by Gail Gritts
“I can plod” is a saying attributed to William Carey when people asked how he managed to stay long enough in India to see results. John Appleby, in his biography of Carey entitled I Can Plod, says, “The statement is important because it demonstrates the clear, unambiguous biblical principles that shaped the work of the mission. And…is worthy of our adoption and consideration today.”
Appleby’s biography is one of the best I have ever read. He starts at the very beginning of Carey’s life and isn’t afraid to address the doubts, struggles, and heartaches he, his family, and co-workers faced throughout this missionary journey. While the book is full of sparks of wisdom and encouragement for the reader, I want to share with you eleven principles Carey says guided his ministry. I dare say, they are principles all successful ministers and ministries will practice.
1. “We set an infinite value upon immortal souls. And, though we mourn over their miserable condition, we will not be discouraged as though their recovery were impossible. For God is the one who gives the increase and with Him all things are possible.
2. We will gain all the information we can of the snares and delusions by which the souls we are called to reach are held. This will be done by conversing with them in an intelligent manner to learn their modes of thinking, habits, and ideas, especially as they pertain to their reason about God, sin, the way of salvation, etc. And, we can learn this from reading and attentively observing their manners and customs.
3. We will seek to not be offensive by our own manners and lifestyle. We will guard our words and actions in order to show the love of God.
4. We will watch for all opportunities to do good. Thereby being out among the peoples in the village, market, and general life so that we might have opportunity not only to do works, but also to share the words of the Gospel.
5. We will make Christ Crucified the greatest subject of our preaching. For it is by the foolishness of preaching that they will be saved.
6. We will seek to develop their confidence in us and comfortableness in our presence. Being willing to listen to complaints and give kind advice, to be easy to access and treat them as our equals, humbling ourselves before them.
7. We will build up, and watch over, the ones the Lord gives us by spending time with them daily, exhibiting patience and seeking their advancement not only in the Gospel, but also in employment and education.
8. We will keep always before us the goal of the ministry being “native-led”. Thereby we will foster every kind of genius and cherish every gift and grace within them for the glory of the Lord. Where they are involved in ministry, we will seek to financially support them and care and provide as much as possible so to produce a moral and divine change in the hearts and conduct of men.
9. We will seek to always be spreading the Word through publication, education, and any other means of media in order to reach the most number of people with the Gospel message.
10. We will stay in prayer and cultivation of personal spiritual growth in order to develop a mild and winning temper, and a heart given up to a close relationship with our Christ to fit us to be the instruments of God.
11. We will consider and remember that all we have comes from God. Our time, our gifts, our strength, our families, clothing…Let us sanctify all for His work withholding nothing that He might use for His glory and the promotion of the Gospel. “ (p 212-220)
Well stated. Don’t you agree? And I challenge you—minister, missionary or church member, to prayerfully consider how you plod. We have a lost world around us needing to see Christ reflected with genuine purpose and love for His glory and the salvation of souls.
