Over twenty years ago one of our prominent business men of Melbourne spoke to a group of students at Glen Iris. His subject was "The Art of Salesmanship." Most of it I've forgotten, except this terse comment, "Gentlemen, you, too, are salesmen!" Through these twenty years I've believed that, but often wondered if there wasn't a shortage on the staff. The new emphasis on men working has convinced me that a number of old ideas must go, and some new ones be adopted.

In Critical Vein

      Let's begin in a critical vein. Squarely face some of the ideas which have befogged our thinking and bogged down the outreach and activity of the church.

      1. The smug use of the Great Commission, "Go ye." The church has been fully in favour of it--provided there's an abundance of preachers and missionaries to take it seriously!

      2. Our mobilisation is lopsided. We have the youth well organised, and the womenfolk, too, and the men often in tea and biscuit clubs to let them relax from toil, but more, to make sure that we can gather them into some kind of social fellowship. All quite good, but surely, not enough.

      In most churches, the male activity is confined to serving on church boards, Bible school staffs and a few who lead in clubs. Mostly it's a case of duplication of tasks. The larger group of men simply worship. Thus we find, that in the main, our work is within the church. The result is that we are doing so little for the church outside the church.

      3. "It's the preacher's job." That old stalking horse! Throughout our history we've laboured the point of "no distinction between the minister and the membership." Likewise, throughout our history we've made the difference so terribly obvious! Thus we have found it so hard to determine between the church in action and the minister in action.

      It would appear that we must make some differentiation between the church at worship and the church at work, between the church as a compact group confined to a set of buildings, and the church as a steady beat in the pulse of the community.

The Pulpit's Waning Power

      Many today are sensing that the power of the pulpit has waned considerably. People just will not come to hear a preacher, no matter how eloquent or sincere he may be. Many a brilliant expositor is beating the air to little effect. For all his ability, the church members will not--positively not--support the evangelistic service in these days of visitors, good radio programmes, barbecues, and hot or cold weather. Thus the brilliant man finds himself rubbing shoulders with his mediocre brother minister. Of course, we acknowledge, because we've been told so often, that today's preachers are not as good as the men of bygone days. To this can be added other unworthy excuses.

      We wonder why it is so? Is it because the church is so respectable that it simply belongs? Is it because the world around doesn't worry about the church, because the church doesn't say much about the

issues which have lulled the non-churchman into a sense of false security? Is it because Christianity and all the other "anities" are in the same class in this school of life that one is as good as the other anyway? Is it because the church has lost her passion, her belief that the way of God, redemption and righteousness, are in her hands? Or is it that the church just isn't caring very much? You know how it goes, "I'm all right, let the other fellow look out for himself."

The Attitude of the Un-Churched

      The un-churched have their opinions of the church and we dare not despise them. The tragedy of these is that caught up within the framework of a society in which the church and Christian principles have contributed so much, they accept these as heritage and consider themselves Christian. Thus they regard the church as an "extra" in the curricula of life. So we find the great mass of our community believing all kinds of rank heresy, such as, "Well, it's all right for those who are built that way"; or, "I can be a Christian without belonging to the church." These two attitudes strike a blow at the very purpose of the Cross and the nature of God as the Father. Recently a man and wife expressed amazement when told that without a personal acceptance of Christ, they were to all intents and purposes simply wasting time by being alive at all. Another man, presiding at a local Progress Association meeting, when asked about charges for the use of a hall for a Bible school, took pencil and paper and began to work out, "Three hundred children at one penny per head of collection makes so much." The point is--where did they get such ideas? Among some reasons this one stands out, that the church somewhere along the line permitted these things to become the possession of people.

      When we suggest that the church must get to these people, we mean the CHURCH, not necessarily the minister. When the preacher comes, he's "Only doing what he's paid to do!" That specious argument has lost many a good man a view of reality in life as well as of Christ Himself.

The Real Issue

      Having said all this, and either agreed that it is true, or could be true, we can turn to the real issue involved in our title, "The Potency of the Pew." There, out in that array of faces and lives is the real force of the church of the living God. There is its strength and weakness, its God-directed potential in the world, but, in the main, its untapped resources.

      As suggested, the day of the pulpit as the only power of the church has, to a large degree, passed away, and the power of the pew is here. As the line of worshippers pass through the doors there goes the church of Jesus! What will be its impact? How much of their world will they have changed in a week before they come back again? Was it a group sitting in orderly worship and going out to be a rabble in a world which remains unaware of them? Surely that is the crux of the whole matter!

      How to mobilise that stream of God-owned humanity? Answer that and we see the potency of the pew.

Some Needed Re-Thinking

      For the pew to become potent it appears that quite a deal of re-thinking is needful. It is true that many church problems have arisen from woolly thinking on the part of many, plus the acceptance of whatever status quo might be offering at the time. Let's re-think.

      1. The church: an ancient description was "the colony of

heaven," but the New Testament's statement of it as "the body of Christ," rather brings it down to earth. Of the many titles this is the most pertinent, for it describes the church. Someone calls it "the continuation of the Incarnation." The Incarnate Christ was the revealing person, the redemptive power., the forgiving factor among men. The church taking its place in the world as Christ's body, or being in the world what Christ would be were He still among us, makes the church the most important thing there is in human affairs. Its message is revealing, redemptive and forgiving, and its motive is the same. It has no other reason for existing.

      2. Our place in it: too many have permitted worship to be the beginning and ending of service. Worship is simply the church's corporate expression at specified times in a specified place. It is true to say that wherever a Christian is there is the church. This means that witnessing becomes as vital as worshipping.

      Someone points out the danger of worshipping without doing; in feeling without acting; in planning without executing; in dreaming without daring.

      If we are part of the church we are at once part of the church's ministry. We are partakers, sharers, in all the church is intended to be. Surely, this goes beyond mere observances and programmes!

      If God laid the responsibility of redemption upon His Son, and His Son embraces us in that redemption, then He has delegated responsibility upon us all to share redemption. No Christian is exempt from service!

      3. The church's primary task: too many people assert what the church ought to be doing, and their opinion is based purely on the social implications of the message of the church. This is the secondary thing. The primary thing is to make known the message which made the church possible and necessary. The good news of redemption and power and forgiveness is basic, anything else comes out of it. The message of the Cross is concerned with the one primary factor, human sin and alienation from God. And whilst these remain the church's task is clearly in evidence.

      Admitting this to be true it is incumbent upon the church to reach out into each community with that committed to it, and to no other group.

      Let the church know what she is, why she is and what she has, then she'll become more concerned about the fool's paradise into which the great bulk of people have become entangled.

More Machinery?

      Is that the answer? I think not! More workers? That is the answer! Whenever you read the words of Jesus, "Even so send I you," you read of the lost emphasis of the church--the sense of being sent. It has passed from the hearer of His day to the reader of our day. This involves taking Jesus seriously!

      Several years ago, visitation evangelism swept through the churches of the United States of America with amazing success. Some may have thought it was just another American stunt. But it wasn't, it was simply the rediscovery of "being sent," the very serious application of a New Testament method. Following fast upon this movement within the church life of the U. S. A., came certain consolidation methods which resulted in one, Mark Rutherford, visiting these shores. Almost four years later we still believe that the said Rutherford had something. It cost many hundreds of pounds to find that out! Now we have settled down still believing those ideas were good. How about doing something with them?

      The slow, but sure rising of the Christian Men's Society, with its slogan of "Christian Men Serving" is one of our healthiest signs.

Four Points for Potency

      The four-point programme is embracive enough to mobilise and use the potential within the pew of any church. However, the major problem seems to be in getting it started. In many places men seem anxious lest another organisation be set up. And if no organisation, then what? Organising is essential to implement any forward movement. In every church the latent abilities of the pew must be marshalled. Therefore, the calling together of the men of the church, the ensuing placing of the challenge and entrusting of the four Points to groups is necessary. From then on the men of the church can function at their various tasks, without undue organisation aside from the constant oversight needed from elders or group leaders. Surely, it does not take undue organising, to implement the evangelistic outreach of the church!

      The Federal Committee on Men's Work has issued several documents which should be in the possession of every man who wants to share.

      These four points cannot be over-stressed.

      1. Visitation evangelism. This is in keeping with the spirit of those who went "everywhere preaching the Word," and it captures again the mission of the Seventy. It can be the perfect offset to the attitude which declares, "we pay a preacher, it's his job, let him do it."

      There's a psychology here which is basic. When the minister calls, the reaction is, "Well, he's only doing his job," and often he's listened to with benign condescension. But when men of the church call, who are not paid to do it, then must come the mental query, "What have these fellows got that makes them do this?"

      Not every man is equipped for this task and careful choosing is vital. But, few men have any idea as to whether they can do it or not. To find out seems the sensible thing to do. I'm often aware of one who says he just couldn't do it--yet the same man wins his bread by selling in large sums the necessary things of life to people. Why can't men be confident in "selling" the things of the Kingdom?

      The mere result of bringing people to the evangelistic service is a means of grace, providing fish for the net of the Gospel. In every case where I have known men to engage in this work I have found them alive to the fact that they are coming closer to Christ because they are coming closer to people.

      2. Calling on inactive members. Here's a field of tragedy. In every place are those who once belonged to the church and worshipped and served, yet for some reason turned back. Now if Hebrews 6 holds any meaning at all, these, are in eternal jeopardy--these may become deniers of Christ and share in a re-crucifixion, in process of forfeiting redemption. In some places they register as "inactive members," in others are carelessly erased because they cost so much per head in conference fees. In any case, they constitute an un-faced challenge to the church.

      We owe to them as we owe to Christ an approach, even though it may be a final one. Who can point out their dreadful position better than those who care for the souls of men? Surely, we can plead with them before it is too late? Whether they were ever converted or not is beside the point, the real fact is that they "tasted" of the glory of the Lord.

      3. Cementing new members. Too often people have come into the

church membership after an avalanche of prayer and friendliness, and then almost ignored afterwards. There's need to make them deeply aware of the family relations of the church. Selected callers should drop in from time to time to inform them of what the church is all about, its interests and outreach, and then to lead them into some phase of the work where they'll be able to know the unity of believers. In passing let us assert that a Scriptural injunction almost forgotten is to be "given to hospitality."

      4. Stewardship. Who is better equipped to bring this to people than the consecrated eldership of the church? How often has it been said that "he's looking for a rise" when the preacher has discoursed on stewardship! There are too many whose sense of "God's portion" ends at 2/- per week! The need for instruction on the marshalling of time, talent and treasure is ever with us. And it's because people haven't been told that they have little conception of their privileges beyond church attendance and that frequent unfortunate reference at the Lord's Table, "We give Thee back a small portion!" Kindly callers, using well chosen words could be the turning point in the church's ability to grasp all the opportunities and each member sharing in it.

      And when the church ministers to the church on this vital theme, then the church must grow from within as well as from without.

      All of this needs careful planning and considerable instruction. And if the men of the church are not concerned about planning and instruction, then the work of grace has scarcely begun!

A Word on Behalf of Preachers

      I recently read this caustic comment by a churchman, "What fools we laymen are! We dig deep into our purses to get the best minister we can afford, duly trained and qualified. Then we either (a) leave him alone to his own devices, (b) load him with diverting jobs, or (c) nag him about little things that displease. All this destroys his effectiveness." He goes on, "Why is it that we are less smart as laymen in the church than as builders, business or professional men? Why is it that we fail to give our pastors the support which they richly deserve and which is vital to the results we expect?"

      A potent pew can create a potent pulpit by observing the following suggestions:

      1. Speak a good word to him and about him. Here's a wise word, "When you praise, praise in public that all may hear. When you criticise, criticise in private where only the one concerned may know." When a churchman recommends his minister to the unchurched then he's already begun to establish a vital contact.

      2. Men in key positions in business and community life can make contacts of inestimable value when they introduce their minister to their friends, clubs and interests. You have opened a door, and if the preacher knows how to "catch on" he can enter in for Christ.

      3. Remember that your minister is the only member of your church without a pastor. Pray for him, call him up, introduce him, he's a promoter, but every churchman can promote him, too!

      This writer believes that preachers should be released more from the round of church clubs and societies. The church has enough men to carry these, so that the preacher can be given at least one night each week which is inviolate, to be used for his calling on men. He can only reach men at night in their homes. In that sanctuary he can meet families and present

the claims of Christ and His church. Too often one member of a family accepts Christ and the others in the family are missed. Give the preacher time so that he can enter that home and interview all members of it.

The End of the Matter

      Do you remember the spate of slogans we used during the "Crusade" some years ago? "Calling the whole church to the whole task" and "Crusading for a Christian world." We wrote them everywhere but on our hearts. In face of the life and death struggle being waged for the hearts and homes of our nation by materialistic forces, the church must shake from her garments the dust of lethargy and move in to possess those hearts and homes for Jesus Christ and His church.

      One of our prominent churchmen died recently in America and the "Christian-Evangelist" editor spoke thus of him, "He shared his substance generously; he contributed of his talents unstintedly; and he gave of his time unbelievably." Men like that build a Kingdom!

      E. P. C. HOLLARD. Trained at Glen Iris, graduating In 1935. (Went from Glenelg, in S. A.) First ministry at Stawell in Victoria. Thence to Berri in South Australia. To Maryborough in Victoria. Served as Chaplain in New Guinea with the A. I. F. Ministered for seven years at Vivian Street, Wellington, New Zealand. Now Home Mission Secretary-Organiser for S. A., rounding out five years as such. Visited U. S. A. as delegate to Buffalo World Convention. Whilst in New Zealand, served on General Executive and Home Mission Departments, representing our churches in chaplaincy and broadcasting.