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 'I'll love you, dear, I'll love you
Till China and Africa meet,
And the river jumps over the mountain
And the salmon sing in the street,
'I'll love you till the ocean
Is folded and hung up to dry
And the seven stars go squawking
Like geese about the sky.
'The years shall run like rabbits,
For in my arms I hold
The Flower of the Ages,
And the first love of the world.'
- W.H. Auden  |
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THE FUTURE IS NOW: LESSONS FROM RGIII
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 by Roger HernandezI hate the Redskins. On Sundays in the fall I root for the Cowboys and whomever the Redskins are playing. Needless to say, this year has not been a great one for us Cowboy fans. Yet, there are some lessons to be learned about youth involvement even from division rivals. The main lesson I want to offer in regard to youth involvement (I stole this phrase from Jose Cortes Jr.) is this: The future is now. Robert Griffin III. Andrew Luck. Russell Wilson. All first year players. All doing exceptionally well. All have taken their teams to the playoffs in their rookie year. Gone are the days, that rookie QB's had to sit patiently behind the incumbent for 3-4 years holding a clipboard. Now they hold the title "starter". A while back, I had the chance to sit down with several young adults, and listen to their thoughts on the church. It was a candid conversation. Some are faithful in attendance. Some are not. Some have rejected the church of their youth altogether. All wanted to talk. From the conversation, I came up with the following three lessons. 1. Give them a chance, now. One young adult who left the church around 10 years ago asked me a pointed question, "Do you have young people in place in management positions at all levels of the church?"I answered truthfully (and painfully), and then thought to myself: Why don't we? Maybe the reason is that we have equated youth with inexperience and think that age translates into effectiveness. The truth is, your age doesn't automatically mean you're able. Or mature. Or effective. Talent is ageless. 2. Frustration is real. The frustration in the room was palpable. Frustration about inflexibility. Frustration about majoring in minors. Frustration about red tape, even at the local church level. Frustration pushed some of them to join other local Adventist churches, to leave the church, to become passive members in the church they attend, or to a select few, to start a brand new church. The question is, what outlets are in place in your congregation to deal with the frustration? They don't need your pity or condescension. They need your attention. 3. Listen. I did. It was hard to not get defensive. I had to bite my tongue a couple of times. But one major problem we have is that we talk too much. Young people have information overload. But no one listens to them. I invite you to set up times, appointments, events that will have the express intention of listening. Listen first. Then guide. Let's keep doing all we can for this generation. Ask for their clipboard. Give them your support. Discuss these ideas with Roger on our Facebook page.
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HISTORY OF FEMALE LEADERS IN ADVENTIST FAITH
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 By V. Michelle BernardAlthough they haven't always been recognized, women pastors and leaders have long been an integral part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. These women worked with their male counterparts as evangelists, church planters, health reformers, worked in Adventist publishing houses and as administrators. From its roots in the Millerite movement, Adventists have been served by female preachers. Joshua V. Himes, William Miller's administrative assistant, was a strong advocate for women's rights and his congregation featured women preachers regularly. This familiarity with women in high profile positions may have opened the door for the co-founder of the Adventist Church, Ellen White to provide leadership to the early Adventists. Read More
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WOMEN AS DONORS
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 | | Lilya Wagner |
WOMEN AS DONORS - RESPECTING & TAPPING INTO DIFFERENCESAlthough women have always been generous, only in the last couple of decades has it been recognized that women are often ignored in fundraising, and that women exhibit somewhat different behaviors than men when it comes to giving. Equally significant is the fact that because women are likely to outlive their husbands and inherit their wealth, in addition to gaining the inheritance from their parents, women are expected to eventually hold much of the US$41 trillion expected to pass from generation to generation over the next 50 years. What is mildly different or even unique about women who give to their Churches and church campaigns, such as schools? Women want to be able to connect their deeply held values to noticeable change. Women do have unique methods of giving. The Six C's: Women's Motivations for Giving, [1]says female donors are apt to collaborate in supporting a cause, they wish to form partnerships with the people who are connected to the cause and they want to see creative solutions to problems. They are opposed to simply preserving the status quo through unrestricted support. Is it surprising that women's involvement in philanthropy is different than men's? No. Since women have different ways of communicating with their peers and getting involved in their communities, it is only natural that their methods of philanthropy would be different from the traditional means. A person doing fundraising, then, should approach female donors with opportunities to connect to a cause, to assemble with others and to get involved with more than just the pocketbook. Especially younger women are looking for something different, including networking opportunities and ways of engaging thoughtfully, not just emotionally. Read More
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CREATIVE EXPRESSION IN THE CHURCH
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Courtesy of Rich DuBose,
Director of Pacific Union Conference Support Services Because we were created in God's image, it is a natural God-thing for us to emulate Him through various forms of creative expression. The difference between artists in general and artists of faith is that God-followers use their creativity to celebrate and affirm His love and creation, while others may not. This doesn't mean that art has to be overtly "religious" to have spiritual value, but that artists of faith recognize the creative process itself as evidence of God's work in their lives. Rather than expression for the sake of expression, the arts can be used as a vehicle for redemptive expression--a creative process that ultimately glorifies the One who shares His creativity. Watch this video now.
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TO THE POINT: ROMANTIC LOVE
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The Eskimos had fifty-two names for snow because it was important to them: there ought to be as many for love. - Margaret AtwoodI don't understand why Cupid was chosen to represent Valentine's Day. When I think about romance, the last thing on my mind is a short, chubby toddler coming at me with a weapon.
~Author UnknownWe're all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness - and call it love - true love.
~Robert Fulghum
Gravitation is not responsible for people falling in love.
~Albert Einstein
I claim there ain't
Another Saint
As great as Valentine.
~Ogden Nash
Love is much nicer to be in than an automobile accident, a tight girdle, a higher tax bracket or a holding pattern over Philadelphia.
~Judith ViorstWithout Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January.
~Jim GaffiganYou know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. -Dr. Seuss The art of love... is largely the art of persistence. -Albert Ellis Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs. -William Shakespeare
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IDEAS, EVENTS, RESOURCES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
| Don't forget NPUC's valuable newsletter for church leaders.
Dwight Nelson on Trinity Broadcasting, 3 a.m., February 13, 20, and 27 on the main channel. He will be on the TBN Church Channel at 1:30 p.m., February 10, 17, and 27.
Brief report on Theology of Ordination Study Committee
Adventist Ministries Convention, January 12-15, 2014.
Prayer event coming up the week before Easter: Seven Days of Miracles.
Previous resource links: |
Best Practices for Adventist Ministry is published by NAD Ministerial. Publisher: Ivan Williams; Managing Editor: Dave Gemmell. Copyright 2012 North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. v(301) 680-6418
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