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F I R

Ministry is the international journal of the


Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association
and has been published since 1928.

Association Secretary James A. Cress


Editor Willmore D. Eva
Managing conflict in the church Assistant Editor Julia W. Norcott
Suggested ways of handling church conflict Editorial Assistant Sheila Draper
Professional Growth and Inter-church Relations
H. jack Morris Nikolaus Satelmajer
Contributing Editors: Sharon Cress, Peter Prime, Joel
Sarli, Kit Watts
Consulting Editors:
ONE-STEP: A five-facet plan for Ben Clausen, Raoul Dederen, Teofilo Ferreira, Ron
Flowers, John M. Fowler, Michael Hasel, Roland
creating four-minute devotionals Hegstad, Kathleen Kuntaraf, Ekkehardt Mueller, Jan
A practical guide for preparing short devotional Paulsen, Robert Peach, George Reid, Angel Rodriguez,
Penny Shell, William Shea, Russell Staples, Richard
talks Tibbits, Ted Wilson, Edward Zinke

Dick Duerksen Pastoral Assistant Editors: John C. Cress, Fredrick


Russell, Maylan Schurch, Loren Seibold
International Advisors: Alejandro Bullon, John
Duroe, Andrews Laurence Ewoo, Paulraj Isaiah, Anthony
Kent, Jairyong Lee, Ivan Manilich, Gabriel Maurer, Joel
Editorial Church conflict: The role of the Musvosvi, Ivan Omana, David Osborne, Peter
Roennfeldt, Raymond Zeeman
third voice
Pastoral Advisors: Leslie Baumgartner, S. Peter
The value of intentionally having a neutral voice Campbell, Miguel A. Cerna, Jeanne Hartwell, Mitchell
in conflict situations Henson, Greg Nelson, Norma Osborn, Leslie Pollard,
Dan Smith, Steve Willsey
Scilla Wahrhaftig Advertising Editorial Office
Subscriptions and Circulation Jeannette Calbi
Resources Cathy Payne

J e Growing a healthy church, part 3 Cover Design Harry Knox

.JL The final four components to a growing church


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single copy US$3.00. To order, send name, address,
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\,,,/ Strategies for moving children into constructive Email: calbij@gc.adventist.org
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The inner attitudes needed in conflict situations Email: norcottj@gc.adventist.org or
drapers@gc.adventist.org (editorial offices).
Marion T. Perkins, Sr.
Writer's Guidelines available on request.
Ministry (ISSN 0026-5314), the international journal
of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association
2001, is published monthly by the General
The environment: Created and Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and printed by
sustained by whom? Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1350 N. Kings Road,
Nampa, ID 83687-3193. Member Associated Church
The divine source of earth's environment and our Press. Standard mail postage paid at Nampa, Idaho.

involvement in it PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.

Patrick A. Travis Vol. 74 Number 5

Bible credits: Scripture quotations from NASB are


Tending to the stranger on the from the New American Standard Bible. Copyright
1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975,
roadside 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Texts credited to
NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version.
The pastor's day Copyright 6 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International
Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible
Larry LaPierre Publishers.

MINISTRY May 2001


T

Ministry's new format religion as being the true one and con Conviction and Learning."

I have just gone through the new


Ministry and want to congratulate
sequently, all others including Judaism
are false!
Herbert E. Douglass, Weimar, California.

you for its new design and reading for


mat. The articles were superb and very
practical. Even though each pastor in
Pastor Eva is of course entitled to his
opinion and his beliefs. However, it is
troubling to pass such negative judg
T hough, no doubt, I come with pre
suppositions that Charles Scriven
doesn't have, and no doubt I probably
our conference receives Ministry I will ments on all religions. I am thinking par interpreted his words in some places
refer them to many of the articles writ ticularly that this unfortunate differently than perhaps he meant
ten in this issue at our next ministers comparison has been a source of anti- them, I nevertheless thank Ministry for
meeting. Keep up the good work! Semitism as well as a downgrading of one of the best written and well-
John Loor, jr., President, Montana Judaism over the centuries. thought-out articles I've read from with
Conference, Bozeman, Montana. Thank you very much for your con in our Church in a long time. I agree
sideration. Best wishes to you for the wholeheartedly with the need for open

Ijust wanted to say [about the new


Ministry design] F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!
Great job on the whole thing! I am very
continuation of this publication.
Rabbi Daniel Coldberger, Denver,
Colorado.
ness and conviction in our schools.
Though perhaps it was understood (if
not explicitly stated), I would assume
impressed! Keep up the good work! those moral convictions he says we
jerry Smith, pastor, Saint John, New Editorial note: / regret giving the must have are to be based on the clear
Brunswick, Canada. impression to anyone that I believe all reli testimony of the Scriptures; in other
gions, other than my own, are false. The words, right and wrong are not cultur
Fearing the Pharisee . . . intent of my editorial was to point to the ally conditioned but based on a "Thus

I am sorry that I have taken so long to


write to you in the Ministry office.
First, I have benefitted many times
fact that all of us, including my denomi
nation, which I was particularly address
ing, have the universal problem of
Saith the Lord." Of course, once you
make that claim, there are automatic
limits to just how open "open" is sup
from the fine articles in Ministry. Thank struggling with the need to move beyond posed to be. But that's another article.
you for all that you are doing with this the claims of judgment and justice into Thanks again for a great read.
publication. the fresh air of grace and generous for Clifford Coldstein, Silver Spring, Maryland.
However, I must call to your attention giveness. It was certainly not my intention
a grievous error. It has long been accept
ed by prominent Bible and theological
scholars that the New Testament depic
to single out Jewish people.

Conviction and truth in


c
gem.
onviction and Truth in Adventist
Education" by Charles Scriven is a

tion of the Pharisees is not accurate to Adventist education Ancient Athenian Aristophenes and
them, to the Jewish people, and to a
better understanding of first-century
Christianity.
T he clarity and balance in Charles
Scriven's "Conviction and Truth in
Adventist Education" (January 2001)
his son were cheated when the young
man graduated from Socrates's school
with no more conscience than when he
The author of the editorial (Will Eva, suggests that this article could easily entered. Their counterparts may be seen
"Fearing the Pharisee More Than the become a discussion paper for any all around us 2,500 years later.
Sinner," March 2000) compounds this Adventist faculty from K-16. His appeal "Liberal" education without convic
ancient error but takes his approach to Ellen G. White was well-placed. Her tion always has had a way of simply pro-
even further by stating that his defini educational principles could well be ducing more mixed-up minds and
tion indicates that he identifies his summarized by Scriven's "Marriage of continued on page 28

If you're receiving Ministry bimonthly and haven't paid for a subscription, it's not a mistake. Since 1928 Ministry has been
Free Subscription published for Seventh-day Adventist ministers. We believe, however, that the time has come for clergy everywhere to experience a
resurgence of faith in the authority of Scripture and in the great truths that reveal the gospel of our salvation by grace, through faith alone in Jesus Christ.
We want to share our aspirations and faith in a way that will provide inspiration and help to you as clergy. We hope you will accept this journal as our
outstretched hand to you. Look over our shoulder, take what you want and find helpful, and discard what you can't use. Bimonthly gift subscriptions are
available to all licensed and/or ordained clergy. Requests should be on church letterhead and addressed to the editorial office.

May 2001 MINISTRY


EDITORIAL

What
causes
fights?
W
hat causes fights and quar tinctly secondary in the light of the new
rels among you?" asks "nationality"we now all equally share as
James. Quite a question, and the citizenry of Christ's kingdom.
a perceptive answer follows: "Don't This magnificent principle tran
they come from your desires that bat
WILL EVA scends all others as an operational base
tle within you?" (James 4:1, NIV). for lasting interpersonal peace. It sur
A dispute in the early Jerusalem passes the pervading approaches used
congregation where James was, illus in facing difference and conflict
trates the truth of his thesis and adds between people, the approaches which
an important dimension: "In those dominate the political and social out
days ... the Grecian Jews among them look of our time. The cross put human
complained against those of the hostility to death and produced a revo
Aramaic-speaking community because lutionary way for people to appraise
their widows were being overlooked in you who once were far away have been one another. It literally gave the world
the daily distribution of food" (Acts brought near through the blood of an effective weapon with which to van
6:1, NIV). The word "overlooked" is Christ. For he himself is our peace, who quish the onset of "the desires that
powerful in the context of this and all has made the two one and has battle within" them.
conflicts. The quarrel centered on the destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall Thinking of how he had boasted in
matter of one group being neglected of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the his heritage as a circumcised Hebrew, a
or brushed aside and another, of dif law with its commandments and regula Pharisee, and an elite Benjaminite, Paul
ferent ethnic origin, being favored. tions. His purpose was to create in him also said "But whatever was to my prof
This scenario is reflective of the con self one new man out of the two, thus it I now consider loss for the sake of
flict which pervaded the life of the first making peace, and in this one body to Christ. What is more, I consider every
century Christian community, when reconcile both of them to God through thing a loss compared to the surpassing
interpersonal discord was compounded the cross, by which he put to death their greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my
by the rift that existed between the hostility" (Eph. 2:13-20, NIV). Lord. ... I consider [all of] them rub
Jewish and Gentile Christians. Evidence Is it a violation of Paul's context to bish, that I may gain Christ and be
of this struggle is omnipresent in Paul's claim that the blood of the Cross has found in him" (Phil. 3:4-9. NIV). Here is
letters, because it threatened the viabili not only abolished religious "com the prism through which early
ty of the early church. Perhaps it threat mandments and regulations"? Hasn't it Christians came to view themselves and
ens the church even more today. The also in fact demolished the national, one another in their multicultural world.
mass of our contemporary ecclesiastical racial, and ethnic norms of our time? In the presence of such a reality,
antagonisms are not all that significant Hasn't it tackled our elitist codifications how must one respond? Beaming the
in themselves, but they can rapidly and definitions, withering the haughty light of this Christian worldview on the
become heavy with nationalism, racism, roots of intemperate self-preoccupation extensive European migrations and col
ethnicism, tribalism, and culturalism. and those worldviews that build walls of onizations, especially of Africa and
These "isms" manifest themselves in our conceit, hostility, and division between North America during the last 300
post-colonial era with unprecedented people? Our new standing and identity years, brings me shame and deep con
potency and on a global scale the in Christ ruins the pride and confidence viction. So much of the exploitative
church has never faced before. I have invested in my whiteness, nerve center of those movements are
What was the all important alpha angloness, nationalness, and ethnicity. still potently present in our world and in
principle that the first-century Christian It disgraces all my supposed advantage, the church. Their underlying spirit still
community summoned to derail this and shames the hollow distinctives I subtly or not so subtly governs the way
threat to the church? Here's Paul's own accentuate in an attempt to inflate my we view one another, whether from
description of its surpassing strength value in relation to other races, cultures one side or the other. And it is not just
and beauty: "But now in Christ Jesus and people. Such things become dis continued on page 28

MINISTRY May 2001


that is dealt with, discussed, managed, and
resolved can be good. This kind of conflict
provides an opportunity for growth and cre
ative change. On the other hand, conflict that
is left unattended and ignored can destroy
unity, hinder growth, and render ministry
ineffective.
Conflict is caused by people. It does not
simply begin and then evolve within a vacu
um. The apostle James gives some insight into

Managing the personality types who are instrumental in


stirring up and participating in church con
flict. He asks a pointed rhetorical question,

conflict in "What causes fights and quarrels among


you?" (James 4:1, NIV). Then he answers it by
telling us that church conflicts are caused by:
1. Self-centered people. James points to self-

the church centeredness as a source for the origin of


church conflicts. He refers to "your desires"
(verse 1); "You want something"; "You kill
[literally hate] and covet" (verse 2); "You
[have] wrong motives"; "You . . . spend what

C
onflict and division destroys you get on your pleasures" (verse 3). Notice
H. Jack Morris
faith and blights the Christian how often the words "you" and "your"
witness in the community. Some appear. Church conflict occurs when people
churches with a great history of in the congregation put their personal ideas,
evangelism and growth have thoughts, and motives above what is best for
been torn apart by dissension and factions the congregation.
and are now only a shadow of what they used 2. Angry people. Another source of church
to be. conflict is anger or hate. The hallmark of the
The potential for conflict exists where two church and its most perfect means of minis
or more people are present, and the church is tering to the world is love. Yet James tells us
people. People often experience conflict as a that Christians are capable of killing (figura
result of divergent ideas and opinions, con tively speaking) one another with hate. When
flicting ambitions and goals, and varying a Christian manifests a hateful attitude
needs and concerns. The potential for conflict toward another Christian it is misplaced
is never far away. It crouches at the door ready anger. Psychology uses the technical term
to move in to disrupt, divide, embarrass, and "transference" when referring to misdirected
destroy all that is sacred and holy. emotions.
The church must ever be prepared to Transference occurs when a person is angry
become actively involved in the ministry of with someone or something but expresses
reconciliation. We are a new creation, a com that anger elsewhere. For example, a wife may
munity of love, living in answer to Jesus' have pent-up feelings of anger at her hus
prayer, "Father, make them one, even as we band, but unconsciously transfers and
are one." We are a prophetic people empow expresses her feelings toward the pastor or
ered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim by word, someone else in the church. The pastor and
action, and example the redemptive, recon church are usually thought as "safe" places to
ciling message of Christ. For a gathering of express angry feelings because there is often
H. Jack Morris,
people to call itself a church, it must be a little or no retaliation. Many a church conflict
0. Min., is pastor of
Largo Community
reflection of the first assembly that congre is the result of some angry person looking for
Church, Mitchellville, gated in the upper room where there was a "whipping boy" to vent on. Often the
Maryland. prayer, fellowship, and oneness. church, the pastor, or someone else becomes
the recipient of anger transference.
Conflict and people 3. People with emotional problems. The expe
All conflict is not necessarily bad. Conflict rience of salvation does not necessarily mean

MINISTRY
freedom from physical ailment. Sins On the other hand, smaller churches regarding the issues and outcome.
are forgiven, but the physical condi with no vision for growth sometimes The primary concern and responsibil
tion often remains unchanged. The become unchallenged and bored with ity must be managing the process and
same is frequently the case with peo the status quo. As a result, they turn in dynamics of the dispute to a satisfac
ple who suffer from an emotional or on themselves and begin to dicker tory resolution. The manager will
mental disorder. Depression, anxiety, and pick at each other. function much like the facilitator or
and fear persist, along with other Should a conflict erupt, every chair of any ad hoc committee, seeing
problems associated with poor emo effort should be put forth to resolve it to it that there is fairness, thorough
tional and mental health. In verse 1, early. When a conflict is resolved in ness, and agreed-upon rules of debate
James speaks about "desires that battle the spirit of submission and love, that can be adhered to.
within you." These inner, untreated believers will be unified and the 3. Select a secretary. A secretary of
and unresolved emotions "battle church's mission will be refocused high spiritual qualification and matu
within" and cause conflict that may and pursued. If there is a conflict, rity should be selected to record
be brought into volatile congregation- make it a good conflict by resolving thoroughly and accurately the pro
ceedings/conversations as the process
moves toward resolution.
ROBLEMS WITHIN THE CHURCH DO NOT 4. Gather information. The manager

P NEED TO BECOME DESTRUCTIVE.


and the recording secretary should
interview all the disputants in an
effort to gather relevant information.
A convenient date, time, and place
al situations. The result often exacer it, capitalizing on the growth it offers. should be arranged with each person
bates any existing church conflict. The results of resolved conflict are to listen to and record his or her views
worth all the effort that may be and concerns. These initial meetings
Churches that become required: unity among believers and a with the various people involved are
involved in conflict renewed focus on ministry. not a time to argue or dispute the
We have no stereotype to help us problem. Rather they provide the
predict the kind or type of church that Resolving conflict occasion to listen and collect informa
has the potential for conflict. Any Problems within the church do tion. This allows the manager to be
church of any size large, small, in not need to become destructive. As better informed as the next phase of
between has the potential for con soon as they appear to be turning in conflict managing is initiated.
flict. Churches that are growing that direction, the following helpful 5. Scheduling the initial meeting.
because of their strategic ministries of guidelines can be used for managing With the preliminary phase of infor
evangelism, pastoral care, and disci- and resolving church conflict. mation gathering completed, the
pleship have been victimized with 1. Acknowledge the conflict within the next step is to schedule a date, place,
inner turmoil and conflict. These church in its early stages. Procras and time for the disputants to come
aggressive, forward-looking congrega tination or avoidance can be disas together and discuss the issues. Each
tions will inevitably have problems trous. Conflict grows and spreads with person must be contacted and agree
and challenges. Often conflict arises time. Hoping that it will go away or to the schedule. This procedure will
when individuals, committees, or resolve itself is like hoping a cancer allow everyone involved to feel sig
groups are forced to grapple with the will simply recede by itself. Untreated nificant and respected, with some
various issues of a dynamic ministry. conflicts are like untreated cancers: "ownership" of the process.
they will inevitably spread destruc- 6. The meeting. The manager
tiveness. In a calm but straightforward should arrive early so as to be on
manner, we should acknowledge the hand to greet each person with a
conflict, identify the issues, and recog smile, a handshake, and a word of
nize the persons involved. greeting. Such effort will reduce anx
2. Select a manager. The manager ious feelings and make everyone feel
should be a person of spiritual matu more comfortable. When all are pres
rity who is accepted by all parties ent, the manager should:
involved. He or she should know a. Greet the group with a general
something about the procedures and welcome.
processes of managing church con b. Open the meeting with prayer,
flict. The person should be one who invoking the presence of Christ and
will not take sides but be neutral the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

MINISTRY May 2001


c. State the purpose of the meeting
while giving a brief historical account
of the events which led up to this
moment.
d. Describe the process and proce
Would you like to
dures that will be followed, such as
who speaks, how long each person
should speak, etc. A person may be
write for Ministry?
interrupted only if that person
departs from the agreed-upon subject Here are some areas of emphasis in which Ministry is interested:
matter or if he or she goes beyond the * Pastoral practics, such as preaching, evangelism, lay training,
allotted time limit. (At this point, the counseling, conflict resolution, time management, continuing
manager should pause and get the education, congregational leadership and administration
group to acknowledge their under Personal needs of the minister
standing and acceptance of these Professional skills of the minister
"ground rules.") Pastor-spouse team ministry
e. The person who originally Pastoral family needs
expressed the concerns that precipi Worship, music, and church nurture ,
tated the conflict should be allowed Theological and biblical topics within the framework of
to speak first. Everyone present Seventh-day Adventist belief and practice : '
should then be given the opportunity Current issues in church life and mission, particularly as they
to speak in turn. affect the Seventh-day Adventist Church , .';';'
f. After everyone who wishes to * Health and, lifestyle issues as they affect the pastor .
speak has spoken, the manager should * Reports on unique events, of interest to pastors,' such as church .
take the first step toward conflict reso growth, empowerment of laypersons,; etc. : '...-''.. .. , /
lution by reading the church's mis Shoptalk items:, ideas on how to .better 'thfe work.of -the local: ': .' :
sion statement or the local assembly's church', ; .' .'- ';'. . /,- - '- .- '. , ;>' , - " : ,
purpose for existing. Each concern .Brief reviews on books relevant to, ministry: , ,', ,
that seems to contribute to the con Letters of comment on recent 'Ministry articles (no payment fpr .
flict should be examined as to how it 'these) . , " /" : , .','.; ,' : , ,,'' .;.'.'.
relates, complies with, or deviates
from the church's mission statement. International flavor, . ' ' - ; , ' , ' ...,'.
In this context, a consensus should be When writing, it is good,to avoid as far as possible the use of any
sought that might help to resolve the phraseology or allusion that may be mystifying or irrelevant to
conflict. readers outside a given national culture. V , ; ,,
g. Subsequent meetings may be
necessary to focus on any remaining Article submission ' , , .
areas of disagreement, using the same It is advisable to consult with the editor before writing and submitting
general procedure for achieving con an article for publication.
flict resolution. The founding mission
of the church should be the polar star Article length , ,
that guides the church in its witness An average printed page in Ministry contains approximately 750
and ministry for Christ. words. Articles with no more than 1,500 words are preferred.
Seldom are articles with more than 2,500 words accepted.
Conclusion
A church conflict can be managed
and resolved with a good outcome. It U.S. residents may request a complete copy of our Writer's Guidelines
is the church united that receives the by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:
upper room fire, ushering in a strong
and convincing witness. Jesus said, "T Ministry Editorial Office
12501 Old Columbia Pike
will build my church'" (Matt. 16:18,
Silver Spring, MD 20904
NIV). His prayer was "'. . . that all of
them may be one, Father,... that the Non-U.S. residents may request Writer's Guidelines by sending
world may believe that you have sent the name and address to which they would like their copy sent.
me'" (John 17:21, NIV).

May 2001 MINISTRY


The ONE-STEP process has five parts: ONE
message point only; Sense the interests and
needs of the audience; Target your study and
plans to the audience; Educate them with a
new nugget of truth, and Personalize your
message with a dash of yourself.

One message point only!


This is an opportunity to say one thing,
and say it so well that the listeners will
remember it for 24 hours.
I love to talk about the Lord's Prayer and
am tempted to share great information about

ONE-STEP temptation, forgiveness, daily bread, and the


kingdom. But, if the message is to be memo
rable, I can talk about temptation or
A five-facet plan for creating forgiveness, but not both!
One point. Only one point.
four-minute devotionals Sense the interests and needs of the
audience.

G
Invitations come from wildly diverse
ood morning, pastor ..." I took groups: The city business council, the senior
Dick Duerksen
a deep breath before respond alliance, a Pathfinder club, nurses, X-ray tech
ing because the telephone voice nicians, teachers, the pastors' association,
had the sound of, "This won't thrift shop volunteers.
take much of your time, so I Three questions guide me as I try to sense
expect you to say Yes!" the needs and interests of each group.
Although petitioners and requests are var 1. What topic will the group be discussing
ied, there is a haunting similarity to the plea. at this meeting?
Most are asking me to prepare a personalized 2. What unique needs does their work
sermon, make it super-short, and get their open up for these people?
meeting off to a good start. 3. What current news issue touches this
"Could you please give us a brief devotion group?
al at Rotaiy Club next Tuesday?" Sometimes I call the group leader, or some
"Pastor, would you please share a few one who works closely with members of the
words at the beginning of our Ladies' Aid group, and ask them to help me work
Society?" through the questions. Asking for help always
"The Senior Alliance meets on Fridays at strengthens my presentation.
noon. Would you be able to talk for four or Often I discover an issue that is causing
five minutes before we begin?" stress among the group, an illness that has
I used to fear these calls, knowing that focused their concern or a current news item
preparing a meaningful four-minute devo that energizes their conversations. That infor
tional could take as long to prepare as a full mation focuses my preparation.
sermon. Sometimes I confess I was a bit insult
ed that they wanted me to be only a four- Target your study and plans to the
minute introduction to the "real meeting." audience.
I've discovered a method, though, that When the senior alliance lost their leader
Dick Duerksen is
reduces preparation time while giving me a to cancer, my message was on comfort. The
director of mission
chance to be "meaningful" in only four Pathfinders were studying flowers, so I talked
development at
Florida Hospital, minutes! Now when I receive one of these about Solomon and the lilies. The student
Orlando, Florida. invitations, I reach for my calendar with nurses were preparing for finals so I spoke on
anticipation, pleased for another opportuni "God, the Great Rememberer." The thrift
ty to open the gospel door to a new group in shop volunteers were having trouble with
the community. rude customers, so we discussed acceptance.

MINISTRY May 2001


n n o u n g

C 0 M PUT IN G AN DMI S S I ON S.N E T

ill June27-July 1,2001


at Southern Adventist University
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A conference to encourage the innovative use of


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Who Should Attend:


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SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY


Sample four-minute outline Targeting devotionals directly to
Hearing God's Song the needs and interests of the listeners
is a ministry approach that Christ
A four-minute devotional for the church choir just before the big program.
used with incredible success. In
Zephaniah 3:17: "He will rejoice over you with singing" (NIV). almost every human encounter, Jesus
One point: God loves you so much that He sings a special song of rejoicing individualized His response.
over you! When Zacchaeus, the ostracized,
Sense: This group is stressed, worried, and eager. Each one knows his or her
climbed a tree hoping for a quick look
part is crucial and that every note must be "perfect." Each is reviewing the
at the Messiah, Jesus looked up and
hardest musical parts and worrying about making a mistake. Each wants to
offered friendship.
make God look good during the program.
When Simon, the expert fisher
man, wanted to rest in the safety of
Target: How does God feel about the music I make for Him? Capernaeum, Jesus insisted on an
Educate: Most people do not think of God as singing, yet Zephaniah describes unheard-of daytime fishing expedi
God as a singer! Isaiah even says God rejoices over us like a young man tion.
singing songs to his bride (62:5)! When Lazarus died and was
Personalize: What song does God sing over you? Does He sing the same song buried, Jesus discussed theology with
for all of us? Do His songs sound different in Thailand, Zimbabwe, and in Martha and cried with Mary.
India? It is possible that He has one special song that He sings just for you! Target your message to the pains of
the group. Speak words that personal
My wife thinks her song sounds like the "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's
ize hope and put skin on comfort.
Messiah. My father thinks God sings him an American folk ballad. And one
If your group consists of elderly
teenage friend believes God uses an acoustic guitar when singing His song.
women who wonder about their
He is singing! And His song comes to you because of who He is, not because value, tell the story of the widow's
of how well you sing at the program. His rejoicing comes because He loves mite and remind them of their value
you! Listen, and sing along with the music! in God's eyes. If you're speaking to a
group of businessmen busy checking
stock prices on the Internet, open
Sample four-minute outline
with the words of Malachi 3: "The
Sharing Cod's Mind safest place for your money," or
A four-minute devotional for the secondary school students' honor society explore the hope of Jeremiah 29:11,
Romans 12:2: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but
"God has plans for you."
be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (NIV).
Educate them with a new
One point: Focus on God; He will transform you by giving you a mind like His! nugget of truth.
Sense: The students are proud of their successes. They are glad to be in the Your devotional should tell them
honor society and are pleased that their minds are "good, quick, and smart." something they did not know before
Yet, they would iike to do even better, to achieve even greater successes. you came. Explain why Simon
Target: The greatest successes happen in those who allow God to transform thought Jesus was crazy to go fishing
their lives; who accept God's gift of a mind like His. in the daytime, why Jesus waited four
days before raising Lazarus, why He
Educate: Did you know that the most effective way to increase your
went into Zacchaeus's house, ate with
Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.) is by studying the Scriptures and meditating on
Simon the leper, spit in the eyes of
the love of God? Many of earth's most respected thinkers have spent years
Bethsaida's blind man, and why He
immersed in the words of God. People like Nelson Mandela, Augustine,
waited till the Sabbath to heal the old
Ghandi, Abraham Lincoln, and Mother Teresa have transformed the world as
man at the pool of Bethesda.
God renewed their minds.
Take a picture from the Bible Atlas
Personalize: I have tried it, and it works! When I spend my time simply and explain what it meant for Lydia
reading novels, newspapers, and magazines, watching movies and TV, my to be a "seller of purple." Use a draw
mind-fills with empty words and pictures. When, instead, f focus on ing from a book on "life and times of
Scripture, nature/ and other spiritual resources, 1 am more peaceful, wiser, the Bible lands," to describe why
and my rrnnct responds to problems more qufiEtcJy* ; David rejected Saul's cumbersome
truly w^ armor. Or use a quote from today's
newspaper to explain how God
responds to grief. The world is packed

10 MINISTRY Month 2001


with information, most of it simple Sample four-minute outline
and common, that can bring sud
Living Cod's Love
den clarity to our understanding of
God. A four-minute devotional for volunteers at the local soup kitchen.
Consider some local sources for Colossians 3:14: "And over all things these virtues put on love, which binds
"truth nuggets." them all together in perfect unity" (NIV).
Q Someone who loves flowers One point: Love changes lives. Without it everything falls apart.
and knows where to find the most
fragrant blossoms. Sense: These volunteers come out once each week to serve a meal to the
ii Physicians and other health homeless of your community. The meals go to people broken, hurt, and
care workers who know why our often helpless. It is easy to think, 'These people are not as valuable as I am."
bodies do what they do, and who Yet the volunteers come because they love giving of themselves, listening to
give good counsel on how to new friends, and offering hope. This is a time for affirmation and for
improve health. celebrating the gift of love.
Q Police and other emergency Target: It is not easy for you to give of yourselves so freely; in fact, sometimes it
care workers who know how to hurts so much that your tears flow late into the night. But, 1 want to affirm
respond in moments of great stress you. Your love does change lives!
and loss. Educate: Interview the manager of the soup kitchen. How valuable are the
Q Children and their primary volunteers? What impact have they had over the years? How have they
school teachers. My favorite words ": changed lives? How has their love touchejd your: life? :/. .". ; ":, '< - : -;:.^;i '-' ;';;.
of "truth" come from small chil
>'',',: ; .tl^iiijft>ir^a$<^
dren. Did you know, for instance,
that "you gotta break cookies so all c:$|E|i;;; >i:l[!|If;;ffi^
the bad stuff can leak out before "l^r^iijjj^^
you eat them"? l^^l^ y
rti&^'&irt'H^ialt^a^ ;;"-' ;,

Personalize your message


with a dash of yourself
To speak memorable words, you
must become personally vulnerable.
That's when listeners quit fiddling
with their chopsticks and listen. Zephaniah 3:17, I tell how I eagerly enhances your One Point of the day.
To connect with the seniors, talk embraced our blood-stained daugh ONE-STEP is simply one spiritual
about the incredible spinach crepes ter after a bicycle accidenteven point, personalized with an illustra
your grandmother makes. If your though I am terribly repulsed by tion, targeted directly to the needs
assignment is teens, describe how a blood. "It's nice to know," I say, "that and interests of a special audience
popular song has improved your God is more repulsed by sin than I and delivered with confidence.
picture of God. am by blood, yet He still reaches out ONE-STEP can take the fear of
An honest insight into you as a to comfort us with His love." four-minute devotionals from you as
genuine, struggling, victorious, fail Speak of things you love. Bring a it has from me. Instead of gnawing
ing, hopeful, eager, laughing human flower from your garden, show off a pain in the stomach, invitations for
being helps cement your message curio you bought on a recent trip, or "a few brief words" can give you a
into the hearts of the listeners. pass around a favorite book for burst of creative energy, and a
When I speak on the phrase, "He everyone to touch. Be real, and use chance to use that "one phrase" you
will quiet you with his love," from each item as an illustration that underlined in Romans last night, ffl

http: //www. ministrymagazine, com/

May 2001 MINISTRY 11


be the key to resolving the conflict.
For example: After five years of turmoil, a
small Jewish congregation nearly broke
apart. Meetings had broken down into harsh
debates and contests between the two main
factions. One group wanted the congrega
tion to stay the way it always had
beensmall, intimate, and based on volun
teer help. The other wanted a professional
rabbi and a Hebrew school. The congrega
tion became ungovernableno one would
run for office.
They finally brought in a conflict resolu

Church conflict
tion consultant who understood that a major
part of the problem was that the strong advo
cates for and against these proposed changes
had dominated congregational meetings. An
important part of the congregation had
The role of the third voice become painfully silent or silenced.
This congregation was like most faith bod
ies in that it had a problem-solving procedure

B
in place. This may be a formalized disputing
lessed are those who are willing to process, congregational meetings, grievance
Scilla Wahrhaftig
enter into the process of being healed, procedures, prayer sessions, or board of
for they will become healers. Blessed trustees meetings. A common element is that
are those who recognize their own these procedures handle difficult conflicts
inner violence for they will come to better when all voices are heard: not just
know nonviolence. Blessed are those who can for when adversarial factions are considered.
give self, for they will become forgivers. Blessed When a Friends (Quaker) Meeting recently
are those who are willing to let go of selfishness was locked in conflict, a member, Ruth
and self-centeredness, for they will become a Dymond, observed: "I believe people should
healing presence. Blessed are those who listen come to a Business Meeting with strong con
with compassion, for they will become compas victions and that the expression of those
sionate. Blessed are those who are willing to enter views leads to a strong Meeting. It is impor
into conflict, for they will find transformation. tant to the process and will help, if those who
Blessed are those who know their interdependence are neutral, as well as the clerk (chair of the
with all creation, for they will become unifiers. meeting), make sure that all are heard. If this
Blessed are those who live out a contemplative is not done, it leaves members not only feel
life stance, for they will find God in all things. ing unheard and angry, but we also miss the
Blessed are those who strive to live these beati joy and excitement of a decision made by
tudes for they will be reconcilers. true unity." This was a spontaneous plea for
Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas, Used by Third Voice participation.
permission
The role of the Third Voice
One of the greatest needs in conflict situa The role of the Third Voice is not easy.
tions is to nurture the decision-making One is likely to feel buffeted and indecisive
process. It becomes sorely tested because when faced with the strong convictions of
strong advocates for and against an issue are others. It is tempting to withdraw or just
Scilla Wahrhaftig is seldom able to concern themselves with the wait and see. The key tasks of the Third
an active member of process. The group most able to do the nur Voice are to reach out to both sides, to ask
the Pittsburgh turing consists of those whose voices are least questions, to listen, to keep the dialogue
Friends Meeting heard. These are the people who are less tied open in any way they can, and again to lis
(Quakers) with a
up in the outcome and more with their strug ten. This approach is vital because members
long-term interest in
gle to find truth in the conflict situation. I of the vocal faction often feel isolated, lone
conflict resolution.
call them the Third Voice. They are likely to ly, and estranged from the congregation.

12 MINISTRY May 2001


They feel that no one is interested in
their views and that their perspec
gogue's attitude toward conflict is
now much healthier. Books from
tives are not heard or understood.
Additionally, opponents lose their What the Third Voice Shepherdess
identity as individuals and become
subsumed in the will of the group.
accomplishes
Ron Kraybill, a Mennonite conflict
International
The Third Voice can help to remind resolver, in an article entitled
everybody that people have names; "Conflict in Groups: The Cross
that they are still the persons we Stitching Effect," 1 points out that
knew and loved before the conflict. "what people expect in conflict hap
By doing so they help to separate the pens. The key is [the] member's atti
problem from the person, and tude to conflict." He goes on to say
remind fellow members of the pres that in a healthy congregation,
ence of the Divine Spirit. These "Members know that conflict is
activities help break through the inevitable, even necessary to healthy
paralysis caused by the strong posi group life. Disagreement in a group is
tions articulated and help open up evidence of caring and involvement.
avenues of communication. Without When issues arise, members move
Third Voice involvement the congre toward each other, not away, and
gation will probably stay divided they enjoy the vigorous exchange of
and polarized. views that follow." The middle, or
How did the consultant for the Third Voice can help the congrega
Jewish congregation involve the tion to be less afraid of conflict and to Seasoned with Laughter
Third Voices? She organized a series welcome it as an opportunity. This book has been described as
of small, well-facilitated living-room Any reconciliation process is a "a tossed satad of tales about
meetings to discuss the future of the continual search for divine guidance. parsonage pandemonium and
congregation. Every member was Out of that search will come creative ministerial mayhem. Sharon Cress
expected to and did attend one. The and new ideas. Often with strong collected these hilarious and
home environment, a prayerful voices all around, and with an exag revealing anecdotes from pastoral
beginning of each meeting, and the gerated sense of urgency to find reso families around the world.
small size of the groups created a less lution, we lose faith. It is the job of Proceeds from this book will be
threatening atmosphere. That the Third Voice to remind us to allow used to help pastoral spouses
encouraged the Third Voice members time and patience for the process to spread the gospel in their own
to participate. work. neighborhoods.
The consultant also conducted a In the long run, the Third Voice Price: us$6.95+18% s&h
written survey of each member's provides stability and a sense of secu
thoughts about the synagogue's rity to the congregation. The people Seasoned with Love
future. This established a non-threat of the Third Voice keep the institu A collection of pastoral wives'
ening way for the less vocal members tion going. By their presence they favorite recipes, this wonderful
to express their views. Further, she reassure people that, even though cookbook is filled with recipes for
monitored membership and board of things seem in chaos, the congrega everything from appetizers to
directors meetings so they would tion will survive. A solution will be breads to beverages to cookies
encourage Third Voice participation. found, and they are there for the long and candies and much moreall
Their commitment to the continued haul. They are also there to remind without meat! Great for holidays,
existence of the congregation as a top their fellow worshipers that a conflict birthdays, and bridal showers.
priority led the members to find buried destroys. A conflict resolved Price: us$14.95 +18% s&h
win/win solutions. brings new depth and growth to the
They agreed to establish a reli congregation as well as drawing the
gious school with limited funding, group closer in love and friendship. RESOURCE CENTER
to expand the role of the cantor Blessed are those who strive to live GC Ministerial Association
(liturgical singer) rather than hire a these beatitudes for they will be rec Phone: 888.771.0738 (toll-free)
rabbi, and, most importantly, to oncilers, n 301.680.6502
establish a reconciliation task force Fax: 301.680.6502
1 Ron Kraybill, "Conflict in Groups: The Cross- Email: paynec@gc.adventist.org
to assure that all voices would be Stitching Effect/' in Mediation and Facilitation Training Manual,
Web: www.ministerialassociation.com
Ed. by Carolyn Shrock-Shenk. (Akron, Penn : Mennonite
heard in future meetings. This syna Conciliation Services, 1999), 247.

May 2001 MINISTRY 13


Passionate spirituality
Sadness and depression had gripped the
two men traveling the road to Emmaus as
Jesus approached them. As He opened the
Scriptures to them and showed that the Word
pointed to Him, a new passion burned inside
the two men. Overcome with joy they ran to
tell friends.
This kind of passionate spirituality is found
in a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, a
relationship based upon God's grace and

Growing a
kindness and the disclosure of Himself to us.
The practice of spiritual disciplines such as
Bible study, prayer, and meditation have the

healthy church
purpose of opening us up to recognizing the
Lord's presence and hearing the Spirit's joyful
assurance that we are, indeed, the children of
God (Rom. 8:16). Knowing that Jesus lives
part 3 and getting in contact with God's grace
through Him is what fires passionate spiritu
ality!
Practical actions that increase passionate
This is the final article in a three-part series by spirituality in a congregation include:
Greg Schaller
and John Grys John Grys and Greg Schaller. Greg Schaller is the + Encouraging church leaders to devote
sole author of this article. time to Bible study and prayer.

M
+ Making sure church members are serv
y wife loves red raspberries. ing in roles best suited to their spiritual gifts.
The trouble is, raspberries f Mobilizing those with the gift of inter
are expensive. So I planted cessory prayer into a prayer ministry.
three healthy raspberry + Leading involvement in weekly small
plants in our garden. I groups.
added fertilizer, wood chips, and water. A year + Preaching sermons on God's grace and
later the three little plants multipliedto how to know Him.
fifty! I was amazed, and so was my wife, who
John Grys is is enjoying the season's daily supply of Loving relationships
administrative pastor mouth-watering raspberries. Passionate spirituality affects our relation
of the Hamilton The analogy, of course, is simple: what ships with others. Jesus said that "'all men
Community Church in dynamics cause a church body to thrive and will know that you are my disciples, if you
Chattanooga, multiply, like the raspberry plants? What is love one another'" Qohn 13:35, NIV). The
Tennessee. the environment in which God is free to step expression of God's love in a church body
in and make a church grow? "I planted the generates a magnetic attraction. And with
seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it love comes unity.
grow" (1 Cor. 3:6, NIV). Researcher Christian It is difficult, however, to enhance loving
Schwartz sought to understand church devel relationships in the church if love is absent at
opment from studying growing churches. 1 home. The expression of love between a hus
After researching 1,000 churches on six conti band and wife needs encouragement. Parents
nents, he concluded that eight characteristics need empowerment to repeatedly show and
were closely linked to spiritual and numerical tell their children, "I love you." Increasing the
growth (see Ministry, January 2001, p. 9). The expression of love in a congregation takes
Greg Schaller, preceding article in this series of three dis time because it is not done simply through a
D.Min., is pastor of cussed the first four of these eight principles program but through the building of relation
the Stone Mountain
(see Ministry, March 2001). This final article ships.
Seventh-day
Adventist Church in
addresses the remaining four of these charac Small groups are an exceptional way to
Lawrenceville, teristics exposed in the church program called nurture love and form positive relationships.
Georgia. Natural Church Development (NCD). The acts of spending time together, getting

14 MINISTRY May 2001


acquainted with one another, and of non-churched friends. Evangelism In our local church, the first NCD
learning to trust each other in God's is not merely a program or event. It is survey revealed small groups as our
presence helps create an environment loving and reaching people with the weakest characteristic. As a result we
in which love grows. In a loving cli gospel. "Most men and women are focused for nine months on raising
mate, fear dissolves. not looking for religion, nor do they up small-group leaders. Coaches sup
Simple steps to increase loving have the time or inclination to ask ported and equipped our small group
relationships in a church body themselves questions about the leaders. Assistant leaders were
include: meaning of life ... but most men and groomed to launch new groups from
4- Activating the formation and women are looking for love."3 existing groups.
practice of attending small groups. Some ways of developing a pro Considerations for starting a small
4- Proclaiming a sermon series on gram of need-oriented evangelism in group ministry include:
the way Jesus loved people. a local church include: 4- Asking God for a vision for
4- Planning marriage and family 4- Identifying and empowering reproducing small group ministry.
events facilitating the expression of those with the spiritual gift of evan 4- Starting with clearly defined
love and appreciation at home. gelism. group leaders and apprentices in
4- Using the art of listening in 4- Equipping members to pray for training under the leaders.
order to better understand others. their relational network, which con 4- Providing coaching to every
sists of friends, family, neighbors, and small group leader.
Need-oriented evangelism work colleagues. 4- Multiplying the group once it
The forging of loving relationships 4- Inviting those receptive into reaches ten people.
is a vital key to outreach. Jesus put the small groups. Church leaders can then empower
needs of others first. Jesus first fed the the church body to strengthen weak
five thousand and then shared, "'I am Holistic small groups characteristics. Our church did. We
the bread of life'" (John 6:35, N1V). The most compelling characteris moved from one small group to more
Jesus stood up for the condemned tic for healthy church growth lies in than ten. Be innovative and adapt
adulterous woman. Then he shared, the area of holistic small groups. 4 able, and pray for a vision, involving
"'Neither do I condemn . . . Go now Many church leaders will find this your local leadership in the develop
and leave your life of sin'" 0ohn 8:11, claim simplistic or too challenging. ment of an effective small group
NIV). Jesus earned the right to be The reality is that many churches sus ministry.
heard. When we reveal God's com tain no small group life. Yet small We're now planting two churches
passion and meet the needs of others groups are the principal way to and hope to eventually start the
we begin to win a hearing. Meeting empower nurture, fellowship, spiritu whole process over, and then over,
felt needs can lead to meeting spiritu al gift discovery, evangelism, and and over again. . . .
al needs. Jesus' way of reaching leadership development. It's not quite as easy as growing
people still works today: "The Saviour What happens in a holistic small raspberries, but the fruits last for eter
mingled with men as one who group? A healthy emphasis is placed nity. 181
desired their good. He showed His on applying the Bible to personal
sympathy for them, ministered to needs. Here immediate personal con 1 Christian A. Schwarz, Natural Church Development: A
Guide to Eight Essential Qualities of Healthy Churches
their needs, and won their confi cerns are shared and brought to God (Carol Stream, 111.: ChurchSmart Resources, 1998).
dence. Then He bade them, 'Follow in prayer. In groups edification and 2 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Nampa,
me.'"2 mutual encouragement can occur Idaho: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1942), 143.
3 Arther G. McPhee, Friendship Evangelism (Grand
Need-oriented evangelism means more easily than in larger congrega Rapids, Mien.: Zondervan Pub. House, 1978), 56.
focusing on the needs and questions tional gatherings. 4 Schwarz, 33.

Did the gospel rest Jesus introduced at His first advent make the rest of the seventh-day Ssbbath of Eden and Sinai
obsolete? How does the "new covenant" affect the "old," particular!}' as it relates to the question ot law and Sabbath:
Ifus adaptation and expansion of Will Evas two well-received Ministry editorial article;, addresses these and other
questions, 1 he trim pamphlet format makes the material more accessible and convenient for study and distribution.
Quantity discounts available.

May 200] MINISTRY


their Savior and Lord. Their smiles and hugs
are thanks enough.
The rub sometimes comes when, as they
grow into their high school years, their com
mitment to Christ becomes overshadowed by
peer pressure, entertainment, and simply the
natural drives of normal adolescence. Many
quit coming to church and are lost to our fel
lowship. Youth leaders and parents have been
concerned about this, but many of them have

Mentoring
come to see this as normal teenage behavior.
They may say hopefully, "Maybe they'll come
back when they have children of their own."

children into
When one of my young members has been
lost to the fellowship it has felt like all my
efforts, energy, thoughts, and prayers have

ministry
been wasted. I have asked myself how I could
best prepare children for the difficult years
ahead in their youth.

Expanding a new vision

C
Our church seemed to stumble upon a new
hildren are the church of tomor idea for using kids in ministry. The pastoral
Dan Stevens
row." I cringe every time I hear staff wanted to make the church a friendlier
that cliche, either from the pul place for members and visitors alike. One
pit or the pew. It's been used to thing we decided was to have people stand at
cajole people into working in the entrance doors of our church to assist and
the children's divisions, or spoken with pride greet people.
after a cute kids' program. Often implied is "That's a job the kids could do!" I said.
the sincere hope that someday the children Thus was born the "Doorkeepers," a ministry
will take over the reins of church leadership tailor-made for Primary and Junior kids. They
and ministry. readily signed up for their post and were
In our church we've decided that if chil faithfully on duty each week. As people
dren aren't recognized as the church of today approached the entrance, they were greeted
they may not be around to be the church of by the child with a smile and a warm greet
tomorrow. If we are not actively involving our ing. The children assisted the elderly, the
children in ministry now, how can we expect mothers with babies, and people with potluck
them to be active in their youth or adult dishes or Sabbath School supplies. On rainy
hood? days, armed with large umbrellas supplied by
"Train up a child in the way he should go the church and with the church's name
and when he is old he will not depart from it" imprinted, they met people outside, escorting
can work negatively if in their formative years them into the vestibule. This ministry was an
we've encouraged children only to be still and instant success. Members and visitors alike
listen. appreciated it and regularly thanked the chil
dren for their service. More importantly, the
Good programs aren't enough kids felt they provided a useful service for
As a children's pastor for 16 years, I have their church. After five years, it's still a regular
done lots of creative programming for ministry here.
Dan Stevens is
Sabbath School, Children's Church, and That was the seed that inspired a new way
children's pastor at
Vacation Bible Schools, all with the hope of of doing children's ministry in our church:
Kettering Seventh-
day Adventist Church inspiring children to give their lives to God team ministry for kids. We don't have to wait
in Kettering, Ohio. now and keep that commitment into adult until they're teenagers or older to begin min
hood. Usually children are grateful for quality istry. Children can be active ministers now.
programming geared for them, and they read This idea, along with its accompanying
ily respond to invitations to accept Jesus as philosophy, happily coincided with our

16 MINISTRY May 2001


w& n
s

IntemationafJournalfor Pastors

Professional Growth Seminars


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Audio Tape sets $10.00*
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2001-IN THE PRESENCE OF THE HOLY-


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Speakers: Dr. Marguerite Shuster, Dr. Ronald Smith,
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Authentic Ministry in an Image Conscious Age
Speakers: Dr. Haddon Robinson, Dr. Andrea Luxton,
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1999-PREACHING THAT TURNS


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1998-RESURRECTING THE RESURRECTION


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Please print clearly and write your name as it appears on your
checking and/or credit card account(s).

Name: _

Phone: ( . E-Mail: .
call 301 680-6508
fax 301 680-6502 Address:.
www.ministerialassociation.com
e-mail City:__ _ State/Prov: _ . Zip/PC:

ministerialresource@gc.adventist.org
Method of payment: (Check all that apply)
or send a check to:
Check - Amount Enclosed: $_____
Ministerial Resource Center
Credit Card: Please apply S _______ _ to my Master Card Q Visa
12501 Old Columbia Pike
Card Number: _____________ Expiration Date: _____
Silver Spring, MD 20904
Children's Ministry Teams at Kettering exact moment the 'Amen' was sound
ed, the van turned up the driveway of
DoorKeepers the rehabilitation center. The kids
"Front-line" greeters on Sabbath morning at the entrances of the church were so excited to see that God had
God's Handworks Puppet Team come through for their ministry, they
The art of puppetry, used to share the gospel within and outside our church went crazy!" Pastor Hohmann knows
from experience that children who
God STIX With You discover ministry in their preteen
A creative way to illustrate Christian music through the use of dowel rods years are much more likely to be
Christian's Choir active leaders in their adulthood than
Giving choral instruction for children's praise and worship songs those who don't.
Ironically, large churches with
Children's Handbell Choir more resources available to them are
Playing for worship services and in neighboring churches not usually good at empowering chil
Clown Ministry dren for ministry. Small churches
Giving Christian care a happy face at special events, hospital and nursing home have done the best at including chil
visitation, and just plain good fun dren if for no other reason than they
don't have enough adults to do every
PETZ thing. Jobs like taking up the offering,
Children take puppies and kittens from local animal shelters to patients in ushering, folding and handing out
nursing homes bulletins, and helping their parents
KIT' " '. ' " ' ." '-;.'.'''.-:..: ':'..:- : ''}.,.. ' . * :' ..' clean the church have helped young
Kids in Training, an introductory program that gives children the tools to equip people feel that this is their church
them for ministry, helping them choose which ministry they would like: to join. and that they are contributing in
their own way to its upkeep.
It's been two years now since our
church's efforts at the time to estab been equipping kids for eight years in Children's Ministry Team consciously
lish a new statement of mission and outreach and missions. He tells of a moved away from entertaining our
core values. Two values that surfaced time when his children experienced children with good programs toward
had particular bearing upon children: first-hand the faithfulness of God: the goal of mentoring kids for service,
(1) that every person in the church is "We were scheduled to do outreach at leadership, and outreach. We recog
being equipped by the Holy Spirit for a drug rehabilitation center. Normally nized that this would necessitate
ministry, and (2) that the best way to the kids would do an hour of singing finding adults who love children and
disciple people is to mentor them in with choreography, drama, and testi enlisting them to work with a few
spiritual growth and service. Our monies and then individually pray kids in joint ministry, that is, team
newly formed children's ministry with the people who came to listen. ministry. Since we couldn't ask others
team took the position that God An advance team was supposed to to do what we hadn't tried ourselves,
doesn't wait for kids to grow up arrive an hour early at the ministry adult team members started the first
before He pours the Holy Spirit upon site with sound equipment so that all teams. We chose to launch a puppet
them. And what better way to grow would be set up and ready when the team and had 16 children join us. No
faith in children than for them to rub kids arrived. Well, the kids arrived, one told us that puppets was the
shoulders in ministry with adults but the van with the sound equip hardest ministry to do.
who love and value them? ment was lost and was almost an Everyone loves puppets and we use
Unlike many adults, children want hour late. To make matters worse, we them often in Children's Church and
to serve. They are looking for ways to had accidentally left the backup tapes outreach. But the greatest benefit has
put hands and feet on the faith they and emergency boom box in the been seen in the kids on the team,
have received from their parents and same van. What were we to do now? who now demonstrate a greater com
teachers. What really turns them on Minutes before the outreach was mitment to their faith and each other
is when they see God come through, scheduled to begin, one of the chil than ever before. They are progres
even in the simplest ways. dren said, 'We need to pray.' Of their sively taking on more responsibility
own initiative, they gathered in a cir and leadership, just as we hoped they
Children doing ministry cle and began to pray for the missing would.
Pete Hohmann, a children's pastor van. After several of the children Because of this and because pup
at the Mechanicsville Christian prayed, one of the children ended the pets are popular, we soon had more
Center near Richmond, Virginia, has prayer time and said 'Amen.' At the applicants than we could handle ask-

18 MINISTRY May 2001


ing to join the team. Space constraints we advertised it at the sign-up. Some seniors look forward to their visits
and leadership issues did not allow for may think it necessary to have leaders and enjoy both the pets and the kids.
more to be a part of the puppet team. ready to go before a ministry is Our waiting list for some min
So we started another ministry, STIX, announced, but we have found that istries continues to grow. Not
which uses dowel rods to creatively in our congregation God sends the wanting those kids to be left out
choreograph Christian songs. It is leaders when we share the vision. while they wait for openings on a
very inspirational to our audiences, After all, we don't want to rob the team, we started a once-a-month
often bringing tears to the eyes of blessing for the kids of praying for an training event, called KIT (Kids in
those who are ministered to by the adult volunteer to lead the ministry Training) that will give them a sam
children. But it's the kids on the team they want to join. pling of some ministry skills. Parents
who get the greatest blessing. are encouraged to come take the
Developing other ministries workshops with their children.
Expanding the ministry teams Last year, we had ten children sign
Teams demand quite a commit up for a clown ministry, but we didn't Future plans
ment. They meet every week for an have a leader, even after talking it up Our goal is to have kids be in
hour to practice. However, before among some likely "clownish" adult charge of things during children's
every practice, a half hour is allotted candidates for several months! events. We would like our kids to run
for worship, sharing prayer requests, Finally, I had to write the children sound equipment, create PowerPoint
and answers to prayer, and team asking them to pray that God would presentations, advertise with posters
building activities. This really sets the send a leader. Within the month we and artwork, pray for both those who
mood for cooperation and caring had both a leader and an assistant minister and those being ministered
among team members. Minimum age who were excited about the team. We to. And so the vision expands.
limits for being on a given team are are also currently equipping them by This coming fall we are gearing up
set according to the ministry require sending them to workshops related to for Children's Ministry Clubs. The
ments. We have also discovered that this ministry. clubs differ from teams in that they
parents are the most valuable sup One new ministry we launched meet only once a month for acquir
port. They often serve as assistants recently is PETZ, where children take ing a particular skill that can be used
both at practice and at programs. puppies and kittens from a local ani in particular ministries. But clubs
They help with team socials and mal shelter to visit patients in nursing could grow into teams, depending
transportation. Teams very quickly homes. This simple ministry can be upon the interest. Right now our club
become a family affair. done by younger kids, especially list is Sound, Graphics, Art and
As the ministry team approach for since their parents are required to go Drawing, Practical Helps, Drama,
kids began to snowball, financial sup with them. It's an outreach that can Mime, and Intercessory Prayer. But
port from the general membership of be done by the whole family. We had the list could grow even longer before
our church began to grow. People 35 children come to the orientation, we actually introduce these min
were increasingly eager to assist in a twice what we expected. The children istries.
ministry or to help start a new one were divided up into smaller groups Looking into the faces and hearts
when they saw that something signif of four or five, and they take turns of our children, the church of tomor
icant was being done for the children. carrying the pet to the patients. The row really is here today, H
We even attracted new members who
wanted to see something for their
> Do you ever wish The Seventh-day Adventist
children. And, of course, we had a
growing list of kids who wanted to there was one place Elder's Guide
join the two ministry teams. you could turn to for For Sermon and Worship Planning
So in the second year of our adven ideas on what to say
ture, we started five additional kids' and do when you're Available only through the
ministries (see sidebar: "Children's responsible for GC Ministerial Association
Ministry Teams at Kettering" on previ- leading the worship 12501 Old Columbia Pike
ous page). We had a sign-up in service? Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600
September for the upcoming school Phone: 888.771.0738 (toll-free) or 301.680.6508
f Need a children's
year (teams take the summer off) for Fax: 301.680.6502
story, offering appeal,
the kids and for adults who want to www.ministerialassodation.com
or sermon starter?
lead or assist in a particular team.
- Here's your answer! us$25.00 includes shipping in U.S.
If we don't have an adult leader,
(outside U.S. add us$3.50 per Elder's Guide tor s&h)
we don't have the ministry, even if

May 2001 MINISTRY 19


Pastoral ministry, oddly enough, has
taught me how to better handle threatening
situations. Facing conflict in ministry is
inevitable, whether it be between someone
else and me or when I am mediating conflict
between others. Although fierce conflict is
never pleasant to deal with, I have learned
that it must not be feared either. This is not to
say that I am now so tough-minded that
nothing scares me, but I have come to recog
nize that perhaps the greatest thing to be
feared in conflict is fear itself.
How does one muster the strength, or

Courage:
courage, to face conflict in life or to make
tough decisions? Three principles can help to
deal more effectively with these difficult mat

A learned skill
ters: Remember that God is all powerful,
reinforce your confidence from a divine per
spective, and resolve to face the difficult
matter.

I
Remember that God is all-powerful
could feel the hair begin to rise on the "Have no fear of sudden disaster" says
Marion T. Perkins, Sr.
back of my neck. I stiffened every mus Solomon "or of the ruin that overtakes the
cle as his six foot, six inch, 280-pound wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence
frame loomed over me. I expected him and will keep your foot from being snared"
to swing violently at me as he grimaced (Prov. 3:25, 26, NIV). Sometimes when we are
and mumbled threateningly under his breath. facing a difficult situation, such as a disre
Yet, as I stood facing his nervous wife, I still spectful church member, an unruly child, an
felt confident that my tactful chastisement of abusive spouse, or an intimidating neighbor
her was in perfect order, regardless of what he or co-worker, we have the tendency to feel as
might do to me. After all, she had spoken dis if we have no control over the matter. We
respectfully to an elder during a church may then feel afraid and powerless. This, in
business meeting and I thought it was my turn breeds frustration and anger in us. I have
place, as pastor, to tell her so. Apparently her found that whatever the nature of the matter
husband (himself an elder) did not agree. that leaves us feeling powerless, it is comfort
Thankfully, I don't have one of these ing to know deep down that God is in
episodes every day! But this experience under control. The scripture declares confidently
scores a truth I've discovered about the that "[He] will keep your foot from being
indispensable human quality known as snared."
courage: It can be a learned skill. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his book Stride
Toward Freedom, chronicles the major events
Grace under pressure that shaped the infamous Montgomery Bus
Ernest Hemingway once defined courage as Boycott of 1955. In the chapter, "The Violence
"grace under pressure." Somehow I didn't feel of Desperate Men," King shares feelings of fear
so "forceful" that Saturday evening in the he experienced as a result of threats made
church foyer facing this behemoth of a man. against his life as a leader of that movement.
When I say that courage is a learned skill, I He writes, "One night toward the end of
Marion T. Perkins, Sr.
mean that it can be acquired through various January [1955], I settled into bed late, after a
is pastor at Calvary
Seventh-day
life experiences. Coming to this realization strenuous day. Coretta had already fallen
Adventist Church in was a defining moment in my life. For years I asleep and just as I was about to doze off, the
Davenport, Iowa. struggled with a fearful spirit, afraid to face telephone rang. An angry voice said, 'Listen,
anything that made me feel threatened. This nigger, we've taken all we want from you;
fear had had a paralyzing effect on me and I before next week you'll be sorry you ever came
often wondered if I would ever be free from it. to Montgomery.' I hung up, but I couldn't

20 MINISTRY May 2001


sleep. It seemed that all of my fears

Elder's Digest
had come down on me at once. I had
reached the saturation point.
"I got out of bed and began to walk
the floor. Finally I went to the kitchen
and heated a pot of coffee. I was ready Subscription Form
to give up. With my cup of coffee sit
ting untouched before me I tried to
think of a way to move out of the pic
ture without appearing a coward. In Please send me Elder's Digest on a regular basis.
this state of exhaustion, when my Enclosed is my payment of us$9.95 for a one-year
courage had all but gone, I decided to subscription or us$25.00 for a three-year subscription
take my problem to God. With my
head in my hands, I bowed over the (four issues per year).
kitchen table and prayed aloud. The
words I spoke to God that midnight
are still vivid in my memory. 'I am Name
here taking a stand for what I believe
is right. But now I am afraid. The peo
Mailing Address
ple are looking to me for leadership,
and if I stand before them without
strength and courage, they too will City
falter. I am at the end of my powers. I
have nothing left. I've come to the
point where I can't face it alone.' State/Province Zip/Postal Code
"At that moment I experienced the
presence of the Divine as I had never
experienced Him before. It seemed as
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though I could hear the quiet assur
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up for righteousness, stand up for Q Charge my:
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The words of Sir Winston Churchill Credit card number
ring true indeed: "Courage is the first
of human qualities because it is the
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It is also true that when someone Expiration date
crosses the boundary between
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unless I willingly abandon it. I firmly
believe that boundaries in relation Send subscription form with payment to
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because what's at stake is something Resource Center
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tionship; namely, respect. Divine General Conference of SDA
wisdom, however, teaches me when 12501 Old Columbia Pike
it is prudent either to defend the Silver Spring, MD 20904
boundary or relinquish it. And yes, Phone: 888.771.0738 (toll-free) or 301.680.6508
there are times when I should relin Fax: 301.680.6502
quish it. Just ask any couple married www.ministerialassociation. com
over thirty years.

May 2001 MINISTRY 21


How can I relinquish the right to news of Jesus Christ throughout the In essence, learning the skill of
defend myself without feeling power Greco-Roman Empire. And this is courage is a form of character devel
less? I can if I have the assurance and what gave Jesus Himself the resolve opment. It is an acquired skill forged
therefore the security of knowing that to utter those selfless words in upon the anvil of experience. There
God is all-powerful and that He is in Gethsemane, "'Yet not as I will, but will be successes, and there will be
control of every possible situation or as you will'" (Matt. 26:39, NIV). Our failures, but we must keep moving
dilemma that can confront the confidence must be rooted in a forward. Courage can be learned, and
human experiencemy experience. divine perspective. There is simply when it is learned it must be applied.
"In all your ways acknowledge him" no greater strength upon which we Life experiences will dictate so. What
said Solomon, "and he will make may rely. we gain from exercising courage,
your paths straight" (Prov. 3:6, NIV). however, is a greater sense of well-
Resolve to face the difficult being and authentic confidence.
Reinforce your confidence matter Displaying courage is not about
from a divine perspective Whatever your dilemma, it needs dominating another person, issue,
The confidence to make coura to be faced squarely, and this calls for event, or experience simply for the
geous decisions is not self-generated. a bold, courageous response from sake of overpowering them. The
Rather, it is Spirit-generated. "The you. Resolve to face it. Perhaps that world has had its share of military
Lord will be your confidence," says which confronts you is not some minions, business barons, political
Proverbs 3:26 (NIV). "Holy boldness" thing in the pastorate itself. Maybe pontificates, and downright fool
comes from God. When Jeremiah as a your challenge is a major family con hardy fellows who, being filled to the
young man was called to be a flict or a life-threatening illness. brim with pride and arrogance,
prophet, his initial response was full Resolve to face it. We simply cannot sought to elevate their own persons
of trepidation: "'Ah, Sovereign Lord,' run indefinitely from some things in or positions at the expense of annihi
I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I life. Fear, unchecked, can be such a lating themselves or othersfigura
am only a child.' But the Lord said to paralyzing agent. Facing and surviv tively and literally. This is based in
me, 'Do not say, "I am only a child." ing a daunting situation steels our selfishness and arrogance. On the
You must go to everyone I send you courage more than anything else can. other hand, true courage seeks to
to and say whatever I command But how can people who know deal with the fear (an internal ele
you'" (Jer. 1:6, 7, NIV). Jeremiah's that they struggle with a fearful spir ment) that can prevent one from
courage was buoyed up by God's it (and sometimes fail), speak and act dealing effectively with the difficult
omnipotence. Taking God's assurance with conviction and courage? matters challenging us. It is an active
into his heart gave him confidence. Courage and confidence is gained rather than reactive agent. It seeks to
He knew he was being backed by God through small victories. The small, master self and not others. True
Himself. less spectacular victories lead to courage values people above things
This is what gave David the greater ones. "A good character," Joel and understands that people can be
strength of heart to face Goliath. This Hawes wrote, "is, in all cases, the influenced. It places God at the cen
is what enabled Elijah to set his face fruit of personal exertion. It is not ter of the universe and not the over
whelming issue, experience, or

B
personeven one's self.
UT HOW CAN A PERSON, WHO KNOWS THEY What of the elder who bristled
when I confronted his wife? He never
ACTUALLY STRUGGLE WITH A FEAREUL SPIRIT apologized for the incident, and
although our relationship thereafter
(AND SOMETIMES FAIL), SPEAK AND ACT WITH was somewhat tenuous, he and his

,;!ii!!itijip^ wife surprisingly showed up at a


farewell party given by the church in
honor of my service. They greeted me
like a flint amid the jeering of Baal's inherited from parents; it is not cre with firm handshakes, warm hugs,
pretentious prophets. This is what ated by external advantages; it is no and genuine well-wishes. I was thor
gave unswerving determination to necessary appendage of birth, oughly shocked. I have thought about
three Hebrew boys to defy Nebu wealth, talents, or station; it is the that occasion many times since then.
chadnezzar's decree to pay homage result of one's own endeavorsthe I can't help wondering if their respect
to a statue, even if it meant death in fruit and reward of good principles for me had deepened because I exer
a furnace. This is what ignited the manifested in a course of virtuous cised a little skill that I had learned
apostles' zeal to spread the good and honorable action." along the way. n

22 MINISTRY May 2001


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Commoner, Paul Ehrlich, E.F. Schumacher,
and the Club of Rome. The Club of Rome
endorsed The Limits to Growth (1972), a book
which was based on a "global computer
model" analysis done at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology. This "model," which
predicted that the earth would survive for per
haps another thirty years, was later shown to
have flawed "system analysis."2 Another sig
nificant early environmentalist was Eynn
White, who in an essay written in 1967 ("The
Historical Roots of Our Ecological Crisis")
blamed the monotheism of the Bible and
man's biblically described central role of hav
ing dominion over nature as the primary

The environment
cause for the present ecological exploitation
of nature.3
Bouma-Prediger lists the "Eco-Theological
Models" of Reuther and Sittler as important
contributors in the present "greening" of the
Created and sustained by whom? church. Rosemary Reuther was one of the first
to mix Eco-theology and liberation or political
theology as a single issue. She felt it was nec

D
essary to create a "link" between social justice
Patrick A. Travis uring the past thirty years and Christian ecology. Joseph Sittler was an
across the globe, interest in early pioneer of "nature theology" and once
environmental issues has been wrote an article on "ecumenical ecology."4
increasing. Author Charles With the creation of the National
Rubin notes that in 1955 there Environmental Policy Act of 1969, political
were no references in the New York Times voices have multiplied. Virtually every
Index under the term "environment." In nation has some policy structure designed to
1965 there were two. In 1970 the first "Earth protect the environment. In the United
Day" was organized, along with 86 notations States, most congressional and presidential
under the word "environment" in the Times. candidates have a declared environmental
In 1972 the United Nations held a confer policy as part of their candidacy and political
ence in Stockholm on the human platform. The United Nations Environment
environment. In 1992 we had the "Earth Program (UNEP) recently published Earth and
Summit" in Rio. 1 By 1998 we were seeing Faith: A Book of Reflection for Action. This
almost regular national evening news "Interfaith Partnership for the Environment"
updates on "El Nino." effort explores earth issues from the various
More recently environmental weather faith traditions and touches on eco-justice,
changes were being attributed to the "La global warming, and other issues it considers
Nina" effect as well as to "global warming." linked to the health of the environment.
Everywhere, even in the churches, voices are Klaus Topfer of the UN Environment
crying out; for many the environment has Program states, "We have entered a new age.
become nothing short of a crusade. What are An age where all of us will have to sign a new
some of these voices, what are they saying, compact with our environment... and enter
and how may Christians relate to this grow into the larger community of all living
Patrick A. Travis,
ing movement? beings. A new sense of our communion with
D.D.S., is a chaplain
planet Earth must enter our minds."5 The
at Florida Hospital in
Orlando, Florida. The Voices blending of political and religious environ
In The Green Crusade, Charles Rubin lists mental voices is a global phenomenon.
the most significant early "populizers" within Discussion of the "redemption and rejuvena
the environmental movement over the last tion" of the planet by "people of faith" is
thirty years such as Rachel Carson, Barry proliferating.

24 MINISTRY May 2001


Other Voices sis reveals the urgent moral need for a the past thirty years has been amaz
Another high-profile environmen new solidarity, especially in relations ing. While there are many different
tal voice is that of Al Gore, former between the developing nations and "voices" they all seem to harmonize
Vice-President and author of Earth in those that are highly industrialized."9 in the light of the need for immediate
the Balance.6 In his book Gore laments Today there is the "Eco-Theology" positive environmental action or
the fact that Christian theologians group consisting of persons from a "eco-justice" in the prevailing "global
who have traditionally supported a cross-section of many traditional crisis."
liberal agenda such as the social mainline churches. Codel (Coor It's important for Christians to
gospel in the early 1900s, seem to be dination in Development) contains understand, however, that "being for
less enthusiastic about the environ 40 Catholic, Protestant, and Ortho the environment" is not necessarily
ment even though, Gore insists, dox groups. 10 There is the "Cosmic synonymous with being for God.
social justice "is inextricably linked in Christ" of Sittler and the "New Paul's description of the pagan preoc
the scriptures with ecology . . . today Creation" group of Granberg- cupation with nature (Romans 1:20-
social injustice and environmental Michaels (based on 2 Cor. 5:17). 25) could be a legitimate challenge to
problems can be seen everywhere."7 John De Boer's creation of an inter some of the ecclesiastically oriented
The entry of Pope John Paul II into denominational effort, known as the environmental organizations. Though
the environmental movement Christians should have a healthy and
became more conspicuous after he balanced view of creation steward

T
attended the gathering at Assisi. In ship, many of the existing ecological
1986 at Assisi, the pope met with 150 HE GROWTH OF movements deserve the focus of a
religious leaders who corporately healthy skepticism in at least three
prayed for world peace and the ENVIRONMENTAL areas:
restoration of the planet's environ 1. The tendency of addressing
ment. The pope said: "We hope that MOVEMENTS WITHIN environmental issues on a purely nat
this pilgrimage to Assisi has taught us uralistic and scientific basis. Does
anew to be aware of the common ori THE CHURCH OVER humankind really have the ability to
gin and common destiny of humani understand such a massive global
ty. Let us see in it an anticipation of environmental system, with all its
what God would like the developing innumerable fluctuations and varia
history of humanity to be: a fraternal tions? At the local level it is entirely
journey in which we accompany one consistent with the biblical world-
another toward the transcendent goal view to support such concerns as the
which he sets for us."8 movement against the spread of toxic
Perhaps the pope's most signifi "Eco-Justice Task Force," is one of waste, but we need to be realistic
cant environmental work came in many other similar ecclesiastical enough when thinking globally to
1990 in the publication of his paper organizations that have recently been remember that "only a stall with no
written for the World Day of Peace formed. When the World Council of ox is perfectly clean."
titled "Peace With God the Creator, Churches (WCC) met in Vancouver in 2. Then there is the tendency of
Peace With All Creation." Statement 1983, the adopted theme was "Justice, some ecclesiastical movements to
6 of that document states, "The grad Peace, and Integrity of Creation." 11 tackle environmental issues on a
ual depletion of the ozone layer and The Ecumenical Review (of WCC) purely political basis. It is difficult to
the related 'greenhouse effect' has reports that a resolution was adapted maintain the integrity of a legitimate
now reached crisis proportions as to "promote preservation of creation" Christian worldview while working
consequence of industrial growth, at all levels. A different lifestyle was from a strictly political perspective.
massive urban concentrations and encouraged in relation to "wants and 3. There is the potential for the
vastly increased energy needs.... The needs" so that "survival of the natural widespread abuse of inappropriate,
resulting meteorological and atmos world can be assured." Along with intrusive power over virtually every
pheric changes range from damage to other ethical issues that make up aspect of human life when it comes
health to the possible future submer "new Sundays" as special days, it rec to orchestrated attempts to "solve"
sion of low-lying lands. ... It is ommended that an "Ecological this "global problem," particularly
necessary that the entire human Responsibility Sunday" be added.12 when the environmental issue
communityindividuals states and becomes the sole concern of a given
international bodiestake seriously Legitimate cautions organization.
the responsibility that is theirs." The growth of environmental Consider some of the theological
Number 10 says: "The ecological cri movements within the church over implications of many of the assertive

May 2001 MINISTRY 25


contemporary environmental voices. right, there are times when the "polit ation that is ultimately vital for long-
How do these assertions voices relate ical and cultural agenda is elevated to term peace and prosperity.
to the sovereignty of God and His the status of the gospel ... all such We do not know the explicit
covenant faithfulness to the human politicization is an act of implicit unfolding of future events, but it is
family (Gen. 8:22)? How do we excommunication. But, in politiciz today our responsibility to preach the
understand today the blessings and ing its message, the church is actually everlasting gospel, proclaiming that
curses of the Mosaic covenant as they excommunicating itself!"13 "our God reigns" (Isa. 52:7). In Christ,
relate to the weather? (Deut. 28:23, Environmental awareness and the Father has given to us "wisdom
24). How do we understand the bless- reform on a global scale is a crucial from God, and righteousness and
sanctification, and redemption, that,
just as it is written, "'Let him who

T
O WHAT EXTENT AND IN WHICH WAYS DOES boasts, boast in the Lord'" (1 Cor.
1:30, 31, NASB).
THE HUMAN COOPERATE WITH THE DIVINE? It is our responsibility to speak with
a courageous voice in a world embrac-
ing an essentially evolutionary
ings and the mighty sovereign voice concern that is vitally important to be outlook. It is ours to speak with a true
of God echoing over His creation as a part of. In fact, openness in this area voice in a world undecided between
revealed in Psalms 29, 96, 104, 148 offers Christians the opportunity, "Baal" or the living Creator.
and Job 37:39? Are these expressions among other things, to spread the To worship the creature or the cre
simply the articulation of a kind of gospel. It may well be urged that ation over the Creator is foreign to an
mythical view of how God relates to Seventh-day Adventists, who have authentic biblical faith. Our message
His creation? been and are so deeply committed to is to "fear God, and give him glory,
the "conservation" of both the soul because the hour of His judgment has
Affirmations of the Christian and the physical body, should in all come; and worship him who made
faith consistency also be profoundly con the heaven and the earth and sea and
Christian faith affirms that Christ cerned with the conservation of the springs of waters" (Rev. 14:7). We
actually did create and still maintains magnificent gifts God has provided look forward to the restoration that
all things by His mighty voice (Col. through all He has created and made will begin when Jesus returns, when
1:16, 17). To what extent and in for humankind; that is, the ecosys we expect that all of the blighted cre
which ways does the human cooper tems of our planet. At the same time, ation order will be replaced with a
ate with the Divine? Does God still however, Christians must resist blind new heaven and a new earth.
bring the blessing of rain or the curse ly syncretizing religious belief with "Turn to me, and be saved, all the
of the drying of the Euphrates, or are ecological purpose, merely for the ends of the earth;
all such things simply the function of sake of creating inter-religious peace For I am God, and there is no
natural phenomena which humanity and harmony, and considering exclu other" (Isa. 45:22). m
may increasingly manipulate at will? sively the scientific, environmental,
In addition, are there political and and political concerns that are
religious interests and overtures in involved. As with any other reform, 1 Charles Rubin, The Green Crusade: Rethinking the
the environmental movements? Is the creative sovreignty of God must Roots of Environmentalhm (Lanham, Md.: Rowmnan
& Littlefield, 1994), 6.
the "eco-theology-justice wing" noth be judiciously brought to the center of 2 Ibid., 18, 26, 30, S3, 85, 155.
ing but another expression of the the Christian approach to environ 3 Robert Royal, The Virgin and the Dynamo: Use and
Abuse of Religion In Environmental Debates (Grand
"social gospel," dressed in the con mental reform. Rapids: Ecrdmans, 1999), 34.
4 Steven Bouma-Prediger, The Greening of Theology
temporary garb of "eco-justice"? All (Atlanta, Ga.: Scholar's Press, 1995), 12, 14.
Christians should have compassion Conclusion 5 Earth and Faith. United Nations Environment
Programme (New York: 2000), 3.
on the less fortunate and a deep sense There is no question that Chris 6 Al Gore, Earth in the Balance: Ecology and the Human
Spirit (New York: Penguin Books, 1993).
of responsibility for God's creation, tians have been called to be good 7 Ibid.
but that does not mean that we stewards of their environment. We 8 World Day of Prayer for Peace, Assissi, 27 October
1986, no. 5.
should automatically approve all the should care about our planet, the 9 John Paul II. "Peace With God the Creator, Peace
With All Creation," World Day of Peace, January 1,
political movements designed to purity of its water and its air, and all 1990.
bring about social, economic, and the other aspects of its magnificent 10 Nancy G. Wright and Donald Kill, Ecological
Healing: A Christian Vision (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis,
ecological justice. eco-systems. But even such a good can 1993), 162.
11 Grandberg-Michaelson. 73-82.
Peter Berger, notable church soci be taken further than it might be, or 12 Ecumenical Review (WCC), vol. 51, no. 4, October
ologist, states that no matter the emphasized in an imbalanced man 1999.
13 John Neuhaus, American Apostasy: The Triumph of
political agenda of the religious left or ner. It is the Creator and not His cre "Other" Gospels. Essay by Peter Berger, 12.

26 MINISTRY May 2001


THE PASTOR's DAY

Tending to the
stranger on
the roadside
T
he older I get, the less willing I cal crusade of some kind. He told me
am to stop along a road, even a that he had spent the night sleeping in
well-traveled one, to give a ride a car in a junkyard just a short distance
to a stranger. There have been too from where I found him alongside the
many stories of tragedy befalling peo
LARRY LAPIERRE road. That made me wonder just what
ple who offered a ride to someone kind of a person I had picked up. Worse
who seemed to be in need. On the yet, I was a little suspicious of his clergy
other hand, at least three times in my credentialsa wallet-sized card, that he
life 1 have been one of those strangers showed me. On the other hand, who
on the side of the road who needed was I to question someone whom the
help, and I was grateful every time that Lord seemed to want me to help along
someone stopped to help me. his journey.
Nevertheless, my fear continues to nowhere. Clearly, this man in my dream We traveled another sixty miles
this day to interfere with my natural needed a ride because he was a long along that forsaken stretch of highway
desire to help someone in need. There way from anywhere. That was the sim before I had to turn off at a little town
was one time, however, when God ple content of the dream. known as Alexander. The man got out
intervened to help me to offer a ride The next morning I awoke, got up, of the car, wished me a good day and
when it was needed. It was in May of and drove along "The Airline." I was went on his way. I have never seen or
1980, and I remember that only about thirty miles into the country with heard about this man since, but I have
because I was completing my first year no one else around when who should often wondered who he was and what
of seminary in Bangor, Maine and I had appear but the man in my dream wear God meant for him to do. What is clear
accepted a four week assignment to ing the gray clergy shirt, the suit, and to me is that God meant for me to pick
lead worship in two little remote towns the hat. I had just a few seconds to him up, despite our mutual uncertain
in far eastern Maine known as Pem react, and I decided to listen, not to my ties about each other, and bring him a
broke and Robinston. fear, but to the dream. I pulled the car little further along his journey. I have
The shortest route from Bangor to over to the side of the road and offered always assumed that God had some
these two churches lay along a road so him a ride. He was very cautious and thing for him to do and all I needed to
winding and bumpy that it was known wanted to know who I was and where I know was that I was supposed to help
as "The Airline." It was also 125 miles was going. After he got into the car he him along in that journey. IB
long. Because I was from Massachusetts, explained to me that he was an itiner
the idea of driving that far, except on a ant minister from California who felt he Larry LaPierre is chief of chaplain services
business trip or to see a long-lost rela had been called to travel to New at the Veterans' Hospital in White River
tive, was beyond my experience. So I Brunswick, Canada to lead an evangeli Junction, Vermont
went to bed as early as possible, know
ing that I needed a good night's sleep to
be up early on Sunday morning so that
I could arrive on time for worship. I was
to find out, however, that I needed PLANT THE FUTURE
more than sleep to prepare for what I
would have to deal with on my way to
it; Want to reignite your passion for soul-winning? Plant a church!
This book is for frustrated but loyal members eager to invest
those churches the next morning. So their lives in hastening Jesus' return. Using an effective,
the Lord sent a dream to help me. storytelling style, author Ron Gladden gets right to the heart of
In the dream I saw myself driving the matter. If his statistics don't persuade you, his enthusiasm
along a highway lined with evergreen will. "Church planting is the Gospel Commission at its finest."
trees and very little else. All of a sudden, Ministerial Association Resource Center
an older man with a gray clergy shirt Phone: 888.771.0738 (toll-free) or 301.680.6508 Fax: 301.680.6502
and wearing a suit and hat appeared Email: paynec@gc.advenrist.org Web site: www.ministerialassociation.com

alongside the road in the middle of Also available at your local ABC

May 2001 MINISTRY 27


Those articles raised several ques
What causes Letters tions: Has the Adventist Church, twenty
continued from page 3 years after Glacier View, finally matured
fights? enough to face the challenges of the
continued from page 4
gospel without preconceived prejudice?
the people and movements of the past clever crooks. It has well been said that After providing an objective assessment
who have violated the beautiful com 90 percent of the rascality in Massa of the current Catholic-Lutheran crisis
munal mandates inherent in the chusetts politics can be traced to over justification by faith, dare we now
message of Christ. Collectively speak Harvard men. proceed by sweeping our own back
ing, it is each of us, with our own Let's have more such excellent arti yard, to provide a breath of fresh air so
inherited and cultivated condescensions cles! that the gospel, too often disfigured
and skewed biases, who keep such Arnold R. Lewis, The United Methodist beyond recognition, may finally begin
things alive and active both in the Church, Elk Crove, California. to shine in its intended beauty?
broad conflicts of the world and even in Consequently, we should ask again,
the mundane, everyday disputes of our November 2000 issue how could the Church still maintain
churches.
Jesus expressed the comprehensive
earmark of genuine Christian disciple-
A s Hans LaRondelle, Raoul Dederen,
Hans Heinz, Roger Evans, and Will
Eva questioned the assumptions of the
that our denominational views about
the phased or stretched atonement,
character-dependant investigative judg
ship and leadership when He said that Catholic-Lutheran Joint Declaration on ment, and the final justification of Cod's
"'All men will know that you are my the Doctrine of Justification, they spoke character through the sufficiently per
disciples if you love one another'" John with clarity, unseen for a considerable fect obedience of God's people all of
13:35 (NIV). And Paul said, "So from time in our official publications, about which make salvation dependant on
now on we regard no one from a world the forensic, objective, synthetic, and the believers' performance comple
ly point of view . . . The old has gone, legal nature of justification, distin ment the truth of the objective gospel?
the new has come" (2 Cor. 5:16, 17 guished from sanctification, as Just as much as the "gospel had
NIV). m thought by Paul and the Reformers. been lost in an increasingly complicated

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MINISTRY
system of merits, good works, sacra
ments and penances" in the teachings
Ministry to be both inspiration and
intellectually challenginga combina A Path Straight
of the Catholic Church, so it is compro
mised by the increasingly confusing
tion that is all too rare. Graduate
students are usually presented with
to the Hedges
systems of Adventist theology of salva readings that either have a slightly by Borge Schantz
tion where individual sanctification anti-religious bias or with inspiration
frequently merges with the divine act of and devotional publications from
justification and where our eternal des church presses that lack the intellectu Who are the hedge
tiny was not decided on the cross as al rigor that many young people are
dwellers? Author Borge
much as in the characters of believers, seeking. Ministry does an excellent job
of maintaining a strong Christian focus
Schantz defines them as
so that at the end of the day our hon
oring of Christ's finished work of while exploring interesting, as well as the world's forgotten
salvation appears more like a lip service difficult topics. people. They exist on the
than a genuine belief. I particularly enjoyed the November margins of both rural and
Whether the gospel is infused into 2000 issue, which dealt with Luther's urban society. They may
indulgences, sacraments, merits of the theological differences with the lack physical necessities,
saints, or into the character shaping Catholic Church. I was a bit perplexed, but even more desperately,
doctrines of investigative judgment, however, that with all the discussion they need the saving
vindication of God's character through and praise of Luther's notion of justifi
knowledge of Jesus Christ.
the lives of the believers and almost cation by faith, no mention was made
immaculate law keeping, it makes no of the centrality of predestination in his This book is a much-
difference. Both approaches are respon thinking. For Luther, as for Calvin, belief needed manual for cross-
sible for confusing the believer as to the in salvation by grace alone presup
cultural evangelism among
method and place where salvation takes posed God's predestination of fallen
place, and as such they are an offense humanity to either salvation or damna
these unreached people
to the gospela serious deviation that tion. He believed that for human beings groups. This practical guide
undermines the fullness of salvation in to contribute anything to their salvation will both inspire and equip
the person of Jesus Christ. was an attack on God's sovereignty.... you for ministry.
The integrity of the Church and its It is true that modern Protestant the
mission in the days to come does not ology owes a great debt to the Price: us$ 12.95 + 18%s8Ji
depend on how skilled it becomes in Protestant Reformers, but we must be
maneuvering through the challenges careful of anachronistically transposing
our distinctive beliefs will continue to our theology back onto them. In my
face. Ultimately, the Church will be opinion, Luther's brand of justification
tested by its honesty toward the by faith cannot be understood without
integrity of the gospel, for no church reference to his fundamental belief in
or a movement has ever been given predestination.
commission other than to preach the Gregory Dodds, doctoral candidate,
gospel without strings attached. And Claremont Graduate University, Oaremont,
how far will the gospel go in the California.
Adventist Church this time depends on
those ministers, evangelists, teachers, Ministry welcomes letters
scholars, writers, editors, and lay mem from readers
bers who treasure the gospel above I etters must be exclusive to Ministry,
the loyalty to any ideological concept. Lmust be signed, and must include
For all of us the first step should be to the writer's home address. Because of
stop hinting at the gospel and start space limitations, published letters are RESOURCE CENTER
preaching it deliberately and without subject to abridgment. Although we GC Ministerial Association
apology. are unable to acknowledge letters we 12501 Old Columbia Pike
Tihomir Kukolja, pastor, Melbourne, cannot publish, we value the views of Silver Spring, MD 20904
Australia. those who send us their comments. Phone: 888.771.0738 (toll-free)
Letters should be addressed to the 301.680.6502

D uring the past three years, as a Editor and may be hand-delivered, sub Fax: 301.680.6502
Email: paynec@gc.adventist.org
graduate student at a secular sem- mitted via mail, or via our email address
Web: www.ministerialassociation.com
inary, I have found the articles in at norcottj@gc.adventist.org m

May 2001 MINISTRY 29


PASTOR's PASTOR

New way
to pray
I
had believed that I prayed for my involved in Bible studies that originated
members every day. Without fail I in the prayer chest. I cannot envision
would ask a hurried blessing for my ever pastoring a church without the
congregates as I rushed to the office or benefit of this spiritual tool."
to attend some urgent duty.
JAMES A. CRESS John D. Morgan, pastor of Houston's
Then one day, as I analyzed my per Sagemont church says, "I have never
sonal praying patterns, I realized I was seen a tool more effective for ministry. In
primarily asking only that God would only three weeks I received over one
make my membership larger and my hundred prayer requests. Many of our
problems fewer. I also admit that I reg members have spoken to me personally
ularly threw in a few texts from the as to how much they appreciate my sen
imprecatory Psalms, which fervently sitivity to their desire for confidentially."
echoed David's petition for God to The administrative assistant to Charles F.
smite my enemies and to wreak the ignore my offer to pray for particular Stanley, pastor of Atlanta's First Baptist
havoc I was so certain His vengeance issues. This process, alone, refocused Church, says they receive requests from
promised. my prayers and changed meboth their prayer box daily.
In reality however, I was seeking short spiritually and professionallyas I lifted "Beyond your congregation, these
cuts to spiritual discipline. It wasn't that the names and needs of my members prayer boxes can dramatically impact
I refused to pray. Instead I neglected a before my heavenly Father. If my mem the wider community," says Terry Teykl,
deep interaction even as I convinced bers mentioned a particular need, then a Methodist pastor who places prayer
myself that I was a "praying pastor." my prayers grew even more focused on boxes in businesses such as banks,
After all, isn't that what pastors do? the day I "remembered" them. I came stores, professional offices, and even
We pray! Like a physician dispensing to understand experientially that when bars. The most creative placement
pills, we offer up prayers for any occa I pray for someone, I am not praying in mounted a box where motorists could
sionfrom opening worship services to order to change God's mind about that drop in requests from their cars. Teykl
opening a hospital room door, from individual or their need; rather, God says, "strategically placed prayer boxes
committees to counseling sessions, changes my mind about that person give God's address to people in need."
from prayer meetings to potlucks, pas and their situation. Clarence Phairas of the Pendleton
tors pray publicly and often. Like most Recently, I have examined a remark Church of God, Anderson, Indiana, says
pastors, I prayed a dozen times or more able tool for providing even more effec his congregation has placed eight
in a typical day. All my contactsfrom tive guidance to my prayers. Pastor's boxes around their small community.
the couple struggling with marital Confidential Prayer Box, offers a simple, "While some locations do not generate
problems to the Pathfinder drill team beautifully-constructed, secure method many requests, you build spiritual rela
received their share of the pastor's by which members can alert their pas tionships even from those who allow
prayers. tor to specific requests which, other placement of the boxes. I told one busi
Wanting to bring more depth and wise, might go unnoticed or unknown ness owner I was praying for her." He
greater intentionality to my prayers, I (see ad on next page). encourages participants to collect the
devised a method for systematically Sam Martz, president of Exotic requests from these various locations
praying for my members on a pre Wood, Inc., has presented a number of and give them to the intercessory
planned schedule. I even published the these boxes to active clergy. My prayer team.
schedule and invited my members to Adventist pastoral colleague, R. P. 1 encourage you to try this new way
respond at the appointed date if they Stafford, Nashville, writes, "This locked to pray for your own ministry. I am con
wished to inform their pastor's prayers. box has allowed my members to vinced it will enhance your personal
I purposed that I would focus on a express thoughts and requests, which prayer life as well as the pastoral care
specific family even if they chose to heretofore was not possible. I am you give your members, n

30 MINISTRY May 2001


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