Best Practices
| April 27, 2011
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 "He is risen! And O the overflow of that single event. It was the cosmic Yes! from God the Father that the death had done all it was meant to do."
- John Piper, Desiring God |
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| Ministry | |
What's Your Domain?
by Juan Miguel Pacheco, Oregon Conference
 As you may know, the "domain" is the code that goes after the period in a webpage address-i.e. .net. .org .com, etc. The purpose of this code is to identify the nature or personality of the organization. For example, if we talk about the government, it's .gov; a non-profit would be .org. The purpose of the organization is reflected in the domain.
Use your imagination: what domain would your church have, if we had to put one according to its mission, personality, or nature?
Churchname.TV
These churches exist for the purpose of performance. Every hair is in place, every line is rehearsed. While there is nothing wrong with high-quality programming, the programs can become the center, and community outreach relegated.
Churchname.ORG
These churches focus primarily on protecting the organization and name to which they belong. In other words, the name is everything. They are not involved or corrupted by anything that is not sanctioned, funded, or promoted by the organization.
Churchname.MIL
These are dominant churches, with a high emphasis on discipline and conformity, like a military regimen. People with different ideas, methods or lifestyles are not welcome. They sever ties immediately with any recruits who fail.
Churchname.EDU
These are churches where the passion is expounding on the latest theological trend, book, or emerging theory. They enjoy a deep exegetical study, which at times reflects very little on the real life their members are experiencing.
Churchname.COM
Although the real meaning is "commercial", I suggest that we use it instead to mean "community". Churchname.COM churches have an outward focus. They dare to look outside their walls. They hold three guiding principles:
- Community- they start with "them" in mind. They seek to understand who belongs to the community that surrounds them. They ask themselves the following:
a. What are their needs?
b. What are their dreams?.
c. What are their hurts?
- They are organized not merely to keep the programs going, or to stay occupied, but they discover and use their gifts to serve.
- Mission is the bridge that connects the community with the organization. They are not just interested in making healthy sinners: they strive to make a connection between spiritual and felt needs.
What is your domain name?
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Media
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There are 6,000 churches in the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Every congregation has a story. If you stay at a church long enough you can watch the drama unfold. Recently the NAD Church Resource Center embedded film makers in Hollywood, Rocklin, and Oakland. Each stayed over a year. For all three the task was difficult not because there wasn't a story but because there were too many wonderful stories to tell. Listen to Kevin Ekvall as he tells of what it was like to document the Sunset Oaks Seventh-day Adventist Church in Rocklin, California.
If you haven't yet see the entire Stained Glass series you can watch all of the episodes online at the Stained Glass website. Here are the three churches:
If you prefer to watch them on DVD they can be purchased online:
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| Reading for Pastors | Haven't had enough from Monte Sahlin at Faith in Context lately. But Monte's back with a couple of great pieces:
- "I believe in a forgiving God." Quote: "Is it just me or has this attitude become more pronounced in recent decades? The sins for which a person has a weakness are seen as something that God easily forgives. The sins for which other people have a weakness are blown up as terrible, dangerous and things that God cannot easily forgive."
- Does Congress have a right to investigate a religion? Quote: "Jesus never approved of the Crusades. They were sin in His eyes. I am sure that God's heart has been broken by the long, bloody history of conflict between those who claim these faiths. He does not approve of investigating Muslims in America today, so far as I can see."
Why atheist Ricky Gervais thinks he's a better Christian than some Christians. You won't agree with all of this, but it is worth reading and thinking about as an example of post-modern thinking. Quote: "If I could change one thing for a better world, it would be for all mankind to adhere to this little gem: 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' I assure you, no more stones would ever be thrown." Alert! A few bad words and very challenging ideas! If you're not ready for that, don't go here!
From the Christian Post, Eryn Sun responds to Gervais.
Visual summary of a book by Will Mancini, Church Unique. I especially like this one: pastors are copycats!
From a Crosswalk.com survey: the biggest reason people are leaving church.
According to Twitter, what did people give up for Lent?
A brilliant writer, Tom Kapanka on cross words: cross words spoken to the One on the cross, and those spoken from the cross.
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| To the Point | |
Not by painful struggles or wearisome toil, not by gift or sacrifice, is righteousness obtained; but it is freely given to every soul who hungers and thirsts to receive it.
- Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 18
The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it except His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan.
- Desire of Ages, p. 324
None are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus, who died for them.
- Steps to Christ, p. 35
Often our plans fail that God's plans for us may succeed.
- Help in Daily Living, p. 6
Know and believe the love that God has to us, and you are secure; that love is a fortress impregnable to all the delusions and assaults of Satan.
- Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p. 119
The closer you come to Jesus, the more faulty you will appear in your own eyes; for your vision will be clearer, and your imperfections will be seen in broad and distinct contrast to His perfect nature.
- Steps to Christ, p. 44
God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him.
- Help in Daily Living, p. 11
God takes men as they are... They are not chosen because they are perfect, but notwithstanding their imperfections, that through the knowledge and practice of the truth, through the grace of Christ, they may become transformed into His image.
- Desire of Ages, p. 294
The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them.
- Christ's Object Lessons, p. 415
Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme will find perplexities vanish and a plain path before their feet.
- Help in Daily Living, p. 13
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| News, Ideas & Reminders |
- Ron Clouzet and Tim Standish have put together what sounds like a challenging and informative program on creation. More information here.
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| Upcoming NAD Events |
Do you have an event you'd like to invite NAD pastors to? Send details to BestPractices@Ameritech.net. Creation Seminar. May 4, 2011 - May 11, 2011, Hope Channel via satellite. "The Greatest Show on Earth: Making Sense of the Creation-Evolution Debate" with Dr. Timothy Standish and Dr. Ron E.M. Clouzet. A scientist and a practical theologian present evidence you'll not want to miss in this preparatory event of NET 2011-Prophecies Decoded. For more information, email: Bernadine.Delafield@nad.adventist.org Community Services Sabbath. May 7, 2011, North American Division. Check with Adventist Community Services for information. Phone: 301-680-6438. For more information, email: Sung.Kwon@nad.adventist.org Youth Sabbath. May 14, 2011, North American Division. Check with NAD Youth Ministries for information. Non-Profit Leadership Certification - Basic. May 15, 2011 - May 19, 2011, Northeastern Conference, 11550 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11434. Nonprofit Leadership Certification Program provides the latest strategies and professional skills to successfully lead a nonprofit operation in the 21st century. It focuses on nonprofit management, community development and Biblical principles of social ministry. Fee: $150 ($99 early-bird through Feb 1, 2011) through April 28, 2011). Phone: 301-680-6438. For more information, email: wynelle.stevens@nad.adventist.org ASAM - Adventist Single Adult Ministries Sabbath. May 21, 2011, Division Wide. Check with ASAM (Adventist Single Adult Ministries) website for information. For more information, email: ahicks@nadasam.com World No Tobacco Day. May 31, 2011, Worldwide. "World No Tobacco Day" is celebrated around the world every year on May 31. |
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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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