说服力
世人信服真理，将不是藉着讲台的说教，而是通过教会信徒的生活。传道人在讲台上所宣扬的是福音的理论;而教会的实际敬虔则彰显福音的大能。(《教会证言》卷七16号页){PH005 8.1}
教会是光明的使者
我们没有时间去浪费了。上帝已经给罪人提供了恢复的办法，要求我们以无私的工作去重述祂的真理。这是祂给我们的委托，需要我们忠心地去做。{PH005 8.2}
什么时候教会才做她当做的工呢?她被描绘为一位光明的天使，飞在空中，有永远的福音要传给世人。这表明了教会应当迅速直接地进行她的工作。在医疗布道工作中，耶稣要看到祂心灵劳苦的功效。我们当拯救世人，如同从火中抽柴一般。(《信函》1901年第38号){PH005 8.3}
通力合作
只有我们的男女信徒人人都振作起来，与教会中的传道人和职员等通力合作，上帝在这世上的工作才能得以完成。(《教会证言》卷九117页){PH005 8.4}
在各教会中培养人才
人才，各教会都有，只要我们加以适当的训练，就可将他们培养为工作上的得力助手。现在建立教会所需要的是聪明的工人。他们要善于识别并造就教会中的人才——经过培养能为主所用的人才。我们应该有完备的计划，聘用工人到大小各教会去，教导信徒如何建立教会和为非信徒作工。他们需要训练和教育。凡到各教会去的工人都应将实际的传道方法，教导各教会的弟兄姐妹们。(《教会证言》卷九117页){PH005 8.5}
世上一切的讲道都不会使人们深感他们周围将亡灵魂的需要。什么都不会如此唤起男男女女自我牺牲的热心，以致差他们前去新的地区为那些在黑暗中的人作工。要预备工人出去到大路和篱笆那里。不要叫人们来到大中心，不可鼓励他们离开需要他们帮助的各教会。人们必须学会负责任。我们中间从事普通属世事业之外工作的人不及百分之一。我们一点儿也没有认识到基督代死之人的价值。(《教会证言》卷八147、148页){PH005 9.1}
我们是用基督自己生命的代价买来的，使我们可以在忠心的服务上，将属上帝自己的归还给祂。我们现在没有时间可用自己的能力才干去从事世俗的事业了。我们岂能专注于事奉世界，事奉自己，而失去永生与无穷的天福呢?我们决不能这样行!我们所有的才能都要为上帝的工作而用。(《教会证言》卷九104页){PH005 9.2}
呼吁更大的努力
教会每增添一个成员，就当又多一个媒介，实行救赎的计划。上帝子民的每一分能力都当奉献出来，带领众多的儿女归向祂。在我们的服务中，不要有任何的漠不关心，丝毫的自私自利。稍微偏离舍己，略微放松恳切的努力，都意味着使仇敌的力量大大增长。(《教会证言》卷七222页){PH005 9.3}
最简单的工作方法
当设计一些最简便易行的工作方式，推行于各处教会中。如果信徒们愿意与这样的计划合作，而且持久实行，他们就必获得丰富的报酬;因为他们的经验必从而更光明地扩展，才能必从而增进，而且由于他们的努力，必有多人得救。(《教会证言》卷六433页){PH005 9.4}
建立小团体
信徒们何以对于那在基督以外的人，不表示更深切，更诚恳地关心呢?为什么不邀二三人一同聚集，特别为某一人得救的问题向上帝恳求，然后又再替另一位代求呢?在我们的教会中，应组织服务团队;使各式各样的人都在工作上联合起来，作得人的渔夫。他们当致力于招聚生灵脱离世俗的败坏，进入那出乎基督救恩的纯爱中。{PH005 9.5}
那位不会犯错的主曾经指示我:小型的组织可作为基督徒致力工作的基本单位。如果教会的人数甚多，就不妨将信徒分成若干小组，使之不但为信徒作工，更是为不信的人作工。如果在一处地方只有两三位明白真理的人，也当自行组织成为一个小的工作单位。但愿他们竭力维持这种结合，务使不致瓦解涣散;当用爱心团结一致，彼此鼓励，互相督促，在胆量和能力上有所增进。(《教会证言》卷七21、22页){PH005 10.1}
举行小型聚会
应当与那些不知道真理的人一起祷告并指教他们。许多人都可以开始从事这项工作。现在应当安排小型聚会，两三位工人在会上联合起来向人们讲解真理。已经在许多地方举行了这种聚会，结果使人们进入了真理，礼拜堂也建起来了。起先，这工作可能不得不在私人家庭的一个房间里进行。如果天气好的话，也许可以在户外举行聚会。要对所有来参加的人表示亲切的欢迎。要亲近上帝，也要彼此亲近。要唱赞美诗。要把上帝的道讲得简单明了。这样的礼拜必造成持久的印象。(《信函》1902年66号){PH005 10.2}
卑微的工人
有些人生平从未讲过一次道，他们应该为救灵而效劳。这并不需要伟大才干，也不需要高位要职。而是急需熟悉耶稣、熟悉祂的生平和受死事迹的男男女女。(《怀爱伦自传》274页){PH005 10.3}
来自各阶层的工人
上帝所选为工人的人，若按世俗来评价，未必是有才干的。有时候祂拣选没有学问的人。祂赐给这些人一种特殊的工作。他们能接近一等其他人无法接近的人。他们既敞开心扉接受真理，便在基督里并藉着基督而变得有智慧。他们的人生吸入也呼出敬虔的香气。他们慎重地考虑所当说的话，然后才说出来。他们力求增进他们同胞的幸福。他们将安慰与福乐传送给忧伤困苦的人。他们认识到自己需要时刻接受基督的训练，好依照上帝的旨意从事工作。他们也研究怎样最好地效法他们救主背十字架与克己的榜样。他们是上帝的见证人，彰显祂的怜悯和慈爱，将一切荣耀归给他们所爱所侍奉的主。{PH005 10.4}
他们不住地向那位大教师学习，达到更加卓越的水准，但他们却始终感到自己软弱无能。他们因满心景仰强烈爱慕基督而被吸引向上。他们实践祂的德行，因为他们的人生与祂的人生已同化了。他们时刻前进和上进，成为世界的福惠，和他们救赎主的荣耀。基督论到他们说：“温柔的人有福了，因为他们必承受地土”(太5:5)。{PH005 11.1}
这样的工人当受到鼓励。他们所作之工，非为给人看见，乃要荣耀上帝;也必经得起祂的检查。主使这些工人与那些有较多才能的人接触，去填补他们留下的缺口。当他们受到赏识之时，祂就非常高兴，因为他们是祂服务链条上的环节。{PH005 11.2}
妄自尊大之人，只觉得自己的能力出类拔萃。他们忽略那些谦卑痛悔的工人;但上帝却一刻也没有忘记他们。祂注意他们为帮助需要帮助之人所做的一切。在天庭里，当赎民被召聚归家时，他们将站在最靠近上帝儿子的位置。他们将在主的庭院中大放光芒，为祂所尊荣，因他们以为基督所舍命的人服务为荣。(《教会证言》卷七25、26页){PH005 11.3}
地上的教会若与天上的教会联合，就能成就一切事情。(《教会证言》卷七31页){PH005 11.4}
《Chapter 2—What the Church can D》
【Convincing Power】
The world will be convinced, not by what the pulpit teaches, but by what the church lives. The minister in the desk announces the theory of the gospel; the practical piety of the church demonstrates its power.?Testimonies for the Church 7:16.?{PH005 8.1}[14]
【The Church an Angel of Light】
We have no time to waste. God has provided a means of recovery for sinners. By unselfish work His truth is to be represented. This is the trust He has given us, and it is to be faithfully executed.?{PH005 8.2}[15]
When will the church do her appointed work? She is represented as an angel of light, flying through heaven with the everlasting gospel to be proclaimed to the world. This represents the speed and directness with which the church is to prosecute her work. In the medical missionary work Jesus is to behold the travail of His soul. Human beings are to be snatched as brands from the burning.—Letter 38, 1901.?{PH005 8.3}[16]
【Unite our Efforts】
The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.?Testimonies for the Church 9:117.?{PH005 8.4}[17]
【Development of Talent in the Churches】
In every church there is talent, which, with the right kind of labor, might be developed to become a great help in this work. That which is needed now for the upbuilding of our churches is the nice work of wise laborers to discern and develop talent in the church,—talent that can be educated for the Master’s use. There should be a well-organized plan for the employment of workers to go into all our churches, large and small, to instruct the members how to labor for the upbuilding of the church, and also for unbelievers. It is?training, education, that is needed. Those who labor in visiting the churches should give the brethren and sisters instruction in practical methods of doing missionary work.?Testimonies for the Church 9:117.?{PH005 8.5}[18]
All the preaching in the world will not make men feel deeply the need of the perishing souls around them. Nothing will so arouse in men and women a self-sacrificing zeal as to send them forth into new fields to work for those in darkness. Prepare workers to go out into the highways and hedges. Do not call men and women to the great center, encouraging them to leave churches that need their aid. Men must learn to bear responsibilities. Not one in a hundred among us is doing anything beyond engaging in common, worldly enterprises. We are not half awake to the worth of the souls for whom Christ died.?Testimonies for the Church 8:147, 148.?{PH005 9.1}[19]
We are bought with the price of Christ’s own life,—bought that we may return to God His own in faithful service. We have no time now to give our energies and talents to worldly enterprises. Shall we become absorbed in serving the world, serving ourselves, and lose eternal life and the everlasting bliss of heaven? O, we can not afford to do this! Let every talent be employed in the work of God.?Testimonies for the Church 9:104.?{PH005 9.2}[20]
【A Call for Greater Effort】
Every addition to the church should be one more agency for the carrying out of the plan of redemption. Every power of God’s people should be devoted to bringing many sons and daughters to Him. In our service there is to be no indifference, no selfishness. Any departure from self-denial, any relaxation of earnest effort, means so much power given to the enemy.?Testimonies for the Church 7:222.?{PH005 9.3}[21]
【The Simplest Modes of Work】
The very simplest modes of work should be devised, and set in operation among the churches. If members will co-operate with such a plan, and perseveringly carry it out, they will reap a rich reward, for their experience will grow brighter, their ability will increase through exercise, and souls will be saved through their efforts.—Testimonies for the Church 6:433.?{PH005 9.4}[22]
【Formation of Small Companies】
Why do not believers feel a deeper, more earnest concern for those who are out of Christ? Why do not two or three?meet together and plead with God for the salvation of some special one, and then for still another? In our churches let companies be formed for service. Let different ones unite in labor as fishers of men. Let them seek to gather souls from the corruption of the world into the saving purity of Christ’s love.?{PH005 9.5}[23]
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.?{PH005 10.1}[24]
【Holding Small Meetings】
Those who know not the truth should be prayed with and instructed. Many can take up this work. Small meetings should now be arranged for, in which two or three workers unite in explaining the truth to the people. Such meetings have been held in many places, and as a result, people have been brought into the truth, and meeting-houses have been built. At first, the work may have to be carried on in a room in a private house. Perhaps, if the weather is favorable, the meeting can be held out-of-doors. Give a kindly welcome to all who come. Draw near to God and to one another. Let songs of praise be sung. Let the Word of God be simply and clearly explained. Such a service will make a lasting impression.—Letter 66, 1902.?{PH005 10.2}[25]
【Humble Laborers】
There are men who never gave a discourse in their lives, who ought to be laboring to save souls. Neither great talents nor high position is required. But there is urgent need of men and women who are acquainted with Jesus, and familiar with the story of His life and death....—Life Sketches, 274.?{PH005 10.3}[26]
【Workers from the Ranks】
Those whom God chooses as workers are not always talented in the estimation of the world. Sometimes He selects?unlearned men. To these He gives a special work. They reach a class to whom others could not obtain access. Opening the heart to the truth, they are made wise in and through Christ. Their lives inhale and exhale the fragrance of godliness. Their words are thoughtfully considered before they are spoken. They strive to promote the well-being of their fellow-men. They take relief and happiness to the needy and distressed. They realize the necessity of ever remaining under Christ’s training, that they may work in harmony with God’s will. They study how best to follow the Saviour’s example of cross-bearing and self-denial. They are God’s witnesses, revealing His compassion and love, and ascribing all the glory to Him whom they love and serve.?{PH005 10.4}[27]
Constantly they are learning of the great Teacher, and constantly they reach higher degrees of excellence, yet all the time feeling a sense of their weakness and inefficiency. They are drawn upward by their strong, loving admiration for Christ. They practice His virtues; for their life is assimilated to His. Ever they move onward and upward, a blessing to the world and an honor to their Redeemer. Of them Christ says, “Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.”?Matthew 5:5.?{PH005 11.1}[28]
Such workers are to be encouraged. Their work is done, not to be seen of men, but to glorify God. And it will bear His inspection. The Lord brings these workers into connection with those of more marked ability, to fill the gaps they leave. He is well pleased when they are appreciated; for they are links in His chain of service.?{PH005 11.2}[29]
Men who are self-important, who are filled with the thought of their own superior abilities, overlook these humble, contrite workers; but not for one moment does God lose sight of them. He marks all that they do to help those in need of help. In the heavenly courts, when the redeemed are gathered home, they will stand nearest the Son of God. They will shine brightly in the courts of the Lord, honored by Him because they have felt it an honor to minister to those for whom He gave His life.?Testimonies for the Church 7:25, 26.?{PH005 11.3}[30]
The church on earth, united with the church in heaven, can accomplish all things.?Testimonies for the Church 7:31.?{PH005 11.4}[31]
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