Principles for Christian Leaders

Meetings monitored by Heaven

In your council meetings and committee meetings, decisions are made, plans devised and matured, which, when put into practice, will leave an impression on the work at large; and no vestige of spirit of harshness should appear. Loud, impatient words should never be heard. Remember that in all your council meetings there is a heavenly Watcher. Do not allow one word of vanity to be spoken, for you are legislating for God, and He says to you, “Be still, and know that I am God.” PCL 190.1

If your committee meetings and council meetings are not under the direct supervision of the Spirit of God, your conclusions will be earthborn, and worthy of no more consideration than are any man’s expressions. Christ says, “Without me ye can do nothing.” If He is not honored in your assemblies as chief counselor, your planning comes from no higher source than the human mind.—Letter 81, 1896 (May 31) PCL 190.2

Last night I was in a council meeting, and those in council did much talking, and read concerning plans and details, and thus consumed much time. Those in council were slow in doing the business, and did not express things in a distinct, definite way, to make progress in business. While deliberating much upon minor matters, important matters, which needed clearness of mind, activity of thought, and weighty consideration, were left almost untouched. PCL 190.3

One who spake with no uncertainty laid his hand upon Elder Daniells’ shoulder and said, “God hath given to every man his work. Will you please leave God room to work with His individual workers. He has not left His burden of work upon your hands. He has never placed upon one man, or upon any board of men, impossibilities—the burden of entering into the minutia in regard to how workers shall carry on their work. He has never laid upon anyone the burden of making rules of action which will bind about and restrict the work, and confine the workers to a certain course of action.” PCL 191.1

The fact that a man has been selected to be the president of a conference, does not mean that he shall have authority to rule over his fellow workmen. This is after the practice of Rome, and it cannot be tolerated, for it restricts religious liberty, and the man is led to place himself where God alone should be. PCL 191.2

Work has been done in the conference before the ruling president was placed as its head. If he assumes to restrict individual action and confine men to his own ideas, which he supposes to be right, or if a board shall make rules that enter into the details of what the workers should do, no help will in any way come to those who are engaging in the work. The workmen are compelled to decide on the spot as to what they will do. The place, the circumstances, the interest, the moral sentiment of the people, will have to decide in many cases the course of action to be pursued. PCL 191.3

It would be inconsistent for the worker to feel that he is compelled to write to the president or to the board for permission to pursue a certain course which his experience and judgment tell him is the best course to pursue under the circumstances. Wherever an earnest effort is made to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth, the angels of God guard the interest. The only course that can be pursued by the worker is not to look to or depend upon any man, but to look to Jesus, and to do his work in harmony with His revealed will.—Letter 53, 1894 (November 11) PCL 191.4