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Freely Received, Freely Given
I've just l aunched a website www.given2you.com that you may be interested in. Through this website I intend to give you many varied unique and fascinating insights of scripture value. Yes, I said, 'Give.' That's intentional. You'll find no request for donation. There will be nothing for sale. I've been blessed and it's time for me to finish a career by giving back. This site is an outlet that will allow me to bless many and fulfill our Lord's commands. To whom much is given, much is required. In other words, you got it for free. Give it away for free.
I've been amazingly privileged to have a long career in ministry as a pastor, teacher, author, and 18 year radio voice, and creative television expositor. Beyond that I'm grampa, husband, dad, friend, woodworker, musician, used-to-be athlete, worker in stained glass, but mostly, a forgiven sinner who's astounded at the grace of Christ!
Why the website? It was time to bring BTL to an end. God had grown Between the Lines from the humble beginning of six radio stations to a presence on 280+ radio stations worldwide, everyday. BTL spawned off the six year internet and television teachings entitled Discover. Now. After 18 years we felt the 'release of the Lord.' It's time to give back. Time to give it away. Thus, this expanding resource is for you.
Please feel free to use, adapt and improve upon what you find here. I will trust God to take care of what I have given back to Him in this site. I don't need credit. That's fine. I simply ask that, for yourself, you have the integrity to not claim that anything from this site is original with you.
--Don Pate
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IF WE COULD SEE INSIDE OTHER PEOPLE'S HEARTS
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"How would your ministry be different if you could see the heart of each of your parishioners? How would your church's outreach be different if you could see the hearts of everyone in your community? A hospital asks a similar question as it seeks a greater sensitivity to be alert to the hearts of its people in this provocative video: http://www.wimp.com/seehearts/"
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DOES YOUR CHURCH HAVE CURB APPEAL?
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by Celeste Ryan Blyden
How brightly does your church shine in the community? Can your neighbors "put a face" with our church name?
Check each statement that applies to your congregation, and identify what areas still need work:
1.___We answer the phone using our full name - "Seventh-day Adventist Church," not "SDA" - so callers know which denomination they've contacted.
2.___We use the official church logo on all print and electronic letterhead.
3.___Our signage - featuring the newest church logo - is placed in a well-lit, easy-to-see location.
4.___We provide brochures and other publications about the Adventist Church in the lobby.
5.___Our website is seeker-friendly; it's easy to navigate and shares our mission, program information, directions and contact details.
6.___We use social media sites (e.g. Facebook and Twitter) to engage friends and visitors.
7.___ We know our community officials and public servants and they know us. They've been invited to our church or school functions, holiday programs and potlucks.
8.___We invite neighbors to community events and support other events with sponsorships or our attendance.
9.___We maintain contact with public media and often send them event notifications and story ideas.
To find out how your church scored take the interactive quiz, and download the article titled, 10 Ways to Raise Public Awareness, for some tips to help your church. It's available in English and Spanish.
This article first appeared in the August 2013 issue of the Columbia Union Visitor and is reprinted with permission.
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SEVEN WISE THINGS ... TO FINANCIALLY SUCCEED
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Seven Wise Things Pastors Should Do to Financially Succeed
By Gordon Botting
Over the last six months, these financial political words, "financial cliff," "debt ceiling," and "sequester" have become background noise. However, other expressions-foreclosure, recession, bankruptcy, credit crunch, stock loss, depression, bank failure-are hard to ignore because they have affected many of our clergy and their congregations. And even if some report that we are well into recovery, many pastoral families are still feeling the lingering effects.
If one of these financial utterances has affected you and your family, and you feel like you are drowning financially, then you may want to reexamine the seven strategies in this article to help you and yours get through this recession and come out the other side healthier in body, soul and wallet. Read More.
Discuss this on our Facebook page!
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IDEAS, EVENTS, RESOURCES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
| Best Practices Webinar August 20, 1:30 pm EDT. Making Your Church a Center for Healing in the Community with Katia Reinert, NAD Health Ministries Director. Join us for a webinar on how you can make your church a center for health, healing and wholeness in your community by engaging in comprehensive health ministries. Learn about this renewed emphasis on transformational evangelism following Christ's method of ministry. Register now!
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Best Practices for Adventist Ministry is published by NAD Ministerial. Opinions expressed belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NAD Ministerial. Publisher: Ivan Williams; Managing Editor: Dave Gemmell. Copyright 2013 North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. v(301) 680-6418
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