I have a confession to make, when I was asked earlier this week to prepare a sermon because our minister was sick and my brethren were not available, I immediately began to think of excuses as to why I couldn’t preach this week. Whilst my mind was racing to find some acceptable reason another chain of thought entered: is not the responsibility of the church as much yours as it is the ministers? Before I could think another thought I agreed to preach. That short exchange of flesh versus spirit very much prompted me to study todays sermon.

I think it is clear to us all that the minister has a very important role when it comes to the prosperity and growth of the church as well as to its day to day operations. However, we as church members often take for granted just how important the work of a minister is and the enormity of the responsibility that our ministers carry.

The minister of Christ must possess an undying love for souls, a spirit of self-denial, of self-sacrifice. He should be willing to give his life, if need be, to the work of saving his fellow men, for whom Christ died. – {2 Testimonies 151.1}

The ministry is very much more then a job, it is a calling and one that required every facility of a man’s abilities and energies. It is a role that rightly understood requires completed self-denial and often times when our ministers are meeting the needs of the church, they do so often to the neglect of their own needs.

Knowing this I had to wonder why do we as church members not help our ministers with the same willingness they have to help us? I mean when I look into the world it is clear to see that there is a comparable line of work to ministry in school teaching. Teachers have their own class like a minister has his congregation and teachers are charged with the responsibility of moulding minds whilst ministers help mould characters. The world places value in the work of a school teacher and knowing how taxing that work is employs teacher’s aide’s to assist the teacher in sharing the burden. Why then in the church do we not think of adapting a similar concept in preacher’s aides? Why does not every member of the church seek out opportunities to help the minister in his work and carry his burdens.

A serious and perhaps unsuspected hindrance to the success of the truth is to be found in our churches themselves. When an effort is made to present our faith to unbelievers, the members of the church too often stand back, as though they were not an interested party, and let all the burden rest upon the minister. For this reason the labor of our most able ministers has been at times productive of little good. The very best sermons may be preached, the message may be just what the people need, and yet no souls are gained as sheaves to present to Christ. – {Pastoral Ministry 150.3}

The unfortunate truth is that we as members of the church are satisfied coming to church, hearing a lovely sermon, having lunch together and then leaving. We are not actuated by the Spirit of God to do more then be passive participants in the great mission of this church. We are happy to just leave it in the minister’s hands, but in truth the success of the minister is very much dependant on his church.

When the members of the church are prepared to sustain the minister by their prayers and labors, greater success will attend his efforts.—Gospel Workers, 196. – {Pastoral Ministry 151.1}

I’ve often remarked or heard being remarked that this church is dead, that there is no growth, that there needs to be a change in leadership or some other great change to bring about reformation and revival to our little flock. I want to challenge that notion, I want to say to you all that if you are looking for reformation and revival it won’t come from some great change external to the church it has to come from the members of the church. It has to come from our members moving from passive to active participants.

The church is what its members make it, and if names only are added to its records, and there is in the members no zeal, no purity, no intelligence in spiritual things, the church does not have increased power. Those who remain stationary in their religious experience, who do not grow up into Christ, their living head, seeking for perfection of character, are dead weights upon the church. They do not follow Jesus, the light of the world, and therefore have no light to diffuse to those who are sitting in darkness, and the world is no better because of their profession of godliness. Without an accession of spiritual power with its members, the church will fail to meet the expectation of the heavenly intelligences. – {Youth Instructor, December 22, 1892 Par. 5}

The church is what its members make it. What then can we say for our church? Is not the responsibility of the church as much yours as it is the ministers? How then can we change the current condition of our church and bring life into it?

A living church will be a working church. – {RH June 3, 1880 Par. 1}

We all have a part to play in the church, we all have talents to make of good use, we all have to change our mindsets and see that the success of our little flock depends not only on the minister but on you and me working towards the same goal. It will require self-sacrifice, it will require some of us to step out of our comfort zones, it will require our energies, our time, our affections and our labour but if you are sitting here today because you believe in a Redeemer that bore the consequences of your sin then you my brothers and sisters have a responsibility to act on that sacrifice and make a sacrifice of your own.

Our ordained ministers must do what they can, but it must not be expected that one man can do the work of all. The Master has appointed unto every man his work. There are visits to be made, there is praying to be done, there is sympathy to be imparted; and the piety—the heart and hand—of the whole church is to be employed, if the work is to be accomplished. – {Pastoral Ministry 147.2}

When Jesus walked this earth, he called to him disciples. He could have fulfilled His mission on his own but he chose in include humanity in divinities plan. He placed on each of his disciples a mission and an obligation and it is the same mission and obligation we are placed under.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. – [Matthew 16:24-27]

We are rewarded according to our individual work not according to the work of the minister of our church. Throughout the professed Christian world we see people flock to be members of megachurches with the most outstanding preachers. Now don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with wanting to obtain the best spiritual food you can find but if that food isn’t then used to give life to action in the individual’s life then it is wasted. We come to church to sustain our walk but walking is an active exertion of energy isn’t it? If we are feasting on the word and then just content to sit in church and go home each and every week without being part of the work then what will be the logical result but spiritual gluttony and laziness, a dead weight. Each person here has a part to play in this church.

If Christians were to act in concert, moving forward as one, under the direction of one Power, for the accomplishment of one purpose, they would move the world. [70] – {Counsels for the Church 69.8}

If all Christians would move as one they would move the world. That’s a powerful thought to contemplate isn’t it? Can you imagine then on a smaller scale what a little church like ours could achieve if we moved as one? Maybe we could move the street, the suburb, maybe even more.

I know there are among the members people who feel they honestly have nothing to offer the work of the church, there are some who feel they are not capable, they are not eloquent speakers or knowledgeable, but you know God is calling for hand and heart power in this time more then anything else and he is eager to help those who are open to his help. There is a common saying in the Christian community that ‘God does not call the qualified, he qualifies the called’.

Heavenly angels have long been waiting for human agents—the members of the church—to co-operate with them in the great work to be done. They are waiting for you. So vast is the field, so comprehensive the design, that every sanctified heart will be pressed into service as an instrument of divine power. [69] – {Counsels for the Church 69.7}

The angels are longing to help us, what greater aide could we ask for? But not only are the angels to help us, our leaders and elders are also to help us.

The elders and those who have leading places in the church should give more thought to their plans for conducting the work. They should arrange matters so that every member of the church shall have a part to act, that none may lead an aimless life, but that all may accomplish what they can according to their several ability…. It is very essential that such an education should be given to the members of the church that they will become unselfish, devoted, efficient workers for God; and it is only through such a course that the church can be prevented from becoming fruitless and dead…. Let every member of the church become an active worker,—a living stone, emitting light in God’s temple.—The Review and Herald, September 2, 1890. – {Christian Service 62.1}

The best help that ministers can give the members of our churches is not sermonizing, but planning work for them. Give each one something to do for others. Help all to see that as receivers of the grace of Christ they are under obligation to work for Him. – {Pastoral Ministry 155.2}

I reflect on my battle earlier this week, trying to make an excuse and I feel truly ashamed that I allowed that thought the linger as long as it did. Truth be told there is no acceptable excuse. We have all tasted the grace of God so why should we try to save our lives only to lose them?

Someone must fulfill the commission of Christ; someone must carry on the work which He began to do on earth; and the church has been given this privilege. For this purpose it has been organized. Why, then, have not church members accepted the responsibility?… A love of ease and selfish indulgence has been shown by many. Some who have had the privilege of knowing Bible truth have not brought it into the inner sanctuary of the soul. God holds all these accountable for the talents which they have not returned to Him in honest, faithful service in making every effort possible to seek and to save those who were lost… – {6 Testimonies 295.1-2}

It is not all hopeless though brethren, we have here and now an opportunity to bring about revival in this church. Are we willing to work with our minister, with the angels and Jesus to bring it about?

Though precious time and talent have been spent in caring for and pleasing ourselves, the hand of the Lord is stretched out still; and if we will work today in His vineyard, scattering His invitation of mercy broadcast through the world, He will accept our service. How many will you work for, that they may reach the haven of rest and share the commendation: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”? How many will you help to crown with glory and honor and eternal life? The Saviour calls for workers. Will you volunteer? – {6 Testimonies 304.2}

Br. Steven Caruana