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Friends United Meeting |
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November 2000
Ideas That Work: Missions Conventions for 38 Years
By Dorothy Payne
Assuming the week-end would be boring, our family (Herbert and Dorothy Payne and 3 children) committed to dutifully attending Salem, Iowa Friends Church's First Mission Convention on November 2-4,1962. The dynamic Rev. James Lentz, World Gospel Mission, pressed a never forgotten challenge: "Missions is not an arm of the church, but it is the church." This totally revolutionized my life leading to volunteering on mission fields at home and abroad for 38 years. Increased financial giving has become a joy.
In the spring of 1962, Rev. Marshal Cavit was evangelist, with children ministers, Uncle Ben and Mrs. Underwood. The Holy Spirit worked mightily, giving the church and community a great revival which paved the way for scheduling and conducting the First Mission Convention, and the strong missions program in the church.
The history of Salem Friends Church goes back many years, and is the oldest Friends Church west of the Mississippi River, established on October 8, 1838. The Faith Promise Giving goes back, but not so far, beginning with Roscoe and Marjorie Townsend's seven year ministry (1961-1968). A Faith Promise is not a pledge; a pledge is horizontal, made to a church, society or other worthy cause. A Faith Promise is vertical, being made between the believer and the Lord. An effort is usually made to "collect" the pledge. No attempt is ever made to collect a Faith Promise. If at the end of the year, God has not enabled a person to meet the Faith Promise commitment, the matter remains only between that person and the Lord.
At this First Missions Convention we were urged to "wait" upon the leading of the Lord before filling out our Faith Promise cards. On Sunday afternoon, my husband and I placed a figure on our card. During the closing service we changed it to a higher figure. I played the piano while volunteers laid their faith promise cards on the church altar for tabulation. When we returned home, Herbert said, "I increased the amount on our card again." Even erasers on pencils can be used for God's glory! This was our first faith promise!! God not only provided finances through the year, but gave us real peace and joy. Since God sanctified and cleaned my heart, I have committed my time, talents, money and children to God.
You, no doubt, are asking, "How much has this caused the local church budget to suffer?" This is a reasonable and logical question, because reasoning would show that the same dollar cannot be spent twice. But remember--we stepped out of the "Reasoning Realm" into the "Faith Realm." With all glory given to God, I can report the local budget has not suffered. In fact a new parsonage and large church fellowship room with basement have been built plus many other major improvements through the years.
Voluntary unsolicited mission giving increased from $300 to $9,000 annually during the Townsends' seven years at Salem Friends Church.
Tom and Jan Palmer came to Salem Friends in July 1991 with a continued mission emphasis and annual mission conventions. Last year $18,000 was given to missions above the church budget and physical maintenance and improvements. All with a membership of less than 150!
During these 38 years, there are (or were) 38 members and former members serving at home or abroad in Christian Service. (One for each year.) Short-term mission projects are also promoted with 58 young and old participating.
Scheduling and plans are continually made to accommodate the missionaries' availability. Music, children and youth ministry, worship, slide pictures, videos, souvenirs, and personal reports are included in the annual conventions. Various needs are presented. Then each person designates the place and amount of money given. The length of conventions has varied from a weekend to 10 days. Guests are housed and fed by church members. During the 38 years, a total of 45 mission organizations have been represented, with as many as eight coming in one given year. Many singing groups have also come and blessed our hearts. In the last three years, three Habitat for Humanity houses have also been built in Salem.
My 20 years as Missions Chairman for Salem Friends has been very rewarding.
Copyright (c) 2000 Friends United Meeting
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