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Pastoral Ministry
A minister’s problems can sometimes be best dealt with in a
small group—He was willing to go into the congregation at once and
confess his sins, and his backsliding from God. He was advised that
this was not wisdom, and would not result in glorifying God, but would
give our enemies occasion to cast reflections upon the whole ministry.
It is Satan’s object to ensnare men who handle sacred things, that he
may lead them to do things that will bring the ministry down on a level
with common things, so that sinners may be furnished with an excuse
for their own impenitence and sin. When the words and the deportment
of the minister are not after the Christ’s example, but are in imitation of
the words and ways of the great deceiver, our enemies have occasion
to blaspheme. We decided that it would meet the approval of God for
a few, thirty or forty, who had heard the testimony given me of God,
to be present and hear his acknowledgment of the reproof given, and
hear his confession.—EGW’88 54.
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