I classify all the following together as personal exercise and responsibility:
Young people’s meetings in the homes or on certain occasions when the young are called together.
Sunday schools.
Summer camps, including recreational activities.
Special meetings for young married couples.
Cottage meetings.
Lectures on special subjects.
Publication work.
Gospel work, including tract distribution, street preaching and itinerant gospel preaching.
Hobby classes.
“Abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
Criticism
An older brother used to say, “If there is an opportunity, use it.” I believe the question is not only that we should use the opportunities, but that they be used according to scriptural principles.
Perhaps if those who criticize were active in some little sphere of service, seizing opportunities, they would have little or no time for criticism. I may not, however, feel free to do some of the things that others do. God has fitted every servant: Some are “left-handed,” some have the gift of visiting, some go to the heathen and some are teachers. Should I then judge them by my lack of ability?
I am very slow to criticize any work, because in some cases there is ignorance but a willing heart. Each has to learn before the Lord, and the Gospels are a great help in this.
For us to question another’s work is a serious thing. I am responsible to rebuke anything in that work that is not according to Scripture, as well as the person responsible. But we should be sure that we have Scripture for it and that we do it in humility so as not to interrupt the work. We never need to lower the standard, whether it is in a public place or a private gathering. Christ was the same in the temple, the Pharisee’s house, or at Bethany.
Ministry should always be in keeping with the holiness and glory of Christ, and each special gathering should be under the complete control of the one who holds the meeting or gathering.
C. E. Lunden, March 1988