Chapter 16—The Church Expansion Movement
The Divine Plan
It is not the purpose of God that His people should colonize, or
settle together in large communities. The disciples of Christ are His
representatives upon the earth, and God designs that they shall be
scattered all over the country, in the towns, cities, and villages, as
lights amidst the darkness of the world.—
Testimonies for the Church
8:244
.
The plan of colonizing, or moving from different localities where
there is but little strength or influence, and concentrating the influence
of many in one locality, is removing the light from places where God
would have it shine.—
Testimonies for the Church 2:633
.
If the church of Christ were fulfilling the purpose of our Lord,
light would be shed upon all that sit in darkness and in the region
and shadow of death. Instead of congregating together and shunning
responsibility and cross-bearing, the members of the church would
scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them,
working as He did for the salvation of souls, and this “gospel of the
kingdom” would speedily be carried to all the world.—
Thoughts from
the Mount of Blessing, 42, 43
.
Brethren and sisters, why hover about the churches? Study the
parable of the lost sheep, and go forth as true shepherds, seeking the
lost one who is in the wilderness of sin. Rescue the perishing.—
The
Review and Herald, December 12, 1893
.
The lay members of our churches can accomplish a work which,
as yet, they have scarcely begun. None should move into new places
merely for the sake of worldly advantage; but where there is an opening
to obtain a livelihood, let families that are well grounded in the truth
enter, one or two families in a place, to work as missionaries. They
should feel a love for souls, a burden of labor for them, and should
make it a study how to bring them into the truth. They can distribute
our publications, hold meetings in their homes, become acquainted
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