WHEN I was a boy I attended a small church where a pastor was seldom present. But when he did come we felt that we were in the presence of one who walked and talked with God. Ministers were placed on high pedestals in those days. When one visited our home we were awed by his presence and fascinated by his words.
Today, it is often a different picture. The laity seem to have lost respect for the ministry. They often criticize their minister and disregard his counsel. Satan is working in every way possible to weaken the church. We ministers must carefully examine ourselves, that our examples will give no cause to encourage this spiritually weakening trend.
It might be wise to review our motives for being ministers. These motivations can be grouped into three categories, and each individual must decide for himself under which group he will labor.
Some men selected the ministry because they thought of it as an "easy job," a white-collar occupation that didn't seem to them to require much effort. This first group were ordained of men, but not of God. They finished their educational requirements and were called into the work by a conference. For four or five years they worked hard to reach goals and win the approval of their brethren, until they were ordained. Then they relaxed and fell into the habit of approaching their ministerial duties like any other professional person. Each year they must meet certain responsibilities and commitments, make reports, reach various goals, and baptize a few adults and church school children. They seldom study the Spirit of Prophecy, and study their Bibles only to put together the Sabbath morning sermons. Some may not even attend prayer meeting, but leave this responsibility with a church elder. They seem to find little time for pastoral calls or Bible studies, spending far more time in purely social activities. Many of their church members are unhappy and dissatisfied and hope that the pastor will be moved. Occasionally the situation causes the laymen to petition the conference for his removal as soon as possible. How tragic for all concerned! Yet, "when the shepherds are negligent of duty, may the Lord pity the poor sheep" (Testimonies, vol. 5, P. 371).
There is a second group who were called of God to preach. Their souls burned within them to bring salvation to the lost. They worked not for numbers for their baptismal report, but for the love of souls. Gradually, through the years, under the press of duty, the fire began to grow dim, and finally they lost their vision. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29:18). Finally the situation be comes similar to that of the first group. There is no longer devout spiritual leader ship. No weeping between the porch and the altar. The laymen sense this and are like sheep with a hireling for a shepherd. The church is dead because the pastor is dead. "Why is there so dim a perception of the true spiritual condition of the church? Has not blindness fallen upon the watchmen standing on the walls of Zion?" Ibid., vol. 8, p. 248. Many ministers of this group still work hard, but they no longer allow the Spirit of God to guide them. Young and old alike are confused by the double standard of the example before them. These watchmen on the walls are asleep, asleep in carnal, materialistic security, no longer believing in the soon return of the Saviour they uphold.
But there is a third group who have never lost their first love. These are the faithful watchmen on the walls, the standard-bearers, who are out evening after evening giving Bible studies, barely able to keep up with the new interests and re claimed backsliders. They are up early and late, faithfully studying, not simply for sermon material but to be filled with the Spirit of God, that they might fill others. They inspire the laymen to go out working for souls, and their churches continually grow. These men will not compromise principle, and are determined to go through to the kingdom of God, winning, through the love of Christ, as many souls as possible for Him. They are like the shepherd with the ninety and nine, working hard and long for one soul. They will not allow discouragement to hinder them, and cannot rest until the lost is found and safely in the fold again. "The efficiency of the church is precisely what the zeal, purity, self-denial, and intelligent labor of the ministers make it." Ibid., vol. 5, p. 582.
Brethren, under which group do we come? If we have not been called and ordained of God, then we need to plead with Him to lay His hands upon us. If God has called and ordained us but we have lost our vision, let us plead for a rebaptism of His Holy Spirit. The hour is late. The end is upon us, and many are not ready for the time of trouble that will come upon the church. Remember, the end will come suddenly, as it did in the days of Noah and of Lot. "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them" (1 Thess. 5:3).
Now is the time for the watchmen on the walls to give the trumpet a certain sound. If we do not give the warning, God will raise up men to take our place. Let there be a revival among the ministry, that we may be able to help bring it to the laity. "Before the final visitation of God's judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children." The Great Controversy, p. 464. "There are few really consecrated men among us, few who have fought and conquered in the battle with self. Real conversion is a decided change of feelings and motives; it is a virtual taking leave of worldly connections, a hastening from their spiritual atmosphere, a withdrawing from the controlling power of their thoughts, opinions, and influences." Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 82, 83. It will soon be revealed which group we are in.
Brethren, we must awaken and shake off this lethargy by which Satan hinders our work for God. Let us pray every day that God will cleanse us from all sin and make us pure and holy vessels, filled with His Holy Spirit; that He will keep us hum ble, faithful workers with a great love for His Word, and give us wisdom to understand His will and the ability to explain it to others; that He will help us to love men as Jesus loved them, regarding each one as a candidate for heaven; that He will help us to have great faith, a faith that will move mountains in our experience, that we may truly accomplish great things for God!
