Regular and Irregular Lines

Regular and Irregular Lines AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1863 and the careful development of God-given organization of the church, little emphasis was placed upon working outside the denominational structure except where it was related to the opening up of new work; first in the United States, and later in other parts of the world. One notable example of self-supporting ministry in the early days of our church was Abram La Rue, an elderly American, who though rejected for denominational employment did a mighty work in opening up Hong Kong to the Three Angels Messages in 1888. He died fifteen years later and is buried in Hong Kong. However, sadly and very quickly, issues of domination became more and more evident, as those who were appointed to leadership roles considered their appointments almost in the same way as the Stuart Kings of England believed in the divine right of kings. This led to those who had no prior approval from the brethren before commencing gospel work being looked upon with great consternation, to the point that frequently people were told that they must stop the work that God had called them to do. By the turn of the twentieth century, this situation had escalated to such a point that the servant of the Lord was compelled to write many counsels to the brethren concerning their misuse of authority. It had become relatively commonplace for leaders to refer to such scripture as, Let all things be done decently and in order, (1 Corinthians 14:40) as a basis for controlling the ministry of other workers, both ministers and laity. In many cases both felt compelled to submit their plans and programs to church leaders for final approval. The battle between centralization and decentralization had been waged quite early in the history of the church. James White stood strongly for decentralization and had warned in the Review and Herald, January 4, 188 1, that those who placed themselves under the domination of the conference, placed themselves outside the control of God. Other General Conference presidents, notably George Butler, were much more drawn to the centralized concept, claiming that it was necessary if the work was to proceed in an orderly manner that 1

would honor God. It was the servant of the Lord who, especially in the beginning of the twentieth century, presented the strongest counsels from the Lord against the concept that everything must come under the control and authority of the organized lines. Initially the issue centered around the work in the South. Her son Edson, with a great burden for the work for the colored people, often had to move resolutely under the leadership of the Lord in the ministry that he was doing. This work was not well understood nor approved by the leadership. It must not have been easy for Sister White to have to defend her own son, but she did so, that the work of God might go forward: The situation was again presented, and the urgency of occupying the fields that were presented to me, then being worked under the supervision of God, using Edson White as His agency to open the field. But there were no others that would think of touching that portion of the field or would engage in working in it. Those who should have rejoiced to see something done were determined to give no recognition to Edson White or the work, because he did not work in the regular line. God has presented before me how He regards the regular lines. The regular lines had need to be broken as a potter s vessel is broken, and reconstructed (Manuscript Release, Vol. 3, p. 265). There were other counsels given concerning the work in the South, which at that time was poorly financed by the leaders of the church. In another testimony she wrote: I have to say, my brother, that I have no desire to see the work in the South moving forward in the old, regular lines. When I see how strongly the idea prevails that the methods of handling our books in the past shall be retained, because what has been must be, I have no heart to advise that former customs shall continue. Let those who are laboring in Nashville do the will in all humility. I sincerely hope that the changes will be made that the necessities of the case demand (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 177). Indeed, a number of Sister White s counsels were in response to restrictive methods of spreading the gospel word. There were other considerations concerning the development of the book Ministry: 2

I am sorry that it should be thought necessary to delay the work in some places because of territorial lines, and that it should be considered irregular for the workers to sell books in certain territories where the field is neglected. This has held back the sale of our books. Changes should be made regarding this condition. If territory that is claimed by certain conferences is not faithfully worked for the circulation of our literature, those workers who have a burden for that territory should not be forbidden the privilege of labouring there. (Publishing Ministry, p 298). With the diminution of the colporteur ministry through conference lines, many members of the laity have taken up the challenge of distributing truth-filled literature. There is a perception by many that especially books that deal with present truth such as Great Controversy are not popular amongst many of the leaders today. And so these, and other books touching upon en time event and messages have been scattered far and wide by the millions. For some time there was great opposition to the self-supporting colporteurs selling paperback and cheaper books, although that is changing and we certainly praise God for that. It is wholly wrong to subordinate the Word of God to the word of man no matter what position that man may have. We must never ask men permission to do what God has asked and commanded us to do. Cooperation is one thing. Control is altogether another. All the evidence of Scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy is against such control. It is also against bowing to such control. Every effort to hold back the ministry of God s Word further delays Christ s return. It will be had to face our God in the judgment if we have held back witnessing the gospel because of a man s or a committee s disapproval. John the Baptist adopted no such policy. He is our example in the spread of the Elijah Message. The Lord did not send him [John the Baptist] to the schools of the prophets and rabbis God did not desire him to have the mold of the priests and rulers. He was called to do a special work. The Lord gave him his message. Did hi go to the priests and rulers to ask if he could give this? No, God put him away from them that he might not be infected by the spirit and teaching. (Selected Messages, Book 1, p 410). 3

What is our work? The same as that given to John the Baptist. (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 8, p. 9). The same spirit of domination was clearly evidenced in our health work. So strongly did Sister White feel about this that she said that the spirit of free-masonry was being exhibited in the efforts to keep men and women from practicing God-given principles of health. The influence you have gained in the medical profession is large and broad, and in some respects it has been as God would have it. You have caused the light God has given you to shine forth to others, and this light has influenced others to labor in the different lines of the medical work. But according to the light the Lord has given me, something of the spirit of free-masonry exists, and has built a wall about the work. The old, regular practice has been exalted as the only true method for the treatment of disease. And to a large degree, this feeling has leavened the physicians connected with you. They have resorted to drugs in cases of fever-to break it up, as they have thought. This method has broken up fevers and other diseases, but in some cases this has broken up the whole man with it (Manuscript Release, Vol. 16, p. 287). Sister White consistently counselled against the restrictions placed upon those who were not working in regular lines. God is displeased with the spirit you have manifested. Your insinuations and criticisms are most unbecoming. When you ought to be a teacher, you have need that one teach you. Do you know that you are criticizing the work of a man who has been visited by the angels of the Lord? Who has sent you to a field where a good work is in progress, to show your zeal by tearing it in pieces? If this is working in the regular lines it is high time that we worked in irregular lines (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 194). One of the great burdens which the servant of the Lord noted was that those who were working in regular lines themselves were unconverted, and yet they were seeking to dominate those who, under the call of God had gone forward. At the 1903 General Conference session, Sister White stated that: Over and over again men have said, the voice of the conference is the voice of God; therefore everything must be referred to the 4

conference. The conference must permit or restrict in the various lines of work. As the matter has been presented to me, there is a narrow compass, and within this narrow compass, all the openings to which are locked, are those who would like to exercise kingly power. But the work carried on all over the field demands an entirely different course of action. There is need of the laying of a foundation different from the foundation which has been laid in the past. We have heard much about everything moving in the regular lines. When we see that the regular lines arc purified and refined, that they bear the mold of the God of heaven, then it will be time to endorse these lines. But when we see that message after message given by God has been received and accepted, and no changes made, we know that a new power must be brought into the regular lines. The management of the regular lines must be entirely changed, newly organized. There must be a committee, not composed of half a dozen men, but of representatives of all lines of our work, from our publishing house, from our educational institutions, and from the sanitariums, which have life in them, which are constantly working, possibly broadening (The General Conference Bulletin, October 4, 1904). As the servant of the Lord surveyed the great need for workers in the field, she realised that under no circumstances could all these calls be fulfilled by those following the normal, regular lines of work, and so she wrote: Shall the regular lines, which say that every mind shall be controlled by two or three minds at Battle Creek, continue to bear sway? The Macedonian cry is coming from every quarter. Shall men go to the regular lines to see whether they will be permitted to labor, or shall they go out and work as best they can, depending on their own abilities and on the help of the Lord, beginning in a humble way and creating an interest in the truth in places in which nothing has been done to give the warning message? (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 176). Sister White also noted that there was a possibility of the failure of the regular lines of church work. The present showing is sufficient to prove to all who have the true missionary spirit that the regular lines may prove a failure and a snare. God helping His people, the circle of kings who 5

dared to take such great responsibility shall never again exercise unsanctified power in these so-called regular lines. Too much power has been invested in unrevived, unreformed human agencies. Let not selfishness and covetousness be allowed to outline the work which must be done now and in the future to fulfill the grand, noble commissions which Christ has given to every disciple. He, our Lord and Master, has given us an example, in His life of self-sacrifice, of the way in which we must work to advance the kingdom of God (Manuscript Release, Vol. 14, p. 204). Once again, in her comment upon the Southern work, the servant of the Lord says: It is not the Lord s will that the work in the South shall be confined to the set, regular lines. It has been found impossible to confine the work to these lines and gain success. Workers daily filled with zeal and wisdom from one heart must work as they are guided by the Lord, waiting not to receive their commission from men. (Southern Watchman, December 15, 1903). It is clear that the whole reason that Sister White wrote so strongly was because she wanted every member of the church to have the freedom to listen to the voice of God and to follow in the calling upon their life and service to do a work which can never be accomplished by the ministry alone. Thus, she urged: It is time that church members understood that everywhere there is a work to be done in the Lord s vineyard. No one is to wait for a regular process before they make any efforts. They should take up the work right where they are. There should be many at work in what are irregular lines, and take up self-sacrificing work, such as Brother Shireman has done. Souls would be won to the Lord. And the workers would understand by experience what it means to be laborers together with God (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 195). In a strong counsel to the then chairman of the General Conference Committee, later General Conference president A.G. Daniells, Sister White wrote: God helping His people, the circle of kings who dared to take such great responsibilities shall never again exercise their 6

unsanctified power in the so-called regular lines. Too much power has been invested in the unrevived, unreformed human agent (Manuscript Release, Vol. 4, p. 292). And in yet another strong testimony, she said: My guide said, This work will be sowing seed for time and for eternity. And then the instruction was given, The angels of the Lord will go before him. He will be accounted out of line. But many ought to be out of the lines that have been maintained to the regular routine, and unless they themselves come into line, they will say, The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we. Unless the temple is purified, cleansed, sanctified, God will not give them His presence in the temple of which they boast God calls for the breaking of every yoke: (Manuscript Release, Vol. 3, p. 264). God calls for a revival and a reformation. The regular lines have not done the work which God desires to see accomplished. Let revival and reformation make constant changes. Something has to be done in this line, but let not the work stop here. No! Let every yoke be broken. Let men awaken to the realization that they have an individual responsibility. (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 175). It is not surprising that all over the world, laity and self-supporting ministries are being raised up, recognizing the moments that we have left to finish God s work on earth are few and precious; and that under the mighty inspiration of God, the workers in these ministries want to dedicate their lives and service to Him. This impetus is not motivated by revolt against denominational leadership, but by an earnest desire to witness the everlasting gospel to the world. Perhaps the clearest sign that we are at the end of time is the way in which such dedicated laity are rising up within the church all over the world. But, just as at the turn of the century, many leaders, rather than recognizing this response by faithful members to be God-ordained, tried to malign those who are called and to hinder their ministries. So too, today, many church administrators totally misunderstand the nature of that which they are violently opposing. It would seem that many have not paused to reflect upon the attitude of church administrators in the days of God s Jewish church. But such will not stop this work which is destined to become stronger and stronger. Indeed, out of these movements, rising from 7

obscurity, are the men and women whom God has chosen to lead His church into the kingdom of God. Thus is being fulfilled the following prophecy: Those who have rendered supreme homage to science falsely so called will not be the leaders then. Those who have trusted to intellect, genius, or talent, will not then stand at the head of rank and file. They did not keep pace with the light. Those who proved themselves unfaithful will not then be entrusted with the flock. In the last solemn work few great men will be engaged. They are self-suflicient, independent of God, and He cannot use them. The Lord has faithful servants, who in the shaking, testing time will be disclosed to view. There are precious ones now hidden who have not bowed the knee to Baal. They have not had the light which has been shining in a concentrated blaze upon you. But it may be under a rough and uninviting exterior the pure brightness of a genuine Christian character will be revealed (Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 5, pp. 80, 81). Now is the time for God s people to join together in regular and irregular lines for the finishing of the gospel commission. 8