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The need for a less fragmented and more Editorial Assistant Sheila Draper
Creating an effective, productive pastor's class Subscriptions and Circulation Jeannette Calbi
Resources Cathy Payne
Buford Griffith
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Applying four New Testament growth principles Ministry (ISSN 0026-5314), the international journal
of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association
in the church 2001 , is published monthly by the General Conference
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Sorting out the interaction of day-to-day human Vol. 74 Number 2
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The value of
Viewpoint
V
iewpoint articles are designed ed to come to terms with the very legit
to stimulate thought and do not imate questions being asked us by a
necessarily reflect the position of number of our pastoral readers, such as:
our editorial staff or of Ministry." This How can we go on using a sign of the
statement has appeared on the title
WILL EVA second coming that occurred, for exam
page of Viewpoint articles, which are ple, on May 19,1780, when we are now
published intermittently in Ministry. entering the twenty-first century? How
Such a declaration may appear to be a can such an approach be credible in the
mere disclaimer, when in fact it is an eyes of the thoughtful persons we seek
honest expression of the nature of cer by God's grace to persuade that Jesus is
tain opinions that appear in Ministry indeed coming soon?
and how they relate to what the maga If we cannot allow ourselves to deal
zine and the Seventh-day Adventist with such questions in the responsible
Church in fact stands for. To be specific about our Viewpoint way that a man of Dr. LaRondelle's cal
There are those among our readers column, let me cite a relatively recent iber does and in a magazine such as
who are uncomfortable with this feature Viewpoint article. This article, authored Ministry, I believe, as do other Adventist
and would like to see it discontinued. by premier Adventist professor and the leaders, that we are far off the spirit and
There are others who would be quite ologian, Hans LaRondelle, received essential content of Adventism and of
disappointed if it was discontinued. I significant negative reviews from a Ellen G. White and our pioneers.
must say that I am one who would be number of our readers. The article was Viewpoint articles are not published
disappointed and who would experi entitled "The Application of Cosmic in Ministry unless they constructively
ence a sense of loss not only for the Signs in the Adventist Tradition" address an issue that will genuinely
magazine, but for the spiritual and intel (Ministry, September 1998). In it Dr. contribute to the discussion and
lectual persona of the Seventh-day LaRondelle wrestled with the difficult hoped-for settlement of some difficult
Adventist Church and more specifically question, Can we continue to feature dilemma or controverted issue facing a
for Adventist ministry. events from the relatively distant past as significant swath of Adventist ministers.
There is a very strong element pres convincing signs of the imminent The fact that such articles are placed in
ent in both Christian and Adventist return of Christ? Largely because of the "Viewpoint" column should imme
history that has ever championed ongo Mrs. White's appeal in The Great diately alert the reader that they
ing responsible prayer and research, and Controversy, to eighteenth and nine contain some controversial elements
has expected further and yet more lucid teenth-century happenings as and therefore deserve careful thought,
expressions of thought and belief to be fulfillments of the signs of Jesus' com prayer and response.
ever coming to the surface. The way ing, some readers were disturbed by Viewpoint by no means seeks to
early Adventists grappled with whether the suggested explanations of Dr. question established Adventist belief or
or not to even have a statement of doc LaRondelle. Unfortunately none of practice, but instead seeks to clarify and
trinal belief and a Church Manual is clear these readers offered any further con improve on the way we view and pres
evidence of this admirable mentality structive explanation. ent such issues. We must by all means
that is as much a part of Adventist tradi Had Dr. LaRondelle in any way ques express disagreement with Viewpoint
tion as is any other significant aspect of tioned the validity of the Seventh-day articles, but it would be most helpful if
our history or tradition. Adventist stand on the imminent second thoughtful, pointed, yet kind responses
The path of purest faithfulness and coming of Jesus, we would not have were offered that actually contribute
discretion almost always appears to be published this article. Had he ques objectively to the issues raised in such
the one that opposes any alteration in tioned the accuracy and veracity of Ellen articles. That is what Viewpoint articles
"traditionalistic" patterns of thought G. White's work, we would not have are designed to elicit. H
and belief. But that opposition is not accepted his article for publication. The
automatically of God, any more than motivation and approach in his article
was the path of the leaders of the were in fact the opposite of these things. 1 See Ellen G White. Counsels [a Waters and Edjto/5 (Nashville. Tenn Southern
Pub. Aiiil.. I946J,33-54 (and for balance. 17-32)
2 Review Gil Valentine's two-part article, "The Stop-Start Journey on the Road
Judaism of Jesus' day. In his explanation he simply attempt to a Church Manual" in the April and June 1999 ISSUES of Mnisny
S
eventh-day Adventists need an inte plain truth is that not all the beads are the
George R. Knight
grated theology! Don't get me same size and weight. Some of the 27 funda
wrong. Adventism's 27 fundamental mentals are "more fundamental" than others.
beliefs are well defined and adequate When I floated my string-of-beads perspec
in what they attempt to do as indi tive past one of my friends he startled me by
vidual statements. It is not the 27 that I am pointing out that while he agreed on the
questioning, but the way they are presented. beads model he couldn't find the string. In
To put it bluntly, the 27 fundamentals are short, he implied that Adventism's 27 are
set forth as a list, somewhat like a string of more like a pile of beads rather than a string
beads with each bead having the same size, of them. But for my purposes in this article
shape, and weight. And beyond the official the effect is the same. While the "pile" or
27, Adventist "oral tradition" provides indi "string" approach may be helpful in present
viduals with innumerable other beads that ing and understanding Adventist beliefs, I
flow off of each end of the string. "Thou shalt believe that there are models for organizing
not go to movies in a movie house," "Thou the denomination's beliefs that are much
shalt not dance socially," and "Thou shalt not more effective in enabling people to grasp the
drink coffee," are examples of supernumerary totality of what the Bible teaches or the
beads. While the official list is a voted docu Church believes. It is to one such model that
ment adopted at a General Conference we now turn.
session, the extra doctrinal and lifestyle beads
are added by individual Church members, by A hierarchical model of beliefs
subgroups within the Church, or by the force Not every doctrine is created equal! Some
of tradition. While not official beads, the beliefs reflect theological realities more basic
supernumeraries appear to be equal in weight than other beliefs! Such are two of the basic
to the official ones in the minds and con postulates of the hierarchical model.
George Knight is a
sciences of many church members and Foundational to any understanding of the
professor of church
pastors. Christian faith is that Christianity is not a
history at the
Seventh-day The problem with the string-of-beads body of doctrine or a way of life. Individuals
Adventist approach to fundamental beliefs is that it will not be saved by what they believe intel
Theological indicates no priorities, it doesn't help people lectually or do behaviorally. A person can
Seminary, Andrews see that some beliefs are more important or believe all the right things and perform all the
University, Berrien more "fundamental" than others. As a result, right actions and still be lost.
Springs, Michigan. I have seen young people and unperceptive In its essence, Christianity is a Person Jesus
O
n gaunt hills rest the ruins of a their peace.
city. It had once been the capi
tal and religious shrine of a Singing the Lord's song anyway
proud and prosperous people. The challenge of singing the Lord's song
Its walls and towers stood regal in a strange land is not new. Many are faced
against the sky. The golden dome of its mag with the dilemma of how to bring personal
nificent temple gleamed in the light of the spirituality into the work place, without
noonday sun. Long caravans meandered in appearing to be overzealous. Others find it
and out of the gates of its market places. difficult to sing, to remain optimistic in the
Everywhere the blessing of God could be face of failures, setbacks, or loss. Some seem
seen. temperamentally predisposed to pessimism.
But the people of this city turned from Others permit sins to steal their joy, refusing
God. They were selfish and unprincipled, to confess or forsake them. Instead they
and their sin brought them low. For "right hang it up, putting their harps in storage,
eousness exalts a nation" (Prov. 14:34), but refusing to sing on foreign soil.
sin is an equal-opportunity destroyer. Fire And is it not true that often we feel the
and sword ravished the city, and its citizens strangeness of our land? When one million
were carried away as captives to Babylon. men are raped in prisons each year, are we
We encounter some of these captives, sit not reminded of this land's strangeness? And
ting by Babylonian rivers in the 137 1-" does it not seem like foreign soil when we
Psalm. hear about child abuse, weapons in schools,
Barry Black, Ph.D., is
Rear Admiral and This psalm highlights a communal lament or gratuitous violence in our various forms
chief of chaplains. uttered by a people who knew the pain of of entertainment? This world is not our
United States Navy. exile. Once in the land of exile, the Israelites home.
were spared many hardships, but there was Israel should have sung. Yes, music and
one grief that seemed almost beyond bearing. mirth were far from their hearts. Yes, anger
A tale of two
a virgin through the power of the Holy Spirit,
John of aged, barren parents, well past child-
bearing years. Both were proclaimed by
preachers
angels to be agents of God's grace. Both were
given names chosen by the Almighty
Himself. And both were filled with the Holy
Spirit from birth. The similarities, however,
Leaving room for ended there.
John became a recluse of sorts for much of
different kinds of ministry his life. Attracted to the desert, he lived a
monastic existence. He was a religious ascetic
for most of his adult years. He wore strange
clothing a camel's hair robe, a leather belt,
F
or one young man, things could not and sandals. He ate a strict diet of locusts and
Greg Taylor
have been better. He was a successful wild honey. He lived separate from the world,
new preacher just coming into much like the Essenes. They lived in little self-
prominence. Thousands came to supporting communities, ate a strict diet,
hear him. No buildings could hold wore simple clothing, and adhered to the law
the massive crowds. His name was in the in extreme detail. John the Baptist seems to
headlines. His stirring stories were told and have resembled this sect of Judaism.
retold around the country. His unique way of Jesus, on the other hand, appeared more
teaching brought hope for the establishment "normal." He spent most of His years in a car
of a new society. Polls would have placed him penter shop, working with His father in the
as the most popular personage in the nation. family business. He dressed like the common
For the other young man, things could not people, attended the local synagogue, and
have been worse. Once a great and respected functioned as a basically normal member of
orator, he was now forgotten. Once a nation society.
al figure, a successful preacher, a prophetic Looking at their ministries, the contrast
voice on a national level, he was now losing between the two men became even more
respect and prominence. Aside from the enor marked. John was a hard hitting, hellfire-and-
mous crowds that had flocked to hear him, he brimstone preacher. He called sin by its name.
had once been visited by presidents, states His primary target was the religious people,
men, and even the intelligencia. Now nobody especially the establishment, whom he called
seemed to care about him; in fact, he was now to a higher standard of holiness. To some of
languishing in prison where he faced execu the religious leaders he said, "Brood of vipers!
tion. His had been a wild ride of prominence Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
and popularity, but it had abruptly been halt come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repen
Greg Taylor is senior ed. The crowds that had once followed him tance. . . ." (Matt. 3:7-9, NKJV)
pastor of the Foster were now following the new sensation. Jesus, however, was primarily interested in
Memorial Seventh-
A tale of two preachers: Jesus of Nazareth, reaching the "lost sheep of the house of
day Adventist Church
in Asheville, North
and John the Baptist. Israel" (Matt. 10:6, NKJV). He was considered
Carolina. Looking back over the contrast between unconventional, nontraditional. The fact that
their ministries, there is much to learn regard He neglected many of the traditions of the
ing different approaches to ministry, worship elders deeply offended the religious authori-
Reversing
the other's ministry, different or not.
Looking back from our vantage
point, we can see that the ministries
of Jesus and John, however different,
were also complementary and ulti
mately bound up with the same
and Obesity Naturally cause. But how easily they could have
seen one another as a threat, either
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reach lost people. I, in fact, pastor a
church that has been targeting the
I
t's true! The parish pastor is called to be the truth." 1
Buford Griffith, Jr.
all things to all men . . . and women:
leader, administrator, evangelist, coun Pastor's responsibility
selor, consoler, and keeper of the There are pastors who are taking on the
household of God. Only God can equip seriously negligent habit of not attending
us to be successful in the area of our calling. Sabbath School! It is true that many pastors
Yet we are also teachers, Sabbath School are charged with the care of many churches
teachers. I have discovered in 20 years of pas and therefore find it difficult to be with their
toral ministry that the greatest joy after people for Sabbath School. That is, of course,
preaching is that of watching people grow in understandable, but the pastor should never
the Lord. That growth is aided by special be absent because of laziness or indifference.
attention given them by their pastor in regu There is no excuse for the pastor who is gen
lar classroom interaction known in Adventist uinely able to do so, not to be at Sabbath
circles as the pastor's Sabbath School class. School conducting his or her own class.
It is with much prayer and effort that we As pastors, we are teachers. Regular teach
observe the charge of God to "go into all the ing of the saints, whether in an evangelistic or
world and teach all nations, baptizing them Sabbath School setting, keeps the tools of the
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy pastor sharp and above all keeps him in close
Spirit." Thus, after the effort to gather souls touch with the people who need him the
for the kingdom, we should exert the same, or most. It keeps him in touch with the new
even greater effort to retain them. This is dis- converts. One new in the faith needs the
cipling, and a pastor's class can play a crucial security of knowing that their pastor is there
role in this important part of our mission. for them spiritually and ready to help with
Buford Griffith Jr. is personal and doctrinal issues that arise. The
director of Sabbath Protection pastor is charged with the responsibility of
School/Family Life Let's be honest. After baptism, the number holding the reins of truth within the church.
Ministries, of those who remain is alarmingly low. That It is a responsibility that cannot not be taken
Southwestern Union trend must be reversed. I contend that if pas lightly.
Conference of tors were more diligent in "rooting and We preach the high standards of the will of
Seventh-day grounding" new converts, we would have God; these often attract men, women, and
Adventists, Burleson,
more vibrant churches and more stable mem children to the message of Christ. But when
Texas.
bers who would not be in danger of being they enter the fellowship of the church, new
"tossed to and fro, and carried about with converts easily become confused as they
How to move
they facilitate relationships with grandpar
ents, other children at church and school,
and even big sister?
into a church
It was parenting all right, but in a totally
new dimension!
The model of adoption offers some insights
plant withput
for the church planter who "adopts" an
"orphaned church" in its infancy rather than
giving birth to it. That is, for the pastor who is
killing it
called to take over a congregation that has
recently been planted or brought into being
by someone else. Four key questions capsulate
these insights for the "instant parent" of a new
church plant. Careful and honest answers to
these four questions can lay groundwork for a
S
teve and Karen adopted a five-year- more successful adoption.
Doug Tilstra
old boy from Russia. They spent The questions are: (1) What is my history
months preparing for the adoption. as a new parent? (2) What is this child's his
Even though they were veteran par tory? (3) How has this child learned to relate
ents, the prospect of adoption to others? and (4) Is everybody willing to
presented dozens of new challenges. allow the process of growing up?
They watched and watched again video
clips of their new son, Anton, long before he 1. What is my history as a new
ever came to live in their home. There were parent?
mountains of paperwork and miles of red Vision. One of the first questions Steve and
tape to work through. Other concerns includ Karen needed to ask themselves was, Why are
ed finances, dynamics of family integration, we doing this? Parents (biological and adop
and bedroom configuration. tive) usually have some vision for the children
At last, Steve and Karen flew to Moscow, they bring into the world. They dream of what
visited Anton's orphanage, met him for the they can become; their goals for their future
first time, and brought him to their California and desires for the direction of their lives.
home. But the work had just begun. Perhaps Most churches are planted with vision. The
adopting a child relieves the mother from the church founder and planting team typically
physical "labor" that comes with giving birth, share such a vision, even if it is not formalized
but the labor of the delivery room is certainly on paper. The problem is, a new leader com
replaced with hard work the moment adop ing to the church may have little idea what
tion occurs. that original vision is. The potential "instant
Unlike a newborn entering their family, parent" of a new church does well to ask,
Anton came with certain habits and expecta Why am I doing this? What are my dreams
tions fairly firmly set. He spoke Russian, and for this church? Why do I believe God
responded to life from a preset genetic code allowed this church to come into being at this
(largely unknown to the new parents). He time, in this place, with these people? What
Doug Tilstra is
assistant professor also had some medical needs requiring sever can it become? How can God use me to help
of religion at al surgeries and rehabilitation. Steve and it achieve those dreams?
Southern Adventist Karen quickly realized this was parenting in a Expectations. Vision is closely related to
University, totally new dimension. expectations. Both project a desired future.
Collegedale, Who was this little boy? How could they Both can motivate to excellence. Both can
Tennessee. bond to him and encourage him to bond to inspire a team with focus, unity, and coopera-
w:
Why did the founding pastor leave?
O CONCEIVED THIS CHURCH? WHY? As I listened to the stories of area
pastors, members, conference admin
istrators, and the founding pastor of
HOW LONG WAS :THE .'GESTATION,PE:RJ0D":: my adopted church, I began formu
lating a picture of this "child" I had
adopted. I could understand its pre
dictable life stages from previous
eager to create a church in my own separated by 1,000 miles, a cultural experience, but I could only grasp its
image? Am I trying to meet some per barrier, and totally different planting unique needs by hearing the story of
sonal need by what this church will vision and history from the church I its early life.
become? Am I using this church to had planted several years before. But Genetic code. The "genetic code"
"make a statement"? the intriguing thing was the familiar refers to the unique personality the
It is a good idea for the "instant phrases I heard coming from people's church builds in its formative stage
parent" of a newly planted church to mouths. It was almost as if people in and passes on as a heritage to all
evaluate his or her own vision and my adopted church were quoting future generations. It is amazing how
expectations and then learn as much folk from my own planted church. quickly such a "genetic code" is built
as possible about the vision and They were passing through similar and how long it lasts!
expectations of the congregation. stages of new church life. I remem Ideally, the genetic code is careful
Experience. It isn't essential, but it bered what came next, and sure ly articulated in a vision statement
can help to be a parent before adopt enough, it usually did. and implemented through equally
ing your first child. "Instant parents" My past experience allowed me to well-planned strategies and goals.
may be surprised to learn that their be a bit calmer, a bit less reactive. It More often, the genetic code, even if
child does not sleep an eight-hour was a little easier to distinguish harm there is a written vision and strategy
night or dismayed that their baby did ful trends from minor distractions. document, develops informally as the
not come equipped with teeth. In the church just "lives its life."
same way, a person who has never 2. What is the child's history? The genetic code includes such
planted a church my be dismayed that Circumstances surrounding the con things as how leaders are selected,
this new group looks like a church, ception, birth, and infancy. Parents how differences are resolved, attitudes
talks like a church, even acts like a adopting a child often ask about birth toward "outsiders," a heart for the
church much of the time, but. . . sur parents. Are they addicted to alcohol lost, how decisions are made, worship
prise! This new group really has not or drugs? What is their general style, relationship to the corporate
learned to function as a church yet. health? What sort of people are they? church and denominational adminis
Some church functions (such as the What kind of families did they come tration, expectations for the pastor,
FREE LUMBAR
CUSHION
T
these members "born and bred" HE CHURCH or a "We" mentality?
Adventists who became "bored and Such questions may help you eval
tired" of their local church? Have uate the situation. If you discover
there already been power struggles in
PLANTER DOES serious conflict it may require a care
the formation of this group? What ful study of the biblical role of
support or hostility have local leadership, prayer for broken hearts,
Adventist congregations acted out in and repentance and help from spe
the formation of this new group? cialists perceived as being neutral.
What experiments have worked well
here? Which have not? 4. Is everybody willing to
These questions are merely sugges allow the growing-up process?
tive. Other appropriate ones will Neither parenting nor church
become obvious once adoptive par planting is a quick and easy process.
ents know what they are looking for. Unless parents and planters are will
made inside those structures or out ing to stick with the job for the long
3. How has this child learned side of them? Do small groups form a haul, the results will be disappointing.
to relate to others? significant part of church life? What And the children and church mem
Bonding issues: Attitudes toward each does the group do for fun? bers are part of that decision. Like
other. Families interested in raising After diagnosing, there will be adoptive homes, new church plants
secure and well-adjusted children room for both celebrating the bond are no place for those who are quick
give significant energy to bonding ing that is already happening and for to take offense or hand it out! People
issues. How emotionally close are the gradually filling in where pieces of willing to allow the process of growth
people in this family? How emotion the puzzle are missing. are people with a clear vision of the
ally available are they to each other? Attitude toward the lost. Churches desired result and almost infinite
Can they feel each other's pain and are planted to reach lost people. If the patience in the bumbling processes
pleasure? Can they support each newly planted church does not that have to go on to get there.
other? Is it draining or energizing for believe that something is wrong, the Much of the discussion here has
them to interact? Do they like each adoptive parent of the new church centered on asking probing questions
other or just tolerate each other? Are may need to help the group refocus to understand where to direct ener
they a team? their vision until they see the priority gies. Asking the right questions will
Many church plants fail for lack of of reaching the lost. They need to not produce healthy churches.
bonding. Often the core group is catch the vision of "making a place for Producing careful solutions will not
made of a "collection of strangers." them" as opposed to "making a place necessarily produce healthy churches.
They may have met for the first time for us." Only God produces healthy churches.
when the church planter called a Perhaps it is the new leader who We cooperate with Him.
Chaos and
the chronos as it is bom in on the wings of our
chaos. When this takes place there is a syner
gy that often produces what in the end is quite
chronos
logical. That is, it is logical at the end of the
process looking back, for we would probably
never have arrived at the idea by a linear or
more logical step-by-step process. We reached
The integration of the idea through chaos. Then the idea comes
into chronos as a new "child" to be nurtured
disorder and order across time into a maturity as either a new
process, product, or system.
T
Chronos and chaos in the Bible
he human mind seeks to bring Think of the impact of the juxtaposition of
Richard 0.
Stenbakken order to a multitude of chaotic chaos and chronos in the Bible. In Genesis we
events in order to impart meaning begin with chaos. "Now the earth was form
and understanding and to pro less and empty. . ." That sounds like chaos to
mote survival and progress. me. But then God appears in the form of the
Perhaps I preach a sermon that is a total Spirit, and that which was chaotic now takes
flop. My mind warns me not to do that again! on form, order, and beauty. Out of chaos
It tells me that I must be a survivor in the age comes chronos: days, weeks, months, sea
of pastoral cuts and "right-sizing" in the work sons, Sabbath, worship, marriage, family,
force of the church! In the message my mind intimacy with God, and a host of riotous
gives me, there is pain and fear. The chaos cre orderliness including flora, fauna, and geo
ated by my "failure" may actually be the best physical forces. Then comes chaos again, in
thing that ever happened to me. It forces me the form of the Fall. The total creation is now
to re-evaluate my sermons, their preparation, in chaos. Weeds come where once there were
content, and delivery. This chaos may well only flowers, thorns where there were roses,
propel me toward a much better process of and back-breaking work where there had
study and preparation as well as a much bet been life-fulfilling labor. Fear of God where
ter "product" (the sermon) and thus lead me there was love. Male and female ashamed of
to be a better spokesperson for God and more being with each other: "We are naked here!
faithful to His call and my profession. Another fig leaf, please!" And the fig leaves
The message in such situations is both are humanity's way of trying feebly to bring
obscured and clear. Thus, chaos is a point of some order out of the chaos in a now frac
time that should be appreciated and valued as tured creation.
a teaching or learning opportunity in chronos But, God has a brilliant idea. Save the situ
(time). If I merely throw away chaos, or refuse ation from chaos by installing a new
to allow its lessons to penetrate my manage dimension of chronos: " 'And I will put enmi
ment of chronos and life, I will probably be ty between you and the woman, and between
Richard 0. operating on five cylinders when I could be your offspring and hers; he will crush your
Stenbakken, Ed.D, is running on eight. [Serpent's] head, and you will strike His
the director of The fact is that deliberate chaos is often the [Christ's] heel' " (Gen. 3:15). This is the first
Adventist Chaplaincy producer of fresh, new, and viable ideas. It is promise of a Savior who will come in "the full
Ministries, Genera! the invitation to a quality of growth that oth ness of time [chronos]" to ultimately and
Conference. erwise would never be. At times of chaos we finally bring order again from the chaos of
church grow?
the Word of God as well as living the Word. The
apostles' teachings centered in the essentials,
such as the love of God; the plan of salvation;
the centrality of the crucified, risen, and
soon-coming Jesus; the hope of resurrection;
C
and the lifestyle that the gospel called for in
hurch growth has dominated the lives of the disciples. The members of the
Gnanaraj Kore
the functions of the world church met together (verse 46) to learn the
church in recent times, provid Word, and their lives became one with the
ing a giant leap in evangelism Word.
and outreach, and taking the Today many members do not know what
gospel to unentered areas around the world. they believe and why they believe. Even the
Church leadership and laity have invested central teachings of Jesus affecting our daily
enormous resources in this growth. Results life seem neglected in many circles. Often the
have been good. New outposts and new Sabbath itself seems not to celebrate its pri
churches have been established. mary emphasis in God as Creator and
But what about growth in existing church Redeemer, and is often either ignored or rele
es? Are they growing or are they largely gated to mere ritual. Lifestyle issues do not
stagnated, with only the children of the con stand out to reflect what God's grace can do
gregation constituting the major increase? to transform lives as models of citizens of the
Are the new members added in the existing coming kingdom. On the contrary, the early
churches the result of a living witness in the church believed the Word of God and stood
surrounding community? Do the church firm for it. There was oneness in their belief.
records indicate honest membership figures, We cannot do any less.
or are there names that are not even trace
able? Fellowship
Second, the early church was noted for fel
Four New Testament principles of lowship with the Lord as well as with one
church growth another. How much fellowship do we have as
The New Testament church gives us twin a church today? Do our churches provide an
pictures of church growth. While individual atmosphere where both members and visitors
church grew daily (Acts 2:47), the evangelistic eagerly await getting together? I know of
Gnanaraj Kore is the thrust of taking the gospel to unentered areas churches where worshipers would rather not
director of Sabbath
went about with vision and vigor. How was look at one another.
School and Personal
this possible? In my early ministry I pastored a small vil
Ministries of the
Southern Asia The answer is found in Acts 2:42: "They lage church. On the first Sabbath of the new
Division of Seventh- devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching year, the Sabbath School superintendent
day Adventists, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of invited me to read Isaiah 58. I went up and
Hosur, India. bread and to prayer" (NIV). A careful study of read, "Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise
Promised a
Wes "felt something" and was sure he had
been healed.
When they reached home, Larry said,
miracle?
"We're gonna believe this all the way! We're
gonna fast! We're gonna read our Bibles!
We're gonna pray! We're gonna strengthen
our faith till there's no room for doubt!"
In the days that followed, certain practical
I
issues had to be addressed:
f you had half the faith in the Lord that Lucky: "What if Wes shows signs of sugar?
David N. Marshall
you place in doctors and needles, I Should we stop the insulin?"
believe that boy would get well." How Larry: "He won't."
would you react if you had a sick son Lucky: "He has to have his insulin. He'll
and someone said that to you? get sick."
Well, Larry and Lucky Parker did have a Larry: "The Scriptures promise healing.
sick son8-year-old Wesley, a diabeticand God has to stand on His Word."
those words were said to them. Each morning Wes continued to test for
As you identify with their situation, do you sugar, which continued to be high. One
feel yourself pulled two ways? morning Larry grew agitated: "You show
Larry and Lucky were members of a symptoms because Satan has put them there
"charismatic" congregation. They heard heal to test our faith. We're gonna show our grati
ing stories in church regularly. After one such tude for this healingby believing in it!"
story a well-intentioned group of women Larry and Lucky persistently affirmed the
turned to Lucky and said, "We're going to do miracle in church services. Wes, with his par
the same for Wesley." ents' permission, began to eat unwisely.
Lucky was hesitant. "Well, I do believe the Standing with the fridge door open one day,
Lord will heal Wes one day ..." But the his father said, holding the needles and
women's group was up and racing. Wesley's insulin, "I guess we don't need these any
healing was made the number-one priority in more." It all went into the garbage bin.
their prayer circle. "There's nothing He won't But Wesley continued to feel ill. Lucky
do if you just show Him you have faith," they confessed to her women's prayer group
told Larry and Lucky. "moments of doubt." The response? "Oh,
The well-intentioned women's group, with Lucky, I wouldn't throw doubt in the face of
Lucky in its midst, met in a home. They God's miracle! It's blasphemy! Let's get some
worked themselves up by an almost frenzied prayer power working."
singing of Gospel hymns. Then there was a Wesley was obviously ill, and his condition
prayer session in which all spoke (shouted?) was deteriorating. However, believing that to
David N. Marshall, at once, one voice louder than the rest. First admit symptoms would be to show a lack of
Ph.D.. is Editor-in- they demanded Wesley's healing in the name faith, he tried his best to prevent his parents
Chief, Stanborough of Jesus, and then they chanted, "Hear us, from realizing just how sick he was. There
Press, Grantham, Lamb of God," so many times that they lost came a time when Larry wanted Wes to go
England. track of time. back to the insulin. At that exact moment
R
obert Schuller, in one of his devo tion, people who kept their faith right
tional books, recounts the up to their last agonizing breath.
heart-breaking story of his daugh Should 1 celebrate less for Rhonda
ter's motorcycle accident in which the because others, equally worthy, were
beautiful young woman lost a leg.
JUDITH A. THOMAS not healed? Of course not. If God's
Receiving the news while overseas ways are not my ways, then surely there
speaking, he immediately flew home are spiritual and mental changes that
with his wife. In anger and desperation, are needed that may be less miraculous
he unbuckled his seat belt in the middle than physical healing, even if I'm not
of the flight and walked to the lavatory. aware of all the implications involved.
As he stood in front of the mirror with Perhaps my associate who had quality
tears streaming down his face, he audi time with her mother experienced a
bly articulated his praise to Cod. "Thank seemingly, no one heard or cared about miracle in her own life no less spectacu
you, God. No head injury, no internal their fervent petitions? lar. I don't know. We just don't have all
organ involvement. She is not para Or, perhaps, are we asking the the answers.
lyzed. She lost only her leg. Hallelujah, wrong question? Donna (whose moth Robert Schuller's daughter, Donna's
anyway!" er had died of cancer) says that the last mother, Rhondaall are beloved of the
"Hallelujah, anyway"? days of caring for her mother were God who gave His one and only Son so
How many of us, facing stark among the most profound spiritual that no matter happens to us here,
tragedy, could cry out such a thing? times she, Donna, had ever experi now, we can all have the ultimate qual
Recently, the organization where I enced. She learned so much spiritually ity of an everlasting life with Him. And
work mourned the death of a key asso that she could have never learned with to that I cry, "Hallelujah!" m
ciate's motherto cancer. Despite our out going through that experience.
fervent, heartfelt prayers, the woman I agree. I have had my faith strength Judith A. Thomas is an Adventist professional
died. ened by good people who, despite pain laity leader and serves as president of
"Hallelujah, anyway"? and loss, died with courage and convic J. A. Thomas and Associates in Georgia.
Then, not long after that death,
SEEDS 2001
there was Rhonda, an associate in our
organization. She was only 36 years old ^__-r-^/^ r\r\r\ *
when diagnosed with advanced cancer
of the stomach that was spewing can
cer cells all over her abdominal cavity
and into her ovaries. Chemotherapy
was the only option. The prognosis was,
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of course, grim: she had only a few
months left. The agonized family con Plant a Church ,,. Reap a Bountiful Harvest!
sidered an anointing and healing Church Planters Hear these Plenary Speakers...
service. She was anointed in a special English & Spanish Russell Burrill * Don Schneider
service accompanied by prayer all over Young Adults Walter Pearson John McVay
the world. Today, she is healed; all Lay Members ErnestYoung WalterWright
traces of cancer gone. Pastors Ron Halvorsen Jr
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Now, of course, the key question: Departmental
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even miraculously, when others die as if,
February 2001 M ( N I S T R Y 27
PASTOR's PASTOR
Comfort
in chaos
F
irst the bad news. My aunt died fin lid. God's true gift of the Holy Spirit
yesterday while Sharon and I are somehow sends us comfort in the midst
traveling a third of the way around of chaos. In the firestorm of our loss, His
the globe. We have just begun our jour still, small voice communicates love and
ney and have found it is impossible to
JAMES A. CRESS concern for our need.
return for the funeral services.
As 1 have reflected and grieved over Others have suffered more.
the past few hours for the life of a While we grieve at death=s stroke
favorite relative, I'm impressed to share against our family, we grapple with the
my experience with you. comparative blessing we have experi
enced compared with someone who
Life is bad but God is good. The has lost a loved one in more tragic cir
experience of our sinful world is the "right" moment. There is no conven cumstances. What of those whose son is
reality of death and loss. Sometimes in ient date for death. And even if we a casualty of war or whose spouse is
the joy we experience with family, could schedule death's timing, few of us taken in a crushing automobile acci
friends, or transient circumstances, we would actually choose to keep the dent? What of parents whose little
forget that our lives are like grass that appointment. children suffer horrible disease or whose
withers or flowers that fade. Death's aged parents lose their memory while
crushing grasp, however, reminds us Long life is not long enough. their bodies continue to function? For
that every person is born under a When I last spoke with my aunt, she my aunt to have lived a long life,
mandatory death sentence. Although reminded me that she had already lived endured traumas, and to have also
death was not part of God's original cre beyond three-score and ten. She enjoyed her dogs and her grandchil
ation, its horrendous reality is the rejoiced in the good things that had dren, remains a blessed experience that
consequence of humanity's disobedi come her way during her life and thousands of less-fortunate would envy.
ence. Life is the promise of God's declared that she had made peace with
ultimate restoration and in the midst of the nearness of her anticipated end. Plan for the future; live today.
loss, that reality is more difficult to see Nevertheless, when the moment came, Twin challenges confront every believer.
than the grief that envelops us. her daughter, who was with her, longed How to focus on plans for the future
Assurance of His ultimate victory eases, for just one more day or even an addi while staying in touch with the tenuous
but does not eliminate the sting of pain tional hour in which to somehow cram present. Good intentions never trans
in the midst of loss. some last farewell. Perhaps one of the formed into present actions remain only
most destructive of death's results is the figments of our thoughts. Irresponsible
Death never arrives on sched lost opportunity to say anything else to anticipation of future things can stymie
ule. Although I knew that my aunt was those we love. hard work and corrective action today.
ill and even though my brothers and I Likewise, hedonistic abandonment of
had strategized how we might handle Sorrow and grief will abate in appropriate concern for ultimate things
her possible death during my travels, I time. Eventually the present pain of means a shallow, meaningless repeti
was not prepared to receive the bad loss will lessen as we who are left tion of daily life. God's challenge for his
news that she had died the very morn behind move through the various people has always been to live in keen
ing we left the United States. Even stages of grief. Such progress will be anticipation of eternity while joyfully
when death is anticipated, its apparent greatly aided by participating in a grief- embracing His blessings and benefits
finality brings a crushing load that over recovery group with others who have today.
whelms those of us who are left to recently suffered loss. At the moment,
grieve. Whether suddenly springing to however, even the assurance of Christ's Death is an enemy but rest is a
rip a family apart or dragging to con ultimate victory seems a more distant gift. My aunt's life mercifully conclud
clusion a long struggle with disease and hope than the distracting scratching of ed before the worst ravages of painful
suffering, death never comes at the shovel on earth or the thud of the cof continued on page 29
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