XII CONGREGATIONAL OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
(_Note_: While this sermon was being presented the main headings of the following outline were on the blackboard. Before the second sermon on the same subject was delivered the following evening, a mimeographed copy of the entire outline was given to each person in the audience.)
To set in order the work of the local church it is well to consider the objectives or results desired. Below is a list of scriptural congregational objectives and some of the activities that will help to reach the objectives.
I. _Evangelistic (Mk. 16:15, 16)_ 1. Local _a._ Lord’s day preaching _b._ Protracted meetings _c._ Newspaper and other advertising _d._ Newspaper reports _e._ Inviting and bringing others to meetings _f._ Radio preaching, contact with interested listeners _g._ Short articles in the paper _h._ Distribution of tracts—in homes, in public buildings, by mail, racks in lobbies _i._ Personal evangelism (1) Contacts at school (2) Contacts at play (3) Contacts at work (4) House to house calls _j._ Prospect file—individual and general _k._ Community Bible classes _l._ Prayer 2. Missionary _a._ Tracts _b._ Radio _c._ Financial support to preachers and missions (1) Should expect regular and complete reports (2) Workers selected carefully and well supported (3) Work carefully supervised (4) Operating funds and assistants furnished _d._ Selecting fields and planning work _e._ Leadership for rural churches near Nashville II. _Devotional (Acts 2:42)_ 1. Sunday morning 2. Sunday evening 3. Wednesday evening 4. Announcements III. _Instructional (Matt. 28:19-20; Eph. 4:11-13)_ 1. Preaching 2. Sunday morning classes 3. Wednesday evening classes 4. Vacation Bible school 5. Bible story hour 6. Ladies’ Bible class 7. Other special classes IV. _Looking After Members Individually (John 10:3, 14; Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17)_ 1. Church bulletin 2. Correspondence with men in service 3. Correspondence with, and in behalf of, other non-resident members 4. Contacts at meetings 5. Visiting—sick, indifferent, weak, disgruntled 6. Records of names and addresses of members 7. Attendance records 8. Special attention to new members, etc. 9. Discipline V. _Practical Training (1 Tim. 3:10; Eph. 4:11-16)_ 1. Wednesday evening meeting 2. Participation in other meetings 3. Special classes 4. Supervised activities in personal work, etc. VI. _Beneficent (Jas. 1:27; 1 Cor. 16:1)_ 1. Caring for widows 2. Caring for orphans 3. Helping the poor VII. _Incidental_ 1. Financial reports, records, etc. 2. Maintenance of church property 3. Other incidentals
