24
Pastoral Ministry
bers of those who are lying in sin and error are so deep, so deathlike,
that the voice of God through a wide-awake minister is needed to
awaken them. Unless the ministers are converted, the people will not
be. The cold formalism that is now 28 prevailing among us must give
[27]
place to the living energy of experimental godliness. There is no fault
with the theory of the truth; it is perfectly clear and harmonious. But
young ministers may speak the truth fluently, and yet have no real
sense of the words they utter. They do not appreciate the value of the
truth they present, and little realize what it has cost those who, with
prayers and tears, through trial and opposition, have sought for it as
for hid treasures. Every new link in the chain of truth was to them as
precious as tried gold. These links are now united in a perfect whole.
Truths have been dug out of the rubbish of superstition and error, by
earnest prayer for light and knowledge, and have been presented to
the people as precious pearls of priceless value.—
Testimonies for the
Church 4:445, 446
.
[28]
The Lord keeps truth fresh, placing it in new settings—How
do you know but that the Lord is giving fresh evidences of his truth,
placing it in a new setting, that the way of the Lord may be prepared?
What plans have you been laying that new light may be infused through
the ranks of God’s people? What evidence have you that God has not
sent light to His children? All self-sufficiency, egotism, and pride of
opinion must be put away. We must come to the feet of Jesus, and
learn of Him who is meek and lowly of heart.—
Selected Messages
1:414
.
Loyalty to Adventist Doctrine
Teaching doctrine and dealing with human minds is the nicest
job every committed to humans—There is pastoral work to do, and
this means to reprove and exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine;
that is, he should present the Word of God, to show wherein there
is a deficiency. If there is anything in the character of the professed
followers of Christ, the burden should certainly be felt by the minister,
and not that he should lord it over God’s heritage. To deal with human
minds is the nicest job that was ever committed to mortal man.—
Evangelism, 347
.