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Pastoral Ministry
infirmities of the weak until they become strong.—
The Review and
Herald, July 19, 1898
.
When visiting the discouraged, bring a cheerful countenance,
hopeful words, and the grasp of your hand—The mission of Christ
was to heal the sick, encourage the hopeless, bind up the brokenhearted.
This work of restoration is to be carried on among the needy, suffering
ones of humanity. God calls not only for your benevolence, but your
cheerful countenance, your hopeful words, the grasp of your hand.
Relieve some of God’s afflicted ones. Some are sick, and hope has
departed. Bring back the sunlight to them. There are souls who have
lost their courage; speak to them, pray for them. There are those who
need the bread of life. Read to them from the Word of God. There is
a soul sickness no balm can reach, no medicine heal. Pray for these,
and bring them to Jesus Christ. And in all your work, Christ will be
present to make impressions upon human hearts.—
Welfare Ministry,
71
.
The darkness of discouraged members may be dispelled if
they are led to work for those more needy than themselves—Our
ministers may visit our churches, and may offer public prayer to God
for the comfort of the sorrowing, asking Him to dispel doubt from
their minds, and shed light into their darkened hearts. But this will
not be so effective in helping these sorrowful, doubting, sin-burdened
ones, as to lead them to work for those more needy than themselves.
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The darkness will be dispelled if they can be led to help others.—
The
Review and Herald, May 5, 1904
.
Sick
Ministering to the afflicted is part of the minister’s work—To
take people right where they are, whatever their position or condition,
and help them in every way possible—this is gospel ministry. Those
who are diseased in body are nearly always diseased in mind, and
when the soul is sick, the body also is affected. Ministers should feel
it a part of their work to minister to the sick and the afflicted whenever
opportunity presents itself. The minister of the gospel is to present the
message, which must be received if the people are to become sanctified
and made ready for the coming of the Lord. This work is to embrace all