358
Gospel Workers 1915
would not draw back. Some have pleaded to remain one year longer
in the same field, and frequently the request has been respected. They
have claimed to have plans for accomplishing a greater work than
heretofore. But at the close of the year there was a worse state of
things than before. If a minister has been unfaithful in his work, it is
not likely that he will mend the matter by remaining. The churches
become accustomed to the management of that one man, and think
they must look to him instead of to God. His ideas and plans have a
controlling power in the conference.
The people may see that he errs in judgment, and because of this
they learn to place a low estimate upon the ministry. If they would look
to God, and depend upon heavenly wisdom, they would be gaining
an experience of the highest value, and would themselves be able, in
many respects at least, to supply what is lacking in him who is the
overseer of the flock. But too often things are left to drift as they will,
the president being held responsible for the condition of the churches
in the conference, while the church-members settle down, indifferent,
lukewarm, doing nothing to bring things into order.
[421]
The president may not feel the importance of sanctifying himself,
that others may be sanctified. He may be an unfaithful watchman,
preaching to please the people. Many are strong in some points of
character, while they are weak and deficient in others. As the result, a
want of efficiency is manifest in some parts of the work. Should the
same man continue as president of a conference year after year, his
defects would be reproduced in the churches under his labors. But one
laborer may be strong where his brother is weak, and so by exchanging
fields of labor, one may, to some extent, supply the deficiencies of
another.
If all were fully consecrated to God, these marked imperfections of
character would not exist; but since the laborers do not meet the divine
standard, since they weave self into all their work, the best thing, both
for themselves and for the churches, is to make frequent changes. And,
on the other hand, if a laborer is spiritually strong, he is, through the
grace of Christ, a blessing to the churches, and his labors are needed
in different conferences.
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