" OPERATION LONDON "
By THE BISHOP OF LONDON
THE use of military terminology in the sphere of religion is dis- liked by some and derided by others, but there is no doubt that it has a long and respectable history. In Christian circles it has been used at least since the time of St. Paul, and if it is to continue there seems no reason why it should not be brought up to date. In any case, whether because or in spite of its title, the Christian Commando Campaign has certainly caught the popular imagination, and there was obviously a good deal of interest in it before it was extended to the metropolis. "Operation London '11 was the culminating point of a movement that had already embraced a number of provincial towns. In the earlier efforts various methods had been tried out, and the experience thus gained was put to good
use in this, the greatest engagement of the whole campaign. If we are to gauge the measure of success gained in the ten days' operation it is well to know clearly what were the precise aims of the move- ment. They may be reckoned as three: first, to win people to belief in God through Christ ; second, to induce them to accept the obligations of church membership ; and, third, to open up new ground for the preaching of the Gospel. It is the last which forms the differentia of this campaign as distinguished from other evan- gelistic efforts, and it is here that the measure of success is easiest to estimate.
It has long been obvious that the present parochial and congrega- tional machine is not sufficient to cope with the religious needs of the population. Although the common computation that 90 per cent. of the people in this country never darken the doors of a church is nonsensical, there is quite certainly a very large propor- tion of this so-called Christian country which is beyond the reach of the ordinary ecclesiastical organisation. But if people will not come to church it is necessary to carry the church to the people. The Gospel must be proclaimed wherever people foregather. On this occasion few, if any, types of places were neglected. Indeed, the Campaigners found themselves preaching in some most unlikely spots. Not only were addresses given in parks and open spaces, in the purlieus of Parliament and on the steps of the Royal Ex- change, but also in cinemas, in dance-halls, in public-houses and in night-clubs. This provided an arena sufficiently vast evert for the thirty-four Commando teams that had been called to Greater London from every part of the country. In spite of a few untoward incidents they were generally well received. Often they were asked to repeat their visit, and as a result many individual enquirers were put in touch with those who could lead them on to further help and instruction.
But the most spectacular success was in the factories and great
offices. No visit was made without invitation, and often not one but several return visits were requested. In some cases at least the result is likely to be permanent. It has been stated that over 200 firms have actually requested that a padre may be regularly attached to their works. This indeed implies the marking out of new spheres for consistent pastoral ministration, and will provide a valuable complement to the customary parochial organisation. The needs of youth inevitably occupied a good deal of the Campaigners' atten- tion. Both schools and clubs were visited, and secular clubs as well • as those with a religious basis. Often games would be aban- doned in order to listen to the addresses, and the questions asked during the following discussions revealed a widespread interest in the main issues of religion. As one speaker said, the trouble today is not that people have the wrong gods but that they have no gods at all. It is not a pagan but a secular world that we have to face, and we must not let our own youth drift into that nihilism which at the moment is so dreaded by the German leaders.
Of individual conversions and decisions it is not possible at the moment to give any statistics. The Rev. Colin Roberts, a Methodist minister. under whose expert guidance the whole Campaign was organised, is at present busy collating the reports, and he has stated that the numbers are " overwhelming." A gratifying feature of the Campaign was the kindliness shown on all hands. In the rare in- stances where there was original hOstility it changed to friendliness and apathy became interest. In some cases speakers have been invited to return as many as six times. The vast crowds that filled the Albert Hall and St. Paul's Cathedral to overflowing were partly due to long and careful preparation, but the good-will shown to the speakers during the luncheon-hour interval in many factories was quite spontaneous.
The effects of such a movement on individual lives and on church organisation depend for their permanence upon what is technically .known as the " follow-up." To many experienced missioners this appears to be the most important part of every evangelistic effort. The present leaders seem perfectly aware of this necessity, and they are doing their best to keep both the area committees and the central committee in being until plans have been fully concerted and the permanent lines of work completely established. If the effects upon the outside world are still beyond computation, the effect upon the Church itself is not in doubt. The Campaign has provided an object-lesson in Christian solidarity. In the teams almost every kind of Christian was represented, from Anglo-Catholic to Con- gregationalist. So far as I am aware there has been no report of any disagreement or mutual difference. If any of the clergy were afraid that they would not be able to preach " the full Gospel " in such company their fears were soon dispelled. Belief in God, belief in Christ and belief in the Church were all proclaimed from the common platform. And what more could one want to preach on such an occasion?
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