Ministerial Training
43
no man.” In the days of the apostles, the ministers of God did not dare
to rely up on their own judgment in selecting or accepting men to take
the solemn and sacred position of mouthpiece for God. They selected
the men whom their judgment would accept, and then they placed
them before the Lord to see if He would accept them to go forth as His
representatives. No less than this should be done now.—
Testimonies
for the Church 4:406
.
Classroom Training
Ministers should be educated and examined before entering
their work—Some young men who enter the field are not successful
in teaching the truth to others because they have not been educated
themselves. Those who cannot read correctly should learn, and they
should become apt to teach before they attempt to stand before the
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public. The teachers in our schools are obliged to apply themselves
closely to study, that they may be prepared to instruct others. These
teachers are not accepted until they have passed a critical examination
and their capabilities to teach have been tested by competent judges.
No less caution should be used in the examination of ministers; those
who are about to enter upon the sacred work of teaching Bible truth
to the world should be carefully examined by faithful, experienced
persons.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:406
.
The Scriptural method of ministerial training combines study
in school with personal spiritual growth—Those especially who
have the ministry in view, should feel the importance of the Scriptural
method of ministerial training. They should enter heartily into the
work, and while they study in the schools, they should learn of the great
Teacher the meekness and humility of Christ. A covenant-keeping
God has promised that in answer to prayer His Spirit shall be poured
out upon these learners in the school of Christ, that they may become
ministers of righteousness.—
Gospel Workers, 81
.
Those entering the ministry should have done close study of
both the sciences and the Bible—Some who enter the ministry do not
feel the burden of the work upon them. They have received incorrect
ideas of the qualifications of a minister. They have thought that it
required but little close study in the sciences or in the Word of God
to make a minister. Some who are teaching present truth are not