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The need for a less fragmented and more Editorial Assistant Sheila Draper
Consulting Editors:
Ben Clausen, Raoul Dederen, Teofilo Ferreira, Ron
EYs'sg
Flowers, John M. Fowler, Michael Hasel, Roland
Don't hang it up Hegstad, Kathleen Kuntaraf, Ekkehardt Mueller, Jan
Staying the course and maintaining the vision, Paulsen, Robert Peach, George Reid, Angel Rodriguez,
Penny Shell, William Shea, Russell Staples, Richard
especially in difficult times (a sermon) Tibbits, Ted Wilson, Edward Zinke
Letters Barry Black Pastoral Assistant Editors: John C. Cress, Fredrick
Russell, Maylan Schurch, Loren Seibold
3
International Advisors: Alejandro Bullon, John
A tale of two preachers Duroe, Paulraj Isaiah, Anthony Kent, Ivan Manilich,
Carlos Martin, Gabriel Maurer, Joel Musvosvi, Ivan
Editorial Embracing the varying gifts and emphases of one Omana, David Osborne, Paul Ratsara, Peter Roennfeldt,
Raymond Zeeman
4 another in ministry
Pastoral Advisors: Leslie Baumgartner, S. Peter
Greg Taylor Campbell, Miguel A. Cerna, Jeanne Hartwell, Mitchell
Henson, Greg Nelson, Norma Osborn, Leslie Pollard,
Dan Smith, Steve Wilisey
Pastor's Pastor
28
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What Matters Most? is being used to determine what is right which such questions do not arise with
I'm certainly confused about the pur- and wrong in our churches and schools. the force they do in other locations. It
1 pose of the Viewpoint article, "What The clear Word from the Lord seems to would indeed be a great editorial luxury if
Matters Most?" in the October 2000 be used less and less. And this article is the readership of Ministry consisted only
issue. I cannot for the life of me see any in a Ministry issue that starts with a lead of those serving in small-town American
reason or wholesome purpose to this article on Ellen White as theologian. Do Adventist church situations.
article. Imagine, Seventh-day Adventist we still see her as a prophet too? If Even if the editors believed that the
pastors, SDA teachers, and SDA school Jeremiah the prophet was here today floodgates should be opened to sweep
board members sitting down to discuss reading this article, we could weep away all the valuable proscriptions
the issue of allowing dancing in a together! I am aghast! against such practices as secular dance,
Seventh-day Adventist school! This is —Douglas Carlson, pastor, Sault St. Marie, they would hardly be unwise enough as to
shocking enough, but to see no refer- Michigan. advocate such things in the pages of a
ences to the Bible or to the writings of magazine such as Ministry.
Ellen White used in coming to this con- Editorial Note: We are truly sorry for Here's a slightly modified quote from a
clusion is beyond my comprehension as any distress or confusion caused by this recent email written by the Editor in con-
an SDA pastor myself. And to publish Viewpoint article. While it may be good to nection with the article under discussion:
this article as if it has some valuable remind ourselves what it actually was that "I believe that God guided this Church in
insight into how (if this is the suggested Jeremiah wept for, we should also say that the stand it has taken against dancing. .
intention) we might also consider such we too would stand aghast if either the . . Seventh-day Adventists took this stand
issues in our church districts is certainly intent or the content of this article advo- at a time when, compared with today,
no model for any SDA to follow. cated what seems to be attributed to it in most dancing was a comparatively mild
Bringing dancing into our schools to the above letter, or if it was as purposeless thing. Most dance today is . . . seriously
appease a worldly appetite for enter- as is suggested. Even though Scripture foreign to the spirit of Christ.
tainment is certainly no way to respond and the Spirit of Prophecy were not quot- I think it is clear that the dancing
to the changes in the world either. If ed in the article, their influence may encouraged in the Bible is something very
this is the only way we can keep our definitely be felt in its thrust and thought; different from the dancing that went on
youth in our churches, then we would that is, as it discusses the issues it actual- during the time of the founding of our
be better off without them. ly addresses. Church, let alone so much of the dance
I would like to remind us all that we It must be overtly stated that the pur- that is common in today's Western cul-
serve a God who changes not, who is pose of the article is clearly not to consider tures. . ."
the same yesterday, today, and tomor- the matter of dancing or not dancing, (or
row. His standards haven't changed! He jewelry or no jewelry) but rather how Ellen White, Theologian?
is the One who said, "Love not the those of us ministering in challenging alter M. Booth takes issue with
world, neither the things that are in the areas of the Lord's vineyard may go about
handling the intense differences that arise
W what has become a fairly com-
mon affirmation among Adventist
world!" And anyone with the index to
the writings of Ellen White can quickly among significant numbers of our people students of Ellen White, that she was a
look up "dancing" and see what coun- when it comes to such matters. prophet, not a theologian. He says, "I
sel is there. Yes, I could refer to many Ministry editors would be among the would like to ... express my conviction
Bible passages myself in questioning the first to admit that there is probably little that Ellen White was an outstanding
decision to dance, but we have come to purpose to this article when it comes to theologian." However, during the
a time when some new kind of thinking the pastor who ministers in a location in continued on page 29
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The value of
Viewpoint
iewpoint articles are designed
V
ed to come to terms with the very legit-
to stimulate thought and do not imate questions being asked us by a
necessarily reflect the position of number of our pastoral readers, such as:
our editorial staff or of Ministry." This How can we go on using a sign of the
WI LL EVA
statement has appeared on the title second coming that occurred, for exam-
page of Viewpoint articles, which are ple, on May 19, 1780, when we are now
published intermittently in Ministry. entering the twenty-first century? How
Such a declaration may appear to be a can such an approach be credible in the
mere disclaimer, when in fact it is an eyes of the thoughtful persons we seek
honest expression of the nature of cer- by God's grace to persuade that Jesus is
tain opinions that appear in Ministry indeed coming soon?
and how they relate to what the maga- If we cannot allow ourselves to deal
zine and the Seventh-day Adventist with such questions in the responsible
Church in fact stands for. To be specific about our Viewpoint way that a man of Dr. LaRondelle's cal-
There are those among our readers column, let me cite a relatively recent iber does and in a magazine such as
who are uncomfortable with this feature Viewpoint article. This article, authored Ministry, I believe, as do other Adventist
and would like to see it discontinued. by premier Adventist professor and the- leaders, that we are far off the spirit and
There are others who would be quite ologian, Hans LaRondelle, received essential content of Adventism and of
disappointed if it was discontinued. I significant negative reviews from a Ellen G. White and our pioneers.
must say that I am one who would be number of our readers. The article was Viewpoint articles are not published
disappointed and who would experi- entitled "The Application of Cosmic in Ministry unless they constructively
ence a sense of loss not only for the Signs in the Adventist Tradition" address an issue that will genuinely
magazine, but for the spiritual and intel- (Ministry, September 1998). In it Dr. contribute to the discussion and
lectual persona of the Seventh-day LaRondelle wrestled with the difficult hoped-for settlement of some difficult
Adventist Church and more specifically question, Can we continue to feature dilemma or controverted issue facing a
for Adventist ministry. events from the relatively distant past as significant swath of Adventist ministers.
There is a very strong element pres- convincing signs of the imminent The fact that such articles are placed in
ent in both Christian and Adventist return of Christ? Largely because of the "Viewpoint" column should imme-
history that has ever championed ongo- Mrs. White's appeal in The Great diately alert the reader that they
ing responsible prayer and research, and Controversy, to eighteenth and nine- contain some controversial elements
has expected further and yet more lucid teenth-century happenings as and therefore deserve careful thought,
expressions of thought and belief to be fulfillments of the signs of Jesus' com- prayer and response.
ever coming to the surface. The way ing, some readers were disturbed by Viewpoint by no means seeks to
early Adventists grappled with whether the suggested explanations of Dr. question established Adventist belief or
or not to even have a statement of doc- LaRondelle. Unfortunately none of practice, but instead seeks to clarify and
trinal belief and a Church Manual is clear these readers offered any further con- improve on the way we view and pres-
evidence of this admirable mentality structive explanation. ent such issues. We must by all means
that is as much a part of Adventist tradi- Had Dr. LaRondelle in any way ques- express disagreement with Viewpoint
tion as is any other significant aspect of tioned the validity of the Seventh-day articles, but it would be most helpful if
our history or tradition. Adventist stand on the imminent second thoughtful, pointed, yet kind responses
The path of purest faithfulness and coming of Jesus, we would not have were offered that actually contribute
discretion almost always appears to be published this article. Had he ques- objectively to the issues raised in such
the one that opposes any alteration in tioned the accuracy and veracity of Ellen articles. That is what Viewpoint articles
"traditionalistic" patterns of thought G. White's work, we would not have are designed to elicit.
and belief. But that opposition is not accepted his article for publication. The
automatically of God, any more than motivation and approach in his article
See Ell IC Whsle. Caen* to Wntets and Ethers (Naahville. Tenn South
was the path of the leaders of the were in fact the opposite of these things. I
Pub. Awn.. 1946). 33-59 (and far balance. 17-34
2 Reidew Gd Valenande two-part ankle. 'The Stop-Start Journey on the Reed
Judaism of Jesus' day. In his explanation he simply attempt- to a Church Manual' m the Apnl and June 1999 issues of Maury
S
eventh-day Adventists need an inte- plain truth is that not all the beads are the
George R. Knight
grated theology! Don't get me same size and weight. Some of the 27 funda-
wrong. Adventism's 27 fundamental mentals are "more fundamental" than others.
beliefs are well defined and adequate When I floated my string-of-beads perspec-
in what they attempt to do as indi- tive past one of my friends he startled me by
vidual statements. It is not the 27 that I am pointing out that while he agreed on the
questioning, but the way they are presented. beads model he couldn't find the string. In
To put it bluntly, the 27 fundamentals are short, he implied that Adventism's 27 are
set forth as a list, somewhat like a string of more like a pile of beads rather than a string
beads with each bead having the same size, of them. But for my purposes in this article
shape, and weight. And beyond the official the effect is the same. While the "pile" or
27, Adventist "oral tradition" provides indi- "string" approach may be helpful in present-
viduals with innumerable other beads that ing and understanding Adventist beliefs, I
flow off of each end of the string. "Thou shalt believe that there are models for organizing
not go to movies in a movie house," "Thou the denomination's beliefs that are much
shalt not dance socially," and "Thou shalt not more effective in enabling people to grasp the
drink coffee," are examples of supernumerary totality of what the Bible teaches or the
beads. While the official list is a voted docu- Church believes. It is to one such model that
ment adopted at a General Conference we now turn.
session, the extra doctrinal and lifestyle beads
are added by individual Church members, by A hierarchical model of beliefs
subgroups within the Church, or by the force Not every doctrine is created equal! Some
of tradition. While not official beads, the beliefs reflect theological realities more basic
supernumeraries appear to be equal in weight than other beliefs! Such are two of the basic
to the official ones in the minds and con- postulates of the hierarchical model.
George Knight is a Foundational to any understanding of the
sciences of many church members and
professor of church
pastors. Christian faith is that Christianity is not a
history at the
The problem with the string-of-beads body of doctrine or a way of life. Individuals
Seventh-day
Adventist approach to fundamental beliefs is that it will not be saved by what they believe intel-
Theological indicates no priorities, it doesn't help people lectually or do behaviorally. A person can
Seminary, Andrews see that some beliefs are more important or believe all the right things and perform all the
University, Berrien more "fundamental" than others. As a result, right actions and still be lost.
Springs, Michigan. I have seen young people and unperceptive In its essence, Christianity is a Person—Jesus
T
HEIR JOYFUL SINGING SO INFLUENCED
Refuse to use strange circum-
stances as an excuse
HEAVEN THAT THE EARTH SHOOK AND THEIR
Often we behave as if our trial is
unique. But 1 Corinthians 10:31
reminds us that the tests we face are CHAINS FELL OFF, FOR PRAISE bRINGS DELIVERANCE.
common to humanity. Others are
traveling with us in the strange coun- abused and mistreated. Relatives and hang it up. Our Savior promises to be
try of failure, frustration, and fear, and even His closest friends often misunder- with us, yes, even in a strange land
many of these saints have learned to stood Him. Earth for Jesus was a strange (Matt. 28). He said, " 'I will never leave
sing in spite of struggle. We are, there- land, but He refused to hang it up. you nor forsake you' " (Heb. 13,
fore, without excuse. Only once in the New Testament is NKJV). He is able to keep us from
A minister friend of mine sought to it recorded that Jesus sang (Matt. falling (Jude 14). He has promised to
provide solace for a woman who had 26:30). When did He sing? He sang on supply every need of ours according to
endured the anguish of having her leg the night in which He was betrayed. His unspeakable riches (Phil. 4). He
amputated. When he entered the hos- He sang after washing the disciples' has gone to prepare a place for us and
pital room, instead of having to cheer feet. He sang as the shadow of a cross promises to come again (John 14).
her, she lifted his spirits. She said, fell unmistakably across His pathway. Even in a strange land, that's some-
"Pastor, thank God it's as good as it is! He sang as Judas hurried to betray thing about which we can sing.
I could have lost both legs." She had Him. He sang at the end of His Last
learned to sing the Lord's song in a Supper. He sang as He headed for the So why should I feel discouraged?
foreign country. agonies in the Garden of Gethsemane Why should the shadows come?
Later, in Babylon, the Hebrew wor- and the hill called Calvary, the place Why should my heart be lonely
thies, Daniel and his compatriots, of the skull. He sang a hymn as His And long for heaven and home?
would refuse to make excuses. They outward world was falling apart. If
purposed in their hearts to maintain a Jesus could sing in the strange land of When Jesus is my portion
diet that would honor God. They were suffering, we have no excuse for hang- My constant Friend is He
determined not to deviate from strict ing it up. His eye in on the sparrow,
integrity and refused to bow when the And I know He watches me.
music played. They heard another Permit praise to bring deliver-
melody, a heavenly one that empow- ance I sing because I'm happy.
ered them to live with honor, even on We confuse the enemy, Satan, I sing because I'm free.
foreign soil. when we sing God's song in a strange His eye in on the sparrow,
Once a friend urged Socrates to land, for our God inhabits praise (Psa. And I know He watches me. N
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Bible stories and nature-related crafts, skits, songs, and
games lead them to accept Jesus as their personal Saviour
and have an assurance of salvation.
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(Ages
and evangelism, and the way they related to
one another.
F
have been better. He was a successful wild honey. He lived separate from the world,
new preacher just coming into much like the Essenes. They lived in little self-
prominence. Thousands came to supporting communities, ate a strict diet,
hear him. No buildings could hold wore simple clothing, and adhered to the law
the massive crowds. His name was in the in extreme detail. John the Baptist seems to
headlines. His stirring stories were told and have resembled this sect of Judaism.
retold around the country. His unique way of Jesus, on the other hand, appeared more
teaching brought hope for the establishment "normal." He spent most of His years in a car-
of a new society. Polls would have placed him penter shop, working with His father in the
as the most popular personage in the nation. family business. He dressed like the common
For the other young man, things could not people, attended the local synagogue, and
have been worse. Once a great and respected functioned as a basically normal member of
orator, he was now forgotten. Once a nation- society.
al figure, a successful preacher, a prophetic Looking at their ministries, the contrast
voice on a national level, he was now losing between the two men became even more
respect and prominence. Aside from the enor- marked. John was a hard hitting, hellfire-and-
mous crowds that had flocked to hear him, he brimstone preacher. He called sin by its name.
had once been visited by presidents, states- His primary target was the religious people,
men, and even the intelligencia. Now nobody especially the establishment, whom he called
seemed to care about him; in fact, he was now to a higher standard of holiness. To some of
languishing in prison where he faced execu- the religious leaders he said, "Brood of vipers!
tion. His had been a wild ride of prominence Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
and popularity, but it had abruptly been halt- come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repen-
Greg Taylor is senior ed. The crowds that had once followed him tance. . ." (Matt. 3:7-9, NKJV)
pastor of the Foster were now following the new sensation. Jesus, however, was primarily interested in
Memorial Seventh- reaching the "lost sheep of the house of
A tale of two preachers: Jesus of Nazareth,
day Adventist Church
and John the Baptist. Israel" (Matt. 10:6, NKJV). He was considered
in Asheville, North
Looking back over the contrast between unconventional, nontraditional. The fact that
Carolina.
their ministries, there is much to learn regard- He neglected many of the traditions of the
ing different approaches to ministry, worship elders deeply offended the religious authori-
N
unchurched for seven years now,
using contemporary music, drama,
multimedia, and other less traditional A THREAT OR IRRITANT. THEY SAW THE
approaches. The experience has been
nothing short of amazing. SUCCESS OR APPARENT FAILURE OF THE OTHER AS A
God has blessed our ministry in
amazing ways. We have seen atheists
find Christ, along with agnostics, PART OF GOD'S DIVINE PLAN.
church dropouts, and other "lost
sheep." What's more, they are staying
in the church and even getting old methods of labor . . ."1 "Means will and our ultimate purpose—to reach
involved. They are growing in their be devised to reach hearts. Some of the world for Christ—remains the
faith and reaching out to their the methods used in this work will be same.
friends. We praise God every time we different from the methods used in
see His Grace, extended to another the past; but let no one, because of Conclusion
precious soul. this block the way by criticism."' In fact, in light of the biblical
We sometimes feel something like precedent set by John and Jesus, here
the fresh, young Christian congrega- The Great Commission are some suggestions when we're con-
tions of the first century must have We do not have time to spend wor- fronted with another's success or
felt when they approached an uncon- rying about whether our brothers or failure, or with a different perspective
ventional audience (Gentiles) in ways sisters are too conservative or too pro- on another's practice, theological
that troubled some of their more con- gressive, or whether one worship understanding, worship practice, or
servative brothers (not insisting on style is better than another. We have evangelistic method.
circumcision, eating questionable time only to put our energy together 1.Avoid destructive criticism.
foods, visiting in the homes of the and reach the lost. We must accept 2. Seek answers through personal
"unclean" and simply befriending that the same God who has designed rather than through public means.
them). each of us differently has done so for 3. Ask questions and seek explana-
There is a natural tendency in a specific purpose. Some are called to tions when discussing issues (in a
some to think that because this kind a lifestyle, passion, and ministry for public or private forum). Attacks on
of ministry is reaching the people the "down and outers," others for character, orthodoxy, or personality
that we are passionate about, every- "the lost sheep of the house of Israel," should always be avoided.
one should be doing it. The ministry and still others for the "up and out- 4. Rejoice over kingdom growth.
of John and Jesus would not tell us ers." All are lost "coins," "sheep," and When fruit is borne let us rejoice
such a thing. It is not true that any "sons," and everything must be put together. Another's success should be
one method should be used by every- aside so that they may be found (Luke seen as our success (Luke 15:2, 5, 6, 7,
one or that anyone not using a 15). It is more an issue of personal 9, 10, 20, 22, 23.)
certain form of evangelism should be calling than one of orthodoxy. We 5. Praise God for diversity of gifts,
questioned or criticized. Those cannot embroil ourselves in the pout- passion, and calling. Let us be grateful
involved in contemporary worship ing of the older brother in Jesus' that our Creator is a God of variety
shouldn't be critical of churches or parable who refuses to come into the within the context of the unity of the
ministries using traditional methods, party that his father has thrown at faith.
which have in fact worked over the the return of the younger brother John the Baptist and Jesus were
years, especially in some contexts. because he (the older brother) worlds apart in personal appearance,
But this does not mean that these believed it was not right for his father style, ministry practice, and evangel-
more traditional methods are ideal to do things in such a wrong and istic demographic targetting. But they
for every locale or circumstance. undignified way (Luke 15). trusted God to handle their differ-
Mainstream evangelism continues to Given time, we will see how God ences and supported one another
fall far short of reaching some groups. makes no mistakes. His purpose is too with confidence.
The truth is that both approaches are great to have cut us all out of the Let us "Go, and do likewise." WE
valid, and the practitioners of one same mold. While it may seem that
should not criticize those who advo- we are going in different directions
cate the other. now, at the end, or in the end, we will 1 Ellen G. White, Evangelism (Hagerstown, Md.:
Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1946), 105. Emphasis
"Men are needed who pray to God look back and see how God designed
mine.
for wisdom, and who, under the guid- this diversity for maximum impact. 2 Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 30,
ance of God, can put new life into the We are all different, but God is One 1902. Emphasis mine.
1
Buford Griffith, Jr.
t's true! The parish pastor is called to be the truth."'
all things to all men . . . and women:
leader, administrator, evangelist, coun- Pastor's responsibility
selor, consoler, and keeper of the There are pastors who are taking on the
household of God. Only God can equip seriously negligent habit of not attending
us to be successful in the area of our calling. Sabbath School! It is true that many pastors
Yet we are also teachers, Sabbath School are charged with the care of many churches
teachers. I have discovered in 20 years of pas- and therefore find it difficult to be with their
toral ministry that the greatest joy after people for Sabbath School. That is, of course,
preaching is that of watching people grow in understandable, but the pastor should never
the Lord. That growth is aided by special be absent because of laziness or indifference.
attention given them by their pastor in regu- There is no excuse for the pastor who is gen-
lar classroom interaction known in Adventist uinely able to do so, not to be at Sabbath
circles as the pastor's Sabbath School class. School conducting his or her own class.
It is with much prayer and effort that we As pastors, we are teachers. Regular teach-
observe the charge of God to "go into all the ing of the saints, whether in an evangelistic or
world and teach all nations, baptizing them Sabbath School setting, keeps the tools of the
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy pastor sharp and above all keeps him in close
Spirit." Thus, after the effort to gather souls touch with the people who need him the
for the kingdom, we should exert the same, or most. It keeps him in touch with the new
even greater effort to retain them. This is dis- converts. One new in the faith needs the
cipling, and a pastor's class can play a crucial security of knowing that their pastor is there
role in this important part of our mission. for them spiritually and ready to help with
Buford Griffith Jr. is personal and doctrinal issues that arise. The
director of Sabbath Protection pastor is charged with the responsibility of
School/Family Life Let's be honest. After baptism, the number holding the reins of truth within the church.
Ministries, of those who remain is alarmingly low. That It is a responsibility that cannot not be taken
Southwestern Union trend must be reversed. I contend that if pas- lightly.
Conference of tors were more diligent in "rooting and We preach the high standards of the will of
Seventh-day
grounding" new converts, we would have God; these often attract men, women, and
Adventists, Burleson,
more vibrant churches and more stable mem- children to the message of Christ. But when
Texas.
bers who would not be in danger of being they enter the fellowship of the church, new
"tossed to and fro, and carried about with converts easily become confused as they
S
Doug Tilstra
old boy from Russia. They spent The questions are: (1) What is my history
months preparing for the adoption. as a new parent? (2) What is this child's his-
Even though they were veteran par- tory? (3) How has this child learned to relate
ents, the prospect of adoption to others? and (4) Is everybody willing to
presented dozens of new challenges. allow the process of growing up?
They watched and watched again video
clips of their new son, Anton, long before he 1. What is my history as a new
ever came to live in their home. There were parent?
mountains of paperwork and miles of red Vision. One of the first questions Steve and
tape to work through. Other concerns includ- Karen needed to ask themselves was, Why are
ed finances, dynamics of family integration, we doing this? Parents (biological and adop-
and bedroom configuration. tive) usually have some vision for the children
At last, Steve and Karen flew to Moscow, they bring into the world. They dream of what
visited Anton's orphanage, met him for the they can become; their goals for their future
first time, and brought him to their California and desires for the direction of their lives.
home. But the work had just begun. Perhaps Most churches are planted with vision. The
adopting a child relieves the mother from the church founder and planting team typically
physical "labor" that comes with giving birth, share such a vision, even if it is not formalized
but the labor of the delivery room is certainly on paper. The problem is, a new leader com-
replaced with hard work the moment adop- ing to the church may have little idea what
tion occurs. that original vision is. The potential "instant
Unlike a newborn entering their family, parent" of a new church does well to ask,
Anton came with certain habits and expecta- Why am I doing this? What are my dreams
tions fairly firmly set. He spoke Russian, and for this church? Why do I believe God
responded to life from a preset genetic code allowed this church to come into being at this
Doug Tilstra is
(largely unknown to the new parents). He time, in this place, with these people? What
assistant professor also had some medical needs requiring sever- can it become? How can God use me to help
of religion at al surgeries and rehabilitation. Steve and it achieve those dreams?
Southern Adventist Karen quickly realized this was parenting in a Expectations. Vision is closely related to
University, totally new dimension. expectations. Both project a desired future.
Collegedale, Who was this little boy? How could they Both can motivate to excellence. Both can
Tennessee. bond to him and encourage him to bond to inspire a team with focus, unity, and coopera-
FREE LUMBAR
CUSHION
T
Richard 0.
Stenbakken order to a multitude of chaotic chaos and chronos in the Bible. In Genesis we
events in order to impart meaning begin with chaos. "Now the earth was form-
and understanding and to pro- less and empty. . ." That sounds like chaos to
mote survival and progress. me. But then God appears in the form of the
Perhaps I preach a sermon that is a total Spirit, and that which was chaotic now takes
flop. My mind warns me not to do that again! on form, order, and beauty. Out of chaos
It tells me that I must be a survivor in the age comes chronos: days, weeks, months, sea-
of pastoral cuts and "right-sizing" in the work sons, Sabbath, worship, marriage, family,
force of the church! In the message my mind intimacy with God, and a host of riotous
gives me, there is pain and fear. The chaos cre- orderliness including flora, fauna, and geo-
ated by my "failure" may actually be the best physical forces. Then comes chaos again, in
thing that ever happened to me. It forces me the form of the Fall. The total creation is now
to re-evaluate my sermons, their preparation, in chaos. Weeds come where once there were
content, and delivery. This chaos may well only flowers, thorns where there were roses,
propel me toward a much better process of and back-breaking work where there had
study and preparation as well as a much bet- been life-fulfilling labor. Fear of God where
ter "product" (the sermon) and thus lead me there was love. Male and female ashamed of
to be a better spokesperson for God and more being with each other: "We are naked here!
faithful to His call and my profession. Another fig leaf, please!" And the fig leaves
The message in such situations is both are humanity's way of trying feebly to bring
obscured and clear. Thus, chaos is a point of some order out of the chaos in a now frac-
time that should be appreciated and valued as tured creation.
a teaching or learning opportunity in chronos But, God has a brilliant idea. Save the situ-
(time). If I merely throw away chaos, or refuse ation from chaos by installing a new
to allow its lessons to penetrate my manage- dimension of chronos: " 'And I will put enmi-
ment of chronos and life, I will probably be ty between you and the woman, and between
Richard 0. operating on five cylinders when I could be your offspring and hers; he will crush your
Stenbakken, Ed.D, is running on eight. [Serpent's] head, and you will strike His
the director of The fact is that deliberate chaos is often the [Christ's] heel' " (Gen. 3:15). This is the first
Adventist Chaplaincy producer of fresh, new, and viable ideas. It is promise of a Savior who will come in "the full-
Ministries, General the invitation to a quality of growth that oth- ness of time [chronos] " to ultimately and
Conference. erwise would never be. At times of chaos we finally bring order again from the chaos of
C
hurch growth has dominated the lives of the disciples. The members of the
Gnanaraj Kore
the functions of the world church met together (verse 46) to learn the
church in recent times, provid- Word, and their lives became one with the
ing a giant leap in evangelism Word.
and outreach, and taking the Today many members do not know what
gospel to unentered areas around the world. they believe and why they believe. Even the
Church leadership and laity have invested central teachings of Jesus affecting our daily
enormous resources in this growth. Results life seem neglected in many circles. Often the
have been good. New outposts and new Sabbath itself seems not to celebrate its pri-
churches have been established. mary emphasis in God as Creator and
But what about growth in existing church- Redeemer, and is often either ignored or rele-
es? Are they growing or are they largely gated to mere ritual. Lifestyle issues do not
stagnated, with only the children of the con- stand out to reflect what God's grace can do
gregation constituting the major increase? to transform lives as models of citizens of the
Are the new members added in the existing coming kingdom. On the contrary, the early
churches the result of a living witness in the church believed the Word of God and stood
surrounding community? Do the church firm for it. There was oneness in their belief.
records indicate honest membership figures, We cannot do any less.
or are there names that are not even trace-
able? Fellowship
Second, the early church was noted for fel-
Four New Testament principles of lowship—with the Lord as well as with one
church growth another. How much fellowship do we have as
The New Testament church gives us twin a church today? Do our churches provide an
pictures of church growth. While individual atmosphere where both members and visitors
church grew daily (Acts 2:47), the evangelistic eagerly await getting together? I know of
Gnanaraj Kore is the
thrust of taking the gospel to unentered areas churches where worshipers would rather not
director of Sabbath
went about with vision and vigor. How was look at one another.
School and Personal
Ministries of the
this possible? In my early ministry I pastored a small vil-
Southern Asia The answer is found in Acts 2:42: "They lage church. On the first Sabbath of the new
Division of Seventh- devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching year, the Sabbath School superintendent
day Adventists, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of invited me to read Isaiah 58. I went up and
Hosur, India. bread and to prayer" (NW). A careful study of read, "Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise
I
David N. Marshall
you place in doctors and needles, I Should we stop the insulin?"
believe that boy would get well." How Larry: "He won't."
would you react if you had a sick son Lucky: "He has to have his insulin. He'll
and someone said that to you? get sick."
Well, Larry and Lucky Parker did have a Larry: "The Scriptures promise healing.
sick son-8-year-old Wesley, a diabetic—and God has to stand on His Word."
those words were said to them. Each morning Wes continued to test for
As you identify with their situation, do you sugar, which continued to be high. One
feel yourself pulled two ways? morning Larry grew agitated: "You show
Larry and Lucky were members of a symptoms because Satan has put them there
"charismatic" congregation. They heard heal- to test our faith. We're gonna show our grati-
ing stories in church regularly. After one such tude for this healing—by believing in it!"
story a well-intentioned group of women Larry and Lucky persistently affirmed the
turned to Lucky and said, "We're going to do miracle in church services. Wes, with his par-
the same for Wesley." ents' permission, began to eat unwisely.
Lucky was hesitant. "Well, I do believe the Standing with the fridge door open one day,
Lord will heal Wes one day . . ." But the his father said, holding the needles and
women's group was up and racing. Wesley's insulin, "I guess we don't need these any-
healing was made the number-one priority in more." It all went into the garbage bin.
their prayer circle. "There's nothing He won't But Wesley continued to feel ill. Lucky
do if you just show Him you have faith," they confessed to her women's prayer group
told Larry and Lucky. "moments of doubt." The response? "Oh,
The well-intentioned women's group, with Lucky, I wouldn't throw doubt in the face of
Lucky in its midst, met in a home. They God's miracle! It's blasphemy! Let's get some
worked themselves up by an almost frenzied prayer power working."
singing of Gospel hymns. Then there was a Wesley was obviously ill, and his condition
prayer session in which all spoke (shouted?) was deteriorating. However, believing that to
David N. Marshall, at once, one voice louder than the rest. First admit symptoms would be to show a lack of
Ph.D., is Editor-in- they demanded Wesley's healing in the name faith, he tried his best to prevent his parents
Chief, Stanborough of Jesus, and then they chanted, "Hear us, from realizing just how sick he was. There
Press, Grantham, Lamb of God," so many times that they lost came a time when Larry wanted Wes to go
England. track of time. back to the insulin. At that exact moment
SEEDS 2001
organization. She was only 36 years old
when diagnosed with advanced cancer
of the stomach that was spewing can-
cer cells all over her abdominal cavity
and into her ovaries. Chemotherapy
was the only option. The prognosis was,
A Church Planting Conference
of course, grim: she had only a few
months left. The agonized family con- Plant a Church . Reap a Bountiful Harvest!
sidered an anointing and healing Church Planters I Hear these Plenary Speakers...
service. She was anointed in a special English & Spanish Russell Burrill • Don Schneider
service accompanied by prayer all over Young Adults Walter Pearson • John McVay
the world. Today, she is healed; all Lay Members Ernest Young • Walter Wright
traces of cancer gone. Pastors Ron Halvorsen Jr
"Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!" Administrators ...plus seminars, stories, worship, and inspiration.
Now, of course, the key question: Departmental
Why was Rhonda healed and others, Directors
July 18-21, 2001 Andrews University
like Donna's mother, not? We prayed Cell Church Intensives July 15-17 & July 22-24
just as hard, just as confidently for 1.800.255.7568 www.nadei.org
them. Why should some be healed,
1.616.471.9220 SEEDS_NADEl@compuserve.com
even miraculously, when others die as if,
Comfort
in chaos
irst the bad news. My aunt died fin lid. God's true gift of the Holy Spirit
Friedensau
University
.ince 18
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and Europe (near Berlin and
• Theology: M. A. and diplomas
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Who Should Attend:
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01110.204116 •Information technology staff -Computer professionals
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Features:
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