Bullying in the Adventist Church
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I have been aware of bullying for most of my life, but I never had the necessary information or terminology to identify, understand, or respond to it. Two events changed everything for me. First, I experienced bullying myself and, second, I agreed to help implement a bullying prevention program in Adventist schools.
My whole perspective was changed when I discovered what it was like to be bullied and that there was an effective way to deal with it. My heart goes out to the victims of bullying who through no fault of their own, find themselves bullied for reasons they do not understand. It is a subject that generates a lot of debate. But beyond the debate are real people who are trapped in a cycle of abuse (Yes, bullying is abuse) that slowly saps their personal sense of worth and value. As pastors we should do everything within our power to provide help and healing to the victims of bullying abuse. As agents of Salvation we also should reach out to the bullies as well to find freedom from their abusive behavior. Read More |
How to Make Your Church Irresistible
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One year, as a birthday present, I decided to take my dad to a Bulls play-off game. Like most dads, he's a very enthusiastic, vocal fan. So I thought he'd love to share that energy with 20,000+ fans in the United Center. We got to our seats and started watching the game. The atmosphere was electric. In the final moments of the game, the United Center was reverberating with the screams of the fans and their energy. To my surprise, during the duration of the game, my dad was securely planted in his seat. Even at the most nail-biting moments, he sat with a church pose: hands neatly folded in his lap, watching the game intently...from his seat. But he didn't make a noise. I was on my feet with the rest of the fans. It was a close game that was won in the last few seconds. To this day, I still don't understand what it was about that situation that left my dad so reserved because I know watching sports makes my dad yell and cheer and shout enthusiastically at the TV. Read More
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| Tips for Visiting Seniors |
Seniors like to talk. They are often lonely and have no one to share what is going on in their lives.
Be prepared to do a lot of listening! People will be interested in what you have to share-but, they will be more interested in telling you what is on their minds.
Ask them questions (See below for ideas).
Be patient - especially with Seniors as they tend to repeat themselves. Be patient. Everything they say is potentially important. Read More |
Take It to the Next Level
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Take your ministry to the next level with an Andrews online degree. Experienced advisors help adult students maximize credit for prior college level learning to finish faster, while taking courses anytime, anywhere, at their own pace. Consider three flexible undergrad online programs:
Apply online to get started on this flexible, accessible continuing education path. Please email [email protected] or call 269.471.6323 to learn
how we can help you, or active Bible workers and pastors you mentor, get started.
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Events, Resources, Announcements
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The Language of Love - The El Monte Seventh-day Adventist Church in Southern California serves many of its 10,000 plus Vietnamese neighbors by offering two weekly language schools to anyone who is interested. With over 100,000 Vietnamese living in the greater Los Angeles area, many families face language challenges that the church decided to address. With many of the older generations not speaking English, it was and is a challenge for some families to communicate. To address this, El Monte SDA offers two language courses that teach younger generations how to speak Vietnamese and stay connected with their culture. By doing so they have discovered how to fill a need and serve the people in their community.
Ten Great Dates - Mad About Marriage shares ten great date ideas that will energize your marriage.
Restore a Child is an Adventist humanitarian organization that focuses on orphan children, but also helps the poor children. Their mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the children and young people with the purpose of introducing them to the truth of the Adventist message. Restore a Child distributes Bibles and conducts Bible studies and have baptized 280 young people so far into the Adventist church.
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