Plan A - Exhibit A

1. Plan A - Exhibit A God’s Ideal in Gospel Ministry Reform

2. God Has Special Blue Print Plans For His Remnant Church in: • The Medical Missionary work • The Publishing work • Our Educational System • Our Method of Organization & Leadership as in “Public Evangelism and Gospel Ministry”

3. Plan A, Exhibit A And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: Deuteronomy 28:13

4. The Remnant a Carry-over From the Original And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 12: 17 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 1 Peter 2:9

5. Plan A, Exhibit A • And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken. Deuteronomy 26:19 • Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:5,6

6. God has called His church in this day, as He called ancient Israel, to stand as a light in the earth. By the mighty cleaver of truth, the messages of the first, second, and third angels, He has separated them from the churches and from the world to bring them into a sacred nearness to Himself. He has made them the depositaries of His law and has committed to them the great truths of prophecy for this time. Like the holy oracles committed to ancient Israel, these are a sacred trust to be communicated to the world. . . Nothing is to be permitted to hinder this work. It is the all-important work for time; it is to be far-reaching as eternity. The love that Jesus manifested for the souls of men in the sacrifice which He made for their redemption, will actuate all His followers. {5T 455.2}

7. Our position in the world is not what it should be. We are far from where we should have been had our Christian experience been in harmony with the light and the opportunities given us, had we from the beginning constantly pressed onward and upward. Had we walked in the light that has been given us, had we followed on to know the Lord, our path would have grown brighter and brighter. {8T 247.1}

8. Satan has stolen a march upon us ! There is little left today of the New Testament model of leadership of which the pioneers originally adopted

10. New Testament Models & Principles • And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: Mark 3:14,15 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Luke 6:13

11. New Testament Models & Principles • Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. • Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. • But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:2-4

12. New Testament Models & Principles • . . . the apostles were led by the Holy Spirit to outline a plan for the better organization of all the working forces of the church. The time had come, the apostles stated, when the spiritual leaders having the oversight of the church should be relieved from the task of distributing to the poor and from similar burdens, so that they might be free to carry forward the work of preaching the gospel. Acts of the Apostles 89.1

13. New Testament Models & Principles • And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. Acts 14:23 • For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: Titus 1:5

14. New Testament Models & Principles • And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. • Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: • Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:28-30

15. The organization of the church at Jerusalem was to serve as a model for the organization of churches in every other place where messengers of truth should win converts to the gospel. Acts of the Apostles 91.1

16. Elders to “Shepherd” & Protect the Church of God • Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. • For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. • Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Acts 20:28-30

17. Elders to “Shepherd” & Protect the Church of God • Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Titus 1:5 Elders should be well-versed and knowledgeable in the scriptures!

18. Previous to the official establishment of SDA organization, many were afraid of and opposed any form of organization fearing it would lead to the confusion of Babylon

19. Order & Organization in Heaven • I saw that everything in heaven was in perfect order. Said the angel, "Look ye; Christ is the head; move in order, move in order. Have a meaning to everything." Said the angel, "Behold ye, and know how perfect, how beautiful the order in heaven; follow it." . . . {5MR 227.1,2} Formality should be shunned; but, in so doing, order should not be neglected. There is order in heaven. There was order in the church when Christ was upon the earth, and after His departure order was strictly observed among His apostles. Early Writings 97.1

20. And now in these last days, while God is bringing His children into the unity of the faith, there is more real need of order than ever before; for, as God unites His children, Satan and his evil angels are very busy to prevent this unity and to destroy it. EW 97.1

21. Screening Potential Candidates for Gospel Ministry -A Must ! • I saw that the church should feel their responsibility and should look carefully and attentively at the lives, qualifications, and general course of those who profess to be teachers. If unmistakable evidence is not given that God has called them, and that the "woe" is upon them if they heed not this call, it is the duty of the church to act and let it be known that these persons are not acknowledged as teachers by the church. This is the only course the church can take in order to be clear in this matter, for the burden lies upon them. {EW 100.1}

22. Biblical Qualifications for Minister or Church Elder • 1 Timothy 3:1-7 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; • Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; • One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; • (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) • Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. • Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

23. Classification of Positions • James White has stated that there are “the following classes of rulers and officers of the Christian church . . . . . Apostles, Evangelists, Elders, Bishops, Pastors, and Deacons.” And then divided the officers into two major classes, -“Those who hold their office by virtue of an especial call from God, and those selected by the church: the former embracing apostles and evangelists; and the latter, elders, bishops, pastors, and deacons.” • Apostle = “Anyone especially sent out of God in any age to proclaim His truth.” “Especially applicable to those who are called of God to lead out in any new truth or reform; such for instance, as Luther, Melanchthon, Wesley, and William Miller.” -James White

24. Classification of Positions Evangelist = “a preacher of the Gospel, not fixed in any place, but traveling as a missionary to preach the gospel, and establish churches.” Pastor = “Literally a herdsman, a shepherd; specially a pastor, a teacher, a spiritual guide of a particular church” Elder = or Bishop – “a local office confined to a particular church” involves leading out and “pastoring” the local church. [“Should act as chairman in all its business meetings”] – John Loughborough Deacon = the role here according to the NT Christian church was like a waiter, servant, attendant who “had charge of the alms and money of the church, an overseer of the sick and poor, an almoner

25. An early General Conference session rejected the idea of a church manual where all the little details of church management is spelled out --- The study of the scriptures and the guidance of the Holy Spirit should direct us in these things !

26. Our ministers should plan wisely, as faithful stewards. They should feel that it is not their duty to hover over the churches already raised up, but that they should be doing aggressive evangelistic work, preaching the Word and doing house-to-house work in places that have not yet heard the truth. . . . They will find that nothing is so encouraging as doing evangelistic work in new fields. --Letter 169, 1904. {Ev 382.3}

27. Duties of Elders Nurture and oversee church members Should be an example of SDA lifestyle Using God’s wisdom feed the flock unselfishly with good spiritual food [should know how & be able to preach] Not to dictate but encourage Minister to sick - “call for the elders of the church” James 5:14,15 Labor two by two in evangelistic work Encourage members and provide missionary work for them Instruct membership in “the necessity of faithfulness in payment of tithes, pledges, and offerings” Responsibly deal without partiality with erring members and sin in the church Uphold church standards and policies

28. Ministers (or Pastors) to do Continual Evangelistic Work • Their[Publishing workers] labor is no more wearing than is that of the faithful minister. On the contrary, ministers, as a rule, make greater sacrifices than are made by the laborers in our institutions. Ministers go where they are sent; they are minutemen, ready to move at any moment, to meet any emergency. They are necessarily separated, to a great degree, from their families. The workers in the publishing houses, as a rule, have a permanent home and can live with their families. {7T 208.3}

29. Ministers Also Oversee and Guard Those in the Churches Already Raised Up • And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches. Acts 15:36,41 • Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:28 • Christ's ministers are the spiritual guardians of the people entrusted to their care. Their work has been likened to that of watchmen. In ancient times sentinels were often stationed on the walls of cities, where, from points of vantage, they could overlook important posts to be guarded, and give warning of the approach of an enemy. {Acts of the Apostles 360.3}

30. Not long after the death of the prophet John - Many early Christians abandoned the model of NT leadership of elders overseeing the local church to church leadership centering around a Bishop as head over the congregation

31. Since the death of our Prophet - The influence and authority of the church elder has generally been reduced to leading out in platform duties on Sabbaths

32. Have SDA’s abandoned the Biblical Leadership Model ? Do we need to Reform?

33. Blessings of Not Having Pastor Tied to Church • God has not given His ministers the work of setting the churches right. No sooner is this work done, apparently, than it has to be done over again. Church members that are thus looked after and labored for become religious weaklings. If nine tenths of the effort that has been put forth for those who know the truth had been put forth for those who have never heard the truth, how much greater would have been the advancement made! God has withheld His blessings because His people have not worked in harmony with His directions. {7T 18.2}

34. Blessings of Not Having Pastor Tied to Church • It weakens those who know the truth for our ministers to expend on them the time and talent that should be given to the unconverted. . . So long as church members make no effort to give to others the help given them, great spiritual feebleness must result. {7T 18.3} • If one tithe of the labor that has been expended upon our churches had been devoted to those who are perishing in ignorance, living in sin, many would have repented long ago. {RH, June 11, 1895 par. 1}

35. Churches Shouldn’t Be Pastor Dependant • There has been so much preaching to our churches, that they have almost ceased to appreciate the gospel ministry. The time has come when this order of things should be changed. Let the minister call out the individual church-members to help him by house to-house work in carrying the truth into regions beyond. {RH, June 11, 1895 par. 5} • Do not depend on the ministers to do all the work in your church and neighborhood. The pastors must seek the lost sheep, and you must help them; and while the ministers are called to labor in other parts of the vineyard, the people of God must have light in themselves, {RH, May 7, 1889 par. 8}

36. Ministers to do Church Planting • Instead of keeping the ministers at work for the churches that already know the truth, let the members of the churches say to these laborers: "Go work for souls that are perishing in darkness. We ourselves will carry forward the services of the church. We will keep up the meetings, and, by abiding in Christ, will maintain spiritual life. We will work for souls that are about us, and we will send our prayers and our gifts to sustain the laborers in more needy and destitute fields." {6T 30.2}

37. Ministers to do Church Planting • Phm 1:2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: Philemon 1:2 • Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. Colossians 4:15 • The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 1 Corinthians 16:19

38. Ministers to do Church Planting • A vital connection with the Chief Shepherd will make the undershepherd a living representative of Christ, a light indeed to the world. An understanding of all points of our faith is indeed essential, but it is of greater importance that the minister be sanctified through the truth which he presents for the purpose of enlightening the consciences of his hearers. In a series of meetings not one discourse should be given consisting of theory alone, nor should one long, tedious prayer be made. {4T 315.1} • We need a converted ministry; otherwise the churches raised up through their labors, having no root in themselves, will not be able to stand alone. {4T 315.2}

39. Ministers to do Church Planting

40. Ministers to do Church Planting • Through the grace of Christ, God's ministers are made messengers of light and blessing. As by earnest, persevering prayer they obtain the endowment of the Holy Spirit and go forth weighted with the burden of soulsaving, their hearts filled with zeal to extend the triumphs of the cross, they will see fruit of their labors. . . Many souls will be turned from darkness to light, and many churches will be established. Men will be converted, not to the human instrumentality, but to Christ. Self will be kept in the background; Jesus only, the Man of Calvary, will appear. {AA 278.2}

41. And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. And so were the churches established in the faith, and increased in number daily. Acts 16:4,5

42. Ministers to do Full-Time Church Planting • If the ministers would get out of the way, if they would go forth into new fields, the members would be obliged to bear responsibilities, and their capabilities would increase by use.--Letter 56, 1901. {Ev 382.4} • Our people have had great light, and yet much of our ministerial force is exhausted on the churches, in teaching those who should be teachers; enlightening those who should be "the light of the world"; watering those from whom should flow springs of living water; enriching those who might be veritable mines of precious truth; repeating the gospel invitation to such as should be scattered to the uttermost parts of the earth,{Ev 382.5}

43. Members that are Baby-Sat Become Sickly and Weak • As I traveled through the South on my way to the conference, I saw city after city that was unworked. What is the matter? The ministers are hovering over churches which know the truth while thousands are perishing out of Christ. {Ev 381.2} • If the proper instruction were given, if the proper methods were followed, every church member would do his work as a member of the body. He would do Christian missionary work. But the churches are dying, and they want a minister to preach to them. {Ev 381.3} • They should be taught to bring a faithful tithe to God, that He may strengthen and bless them. They should be brought into working order, that the breath of God may come to them. They should be taught that unless they can stand alone, without a minister, they need to be converted anew, and baptized anew. They need to be born again.--Manuscript 150, 1901.

44. Imagine if all our schools, colleges, and educational institutions, followed all the principles of reform and their whole goal was to train young people and students to go out as missionaries according to their talents and calling ?

45. Imagine if there were a health reform vegetarian restaurant in every city around the world ?

46. Imagine if our Publishing Houses were continually cranking out attractive, powerful, truth-filled, inexpensive literature to send everywhere by the hands of dedicated colporteurs ?

47. Imagine if we had simple, health reform, natural remedies -based sanitariums outside of every major town and city ?

48. What if Loma Linda had kept its earliest goals and philosophy of earnestly training gospel medical missionary evangelists to go all over the world and fill numerous sanitariums with qualified, Spirit-filled workers ?

49. Imagine if we had a few good science-based, professional-quality creation museums strategically placed near great population centers ?

50. Imagine if all our tithe paid Pastors [Ministers] worked full time like evangelists raising up new churches continually ?