Romance Of Rural Churches

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Romance of rural
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TENSION ENVELOPE CORP.

R O M A N C 1

of
RURAL CHURCHES

by
L. G. FREY

PUBLISHED BY

EXECUTIVE BOARD

TENNESSEE BAPTIST CONVENTION
149 SIXTH AVENUE, NORTH

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

COPYRIGHT 1947

by
L. G. PREY

Printed in the United States of America

. ' .- ' ' JUM 2 I

L. G. FREY, Business Manager
Executive Board, and
Recording Secretary

Tennessee Baptist Convention

DEDICATION

To my wife, the mother of four children
whose consecration, courage, and construc-
tive criticism have steadied me; whose
sympathy, faith and interest have en-
couraged me; whose love and loyal devo-
tion have kept me enthusiastically at my
task, regardless of what that task is, I
humbly dedicate this book.

CONTENTS

I, The Dare of Rural Churches H

II. Special Rural Attitudes 18

III. Problems Peculiar to Rural Churches 28

IV. The Country Pastor 38

V. Rural Church Administration . _ _ 47

VI. The Rural Church Program- 58

VII. How to Enlist the Unenlisted __. 66

V1IL Solving* Rural Church Finance 82

IX. Organizing- a Rural Church. 95

X. A Co-operating Rural Church 104

XI, When Is a Rural Church Successful? _ 112

XII. The Shepherd's Call 121

XHL The Pastor's Wife . . 135

XIV. Rural Church Projects _. 149

XV, Shall I Become a Country Preacher? 166

WHY I WRITE IT

A new day seems to be dawning for the rural churches IB
our Southland, and Romance of Rural Churches is offered as
an. encouragement in this new program.

At the suggestion of the preachers attending our Summer
Schools, I have reduced to writing the suhstance of my lectures
on the Rural Church. Their request was that I retain the same
phraseology spoken from brief notes in the class-room a well-
nigh hopeless task. This book is written with the half and
quarter-time preacher in mind. Therefore, no fine-spun theories
are presented. Only that which has been through the mill of
actual experience with some little coxintry church off the beaten
path is offered.

No claim is made to originality. Only the form and ar-
rangement could be called mine. When I think of how I have
become so much a part of that which I have heard, read, and
experienced, I doubt if I could even lay claim to that.

I want to thank several individuals who have been of great
assistance in reading the manuscript and offering valuable sug-
gestions. These gratitudes go out to Dr. Chas. W. Pope, Execu-
tive Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Board of the Tennessee
Baptist Convention; Dr. O. W. Taylor, Editor, Baptist and Re-
flector; Dr. R. E. Guy, Teacher of Greek in Union University
and Pastor of West Jackson Baptist Church; Dr. G. Allen West,
Jr., Pastor of Woodmont Baptist Church, Nashville, and Rev.
Warner G. Rutledge, Superintendent, Department of Sunday
Schools, Baptist State Mission Board. Mrs. Jeanne Cathey and
my daughter, Mrs. Robert B. Baker, are due special mention for
typing and proof-reading the manuscript. Permission was
granted by the Oklahoma Baptist University Press to quote
from Rural Church Problems.

I send this book out with fear and trembling, yet with the
hope that it will help some discouraged, but faithful country
preacher in God's back pasture. Just how well I have succeeded,
or failed, in my task, I must leave to the sympathetic judgment
of that great host of country preachers for whom it was written.

L. G. FREY.
January 1, 1947
1510 Paris Avenue
Nashville, Tennessee

INTRODUCTION

THE AUTHOK

It is A well established fact that very many of the beat
preachers have come from the Country. Most of "The Old
Testament Prophets" were country-bred and most of the
Apostles were country-men. With these facts before us we
wonder why "Country Churches" and "Country People" are ever
neglected. We also wonder why so few preachers prefer
"Country Pastorates,"

The author of this book has had flattering opportunities of
becoming pastor of city churches. He has always turned a deaf
ear and headed his car toward the country. His first pastorates
were out toward "Macedonia" and just as soon as he proved
that "Country Churches" can be developed to the point where
they will support a pastor, the city churches began extending
a beckoning hand.

His first love was and is "The Country Church" and in these
chapters he has pictured all "The Technique" which he has used
in arousing the interest of country people. He has a friendli-
ness for "Every-day-people" and the mother of that friendli-
ness is a genuine interest in "Others." He has not made his
pastorates a sideline. He has given up the comforts of Ms own
fireside that he might bless his people around theirs.

Our Southland needs this book. Every pastor should read
it and pass it on to others. It will arouse interest in city pastors
and it will give hope to country pastors by showing them how
they can become in reality "Shepherds" of God's sheep. It will
take preachers from the plow handles and put them on the
highways and in the hedges seeking the lost sheep.

R. E. GUY, Pastor

West Jackson Baptist Church

Jackson, Tennessee

THE COUNTKY CHURCH PROBLEM

The rural districts liave always been, the strongholds o
Southern Baptists. The simplicity of their form of worship,
the democratic form of church government, as well as their
emphasis upon the Bible as their rule of faith and practice
appeals to the liberty-loving:, sincere people of the country. It
is a well known fact that our country churches have played a
large part in providing the leadership of our denomination*

Rural churches of today face handicaps and problems which
were unknown to the country churches of a half-century ago.
Improved means of transportation and communication, which
mean so much to the economic and social well-being of our
country people, have in many cases militated against the de-
velopment of the country churches. The consolidated country
schools, which did away with the poorly equipped one room
schools, have revolutionized the educational program for coun-
try people. Our country churches have not always been able,
and sometimes not willing, to keep pace with these general
improvements. The result is that many of our country churches
have lost much of their membership, their leadership and their
financial support.

The effort of this book is to lead our country people to
adopt a church program , which will revitalize the country
church. The greatest problem of the country church is to
secure and adequately support a competent and sufficiently
trained ministry. Where this problem is solved, other proB-
lems become easy of solution. This book shows how country
churches may adopt programs and form fields which may sup-
port a full-time pastor. It should be read and studied by all
country pastors and country people interested in the improve-
ment of country churches.

CHAS. W, POPE, Executive Secretary
Tennessee Baptist Convention
Nashville, Tennessee

OHAPTEE I

THE DAEE OF BUBAL CHUECHES

The apologetic remark "I'm just a country
preacher/* is due chiefly to a lack of information
about the bigness of rural church life in the history
of Baptists. It has done, and is still doing, untold
mischief among preachers and must be counteracted
and killed as quickly as possible. Full information
in the hands of rural pastors is the best antidote
for trouble.

The bigness of rural church opportunities and
responsibilities is enough to stagger one's imagina-
tion. It is likely to blow a "mental fuse'/ for any
of the uninformed. Look at a few of the ^stimulating
facts aiad you vill see mountains where you have
been dealing with mole-hills.

I. THE CHALLENGE OF G-EEATEE MEMREKSHIP AND
MOEE CHUECHES

1. Baptists Living in the Country. In the 1946 Bap-
tist State Convention Minutes, you will find listed
a total of 2,345 churches, 1,931 of which are country
and village churches with a combined membership
of 268,662. That leaves in towns and cities 414
churches with only 230,317 members. Which is an-
other way of saying there are nearly five times as
many churches in the country as in the cities. Also
the rural membership is larger by 38,345.

This is not said to belittle the city churches, but
to reveal the bigness of rural Baptist life.

12 ROMANCE OF BUBAL CHURCHES

2. Little Competition. Brother pastor, when you
feel called to work with country churches, don't feel
sorry for yourself because of so-called limited oppor-
tunities and mumble to your closest friends about
personal sacrifice; but stick out your chest, draw in
your chin and thank G-od for choosing you for such
a big and noble task in His kingdom.

You are to be no pusher of peanut wagons, or
purveyor of floral designs for a lost cause in a
decadent and dying community. You are engaged
in a business that is calculated to arouse envy
among the angels preaching the unsearchable
riches of Christ!

You will be privileged to labor in the wide-open
spaces with people who will loyally support a Chris-
tian program. Many of our rural people live in com-
munities not yet touched by a New Testament
church, or Sunday school. "Would you like to pioneer
a mission in one of those neglected spots where a
thriving church could be developed?

II. THE CALL OF UNDEVELOPED CHTJECHBS

1. Neglected Needs. Bigness of the job is not
the only challenging feature of rural church work.
There are the thousands of one-room churches from
the coves in the mountains to the river bottoms and
on every hillside where the only program they
know is once-a-month preaching and that by an
absentee pastor.

Not all, but many of them have no regular teach-
ing, training, or missionary programs. Little or no
stewarship instruction or financial system can be
found in operation.

THE DARE OF RURAL CHURCHES 13

2. Willing but WcAting. There they are, potential
power-houses of the gospel, struggling along wait-
ing for God's man to lead them out of the fog of
indifference. They are willing, but they are unde-
veloped. They probably have done the best they
could with what they have, but they possess the
latent longing for something better. When given
the chance, they always surprise us by their
response.

Do yon see any challenge from this angle?
Would you like to be a modern Moses to lead them
out of the morass of doubt, hesitation and indif-
ference, into the promised land of vision, fruitful-
ness and service for the Master? Fear not, brother
pastor, if the Lord calls you to the country, He has
a blue-print for your work that unerringly points
to success according to heaven's standard.

III. THE CAUD FOB KINGDOM RECRUITS

Country churches have always furnished the
majority of our preachers and Christian workers.
They are doing it now. Who is he that dares to
say they will not continue doing so?? Out there
in some neglected community may be another
George W. Truett, or a Eobert G. Lee, waiting for
a consecrated country preacher to encourage him
through an aggressive New Testament program in
the home church.

One's usefulness in the kingdom may be multi-
plied many times through the lives of young men
and young women found, stimulated and encour-
aged to heed God's call for a full preparation-

14 ROMANCE OF RUKAL CHUECHBS

Surely ihis is a challenge not to be dealt with.
lightly.

Bemember, Grod has condescended to use human
instruments in accomplishing His purposes. Has
He selected you for that kind of instrument? Then
by all means try to be your best for Him wherever
you are.

IV. THE NEED OF THE FULL-TIME FIELD

1. Pastor as W<e>ll as Preacher. Still another
challenge in the rural work should stir the heart
and fire the imagination of the man facing the
the rural pastorate. That is the growing of two
or more churches into a joint pastorate, or the
development of a church into a full-time field where
the potential economic background will permit.

Eventually, it will mean a home among the
people to whom ministered one with the comforts
and conveniences on a par with the average mem-
ber's home. It will mean more time for the pastor
to be in his own home, and more time among the
membership, because it eliminates the absentee
pastor's travel time with the inevitable drain upon
the meager cash income.

The lure of a home that is fixed to meet the
usual needs is not a selfish one with the pastor.
His best work in a community makes it a necessity.
Rural churches are slowly learning, but learning
nevertheless, that a pastor's home always attracts
the better trained man for their church.

If we believe Jesus meant what He said in Luke
10:7, "The laborer is worthy of his hire", then

THE DARE OP RURAL CHURCHES 15

we can conclude that our church will get about the
Mud of laborer for which we pay. My observation
is that country pastors are not very commercially
minded either.

2. A Trail-blazer. Is a constructive program like
this for a country field challenging to you? It is
being done today in spots throughout the South-
land. Shall we be followers of conservative cus-
toms of the ox cart age, or shall we blaze a new
trail by adapting our methods or procedures and
give the Gospel its rightful place? Remember, it
is still God's dynamite unto salvation!

3. In the Southland. "What has been said of the
rural church challenge in Tennessee is true of all
the states of our Southland, multiplied many
times. Country churches, as conservative as they
are, will follow sane, sound sensible pastoral
leadership.

It is all right for the pastor to get his head "up
in the clouds" occasionally^ just so long as he
keeps his feet on the ground. His plans and pro-
grams must have the practical or workable ring
to them.

V. PRESENT DAY RESPONSE

1. The State Mission Program. During the last
four years, State Missions has encouraged the as-
sociations to employ full-time missionaries by offer-
ing to pay from one-third to one-half of the salary.
The number of workers has grown from 12 to 49
in four years. Their chief business has been to
help pastors strengthen the churches in a well-
rounded Christian program. Just how well these

16

ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

associational missionaries have succeeded may be
seen from a study of the records of 1942 and 1946.

*59

ni9

2. The Statistical Picture.

1942

No. Baptist Churches in

Tennessee 2,260

No. Full Time Churches 520

No. Half Time Churches 485

No. Quarter Time Churches 1,195
Total Number Church

Members , 427,323

Baptisms 16,862

Total State Mission

Budget $ 88,100.00 $

Cooperative Program

Gifts $381,393.87 $

Total Gifts to all causes

Cooperative and desig'

nated $705,014.34 $1,771,505.03

Tennessee Baptist Foun'

dation Fund Balances $ 10,338.63 $ 710,824.93 *$ 700,486.30

1946

2,345
790
604
892

497,164
21,548

282,500.49 *$ 194,400.49
985,468.32 *$ 604,074.45

*$ 1,066,490.69

3. An Analysis of the Figures. Just how many
of the 270 new full-time churches are in the coun-
try, we cannot say because information is not
available. But conservatively speaking, half of
them would be classified as rural.

The increase in the number of half-time
churches, 119, would be chiefly in the open country
or towns of 1,000 population, or less.

When we come to the loss in quarter-time
churches, we rejoice, throw our hats into the air,
and praise the Lord. "He hath done great things
for us whereof we are glad." This change has all
occurred in the country. It is one loss in statistics
of which we are justly proud.

* Increase, ** Decrease.

THE DAHE OF RURAL CHUEGHES 17

It means that 303 quarter-time churches have
moved up to half, or full-time preaching. It means
more than 25% of Tennessee's quarter-time
churches became dissatisfied with their way of
serving the Lord and improved it greatly. It
means more lost people will be won to Christ, more
money will be given to missions and benevolences,
more Christians will be matured, and more interest
in those communities will be Christ-centered than
ever before.

Credit, so far as workers are concerned, will
go to the pastors and associational missionaries in
these sections. ' What they have done can be dupli-
cated elsewhere, The heartening thing about it
all is that so fine a response has been made for the
small amount of encouragement offered. It is good
evidence that country churches will respond when
something better is offered. They are daring us
today and will continue to dare us.

CHAPTER II

SPECIAL BUBAL ATTITUDES

Dr. J. W. Jent in Rural Church Problems, says :
"They (attitudes) are REAL. They dictate and
dominate the behavior of country Baptists be-
cause an attitude is emotional, rather than rational.
FEELING- feeds the fire of impulse and, so, atti-
tudes resist the appeal to reason.

"Attitudes are automatic but they are AC-
QUIRED, rather than innate. They are trans-
mitted tendencies, woven into the fabric and pat-
tern of SOCIAL HEREDITY. They reflect the
TRADITIONS of the countryman : the roots of
experience running deep into the pioneer life of
our ancestors. They are colored by the lonely life
of our fathers, who built their cabins in the wilds
of the wilderness; founded the farmstead; and
lived their self-sufficing life, lord of their domain.

"The mental and emotional forms of this iso-
lated, static life became fixed, more or less fossil-
ized. Succeeding generations deepened the grooves
of habit, and strengthened the psychological bonds,
by the unchanged continuity of their social hered-
ity, a complex of habitual tendencies rooted in the
deepest feelings of the human heart. They are
anchored, practically permanent. Like the innate
co-ordinations, which we call instinct, they are
exceedingly difficult to modify. "

SPECIAL RURAL ATTITUDES 19

L SEASONS FOB THESE ATTITUDES

Rural people are very closely akin to their city
friends in their attitudes and characteristics, for
human nature is pretty much the same the world
over. We are all related to Adam, whether we
are proud of that heritage or not. Yet there are
some special attitudes, propensities^ tendencies, or
characteristics that are peculiar to rural people.

This is due largely in many communities to iso-
lation. Lack of good roads and other barriers to
transportation have played their part in retarding
community development. Social life being confined
to the one locality has a powerful tendencj- toward
making individuals the sum total of their heredity
and environment.

The currents of custom, tradition and practice
run deep among rural people. They possess strong
emotions and these emotions influence their think-
ing, affect their conclusions and give them special
attitudes which the preacher must take into consid-
eration in working with them.

These special attitudes are not necessarily det-
rimental. They can be, and often are, turned
to advantage in promoting kingdom work. Four
of these attitudes are worthy of our consideration.
They are conservatism, individualism, prejudice
and frankness.

1. Conservatism is strictly a rural trait. It is
largely due to tradition and custom. To those who
do not know rural people^ it is a synonym for
" stinginess" or "penuriousness." Country people

20 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

are not " tightwads ". They are as liberal as any
gronp on earth, when properly approached and
made to understand the need or the emergency of
the occasion.

Conservatism has been forced upon rural people,
because of the low annual income and small amount
of actual money available. Farmers have always
received low pay for their long hours from sun
to sun of labor. Special situations or conditions
may boost the income of other groups, but for the
farmer it usually remains the same.

My father typified rural conservatism. When
I was a mere child, I heard Mother talking to hi"m
about some money she needed. A conversation
followed in which my Father told about hard times,
the scarcity of money, the difficulty of raising
ready cash and the absolute necessity of paying
certain obligations soon to become due.

As the conversation continued, Mother just
listened, but I became alarmed, and wondered if
soon I should have to miss some meals. My appe-
tite was always keen three times a day and be-
tween meals, and the very thought of having to
forego one meal struck terror to my boyish heart.
After a while the conversation ended, and I
watched my Father pull out his pocket book. It
was that long leather sack-like kind that folded in
the middle and when twisted at the end, opened
with many mouths. One section contained change,
coins. Another, bills, folding money. Another,
notes he held for small loans to neighbors. Other
openings were for receipts, important papers, etc.

SPECIAL RURAL ATTITUDES 21

From this purse lie took the amount of money
Mother wanted, handed it over (I understand com-
pletely now from experience how he felt), picked
up the latest edition of the twice-a-week paper
just delivered from the mail bos, and relaxed. My
fears subsided and I soon forgot the incident, for
never had I seen my Father pull out that old
leather pocket book and fail to extract from it the
amount needed for the occasion. Even when I
asked for a nickel and he was sure my request was
not unreasonable, that same pocket book came
forth and it always contained the nickel

My Father was not a miser or a tightwad,
neither was he chinchy or covetous. On the con-
trary he was quick to respond to the call of the
needy. But my Father had been driven to con-
servatism. He had worked on the farm during
Grover Cleveland's second term of office for 25e
a day and was paid off Saturday night at that rate
with a piece of smoke-house side bacon.

Self-preservation and grim necessity have
driven them to conservatism. They not only must
grow most of their living, but also must produce
a money crop to have any "coin of the realm" in
their pockets. The law of supply and demand has
fixed the price of their products.

Governmental statistics have always furnished
the speculators with full facts concerning growing
crops, consequently, market price is fixed before
harvest begins, and, as a rule, the farmer seldom,
if ever, "gets any breaks." All too often, he goes
"broke". If he were not a veritable wizard in

22 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

economics arid as adaptable as a thermometer, lie
could never hope to carry on year after year
against snch terrific odds. .

The "writer grew up in the country because Ms
father was a renter and remembers when tobacco,
our only money crop then, sold for two cents a
pound. When the whole year's crop was delivered,
there was scarcely enough cash to shoe all the
children in the family. Information on rural con-
servatism has come first-hand and through actual
experience, therefore, the writer resents the accu-
sations of conservatism, when used in the sense
of being u stingy ?? , or a "tightwad".

Too many rural communities have rallied to
capable leadership and supported aggressive mis-
sionary programs to be labeled hopelessly con-
servative. The leader of rural people must know
where he is going before he starts, if he is to re-
tain their confidence and support. And that is
just good bay horse sense.

These last few years have seen changes in
farm income for the better^ and we could hope
for them to become permanent, but, the atti-
tude of conservatism remains. It should be ack-
nowledged, or admitted, and reckoned with sym-
pathetically and with understanding.

2. Individualism is another peculiar rural disposi-
tion. Country people usually work alone and man-
age their affairs without consulting or advising
with others. They have done this through the
years and so did their ancestors, consequently,
custom and tradition have played their part in

SPECIAL RURAL ATTITUDES 23

making them individualists each one a kind of
"lone wolf".

Most of them are not aware of this attitude,
but when the group comes together at church, or
elsewhere, they express themselves frankly, and
stick to their convictions and opinions. Naturally,
it is a bit difficult for them to agree with the group,
because they have had little or no experience in
that direction. They will act with caution on any
plan to change or vary what custom has long
decreed.

Some people refer to this type of individualism
as "hard-headedness", or " mule-meanness ?> . It is
neither one. This rural individualism is based
upon conviction, and it is heavily undergirded by
emotions. These people stand for something.
Their conclusions may be based upon faulty pre-
mises, but they are not easily turned aside. They
have determination and feel deeply their convic-
tions. That is one reason why our very best lead-
ers come from the country churches.

Given the right type of training, they logically
gravitate to places of leadership and responsibil-
ity. Rural individualism is not a bad quality or
trait. It just cannot be overlooked or ignored.
Happy is the leader who recognizes this and
governs himself accordingly.

3. Prejudice. "Rural Baptists FEEL deeply
everything they believe. There is a sort of satis-
faction in what they call their convictions. This
comment is no criticism on conviction. Positive
belief and the courage to contend for it is funda-

24 KOMANCE OF RUBAL CHUBCHES

mental in religious integrity. BUT the emotional
intensity of prejudice creates a tremendous prob-
lem in rural churches. Rural beliefs tend to per-
sist regardless of their unreasonableness and minor
importance.

"A real countryman believes what he believes
and that is the end of it. He would like to 'see
the color of the man's hair who can change him*.
He fights for his convictions because lie prizes
them he feels them he resents any sort of con-
tradiction and antagonism as an attack on. him. He
fights because he FEELS what he believes and
this feeling functions as prejudice. When a rural
Baptist is right, he is anchored and fixed, and so
is he when he is wrong." Quoted from Rural
Church Problems.

Prejudice is simply a conclusion arrived at
before all the material facts are in. Therefore, it
can best be met and successfully handled by in-
forming the people. Give them the facts, all the
facts, sympathetically and enthusiastically, and
most of their prejudice will vanish, because its
basic foundation has been removed.

Only the untrained or wilfully ignorant rural
pastor will use argument to dominate these sincere,
conscientious countrymen. There is a more ex-
cellent way, and that is "by the magnetism of the
heart". Cultivate their acquaintance and wait
until confidence is manifested in your ability be-
fore inaugurating radical changes.

4. Frankness. "The blunt, simple sincerity of
country people is in marked contrast to the tact,

SPECIAL RUKAL ATTITUDES 25

diplomacy, and indirection which conceals as ranch
as it reveals in nrban life. A real countryman
hates pretence and sham. He believes in being
what he is. To pose; to 'put on airs'; to hide
behind a mask will not go in the country. The
farmer says what he means and means what he
says. He does not flatter or speak for effect.
This attitude explains his disregard for social
forms and convention." Quoted from Rural
CJiurch Problems.

Frankness is not a drawback, or disadvantage.
In fact, it is a highly desirable trait for any group
of people, and particularly is it so for Christians.
Tact is fine, but when it reverts to professional
diplomacy, it will not be long until it degenerates
into suaveness or cleverness. As for me, give me
more frankness, even with all its bluntness, and
less cleverness in Christian service.

IX. CHARACTERISTICS OF BUBAL CHRISTIANS

The religious program in the majority of the
rural churches is usually in keeping with the tra-
ditions and customs of the community. It consists
of preaching and that only once a month by the
absentee pastor. An absentee pastor is one who
lives out of the community to which he ministers.
The preaching may be biblical, and usually is, but
the people take their religion to mean "going to
heaven when you die" and "walking the streets
of gold", instead of making it a vital, everyday
part of life.

Maybe the long, lonely, laborious days of un-
eventful toil amid physical and spiritual " heart-

26 ROMANCE OF KURAL CHUECHES

aches" have whetted their appetites for a place
of rest, peace, joy and happiness. The country
preacher is an earnest one with what we might
call "heart-appeal". He believes in Spirit-
produced conviction, heart-felt Christianity, and
preaches accordingly. The response of his con-
gregation is serions and sympathetic.

At times the emotions become so stirred they
can no longer be restrained and someone turns
loose and "shouts all over God's House". The
lack of formality, freedom of the service and deep
emotional nature of the people make them know
they have violated no rule of etiquette, or regula-
tion of worship.

In one of my churches a great good mother
in Israel would get her cup full and let it spill
over while she shouted the praises of God to the
positive edification of both pastor and congrega-
tion. It was not for effect, but in spite of the
effects. This is perfectly legitimate and there is
absolutely nothing wrong with it, but the deep
feelings and spiritual exercises need to be sustained
and carried over until the next gathering.

Methods of doing this are to be found in the
mid-week Prayer Service, Sunday School, Train-
ing Union, directed visitation and the best preach-
ing program possible. Jesus knew we would need
a spiritual home, so He gave us New Testament
Churches. To have the lights on only once a
month in God's divinely instituted Lighthouse sure-
ly does not seem to be in keeping with His
teachings.

SPECIAL RURAL ATTITUDES 27

An aggressive church program that gives plenty
of expression to the religions nature and at the
same time trains and develops rugged Christian
character will not be hard to substitute for what
is usually found in a rural community, if we ap-
proach the task from the proper point of view.

CHAP TEE III

PROBLEMS PECTJLIAE TO RURAL
CHURCHES

Problems^ like the poor, seem destined to be
with, us always and especially in the country. City
and country churches have many problems in com-
mon, but with these we are not concerned now.
Why do country churches not prosper, grow and
hold their prominent positions they once occupied?

Many reasons might be given, but after long
and careful study by many diligent students the
final analysis reveals only a few perplexing prob-
lems that persist and apparently defy solutions.
These are peculiar to rural churches, and they
constantly hamper, harass, hurt and hold back
their work. Like Pharaoh's chariots in the Red
Sea their progress is slow "clogged wheels that
drove heavily ". What are these problems? They
may be listed under three heads.

"Each of the three problems which bewilder
the average rural pastor and block his church
development program, is grounded in the genius
(peculiar character) of Ms field, as differentiated
from that of the town or city church. The troubles
and worries of a rural pastor revolve around the
MAINTENANCE of Ms church an ECONOMIC
problem; its LOCATION a SOCIAL problem
; and its PERSONNEL a PSYCHOLOGICAL
problem. The solution of these three problems is
the solution of the rural church problem, because
they are "THE" rural church problem. Every

PEOBLEMS PECULIAR TO RURAL CHURCHES 29

other problem in a country church, is ^GENER-
AL, 55 a common church problem an issue or dif-
ficulty in the city as well as the country church. J!
(Quoted from Rural Church Problems).

I. MOSTEY PEOBLEMS

"With no money in the treasury and no biblical
system for obtaining and keeping it there, little or
nothing is given regularly to missions, the pastor
is poorly paid, the equipment is inadequate, the
building is unattractive, or needs repairs, or both,
and only the spiritually stout-hearted keep the
doors open for the customary once-a-month preach-
ing. "With the necessary money in hand, all these
troubles could be eliminated. To be sure, money
is not everything in Christianity, but it is some-
thing ! The church Jesus built and lived with for
three years had a treasury and money was put
into it, even though the Treasurer was a thief and
pilfered that treasury.

Nothing recommends a community more to a
home-maker than an attractive country church reg-
ularly painted with grounds and driveways well
kept. It makes cold shivers chase up and down
a Christian's spinal column to see a New Testa-
ment church building with grounds grown up in
weeds and bushes, window glass out, doors off
the hinges, steps broken, roof decayed, sills rotten
and the floor wavey, ceiling dilapidated and look-
ing down for lack of nails, the timbers of which
have not felt the caress of a paint brush in a
quarter of a century.

SO ROMANCE OF EUEAL CHURCHES

To see a church as a silent sentinel standing
guard over the bush and weed-covered cemetery
makes a believer feel like Ezekiel when in his
vision of Jerusalem, he saw the glory cloud of the
Temple departing. Surely, the love of many In
that community has waxed cold and the Shepherd
of that flock, like Peter, has gone fishing for some-
thing besides men, There may be other troubles at
that little church, but you may rest assured that
money is one of them. Yes, we must have some
money, even in a country church.

Nearly all of the income depends upon agricul-
ture. Sometimes that is so very fine it is all one
could expect, while again, it can be very disap-
pointing. In some few sections, the soil is so
unproductive that it requires a hard struggle to
obtain a scant livelihood. Cases like that should
have first choice in getting aid from the State
Mission Board.

But some of our most undeveloped churches
are situated in thriving farming sections. What
those churches need is a challenge that will stir
them from their complacency and lethargy. The
money problem is very definitely woven into the
economic background of any community.

No country church will rise higher than the
economic basis of the neighborhood. Some coun-
try churches are blessed with members on a reg-
ular weekly or monthly pay roll. This, with farm
income, makes a happy situation for solving the
money problem.

PROBLEMS PECULIAR TO RURAL CHURCHES 31

II. NEIGHBORHOOD OR THE COMMUNITY PROBLEM

A church in the open country has some very
real obstacles to face which are not common to the
city church. But it is definitely benefitted in es-
caping many distractions which afflict the city
community.

"The country church is NOT IN THE CITY,
consequently, the country preacher escapes the
agonizing worries which beset his brother pastor in
the city. The mass of congested population; the
hum of industry; the "buzz" of big business; the
impact of competing interest, insideous isms, the
tides of worldliness and wickedness; the milling
mob of the street, the nerve-racking tension in Ms
task, bewilder and upset the city pastor.

"City life, is complex, confusing, dynamic, de-
pressing. It is an artificial world, a selfish, sordid
world, a world of endless excitements, glaring ex-
tremes of plutocracy and poverty, the men of
genius and the incompetent masses, prophets, of
charity and professionals of crime.' 7 (Quoted
from Rural Cliurch Problems).

1. The Strenuous City Pastorate, The larger con-
stituency calling daily for ministrations, the ex-
tremes in the classes and groups to be reached,
won, trained and developed, the constant ringing
of the phone, the multitudinous demands for speak-
ing engagements, serving on committees, boards,
and in advisory groups, and the desire to satisfy
a membership already accustomed to much service,
some of which may be very exacting, may not show
up soon on the city pastors, but it is nevertheless

32 KOMANCB OF RURAL CHURCHES

slowly and regularly sapping their vitality faster
than nature can replenish it for many of them.

"When a country pastor begins to envy Ms city
brother, because of a nice home, rent-free, in addi-
tion to what seems to be a fat salary, surrounded
by a corps of paid workers, he should not com-
pletely ignore the cost. Gk>d must have both types
of workers and He requires faithfulness on the
part of each group,

2. The Open Country Field. The country church,
like all others, has its liabilities along with its
assets.

(1) Liabilities

(a) Roads in some sections bog down in
winter, making attendance painfully low, and at
times impossible. Some churches are located on
paved roads, while others are moving out to the
main highways, but many have become completely
isolated due to changed roadways and are still
on unimproved side roads. More good roads are
coming and soon this problem will solve itself.

(b) Busy Seasons due to perishable crops in
certain farming sections affect church attendance
like bad roads. Days are long, work is hard and
the battle against time leaves many at home, who,
under ordinary circumstances, would attend.

(c) Lure of the City has always had its pull
on rural boys and girls and time has had no effect
upon that urge. So often the most promising of
our young people must be lost to the home church
because marriage and the oppr rtunities for a live-

PROBLEMS PECULIAR TO RURAL CHURCHES 33

libood appear more promising in the city. We
don't blame the young people, hut country pastors
dislike the conditions that bring regular loss. The
city pastor finds our loss his gain and perhaps
agrees with the proverb, "It's an ill wind that
blows nobody good." On the other hand, occa-
sionally someone prospers to such an extent that
he can afford both country and city luxuries and
moves back into the country.

(d) Shifting of Community Centers gives the
country church no little concern. Changing of
schools, roads and the coming of commercial en-
terprises are the chief causes of fluctuations in
rural centers of population. Any one of these can
isolate the church building and seriously affect the
attendance. Bible teaching and wisdom both seem
to reveal the need of keeping the church where the
people are. If they move, then move the church.

No spot of earth ought to become so hallowed
and revered as to hopelessly anchor the church
after the people stop coming, even if a -cemetery
is near by. The Lord alone can care for our dead.
Even if we must* move, the cemetery can be main-
tained and used without our losing one bit of re-
spect and reverence for our loved ones in the
silent city of the dead. "We must not make the
mistake made by the Samaritan woman at Jacob's
well, when she told Jesus about the place for
worship.

(2) Assets

(a) The Social Tie in the country is strong.
Eural people usually are well acquainted with all

34 KOMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

their neighbors or they want to get acquainted,
consequently, the church gatherings afford an' ex-
cellent opportunity for "howdying", brief visiting,
and satisfying the social urge, or desire for fellow-
ship. Evidently Jesus had this in mind when he
gave us New Testament Churches. The removal
of barriers which once isolated rural centers, has
robbed us of much of the community attraction
and prominence, but there is enough left to list it
as an asset.

(b) Telephones on the rural routes work
over time doing neighborhood visiting, and their
increase will help hold that community spirit.
Then, too, the pastor can call and be called to
the saving of much time and driving in his daily
ministrations.

(c) Rural Electrification is meaning much
already and will mean more for it is making avail-
able to country people all the labor-saving devices,
conveniences, and comforts of the city, with none
of its disadvantages. Lighting, heating, venti-
lating and even cooling systems are now available
in the remotest rural community, because of elec-
tricity. Homes as well as churches can have these
comforts and certainly they add to the attractive-
ness of living conditions back in the hills.

(d) Automobiles and Good Roads help, or
hinder, religious life in the country, depending
upon the use to which they are put. Frankly,
I'll take both and risk using them for the good of
the community and the glory of God. An interest-
ing, constructive, aggressive church program will

PROBLEMS PECULIAR TO RURAL CHURCHES 35

ultimately make its appeal in the country and hold
the people. That very thing is being done today
in certain sections. With good roads, busses for
transportation may be used to haul the people,
without cars fi:om the outside limits of the com-
munity to the church.

(e) Consolidation of Grammar Schools and
the rapidly vanishing one-teacher and two-teacher
schools, have played important parts in rural com-
munity life. Consolidations appear to be fixed
public school procedure, at least for the present,
and may probably prove a blessing in rural church
life, even though it may seem somewhat disguised.
These consolidated schools begin as centers of the
community life. Even though this is good for the
public schools, I do not advocate the consolidation
of rural churches.

The wise rural pastor will try to locate his
church building in reasonably close proximity, join
that center of interest, and try to so permeate
it with Christian principles and practices that the
community program will never become embarrass-
ing, or even questionable. The morals of that
community can be kept high and " parasitical busi-
ness" will find it next to impossible to locate, much
less do business there.

Ill THE LEADERSHIP PROBLEM

"This is the third and final differentiating fun-
damental of the rural pastor's field. The most
difficult problem a country preacher has, is HIS
PEOPLE. Country Baptists are a problem, A

36 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHUKCHES

REAL PROBLEM, because they are RURAL-
MINDED. They are a psychological type. A
countryman is differentiated by Ms ATTITUDES,
the traits and tendencies which are peculiar to
Ms class, contrasted with the city man." (Quoted
from Rural CJiurch Problems).

This topic has been dealt with in Chapter II as
it pertains to rural-mindedness, but we still have
the painful, paralyzing problem of finding or grow-
ing leaders to carry on a well-rounded country
church program. The rural pastor may do the
jobs of pastoring, preaching, and janitoring. He
may act as Sunday School Superintendent, Train-
ing Union Director and be the official "tune-
lifter".

He may do all this with some degree of ap-
parent success, but when he leaves all the leader-
ership leaves with him and the poor little church
is actually poorer because of that preacher. No,
the pastor is never to be the official pack-horse.
Well, what can be done to overcome this ever-
present lack of capable leaders?

The best thing is to admit it, then try to do
something about it. In every community there are
a few people whom God has endowed with reason-
able capabilities. Find them, cultivate them, en-
courage them, and try to challenge them to their
(rod-given opportunities with which they are sur-
rounded. Then begin a training program, lead it
yourself, and keep enthusiastically at it until
something happens.

PEOBLBMS PECULIAE TO RUEAL CHURCHKS 37

Grod will either crown your efforts with, some
degree of success, or He will send some other
commimity after you. You will not be forgotten
if you do his business faithfully, but it will take
time. You must have patience, faith and fortitude.

Unless a man feels a call to the country, right
here is where the " shaking-down " process will
decide the issue. Those with only apparent calls
to the country will usually seek the bright lights
of the city.

CHAPTEE IV

THE COUNTRY PASTOE

When Hosea said, "where there is no vision the
people perish", he must have had in mind the
country situation. For vision, hope, courage and
faith must dominate the man who is called to
minister to rural fields, or he will "grow weary
in well doing 1 ".

I. THE ETJKAL PASTOE is A PROBLEM

1. For the Churches. The country church has its
difficulties in locating a pastor who loves rural
people and whose heart is really fixed on the task.
All too often, country churches must accept the
untrained, inexperienced and uninitiated, or be
content with preachers whose age has necessitated
their giving up the larger pastorates. If they
manage to get a college or seminary man, it is only
until graduation.

Few college graduates and practically no semi-
nary graduates make rural pastorates their major
objectives. It is sad, but true, that rural churches
are stepping stones to bigger fields, and that may
be all right, but some of the stones are showing a
great deal of "wear and tear".

2. For the Denomination. " The denomination must
depend upon the co-operation of the churches. The
key man in every church is its pastor. That is as
it should be. He must be considered, consulted,
and counselled with . in connection with every de-
nominational move.

THE COUNTRY PASTOR 39

If lie Is sympathetic and a man of vision, his
church will want to share in the world-wide mission
efforts and govern itself accordingly. The de-
nomination will be just as strong as the churches
of which it consists, therefore, we must have conn-
try pastors with vision, courage and zeal that is
according to knowledge.

IL WHY Is THE COUNTRY so DIFFICULT?

Some pastors who did only fair or mediocre
work in the country have accepted large city fielcfes
and have done unusually well. Some will attribute
this variation of success to chance, or luck, but
beneath it all there are certain well-defined reasons,
or causes.

1. Few Trained Workers. Pew well-trained and
experienced laymen are to be found in the average
rural church, therefore, the pastor must be very
capable to fill all these gaps, or vacancies in the
organization with the untrained and keep the pro-
gram working. In nearly all the city churches,
there is an abundance of capable leadership with
only the problem of enlisting them to be con-
sidered.

We can almost envy our brother pastor in the
city, with his numerous workers on every hand,
but envy will not solve our problem. We must roll
up our sleeves, pull off: our coats, and bend our
backs to the task of growing a few " lieutenant s".

2. Pastor as Well as Preacher. Minimizing the
pastoral side of the preacher's labors has accumu-
lated a great host of pastors who honestly believe

40 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

they have "earned their salt", and fulfilled every
country church obligation when they have
" preached ". To be sure, they mean to include
funerals and weddings, and will drive as many
miles as any man without expecting any remuner-
ation. Yes, the sick will be visited whenever the
pastor happens to be on the field. But the genuine
conviction that a preacher should live among his
people and minister to them daily has never gotten
much consideration.

The only excuse IVe ever heard is that the
church is too poor to pay a living wage. But coun-
try preachers alone are not to blame for that
situation. Churches must assume their full share.

Preachers usually like that "absentee pastor
freedom", and many country churches like quarter-
time preaching because it costs lees. Both atti-
tudee are dead wrong! Country preachers need to
become pastors and the churches need to furnish
the necessary support.

3. Absentee Shepherd. The itinerating system
(part-time preaching) is a product developed over
a long period and bequeathed to us by our courage-
ous, but persecuted forefathers. It has been a
custom so long that we cannot hope for any sudden
transition now.

It probably served a very good purpose when
Baptists were few and unpopular, but now, even
in country communities, Baptists are many and
constantly increasing. In order to meet their
needs and properly minister to them, pastoral care
is rapidly becoming an absolute necessity.

THE COUNTRY PASTOR 41

It is bad to have only a monthly preaching pro-
gram, but the absence of the preacher from the
field 29 out of 30 days is worse. No business on
earth could long exist under similar circumstances.
The fact that these little country churches won't,
or can't die, is strong evidence of their divine
nature.

They have withstood more ordinary preaching,
survived on less pastoral care, and continue to
exist longer in spite of discouragements, disap-
pointments and obstacles as Gospel Lighthouses
than any other organizations on earth. Give the
country churches pastoral care demanded by city
churches, and you will see sleeping giants rise,
shake themselves, and carry the Commission to
the ends of the earth.

4. The Short-call. The annual call is a " mechan-
ical gadget " used by most rural churches as a
brake to slow down an already slow-moving body
of Christ. Of itself, it may appear utterly harm-
less, but experience teaches us that too often it
becomes a " well-oiled " skid for removing the
pastor for almost any whim or petty difference. In
the country, it is a part of our polity, but is poor
practice, and many of the churches are seeing it
and just quietly eliminating the annual call.

Only one of my churches ever practiced the
annual call on me, and when a particular " leader''"
moved from that community, we mutually forgot
the custom. Baptist preachers and churches
are theoretically strong on the Spirit's leadership
for each, but the practice seems to lag at times.

42 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

The " annual call" definitely seems to be on its
way out in the country, and that ought to be
encouraging.

III. THE COUNTRY PASTOR'S TRAINING

When the educational level was chiefly
" Reading 'Biting an' 'Bithmetic", the rural pas-
tor had no difficulty maintaining his dignity and
academic standing as leader in his community. But
now when our public school system has brought
a high school education to every home on the rural
routes, the untrained preacher is having his leader-
ship questioned and challenged.

If he blunders too much in reading and speak-
ing the grammar or the English sentence, people
intuitively wonder if he might not blunder in his
interpretation of the Bible. They know "Faith
comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God".

1. Better Trained Pastors. Country churches
need, right now, better qualified and trained pas-
tors. Most of them frankly admit it, and others
are coming to it rapidly. While I was spending
the night in a home far back in the Cumberland
Mountains, the father of a large family spoke a
"parable" when he said, calling his pastor by
name, "He's the best we got in our association, but
Ms third grade education is making it increasingly
hard for Mm to hold the interest of our children
who are now graduating in large numbers from the
Mgh schools". That father's youngest children
were then in Mgh school. The "oxcart church

THE COUNTRY PASTOR 43

program" of 75 years ago Is out now just like the
oxcart itself.

One thinks it strange that our methods in pass-
ing the Grospel on to the new generations have not
kept pace with methods in agriculture, education,
and transportation. But it is due to a lack of
leadership. We country preachers plead guilty,
but promise to do better.

2. Special Training Needed. The kind of train-
ing a rural pastor needs is the kind that is already
adapted to his specific tasks. This, of course,
shifts the responsibility back to our schools, and
colleges. "Where can a country preacher enroll
now for a course in Eural Church Administration!
We pause for an answer. Let us hope we don't
have to pause too long. Surely some far-sighted
Baptist school man will come to our rescue.

Where will the country pastor turn for usable
literature written specifically for him and his many
pressing problems? Where? Some efforts have
been made, but usually by those too far removed
from the regular scenes of activity to be of much
help, or it is couched in phraseology almost un-
intelligible to those for whom it was intended.

Naturally, he needs to know his English Bible.
This is imperative. He needs to know something
about how to build a sermon, for he must regularly
make delivery to his people. A knowledge of
Church History would add strength and confidence
to his teaching. But unless he knows something
about Country Church Administration, his attempt
to interest his congregation will be " left-handed"

44 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

to say the least. (See Chapter V for suggestions
on administration).

It would be a distinct advantage to the country
pastor, if he had technical training in agriculture.
Any encouragement the pastor can give along
better farming lines is definitely aiding his own
church program.

TV. PASTORAL. SUPPOBT

Little or no stewardship teaching and preach-
ing account for the poor support of country
preachers. Two choices confront the pastor. One
is to get and keep a secular job which pays a living
and preach to the church for nothing, or next to
nothing. But this pauperizes the church and places
giving on the plane of charity alms-giving. We
forget that Jesus said, "the laborer is worthy of
Ms hire". \

The other is^to begin a program, of teaching
and indoctrinating the people in stewardship. Just
give them the Bible, and less of your own opinion,
followed by personal practice, and you will be
agreeably surprised at the fine response of your
rural people. Brethren, it will work where you
are. I dare you to try it!

V, CONFLICTING CHARACTERISTICS OF COITNTUY
PASTOKS

1. The Sacrifice. Country preachers are a great-
hearted group, but they have a few native ten-
dencies that are positively hurtful, one of which
is self-pity. I've heard it from the pulpit and

THE COUNTRY PASTOR 45

privately. When a pastor publicizes the fact that
he is making a great sacrifice to pastor a church^
he is getting sorry for himself, and that is bad.
Certainly, many do sacrifice and so do their wives,
because of low income. No one questions that.
Advertising the fact, though, is not the best remedy
for the trouble.

I believe we should anoint our faces and ap-
pear not to "sacrifice". Show instead a cheerful
disposition with that sacrifice, but all the time
be teaching your people Grod's way of finance, and
soon you'll forget you ever had to sacrifice, and
"verily, thou shalt be fed".

Frankly, I, too, have failed to get a living out
of some of my churches for a short time, but I
would hesitate to call that sacrifice. It's the only
investment of mine that is paying dividends now.

2. Greener Pastures. Sometimes a wrong outlook
will make the work Jburdensome when it might be
a joy. Hard problems will at times make a pas-
tor sigh for "greener pastures ", but we should
not forget there might be a "troublesome sister",
or a fuss over where the piano should sit, right
there amid those green pastures.

3. No Blind Alley. Eemember, brother pastor,
some "giant preachers" have come out of those
hills. Amos came from the hills, so did John the
Baptist. Most of the outstanding modern day
preachers were "bred and born" in the country.
A few great ones have continued in the country:
P. H. Mell, John D. Mell, Governor James P.

46 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

Eagle, A. M. Poindexter, and G. M. Savage. Each
one was MgHy honored by the denomination.

Don't you think they constitute pretty good
company? Don't be ashamed of putting "Elder
John Doe, B. F. D. No. 4, Pastor, First Baptist
Church, Podunk, Tennessee" on your personal
stationery. An E. F. D. degree may be all you
will ever possess, brother pastor, but it is honor-
able in God's sight, and you ought to be proud of
it.

4. Untapped Wealth. The thousands of country
churches in our Southland, largely undeveloped,
possess latent possibilities for the kingdom un-
dreamed of by most servants of the Lord. In them
we must find recruits for the ministry, teachers
for our schools, and missionaries for the homeland
and abroad.

They hold sufficient wealth which, if tapped and
made available, would largely finance the kingdom's
operations in evangelizing the world. Country pas-
tor, get your pick and shovel, and go prospecting.
"Thar's gold in them thar hills."

CHAPTER V
BUBAL CHURCH ADMINISTRATION

I. THE REGULAS SERVICES

According to the Spirit, the pastor is, by nature
of his position, the overseer of the flock. He is
the spiritual advisor, but he is more than that.
He is the chief administrative officer, if the church
is to have one.

"The relation and responsibility of a divinely
ordained church 'overseer' is essentially official,
administrative, executive, managerial. Real pas-
tors of New Testament churches, Twentieth Cen-
tury as well as First Century, * pastor 7 as well as
preach. They lead as well as 'feed' the flock."
(Rural Church Problems, Jent).

Thet New Testament meaning of the word
Bishop indicates the nature of his work as an
overseer, as well as that of a minister. In the
New Testament, the words bishop and elder are
used in the sense of pastor today. Preachers
would all be more nearly biblical, if they prefixed
the term " elder" instead of "reverend" to their
names. %

Unless the pastor assumes the responsibility
as administrator, there will be hesitation, faltering,
and indecision in the church's program. Much of
this work will, and rightfully should, be properly
delegated to trusted and capable helpers.

1. The Pastor on Sunday. The success or failure
of Sunday's services will depend largely upon the

48 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

preparation during the preceding six days. Don't
depend upon the inspiration of the hour, brother
pastor, because you and I have been admonished
to study (2 Tim. 2:15).

(1) The Sunday School is the church teaching
the Bible, therefore, the pastor must not neglect
his duty here. He may, or may not, teach, depend-
ing upon immediate needs; but by all means he
must be ready to teach.

His overseeing eye must watch for beginning
on time, running on time, and closing on time.
Nothing deadens like haphazardness here. He will
observe whether all remain for the worship hour,
and take steps accordingly.

(2) This hour of worship will be directed so
as to climax the morning services. With every
detail carefully and prayerfully worked out, the
pastor can more easily lead his people in worship-
ing God. This does not mean a lot of form, cere-
mony, and ritual; but a natural transition from
one part to another so as to magnify God, and
keep the parts of the program and individuals
subdued.

The message will be prominent, but the mes-
senger inconspicuous. Let us remember the Spirit
can guide in our preparation as well as in the
execution of the worshiping program.

"The glory of the Sabbath in a rural commun-
ity is worship. The people assembled for fellow-
ship in prayer and praise, led to the throne of
Grace by the < Shepherd * of the sheep, are sounding

RURAL CHURCH ADMINISTRATION 49

the depths and climbing the heights of real re-
ligion." (Rural Church Problems, Jent).

(3) The afternoon may be used in such a way
as to make the pastor well-nigh worthless in the
evening services. Often this is the case with the
part-time preacher. I plead guilty myself. We
feel forced to visit, lead a conference, or have a
regular afternoon appointment to preach and
teach.

Few people show up at the night gathering,
and then appear drowsy and we wonder why. Cir-
cumstances will have to govern each different situ-
ation, but a bit of rest or relaxation will prove
helpful, even to the younger ministers.

(4) The Training service of the church should
be conducted so it will help to prepare for the hour
of worship that follows immediately. Therefore,
it should begin, run, and close on time. Some
churches use an intermission before preaching,
just as they do after Sunday School. Nearly all
the country churches prefer the combined service
without the intermission.

"We enthusiastically recommend the unified
service. Attendance upon the worship hour by all
attending the Training Unions will be carefully
observed by the pastor. Any difficulties here are
administrative problems for the pastor.

(5) This evening worship period should be as
attractive, helpful and interesting as the morning
hour. It can be, but it will demand the same
consideration given the other hour. The atten-

50 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

dance upon this service furnishes a real problem
to the country pastor as the overseer*

2. The Pastor During the Week. (1) When the
Spirit said, through Paul, to young Timothy,
" study ", he must have had in mind country pas-
tors. We probably don't need that admonition
any worse than our city brethren, but we certainly
need it.

"Sermons are not spontaneous. They grow
in the mind and heart of the preacher. They are
the result of both general and special preparation,
physical, mental, spiritual. " (Rural Church Prob-
lems, Jent)

It may be easier for us to move than to study,
when our stock of sermons has become exhausted,
but it is not good for the church or the pastor.
We must have a definite place for study and that
may be either at the home or the church.

However, few country churches have a suitable
room, or space to improvise a study. But a regu-
lar place must be fixed some where. A fixed time
for study is as necessary as a regular place. The
mornings should be set aside for study, and only
emergencies should be permitted to vary this
schedule.

Study becomes a habit, if persisted in long
enough. The pastor who fails to study is on Ms
way out. Even his very best members will grow
weary of the same sermons, stories and phrase-
ology.

The number of books available does not matter
so much; it is the use to which they are put that

RURAL CHUSCH ADMINISTKATION 51

counts. A few good books regularly used will
affect the pastor's sermons so much that even
the casual comers will sit up and take notice.

(2) Prayer meeting will be just what the pas-
tor makes it. He can make special preparation in
study and visitation and have a mid-week service
of power and promise, or he can trust to "luck",
or the " inspiration " of the hour and be keenly
disappointed.

The mid-week prayer hour is proving a Mess-
ing to many country churches now where it has
been given a sympathetic and honest trial. It will
demand the best ,of which the Overseer is capable.

(3) Pastoral visiting is a personal and un-
delegated opportunity for the Shepherd to encour-
age the discouraged, comfort the sorrowing and
bereaved, caution the careless and straying, and
cheer the sick and suffering. It must be syste-
matic and certain to be satisfactory. A good pas-
tor is always welcome in rural homes, and in
times of need he is expected.

II. GrKOWIHG THE WOKKERS

1. Study courses must be outlined and kept
going if we would grow Christians into efficient
workers for the rural churches. Few, if any coun-
try churches, can find enough helpers to complete-
ly man a well-rounded program. "We must develop
them, or we have to confess failure to begin with.
These courses will have to" do with methods, ad-
ministration, doctrines, and mission practices.

52 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHUBCHES

2. The Training Unions carefully graded and
faithfully manned give the church members of all
ages practical exercise in Christian growth and
maturity. From the regular Sunday service, we
may confidently expect some graduates. Often we
must use them before they graduate. The best
training I ever received for church work was in a
B. Y. P. U. Since that time, the grading, accord-
ing to age^ has only improved the usefulness of
this organization.

3. The Woman's Missionary Union is another
church auxiliary that matures and develops its
members into dependable workers. The pastor who
overlooks this organization is missing a valuable
source of seasoned helpers for the various places
of responsibility in his church.

The Overseer will constantly be on the alert
for those individuals in his membership, who may
soon be developed into dependable leaders. All
three of these sources will be utilized by the pastor
if he is a wise administrator, or Overseer, of his
flock.

III. MANAGEMENT OF THE FINANCES

1. God has not left his children in the dark
and without instructions on financing the King-
dom's work. The Bible outlines, in considerable
detail, the principles of stewardship that will fi-
nance a New Testament church through the fiercest
storm of financial decline and depression.

The doctrine of stewardship is as much a
Bible doctrine as Salvation by Grace, or Blood
Atonement. When the pastor preaches and prac-

RURAL CHUBCH ADMIHISTKATION 53

tlces this doctrine, lie can rest assured some of his
people will join Mm in that holy exercise.

Many of onr church members know next to
nothing about stewardship because they seldom,
if ever, hear it from the pulpit. Yes, the pastor
must see that Ms members abound in this grace
also (2 Cor. 8:7).

2. Study courses in the Grace of Giving and
Bible finance will helpfully supplement the doc-
trinal preacMng. Tracts should be constantly dis-
tributed. The church bulletin will serve as a
regular reminder. Sometimes the Prayer Meet-
ing may be used for an informal topical Bible
study on stewardsMp.

Use every means and method to inform the
members. Information will break down prejudice
and dispel ignorance. Baptists thrive on full in-
formation, but grow suspicious when it is with-
held.

3. As the cMef administrative officer of the
church, the pastor will see to it that his people
have convenient and ample opportunities to become
enlisted in the regular financial plan of the church,
whatever it is. Onee-a-year effort is not enough.
It must be a continuous affair, because all new-
comers must be enlisted also.

The pastor is not expected to do it all, but he
is responsible for the proper leadersMp. Steward-
ship "grows as it goes on" in a Christian's life.
Every member should be enlisted or, at short
intervals, be given additional invitations to sup-
port Ms own church program.

54 ROMANCE -OF KURAL CHURCHES

IV. DIRECTING THE WOEKEBS

Assuming that we have some workers, what
shall be their tasks and who will inspire them?
All official positions in the church will be filled by
regular election, but these and all other workers
must be encouraged, inspired and stimulated in
their respective jobs.

1. The Sunday School Superintendent is the
church-elected executive officer, and if he is in-
formed, consecrated and enthusiastic, most of the
details may be left with him; but the pastor must
still be the Overseer, even though he remains in
the shadows, or behind the scenes. He is pastor
of the Sunday school.

2* The Director of the Training Unions often
times is capable - and dependable and apparently
needs no help, but the wise pastor keeps a watch-
ful eye and is familiar with his plans, procedures
and programs. A word of commendation fitly
spoken by the pastor will add effectiveness and
strength to the organization-

3- If the Prayer Meeting were advertised by
personal effort, like Sunday School and Training
Union, the attendance no doubt could easily be
multiplied many times. Here is a place for the
pastor to lead in directing his workers in building
up the mid-week Prayer Hour. This is true of the
Worship hours on Sunday. Wisely directed vis-
itors can work wonders in the attendance upon
the regular services.

RURAL CHURCH ADMINISTRATION 55

V. OVERSEEING THE SOCIAL. LTFE

1. The program of recreation or social activities

win be discussed in another chapter, "but as the
success or failure of it depends so much upon the
proper administration, we mention it here to em-
phasize the pastor's responsibility. He does not
need to be personally in command of every activity,
but he will see to it that a consecrated man or
woman is in charge.

2. The negative side is represented by the com-
mercialized places of amusement. For so much
per, they entertain our young and old people alike.
Almost universally, their influence is from bad to
worse. They can destroy in one night what it has
taken years to build. In spite of the accompany-
ing dangers, many church members attend and
'engage to the embarrassment of the church. These
worldly amusements, like the poor, are with us
always it seems. "What shall we do?

3. The positive side is to furnish a substitute
that will satisfy the social urge without destroying
or neutralizing Christian character. It can be
done, and is being done in some church commun-
ities today by well-planned, high-toned, clean rec-
reation, directed by a Christian worker for the
different age groups.

We can denounce, complain and croak about
the evils of commercial amusements, and consign
all their devotees to torment; but unless we sug-
gest some constructive substitute, we are only
4 'baying at the moon" and wasting our good
intentions and energy needlessly.

CHAPTER VI

THE RURAL CHUECH PROGRAM

The smallest church, on some secluded hillside
off the main road and completely hidden by the
treos and undergrowth, may maintain an up-to-
date program, if that program is patterned after
that found in the New Testament. The acid test
is, are we following Christ's Commission given to
His Church! Are we making disciples, baptizing
them and teaching them to observe whatsoever He
commanded?

If so, our Twentieth Century program fits the
pattern laid down in our guide book, the Bible,
and we should take courage. No other program,
however fine it may appear, will ever please the
Head of New Testament Churches.

L EVANGELISM:

1. Preaching. God has ordained by the foolish-
ness of preaching to save them that believe (1 Cor.
1:21). Preaching then is (rod's chief means of
saving the lost. Preaching must occupy first place
in whatever program we may devise, if we would
follow the divine pattern.

What about our plan of once-a-month preaching
in a New Testament Church? Has some enemy
done this? Or have we unconsciously drifted into
this plan because it is cheaper? Better stick to the
divine plan. I find no part-time churches in the
New Testament. Elders in every city seem to be
God's way.

THE EUEAL CHURCH PROGRAM 57

How to meet the cost is reserved for another
chapter. "We must support a preaching program
because that is the chief requirement of the Great
Commission. After disciples are made they should
be taught their first act of obedience, that is, to
submit to Bible baptism, in obedience to His
command, in imitation of His example, and by the
authority of a New Testament church to show our
faith in a buried and risen Lord. We can wax
eloquent, get happy, shout, and want to throw our
hats into the air when carrying out this part of
the Great Commission making disciples and bap-
tizing them.

But the other part is more prosaic. It takes
patience, is long-drawn out, and requires grit and
grace, plus great faith to teach them "to observe
all things. " The romance of the task seems to
leave following the baptismal service at the close
of the revival. Jesus evidently had this task in
mind when he asked Peter three times if he really
loved Him.

Feeding the sheep, tending the lambs, shearing
the sheep, binding up the bleeding and coralling
the unruly and obstreperous and searching for the
straying are tasks that require faith, endurance t
patience and much long-suffering.

This phase of the Commission is responsible
for most of the changing pastorates in the coun-
try. But we must not grow weary in well-doing.
Distinctive Baptist doctrines must be featured in
our plan of preaching.

58. ROMANCE OF KUEAL CHURCHES

Stewarship and missions should receive con-
stant consideration. After the foundation has been
laid, we must be careful with the superstructure.
Hay, wood, and stubble have no place in it.

2. -Teaching. Through the Sunday School, Train-
ing Union, and Woman's Missionary Union, evan-
gelism will be stressed and emphasized. Special
seasons of study in methods of soul-winning and
personal work will be arranged. The Bible way
of life can be explained, illustrated and certain
Scriptures committed to memory, or carefully
marked in the Bible so any Christian can use his
Bible in trying to lead the lost to Christ. One of
the best plans is to give a personal testimony of
what the Lord has done for you. Any Christian
can do that much. The Apostle Paul did it often.

3. Visiting. When a Christian leaves his home
or his business and goes to see a lost person, the
very fact of this small effort gives him a good
approach to that lost friend and a certain amount
of resistance is already eliminated. It is evident
to the lost man that the Christian really does
have something. If the workers are afraid to try
this individually, let two go together. They will
mutually support each other. Besides, that was
the way Jesus did it.

I have tried taking a deacon with me, or other
layman, in this work, and just as soon as he is
willing to take the lead with another 5 I pick
a new man, then we have four at work instead
of two. It is agreeably surprising how fast one
can develop personal workers by this simple, bib-

THE EURAL CHURCH PROGRAM 59

Heal method Haphazard visiting may do some
good, but directed visitation is much better.

II. MAKING DISCIPLES BAPTISTS

1. D'istinctwe Doctrities. Some preachers seem
to be content to make disciples without feeling
further responsibility. Obviously such preachers
ignore two-thirds of the Commission. They leave
their converts in swaddling clothes, without a
spiritual home or a nurse's care.

Most of our country preachers, however, are
like the one who said, "I always string the fish I
catch ". We should endeavor to baptize and enlist
each of our converts. Then we face the task of
teaching them to observe all things, which is an-
other way of saying, making Baptists of them.
"Dippin 5 J em and drappin' 5 em" is too often what
really happens.

Distinctive Baptist doctrines must be preached
from the pulpit often and without apology. If
Baptists do not have distinctive teachings not held
by others, then we are cumbering the ground, and
only adding confusion to the ranks of Christianity.

We mention a few without discussing them:
Salvation by Grace alone (no works at all) ; Soul
Competency in Religion (no proxies) ; Soul's Di-
rect Access to God (no pope) ; Equal Eights to
All Believers (special privileges to none) ; To Be
Responsible, the Soul Must Be Free (no force or
coercion of the will) ; and a Free Church in a Free
State. When our members are Baptists by definite
and positive conviction, we may expect fresh out-

60 ROMANCE OF KTOAL CHURCHES

breaks of evangelism where lukewarmness prevails
now.

Too many of our members are Baptists because
their people are, or they joined to be with husband
or wife, or due to convenience, or maybe without
giving the subject any serious consideration.
When converts join without positive convictions,
we should not be surprised if they leave for an-
other church of different faith and order.

The silly sentence, "It makes no difference
what yon believe just so you are sincere", could
easily lead one to another church from the same
sincerity. The pastors of half a century ago dwelt
long upon the distinctive Baptist doctrines. They
gave us a heritage we appreciate very little.

2. Training Progratns. The regular programs
prepared for the Training Unions will help to
undergird the preaching program for making dis-
ciples Baptists because they were written to build
better Baptists. By emphasizing the Training
service, we are definitely indoctrinating our people.
Certain study course books may be followed to
strengthen our members in "the faith once for all
delivered to the saints".

3. Good Books. Many country churches now
have libraries. When the books have been care-
fully and cautiously selected, w& can continue the
indoctrination of Baptists. Fifty years ago several
books appeared that built the Baptist faith. The
authors wove our distinctive doctrines into and
around good stories, which made them very read-
able and more interesting.

THE RURAL CHURCH PROCSRAM 61

I refer to such books as: Theodosia Ernest,
Jesse Allen, Woodrow Carlyle, Grace Truman,
Mabel Clement, The Discovery of John Dumos,
and the Little Baptist. "We miss books like them
today. There is little or nothing to take their
places.

Our children and young people read something.
It may be the funnies, yellow journals, or sex liter-
ature. They could just as easily read wholesome
books, magazines, and religious periodicals, if
they are made available.

A mud bath in filthy literature cannot easily be
counteracted. Young minds are like sponges, they
soak up almost anything they contact* A library
in a country church will pay great dividends, if
made convenient and kept constantly before the
people.

III. USI^G THE GRADUATES

1. Use Leaders Present. The teaching, training,
missionary and worship services in a country
church call for workers, leaders, teachers and offi-
cers. The pastor who knows his people will be
able to pick out individuals who possess skill for
duties in certain specific positions. As pastor, he
can usually make tactful connection with the right
job and the right worker.

No program of any church can successfully be
accomplished without dependable leaders. For in-
stance, the Sunday School will be just as efficient
as the officers and teachers make it. We could
say the same thing of any other auxiliary, or
agency of the church.

62 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHUECHES

Therefore, we must first locate and train the
leaders. Second, see that these leaders are in the
jobs they can best fill. Third, let them know in
detail the thing you wish to accomplish through
conference and council. Fourth, ring the bell,
beat the bushes, call them in, encourage and in-
spire the workers and keep a challenging aim be-
fore them toward which you are traveling.

2. Find Others. In nearly every country church
there is a large section of the membership unen-
listed and who show up only at funerals, revivals,
or at Mothers 7 Day programs* They include some
of our most promising prospects for leaders. They
have material means. Usually they possess trans-
portation. They need the church and the church
needs them.

Jesus said something about going out into the
highways and hedges and constraining them to
come in. "We are his instruments for getting the
old members back as well as for reaching the lost.

The pastor will gather his workers, instruct
them in ^the particular job, then lead them afield,
and encourage them until the task is done.
Preaching and prayer meeting attendance is built
by this method, just like we work at Sunday
School, Training Union and Woman's Missionary
Union attendance. The next chapter is devoted
to means * and methods, plans and programs for
enlisting the membership.

3. Practice Stewarship. A Missionary Baptist
Church program that omits missions, either de-
liberately or carelessly, is a paradox, a contradic-

THE RURAL CHURCH PROGRAM 63

tion, a monstrosity. Yet, year after year, there
are many country churches, purchased by the blood
of Jesus Christ, that have no systematic plan of
supporting missions.

They are missionary at heart and wiH give,
if the pastor will preach a red-hot missionary ser-
mon and see to it that somebody passes the hat.
I've seen it done and have done a bit of it myself.

"What we need is to put missions into our
church program and work at the task of leading
our people into the systematic Bible way of finance,
so we can have a cheek to mail each month to
Missions and Benevolences. We must not wait for
the end of the year, or until the association meets.

Waiting until the end of the year is better than
nothing, but the missionaries and orphans must
eat every day in the year. Once-a-year giving
would starve them all within a short time. The
Co-operative Plan of giving meets the demands
and cares of each Baptist cause according to actual
needs.

IV. DOIS'T BEFOG THE G-OAJ.

Unless the pastor is a careful observer and
watches the progress of his program, he is likely
to confuse the means with the end and consume
all of Ms energies making new machinery and
patching and oiling both old and new, instead of
looking for results, the real end of Christian en-
deavor. A mower may look well and run smoothly,
but unless it cuts the hay, it is only beautiful
junk. A hay-baler must bale hay, the cornhusker
must husk corn, the combine must clean and sack

64 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

the grain; otherwise sensible men pronounce them
failures.

So it is with our church program. Unless our
organizations and gatherings help to build up the
members in the faith, and aid the lost in finding
the Saviour, they fail in their main purpose. They
become just so mucfh rubbish, clutter up progress
and make the heavenly chariot wheels drag heavily.
We may have A~l standards of merit on the walls,
but we should be "ashamed" if we produce no
results. This is no criticism of means, instru-
ments, equipment, or devices.

It is merely a needed caution against becoming
so interested in our processes, programs, equip-
ment and organizations lest we forget that results
are the end for which it was all created. A good
way to keep from making this error is to visualize
some reasonable results for your church for a
year, or more in advance, make the best plans
possible for realizing these results, and then
watch for them as the program is being executed,
or carried out.

Therefore, if a church is making converts all
through the year, and not only at the "big
meeting" it may be pretty sure its program is
keyed to the New Testament plan. These new
Christians must be taught obedience to Christ's
commands, which, we believe, is another way of
saying, they must be made good Baptists. Just as
soon as they have begun to mature in the faith,
it is necessary to enlist them in the program of
the church. Every Christian can and should be

THE RURAL CHUECH PKOOEAM 65

a witness for the Lord. Xo one should be over-
looked for worship and service. By keeping the
main thing in mind there is little livelihood of
one's getting lost in the procedures machinery

and miss the goal, or the main thing for which
churches were constituted.

C HAP TEE VII

HOW TO ENLIST THE UNENL1STEB

Before taking up the enlistment problems in
detail,, it is well for us to consider

I. THE NATURE OF A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

1. Union in Unity. The Holy Spirit spoke
through Paul in I Cor. 12:12, and said, "For just
as the body is one and yet has many parts, and
all the parts of the body, many as they are, form
one body, so it is with Christ". "We have all been
baptized in one spirit to form one body, and
simply put, that is the biblical way every New
Testament Church is formed and grows.

There is a tie that binds our hearts to one
another and to Christ, which is real and genuine,
and like the human body, one member cannot be
hurt without suffering on the part of the whole
body. If a finger is cut, the physical body suffers.
When sin fastens upon a church member that
body, of which he is a member, is affected. Re-
member the story of Achan's sin (Joshua 7:20).

2. Maturing the Saints. We are born into the
kingdom of God as spiritual babies. After the
vote of the membership, we are baptized into a
New Testament Church. What a bunch of babies
the pastor sometimes finds in Ms church, and the
tragic thing about it is that some never grow be-
yond the "creeper", or " romper" age, while a
few remain spiritual dwarfs and demand a straight
milk diet. That accounts for many of the church

How TO ENLIST THE UNENLISTED 67

"fusses" and "quarrels". Great care, sympathy,
tenderness and patience are required of the pastor
in enlistment work.

3. No Easy Task. Because of the peculiar nature

of a New Testament Church, the enlistment prob-
lem is not easy. What works wonderfully in one
place, may require much adaptation in another
community. However, human nature is pretty
much the same everywhere. "With a sympathetic
understanding of the needs, the enlistment task,
difficult as it is, will yield to proper treatment.

IL THE ENLISTMENT PKOBLEM Is GBOWING

Every year our statistician compiles figures to
show that our number of unenlisted in Southern
Baptist ranks is growing like an octopus with his
slimy tentacles reaching into every community and
church. A study of this program in my own
churches showed an average of 25% of the roll
were entirely gone from the neighborhood, most
addresses of whom could not be located.

A diligent search by letter, friends, relatives,
or otherwise, revealed that some had joined other
Baptist churches and called for no letter. Soine
joined churches of another faith and order, while
some reported they had been genuinely "con-
verted," and therefore asked for no letter when
joining a church the second time. Some sent in
nice contributions to the home church, while oth-
ers followed our hint and called for their letters.

It will pay any pastor to check his church roll

and search for his sheep. Another 5% to 15%

68 ROMANCE OF BURAL CHUKCHBS

of my church members were in the ocmmmnity

just waiting for the church to come after them. A
few of them had petty grievances which they had
fertilised and carefully cultivated. Others had no
grievances at all just out of the habit and indif-
ferent Many of them were ready to come back
and only needed a good, warm, cordial invitation.

What a marvelous difference that nnenlisted 5 %
or 15% would make in that little country church
if they could just be persuaded to return. At-
tendance upon all services would automatically
rise, offerings would increase, fellowship would
bloom-out, and lost people would be more favorably
impressed with the new life at the little one-room
Baptist church down the road.

III. SOME SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

1. The Key Man to the solution of the tmenlisted
in the country church is the Shepherd of the flock.
If he loves country situations and particularly his
own people, he will find a way or make one. To
use his country pastorate as a brief stepping
stone to something more attractive, is to court
complete failure in reaching the constituency. The
better he understands country people, the easier
the job will be. Particularly is this true in leading
the men.

The pastor may not possess an outstanding
personality, but the Holy Spirit will lead any man
God calls to be a pastor in developing a usable
quality- of leadership for the men. His faith must
know nothing aMn to failure. He must believe in

How TO ENLIST THE UNENLISTED 89

God and his power to accomplish the seemingly

impossible in the country. He must believe in his
own people, and the task Christ set before them.
With an interested, enthusiastic pastor to go ahead,
the Job is already well on its "way to completion.

2. There Must Be Some Plans, devices^ schemes,
or techniques used in any effort at enlistment.
Just which ones are best in every case may be the
unknown quantity, but here are some that have
been used and found workable.

(1) Inform the People. Baptist people are a
peculiar people and will not follow far or long

when they don't thoroughly understand. They may
not demand information, but they are hard to
move without it. The wise pastor wiE go into

complete details with Ms church on any and every
deviation from their custom.

He may start with Ms deacons, or use all the
men together in small memberships. To let them
have a part in making that program, usually will
break down all or most of the opposition. When
the men are agreed, then it may more successfully
come before the church. All business matters
will be decided in church conference, or the busi-
ness session, but full and complete discussions may
properly be had privately or publicly.

Never appear too anxious, or, act hastily as if
you. were going to "put something over". Give

them plenty of time, let them ask questions, wMch

you or your men can answer. Use your bulletin,

tracts, State papers, books, and sermons, but be

70 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

absolutely sure all understand the program, or
plan, before it is adopted by the church*

Never be afraid to tell the whole truth of any
matter to your church. Informed Baptists are
great followers. My four-page, mimeographed^
church bulletin was used to inform my people on
all business of the church. I would tactfully sug-
gest it first. Then discuss it informatively, with-
out trying to "bowl them over" by sledge-
hammer arguments.

I tried persuasion chiefly on my fields, and it
worked nicely. The State paper is the best as-
sistant pastor any church ever had, 1 don't see
how I could pastor a country church without its
regular weekly appearance in the homes of my
people.

(2) Stress the Doctrines. Baptists are what
they are today because of their doctrines in the
past. Their distinctive teachings gave them their
rightful place in the world. Unless Baptists main-
tain their doctrinal integrity, they merit no sup-
port and do not justify their existence as a sepa-
rate denomination.

Dr. B. H. Carroll, the father of South Western
Baptist Theological Seminary, and defender of
the faith, hit the bull's-eye when he said, "The
New Testament is the law of Christianity. All the
New Testament is the law of Christianity. The
New Testament is all the law of Christianity. The
New Testament always will be all the law of
Christianity". The New Testament is our all-
sufficient guide in all matters of faith and practice.
Baptist churches come more nearly up to the New

How TO ENLIST THE UNENLISTEB 71

Testament pattern than any other churches on the
earth. That's why we call them New Testament
Churches.

Any Baptist preacher who doesn't believe this,
should be honest enough to turn in Ms ordination
papers^ and institute a search for a genuine New
Testament Church. Members of country churches
are about, as well indoctrinated as any group, but
even that is not very complimentary. All too often
our members appear confused, embarrassed, and
ill at ease before certain errorists who can glibly
spiel" off their doctrines and quote Scripture
that is supposed to substantiate those doctrines.

A series of Prayer Meeting studies on Baptist
doctrines will introduce the subject and whet
some appetites. Study courses in what Baptists
believe will help wonderfully. The pulpit is the
place for the bulk of this work to be done. We
preachers must preach our doctrines.

Some church members could listen to their pas-
tor for a whole year and then would not be able
to give a good clear-cut reason for being a Baptist,
and support it with appropriate scriptures. Much
of this trouble may be placed in the pulpits of
quite a few of our Baptist churches. Good tracts
distributed at the close of some particular doctrinal
sermon will help to clinch the message.

Brother pastor, Baptists will die without Bap-
tist doctrine, and the devil is well aware of that
fact. See to it that the members get it where you
preach. Remember , however, that you can't an-
tagonize and influence at the same time, so be

72 ROMANCE OF EUKAL CHURCHES

careful how you preach. An appeal to prejudice
will close the -mind, and a closed mind will miss
your message.

(3) Attend D examinational Gatherings, It is
exceedingly difficult to generate and maintain in-
terest in a church without some fellowship or con-
tact with other groups. Therefore, the pastor will
arrange for his people to gather rather frequently
in co-operation with other churches for the mu-
tual good of the Lord's work

The group plan, within the association for pro-
moting Sunday school, Training Union, Brother-
hood and Woman's Missionary Union work f offers
the most practical opportunity. This plan is for
the- surrounding Baptist churches with whom we
are already partially acquainted.

For illustration ? our own Sunday school teach-
ers and officers will usually be willing to take part
on the program because there is only a small
group in attendance. To hear what others are
doing and how they are doing it will stimulate us
to better efforts.

The next step-up is the Annual Meeting of the
Association. Our messengers (not delegates
delegates possess authority to bind) and alter-
nates will be selected and elected by the church
and written on the Uniform Letter. Then all the
visitors we can persuade to attend will go. When
they return, their reports and they certainly
should be given opportunity to report will kindle
fires and fan the fflames for all who did not see
and hear first-hand.

How TO ENLIST THE UNBNLISTBD 73

If the Association is awake, it will hear con-
cise reports of past efforts, definite plans for the
new year, and preaching that will stir to action.
The Association is the first unit of co-operative

work among Baptists and goes far back into our
history. If we are wise, we shall enthusiastically
support it

Much inspiration will come to our workers who
attend the quarterly assoeiational gatherings of
the various church organizations. Regional and
Divisional meetings will hearten the faltering lead-
ers nearly every time, but we must be interested
enough to expose ourselves. Don't forget what
Thomas missed by being absent.

The State Convention should never be allowed
to meet without one or more messengers from each
country church being sent. The church could af-
ford to pay all or a portion of the expense, be-
cause of the encouragement lie will bring back to
the people. At this Convention, we discuss the
Lord's work co-operatively, vote new plans, and
elect those charged with the details of carrying
out those new programs. Then our church votes
to adopt, or reject, those programs and governs
itself accordingly.

That is the Baptist way of doing mission work.
No country church can afford to be without at least
one messenger to its State Convention. Most mis-
understanding of co-operative efforts arises be-
cause of the lack of information,, or because of mis-
information- The State Convention of Sunday
schools, Training Unions, and "Woman's Mission-

74 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

ary Unions is greatly inspirational, and "we need
its contributions.

The influence of the Southern Baptist Conven-
tion is felt less than that of a state convention,
because it is farther removed from the churches.
For the same reason, the influence of a state con-
vention is felt less than that of an association.
However, as often as possible, a messenger ought
to be elected and sent to the Southern Convention.
It never fails to strengthen the faith and inspire
those who attend.

Brother pastor, if the church is anti-mission-
ary, omissionary, indifferent, self-satisfied, or
bogged-down in a fuss^ try these plans carefully
and prayerfully before you come to the conclusion
your work is done at "Old Mt. Harmony". You
may have to haul your people to most of these
gatherings, but, even at that, I really think it
pays. It is best to denominationalize the rural
churches.

(4) Organize for the Task. If I read my Bible
aright, it is entirely possible to have a New Testa-
ment church without any organization whatsoever,
even deacons or pastor; but this is no argument
against the needed organization in every Baptist
church. The only question is, how much do I
need?

The only reason for any organization in a New
Testament church is to localize responsibility for
results better results. If the organization of
some unit does not, and will not, get results, it is
only dead timber and needs a decent funeral.

How TO ENLIST THE BNENLISTED 75

Just because some other church has a series of

organizations, is not sufficient reason for me to
demand the same " gadgets " for my church.

What ? s the use of putting a gas-saving device on
my auto unless it really does save fuel or increase
the mileage. . One can have entirely too much
" chromium-plate " on an automobile/

The usual organizations found in most country
churches are Sunday school, Training Union,
Woman 5 s Missionary Union and, just as soon as
the work for men is better understood, we may
safely add the Brotherhood. Each one of these
organizations has a specific job or task to perform.

The Sunday school is to teach the Bible and
urge the Individuals to practice its precepts. Bible

facts alone axe not sufficient. Training Union is
to develop the Christians and mature them in the
Christian graces. They must be developed from
babes in Christ to full-grown men, when the "meat
of the word" will be demanded and relished.

Woman >s Missionary Union features a train-
ing program for the age groups and, at the same
time, directs the matured ones in mission, steward-
ship, and evangelistic activities. The Brotherhood
faces a similar activity task. They have no special
program. Their program is the church program,
and they are to help the pastor in carrying it to
final conclusion.

(5) Plan the Work and Work the Plows. How
may we enlist the members of a country church

and bring the lost ones into the Sunday school?
Good literature on this subject is readily and easily

76 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

available from our publishing house, the Sunday
School Board, so only brief suggestions will be in

order here. The late W. B. Hudgins tad a work-
able technique for this business, and it ran about
as follows: "Find ? em 5 fetch ? em, fix ' ; ei% fasten
? em, follow J em, finish ? em. ??

A census will reveal all possibilities in the
community. Next, classify the information and
give it to the teacher of the proper age to distrib-
ute specific responsibility for enlistmmt* Make
a new class, or several, if necessary. The pastor
will help to locate class rooms for these extra
classes.

At times it becomes absolutely necessary to ad-
just the teaching force so as to put the right teach-
ers with the right class. A square peg will not
fill a round hole. Neither will a teacher of the
primary age fit into an adult class. It takes real
courage and grace to change a custom of long
standing in any country church. The pastor will
probably get "bawled out" and occasionally may
be forced to resign within a few months? but even
then, it pays.

I have seen more than one poorlj attended
Sunday school doubled in attendance within the

space of a few months by an adjustment of teach-
ers. Naturally the new pastor will make haste
slowly in dealing with a more or less fixed, custom
of his church. He must know his people well
enough to pick the right worker for a specific job.

"While classifying the census for ase ? there

should be adopted an aim, or a challenging goal.

How TO ENLIST THE UNENLISTBD 77

The A-l standard for Sunday schools furnishes a
worthy incentive for development and accomplish-
ment ^Anj country Sunday school can reach and
maintain, this minimum requirement. To reach the
standard is one thing; to maintain it regularly as
a program is another thing the main thing. *

IT., SOME INTEREST-PRODUCING ACTIVITIES

1, Improve the Church Grounds. Some country
churches have been n-eglected so long that the
buildings aituated on the road are blotted out by
the bushes and undergrowth. One must approach
cautiously to avoid passing without seeing them.

A eertain pastor accepted the call to a church
in this 60n*iition and found the membership about
equally divided over a previous pastor. So little
abstractive interest was shown in. the church that
full energies were free to engage in the "differ-
ence". Sa fact that church fuss was the livest
and. most interesting affair in that neighborhood.
The new pastor was no expert in umpiring church.
fusses^ but he did inow a few things for sure
about human nature.

Soon he called a meeting of the deacons and
men one Sunday afternoon, and suggested that the
chureh grounds be cleared, suitable shade trees
left, or planted, lawn grass be sown, shrubs be
set, flowers planted, and two sanitary rest rooms
built. It was new, different and, therefore, refresh-
ing for dlseussion. All were agreed (the first
time in a good spell) and it was unanimously or-
dered at the next regular business meeting.

78 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

As was anticipated by the pastor, both sides
of the "argument" were well represented. The
Shepherd did little actual labor, but he did a
fancy job of keeping the conversations on a real
program for "our church" among both men and
women. The undertaking was eventually com-
pleted to the joy and satisfaction of both groups,
and to the improvement of the church grounds.
Jobs were found for as many as possible in other
ventures, the church program was kept first in
their minds, and the "fuss" soon began to die for
lack of cultivation.

2. Maintain Cemetery Grounds. The next project
for the church, and the whole community, was^ to
raise money for cleaning off the cemetery, fencing
it, leveling it for lawn-mowers, and planting grass.
When Decoration Day dawned in that community,
the visitors were agreeably surprised to see the
marvelous transformation in their "city of the
dead".

It was a great day, the church was packed with
people, and the tables fairly groaned beneath their
palatable burdens. Interest picked up, something
was "going on" now at the little country church
that made every one proud he was a member,

3. The Lord's Acres. The next year the Lord's
Acres was introduced as a church project. Several
agreed to plant plots in cotton, for that was the
money crop, and give the proceeds to the church.
One man who had pledged $10.00 to the church
for the year, turned in a check on his plot for
$37.50, the biggest single annual church gift of

How TO ENLIST THE UNENLISTED 79

Ms life. There was a temptation to turn in only
$10.00, Ms pledge, and keep the difference, but

with the Lord's help, tie won the battle.

That fall, instead of owing the pastor most of
his year's salary, they had accumulated enough

to begin repairs on the church bnilding proper.
Next chapter will give more details, when church
finance is discussed.

A new day was dawning in this rural comoiun-
ity, because the pastor was not content to preach,
eat, and leave the people Sunday night and be
gone for two weeks. He was in that community
from one to three times, visiting people, planning
better programs, and conducting the weekly Pray-
er Meeting.

4. Christian Social Life. A pastor in another
community led his church in a fellowsMp, or social
program, that reached all ages of the membersMp.
He could not personally direct everytMng, but he
found capable members he could entrust with a
good share of this responsibility. The church
agreed to use a portion of their basement for a
kitchen, and equipped it with electric range, ample
dishes, and a sink was installed.

Of course, they had no running water, so they
connected a pipe from the hand pump to the sink,
and also one from the sink for the waste line and

suffered little inconvenience for the dish-washing

events, either summer or winter.

Movable partitions separated class rooms in
the basement for the elementary grades. Collapsi-
ble tables were made and stored in that same base-

80 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHUBCHIB

meat. They consisted of " horses " and twelve-
inch boards, ten feet long. When a church supper,
or banquet was wanted, it was an easy task to
make ready and clean up afterwards.

The regular " split-bottom 75 chairs used in the
class rooms were numerous enough to seat our
social gatherings. The furnace-heated basement
was utilized in the winter and in the summer the
equipment could be moved outside.

July 4 was the usual big event for the church
and community for a picnic. Pigs, goats or sheep
would be barbecued, a big kettle of "burgoo" was-
prepared ? and both of these supplemented by
baskets of lunch,, which resulted in a dinner fit for
a governor, and a social event that could not be
forgotten.

These events were climaxed by a religions serv-
ice and the people went back to their homes feel-
ing that it was the best community in the State.
A certain deacon in that church was the moving
spirit in this particular event. He put much into
it, and got lots out of it.

Naturally, several committees were selected to
look after all details. The community was so thor-
oughly permeated by the Christian ideals that
honky-tonks and grog-shops found it impossible

to tarry long there.

During the terrible depression, homes wen*
scarce because of the many anxious to move into
that community, price of land remained high al-
though the soil was not very productive. This

How TO ENLIST THE UNENLISTED 81

same result may be expected in any rural commun-
ity where the church is its center and an aggres-
sive Christianity is constantly maintained.

5. Church Library. One evening a country pastor
took the place of the sponsor of the Junior Union
who happened to lt>e absent. When their brief pro-
gram was finished, he checked them by questions on
the content of Ms sermons. To his surprise, he
found they could recall some of Ms subjects, many
of his texts, and all of his illustrations.

With this challenge he began to direct their
minds to certain books in the church library. A
note in the church bulletin, or an item in the
regular announcements kept the most interesting
books before the children. Different ones of the
young people or adults would check the books in
and out at Prayer Meeting or Sunday .school.
From the minutes of the Association, State and
Southern Baptist Conventions, special programs
could be prepared and the regular ones could be
enriched and made more interesting due to the
convenience of their library.

One boy led all the others in reading books
from the church library. He is now in his college
days. Just how much the books from that com-
munity church library helpfully influenced Mm, we
may never know, but he has Christian convictions
that were not broken, or neutralized during some
years in army life. One boy's life constructively
influenced toward the best things, is worth all the
trouble and work a library will cost.

CHAPTER VIII

SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF RURAL
CHURCH FINANCE

Tlie only reason ever given for quarter-time and
half-time ch.urch.es is the lack of money to finance
full-time programs. At times there may not be
preachers enough, but my observation is that the
country church with an adequate financial system
remains pastorless very little, if any of the time.

Other reasons may account for the existence of
part-time churches, but they are never mentioned.
So, if we can solve this difficulty, the lack of fi-
nance, most of the country church problems will
vanish into thin air.

L THE BIBLE PLAIST OF CHURCH FIKAKCB

1. The Source Book. The Bible, our Guide Book
for all matters of faith, contains also the solution
of the financial problem, the practice of steward-
ship. According to the Bible, God owns all "the
cattle on a thousand hills", Psa. 50:10; "The
earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the
world, and they that dwell therein", Psa. 24:1;
' ' The silver is mine and the gold is mine, saith the
Lord of hosts'', Hag. 2:8.

By right of redemption, every Christian be-
longs to God, "For ye are bought with a price",
I Cor. 6:20. God is owner and all Christians are
stewards. Between God and man, man owns noth-
ing; he merely possesses God's goods, and some
day must render a strict account of his steward-

SOLVING RURAL CHURCH FINANCE 83

ship. "Moreover It is required in stewards, that a
man be found faithful." I Cor. 4:2. "And as it is
appointed unto men once to die^ but after tMs the
judgment. 7 ' Heb. 9:27. When a Christian is con-
vinced that he is a steward and God is the real
owner, he has come to the place where Jesus
actually becomes Lord and Master, as well as
Savior. Nearly every consecrated steward looks
with favor upon tithing as a means of financing
the Kingdom's work.

2. Amount to ~be TitJigd. He is now ready to
practice $iat relationship Lord and servant by
bringing Ms tithes and offerings every first day of
the week according to the divine plan. Outwardly
this proves the sincerity of Ms love for Christ
to the scoffing and gainsaying world about Mm.
A farmer can tithe if he really wants to, just as
easily as a man in any other business. It is only
the increase of which a tithe is required, Prov. 3 :9.

Books or simple record^ may be kept in order
that we may know, and not leave it to chance. All
costs, outside of family living costs, are legitimate
deductions, such as fertilizer, labor, seed, and a
reasonable amount for wear and tear of machinery
and tools, but no living costs. The net amount,
or difference, is what the Bible calls "increase".
Some may cavil, complain, stall, argue and offer
excuses, but none of them will stand the wMte
light of G-od's judgment.

Space here will not permit full discussions of
stewardship and tithing. Plenty of tracts, pam-
phlets, and books on these subjects are already in

84 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

print and may be had from any Baptist Book Store.
The Bible was, is now, and will always remain
our Sonrce Book on these two subjects.

3. The Tithe Meets Needs. Tithes and offerings
took care of religions worship before the Mosaic
Law was given. Tithes and offerings were amply
adequate during the period of the Law 5 or from
Moses to John the Baptist. Tithes and offerings
have cared for New Testament churches in the
past, and where tried, are sufficient now.

If Jesus knew what He was talking about, tithes
and offerings will meet all the needs until He
comes back again. Beyond that event, we should
not worry or be concerned about money. Tithes
and offerings not only bountifully supply the neces-
sary funds for a New Testament church program,
but also protect the Christian against covetousness.

Many books and pamphlets have been written
by enthusiastic and zealous individuals who have
invented " sure-shot " financial schemes, plans and
procedures, and additional ones are being gen-
erated every year. They are men's plans and
merely serve to add more speed to the "merry-
go-round" of featuring financial failures in church
treasuries. Only one plan is "sure-shot" for a
New Testament church, and that is outlined in
the Bible. Now that we have tried everything else,
let's give tithing a thorough test.

II. TELL THE PEOPLE

1. Immediately After Baptism. I was a member
of a Baptist church for four years before I ever

SOLVING RURAL CHUECH FINANCE 85

heard "word one" about tithing, and when I did
liear it, it irked and irritated me painfully and
powerfully. In fact, I never recovered from it.
I finally succumbed to it after several years of
intense mental, physical, and spiritual suffering.
The story of the evolution of one tither is a
"plum' good ? un ?> , but too long to relate here.

Suffice it to say that that good pastor sinned
against Grod and me by not preaching stewardship
and tithing before, or soon after, I came out of
the baptismal waters. I realize now I was a very
" covetous customer", but did not imagine it then.
Any and all mature men and women born into the
Kingdom and who must face for the first time their
stewardship relation, have my deepest sympathy.
The ordeal never Mils, but does dig deeply where
one lives.

The preacher, who rightly divides God's Word,
wiE preach the doctrine of stewardship expressed
in tithes and offerings, just as earnestly as he does
salvation by grace alone, security of the believer,
or any other Bible doctrine. The doctrine of mis-
sions as our mission should be on a par with stew-
ardship, because missions today waits upon stew-
ardship as expressed in our tithes and offerings.

My first pastorate had been held by stalwarts
of the faith, but for some unknown reason, they
had touched only lightly upon stewardship and
missions, so that is where I began. I stood out
boldly, like a sore finger, because of these sub-
jects used, even though I could not equal them on
the other doctrines.

86 ROMANCE OF RUKAL CHUKCHES

2. Leaders Practice TitMng. The preacMng from
the pulpit must be emphasized in the teaching
throughout the Sunday school Teachers who do
not believe in tithing may be satisfactory in some
city churches, but they simply cannot be used in
country Sunday schools. The teachers all wield a
powerfnl influence and the wise pastor knows it
and plans accordingly. Stewardship lessons are
hard to learn.

It will take lime, patience and courage to teacli
them until they have been learned. No one has
learned in the highest sense until he is willing to
put the lesson into practice.

3. The Pastor Leads. The expression, "what yon
are makes so much noise I can't hear what yon
say", certainly applies to tithing. The pastor
who preaches and fails to practice tithing might as
well "bay at the moon" for all the good he will
accomplish. The members may never say it aloud,
but their minds are mumbling "physician, heal
thyself". Certainly here is one place we must
show our faith by our works. Christians cannot
long see their pastor tithe and not increase their
contributions.

When the pastor tithes, he should next enlist
all the deacons. A deacon who will not tithe may
pass the collection plate efficiently every service,
but Ms example will never convert any man to
tithing. After the deacons are enlisted, the Sun-
day school teachers and officers are the next in
order. Training Union, Woman's Missionary
Union, and all church officers should be enlisted

SOLVING RURAL CHURCH FINANCE 87

first before individually approaching tie remainder
of the membership.

Frankly, I never did enlist all the members
of any one of my churches, but I did see the num-
ber of contributors increase every year. Teaching
and practicing Bible finance can never be discon-
tinued. As new ones are added, they must be in-
structed and enlisted. Tithers need to hear mes-
sages on tithing for the same reason believers
need to hear the Gospel. No apology need be
made for either type of message.

III. AGKEB UPOST A SYSTEM

1. Inform the Men. A method that has been suc-
cessful is to call a meeting of the deacons, and if
few in numbers, include all your men who attend
the regular services. This has been done on Sun-
clay afternoon, also on a week night. Lead the
discussion on a worthy, or aggressive program for
the church. Then use a blackboard on which to
itemize the finance necessary to promote the pro-
gram wanted, or agreed upon in the discussion.

The wise pastor has already given the matter
so much study and prayer, that he has all items
in mind. Therefore, he naturally and easily leads
from point to point as the brethren suggest, or
hint at reasonable figures. Never be hasty, impa-
tient, irritated, or try to force the issue. If the
time is not right, postpone graciously, and build
up the low places before you call another meeting.
You know now where the low places are.

2. For a Specific Illustration, the 1943 Depart-

88 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

ment of Agriculture Farm Statistics, Nashville,
showed corn, cotton, hay, potatoes, tobacco, wheat,
barley, and lespedeza seed to be the principal
crops of Lawrence, Giles, and Lincoln counties,
with a total acreage of 393,585. The average In-
come per acre was $36.50. The effective buying
income per capita, 1942, in Lawrence country was
$242.00. The minutes for 1944 and 1945 for these
three associations revealed the following averages
for all quarter-time churches listed : Annual budget
$498.00 ; annual pastor support, $190.00 ; and mem-
bership, 107.

From these two studies, the following suggested
budget was prepared for a quarter-time church in
that section:

Financial Budget for a Quarter-Time Church

Monthly Yearly

1. Janitor service $ 4.00 $ 48,00

2. Insurance premium 3.00 36.00

3. Ministers' Eetirement Plan .90 10.80

4. Fuel 2.00 24.00

5. Lights 1.25 15.00

6. Building repairs 3.00 36.00

7. Associational minutes .50 6.00

8. Incidentals 3.30 39.60

9. Literature 8.00 96.00

10. Baptist and Reflector 3.00 36.00

11. Co-operative Program 8.33 99.96

12. Pastor support 30.00 360.00

Totals $67.28 $807.36

This suggested annual budget, $807.36, divided
by 52 Sundays, equals $15.52 per Sunday of col-

SOLVING EURAL CHURCH FINANCE 89

lections needed. The Sunday offering divided by
100 members equals 15%c per member each. Sun-
day of the year. The quarter-time churches in
these three associations averaged 107 members
each. Drop the 7, and nse 100 as the base for con-
venience.

The best way to raise the above budget Is for
each member to make an offering of some sort
every Sunday. If he misses a Sunday, he should
make up for it when he does attend. Then when
farm crops are sold, if he is not satisfied with his
material gifts to the Lord, let him make up the
difference while he has the cash.

Of course, all collections on Sunday should be
passed to the regular Church Treasurer imme-
diately. It will help to keep up financial interest
if read at least monthly. Don't wait until the year
ends to do it.

SUGGESTIONS AS TO

How weekly offerings How yearly offerings
may be secured: may be raised:

1. Sell 3 or 4 eggs 1. Sell 1 very sm. ham

2. " % Ib. butter 2. " 1 med. shoulder

3. " 1 can of fruit 3. " 1 Ige. middling

4. " 1 qt. of Trrillr 4. "5 avg. size hens

5. " 16 dozen eggs

Or do without 6. " 1% bbls. corn

7. "4 gals, sorghum

1. 3 soft drinks 8. " 2 bu. Irish

2. 3 candy bars potatoes

3. 3 pkgs. chewing gum 9. " 3 bu. sweet

4. % pack cigarettes potatoes

90 ROMANCE OF RUEAL CHUECHES

5. 2 elgars 10. " 12 med. size

6. 1 can snuff watermelons

7. 1 plug tobacco 11. " 16 Ibs. butter

8. 1 picture show each 12. " pig at weaning

2 weeks time

WHEK AND How TO GET IT DOHB

Have two or more committees (best givers) to
call upon each chnrch member some Sunday after-
noon, explain the financial plan, have prayer (if
impressed), ask if he is willing to assume some
responsibility, and how much. Write down his
amount, thank Mm, depart, and find the next one.
"Let all things be done decently and in order 7 '
(I Cor. 14:40). The above plan seems to be both
" decent" and " orderly".

SOME POINTED SCEJPTTJEES

When give? "Upon the first day of the week",

I Cor. 16.2.

Why give! "To prove the sincerity of your

love 57 , II Cor, 8:8.

What give? "According to that a man hath",

II Cor. 8:12.

Where give? "Into the storehouse" (worship
place), Mai. 3:10.

How give? "As he purposeth in his heart," II
Cor. 9:7.

It is dangerous to trifle with God about our

stewardship.

SOLVING RUEAL CHURCH FINANCE 91

Give to avoid poverty: Prov. 11:24, "With-
holding more than is meet' 7 .

Give to be enriched: Prov. 11:25, "The liberal
soul shall be made fat" 7 .

Give to be faithful: I Cor. 4:2, "It is required
of stewards".

Give because Jesus said so: Luke 6:38, "Give".

To be sure, the suggested amounts may be too
high, or too low, depending upon "good" times,
or "hard" times, but the items mentioned will, no
doubt, remain the same. Take it before the Prayer
Meeting crowd and let them ask questions freely,
which, of course, the pastor will be prepared to
answer sympathetically, informatively, and enthusi-
astically, unless some interested convert to the plan
beats the pastor to it.

Now, it is ready for wide-spread distribution
among all the membership. Give it a place of
prominence in your church bulletin. If no bulle-
tin, get some copies mimeographed, or printed, into
the hands of all the members. No, it has not yet
been adopted by the church, and the pastor will
not let it come up for adoption until he has a
pretty good idea it has become the choice of the
overwhelming majority of the members.

Remember, it is their program and not the
pastor's or the deacons', when voluntarily accepted
in open meeting after full publicity. Once adopted
heartily by the church, the job of getting it sub-
scribed is half over.

92 EOMANCE OP RURAL CHUECHES

3, Bmldmg the Lord's Treasury. How can we
enlist tlie members and make the church treasury,
or church budget, or church financial plan, or what-
ever you choose to call it, a reality? The next
step will succeed or fail, depending upon how well
the i make-ready ", or preparation has been done.
No one procedure in subscribing the budget is
recommended to the total exclusion of all others.

One method is to set a day for it. Preach an
appropriate sermon and at the close, give all pres-
ent an opportunity to fill out cards, (supplied
beforehand) and drop them into the plates as
they come by, or sing a song and let each one
come by the table before the pulpit, on which is
an open Bible, and place them there. Have your
best givers instructed to be back at the church at
2 o'clock, check signed cards against the church,
roll, then go out by twos to call on those absent
from morning worship. Those not located Sunday
afternoon will be seen by some of the workers
that week.

Whatever has been accomplished so far is a
good beginning. It must be kept constantly before
the people throughout the year. Members who
will not sign for a tithe, will be asked to make a
pledge. Some will do neither one. That is why
it is an everlasting task and cannot be relaxed
even for a few months.

Some country communities have had so little
teaching along this line that it is not wise to try
cards, or an every member canvass. I had one
like this. We used the sermons, class-teaching,

SOLVING RUKAL CHURCH FINANCE 93

tracts, personal letters to members, bulletins, and
every other means except pledge cards. The offer-
Ings doubled and mission gifts were multiplied by

three. Eventually they will accept a real every
member canvass.

IV. How To CABBY ON

1. Keeping Records. One church treasurer kept
the records on Ms shirt cuff, made his reports, and
had his shirts laundered. No one doubted his
honesty and integrity, but such a lack of system in
bookkeeping inspired poor giving. He voluntarily
resigned and a new man was elected.

The pastor saw to it that a bound book was
used for all financial reports and that they were
read in detail each month at the regular business
meeting. On one page, the money collected each Sun-
day was dated and entered. If some one gave money
through the week, his name, amount and date were
all entered. When added this gave all money
received for that month. To it would be added the
previous month's balance. On the right hand
page, each check was recorded, who got it, and
why, or for what. This page added and sub-
tracted from the left-hand page showed the new
balance, or what was left with which to begin the
new month.

All payments were fully and freely discussed
at the business meeting and the very next Sunday,
the bulletin carried that financial report, item by
item. To that publicity may be attributed most
of the credit for doubling the amount of gifts for

94 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

the nest year at that little church. These financial
reports became a part of the history of that church
just as much as receiving and dismissing members.

2. Constant Publicity. The bulletin always kept
the church informed on the exact financial progress.
At the end of each month, everyone knew whether
we were ahead of our goal, behind, or just i 'hold-
ing our own". If we lagged a bit, usually some
member would suggest we do something about it.
One pastor was told by Ms treasurer that if the
usual cheek went to missions, there would not be
enough to pay the pastor's monthly salary.

The pastor was wise, and far-sighted, and said,
if Send the mission check without delay. I'll make
out 7 '. The mission check was mailed, and that
"Wednesday night at business session, the treasur-
er's report showed a deficit of $15.00 on the pas-
tor's salary. Immediately a deacon arose and
said, "I move we pass the hat and get enough to
pay our pastor in full. He must live like the rest
of "us". Promptly, that pastor said, "Do I hear
a second to that motion?' 7 A second was heard.
The hat was passed and the pastor paid. The
point is, he knew they would be more forward to
pay Mm than to pay the mission obligation.

If the pastor will see to it that his church is
positively missionary, somehow the Lord will care
for that pastor. Some pastors have erroneously
reasoned that if they pushed the mission offering,
there would not be enough to pay their salaries.
If Missionary Baptist churches don't give to mis-
sions, they will starve their pastors.

CHAPTEE IX
ORGANIZING A RURAL CHURCH

I. WHY ORGANIZE!

1. New Testament Practice. As already sug-
gested, it is possible to have a New Testament
church, without officers, or organization, but the
divine pattern provides for both. The church
Jesus built was an organism. It fairly pulsated
with life, because it was filled with the Holy Spirit.
It was an organization, because it met, transacted
business, and possessed officers. Argument against
organizing a church is argument against the New
Testament practice.

2. Distributes Responsibility. All organizations
in a church are simply means to an end. They are
vehicles for carrying loads in the activities of that
church. They are not the power house itself, but,
the lines over and through which the power must
move in doing a church's business.

The work of a church must be done by the
individuals of whom it is composed. There is no
other way. To use individuals effectively^ it is
necessary to distribute and localize responsibility.
""What's everybody's business, is nobody's busi-
ness" can be righted only when certain people
have definite specific responsibility.

That is where organization comes into the pic-
ture. We may differ as to the amount of organi-
zation needed, but not on the principle of it.

96 ROMANCE OP RUEAL CHURCHES

3. To Use Members. Through the plan of organ-
ization, we use the church members. The more we
can use the better it is for the members. The only
way into the kingdom of God is by the new birth.
Therefore, we have immature, undeveloped, and
inexperienced people, spiritually speaking, who
must be matured in the Christian graces.

We may be highly skilled in worldly wisdom,
but the Bible says we are " babes in Christ", and
have need of spiritual food and exercise. The sad-
dest sight a pastor sees is that the overwhelming
majority of his members are immature and un-
skillful with the word. This fact partially ex-
plains the weak, insipid, unchanging programs of
so many churches.

II. How MUCH OBGANIZATIOST I

1. What is Needed. This is a reasonable and
practical question that can be answered only after
the facts are known. To prescribe here before the
facts are in, is like a doctor's giving medicine be-
fore diagnosing the case, both may be disastrous
to the patients. "Well, how much organization
should a church really have? It should have just
exactly what it needs no more. The type of
building, the size of the membership, and the de-
velopment of the members are three vital factors.

It would not be the part of wisdom to demand
a fully departmentized Sunday school in a one-
room church building with a possible constituency
of 100 in that community. Neither is it wise to
begin Sunday school, Training Union, and Worn-

ORGANIZING A RURAL CHURCH 97

an ? s Missionary Union all at the same time, when
leaders for only one can be found.

2, Start With One. The best policy is to begin
with one of these usual organizations, pnt all you
have into it, and keep it built up until the leaders

can carry on without the pastor's energies. Then
lie can be free to look for additional leadership
material, which lie will develop and train for the
next unit.

It may take a year, or longer, before the church
will be ready for this next step, which might be a
Woman's Missionary Society. My suggestion is
that it is far better to have one strong organization
in a church than three or four weak "wobbly"
ones.

3. Complete the Needs. Nearly every country
church can grow to where it will need a Sunday

school, Training Union, Woman's Missionary
Union, and Brotherhood, the usual organizations
found in live growing churches.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

The class unit of organization for the Sunday
school will be best in most of our country churches.
Some few will out-grow this method, and need the
departmental plan. Minimum officers for the class
unit school are: Superintendent, Associate, Secre-
tary, Chorister, or Song Leader, and Pianist. If
the children can be found, a teacher should be
provided, for each age group through the Interme-
diates. Then just as many classes for young peo-
ple and adults as are needed to reach the members

98 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

aad. prospects. The wise emphasis today Is upon
small classes,

It is entirely possible that one union is all that
can be mustered for a beginning. As It grows,
others may be added until Story Hour, Junior,
Intermediate; Young People, and Adult Unions
have been provided. General officers would ^be :
Director, Associate, Secretary, Song Leader, Pian-
ist, and Presidents or Sponsors for each Union.
The Training Service was intended for all ages
In the church membership. Therefore, as soon as
possible organize the adults and the others will
materialize before, or by the time, the pastor is
ready with consecrated leaders.

WOMAN'S MISSIO^AEY Uxiox

This organization played an important part in
financing the mission programs sixty years ago
In our churches. They are substantial supporters
of the church financial plan today. A society can
and should be the first step in forming a union.
The other units will come as capable leaders are
available. Start with your most capable woman
for the society's president.

BBOTHBEHOOD

A couple of good men of vision and consecra-
tion is all that is needed to begin a Brotherhood.
Unlike all other church organizations, the Broth-
erhood has no special program, no prescribed

courses of study, and no seals or diplomas. Their

ORGANIZING A RURAL CHURCH 99

program, is ail the church program, therefore, they
are not short on duties.

The Brotherhood is not like civic and social
organizations whose main concern is fellowship and
food, when they gather at fixed intervals and write
their names in the "immortal gravy ". Brother-
hood fosters fellowship all right, and occasionally
has a feed, but that is by no manner of means
its chief business.

The Brotherhood is made up of men whose busi-
ness is to help the Pastor carry, out the church
program. Individually,, and two by two, the men
must be assigned specific jobs that men can do, if
the Brotherhood is to live and prosper.

Men cannot long be interested unless they may
become active. Men can usher, receive the offer-
ings, and occupy benches, but these same men can
bring new people to the services, enlist the mem-
bers' in giving, and talk to the lost about sur-
rendering to Christ. Mature men will usually
respond to a challenge. Brother pastor, challenge
your men!

THE SHEPHEKD

Sheep will stray even when the Shepherd is
around. It is foolish to think they will do better
when he is gone. No church can afford to be with-
out a pastor. The New Testament procedure is
"ordain elders in every city' 7 . Modern methods
have no improvement on the divine order. Some-
where, God has a pastor for each one of his
churches. Get busy and locate God's man.

100 ROMANCE OF BUBAL CHUBCHES

DEACOKS

Pastors first, and then deacons, is the Spirit's
way. Only seven deacons were, under divine pres-
sure, selected and set in the First Baptist Church
at Jerusalem, though there were thousands of
members before the Holy Spirit stopped counting
them. If the Spirit knew seven were enough for
that multitude of members, we wonder sometimes
if we, in this Twentieth Century, have not slightly
overdone the job of ordaining deacons.

Many deacons are ordained that never "deake ? ',
just as many preachers are ordained who never
preach. God's Spirit makes no mistakes. At
times God's children do make mistakes. Deacons,
along with pastors, are the only New Testament
church officers whose qualifications and duties are
prescribed.

CHTJECH TREASUBEB

Judas was the Treasurer of the first New Testa-
ment church and definitely had no end of difficulty
in keeping the church's money sepkrated from his
own. To be blunt and biblical, he stole from the

bag.

Very few church treasurers ever go wrong with
the money, but as a protection against that few,
and to avoid the very appearance of, even sus-
picion, some country churches elect a committee
of from 3 to 5 men, at least, two of whom will
always be present to count all collections in the
presence of the treasurer, and make a note of the
amount, or actually deposit the money in the bank,

OfiGANIZING A BUBAL CHUECH 101

and pass a carbon copy of the deposit ticket to the
treasurer.

This procedure seems to be sane, sound, and
sensible. It lias come about chiefly because the
treasurers have requested or demanded it, so as

to distribute responsibility. No honest treasurer
ever needs to feel offended at this method of safe-
guarding the Lord's money.

CHUKCH CLEBK

The clerk is the official historian of the church
and must keep accurate, readable accounts of every
business meeting. Dates, details, and moderator
should be listed. Comments by the clerk should
at most be very few, just the plain items of busi-
ness are necessary. All resolutions and financial
reports should be "word for word", in the minutes,

A bound book is best. Old minute books should
be safely filed for future reference. Few Baptist
churches with a century's existence have preserved
their complete history. Baptists make history, but
preserve very little of it.

TBTTSTEES

In order to comply with the laws of our State,
we must elect trustees to hold legal title to real
property. Three or more can be elected for this
purpose, and their successors should be elected
immediately upon their dismissal.

102 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

OTHER OFFICERS

The officers mentioned are usually found in all
of our churches, but others may be added and their
duties specified by the church. The church is final
authority on matters of polity and practice. Polity
and practice must be in line with our doctrines.
Our doctrines come from the New Testament which"
Is our only Guide Book on all these matters.

III. WAITING FOR THE POWER

1. The Spirit's Power. "When the officers have
been carefully chosen and duly elected by a church,
and the organizations set up, we still need some-
thing else. The best machinery ever invented will
be worthless unless the power Is turned on. Our
officers and organizations need the power turned
on, or their best efforts will be disappointing.

Work done in the energy of the flesh may look
all right to the world, because it judges by the
outward appearance. God looks beneath it all. He
looks on the hearts. I have no monopoly on plans
or schemes for turning on the power. I just know
we need, and must have it. I know of one church
that waited for 10 days in prayer before the power
descended.

That power is still available and I think the
formula for getting It has never been changed.
God has always used human instruments in doing
his work. He is using them today. So that brings
us right back to the leaders, officers, teachers, and
individuals who compose all organizations.

ORGANIZING A RURAL CHURCH 103

2. Consecrated Christians are tlie need of our
churches. Christians whose lives are surrendered
to the Lord. Christians who are -willing and sub-
missive to the Spirit's promptings. Christians
who put the kingdom of Gfod first. Too many of
us permit the "cares of this world and the deceit-
fulness of riches to choke the word", and we be-
come unfruitful servants.

Lack of consecration, or down right sinfulnes.s,

or both ? account for the poor attendance upon the
worship services of the churches. The unoccupied

benches on Sunday night shout loudly our devotion
to the world. The great numbers of church mem-
bers who practice no systematic plan of giving in-
dicate the presence of covetousness in its most
violent stage.

The more our members abide in Christ the
more effective will be our witness among a wicked

and perverse generation. The Spirit prefers a
clean vessel in Ms work.

CHAPTER X
A CO-OPEBATING BUBAL CHURCH

L A KINGDOM UNIT

1. Why Baptists Hesitate to Co-operate. Because
of the peculiar nature of their democratic govern-
ment, and also on account of their almost universal
record of persecution by other religious bodies,
Baptists have been remarkably slow in develop-
ing any system whereby they could work together
in spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Baptists are not naturally stubborn or hard-
headed about working together, but unfavorable
conditions under which they have lived through
the centuries sometimes they barely existed
have made them somewhat suspicious, or over-
cautions, concerning " co-operative efforts "*

Even the district association, our first effort of
co-operation, was slow developing and then it was
taken with a "grain of salt". Conventions, both
state and southwide, had to literally fight their
way into the good graces of our Baptist people.
And until this good day you will find the word
"association" instead of "convention" used in the
name of some state organizations.

At present we have small groups of doctrinaUy
sound Baptists still refusing to have anything to
do with "conventions" and their plans, preferring
to do their mission work on what they prefer to
call "direct plan, or method".

We have great sympathy for them because we
know the underlying reason or cause, and freely

A CO-OPEEATING RURAL CHURCH 105

and gladly grant them the privilege of doing their
business in their own way, which right we reserve
for ourselves. "We have positive convictions on
co-operation among churches in doing mission and
benevolent work. As we read our New Testament,
that seems to be the plan of the apostolic churches.

2. New Testament Mission Boards a tract by
H. B. Taylor. "Webster's new International Dic-
tionary defines a board thus: C A number of per-
sons, appointed or elected, to sit in council for
management or direction of some public or private
business or trust 7 . As thus defined you will find
both a Home Mission Board and a Foreign Mis-
sion Board in the Book of Acts.

"When the work in the Home Field began to
grow and assume such proportions, that it needed
to be directed, then the apostles began to function
as a Home Mission Board. As the gospel had
been committed by the Master to them as a trust,
they sat in council and appointed two of their num-
ber, Peter and John, to go down to Samaria and
direct the mission work being done down there.
Acts 8:14. That is the first Home Mission Board.
It was composed of the 12 apostles. Its head-
quarters were in Jerusalem. This Board sent out
missionaries. This Board directed or managed
mission work. This Board was the agency through
which was distributed the money contributed by
Antioch and other churches, for the poor saints in
Judea, during the great famine. Acts 11:30.
Note well that the church at Antioch sent no money
direct to any church in Judea.

106 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

14 Peter and John and the other apostles had
travelled all over Judea and knew the field well.
They had also had large experience in handling
public fnnds. Acts 4:35. They were trustworthy.
So the money given by the church at Antioch for
the famine-sufferers in the churches of Judea, was
sent to 'the elders/ the men who composed this
Home Mission Board and they distributed it ac-
cording to the needs of the folks."

3. Utilising the Units. Every New Testament
church is a unit in the kingdom of Grod with or-
ders from Jesus as its head to disciple, baptize
and teach those baptized disciples to observe all
things. It is a kingdom privilege as well as a
command to have a part in furthering that king-
dom by preaching the gospel to every creature,
irrespective of color, creed, or condition. What
we need is a kingdom vision. If we can see the
fields white to harvest and love the Lord as much
as we profess, then we shall never be content to
sit idly by and do nothing about it.

Churches in agreement upon doctrines, polity,
and practice should have no trouble pooling their
efforts and laboring together with Jesus Christ.
There may be honest differences of opinion as to
the method of missions which amount to convic-
tions, but there can be no question as to whether
we shall, or shall not, be missionary. That much
is fixed with Missionary Baptists.

II. WHY SOME DOST'T CO-OPEKATE

1. Lack of Understanding is at the bottom of this
matter, however, real prejudice often-times enters

A CO-OPERATING RURAL CHURCH 107

Into the lack of co-operation. Baptists are pretty
good followers of their pastors and when confu-
sion, prejudice, and bitterness dominate them we
may expect opposition, Indisposition, or no posi-
tion. Much progress has "been made in the past
quarter of a century In changing the peoples' at-
titude toward combining our efforts because it has
been done on the voluntary "basis.

"When we ever get it across to our masses and
their leaders that a New Testament church is a
court of last resort In every co-operative venture
from which there can be no appeal, we may ex-
pect them to warm up, hitch up and hike out to
accomplish the task. The State Baptist paper is
a mighty instrument in helping to accomplish this
job. It should be in the church budget and sent
to each home where there is a member.

2. Intense Individualism is a powerful factor that
sometimes tips the balances against all co-opera-
tion. Frankly that Is one reason why I am a
Baptist the individual is never lost sight of in
the work. Individualism within itself Is not a bad
characteristic. However, it must be understood
and reckoned with In all Christian endeavor. That
is why we make special efforts to cultivate the
acquaintance of those In places of leadership and
Inform them carefully. By tins method we anti-
cipate the trouble and head it off before it develops.

3. Prolonged Seclusion of the churches because of
poor roads for travel and little or no modern
methods of communication have been contributing

factors in keeping our churches separated in fel-

108 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

lowship and practice. The district association puce
a year furnished about the only gathering where
the churches could fraternisse, fellowship, and feed
together. With good roads, busses, autos, trains,
and airplanes, together with telephones, telegraphs
and air-mail communication, distances have been
almost eliminated.

Rivers, mountains and swamps no longer form
barriers. Today we are living very, very close
together and becoming better acquainted. Mutual
acquaintance inspires hope, confidence, and trust,
and mean suspicions and prejudices die a natural
death due to a lack of nourishment.

4. Missionaries and State Workers Musi Take
the Initiative in cultivating our people, even to
the extent of inconveniencing themselves, if neces-
sary to win their confidence. State workers and
missionaries must remember that they are the
servants of the churches and not bosses, or execu-
tives, by any manner of means.

We are ambassadors for Christ and must be
careful of our attitude and conduct lest our Master
and His Kingdom be misrepresented. Even the
crudest, carping critic of co-operative work can
be softened by kindness and a humble Christian
spirit.

III. CAERYI^G- OUT THE G-EEAT COMMISSION"

1. Commission With His Churches. The Com-
mission as such was not given to the apostles, but
deposited with the little church Christ formed
while here on the earth and which He purchased

A CO-OPERATING RURAL CHURCH 109

with Ms own life's blood. Jesus promised His
church, perpetuity therefore, it will continue until
He comes again. "When John wrote the Bevela-
tion, he was probably the last of the twelve

apostles, and yet he saw Jesus walking in the
midst of the candlesticks, which are His churches.

He, in like manner, is with them today, and
counting on every last one- of them to do what it
can it making His gospel known to the whole
world. The gospel must be preached for a witness
and then cometh the end. The responsibility is
ours. We cannot shirk it, without proving traitor
to Him who redeemed us from our sins. A New
Testament church has no choice. It is not a New
Testament church unless it is missionary. That is
one of the acid tests.

The question is not whether my church will be
missionary, but to what extent! Once flourishing
churches, wearing the Baptist name, are now dead
or dying because they refused to function accord-
ing to the Spirit's leading. We, too, shall perish
as churches, if we cease to be missionary. The
world is battle-weary, head-groggy, but heart-
hungry for the New Testament message.

2. First Co-operative Unit. The associational
gathering is the first unit of co-operative life of
Baptists. It is close to the churches and therefore
has more authority than any other co-operative
group. It affords opportunity for fellowship, wor-
ship, inspiration and practical planning for the
new year's program in that district or county.

110 ROMANCE OF RUEAL CHUECHES

The churches see and hear first-hand the results
of their pooled or co-operative efforts when their
very own missionary makes his report. He was
selected and elected by their association and paid
by them in co-operation with the State Mission
Board. He reports to both but is " hired and
fired 7 ' by the association and not the State Mis-
sion Board. The State Executive Secretary is no
boss of Baptists and their work He is only the
servant of the churches charged with a heavy re-
sponsibility of carrying out their desires and
wishes.

When a church, too weak financially to main-
tain its program, wants help from the State Board,
that church calls its own pastor, surveys its field,
gets the signatures of the Moderator and Clerk of
the Association and files its request with the State
Board. The recommendation of the Association
(because of its acquaintance with the real facts)
is sufficient to get the requested help, provided any
money is in that particular fund.

So we see the churches not only collect the
mission funds, but also exercise their authority in
spending those funds. This is what we mean by
co-operating in Baptist mission work.

3. Growing Co-operation. Many of our rural
churches have never fully understood our co-opera-
tive plan of doing mission and benevolent work,
therefore, they have been slow to contribute their
money freely. They are missionary at heart, but
they lack the information. Of course, I realize
we still have in our church membership some who

A CO-OPERATING RURAL CHURCH 111

are anti-missionary, and omissionary But they are
a small minority. More of this trouble is with
us pastors than with the churches. No church will
hastily and enthusiastically "steam-roller" its
mission-neutral pastor. He will be respected even
though he is in the wrong.

My plan to interest my churches and lead them
into co-operation is to have them represented at
all meetings where the work is presented. Tin,
means Sunday school, Training Union, Woman's
Missionary Union, and Brotherhood associational
and regional gatherings. We would regularly
elect messengers to the annual Associational, State,
and Southern Baptist Conventions. The informa-
tion and inspiration those messengers brought
back to the churches gave us vision and stirred us
to do something about furthering the kingdom.

No New Testament church should be content to
sit on the side-line doing nothing while others are
engaged in the task of gospelizing the world.
Surely the Christian spirit can give us the desire
and disposition to want to work with other
churches of like faith and order.

CHAPTEB XI

WHEN IS A BUBAL OHUECH SUCCESSFUL?

Very little is written in the Bible about success
as such. It is mentioned, but not stressed. Faith-
fulness seems to be the divine requirement, rather
than success. We may not be very successful in
this life, but we can all be faithful. And yet we
are in a world where success and failure measure
our movements to such an extent that I think we
are justified in searching the Bible for the divine
standard or measuring-stick of our efforts as serv-
ants of our Lord and Master.

We may not find definite pointed rules, but we
should find general principles to guide us in our
polity and practice maturing and developing the
saints. When Jesus gave His church His command
to make disciples, baptize them and teach them
to practice all things, we believe He included the
means necessary in the way of plans, procedures,
programs, and techniques for accomplishing His
specific order of all time.

Baptists believe this and have practiced it from
the beginning of all co-operative ventures. We
have varying degrees of progress in our rural
churches all the way from zero, up to aggressive
flourishing congregations. But our question is,
when is a country church successful? Some people
think country churches can't be successful, but
they just don't know country churches.

WHEN is A RURAL CHURCH SUCCESSFUL? 113

I. OKGAKIZATIOSTAX* SUCCESS

1. By Distributing Responsibility. Organization
in a church does not guarantee success any more
than It does in secular affairs. But there must be
system, if we are to do things "decently and in
order". Jesus nsed system in feeding the multi-
tudes both times. He methodically distributed re-
sponsibility when He set in the church first
apostles. As the needs arose, deacons were next
set in the church. Therefore, we conclude that
necessary machinery shonld be set up to effectively
carry on the Lord's business.

Snnday schools, Training Unions, and Wom-
an's Missionary organizations have been with us
now until we consider them almost, if not alto-
gether, necessary requisites. Recently the Broth-
erhood has been projected to interest, inform, and
use the men in all church endeavor as the women,
In missionary enterprise.

The pastor must use his own judgment in when
and how best to bring into operation these instru-
ments of progress and development. Where they
are dead or missing, I usually begin with Sunday
school and Woman's Missionary Society, and fol-
low with Training Union and Brotherhood as
quickly as consecrated wisdom dictates.

2. For Results. Frankly, the goal of every rural
Sunday school should be its own church members
plus all other people not attending some other
school. But seldom, if ever, have I seen the goal
actually reached. Therefore, I would suggest that
reaching an average attendance of 75% of total

114 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHUKCHES

church membership would be a success, but the
goal, or ideal, would be every member in at-
tendance.

The goal of Training Union attendance may be
less than that of the Sunday school, because it is
limited to the church members. We think of train-
ing for Christians only. When we reach two out
of three church members in attendance in the
training service, we shall have accomplished good
success.

An attendance of 662/3% based upon the
church membership is, in our judgment, as good
as 75% for the Sunday school. It may be even
better, for the constituency of the teaching service
is so much greater in many instances. Naturally,
the ideal is every church member in the training
service.

The Woman's Missionary Society will, of
course, be limited to the mature women. How
many of them may we depend upon for useful-
ness f Certainly a few will be incapacitated for
attendance upon the regular meetings due to small
children, care of dependent relatives, and secular
duties beyond the home.

Allowing for these, we believe it is possible to
enlist 66 2/3 % of the women, or two out of three.
For each of the auxiliaries, we would aim at the
same goal. However, it will probably be easier to
reach three out of four children, than two out of
three women.

When we come to dealing with the men, whether
wo have a Brotherhood or not, we should set a

WHEN is A RUSAL CHUECH SUCCESSFUL? 115-

worthy goal, if we would challenge them. Few
rnral churches have a Brotherhood, but they all
have men. Therefore, instead of a meeting, we
will set a goal for enlistment in some activity of
the church's program, such as, visiting, advertis-
ing, boosting, and bringing people to the services
all the services.

"We have unintentionally over-looked the men
In much of our church program, but God does not.
He has always used men. He wants men today.
Suppose we say we shall be successful, if we can
get two out of three men in our church engaged
in ushering, advertising, visiting, boosting, and
bringing people to the various services.

This is considerably above our present level,
but we must not be content to be "just average",
"moderate", or even, "tolerable" in any of the
Lord's work, and certainly not in Bible teaching.

II. WOBSHIP SERVICES THAT SUCCEED

1. Magnify Worship Hours. Many Christians put
service above worship, or first with the Lord. We
appreciate their zeal, but not their knowledge. In
the visit of the wise men, the Spirit said, "they
fell down and worshipped him", and then they
followed with service. We believe worship comes
first with God, and is one of the fine arts. Right
here is where we need to pause, and take stock,
before we proceed farther.

No service, however fine, will take the place of
humble, devoted worship. Therefore we magnify
both worship hours on Sunday and the niid-week

116 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHUBCHES

gathering. Of all the church services, these should
take first place. If only Sunday school or preach-
ing can be attended, by all means, be there for
the Worship hour. The same thing is true of the

night services. Worship, or the preaching hour ?
must com^ first.

Many rnral churches never did have the Prayer
Meeting, but that is principally due to the absentee
pastor. How can the sheep follow an absent shep-
herd! Custom seems to have dictated two hours
of worship on Sunday and a mid-week prayer hour,
I am not arguing for custom, but if we are to prop-
erly commemorate the resurrection on the first day
of the week, two periods of worship and adoration
of Him who redeemed us should not be burden-
some.

Anything less than a full-time church cannot
easily maintain worship services each Sunday.
Efforts have been made in that direction, but so
far we have not observed much enthusiasm from
these efforts. Joint-pastorates promise a better
day in that respect, but that will come slowly.

2. The Whole Family. The aim or ideal in wor-
ship should be every church member in every
worship service unless providentially hindered.
This is what we call the resident membership, but
there are differences of opinion as to who a resi-
dent member is. We would say it is anyone who
lives near enough to walk^ or who has transporta-
tion sufficient to make the services. What should
be the requirement for success in attendance upon
these services? Surely not less than we expect at

WHEN is A RUEAL CHUBCH SUCCESSFUL? 117

Sunday school 75% of the members in atten-
dance.

Auditoriums in some city churches will not seat
35% of their members, but not so with country
churches. Nearly every one of them can seat their
entire membership any day they show up. With
three-fourths of our members regularly wor-
shipping every preaching day, we may expect
decided growth in Christian consecration.

HI. EVANGELISTIC SUCCESS

1. Make Disciples. Jesus said He came to seek
and to save that which was lost. This example
together with His explicit command to make dis-
ciples leaves no doubt about evangelism's being of
prime importance to every church. If we have
complete organizations and great crowds attend-
ing the preaching, but no Spirit-born conviction
and conversion accompanying our efforts, and this
continues, surely something is wrong.

For Jesus said "And I if I be lifted up from
the earth will draw all men unto me." It may take
.several months for a church to get to the place
where the Spirit can work in and through them in
reaching the lost, but any church that doesn't
report a baptism for 12 months should call a con-
ference and tarry with the Lord until the answer
comes. Regardless of whatever else we may do, we
must make disciples and baptize them.

2. By My Spirit. The aim of every church
should be to gospelize^ or evangelize every lost
person in the community. I meaii the gospel

118 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

should be taken to him privately or publicly. Since
man was made -with the power of choice, and Bap-
tists believe the soul to be responsible must be
free, therefore, no force or coercion can be used
in making disciples. In fact, we feel that over-
persuasion by a magnetic personality, or shrewd
scheming with a series of questions and answers,
is entirely out of place in making disciples.

"Not by might nor by power, bnt by My Spirit,
saith the Lord of Hosts" is God's way. Therefore,
we are not required to make every one a Chris-
tian, but we are required to take the gospel to
every creature with earnest enthusiasm, interest,
$nd the fear of God. The results must be left with
Him. This should be our goal or holy ambition
whether we ever accomplish it or not.
3, Every Generation. While trying to reach our
aim, we could count ourselves successful if we &re
every year reducing the number of lost in the
community. A census every two or three years
would show exactly our standing. People are mov-
ing each year, and children are passing into ac-
countability, both of which increase the number of
lost. Many a rural pastor will find this a real eye-
opener if he will check the situation in each of
Ms fields.

IV. STEWARDSHIP SUCCESS

1. The Tithe. All blood-bought children are stew-
ards and Paul said by inspiration that it is re-
quired of stewards that a man be found faithful.
Christians have no choice in this matter. Their
responsibility is fixed. They may be faithful or
unfaithful, but must render an account some day.

WHEN is A RURAL CHURCH SUCCESSFUL? 119

All one lias is God's, but He trusts us with, tin;
possession and use of nine-tenths of it for our
good and His glory. One-tenth is His as a mini-
mum in furthering* the Kingdom, and also as a
test of the sincerity of our love. Giving is a grace*
like love, faith and knowledge, and is God-given.
Every Christian possesses it, even though latent
or undeveloped.

2. For Each Member. The aim of every ehureh
should be the enlistment of every member in its
financial program, according to his or her ability.
It is not fair to permit a few to bear all the finan-
cial burden and get all the blessings.

The individual Christian needs the spiritual
growth which comes through giving more than his

church needs his gifts. None is too poor, accord-
ing to the Bible, to support his church. Much pa-
tience and great teaching are required right here.
Every one a consistent, consecrated tither should
be the church's desire.

3* Three to Four Practicing. A minimum re-
quirement for success here should be not less than
three out of four members tithers, or regular and
proportionate givers to the church budget, what-
ever that is. "When 75% of the members are en-
listed in giving, it will not be hard to divide liber-
ally with missions and benevolences.

The amount or percentage of the budget that
should go outside of the community will have to be
decided by the circumstances controlling each
church. Surely 10% would be a minimum, with

35% a possible attainment.

120 EOMANCE OF RUKAL CHURCHES

Any country church reaching, teaching, train-
ing its members and leading them in worship, in
winning the lost, and financially snpporting a full-
time program, should be considered successful

How successful is mine? What am I neglect-
ing! Where can I build up the low places? Have
I unconsciously drifted into a rut! These and
other questions ought to help us place emphasis

in the right spot.

CHAPTER XII
THE SHEPHERD'S CALL

I. GOD CAI*LS

1. The Divine Gall. Certain groups of religious
people have nothing to do with any "Divine Call"
in selecting their preachers. Some class preaching
as a profession only ? along- with teaching, practic-
ing law, and medicine. They select the ministry
as a profession and treat it as such and smile at
the idea of the Spirit's having anything to do with
putting one into preaching the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. Others do not regard either deacons or
preachers as New Testament officers. Any and all
of their male members may preach if they choose
to.

Baptists have from apostolic days believed and
respected the Spirit's part in calling men into the
ministry. We believe one without positive convic-
tion on the "Divine Call" should never enter the
ministry. The very first question of the presby-
tery is "Have you felt the call to preach! Relate
briefly that experience''.

Some Baptist churches license certain men ?
who show talents or abilities toward the ministry,
which is nothing more than a written testimony
that the home church believes in him and recom-
mends him as a preacher or exhorter, and hears
him exercise his gift. Frankly, I care very little
personally for the licensing custom.

Anyone who feels impressed to preach should
preach. He doesn't need a license to preach. If

122 ROMANCE OF BUBAL CHURCHES

the Lord has called him, he will eventually be able
to demonstrate it, and some church will extend
a call. Until a church extends a call why^ should
one want to be ordained any way! The chief con-
sideration is, has the Spirit called! If He has, by
all means, yield. G-od makes no mistakes. But
unless one is positive he has a call to preach, he
should never attempt the task.

Many consecrated Christians feel impressed to

do some type of Christian work, but have the mis-
taken idea that one must be " ordained ?? to give
full time to Christian endeavor. Some of the most
efficient church workers I have ever known were
laymen or laywomen.

2. Bible Examples. Some very outstanding Bible
instances should enlighten our minds as to the
divine call: The sixth chapter of Isaiah is a thrill-
ing account of his call and consecration to ^the
ministry. Jeremiah's call and enduement is vividly
described in the first chapter of the book bearing
Ms name. In John's gospel, chapter one, verses
six and thirty-three, the brief and pointed call
of John the Baptist is outlined. Paul was con-
verted and chosen for the ministry on the road to
Damascus. All are fundamentally alike, in that
the Spirit calls, and yet differing in details of
circumstances governing each individual.

IE. Gor> CAIXS FOB TIME

1. How Much Time? The same God who calls
men, into the ministry is the One that decides on
the time to be devoted to that ministry. Eight

THE SHEPHERD'S CALL 123

here is where we come upon a diversity of opinion
among country preachers. All agree that Q-ocl
calls, but many feel that the time element Is left

entirely up to the preacher. Therefore they feel
free to engage freely In secular business, and do

what they can to preaeli Saturday nights and
Sundays.

The reason offered Is that the church, or
churches, as the case may be, are not able to pay
the preacher a living for himself and family.
Some enthusiastically justify themselves by say-
Ing, "Pm no better than the apostle Paul. He
made tents for a living while he preached the
word. I farm for a living while I preach the
gospel".

The Spirit In Acts 18:3 did say something
about Paul's making tents for a living one time,
but the same Spirit had Mm say, 2 Cor. 11:7-9,
that he robbed other churches, taking wages of
them, to do the Corinthians service. Seems to
me lie was shaming them a bit for not doing their
duty. No preacher Is too good to labor with Me
hands when necessity so dictates, but, at best, It
must be a temporary matter,

He does not have time to spare from his God-
called task. The King's business requireth haste.
The good watchful shepherd cannot plow corn, sell
insurance, tinker with watches, jockey with horses ?
travel for wholesale houses and keep Ms eyes on
the sheep at the same time. The sheep, or the
secular job, will suffer, and all too often it is the
sheep.

124 ROMANCE OF BUBAL CHURCHES

God brought some stinging, blistering indict-
ments against the shepherds in Ezk. 34:1-20, be-
cause they neglected the sheep, jthen He proceeded
to enumerate in detail what the genuine Shepherd
would do.

When Jesus appeared to his preachers at the
sea of Tiberias, He took particular pains to point
out to Peter, lovingly, tenderly, and compassion-
ately, that he must stop fishing for fish and fish
for men. " Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me
more than these? " is still a burning question.
"Preacher, do you really love me more than this
farm, family, or finance?" is still echoing on Ten-
nessee hill sides and in the valleys.

2. Shepherd Symbolism. The symbolism used in
likening a pastor to a shepherd of sheep is highly
enlightening. Sheep are probably the most help-
less and indefensive of our domesticated animals.
They are, without a shepherd, completely at the
mercy of predatory animals and also stray dogs.

The Spirit used this imagery of the shepherd
because He knew it would be full of meaning and
unmistakeable to country people. Just as the sheep
need the constant watchfulness and care of the
shepherd, even so must the pastor be regularly
in close proximity to the church members to whom
lie is ministering.

He will need to cultivate the cold and indiffer-
ent, bring back the straying, comfort the sorrow-
ing, cheer the sick, rebuke the stubborn, marry the
young, bury the dead, minister to the destitute and
compassionately preach the gospel day in and day

THE SHEPHERD'S CALL 125

out with aU long-suffering and patience. Yes, the
spiritual sheep must be fed in green pastures, led
beside the stiU waters, have their wounds molified

with ointment, and be sheared tenderly, lovingly,
but regularly.

The very nature of the requirement makes the
absentee-pastor an impossibility. The priests and
Levites were given cities with suburbs in Joshua
21 :41 so they could live among the people to whom
they ministered. Then in Titus 1:5 Paul gave
instructions to ordain elders (pastors) in every
city. The people still lived in cities as they did in
Old Testament times, and not in the open country.
This was for mutual protection as well as to have
a pastor on hand at all times with the people.

The New Testament seems to teach a plurality
of pastors, or elders. That is, more than one pas-
tor for each church. Our custom has been, and is
now, a plurality of churches for one pastor.

I have heard of one man who said he served
eight different churches at one time and farmed
also. "What he meant was, he tried to preach, at
scattered intervals, to eight country churches every
month. At best, the majority of those churches
would only see and hear him once or twice every
30 days. . We don't think this could really be called
pastoring in the Bible sense.

I am not criticising my preacher brethren. I've
done the same thing myself. I am critcising our
custom. I tried to serve four churches at one
time with nothing else to occupy my time. Actual
experience forced me to give up one after three

126 ROMANCE OF BUBAL CHUBCHES

years of trying, because I had too many irons in
the fire.

3. No Part-Time New Testam-eitt Churches. From
my own study, observation and experience, I am
convinced the New Testament ideal is at least one
pastor for every church. But we are far from the
ideal today. It will take years to change onr
custom.

The best temporary expedient I know of now,
is to form joint-pastorates, or fields of from two
to four churches in close proximity and work tow-
ard the ideal. This is admirably discussed in Dr.
John D. Freeman's, The Country Church", 1945
edition.

Even in the joint-pastorate the preacher must
be willing to devote his full time, if it is to suc-
ceed. We believe the solution is in the time-call
to the ministry. Is it Sunday only, or for seven
days in the week, which? We believe it is for
seven, and settled that matter before ordination.

HL GOD GALLS TO PLACES OF SEBVICE

L Does God have a place for each called one!
All Baptists agree that God does the calling out of
those who are to preach his gospel. The over-
whelming majority of Baptists are agreed that God
calls for all the time a man possesses.

It is a minority that maintains a man should
make his living in secular jobs, and preach the
gospel free of charge, or for a haphazard hand-
out. They make pastor support an unnecessary

THE SHEPHERD'S CALL 127

burden, and reduce Christian giving to the level
of alms-giving.

Baptists believe the Spirit can, will and does
lead the called ones to his appointed places of
service. That is why churches pray to be Spirit-
led in finding the right persons for pastors. Pas-
tors are then to ascertain the same Spirit's leading
before accepting the care of churches.

Naturally, we believe God uses human instru-
mentality in leading a church to the right man.
Because we believe in human means in helping to
get pastor and church together, sometimes this
leaves the gate open to manipulation, scheming,
wire-pulling and "politiking" all in the energy of
the flesh, to get certain friends before certain
prominent churches. Since few country churches
are prominent, less temptation to tamper, in plac-
ing pastors, is experienced among them.

2. How Mitch Means? Just how far one may go
with human means in getting before pastorless
churches is a debateable question. We heard of
one pulpit committee of a " First" church that
received 47 applications from preachers saying
they felt Sj)irit-led to that particular field. This
is no doubt an extreme case, but it reveals certain
"air-currents", to be avoided.

If a pulpit committee asks for suggestions, or
recommendations, we see no harm in suggesting a
name, or names, for a preaching engagement, and
yet we shrink from all "trial " sermons. At best
this is a poor way to select a pastor. Besides,
nearly every preacher has at least two good ser-

128 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

mons, whether he uses them for special display or
not

Some churches still have a practice of parading
a number of preachers across their pulpit before
the members ballot on them, with the understand-
ing that the one getting the most votes is elected.
This method invites opposition and trouble to say
the least of it. It has degenerated in a few places
to the level of a horse-race or fox-chase in the
minds of the people.

Surely this is not of the Spirit. If a preacher
would refuse to allow his name to come before a
church when someone else is under consideration,
it would heal many a wound even before it is
made. This seems to be the procedure of sanc-
tified common sense for preachers.

One pulpit committee checked a preacher 011 his
two previous fields, inquiring both of members and
non-members, and unanimously, recommended him
to the church without approaching the preacher
personally, or having him before the church. Of
course, some of the committee had heard him
preach. This may not always be a wise procedure,
but the best way on earth to know about a preacher
is to check up where he has served as pastor pre-
viously.

Then if impressed with the investigation, have
the preacher come some Wednesday night to meet
and talk matters over. Should this meeting con-
tinue the interest, it might be well for him to be
invited to preach for the people, but this should
be the last step, not the first one.

THE SHEFHEEI/S CALL 129

We heard of a church that outlined the

cations of their prospective pastor in such
terms that none of the twelve apostles could
qualified. This is another extreme to "wMdht a
church can go.

Probably a lot of pastor " turnover ?7 ? or
of fields could be avoided if we pastors waited
longer upon the Lord for a field, and then wheesi
settled, would try to make that field the best in
the State, unless the Spirit drove ns away "before
we could attain that point of success. Until we
can lengthen our pastorates, we should be earefnl
how we criticise other religions groups for their
pastor placements.

3, Calls to Places. When God sent his
prophet to Bethel to prophesy against that place,
it was a call to a particular place. Jonah's com-
mission to Nineveh was a similar experience. Paul
and Silas were Spirit-directed to particular fields.
So were Phillip and Peter. Today we hear of
men and women called to foreign mission work,
and that on certain particular fields.

Others feel just as definitely impressed to work
in the homeland at certain specific tasks. When
our own call came to preach, the impression was
clear to go to the rural fields. That leading was
followed and the Lord's blessings were upon our
ordinary efforts. I knew a pastor one time who
said the Lord called men into the ministry, but
left the places of service up to each individual.
The only requirement being that he must be work-
ing for the Master somewhere.

ROMANCE OF RUKAL CHURCHES

. We considered that attitude a bit unusual, bat
maybe that accounts partly for so many changes
of pastorates among our Baptist brotherhood. If

God is concerned about a particular place for ns,
then by all means we must try to find that place
and ask for grit and grace to go,

IV. GOD QATJLS TO PBEPAEATIOK

1.. Jesus' Disciples Were Taught. When Jesus
selected His helpers here on earth, He said "fol-
low me and I will make you fishers of men". In
other words, give up your nets, give me your time,
and 111 give you the desire and the training to
he soul-winners for me. The religious leaders and
academic " doctors'* of that day called them, igno-
rant and an unlearned men. This was not be-
cause they were hopelessly illiterate, but because
they were not products of the established schools.

For three or three and one-half years, these
disciples went to school to Jesus. His method was
"learn to do by doing, " by combining the theory
with practice. They followed Him, heard Him
teach, saw Him perform miracles, ate with Him,
slept with Him and lived with Him. And yet at
His crucifixion they stumbled, hesitated and were
confused. Some of their lessons were poorly
learned. Later they were taught the hard way.

Now if Jesus found it necessary for these to
study three years, who are we to think, when He
calls, He will fill our minds with knowledge and
our mouths with words without our trying to
learn?

THE SHEPHERD'S CALL 131

To young Timothy, came the ringing exhorta-
tion of the Spirit through Paul, " Study, to show
thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth". All divinely called men today,
are called to preparation. God puts no premium
on haphazardness, triflingness, or laziness among
his preachers.

2. How May I Prepare? If God would always
call those who possess a good basic education, the
special preparation would not present such a
baffling problem. But for reasons better known
to Himself, the Spirit calls both the academically
learned and unlearned. In fact, the great ma-
jority of those called to preach must secure both
basic and special training.

For those called early in life, preparation pre-
sents few problems. But for those well up in
years, the educational problem may be accom-
panied by that of family responsibility. To these
there is sometimes added an accumulated financial
obligation. With all of these problems facing a
man, what can he do about it!

Space here will not permit a discussion of de-
tails* But preparation has been made under these
circumstances, it is being done today, and can
be tomorrow. School attendance is without doubt
the quickest, cheapest and best route for quali-
fications.

If that is impossible, and sometimes it is, then
the next best thing is to buy or borrow some good
books, pull off the coat, roll the sleeves and pro-

132 ROMANCE OF RWAL CHURCHES

eeed to dig in. At times this is lonely work,
maybe discouraging, but it promises rich returns
to those who possess grit, determination, holy am-
bition and who faint not at the task,

It is well for us to remember that even semi-
nary graduates are faced with the ever-present
need for regular study, or they are on their way
out, sooner or later, and in some instances, it is
sooner than later.

3. Is Preparation Absolutely Necessary? Yes,
even in the remotest mountain sections, the chil-
dren are facing us with a high school education.
If we mutilate the English language in their pres-
ence, they will question our judgment on Bible in-
terpretation, as well as our leadership. We might
as well face the issue squarely and honestly.

We must keep pace with our people in aca-
demic learning to hold their confidence and respect,
or be voted out at the "annual call". We have
no choice. The die is cast, argument is over, the
evidence is all in and it is against us. We must
study in self-defense, if for no other reason. But
the chief motive for our studying is not self-
defense. It is the Spirit's clear, clarion call found
in II Tim. 2:15. Bead it, heed it, and "hump it".

V. GOD CALLS His CHILDREN TO PAY THE LABORER
His HIRE

1. Wrong Interpretation. In some country churches
the pastor is paid, if paid at all, by a piece of
money in the members' hands, which at the hand
shake is transferred to the pastor's hand. Or it

THE SHEPHERD'S CALL 133

may be handed to the pastor outside the church,
quietly, quickly and without any attempt at dis-
play. We have often wondered why people do it
this way.

Well, they believe they are following the Bible
plan as found in Matt. 6:3. Jesus was talking
about alms-giving here. Alms-giving is something
given to the poor what we call charity today. In
such giving it should always be done without show,
or display. Therefore, the left-hand must not know
what the right hand doeth.

But the church of Jesus Christ is not a beggar,
or a pauper. It is Ms chosen Bride. We are blood-
bought children and everything we are and possess,
belongs to him. We merely prove the sincerity of
our love to the world when we bring to the place
of worship regularly that which he requires of us.
Supporting a New Testament church is not an act
of charity, neither can it be called an alms.

2. Worthy of His Hire. Jesus plainly said the
laborer is worthy of his hire. That dignified the
ministry and forever took it out of the class of
charity, or alms-giving. Many Baptists don't know
that because they have never been taught it from
the pulpit. Some Baptist preachers right here have
failed to declare "the whole counsel of God" as it
pertains to stewardship, and as a consequence they
have had to suffer.

The Spirit explained through Paul in I Cor.
9:13-14 how ministers were supported, and then
said that's the way it is to be done now. The
priests and levites lived on tithes and offerings

134 ROMANCE OP BUBAL CHURCHES

then. 4i Even so/' or in the very same way has he or-
dained that ministers shall be supported today.
To leave the Bible teaching on stewardship, is to
enter the field of chance and speculation and chase

shadows^ fogs, vapors, and dcrad-banks.

CHAPTER XIII

THE PASTOR'S WIFE

Only after much deliberation do we attempt

tliis chapter. Yet it is clear from observation and
experience that at least a few brief suggestions

should be offered. Worthwhile literature on this
subject is very scarce, so far as our knowledge
extends.

So often with country preachers, the wife did
not marry a minister, because he received his call
later, or had not surrendered to that impression,
therefore, his wife is faced with all the adjustments
necessay to be the wife of a preacher. Only a very
few are unwilling to make this adaptation.

Wives of country preachers will just about
make, or break, their husbands, depending upon
their attitude. If they gladly accept this new re-
sponsibility and do their best, happy are their
husbands. If they resent it, feel that it is too
sacrificing, and not a part of the marriage bargain,
they can become millstones about the necks of their
husbands.

Our observation is that the wives of country
preachers are great souls. A more humble, a
greater self -sacrificing, or more faithful group can-
not be found. At thirty-nine years of age, with
three children, little or no preparation for the
ministry* and with heavy and pressing fmandal
obligations, I received my call to preach, and my
wife has been all that I conld desire in making

186 ROMANCE OF KUKAL CHURCHES

the change from being the wife of a teacher to that
t>f country preacher.

I. THE HELPMATE

L God's ' Arrangement. Adam was first formed,
then Eve. He did not take a bone from Adam's
foot, to make the woman a servant to run his
erraads, or be Ms slave. He did not get a bone
from Adam's head to make the woman his dictator,
or boss. He took a rib from Adam's side, near his
heart, and closed up the flesh thereof r and made her
to be Ms helpmate, equal in intelligence, to be his
companion. his complement, that which is neces-
sary to complete him and render him capable of
accomplishing what God demands of him.

two became one, and yet each is a distinct
pecsoiiaiity, and performs different duties. The
Iiwband is head of the home,, and should never
shirk this responsibility. If the wife did not be-
in him enough to respect his judgment as
of tha home, she should nev&r have married
Mm in the first place.

If we remain on the high plane where God in-
stituted the home, the wife will not chafe under
tkat arrangement nor lose her place or sphere of
service, She will succeed as her husband does and
in; direct proportion to Ms success. She is still
ftdly fifty percent of that home any way it is
viewed,

2L The Wife. That high and holy relationship of
husband aad wife has certain opportunities and
obligations which cannot be long neglected without

THE PASTOR'S WIFE 187

imminent disaster to the partnership,

lie. constantly aware of this fact and govern himself

accordingly.

Good sense here will keep all " strangers " out
[without any "fuss or feathers. " The wif$;*-by
keeping in the best of health, by trying to be cheer-
ful, by making the home congenial and attmctive,
and by remaining that faithful compamon^iieed
not worry about other women, because she
her fence entirely too high.

The wise wife will not dress beyond her"
or even up to her means, if the income jp^eji
much better than average of the women of-
church, or churches. I know of one preachy'? :jp3:e
who was not a star-leader of church activities, but
she reared several of the finest boys aiftl git 1's to
be found in Tennessee. :.-..-.-

I know another; who majored, on her. K^
and was not outstanding as a leader in his-ctii
She prepared Ms meals whenever he came, regjajrd-
less of the time of day or night She kej>t jais
clothes neatly repaired, laundered and packed for
his trips. She reared some fine boys, but"shi ; did
much to make a success of her husband. H0*-i& *1*&e
of our best country preachers today.

3. His Counsellor. Preachers are peculiar. jpeople.
They get lonesome for someone of likQ jnpi(|-tp
discuss matters with, talk over certain situations,
or someone to whom they can tell their troubles.
A preacher's wife should be his best, and" Safest
advisor or counsellor. She will not divulge -
those intimate things, and embarrass himv

138 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

She will be interested and stndy his work so
she can talk sensibly and intelligently about his
plans, programs, and procedures, as well as strange
antics in the pulpit. For instance, I was getting
started in something very distracting and my wife
cautioned me very kindly and nipped it in the bud.
I was evidently cut out for a 250 pound man, but
for some reason, never did fill out. Consequently
the skin on my neck and face is very loose and
elastic. A tiny throat trouble started me uncon-
sciously to nibbing and pulling the skin out a few
inches and letting it flip back to its original posi-
tion, while I would be " expounding ' ? the Scrip-
tures. Naturally, I had good attention, but it was
attention to the " skin-pulling," not expounding
the Scriptures. It is almost disastrous if the wife
Is not sympathetic, encouraging, and fair with her
husband. I know a certain pastor's wife whose
chief delight seemed to consist in criticizing her
husband in his preaching, judgment and actions.
But to add insult to injury, she did it publicly,
instead of privately. It may have been due to her
physical condition (I hope it was), for she com-
plained all the time about her aches and pains.
Her husband is a good preacher and the people
like him, but he was not called to at least one good
pastorate because of his wife's critical and unkind
attitude to him.

By being a good listener in private and public,
the wife can gather many bits of information for her
husband. It is not only legitimate for the pastor's
wife to be eyes and ears for him, but also a very
necessary requisite to safe and sane counselling.

THE PASTOR'S WIFE 139

4. The Place of Study. "Where the home Is crowded
and no extra room is available for study, the
preacher will likely not have one unless his wife
uses her intuition and skill in home arrangement to
provide it. Without a place for study, little or no
study will ever be done. For brief occasions, he
may be able to concentrate in the living room
and prepare a sermon, but genuine preacher study
is far more than sermon building.

His regular devotions will call for privacy and
reasonable quietude. This almost necessitates a
room. It may be at the home, or in the church
building. Mine was always at home and it seemed
entirely satisfactory. If the study is at home, the
wife can guard him against the mere time-killers
who drop in too regularly because time is heavy
on their hands.

Then at times she may need to guard him
against a possibly careless or a maliciously willful
reputation-killer. The latter is by far the more
dangerous of the two evils. She can meet and greet,
all callers at the door, and take the phone calls and
be his own best secretary.

IL THE HOME MAKEE

I. The Home. This is the first divine institution
God made and he surrounded it with everything
that was calculated to make the couple happy. That
home may be a house, a one-room apartment, a
trailer, a tent, a den, or even a cave on the hill-
side, but if it is a place where the members can
retire and hide awhile from the cares, burdens,

140 ROMANCE OF RUIRAL CHURCHES

and vexations of the day, and rest, relax and re-
cuperate in mind, spirit, and body, it is a home of
the first order.

If there in the privacy, and sanctity of that
place, they can receive sympathy^ understanding
and encouragement, they can come forth with an
abiding faith and courage that knows no defeat.
If the place one lives is like that, then we may call
it home with all the necessary trimmings, and in
the full sense of the word. Of course, they must
love God supremely, each other faithfully, and not
be afraid to work. God has no patience with lazi-
ness on the part of husband or wife.

2. The MotJier. The pastor's wife> as mother, owes
her first allegiance to the home not to the church.
Most country preachers' homes have children, if
they don't, they ought to have them. While he is
busy here and there, the children are likely to get
into mischief, unless the mother is on hand with
a steadying hand, or strong hand, whichever is
needed, to command respect and obedience.

By the very nature of the case the mother falls
heir to more responsibility for the children be-
cause she is with them most. Their training and
discipline is largely hers but a preacher husband
who shirks his duty here, and doesn't fully co-
operate with his wife, is not worth his salt.

The divine requirement is "One that ruleth well
his own house, having his children in subjection
with all gravity; (For if a man (preacher) know
not how to rule his own house, how shall he take
care of the (a) church of Godf) ?t By no manner

THE PASTOR'S WIFE 141

of means can this command be twisted so as to
dodge the issue and leave it all with the wife. Co-
operation is needed right here.

When I had to "fan-out" one of our children,
Mrs. Frey kept her distance and lent all her moral
support, and at the conclusion she refused the little
one her comfort. That youngster got no petting
from her then. When she took one to the "spank-
tum-spanktorium" I minded my own business in all
gravity.

How foolish, and how embarrassing, to see a
father chastise a child, and the minute it is over,
have the mother neutralize the whole transaction
by petting and sympathizing with the little rebel.
I've seen a few foolish daddies do the same absurd
thing.

One time while assisting a pastor in a revival,
his little son, after many and multiplied efforts,
succeeded in arousing his father's displeasure.
When the father broke a dry weed, to whip him,
the mother turned her back and said to me, "I
just can't bear to see him do it. He is so hard on
our child."

At the dinner table that day, I was not sur-
prised to see that husky youngster toss a nicely
fried "drum-stick" across the table into the bowl
or gravy. Some homes did not invite us, so they
told me, because that preacher did not control his
children. You say that is too hard on preachers.
No, it is not! If we can't control our own home,
how can we presume to take care of a New Testa-
ment Church!

142 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

3. Tke Dietitian. No one who lacks experience, can
ever fully appreciate the difficult task the wife has
in guarding the preacher's health. Without good
health, he can't do his work, and churches don't
want an invalid. What one eats and when he eats
it greatly influences his health.

You don't have to be a medical doctor to know
that hastily eaten meals while in a nervous ten-
sion, usually do more harm than good. Therefore,
the wife will see to it that her husband gets his
meals on time for him to meet his, oftentimes up-
set, schedules for meetings, conferences, etc. A
good wife can soon learn what is best for her hus-
band and try to have that. Preparation of the food
may be more vital than the food itself.

But when the preacher is away from home,
Solomon's advice should be heeded: "Put a knife
to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite."
Happy is the preacher whose "brakes" are in a
good state of repair, and who has the courage to
apply them at the right time.

4. The Economist. Tlie low income of country
preachers has contributed no little part in making
pastors' wives great economists. Necessity has de-
manded this. They can make money go farther,
buy more food and clothing stretch the dollars
more than any other group I know of. But in
spite of their economy and financial ability, they
nearly always must sacrifice, keep on sacrificing,
and yet appear happy and light-hearted about it.

With their canning ability, they can utilize the
contributions of field and garden products and

THE PASTOR'S WIFE 143

thereby reduce the grocery biU without a deficiency
showing on the table. Probably the biggest problem
they face here is that of providing clothes for their
children that will not be too conspicuous by their
age, style or meagerness.

Children are not able to understand some of
these inequalities of salaries, and the mother hears
more of their resentment than the father. Preach-
ers' children should not be the poorest dressed
children in school or at church, neither is it re-
quired that they be the finest dressed; but surely
they should come up to the average of their con-
gregation.

5. The Housekeeper. The pastor's wife is usually
as good a housekeeper as any other woman, but
since the pastor's home is open to the public so
much, she must not "leave the bars down" any-
where. Other women may neglect some details and
nothing will ever be said about it, but not so at
the pastorium.

No country community is entirely free of at
least one or two " nosey sisters" who feel called,
ordained, and sent to look after the details , of their
pastor's home. But thank the Lord, occasionally
it is only one. Country preachers cannot have
servants in their homes for two reasons. 1. They
can't afford them. 2. The congregation would re-
sent it.

Therefore, the pastor's wife, plus husband and
children, must "weed their own row" in whatever
is done in the way of keeping the house. Few if
any labor-saving devices can be afforded, there-

144 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

fore, house-cleaning, washing, etc., will be done by
hand, main-strength and awkwardness.

III. THE CHURCH WORKER

1. Know the Work. The pastor's wife may not be
very proficient in all the different phases of chnrch
administration, bnt she will want to inform herself
just as fast as time will permit for stndy and ob-
servation. It is not required that she shall become
expert in the theory of all the organizations of the
church,

It would be exceedingly helpful to her husband,
however, if she did possess a good working knowl-
edge of Sunday school, Training Union, and par-
ticularly Woman's Missionary Union. She can get
books on any and all of these organizations and
about all of the best technique known has been
reduced to writing and now appears in books. The
disposition to study will reward any woman with
a comfortable understanding of these necessary
parts of church life.

She may be obliged to serve as teacher, leader
or officer in one or more of these departments, but
it should be in an emergency and for a short, or
limited time. Unless this caution is observed, the
pastor's wife automatically becomes a church pack-
horse, and when she leaves, nobody is trained to
carry on, and the good work she has done often
falls flat for the lack of another leader.

She should keep on the alert constantly for
persons with talent, or leadership promise, and
pass that information on to the husband. It is

THE PASTOR'S WIFE 145

much better to find and develop leaders, than to
do all the leading, even though, yon are a capable
leader, yourself. All workers should be encouraged
and the pastor's wife can render invaluable serv-
ice here, by just quietly, but regularly, keeping at
the job.

We knew of one pastor's wife who took the
music of the church as her legitimate sphere of
service. Others had been playing some, but now,
they were seldom used. Maybe she could play bet-
ter than the others, but how are they to improve
without opportunity? Surely it is better to find,
encourage, and train members of the church for
the different duties because they will remain there
when another pastor comes on the field.

2. Not a Paid Worker. The wife was not employed
when the pastor was called, because no salary was
named for her. Some churches may expect her to
earn a salary, and she may feel that she ought to
take over a regular job, but only in emergencies
should she load up with church responsibilities.

Pastors' wives and churches both will do well
to proceed cautiously here, of course, if she has
no children, she might serve in one organization
regularly, and elsewhere, temporarily, but basical-
ly, we should try to find and train the church mem-
bership as fast as possible. Then too, remember
she has a home and it must not be neglected.

3. Pastor's CMldren. Nearly all country preachers
have children. In many cases they have matured
and made their own homes. It is the little ones
and those in the adolescent age that are under

146 KOMANCE OF RUBAL CHURCHES

consideration here. Children should be in the
eliureh services, especially the worship hour.

With the smaller ones, they must be taught how
to remain with the mother while the father Is
preaching, and not be permitted to roam about in
the building, up and down the aisles. Yes, I know
they are cute, sweet and everything else, but Jio
preacher can hold the attention of a congregation
in competition with a "performing" child.

I think of our first one, and all his cute tricks
at church, with more than passing embarrassment.
I never knew fully how much concern he gave our
pastor, until God's immutable law began to operate
on me and I began to reap what I had sown. Well,
to make a long story short, Mrs. Frey took the
other two outside a few times, administered a bit
of "hickory tea," and upon their return, peace
and quietude prevailed.

Whatever the pastor >s children do, in or out of
church, will be used as a standard for the conduct
of the other children. Therefore, we must bring
ours into subjection. God requires that of us. This
same parental oversight must be maintained until
they make their own homes.

Trouble with the older children will be reduced
to a minimum if we do our duty early enough.
This new-fangled theory that we must not say
"no" to the child, because that will cramp his
style, is certainly not of the Lord.

4, Visitation. Many a family out in the country
has experienced little or no visiting by the pastor

THE PASTOR'S WWE 147

or Ms wife. More than one liome has told me,
"Pastor, you are the first preacher ever to visit
in our home." A custom has almost developed
whereby a very few of the homes with more con-
veniences become the " pastor's homes." The com-
forts make it easy for us to lean towards those
homes, but Christian compassion will lead us into
all of them good, bad, and indifferent.

"While learning a new field, and also after it is
known, the wife can mean so much to the work fey
going with her husband. That cultivates acquaint-
ance and lets them know the pastor and his wife
are just plain country people like themselves. I
realize the pastor's wife can become a burden and
a bore, if she lets them know she is company, and
must have attention and service too. But if she
possesses the happy knack of making herself at
home and will take hold and help unless per-
chance she senses that her help in the kitchen is
not wanted and makes them understand "extras"
are not expected, or needed, then she will be wel-
come.

I heard of one pastor's wife who came often
and would park herself in a comfortable chair, and
call for ham, or fried chicken. Then cool her heels
while all preparations were being made, but never
offered to help. Doubtlessly this is an extreme
case. Visits to the sick, the burdened, the lonely
and sad by the wife as her time win permit, will
endear her to the hearts of the rural people.

I have known a few preachers whose wives
never had anything to do with the church fields,

148 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

except the occasional all-day dinner with some
preaching on the ground. There may be a scattered
few who probably ought to absent themselves, but
in most cases, I feel sure it is better for the wife
to be known and have an opportunity to be loved
and appreciated by the congregation,

5. Avoid Favorites. Here is probably the most
difficult admonition of all to heed. "We like intimate
friends. We get lonesome without them. Why
can't we have them on the field! The answer is
short and simple. It cannot be done without ex-
hibiting partiality to some degree, and partiality,
or favoritism, will be promptly resented in the
country.

The wife should try to make friends of all, not
just a few. She must think of the needs of the
membership and less and less about her own com-
forts, and conveniences. If we sometimes are
tempted to feel that maybe this is not necessary, or
requires too much sacrifice, let us remember the
Lord is taking notice, and he never forgets. Some-
how it will be all right some day.

CHAPTEB XIV

BUBAL CHUBCH PBOJECTS

My own experience as pastor has been confined
to four churches in the open country, two in towns
of about 1,000 population, one in a city, and the
other in a village where I grew up and held five
consecutive revival meetings in as many years in
the very beginning of my ministry.

These are actual illustrations of what has really
been done, and not "arm-chair" or " fine-spun"
theory. The first person is used in recounting
these experiences that I may be more direct, but
I assure you an effort will be made to avoid any
attitude of boasting or bragging.

ABAKAT, JACKSOK
FEBRUARY 1, 1934 FEBRITABY 1, 1937

This church was constituted in 1850, and re-
mains in the open country. In 1923, an oak tree
fell across the building, necessitating a new house
a blessing not much disguised. It was built by
sacrifice, dedicated debt-free, and immediately the
good people began to rest upon their past achieve-
ments. The valley of the 1933 depression had not
been fully crossed. There were 140 church mem-
bers, 100 of whom were resident. The treasury
was depleted, no fire insurance was carried on the
$10,000 investment, and a small amount of unpaid
salary was due the former pastor. It tad quarter-
time preaching.

150 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

A Prayer Meeting was begun and kept going
for three years, and the attendance the last year
averaged 40. The furnace took so mnch time to
heat up the auditorium that Prayer Meeting was
usually over before the room was very comfort-
able. "We moved into two Sunday school rooms
that opened together, cut a hole into the chimney,
and set up a small wood heater. Soon this space
was filled and it would hold about 50. "Whether
this small space helped to increase the attendance,
I am not able to say, but we got some joy out of
saying we had a "full-house" at the Prayer
Meeting on Monday night.

The Every Member Canvass plus a lot of
preaching on stewardship and missions moved the
bidget from $438.10 a year up to $729.00 the third
year with gifts to missions increasing 124%. The
church voted to send $5,00 a month through the
Co-operative Program as a beginning.

Mrs. Frey found four ladies laboring in the
Woman's Missionary Society. She used her car
to round up other ladies. Before long, 15 to 20
women became so interested they managed their
own transportation for attendance upon the meet-
ings. A good live society helps any church. Once
a quarter, the Mission Program was given at the
Prayer Meeting hour and I tried to enlighten the
men on missions while the other groups were hav-
ing their programs.

The men here had a very fixed habit or filing
out after Sunday school, and draping themselves
on the roots of the trees in the shade to snatch a

RURAL CHURCH PROJECTS 161

few whiffs from their " pipes of peace". Nat-
urally^ tlie boys piled ont after them, even though
they dared not smoke. This left the pastor with
the ladies, girls, and "babies to carry on and try
to "sing them in" before time for the sermon.
After many futile efforts at persuasion, and be-
coming slightly irritated one day after they had
swarmed out, I announced my text and calmly
preached my message to those present without
song. Just as I was giving the invitation, a few
of them began to straggle back, looking a bit
" sheepish", and slip into the rear seats. Well,
after the benediction, most of 'em grinned at me
as I left the church, but at the last report the
habit had never been broken entirely.

In 1936 the following record was made:

Averaged 100% of resident members enrolled
in Sunday school; averaged 72% of resident mem-
bers in actual attendance; averaged 47% of resi-
dent members in Training Union attendance; av-
eraged 40% of resident members in Prayer Meet-
ing ; averaged 14 cents a Sunday per resident mem-
ber in giving.

All bills were paid, $75.00 were in the treasury,
and the church at my request, accepted my resig-
nation that they might have half-tim& Money was
still scarce and the depression was not over, but
these small improvements are enough to indicate
progress can be made even amid adverse circum-
stances, among conservative people, and in a coun-
try church.

152 ROMANCE OF RUKAL CHURCHES

MAPLE SPRINGS, MBECBB
NOVEMBER 15, 1933 NOVEMBER 15, 1938

This church in the open country, was consti-
tuted in 1849, and for a long time has had half-
time preaching. It was served largely by ab-
sentee preachers, but seldom had a student-
preacher. The clerk's home burned, and original
records were lost. Previously smouldering fires
were fanned a bit by rewriting the church roll and
therefore, some were of Apollos, others of Cephas,
many of Paul, and some of Christ.

The $20 a month salary was insufficient, but
the people felt unable to improve it, therefore, a
queer arrangement for financing was proposed,
discussed, and adopted. They said more than
three-fourths of all collections had gone to the
pastor formerly. I suggested that they give me
for my pay that which came in on three Sundays,
and promised to guarantee all other expenses
would be collected the other Sunday. They reluc-
tantly agreed, provided I would let that one Sun-
day be one of my preaching days, but said I would
surely starve on my own proposition.

A canvass was made for tithes or pledges, and
the money was collected through the Sunday school
because it met every Sunday. This ran for four
years, and the pastor's pay averaged $40.00 a
month, while the total gifts averaged $1,600.00. The
next year I recommended a regular budget with
pastor's salary included. They agreed and fixed
it at $50.00 a month.

RURAL CHUKCH PROJECTS 153

The fifth, and last year showed $1,513.16 In the
budget and $269.05 of It going to missions and
benevolences. The Lord's Acres helped ns raise
a portion of this money. Seven Sunday school
rooms were provided, carbide lights were installed, ,
building was painted outside, and roofed. Then
they decided to ceil inside with celotex, new wood,
specially carved which gave it the finish of a
chapel like the city undertaking parlors. This gave
ns a house as neat and attractive as is found in
most city churches.

I would not recommend the above financial pro-
cedure to everyone, but it worked splendidly there.
I have heard of some pastors who took churches
on a percentage basis when the budget was small,
and held to it after development brought them far
above average pay. This left little money with
which to operate the churches.

Two busses were put on and run to serve terri-
tory not reached by any other churches, and this
helped us to raise the average attendance from
around 70 to 140. This was in spite of mud roads
where winters played havoc with our attendance.

One young lady, Miss Janie Sue Jones, now
Mrs. Harold Gilliand, from this church graduated
from the Training School at Louisville, and did
special Christian service for the Association and
the State Mission Board. Two young men, Leon-
ard Sanderson and Alvin Gilliand, surrendered to
the ministery, finished high school, college, and are
now, 1946, in the seminary preparing for greater
usefulness. They have had to make their own
expenses while carrying on this training.

154 EOMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

WESTOVER, JACKSON
MARCH 1, 1934 DECEMBER 1, 1939

TMs church, was principally a colony from West
Jackson church, for 17 members secured letters and
organized in 1928. They began with a resident
pastor on full-time, but depression changed them
to half-time with only a temporary tabernacle for
which they were in debt. The Woman's Mission-
ary Society financed the church chiefly by selling
commodities.

The first step was to set up a church budget and
relieve the good women of that burden. The Every
Member Canvass was worked every year, supple-
mented by preaching on stewarship and missions.
This multiplied the annual gifts by two, and tlK x
mission gifts by three. It was a struggle to secure
money with which to build for our needs. This
was one time the pastor had to be among the big-
gest givers.

A basement was dug, the floor concreted, and
the walls brick veneered between the pillars. Ex-
cept for the pillars, a row of windows completely
surrounded the basement. Then the tabernacle
was reinforced and pulled over that basement.
The Sunday school attendance wobbled around an
average of 65, but immediately upon entering the
new space the average increased to nearly 100.

The basement was cool in summer, warm in
winter, and lighter than the auditorium. A drain
was fixed so any water would pass right on out.
My successor came for full-time and this has been
maintained since my leaving.

RURAL CHURCH PROJECTS 155

POP:LAR HEIGHTS,, JACKSON
FEBRTTABY 1, 1934r FEBRUARY 1, 1942

Dr. E. E. Guy organized this clmrcli in 1923,
and was their pastor for the first 10 years. He
preached every other Sunday afternoon, but main-
tained both Sunday school and Prayer Meeting
from the very start. It is in the open country
with less than half the families being land owners,
consequently, much moving has taken place each
year.

This was my first and only pastorate where I
lived on the field. This one fact probably accounts
mostly for the annual budget averaging $1,750.46
for my eight years when compared with the former
ten of $888.50. The annual Every Member Can-
vass and special efforts during the year, particu-
larly when crops were harvested, plus steward-
ship teaching, kept the number of givers increas-
ing each year. Many were strict tithers. Some
few objected to the Bible plan of finance, but they
were a small minority.

The church bought three acres across the road
and deeded half of it to the County Board of
Education. A three-room house was erected, used
for four years, and purchased by the church when,
the school was consolidated. From this material
a nice modern five-room pastorium was erected
on the land. The pastor has on these three acres
ample room for garden, cow lot, chicken yard, and
pig, lot for whatever number of hanus he desires.
The church auditorium was finished inside with

156 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHUBCHES

new wood, which gave us equipment as attractive
as can be found.

The Sunday school average for the 8 years was
97 with our resident members remaining around
115. A Training Union was organized several
times, but each time it was short-lived, until Miss
Hortense Bushing took charge. Under her prac-
tical leadership it has done splendid work. Mrs.
Frey and the other ladies maintained an A-l
W. M. S- most of the time.

Two revivals were held each year with, home-
talent in charge of the winter meeting, and a visit-
ing minister for summer. Attendance and visible
results were as gratifying in winter as in the
summer.

The church directed the social life which gave
the people a wholesome outlet for the social urge,
and made the dance and roadhouse unpopular in
that community. A newly moved in family an-
nounced a party and invited the young people.
Soon the rugs were being rolled up to make ready
for a dance. Our young people explained they
did not dance, and began to excuse themselves in
the proper attitude. No more dances were staged
there that year, neither did that family ostracize
the community.

Upon my resignation, Dr. Guy supplied a few
months, during which time the pastorium was fin-
ished, and the new pastor came for full-time work.
George W. Crawford gave up his farming, finished
Harrison-Chilhowee Academy and Union Univer-
sity and now, 1946, is a Chaplain in thef U. S.

RURAL CHURCH PROJECTS 157

Army of Occupation in Germany. The church
rendered him some financial aid while in these
schools, bnt it did not reduce the regular gifts to
missions one bit.

Miss Hortense Bushing deserves special men-
tion also. For several years, on account of her
Mother's sickness, she has had full home respon-
sibility with no opportunity for attending college,
and yet she has so used her time that her services
are eagerly sought by churches and associations
interested in a program of improvement. She is
now doing special work this summer, 1946, for the
State Mission Board.

These four churches constituted my field for
the first three years, at which time Ararat was
given up and that time invested in the other three.
A census was taken every three years for the
benefit of the Sunday schools, but it also helped
in our work of evangelism. The following com-
parison of the census for 1934-1937 tells an inter-
esting story:

MAPLE SPRINGS

1934, cards returned, 361. Number of lost
people, 114.

1937, cards returned, 367. Number of lost
people, 83.

Baptisms for the period 87, or a gain of 10
per year.

WESTOVER

1934, cards returned, 201. Number of lost
people, 64.

158 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHUBCHES

1937, cards returned, 237. Number of lost
people, 66.

Baptisms for the period 17, or a small loss for
three years.

POPLAR HEIGHTS

1934, cards returned, 244. Number of lost
people, 42.

1937, cards returned, 274. Number of lost
people, 46.

Baptisms for the period 32, or a loss of one
each year.

A record like this mil be an eye-opener to any
consecrated pastor whether he be city or country
worker. Try it.

SPOTTSYILLE, KENTUCKY
HELD 5 CONSECUTIVE REVIVAL^ 1932-1936

This was a thriving little mining town until
Green River filled the mine shaft in the overflow
of 1912, and the 2,000 population dwindled away
to about 500 in 1931. Methodist and Presbyte-
rian churches closed -except for an occasional fu-
neral or protracted meeting, but a few of those
members came to the Baptist Sunday school and
other services.

In 1931 the Sunday school averaged in atten-
dance 50, and the budget was $257.42, of which
amount $124.75 was paid to the faithful pastor,
now well up in years. No baptisms had been re-
ported in about three years, and the building was
in a bad state of repair. This was my home town.

RURAL CHURCH PROJECTS 159

I was born there and peddled milk, butter and
eggs regularly as a barefoot boy. Had to fight
one day because I was a country "jake," and the
boys wanted to run me out of town. I may have
lost that fight, but did not get run out of town.
I still pride myself upon the stand made there that
day. It was a great stand for any country boy,
but the stand made 30 years later was far more
outstanding.

At 40 years of age and while much concerned
about the call to preach, I visited my parents that
spring, dropped into the little struggling Sunday
school one morning, and volunteered my services,
free-gratis-for-nothing, to lead the singing in a
revival with the pastor doing the preaching. I
was accepted to sing and preach both, although I
had made only one previous feeble attempt at
preaching.

The Lord was gracious and good to us, and
for 5 consecutive summers, I held the revival.
Eighty were baptized in Green Eiver, including
my Father and Mother, 16 were added by letter,
and 32 rededicated their lives, all of wMch was
encouraging to the 65 members who had been
"staying by the stuff ".

Tithing and stewardship, as well as salvation
by grace alone, were emphasized, the people re-
sponded and rallied. The basement of a building
was begun, in 1933, all of which was completed in
1936 with furnace and later "tailor-made" benches
replaced the old home-made benches.

160 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

Their building is a real credit to any town,
their program is full, the church is a gospel light-
house in that community with efforts through the
Co-operative Program to the ends of the earth.

It has been full-time for 8 to 10 years and is
now ready to build a home for the pastor. This
new work began 15 years ago and a new genera-
tion has risen up but 5 unlike the Pharaoh, they
still remember Mndly, "Joseph", the writer.

ALAMO

NOVEMBER 15, 1938 FEBRUARY 1, 1942
Constituted in 1870, this church is located in
the county seat town, the center of business and
social life of a good farming district Everybody
comes to town on Saturday, some to shop, others
for amusement, and some just come. Population
then was slightly over 1,100.

A new house of worship was built around 1924
with a sizeable sum of indebtedness when the de-
pression struck its devastating blow in 1933. When
their pastor resigned in 1936 it was more than
two years before another was called. Some were
beginning w to believe the debt would have to be
paid before they could afford a pastor.

Needless to say, considerable emphasis the first
year of my pastorate was placed upon steward-
ship, tithing and enlistment. This enabled us to
reduce the debt about $1,000 and do some neces-
sary repairs. After this first year the debt was
regularly reduced and nearly $1,000 spent each
year on repairs and improvements. Hope was

RURAL CHUECH PROJECTS 161

revived and even the most pessimistic were satis-
fied that a pastor is a necessary adjunct in a New
Testament church.

For awhile two to three antos went out eight
miles to a community that had "been disturbed by
Russellism and brought in several children and
young people to Sunday school. By putting on a
track we brought in from 40 to 65, mostly chil-
dren, to our church each Sunday morning. This
so swelled our attendance that those who lived in
town pricked up their ears and more of them
dropped in to see what was " happening ".

With this fine group of children, a choir was
begun and they sang, each Sunday, choruses as a
regular feature of the worship program. Their
enthusiastic performance was a genuine delight to
all the adults. We had from 35 to 65 of them
present each Sunday, winter and summer. I con-
ducted chapel for them at their consolidated gram-
mar school, held an outdoor revival during the
summer and did some preaching in the various
homes during the winter.

The Sunday school grew from about 100 in at-
tendance to 173 average the third year. The
truck helped to increase and maintain the atten-
dance here. It was expensive, but we believe it
more than paid for itself.

BELLS
DECEMBER 1, 1939 FEBRUARY 1, 1942

This church under the inspiration of its pastor,
Dr. L F. Peniek, built a new house in 1923 and

162 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

dedicated it free of debt, a most unusual accom-
plishment, but after this there came a lull or lapse
of zeal and things continued in this groove for
awhile. Half-time preaching had been its custom
for many years, but no pastorium was ever built.

Upon my accepting this pastorate, the men
suggested that evangelism be emphasized and the
subject of money matters be relegated to a place
of minor importance. "Within three months the
treasury was depleted entirely. After presenting
Bible finance by sermon, bulletin, tract, and other-
wise, the contributions replenished the treasury,
repaired the building, and accumulated a balance
toward purchasing a home for the pastor. The
home will become a reality when building restric-
tions are lifted.

Sunday school had struck a new low in atten-
dance and for ten months my best efforts proved
to be fruitless so far as the records revealed. Then
when time for election of officers and teachers
came the whole set-up was revamped. Some Pri-
mary teachers were changed to Young People,
and Adults, to Primaries. This was a drastic step
and fraught with much danger as every ^pastor
knows, either from experience or observation, or
both. But the Lord was in this move and growth
was experienced the very first month. "Within six
months the average attendance had doubled and
all the workers, including the pastor, were su-
premely happy.

Prayer Meeting was poorly attended and the
former pastor often had the few to meet in bis

RURAL CHURCH PROJECTS 163

home. Bank night was on at the picture show
on Prayer Meeting night and some of our best
men and women were attending. At first some
suggested we dodge the keen competition by chang-
ing the night, hut finally we decided to face the
issue squarely and leave the results with Him who
does all things well, and He did.

The "bank night " lost our members and Pray-
er Meeting moved up to 48, with the average
around 35. Nothing to brag about, but an issue
was met and overcome. One night our pianist's
name was called at the picture show when the
"jack-pot" was $50.00. She was at Prayer Meet-
ing that night and I wondered a bit about her
reaction toward the affair. When informed about
her "loss of $50.00 " she said she was not sorry
that she attended the Prayer Hour that night.

Our Brotherhood did its best work in accepting
assignments of names for church and Sunday
school attendance. Some of the most promising
" prospects " were brought to the services by the
Brotherhood. Here is where the men can do some
very fine work for the Lord.

The half-time preaching program had become
a very fixed custom in the church but two years of
sympathetic agitation enabled them to call the next
man for full-time. They have found it easier to
finance full-time than half-time. Bells church has
a fine missionary spirit that is reflected in its
budget

164 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

CAJLVABY, NASHVILLE

JUSTE 1, 1943 MAY 1, 1944

MAY 1, 1945 DECEMBER 31, 1945

On two different occasions I had the privilege
of supplying while this church searched for a reg-
ular pastor. The first time was from June 1,
1943 to May 1 5 1944, and again from May 1, 1945
to January 1, 1946. When Calvary was organ-
ized in 1908 it had an open field on all sides, hut
time has changed that condition. Now the Negro
population has moved in on the north side of the
street next to the church building. Eventually this
church may find it the part of wisdom to nlove to
the center of its constituency.

During .the first period of . supply, evangelism
and stewardship were emphasized. Sunday school
attendance increased some, but very few were
baptized. Stewardship response was very gratify-
ing. Mission gifts multiplied and a house was
purchased to be used as a pastorium and prac-
tically paid for. However, it needed considerable
repairing.

The next period of supply, Sunday school work
was magnified and the attendance was increased
appreciably. Training Union attendance likewise
improved. A series of letters was used one each
week for 6 weeks and these helped to improve
the attendance upon all services to a very marked
degree. At first only three letters were intended,
but the response was so good the deacons re-
quested that they be extended to six instead, with
the church budget paying the cost.

RURAL CHURCH PROJECTS 165

With this renewed attendance, interest was
awakened in every activity of the church program.
Money gravitated to the treasury, and more people
were added to the membership. Tuesday after-
noon was a fixed time for visitation during my
pastorate. Some women would visit, two together.
"We men went out by twos and I tried to visit with
different ones. That procedure encouraged the
more timid men and soon they were about as ef-
fective as the pastor.

Average Sunday school attendance in 1943 was
135, for 1946 it averaged 173. Budget for 1943
was $3,811.30 with $791.04 or 21% going for mis-
sions and benevolences. Budget for 1946 was $7,-
048.02, $2,388.52 of which went for missions and
benevolences, or 33% of it.

This church is made up of working people with
little or no wealth. The constant change of the,
constituency constitutes a real problem. The lack
of space, equipment and facilities cause them to
lose regularly every year many of the best de-
veloped and promising young people to more fortu-
nate churches, but in spite of these adverse cir-
cumstances, Calvary church is a missionary church
in practice as well as in spirit in projecting the
kingdom to the ends of the earth.

This year, 1946, will probably show it to be the
best year in many so far as baptisms are con-
cerned. Chaplain Eaymond Morgan took over as
pastor January 1, 1946, when he was mustered
out of the Navy.

CHAPTER XV

SHALL I BECOME A COUNTEY PREACHER?

The previous chapters have dealt with the re-
ality of the country church situation as it exists
today east of the Mississipi River, with particular
attention to Tennessee and the adjoining states.
We have looked at the nature and disposition of
the people and found them a pretty fine lot. Their
common problems have been investigated and sug-
gestions made for solving them.

Some cases have been presented where progress
has been made by using simple expedients that may
be repeated elsewhere with profit. The country
preacher and his call have been discussed^ and now
we are ready to answer the question used as the
subject of this chapter. Before the final conclusion,
however, let us take one more look at both city
and country fields of pastoral usefulness.

I. THE CITY PASTORATE

1. The Income. The first thing most of us think
of in connection with our city brother, is the good
salary, at least it appears good, and the usual
home furnished free of rent A close scrutiny of
that good salary, when placed alongside the items
it must buy, relieves it of some of its lustre, glitter,
and sparkle.

Yet we must face the facts, and agree that it far
surpasses the financial support of country preach-
ers. In addition to the salary, and that paid week-
ly, or every two weeks, we remember about ex-

SHALL I BECOME A COUNTRY PBEACHEB? 167

penses to conventions and other distinctive gather-
ings, to say nothing of from two weeks, to a month
of vacation with full pay; and all pulpit supplies
thrown in for good measure.

Truly the financial returns are attractive, and
we can understand their lure and influence upon
preachers, whether young or old.

2. The Home. That home with its comforts and
conveniences cannot be ignored. Every couple
worth their salt hopes some day to enjoy a good
home with at least the ordinary conveniences.
When we realize that the most of the homes en-
joyed by preachers' families will have to be fur-
nished by the churches, we can then begin to
appreciate the appeal they possess.

Then, too, just around the corner is the neigh-
borhood grocery store with the vegetables already
canned, and other items of food packaged and
waiting for the shopper with the cash. Naturally
the wife, of the pastor, who draws his pay each
week, has few, if any, money problems the gap
between pay days is entirely too short for that.

3. Schools. The educational standards of both
grammar and high schools in the cities usually, not
always, out-point those of the county in the matter
of teachers, equipment, and facilities. The future
of any preacher's child is greatly influenced, for
better or worse, by the type of school he must
attend. It is not pure selfishness on the part of
preachers to want the best in education for their
children. The best is none too good for anybody's
child.

168 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

4. Qualified Leaders. When it comes to getting
church work done, the city pastor is usually blessed
with an abundance of capable leadership. There
are the professionals; teachers, lawyers, doctors,
bankers, and business executives, all skilled in deal-
ing with people. Of course, they may be hard to
enlist, and when enlisted, may not be too well con-
secrated to the Lord, but there they are, anyway.

5. Paid Staff. Not only is there a supply of quali-
fied leaders, but also a corps of paid workers is at
the direction of the pastor in the city. The church
secretary, pastor secretary, organist, chorister, and
educational director, or assistant pastor. This all
looks good, whether it works out so harmoniously
in practice or not.

Of course, the large memberships in churches
now make helpers an absolute necessity, regardless
of what we may think about it. All of this, plus
the thrill of preaching to large congregations,
makes the city situation very interesting.

6. Boards and Committees. Without any wilful
or malicious intent upon the part of nominating
committees at Conventions, it seems to have be-
come a universal custom to place our city pastors
on all boards and committees of importance. Ap-
parently by virtue of certain pastorates, the min-
isters are chosen as trustees for our various
agencies.

This is not written as a criticism. It is stated
as a fact that can easily be verified. Need we be
surprised when we hear of what appears to be

SHALL I BECOME A COUNTRY PREACHER? 169

keen interest in certain pulpits in our cities! Not
if we are careful observers.

7. Fellowship. Preachers, maybe more than other
groups, crave fellowship. They want to have fel-
lowship with other preachers particularly of the
same faith and order. This is a very commendable
desire. The city pastors 5 conference, made up of
Baptists, or of all preachers in the city, will
satisfy this feeling for friendship and fellowship.
Libraries also are available in cities for those in-
terested in using them. Is it any wonder that some
of us cast envious glances at these city pastorates!

IL THE RURAL. PASTORATE

1. The Income. We readily admit that the average
pastor-pay in the country is low, very low, in fact,
in some spots it has just about ceased to be. Still
there are some places that have been developed to
where they amply care for their pastors. This
difference in support of country preachers is not a
thing of mere chance. It is due to long, hard work
in teaching and training. The matter of a vaca-
tion-with-pay in the country is usually changed to
a revival meeting, the financial results of which
may not be so bad. Just a difference in the use of
a preacher's time. A revival will help any preacher
spiritually and financially. That seems to be the
will of the Lord.

Expenses to conventions for country pastors
is a thing not altogether unheard of among rural
churches. It is coming, though slowly, however.
What should be our attitude! Shall we look for a

170 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHUSCHBS

church already developed, or shall we take what
comes and try to make it, under the Lord, all we
could desire!

2. The Home. Pastoriums are being built in the
country, or purchased, so the pastor can live on the
field. With rural electrification coming, these coun-
try homes may have all the conveniences found in
a city. From the garden can be had the best of
fresh vegetables, not the fiopsy-wopsy withered
kind that some people must buy.

Yes, there is some work attached to this pro-
cedure, but after trying both sources, I prefer the
garden near by. It's free for the producing. All
the surplus may be canned or processed for winter
use. I've seen the cellars of some rural preachers'
homes that resemble veritable grocery stores. Liv-
ing out of a paper sack is not so fancy after all,
and besides it consumes cash constantly.

3. Schools. Country schools are consolidating and
thereby attracting more capable teachers. The bus
transportation, even though crowded, eliminates
some of the cold and exposure in getting to and
from school. These schools may class only from
fair to good, but the country boys and girls climb
into some very attractive positions in spite of any
educational deficiencies. Those who finish the com-
mon schools and desire more usually have the
determination to get it, regardless of where offered.

4. Qualified Leaders. The leadership problem is
one in which the country churches have no choice.
Leaders must be found and manufactured, not only
for the country, but also for the city. Instead of

SHALL I BECOME A COUNTRY PsEACHim? 171

its "becoming a burden too heavy to bear, it may
be turned into a challenge, or dare, to do a thing
unusual in that little community. Shall we look at
it as a burden or a blessing? Much depends upon
the mettle of the minister.

5. Paid Staff. Paid workers in the country, except
the pastor, are rare indeed. This is due to the fact
the membership is made up largely of people who
operate their own business farming are their
own bosses, and consequently may exercise free-
dom unknown to the factory or business employee.
The voluntary system in the rural districts is still
available for nearly anything about which interest
may be aKrased. The membership of the churches
is not very large, and the big group of regular
helpers is not absolutely necessary. We have la-
bored in both situations, and frankly we like the
volunteer system,

6. Boards and Committees. The opportunities for
country preachers to be used on boards and com-
mittees are rare indeed. We don't like this custom,
We don't think it is fair. We don't believe we
merit such constant oversight. To say that all
country preachers lack the necessary qualifications
for these places of honor and trust, is to close one's
eyes to the truth.

Surely no one will conclude that city pastors are
used because their churches give most of the mis-
sion money. If an investigation were made, it
might be that the per capita mission gifts of some
rural churches would compare favorably with some
<jity churches.

172 ROMANCE OP RURAL CHURCHES

Country preachers have shown a fine spirit
about this matter. They have not become bitter or
rebellious. They have faith in their denomination
and are willing to go right on while hoping for a
better day. Frankly, we think it might do good
for a country pastor to be asked to preach the Con-
vention sermon sometime. It would at least allow
for variety, and some of them are equal to the task.

7. Fellowship. The rural pastor suffers loneliness
because of his isolation. This very fact accounts
for his peculiar attitude at times. He is denied
the friendship, fellowship and fun of gatherings
lite pastors' conferences. He is accustomed to
working alone, and so Ms experience in co-opera-
tive affairs is limited. The idea of associational
pastors * conferences is growing and already some
fine groups are operating. In time we believe this
deficiency can be eliminated or overcome to a great
extent.

HI. MY DECISION

1. Our Decision. We feel sure the Lord knows
best where we can serve in his kingdom. He knows
the place. But we live in a material world which
makes certain demands and sometimes these de-
mands are so noisy that we miss the Lord's direc-
tions. For instance, a preacher graduates from
school with his diploma and some debts. Down
deep in his heart, he has an urge to accept a
country pastorate and give the world at least one
model rural field with all the trimmings. But about
that time he gets a letter from the school that
issued the diploma, or the bank, or the endorser
of his note, saying, "Please remit," or "How

SHALL I BECOME A COUNTRY PREACHER? 173

about a payment on your obligation/ 7 when as yet
he has not accepted a pastorate.

Needless to say lie is rudely awakened to the
grim reality of paying for money already spent
while trying to support Ms family on cash instead
of the cuff. Immediately he has a family confer-
ence, or goes into a " huddle " with the wife. Usu-
ally she is very practical. She may have her head
up in the clouds, spiritually speaking, like her
preacher husband, but her feet will be firmly fixed
upon the ground.

They read the records published of pastor sup-
port in the country and city. They see more people
in town to be ministered to than in the country,
and before they realize it, they have a city pas-
torate. Who will denounce and criticise their ac-
tions? Let him that is without sin, cast the first
criticism, Debts must be paid and preachers must
Eve within their incomes, or soon no church wants
them. But right here is the forks in the road,
where many a good country pastor is lost to the
city church.

2. Another Choice. Here comes another preacher
from the school-room, courtroom, work-bench, or
maybe the wide-open spaces debts or no debts
he has Ms heart set on a rural pastorate, as the
Lord leads. The unselfish desire to minister to the
neglected areas, overcomes the fear of sacrifice
for Mmself $nd family. Somebody, financially able,
has faith in this preacher and tides him over for
a few years while the mud-sills of a future flourish-
ing country community are being laid.

174 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

Fired by a holy ambition, lie refuses any and
aU discouragements on, plus occasional lures from,
the field, and plugs away month after month, year
after year. After while, Ms ideal begins to shape
up as a reality. The rural people say, "here's a
man after our hearts, let's follow Mm." And
that is what they did. They repaired, redecorated,
and improved the old church building by adding
rooms for Sunday school and Training Union.
They moved up with his salary to where Ms living
is no longer a burden. Not only necessities are
available now, but a few luxuries can be had. A
new home has been built, or bought, and put in
good livable shape. They gladly share regularly
their abundance of food stuff. Scarcely ever does
a pig squeal in that community without a nice piece
of it finding its way to the pastorium.

He marries their young, buries their dead, and
stands by with genuine sympathy, wMle loved ones
are passing through the shadows of sorrow and
sadness. He rejoices with that couple when the
first baby arrives, maybe his auto carries them to
the hospital. At their all-day gatherings, he is on
hand to make it the best ever. The regular serv-
ices are well attended, in fact, the auditorium is
filled now every once and awMle. The beer-joints,
liquor stores, and honky-tonks have had to fold up
and, like cockroaches when the light is turned on,
scamper away. The social life has been permeated
by Christian ideals and now clean fun^is available
for all ages. Juvenile delinquency, crime and di-
voice have been reduced to a minimum. Property
values have advanced considerably, and only in

SHALL I BECOME A COUNTRY PREACHER? 175

rare instances is a house for rent. The building
of new homes may be seen and the old quiet con-
servative community is now alive with interest and
enthusiasm. The pastor and Ms wife are two of
the best loved in that neighborhood. They are the
real leaders, though not always out in front. Their
services are eagerly sought for programs in other
churches. The pastor has all the calls for revivals
he can safely spare from his field. They are happy,
the Lord has richly blessed them, and the members
say, "We have the best preacher in the State. "

3. Who Is That Preacher!? You mean what is Ms
name! Well, he could be you!

176 ROMANCE OF RURAL CHURCHES

BOOKS FOE A COUNTRY PREACHER

A suggested list of minimiiin equipment, or
books, for a country preacher.

1. Bibles:

Bang James Translation

American Standard Version

Centenary Translation of the New Testament

2. Concordance :

Cruden

3. Dictionary:

Webster's Students'

Smith's Dictionary of the Bible

4. Commentary :

Jamison, Fancett and Brown, one VoL

5. Homiletics :

How to Prepare Sermons, by W. B. Evans

6. History:

The Development of America, by Wirth
Church that Jesus Built, Boy Mason

7. Bible Geography:

A Bible Atlas, by Hurlbut
Biblical Backgrounds, by Adams

8. Theology:

Revelation and God, by Conner
The Gospel of Redemption, Conner

ROMANCE OF BUBAL CHURCHES 177

9. Stewardship:

Grace of Giving, Burroughs
Living Abundantly, by Bnrkhalter

10. Missions :

The Course of Christian Missions, Carver
Epochs in Home Missions, Burton
Priority of State Missions, Pope

11. Administration :

Sunday School A Church Using Its Sunday

School

Training Union Manual, 1942 edition
Woman's Missionary Union Manual

12. Annuals:

Association

State Convention

Southern Baptist Convention

13. General :

Parliamentary Law, by Creasman
Ministers' Manual, by Hobbs
Church Manual, by Pendleton

14. Papers :

Baptist and Reflector
Home Mission
Commission

When I recommend any book except the Bible,
I do not mean to say that I agree with everything
in it. I am saying it is the best book on the sub-
ject with which I am familiar. Any of the above
list may be had from any Baptist Book Store*

INDEX

Analysis of figures, 16

Absentee pastor, 25, 40

Attractive country church, 30

An ill wind, 33

Assets, 33

Autos and good roads, 34

Attitudes, 36

Absentee shepherd, 40

Annual call, 42

Amos, 45

Afternoons and preachers, 49

A-l standard, 64, 77

Annual meetings, 72

Association, 73

After baptism, 84

Agree upon a system, 87

Ararat church, 149

Alamo church, 160

Adjust teaching force, 76

B

Baptists in the country, 11
Busy seasons, 32
Better trained pastors, 42
Blind alley, 45
B. Y. P. U., 52
Bible doctrines, 52
Bible baptism, 57
Baptists and doctrines, 71
Bible plan of finance, 82
Building Lord's treasury, 92
Brotherhood, 98
Bible examples of calls, 122
Bells church, 161
Books for country
preacher, 176

Call at undeveloped

churches, 12

Call for Kingdom recruits, 13
Country churches furnish

preachers, 13
Conservatism, 19
Coin of the realm, 21
Cleveland, Grover, 21

Characteristics of rural

Christians, 25
Church program, 27
Community problem, 31
Consolidation of schools, 35
Country pastor, 38
College graduates, 38
Country pastor training, 42
Cumberland Mountain

story, 42

Church history, 43
Conflicting characteristics, 44
Chief administrative office, 53
Commercial amusements, 55
Church bulletin, 70
Carroll, B. H., 70
Church gadgets, 75
Census, 76
Church grounds, 77
Church library, 81
Church budget, 88
Complete organizational

needs, 97
Church clerk, 101
Consecrated Christians, 103
Co-operating rural church, 104
Clerk of association, 110
Call to places, 129
Calvary church, 164
City pastorate, 166

Dare of rural churches, 11
Directing workers, 54
Director Training Union, 54
Distinctive doctrines, 69
Don't befog the goal, 63
Denominational gatherings, 72
Deacons, 100
Distribute responsibility,

95, 113
Divine call, 121

B

Ezekiel, 30
English Bible, 43
Eagle, Jas. P., 45
Elder and reverend, 47

Evening worship, 49
Evangelism, 56
Elders in every city, 58
Enlist unenlisted, 66
Enlistment problem

growing, 67

Evangelistic success, 11?
Each member tithing, 119

Frankness, 24
Frankness no drawback, 25
Frankness and cleverness, 25
Few trained workers, 39
Find other leaders, 62
First co-operative unit, 109

God's blue print, 13
Gravitate to leadership, 23
God's lighthouse, 26
Greener pastures, 45
Growing workers, 50
Grace of giving, 53
Good books, 60
Great commission, 108
Growing co-operation, 110
God calls for time, 122
God calls to places, 126
God calls to preparation, 130

Human instruments, 14
Hardheadedness, 23
Heart-felt Christianity, 26
Hosea, 38

Hour of worship, 48
Hudgins, W. D., 76
How subscribe budget, 8$
How carry on finance, 93
How much organization, 96
How much time, 122
How much means, 127
How prepare, 131

Isolation, 19
Individualism, 22, 107
Is preparation necessary, 132
Inform people, 69

Interest-producing
activities, 77
Inform men, 87

Jent, J. W., 18
John the Baptist, 45
John Doe, 46
July 4th, 80
John, 106

K

Keyman, 68
Keep records, 93
Kingdom unit, 104

Little competition, 12
Laborer worthy, 14, 132
Lone wolf, 23
Location, 28
Liabilities, 32
Leadership problem, 35
Lord's acres, 78
Leaders practice tithing, 86
Lack of understanding, 106
Licensing system, 121
Lee, R. G., 13
Lure of city, 32

M

Maintenance, 28

Money problems, 29

Monthly payroll, 30

Move the church, 33

Monthly preaching, 41

Mell, P. H., 45

Mell, Jno. D., 45

Management of finance, 52

Making disciples Baptists, 59

Mud bath, 61

Missions and benevolences, 63

Making converts, 64

Maturing saints, 66

Must be plans of enlistment, 69

Maintain cemetery grounds, 78

Moderator, 110

Mission-neutral pastor, 111

Make disciples, 117

My spirit, 117

Maple Springs church, 152
My decision, 172

N

Neglected needs, 12
Need of full-time fields, 14
Nature of New Testament

church, 66

New Testament practice, 95
New Testament boards, 105
No part-time New Testament

churches, 126
No easy task, 67

One room church buildings, 12
Open country fields, 32
Overseer, 52
Observe all things, 57
Organize for task, 74
Organizing rural church, 95
Other officers, 102

Pastor and preacher, 14, 39
Present day response, 15
Pastors and missionaries, 17
Penuriousness, 19
Prejudice, 23
Peculiar problems, 28
Pharaoh's chariots, 28
Personnel, 28
Peter, 30, 106
Parasitical business, 35
Pastor problem for

churches, 38
Pastor problem for

denomination, 38
Pastoral support, 44
Poindexter, A. M., 45
Pastor on Sunday, 47
Pastor during week, 50
Pastor's study, 50
Pastoral visiting, 51
Prayer meeting, 51, 54
Preaching, 56
Practice stewardship, 62
Plan and work plans, 75
Pastor leads, 86
Publicity, 94

Pulpit committees, 127

Pastor turnover, 129

Pastor's wife, 135
Helpmate, 136

God's arrangement, 136
Wife, 136
Counsellor, 137
Place of study, 139
Home maker, 139
The home, 139
The mother, 140
The dietitian, 142
The economist, 142
The housekeeper, 143
Church worker, 144
Know work, 144
Not paid worker, 145
Pastor's children, 145
Visitation, 146
Avoid favorites, 148
Stories, 138, 141, 143, 146

Poplar Heights church, 155

R

Rural church problems, 18, 24,
25, 29, 31, 36, 47, 49, 50.

Rugged Christian
character, 27

Roads, 32

Rural electrification, 34

Rural mindedness, 36

Rural pastor problem, 38

Rural church

administration, 43, 47

Regular services, 47

Rural church program, 56

Results, 113

Rural pastorate, 169

3

State mission program, IS

Statistics, 16

Special rural attitudes, 18

Stinginess, 19

Story on conservatism, 20

Spiritual home, 26

State mission board, 30

Strenuous city pastorate, 31

Shifting centers, 33

Social tie, 33

Shaking-dawn process, 37
Short call, 41
Spirit's leadership, 41
Special training needed, 43
Secular jobs, 44
Sacrifice, 44
Savage, 6. M., 45
Study, 48

Sunday school, 48, 97
Stewardship, 52
Study courses, 53
Sunday school

superintendent, 54
Social activities, 55, 79
Substitutes, 55

Stewardship and missions, 58
Suggested solutions, 68
State paper, 70
Stress doctrines, 70
Southwestern Baptist

Seminary, 70
State convention, 73
Story of improvement, 77
Solving rural church

finance, 82
Source book, 82
Specific illustration, 87
Selling the congregation, 91
Story on deficit, 94
Start with one organization, 97
Shepherd, 99, 121, 124
Spirit's power, 102
Seclusion, 107
State workers, 108
Stewardship success, 118
Spottsville church, 158
Shall I be a country

preacher, 166

Truett, Geo. W., 18
Trail-blazer, 15
Tightwads, 20

Telephone, 34
Training service, 49
Training unions, 52, 98
Twentieth Century
programs, 56
Teaching, 58
Training programs, 60
Tithe amount, 83
Tithe meets needs, 84
Tell the people, 84
Treasurer of church, 100
Trustees of church, 101
Taylor, H. Boyce, 105
The tithe, 118

Untapped wealth, 46
Using graduates, 61
Union in unity, 66
Use members, 96
Utilizing units, 106

V
Visiting, 58

W

Willing but waiting, 13
What prejudice is, 24
Writer grew up, 22
Why country work difficult, 39
W. M. Union, 52, 98
When subscribe it, 90
What needed, 96
Waiting for the power, 102
Why organize, 95
Why Baptists hesitate, 104
Why some don't co-operate, 106
With his churches, 108
When is rural church
successful, 112

Worship services attended, 116
Whole family, 116
Wrong interpretation, 182
Worthy of hire, 133

124 839