Ellen White on Church Planting and New Work

Starting new work and planting churches is a vital, self-sacrificing endeavor that serves as the very foundation for advancing the truth and establishing the kingdom of GodCG 131.3+1. It is a work of faith, much like a sower casting seed with the confidence that God will cause it to flourish into an abundant harvestCG 501.3+1.

The Nature of Starting New Work

• A Work of Sacrifice: Sacrifice is the very beginning of advancing the truth and establishing new institutionsCG 131.3. This spirit of self-denial and undivided self-sacrifice must become a habitual part of character buildingCG 131.3+1.

• Pioneer Effort: Starting work in "waste places" where one must "establish things out of nothing" helps workers understand what it truly means to wrestle in the grace of GodSpM 168.1+1.

• Solid Foundations: New work should be begun solidly and enlarged only as circumstances demand14LtMs, Lt 120, 1899, par. 10. It is crucial to start right at the beginning, as unwise economies can actually hinder the work and draw more means from the treasury in the long runLS 302.1.

Strategies for Church Planting

• Personal Effort: The foundation of the Christian church began with personal appeals to friends and neighborsChS 118.1. Church members must not leave all the work to the minister but should recognize their own responsibility to bring souls to the SaviourChS 118.1.

• Medical Missionary Work as the "Entering Wedge": Medical missionary work is the pioneer work that opens doors for the gospelCH 532.4+1. It should be inseparable from the gospel ministry, acting as the "helping hand" to lead people to Christ14LtMs, Lt 120, 1899, par. 10+2.

• Establishing Centers in Cities: Decided efforts must be made to enter large cities and establish missions thereMTC 65.1+1. This includes hiring good halls rather than working in a "cheap" way, so that the best possible first impression is madeEv 75.5.

• Reflex Influence: Establishing foreign missions and planting the standard of the truth in new fields brings a "reflex influence" that actually strengthens the work in the home fieldMTC 23.4+1.

Responsibility of Existing Churches

• Training New Laborers: Existing churches should feel a solemn responsibility to train their youth and educate talent to raise new churchesSpM 132.5+1.

• Financial Support: Every available dollar should be prioritized for opening new fields and missionsMTC 65.1+1. If necessary, less should be spent on places where the message has been fully preached so that ignorant areas can finally be warnedMTC 65.1.

• Maintaining Order: While new work is encouraged, it must not be done in a haphazard way11MR 276.3. Workers should be amenable to the church and work in harmony with the general interest of the cause rather than following their own independent judgmentGCDB January 29, 1893, par. 23+1.

Biblical Encouragement

The Lord promises to be with His people always as they carry out the commission to preach the gospel to every creature Matthew 28:20+1. When we prioritize His work, He promises to bless us, just as He blessed those who laid the foundation of His temple Haggai 2:15-19. We are called to be laborers together with God, not to tear down, but to restore and build up the old waste places Isaiah 58:12RH November 8, 1956, par. 24+1. By exercising our talents in the "trade" of saving souls, we reflect the character of Christ, who is the true RestorerRH November 8, 1956, par. 24+1.