As a keen manipulator on the banquet scene, Jones has set up a set of rules for the proper method of conducting a religious fund-raising banquet. His first rule is to end the banquet by 9:30 p.m. “This may surprise many people, because too many fund-raising banquets quit closer to midnight,” he said. “ Just when the people attending are ‘sold’ on the necessity of giving to the cause, the banquet drones on past this important psychological peak and the cause becomes the loser.” He said that after 9:30, there is a law of apathy among banqueters, and the longer the feast continues, the less those attending it will give. “ It’s like a person over-staying his welcome,” Jones explained. Bane of Jones’ existence is the long-winded speaker who just won’t quit on schedule. His second rule is that there should never be more than four people on the program, and talks should all be direct and to the point. “What a speaker can’t say in 20 minutes shouldn’t be said,” he remarked.
One of the faithful attendants at the annual Presidential Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by International Christian Leadership and hosted by Mr. Jones, is the Vice-President, Richard Nixon. H ere he chats with the man who is responsible for “ banquet evangelism” around the world.
Having adopted orphan children from Korea, Mr. Jones has had a vital interest in the work of World Vision and its outreach around the world. On behalf o f this endeavor for Christ, banquets have been held in key cities across the country, as w ell as in Japan. Dr. Bob Pierce talks with his friendly host.
1961 w ill doubtless be a key year for evangelism in Tokyo, with World Vision sponsoring special meetings in the city. Under the auspices of Mr. Jones, banquets w ere held in Osaka during the recent campaign held by Dr. Bob Pierce. Pastors and key businessmen were invited to the meetings. He feels, too, that the “ feeling” of the banquet must never get away from the purpose. The theme must always revolve around the focal point—the funds needed, and why they are needed. Other important points are location, selecting the right group, and setting the proper mood. The menu is impor tant, too. An eight-course dinner takes too long to serve and usually results in a “yawning party!” Jones is also convinced that people actually want to give to a good cause if the banquet is properly managed. When Jones decides to give a banquet, he must first be thoroughly convinced that there is a real need. The Banquet Evangelist is on the personal Board of Directors of evangelist, Billy Graham. Currently he is busy writing a book on what he has learned about managing successful fund-raising banquets. The name of the book will be, “ Come and Dine.”
NOVEMBER, 1960
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