To the Point:
I believe that nothing that happens to me is meaningless, and that it is good for us all that it should be so, even if it runs counter to our own wishes. As I see it, I'm here for some purpose, and I only hope I may fulfill it. In the light of the great purpose all our privations and disappointments are trivial. - Dietrich Bonhoefer
Many things--such as loving, going to sleep, or behaving unaffectedly--are done worst when we try hardest to do them.
- C.S. Lewis
Recommend your religion to [your children] by its pleasantness. Let
the law of kindness be on your lips. - EGW, Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing, p.98
Lemon pie should not be forbidden. - EGW, Counsels on Diet and Foods, p.334
God wants us all to have common sense, and He wants us to reason from common sense. Circumstances alter conditions. Circumstances change the relation of things.
- EGW, Selected Messages 3, p.217
Got a favorite quote? Send it to BestPractices@ameritech.net. |
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 Effective Outreach:
Kenneth Lytle, Suburban Philadelphia
At Easter my racquetball partner invited my family to his Episcopal church for a special program. When we arrived, they were just finishing the foot washing segment. Then the minister broke the bread and distributed both the bread and the wine. We took a piece of the bread and gracefully passed the wine on to the next person. There was singing, readings, candlelight, and friendship. Then they had a simple meal of soup, bread, and fruits.
As I sat there soaking up what I saw, I realized (once again) that we cannot expect thousands of people to walk away from their churches and embrace the Adventist faith just because we share a little truth with them. Yes, we need to share the truth God has given us, but distributing a flyer and Bible study interest card is just scratching the surface. Thousands of people are happy where they are. They have family, friends, traditions, and habits that were ingrained into them from childhood. As we evangelize those around us, we need to know that changing one's church is not an easy endeavor. It seems to me we must be very sensitive to the mental, emotional, social, and spirit needs that others have as they consider our faith.
A friend recently gave us a fish tank. We placed the blue rocks at the bottom of the tank, inserted the fake foliage, and situated the bubble-producing shipwreck. We purchased some tropical fish at the pet store. We also learned we couldn't just dump fish in the new tank and expect them to live. Twice we took our water for testing. Then and only then was the tank a safe home for our new fish.
We are to fish for men and women. But, before we can bring new fish into our tanks, we must prayerfully and intentionally prepare the water. If the church is unhealthy, the new fish (visitors/members) will leave. I want to do whatever it takes to make our churches visitor-friendly, family-focused, and mission-driven without lowering our Biblical principles and standards.
Contact Kenneth at kennethlytle@hotmail.com. |
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Book Review
The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor
by John Stott (IVP Books, 2007)
Reflecting on his more than sixty years of service as rector at All Souls Church, London, Stott addresses a global church that is in transition to the marks of a church that is living. Through his characteristic blend of rigorous biblical exposition and great wisdom, Stott identifies eight essentials of a living church. The appendix has the text of his 1974 "I Have a Dream" sermon: "I have a dream of . . . a biblical church . . . a worshiping church . . . a caring church . . . a serving church . . . an expectant church."
- Raj Attiken
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