104
Pastoral Ministry
them thank God for the encouragement they have received, and then
make it manifest that it has wrought in them a good work. Let each
member of the church be a living, active agent for God, both in the
church and out of it. We must all be educated to be independent, not
helpless and useless. Let it be seen that Christ, not the minister, is the
head of the church. The members of the body of Christ have a part
to act, and they will not be accounted faithful unless they do act their
part. Let a divine work be wrought in every soul, until Christ shall
behold His image reflected in His followers.—
The Signs of the Times,
January 27, 1890
.
Negligent ministers and members discourage each other—The
negligence on the part of the ministers has discouraged the people, and
the lack of interest, self-sacrifice, and appreciation of the work on the
part of the people has discouraged the ministers.—
Testimonies for the
Church 5:257
.
[102]
Alienation
When alienation exists between pastor and people, something
should be done immediately—The subject of the Christian ministry
must be set in a new light before the minds of the people. I entreat of
you to study the Word of God on this point. If you think a minister is
making mistakes, it is your duty to go to him in love and meekness
and present the matter before him. You may not have a correct idea
of his motive or work, and under misapprehension may grow cold to
him, close the door of your heart, and fail to receive his message or
appreciate his labors. Where alienation exists between a minister and
the people, there is something decidedly wrong, either in him or the
church members, and something should be done immediately to work
a reform in whoever may be the erring party. He should not be left
to wonder what all this coldness and indifference means. He should
not be left to seek in vain to find out why he cannot reach the hearts
of the people with the message God has given him, and to question
why it is that the door of the heart has been closed; for he can realize
there is no affection for him, and can have no fellowship with the
people for whom he is sent to labor. Has he dropped a word, or done
a deed which has wounded you in some way, and he does not know
that it has hurt you? Then go to him, tell him his faults between him