The Stresses of Being a Pastor: The Struggle of Pastoral Families in the Adventist Church

Research by Duane McBride, Alina Baltazar, Wendy Thompson, Romulus Chelbegean, Gary Hopkins, David Sedlacek, René Drumm, and Elaine Oliver

The North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (NAD) has recently recognized the importance of academic research on the effectiveness of ministry. In particular, the NAD has become concerned about the wellbeing of its pastoral families. It is not uncommon for pastors to become burned-out after several years of pastoring and some leave the ministry altogether. The NAD-sponsored research on the causes of stress on pastors and their families is an effort to combat these trends.  Read More 
$120,000 To Be Given Away at Convention
Chris Oberg

Twenty-Five congregations from the North American Division will receive evangelism funds at the NAD CALLED Experience in Austin Texas, June 28-July 1, 2014.  Chris Oberg, member of NAD Pastoral Advisory says: "It's the ministry challenge too good to be true. The North American Division will pay you for your crazy, revolutionary, and risky ideas. May the Spirit bless us richly because we are bold enough to try!"  Read More 

Stop Saying That 

By Roger Hernandez 

Roger Hernandez cropped

I have been going to church for 46 years. Almost 47, if you count the nine months in my mom's belly. I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. I understand that what I'm about to say is highly subjective, but it is still something that needs to be said. Whether anything changes or not is irrelevant. I love my church, even when it is less than perfect. But would you please stop saying these things?

 

(By the way, no deacons were harmed during the writing of this article)

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And I Shall Dwell: House Dedications

By Kingsley O. Palmer

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me and I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Psalms 23:6

 

Shortly after relocating back to the U.S. from Canada I was blessed to pastor a multinational church of some 25 ethnic groups. One day I was approached by one of the members requesting that I come and conduct a blessing at his new home.

 

In his culture a house blessing required more than just the minister stopping by giving some brief words of counsel, saying a prayer, and after wishing the family well and then leave.   Read More 

The Seventh-day Adventist

Retirement Plan is Changing

By Del Johnson

I have great news to share on an upcoming change with Adventist Retirement. Adventist Retirement has selected Great-West Financial® as the new provider of administration, recordkeeping, communication and education services for Adventist Retirement. Our new contract begins on January 1, 2015. Read More 

 
Let's Talk About Your Best Practices for Ministry

Best Practices is looking for articles about what is working for you in ministry. Articles that are one-subject focused and tightly written - 300 to 700 words. We are also looking for top-flight sermon illustrations.Pitch us an idea. Send us an article. Be sure to include your picture and ministry title. Together we can make Best Practices for Adventist Ministry a go-to tool box for NAD pastors and church leaders.
Ideas, Events, Resources, Announcements

Reach Out. Persist. Invite - It is estimated that 80% of first time church guests come because someone invited them. Everyone needs to feel loved and wanted, and for some people all it takes is a ride offer to church. Your homework this week is to find at least one person you can bring to church. Reach out. Persist. Invite.

 

Asian Americans: Silent No More - It's still possible to miss the ways Asian Americans are shaping American Christianity. With just a few exceptions, Asian Americans rarely headline major conferences, attract media attention, or top Christian publishing's bestseller lists. But thanks to their bicultural heritage and the particular challenges it brings, Asian American Christians are finding they have unique voices and gifts that allow them to connect with both non-Asian American audiences and segments of the church that no one else can reach.

   

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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: Dan Martella. Copyright 2014 North American Division Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists. 
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