Pastoral Ministry

Health Ministry

Combining medical missionary work and ministry of the Word, we can reach all classes—The gospel ministry is an organization for the proclamation of the truth to the sick and to the well. It combines the medical missionary work and the ministry of the Word. By these combined agencies opportunities are given to communicate light and to present the gospel to all classes and all grades of society. God wants the ministers and the church members to take a decided, active interest in the medical missionary work.—Testimonies for the Church 6:300, 301. PaM 118.4

Ministers should sometimes gain listeners’ interest in Bible doctrine by first giving talks on health—In our sanitariums our ministers, who labor in Word and doctrine, should give short talks upon the principles of temperance, showing that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and bringing to the minds of the people the responsibility resting upon them as God's purchased possession to make the body a holy temple, fit for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As this instruction is given, the people will become interested in Bible doctrine.—Temperance, 245. PaM 119.1

If physicians and ministers will work together in the presentation of truth, more will be reached—The work you have been doing in the city is meeting Heaven's approval. What you have done demonstrates that if our physicians and our ministers can work together in the presentation of truth to the people, more can be reached than could be influenced by the ministers laboring alone. I trust that your example in this respect may be followed by other physicians.—Counsels on Health, 543. PaM 119.2