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T a l e o f a M i r a c l e B u s by R ev . R oy V . Nelson I T was w ith deep regret that we had to admit that our old #2 bus just had to be “ turned out to pasture.” It had served us well, transporting 34 happy, noisy children to Sunday school at Tem ple Baptist Church in Ontario. Now it was creak ing so badly in its joints that we could no longer secure insurance on it and we dared not carry such precious cargo without security. Actually what we needed was not only a bus in better con dition, but also one large enough to haul many more boys and girls. The only problem was that our church budget already was in the “ red,” and there were no funds available for such a bus. What were we to do? We knew that as always the starting-point was prayer, and so we began at the beginning. Then we took the promise o f Philippians 4 :19 : “ But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We began to look for a good, used, inexpensive 54-passenger bus. We checked out some leads but all proved to contain one hitch or another. We kept on praying, waiting, and relying upon Philip pians 4:19. A little church magazine came to my desk which contained ads for three buses fo r sale. One in particular stood out, and I said in my heart, “ Lord, is that to be our replacement? I f so, don’t let it be sold.” I phoned; then took two o f the deacons with me to look it over and try it out. It was good and solid throughout; a new block and transmission had been installed; it was newly painted inside and out; and would seat 54 chil dren! But the asking price was $2,000.00. We offered $1,400.00, and there the matter rested. For two months, with the ad on my desk, I prayed daily and was joined by the members. I checked again and found the bus still available. The owner began to bargain. “ I f I come down $400.00, will you come up $200.00 and pay $1,- 600.00?” he asked, and in faith I said, “ Yes, if the bus committee approves.” This had to be accomp lished by faith power, not will power, fo r we had only $450.00 in the bus fund! The next step was to ask through our church paper for 100 people to give $5.00 to $20.00 above their tithe for this special need. Only three Sun days remained in which to raise the balance needed. Characteristically, widows started the ball rolling by giving $100.00 and several o f us matched their sacrificial gifts. Then I preached on Luke 6:38 and the story o f Elijah and the widow o f Zarephath and the offering following that sermon was nearly $500.00! Before the two Sundays were past, we had $1,844.00 fo r the bus, plus $557,29 to apply on a church basement. Best o f all, we did not touch
I n v o l v e m e n t
by Henry E. .Jones I nvolvement is the password of our day: in volvement on the campus, involvement in the streets, involvement in the council chambers. I believe that the answer to the roll of the pastor, particularly in the evening service, is the involve ment of the audience in the study that is being conducted. For this reason I have moved down from the pulpit to the same floor level, using an overhead projector and colored-slide presentations to rein force the message to hold the attention o f the young people as well as the adults. I believe that this brings a greater involvement and mental par ticipation on the part o f the congregation. I be lieve they feel I am leading them in new discov eries in God’s Word. I do not find the technique has increased the size o f our evening service, but from my observation it has increased the quality o f mental participation by the congregation. Another technique I have found most helpful is to have a member from our group o f spiritual overseers lead in the congregational prayer on Sunday mornings. I believe this has resulted in a greater respect o f the office by the people, and a deeper appreciation o f the responsibility that rests upon the Board who has been appointed to conduct the spiritual matters o f the church. Also, this takes away from the “ professional” leader ship, and restores the proper emphasis to "in volvement” by the members o f the church. Rev. Henry Jones is pastor of Central Bible Church, Costa Mesa, California.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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