A strategy for involving Adventist local churches in literature evangelism in Trans-Orange Conference South Africa

Abstract

Literature evangelism is a method of evangelism that has been used by the Seventh- day Adventist Church pioneers even prior to its name and organization. Throughout the years many souls have been baptized into the church as a result of literature evangelism. This study sought to establish factors that led to minimal and sporadic involvement of churches in the Trans-Orange Conference (TOC) and develop a strategy to involve church members. The researcher interviewed several church leaders connected to the publishing department. Questionnaires were administered to the literature evangelists and the local church pastors. The findings revealed that the gap between the church and the literature ministry was created by mainly the centralization of the publishing program by moving it from the Conference to the publishing house in South Africa. Based on the findings of the data collected the researcher came up with a strategy to restore the literature ministry where it belongs in the local church. The strategy was mainly aimed at educating the leadership and the local church. Seminars were conducted beginning with the local church pastor and the local church elders. The second group was to be local church publishing directors. The third step was to form a literature club in the local church to keep the members involved. The seminars were conducted for the TOC administration and the pastors who received material to enable them to educate their members. The researcher conducted seminars in at least three churches. The conference now has appointed a full publishing director under the conference. At least three churches have been actively involved in evangelism through literature and distributed over three thousand books. One church sets aside funds and distribution day every year. Another church has a viable literature club. A number of churches have baptized new people as a result of being involved in evangelism through literature and members are eager to share more books.