Young Ministers to Labor with Older Ministers
In gaining a preparation for the ministry, young men should be
associated with older ministers. Those who have gained an experience
in active service are to take young, inexperienced workers with them
into the harvest-field, teaching them how to labor successfully for the
conversion of souls. Kindly and affectionately these older workers are
to help the younger ones to prepare for the work to which the Lord
may call them. And the young men in training should respect the
counsel of their instructors, honoring their devotion, and remembering
that their years of labor have given them wisdom.
Wise counsel for church and conference officers is given by Peter
in the following words: “Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God’s her-
itage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd
shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of
you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” [
1 Peter 5:2-5
.]
Let the older workers be educators, keeping themselves under the
discipline of God. Let the young men feel it a privilege to study under
older workers, and let them carry every burden that their youth and
experience will allow. Thus Elijah educated the youth of Israel in the
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schools of the prophets; and young men today are to have a similar
training. It is not possible to advise in every particular the part that the
youth should act; but they should be faithfully instructed by the older
workers, and taught to look ever to Him who is the author and finisher
of our faith.
The apostle Paul saw the importance of training younger workers.
After making a missionary tour, he and Barnabas retraced their steps,
and visited the churches they had raised up, choosing men whom they
could unite with them, to train for the work of proclaiming the gospel.
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