What does it mean for Seventh-day Adventist Christians when we hear the words “Total Member Involvement”? Pastor Alejandro Bullón has been instrumental in bringing thousands of people to the Lord by using some of the simple yet powerful biblical principles for soul-winning that he shares in his book Total Member Involvement. He said, “The secret of Total Member Involvement includes door-to-door visitation, Bible studies in homes, intense prayer initiatives, comprehensive health ministry outreach, distribution of Adventist literature, youth involvement, Community Services, ADRA activities, media outreach, social media contacts, choirs singing for the Lord, personal evangelism, public evangelism, and many more forms of evangelistic outreach.” These activities involve everyone since the Lord has asked all to participate in the proclamation of the gospel and the three angels’ messages, as we see in Matthew 28:19, 20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (NKJV).
What a privilege for each of us to do something for Jesus. You do not have to be a pastor to speak to others personally or publicly about God’s great plan of redemption. All church members are asked to proclaim God’s final message that Jesus is coming soon—you can do that personally and publicly! Total Member Involvement includes men, women, youth, and children in proclaiming God’s truth. Laypersons are to unite with pastors and church leaders, as Ellen G. White says in “Testimonies for the Church”: “The work of God on this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers” (vol. 9, p. 117). May God bless, in every form possible, the evangelistic outreach to the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. Total Member Involvement is God’s way of preparing His people and the world for the second coming of Jesus. In seeing the pain of a world in pieces, we can no longer stand idly by and do nothing. The fields are ripe for the harvest, but there can’t be a harvest where no seeds are sown or cultivated. Sabbath School Classes are outstanding harvest projects. Fellowship and Nurture fosters a sense of community among members by developing friendships through small group interaction on Sabbath and throughout the week. Sabbath School is also a prime means for reclaiming inactive members and nurturing newly baptized ones. Let us join hands and hearts together as we reach persons for Christ.
Total Member Involvement is about personal commitment. Here are some practical ways to become personally involved: Cook a meal for a neighbor/coworker who has been sick. Visit the shut-in; call and pray with someone to encourage them. Take the time to encourage a young person. The Great Commission Jesus gave His disciples was simple, straightforward, and powerful. The command was: “Make disciples.” This is a call to every member of the church to do something and get involved in His mission to save the world. May God help us to follow the Master’s command to make disciples by getting personally involved in His mission. God bless you!
Pastor Evadne Henry
Source: Bullón, Alejandro. Total Member Involvement. Pacific Press Publishing. Kindle Edition