Recently we were challenged by a comment by the Victorian Home Mission secretary, that other churches refer to our Movement as being an example of Christian stewardship and evangelism. He wondered, however, whether or not this is a reputation inherited rather than earned by us.

      Have we, today, that same sense of stewardship and evangelistic fervour that possessed the pioneers of our Movement, and not so long ago at that?

      At a Missionary Camp, held in February, 1959, a discussion was held on the subject, "Evangelism for Laymen" during which the question was asked, "Is there a special evangelistic work that C.W.F. members can do?" As a result of that question the following recommendation was made, "That the Executive explore the possibilities of an evangelistic campaign for women, by women."

      It was decided that no definite "mission" be conducted yet, but that a sense of awareness to this question be created. We could call this a programme of preparation for evangelism of women, by members of the C.W.F. In this we have the lessons learned from the preparations for the Dr. Billy Graham Crusade. We are not sure of the ultimate outcome, but we can confidently leave this in God's hands. All that is required of us is that we be willing to do our utmost.

      All C.W.F. Groups should be stimulated, inspired, and challenged in their efforts in this primary purpose of the Church. Let us make evangelism a continuous campaign.

      During the past months the whole of the Christian Church in Australia, has been challenged and encouraged in her witness and evangelistic programme. We have learned that what we think is not necessarily the important thing, but rather what we know, and that knowledge--backed with authority--is the vital need of the world today.

      When Jesus said to His disciples, as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," He did not pick out the few with special gifts, He did not say, "Go, My ministers," or "Go, My missionaries," or "Go, My brothers;" He said, "Go YE," and all disciples of Christ everywhere are included in that "YE."

      So it is our responsibility to obey His command. I know, as you know, that we all cannot go to the uttermost parts of the world. It is not practicable--but we are in the world, and wherever we may happen to be, there lies our responsibility, for we read, in Acts 4 how through persecution, the Church was scattered. But did the Christians hole themselves up? NO! For in the 4th verse we read, "Therefore they that were scattered aboard went everywhere preaching the Word!" So we see that not even persecution relieves us of our responsibility of telling people everywhere the good news of Jesus Christ.

      Let us think particularly in the terms of Christian Women's Fellowship, for that is where we will find our greatest scope. We are women, thinking as women, living as women, working as women with other women.

Problems Which Ought to Concern Us.

      Are you satisfied with the programme your group follows? Do you feel the vital power of Christ in your meetings? Do you feel that your group is alive and important in Christ's overall mission--that the world and the Church is better because of your group?

      Or, has your group become a clock-watcher--bustling everything through so that we can have time for our afternoon tea, or our supper? Or is your group more concerned about social programmes--or in its good works? Or has it been forced into the position of Cinderella, doing the chores that no other group wants to do, or trying desperately to make up the shortcomings of the rest of the Church because it has failed to face up to its responsibilities, particularly on the financial side?

      I am not suggesting for one moment that this shouldn't be part of our work. The friendly chatter over a cup of tea is good . . .I like the social side of our programme--it has never hurt anybody to have a good, hearty laugh--and we can use this way to introduce the Church to many of our friends, and perhaps to mothers of our Sunday School scholars. For those chores, it is perfectly natural for the women to take control--when there are church teas and suppers and things of that kind--just as the men naturally assume the task of repainting, repairing fences setting up the anniversary platform and so on. Perhaps the one for raising money is not quite so easily disposed of--especially among the churches that are small in numbers--I have a great respect and sympathy for these churches, for I was brought up in one of them, but let me assure them that the bigger churches have just as many problems, if not more. They may be of a different nature, and are usually more subtle, but often they are just the same. So take heart, a common need brings out a common response, and there is time left for many of those other aggravations.

      All these things are amongst our responsibilities. It is our responsibility to be aware of and to alleviate temporal and physical needs in the community. It is our responsibility to be friendly with our fellow Christians, our responsibility to bring friends to the meetings, it is our responsibility to give of our talents and our money, but we have not finished when all of these have been done, for there is one more responsibility that is greater than all these put together, this is the point where we to be perfectly honest with ourselves and with the Lord.

Programmes Which Ought to Compel Us.

      Have we really played our part in evangelism? Or do we leave it all to the minister? We have a unique opportunity as women, for we do have contact with far more people than we realise--there are the other women we meet, the shopkeepers, our own children. Have we explored the possibilities of an Evangelistic Mission for women? I know only of two such efforts. One was a local effort within one of our own churches. The other was an interdenominational effort, with two women speakers--Mrs. Myrtle Breen, of Melbourne, and I think that the other woman was a Mrs. Green, of Brisbane. I remember this lady asking, "Are we too dryeyes" in our concern for others! Whilst we abhor over-emotionalism, let us not forget that we must feel, otherwise we are cold--dead--unapproachable. She told of a young man whose mother was a devoted Christian, but the son was not interested. His argument was, "If my mother really believed these things, do you think she would fail to tell me, her son, whom she loves, about them?" There was room for personal evangelism! What about our own families? Are we real evangelists in our own homes?

      It is our responsibility to prepare ourselves for evangelism. Yes, for preaching the Gospel! It may not always be from a church pulpit--but don't overlook the fact that there are times when even this avenue is open to women, and we should be dishonouring the Lord if we put our personal prejudice up as a barrier to accepting this privilege--for remember, Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you alway." It is our responsibility to be awake to every opportunity to witness--therefore we need to study God's Word, practise our faith, and grow in the knowledge of spiritual things. Then we are more likely to be useable in personal Evangelism, visitation Evangelism, or mass Evangelism, or wherever the Master shows the need.

People Who Ought to Challenge Us.

      Do you remember Jesus coming to visit Mary and Martha, and their brother Lazarus? We are told about it in Luke 10:38 ff. Have you ever said--"Well, my sympathy is with Martha"? There, in the heat of the day, she was left to do the serving alone. I know I have!

      But Jesus, in His wisdom, delved deeper than the surface. He did not rebuke Martha for her diligence in the home, or for serving His meal. He knew that these things were important, but I think that He looked down through the ages and saw people like you and me sheltering behind the things to be done, and suffering frustration, and getting irritable with everybody because we haven't faced up to the real responsibility, for did He not say, "But one thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her"?

      It is our responsibility to sit at Jesus' feet, for there we will mature spiritually, and all our work will be more effective because it can be backed up with deep spiritual knowledge, that will be passed on to all those we meet. Underlying and undergirding all that we do will be the resources and power of the Holy Spirit.

      Remember that God gave women minds, and the power to think. Let us dedicate and use them, for the glory of God, and venture forth fully prepared, and equipped, sharing our responsibility with the One who gave the command, "Go ye . . .teach all things whatsoever I have commanded you"--and that has never been altered, amended, or annulled.

      Before starting on any venture it is always wise to gather our resources together, to see if we have sufficient material to make a success of the project. Let us, therefore, make a summary of the resources available to us for "crusading on."

      1. Prepared Field. Never before has there been such an opportunity for the church to go ahead in its work of bringing people to Christ During the last few months the people of this land have been stirred by the Billy Graham Crusades, and have been brought to acknowledge their need of Christ and the church. Thousands have made personal commitment to Christ, and many others feel the need of Christ in their lives. Through the census that has been taken, in many areas, we have been given the names of people who have expressed a preference for, if not an attachment to, Churches of Christ. Some of these folk we do not know, but somewhere some contact with our people has influenced them to desire association with us. What an opportunity presents itself to us! "Lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest."

      2. Brotherhood. We are not just a small group working on our own. We are part of the great family of God and, as a family is united, so we are united in our work for the Master. The task of the church is to spread the Good News of the wonderful love of God in providing a way of salvation, through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. This is the aim of all the committees and departments who serve through the brotherhood. Whether the committees work by teaching, or in a practical way show the love of God, the aim is the same.

      When we, as women, accept a part in this great work we know we have available to us the experience, the knowledge, and the contacts of all the committees of our brotherhood. When we want to extend our knowledge of Home, Aborigine, or Overseas Missions, these committees have a store of information for us. Many are the contacts made through Social Service work, which have been passed on to the local churches.

      3. Local Church. Let us come a little nearer home and realise we have our local church, and all that it means, behind us. The church services, where we are strengthened and built up in our faith; the educational programme when the new plan of adult education is put into practice--are not these opportunities for introducing new ones to the Christian way of living, and even to Christ?

      Already in the local church we have activities for all age groups which we can invite people to join. These should be places where the new ones feel they can belong, and also have some work to do. We should expend ever energy to find a worthwhile responsibility, through which the new Christian may express devotion and faith. C.W.F. Groups offer such opportunities, if we will only use them.

      We have a warm-hearted enfolding Fellowship to offer to new-comers. We must make them feel they are loved and treasured by the church, that it mean more than a name on the membership roll. When Jesus reached out to a soul, one of the wonderful things that happened was that they were re-assured that they were valuable and precious before God. Valuable enough that the Master Himself was concerned about them. Every soul brought into the church should be warmed and strengthened by the realisation that she is valued by the church. This can be done through the fellowship that you and I can give.

      Then we are assured of the minister's co-operation. I am sure that any minister of a local

church would be only too happy to have the women of his congregation eager to be "crusading on" and he would willingly co-operate with advice and necessary information.

      4. Ourselves. We are gradually coming to the centre of our resources, but on the way let us consider ourselves as one of the necessary requirements. We cannot do this work unless we are willing to use the whole of our being. Have you ever thought of using your personality, or allowing it to be used for the Master? Each one of us has a distinctive personality and we would all appeal to other persons differently. God can use your personality as a channel, that living in you He can do His work among those people you touch. Are you willing to be used in this way?

      We cannot overlook our talents and intellect as resources to be used. God needs our minds at their best. While the Gospel is so simple that a child can receive it, the tasks confronting the church need the best powers of mind we can give. Let us develop our minds by reading, and study, so that we develop our powers of thinking and assimilation. Then we can pass on to others the benefit of our studies. God needs our best gifts! If we have abilities and qualities of leadership being used in the business world, let us place these same gifts at the disposal of the Master. We may be called as Bible school teachers, or leaders of youth groups. To this task He wants you to bring your fully developed abilities.

      As well as our personality, talents, and intellect, we have our enthusiasm. Do you get excited about things? Are you sold on this idea of women "crusading on"? Maybe some are saying, "I can't go very far, I am not as gifted as others." How do you know you have limited ability? Have you ever tested it? When you vigorously reject the idea of personal limitations, and become enthusiastic, it is astonishing what new qualities will suddenly appear within you. Enthusiasm cannot live in a mind filled with dull, destructive ideas. Change this condition by passing a series of enthusiastic thoughts through your mind. "O give thanks unto, the Lord, for He is good."

      Norman Vincent Peale tells us, "The word 'enthusiasm' is derived from two Greek words, 'en' and 'theos,' meaning 'God within you,' or 'full of God.' Therefore you will have enthusiasm, force and power to the extent that God is actually within you. God gave you life: God can renew your life. When you get out of harmony with God, life declines, vitality ebbs and then enthusiasm leaks away. Therefore get full of God and your enthusiasm will rise, and as it does, you will experience new vitality, energy, force and effectiveness. Always remember that enthusiasm was built into you by Almighty God in an original, creative process. And God not only creates, He also recreates unless, by living in a non-spiritual manner, you interfere with His renewal processes. But if you keep in harmony with God, re-creative enthusiasm and vitality will continue to renew you indefinitely," What a wonderful asset your enthusiasm will be in working out our project.

      5. Jesus Christ--His Power and His Presence. Now we have come to the centre and spring of all our resources--Jesus Christ--His Power and His Presence. Jesus spoke unto His disciples saying, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye, therefore,

and teach all nations, and lo, I am with you alway." What more could we want? Did you notice that it is all power? There is no power that could overcome this power, nothing on earth or in heaven.

      Because all power is His, He tells us to "Go," and promises his presence with us always. This certainly is unlimited resources available to us. Are we prepared to use to the full these resources? That is where we need to examine ourselves. Do we think we are too timid? Are we afraid of what people will think, or have we something else placed first in our lives? These things will prevent us experiencing this power in our lives.

      After the crucifixion, Simon Peter, sad and disappointed said, "I go a fishing," and the other disciples went with him. They were expert fishermen, and toiled all night, but they caught nothing. In the morning they saw Jesus on the shore. He said, "Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find," and they were not able to draw in the nets for the multitude of fishes. It was the same old boat, the same old nets, the same men, but they were Christ directed. When we are Christ directed we will make the best use of our resources, and no one can tell what the result of "crusading on" will be.

      Isn't it wonderful to realise that there are many ways in which we can serve the Lord our God?

      What responsibilities we have as Christian women. How much there is to do that only we can do. So let us be up and doing! By accepting these responsibilities and making them our opportunities we can find so much to do that we shall find ourselves running hot trying to put our opportunities into actions, and at the same time we will find a warm glow within our hearts.

      We must turn responsibilities into opportunities. Opportunities to serve Christ our Saviour. What wonderful opportunities we have!

      What is the potential strength of our Christian Women's Fellowship? How far can we go? What is the limit to our work?

      Let us think this way: We are a big group of women, all of mind, all serving the one Lord, all wanting to further His Kingdom. Well, what is stopping us? Are we capable of launching forth, and winning women for Christ? Shall we grasp our opportunities . . . shall we look for opportunities . . .shall we make our opportunities, or shall we stay in our little grooves, doing our good works as we have in the past, caring for our little homes, our own little fellowships, and forgetting that, as Christian women, we must always reach out a little further, try a little harder, to show the love of Jesus to our fellow women?

      As Christian women we have the greatest opportunity of all women to do good, because we have great power behind us, God, the Father of all mankind. If God be with us we must go forward! It was to women that Jesus first spoke after the Resurrection, when He said: "Go tell My disciples."

      These women were the first to bear the Glad Tidings of a Risen Lord. Cannot we today accept our opportunities to Evangelise and "Go tell . . . the Glad Tidings"?

What Are Our Plans?

      If you have a group fully accepting the responsibilities and the

opportunities of Christian living as it applies particularly to women, you will have an alive, virile and growing Fellowship. Could you enthuse them into being more active in the Lord's work this year, than ever before?

How Shall We Do This?

      1. Prayer. There is one thing which every Christian Women's Fellowship could do this year, and it's the thing which would do the most toward leading us aright in our search for the best means of Evangelism. This is the suggestion:

      Begin a Prayer Group to operate in the Christian Women's Fellowship, either as a Prayer Cell (just 2 or 3 women prepared to pray together), or as a group meeting, perhaps held in homes at a set time, as was done during the Dr. Graham Crusade, or held as a part of your Fellowship meeting. Make this a real means of praying, not just a routine part of the programme. More good is brought about by prayer than we ever realise. This is something we can all participate in. We don't have to be good speakers to offer a prayer to our Heavenly Father. If we know Him, we shall want to talk to Him, and listen to Him. We feel that much prayer must first go into any proposed service we wish to render, be it Evangelistic or Practical service. How can we know if it is the Lord's will to do a particular piece of service, unless we pray to Him about it, and wait upon Him for guidance?

      So we do suggest that during this year our Fellowships increase the amount of time spent in prayer. We could use some of this time in prayer to pray for the women we wish to interest in our Fellowships and ultimately win for Christ.

      2. Social Service. I am glad that God made us women all with different talents. It would have been a dreadful thing if we all could only do the same thing. How good it is to have women whose special talents lend themselves to caring for the folk about them, who need a little help.

      Encourage those of your Fellowship whose talents lend their to sick visitation, to do this in the name of the Church. Perhaps Christian Women's Fellowship members could find ways of offering practical help in the homes of S.S. scholars, or in the homes of teen-age club members, if the mother is sick. How gracious a way of serving the master, and what a good way of making friends with these people!

      Might I suggest that in this work you always consult and cooperate with your minister? It will be a matter of encouragement to him to find that the women in his local C.W.F. are willing to assist him!

      3. Growth. Try to grow this year in numbers. Sometimes we are content to continue on with the same group in our Fellowship all the time, but the more members of your own church who are members of the C.W.F., the greater the strength in our reaching out towards others.

      You have a great opportunity to improve the quality of your meetings. Use the literature which the Missionary Dept. sends out to 'the best advantage. Make your meetings alive, make it a meeting full of help to those who come, make it a meeting which all women will look forward to coming to, and one which will help them when they have come. We must have attractive meetings if we wish to interest women who are as yet outside the church.

      4. Social. We women are friendly creatures, we love company, and we love to talk, so we could put

this to service for the Lord. Could we invite some contacts to a small social gathering, perhaps in one of our homes, or an afternoon at the church? Make the opportunity one for extending friendship to them, allowing them to get to know us, and, we hope, see that we can show them a happier and better way of life. God can use all means to His glory if we go about it the right way.

      5. Spiritual. We know that in many C.W.F.'s there are members who, as yet, are not members of the Church. This may be more so in the Evening Groups, who have done a good work in bringing many young Women into the Fellowships. This is the first step we hope, toward bringing them into full knowledge of the Church, and a love for Jesus Christ. Having developed their friendships, and having gone thus far, could we ask that, during this year, you make an earnest endeavour to bring them to church too?

      We know this is, not easy, and it may mean that you will have to put yourselves out to do it. Perhaps you could call and bring them with you, or give them a lift in your car. This could be your talent, your way of practising Evangelism. Everything we try to do, to bring the people to the Gospel, and the Gospel to the people, is a form of Evangelism.

      6. Educational. Your executive is trying, too, to help you, and is exploring the possibilities of producing a Manual on Christian Women's Fellowship work in the future which would help in your C.W.F. work.

      7. Deaconess Service. If you have a gifted woman in your church, who could help the minister, by doing Deaconess work, encourage her to think of participating in this work.

Conclusion.

      So, many ways open up to us when we begin to think what can do by way of spreading the Glad Tidings Of Salvation, and we fully realise and appreciate that the local Christian Women's Fellowships are doing a splendid work for the Lord, and are serving in many avenues, but what we are trying to do is to encourage you, that you might plan to go a second mile in working, to bring others into the Kingdom of God.

      Let us spare a thought to our name--

      Let us look at it starting from the word FELLOWSHIP.

      Fellowship . . .The meeting together of women is very good, and we do enjoy the fellowship. But is that all we come together for? NO! NO! There are many worthwhile clubs providing good fellowship.

      Women . . .We are women meeting together, working together as only women can work but is that all we come together for? NO! There are many splendid groups run by women working together doing good, charitable and kindly work, for the less fortunate folk.

      Christian . . .Now we come the first word of our name CHRISTIAN. We are a Christian Women's Fellowship, and the accent must always be on the Christian. This is what we want you to make your local Christian Women's Fellowship realise. We are a Christian Women's Fellowship, and so we must do all the things which other women's organisations do, PLUS that extra of bringing women into our Fellowship, and ultimately into the Fellowship of the Church, and to make them true followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. This will be Evangelism in action . . .

Our Responsibilities.

      It is true that the primary responsibility of a Christian, that of bringing others to a personal knowledge of Our Lord, is so often overshadowed by the necessary obligation of attending to finance and maintenance of the church.

      Let us keep our responsibilities in their right perspective, and remember that, as Christians, we are stewards of our time, as well as of our talents and finance. Do you use your time as Mary did, and gain a deeper personal knowledge of your Lord, so that you can be a more effective "evangelist"? We have the opportunity, as women, to bring other women to our Master.

Our Resources.

      We belong to a brotherhood with varied activities, and if we examine the different Departments we will see that each has a part in the programme of evangelism. As women, in the church, We have our part to play in Operation Increase, which culminates next year with a great time of evangelism. Great results may be expected if we are ready to work together. However, our greatest resources are to be found as each individual Christian places herself in God's hands, and relies on Him for strength and guidance, and power. So much harm can be done by those who call themselves Christians, and yet in their contact with other people fail to show forth "the fruits of the Spirit." We must be sure that, in all our evangelism, we are truly Christian, and ready to be led of Him. Then no obstacle is insurmountable, and our resources are limitless.

Our Opportunities and Plans.

      Now you can see how our thoughts of responsibilities can be transferred into vital opportunities. We must be alert to every opportunity, and ready to act upon it, and use it well. We only have to think again of the Billy Graham Crusade to realise the spiritual hunger that is around us.

      Now, let's be practical about it all. Probably some of you will be thinking, "We're endeavouring to carry out all these suggestions, and still can't seem to progress very far." Pray about it! Strive a little harder! Go the second mile! If you feel your Group is not conscious of its potential in this task of evangelism, challenge your members to think about the matter, to pray about it, and to embark on some programme that will put your faith into action. Consult your minister, co-operate with him in any plans which you feel will help the church.

      The Evening Fellowship Groups have a ready made opportunity, for quite a number who attend are not members of the church; they have been encouraged to join in the Fellowship. They take an active interest in all activities that affect their children, and money-raising efforts; but as yet they have not seen their need to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord. They are a challenge to us all. Those who know them, love them; we enjoy their company. Can we, by more earnest prayer, Christian love, fellowship, tact and understanding lead them to a full committal to the Lord? The Holy Spirit will lead us if we are willing to be led. He will prepare the way. Let love, and not duty, be our compulsion. On good authority I'm told that nowhere in the Bible are we told we've got to wait to be asked to engage in Christian service.

      I do know that Christ Himself expects us all to "Go . . .tell . . .the Good News." The methods used to "Go . . .tell" are many

and varied. We are suggesting to you that the C.W.F. can be used as a means of evangelising women. Where there is a true spirit of evangelism there is so little else that is really essential. We must have the evangelist (not only the minister, but every Christian), the directing Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and those to be evangelised, be it one or a hundred.

      For years our C.W.F. has been a steady adjunct to the church. It has provided practical and financial help, but has it provided enough evangelistic help? We have grown numerically as each new church has commenced, and the women's work begun. But have the more established groups grown in numbers? Have the members grown spiritually, and in their knowledge of Christ?

      Make your objectives these--

      1. Increase in members of C.W.F.

      2. Increase in church membership through C.W.F.

      3. Increase in C.W.F. participation in the church's task of evangelism.

      We must, all of us, capture the spirit of evangelism, for where the Spirit is . . . Evangelism happen. Let us go--"Crusading on."

      These messages were given at a special meeting called by the President of the Christian Women's Fellowship of Churches of Christ in Victoria and Tasmania, on June 19th, 1959. To this meeting were invited the Presidents, Secretaries, and Preachers' Wives, of the C.W.F. Groups in the local churches. Those taking part were:

      Mrs. Doreen Strack, President of the C.W.F in Victoria and Tasmania, and a member of the church at Essendon, Victoria.

      Mrs. Beryl Amos, a member of the church at Blackburn, Victoria. Junior President-Elect of C.W.F. in Victoria and Tasmania.

      Mrs. Emily Wickham, a member of the church at Hartwell, Victoria, Past President, C.W.F. in Victoria and Tasmania.

      Mrs. Dorothy Sterling, a member of the church at Ascot Vale, Victoria, President-Elect of C.W.F. in Victoria and Tasmania.