Responsibilities

Winning souls—God’s messengers are to sense their grave responsibility. They are to trust humbly in God. The Lord calls now for conscientious, humble minutemen. He invites them, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” The Lord Jesus came to our world as its Redeemer. He came as an example to all men. The world was in need of a correct representation of the future inhabitants of the city of God.PCL 172.2

Every one who has responsibilities to bear will reveal by his daily life whether or not he is fitted for the office that he holds. Ministers of the gospel will be tempted to strive for worldly and commercial advantages; but worldly interests must be laid aside. The glory of God must be kept in view. The saving of souls is to be their all-important burden.PCL 172.3

Men who live in the atmosphere of Christ’s presence will communicate the principles of heaven in conversation, in spirit, in tenderness, because they are learning of Christ.—Letter 378, 1907 (November 11)PCL 172.4

Those who are in Christ’s stead beseeching souls to be reconciled to God should by precept and example manifest an undying interest to save souls. Their earnestness, perseverance, self-denial, and spirit of sacrifice should as far exceed the diligence and earnestness of those securing earthly gain as the soul is more valuable than the trash of earth and the subject more elevated than earthly enterprises. All worldly enterprises are of trifling importance compared with the work of saving souls. Earthly things are not enduring, although they cost so much. But one soul saved will shine in the kingdom of heaven throughout eternal ages.—2T 336 (1869)PCL 172.5

Students of Scripture—A great work must be accomplished for ministers in order for them to make the preaching of the truth a success. The Word of God should be thoroughly studied. All other reading is inferior to this. A careful study of the Bible will not necessarily exclude all other reading of a religious nature; but if the word of God is studied prayerfully, all reading which will have a tendency to divert the mind from it will be excluded. If we study the word of God with an interest, and pray to understand it, new beauties will be seen in every line. God will reveal precious truth so clearly that the mind will derive sincere pleasure and have a continual feast as its comforting and sublime truths are unfolded.—2T 337 (1869)PCL 173.1

Those young men who desire to give themselves to the ministry, or who have already done so, should become familiar with every line of prophetic history and every lesson given by Christ. The mind gains in strength, breadth, and acuteness by active use. It must work, or it will become weak. It must be trained to think, to think habitually, or it will in a great measure lose the power of thought. Let the young minister wrestle with the difficult problems found in the word of God, and his intellect will be thoroughly awakened. As he gives diligent study to the great truths found in the Scriptures, he will be enabled to preach sermons which will contain a direct, definite message, and which will help his hearers to choose the right way.PCL 173.2

The minister who ventures to teach the truth when he has only a smattering knowledge of the word of God, grieves the Holy Spirit. But he who begins with a little knowledge, and tells what he knows, at the same time seeking for more knowledge, will become qualified to do a larger work. The more light he gathers to his own soul, the more of heavenly illumination will he be able to impart to others.PCL 174.1

There is no need for weakness in the ministry. The message of truth that we bear is all-powerful. But many ministers do not put their minds to the task of studying the deep things of God. If these would have power in their service, obtaining an experience that will enable them to help others, they must overcome their indolent habits of thought. Let ministers put the whole heart into the task of searching the Scriptures, and a new power will come to them. A divine element unites with human effort when the soul reaches out after God; and the yearning heart may say, “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him” (Psalm 62:5).PCL 174.2

Ministers who would labor effectively for the salvation of souls must be Bible students and men of prayer. It is a sin to be neglectful of the study of the Word while attempting to teach it to others. Those who feel the worth of souls realize that too much is at stake for them to dare to be careless in regard to their advancement in divine knowledge, and they flee to the stronghold of truth, whence they may obtain wisdom, knowledge, and strength to work the works of God. They will not rest without an unction from on high.PCL 174.3

As the worker makes a constant companion of the word of God, he gains an increased ability to labor. Continually advancing in knowledge, he becomes constantly better able to represent Christ. He is strengthened in faith, and can present to unbelievers a proof of the fullness of the grace and love that is in Christ. His mind is a treasure-house, from which he can draw to supply the needs of others. By the work of the Holy Spirit the truth is graven on his mind, and those to whom he communicates truth, and for whom he must one day give account, are greatly blessed. He who in this way obtains a preparation for the ministry, is entitled to the reward promised to those who turn many to righteousness. —GW 98, 99 (1915)PCL 174.4

Feed the flock—God is not glorified by leaders in the church who seek to drive the sheep. No, no. “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 heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” There is a wide field for the elders and the helpers in every church. They are to feed the flock of God with pure provender, thoroughly winnowed from the chaff, the poisonous mixture of error. You who have any part to act in the church of God, be sure that you act wisely in feeding the flock of God, for its prosperity, much depends upon the quality of this food.—MS 59, 1900 (August 16)PCL 175.1

Advance truth—Some of our leading men have been denying the faith and giving heed to fanciful and erratic teachings. This is a scheme of Satan to call the mind away from the truth and lead men to give time and thought to the study of theories that confuse the mind and leave an indistinct understanding of the way of the Lord.PCL 175.2

I am instructed to say, Repeat not these errors or false teachings, but write the truth, speak the truth. Let the Word of God speak in every place, vindicating the truth for this time. The truth will triumph. When objectionable sentiments are introduced, repeat them not in your discourses, but hold to the affirmative. The message I am instructed to give at this time is one that I have been charged again and again for many years to give. It is this: Advance the truth.—MS 27, 1908 (May 5)PCL 175.3

There must be in these conferences, not children, but men who will move understandingly and bear burdens, letting their voice be heard above the voices of the unfaithful, who present objections, doubts, and criticism. Great interests are not to be managed by children. An undeveloped Christian, dwarfed in religious growth, destitute of wisdom from above, is unprepared to meet the fierce conflicts through which the church is often called to pass. “I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night.” Unless the minister shall fearlessly declare the whole truth, unless he shall have an eye single to the glory of God and shall work under the direction of the great Captain of his salvation, unless he shall move to the front, irrespective of censure and uncontaminated by applause, he will be accounted an unfaithful watchman.—5T 262, 263 (1885)PCL 176.1

As the worker makes a constant companion of the Word of God, he gains an increased ability to labor.—GW 99 (1915)PCL 176.2

Growth and development—Those who are fitting themselves for ministers or teachers need to combine physical and mental labor. The intellect must not be allowed to become inactive. The mind must work, else it will become feeble, and will lose the power to think. It is not the length of time spent in acquiring an education that fits a man for a position of influence and responsibility. It is working with earnest effort to cultivate the talents, to wrestle with new problems. God has given us our reasoning powers for a high and holy purpose—that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Our faculties were given us to be improved, not to remain unused. He who knows of the goodness and mercy and love of Jesus Christ should make them known to his fellow men; for this knowledge is given to be imparted. The mental faculties are to be aroused to earnest activity. God designs that the youth shall consecrate all their gifts to their Creator. By a right use of their talents they may link themselves by a golden chain to the higher world. They may become partakers of the divine nature. —YI, August 17, 1899PCL 176.3

Every worker is in danger of being satisfied with superficial knowledge and of falling into a condition of mental lethargy. In order to faithfully and wisely perform important and sacred duties, it is necessary to keep one’s mental and moral powers constantly wide awake. Not for a moment must we lose sight of the fact that we are individually workers in God’s own service and that as such we need to give an account of our conduct and of the manner in which we do our work.—MS 24, 1887 (February 14)PCL 177.1

Prepare the flock—Here is something that is of more importance than every earthly consideration. Men are to be educated; men are to be taught in all wisdom. Have these ministers that connection with God, that separation from the world and worldly ambition and worldly lust? Have they that close walk with their God that by faith they can give the right mold to the ones for whom they labor? “Whereunto,” says Paul, “I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29).PCL 177.2

This should be the experience of every minister of Jesus Christ. And for the want of this kind of labor the churches are destitute of the power and grace of God. The day of the Lord is coming on apace, and the people are not getting ready for it, to stand in the day of His appearing. It is in this day of His preparation that He will work a strange work upon the earth. The church has within its borders cold, worldly, sensual men and women. Where is our faith, what is our calling, what is the fruit of our labors? . . .PCL 177.3

Men who have the true missionary spirit, humbly engaged in their work, have to meet and labor against this condition of things resulting from the careless and half-hearted course of those ministers who preach but do not labor to keep the churches in order and to faithfully discharge those other duties which are not agreeable to do. They endure privation, hardships, and rebuffs, that the work may advance and prosper, while others seem to think that their faithfulness is an encroachment upon their labors, and they stand back and fold their hands and render no assistance. The converting power of God should come upon these ministers. Then there will be hope for the churches, and their labors will improve. Give humble men your support and encouragement if they consent to accept the work of picking up your dropped stitches. They will have their reward at last, though they receive no credit in this life.—Letter 6, 1883 (November)PCL 178.1

There is danger that ministers, that presidents of conferences, will take too much upon themselves and manifest too little confidence in the people. The people should be educated in such a way that they will search the Scriptures for themselves. The Holy Spirit is to work to mold every man after the similitude of Christ. Men have made a great mistake in not considering that God works through His church. Ministers should give ample encouragement to the individual members of the church, and to those whom God shall select to do a special work in maturing thoughtful plans for the saving of the souls of those who are in error. Then there would be no contention, no one striving for the mastery or seeking to secure the highest places. The Holy Spirit has much to teach the church when it becomes attentive to the voice of divine truth. The Lord would have the teachers of the church lead the people upward, and in no case give the impression that the people have no need to fulfill their individual responsibilities. If they will walk humbly with God, the Holy Spirit will teach them divine truth and enable them to present the Word with power.—MS 1, 1895 (January 14)PCL 178.2

Nurture the young—Let the kindness and courtesy of the minister be seen in his treatment of children. He should ever bear in mind that they are miniature men and women, younger members of the Lord’s family. These may be very near and dear to the Master and, if properly instructed and disciplined, will do service for Him, even in their youth. Christ is grieved with every harsh, severe, and inconsiderate word spoken to children. Their rights are not always respected, and they are frequently treated as though they had not an individual character which needs to be properly developed, that it may not be warped and the purpose of God in their lives prove a failure.—4T 397, 398 (1880)PCL 179.1

Let the church take a special care of the lambs of the flock, exerting every influence in their power to win the love of the children and to bind them to the truth. Ministers and church members should second the efforts of parents to lead the children into safe paths. The Lord is calling for the youth, for He would make them His helpers to do good service under His banner. —RH, October 25, 1892; AH 358, 359PCL 179.2

Seek total member involvement—Those who have the spiritual oversight of the church should devise ways and means by which an opportunity may be given to every member of the church to act some part in God’s work. Too often in the past this has not been done. Plans have not been clearly laid and fully carried out whereby the talents of all might be employed in active service. There are but few who realize how much has been lost because of this. . . .PCL 179.3

The salvation of sinners requires earnest, personal labor. We are to bear to them the word of life, not to wait for them to come to us. Oh, that I could speak words to men and women that would arouse them to diligent action! The moments now granted to us are few. We are standing upon the very borders of the eternal world. We have no time to lose. Every moment is golden and altogether too precious to be devoted merely to self-serving. Who will seek God earnestly and from Him draw strength and grace to be His faithful workers in the missionary field?—9T 116, 117 (1909)PCL 180.1

When the church is awakened, decided changes will be made. Men and women will be converted, and so filled will they be by the Spirit of God that they will pass from country to country, from city to city, proclaiming the message of truth. With hearts filled with earnest love for souls, they will open their Bibles and present the Word—“It is written.” Wherever they go a people will be raised up to stand in the day of the Lord. The simplicity of these humble workers will be their strength, for angels of God work with those who are humble and obedient. Learned, eloquent men will not see the results from their work that are seen by these humble, zealous, praying men.—MS 2, 1900 (January 2)PCL 180.2

City evangelism—The judgments of God are being stayed, that the voice of truth may be heard in its simplicity. Let those who have part in this sacred work be wide awake and each endeavor to labor in God’s appointed way. Let none set up as the Lord’s way the way of human devisings.PCL 180.3

The words were spoken to me with impelling power: Wake up the watchmen to carry the word of warning to every city in America. Build up the waste places. The righteous judgments of God, with their weight of final decision, are coming upon the land. Do not hover over the churches to repeat over and over again the same truths to the people, while the cities are left in ignorance and sin, unwarned and unlabored for. Soon the way will be hedged up and these cities will be closed to the gospel message. Wake up the church members, that they may unite in doing a definite and self-denying work.—MS 61, 1909 (September 17)PCL 181.1