Jon Roberts

08 Apr

BARNETT SE RETIRARÁ A FINALES DE AGOSTO

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RMCNoticias – Denver, Colorado … “Lo que echaré de menos es a la gente”, dijo Ed Barnett.

El personal de la oficina de asociación quedó aturdido y todavía está absorbiendo la noticia del anuncio hecho por Ed Barnett, presidente de RMC. El 6 de abril, al final de su primera reunión de personal en persona de 2021 Barnett dijo a su personal que planea retirarse el 31 de agosto.

Barnett conoció a su compañera en el ministerio, Shirley, mientras estaba en la Academia Pioneer Valley, pero su ministerio juntos no comenzó hasta febrero de 1979, cuando se graduaron del Atlantic Union College. “Ella era RN y yo tenía un título de teología”, recordó. Después de 42 años, Shirley todavía espera viajar para hacer el ministerio juntos. Los Barnett planean mudarse a Florida en septiembre para pasar más tiempo con sus hijos y nietos y, cuando sea posible, continuar su ministerio pastoral.

Barnett ha servido en varias conferencias en muchos cargos ministeriales, incluyendo la Asociación de Minnesota como presidente. Su introducción a la Asociación de las Montañas Rocosas comenzó cuando se desempeñó como pastor principal de la iglesia Denver Sur a principios de la década de 2000, y como presidente de RMC desde 2014.

Barnett dice que se siente cómodo retirándose sabiendo que la Asociación de las Montañas Rocosas es fuerte y continuará avanzando en el Reino de Dios. A menudo señala ser bendecido por Dios con “generosidad de nuestros miembros a medida que continúan construyendo la misión de la iglesia”.

“Me gustaría pensar que nuestros miembros saben que han sido amados y hemos tratado de hacer todo lo posible para ayudar a nuestras escuelas e iglesias a cuidar a la gente”. Barnett desea que su legado sea el conocimiento que animó sobre cómo hacer crecer iglesias sanas y tener conversaciones abiertas en la iglesia sobre la calidad de la vida cristiana, “donde Jesús está en el centro de todo lo que hacemos”. Barnett dijo que lo más importante para nuestras iglesias es traer de vuelta a nuestros miembros perdidos.

Gary Thurber, presidente de la Asociación de la Unión Centroamericana y ex presidente de RMC, comentó sobre la decisión de Barnett de retirarse:

“Ed Barnett es una de esas personas raras que, sin importar la tarea que tenga que hacer, sobresale. La gente de RMC tiene experiencia de primera mano en verlo como pastor, ya que dirigió hábil y amorosamente la iglesia denver sur durante muchos años”, dijo Thurber.

“Ed también tiene un don como administrador. Todos los que trabajaban para Ed tanto en Minnesota como en RMC cuando sirvió como presidente, lo amaban por su sabiduría, bondad y pasión por la misión”, agregó Thurber. “Nuestro equipo de mid-America Union le echará mucho de menos aquí en Lincoln y sé que [se le echará de menos] aún más por los amigos que ha hecho en RMC. Le deseamos mucha alegría a Ed y Shirley en este siguiente paso de su viaje”.

Para Wayne Morrison, amigo de toda la vida y socio del ministerio, el pastor de la iglesia de Brighton Wayne Morrison, se echará de menos la pasión de Barnett por el liderazgo. “He tenido el privilegio de trabajar con Ed en dos Asociación y él es verdaderamente un líder piadoso. Ed es capaz de ser a la vez un amigo y un líder, siempre alentador, y un ejemplo constante de apoyarse en Jesús. Algunos pueden pensar en el golf como su pasión, pero más que el golf [su pasión es] el evangelismo, la educación cristiana, y compartir el amor de Jesús en todos los aspectos de la iglesia y las interacciones sociales! ¡Ed, felicidades, amigo mío, te echarán de menos!”

Para Diane Harris, recién nombrada directora de educación de RMC, le está costando adaptarse a las noticias, “cada vez que pienso en ello y empiezo a llorar”.

“Harris añade: “Conozco a Ed desde hace muchos años. Como mi pastor, dedicó a mi hija mayor, y luego la bautizó muchos años más tarde. Como mi presidente de Asociación, ha sido un increíble partidario de la educación adventista y su liderazgo y ministerio serán muy extrañados”.

El liderazgo y la amistad de Barnett son valorados por muchos, incluyendo Rajmund Dabrowski,director de comunicación de RMC, a quien Barnett pidió servir en RMC en 2015 después de su retiro del ministerio y mudarse a la Asociación de las Montañas Rocosas.

“Lo que quedará conmigo después de que Ed se retire, es su honestidad, apertura y compromiso total con la Buena Nueva de Jesucristo. Me inspiró en su reacción a cada número de la revista trimestral RMC Mountain Views y a menudo dijo: ‘Mantén la conversación en marcha. No hay ningún tema fuera de los límites en esta iglesia.”

El auténtico amor y amabilidad que mostró será recordado por muchos compañeros de trabajo. Tras el anuncio, muchos abandonaron la reunión aturdidos y tratando de entender lo que vendrá después. Jessyka Dooley, subdirectora de juventud, se niega a aceptar la noticia. Para ellos [el departamento de la juventud], el legado de Barnett significa apoyo para llevar a los jóvenes a los puestos de liderazgo en la conferencia y en las iglesias.

“Ed va a ser profundamente extrañado! Nuestro equipo del ministerio de la juventud ha tenido la suerte de servir en una Asociación donde el presidente apoya increíblemente el ministerio pertinente”, expresó Jessyka Dooley. “Ed va más allá como líder porque realmente se preocupa por las personas a las que sirve en la Asociación de las Montañas Rocosas. Estoy realmente agradecido de haber trabajado con, e incluso llegó a jugar una ronda de golf con, el único Ed Barnett!”

Uno de los últimos mensajes de Barnett a los miembros de RMC es un mensaje que ha estado en la fundación de su ministerio de vida. “Jesús viene pronto! Haz de Jesús el centro de lo que eres y de cómo cumples Su misión”, dijo Barnett.

El Comité Ejecutivo de RMC se reunirá con Thurber durante los próximos meses para orar y comenzar la búsqueda del reemplazo de Barnett.

–RMCNews;foto por Rajmund Dabrowski

08 Apr

WATCHING RESURRECTION THROUGH CAR WINDOWS

By Ryan Bell – Loveland, Colorado … Campion students celebrated Easter weekend by participating in the annual Campion Easter pageant which community members usually experience as a walk through the streets of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus’ life and ministry.

This year, out of an abundance of caution, no spectators were allowed at the event. Instead, the play was redesigned to be a drive-through experience.

Reflecting on the performance portion of the event, student director Brianna Bell commented, “What I enjoyed the most was seeing how hard the students worked to put on this event. You could tell that they were definitely doing this for God.”

Produced by Erin Johnson and Nancy Meszaros, the entire student body was involved in representing different aspects of the life of Christ including His birth, baptism, some of His miracles, the Last Supper, Gethsemane, the trial before Pilate, His crucifixion, and the Resurrection. Students in Johnson’s drama class composed and directed each scene.

The drive-thru display attracted some 100 vehicles which saw glimpses of the scenes as they witnessed Jesus’ life from birth to Resurrection.

The student who portrayed Jesus was greatly affected by the experience. “Every time I had to be lifted up on the cross, I thought about the actual pain Jesus went through because of how much He loves us. I have so much more appreciation for Him now more than ever.”

Erin Johnson, director of the Resurrection scene remarked, “I saw a lot of smiling faces as they drove away from the campus. We hope that the experience was a reminder that Jesus has risen and that He is coming back. Who wouldn’t be happy knowing that?”

–Ryan Bell is a senior at Campion; photos supplied

08 Apr

COMMENTARY: BULLYING—JUST DON’T!

By Samantha Nelson … Bullying—we have all heard the ugly word and, at some time, many of us have either observed it happening, been the victim of it, or perhaps even been the perpetrator of it. Bullying is an aggressive means of control and intimidation. As ugly as the word sounds though, the effects of bullying can be deadly, as studies have shown that youth who are bullied are twice as likely to commit suicide.¹

Remember the supposedly encouraging antidote we learned as kids? “Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me”? Well, my friends, words can—and do—hurt. Sometimes they cause more harm and lasting damage than a broken bone that eventually heals. Kids can be mean. Words can affect a person for a lifetime. Sometimes bullying is because a child is just a mean child but, often, that child is a bully because they are being bullied or abused or may be experiencing some other type of emotional or physical trauma (i.e., parental divorce, homelessness, etc.). This does not excuse their behavior; however, it does provide a glimpse into some of the reasons children behave in inappropriate or even harmful or dangerous ways.

While bullying is widespread among all age groups, and looks a little different within each, none seems to be more prevalent than in our schools. Not just in public schools, but even in our Christian schools. And, yes, I’m sad to say, even in our Adventist schools.

I was not raised in a Christian home and I attended public schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. One of my earliest recollections of bullying was when I was in 2nd grade. I had broken my leg walking my dog and had to wear a full leg cast and use crutches. One of the boys in my class thought it was funny to take my crutches away at recess so I could not get around. I was left sitting on the sidewalk, unable to return to class when the bell rang and fearful of being in trouble for being late. This ended when my friend and neighbor, a few grades higher than me, walked across the playground and reprimanded the boy and brought my crutches back to me. That was a nice thing to do and represents one way we can help stop bullying—by taking action when we see someone in need of help. It may mean informing the teacher or a parent about what is happening. It may mean being a friend to a vulnerable student.

Another instance of bullying also occurred during 2nd grade. There was another boy who constantly picked on me. He’d pull my hair, knock things out of my hands, and call me names. My teacher did nothing. I told my parents what was happening. My stepfather, bless his heart, had grown up boxing and defending himself in physical ways. He decided the answer was to teach me to punch the boy back when he hit me or bothered me. Fighting was not an appealing solution to me and, to my recollection, I never resorted to hitting the boy back. The school year ended and I don’t think I saw him again. The important lesson here is that, while defending yourself may be necessary at times, violence is generally not the answer.

Time passed and my junior year of high school became a time of bullying in a different way. I was 16 years old, 5’7” tall and only weighed 75 pounds. The abuse I endured at home led me to become a perfectionist and anorexic in an attempt to control the only things I could in my life—my straight-A report cards and my food intake. I was starving myself to death. Because I left for school early in the morning and worked after school, I was able to avoid nearly all regular mealtimes and, therefore, actual meals.

When the popular song, “We Are the World,” was released in 1985 by USA for Africa as a charity single to combat famine in Africa, I didn’t think anything in particular about it, but some of the other students did. I woke up one morning to my alarm clock radio playing the song with a special announcement that it had been dedicated to me. I was shocked. When I walked into the school building that day, I found hand drawn posters of me as a stick figure—calling me the Ethiopian poster child—with nickels taped to them attached to the lockers and hall walls. It was embarrassing, to say the least, and made me feel ashamed of myself as a human being. Between the abuse at home and the bullying at school, I began to self-harm and plan my suicide (that story is too long for this brief article).

While these instances occurred in public schools, since becoming a school board chair of our local Adventist school, I have become acutely aware of bullying within our own supposedly “safe” schools. There are students who pick on each other, call each other names, pull hair, hit, kick, etc. It’s something that is not tolerated, thankfully, and parents are often the recipients of a discussion about their child’s inappropriate behavior toward others. We, as Christians, as Seventh-day Adventists, as adults, and as representatives of our heavenly Father on Earth, must do all we can to prevent and stop bullying when it’s taking place. A child’s life—or even an adult’s—may be at stake.

Additional Resources:

http://www.columbiaunion.org/content/underscore-combating-bullying-how-can-we-help-helpless

https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/get-help-now

https://www.meganmeierfoundation.org/statistics

–Samantha Nelson is a pastor’s wife who serves alongside her husband, Steve, in NW Wyoming. She is co-founder and CEO of The Hope of Survivors, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting victims of clergy sexual abuse and providing educational seminars. to clergy of all faiths. She and Steve love traveling, hiking in the mountains, and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. Photo supplied.

1.Hinduja, Sameer & Patchin, Justin. (2018). Connecting Adolescent Suicide to the Severity of Bullying and Cyberbullying. Journal of School Violence. 18. 1-14. 10.1080/15388220.2018.1492417.

07 Apr

2021 CAMP MEETINGS BEING PLANNED AND DISCUSSED

By Jon Roberts – Denver, Colorado … After a multitude of events were cancelled over the last year due to the pandemic, signs of hope are emerging as summer events are being planned and discussed.

Some of the events missed last year were RMC camp meetings. This year, the hope is that they will be back in person and plans are moving forward toward that possibility. It may look and feel a little different from previous camp meetings.

The first camp meeting on the calendar is the NE Colorado camp meeting scheduled for June 4 – 5 at Campion Academy. The featured speaker is Pavel Goia, editor of Ministry Magazine.

Cowboy camp meeting comes next on July 7 – 11 in the Uncompaghre National Forest near Silver Jack Reservoir. Nathan James, pastor of Moab, Utah church, along with Dick Duerksen, will speak and music will be provided by Folk Mountain Gospel.

Immediately following Cowboy camp meeting, attention shifts northward to Wyoming for the Wyoming camp meeting scheduled July 14 – 18 at Mills Spring Ranch. Tom Lemon, general vice-president of the General Conference, is the featured speaker.

After Wyoming, Western Slope camp meeting will conclude the 2021 camp meetings. Planned for August 4 – 8 at Mountaintop Retreat camp grounds located in Montrose, it will feature Joe Kidder, professor of Pastoral Theology and Discipleship at the Theological Seminary at Andrews University.

The RMC Administrative team is praying as they look forward to the camp meeting season, and hoping for normality as we emerge from the stranglehold COVID has had on the region.

Continue to read NewsNuggets for more information on camp meetings as it comes available. All in-person events will follow the strictest COVID precautions and may need to be rescheduled if COVID guidelines curtail in-person gatherings.

–Jon Roberts is RMC communication/media assistant; photos by Rajmund Dabrowski

07 Apr

ACS responds to Boulder tragedy

RMCNews with Cathy Kissner – Boulder, Colorado … Responding to the tragedy which took place in mid-March in Boulder, Adventist Community Services was asked by the City of Boulder to provide spiritual care counseling for victims or residents who need to discuss the events they witnessed or that happened within their city.

Answering the request, four RMC members, trained in spiritual care counseling, immediately reacted.

For Mickey Mallory, one of the counselors who responded, the experience is one he will not soon forget.

“When I received crisis care training in the summer of 2019, the thought never crossed my mind that someday I might be used to assist with crisis care counseling after a mass shooting. I thought maybe [I would help with] a fire or tornado, but never anything like what just happened in Boulder,” Mallory said.

The team of counselors, including Rick Mautz, Mickey Mallory, and Larry and Bev Brandt, was happy to share the love of Jesus with those who were hurting because of an evil and senseless act of violence.

“While I did not have any direct involvement with any of the victims, I did allow one of them to use my laptop computer in order to sign up for financial assistance. Just to know I could help in such a small way made me feel very grateful,” Mallory commented.

Mallory added that the experience was one of unity among all agencies working toward the common goal of showing the love of Jesus. “To be given the opportunity to partner with agencies from around the state of Colorado like the Red Cross, was a tremendous privilege. It reminded me that sometimes tragedy has a way of bringing people from various organizations together for a common cause.”

If you are interested in training to be a spiritual care counselor for future disasters, please contact Cathy Kissner at: [email protected] or 970-201-3799.

–RMCNews with Cathy Kissner, RMC Adventist Community Services director; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

07 Apr

BARNETT TO RETIRE AT THE END OF AUGUST

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … “What I will miss is the people,” Ed Barnett said.

The conference office staff was stunned and is still absorbing the news of the announcement made by Ed Barnett, RMC president. On April 6, at the end of their first in-person staff meeting of 2021 Barnett told his staff he is planning to retire on August 31.

Barnett met his partner in ministry, Shirley, while at Pioneer Valley Academy, but their ministry together didn’t begin until February 1979 when they graduated from Atlantic Union College. “She was an RN and I had a theology degree,” he reminisced. After 42 years, Shirley still looks forward to traveling to do ministry together. The Barnetts plan to move to Florida in September to spend more time with their children and grandchildren and when possible, continue his pastoral ministry.

Barnett has served in several conferences in many ministerial positions, including the Minnesota Conference as president. His introduction to the Rocky Mountain Conference began when he served as the senior pastor of Denver South church in the early 2000s, and as RMC president since 2014.

Barnett says he feels comfortable retiring knowing the Rocky Mountain Conference is strong and will continue to advance God’s Kingdom. He often points out to being blessed by God with “generosity of our members as they continue to build the mission of the church.”

“I would like to think that our members know they have been loved and we have tried to do everything we could to help our schools and churches care for people.” Barnett would like his legacy to be the knowledge he encouraged on how to grow healthy churches and have open conversations in the church about the quality of Christian life, “where Jesus is at the center of all we do.” Barnett said what is the most important for our churches is bring back our missing members.

Gary Thurber, Mid-America Union Conference president and former RMC president, commented on Barnett’s decision to retire:

“Ed Barnett is one of those rare people who, no matter what task he has to do, excels. People of RMC have first-hand experience in watching him as a pastor as he skillfully and lovingly led the Denver South church for many years,” Thurber said.

“Ed also has a gift as an administrator. Everyone who worked for Ed both in Minnesota and RMC when he served as president, loved him because of his wisdom, kindness, and passion for mission,” Thurber added. “He will be missed greatly by our Mid-America Union team here in Lincoln and I know [he will be missed] even more by the friends he has made in RMC. We wish Ed and Shirley much joy in this next step of their journey.”

For lifelong friend and ministry partner, Brighton church pastor Wayne Morrison, Barnett’s passion for leadership will be missed. “I have had the privilege of working with Ed in two conferences and he truly is a godly leader. Ed is able to be both a friend and a leader, always encouraging, and a steady example of leaning into Jesus. Some may think of golf as his passion, but more than golf [his passion is] evangelism, Christian education, and sharing the love of Jesus in all aspects of church and social interactions! Ed, congratulations, my friend, you will be missed!”

For Diane Harris, newly appointed RMC director of education, she is having a hard time adjusting to the news, “every time I think about it I start crying.”

“Harris adds, “I have known Ed for many years. As my pastor, he dedicated my oldest daughter, then baptized her many years later. As my conference president, he has been an incredible supporter of Adventist education and his leadership and ministry will be greatly missed.”

Barnett’s leadership and friendship are valued by many, including Rajmund Dabrowski, RMC communication director, who Barnett asked to serve in RMC in 2015 after his retirement from ministry and move to the Rocky Mountain Conference.

“What will stay with me after Ed retires, is his honesty, openness, and total commitment to the Good News of Jesus Christ. He inspired me by his reaction to every issue of the RMC quarterly magazine Mountain Views and often said, ‘Keep the conversation going. There is no topic off limits in this church.’”

The authentic love and kindness he displayed will be remembered by many co-workers. Following the announcement, many left the meeting stunned and trying to understand what will come next. Jessyka Dooley, assistant youth director, is refusing to accept the news. For them [the youth department], Barnett’s legacy means support in bringing youth to the leadership positions in the conference and in the churches.

“Ed is going to be deeply missed! Our youth ministry team has been lucky to serve in a conference where the president is so incredibly supportive of relevant ministry,” Jessyka Dooley, expressed. “Ed goes above and beyond as a leader because he truly cares for the people he serves in the Rocky Mountain Conference. I’m truly thankful to have worked with, and even gotten to play a round of golf with, the one and only Ed Barnett!”

One of Barnett’s final messages to RMC members is a message that has been at the foundation of his life ministry. “Jesus is coming soon! Make Jesus the center of who you are and how you fulfill His mission,” Barnett said.

The RMC Executive Committee will be meeting with Thurber over the next several months to pray and begin the search for Barnett’s replacement.

–RMCNews; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

06 Apr

COLORADO SPRINGS CENTRAL CELEBRATE COMMUNION WITH HOMELESS

RMCNews with Brenda Maldonado – Colorado Springs, Colorado … Some 20 Colorado Springs Central members spent Easter in the community making more than 200 breakfast burritos, putting together hygiene gift bags, giving donations, and going out to deliver the gifts to the homeless.

The congregation has built relationships with the homeless community and now they call each other friends and look forward to each visit.

Brenda Maldonado commented on the experience of getting to know the community: “Every recipient was so grateful for the gifts of food and toiletries. So many, after saying ‘Thank you,’ followed with, ‘God bless you’. Many know us and our church now, but some always ask where we are from.”

Because the group was celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus, Mike Maldonado, Colorado Springs Central pastor, provided communion for those in the homeless community who desired it. Many did want communion and were pleasantly surprised that a pastor would come out to pray for them and then serve them the emblems of the body and blood of Christ. “So many love God, but feel that the church would not want them there,” explained Brenda Maldonado

One member described the scene saying, “It was such a beautiful moment, witnessing [them] take part in the body and blood of Christ. Nothing brings more happiness when tears of joy come because of Jesus,” Ruth Lagos said.

Mike Maldonado commented that celebrating communion was a highlight for him. “Handing out communion,” he said, “was one of the highlights of my 30 years in ministry. Nothing compares to offering the body and blood of Christ to those marginalized by the church and society. I never felt closer to Jesus than when handing out communion on Easter morning to the homeless.”

The members spent time fellowshipping with those in the homeless camp including a man named Justin who visited the church the week before.

Colorado Springs Central makes sandwiches and puts together 125 lunches every Sabbath for the homeless, and delivers them after second service.

–RMCNews with Brenda Maldonado, Colorado Springs Central member; photo courtesy of Mike Maldonado Facebook

05 Apr

Pueblo church members get in the groove

RMCNews with Joey Perrin – Pueblo, Colorado … After a long winter spent inside, Pueblo church members began exploring ways to fellowship outdoors. Out of this exploration, they created “Sunday Groove,” a program that involves various events which include exercising.

The program was introduced to church members with the goal of getting physical and getting to know each other better.

Reflecting on the new program, Pueblo member Joey Perrin commented, “We have decided to start challenging ourselves more physically and have different levels of fitness [goals] for everyone to get involved in. Mountain biking is a great way to get off the beaten path and get out there with God’s creation and each other.”

On a Sunday morning, March 7, the small group gathered at the church with their bikes to begin their day of exploring the Pueblo area.

“We meandered around and went down Pedro’s point. Taking breaks along the way to hydrate and take in the beauty, we made it to the end with grand views of the reservoir and the open spaces,” Perrin said.

The church is looking forward to continuing “Sunday Grove” adventures in April.

–RMCNews with Joey Perrin a member of Pueblo church; photo by Unsplash

01 Apr

COMMENTARY — RECONCILING THE RESURRECTION — OUR FAITH IN THE CROSS—AND THE EMPTY TOMB

By Andy Nash … Years ago, news anchor Tom Brokaw was asked, “If you could interview any figure in history, who would it be?”

Brokaw replied, “Jesus of Nazareth, for all the obvious reasons.”

Sometimes we might take for granted that Jesus of Nazareth isn’t just the most influential Jewish person who ever lived; Jesus is most influential person who ever lived.

That Jesus was crucified also finds near-universal agreement. Agnostic Bart Erhman calls Jesus’ crucifixion an undisputable fact, while liberal scholar Jean Dominic Crossan says, “That he was crucified is as sure as anything historical ever can be.”

But it’s not only modern scholars that accept that a man named Jesus of Nazareth lived and taught in Galilee and then was condemned and crucified in a rock quarry outside the gates of Jerusalem.

Early evidence for the Roman crucifixion of Jesus is found not only in the four extraordinary documents we know as the gospels, but in Jewish and Roman sources as well.

The Roman historian Tacitus wrote of a group called Christians whose founder “Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus” (Annals, Book 15, Chapter 44).

Notice that Tacitus mentions Pontius Pilate, one of Rome’s many governors. For centuries there was no archaeological evidence for the existence of Pontius Pilate until 1961 when excavators at Caesarea found a piece of limestone with an inscription bearing the name of Pontius Pilate.

So, the truth of the crucifixion of Jesus at order of Pontius Pilate isn’t the hard part for people. The hard part—the stumbling block—is the resurrection: the idea that Jesus of Nazareth, who was dead on a Friday afternoon, became alive again on a Sunday morning—that to this today there’s a tomb in Jerusalem that once contained the body of Jesus . . . and then suddenly could not.

It’s the belief not only in the cross but in the empty tomb—and a risen Jesus—that sets apart Christians from everyone else.

“If Christ has not been raised,” wrote the former Pharisee Paul, “our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . . If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Cor. 15:13).

When we come to the resurrection of Jesus, there are two options. The first option is to view this story as sentimental propaganda written by a few lonely followers of Jesus somehow trying to keep him alive. The second option is to take the resurrection story literally—as an authentic account of something extraordinary that happened.

Using Women as Witnesses

If you were concocting a fake story of the resurrection of Jesus, there are two things you wouldn’t do.

First, you wouldn’t use women as witnesses. In first-century culture, a woman’s testimony was not considered reliable. To use Mary Magdalene and other women as primary witnesses, as all the gospels do, wouldn’t have made any sense from a credibility standpoint.

The only reason anyone would use women as witnesses is . . . if they really were. Modern scholars call this the criterion of embarrassment. It actually lends tremendous credibility to the resurrection story for the writer to tell what really happened—that women were the first witnesses and proclaimers of the gospel—even if this were less convincing to the original audience.

Getting Your Story Straight

Second, if the resurrection story was only propaganda, you wouldn’t have differences in your accounts. You’d get your story straight. Critics have pointed out the following variants in the four gospel accounts.

Matthew: 1 angel; 2 women; women cling to Jesus

Mark: 1 angel; 3 women

Luke: 2 angels; 5+ women

John: 2 angels; 1 woman; Jesus tells Mary, “Don’t cling”

In Matthew and Mark, only one angel is mentioned at the tomb. In Luke and John, there are two angels. In the gospel of John, Mary Magdalene is the only woman at the tomb. In the other gospels, there’s a group of women. What to do with all these differences?

A friend of mine, college professor Chris Blake, once had something interesting happen during one of his classes. The department secretary, Jana, walked in with some photocopies Chris had requested. As she handed the copies to Chris, they accidentally dropped to the floor.

“I’ll get them,” Chris said.

“No,” replied Jana, “I’ll get them. I do everything else around here.”

The awkward exchange between professor and secretary continued—all in front of the stunned students. Finally, the secretary stormed out of the classroom, and Chris turned toward his class.

“Okay,” he said, “I want you to write down exactly what happened here: what we said, what Jana was wearing, the exact sequence of events and dialog.”

Chris had set up the whole thing ahead of time.

Incredibly, as the students wrote down what happened just seconds earlier, every account was a little different. I’ve done this same experiment in my own classes; no two accounts have ever been the same.

So the apparent differences in perspectives of the resurrection may add credibility. After all, if someone saw only one angel, it doesn’t mean there weren’t two angels. And just because Mary was mentioned specifically doesn’t mean there weren’t also other women.

In fact, when put together into a single portrait, the supposed differences in the resurrection accounts actually complement each other.

I love how Ellen White, in her classic work The Desire of Ages, reconciles the different resurrection accounts so beautifully.

Sit back and take in the resurrection story again—for the first time. Read Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 788-793.

–Andy Nash is lead pastor at Littleton Adventist church and author who leads a study tour to Israel each summer. Contact him at [email protected]

01 Apr

CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF ERIC NELSON’S RMC MINISTRY

RMCNews – Littleton, Colorado … Conference office staff gathered with Eric Nelson’s family on March 31 to celebrate Nelson’s 35 years of ministry in RMC and to bid him farewell as he moves on to a new chapter of life–retirement.

Limited by large gathering restrictions, the celebration wasn’t limited in the tears, laughter, and appreciation for Nelson’s dedication.

The group enjoyed walking down memory lane as Lonnie Hetterle, former RMC director of education, hosted the hour-long event, which included a video from Nelson’s 93-year-old mother recalling Eric’s passion for ministry at a young age and Craig Carr, former RMC ministerial director reminiscing on working alongside Eric for many years. Former pastoral colleague, Steve Schwartz, who worked with Eric at Campion while they were students, sent a letter reminiscing on their dozens of years in the ministry in RMC, and Nelson’s 3-year-old granddaughter stole the show by wishing her grandpa congratulations on his retirement.

Online comments by individuals blessed by his ministry quickly flooded the chat screen. “Pastor Nelson, you were a real blessing for Vivien and me during our time in Colorado. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for always being there for us,” Ruddy Vivanco said.

Hozho Nahasdlii Nizhonigo remembers Nelson’s support for La Vida Mission. “Thank you for giving your life to the church. We are recipients of God’s blessings through you. Thank you for your love and support to La Vida Mission. You are one of Heaven’s greatest gifts to us.”

Bible worker Harold Alomia recalls the first time he met Nelson. “It was 2003. I had landed in Farmington NM. There was a town-hall event, and the RMC administration was in town. Eric was there and was friendly and encouraging to this unknown kid from Peru working there as a Bible worker.”

“Over the years, Alomia continued, “Eric has been a presence in my ministry–a friend, a mentor. He was supportive, caring, and firm when needed during my time in RMC. Eric, thank you for your care and for your ministry. You and Jerene are a blessing and it’s a privilege to have looked up to you as a leader.”

As the event drew to a close, George Crumley presented Eric and his wife, Jerene, a small financial gift of appreciation from the Rocky Mountain Conference. Ed Barnett, RMC president, becoming emotional at times, closed the event by thanking Eric for all the support, mentorship, and friendship over the many years.

Eric expressed his appreciation to those who had gathered, saying he was trading in his work hat for his cowboy hat. He shared how he will miss the daily work, but that he is committed to staying connected to RMC as a church member.

–RMCNews; photos by Rajmund Dabrowski

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