ren ’s teacher.
These, of course, should be a supplement
to the superb N u -V u materials provided by
the N azarene Publishing House.
11. No one likes to be last, and you have
all heard of “ skunk awards. Have you
tried an “ awful cup ? This is awarded to
the class with the lowest a tte n d an ce each
Sunday. This can be m ade from an old lard
can.
12. D a y t i m e r C orp ., A lle n t o w n , Pa.
18105, has several tips on time use that are
helpful to pastors. W rite them for their
catalog.
R EV IV A L
A revival is no more a miracle than a
crop o f wheat. In an y c o m m u n i ty revival
can be secured fr o m heaven w hen heroic
souls enter the conflict d e te r m in e d to win
or die— or if n eed be to win a nd die!
— C h a r l e s G. F i n n e y
The P re a ch e r’s M agazine
BULLETIN g - l
BARREL
A Bible Reading-Preaching
Program
(Continued from page 5)
A Layman’s Prayer—
God bless o u r ch u rch an d S unday school
And those w h o g a th e r th ere.
And brin g th eir h ea rts to T h e e , d e a r Lord,
In fellow ship an d pray er.
God ble ss the tru stees of o ur ch u rc h ;
H elp th e m in every way.
Give th e m the stre n g th to w o rk for T h e e
T h ro u g h ev ery passing day.
God bless the c h ild re n of o u r ch u rch ;
Shield th e m from every w rong.
H elp th e m to follow in T h y steps,
And k eep th e m w ell an d strong.
God ble ss th e pasto r of o ur church.
T e a c h him to p re a c h T h y W o rd ;
Give h im the p o w e r to tell of T h e e
Til ev ery h e a rt is stirred.
God bless the s tew ard s of our chu rch ;
K eep th e m faithful day by day,
T h a t th ey m ay help some soul t h a t ’s lost
O r one th a t’s gone astray.
W ith h e a rt u plifted now , d e a r Lord,
T h ese tho u g h ts I b rin g to T h ee.
G od bless ou r c h u rch and S u nday school.
T h e y m e a n so m u c h to me!
A uth or u n k n o w n
D u n d e e Hills M e sse n g er
AN EFFICIENT CHURCH—
— M ain ta in s a d ev otion al a tm o sp h e re
— Exalts Jesu s C hrist
— S tim u lates evan gelistic passion
— C a rrie s ou t an e d u c a tio n a l ideal
— Exercises fr a te rn a l sy m p athy
— F o sters w h o le so m e social contacts
— C re a te s a m issionary spirit
— R e q u ire s a sacrificial life
— G ives the tith e to the L ord
— W o rsh ip s th e L o rd in the b e a u ty of
holiness
— F irst C h u rc h , A shland, Ky.
e
t»
a
You c a n ’t get a grain of faith into a dis
o b e d ie n t heart.
O ctober, 1972
r e a d i n g - p r e a c h i n g p l a n fo r o v e r 10
years, it is th e s t r o n g p o i n t o f m y m i n is
try. 1 a m a m a z e d h o w G o d o p e n s s c r ip
tu r e . S o m e s c r i p t u r e I m i g h t n o r m a l l y
b y p a s s h a s b e e n t h e id e a l t h e m e fo r a
c e r t a i n ti m e o f t h e year. F o r e x a m p l e ,
a n E a s t e r m e s s a g e fr o m R e v e la tio n :
“ I a m h e t h a t liv e th , a n d w a s d e a d ;
a n d , b e h o l d , I a m a liv e for e v e r m o r e ,
A m e n ; a n d h a v e t h e keys of hell a n d
of d e a th .
O n o c c a s i o n a t o u c h y s i t u a t i o n has
a r i s e n in t h e c h u r c h , a n d I m a r v e l h o w
G o d h a s h a d t h e r i g h t s c r i p t u r e fo r th e
s i tu a t io n . W h i l e t h e W o r d w o u l d hit
h a r d , I w a s n o t p r e a c h i n g a t p e o p le ,
b u t p r e a c h i n g t h e B ible a n d l e t ti n g
G o d ’s W o r d d o its w ork.
N o w in r e s p o n s e to Dr. H a l l y ’s e x
h o r t a t i o n m e n t i o n e d e a rlie r , I w ish to
say t h a t a B ib le r e a d i n g - p r e a c h i n g p r o
g r a m is c o n f i n in g . Yes! C o n f i n i n g as a
h i g h w a y is c o n f i n in g . I s u p p o s e , if yo u
w i s h e d , in d r i v i n g in t h e W e s t y o u
could leave th e hig h w ay , go th ro u g h
th e sa g e b ru sh a n d th e tu m b le w e e d s,
a n d kick u p a b ig c l o u d of d u st. B u t
if y ou w a n t to g o w h e r e t h e p e o p l e a re
a n d m a k e d e f i n i t e p ro g r e ss, y o u a c c e p t
t h e c o n f i n e m e n t of th e h i g h w a y . If
y o u w a n t to s ta y o u t of t h e s a g e b r u s h
a n d a lot o f w i n d b l o w n t u m b l e w e e d ,
p o n d e r t h e t e s t i m o n y of this o r d i n a r y
p r e a c h e r w h o re jo ic e s in t h e s t r e n g t h
of G o d ’s W o r d in his m i n i s t r y t h r o u g h
a p la n n e d prea ch ing program .
E x pe rie n ce is not w h a t h a p p en s to a
man. It is w h a t a m a n does w ith w h a t h a p
p ens to him .
— Aldous Huxley
a
a
o
Voter: “ W hy , I w o u ld n ’t vote for you if
you w e re St. P e te r him self.”
Candidate: “ If I w ere St. P eter, you
w o u ld n ’t be in my district.”
45
Revival Preaching
( C o n tin u e d f r o m page 9)
m i n i s t r y to e s c a p e su f fe rin g .
T h e e v an g elist m u s t n e v e r think
p r i m a r i l y o f w h a t t h e c h u r c h c a n d o for
h i m , b u t o f h o w G o d c a n u se h i m to b e
a b les sin g . T h e p r e a c h e r m a y n o t see
t h e w o r ld j u s t as J e s u s d id , h u t h e m u s t
try. O n e m a y n o t fee l t h e t r a g e d y of a
soul b e i n g lost as t h e F a t h e r d o e s , b u t
h e m u s t p r a y t h a t G o d will h e l p h i m to
d o so.
If t h e e v a n g e l i s t p ra y s , s tu d ie s , a n d
p r e p a r e s e a c h s e r m o n to t h e r e a s o n
a b l e b e s t o f his a b ility , h e will f i n d it
e a s i e r to tr u s t t h e F o r d fo r t h e o u t
c o m e . A n d h e w ill f in d n e e d e d u n c t i o n
w h e n t h e h o u r to p r e a c h arriv es.
M y p r a y e r is t h a t in t h e s e last d a y s
G o d will m a k e e a c h e v a n g e l i s t a s t r o n g
p r e a c h e r of t h e W o r d , p o w e r f u l in
f e e l i n g a n d t h o u g h t , c o n s e c r a t e d to
G o d ’s will, d e d i c a t e d to t h e g r e a t
t r u t h s o f b ib l ic a l d o c t r i n e , a n d a w a r
rio r a g a i n s t evil. M a y t h e b le s s e d H o ly
S p irit m a k e e v e r y e v a n g e l i s t a so n of
t h u n d e r w h o is f e a r le s s in t h e fa c e of
all m e n a n d all evil, h u t w h o is as
g e n t l e as a l a m b , b r i n g i n g h e a l i n g to
t h e h u r t s of m e n .
i
AMONG BOO KS
Conducted by the Editor
All books reviewed may be ordered from
Nazarene Publishing House, Box 527, Kansas City, Mo. 64141
G reat V erses T hrough the B ible
By F. B. M ey er (Zondervan, 1972. 469 pp.,
cloth, $7.95.)
Formerly published as Our Daily H o m
ily, this book offers a devotional c o m m e n
tary on key verses in the Bible from the pen
of one of the great Bible expositors of all
time, F. B. Meyer. His influence was felt
not only in his native Britain, b ut th ro u g h
out the world.
46
Not every verse is treated, but just
ab out every ch apter in the Bible has a com
m entary on some key verse which offers a
stimulus for meditation. T h e author in
te nd ed these com m en ts to be useful as
devotional guides for Bible study, but they
are equally valuable as sermon starters and
biblical exposition.
F.
B. Meyer has m a ny " t a n s , ” and they
will all add this book to their libraries and
use it often in their studies of the Word.
T he M en tal H ea lth M inistry
o f the L ocal C hurch
By Howard J. Clinebell, Jr. (Abingdon,
1972. 292 pp., paper, $2.95.)
A little more than a centu ry ago in the
United States of America, a ttend an ts at
jails an d almshouses often charged visitors
10 to 25 cents for visits to the “ crazy
house.” For the en te rta in m e n t of visitors,
the insane were g oaded to rage by being
pro dded with sticks. Since those days of
darkness there has b een a w elcome change
in the attitudes of people toward mental ill
ness, and Christians are slowly learning not
only how to have compassion for hum an
beings w ho suffer from such afflictions, but
also how to und erstan d th em and help
them.
Well known a m o ng pastoral counselors
and educators who have led in the battle
against ignorance is H oward J C line
bell, Jr., of C larem ont. His book, now in
paperback, provides a scholarly yet prac
tical approach to the C h u rc h ’s ministry of
mental health. The Christian message, the
worship service, the p reachin g of the Word,
the church school, the sm all-group life of
the church, the family as a unit, the pastor
and his laymen working to g eth er— all these
and more are dealt with in the book, which
also includes a list of publications, organiza
tions, and resources available for those in
volved in this ministry.
H o w to B uild
an E v a n g elistic C hurch
By John B. Bisagno (B roadm an Press, 1971.
160 pp., cloth, $3.95.)
This is a hard-driving book with a series
of short chapters, each dealing with some
way to make your ch urch successfully ev an
gelistic. Some chapters deal with the
p reac h e r’s attitudes, such as “ T hink Big.”
Some cover mechanics, such as how to give
an “ Invitation.” Some instruct in the use of
a program for evangelistic purposes—
“ Busy as a Softball. Bisagno has seen what
he preaches work in practice at Baptist
churches in Del City, Okla., and Houston,
l ex. 1'he title aptly describes the content of
the book. M any chapters will speak power
fully and directly to Nazarene pastors and
churches. No doctrinal or ethical problems.
C h a i u .e s S h a v e r
T h e P sy ch o lo g y of
S peakin g in T o n g u es
By John P. Kildahl (H arper and Row, 1972.
110 pp., cloth, $4.95.)
This is a balanced, thoroughly researched
psychological study, com plim entary to in
dividual Pentecostals, b ut finally critical of
the m o v em en t’s divisive im pact on the
churches. Divinely inspired words and mes
sages are discounted, and the primary good
of speaking in tongues seems to be the
practicers feeling of well-being. T hough
brief and thus limited in material, this book
is informative and keeps its perspective
while treating a controversial subject.
G e r a r d R ef . o
All th e A p ostles of the B ible
By H erbert Lochyer (Zondervan, 1972. 278
pp., cloth, $5.95.)
This is a reference book containing much
information which would aid preachers and
teachers; clearly com m itted to a conserva
tive attitud e toward scripture— a w orth
while book. It is based largely (almost
solely) on the Bible and lacks the broader
resources historians might de m an d, and the
style is not overly engaging, but it certainly
achieves its purpose and could be profitably
used by many people.
G ehahd R eed
I
O ctober, 1972
47
CALENDAR DIGEST
Preachers’
Exchange
Iggl^
W A N T E D T O BUY— A S tu d y o f Holiness
fr o m the Early Church Fathers, by J. B.
Galloway, Beacon Hill Press, 1950. Lind
say A. Enderby, 11 Hooper Crescent, Mt.
Stuart, Tasmania, Australia 7000.
W A N T E D T O BUY— Peace like a River,
by Vance Ilavn er D anny Minnix, Rte. 5,
Scottsboro, Ala. 35768.
W A N T E D — at reasonable cost, Preacher's
Magazine, Vols. 1-10, etc. from the 1920’s
and 1930 s. Also Pulpit Digest for the same
period, plus June, Nov., 1971; April, May,
and June, 1972 David Long, Box 26, Altus,
Ark. 72821.
OCTOBER—
P A SS-AL O NG C O N Q U E S T
IM P A C T
8 L a y m e n ’s S unday
9 C a n a d ia n T h a nk sg iving
15 Bible C ollege O fferin g
C a ra v a n S unday
22 Rally D a y
NOVEM BER—
5 S e rv ic e m e n ’s Sunday
H o m e D e p a r t m e n t Sunday
19 T h an k sg iv in g O ffe rin g for
W o rld E v ang elism
23 T h an k sg iv in g D ay
DECEM BER—
N M B F C h ristm a s L ove O ffering
E v a n g elists’ L ove O fferin g
N W M S M e m o ria l C ertific ates
10 A m erican Bible Society O ffering
25 C h ris tm a s D ay
31 W a tc h -N ig h t Service
• There’s Music in Your Church
Dr. Hugh C. Benner, general super
intendent em eritus, w rites the firs t in a
new series of articles on a m uch ne
glected but vitally im portant aspect of
our worship service.
COMING
next month
• The Art of Praising God Continually
Thanksgiving tim e should be more
than a pleasant interlude between leaf
raking and snow shoveling.
• Random Thoughts on Ministers’
Salaries
An anonym ous layman com es forth
with ideas on a delicate subject, and
pastors are going to love what he has
to say about it.
48
AMONG O U RSELV ES
" H o w d o y o u g e t lay p e o p l e m o r e in v o l v e d in t h e w o r k of t h e
C h u r c h ? ” T h i s is t h e q u e s t i o n b e i n g a s k e d t h e s e d a y s b y c o n c e r n e d
c l e r g y m e n e v e r y w h e r e w h o h a v e c o m e to re a liz e t h a t t h e r e is n o w a y
t h e p a s t o r c a n “ d o it a ll .” T h e s e c r e t of t h a t e lu s iv e , i n d e f i n a b l e c o n
c e p t w e call “ s u c c e s s ” (if t h e r e is a n y s e c r e t a b o u t it) is in g e t t i n g
e v e r y b o d y b u s y w o r k i n g fo r t h e L o rd . So h o w d o e s it h a p p e n ? S o m e
p a s t o r s d o it w i t h t h e i r c h a r is m a , s o m e b y v ig o r o u s l e a d e r s h i p , s o m e
by th e ir ow n e x am p le, so m e by " c r a c k in g th e w h ip ,” a n d som e by a
li ttle b it o f all o f th e se. It is c e r t a i n l y tr u e , as o n e h a s w ry ly r e m a r k e d ,
t h a t t h e C h u r c h l a n g u i s h e s w h e n sh e a d m i r e s h e r m e d a l s in th e
g r a n d s t a n d ; s h e p re v a i ls a n d c o n q u e r s w h e n sh e fig h ts a n d b le e d s in
t h e a r e n a ! M o r e o n th is m a t t e r in t h e e d i t o r i a l p a g e . B u t o n e e x c it in g
p o s s ib il it y is s u g g e s t e d b y P a s t o r M a r k E. M o o r e in his article . P e o p le
can g e t involved w ith th e ir p asto r by read in g th e Scriptures each
w e e k as h e p r e a c h e s t h r o u g h a b o o k o f t h e B ib le, o r a p l a n n e d
p r o g r a m o f e x p o s i ti o n a n d s t u d y . P a s t o r M o o r e ’s p e o p l e r e s p o n d e d so
e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y to th is i d e a t h a t h e t h i n k s it is to o g o o d to k e e p a
se c r e t. T h e e d i t o r h o p e s y o u will g e t as e x c it e d as h e is a b o u t it. Y ou
will b e i n t e r e s t e d to k n o w o f p l a n s to b e g i n w i t h o u r J a n u a r y , 1973,
issue a series o f b i b l ic a l e x p o s i ti o n s in t h e B o ok o f J o h n , w r i t t e n b y
D r. B a lp h E a rle . U n d e r t h e g e n e r a l title “ J o u r n e y i n g w i t h J e s u s
T h r o u g h J o h n , ” s e r m o n id e a s a n d o u t l i n e s will b e p r e s e n t e d fo r e a c h
S u n d a y d u r i n g t h e y ea r, w i t h i n - d e p t h i n s ig h t s d e s i g n e d to h e l p in th e
p r e p a r a t i o n o f m e s s a g e s . T h i s series will r e p l a c e “ G l e a n i n g s f r o m
t h e G r e e k N e w T e s t a m e n t , ” w h i c h Dr. E a r l e h a s p r e s e n t e d fo r se v e ra l
y ears. It m a y b e t h a t t h e b e s t a n s w e r o f all is f o u n d in g e t t i n g o u r
p e o p l e i n v o l v e d in r e a d i n g t h e S c r i p t u r e s w i t h us as w e p r e a c h t h r o u g h
th e W o r d of G od.
Y o urs for souls,
&
Nazarene Publishing House
proudly presents . . .
the hym nal for
today's singing Nazarenes
T h e y cam e f r o m all o v e r—25 N a z a r e n e p a sto rs, c h u r c h leaders, m in isters of
m usic, an d la ym en. T h e y listened; th e y le arned; a n d th e y w o rk e d . N o w after
three y ears of d e v e lo p m e n t w e p r o u d l y u n v e il this exciting h y m n a l w ith its
co m p r e h e n siv e collection o f h y m n s a n d go sp el son gs. (O v e r 100 n e w an d old
w ere n o t available in th e old Praise a n d W o r s h ip .)
In add itio n to its 514 h y m n s a n d go spel s o n g s W o r s h i p in S o n g b o a sts these
p lu s features;
• 78 selected re s p o n siv e readin g s
• All n e w s o n g e n g ra v i n g s —larger notes, larger ty pe
• H ig h ly read able a n d elegan tly styled ty p e t h r o u g h o u t
• Soft, n o n -g la re p a p e r
• C o m p r e h e n s iv e in d ex in g b y them e, title, an d first line
• D istinc tive , c o n te m p o r a r y co v er d esig n lu x u rio u sly
fin ish e d in d u ra b l e b u c k r a m
3 h a n d s o m e b in d in g s to ch o o se from :
MB-280 Apple Red, gold title
MB-281 Saddle Brown, gold title
MB-282 Liturgical Blue, silver title
A lso a v ailab le fo r th e a c c o m p a n is t:
A 5 -rin g , lo o se -le a f v o lu m e
b o u n d in b la c k b u c k ra m
a n d s ta m p e d in g o ld .
M B -2 9 0
$ 6 .5 0 p o s tp a id
Order from YOUR Publishing House.
P rices s lig h tly h ig h e r o u ts id e th e c o n tin e n ta l U .S .A .
$2.95 postpaid
(a fte r O c to b e r 1, $3.25)

Preacher`s Magazine Volume 47 Number 10

Transcription

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