Best Practices
| August 18, 2010
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Prayer of a Tired Prophet
Richard M. Cromie, Theology
Today, October, 1966
Lord, I'm tired.
Tired of people liking me,
Singing songs I pick for them
To sing.
Tired of faces all the same,
Framed by ears that wait to
hear the
Things they know I am going
to say.
Tired of guarding careless
words,
Tired of hinting I have
something more
To say. Tired of being less
than
Jeremiah.
Lord, I'm tired.
Tired of people asking me if
They should sin or not.
Tired already, with
two-thirds a
Life to live.
Untire me with tomorrow's
tasks,
Their chores undone and
undefined;
For, Lord, I want to be like
Christ,
Not less than Jeremiah.
Amen.
(thanks to Aileen Andres Sox for passing this along)
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150 years of the Seventh-day Adventist name
| mailto:brothers.greg@gmail.com  | What does "Seventh-day Adventist" mean to me?
by Greg Brothers, Lincoln City, OR
Think of our name as a merism, i.e. a figure of speech that uses a pair of opposites to define the whole.
Like "heaven and earth" - a merism that means everywhere.
Likewise, the "knowledge of good and evil" is the knowledge of everything.
And then you have "alpha and omega," which implies all the letters of the alphabet.
Now take "Seventh-day" and "Adventist." Both refer to time - but the first points to its beginning, the second to its end. The first talks about origins, the second about destiny. One asks us to look back and remember what God has done, while the other says we can look forward with hope to what God will do.
In short, our name is a merism - and it needs to stay that way. Focus on the past, after all, and we soon come to believe that nostalgia is a form of godliness - that our best days are behind us, while tomorrow can only be worse. Talk about nothing but the future, on the other hand, and life becomes nothing more than a long, long wait for some kind of pie in the sky. Neither approach has much to offer people today.
But put the two together: "Seventh-day" and "Adventist" . . . now there we have the statement that God is always there for us - and always includes right now. We don't need to worry that God will show up too late to deal with our problems, in other words; no, He's been hard at work since the beginning of creation. And we don't need to worry that God will knock off work before our problems our solved; no, He's promised to stick with us until the job is done.
Matthew 28:20 sums up this promise with these words: "Lo, I am with you always," said Jesus, "even unto the end of the world."
And yes, I suppose we could have used that verse for the name of our church.
But "Seventh-day Adventist" will do for now.
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| Featured Media |  In 1990 America became the first country to have more
suburbanites than city and rural dwellers combined. As communities changed in
both function and appearance, churches have had to make major changes in the
way they build relationships with surrounding neighborhoods. This Stained Glass documentary follows the tireless efforts of a growing church plant whose sole
objective is to stay relevant to the residents in the northeast suburbs of
Sacramento. Episode Two tells the story of the programming year designed to reach the needs of this suburbanite community. The entire five episode documentary is available at AdventSource.  Post modernism is a presence in every corner of the globe including Bermuda. What are the challenges of post modernism? Can an emerging church be authentically Adventist? Can an Adventist church be authentically relevant? Although Pastor Hendrickson doesn't claim to have all the answers he does share some clues from his local church context in Bermuda. Listen to Damon Hendrickson's passion for young adults as he shares his experience at the Innovative Impact Convention.  James Nix, Director of the Ellen White Estate says "It was 150 years ago this October 1 that the pioneers chose the name 'Seventh-day Adventist.' 1860 was a long time ago. So
it is fitting that on this significant anniversary we look again at what
it means to be Seventh-day Adventist. This year October 2 is the Sabbath closest to the actual anniversary
date. It is our hope that every member, church congregation, and
institution will use the anniversary to consider carefully and
prayerfully what being 'Seventh-day Adventist' means today." Click to hear Elder Nix's presentation and to find a web page filled with practical anniversary celebration ideas. |
Reading for Pastors
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Is it true that 85% of people who accept Christ do it before the age of 18? Mike Fleischmann thinks it's a great deal more complicated than that.
How many times have you heard estimates of how many believers there are in a particular faith, and wondered how they got that figure? According to the WSJ, it's an inexact science. Quote: "No one knows for sure how many Muslims, or Jews, or Christians, live in
New York or anywhere else in the U.S. The Census Bureau doesn't ask
Americans to disclose their faith... That leaves the U.S.
behind much of the world when it comes to understanding the religious
beliefs of its inhabitants."
More on the trend toward unaffiliated Christianity. Why are so many bailing out of organized religion? Quote: "According to authors David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyon in their 2007 book UnChristian (Baker Books), 84 percent of young adults who are not
Christian know at least one committed 'Christian,' but only 15 percent
think the lifestyles of the Christ-followers are significantly different
from those of non-Christians."
Another perspective: Three major reasons the conservative church is slipping, particularly among the young: "pernicious sexism, religious intolerance, and conservative politics."
So how to keep them in the church? Does it help to make church contemporary and cool?
What is it about those 20-somethings, anyway? Quote: "The 20s are a black box, and there is a lot of churning in there.
One-third of people in their 20s move to a new residence every year.
Forty percent move back home with their parents at least once. They go
through an average of seven jobs in their 20s, more job changes than in
any other stretch. Two-thirds spend at least some time living with a
romantic partner without being married. And marriage occurs later than
ever.... We're in the thick of what one sociologist calls 'the changing timetable for adulthood.'"
A standoff in the morality wars. You've heard of churches protesting strip clubs located in their communities; but what about when the strippers show up to protest at the church? (See video report here).
Is this a good way to enforce community morality? Sheri Brown, who evangelizes sex worker and is acting as consultant to the church, says no.
Numbered list miscellany:
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| To the Point
| A committee can make a decision that is dumber than any of its members.
- David Coblitz
A specification that will not fit on one page of 8.5x11 inch paper cannot be understood.
- Mark Ardis
The trouble with being poor is that it takes up all of your time.
- Willem de Kooning
No matter how rich you become, how famous or powerful, when you die the size of your funeral will still pretty much depend on the weather.
- Michael Pritchard
The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
- George F. Will
There is no stigma attached to recognizing a bad decision in time to install a better one.
- Laurence J. Peter
There are too many people, and too few human beings.
- Robert Zend
The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.
- William James
The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
- Dorothy Nevill
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News, Ideas & Reminders
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- Community Organizing webinar, by Monte Sahlin: "I have taught Community Organizing for three decades, currently for the Tony Campolo Graduate School at Eastern University and earlier for Pennsylvania State University. Over the years many people have told me they wished they could take the course. This now becomes possible using the new technology of Web conferencing or "Webinar." This is a non-credit course that meets eight times over the fall and spring of 2010-2011, about once a month ... to fit into schedules and allow time for you to practice the skills you learn. I am taking a limited number of individuals to maximize learning and allow personal attention. Once it is full, registration will close."
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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
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.
Children's Ministries Training.
November 11-14, 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 |
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Best Practices is a Vervent publication of NAD CHURCH RESOURCE CENTER. Editor: Loren Seibold, Ohio Conference. 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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