Almost every ecclesia looks for effective preaching methods to reach adults and children. Sometimes we expend our efforts on behalf of our Sunday School and sometimes we concentrate on those who have not heard of the Truth. Few of our methods are equally effective for use inside and outside the Christadelphian family.
However, we have found that telecommunications systems can be used in a variety of ways for teaching and preaching. For example, by installing one telephone line, jack, and telephone answering device it is possible to provide a daily Bible message up to three minutes long for any who care to call. The messages can cover first principles, current events, meditations, etc. Such programs are available to the caller 24 hours a day.
One ecclesia participates in this type of preaching system, but has expanded the system’s use by installing a speakerphone in the meeting hall and a spokesman (loud speaker, amplifier) in the bedroom of a shut-in sister. By using this equipment it is possible for this sister, and her family, to hear the hymns, read with the ecclesia, hear fresh weekly exhortations and to be present, in spirit, at the Table of the Lord.
Later this system was found to be valuable when one of the Sunday School scholars was unable to attend class. The hand set in the home of the youngster enabled a teacher to call upon the absentee to participate in the class.
Once again the system is to be modified. Having evaluated the use of this equipment and the need of the ecclesia, it was discovered that ther are members who live many miles away and/or have family problems that prevent a regular weekly attendance. Working with the telephone company, it was found that it was possible to add one or two telephone lines and, by use of a conference switch, tie up to three incoming calls into the speaker phone at one time, thus allowing several shut-in/absentees to receive weekly strength.
The use of a spokesman is not absolutely necessary except in cases of physical disability and/or several people at one location. This unit is only for listening. In our area the monthly charge is approximately $1.50.
A speakerphone (microphone and speaker unit), otherwise known as a “squawk box,” is a necessity at the meeting hall so that the whole service can be transmitted to the listener at home. Brethren must be reasonably close to the unit. We find that the acoustics of our meeting room provide reasonably clear transmission from distances up to 20 feet. Since this is a two way unit, it is possible for several people to talk and hear the response at the same time.
It must be understood that charges for installation and monthly charges vary. In our area, the monthly charge includes the normal cost of service for each line, $7.50 for the speakerphone, $1:50 for the spokesman, and any charges for message units or long distance service. Any equipment installed in private homes will be charged to their bills.
We caution anyone considering this type of service to first be sure it is necessary. Do not allow the system to become a substitute for attendance at the Lord’s table. The regular telephone answering service will be disrupted while the system is in use, but this is more than made up by the service it does to the brotherhood.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One