The Laymen Summoned

As effective as are the various lines of work called into being by the Lord, and as effectually as the message may be proclaimed, we are told that the work can be finished “only by the whole church acting their part under the guidance and in the power of God.”SPCSSW 10.2

In 1883, Ellen White sounded a call to summon every Seventh-day Adventist to the work of the church. From the pages of the church paper of that year, I read:SPCSSW 10.3

“To accomplish the great work of giving the last warning to the world, there is need of earnest, well-directed effort. As a people, we have not always moved with wisdom and foresight demanded by the importance of our mission. Our leading ministers labor too hard, and, as the result, are almost constantly exhausted. Some of our leading men die prematurely, literally worn out, while there are among us men of ability who are really doing nothing in the cause. Our ministers weary themselves in doing that which should be left to others, while those who might help them, and who, if rightly instructed, would be willing to help them, are rusting from inaction....

“The real workers in this cause are few, yet the work covers much ground; and it is often impossible for the laborers to look after the interest awakened, and they fail to discern that they must enlist the lay members of the church, and teach them to work, that they may hold all that has been gained, and continue to advance. The plan of labor has been such as to lead the people to feel that they could do very little themselves; if anything was to be accomplished, they must have a minister.”—The Review and Herald, July 24, 1883.

Thus Ellen White pointed out in that year a trend that was not wholesome for the church. She pointed out that we must call upon all the resources of the church and summon them for the advancement of the message. Two years later Ellen White again spoke somewhat along these lines:SPCSSW 10.4

“The churches must arouse, and not sit down at ease, merely enjoying the sermons. Light is beaming all around them; let this light shine forth as a lamp that burneth. Let men enter the work, and let the money God has lent his stewards be invested. Those who can work for God’s cause, should break loose from their home attachments, sell their farms, and give themselves either to home or foreign missions.... Go to work, and that which may now seem obscure, will become clear. There are fields close to your own doors and also in foreign fields, that are ripening for the harvest. The Lord calls for volunteers now. Go forth, workers for God, weeping, bearing precious seed; for doubtless you will return with rejoicing, bringing your sheaves with you.”—The Review and Herald, December 15, 1885.

These words were penned by Ellen White while she was in Europe and saw great European fields with so much to be done and so few to labor. Three years later, in 1888, she wrote again:SPCSSW 11.1

“There are many of the members of our large churches doing comparatively nothing, who might accomplish a good work, if, instead of crowding together, they would scatter into places that have not yet been entered by the truth. Trees that are planted too thickly do not flourish. They are often transplanted by the gardener, that they may have room to grow, and not become dwarfed and sickly. The same rule would work well for our large churches....

“The lay members of our churches can accomplish a work which as yet they have scarcely begun. None should move into new places merely for the sake of worldly advantage, but where there is an opening to obtain a livelihood, let families that are well-grounded in the truth enter, one or two families in a place, to work as missionaries. They should feel the love for souls, a burden of labor for them and should make it a study how to bring them into the truth. They can circulate our publications, hold meetings in their own houses, become acquainted with their neighbors, and invite them to come to the meetings and Bible readings. They can let their light shine in good works.”—The Review and Herald, May 15, 1888.

Again in 1891, three years later, Ellen White was appealing through the columns of the Review for the services of lay church members:SPCSSW 11.2

“Close around us are cities and towns in which no efforts are made to save souls. Why should not families who know the present truth settle in these cities and villages, to set up there the standard of Christ, working in humility, not in their own way, but in God’s way, to bring the light before those who have no knowledge of it?

“When the church shall truly have the spirit of the message, they will throw all their energies into the work of saving the souls for whom Christ has died. They will enter new fields. Some who are not ordained ministers will be laborers together with God in visiting the churches, and trying to strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die. There will be laymen who will move into towns and cities, and into apparently out-of-the-way places, that they may let the light which God has given them, shine forth to others....”

“In places where the truth is not known, brethren who are adapted to the work, might hire a hall, or some other suitable place to assemble, and gather together all who will come. Then let them instruct the people in the truth. They need not sermonize, but take the Bible, and let God speak directly out of His Word. If there is only a small number present, they can read a ‘Thus saith the Lord,’ without a great parade or excitement; just read and explain the simple gospel truth, and sing and pray with them.”—The Review and Herald, September 29, 1891 (Christian Service, 180-181)

Again two years later Ellen White was calling upon every soul to take an active part in the work of giving the message to the world.SPCSSW 12.1

“God has given to every man a work to do in connection with His kingdom. Each one professing the name of Christ is to be an interested worker, ready to defend the principles of righteousness. The work of the gospel is not to depend solely upon the ministers; every soul should take an active part in advancing the cause of God.... In whatever calling the Christian is found, he has his work to do for the Lord in representing Christ to the world. Whatever may be our occupation, we are to be missionaries, having for our chief aim the winning of souls to Christ. If this is not our interest, we rob God of influence, of time, of money and effort.”—The Review and Herald, February 21, 1893.SPCSSW 12.2

Then in 1901 self-supporting missionaries were called for.SPCSSW 12.3

“In humble dependence upon God, families are to settle in the waste places of His vineyard. Consecrated men and women are needed to stand as fruit-bearing trees of righteousness in the desert places of the earth. As the reward of their self-sacrificing efforts to sow the seeds of truth, they will reap a rich harvest....SPCSSW 12.4

“Self-supporting missionaries are often very successful. Beginning in a small, humble way, their work enlarges as they move forward under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Let two or more start out together in evangelistic work. They may not receive any particular encouragement from those at the head of the work that they will be given financial support; nevertheless let them go forward, praying, singing, teaching, living the truth.... God calls for workers to enter the whitening harvest field.... Go forth in faith, and God will be with you.”—Testimonies for the Church 7:23.SPCSSW 12.5