Principles for Christian Leaders

God does not give kingly power

For years I have been instructed that there is danger, constant danger, that our brethren will look to their fellow men for permission to do this or that, instead of looking to God. Thus they become weaklings, and permit themselves to be bound with man-made restrictions disapproved by God. The Lord can impress minds and consciences to do His work under bonds to Him, and in a spirit of fraternity that is in accordance with the principles of His law. . . . PCL 107.2

The division of the General Conference into District Union Conferences was God’s arrangement. In the work of the Lord for these last days there should be no Jerusalem centers, no kingly power. And the work in the different countries is not to be bound by contracts to the work centering in Battle Creek, for this is not God’s plan. Brethren are to counsel together, for we are just as much under the control of God in one part of His vineyard as in another. Brethren are to be one in heart and soul, even as Christ and the Father are one. Teach this, practice this, that we may be one with Christ in God, all working to build up one another. PCL 108.1

The kingly power formerly revealed in the General Conference at Battle Creek is not to be perpetuated. The publishing institution is not to be a kingdom of itself. It is essential that the principles that govern in General Conference affairs should be maintained in the management of the publishing work and the sanitarium work. One is not to think that the branch of the work with which he is connected is of vastly more importance than other branches.—8T 232, 233 (1904) PCL 108.2

In the church there is to be maintained a discipline which guards the rights of all and increases the sense of mutual dependence. God never designed that one man’s mind and judgment should be a controlling power. He never designed that one man should rule and plan and devise without the careful and prayerful consideration of the whole body, in order that all may move in a sound, thorough, harmonious manner.—Letter 26, 1900 (February 15); 3SM 16, 17 PCL 108.3

God must work His own appointed agencies. We must give matters more into His hands. We must not want to be masters of our own individual selves, as though everything were under the jurisdiction of a few men in a certain locality who are finite like the rest of humanity. PCL 108.4

God does not design that everything shall center in one place. He would have men stand aside, and not feel that they are the ones to whom all questions must be referred. This may seem Greek to you, but I know what I am talking about, although it is hard for me to express. In the name of the Lord I lift the danger signal. Men need to fear and tremble for themselves. They should not feel capable of running ahead of Jesus. He has said, “Follow me.” PCL 109.1

God is not pleased to have men in far distant lands wait for word from any great center before they make a move. God has the ordering of His work. Let us believe in His power to guide. He will give wisdom and understanding to His representative men in their portion of the great moral vineyard.—MS 32, 1897 (April 13) PCL 109.2

The idea that one man’s mind and judgment can mold and direct important interests, and that he can be regarded as a voice for the people, is a great evil, and has [endangered], and still continues to endanger, the one who is placed in a position of responsibility, and those also who cooperate with him. God has not given to any one man all the wisdom, and wisdom will not die with him. Those placed in positions of trust should modestly regard the opinions of others as worthy of respect and as likely to be correct as their own. They should remember that God has made other men just as valuable as they are, and that God is willing to teach and guide these men.—MS 55, 1897 (June 3) PCL 109.3