The Unique Challenges and Opportunities of Preacher's Kids

By Dave Gemmell

If raising children in today's world wasn't hard enough already, preachers and their spouses face unique challenges as their children grow up in the world of the pastoral family.

Preacher's Kids (PKs) have expectations placed on them by their congregation that few other children have. Yet growing up as a PK also provides opportunities that are seldom available to other children. These challenges and opportunities affect PK's well into adulthood. Fortunately resources are available for pastoral families that can assist them as they help their children navigate the turbulent waters of the parish
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Happy Sabbath: Routine or Heartfelt?

By Keith Hackle, Jr.

There is no way you can step into a Seventh-day Adventist Church between sunset Friday and sunset Saturday without being greeted with Happy Sabbath. Many of us have used the words since infancy. Some of us merely speak the words out of habit. Still others share the Sabbath greeting to simply fit in, whether they are happy or not.  Read More 

Wise Words: Resurrection Voices

Compiled by Ray Tetz

You see, the bodily resurrection of Jesus isn't a take-it-or-leave-it thing, as though some Christians are welcome to believe it and others are welcome not to believe it.

Take it away, and the whole picture is totally different. Take it away, and Karl Marx was probably right to accuse Christianity of ignoring the problems of the material world. Take it away, and Sigmund Freud was probably right to say that Christianity is a wish-fulfillment religion. Take it away, and Friedrich Nietzsche was probably right to say that Christianity was a religion for wimps.

Put it back, and you have a faith that can take on the postmodern world that looks to Marx, Freud and Nietzsche as its prophets, and you can beat them at their own game with the Easter news that the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. -N. T. Wright
 
 
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Reaping the Rewards of Partnership

 Adventist churches see greater results in teaming up to serve their communities  

By Lisa S. Lenda

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. Ecclesiastes 4:9

 

This common-sense biblical truth has been proven time and again in individual lives, but what happens when it's not two individuals, but two or three or even eight congregations coming together to serve God and their community?
Ideas, Events, Resources, Announcements

Make plans now to join the third annual Leadership Conference at Andrews University, July 19 -22, 2014, in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Discover ways to strengthen your leadership effectiveness: serve from your heart, build authentic community, lead through relationships, and multiply mission focused leaders. The keynote speaker, Gordon McDonald, will be complimented by an outstanding collection of leadership scholars and practitioners leading the breakout sessions.

 

In 7 Tips for Introverted Pastors, Thom Rainer offers practical encouragement for introverted pastors.

 

   

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 2014 North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. 
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