|
 For
three months, from September 20 to December 12, Bob Harkrider
and I journeyed to Australia and worked among brethren there. We
contacted 22 congregations, and preached to 15 of them. I
traveled over 7,000 miles and Bob traveled about 6,000 miles within
the country. We tried to stress training for service; and we
taught classes in Romans, Revelation, and The Cults, because of
the need for information in these fields in day-by-day
encounters. We cannot know the true measure of accomplishments,
nor do we desire to publish glowing reports. We only know that
we tried to save souls and strengthen brethren.
As
reported in Sept. '77 P.T., the Australian brethren paid all of
my travel expenses. Most unexpectedly, they also assisted in my
personal support, and in bro. Harkrider's support. This is
supposed to be a "touchy" subject; but I believe there
is a genuine awakening in Australia to such responsibilities,
and recognition and thanksgiving for such is in order.
Australian
churches are small and widely scattered. We did not visit a
conservative church with more than 45 members, and oftimes we
met with six or eight. With 50 in attendance, we "stood
before a great sea of faces." Where such conditions
prevail, there or in the U.S., family problems, petty
jealousies, doctrinal peculiarities, etc., become major problems
and detract from the Lord's work. Perhaps associated with
smallness in number, yet growing out of an ultra conservative
background and honest conviction, are other hindrances to
growth. Only seven of the fifteen congregations to whom we
preached had a permanent
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meeting place. Some either object to,
or are not positive in their efforts to obtain such.
"Mutual edification" is something more than a
necessity to a few. They have seen preacher abuses and will have
to recognize mutual edification abuses before they are likely to
sort out this matter. And there are always some who are
satisfied to "keep house for the Lord." Need I remind
you of comparable U.S. problems?
But
there are encouraging signs in Australia. Some congregations
have grown numerically and spiritually since my last visit
(1973). We met perhaps a half-dozen young men who study and are
anxious to prepare themselves to preach full-time; and there are
churches willing to support them to the extent of their ability.
An attitude of self-sufficiency is developing, and a recognition
of the need to move forward. Two men have bought a press, and
plan to print tracts and study materials. Liberal brethren who
accused us of "dividing churches," have greatly
underestimated the capacity of Australians to think for
themselves. A highly sectarian history (?) of
"Neo-Conservatism" in Australia has backfired. One
brother told me he had two copies; one to study and mark; the
other to lend to anyone interested. He found the book answered
itself in unprejudiced hands.
The
"needs" in Australia are about like "needs"
here in areas where few brethren exist -- like "needs"
in the Dakotas, Montana, Maine, Nebraska, New Hampshire, etc.
Workers, support, and genuine prayerful interest in the
"faithful few" are sorely needed.
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