Relationships Within the Church
105
and you alone, and have the coldness and bitterness of spirit that has
been created by an unwitting act on his part, changed to respect and
love.—
The Review and Herald, July 25, 1893
.
Be kind to those who oppose you—If the minister, when before
his congregation, sees a disbelieving smile upon the faces of opponents,
let him be as one who sees not. If any should be so impolite as to
laugh and sneer, let not the minister, by voice or attitude, reflect the
same spirit. Show that you handle no such weapons.—
Testimonies to
Ministers and Gospel Workers, 248
.
Tenure
Some ministers need to move on before their character defects
cause people to lose confidence—When you, Brother F, first com-
mence to labor in a place, you generally have the confidence of the
people; but after a more thorough acquaintance your defects of char-
acter become so apparent that many lose confidence in your piety.
Reflections are thus cast upon all the ministers of the denomination. A
short stay in a place would not injure your reputation. While engaged
in earnest labor, pressed by opposing influences, your mind is absorbed
in the work in which you are engaged, and you have neither time nor
opportunity to think and reflect upon yourself. But when the work
is over, and you begin to think upon self, as it is natural for you to
do, you pet yourself, become babyish, sharp, and cross in temper, and
thus greatly mar the work of God. You manifest the same spirit in the
church, and thus your influence is greatly injured in the community, in
some cases beyond remedy. You have frequently exhibited childish
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contention, even while laboring to convert souls to the truth; and the
impressions made have been terrible upon those who were witnesses.
Now, one of two things must be done; you must either be a consecrated
man at home, in your family, and in the church, at all times tender and
patient, or you must not settle down in a church; for your defects will
be made apparent, and the Redeemer you profess to love and serve
will be dishonored.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:344
.
If ministers stay too long in a church, people may learn to look
to them instead of to God—I have been shown that ministers should
not be retained in the same district year after year, nor should the same