{"id":47550,"date":"2020-12-01T10:04:07","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T10:04:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/?p=47550"},"modified":"2024-07-07T12:50:45","modified_gmt":"2024-07-07T11:50:45","slug":"what-does-ellen-g-white-write-about-large-church-congregations-and-small-groups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/what-does-ellen-g-white-write-about-large-church-congregations-and-small-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"What does Ellen G. White Write about Large Church Congregations and Small Groups?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does Ellen G. White Write about Large Church <\/strong><\/span>Congregations and Small Groups<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We shall now compare our social, theological and historical studies on groups to what Ellen G. White has to say on the topic from her writings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Large Church Congregations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Although White spoke to large congregations of people, her counsel is negative in relation to large churches and their mission.\u00a0 She writes, \u201cSuccess does not depend on strength or numbers. . . .\u00a0 A large church is not necessarily a strong church.\u201d[1]<\/a>\u00a0 Pastors tend to look upon large church congregations as the ideal for a successful ministry, but White counsels the opposite here.\u00a0 She goes on to say, \u201cIt is not the purpose of God that his people should cluster together and concentrate their influence in a special locality.\u201d[2]<\/a>\u00a0 One of the reasons for this was the negative influence it would have on their witness.\u00a0 She continues, \u201cThe plan of gathering in large numbers, to compose a large church, has contracted their influence, and narrowed down their sphere of usefulness, and is literally putting their light under a bushel.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 In giving this counsel to the members of large churches, she always had in mind the work of evange\u00adlism: sowing and reaping has to continue among unbelievers outside the church.\u00a0 White counsels further, \u201cIt is a mistake for our people to crowd together in large numbers.\u00a0 It is not in harmony with God\u00b4s plan. . . .\u00a0 But where a large number are congregated together in one church, this work in large measure is neglected.\u201d[4]<\/a>\u00a0 This work she refers to is shining our light to unbelievers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another area of concern was within the church itself.\u00a0 Many members came to the Battle Creek church during the late 1800\u00b4s, because they were looking for employment at the Review & Herald publishing house and the Health Reform Institute.\u00a0 Although the church at Battle Creek increased in number, the small churches which they had left were depleted.\u00a0 This was a matter of concern to White when she stated in referring to Battle Creek or some other large church, \u201cThis practice not only threatens the prosperity and even the life of our smaller churches, but it is preventing us from doing the very work which God has given us to do.\u201d[5]<\/a>\u00a0 As new members arrived at Battle Creek and increased the church membership, this placed a tremendous burden on the few who were working for the church internally. Other areas of mission work which were neglected in Battle Creek were the work for the SDA youth, house-to-house visitation, and praying with families.[6]<\/a>\u00a0 White not only gave counsel to the members at Battle Creek, but she also gave it to many ministers who were moving there to take up residency and retirement.\u00a0 She says about them, \u201cGod looks with contempt upon the large assemblies at Battle Creek tabernacle. . . . Their numbers displease Him.\u00a0 Is there not a world to be warned\u201d[7]<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 Again White\u00b4s eyes were on mission, and she accounted it as a threat to the Church if large churches were established and increased in number.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another reason for White\u00b4s counsel against large church groups is the negative influence on spiritual growth.\u00a0 She states, \u201cthe members of our large churches are not in the most favorable situation for spiritual growth.\u201d[8]<\/a>\u00a0 In referring to Battle Creek, she emphasizes that many in the church are fast becoming withered branches.[9]<\/a>\u00a0 She mentions this because many of those who moved to Battle Creek were joining a large congregation, and they felt that they had no part to act with so many members. They sat in their pews and shunned all responsibility and effort.[10]<\/a>\u00a0 Additionally, the new members often felt that their testimonies were not needed and consequently their talents were buried in a large congregation.[11]<\/a>\u00a0 Therefore, White counsels the members that large church congregations prevent personal spiritual growth in one\u00b4s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

A third area of negative influence a large church has on an individual is on character.\u00a0 If persons grow up in a large church congregation or join one, they are usually influenced by the majority.\u00a0 Many members \u201cthink only of themselves.\u00a0 They wish to enjoy church fellowship and pastoral care.\u00a0 They become members of large prosperous churches and are content to do little for others.\u201d[12]<\/a>\u00a0 When one takes this attitude, other influences loom large in this kind of group. \u00a0\u201cBringing so many believers together in one place tends to encourage evil surmising and evil speaking.\u201d[13]<\/a>\u00a0 Church members often wonder why we do not experience great manifestations of God\u00b4s power as on the day of Pentecost in the book of Acts.\u00a0 This is not given because \u201cwhen a large number are shut up in themselves, engrossed in their own interests. It is thus that their piety becomes weakened, and they grow bigoted and self caring.\u201d[14]<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 Finally when joining a large church congregation, one comes in contact with Pharisaism and a self-righteousness, which is a form of godliness without the power thereof.[15]<\/a> White counsels us that as a result of becoming a member of a large church group, our character in many cases becomes weak.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ellen G. White Supports Small Companies<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ellen G. White has no counsel on small groups in relation to the church, but she has a great deal to say on the subject of forming companies.\u00a0 \u201cThe formation of small companies as a basis of Christian effort has been presented to me by One who cannot err.\u201d[16]<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 Why does White come out in favor of \u201csmall companies\u201d instead of \u201csmall groups\u201d?\u00a0 Webster\u00b4s Dictionary gives this definition of a small group: \u201can organized body of people with a common purpose.\u201d[17]<\/a>\u00a0 This purpose could imply Bible study, mission outreach, or even witnessing for Christ.\u00a0 Whereas the definition of a company is, \u201ca number of people united in an industry or commercial enterprise. An infantry unit between a platoon and a battalion in size.\u201d[18]<\/a>\u00a0 This definition implies that a company, if taking the commercial view, involves planning, goal setting, marketing, financial statements, and acquiring results.\u00a0 On the other hand, looking at the military viewpoint, it involves training, organizing, planning, discipline, accomplishing a mission, and evaluation.\u00a0 The main difference between a small group and a company is that the former is organized for a purpose like, Bible Study or mission outreach. The latter is organized to accomplish a military mission or sell a product successfully. \u00a0When White comes out in favor of small companies, she is referring to a special form of small group which is trained to perform a Christian military mission, or sell a product which can be interpreted as services to the community.\u00a0 In addition, White defines the minimum number of persons involved in a company to be \u201ctwo or three.\u201d[19]<\/a>\u00a0 Therefore, it is clear that a company is two to three persons or more who are trained for service using the principles of strategical planning.<\/span><\/p>\n

White gives further counsel on what kind of work these companies should engage in.\u00a0 Young men and women should be organized into companies in every church.\u00a0 They should be \u201csoldiers of Christ . . . putting all your tact and skill and talent in the Master\u00b4s service, that you may save souls from ruin.\u201d[20]<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0 So the work of young men and women is to enlist as soldiers in Christ\u00b4s army and form companies to evangelize and save souls.\u00a0 Her counsel is not one-sided, concentrating on religious aspects all the time.\u00a0 She admonishes that \u201cthe various lines of work should be courageously carried forward by different companies of workers.\u201d[21]<\/a>\u00a0 This could include health evangelism, colporteuring, and welfare ministry, just to name a few from a large category of different methods.\u00a0 White enlarges on some of the aspects of the work these companies carry out.\u00a0 Small companies are to go forth to do the work to which Christ appointed His disciples.\u00a0 While laboring as evangelists they can visit the sick, praying with them, and, if need be, treating them, not with medicines but with the remedies provided in nature.[22]<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Christ spent most of his evangelistic efforts in healing the sick.\u00a0 However, companies cannot copy His method in many cases, due to the fact that people today need to live a healthier lifestyle before calling on God to heal them of their diseases.\u00a0 Furthermore, we cannot use Christ\u00b4s method of healing because White states \u201cwe can not now work in this way, for Satan will exercise his power by working miracles.\u201d[23]<\/a> White goes on to say about the work of these little companies: Let them labor as evangelists, scattering our publications, and talking of truth to those they meet. Let them pray for the sick, ministering to their necessities, not with drugs, but with nature\u00b4s remedies and teaching them how to regain health and avoid disease.[24]<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0 <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

With the use of our publications on health and spiritual matters, our members can go from door to door searching out the sick and praying with them.\u00a0 Sometimes this alone brings healing to many sick people.\u00a0 This includes praying for the sick and with the sick.\u00a0 They can teach the sick how to regain health and avoid diseases.\u00a0 In many cases, sickness is the result of an unbalanced and unhealthy lifestyle, an unhealthy diet of alcohol, meat, cigarettes, and fast foods. \u00a0Also, many do not exercise in the fresh air, but sit in front of the television for hours on end.\u00a0 It is these kinds of people who need instruction on how to live a balanced healthy lifestyle. However, the members themselves need a basic training before teaching others.\u00a0 White goes on to elaborate, \u201clittle companies who have received a suitable training in medical missionary lines should go forth to do the work.\u201d[25]<\/a>\u00a0 This training should include the basics of healthy living and how the human anatomy works. Guidelines should be written down to safeguard patients who are seriously ill or are being treated by a physician. For example, a person who is overweight, or has a past history of illnesses, should have a medical examination preceding the undertaking of strenuous exercise or a change of diet.\u00a0 In this way, both the patient and the member treating the illness are safeguarded from disastrous outcomes.<\/span><\/p>\n

White gives other suggestions for the different lines of work companies can do. \u201cCompanies should be organized and thoroughly educated to work as nurses, gospel workers, and Bible readers, as canvassers, ministers. . . .\u201d[26]<\/a><\/strong> We could use nursing in relationship to helping people in living a healthier lifestyle.\u00a0 Here is a wonderful way of coming into contact with people.\u00a0 When we have made a contact and created an interest to study the Bible, then we can train our patients to do the same with others who are living in an unhealthy lifestyle.\u00a0 Canvassing is another way of reaching individuals in the home. Although there are not as many people who read books these days due to television, canvass\u00aders should be equipped to sell books and DVD\u00b4s on SDA teachings.\u00a0 Another method of reaching people through companies of workers is through cooking classes. White writes, \u201cInstruction should be given in the science of preparing wholesome food.\u201d[27]<\/a>\u00a0 When people start a health course, many do not know how to prepare wholesome food.\u00a0 Recipes should be written and handed out, with simple directions so anyone can cook meals at home.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, White emphasizes the necessity of using small companies to work in the growing cities of every nation.\u00a0 \u201cLet companies be organized to enter cities.\u00a0 Seek proper locations for holding meetings.\u201d[28]<\/a>\u00a0 For the different kinds of meetings, whether they be evangelistic in nature or on health, the location should be of easy access to all the local population, very well planned and organized beforehand.\u00a0 Through companies, the message of present truth is to be given to all the cities.[29]<\/a> <\/strong>\u00a0One of the reasons there is a need for the formation of companies in every church is, \u201cLet members be formed into small companies, to work not only for the church members, but for unbeliev\u00aders.\u201d[30]<\/a> It is through the members that this work of spreading the Three Angel\u00b4s Messages to the world is to be accomplished and not just through the minister or well-trained evangelist only.<\/span><\/p>\n

Summary<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Ellen G. White comes out in the negative as regards to Adventist\u00b4s gathering together to form large church group congregations. However, she is very positive as regards to the forming of small companies as she calls them. These companies should be trained in door-to-door evangelism with the use of our literature, bible studies, personal home care and teachings on living a healthy lifestyle. I fact White emphasizes that the health work will be one of the last methods of witnessing work we shall do, \u201csoon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work.\u201d[31]<\/a> It is through this method and the forming of companies that our members can help in laying the groundwork for spreading of the Three Angel\u00b4s Messages to the community, before the Second Coming of Christ.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/a>Endnotes<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

[1] Ellen G. White, \u201cA Test of Faith,\u201d The Signs of the Times<\/em>, 30 June 1881, 1:238.<\/span><\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Ellen G. White, \u201cChrist\u00b4s Representatives,\u201d Review & Herald<\/em>, 16 Feb. 1886, 19.<\/span><\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church<\/em>, 9 vols. (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1948), 2:644.<\/span><\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Ellen G. White, \u201cThe Duty of the Minister and the People,\u201d Review & Herald<\/em>, 9 July 1895, 3:270.<\/span><\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> White, Testimonies for the Church, 5:184.<\/span><\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Ibid., 5:185.<\/span><\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Manuscript Releases<\/em>, 21 vols. (Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1981-1993), 2:100.<\/span><\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> White, \u201cThe Duty of the Minister and the People,\u201d 3:270.<\/span><\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> White, Testimonies for the Church,<\/em> 2:114.<\/span><\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> Ibid., 5:185.<\/span><\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> Ibid., 2:114.<\/span><\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing<\/em> (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1942), 151.<\/span><\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> White, Testimonies for the Church<\/em>, 8:83.<\/span><\/p>\n

[14]<\/a> Ellen G. White, \u201cAn Appeal by Ellen G. White,\u201d Review and Herald<\/em>, 12 Oct. 1886, 2:81.<\/span><\/p>\n

[15]<\/a> White, Testimonies for the Church<\/em>, 8:85, 86.<\/span><\/p>\n

[16]<\/a>White, Christian Service<\/em>, 72.<\/span><\/p>\n

[17]<\/a> The New Lexicon Webster\u00b4s Dictionary of the English Language<\/em> (1989), s.v. \u201cGroup.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

[18]<\/a> Ibid., s.v. \u201cCompany.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

[19]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Sermons and Talks, <\/em>2 Vols. (Silver Spring, MD: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990, 1994), 2:268.<\/span><\/p>\n

[20]<\/a> Ellen G. White, \u201cWalk in the Light,\u201d Signs of the Times<\/em>, 29 May 1893, 3:41.<\/span><\/p>\n

[21]<\/a> Ellen G. White, \u201cAn Appeal to Our Churches Throughout the United States,\u201d Review and<\/em> Herald<\/em>, 18 May 1911, 6:142.<\/span><\/p>\n

[22]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health<\/em> (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1957), 501.<\/span><\/p>\n

[23]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, <\/em>3 Vols. (Washington D. C., Review & Herald, 1958), 2:54.<\/span><\/p>\n

[24]<\/a> White, Testimonies for the Church<\/em>, 9:172.<\/span><\/p>\n

[25]<\/a> Ellen G White, Notebooks Leaflets from the Elmshaven Library<\/em>, 2 vols. (Payson, AZ: Leaves-of-Autumn Books, 1945), 1:140.<\/span><\/p>\n

[26]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students<\/em> (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press, 1943), 546.<\/span><\/p>\n

[27]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Counsels on Diet and Foods<\/em> (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1976), 443.<\/span><\/p>\n

[28]<\/a> Ellen G. White, Evangelism<\/em> (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1970), 96.<\/span><\/p>\n

[29]<\/a> White, Sermons and Talks<\/em>, 2:311.<\/span><\/p>\n

[30]<\/a> White, Christian Service,<\/em> 72.<\/span><\/p>\n

[31]<\/a> White, Evangelism, <\/em>523.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What does Ellen G. White Write about Large Church Congregations and Small Groups We shall now compare our social, theological and historical studies on groups to what Ellen G. White has to say on the topic from her writings. Large Church Congregations Although White spoke to large congregations of people, her counsel is negative in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":48034,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_oct_exclude_from_cache":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2319,2323,2325],"tags":[2573,2581,2575,2570,2582,2583,2576,2571,2584,2577,2572,2574,2579,2580,2578,2585],"class_list":["post-47550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bible","category-bible-teachings","category-the-book-of-revelation","tag-battle-creek","tag-charcter-becomes-weak","tag-contempt-in-large-ches","tag-ellen-g-white-and-large-churches","tag-ellen-g-white-favours-companies-and-small-groups","tag-health-evangelism","tag-hinder-spiritual-growth","tag-light-under-a-bushel","tag-litterature-evangelism","tag-majority-influences","tag-narrowed-down-their-usefulness","tag-neglecting-small-churches","tag-pharisaism","tag-self-righteous","tag-slef-caring","tag-small-goups-in-cities"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=47550"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49228,"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/47550\/revisions\/49228"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48034"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=47550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=47550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ayindk.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=47550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}