Ministerial Training
45
should respect the counsel of their instructors, honoring their devotion,
and remembering that their years of labor have given them wisdom.—
Evangelism, 683, 684
.
Young ministers should learn from both the strengths and
weaknesses of their mentors—Frequently a young man is sent out
to labor with a more experienced minister; and if he is defective in his
manner of speaking, the young man is very apt to copy his defects.
Therefore, it is important that ministers who have been long in the field
should reform, though it cost them much painstaking and the exercise
of much patience, that their defects may not be reproduced in young
and inexperienced laborers. The young preacher should copy only the
admirable traits of character possessed by the more experienced la-
borer, while at the same time he should see and avoid his errors.—
The
Review and Herald, February 5, 1880
.
Yearning to do work beyond your capabilities can lead to fail-
ure—There are many, even among our preachers, who want to rise in
the world without effort. They are ambitious to do some great work
of usefulness, while they disregard the little everyday duties which
would render them helpful and make them ministers after Christ’s
order. They wish to do the work others are doing, but have no relish
for the discipline necessary to fit them for it. This yearning desire by
both men and women to do something far in advance of their present
capabilities is simply causing them to make decided failures in the
outset. They indignantly refuse to climb the ladder, wishing to be
elevated by a less laborious process.—
Testimonies for the Church
4:417
.
Canvassing provides excellent preparation for the ministry—I
was shown some men whom God was calling to the work of the min-
istry, entering the field as canvassers. This is an excellent preparation
if their object is to disseminate light, to bring the truth revealed in
God’s Word, directly to the home circle. In conversation the way will
frequently be opened to speak of the religion of the Bible. If the work
[47]
is taken hold of as it should be, families will be visited, the workers
will carry with them tender hearts and love for souls, and will bear, in
words and deportment, the fragrance of the grace of Christ, and great
good will be the result. This would be an excellent experience for any
who have the ministry in view.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:603
.