Church Strandards---The Minister's Responsibility

THESE lines were spoken many years ago. Unfortunately, how ever, today this attitude of "don't preach to me" is prevalent to a greater degree than ever. When one ventures onto the field of church standards he has, according to some, stopped preaching and gone to meddling. He takes the risk of being labeled a "legalist," a "has been" or one who isn't "with it." In spite of this anti-attitude we must not neglect our responsibility to hold high the standards of Jesus Christ in our living, teaching, and preaching.

A standard is spoken of as a flag, a measuring rule, or a pattern for guidance. In the army the flag is a rallying point for soldiers. When we speak about church standards we think in terms of both a flag and a measuring rule. The church needs both—a rallying point and a standard of measurement. The one great standard by which man's character is measured is the law of God.

"In the precepts of His holy law, God has given a perfect rule of life; and He has declared that until the close of time this law, unchanged in a single jot or tittle, is to maintain its claim upon human beings." —The Acts of the Apostles, p. 505. This law constitutes the solid rock upon which every lesser standard must rest. In the light of God's standard, customs must also be evaluated, accepted, and perhaps rejected. We know from our reading, from observation, and from personal experience that the forces of evil are determined to downgrade God's ten great standards.

John the revelator says: "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God [God's standard], and have the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 12:17). We are told that "the last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering—a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition."—The Great Controversy, p. 582. Knowing that the dragon is making war with those who keep the commandments of God, is it any wonder that we find so much opposition against Bible standards?

There are a multiplicity of gods in the world today. There is, however, only one God to be worshiped by man—"Thou shalt have no other gods before me." He is the Creator of heaven and earth. Many gods of today have to do with man's own ego. These constitute a greater idolatry than the gods of wood and stone of the ancients.

Even within the church we find those who are increasingly enamored with twentieth-century gods. Speaking about one of these, Ellen G. White says: "Fashion rules the world; and she is a tyrannical mistress, often compelling her devotees to submit to the greatest inconvenience and discomfort. Fashion taxes without reason and collects without mercy. . . . Satan triumphs that his devices succeed so well, and Death laughs at the health-destroying folly and blind zeal of the worshipers at Fashion's shrine."—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 634.

We have been told that we should not become a gazing stock by dressing like the world, nor should we take pains to dress unlike the world. We should shun extremes. We should follow Christ. The dress of Christ's followers should be symbolic and representative of Christ. (See Messages to Young People, p. 358.) In spite of all this plain, unmistakably clear instruction we see more and more worshipers of the god of fashion in the church.

"The fact that a disregard of the custom occasions remark is no good reason for adopting it. ... I feel deeply over this leavening process which seems to be going on among us, in the conformity to custom and fashion. Not one penny should be spent for a circlet of gold to testify that we are married. In countries where the custom is imperative, we have no burden to condemn those who have their marriage ring; let them wear it if they can do so conscientiously; but let not our missionaries feel that the wearing of the ring will increase their influence one jot or tittle."— Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 180, 181.

If only we would remember that the world knows about our high standards. If only we would realize that they look with scorn at us because we do not practice what we preach. (See Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 22.) If only we would be conscious of the wrong impressions and the bad image we create for the church. If only we would under stand that the way we dress, the way we act, is a clear revelation of the character we possess.

The commandment "Thou shall not commit adultery" concerns itself about the dignity of human personality. Reading the journals, listening to the radio, looking at television, one would have to conclude that this is a generation that has built the sacred and the profane things of life into one single slushy compost. This twentieth-century culture has a blurred vision and no longer sees the difference between the pure and the impure.

If only we would remember that the world knows about our high standards. If only we would realize that they look with scorn at us because we do not practice what we preach.

The sixties brought in a new morality and situation ethics, and by the end of the decade the two had combined to allow anyone to do "his own thing," even taking off clothes in public. It appears that our culture has adopted the old Greek philosophy of separating body and spirit. Recently a night-club singer was defending the idea that her body was a work of art and that it should be publicly displayed. Art to her was a thing of the spirit and not of the body. The body accordingly lives in a divine realm of its own and is freed from moral standards and the constraints proper to society. The Bible, however, does not accept the worship of our bodies even though they may be artistically designed. There is no substitute for the worship of a personal God of righteousness and holiness.

The church today is being influenced by our easy divorce culture. This should give us real concern. It is sad that in our congregations there are those who have had the unfortunate experience of divorce. God's ideal is mentioned in Matthew 19:6: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Is the minister of the gospel excused from preaching this standard because there are those in the congregation who have transgressed it? Is it not still the duty of the minister of God to say, "Go, and sin no more"? Isaiah did not speak commendably of ministers who fail to speak up. "Israel's watchmen are blind, all of them unaware. They are all dumb dogs who cannot bark" (Isa. 56:10, N.E.B.).*

We have a wonderful message and freely speak about the angel in Revelation 18:1 coming "down from heaven, having great power" and glory. We cry, "Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Who is this angel? Does he not represent the church through whom this power and glory should come? Should it not come through the ministry first? Are we a demonstration of this power? Why is it that even ministers have sold out their ministry for a mess of pottage?

The ninth standard of God says, "Thou shalt not bear false witness." Paul, speaking to the ministry, says, "To exercise spiritual oversight a man must be of unimpeachable virtue, for he is God's agent in the affairs of his household. He must not be ... greedy for financial gain" (Titus 1:7, 8, Phillips)†

I have been in the organized work for quite a number of years. I never cease to be astonished how some ministers can spend so much time wheeling and dealing in ventures that were never included in their ordination vows. There are those who have brought great embarrassment to the church by their unethical and unchristian business activities. Some seem to be free in making debts, with no plans to pay. When the due date arrives they play hide-and-seek—--they hide and the creditor seeks. There are well-intentioned ministers who have used the high office of the ministry to borrow money from the widows and made no effort to meet their obligation when due. Such are like the Pharisees who "devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers" (Luke 20:47).

Many a poor widow has been misled by the pious-sounding prayers of inconsiderate ministers. Our good intentions and promises to pay back what we borrow can be firmed up much better if we borrow from the bank. They know how to collect, widows don't. Widows do know how to report it to the conference.

There is a rather sad statement in Testimonies, volume 4, page 310 that says, "Dis honesty is practiced all through our ranks, and this is the cause of lukewarmness on the part of many who profess to believe the truth. ... I am pained to make the statement that there is an alarming lack of honesty even among Sabbathkeepers."

In the light of general disregard of standards, what is our responsibility as ministers of the gospel? In a changing world do we still have the responsibility to speak about the unchangeable standard of God? Does the disregard of Christian standards release us from lifting our voices to raise the standards? We are the leaders and must lead. If we do not have the capacity for spiritual leadership we are no longer fit to be shepherds of the flock. The apostle says, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you over seers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Acts 20:28).

One cannot read this text and others with out realizing that the ministry is a high and holy calling. We are spiritual men engaged in the realm of spiritual warfare. We are shepherds of the flock—the rich, the poor, the bond and the free, the old and the young, the sick and the healthy. There are two things that are expected of every Seventh-day Adventist minister.

First, HE SHOULD TAKE A POSITION. There is too much so-called leadership that is like clouds without water, shifting about by the winds that blow from all directions. Spiritual leaders must make decisions not based on the Gallup poll, but rather on deep convictions hammered out on the anvil of experience, prayer, and study.

We are told there are three kinds of people: the people who make things hap pen; people who watch things happen; people who don't know what is happening. Ministers should belong to the class who make things happen. To make things happen one must have convictions.

Standards should not only be recorded in the Bible and in the church manual but more especially in our hearts. If some anxious mother comes begging that I marry her daughter to a nonbeliever, what is my position? Do I tell her I can't comply with her request because the church manual for bids it, or because of my own convictions? Do I call on the conference president for an answer, or do I have one? Can we shift our personal responsibility and account ability to God over to the conference president? There are times when silence may be golden, but there are also times when silence is plain yellow. We should know the difference. Much more impressive and helpful to the flock than reading the rules from a church manual or quoting the opinions of a conference president are the sincere and deep convictions that we can quote from our own heart.

What is our position as ministers in regard to church standards? There are those who say, "My platform is found in Mes sages to Young People, p. 131: 'If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts will all be right.' " I accept this, too, fully and completely. Some have even gone so far as to say, "Don't talk to me about doctrines, the Sabbath, or the law. Talk about Christ." I am in complete harmony with the statement which says, "Talk of Christ, and when the heart is converted, every thing that is out of harmony with the Word of God will drop off. . . . The ax must be laid at the root of the tree, and then the leaves will fall off, never to return. . . . Cleanse the fountain, and the streams will be pure."—Evangelism, p. 272.

I have noticed that there are some who use this statement only to avoid talking about standards. They go their own merry way disregarding all the standards of the church but glibly quote, "If the heart is right, all will be right." The fact that they ignore the plain instruction of the Word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy in this matter could be evidence that the heart isn't right. It needs instruction and correction.

The same messenger who spoke about the heart's being right also said, "All should be taught to be neat, clean, and orderly in their dress, but not to indulge in that external adorning which is wholly inappropriate for the sanctuary."—Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 499. (Italics supplied.) And again, "When a church has been raised up and left uninstructed on these points, the minister has neglected his duty and will have to give an account to God for impressions he allowed to prevail."—Ibid., p. 500. (Italics supplied.)

Second, WE MUST NOT ONLY HAVE A POSITION, BUT WE SHOULD MAKE IT KNOWN. Paul said: "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Cor. 1:10). I think we would be surprised at the results in our churches if all of us would follow Paul's counsel and speak the same thing. I believe we would be able to bring a new spirit into our churches, a spirit of reformation and revival. The very fact that the congregation knew that we had a position and were willing to be counted would do much to encourage them to follow our example.

We may be facing an uphill struggle, but does this mean we should be silent? Was Paul silent when he saw the Corinthians turn aside from the standards of Christ? (See 1 Cor. 5:7, 13.) Are not the words of the messenger of the Lord plain: "Those who engage in the solemn work of bearing the third angel's message must move out decidedly, and in the Spirit and power of God fearlessly preach the truth and let it cut. They should elevate the standard of truth and urge the people to come up to it."—Ibid., vol. 1, p. 248. (Italics supplied.)

J. Edgar Hoover, speaking about the moral condition in this nation, said, "Weep and pray as you consider America's dreadful spiritual blight." Thinking about God's people, Jeremiah pleaded: "Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people" (Jer. 9:1). And again, "My soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord's flock is carried away captive" (Jer. 13:17).

Many of our flocks have been carried captive by the world. Shedding tears of concern would be in order. The apostle Paul says in Acts 20:19 that he served the Lord with "all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations." This is the time for us, the ministers of the Lord, to "weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O lord, [spare thy shepherds too] and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" (Joel 2:17).

Like the high tides, worldliness is hard to hold back. We should remember, how ever, that the promise made to Joshua is also made to us. "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:5, 6).

This promise is still good today. Money depreciates but not God's promises. The God of Joshua and Moses is still interested in bringing His people into the Promised Land. God expects us to trust Him, to have faith that He will sustain us.

"I will never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake. When the storm is raging round thee, Call on Me in humble prayer; I will fold My arms around thee, Guard thee with the tenderest care; In the trial, in the trial, I will make thy pathway clear."