Principles for Christian Leaders

Consecrated to Christ

None should be employed in any branch of the cause who have not a living connection with God. It is only in the humble, contrite heart that Christ abides. When men reveal that they have not, and do not see the necessity of having a pure, clean heart, do not place them on any council, whatever their calling, influence, or position may be. Better choose humble men who honor God and keep His commandments than those who have long been connected with the work, but who by their practice have brought it down on a level with common business transactions. PCL 64.2

Converted men, who love and honor God, will fear to move in their own counsel. They will realize that their efforts can prove successful only as recognized by Him without whose blessing there is no prosperity. Apart from God, nothing is wise, nothing is holy; but His blessing, the one who practices unrighteousness cannot receive. It is a most terrible thing to place common and sacred things on a level. For years this has been becoming prevalent and is separating the human agents from God. To handle sacred things as common matters is an offense to God. That which God has recognized and set apart to do Him service in giving light to our world is holy, and when men undertake to pronounce judgment upon it, they are attempting a work which God has not given them.—MS 29, 1895 (1895) PCL 65.1

No man is to be trusted with high responsibilities unless he takes himself in hand daily and, through grace given, sets his heart in order. Often the ones who do the greatest harm are those who accept positions of trust, but who have not inquired at every step, “Is this the way of the Lord?” The one who allows his heart to become hardened by Satan’s temptations, who permits his natural disposition to gain the victory, fails to receive the impress of heaven. He becomes sapless and impoverished, and bears only wild fruit.—MS 40, 1899 (March 26) PCL 65.2

The time has come when in the name and strength of God the church must act for the good of souls and for the honor of God. A lack of firm faith and of discernment in sacred things should be regarded as sufficient to debar any man from connection with the work of God. So also the indulgence of a quick temper, a harsh, overbearing spirit, reveals that its possessor should not be placed where he will be called to decide weighty questions that affect God’s heritage. A passionate man should have no part to act in dealing with human minds. He cannot be trusted to shape matters which have a relation to those whom Christ has purchased at an infinite price. If he undertakes to manage men, he will hurt and bruise their souls; for he has not the fine touch, the delicate sensibility, which the grace of Christ imparts. His own heart needs to be softened, subdued by the Spirit of God; the heart of stone has not become a heart of flesh. PCL 65.3

Those who are thus misrepresenting Christ, are placing a wrong mold upon the work, for they encourage all who are connected with them to do as they do. For their soul’s sake, for the sake of those who are in danger from their influence, they should resign their positions, for the record will appear in heaven that the wrongdoer has the blood of many souls upon his garments. He has caused some to become exasperated, so that they have given up the faith; others have been imbued with his own satanic attributes; and the evil done it is impossible to estimate. Those only, who make it manifest that their hearts are being sanctified through the truth should be retained in positions of trust in the Lord’s work.—MS 14, 1896 (April 28); TM 261, 262 PCL 66.1

Our brethren who hold responsible positions of trust must be faithful sentinels. They have to deal with those who have proved to be unfaithful men, who have revealed the fact that their traits of character are of an order that cannot be relied upon in doing business connected with the cause of God. Unless these men are converted and are transformed in character, and will maintain their integrity at any cost to themselves while handling another’s goods, they must be separated from the work, for the heavenly intelligences will not cooperate with them.—MS 24, 1894 (April 23) PCL 66.2

Place not men in positions of holy office who will not listen to God’s counsel concerning His way and His will. There are influences working mightily against the very work God requires to be done. . . . Do not place in charge of your [Bro. Daniel and Sr. Lauretta Kress] important work, or even of the less important enterprises, those who will lead minds away from the truth which is to decide the destiny of souls.—Letter 158, 1906 (May 10) PCL 67.1