The Gospel Blimp
by Carl McRoy
A blimp is basically a cross between a giant balloon and a whale. Like some species of whales, blimps are almost extinct, with only about 25 survivors in the world. The most well-known species in the United States is the 250-foot and 20,000-pound Goodyear. Although there’s only 3 left, Goodyear Blimps have extensive migration patterns that allow for frequent sightings at professional golf tournaments, NASCAR races, and football games from coast to coast.
The blimp species of concern in this issue of “Best Practices for Adventist Ministry” is the Gospel Blimp. It was born of a small group’s desire to spread the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people (or at least the next-door neighbors the group never talked to). The Gospel Blimp’s arrival was celebrated with a mayoral address, a marching band blaring Stars and Stripes Forever, and christened with a 7-Up bottle.
Soon the Gospel Blimp was floating over Middletown and toting a football-field-length banner emblazoned with a Bible text on it. When its flight was largely ignored, the International Gospel Blimps Incorporated (IGBI) decided to package “firebombs” for the blimp evangelist to unleash from his aerial command center. Annoyed adults threw these carefully and colorfully-wrapped, but unwanted, miniature scrolls in the trash. Disappointed kids kicked them around the ground and into the gutters after not finding gum or candy inside. The IGBI doubled their determination by mounting powerful speakers on the blimp to blast Christian music and teachings all the way down into people’s basements, if necessary.
The ministry began to grow in spite of various setbacks and criticisms. It became bigger, better funded, and more sophisticated. Of course, this didn’t happen without growing pains. As the leader’s profile became more prominent, the team became more dissonant. Even worse, the original unchurched neighbors they were so concerned about saving remained unmoved by these costly endeavors. That is, until. . .
Until a disfellowshipped IGBI board member and his wife called the original friend group together to make an announcement. The neighboring couple was now Christian. The blimp champions were disappointed to find out their conversion wasn’t because of their banners, “firebombs,” nor overpowering the airwaves with unsolicited songs and sermons. They came to faith in Jesus because their neighbors reached out with Christian compassion during their down times and celebrated their good times.
Even though the one and only of its kind disappeared from the skies way back in 1967, many people long for the Gospel Blimp’s return. In fact, you may have seen the Gospel Blimp’s ghost at work. From time to time, its appearance sparks confusion and outrage on social media and local news stations. Many ministries are possessed by the idea of reaching people without meeting people; seeking to convict sinners and convert souls through contactless delivery. Of course, we in literature ministries are as susceptible to this temptation as anyone else. Thankfully, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 9, p. 21, can help us resist the imbalanced approach of impersonal outreach:
“It is not only by preaching the truth, not only by distributing literature, that we are to witness for God. Let us remember that a Christlike life is the most powerful argument that can be advanced in favor of Christianity, and that a cheap Christian character works more harm in the world than the character of a worldling. Not all the books written can serve the purpose of a holy life. Men will believe, not what the minister preaches, but what the church lives.”
Carl McRoy serves as Director of Literature Ministries for the North American Division.
