Chapter 5—The Church a Training Center
The Need of the Hour
That which is needed now for the upbuilding of our churches is
the nice work of wise laborers to discern and develop talent in the
church,—talent that can be educated for the Master’s use. There should
be a well organized plan for the employment of workers to go into all
our churches, large and small, to instruct the members how to labor for
the upbuilding of the church, and also for unbelievers. It is training,
education, that is needed. Those who labor in visiting the churches
should give the brethren and sisters instruction in practical methods of
doing missionary work.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:117
.
God expects His church to discipline and fit its members for the
work of enlightening the world. An education should be given that
would result in furnishing hundreds who would put out to the ex-
changers valuable talents. By the use of these talents, men would be
developed who would be prepared to fill positions of trust and influ-
ence, and to maintain pure, uncorrupted principles. Thus great good
would be accomplished for the Master.—
Testimonies for the Church
6:431, 432
.
Every worker should be understandingly efficient. Then in a high,
broad sense he can present the truth as it is in Jesus.—
Testimonies for
the Church 7:70
.
There should be no delay in this well-planned effort to educate the
church members.—
Testimonies for the Church 9:119
.
The greatest help that can be given our people is to teach them
to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on the ministers.—
Testimonies for the Church 7:19
.
It is evident that all the sermons that have been preached have not
developed a large class of self-denying workers. This subject is to
be considered as involving the most serious results. Our future for
eternity is at stake. The churches are withering up because they have
failed to use their talents in diffusing light. Careful instruction should
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