Ministerial Ethics
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low at the foot of the cross, be little in our own eyes, and trust in God;
for He alone has power to make us great.—
Testimonies for the Church
4:607, 608
.
Do not copy others. God has given you your own qualifica-
tions—God never designed that one man’s judgment and plans should
be regarded as supreme. He says, Ye are laborers together with God.
Let no man undertake to repress or discourage. Let him not seek to
put his armor upon his brother, for he has not proved it.... And the
ministers are never to copy any man’s gestures, his habits, his attitude,
his expressions, the tones of his voice. They are to become no man’s
shadow, in thought, in sentiment, or in devising and executing the great
whole. If God has made you a shepherd of the flock, He has given you
qualification to do that work.—
Evangelism, 685
.
Entreat rather than rebuke ministers in error—Follow the in-
struction of the Word of God, in dealing with your ministering brethren.
Paul says, “Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father, and the
younger men as brethren.” There may be occasion to speak of their
errors to those who have long been in the ministry, but let it be done
as a matter of entreaty, and not rebuke. The younger ministers are to
be treated as brethren, and may God help us that we may help one
another. We must have a living connection with God. We must be
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clothed with power from on high by the baptism of the Holy Spirit,
that we may reach a higher standard; for there is help for us in no other
way.—
The Review and Herald, April 5, 1892
.
Conferences should not neglect aged ministers—If I see those
in positions of trust neglecting aged ministers, I am to present the
matter to those whose duty it is to care for them. Ministers who
have faithfully done their work are not to be forgotten or neglected
when they have become feeble in health. Our conferences are not
to disregard the needs of those who have borne the burdens of the
work. It was after John had grown old in the service of the Lord that
he was exiled to Patmos. And on that lonely isle he received more
communications from heaven than he had received during the rest of
his lifetime.—
Selected Messages 1:33, 34
.
Make no compromise with those who have apostatized, but
treat them kindly—We are not to throw our arms about the men who
are Satan’s masterpieces for working out his will, as were the opposers
on the campground at Adelaide. Truth is to be proclaimed in warnings