Chapter 47—Pastoring a Multi-Church District
Little companies may learn to rely more wholly upon God—I
would encourage those who assemble in little companies to worship
God. Brethren and sisters, be not disheartened because you are so few
in number. The tree that stands alone upon the plain, strikes its roots
deeper into the earth, spreads out its branches farther on every side,
and grows stronger and more symmetrical while wrestling singly with
the tempest or rejoicing in the sunshine. So the Christian, cut off from
earthly dependence, may learn to rely wholly upon God, and may gain
strength and courage from every conflict.—
Life Sketches of Ellen G.
White, 259
.
God promises divine guidance to little companies that seldom
have preaching—Let these little companies who seldom have preach-
ing cling more firmly to Jesus. Let them settle this point first of all,
that they are willing to walk in the narrow, cross-bearing path where
Jesus has traveled before them. Then let them appropriate to them-
selves God’s promises of divine guidance.—
The Review and Herald,
September 27, 1887
.
Develop Church Talent
New Testament ministers were not to settle over one church—
The minister should develop the talent in the church, that meetings may
be profitably kept up. Timothy was commanded to go from church
to church, as one who should do this kind of work, and build up the
churches in the most holy faith. He was to do the work of an evangelist,
and this is an even more important work than that of the ministers.
He was to preach the Word, but he was not to be settled over one
church.—
The Review and Herald, September 28, 1897
.
Hold little companies together by helping them become soul-
winners—There are many who have never heard from the Word the
reasons for our faith; and yet some of our ministers feel a burden
to hover over little companies of believers in an effort to hold them
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