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Pastoral Ministry
Minister’s Responsibility
Some churches would prosper more if their ministers got out
of the way and let them work—It is often the case that ministers are
inclined to visit almost entirely among the churches, devoting their
time and strength where their labor will do no good. Frequently the
churches are in advance of the ministers who labor among them, and
would be in a more prosperous condition if those ministers would
keep out of their way and give them an opportunity to work. The
effort of such ministers to build up the churches only tears them down.
The theory of the truth is presented over and over again, but it is
not accompanied by the vitalizing power of God. They manifest a
listless indifference; the spirit is contagious, and the churches lose
their interest and burden for the salvation of others. Thus by their
preaching and example the ministers lull the people to carnal security.
If they would leave the churches, go out into new fields, and labor
to raise up churches, they would understand their ability and what
it costs to bring souls out to take their position upon the truth. And
they would then realize how careful they should be that their example
and influence might never discourage or weaken those whom it had
required so much hard, prayerful labor to convert to the truth. “Let
every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in
himself alone, and not in another.”—
Testimonies for the Church 2:340
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Caring for the flock includes laying out work for them—
“Watchman, what of the night?” Are the watchmen to whom comes
this cry able to give the trumpet a certain sound? Are the shepherds
faithfully caring for the flock as those who must give an account? Are
the ministers of God watching for souls, realizing that those under
their care are the purchase of the blood of Christ? A great work is to
be done in the world, and what efforts are we putting forth that it may
be accomplished? The people have listened to too much sermonizing;
but have they been instructed as to how to labor for those for whom
Christ died? Has there been a line of work devised and laid out before
the people in such a way that each one saw the necessity of taking part
in the work?—
Testimonies for the Church 6:431
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Ministers should not first seek to convert unbelievers, but to
secure an army of workers—A serious and perhaps unsuspected
hindrance to the success of the truth is to be found in our churches