Just how far-reaching is the opportunity of a minister to develop Church, community, and national leadership at home and abroad? What opportunity has a minister to be a community force? When a minister sees something which needs to be changed in a community, what can he do personally and through his church? Is his opportunity greater or smaller than that of a person who is not a minister? What part have missionaries played in changing social conditions in non-Christian countries? Who is needed in the ministry? What types of men are best fitted for the opportunities of the ministry? What qualifications or talents cannot be put to use in the ministry? Where can a minister work? CHAPTER XI THE ALLIES OF THE CHURCH DAILY READINGS The mission of the Church is not confined to the limits of its own organized activities. It has pushed out into society, ministering to all the varied needs of men. FIRST DAY: In all this type of work the Church has but followed the spirit of its Founder. The wide mission was suggested by Jesus in a remarkable parable. And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. But he said unto him, A certain man made a great supper; and he bade many: and he sent forth his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a field, and I must needs go out and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife and therefore I cannot come. And the servant came and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor and maimed and blind and lame. And the servant said, Lord, what thou didst command is done, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and constrain them to come in that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, that none of those What is the meaning of this parable for modern life? SECOND DAY: The first great leader of the Christian Church was ever pushing out beyond the bounds of the organization. While he was always serving the churches he had established he never rested in them, nor would he "build on another's foundation"; he was off and away to reach those outside the range of the Gospel. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: There was a man of Macedonia standing, beseeching him, and saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And when he had seen the vision straightway we sought to go forth into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel unto them. -Acts 16:9-10. What modern Christians have been like Paul in this? THIRD DAY: The complete picture of Jesus in the Gospels represents Him as one very much concerned about the bodily welfare of men, even though the essence of His mission was spiritual. Has He not been called the Great Physician? And in the synagogue there was a man, that had a spirit of an unclean demon; and he cried out with a loud voice, Ah! what have we to do with thee, Jesus thou Nazarene? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the demon had thrown him down in the midst, he came out of him, having done him no hurt. And amazement came upon all, and they spake together, one with another, saying, What is this word? for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And there went forth a rumor concerning him into every place of What is the place of medical service in a spiritual kingdom? What is the relation between physical and spiritual health? What duty have we regarding the physical well-being of ourselves and others? FOURTH DAY: The title of Teacher was continually applied to Jesus. His public ministry in this world covered a very brief period. One would think that it would have been most profitable to spend all His time in public proclamation to large audiences. But not only do we find Him dealing often with individuals in the direct personal method, but His "sermons" are largely cast into what we call the "teaching" form. We see Him using the question and answer plan, we see copious illustrations and parables. With the most consummate skill we see Him not only imparting knowledge but drawing it out of His audience. He has deserved the title of the Master Teacher. And his parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up after the custom of the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not; but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day's journey; and they sought for him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance: and when they found him not, they returned to Jerusalem, seeking for him. And it came to pass, after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both hearing them, and asking them questions: and all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.-Luke 2:41-47. Why is the teacher such an important element in the life of each individual? To what extent is personal contact necessary to successful teaching? What part has teaching in the work of the Church? FIFTH DAY: The test of a man's true loyalty is his "fruit." There is tolerance as well as challenge in the words of Jesus: For there is no good tree that bringeth forth corrupt fruit; nor again a corrupt tree that bringeth forth good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth that which is evil: for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?-Luke 6:43-46. How far can a man be judged by his works? How far may a Christian cooperate with those who do not acknowledge their personal allegiance to Jesus Christ? SIXTH DAY: From the very first Christianity has been concerned with the rights, the powers, and the possibilities of those suffering under injustice and of those who do not enjoy peculiar worldly prominence. "The poor have the Gospel preached unto them"-Jesus quoted these words as referring to His own work. Christianity becomes aristocratic at certain times and in certain places, but its spirit is incompatible with such forms. For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; and the base things of the world, and the |