THE highest office, the heaviest responsibility, the greatest privilege, is that of the Christian minister. Christianity is the treasurehouse of Christ. The whole plan of salvation centres in Him. The holy doctrines, the infinite power, the eternal mysteries, the glories of the church, are of Jesus. But all this wealth of grace has been committed as a sacred trust to those who preach the Gospel. But the minister—and by that term we mean every Gospel worker—is the living link between Christ and His church. It is through the minister that Jesus gathers new members, organizes, shepherds, and directs His people on earth.
We grant that some churches have over-emphasized the place of the bishop or priest. They have given almost divine honours and much worldly glory to those who should be followers of Him Who “had not where to lay His head.” But we are in danger to-day of depreciating the sacred call of the minister. It was Jesus Who said, “He that receiveth you receiveth Me.” Ministers are ambassadors for God.
In the Advent movement, the work and place of the Christian minister needs to be Letter understood. Adventist ministers are something very different from an Anglican vicar or a Lutheran priest. They wear no special garb to give them distinction. They do not build their calling on some theoretical training. They are called to suffer, to sacrifice, and to labour in an unpopular cause. They must agitate, attack, press the battle to the gate, but always in the spirit and mind of Christ. Whenever a minister begins to take his ease, or to find worldly glory in his office, he is unworthy of his calling.
The Advent movement has one supreme objective. With the great apostle we say, “This one thing I do.” There may be a variety of activities, but the one purpose underlying all and overshadowing all is to win people to Jesus and prepare them for His coming. To accomplish this, our first need is an efficient ministry. A feeble ministry means a feeble and dying church. A weak-hearted, pessimistic, indolent, or short-sighted leadership will defeat any cause. What is an efficient ministry, and how may it be secured?
1. An efficient ministry is a converted and consecrated ministry. It is men and women who lead holy lives and who are true ensamples of the flock of Christ.
2. An efficient ministry is a praying ministry. Those who trust in themselves, in their own eloquence or education, will fail. A minister who really builds for Jesus wins daily victories on his knees in earnest, agonizing prayer. Ministers who succeed will be humble, tender, kind to the weak, knowing that they themselves are failing.
3. An efficient ministry is an aggressive ministry. We belong to the church militant. Our foes are mighty and determined to win. We have been sent forth to conquer for the Lord Jesus. The spirit of aggressive propaganda, seen in the early pioneers of the Advent movement, is greatly needed now.
4. An efficient ministry is a soulwinning ministry. We would not measure a man’s success merely in figures of new converts or money, yet a minister who renders fruitful service will lead many to Christ each year and will advance God’s cause in every way.
5. An efficient ministry is an intelligent ministry. Ignorance or eccentric ways are not a sign of piety. God wants men who are wide-awake, who understand the times, who read, study, and meditate. Keen, logical reasoners are needed in this age of superficial, loose, and crooked thinking.
6. An efficient ministry is a practical ministry. Every evangelist must have initiative. He must study out new plans. He must find new terms for his subjects. He must learn new ways to advertise, and how to make a little money go a long way.
7. An efficient ministry is a ministry on the march. No evangelist should remain more than one or two, or at the very outside three years, in a place. We never yet saw an evangelist or pastor who remained more than three years in one field that didn’t do more harm than good.
8. Above all, an efficient ministry is a Spirit-filled ministry, holy men of God who “spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” How may we secure such a ministry? Years at school cannot produce it. Workers’ meetings or institutes do not suffice. Books or periodicals can but help. Only by renewed consecration, by fasting and prayer, can a minister attain to God’s ideal. And the church is to support the ministry in this daily prayer. He appeals to-day to all our ministers to bestir themselves anew. The measure of our evangelism will be determined by the power of our ministers. Today God is making a mighty appeal for larger service to every minister of the Advent message.
BY L. H. CHRISTIAN
