Best Practices
| July 21, 2010
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 We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, remembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;
At the source of the longest river
The voice of the hidden waterfall
And the children in the apple-tree
Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half heard, in the stillness
Between the two waves of the sea.
Quick now, here, now, always -
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything)
And all shall be well and
All manner of things shall be well
When the tongues of flame are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.
- T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding" IV, a meditation on Christ's passion
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Preaching
|  Sermon Illustrations Are a Matter of Selective Perception
By Tim Garrison, Moor Park Community Church, Southern California Conference
Have you ever bought a car? You brought the car home, drove it around for a day or two, and you suddenly noticed how many other people own cars just like yours. It's called "selective perception" and it is the secret to an unending supply of great sermon illustrations.
How far in advance do you know what your preaching theme for a specific week will be? The power of selective perception is triggered by a theme lead time of at least six weeks.
Here's how it works. I am currently in a series on Ephesians. I have scheduled the specific scripture and theme for the next six sermons in the series and have prepared a word file for each one. Those themes are now in my memory. This is when the magic of selective perception kicks in. Suddenly everything I read, see and experience is affected by those upcoming sermon themes.
For example, the second sermon in the series has the theme of being chosen and adopted by God. I was reading the Los Angeles Times and in the feature section was a story about the "adoption judge," and what joy he gets from finalizing adoptions. There was a wonderful quote from a little adopted boy who declared, "adopted children are the real chosen people."
Take a few hours to plan ahead and you can open your mind to the power of selective perception.
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Communication
|  Addressing the Multicultural Clash, part 1: Worship
By Rajkumar Dixit, Associate Pastor, New Hope Adventist Church, Maryland
According to the measuring tools used by Natural Church Development, my church - New Hope Church in Maryland - falls in the top 5 percent of all U.S. congregations for diversity. We have been able to embrace our differences without calling undue attention to our diversity. At the same time, commonality is found across a range of factors (e.g., preferred style of worship, shared vision for the church, core religious beliefs, etc.) that unite people.
Yet sustaining our multi-ethnic presence is a critical issue as New Hope enters a new era. After residing in the same community for almost a half century, New Hope Church moved from a racially integrated community in Burtonsville, Maryland, to a homogeneous community in Fulton, Maryland, where 80 percent of the neighboring community is white. The test for New Hope now is whether we will be able to preserve our existing eclectic color mix in monoculture of the surrounding communities in our county.
One of New Hope's strategies for remaining multicultural is to bridge the gap through worship. Each week our worship and arts presentation attempts to cross over divides of culture, race, and age. New Hope continually strives to find effective ways to create a worship experience that is not "watered down" in order to win everybody. In his essay in "Making Room at the Table," Donald Juel suggests that we " . . . presume not only the idea of a community formed from diverse members but the actual formation of such a community through the experience of worship." While there is no specific formula for this type of worship, successful multicultural congregations find the mix that works for them.
Next Best Practices: Modeling diversity
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| Featured Media |  This chapter Today marks the release of the final chapter of the Stained Glass church documentary series features Oakland Grand avenue's homeless ministry as the most unlikely cast of believers tackle this
problem head on. Watch as a power vision of ministry emerges in the life of Jerri. See if your journey parallels her's in the dramatic conclusion of this powerful documentary. If you would like the entire Oakland Grand series on DVD you can order it through AdventSource.  The reach of the Adventist world has expanded far beyond its roots in 19th century Midwest protestant America. The message of the Adventist faith now bumps up against the great religions of the world. How is the Adventist message relevant to adherents of Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and a multitude of other faiths? Listen as Dr. Ganoune Diop, director of the Adventist Mission Global Study centers shares his view of the origin of world religions and what human problem each is attempting to solve.  Nominations are being accepted for the 2010 NAD
Innovative Church of the Year. The North American Division Church Resource Center is looking for a church that has successfully taken advantage of
opportunities in a changing society with new ways of doing ministry. A cash
prize of $2,000 and an all expense paid trip for three individuals to the
National Conference on Innovation will be awarded to the winning congregation.
Conference administrators, pastors, and lay leaders are invited to fill out an
application that can be downloaded here and return it to Dave Gemmell at dave@vervent.org. The deadline for
nominations is August 16.
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Reading for Pastors
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Great piece from the NYT: Creating Sabbath Amid the Noise. Mentions Seventh-day Adventists in the first paragraph.
Blogging first visits to Adventist churches:
How the recession impacts families, from Faith in Context
Institute for Creation Research's request to offer masters degree in creation science rejected by a federal judge.
The Vatican classifies ordaining women as a serious ecclesiastical crime - in the eyes of some, ranking it with pedophilia . Quote: "Mixing the two issues, even under the same legal umbrella, is
a profoundly perverse proposition. Either these gentlemen are more
ethically tone deaf than one can imagine, or they are sly beyond the
dreams of foxes in an effort to redirect attention from the criminal
behavior of clergy against children to their wrath over the ordination
of women. Neither option is terribly appealing."
What would the letters to the editor look like if Paul's Epistle to the Galatians were published today? Quote: "Paul Apostle says that he hopes the Galatian teachers will cut off their
own privates? What kind of Christian attitude is that? Shame on him!"
Has Facebook reached cultural saturation? Some think so - and it's all downhill from here.
Are humans hard-wired for faith? Speculation from a growing field called neurotheology.
C.H. Spurgeon: "Sinner, Away With Thy Tools!" Quote: "The Lord alone must be exalted in the work of atonement, and not a
single mark of man's chisel or hammer will be endured. There is an
inherent blasphemy in seeking to add to what Christ Jesus in His dying
moments declared to be finished, or to improve that in which the Lord
Jehovah finds perfect satisfaction. Trembling sinner, away with thy
tools, and fall upon thy knees in humble supplication; and accept the
Lord Jesus to be the altar of thine atonement, and rest in Him alone."
Faith and the law: Court says mother's religious practices inadmissible in custody dispute.
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| Innovation
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Nominations for the 2010 NAD Innovative Church of the Year.
The North American Division Church Resource Center is looking for a church that has successfully taken advantage of opportunities in a changing society with new ways of doing ministry. A cash prize of $2,000 and an all expense paid trip for three individuals to the National Conference on Innovation in Columbus, OH will be awarded to the winning congregation. Conference administrators, pastors, and lay leaders are invited to fill out an application that can be downloaded here: http://tiny.cc/l6lsd and return it to Dave Gemmell at dave@vervent.org. The deadline for nominations is August 16.
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| To the Point
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I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive. We've created life in our own image.
- Stephen Hawking.
It takes grace to give grace, takes hope to give hope, takes love to
give love. I can give these to you because Christ gave them to me.
- Paul David Tripp
Christians don't think God will love us because we're good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.
- C.S. Lewis
Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve.
- George Bernard Shaw
Life is a fatal complaint, and an eminently contagious one.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized.
- Fred Allen
Life is a fatal complaint, and an eminently contagious one.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
No man remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself.
- Thomas Mann
Economics is extremely useful as a form of employment for economists.
- John Kenneth Galbraith
Finance is the art of passing money from hand to hand until it finally disappears.
- Robert W. Sarnoff
The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widespread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible.
- Bertrand Russell
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News, Ideas & Reminders
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- From NAD Women's Ministries: Abuse Prevention Emphasis
Day (APED), Sabbath, August 28. It
is estimated that at least one of every three women globally will be beaten,
raped, or otherwise abused during her lifetime. This year, Women's Ministries is
joining with ADRA to enditnow, to work
with the global campaign to raise awareness and to advocate for ending violence
against women and girls around the world. The initial goal of enditnow is to
collect 1 million signatures to present to the United Nations in October, to
make it clear that Adventists want the violence to end now. Go to http://www.enditnow.org/ to download the enditnow
petition forms, a sample video trailer and other resources. The title of this year's sample program with sermon, children's story, and PowerPoint presentation is, "God's Holy Temple: To
Protect and Respect."
- 2010's National Conference on Innovation. Speakers will be Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole, and Barbara Bradley Hagerty. Also, a new Innovation of the Year Award, for a broader array of innovations in church life. More information here.
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Upcoming NAD Events
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Do you have an event you'd like to invite NAD pastors to? Send details to BestPractices@Ameritech.net.
Abuse Prevention Emphasis Day (APED) August 28 Women's Ministries is
joining with ADRA to enditnow, to work
with the global campaign to raise awareness and to advocate for ending violence
against women and girls around the world. The campaign aims to mobilize
Adventists and community groups to join together to resolve this worldwide
issue. The initial goal of enditnow is to
collect 1 million signatures to present to the United Nations in October, to
make it clear that Adventists want the violence to end now. Go to http://www.enditnow.org/
GODencounters 2010 SAC & CC. Sep 17, 2010 - Sep 19, 2010, Blue Ridge YMCA
Assembly, 84 Blue Ridge Circle, Black Mountain, NC 28711. The South
Atlantic and Carolina Conferences are happy to present GE2010 an awesome
gathering of young adults aged 18-35 who are genuinely seeking a divine
change in their lives. The world is full of makeovers, but the
attendees of this event are looking for a transformation only GOD can
offer! Come and enjoy a weekend filled with fun, fellowship and worship.
Take advantage of the serene surroundings, powerful speakers and
incredible group experiences as you encounter GOD. Phone: 404-792-0535
or 843-324-6771. For more information, email: thairston@southatlantic.org;
karenthrower@gmail.com
Hispanic Heritage Week. Sep 19, 2010 - Sep 25, 2010, North
American Division. `
K.I.D. University. Sep
26, 2010 - Sep 29, 2010, K.I.D. Center, 4829 College Drive E,
Collegedale, TN 37315. Details forthcoming. Phone: 423-893-3266. For
more information, email: kidcenter@southern.edu
Children's Sabbath.
Oct 2, 2010, Division Wide. Visit NAD Children's Ministries website for
program ideas. For more information, email: childrensministries@nad.adventist.org
National Conference on Innovation. Oct 3, 2010 - Oct 5, 2010, Embassy
Suites Columbus-Dublin, 5100 Upper Metro Place, Dublin, OH 43017. A
gathering of Seventh-day Adventist innovators to explore mission and
ministry ideas. Includes presentations and group discussions. Featured
Speakers: Alan Hirsch, Neil Cole, Barbara Bradley Hagerty, Zdravko
Plantak, and Samir Selmanovic. Phone: 740-397-4665 x165. For more
information, email: information@ohioadventist.org
Children's Ministries Training.
Oct 7, 2010 - Oct 10, 2010, Leoni Meadows Christian Retreat Center,
6100 Leoni Road, Grizzly Flats, CA 95636. North American Division
training event. Phone: 301-680-6425. For more information, email: childmin@nad.adventist.org
Arminianism and Adventism. Oct 14, 2010 - Oct 17, 2010, Andrews University,
Berrien Springs, MI . "Celebrating Our Soteriological Heritage." We
will discuss the roots of Adventist understanding of salvation as found
in 17th century Arminianism and in Wesleyan thought. Top scholars will
explore issues relating to a biblical understanding of human nature,
free will, God's grace, atonement and predestination. Phone:
269-471-3607. For more information, email: arminiansymposium@gmail.com
Society of Adventist Communicators Convention. Oct 14, 2010 - Oct 16,
2010, Hyatt Regency Rochester, 125 E Main Street, Rochester, NY 14604. A
convention where students, beginning communicators, and seasoned
professionals will have the opportunity to share ideas as well as
participate in fields trips, workshops, networking, and inspirational
worships. Keynote speaker is Phil Cooke, PhD from "Christianity Today."
More details coming. Phone: 301-680-6057. For more information, email: info@adventistcommunicator.org
Spirit of Prophecy Sabbath.
Oct 16, 2010, Division Wide. Special materials provided.
180° Symposium 2010. Oct 18, 2010 - Oct 21, 2010, Andrews University,
Chan Shun Hall, Whirlpool Room, 4185 E Campus Circle Drive, Berrien
Springs, MI 49104. "Models of Youth and Young Adult Ministries."
8am-5pm. Sponsored, in part, by the Center for Youth Evangelism, this
third annual symposium will bring together church and lay leaders
passionate about creative ideas to spiritually engage those on public
college campuses. Research papers will be presented. Phone:
800-968-8428. For more information, email: director@180symposium.org
Pathfinder Sabbath.
Oct 23, 2010, Division Wide. Special materials provided.
Creation Sabbath.
Oct 23, 2010, Division Wide via satellite from Andrews University.
Celebration of Creation. Join Adventist scholars, leaders and fellow
believers for a special Sabbath celebrating our fundamental belief in
the recent six-day creation revealed in God's word. This event is
sponsored by the General Conference's Faith
and Science Council.
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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. |
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