Even without the Lord’s command (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15-16), the 20th-century believer senses the need and value of preaching. This series of articles deals with ecclesial preaching projects aimed at the local community. The focus is on options (some traditional, some quite new) for smaller ecclesias. Although limited in workers and funds, sound planning and genuine enthusiasm in a small group count for much and God can prosper the smallest band of “soldiers.”
This series seeks to be practical, drawing on actual experience with witnessing projects. But in the “business” of conducting “our” preaching, we must recognize: (1) it is God’s work we are doing; (2) His blessing and guidance are essential at every step; and (3) we sow, but God gives the increase.
In approaching the subject, I have adopted this position: the goal of public preaching is personal contact, preferably one-to-one, face-to-face. Jesus reflected the Father; and we can, however imperfectly, reflect the Son and His Gospel. This is a criterion for the smaller ecclesia in deciding “how” to preach. However else we may feel about “strangers,” bringing the Truth to people ultimately means bringing ourselves before others.
As we shall see later, this perspective elevates follow-up work above any witness project itself. Perhaps this is obvious, but experience suggests room for improvement in our follow-up work.
Finally, important as ecclesial preaching is, it does not replace our personal witnessing (at work, with friends, etc.) nor our support of “non-local” projects like missionary, radio/TV, magazine, and other special efforts.
Telephone Preaching: An Illustration
One of the most recent projects enjoy-in success involves modern telephone technology. Here’s a typical sequence. Scanning through some classified ads, Joe is struck by one reading “Russia in Afghanistan — What next? Call 2-min. Bible message anytime: 241-0845.”
Joe calls. A recording comes on and Joe hears how Soviet aggression in the Middle East reflects Bible predictions. The message ends with an offer: “After the tone, please leave your name and address for a free pamphlet supplying more Bible-based information.” “Why not?” Joe thinks, and he recites his name and address.
About seven days later, Joe receives (1) a friendly letter, (2) the pamphlet, (3) some other free offers. About two weeks later, Joe gets a phone call:
“Joe?”
“Yes?”
“Hi. My name is Bill Smith. I’m a member of the Christadelphians — the Bible students who sponsor a telephone message …”
“Oh, yes.”
“Joe, I’m just following up—You had requested our pamphlet and I wanted to be sure you received it.” “Yes, it came right away. Thanks.” “Great. How did you find the leaflet?”
“Interesting. I’m not sure I agree with everything, but I sure learned some things . . .”
If the conversation proceeds as hoped, Bro. Bill will eventually meet with Joe and share some informal Bible discussions and hopefully this will lead to a first-principles class. God has granted such results. And when it happens, it is (humanly speaking) the outcome of a carefully organized and administered telephone preaching project.
A System of Equipment and Activities
Telephone preaching is built around certain basic components and human functions making up a system. The only major variable is how ambitious a followup effort is undertaken. An ecclesia just starting out may simply mail the offered pamphlet. Later, other “layers” of follow-up (such as took place with Joe) may be added. More on follow-up later. First, let’s look at the system’s equipment.
Mechanical Components
Any answering system has two cassette tapes. The Outgoing-Message Cassette contains the Bible talk. Until very recently, only a cassette of special design, called continuous-loop, was used for the message. This cassette self-rewinds inside its cartridge so the outgoing message is ready for the next call. Use of the continuous-loop cassette continues to be standard for most answering machines. Popular lengths are two and three minutes. In June 1981, a two-minute tape cost $8.00. These are only available from merchants specializing in such items.
Sanyo now makes a machine that uses a cassette of standard design. More on this below.
The other kind of cassette in the system is the Message-Receiving Cassette. A standard 60-minute cassette, its availability in a drug store for about $2.00. In the answering machine, it is separately housed and records the caller’s name/address.
Most of us have encountered the Phone-Answering Machine. It (a) automatically answers when the line rings, (b) plays the recorded Bible message, (c) transmits a beep or tone, (d) records caller’s name/address. The machine also (e) is used to record the outgoing Bible message (microphone supplied).
There are many brands on the market. Happily, ecclesias pioneering telephone preaching gained experience for the rest of us. So the consensus is the Sanyo machines do the best job for what we require.
The current Sanyo model M 139 N handles 2-to-3-minute continuous-loop cassettes well; allows the beep to instantly follow the message (no lag) ; makes transcribing names relatively easy; reason able price ($166.21 which includes three 180 second tapes.) The higher-priced Sanyo model TRA 9904 is about $200 and adds on further advantages: uses standard design cassette so messages are not limited to fixed cassette length (as with loop tapes) ; message recycles by rapid machine rewind; no fixed time for caller to give name/address and any message—cuts off when he stops talking. Available option recycles everything (bypassing pointless message recording) if caller hangs up mid-message.
A resource to the Household is what might be called the “Phone Preaching Bro. Chris Barrett and his “team” of Clearinghouse” involving the energies of helpers. They’ve aided many small ecclesias at competitive rates: New scripts and follow-up material, they can order and ship Sanyo machines and tapes for ecclesias at reduced rates: New scripts and other data is circulated via a mailing list. Call or write: Bro. Chris Barratt, 18646 Malden St., Northridge, CA 91324 (Area Code 213) 701-9353.
The Telephone Line is a final mechanical component of a system. Because our message must be available 24-hours each day. a separate line is essential. In some areas, “churches” are seen by the local phone company as “commercial” users. That means a higher monthly rate even though the line is for in-coming calls. Some have undertaken the phone project individually, contracting for no outgoing phoning and qualifying for minimal (life-line) rates. A savings may be gained by not getting an actual phone (answering machines plug directly into phone wall plugs.) Advise the telephone company “I have my own instrument.” In some areas, a phone is required.
Housing the Gear
Whose house? Whoever the host is, you can have privacy. If you do get a phone, the bell can be silenced. And the machine monitor speakers can be turned off. An inexpensive audio cabinet may keep everything neatly together isolated from small children. “Whose house” often means the sister of the house is the one who regularly transcribes the names/ addresses left by callers. However, she may delegate this to others owning a standard cassette record/player. Once a system is operating, it is important someone be responsible to call once each week, verifying that there are no mechanical problems. Offering that message 24 hours daily is a public commitment.
The following summarizes typical minimum/maximum start-up expenses based on the Southern California area, mid- 1981.
Answering Machine ……… 170 350
4 special outgoing cassettes 24 32
2 standard cassettes ………….. 4…………. 4
Cabinet ……………………………… 0………. 50
Telephone line/receptacle/connect charge ……………. 50………. 65
Deposit (refundable) …………. 0………. 50
1st month’s charge ……………. 7………. 10
In this section we have reviewed the equipment side of telephone preaching. In the next section, God willing, we will focus on the human factors and activities of the system.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One