There has been in all ages a unique place of Christian service for consecrated women in the proclamation of the gospel. Speaking of their close relation to the ministerial program, the apostle Paul describes them in Philippians 4:3 as "Those women which laboured with me in the gospel. . . whose names are in the book of life." In Romans 16:3, Paul calls them "my helpers."
Such noble New Testament women as Joanna, Susanna, Phebe, Mary, Dorcas, and Priscilla were worthy successors to the inspiring examples of Deborah, whose faith encouraged a Barak; Jael, who overthrew the enemy Sisera ; or Esther, who delivered her people from death.
There is need of women to counsel, advise, and to give general spiritual help. Bible instructors are often able to enter into the remote-problem areas of the ministry whereunto a wise minister does not approach. They can do in families a work that men cannot do. Their efforts are not to be reduced to one special branch of service, but all phases of the church program will engage their attention. This will include a close contact with the deaconesses, the Sabbath school, the Missionary Volunteer Society, the church school, and Dorcas activities.
Whether it be in the line of distribution of literature, nursing education, cooking schools, ministry to the sick, or providing for the needy, the Bible instructor should join the minister in guiding the membership of the church. Her attendance at young people's meeting provides a real opportunity for knowing something of problems and possibilities of youth. Her presenting the devotional part of the program and encouraging the sisters in a Dorcas meeting inspires these faithful ones to greater activity. The Sabbath school teachers' meeting will welcome her, and a class of visitors or new believers will probably be assigned to her. She may work closely with the deaconesses in visiting delinquent members. They will appreciate her suggestions and help in the preparation of the emblems of the Lord's supper, and the reverent conduct of the ordinance of humility.
The Bible instructor must remember that she is employed by the local conference and is therefore under its general direction. Closely affiliated with the pastor-evangelist, she is subject to the inconvenience of a change of location. When associated with a pastor-evangelist, she is expected to work under his immediate direction and not independent of him.
Should she ever accept the responsibility of church office by election of the church? The answer is found on page 141 of the Church Manual: "A conference Bible instructor should ary leadership may be required to train new, inexperienced members in the organization of a new church. When several churches meet in one large organization during evangelistic meetings, she may be asked to assume temporary leadership in some church office. But we believe that her actual election to a church office is rarely necessary.
She will ever remember that "the plan of holding Bible-readings was a heaven-born idea."—Gospel Workers, p. 192. Thus has God's messenger revealed the origin of this important branch of ministry. To ring doorbells, pass out announcements, and greet those attending the meetings is not enough. Neither this nor the evangelist's eloquent sermon surpasses the value of the Bible reading given in the home. Souls in the valley of decision have many times been won when the minister, his wife, and the Bible instructor have visited the home to study and pray with honest individuals.
"If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in personal ministry, greater results would be seen."—Ministry of Healing, pp. 143, 144. The call of God to Bible instructors today is revealed in the following quotation:
"God calls for earnest women-workers, workers who are prudent, warmhearted, tender, and true to principle. He calls for persevering women, who will take their minds from self and their personal convenience, and will center them on Christ, speaking words of truth, praying with the persons to whom they can obtain access, laboring for the conversion of souls. O, what is our excuse, my sisters, that we do not devote all the time possible to searching the Scriptures, making the mind a storehouse of precious things, that we may present them to those who are not interested in the truth ? Will our sisters arise to the emergency? Will they work for the Master?"—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 118.
