Ministerial Ethics
57
The success of ministers depends on their deportment—Godly
men, faithful, holy men, who carry out in their everyday life that
which they preach, will exert a saving influence. A powerful discourse
[56]
delivered from the desk may affect minds; but a little imprudence upon
the part of the minister out of the pulpit, a lack of gravity of speech
and true godliness, will counteract his influence, and do away the good
impressions made by him. The converts will be his; in many instances
they will seek to rise no higher than their preacher. There will be in
them no thorough heart work. They are not converted to God. The
work is superficial, and their influence will be an injury to those who
are really seeking the Lord.
The success of a minister depends much upon his deportment out
of the desk. When he ceases preaching, and leaves the desk, his work
is not finished; it is only commenced. He must then carry out what
he has preached. He should not move heedlessly, but set a watch over
himself, lest something that he may do and say be taken advantage of
by the enemy, and a reproach be brought upon the cause of Christ.—
Testimonies for the Church 1:380
.
Peter an example of one who stumbles and is restored—Some
assert that if a soul stumbles and falls, he can never regain his posi-
tion; but the case before us contradicts this. Before his denial Christ
said to Peter, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” In
committing to his stewardship the souls for whom He had given His
life, Christ gave to Peter the strongest evidence of His confidence in
his restoration. And he was commissioned to feed not only the sheep,
but the lambs—a broader and more delicate work than had hitherto
been appointed him. Not only was he to hold forth the Word of life to
others, but he was to be a shepherd of the flock.—
The S.D.A. Bible
Commentary 5:1152
.
The Lord tests us to see if we will deal faithfully in regard to
sin even in our honored men—I am troubled in regard to Elder H.
He writes me nothing, and I feel deeply pained on his account. It seems
sometimes to me that the Lord is testing us to see whether we will deal
faithfully in regard to sin in one of our honored men.—
Testimonies on
Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce, 185
.