Principles for Christian Leaders

Discipline when necessary

“Verily I say unto you,” Christ continued, “whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18). PCL 161.4

This statement holds its force in all ages. On the church has been conferred the power to act in Christ’s stead. It is God’s instrumentality for the preservation of order and discipline among His people. To it the Lord has delegated the power to settle all questions respecting its prosperity, purity, and order. Upon it rests the responsibility of excluding from its fellowship those who are unworthy, who by their un-Christlike conduct would bring dishonor on the truth. Whatever the church does that is in accordance with the directions given in God’s word will be ratified in heaven. PCL 161.5

Matters of grave import come up for settlement by the church. God’s ministers, ordained by Him as guides of His people, after doing their part are to submit the whole matter to the church, that there may be unity in the decision made.—7T 263, 264 (1902) PCL 162.1

The world’s Redeemer has invested great power with His church. He states the rules to be applied in cases of trial with its members. After He has given explicit directions as to the course to be pursued, He says: “Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever [in church discipline] ^* ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Thus even the heavenly authority ratifies the discipline of the church in regard to its members when the Bible rule has been followed.—3T 428 (1875) PCL 162.2

Dismissal—The awakening power of God, the molding influence of the Holy Spirit, is needed by all who in any way bear responsibilities in the Lord’s work. Without this they [conference presidents] are unfit for the work, and should be dismissed. —Letter 24a, 1896 (August) PCL 162.3

The message was sent from God to headquarters that the men occupying positions of responsibility were not accomplishing their work in harmony with the mind of God; that they seemed incapable of appreciating light; that they must no longer be left in their positions. A different order of things must be inaugurated, else the conference and the churches in every place would be weakened. PCL 162.4

The heart of the work was diseased. Principles were perverted. Notwithstanding the light that God had given, men made no changes, but continued to do the very things which had caused the rebuke of God to come upon them. Some of these men were transferred to other places, but this did not change their ideas. It did not transform them in character. When they were moved, they took with them their wrong principles, and these worked as the leaven of evil. Thus in different places the work has been marred and defects have been seen. PCL 163.1

Christ told Nicodemus that he must be born again, that he must have a new heart. These words apply to many who are serving in responsible places. They have not the new heart which sends a current of pure, spiritual blood through the system, creating new life and consecrating the will to the service of the Master.—MS 66, 1901 (July 28) PCL 163.2

I have the word of the Lord for presidents of conferences. They should shoulder the responsibilities involved in the trusts reposed in them. In your work, do not try to meet a human standard, but the standard of God’s work. If you will not do this, if you will not seek the Lord most earnestly, if you will not be burden bearers, but choose to lay your whole weight of responsibilities upon the president of the General Conference, then week by week, month by month, you are disqualifying yourselves for the work. You should leave it, and engage in common business transactions, which do not so decidedly involve eternal respon- sibilities.—Letter 24a, 1896 (August); TM 343 PCL 163.3

When men trust in men and make flesh their arm, when they show that they know not the voice of Him who is the only source of wisdom and power, let responsibilities be taken from them as soon as possible and given to men who wait on the Lord, who do not consider their time so valuable that they cannot take part of it for prayer, who will not dare to move without divine counsel. —Letter 35, 1900 (February 13) PCL 164.1

No elevation of official position should ever be used as an excuse to cover the guilt of rash speech, of unfaithfulness, of betrayal of sacred trusts. Nor should the men who have failed to discharge aright their sacred responsibilities be retained in office.—MS 81, 1900 (1900) PCL 164.2