The divisive forces in the world today don't leave the ministry untouched. We are not only attacked but we so easily fall into the habit of attack. We can too easily depreciate one another. If ever God's ministers must defend and encourage one another, it is now. How easy it is to come into a district where critical elements have assisted in the departure of a fellow minister and agree with the attackers that the former minister was not so dedicated as he should have been. It is easy to capitalize on a colleague's weak points, and to parade our own so-called strong points. When an experienced minister comes into a new area and hears criticism of the former incumbent, he wisely assumes that he may easily become the next victim. We should see to it that we do nothing to cause lack of respect for the ministry in the eyes of our laymen.
I feel that one reason that many fine young men are not entering the ministry is not because of the salary, nor the hardness of the work, but because of a lack of respect and appreciation for this sacred office. All too often they have had "roast preacher" for Sabbath dinner, and thus aware of some of the hardships and discouragements of the ministry, they refuse to consider seriously whether or not the Lord is calling them.
I wonder also whether we as ministers do not allow the pressure of goals to carry over into many of the things we do, and thus descend into an area of competition that lowers respect for the ministry. As ministers we may be led to compare and compete in the various areas of "success." This may involve the house in which a colleague lives, the furniture he has in his home, the car he drives, the membership of his churches, the number of baptisms for a given period of time, or his latest call in terms of a so-called step-up or step-down.
As I understand it, the real issue for the faithful God-fearing minister is his sincerity and dedication to the task he is called to do. In my opinion, some of the most successful ministers that I have known are those who have just returned from the mission field or other lines of service that has required much sacrifice and who have very little, if anything, in terms of worldly possessions. A minister's "success will be proportionate to the degree of consecration and self-sacrifice in which his work is done." —Evangelism, pp. 628, 629. It is high time for all of us as ministers to unite in bringing honor to our fellow ministers by saying nothing that may bring disgrace or may in the eyes of our laymen lower the sacredness and importance of the holy office of the gospel minister.
We should today, rededicate ourselves to do and say only those things that will bring honor and respect to the high calling of the ministry.
