Newsletter
Resource CenterSubscribe NowArchivesSubscribe Now
BestPractices
 July 15, 2009
Loren in capJust a reminder that we're gathering nominations for the 2009 NAD Innovative Church of the Year. We're looking for churches that have taken advantage of opportunities in a changing society by trying new ways of doing ministry.

And, kids, we've got prizes! $2,000 and an all expense paid trip for three to the National Conference on Innovation, in exotic, exciting Columbus, OH!

Anyone can nominate. (Write Dave Gemmell for the application form). You can even nominate your own church!

But here's what I'd like to see: why don't we pastors nominate the church of some other pastoral colleague we admire? I know we're all kind of prima donnas, but wouldn't it be great is we'd lift each other up?

By the way, the deadline for nominations is August 17.

Blessings
Loren Seibold, Editor, Best Practices for Adventist Ministry
IN THIS ISSUE
Reading: Sermon cheats
Juleun Johnson stays close to home
Resource: What's So Great About Christianity
Quotes: "What can you say about a society that says that God is dead and Elvis is alive?"
News & ideas: Smilebox
Media: Eddie Hipolyte, Scott Farrand
Events: IC5
Reading For Pastors

Have you ever used an online sermon? Apparently a lot of us do. Quote: "I have heard of ministers getting fired for this. Their congregations say, 'If you're just going to read someone else's writing, what are we paying you for?'"

From the "this culture is weird and getting weirder" department: "Going to the chapel & we're gonna get jiggy." I've seen some odd things in weddings, but nothing like this. (Unforgettable wedding - just hope the marriage is as good as the processional.)

Philanthropic giving is doing OK in the downturn - with a few exceptions, including religious organizations.

View from the pew: David Person just about walked out of church one Sabbath over a jewelry sermon. Quote: "But I didn't walk out. Because the church is as much mine as it is [theirs]... The church belongs to all of us equally without exception, thanks to grace." (This all part of that ongoing question: whose church is it, anyway? Does it belong to anyone who wants to be an Adventist, or only to those who see it in certain ways?)

Walter Cronkite, a member of The Interfaith Alliance, once told a reporter who asked his religion, "It's none of your business" - he didn't want anyone to evaluate him by his affiliation, but his faith. Right or wrong?

Religious liberty news: When I was a child, my uncle in Alberta took us to visit a Hutterite colony (the most communal - and richest - of the German Anabaptist sects.) Now Alberta Hutterites are considering ditching Canda over a surprising second commandment issue. (Moving to escape persecution is a big part of their 5 century history.)

The friendly, dangerous new atheism: You may have noticed that atheism is showing up with more evangelistic fervor and less bile than in the past - in the service of which, a new meme has been coined : bright, as a noun, for people who have "a naturalistic worldview".."free of supernatural and mystical elements.".  Quote: "The gay meme improved the image and, I dare add, the happiness of a once unpopular minority. Similarly, bright is intended to come to the aid of another beleaguered community in the US: those who, in the most religiose country in the Western world, have no religion, who are variously labeled atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, philosophical naturalists, secularists, or humanists."
Best Practices Pastor
J. JohnsonFinding Needs Close to Home
by Juleun Johnson
 
When you watch the news, and see people in your community in need, does it touch you? More than just pricking your conscience, does it move you to action? I've found that many opportunities pass us leaders by every day without our noticing. Sometimes we overlook opportunities at home in favor of something greater abroad.

Recently there was shooting near my church. It was at the absolutely last place I'd have expected it to be: at the city police station! The station was sprayed with bullets by a person who was upset about a recent arrest. The station is located on a main thoroughfare of the city, less than a block from our church.

I raised this issue of reaching out to the local community with my church, and then proceeded to take action. I went first to the police station, where I delivered a note expressing our concern and interest in serving the police. The note was received with appreciation and surprise.

Next to the police station I saw an Army Reserve unit. I wondered if we could help families that are deployed or are deploying soon. When I met the officer in command I let him know that our church was available to offer any assistance needed. He replied, "Well, the only day that we have available is Saturday!" I told him that's when we hold our church services, and the church was within walking distance.

As a pastor of an emerging church my goal is to not let my people talk or think small. Churches need a specific target area or ministry assignment in order to make significant impact on the community. Now we have some target ministries. We have begun to work with these folks, with the goal of helping our church influence people locally and beyond.

A ministry opportunity could be closer than you think.

Juleun pastors Emmanuel SDA in Greenwood, FL and Maranatha SDA in Panama City, FL. Contact Juleun at jujohnson32@hotmail.com.
Resource Review
Book Review
what's so great abt ChristianityWhat's So Great About Christianity
by Dinesh D'Souza

Despite its title, don't expect any rhapsodizing about Jesus in Dinesh D'Souza's What's So Great About Christianity. Instead, expect a well-presented compendium of arguments and evidences for the validity of the Christian faith, and the benefit it has brought to the world at large. The attacks of several prominent atheists, such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, are met head on with reasoning and data that are usually adequate and often brilliant. Though D'Souza doesn't offer support for the literal truth of the Genesis creation account, you will find the book to be an excellent one-stop source for many solid defenses and assertions of the faith in which we stand.

 - Review by Bob Mason
To the Point
Furious activity is no substitute for understanding.
  - H. H. Williams

One reason I don't drink is that I want to know when I am having a good time.
 - Nancy Astor

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
 - Edgar Allan Poe

Egotism is the anesthetic that dulls the pain of stupidity.
 - Frank Leahy

It is the wretchedness of being rich that you have to live with rich people.
 - Logan Pearsall Smith

When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him.
 - Thomas Szasz

What can you say about a society that says that God is dead and Elvis is alive?
 - Irv Kupcinet

An intellectual snob is someone who can listen to the William Tell Overture and not think of The Lone Ranger.
 - Dan Rather

Cabbage: A familiar kitchen-garden vegetable about as large and wise as a man's head.
 - Ambrose Bierce

There are two types of people--those who come into a room and say, 'Well, here I am!' and those who come in and say, 'Ah, there you are.'
 - Frederick L Collins

I not only use all the brains that I have, but all that I can borrow.
 - Woodrow Wilson
News, Ideas & Reminders
  • From Bryan Gallant at NAD Adventist-Muslim Relations: Do you have 53 minutes to listen to three powerful stories about God's plan to touch Muslims?  Do you think we should have an interest in how God is planning to touch nearly 1/4 of the world?  Listen and be blessed by this vespers service. If you would like more information like this register at AMFAAtlanta.com and mark your calendars for our upcoming Summit at La Sierra on September 24-26.
  • Have you tried Smilebox? It's an online tool for making quick scrapbook-like flash presentations. This might be a good attention-getter to advertise an event, or just for fun. Sample.
  • More on GODencounters: "More than any previous read, GODencounters: Pursuing a 24/7 Experience of Jesus has challenged me to be more honest, vulnerable and forthright about my faith walk. The beauty of these daily encounters is that, with every disclosure, my faith has been strengthened, my spirit refreshed, and my passion for God re-ignited. So...here I am to worship and encounter God." - Justin Z. Davis, Worship Leader, Pioneer Memorial Church
Got a tool, resource, site, article, idea or seminar that you like a lot? Share it with us at BestPractices@ameritech.net.
Featured Media
Upcoming NAD Events

Do you have an event you'd like to invite pastors to? Send details to BestPractices@Ameritech.net.
Best Practices is a Vervent publication of NAD CHURCH RESOURCE CENTER. Editor: Loren Seibold, Senior Pastor, Worthington Ohio Seventh-day Adventist Church. E-mail: Best Practices. You are free to republish pieces from Best Practices in your own newsletter or blog, with attribution to the Best Practices newsletter and the author of the piece.