by Loren Seibold, Editor, Best Practices for Adventist Ministry

A few weeks ago I received a letter from a church family asking us to drop their membership because, they said, the Adventist church has reached such a point of apostasy that they could no longer be members. They specifically mentioned spiritual formation and contemplative prayer, and said we were the spiritual equivalent of the Witch of Endor.

When I visited them (they'd moved to a remote place in the country) I told them we would of course respect their wishes, but pointed out that in our congregation we hadn't ever brought up spiritual formation or contemplative prayer. That we were an ordinary small congregation, believing, teaching, and practicing our faith in pretty middle-of-the-road Adventist ways - and in most ways an unusually accepting and gracious congregation. People in the church, and pastors before me, had ministered to them and their family. They were leaving us for offenses that hadn't happened among us.

They would have none of it, though. They were attached to their fears. They held us responsible for everything they believed existed somewhere in the denomination. In a world with real spiritual dangers, their enemy was the church. When I asked where they got their information, they cited a particular preacher connected with 3ABN, and several other independent ministries. These were their pastors, they told me, and they were sending their tithe and offerings to them.

I wish they hadn't left. Their lives appeared chaotic, and they could have found stability and balance worshiping with a group of kind and dedicated church members, rather than in their own home through a television set.

(They also accused me of practicing neolinguistic programming - which made me laugh to myself, because although I'd heard the term, I wasn't sure what it was until I looked it up later and learned it was regarded as a technique for mind control. I will only say in my defense that if I was using it on them, it didn't work!)

How do we minister to those who consult their fears rather than the facts? Sadly, the people who encourage them in these ideas are still considered legitimate voices by some church leaders - still invited to camp meetings, the ministries still operating with ordained Adventist pastors on their boards. Meanwhile, dear people like those I visited are becoming increasingly disconnected from the real world.

How do we minister to people who are listening to the wrong voices?

Discuss this topic on our Facebook page.

READING FOR PASTORS

"Six things mom taught me about church." OK, I know it's unpopular, but I still like the first one: "Dress up!"

From Thom Rainer of Lifeway: Warning signs of an inwardly-focused church. Quote: "Prolonged minutia meetings. Most of the meetings deal with the most inconsequential items, while the Great Commission and Great Commandment are rarely the topics of discussion."

TO THE POINT: GRADUATION

IDEAS, EVENTS, RESOURCES, ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Readers can choose to subscribe to any or all of the Best Practices newsletter family by updating their subscription selections. First Week: Best Practices for Ministerial Director, Second Week Best Practices for Adventist Ministry, Third Week: Best Practices for Adventist Evangelism, Fourth Week: Best Practices for Adventist Ministry, Fifth Week: Best Practices for Adventist Worship. Read entire article.

Courtesy of Ansel Oliver, Adventist News Network.
A recent review of pastoral demographics in the United States reveals that nearly 50 percent of Seventh-day Adventist ministers will reach retirement age within 10 years, a discovery that is prompting ministry officials to examine potential scenarios to address the coming dilemma. Namely, will the denomination hire a new crop to replace retiring ministers, or will it urge much of its experienced, aging workforce to continue working longer than previously planned? Each option has its own advantages, and church leaders say they're exploring a mix of both possible solutions.. Read entire article and discuss on facebook.

Norma Osborn and Duane Schoonard were recognized for their outstanding contributions to ministry in the North American Division. Schoonard served as the first female associate secretary of NAD Ministerial and Osborn for her 25 years of unglamorous yet essential service as an associate pastor.  The recognition occurred at the 2012 Women Clergy Conference held April 23-26. 

"I've been to four of these conferences so far but this was the first time that someone from the NAD came," exclaimed Ann Roda-Hernandez, pastor for families at New Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fulton, Maryland. "It was absolutely amazing that the NAD leadership was there - Dan Jackson, the Ministerial Department team and some Union presidents. It was the greatest show of affirmation that I've ever seen from our church! It meant a lot to the women clergy and it was a positive and inspiring experience for us who have experienced opposition to our calling."

Also at the conference were several presentations on the unique contribution that women clergy continue to make in the NAD.  Many of the presentations will soon be available for viewing on the NAD Ministerial Website.