The answer to this fundamental question takes us back to the principles stated by our Lord. How did he expect men to relate themselves to this, his world task? What were his missionary commands? Stated in their logical and chronological order they are:
"Lift up your eyes and behold the fields!"—Study.
"Pray ye the Lord of the harvest that he thrust forth laborers into his harvest."—Intercede.
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel."—Give and Serve.
Reduced to their simplest terms then, the missionary principles of Jesus demand four things of men. If men relate themselves to the whole task of our Lord a fourfold program, in which every man will have a share, must be carried out in every church.
- A program of Education.
- A program of Finance.
- A program of Service.
- A program of Intercession.
It is one of the tragedies of language that the great phrases get frayed out with constant use. They lose their grip and their power to stimulate thought and action. For the sake of variety these familiar ways of expressing the missionary obligation are stated in a different way, yet so as to retain the fundamental principles enunciated above. The world to-day demands of men:
Widening Horizon—Study
Unwithholding Consecration—Money and Service
Unending Prayer—Intercession