Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 04:4 (Winter 1961)
Article: Building A Calling And Visitation Program
Author: Roger L. Peterson

CenQ 4:4 (Winter 1961) p. 31

Building A Calling And Visitation Program

Roger L. Peterson

Professor of Missions and Evangelism
Central Conservative Baptist Theological Seminary
Minister of Education, Fourth Baptist Church

Outline

I. Why should a local church have a calling program?

A. Divine reasons - Matthew 28:18–20

1. Win the lost to the Lord Jesus Christ

2. Bring the saved to the local church

B. Other reasons

1. To gather, organize, and share prospects with the church callers

2. To encourage the brethren who are in the calling program

3. To challenge the brethren who are not in the calling program

4. To unify and strengthen the Gospel impact of the church

II. How should a local church begin a calling program?

A. Take the prospects at hand

1. Absentees of the Sunday School

2. Visitors in the Sunday School and church

3. Sick folks at home and at hospitals

B. Make a drive for callers—speak to them publicly and privately

1. Sunday School teachers, superintendents and officers

2. Church officers

3. Other church members

C. Assign the prospects to callers—mix good calls with fair calls

1. Through the Sunday School

2. On calling night

3. For special events

D. Set up a record-system for recalls

1. Record all prospects on duplicate cards—one card for the caller and one for the permanent file

2. Record all reports in a loose-leaf notebook—use a separate sheet for each person or family

III. How should a local church train its callers?

A. In the classroom—Scriptural teaching, tips, and testimonies

1. Bible Institute instruction

2. Pre-prayer meeting instruction

a. How to begin your witness—”Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”

b. How to lead someone to Christ-.-Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; 10:9, 10, 13

c. How to be sure to be fruitful—Psalm 1:1–3

d. How to make a canvass—Name; address; ...