ter Thirteen—Organizing the Church for Welfare
Ministry
God’s Purpose in Church Organization.—The church of Christ on earth was organized for
missionary purposes, and the Lord desires to see the entire church devising ways and means whereby
high and low, rich and poor, may hear the message of truth.—Testimonies for the Church 6:29,
To Unite in Exercises of Charity.—Wherever the truth has been proclaimed and people have been
awakened and converted, the believers are at once to unite in exercises of charity. Wherever Bible truth
has been presented, a work of practical godliness is to be begun. Wherever a church is established,
missionary work is to be done for the helpless and the suffering.—Testimonies for the Church 6:84, 85.
A Call for Men Who Can Lead.—Unless there are those who will devise means of turning to
account the time, strength, and brains of the church members, there will be a great work left undone
that ought to be done. Haphazard work will not answer. We want men in the church who have ability
to develop in the line of organizing and giving practical work to young men and women in the line of
relieving the wants of humanity, and working for the salvation of the souls of men, women, youth, and
children.—Letter 12, 1892.
Like a Training School.—Every church should be a training school for Christian workers. Its
members should be taught how to give Bible readings, how to
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conduct and teach Sabbath school classes, how best to help the poor and to care for the sick, how to
work for the unconverted. There should be schools of health, cooking schools, and classes in various
lines of Christian help work. There should not only be teaching, but actual work under experienced
instructors. Let the teachers lead the way in working among the people, and others, uniting with them,
will learn from their example. One example is worth more than many precepts.—The Ministry of
Healing, 149.
Preparing Our Youth for Practical Service.—The Great Teacher cooperates with all the efforts
made to relieve suffering humanity. Teach the students to make a practical application of the lessons
they have received. As they witness human woe and the deep poverty of those they are trying to help,
they will be stirred with compassion. Their hearts will be softened and subdued by the deep, holy
principles revealed in the Word of God. The great Physician cooperates with every effort made in
behalf of suffering humanity, to give health to the body and light and restoration to the soul.... We must
now see what can be done to educate the students in practical missionary work.—Manuscript 70, 1898.
Teach Practical Missionary Work.—On such occasions as our annual camp meetings we must
never lose sight of the opportunities afforded for teaching the believers how to do practical missionary
work in the place where they may live. In many instances it would be well to set apart certain men to
carry the burden of different lines of educational work at these meetings. Let some help the people to
learn how to give Bible readings and to conduct cottage meetings.
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Let others bear the burden of teaching the people how to practice the principles of health and temperance
and how to give treatments to the sick. Still others may labor in the interests of our periodical and book
work.—Testimonies for the Church 9:82, 83.
Form Bands of Workers.—The formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has
been presented to me by One who cannot err. If there is a large number in the church, let the members
be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members but for unbelievers. If in one
place there are only two or three who know the truth, let them form themselves into a band of workers.
Let them keep their bond of union unbroken, pressing together in love and unity, encouraging one
another to advance, each gaining courage and strength from the assistance of the others.—Testimonies
for the Church 7:21, 22.
Well-organized Companies in Every Church.—Let there be in every church well-organized
companies of workers to labor in the vicinity of that church. Put self behind you, and let Christ go
before as your life and power. Let this work be entered into without delay, and the truth will be as
leaven in the earth. When such forces are set to work in all our churches, there will be a renovating,
reforming, energizing power in the churches, because the members are doing the very work that God
has given them to do. Let all our churches be active, zealous, filled with enthusiasm by the Spirit and
power of God. It is the intelligent use of the means, the capabilities, the powers, given you by God,
consecrated to His service, that will tell in the communities where you may labor. It may be that you
will have to make a very small beginning in some
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places; but do not be discouraged; the work will grow larger, and you will be doing the work of an
evangelist. Look at Christ’s manner of working, and strive to labor as He did.—The Review and Herald,
September 29, 1891.
To Work Under a Name.—In all God’s work for man He plans that man shall cooperate with
Him. To this end the Lord calls upon the church to have a higher piety, a more just sense of duty, a
clearer realization of their obligations to their Creator. He calls upon them to be a pure, sanctified,
working people. And the Christian help work is one means of bringing this about, for the Holy Spirit
communicates with all who are doing God’s service.... I would say: Continue to work with tact and
ability. Arouse your associates to work under some name whereby they may be organized to cooperate
in harmonious action. Get the young men and women in the churches to work.—Testimonies for the
Church 6:266, 267.
Youth to Organize and Train for the Closing Work.—There are many lines in which the youth
can find opportunity for helpful effort. As they organize into bands for Christian service, their
cooperation will prove an assistance and encouragement....
In this closing work of the gospel there is a vast field to be occupied; and, more than ever before,
the work is to enlist helpers from the common people. Both the youth and those older in years will
be called from the field, from the vineyard, and from the workshop, and sent forth by the Master to
give His message. Many of these may have had little opportunity for education, but Christ sees in them
qualifications that will enable them to fulfill His purpose. If they put
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their hearts into the work and continue to be learners, He will fit them to labor for Him.
With such preparation as they can gain, thousands upon thousands of the youth and those older in
years should be giving themselves to the work. Already many hearts are responding to the call of the
Master Worker, and their numbers will increase.
All who engage in ministry are God’s helping hand. There is no line of work in which it is possible
for the youth to receive greater benefit. They are co-workers with the angels; rather, they are human
agencies through whom the angels accomplish their mission. Angels speak through their voices and
work by their hands. And the human workers, cooperating with heavenly agencies, have the benefit
of their education and experience. As a means of education what “university course” can equal this?
With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of
a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the world!—The Youth’s Instructor,
March 3, 1908.
A Great Work to Be Done by Men Now Idle.—It is not God’s purpose that ministers should be
left to do the greatest part of the work of sowing the seeds of truth. Men who are not called to the gospel
ministry are to be encouraged to labor for the Master according to their several ability. Hundreds of
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men and women now idle could do acceptable service. By carrying the truth into the homes of their
neighbors and friends, they could do a great work for the Master. God is no respecter of persons. He
will use humble, devoted Christians who have the love of the truth in their hearts. L
