对区会职员的呼吁和建议
1、《传道良助》选段
“我们中间只有很少的传道人。因为上帝的圣工似乎非常需要帮助，有些人就受诱导以为几乎任何一个自称要做传道人的都会蒙悦纳。有些人以为，因为人们会祷告，并且在聚会时能够较为自由地进行劝勉，他们就有资格作为工人前去作工。在他们受到证明之前，或者他们的工作能显出任何良好的果效之前，上帝未曾差遣的人们就受到某些缺乏经验之弟兄的鼓励和奉承。然而工作表明了工人的品质。他们是分散和混乱的，而非收聚和建造的。可能有少数人因他们的工作接受了真理，但这些人通常升不到比那些教导他们真理的人更高的地步，在他们的行为中会见到同样的缺乏。{PH002 13.1}
“这项事业的成功并不依赖于我们拥有大量的传道人，但极其重要的乃是，那些参与上帝圣工的人应该是真的感到上帝召他们去从事之工的负担和神圣性的人。少数自我牺牲的敬虔的人，对自己的估计虽甚微小，却能成就更多的工作，过于虽有许多传道人，但其中却有一部分人不配做工，却自信而且自夸其才干所能成就的。” (《传道良助》1892年版141页){PH002 13.2}
“一些传道人没能成功是因为他们在非常依赖恒切努力和管理良好的工作时，却没有专心致志于工作。许多人并非工人;他们离开讲台就不干活了。他们逃避挨家挨户和聪明地在家庭范围内作工的责任。他们需要培养那种罕见的基督徒礼貌，这会使他们仁慈亲切，体谅他们所照管的人，用真正的热心和信心为他们作工，教导他们生命之道。”(《传道良助》1892年版72页){PH002 13.3}
*****
“牧者的责任往往可耻地遭到忽略，因为传道人缺乏力量去牺牲他个人想要退隐和学习的爱好。牧者应当挨家挨户探访他的羊群，教导每一个家庭，与他们交谈，一同祈祷，为他们的心灵谋福利。那些表现出愿意熟悉我们信仰原则的人不应受到忽视，而应在真理上受到全面的教导。上帝警醒热心的传道人不应失去任何一个行善的机会。{PH002 14.1}
“某些传道人受了一些家长的邀请，去探访他们的家庭时，却在人家的空闲的房间中满足自己读书写作的爱好。{PH002 14.2}
款待他们的家庭，一点儿得不到访问的益处。传道人受人招待，却不在很需要做的工作中给人以同等的报答。{PH002 14.3}
“藉着社交圈的途径，很容易去接近人。但许多传道人却畏惧探访的任务;他们没有培养社交的才能，也没有获得可以博取人心的和蔼精神。牧者要多与他所牧养的人来往，这是非常要紧的;这样他就能熟悉人性的不同方面，容易明白人心的工作方式，使他的教训适合听众的智力，并且学会那种只有密切研究人类本性及需要的人才能拥有的伟大的爱。{PH002 14.4}
“凡与众隔绝的传道人，是无法帮助别人的。医术湛深的医师必须明了各种疾病的性质，熟悉人体的构造。他必须按时照应病人。他知道迟延是危险的。当他富有经验的手按在病人的脉膊上时，随即细心注意疾病的特征，根据以往的知识断定病症的性质和应用何种治疗法以阻止病症的加重。医师怎样应付人肉体的病痛，牧者对于患罪病的人也怎样。永生怎样比暂时的生存更有价值，牧者的工作也照样比医师的工作更为重要。牧者遇到各种脾性秉性的人;他的本分是要熟悉凡听他教训之家庭中每一分子，以便决定应用何种方法最能感动他们朝正当的方向而行。” (《传道良助》1892年版76页){PH002 15.1}
*****
“在救灵工作中取得最大成功的人，不是那些为自己的才干自豪的人，而是那些存着谦卑和信心出去，并有上帝的能力与他们的努力同工，使他们所呼吁的人心知罪悔改的人。耶稣就是这样工作的。祂接近祂想要帮助的人。每逢有几个人围着祂时，祂就开始给出宝贵的教训。路上经过的人，一个一个地停下来听祂，直到有大群人听了上帝藉这位上天差来的教师所说的话而惊讶敬畏不已。基督并没有等到大批人集合。祂的一些最伟大的真理是对个人讲的。那个撒玛利亚妇人在井边听到了奇妙的话语：‘人若喝我所赐的水就永远不渴;我所赐的水，要在他里头成为泉源，直涌到永生’”(约4:14)。(《传道良助》1892年版337页){PH002 15.2}
*****
“在人们对宗教感兴趣的时候，有些人忽视了最重要的那部分工作。他们没能探访和熟悉那些显出了兴趣，夜复一夜来听圣经讲解的人。适时与这些人交谈宗教题目，并与他们一起恳切祷告，会使许多人选择正确的方向。在这方面疏于尽本分的传道人不是羊群的真牧人。正当应该最积极地活动，去探访这些慕道的人，与他们交谈和一起祷告时，有些人却在不必要地给远方的人写长信。唉，我们在为主做什么呀!当宽容时期结束时，多少人会见到自己曾忽略的服务曾为他们舍命的亲爱的主的机会啊。甚至那些被认为最忠信的人，也会看到，要是他们没有因属世的环境分心，原可做成更多的事。”(《传道良助》1892年版38页){PH002 16.1}
单单讲道是不够的——个人之工极其重要
“他向人们讲道，但不作任何后续努力去跟进所讲的道。他说他不能去探访家庭，他只是看不起那种工作。”你可以想像羊群没有牧人探访的状况。这个问题已再三呈现在我面前，应当教育那些被任命去传道的人在家庭的个人之工上充分证明他们的职分，与家庭的成员交谈，了解他们的属灵状况，鼓励人，以恒久忍耐和道理责备人，与他们一起祷告，密切关心的他们的内心和灵魂。这就是忠心牧人的工作。{PH002 17.1}
但是严肃的责任被忽略了，因为接受只会讲道的传道人去传道教导人。他们没有看守生灵好像要交账的人。他们进行说教，然而却没有做需要为羊群和小羊做的工作。全美国都做着这种半心半意的工作，并且把钱给了雇工，其实他们早应当被解雇去找少负责任、少需照料的工作。在派人到外国园地时，应当非常谨慎。那些虽已被接受为讲道的人，却还没有受教育为灵魂警醒好像将来交账的人，不是作为传道士进入新园地的人。如果世界上有哪个地方的教会能通过讲道来建立和保持兴旺的状态，同时却忽视个人之工，我还没有听说过这种地方。讲道蒙悦纳而不牧养的人不应该进入外国。有一个彻底的牧人照着忠心的牧人所应当的照顾羊群，也好过有二十个讲道的人给自己开脱说：“我不擅长探访;我不能探访他们各家的教会。”那么就应当毫不犹豫地告诉他们：“我们不打算接受你并给你证书。你不能作工。你要教育自己从事牧人的工作，照顾羊和小羊，才不会像以法莲是‘没有翻过的饼’(何7:8)。你才会充分证明你的传道职分。”那些只会讲道的人不是传道士，也决不能成为传道士，除非他们学会牧人的技巧、警醒和温柔的同情。上帝的羊群有权利希望他们的牧师来探访，到他们家中进行教导、忠告和劝勉。一个人如果没有做这部分工作，就不能成为遵行上帝指示的传道人。凡如此作工的教会就必混乱、软弱、多病、奄奄一息。这些讲道没有上帝圣灵的活力，因为上帝不会赐福任何一个忽略上帝羊群的人。{PH002 17.2}
讲台以外在各家庭中的服务可获得最丰富和最有价值的经验，让传道人学得如何喂养上帝的羊群，按时分粮给每一个人。如果有人退后了，牧人就知道如何以使人心悔改归正的方式介绍真理。他会撇下那九十九只，而去寻找那一只迷失的羊。但是牧人如果不探访他的羊群，就不知道他们的状况，不知道把什么真理摆在他们面前，也不知道什么真理适合他们的情况。不仅如此，讲道的人既对他所照管的灵魂表现出这么少的兴趣，就不能给羊群树立一个榜样，使他们有兴趣、有爱心、看顾灵魂。每件事都没有头绪;他的工作强烈掺杂着自我，没有着落，而是放任自流;由于那些疏忽，你就常会听见：“我没有成功地把灵魂带进教会。”主不能为那些不忠的人行事，他们忽视了他们的明显职责，就是牧人职责中最重要的部分。要是主感动罪人的心，使他们回转了，谁会为他们的灵魂警醒好像将来交账的人呢?谁会探访他们呢?谁会加强有病的人和软弱无力的人呢?如果向我们的同道和外人介绍真理，就应当介绍那在耶稣里的真理。看看祂以何等的爱、温柔的同情和恒心作工。“祂不灰心，也不丧胆”(赛42:4)。这种精神应该伴随着所有的工人。有更少讲道的人，更多认真、谦卑、敬畏上帝的工人要更好，好得多。我们是与上帝同工的。现在非常重要的是人们成为那种正确的工人，因为他们正在塑造教会照讲道的人所行的去行;他们觉得对教会中弟兄姐妹的兴旺没什么兴趣挺正常的，正如他们的传道人在他们的工作方式中给他们树立的榜样一样。他们可以建立教会，但他们将永远是软弱、低效、不可靠的。花这么多钱做这样的工作是不值得的。{PH002 18.1}
这种人被彻底染色后，就很难改造了。一个懒散、没出息、不负责任的牧人失去的羊比他收进来的还要多。与建立新教会相比，需要更认真的操劳，才能消解这种人所组成的教会的模式;因为教友们似乎做任何事情都没有正确和公正的想法，或者在建立一个健康、成长的教会中承担任何责任。如果有善良、明智的人能讲生命之道，然后以个人的教导继续从事他们的工作，他们就是任何地方都需要的人。{PH002 19.1}
怀爱伦夫人
1892年3月12日于澳大利亚墨尔本
PH002 - Appeal and Suggestions to Conference Officers
《Selections from “Gospel Workers》
“There are but few preachers among us. And because the cause of God seemed to need help so much, some have been led to think that almost any one claiming to be a minister would be acceptable. Some have thought that because persons could pray and exhort with a degree of freedom in meeting, they were qualified to go forth as laborers. And before they were proved, or could show any good fruit of their labors, men whom God has not sent have been encouraged and flattered by some brethren lacking experience. But their work shows the character of the workman. They scatter and confuse, but do not gather in and build up. A few may receive the truth as the fruit of their labors; but these generally rise no higher than those from whom they learned the truth. The same lack which marked their own course is seen in their converts.?{PH002 13.1}[1]
“The success of this cause does not depend upon our having a large number of ministers; but it is of the highest importance that those who do labor in connection with the cause of God should be men who really feel the burden and sacredness of the work to which he has called them. A few self-sacrificing, godly men, small in their own estimation, can do a greater amount of good than a much larger number, if a part of these are unqualified for the work, yet self-confident and boastful of their own talents.”—Gospel Workers, 141.?{PH002 13.2}[2]
“Some ministers fail of success because they do not give their undivided interest to the work, when very much depends upon persistent, well-directed labor.?Many are not laborers; they do-not pursue their work outside of the pulpit. They shirk the duty of going from house to house, and laboring wisely in the home circle. They need to cultivate that rare Christian courtesy which would render them kind and considerate toward the souls under their care, working for them with true earnestness and faith, teaching them the way of life.”—Gospel Workers, 72.?{PH002 13.3}[3]
“The duties of a pastor are often shamefully neglected because the minister lacks strength to sacrifice his personal inclinations for seclusion and study. The pastor should visit from house to house among his flock, teaching, conversing, and praying with each family, and looking out for the welfare of their souls. Those who have manifested a desire to become acquainted with the principles of our faith should not be neglected, but thoroughly instructed in the truth. No opportunity to do good should be lost by the watchful and zealous minister of God.?{PH002 14.1}[4]
“Certain ministers who have been invited to houses by the heads of families, have spent the few hours of their visit in secluding themselves in an unoccupied room to indulge their inclination for reading and writing.?{PH002 14.2}[5]
The family that entertained them derived no benefit from their visit. The ministers accepted the hospitality extended them without giving an equivalent in the labor that was so much needed.?{PH002 14.3}[6]
“People are easily reached through the avenues of the social circle. But many ministers dread the task of visiting; they have not cultivated social qualities, have not acquired that genial spirit that wins its way to the hearts of the people. It is highly important that a pastor should mingle much with his people, that he may become acquainted with the different phases of human?nature, readily understand the workings of the mind, adapt his teachings to the intellect of his people, and learn that grand charity, possessed only by those who closely study the nature and needs of man.?{PH002 14.4}[7]
“Those who seclude themselves from the people are in no condition to help them. A skillful physician must understand the nature of various diseases, and must have a thorough knowledge of the human structure. He must be prompt in attending to the patients. He knows that delays are dangerous. When his experienced hand is laid upon the pulse of the sufferer, and he carefully notes the peculiar indication of the malady, his previous knowledge enables him to determine concerning the nature of the disease and the treatment necessary to arrest its progress. As the physician deals with physical disease, so does the pastor minister to the sin-sick soul. And his work is as much more important than that of the former, as eternal life is more valuable than temporal existence. The pastor meets with an endless variety of temperaments; and it is his duty to become acquainted with the members of families that listen to his teachings, in order to determine what means will best influence them in the right direction.”Gospel Workers, 76.?{PH002 15.1}[8]
“Those who have been most successful in winning souls, were men and women who did not pride themselves in their ability, but who went in humility and faith, and the power of God worked with their efforts in convicting and converting the hearts of those to whom they appealed. Jesus did this very work. He came close to those whom he desired to benefit. How often, with a few gathered about him, he began the precious lessons, and one by one the passers-by paused to listen, until a great multitude heard with wonder and awe the words of God through the heaven-sent Teacher. He?did not wait for congregations to assemble. The grandest truths were spoken to single individuals. The woman at the well in Samaria heard the wonderful words, ‘Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. ’”—Gospel Workers, 337.?{PH002 15.2}[9]
“While in the midst of a religious interest, some neglect the most important part of the work. They fail to visit and become acquainted with those who have shown an interest to present themselves night after night to listen to the explanation of the Scriptures. Conversation upon religious subjects, and earnest prayer with such at the right time, might balance many souls in the right direction. Ministers who neglect their duty in this respect are not true shepherds of the flock. At the very time when they should be the most active in visiting, conversing, and praying with these interested ones, some are employed in writing unnecessarily long letters to persons at a distance. O, what are we doing for the Master! When probation shall end, how many will see the opportunities they have neglected to render service to their dear Lord who died for them. And even those who were accounted most faithful will see much more that they might have done, had not their minds been diverted by worldly surroundings.”—Gospel Workers, 38.?{PH002 16.1}[10]
【Preaching not Sufficient—Personal Work of Utmost Importance】
“He preaches to the people, but makes no after effort to follow up the sermons given. He said he could not visit families, that he just despised that kind of labor.” You can imagine the condition of a flock unvisited by the shepherd. I have repeatedly had this matter presented before me, that the men who are ordained to preach the word should be educated to make full proof of their ministry in their personal labors in families, talking with the members of the family, understanding their spiritual condition, encouraging, reproving with all long-suffering and doctrine, praying with them, binding up his interest with their hearts and souls. This is the work of a faithful shepherd.?{PH002 17.1}[11]
But there have been solemn duties neglected in accepting ministers to labor in word and doctrine who can only preach. They do not watch for souls as they that shall give an account. They sermonize; but the work is left undone which the sheep and lambs need to have done for them. And this half-hearted kind of work has been done all through America, and money paid to men employed, when they should have been dismissed to find work less responsible and care taking. In sending men to foreign fields, let there be great caution used. Those who have been accepted as preachers, and have not been educated to watch for souls as they that must give an account, are not the men to enter new fields as missionaries. If there is any corner of the world where churches can be built up and kept in a prosperous condition by sermonizing, while they neglect personal labor, I have yet to learn of this.?Men who are accepted to preach, and not to minister, should not go into foreign countries. Better have one thorough shepherd who will care for the flock as a faithful shepherd should, than to have twenty sermonizers who will excuse themselves, saying, “It is not in my line to visit; I cannot visit the church in their families.” Then let there not be a moment’s hesitation in telling them, “We do not propose to accept you and give you credentials. You cannot labor. But educate yourself to do a shepherd’s work, to care for the sheep and lambs, and you will not be like Ephraim, ‘a cake unturned.’ You will give full proof of your ministry.” Those who can only preach, are not missionaries, and never can be, until they learn the skill, the watchful, tender compassion of a shepherd. The flock of God have a right to expect to be visited by their pastor, to be instructed, advised, counseled, in their own homes. And if a man fails to do this part of the work, he can not be a minister after God’s order. The churches that have such labor are disorganized, weak, and sickly, and ready to die. The sermons are not vitalized by the Spirit of God, because the blessing of God will not rest upon any man who is neglecting the flock of God.?{PH002 17.2}[12]
It is in the labor out of the pulpit, among families, that the richest and most valuable experience is gained, and that the minister learns how he can feed the flock of God, giving to each his portion of meat in due season. If there is a backslider, the shepherd knows how to present the truth in such a manner that the soul will be convicted. He will leave the ninety and nine, and seek the lost sheep. But if the shepherd does not visit his flock, he knows not their condition, he knows not what truths to set before them, nor what is appropriate to their case. And more than this, as the preacher manifests so little interest in the souls under his?charge, he cannot set an example to the flock to have an interest and love and watch-care for souls. Every thing is at loose ends; his work is strongly mixed with self, and is not bound off, but left to ravel out; and because of those neglects, you often hear, “I do not have success in bringing souls into the church.” The Lord cannot work for those who are unfaithful, who neglect their manifest duty, the most important part of a shepherd’s duty. Should the Lord move upon the hearts of the sinners, and they become converted, who will watch for them as one who must give an account? Who will visit them? Who will strengthen the diseased and the feeble ones? The truth, if presented to those of our faith and outsiders, should be as it is in Jesus. See with what love, tender sympathy, and perseverance he labored. “He shall not fail nor be discouraged.” This spirit should be with all the laborers. Better, far better, have fewer preachers and far more earnest, humble, God-fearing workers. We are laborers together with God. Now it is highly essential that men be the right kind of laborers, for they are moulding the churches to do as the preacher does; they feel that it is the right way to have just as little interest in the prosperity of their brethren and sisters in the church as the minister has given them an example in their way of laboring. They may raise up churches; but they will always be weak, and inefficient, and unreliable. Such kind of work at such an expense will not pay.?{PH002 18.1}[13]
After they have become dyed in the wool, it is not easy to transform such men. A slack, shiftless, irresponsible shepherd will lose more sheep than he will gather in. It will require more earnest labor to counteract the mould given such people organized into a church than to raise up new churches; for the members seem to have no right and just ideas of doing anything,?or in bearing any responsibilities in building up a healthful, growing church. If there are good, sensible men who can speak the word of life, and then follow up their labor with personal instruction, they are needed everywhere.?{PH002 19.1}[14]
Mrs. E. G. White---Melbourne, Aus.,March 12, 1892.[15]
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