72
Christian Service
unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.—
Gospel
Workers, 352
.
Preaching is a small part of the work to be done for the salvation
of souls. God’s Spirit convicts sinners of the truth, and He places them
in the arms of the church. The ministers may do their part, but they
can never perform the work that the church should do.—
Testimonies
for the Church 4:69
.
The dissemination of the truth of God is not confined to a few
ordained ministers. The truth is to be scattered by all who claim to be
disciples of Christ. It must be sown beside all waters.—
The Review
and Herald, August 22, 1899
.
Ministers may preach pleasing and forcible discourses, and much
labor may be put forth to build up and make the church prosperous; but
unless its individual members shall act their part as servants of Jesus
Christ, the church will ever be in darkness and without strength. Hard
and dark as the world is, the influence of a really consistent example
will be a power for good.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:285, 286
.
A Fatal Mistake
It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soulsaving depends
alone upon the ministry. The humble, consecrated believer upon
whom the Master of the vineyard places a burden for souls, is to be
given encouragement by the men upon whom the Lord has laid larger
responsibilities. Those who stand as leaders in the church of God are
to realize that the Saviour’s commission is given to all who believe in
His name. God will send forth into His vineyard many who have not
been dedicated to the ministry by the laying on of hands.—
The Acts
of the Apostles, 110
.
The idea that the minister must carry all the burdens and do all the
work, is a great mistake. Overworked and broken down, he may go
into the grave, when, had the burden been shared as the Lord designed,
he might have lived. That the burden may be distributed, an education
must be given to the church by those who can teach the workers to
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follow Christ and to work as He worked.—
Testimonies for the Church
6:435
.
The minister should not feel that it is his duty to do all the talking
and all the laboring and all the praying; he should educate helpers in