Ministers Giving Bible Readings
Short Talks—More Bible Readings—Avoid lengthy sermons.
The people cannot retain one half of the discourses which they hear.
Give short talks and more Bible readings. This is the time to make
every point as plain as mileposts.—
Letter 102a, 1897
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Not to Be Shifted to Helpers—We must embrace every opportu-
nity to put forth personal labor. The personal labor must be done, even
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if there has to be less preaching done.....
This part of the pastoral work is not to be neglected or shifted
upon your wives or some other person. You must educate and train
yourselves to visit every family that you can possibly get access to.
The results of this work will testify that it is the most profitable work
a gospel minister can do.
If he neglects this work, the visiting of the people in their homes,
he is an unfaithful shepherd, and the rebuke of God is upon him. His
work is not half done. If he had given personal labor, there would have
been a large work done and many souls gathered.
No excuse will God accept for thus neglecting the most essential
part of the ministry, which is the proper binding off of the work,
and binding the messenger bearing the truth up with the flock, the
sheep, and the lambs of the Lord’s pasture. The Lord Himself makes
the human instrument a channel of light to the people, through his
personal efforts, in identifying himself with the people for whom he is
laboring.
The weak of the flock need strengthening at the right time—words
spoken that will comfort, strengthen, and establish them that they will
become rooted, grounded, and established in the faith. This is the way
and the means God has ordained to meet the people where they are. I
recognize in the places where I have thus far labored, the very places
which have been lost to the cause of God because the messengers who
have brought to them the truth have not ministered because it was not
pleasant business to engage in this work.—
Letter 18, 1893
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