John,

SDA publishing leaders often single out new converts to recruit them for literature evangelism. It is a cruel way to make a living.  In the North American Division, the colporteur work is nearly at a standstill.  They are now classified as independent distributors instead of employees of the SDA Church.  This means they have no medical, educational, auto insurance, and retirement benefits. Consequently, the so-called “shock troops” are going AWOL in record numbers.

In many areas, literature evangelists are now entirely on their own for selling, financing, collecting, advertising, etc. With the high cost of gas in recent times, literature evangelists are now experimenting with telemarketing techniques to obtain appointments.  We can be sure that they are not telling people by phone that they are Adventists selling Adventist books.

Dennis Fischer

Hi Dennis,

Thanks for sharing the inside about the colporteuring business.

I can remember growing up SDA, how we were told that if we didn’t share the “Sabbath” truth with those we came in contact with, then those folks would be lost because we failed to share these “truths”. We were told that we would be blamed for these souls being lost.

But, this is also true in the majority of evangelical denominations, where this guilt trip is laid on us that if we don’t witness enough, then souls will be lost because of it. It is liberating to understand that God has committed us with the sharing of the gospel and the Word, but God will give the increase. This concept actually makes evangelism more rewarding, and makes living our Christian lives much easier.

There is a great movement of young people and many others in the evangelical community who are examining the doctrines of grace more diligently.

Here is an entry from Justin Taylor’s blog at http://www.theologica.blogspot.com another excellent blog:

Young, Restless, and Reformed

In April 2008 Crossway will publish Collin Hansen’s journalistic exploration as he set out to understand the resurgence of interest in Reformed theological among younger folks. It’s entitled, Young, Restless, and Reformed: A Journalist’s Journey with the New Calvinists.

Here are some of the blurbs that have come in:

“Young, Restless, Reformed is the product of some outstanding research by Collin Hansen. Regardless of one’s theological persuasion, this book will help the reader gain valuable insight into the growing Reformed movement in America.”
–Jerry Bridges, author of The Pursuit of Holiness

“If you think doctrine–particularly the Calvinist kind–is a mere head-trip that undermines evangelism and saps devotion, you need to read Young, Restless, Reformed. In his journalistic travels, Collin Hansen has uncovered a fresh movement of young Christians for whom doctrine–particularly the Calvinist kind–fuels evangelism, kindles passion, and transforms lives. Read it and rejoice.”
–David Neff, Editor-in-Chief, Christianity Today media group

“While other movements have been making a bigger splash in the headlines, a number of strategic ministries have been quietly (and sometimes not so quietly!) upholding the doctrines of grace, planting churches, seeing people converted, teaching the whole counsel of God. These are now beginning to coalesce in a variety of mutually encouraging ways. It is a pleasure to recommend Collin Hansen’s survey of some of these movements. This is not the time for Reformed triumphalism. It is the time for quiet gratitude to God and earnest intercessory prayer, with tears, that what has begun well will flourish beyond all human expectation.”
–D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“Calvinism is more popular today among evangelicals–especially young Americans–than it has been in nearly two centuries. This lively account of its resurgence from an up-and-coming partisan is must reading for ministry leaders working with young adults. There is much that older Christians can do to help the young and restless to mature in Christian discipleship and witness. I pray that Hansen’s book will function, then, as more than a handy digest of the latest trend in our (endlessly trendy) evangelical movement. It is a wake-up call to baby boomers to move beyond the superficial faith they taught their children and to grow with them in the knowledge and love of God.”
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I especially appreciate David Neff’s comments above. He is considered to be generally quite liberal in his theology, and he is the editor of Christianity Today, and he is a former SDA. His comments about Hansen’s new book is indeed encouraging. These truths are relevant and very important.

Stan

Thank you Stan for bringing this book to our attention. It looks like an interesting read.

I remember David Neff as one of the Pastors at the WWC church when I was a student there. He moved on during that time, and as a student, I was never made aware why.

He sure could make the College Church Organ sing.

Randy

Stan,

Many thanks for posting those excellent quotes endorsing the forthcoming book, “The Young, Restless, and Reformed:  A Journalist’s Journey with New Calvinists” by Collin Hansen.  I look forward to obtaining a copy.

The young, new Calvinists are very visible at Grace Chapel here in Lincoln, Nebraska every Sunday morning.  The Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) has a full-time chaplain at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Truly, God is counting on young people to bring the doctrines of grace to the forefront again.

Dennis Fischer

Stan,

Thank you for sharing those quotes with us. I owe a debt of gratitude to you for sharing the doctrines of grace with me for the first time, and I know others have had the same experience.

There is nothing more precious than knowing that God–despite my reckless sin-stained humanity–pierced His own Son for my transgressions, and the transgressions of all whose faith begins and ends in Christ.

It is this God who motivates us to share with others what He has done, causing us to move outward from ourselves and away from self-made righteousness. He moves us away from our natural self-interest and toward “God-interest”, giving us the untamed desire to share the depth of His grace with others.

What an awesome God we serve!

Greg

P.S. Dennis, thanks for sharing your memories of being a colporteur. No wonder Calvinism is opposed in so many circles–it’s not good for “business”.

Greg wrote:

“P.S. Dennis, thanks for sharing your memories of being a colporteur. No wonder Calvinism is opposed in so many circles–it’s not good for “business.”
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Thanks guys for your responses. Greg has just hit the nail on the head with the quote above. The reason Calvinism is opposed so vigorously today by large megachurches and is relegated to closed areas of certain discussion forums is because disussion of what the Bible actually teaches drives people away, as the masses were also driven away as recorded in John 6 after Jesus stated that no one can come to him unless the Father draws him.

The megachurches which specialize in rock music to draw the masses would be empty today if they replaced this music with the simple hymns of the faith without the rock beat, and they would especially be empty if the truths of what Jesus and the apostles really taught about salvation were emphasized.

However God has honored the faithful preaching of the whole counsel of God in the past as well as currently. Examples of large churches in the past who were faithful to the truth was Charles Spurgeon’s Metro Tabernacle, as God did a wonderful work of salvation in London during that time and God gave the increase. Spurgeon did not water down his message or provide circus like entertainment to bring people in as the seeker churches are doing.

Those who believe the post-modern mindset with their “emergent” philosophies would do well to look at the example of Mark Driscoll, pastor of a megachurch called “Mars Hill” in Seattle. Driscoll does use rock music for the contemporary tastes of the youth (which in itself is not wrong, but only wrong when the entertainment replaces teaching), but Driscoll teaches the Bible from a Reformed viewpoint and makes it relevant. Driscoll used to be part of the Emergent church, but has abandoned their concepts, and recently has distributed widely a sermon denouncing the postmodernism and emergent church ideas.

I don’t believe the church needs to become like the world in order to do evangelism. Romans 10 will always be true “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”

Stan