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--- en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:why_print [2026/05/25 03:52] – [Advantages and Benefits] jpauldietrich
+++ en:operating_principles:dtm:publishing_church_growth_model:why_print [2026/07/13 06:21] (current) – jpauldietrich
@@ Line 178: / Line 178: @@
   * Encourages members to become contributors rather than consumers
   * Talents multiply through use
+> Among the members of our churches, there should be more house-to-house labor, in giving Bible-readings, and in distributing literature. **A Christian character can be symmetrically and completely formed, only when the human agent regards it as a privilege to work interestedly in the proclamation of the truth, and to sustain the cause of God with means**. The treasury must not be allowed to become empty, when there are such urgent calls for help from every part of the world. (SpTB08 5.1).
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-===== V. Practical Considerations and Extensions =====
+===== V. Considerations that Plead for the Establishment of Publishing Centers in Missionary Fields =====
+Let us start by reading from the book //Publishing Ministry// page 196:
+> At various points in missionary lands publishing houses must be established. To give character to the work, to be centers of effort and influence, to attract the attention of the people, to develop the talents and capabilities of the believers, to unify the new churches, and to second the efforts of the workers, giving them facilities for more ready communication with the churches and more rapid dissemination of the message—all these and many other considerations plead for the establishment of publishing centers in missionary fields. PM 196.2
+Now, let us break this paragraph down and analyze it point by point.
+==== To give character to the work... ====
+  * When a publishing center is established close to a community, that community tends to feel more ownership of the publishing center, and it seems more relevant to them than if it was a publishing center in a distant country.
+  * Establishing a local publishing center encourages production of material that is adapted to the culture and needs of the local population.
+  * A publishing center allows a community to access materials and information where otherwise these materials would not be available.
+==== ...to be centers of effort and influence... ====
+  * Availability of printed materials on health, education, and other Bible study topics significantly helps the efforts of the church members.
+  * Printed material also boosts the influence of the church members. Literature can go where the preacher cannot go. Literature allows the receiver to study the message of truth rather than to quickly forget what was said. When the receiver can confirm for himself the message of truth in the Bible, it encourages trust of the member.
+==== ...to attract the attention of the people... ====
+  * Anywhere I have been so far in Africa, literature attracts attention. There is so little literature available to the population that when it is available, people may in some cases literally fight over it to get a copy.
+  * A simple illustration on the cover of a tract or a catchy title relative to a current issue is often enough to grab somebody's attention and lead them to read the tract.
+  * As I hand out tracts to people, they often stop right where they are to see what it says. One motorbike driver stopped his motorbike in the middle of the road and remained motionless until he finished reading the tract. Then he carefully folded it, put it in his pocket, and drove away. I once saw a man walking a  distance of 18km between villages; as he walked, he was reading a copy of The Great Controversy.
+==== ...to develop the talents and capabilities of the believers... ====
+  * Church members can get involved in various aspects of publishing including writing, editing, graphic design, printing, and distribution. As they use their talents for the Lord in His work, He will bless them.
+  * As their talents grow, the believers' capabilities grow and they become more useful in the work.
+==== ...to unify the new churches... ====
+  * When we are busy doing a work for the Lord, our minds are focused on Him and not on picking at each others' faults. As members work together for the Lord, they grow closer to the Lord and to each other.
+  * New members should be given a work to do. One of the activities they can do is to get involved in publishing.
+==== ...to second the efforts of the workers, giving them facilities for more ready communication with the   * churches and more rapid dissemination of the message... ====
+  * Every pioneer worker should have access to plenty of publications for distribution.
+  * Publishing and distributing a magazine of testimonies, stories, counsel, and enriching Bible studies would encourage members and give them opportunities to train themselves for better service to God.
+===== VI. Practical Considerations and Extensions =====
 The publishing ministry also addresses practical challenges such as language, finances, and operational objections, further strengthening its strategic necessity.