FNTH IS being sure of what you hope for, certain of what you do not see (Heb. 11:1 NIV). Preaching is taking a risk to a certain extent, “stepping out in faith.”
In terms of walking the high-ways and by-ways in the rain, cold or hot sun (depending on the climate in which one is called to preach), dealing with dangerous, flesh threatening dogs; tired and thirsty having just handed out 2000 hand bills – this is traditional preaching in its usual sense.
“Untraditional preaching, indirect, impersonal preaching” of not having face to face, personal contact, not proclaiming the gospel message directly to someone sat down in front of you, falls more into the category of “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (I Cor. 9:22). This is not the tired, sweaty feet, back-tiring worn-out physical type of preaching, but has more to do with a computer you pray does not freeze on you, a decent data base that you have figured how to do what you want it to do, and a printer that does not jam too often.
Placing a Biblical advertisement in the newspaper in faith, sitting at home praying about whose eyes see the advertisement and to whose hands it lands, and what happens as a result is an act of faith. This is preaching in an indirect, impersonal, non-physical way and yet believing that potentially this is equally effective as a way of reaching people with the gospel message. For all preaching, no matter what method is used, is in the hands of our Heavenly Father (Isa. 55:6).
Ads were placed
It is with these principles in mind that three advertisements were placed in Jamaican newspapers late last year and early this year advertising the Introducing Bible Basics Bible Course. Preaching from a distance, learning the gospel message from a distance with no direct face to face contact with whomever answers and applies for the Bible Basics course, is the method we were trying.
To date we have had 566 people who have applied, of which 77 have completed the course. If the preaching were to stop there, it would not be classed as preaching at all, as preaching is reaching people with the gospel message of truth in order to convert and to save. Our goal is for the people we reach “to cross over from death to life” by believing the truth of God, having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by being baptized into his saving name and living according to his words.
So we had a three-year plan that became a two-year plan because of the interest shown. In year one, place advertisements in newspapers and see what the interest will be in doing the Bible Basics course. In year two, concentrate on the responses and in particular where these responses are coming from (mapping out “locations of interest” for potential future Bible campaigns). After a number of completed courses have been received, organize a Bible Basics Bible School, “Close encounters of the Third kind,” face to face direct personal contact.
Follow up
In Jamaica, this took place during the summer earlier this year. Out of 72 contacts we had at the time of organizing the Bible School, 12 people said they would attend. The activity was held Thursday, August 1, to Tuesday, August 6, 2002, at the Weslore Great House and Conference Center just outside Montego Bay. This was to coincide with two public holidays to give maximum opportunity for those who could attend Bible School to not interfere too much with employment commitments.
Of the 12 contacts who were scheduled to attend the Bible School, seven attended some, if not all, of the school. With the addition of those who were newly or recently baptized on the island, along with those teaching and those supporting the Bible School, attendance at the Bible School numbered 53.
For one of the attendees, a lady aged 31, this was the first time she had ever stayed overnight away from home. Yet she was prepared to attend the Bible School on her own not personally knowing the hosts, the sponsors, or who she would be meeting for the duration of the Bible School. Here was a risk, “a leap of faith” that went far beyond putting an advertisement in a newspaper.
The Bible school
What was equally noteworthy was the level of interest seen at the Bible School. Over the six days, we had a total of 36 different Bible sessions. This, by any standard, can be thought of as “a heavy Bible school program.”
Not knowing what to do, as we had no previous personal contact with those who were scheduled to attend, a heavy Bible school program was thought the best way forward. This proved in practice to be a good thing, as the level of interest was far and above what was envisaged. Thanks be to God. When one of the Bible School teachers asked for attendees to read Genesis 6 to 11 in preparation for his class the following morning, contacts were seen reading their Bibles late into the night. This displayed genuine interest and the desire to learn more about the Bible’s message. This was also reflected in the level of concentration and interest in the classes which was extremely encouraging.
In the UK, if the BBC receives one comment or complaint, it is assumed that this represents the comment or complaint of a 1000 listeners. I was led to think, rightly or wrongly, that if this is the level of interest of the few we had reached via our newspaper advertisement, how many more are there who are also potentially interested?
Interactive participatory classes were prepared with room for comments from the floor. The atmosphere at the Bible School was informal, but serious with a lighter Bible program in the evenings, as people got to know each other whilst relaxing around God’s word. Each morning class lasted between 30 and 40 minutes, which was followed by questions and discussion. Each class was based on the Australian Bible Seekers Series, “Exploring the Bible.” Each contact received a study pack on registration at the Bible School which included the study booklet “Exploring the Bible.”
The choice of the series was received very well. At the end of the school the contacts were asked to finish the course which they have now begun in order to foster growth.
We are now looking forward to the second of our Bible Basics Bible Schools to take place on the eastern side of the island. It was felt that, due to the previous Bible school being on the western side of the island, our contacts on the eastern side should have something more convenient for them.
We thank the Lord for blessing our efforts with a concentrated time to teach, preach, and discuss His words together directly and personally.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One