11 CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
G. W. Harvey—It is the development of a family. Christians are to be trained to meet the issues of life. I have no iron-clad rules for governing a family, or developing a church. Certain principles, of course, govern. Teach like the Lord teaches, then all will be alike when they come together. Examine self—pray and study the Bible: The church is God’s school. Christ, the Teacher, never made a mistake. Object of growth is a home in heaven. Christians have the most enjoyment, and Bible truth is worth most. Imbibe it, and character follows as a necessary result. Man does not originate
W. J. Bishop—Theories are useless, unless we make them practical. Bring forth fruit. God is a practical Being. We have different gifts (see Bom. 12). Each one has something he can do, and he should do it. Elders are the- overseers. They should determine the abilities of all, and put them to work. “We are tools, each fitted for something.”
C. R. Nichol—Fifty obeyed in one day in Mississippi—all babes in Christ. They are to be developed. Who is to do it? How is it to be done?
J. C. White—Don’t overload young members. You may spoil a young horse by overloading him. “Give every one something to do, and then show that it is appreciated.”
C. R. Nichol—When I obeyed the gospel I, like other young converts, wanted to do something, but found no opportunity. The church did not furnish me any work, as it should have done. I finally drifted into the Y. P. S. C. E. Here was work for all. Let the church see to it that the young converts are kept busy. Can’t live by eating only.
U. G. Wilkinson—Too much theory; not enough practice. The most competent members should not do all the teaching. We are trying to develop all at Comanche. Do with your might what your hands find to do. Be a vessel unto honor.
R. L. Whiteside—Brother Bishop thinks the church is too nearly all mouth. Well, some Christians remind me of a hippopotamus—they seem to be about all mouth, and they never get far from the water. Our foolish wrangling over every phase of work has done more to build up the progressives in Texas than anything they have done. No matter what is proposed, somebody objects, and backs up his objections by a threat to quit. We need to quit foolishness, and go to work. Get all interested—put them to work—women and all.
Lee P. Mansfield—A young church is at the mercy of mischief- makers. An evangelist should stay with the infant church. Eind out who are absent, rebuke and encourage them. Get some good literature.
G. H. P. Showalter—Opposed to literature, not as unseriptural, Dut on the grounds of its inutility. Let’s not be hasty in appointing elders.