A Hard Job, But Why?
A few weeks ago, when I began making plans for going to the Netherlands to preach, a preaching brother said to me, "You will find that this matter of raising support for a foreign work is a hard, slow job." During the past few weeks, in which I have been trying to raise support, I have found such to be the case . . . . a hard, slow job!
But why? What reason can be given for the difficulty?
Do brethren doubt the worthiness of the souls in Holland? Do they doubt the readiness of the field there? Holland may not present the greatest opportunity on this earth, but the GREATNESS of opportunity it affords cannot be denied. The Lord's church in Holland enjoys the favor of the Dutch government. Catholicism does not present the threat there that prevails in other countries. Communism is no power to prevent the preaching of the gospel there. Nine and a half million people to be reached, and in an area one-twentieth the size of Texas. Brethren in Holland say that 1956 is shaping up to be one of the best years in the history of the Dutch work. My task in raising support is difficult in many areas, because brethren are already doing all they can elsewhere, having put their support to what they considered a better field. Yet if brethren choose to divert their support into a worthy field that they can rightly support, considering it to be more opportune, I commend them, and just keep looking for someone else to be interested in the work in Holland.
I ask myself the question, "Is the fault or difficulty mine? Do brethren doubt my suitability for such a work? Am I failing to make an appealing plea?" Though lacking oratorical eloquence, I believe the plea to be appealing, for those who have heard our plea have been impressed with, and have appreciated our plans and the work in Holland. Other brethren, of far greater ability than I, have made much the same plea in the interest of foreign evangelism, and with no more result.
Do my convictions keep brethren from being interested in our plans? I have sought no sponsoring church. I have asked no group of elders here to oversee our work there, believing that it is impossible for elders to OVERSEE that which they CANNOT SEE; to have the OVERSIGHT of something that is not even IN SIGHT! I have looked to the New Testament and observed the actions of the churches and of the preachers supported by these churches, and have tried to arrange my plans accordingly. I have therefore asked brethren to listen to our plans, and then with interest and confidence to support us in the work that we contemplate. All contributions will be deposited directly to my personal banking account, with a report being sent to every contributing congregation, that these brethren who are financially interested in our work will know ALL the support that we receive, as well as the work that is being done and the progress that is being made. To date, no one has said such was even questionable! All admit it to be right! I examine the 'Biblical examples and principles, and put the period where the Lord put it! Then I am asked, 'But wouldn't it be right also for a congregation to handle those funds and oversee your work?' or I am told that 'Direct support is O.K., but it is second best. The sponsoring arrangement is better.' Yes, my convictions keep some brethren from supporting me! Not that my work, my plans, etc., are questioned, but I will not go along with what some brethren do, for which no principle or example can be found; and therefore those same brethren will not support me in a work admittedly right! But know this, brethren, I'll starve to death, and die with a clear conscience, before I'll sell out my convictions for any amount of anybody's support! When we can be shown from God's word, then, and only then can any of us afford to alter our convictions. But because of the unwillingness or refusal of some brethren more `liberal-minded' to support us, I must look to those who share much the same convictions.
I am told by some of our 'sponsoring brethren' that the criticisms which other brethren and I level at 'brotherhood projects' are but 'escapist' arguments, criticizing those who do, because we are unwilling to do ourselves. We are told to look and see who does the most, the 'sponsoring brethren' or the 'criticizing brethren' or the 'criticizing, anti-brethren' as we are often called. I refuse to believe that the sincere criticisms of my brethren are 'escapist' arguments, intended merely to keep others from doing, because we will not do! I know that my criticisms are not 'escapist' arguments, but are convictions...convictions to do, and to do it right!
Could it be indifference or neglect on the part of congregations which causes them to fail to support brethren going into distant fields? I am afraid that too often we as congregations are idle in the matter of preaching the gospel outside our own community because we may be indifferent or lazy; or because we may not have been taught to fully realize our responsibility in preaching to 'every creature'; or possibly because we may never have seen clearly the opportunities. For this reason we need more teaching on our responsibilities of preaching the gospel everywhere, for if we, the children of God, do not spread the gospel, who under heaven will??? We all ought to endeavor, with all our power, to awake, and to rouse one another from our lethargy, and to open our eyes to the millions of souls stepping daily past the limits of life into the dark abyss of eternal night. It is hard to interest brethren in preaching the gospel in a specific foreign field, if those brethren have no general interest in preaching the gospel anywhere!
And yet another cause of my difficulty: there are many congregations, which are awake to the need of preaching the gospel everywhere, and are willing to work with all their ability to do that; congregations which will respect the convictions concerning evangelism, cooperation, etc., that many other brethren and I have; and congregations which have the ability to include such a work as ours in their budget, IF . . . . if they saw the specific opportunity! It is my hope and prayer that this plea, as contained in this article, will fall into the hands and hearts of just such brethren. My difficulty is in knowing of, and contacting congregations which are in a position to be interested financially in our work.
I want to go to Holland! I have arranged with the brethren here where I preach, that as soon as our support is arranged for, that we will leave for the Netherlands. The brethren here know of our plans, and have asked us to stay until our leaving for overseas. We hope to be able to go some time this fall, but that will depend upon our success in raising support. If you, or the congregation where you worship could assist in our consistent support for the two and one-half years of our proposed first stay in Holland, or in our travel expenses, may I hear from you? You, congregations supporting our work, can with your interest and support, take away the difficulty which we are encountering now, that of raising our necessary support. Why must it be a hard, slow task?
signed/ RONNIE POPE P. O. Box 1086
Dickinson, Texas