HELP YOURSELF-DO IT BETTER
Presenting Christ ■ ^ 1957 to the Nation CONVENTION THEME
A tte n d one of the 2 NATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTIONS three thrilling
1 *
* Institutes * Sem inars * W orkshops
D EM O N S TR A T IO N ★ Exhibits ★ Crafts ★ V isu a l A id s
* Devotionals * Special Music * M e s sa g e s by Ou tstand ing Speakers
Form a delegation. C om e and re ce iv e news about materials, techniques, r e s o u r c e s and ideas. Go back to y ou r Sunday S c h o o l better informed, greatly inspired and more effective.
. s * * \ andW
Rsv. Norman Townsend RHODI ISLAND and many other great S. $. Leaders
NATIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION DR. CLATE A. RISLEY, Executive Secretary 542 South Dearborn, Chicago, Illinois
1.000 CHORCHES TOHOLD Largest crowd ever to asse m ble In Yankee Stadium.
World W ide Pictures presents an entirely new concept in documentary films. Here is the story of the history- making New York Crusade as seen through the eyes of New York's most popular T. V. personality team, Jinx Falkenburg and Tex McCrary, known to millions as Mr. and Mrs. New York. "Jinx" and "Tex" tell the dramatic story with freshness and sparkle that lift it out of the realm of the ordinary. You see, from the eyes of New Yorkers, what happens when Billy comes to town. It's different! It's soul shaking! It will bring new life and vigor to the Christian program of your community.
Unparalleled coverage of the greatest single effort in the history of evange lism. See the Spirit of God move thous ands to accept Christ night after night in the world's most famous meeting places. See and hear 3,000 voice choir . . . Cliff Barrows . . . George Beverly Shea . . . Tedd Smith . . . Paul Mickel- son . . . Jinx Falkenburg and Tex Mc Crary, known as "Mr. &Mrs. New York." 44 MINUTES BLACK & WHITE
tnkee Stadium.
Tell me how I can have a premiere showing of "Miracle in Manhattan" in my community during October and November.
MAIL COUPON for details of NEW PLAN for Premiere Showings
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WORLDWIDE PICTURES P.O. B O X 105 5 , S h e rm a n O a k s , C a lif .
THE KING’S BUSINESS A publication of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Inc. Louis T. Talbot, Chancellor S. H. Sutherland, President •
A BLIND MAN MAKES OTHERS SEE
Ray A. Myers, Chairman of the Board
OCTOBER In the year of our Saviour
Vol. 48, No. 10
Nineteen Hundred and Fifty-Seven
Established 1910
Dedicated to the spiritual development of the Christian home
ARTICLES THE SPIRITUAL INDEX — Oswald Chambers ........................... 10 FOR MEN ONLY — The Count-Down ..................................... 11 EDITORIALS ....................................................................... 12 M IN ING THE CHURCH 'S WEALTH — Robert James St. Clair ... . 13 GREETINGS TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOLS — Dwight Eisenhower .... 15 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM ................................... 16 TEACHING THAT PRODUCES CHANGE — Howard Hendricks...... 18 CONVENTION LETTER ........................................................ 25 CONVENTION PROGRAM .................................................... 26 THE NSSA STORY ............................................................... 28 HOW BOYS AND GIRLS CAN HELP THEIR TEACHER — Mary Page 29 BIBLIOGRAPHY ON COUNSELING ......................................... 30 CHR IST IAN ITY IS FAM ILY BUSINESS — Edward L. Hayes ......... 43 FEATURES UNDER THE PARSONAGE ROOF — Althea S. Miller .................. 6 H YMN S YOU LOVE — Phil Kerr ............................................ 8 READER REACTION ............................................................. 9 BOOK REVIEWS — Arnold Ehlert .......................................... 33 TALKING IT OVER — A psychologist answers — Clyde Narramore.. 35 OBJECT LESSONS— Elmer L. Wilder ..................................... 39 HOW TO BUILD & USE A SAND TABLE — Leona Sherman ......... 48 COVER For Sunday school teachers (or all teachers) there perhaps is no greater joy and satisfaction than to know that their tireless efforts are producing change in the lives of students. We think this month's cover picturing the transformation from lowly caterpillar to soaring butterfly vividly symbolizes the theme of this special Christian education issue. — Design & Art : Marvin Rubin
This is Michael Belos, a blind man in Greece whose only desire in life is to make others see Christ. He is now a missionary of the American Mission to Greeks engaged in the distribution of the Word of God and in evangelistic work. Here is what he wrote us: "I was deeply touched to receive your gift of $10 which came as a sweet savor to refresh my spirit. I am so burdened for souls that I shall spend half of it for trav eling expenses to go to various places to distribute the Word of God and Christian literature. The authorities would often come to arrest me, but when they realize I am blind they let me free. So my blindness is used in a wonderful way to make others see my Christ, and I praise Him for it.” Friends, think of it. A blind man in utter need himself, giving up half of this little gift sent him for his per sonal needs to make others see. How does your love for the Master com pare with him? Will you help him make other Greeks see Jesus? You can contribute to his personal sup port of $50 a month and also help him travel and provide him with Scriptures and Christian literature. $10 will provide 40 Greek New Testaments for him. May God speak to your heart so that you can make Michael Belos your missionary in Greece today. Send your gifts to: American Mission to Greeks, Inc., Rev. Spiros Zodhiates, General Sec retary, Dept. K, P.O. Box 423, New York 36, N.Y. (In Canada: 90 Du plex Ave., Toronto 7, Ont.)
S. H. SUTHERLAND: editor LUCY BARAJIKIAN: copy editor JANE M. CLARK: circulation manager
LLOYD HAM ILL: managing editor MILTON R. SUE: advertising manager J. RUSSEL l . ALLDER: business manager
NORMAN B. ROHRER: editorial-advertising coordinator editorial assistants: Mary Page, Earnestine Ritter editorial board
Donald G. Davis, Charles L. Feinbera, James O. Henry, Martha S. Hooker, Margaret Jacobsen, Chester J. Padgett, Donald S. Robertson, Oran H. Smith, Gerald B. Stanton
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION — 'The King's Business" is published monthly: U.S., its possessions, and Canada, $3.00, one year; $1.50. six months; 25 cents, single copy. Clubs of three or more at special rates. Write for details. Foreign subscriptions 50 cents extra. It requires one month for a change of address to become effective. Please send both old and new addresses. REMITTANCES — Should be made by bank draft, express, or post office money order payable to "The King's Business." ADVERTISING — For information address the Advertising Manager, The King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California.
MANUSCRIPTS — "The King's Business" cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to manuscripts mailed to us for consideration. Entered as second-class matter November 7, 1938, at the Post Office of Los An geles, California, under the Act of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided for in the Act of February 28, 1925, em bodied in paragraph 4, section 538, P.L. and R., authorized October 1, 1918, and November 13, 1938. Printed in U.S.A. bv Church Press, Glendale, California. ADDRESS: The King's Business, 558 S. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Californio.
4
Sunday School Attendance.. through Bible-centered, correctly-graded Gospel Light Sunday Schol Lessons.
TEACHERS! SUPERINTENDENTS! CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTORS! Learn how you can increase and maintain your attendance at every age leve l
and Christian growth in an unusually inspiring way. We believe you’ll find Gospel Light Lessons your an swer to greater interest—increasing attendance—spiritual results among Sunday school classes. Unsolicited testimonials in our files, from all parts of the world, prove you can build your Sunday school attend ance rapidly and permanently with these correctly graded lessons. Mail coupon today.
Every person in Sunday school will find real help in WHAT you teach and HOW you teach it with refreshing, Christ-centered Gospel Light Lessons. They are simple— sensible— scientific— spiritual. Carefully tailored in lan guage to fit each age level, Gospel Light Lessons are edu cationally correct and well balanced in content. You can use them throughout your Sunday school with most satis fying results. They offer a challenge leading to salvation $GOSPEL LIGHT PRESS i 725 i: Colorado Blvd., Glendale, Calif. ™ 65 Central Ave., Mound, Minn.
• PLEASE SEN D FREE FOLDER — • giving complete details on Gospel £ Light Lessons and a chart on “ How • To Organize Your Sunday School."
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5
The King's Business/October 1957
Flannelgraph Stories come to life with this
Under the Parsonage Roof by Althea S. Miller SATISFIED
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A rdyth, you’ll catch a cold if you don’t take off that wet blouse,” Mother warned. “ It’s not very wet. I’m okay.” “All right, little Miss. I’ve heard chickens like you crow before. As damp and cool as it is you could get pneumonia.” “ If I get pneu — whatever that is, will I die?” “ I guess it would be p o s s ib le , honey. Why do you ask?” “ ‘Cause I want to die and go to heaven and be with Bobby again. And in heaven I’ll see Jesus too.” Mother’s eyes became a >bit moist as she thought of her young daugh ter’s reason for wanting to die. The five year old missed her big brother and wanted to see him. Of course, even the youngest child also knows that heaven means seeing the Lord. Ardyth perched herself on the arm of the chair and put her dear little arms around Mother’s neck. “You’re glad Bobby isn’t sick any more, aren’t you?” She sensed that Mommie’s tears were connected with Bobby. “ I miss him too, Mommie. Sometimes I think I’ll cry but I don’t. He’s gonna have a new body some day. Jesus just took his spirit to heaven when he died. When I get to heaven Bobby will smile at me and I’ll smile at him and hug him.” “So will I, darling. And thanks for helping me.” Then lifting her heart to her Saviour, Mother thanked Him fo r the c om fo r t from her small daughter. The little girl understood from the Word what death means to God’s children. And Mother began to understand in a new way why God sometimes takes a choice jewel from among us. We must get our eyes off this old earth and away from the world which “passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever” (1 John 2:17). “ Thank you, Father, that there is more to life than just the here and now. This phase of our being is so transient. O glad day when ‘the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord. . . . So shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore, comfort one another with these words’ (1 Thes. 4:16-18). ‘As for me, I will be hold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness.’ ” (Psa. 17:15.)
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6
HOW TO RUN A SUNDAY SCHOOL
What is a Soul Winner?
I
A few weeks ago Billy Graham said this about being a soul winner: "A Christian grows through service. Be a soul winner. There’s a difference be tween a witness and a soul winner. A soul winner is filled with the Spirit of God. He visits the sick. He gives to the poor. He loves his enemies. He is kind to his neighbors. Anyone can walk up to another on the street and bark, 'Brother, are you saved?’ It takes more than that.” This statement by Billy Graham makes good, solid sense. We need to practice "friendship evangelism.” We need to gain the genuine confidence and respect of those we wish to win to Christ. How many people right now are you being a friend to for Christ’s sake? If the list is small determine today by God’s grace to do something about
it. To this end your editors once a year prepare an entire issue of T h e K in g ’ s B u sin e ss that is suitable to give to loved ones and friends who are without Christ. We still have a good supply of this year’s special Christianity issue that features the entire Gospel of John in large, easy-to-read 12-point type (two sizes larger than this). We suggest you order a bundle for local use (recall there’s no date on the cover or at the bottom of pages so it is good as a booklet for years to come) and then order individual copies to be mailed out by us to your friends and loved ones in more distant places. Use the coupon below and plain paper for additional copies. Just 25c each or 5 for $1 postpaid. (That figures out at $10 for a bundle of 50 or $5 for a bundle of 25.)
A N G E L Y N B. SU TH ER LAND This complete guide covers qualifica tions and duties of staff and teachers, and offers expert advice on lesson preparation, teacher training, teaching materials, discipline, and many other factors in effective Sunday school work. A practical manual with a sound Christian foundation. .$2.00
CHILDREN IN THE BIBLE SCHOOL
Children ih-die , Bible , School
i ns no*'*
The H O W of Christian Education LOIS E. LeBAR An experienced educator in both church and public schools, the author explains Bible school teaching and ad ministrative methods in detail. She relates them to the spiritual, mental, emotional, social and physical devel opment of the child from nursery age through the junior department. $4.50
Christianity Issue —
Order Blank, 25c each; 5 for $ 1
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ABIDING VALUES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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HARO LD C. M A SO N Believing "that the evangelical faith is the true expression of Christianity and that Christian teaching is depend ent on it," Dr. Mason writes on prin ciples of Christian education. He em phasizes theology, not only in objec tives, but in carrying out every phase of any given project. $2.50
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At your b o o k s t o r e FLEMIHC H. REVEIL COMPANY, Pubtislws
The King's Business
558 So. Hope St., Los Angeles 17, Calif.
The King's Business/October 1957
7
GIVING produces anINCOME
m
y o u j ; ,
m n ô
by Phil Kerr
Take M y Life and Let It Be
Words by Frances R. Havergal Music by Cesar Malan
T H E G I F T You, like thousands of other Christians, can solve your financial problems in this unique way. By placing your funds ($300, $500, $1000 and upward) in Moody annuities you are assured of generous, unchanging financial returns for the rest of your life . . . and yet you have the satisfaction of knowing that through your gifts you are helping train young men and women to win souls for Christ. T H E G I V E R Complete satisfaction and assurance will be yours by having regular returns not affected by business ups and downs, and not requiring the worrisome attention of ordinary investments. You will experience joy, because your gift makes possible the spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth—through Moody-trained missionaries, gospel-science films and the other world-wide Moody ministries. T H E R E C O R D The Institute’s half-century record of paying all dividends, without fail, on the due date assures every annuitant of unchanging and dependable returns. A large reserve fund, plus the corporate assets of the Institute, are back of all Moody annuity agreements. Thousands have experienced the peace of mind brought' about by the regularity of their annuity checks. T H E D I V I D E N D At regular intervals throughout your lifetime you will receive a check, the amount of which will be based on your age when the agreement is issued. And don’t forget—there is more than just the financial return .. . you receive another dividend, for your funds are helping take the gospel to those who have never heard it.
This consecration hymn was written February 4, 1874 while the author was visiting in the home of friends in England. “ I went for a little visit of five days. There were 10 persons in the house; some unconverted and long prayed-for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians. I prayed ‘Lord, give me all in this house.’ And He just did! Before I left the house everyone had received a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep and passed most of the night in renewal of my consecration, and these little couplets formed them selves and chimed in my heart. . . .” The stanza beginning “Take my silver and my gold” was written four years later. “The Lord has shown me another little step and, of course, I have taken it with extreme delight. ‘Take my silver and my gold’ now means shipping off all my ornaments (including a jewel cabinet which is really fit for a countess) to the Church Missionary Society where they- will be disposed of. I retain only a brooch or two for daily wear which are memorials of my dear parents; also a locket with the only portrait I have of my niece in heaven. But these I redeem so that the whole value goes to the Church Missionary Society. Nearly 50 articles are being packed off; I don’t think I need tell you I never packed a box with such pleasure!” No wonder Miss Haver- gal’s song (first published in 1878) has proven to be such an inspiration to Christians! Several tunes have been provided. The one in most general use is en titled Hendon and was composed by Dr. Cesar Malan (1787-1867) the Swiss preacher who was the means of leading Charlotte Elliott (who wrote the words for the hymn, “Just As I Am” ) to Christ.
M A IL COUPON T O D A Y !
Write: Carl J. Frizen, Stewardship Department MOOD Y B I B L E IN S T I T U T E 820 N. LaSalle Street • Chicago 10, Illinois
Dept^-57-32-3
□ Please send me "DOUBLE D IV IDEND S ," the story o f M oody Annuities. □ Please send folder, "Y ou Can Take It With Youy” relating to stewardship and wills.
T h is F R E E
b o o k le t. . . tells you how you can get started in the Moody Annuity Plan, “ double dividends ” explains the program in detail. Mail coupon today. No obliga* tion whatsoever.
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Sendto PrayerTime, The King’s Business maga zine, 558 So. Hope, Los Angeles 17, California.
8
That special issue of tracts and other literature do not print in a larger type. Eureka, Calif. Lethea Larsen Copies of the 3rd annual Christian ity issue (August) are still available at five for $1 postpaid ( see order blank on page 7). This special issue contains the complete Gospel of John plus many practical helps in a down- to-earth language the unchurched can understand and appreciate. — ED. Sirs: I feel sorry for you because you are not very well acquainted with Christ. I will pray for you my friend. I hope you will start understanding the Bible I am in full agreement with your articles on SDA. My employment brings me in contact with a few mem bers of this . . . group and much could be said about their verbal testi monies, writings and behaviour—all of which are in opposition to the Word of God. God’s children should spend more time with His complete Word so that they might not stumble. La Mesa, Calif. Rudy Ruggiero DOUBLE OCT-NOV DISCOUNT SD A (cont'd) and I hope your opinion will change toward us Seventh-day Adventists. Many of the things your magazine tells about us are not true. Your 10- year-old friend. Portland, Ore. Judi Leigh Light Sirs: Sirs: I am reading the Gospel according to Saint John (Aug. K.B.). I don’t want to read it in two hours or in one hour. I want to read and read and keep it. Enclosed is $1 for five more copies. South Bend, Ind. Q. G. Reinoeh! Sirs: Kindly mail me for distribution 10 copies of the 3rd annual Christianity issue. They are wonderful. Especial ly wonderful for people that will not get into the Word of God because of eye trouble, etc. I have often won dered why the publishing companies
Mail Coupon N O W !
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9
The King's Business/October 1957
VISIT • EUROPE
The Spiritual Index
9 HOLY LA N D • A F R IC A
B y O s w a l d C h a m b e r s Q r what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone ? Matthew 7:9. The illustration o f prayer that our Lord uses here is that o f a good child asking for a good thing. We talk about prayer as if God heard us irrespective o f the fact o f our relationship to Him (cf. Matt. 5:45). Never say it is not God’s will to give you what you ask. Don ’t sit down and faint but find out the reason, turn up the index. Are you rightly related to your wife, to your hus band, to your children, to your fellow-students — are you a "good child” there? "O' Lord, I have been irritable and cross but I do want spiritual blessing.” You cannot have it. You will have to do without until you come into the attitude o f a good child. We mistake defiance for devotion; arguing with God for abandonment. We will not look at the index. Have I been asking God to give me money for something I want when there is something I have not paid for? Have I been asking God for liberty while I am withholding it from someone who belongs to me? I have not forgiven someone his trespasses; I have not been kind to him; I have not been living as God’s child among my relatives and friends (v. 12) . I am a child o f God only by regeneration, and as a child o f God I am good only as I walk in the light. Prayer with most o f us is turned into pious platitude; it is a matter o f emotion, mystical communion with God. Spir itually we are all good at producing fogs. If we turn up the index, we will see very clearly what is wrong — that friendship, that debt, that temper o f mind. It is no use praying unless we are living as children o f God. Then, Jesus says — "Everyone that asketh receiveth.” (Included in "My Utmost for His Highest,” published by Dodd, Mead & Co., New York, N .Y .) %y U G <» <> <► <► <►<► U <► fi <> <►<► <► <► <► <> <><► fi fi U <► <► fi <►<► <►<> <><> U <► <► *> U <> <► <> <► <► <► <> fi fi fi fi n <> <► <► fi fi A I R C O N D I T I O N I N G F O R C H U R C H • S C H O O L • H O M E • O F F I C E Now you can be cool and comfortable on those hot summer days with refrigerated air conditioning. CONVENIENT- Exclusive f iv e y e a r financing available, with no money down and payments as low as $22.00 per month. Cond-Air-Thermotrol gives you a complete selection of equip ment to fit your requirements. ECONOMICAL- Our ice bank system will give peak load requirements at up to 40% saving on initial cost. COMPLETE - Pack units are complete and ready to install.
WITH
Dr. Louis T. Talbot Chancellor Dr. Samuel H. Sutherland President The Bible Institute of Los Angeles, Inc. Aj/l B IOLA JUBILEE ^ BIBLE LANDS and M IS S IO N A R Y TOUR March 1958 (In cooperation with Wheaton College Bible Lands Cruises) J An examination o f the actual scenes o f Biblical events J A study o f archaeological dis coveries which illuminate the Bible J A first-hand c o n ta c t with missionaries at work Tour directors
Dr. Joseph P. Free, Professor of Archaeology, Wheaton College
Dr. Oran H. Smith. Director of Missions, Bible Institute of Los Angeles Inc.
FOR FULL IN F O RM A T IO N W R IT E Dr. Oran H. Smith 558 South Hope Street
Contact your local air conditioning dealer or COND-AIR-TH ERMO TRO L D IV IS IO N ELLIOTT EN G IN EERIN G C O M PA N Y , INC. 2800 E. CENTURY BOULEVARD • LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA • NEVADA 6-0231
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10
men
A for-men-only feature dealing with basic Christianity/by Lloyd Hamill
THE COUNT-DOWN
solutely certain. Here’s how the Bible puts it (por tions of 2 Pet. 3 as translated by J. B. Phillips) : “ But you should never lose sight of the fact, dear friends, that time is not the same with the Lord as it is with us ■— to Him a day may be a thousand years, and a thousand years only a day. It is not that He is dilatory about keeping His own Promise as some men seem to think; the fact is that He is very patient toward you. He has no wish that any man should be destroyed: He wishes that all men should come to repent. Yet it remains true that thè Day of the Lord will come as sud denly and unexpectedly as a thief. In that Day the heavens will dis appear in a terrific tearing blast, the very elements will disintegrate in heat and the earth and all that is in it will be burnt up to nothing. “ In view of the fact that all these are to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be? Surely men of good and holy character, who live expecting and earnestly longing for the coming of the Day of God. True, this Day will mean that the heav ens will disappear in fire and the e lem en ts disintegrate in fearful heat, but our hopes are set not on these but on the new Heavens and the new Earth which He has prom ised us, and in which nothing but good shall live. “ Because, my dear friends, you have a hope like this before you, I urge you to make certain that such a Day would find you at peace with God and man, clean and blameless in His sight. Meanwhile, consider that God’s patience is meant to be man’s salvation, as our dear brother Paul pointed out in his letter to you written out of the wisdom God gave him. In that letter, as indeed in all his letters, he referred to these matters.” God spoke these words for a pur pose. The rest seems up to us. END.
believable instant the entire eastern sky erupted in a blinding, bluish light. It was far more brilliant than any noonday sun. The train was gone now. There was no sound. W e drove on into the silent Mojave. Juniper and joshua trees were quiet silhouettes against the desert dawn. I switched the radio off. M y wife said, “ I just can’t believe it.” I said I couldn’t believe it either. The next day the morning paper said the blast was twice the size of the one that had leveled Hiro shima. This one had been attached to a 700-foot tower. The tower was vaporized. Grass and trees were set on fire more than two miles away. Up until Saturday we had only read about the bomb. It hadn’t meant too much. Now we had seen the blinding light of one. The re sult was profound. This isn’t an unusual illustration. W e humans are just built this way. If we weren’t skeptical about the unknown we’d still be believing in haunted houses. But sometimes an otherwise scrupulously honest man will use this built-in tendency of skepticism to avoid things he just doesn’t understand. It’s an easy way out. A thorough, honest inves tigation can be a lot of work. Apply this illustration to religion. We have a natural tendency to dis believe what God says in the Bible. But deep down inside we know that, God being God, what He says is final. And when we do take time to take a good hard look at the facts the results may be profound. Here’s a fact we’ll want to look at: Jesus Christ came to earth 2,000 years ago to outline God’s one and only plan of personal salvation. Another fact: the Bible says Christ will come again and the results somehow re mind us of the dissolving power of the atom bomb. I know it’s hard to believe but it’s just as absolutely certain as the atom bomb is ab
The unknown has a way of being ■somehow vague and a little ion- real. I saw an illustration of this one Saturday recently. M y wife and I were heading out to a little lake on the edge of the Mojave Desert for some trout fish ing. This spot stands out in sharp contrast to the trout lakes in our high mountains of California. In stead of jagged granite and ever greens and aspens this little lake out on the Mojave is set among picturesque ju n ip e r and joshua trees. W e had gotten up at 3:30. At ,5:30 we stopped for a freight train at a Crossing just a few hundred feet south of Highway 6 near Palm dale. W e had the car radio on, lis te n in g to a midnight-to-dawn telephone interview program over KFI. Anyone who considers him self an expert on any subject can call in and consume anywhere from five minutes to an hour. One old- timer who calls himself Doc can be heard sounding off almost as reg ularly as the sunrise. He’ll give a fascinating dissertation on cor- vina or debate the question of whether or not a rattlesnake can see a bullet coming and dodge it. (They can’t. I’ve shot several.) While we were stopped at the railroad crossing the announcer switched to a different subject. An atomic bomb, code-named Smokey, was to be exploded in a few seconds in Nevada. M y wife asked me if we’d be able to see it. I said I didn’t think so. The sky in the east was already getting light and there were 250 miles and two 11,000-foot mountain ranges in be tween. But we watched anyway. A reporter was in a telephone booth near the blast site and gave the KFI announcer the count-down cue. The count-down came at an awe some, no-turning-back pace — 10 ...9...8...7...6...5...4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . Then in one un
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The King's Business/October 1957
in order for this to take place the church and Sunday school must first be united and aware of their oppor tunity and responsibility, then together they must seek to inform the community of their Sunday school. No one has ever gone to a Sunday school yet unless he was aware that a Sunday school existed. Many who are aware of a church building on a comer have never been made to feel the pull of the person of Christ through the people who worship there regularly. W e need National Sunday School Week for the sake of the Sunday school, for the sake of the church and for the sake of the community. Sunday School Convention |\r. d a te A. Risley, Executive Secretary of the Na t i o n a l Sunday School Association, points out that there was a day when America was Sunday school conscious. But it was not the result of pastor, superin tendents and Sunday school teachers saying, “ I’m interested in my Sunday school, but I can’t be both ered about yours.” For instance there was a time when every county in Illinois had a Sunday school association and spon sored their own convention each year. Sunday school teachers were inspired and instructed. The Sunday schools grew. The whole state felt the impact of the Sunday school. This was not the work of ego-centric Christians or self-centered, self-satisfied Sunday schools. It was largely the result of a man named Moody with a burden for a state, a nation and a world. Leaders with this vision of outreach to the modem Judea and Samaria in Southern California have been showing growing concern for the Sunday school. Headed by Rev. Cyrus N. Nelson, President of Gospel Light Press, the Greater Los Angeles Sunday School Association has forged ahead in the last four years with annual conventions, quarterly rallies in various areas, and this year initiated eight teacher-training schools in Southern California churches. The average attendance at each of these cooperative schools ranged from 100 to 700 on each of the six nights. Mrs. Robert Andersen, Coordinator for the Greater Los Angeles Sunday School Association, sparked these training sessions. From October 9-11 the Greater Los Angeles Sunday School Association and the National Sunday School Association join hands in promoting the twin national Sunday School Conventions in Los Angeles and Grand Rapids. Biola and the Church of the Open Door are hosts for the Los Angeles Convention. The New Hotel Clark, 426 South Hill, Los Angeles is the convention hotel. The full program of the convention with a special letter of welcome from Dr. Clate A. Risley and the story of the National Sunday School Association appears in the center spread of this issue of T h e K i n g ’ s B u s in e s s . This is the time to prepare to send off your delegates for the information, fellowship and inspiration of a National Sunday School Convention.
Editorials
A Rewarding Experience by Tennessee Governor Frank G. Clement
Come months ago, a group of my church friends came **to the Governor’s Office on Capitol Hill in Nash ville and asked me to teach a new Sunday school class. It was an unusual request to make of the Gov ernor of a state, but after prayer and consultation I accepted the challenge. Teaching this class has been one of the most richly rewarding experiences of my life and has impressed on me more fully the responsibilities to the nation of the Sunday school. As teachers, our responsibility and opportunity are unlimited in the development of Christian character; in learning more fully the Holy Bible -— the basis for obedience to. our Creator; in promoting Christian friendship and fellowship among the members and in attracting new members. Even though I grew up in a family whose members regularly attended church and Sunday school, who participated in the activities as best they could — my father teaches a class of some 75 businessmen and until recently, my mother served as church organist - I did not completely realize the full value of Sun day school until I had. assumed the responsibility of teaching a class. Today as I stand before my Sunday school class, I see a symbol of faith — the faith that says to me: “ It does not matter where you meet to worship God, so long as you worship Him in humbleness and sincer ity.” And again: “ It matters not that you are Governor and that because you teach here you have been criti cized for mixing politics and religion, for if your politics and your religion don’t mix, then there is certainly something the matter with your politics.” It is the faith that says to me: “ As long as there are churches, and homes where children are reared in the nurture and admonition of the Lord . . . so long and only so long will ours be a nation of people dedi cated to the greater glory of God and the betterment of all mankind.” A Week to Observe T o be sure it takes more than a week to emphasize 1 the Sunday school properly before the church and community, but one week properly planned, promoted and programmed can bring to many a new aware ness of the Sunday school. This is what the National Sunday School Associa tion is attempting to do in sponsoring National Sunday School Week September 29 through October 6. Present Christ to the Community is the theme of this year’s Sunday School Week. The community needs Christ. The Sunday school is the evangelical agency that can bring Christ to the community, but
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You can have your energies mobilized by the Holy Spirit
Mining the Church’s Wealth
by Kobert James St. Clair
of our Lord but unconsciously ap pears as an inefficient organism weighted down by nerveless limbs and vestigial organs! T h is t r a g ic fa c t o f unmined wealth is written off as an unfor tunate result of a lack of consecra tion. “ Have a two week revival” seems to be the answer. No, there is more to it than that. Decidedly more. If the challenge of God’s Spirit were accompanied by a more intelligent and systematic leader ship recruitment and training, then the picture of 1 Corinthians would be the realistic rule and not a way- out-there ideal. There are a number of immedi ate reasons why so many laymen do not have their energy mobilized by the Holy Spirit: 1) The man in the pew has not been made to realize how much the Lord Jesus Christ is depending on him through the work of the local church and how much God can do with him if given an opportunity. 2) The layman may feel that his minister is a dynamic (what ever that means) salesman, publi city man and orator out to wow the world and simply desires his peo ple to support him by swelling the crowds at services and by tithing. 3) The individual has come to CONTINUED
stitute a vast source of spiritual wealth by which the community and the world were designed to prosper. This wealth is not derived from the educational or economic potential of the laymen but from the one Spirit who finds an addi tional redemptive instrument in each dedicated person. One of the reasons we tend to become insensitive to revealed truth is that we hear this theology of the priesthood of all believers, while surrounding us are a vast number of Christians with no practical func tion in the daily tasks of the church. To put it in psychological terms, our conscious minds give assent to the truths of the indwelling of the Spir it in all believers in order that we shall continue to be accepted within the highly doctrine-conscious mores of a conservative church. Our unconscious minds, however, accept the concept that the indwell ing work of the Spirit is a fancy term for very religious people and “ the gifts of the Spirit” is a term describing fortunate souls with talent and inborn initiative. When you consider how many laymen in the local church contrib ute little or nothing of value in the planning and working phases of the church there is no doubt that consciously the Church is the body
Suppose that you were requested 9 to write out in a few words your idea of the genius of the Holy Chris tian Church. What would you say? In one way or another you would probably touch on the glory radiat ing from Christ and the glory given to man. The Lord Jesus Christ is alive in the Church. Through the Holy Spirit indwelling every Chris tian He continues His ministry in the world. The Church is Jesus walking, talking and healing on the earth. Poor mortals who otherwise would not be able to keep their heads above life’s storms are now seen working in intimate coopera tion with the Creator of the cosmos, working in joy and confidence de spite persecution. Christ takes utter nobodies and makes them more than conquerors in a tragic world. In some fashion utterly beyond us the Holy Spirit takes up His di vine residence within our personal ities. All persons in Christ’s body cohere in divine function, each min istering to the world through the gifts of the Spirit, such as prophesy ing, ministering, giving, exhorting, teaching or whatever. The honor of the human vessel is not derived from its inborn capabilities but from the one Spirit who touches it and directs it in eternal purpose. The laymen of the church con
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The King’s Business/October 1957
M IN IN G THE CHU RCH #S WEALTH continued
Once a church elects or appoints its _officials these should have the au thority the Word of God gives them and they should exercise it. They should find it imperative to care fully study the membership and list basic qualifications of members. The Spirit of God touches basic personality strengths and uses per sonality talents. Certain persons can be well used by the Spirit as trustees, others as teachers, others in certain types of Christian social service, others as ushers, etc. Rarely should any church ask for volunteers. Some persons are not made to teach a church school class and they never will be and it is a mistake to suppose that because the Holy Spirit is omnipotent He capriciously places anyone into any position simply because He can give them requisite abilities if He wants to. True, the Apostle Paul may not have been the polished speaker that Apollos was but the Spirit chose him for other excellent reasons. When the pastor or appropriate official is appointed by the commit tee on Christian education, nomi nating committee or official board to approach a soul concerning ac ceptance of a position in church life, he should be able to explain the requirements of the task. He can also explain the confidence the board has in this person and the help he can expect to receive. The announcement from the pulpit, “ If you would like to help us out, pos sibly singing in the choir or teach ing a class, let us know” will not insure a response from the persons who, because of basic qualifications they possess which the Spirit can use, should be inspired and person ally asked to accept special tasks for Christ. Let us take a case in point. Sup pose that the committee on Chris tian education decided they should have a teaching service to the sick and shut-ins. A committee is ap pointed to list the requirements of the position and the requisite qual ifications. They decide that the man or woman should have a sincere and dependable reverence for the Word. He should be over 35 years of age
feel that verbal w itn e ss in g fo r Christ is 99% of his total responsi bility and he either does that well enough or he doesn’t possess the gift of gab and cannot be bothered. 4) A call to service is presented in such vague terms the laymen are not sure what that specifically in volves. Or if the call is to a specific task such as teaching he acutely feels his lack of training. Thus fear less souls with actual inborn initia tive continually take a dare and continually get the jobs, and that miserable saying continues to be the policy of the pastor and official board: “ If you have a job get a busy person to do it.” 5) A select group of the super- righteous elect have entrenched themselves in positions of leader ship so firmly that new blood can not enter the church’s life. All churches have at least several indi viduals with an Elijah complex. Their security is based on a phar- isaic life role that they are better equipped, more righteous, more con secrated, far less worldly and more intensely spiritual than 90% of the m em b e rsh ip . T h e r e fo r e , it is unthinkable to them that someone else should “ usurp” their authority or “ steal” their position. Thus one views a board member or Sunday school superintendent holding fast against all outsiders for 20 or 30 years and becoming wild with in dignation when someone else re ceives his office. 6) L a ym en w ith personality problems feel they would be sensi tive to criticism. Rather than risk failure and succumb to anxiety in interpersonal relationships they prefer to “mind their own business” and avoid trouble. An able pastor and official board will face these obstacles fearlessly and begin the task of mining this vast store of wasted wealth. They must have complete confidence in the Holy Spirit and should review the organization of the church to see if the Spirit’s work can be facil itated. Actually, this means defin ing boards and committees of au thority, discussion of the rotary
plan and review of methods of elec tion and appointment. There would be less stress and strain among personal dealings if every area of church life knew its immediate authority. Does the offi cial board know exactly what it must do? Does the Sunday school know the exact authority of the superintendent, pastor and commit tee on Christian education? If one person makes all the appointments, leadership enlistment will be hap hazard and unsuccessful. What about the rotary plan in your church? After a certain time in office an officer or chairman rec ognizes that God’s Spirit wishes him to vacate his position for a year while another soul brings new consecration and fresh insight to the task. No one becomes a little dictator in his own comer. More and more souls gain a new and vital perspective of the total work of the church. The rotary plan for all offices is proving its value but it has some disadvantages in certain cases and these should be thorough ly aired. What are your methods of ap pointment? Or in a larger frame, what are your methods of enlist ment? There is a good book that deals at length with this, and we recommend it without reservation: Better Leaders For Your Church by Weldon Crossland, Abingdon Press, 1955. In short, it will pay rich dividends for all our churches to list carefully the jobs which must be undertaken in a church and the qualifications necessary to do them. These jobs should be listed by the board or nominating committee over a period of months or at a retreat. What are the basic goals of this church according to the Word of God? What are we doing? What must we do? Where do we need additional jobs? How can we better coordinate the work of this and that task? What character traits and basic equipment should persons possess who take the fol lowing positions? Here we must make a cardinal point and underscore it heavily.
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to accept another position or he may be asked to continue on for several years more. A Protestant church must be democratic but its members do not direct matters independently of one another, the boards or the pastor. It matters not how capable any member may be. If he cannot re ceive authority and work with others in humility and love he will be of little use to the church. When members are made aware of this, when they are personally contacted, when they know exactly what they must do, what the church hopes to do and what help they can expect in doing it, then more and more of the members will gladly assum e a vital role in Christ’s body. Members assuming such roles have a stake in the church and know that the local church has a stake in them. Ser mons on the spiritual and financial obligations of members will not fall on deaf ears. As y o u th ink th rou gh these thoughts in terms of your own church ask yourself these questions: What concrete tasks do I hold in my church? Do I have too many? Am I encouraging assistants to take my place? Do I take advantage of tra in in g and refresher courses when they are offered? Do I have a Christ-like Spirit of humility with co-workers? Do I resent criti cism and help from the pastor? Do I ask for any? Would I be cheer ful if the church gave my position to someone else or would I act like a child and assume that others are too worldly to do the splendid job I am doing — for God, of course? If I am doing just about nothing in my church am I willing to give time and energy and heart to the church in gratitude to the one who spared not His life for my soul? Is my one, short life counting as it can — as it should — for God? As an officer am I working with my pastor to mine the untold human wealth in our church that should be used for Christ? As I write these words within me I hear a voice asking, “ As a pastor, does your ministry bespeak confidence in your people and Mine?” END.
importance of leadership training. W e feel that Mr. Jones is growing in grace, attends church worship regularly and therefore would “ be good for that job.” W ith no previ ous training whatever he is thrust into it and expected to make a go of it. If he feels inadequate he is told that “ God will help you,” to which he replies to himself, “He had better because no one else will.” Essential classes are: 1) Classes in teaching and audio visual aids, 2) a course for new officers in the goals and organiza tion of the total church, 3) methods of visitation and counseling, 4) methods of evangelism, 5) methods of ministering to the sick, 6) learn ing what your group or organiza tion can do to further missions, 7) stewardship and the financial goals of the church and 8) a class for new members.
and must have a working knowl edge of Scripture or be willing to enlist in the teacher training course to be conducted shortly. He must not he a compulsive talker who loves to lecture because the shut-ins and sick will partially require coun seling and mature understanding. It is the shut-in who may wish to express fears, concerns, etc., and probably does not want to be harsh ly indoctrinated. He should be cheerful but not an obvious extro vert. He should be in fair health and have a means of transportation or at least be able to use the bus. He cannot be a gossip. A retired person w h o has surrendered a heavy schedule in the church but has an ability to pray short prayers, listen carefully and work depend ably would be fine. After studying the card file on members, the board or committee chooses one person. A representative
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uring National Sunday School Week, it is a privilege to give support to those who advance the goals o f religious education across the breadth o f our land. This country was founded on basic principles derived from citizens o f character and abiding faith. To keep these privileges alive and meaningful requires the continual training o f each generation. Congratulations to the men, women and children who serve and attend the Sunday schools o f our nation. — PRESIDENT DW IG H T D. E ISENHOW ER
of the committee makes an appoint ment to see him. Then at the man’s home — and certainly not over the telephone — the position is de scribed, the committee’s confidence in him is expressed and he is in vited to accept the position. It is difficult to overemphasize the
When any Christian accepts a position in the church he certainly will want to do so with the full authority of the Church of Jesus in view. He can expect direction and encouragement. He can expect crit icism in love. After a year or two or three he will automatically leave
The King's Business/October 1957
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