THE KING’S BUSINESS
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The Bible study program closes with a four days’ Bible conference, in April or May, with very large attendance. Religious literature. A committee distrib utes such, especially on Sunday in connec tion with special sermons. Tracts are used freely to expose certain modern fads called “ Christian.” Dr. Torrey’s tract, “ How to make a success o f the Christian life,” is given to all new converts. Tried several, and find this the best. Advertising. Good printing always pays. Written articles for the press; weekly church bulletin with evangelistic messages; large display advertisements in daily papers; attractive window cards; plenty o f postcards; a liberal postage item for per sonal letters; electric-lighted bulletin on church, which carries a daily evangelistic message to the public; large painted can vas signs on church building, and in other public places, for special events. Special meetings, known as pre-commun ion services,' are held for one week preced ing each quarterly communion service. The Friday night o f this week is the prepara tory sermon proper, and is known as “ fam ily night.” The church is always filled at this service, with large numbers o f young people. All the work o f the church cen ters around these four communion services. No new machinery is set up, but every organization o f the church, every Sunday school class—primary, intermediate and Senior—has a relation to this service. One month before this service, a definite announcement is' made in various ways. We talk about it, pray about it. The air of expectancy pervades the whole church. Calling lists are made out; calls made upon indifferent members, and prospective mem bers, who should unite with the church by letter or confession o f faith. The pastor does not preach on communion morning, except in July, when a twilight service is held. The entire time is given up in recep tion o f new members, and the Sacrament; neither does the pastor preach in the even ing o f that day. Four post-communion praise services are held each year, which
bear special relation to the communion ser vice. It is not an ordinary praise service. The evangelistic note pervades. With no sermons to prepare, the pastor is left free for calling, and other important matters. Reception to new members. Thursday evening following the communion, a recep tion is tendered the new members. The church membership is divided into four alphabetical groups, each group plans for one reception each year. In this way every body has something to do. Each group tries to have the most practical and infor mal program. Light refreshments are served. A Three-fold Event. Our communion service i? like a chain o f three links, each supports the other, and is a vital part o f it. 1st, The pre-communion services. 2nd, The communion itself (which is the center link). 3rd, The reception. Each has an objective, and we never miss it. Follow-up and conservation. List o f new members is divided up, first, among the Elders, who call the week after communion. The week following,, the Deacons call, going out two-by-two. Calling lists are made out for ladies. Lines of church work are suggested in connection with these calls, the purpose being to find a permanent place for new members to work in. Two every-member canvasses annually, are made by Elders and Deacons, two-by- two. The first for the annual budget (our bills are all met monthly) ; the second, six months after the first, in the interest of the general work outside o f finances. The Pastor Calls. O f course the pastor calls all the time, day and night, except when other duties prevent. The more calls he makes, the better sermons he preaches, ■so he thinks. No wonder, then, is it that under God (and to His Blessed Nafne be all the glory), this program has resulted in a most Won derful communion service, with practically the entire membership, young and old, pres ent, “to show the Lord’s death till He come.”
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