en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:phase1_scatter_literature
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| en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:phase1_scatter_literature [2026/06/25 05:31] – jpauldietrich | en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:phase1_scatter_literature [2026/07/20 05:29] (current) – [How should literature be scattered?] jpauldietrich | ||
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| ===== What should be scattered? ===== | ===== What should be scattered? ===== | ||
| - | What should be scattered? It is literature that presents the everlasting gospel and the unique, urgent, and final messages God is giving to the last inhabitants of the earth. | + | What should be scattered? It is literature that presents the everlasting gospel and the unique, urgent, and final messages God is giving to the last inhabitants of the earth. It should be intensely interesting while at the same time containing real messages of truth. |
| > Specific Objectives of Our Literature—Our publishing work was established by the direction of God and under His special supervision. It was designed to accomplish a specific purpose. Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world, and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His representatives, | > Specific Objectives of Our Literature—Our publishing work was established by the direction of God and under His special supervision. It was designed to accomplish a specific purpose. Seventh-day Adventists have been chosen by God as a peculiar people, separate from the world. By the great cleaver of truth He has cut them out from the quarry of the world, and brought them into connection with Himself. He has made them His representatives, | ||
| + | ===== Who should scatter it? ===== | ||
| - | Who? How? Where? | + | * Every church member (CEv 41.2) |
| + | * Young men and women (CM 57.1) | ||
| + | * Evangelists (CM 45.1) | ||
| + | * Colporteurs (BEcho September 18, 1899, Art. A, par. 6) | ||
| + | |||
| + | God does not call everyone to be full-time literature evangelists. God needs people in other important lines of work, also. We may conclude two points: 1) that every church member should be involved in literature ministry, and 2) that God does call some people to full-time literature ministry. | ||
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| + | > A grand work is being done by those who handle the press. The sheets that come from the groaning press to be prepared as tracts and bound up in books, are to go forth to visit all the places of the earth. There should be canvassers who will do faithful service in this work. When the Lord's voice calls, “Whom shall we send? and who will go for us,” the divine Spirit puts it into the hearts of men and women to answer, “Here am I; send me.” But bear in mind that the live coal from the altar must first touch your lips and cleanse you from all impurity. Then the words you speak will be wise and holy words. The Lord would have many take a part in this grand work who are consecrated, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Where should it be scattered? ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * Like leaves of autumn (CM 5.2) | ||
| + | * In every country and in every clime (CM 5.2) | ||
| + | * From city to city (CM 5.3) | ||
| + | * On lines of transport (bus, airplane, etc) | ||
| + | * In all the world (CM 5.3) | ||
| + | * To all the dark corners of the earth (IR September 16, 1903, par. 7) | ||
| + | * Repeatedly in the same place | ||
| + | |||
| + | > Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding. (Matthew 22:9) | ||
| + | |||
| + | People come and go, but literature remains. | ||
| + | |||
| + | > The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:7-8) | ||
| + | |||
| + | > The canvassing work is an important field of labor, and will do much towards carrying the gospel **to all the dark corners of the earth**. The intelligent, | ||
| + | |||
| + | > Residence work, in which the colporteur **goes over the same territory time and again**, was recommended by several speakers, and interesting experiences were related, emphasizing the fact that this class of work is not only the best follow-up system so far as soul saving is concerned, but is equally satisfactory from a book selling standpoint. (GCB 318.15). | ||
| + | |||
| + | > "These small tracts of four, eight, or sixteen pages, can be furnished for a trifle, from a fund raised by the donations of those who have the cause at heart. When you write to a friend you can enclose one or more without increasing postage. When in conversation with persons in the cars, on the boat, or in the stage, who seem to have an ear to hear, you can hand them out. They should not be promiscuously scattered at present like the autumn leaves, but judiciously and freely handed to those who would be likely to prize them. This will be advertising our publications, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== Why scatter literature? ===== | ||
| + | |||
| + | * It advertises our publications (T12 75.1) | ||
| + | * It will result in much good (T12 75.1) | ||
| + | |||
| + | Literature should be made cheap and abundant so that anybody can afford it. | ||
| + | |||
| + | > “In addition to our large and more expensive literature, such as Protestant, Liberty, “State Papers,” and other books and pamphlets, we should have a series of appropriate small tracts which could be sold to our people very cheap—tracts that can be scattered like the autumn leaves, at a cost to our people that will be so small they cannot resist the temptation to buy them for free circulation. We have felt this need for years, and a number of times have resolved to provide it; but it has not yet appeared. Now, its need being so apparent, and the ways and means for its production having been more particularly worked cut, we hope this general council will provide for its early appearance. “This literature is to be cheap only in price. It should not carry the publishing house and tract society commissions. It should go from the press **to the people at the actual cost of production, or less**. Our publishing houses and tract societies can well afford to make this line of literature a truly missionary work; for it will not only hold the ‘four winds’ for a season, but **will do more in creating a demand for other literature than any other one thing we now know of**. With a good assortment of cheap literature, it will be a comparatively small task to organize our people for its circulation. A steady stream can be flowing out at all times, and on special occasions it may be put out in large quantities. (GCB 319.10). | ||
| Scattering literature is a way to reach many people who would otherwise not hear the truth. During this stage, we may not see much fruit because this is the seed-planting stage. The fruit will surely come later. | Scattering literature is a way to reach many people who would otherwise not hear the truth. During this stage, we may not see much fruit because this is the seed-planting stage. The fruit will surely come later. | ||
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| > Successful Soul-Saving Ministry—The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; | > Successful Soul-Saving Ministry—The canvassing work, properly conducted, is missionary work of the highest order, and it is as good and successful a method as can be employed for placing before the people the important truths for this time. The importance of the work of the ministry is unmistakable; | ||
| - | Scattering literature like the leaves of autumn does not necessarily mean to literally sprinkle tracts around wherever we go. We are not called to litter. This work should be done with much prayer. What should we pray for? | + | ===== How should literature be scattered? ===== |
| + | |||
| + | Scattering literature like the leaves of autumn does not necessarily mean to literally sprinkle tracts around wherever we go. (T12 75.1) We are not called to litter. | ||
| + | |||
| + | * In an organized and efficient manner; form companies to work sections and districts thoroughly. (GCB 251.1) | ||
| + | |||
| + | > "There is a great work to be done, and this is one of the grandest agencies through which it must be developed. There is no need of our book work shrinking as it has. It ought to be doubled and quadrupled. We must therefore keep all the old agencies and forces good, and while we keep these forces good, we must also keep good a force of men who are traveling all over the field. We must also **organize companies** that will take charge of **sections and districts**, | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===== This work should be done with much prayer. What should we pray for? ===== | ||
| * Pray that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit | * Pray that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit | ||
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| * Pray that God gives you discernment | * Pray that God gives you discernment | ||
| - | > When young men take up the canvassing work filled with an intense longing to save their fellow men, they will see souls converted. From their work a harvest for the Lord will be reaped. Then let them go forth as missionaries to circulate present truth, praying constantly for increased light and knowledge, that they may know how to speak words in season to those that are weary. They should improve every opportunity for doing a deed of kindness, remembering that thus they are doing errands for the Lord.... In their work they should always take some health books with them; for health reform is the right hand of the message. (ChS 153.1). | + | > When young men take up the canvassing work filled with an intense longing to save their fellow men, they will see souls converted. From their work a harvest for the Lord will be reaped. Then let them go forth as missionaries to circulate present truth, |
| + | |||
| + | ===== Scatter literature, but not literature alone ===== | ||
| With literature distribution, | With literature distribution, | ||
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