Pastoral Ministry

Teachers

The influence of Christian teachers ranks with that of Christian ministers—Those who undertake the work of educating others, will need patience, that they may carry their pupils forward from one point to another in intellectual and spiritual attainment. Those who instruct in the various branches of the work, should feel how great is the responsibility that rests upon them. They need enlarged views, for their work, in its influence, ranks with that of the Christian minister. Meetings for instruction should be called, time should be given, facilities should be provided, that all the knowledge possible may be imparted during the meeting. The work of co-operating with the gospel minister in carrying the present truth to all nations, tongues, and peoples, is indeed a most essential one. It should be conducted in a manner in keeping with the exalted truth which we profess to love.—The Review and Herald, May 20, 1890. PaM 109.1

There must be no spirit of strife between ministers, physicians, and teachers—This is my prayer, “Remove from our ministers, our physicians, and the teachers in our schools everything that will gender the spirit of strife.” We are none of us to have the spirit of exaltation.—Letter 8, 1910. (Quoted in Ellen G. White: The Later Elmshaven Years, 270.) PaM 109.2

The ministry of teachers—Often it will seem to the teacher that the words of God have little effect upon the minds and hearts of many students; but if his work has been wrought in God, some lessons of truth will linger in the memory of the most careless. The Holy Spirit will water the seed sown, and it will spring up after many days and bear fruit to the glory of God.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 435. PaM 109.3

The Holy Spirit works with the teacher—When the teacher will rely upon God in prayer, the Spirit of Christ will come upon him, and God will work through him by the Holy Spirit upon the minds of others. The Spirit fills the mind and heart with sweet hope and courage and Bible imagery, and all this will be communicated to the youth under his instruction.—Christ's Object Lessons, 131, 132. PaM 109.4