Principles for Christian Leaders

Chapter 7 - Ministers: Guardians Of The Flock

Qualifications

Those who are thus appointed as overseers of the flock should be men of good repute; men who give evidence that they have not only a knowledge of the Scriptures, but an experience in faith, in patience, that in meekness they may instruct those who oppose the truth. They should be men of thorough integrity, not novices, but intelligent students of the Word, able to teach others also, bringing from the treasure-house things new and old; men who in character, in words, in deportment, will be an honor to the cause of Christ, teaching the truth, living the truth, growing up to the full stature in Christ Jesus. This means the development and strengthening of every faculty by exercise, that the workers may become qualified to bear larger responsibilities as the work increases.—GW 413 (1915) PCL 166.1

Let our ministers consecrate themselves to God. We need so much, O so much, humble men who feel it a pleasure to do their very best. A glorious gospel work opens before the converted, faithful minister. He is to help his fellow men to a better understanding of the Word. The influence exerted by the minister with whom God works is weighty and momentous. The Lord is highly pleased with the minister who works humbly and willingly. Those who are wholly consecrated to God will ever seek wisdom from on high to enable them to bear their heavy responsibilities. They will be patient, forbearing, courteous, knowing that they are Christ’s representatives. They will show a deep earnestness and fervor in prayer and in their appeals to individuals and to congregations.—MS 10, 1900 (January 29) PCL 166.2

Rich in Christ—No true minister can be a rich man. Christ says, “He that will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” The man who will commence at the lowest round of the ladder, and ascend, keeping heaven always in view, will become rich in heaven’s treasure. God’s Word is to him a mine of wealth. All who will bring earnestness and self-denial into their ministry are making provision for an eternal reward.—Letter 94, 1899 (June 16) PCL 167.1

The reason so many of our ministers preach tame, lifeless discourses is that they allow a variety of things of a worldly nature to take their time and attention. Unless there is constant growth in grace, we shall be wanting in words suitable for the occasion. Commune with your own heart, and then commune with God. Unless you do this, your efforts will be fruitless, made thus by unsanctified hurry and confusion.—7T 251 (1902) PCL 167.2

Depend upon God—Christ, the “Counselor,” has said, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 11:28). And again, by the apostle James, “If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). But instead of carrying their perplexities to Jesus, as He has told them to do, many lay their burdens upon human souls; they seek counsel from men, place them where God should be; and as the result, they receive only human help. No other can do our work. By diligent use of our own powers we are to gain knowledge and intelligence. God never designed that another man’s mind should do your thinking. PCL 167.3

Brethren, do not depend on the president of your conference or the president of the General Conference to think for you. God has given “to every man his work” (Mark 13:34). When men look to the president of the conference as their helper in all their difficulties, the bearer of their burdens, the counselor in their perplexities, they are doing the very opposite of that which Christ told them to do. PCL 168.1

If, while your pens have been employed in writing letters to one already perplexed and overburdened, you had taken the perplexing things to Jesus and had asked Him to teach you, would it not have been honoring God? Would you not have been showing that you make Him your trust and counselor? . . . PCL 168.2

There has been on the part of our people a trifling with personal responsibilities. They have not wrestled with difficulties with earnest prayer and diligent effort, and they have looked for the approval of mortal man with far greater anxiety than for the approval of God. PCL 168.3

Satan exults as he sees men looking to and trusting in man, for often a twofold evil is thus wrought. The one who is the object of this undue confidence is exposed to strong temptation. In consequence Satan will, if possible, lead him to self-confidence in order that human defects may mar their work. He will be in danger of encouraging his brethren in their dependence upon him and feeling that all things which pertain to the movements of the cause must be brought to his notice. Thus the work will bear the impress of man instead of the impress of God. PCL 168.4

In order to perform his work in the very best manner to meet the approval of God, each laborer must think and plan for himself, while at the same time he should be ready to receive counsel from his brethren. While brethren should counsel together in laying their plans for the work, there should be on the part of all far more earnest effort in seeking God for higher counsel. Thus each will have an experience that does not have its foundation in any human being, but in the living God.—MS 11, 1883 (c. 1883) PCL 168.5

Submit to God’s will—Life as it now appears is not what God designed it should be, and this is why there is so much that is perplexing, for there is much wear and friction. The man or woman that leaves the place God has given him or her, in order to please inclination and act on his own devised plan, meets with disappointment, because he has chosen his way instead of God’s way. There are those who accept positions of responsibility, but fail to sense the responsibility, and thus do haphazard work without at all understanding its character. Others accept a work for which they have no fitness, and they have no appreciation of the fact that they are under rule to God, and are ever striving to guide themselves, and to control their own being. PCL 169.1

Other individuals study to have their own way, and work out their own plans, and God erects His barriers and does not allow them to do as they would. They are the Lord’s by creation and by redemption, and He will not allow them to have their own way, and be ever trying to set aside the will of God for some plan of their own. They are to fill the place God allotted to them and do the work the Lord has given into their hands. Willfulness and inclination cannot be the masters of the situation. PCL 169.2

Our heavenly Father is our Ruler, and we must submit to His discipline. We are members of His family. He has a right to our service, and if one of the members of His family would persist in having his own way, persist in doing just that which he pleased, that spirit would bring about a disordered and perplexing state of things. We must not study to have our own way, but God’s way and God’s will.—Letter 6, 1894 (February 10) PCL 169.3

God would have us ever refuse to plead against the truth. His frown is upon all that is false or unfair. This should be the position of every one who stands to minister in the service of his Master. For if one to whom God has entrusted holy responsibilities allows envy, evil surmising, prejudice, and jealousies to find place in the heart, he is guilty of breaking the law of God. And his words, his ideas, and his errors will extend just as far as his sphere of influence extends. God says to every man to whom He entrusts responsibilities, “Put not your trust in man, neither make flesh your arm” (Jeremiah 17:5). Look to God. Trust in His infallible wisdom. Regard as a sin the practice so common, even among Seventh-day Adventists, of becoming the echo of any man, however lofty his position. Listen to the voice of the great Shepherd, and you will never be led astray. Search the Scriptures for yourself, and be braced for duty and for trial by the truth of God’s Word. Let no friendship, no influence, no entreaty; let not the smiles, the confidence, or the rewards of any man induce you to swerve from the path in which the Lord would lead you. Let Christlike integrity and consistency control the actions of your life. The man who sits most at the feet of Jesus, and is taught by the Saviour’s spirit, will be ready to cry out, “I am weak and unworthy, but Christ is my strength and my righteousness.”—MS 15, 1886 (1886) PCL 170.1

Sees God’s work as sacred—In His word the Lord enumerates the gifts and graces that are indispensable for all who connect with His work. He does not teach us to ignore learning or despise education; for when controlled by the love and fear of God, intellectual culture is a blessing; yet this is not presented as the most important qualification for the service of God. Jesus passed by the wise men of His time, the men of education and position, because they were so proud and self-sufficient in their boasted superiority that they could not sympathize with suffering humanity and become colaborers with the Man of Nazareth. In their bigotry they scorned to be taught by Christ. The Lord Jesus would have men connected with His work who appreciate that work as sacred; then they can cooperate with God. They will be unobstructed channels through which His grace can flow. The attributes of the character of Christ can be imparted to those only who distrust themselves. The highest scientific education cannot in itself develop a Christlike character. The fruits of true wisdom come from Christ alone. PCL 170.2

Every worker should test his own qualifications by the Word of God. Have the men who are handling sacred things a clear understanding, a right perception of things of eternal interest? Will they consent to yield to the working of the Holy Spirit? or do they permit themselves to be controlled by their own hereditary and cultivated tendencies? It becomes all to examine themselves, whether they be in the faith. PCL 171.1

Those who occupy positions of trust in the work of God should ever bear in mind that these positions involve great responsibility. The right performance of the solemn work for this time and the salvation of the souls connected with us in any way depend in a great degree upon our own spiritual condition. All should cultivate a vivid sense of their responsibility; for their own well-being and their eternal destiny will be decided by the spirit they cherish. If self is woven into the work, it is as the offering of strange fire in the place of the sacred. Such workers incur the displeasure of the Lord. Brethren, remove your hands from the work unless you can distinguish the sacred fire from the common—MS 14, 1896 (April 28); TM 259, 260 PCL 171.2

Follow as God leads—When the Lord sets His hand to prepare the way before His ministers, it is their duty to follow where He directs. He will never forsake or leave in uncertainty those who follow His leadings with full purpose of heart. —Letter 50, 1911 (June 11) PCL 172.1