|
ASK A SEASONED PASTOR by Ann Roda-Hernandez
|
Q: How do you comfortably integrate guests into the communion celebrations of the church?
A: A recent guest pointed to the sign that read, "Foot Washing" and asked, "Does it matter which foot you wash?" I laughed at her question, thinking she was joking. Then I realized that she was genuine in asking the question. The sign said, "Foot Washing" which means one foot.
This experience made me see that the communion activities and terms, routine to us, may have become so routine that we do not even recognize it when it does not make sense. Exactly why do we call it foot washing, when we actually wash both feet and not just one foot? It is easy to miss these nuances when we are stuck in a routine with the same terms and practices, assuming that everything makes perfect sense to everyone - including our guests.
Here is how we redesigned our communion service to be fresh and meaningful, to make sense, and to enable people to fall in love with communion all over again. We reframed the traditional terms into a language all can understand and relate to. We call our communion service, The Expressions of Love. This language is spoken throughout the service, and used in our bulletin, handouts, and on our signs.
We explain that what Jesus did on the cross shows His LOVE for us. What we do during our communion practices shows our LOVE for Him. Our LOVE for Jesus Christ is expressed in three different ways:
The Feet Washing: Love Expression #1
Jesus washed His disciple's feet. He willingly humbled and unconditionally served His followers in a lowly human task. We are to follow His example and be willing to perform even the most unpleasant tasks for one another and for humankind. The Feet Washing expresses our love for Jesus and for one another. Read More.
Join the discussion on facebook.
Ann Roda-Hernandez is the associate pastor for the New Hope Church in Fulton, Maryland
|
FREE LEGAL AID FAIR by Steve Allred
|
On Sunday, September 8, more than 35 volunteers, including local church members, lawyers, paralegals and law students, set up shop for the first biannual free legal aid fair at the Yuba City Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The idea of the church providing free legal aid originated with Nila Zumbrum, a new attendee at the Yuba City church who also happens to be a paralegal. Zumbrum approached Steve Allred, the church's lead pastor, and suggested that the church host an event where members could get free help with advance healthcare directives, wills and trusts. Allred, who is also a licensed attorney, agreed that the event could meet a real need - not just in the church but also in the community. Read More.
Join the discussion on facebook.
Steve Allred is the lead pastor for the Yuba City Church in Northern California.
|
LEAST EXCITING FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN 2 by Lilya Wagner
|
Without a doubt, fundraising professionals and others experienced in this activity will readily acknowledge that debt reduction is the most difficult money to raise. After all, who can get excited about giving to a campaign that focuses on money going (or gone) "down the rathole?!"
Here are some suggestions of how a debt reduction campaign might succeed.
a) Don't hide behind "feel good" information sharing to the congregation, and don't whitewash the fact there is a debt. Instead, prepare a comprehensive plan, outline a process that is equal to today's demands for a well-constructed campaign and communicate this plan. Get church members involved, one by one, small group by small group, until a responsible plan is in place and church members are behind it.
b) Don't begin a debt reduction campaign with just good intentions and the desire of a few to eliminate debt. Ensure the church body is behind the campaign, has given faithfully, and is willing to "stretch" in their giving as well as do fundraising according to a plan whereby people's talents, contacts, and skills are used. Read More.
Join the discussion on facebook.
Lilya Wagner is director of Philanthropic Service for Institutions, an internal consulting group serving North American Division
|
STORIES WE TELL by Bill Roberts
|
The Ulfberht Sword
But he knows the way I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Job 23:10 NIV
The Vikings have always been known as fierce warriors. Through the years they successfully raided and colonized coastal and river communities using a secret weapon whose technology was a thousand years ahead of its time: The Ulfberht Sword. These pure steel swords were made by melting crushed iron ore at 3,000 degrees and adding carbon.
While the Vikings wielded swords of impressive strength, blacksmiths across Europe did not know how to heat iron ore to a point that it would liquefy. As a result, European swords possessed slags that made them brittle and unable to maintain a sharp edge.
So where did the Vikings get their pure steel Ulfberht swords? Now we know, thanks to archeological discoveries in riverbeds and burial sites. Coins and other artifacts tell us the story behind the 171 Ulfberht swords that have been found among thousands of Viking weapons. Read More.
Join the discussion on Facebook.
Bill Roberts is the senior pastor of the Auburn Academy Church in Washington
|
|
LET'S TALK
|
Share with us a favorite sermon illustration-
Float an idea for an article you would like to write-
Raise a question you would like answered by a seasoned pastor-
Contact us at danmartella.nadbestpractices@gmail.com
|
|
IDEAS, EVENTS, RESOURCES, ANNOUNCEMENTS
| |
The NAD Prayer Conference "I Go to the Rock" is a special conference held January 9-12, 2014, in Monterey, California, which includes dynamic worship, inspirational speakers, powerful times of prayer, and practical workshops. Click to see a brochure and to register through AdventSource.
The NAD will host its 14th Adventist Ministries Convention on January 12-15, 2014, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel in Monterey, California. This premier event provides training and resources for church administrators, departmental directors, and pastors.
Pacific Press is offering a free eBook for pastors during October - Pastor Appreciation Month. Choose from more than 400 titles. Your free down-load is available here.
The Biblical Research Institute Newsletter, Reflections, contains materials useful for pastors, Bible teachers, theology professors, and chaplains.
Previous resource links: |
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: Dan Martella. Copyright 2013 North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. v(301) 680-6418
|
|
|
