The Policy Of The Gospel Press
(Editor's note: Inasmuch as there have been confusing and conflicting statements relative to the practice (whether policy or not) of Gospel Press's soliciting contributions from churches, we publish herewith brother Reuel Lemmons' editorial on the subject, and on another page in this issue an article from brother Earl Fly on the same subject. We urge a careful reading of both articles.... and then let the reader decide for himself who it is that "did not know what they were talking and writing about relative to the activities of GOSPEL PRESS." Apparently the G.P. "revised" their position on this subject, and may, or may not, have "revised" the revision. You decide.)
Much has been said and much more written by brethren who did not know what they were talking and writing about relative to the activities of GOSPEL PRESS.
The following statement by Alan Bryan, who directs Gospel Press has been passed along to the Firm Foundation office with the request that it be given publicity immediately. That we are more than happy to do. If the statement had been made six months earlier much damage could have been prevented. However, the following statement, carefully drawn up, and carefully worded, was first circulated among members of the board of Gospel Press to be sure that it represented the thinking and the united sentiment of board members. We believe the statement is timely and will be welcomed by all.
The statement follows:
Statement Regarding Policy of Gospel Press, August, 1961.
The board of trustees of the Gospel Press approved a resolution at the Annual Meeting in Abilene, Texas in February, 1961, to the effect that Gospel Press reaffirms its determination to operate in the field of the preparation and placing of gospel messages in national magazines supported entirely by individuals.
The Gospel Press will not solicit funds from the treasuries of congregations for the support of its work. Congregations desiring to buy space in national magazines are encouraged to do so through an advertising agency and the advertisements prepared by the Gospel Press are freely offered to be used by any church of Christ.
Of course, the services of the Gospel Press in terms of tracts or mats, etc., are offered to congregations just as the services of any of our gospel papers are available to churches. Gospel Press encourages churches to take advantage of the wonderful opportunities open through national and international advertising. It is hoped that several churches will take the lead in placing an ad each month in some national magazine and that sister churches will cooperate until at least a dozen magazines will be carrying a gospel message every month. It deliberately limits itself to the field of such work as may be done by individuals acting in concert through a non-profit corporation. If anyone connected with Gospel Press can assist in explaining the opportunities to any eldership, they will be glad to do so.
We believe the above statement is clear-cut and self-explanatory. We call attention to some sentences: The first sentence affirms that "determination to operate in the field of the preparation and placing of gospel messages in nation al magazines supported entirely by individuals.
The next sentence says that "Gospel Press will not solicit funds from the treasuries of congregations for the support of its work.
Then note this one: It deliberately limits itself to the field of such work as may be done by individuals acting in concert through a non-profit corporation."
These sentences and others should make it abundantly clear that Gospel Press does not solicit funds from churches. And that is the way it should be. We have been interested in Gospel Press since its beginning, and have been thankful for the work it has done in advertising the gospel of Christ. But we are interested in it being — and staying — a private enterprise. We have no use whatever for a missionary society, regardless of the name by which it might be called.
As in all human associations and corporations, mistakes and errors are possible. And it is freely admitted that mistakes have been made, and that statements by those in authority and those without authority may not have been at all times one hundred percent in harmony with the above stated policy. However, only critics are perfect; the people and the things they criticize never are.
Gospel Press is a purely human organization. It is a corporation formed by sincere men who want to see the gospel published in papers others run, rather than one owned by themselves. This method of teaching has its advantages. The corporation will never be perfect, nor any of its board members, nor its servants. But when mistakes are made by Gospel Press they, we believe, can and will be corrected. There is no point in damning the whole thing just because one does not agree one hundred percent with everything that is done. There isn't any sense in throwing out the baby with the bath water.
The above statement of policy officially framed, passed. and published by the Board of Gospel Press will set honest minds at ease. And we sincerely believe Gospel Press will live up to this statement of policy. We are sincerely glad to see it.