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Pastoral Ministry
that will make hearts tremble in contrition before God. The sharp,
clean-cut testimony must be borne.... Make no compromise with those
who have apostatized, but treat them kindly, giving no occasion for
your good to be evil spoken of.—
Manuscript Releases 9:363
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Confine minister’s mistakes to as small a group as possible—
Frequently there is necessity for plainly rebuking sin and reproving
wrong. But ministers who are working for the salvation of their fellow
men should not be pitiless toward the errors of one another, nor make
prominent the defects in their organizations. They should not expose
or reprove their weaknesses. They should inquire if such a course,
pursued by another toward themselves, would bring about the desired
effect; would it increase their love for, and confidence in, the one who
thus made prominent their mistakes? Especially should the mistakes
of ministers who are engaged in the work of God be kept within as
small a circle as possible, for there are many weak ones who will
take advantage if they are aware that those who minister in Word and
doctrine have weaknesses like other men. And it is a most cruel thing
for the faults of a minister to be exposed to unbelievers, if that minister
is counted worthy to labor in the future for the salvation of souls. No
good can come of this exposure, but only harm. The Lord frowns upon
this course, for it is undermining the confidence of the people in those
whom He accepts to carry forward His work. The character of every
fellow laborer should be jealously guarded by brother ministers. Saith
God: “Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm.” Love
and confidence should be cherished. A lack of this love and confidence
in one minister for another does not increase the happiness of the one
thus deficient, but as he makes his brother unhappy he is unhappy
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himself. There is greater power in love than was ever found in censure.
Love will melt its way through barriers, while censure will close up
every avenue of the soul.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:93
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Ethics and the Opposite Sex
Acquire moral stamina by saying, “I will not dishonor my Re-
deemer”—You ask me if you shall make a public confession. I say,
No. Do not dishonor the Master by making public the fact that one
ministering in the Word could be guilty of such sin as you have com-
mitted. It would be a disgrace to the ministry. Do not give publicity to