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Many people come into church looking for help for their inner quandaries. They hope to hear something in the sermon that will be of particular help to them.

As preachers we know that a person may have to attend a good many services to find help with what is troubling them. How can more people that come to our church find the specific help that they need quickly? This is an especially important question when we know that many are too self-conscious to ask for help.

A literature rack can be a wonderful tool in getting people the help that they need. With the investment of a few dollars and some of the nifty plastic brochure holders from an office supply store, people can get first aid with their problems in a confidential manner.
Forward Movement Publications has a great many brochures particularly in tune with Anglican ethos. Other good pamphlets can be added as you come across them in church supply stores or catalogues.

In fact there are so many pamphlets available it is easy to be overwhelmed before you get started. Why not focus initially on twenty-five common problems such as:

1. How do I find God?
2. Help facing teenage rebellion.
3. Dealing with cancer.
4. Marital stress.
5. Handling our money.
6. Why worship?
7. Facing bad news.
8. How to pray.
9. What is baptism?
10. Parenting skills
. . . etc.

A literature rack will get used in multiple ways. Parishioners will start to take pamphlets to share with friends who are facing difficulty. Parishioners may also use a question about one of the pamphlets as an entree to further conversation with the rector. Also, It will be a further resource for those who have come for counselling.

It is important for the incumbent to have confidence in the quality of material that is displayed there. Having the rack accessible and changing the titles regularly will stimulate use.

If done well, the literature rack is a valuable tool both to help others and to expand our effectiveness.


Item LIV

©2003 Ronald C. Ferris



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