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09 Jan

REWIND, PAUSE, FAST FORWARD

In

November 5, 2024, is a date that will stay with me, like 9/11 or January 6 or December 8, 1980—the date of John Lennon’s murder outside the Dakota, his residence in New York City. These moments are hard, unyielding, like a row of spears making up a fence between nations.

November 5 is different from those. They were catastrophes, from the Greek for a sudden down-stroke, like the slash of a sword. By contrast, the time leading up to November 5 was a steady downpour, experienced as both dread and hope, daybreak revealing either the wreckage of a flood or the blessed end of a drought.

Adventists often view the news through a projector that throws today’s events up on a world-screen. Karl Barth’s advice to begin the day with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other is surely true for many in our community, me included.

In the weeks following the election, I read analyses of “what went wrong” and “where do we go from here?,” the worst of them in a told-you mode that only exposed how trite their second-hand observations were. The best of them were thoughtful, if rueful, about what was taken for granted before and what could be lost after. I kept reading them, painful though it was. The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Christian Century—there was no lack of commentary from sources that made an effort to be truthful and accurate. Collectively, we were on rewind.

As a counterbalance to the news, I follow the Bible texts of the Lectionary in my daily devotional study, looking, I suppose, for some connection between Scripture and current events. More than that—some revelation from beyond the scrum of politics and commerce. In The Second Coming, William Butler Yeats’ poem, he warns, “The best lack all conviction, while the worst/Are full of passionate intensity.” And then the cri de coeur: “Surely some revelation is at hand;/Surely the Second Coming is at hand.” My Adventism instinctively sniffs the air at those words.

Lately, texts from 1 and 2 Samuel have been part of the Lectionary readings, passages which, in their generality, sound like today. Malfeasance in high office, betrayal of sacred trusts, the violence of those driven by greed and ego. Walter Brueggemann, in his commentary, says the Books of Samuel stand midway between the brutality of tribal life in Judges and the oppressive social order of First and Second Kings. While they offer scant comfort, they cause me to confront that parallel universe without pride or prejudice. And, in spite of the darkness of those days, God never gives up on His people.

Since the election, I’ve talked to or heard from friends on both sides of the aisle, so to speak. Some are fervent in their praise, thanking God for placing his servant in the White House again. Others, those with whom I agree, are devastated by what lies ahead and do not see God’s intervention in the results of the election. Still others believe that God tipped the scales in favor of election winner in order to drive the country to repentance in preparation for the Second Coming.

This is tricky business, this extrapolation of God’s intentions from current events. Yeats echoes the natural impulse of many to forecast the Second Coming from the moral catastrophes of the present. There was a time as a teenager when I, with some reluctance, fell into line with those who were sure the chaos of the 60s meant that Jesus’s return was just around the corner.

Even though it seemed some end was near, some rough beast “slouching toward Bethlehem,” I had only to remember all the catastrophes throughout history, each of them bringing the end for millions, in order to step back from thinking this was the end to end all beginnings. After all, what of the genocides throughout history, the persecutions of Christians under Nero, the Crusades, any version of the “slaughter of the innocents,” the Holocaust? In all times and places, there have been those who lived through the end times, suffering because of their faith or suffering alone, apart from any faith whatsoever.

By comparison my personal life was easy, my future comparatively secure. There were always, it seemed, so many suffering more than I, so many seeing their worlds ending while mine was just beginning. My grandparents passed away in their nineties, disappointed that they had not lived to see Jesus return on the clouds of glory, but sure in their faith that they would rise to meet the Lord in the air.

Adventists know disappointment. After all, we celebrate behind our hands October 22, our Great Disappointment, when we learned that “we do not know the day nor the hour,” and that no human knows this, not even Jesus. That should help to clear the underbrush around disasters and catastrophes, no matter how severe. Charts and tables aside, what really matters in the midst of present apprehension and disappointment, this pause between past and future?

Recently, I learned that disappointment derives from Middle French, desappointer, meaning “to remove from office,” and from Classical Latin, punctum, for “a hole made by pricking.” It’s a vivid image. To disappoint someone is to remove them from their position of authority by puncturing them like a balloon. It would be fascinating to trace how “I disappoint you” changes from a threat against someone to its opposite, so that now we say, “I’m sorry I disappointed you,” meaning that we let another person down in a way we now regret.

Here’s what matters to me in these days of disappointment. First, I need to accept that, for millions of people in this country, the election brought them what they fervently wanted. I don’t fully understand it—I don’t think I ever will—nor will it change my deepest convictions about how humans should live with each other and with the world. But humility covers a multitude of sins, as Thomas Merton said. And it is the beginning of knowing.

Second, this is, for me, a real test of taking Jesus at His word. The kingdom is among you, he said. I have to believe that and act on it, live and breathe it. This is the most important thing I will do with my life. It’s the kingdom of God, not some version of Christian nationalism or another utopian vision. And “though the wrong seems oft so strong/God is the ruler yet.” Going forward, we enter the country where God already lives—and for that I am profoundly grateful.

Here’s something else I’ve learned. I found it in Freeing Jesus, a book by Diana Butler Bass, that my Believers and Doubters class at Sligo Church is studying. She suggests we substitute “kin-dom” for “kingdom,” recognizing how foreign that metaphor may be for us. Kin-dom means family, those we have responsibilities toward as well as ties of love. This impossible, beautiful, redemptive state in which the barriers and chasms between people become the reason for bridges. What we must build daily as we long for eternity.

Barry Casey is the author of Wandering, Not Lost, a collection of essays on faith, doubt, and mystery, published by Wipf and Stock (2019). His recent work has appeared in Brevity, Faculty Focus, Detroit Lit Mag, Fauxmoir, Humans of the World, Lighthouse Weekly, Mountain Views, Patheos, Pensive Journal, Rockvale Review, Spectrum Magazine, The Dewdrop, The Purpled Nail, and The Ulu Review. He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from Claremont Graduate University. He writes from Burtonsville, Maryland. Email him at: [email protected]

09 Jan

THE SHAPE OF ADVENTISM

In

The outstanding gift which Adventism has given to my life is shape. Shape in many senses. For that I am enormously grateful.

* * *

My journey towards the Adventist church originated really before I was born, in a theatre of war. My father had served in the British army in WWII in the Mediterranean. I was born a year or so after he returned. He came back wanting to find something which would make some sense of what he had so recently witnessed. He wanted to find some strength to live in a difficult post-war world. Not finding it in the local Church of England, he happened upon an evangelistic meeting run by Seventh-day Adventists, who were at the time a marginal sect in the UK. The very name was a problem.

Nevertheless, the church provided some sense of place in the grand scheme of things. He had just had first-hand experience of a world-wide conflict. The meetings highlighted the rise and fall of nations and empires in a biblical context. He was impressed and eventually joined the small group of Adventists. More than that, the Sabbath provided a resting place after the rigors of war and a shape for every week.

The church also provided a small local community to which to belong in an anonymous suburb of London. It was a safe space. To be sure, there were some eccentrics among the 60 or so members but there were serious and friendly people too. My father, like so many others, was hungry for some warmth in an impersonal, shell-shocked, decimated world. And so, we became Sabbath observers at a time when it was a very strange thing to do. My father believed the benefits outweighed the costs. My mother was less sure—especially about the 10% church ‘tax’ when money was very short. But, in time, the church became our happy place.

The Sabbath School lessons took the whole business of studying seriously which suited my studious nature. The mission stories told of exotic places which might just as well have been on another planet. But they slowly lifted my sights beyond the horizon of my neighborhood. I liked the singing too. I was shy and these people were gentle with me. I came to see a difference from my Monday-to-Friday world in state elementary and high schools.

Some of what I heard seemed a bit crazy. Some of the behavioral norms were a bit restrictive. But there was a trade-off between pros and cons and usually I found that the pros won. This was because the people were non-judgemental. I was accepted for who I was.

And then, gradually, there were the occasional excursions into the larger Adventist world. A few camps, some regional get-togethers. There I got a wider perspective on what Adventism was all about. And I met some Adventists of my own age, in my stage of education, with similar interests. It was a relief after being in a small church with few peers. The high point was a great excursion on a church-run touring camp to Norway. Fjords, towering mountains, the clearest mountain water, pure air. A whole new world. A new shape. I wanted more.

By this time, I was in my second year at a secular university. No question of an Adventist education. Not another Adventist in sight among the thousands. And slowly I came to feel that the church was not growing with me. It was precisely at this critical moment I met Helen. At a time when my grip on the church was slackening, I met the one who was to become my soul mate for life. It was just two weeks after my father died—too young. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

* * *

I mention all this not because I think you will be particularly interested in my life story but because readers may find echoes of their own. A safe personal space. A place which gave some meaning to life. A place which took my serious self seriously. A window on a larger world beyond my London Street.

* * *

But there was something else. I was attracted to this Jesus whom they talked about so much. He seemed an approachable and authentic human. Were it not for the Adventist church I am not sure that I would have taken faith seriously. I might have turned up at the parish church sometimes, but, beyond that, I would not have taken Jesus seriously. The Church provided me with a starting place on a spiritual quest which goes on even today and which I expect to continue for the rest of my days.

* * *

By a totally unexpected turn of events, Helen and I, now married, were called to teach at Newbold College. I taught some contentious subjects to a wide range of students: philosophy, ethics, sociology. I had no experience of teaching adults. Looking back, it seems to me that the College board, and specifically the College principal, took an enormous risk on me—or acted in faith, whichever you prefer. I had no Adventist pedigree whatsoever, no Adventist education, I was a secular creature who had found the Gospel, or rather been found by it.

* * *

It was at Newbold College that I came to understand and embrace the Gospel in all its fullness. I was teaching but learning far more than I taught. From colleagues deeply imbued with a spirit of Adventism. From students some of whom had been born into Adventism. Eventually there came invitations to speak beyond the U.K., opportunities to travel in most parts of Europe, tasting the many varieties of Adventism. And then to U.S.A. where Adventism seemed a very different creature from what I had grown up with. Different shapes of Adventism. Opportunities came to further my education at secular universities, specifically London and Oxford, all thanks to the generous investment in me by the Church.

* * *

I cannot say that at every turn I sought God’s will. Helen was more schooled in that way of spiritual reflection. But now in later life I can say that I can see a mysterious Providence at work in my life. A divine shape. Mine was an unconventional route to Adventist College teaching. I tried to bring a little freshness of thinking to my students. Some of them had been right through the Adventist educational system and had jaded palates, glad to hear someone speaking Adventism in a different “accent.” Some were not quite sure what to make of me. But the College board and administration gave me unwavering support, which looks all the more remarkable as I look back on it. The Church has given me shape in life when I might well have gone shapeless and drifted. But this should not suggest that it has been straightforward. This brief expression of gratitude cannot conceal the many ups and downs of my journey.

* * *

One of my watchwords comes from the gospel of John, the story of Jesus’s meeting with Nicodemus. I feel some kinship with this man, this “teacher in Israel who does not know these things.” I have been ignorant of so much. Yet, the Lord, through His people in the Church, have sustained me. I have much to be grateful for.

“The wind blows where it wills and you do not know … ”

So, it has been.

Michael Pearson is principal lecturer emeritus at Newbold College in the U.K. For many years he taught topics in ethics, philosophy, and spirituality. He and his wife, Helen, write a weekly blog pearsonsperspectives.com. Email him at: [email protected]

09 Jan

CELEBRATING THE PAST, LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

In

My church has changed. To me, that is a good thing, because life changes, communities change, cultures change, and we need to change to stay alive. Our physical bodies regenerate cells and change continually, so change is a good thing because change sustains life. Only dead things—and ideas—don’t change by renewal. In that case the only change is decay.

One of the changes in the church I personally celebrate is a shift, at least for me, form seeing God as a “Gotcha” God, to a much more compassionate “I’ve got you” God who seeks to save, reassure, and restore. In my childhood and teens, He was taught—and seen by many—as a God who was always looking to find a flaw, scratch, or shortcoming … then gleefully scream, “Gotcha!” Perfection was up to me. Now I see that He is my perfection, not my persecutor. He is my Advocate, not my accuser.

I have seen my church broaden from a rigid rules orientation to a healthier relationship understanding, where we obey the rules from gratitude for what God has already done rather than obedience to just appease Him and keep Him at arm’s distance. The relationships are both vertical—my relationship with God—and horizontal—my relationship with those in the community and family around me. That makes life much more productive and fun than trying to hide from the “Gotcha! God” view of my past. Think of Adam and Eve and their initial actions. Fig leaves … hiding from God … really? No fun, only fear, in that scenario.

I have experienced my church moving from fear filled anti-intellectualism to a point of both appreciating and encouraging deeper study and more training for leadership and gospel work. While finishing college at Union, the then Colorado Conference president visited the school and called me to come to Colorado to pastor as soon as I graduated. While pleased at the invitation, I told him that my aim was to attend the seminary to get all the training possible in preparation for pastoral work. His surprising response was, “Why do you want to go to the cemetery? Come to Colorado as soon as you graduate.”  A year later, when he visited me at the seminary, he asked, “Now that you have been at the cemetery a year, do you still want to be a pastor?” I could only smile (outwardly) and assure him my calling had not dimmed but brightened by my expanding educational experiences.

Today, after years of gradual change, pastors are encouraged to get all the education they can. This is not to say that only those with higher education can serve. All can serve God, but having a sharper instrument makes cutting through Gordian knots much easier.

I have seen the concept and practice of ministry broaden into wider and new specializations because of the church’s recognition that mission fields are not just in distant countries but are all around us in unique and varied settings. When I went on active duty as an Army chaplain, I was the thirteenth Adventist chaplain serving in all the armed services at that time. It is a good thing that I am not a superstitious person, but I was still aware of the number. Today there are 145 active-duty and reserve  Adventist military chaplains, all of whom have been at the seminary, none of whom are at the “cemetery.” it has been my privilege to see, and help, the various chaplaincies of the Adventist church expand exponentially here in North America, and around the globe. It brings a smile to my face and cheer to my heart.

Not everyone saw my chaplaincy as a positive thing. Several times, different Seventh-day Adventist pastors asked, “What made you decide to leave the ministry?” My standard reply was to ask them who had signed their ministerial credentials. Their response was, “The Union President, of course!” At that, I pulled out my denominational credentials—signed by the General Conference President—and commented that perhaps I was still in ministry after all. Then we could have a hearty laugh together.

Another positive change I have seen our denomination embrace (largely but unfortunately not totally) is the professional ministry of women in both local and wider fields of service. If we honestly believe we have a message to share with the world, including our own local churches and communities, why would we limit potential messengers by 60% because of gender? In North America, 60% of our members are women.

One of the major gifts the church has given to me, and continues to give, is the richness of relationships and friendships that are both decades long, and some only hours long. Those friendships build bonds like none other on earth. The friendships transcend issues and discomforts. They offer a unique stability through time. For that, I am forever grateful.

I get it. Change is not always welcome. We get used to the comfort and familiarity of the past. Newness can at times be threateningly uncomfortable. That’s why I still have things in my closet that I will never wear again—and I know it. But it’s comforting to have some relics of the past to remind me of the “good times.” But when I can be aware that—today and tomorrow—are the good times, I am energized and joyful to embrace them while still recalling, and at times laughing, at the past. That mind set helps me see every day as a Divine present, because every day, every current experience, every change, every breath, and every heartbeat are, indeed, presents from a God who whispers, “I’ve got you! Seize the day. I AM with you, always, to the end of the ages.”

I feel His arms embracing my past and opening new doors into the future, and I smile at the warmth of His love that does not change. My hope is that this continues to be true for my church, my family, and my friends too.

That makes me joyful and gives me ongoing hope.

Dick Stenbakken, Ed.D., retired Army Chaplain (Col.), served as director of Adventist Chaplaincy Services at the General Conference and North American Division. With his wife Ardis, he lives in Loveland, Colorado. Email him at: [email protected]

09 Jan

TWO DEGREES OF SEPARATION AND THE MANY CONNECTIONS OF ADVENTISM

In

In our quest to connect with and love our neighbors, my family and I have had many cool and moving experiences, but something that happened just recently left me perhaps smiling the most.

Back in September, an elderly couple in our neighborhood sent out an email to everyone in the neighborhood—via our neighborhood email list—wondering if anyone would be gone during Thanksgiving and asking if they could perhaps “AirBNB” out their home on behalf of their daughter, who would be in town for the Thanksgiving season. After my wife and I chatted about it, we decided we could make it work and offered to rent out our place to the elderly couple during the week of Thanksgiving.

A couple weeks before Thanksgiving, we held an “Open House” in our home, inviting all our neighbors to join us for a night of fellowship and connection. The elderly couple came and I chatted with the husband for a little while. In the course of our conversation, he shared with me that he and his wife had gone to Notre Dame for college, and his wife was from South Bend, Indiana. I told him that my wife and I had gone to college just up the road from South Bend, in a little town called “Berrien Springs,” and he said to me, “Oh, yes. We know Berrien Springs. My wife had some family who lived there, I believe.”

A few days later, when the couple returned to our home so we could show them around in anticipation of their daughter’s stay, the wife, Pam, immediately launched into something she excitedly wanted to ask. “You guys went to Andrews, did you? I had two nieces who went there.” I had forgotten that I had talked with her husband about it a few days before, and was initially confused by her question, not expecting that a non-Adventist neighbor in Portland, Maine, would know anything about little Andrews University in little Berrien Springs, Michigan.

“Andrews University?” I clarified (realizing that I’ve had people in the past confuse it with St. Andrews University). “Yes,” she said with a gleam in her eye. “My two nieces went there. I’m wondering if you perhaps knew them. They were twins.”

Finally, I asked her the names of her two nieces, and when she said their names, I nearly fell to the floor. Not only did I know them, having gone to Andrews with them some 25 years before, I very much had a romantic interest in one of them when I was a freshman (this isn’t breaking news, since I shared this with her 25 years before, and was now explaining it to her aunt 25 years later).

It was such a surreal moment, especially since I haven’t talked with the nieces in almost 25 years! And I very much I realized that the “two degrees of separation” in Adventism had struck yet again.

Incidentally, it’s not the only “Adventist” connection in my neighborhood. I learned the first time I met another one of our neighbors that his dad and step-mom are Adventists as well, who live in Hagerstown, Maryland. I’ve subsequently met the parents when they visited, and learned we have a number of mutual friends, including another one of my good Andrews schoolmates who used to spend a lot of time at their house when he was classmates with their daughter at Highland View Academy.

Of course, none of this is surprising to a seasoned Adventist (though what’s surprising to me is how we’ve made these connections with non-Adventists in one of America’s most secular cities). Whenever I meet a fellow Adventist for the first time, we spend half the time trying to figure out our mutual Adventist connections (“Oh, do you know so-and-so? She graduated from Andrews in 2002.” Or, “You work at AdventHealth? Do you know so-and-so?”), knowing there will almost always be someone we discover we both know.

And that is actually one of my favorite features of Adventism. There are many reasons for it—from our education system to our hospitals to our camp meetings and prayer conferences and religious publications. But, for whatever reason, Adventism is truly one big, global family, allowing us to go just about anywhere in the world and meet someone who knows someone we know. Whenever we travel, we can go to a local Adventist church and have “instant family” (partly because we have instant credibility when we can note our mutual connections).

Of course, to be clear, one of our biggest strengths can also be one of our biggest weaknesses. Because we are so closely connected, many of us can get so comfortable in the “bubble” that we virtually never leave it, at least to any significant degree. We end up only ever spending time with ourselves. We can go to Adventist schools from kindergarten to grad school, then work at an Adventist hospital or school or supporting ministry, and attend an Adventist church every Sabbath, and basically never have to spend any extended time with anyone outside our Adventist “bubble.”

This is a huge problem, in my estimation, that needs to be fully confronted and challenged—and it’s why I’ve not only committed myself to personally busting out of the “bubble,” but also spending the bulk of the time I devote to ministry to Adventists encouraging them to follow suit. Truly, I’ve found so much life and energy and fulfillment in life outside the “bubble,” and believe that God calls us to embody his love to those who aren’t already consciously familiar with it.

With all that said, and despite the ways we perhaps take it a little too far, Adventism has captured—or maybe just fallen into—what I think is the whole purpose of the story that God has invited us into. We were created, I do believe, for community, for fellowship, for connection. This is the whole goal of the gospel project—to restore relationships and bring us into family together.

And this family was to be a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, multi-linguistic community, tearing down the boundaries and barriers that sin has erected. This is, after all, what John sees in his vision of that “great multitude” in Revelation, a group which no person could never, consisting of people from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues (Revelation 7:9).

Thus, Adventism, when it’s at its best, epitomizes this grand vision. And it’s this feature of Adventism that I’m most grateful for and excited about.

Shawn Brace is a pastor, church planter, and author in Portland, Maine, and a DPhil Candidate at Oxford University. You can subscribe to his weekly newsletter at shawnbrace.substack.com Contact him at: [email protected]

09 Jan

HERE BY GRACE (AND INFORMED CHOICE)

In

My parents were Seventh-day Adventists. Dad was the head elder in my early years, then, when I was eleven years old, he followed a call into ministry. When eighth grade rolled around for me, he was through college and into his first district as a pastor. Mom was a church schoolteacher for a few years. My brothers and I went to church school then boarding academy. I was baptized on May 3, 1969, by Elder George Carter. By all outward measures, I have essentially always been an Adventist.

And I believed it. Always. Not that I didn’t wonder about one thing or another, as we all do, but ultimately, I accepted it as I learned it. So, by all inward measures, I was also pretty much always an Adventist.

But what I did not know until later was that, in reality, I was an Adventist by inertia. I was set on a course, and nothing interrupted it, so I just kept going in that direction with less thought than I would likely have admitted to myself. Until I came upon something that threatened
to change course for me.

Every generation seems to face challenges to our faith. For my generation, it was the writings of Dr. Desmond Ford, a professor of religion at Pacific Union College. I was only vaguely aware that some were questioning basic teachings of our church, but I had no real interest because I was an Adventist. As far as I was concerned, those who didn’t accept what we taught were welcome to form their own denomination.

Then someone passed on some articles to me and asked me to read it for myself. Well, why not? Honestly, I didn’t even know which of our doctrines were in dispute. Maybe it was time to find out.

What I discovered was a system which accepted the timeline of the prophecies of Daniel but disputed that the investigative judgment began in 1844. In its place it offered … nothing. (A conversation years later with a member of the Biblical Research Committee who met with Dr. Ford at the Glacier View Conference confirmed that he had no idea whatsoever what the prophecy pointed to.)

I was irritated at the sleight of hand perpetrated by declaring something false but not presenting anything as truth, but something even bigger was at work. Deep from within me, a true believer, a Seventh-day Adventist who know what we believed and fully embraced it, rose up to declare that this was heresy.

Until that point, this had been my father’s religion. I only thought it was mine as well. It was when I examined it for myself, not as a class assignment but on my own and for my own reasons, that inertia was replaced by choice. I’m not here to keep peace in the family, or because I don’t know where else to be, or any other reason but that I choose this because I believe this.

So many of you know exactly what I mean because you also came to a point, whether raised in the church or having learned of it after childhood, where you made a conscious choice to belong. It’s good to reflect, from time to time, that you do have choices, and that this what you continue to choose.

But let’s not focus on what we have done to the exclusion of what He has done. Because, as the title of this piece indicates, it is not just informed choice that makes a genuine Seventh-day Adventist. We only have that choice because of the grace of God.

It was His grace that I grew up in a family that believed in God. It was His grace that they taught me to believe in the Bible as the source of Truth. It was His grace that the Holy Spirit spoke to me as I learned what the Bible stated, gently saying, This is the way; walk in it (Isaiah 30:21, NIV). It was by His grace that I was able to see error. Even the freedom to make a choice for myself is fully dependent upon the grace of God.

Your journey is likely quite different, so looking back you will no doubt find grace in other ways than what I received. But The grace has been there for each of us, so that we are not here only by choice, but because God has opened the way.

But there is more to my religion than the grace I received and the choice I made to believe. Grace and choice change everything, and I see that in my church.

So many times, I have seen the love of Jesus shine through people whose lives have been transformed. True, I have seen some of the most un-Christlike behavior in people who share the same beliefs, but whose hearts have not been touched by the grace that God offers. I suppose that is to be expected, because if the devil did not make every effort to infiltrate us then he would be doing a poor job indeed. Examples abound. But there are also examples of kindness, patience, humility, service, and piety, you will find those in abundance as well.

Sometimes it takes an outsider to remind us of what a blessing our church is. While a graduate student, I was driving a guest of the university to the airport. His job, on behalf of the U.S. government, was to make sure that aid to countries in South America actually did some concrete good. If we paid for a bridge to be built, he went to see if it was there. We were chatting about some topic I have forgotten when I mentioned my church in passing. He asked, with clear interest, what church I attended, and I told him. He repeated, very slowly and thoughtfully, “Seventh-day Adventist.”

Here it comes, I thought. What false impression was left on him by one of our graceless representatives? But it was out there, and I would put up with whatever followed, because by now this was truly my church, and I would take my lumps with her. But he surprised me.

“You people do a wonderful work. Everywhere I go I find Adventists doing important things to help people, and many times it is stuff no one else is willing to do. I am always honored to meet a Seventh-day Adventist.”

It is a really big deal that the fruit of the Spirit so lives in our people that we will do things that leave such an impression on an outside observer. It’s not always that dramatic, but the fruit is there. Sadly, there are also true stories of some egregious examples of falling far short of our high calling and doing damage to vulnerable people, for which I am sorry, but in spite of that the fruit still lives among us.

All the criticisms of leadership, diverted tithe, cutting words in the church lobby, and indifference of those who have inertia but no grace, cannot erase the evidence that our church is not just a set of beliefs. It is a denomination that endeavors to do important things that help people physically and spiritually. We do it in remote lands, in local cradle roll classes, in each other’s homes for game night, and in support of students who want to be in our schools. We do it in a thousand different ways because grace has fallen on us, and be believers so we become what our Father wants us to be.

How fortunate to belong.

Doug Inglish is the RMC vice president for administration. Email him at: [email protected]

09 Jan

EMBRACING A “THANK YOU, LORD” LIFESTYLE

In
The Power of Gratitude

The actor Michael J. Fox once said, “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.” This perspective has come late in life for this once vibrant Hollywood star now stricken with Parkinson’s disease. His gratitude has inspired many as he courageously lives with this debilitating condition. But is there such a thing as sustainable optimism for our church today? May I suggest that gratitude to God has the power to overcome negativity and restore one’s faith in God’s activity and plans.

In the life of any community, especially one bound by faith, it is natural to evaluate our progress and identify areas needing improvement. Yet, in our quest for growth and transformation, we often overlook the profound moments of gratitude and joy that define our journey. As we begin 2025 together, it remains crucial to highlight the areas where we have seen God’s hand guiding us, shaping our faith, which instills our sense of purpose in our lives individually and collectively.

As stated by Ellen G. White, a significant pioneer of our faith, “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.” (Ellen G. White, Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 9, p. 10)

This is a powerful reminder that our past experiences are not just memories; they are testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Reflecting on these moments, of both blessings and challenges, can help us cultivate a spirit of gratitude, allowing us to appreciate the things we often take for granted.

Personal Faith and Spiritual Growth

In my own faith story, I can distinctly remember sensing the calling of God on my heart as an 18-year-old academy senior at Monterey Bay Academy. It wasn’t like a heavenly vision in sky writing, but a strong impression that remained a conviction that I was God’s child. A renewed sense of identity I had been taught from my earliest memories in Sabbath School, but, in that moment on the sands of Monterey with the moon reflecting off the water, I just knew that it was personal. For God so loved ME, that He gave His Only Son!

Each of us has a unique story of how we came to know Christ and how our faith has evolved over time. For many, it began in a Christian home, or, perhaps, with a simple invitation to church or a profound moment of personal crisis that led to a search for meaning. These experiences are not merely accidental or anecdotal; they are foundational to our identity and testimony as believers.

Consider how our church community fosters personal faith. Through small groups, prayer meetings, and Bible studies, we create spaces where individuals can share their struggles and victories in community. These gatherings remind us that we are not alone in our journey. We find strength in each other’s testimonies, and we learn to appreciate the diverse ways God is working in our lives and that of others.

Moreover, our spiritual growth is often marked by moments of clarity and revelation. Perhaps it was during a sermon that a particular scripture resonated deeply or a conversation with a fellow church member sparked a new and beautiful understanding of God’s love. These “aha” moments are gifts from God, encouraging us to reflect on our relationship with Him and to recognize His active presence in our lives.

Outreach Endeavors and Community Impact

Another area where we can see God’s leading is in our church’s outreach endeavors. The call to share the Gospel is at the heart of our faith, and our community has embraced this mission in various ways. Whether through local outreach programs, international missions, or simply acts of kindness in our neighborhoods, we have the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Reflecting on these efforts, we can celebrate the lives touched and transformed through our collective actions. Each story of someone coming to faith or experiencing God’s love through our efforts is a testament to His work in and through us. These missional activities remind us that our church is not just a building; it is a living, breathing testament to God’s love in action.

As we engage in outreach to others, we also grow personally. Each interaction with those we serve challenges us to step outside our comfort zones and rely on God’s strength. We learn to appreciate the beauty of diversity and the richness of different cultures, all while uniting under the banner of Christ’s love.

Moments of Joy and Gratitude

In the midst of our critiques and even criticisms toward a better way, let us not forget to celebrate the moments that make us smile. These are the divine instances that fill our hearts with heavenly joy and gratitude, reminding us of God’s eternal presence and goodness.

Perhaps it’s a child’s laughter during a church event, the warmth of fellowship shared over a meal, or a spontaneous worship session that lifts our spirits. These moments, though simple, are profound reminders of God’s presence in our daily lives. They encourage us to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for the community we have built together.

Moreover, sharing our “Thank you, Lord” moments can foster a culture of gratitude within our church. When we openly acknowledge the blessings we receive, we inspire others to do the same. This collective gratitude can transform our community, creating an atmosphere of joy and encouragement that draws others not to ourselves, but to Christ.

A Call to Reflect and Appreciate

As we reflect on our church and the myriad ways God has led us, let us recommit ourselves in 2025 to celebrating these experiences. Instead of solely focusing on what needs to change or improve, let’s also recognize the beauty of our journey thus far and the faith we share in Christ alone. By fixing our eyes on the Father of lights, from Whom all blessings flow, a grateful heart can awaken hope and restore harmony.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful (Colossians 3:14,15, NLT).

In our conversations and in our prayers, let us balance the laundry-list of requests with thoughtful expressions of gratitude. Thankfulness should not be an after-thought but a vital part of our spiritual practice. By acknowledging how God has guided us, we build a foundation of faith that empowers us to face the future with confidence.

In conclusion, let us embrace the call to reflect on our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to our future with enduring hope. As we appreciate the ways God has led us, we strengthen our community and deepen our faith. Together, let’s continue to share our stories of gratitude, fostering a culture of appreciation that honors God’s work in our lives and inspires others to join us on this incredible journey of faith.

Craig Carr is the Mid-America Union Conference ministerial director. Email him at: [email protected]

09 Jan

CHERISH ADVENTISM

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While teaching Junior Bible class at Mt. Pisgah Academy, I assigned the students to contact a local church pastor of another denomination and ask what their view was of the Second Coming of Christ. The young lady who was my reader that year reported to me with a great deal of surprise that the pastor she contacted said, “oh, we don’t think much about that here.” She and I both were baffled. After all, “Jesus is coming again soon” is the heart cry of our church!

When I consider what I cherish about being a Seventh-day Adventist, there are almost too many things to write about! But at the top of the list are these two things:

The Second Coming of Jesus—the promise of seeing the One who has saved me, is transforming me, and who has invited me to live forever with Him is a banner that gives
me hope and courage to press on, even while this world gets darker and moves farther away from Him.

I have friends and family I want to see again. I want to live in a place without the darkness and struggles that are so often a part of living here. I want to see Jesus! I want to have conversations with Peter and Paul and Esther and Mary Magdalene. I want to know from my angel what it was like guarding me all my life, and I want to hear about the times that he intervened that I never even knew about.

I want to eat from the tree of life and not have to worry about counting calories! I want to visit Saturn and Jupiter and worlds I don’t yet know even exist. I want to be one of those gathered around the great white throne singing the joyful songs that will fill heaven’s shimmering atmosphere.

I’m not sure church would matter much if we didn’t have Jesus and heaven as our prize.

That it’s hard to stay on a journey to that grand land brings up my second treasure in Adventism. Though there are differences from world division to world division, though there are differences from union to union and conference to conference and even from church to church, we all carry some core tenets and beliefs. Knowing you have fellow and sister travelers makes the journey easier. We can find encouragement from one another, we can learn from one another, and we be force for Christ in our communities with one another.

And a simple realization brought this home to me a few weeks ago. At a recent board meeting, I was given a tangible blessing and lesson about how much the church is the apple of Jesus’s eye. One of the new board members was the daughter of two friends that were elementary school classmates of mine as far back as first grade! I remember growing up sometimes thinking about all the grown ups that were doing things that were important to the cause of Christ. Then as I grew up and took my own place among those who put their heart and soul into the church, sometimes I found myself wondering who would follow in our steps.

Seeing this woman take her place on the board was a powerful signal to me that God will preserve the movement of His saints on toward the coming kingdom! Though things appear as though Jesus is directing world events to wrap up history down here, if I am asked to wait in hopeful sleep until the trumpet sounds, I would rest knowing that God continues to raise up men and women to serve and to lead the body of Christ to that Great Day.

I find so much joy and comfort in knowing that so many look for His appearing together and with great anticipation. Let us never lose the “hope that burns within our hearts” and may we treasure the great association of like-minded Jesus-lovers who wait for the coming day together.

Mic Thurber is the RMC president. Email him at: [email protected]

09 Jan

LA VIDA MISSION BRINGS HOLIDAY JOY AND HOPE TO NAVAJO COMMUNITY

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Navajo News Team – Farmington, New Mexico … “We had fun.” “The food was delicious.” “The staff are friendly and helpful.” “It’s a nice event, thank you.” “Thank you so much for what this mission does. Always caring and loving.” These are some of the comments from the community members who attended the 2024 Annual Christmas Fiesta and Propane Give-away at La Vida Mission* (LVM) in Farmington, New Mexico, December 17.

The event officially started when the La Vida Mission students and staff gathered in the gym at 9:00 a.m. for a morning worship service led by Emily Lowe, LVM school alumna, and students from the Boys’ Dorm. Propane refill services were scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m., but trucks lined up for as early as 6:30 a.m. They kept coming and filled the whole Country Road 7730 up to the Mission.

As attendees entered the gym for the main event, they were greeted at a welcome booth and given a wool blanket, Ellen G. White’s book Steps to Christ, other spiritual literature, and a raffle ticket for tons of door prizes from LVM donors. Other activities and services that were offered were a “Free Flea Market” with all-day refreshments and a Christmas meal. Christmas fry bread was provided by Renita and Reva Juan, members of the La Vida Mission Seventh-day Adventist Church, and many loaves of bread and assorted bakery products were provided compliments of the local Bimbo Bakeries.

At 11:30 a.m., all activities in the gym were stopped and everyone was invited to take a seat for the Christmas messages and prayers delivered by LVM staff including Dorie Panganiban, Danita Ray, and Kim Ellis. “We reminded everyone that, while we offer them all kinds of gifts, we always want to offer and share the greatest gift of all, Jesus,” remarked one of the event’s organizers. “We let them know that Jesus can change our lives and make it better and encouraged everyone to be close to God and prepare for the second Christmas, the second coming of Jesus, which is very soon.”

The message and prayers were followed by the Christmas fellowship lunch with continued raffle ticket drawings for door prizes. Students and staff were still not tired after all the events of the day and lingered for more games after the gym was cleaned, led by LVM staff Beth Fugoso-Panganiban, Cielo Domino, and Glet Franche.

“This one community event of the Mission for our native family is a corporate effort of all La Vida Mission staff, with some of our donors, designed to continue to share the love of Jesus to the Diné, the Navajo people, and everyone around us. Please continue to include us in your prayers that we may always shine for Him and spread His love to everyone. Thank you from Dorie, with VJ Panganiban and Beth, co-outreach directors, who directed this event.”

* La Vida Mission is a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church but is not affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

—Navajo News Team. Photos supplied.

08 Jan

COMMENTARY: THE DISCIPLERS WE OFTEN IGNORE

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By Shaun Brooks

I am blessed to know some of the finest people in this world who happen to be persons with disabilities. They also happen to be the ones who are discipling me.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about a quarter of the population in America has a disability, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 1 billion individuals worldwide, or just about 15% of the world population, can identify with a disability. It means that wherever you may live, there will be someone you know, if not yourself, who is a part of this community. Society, including the church, has often overlooked this community. In the minds of some, those with a disability are to be constantly prayed for until they are healed. Rarely are they considered whole but are seen as lacking an ability that would make them truly happy and complete. Thankfully through the Possibility Ministries, our church is making strides in addressing these concerns and oversight.

For many who consider themselves non-disabled and Christian, there seems to be a mission mandate to make disciples of those with a disability, totally disregarding that they should be the ones to be discipled by those who happen to have a disability. If a disciple is a student per se who listens and takes notes from a teacher, it begs a few questions. What can you teach a person who is blind about trust when in their daily interactions, they rely upon others for various tasks? What can you teach a person confined to a bed about patience when many who are non-disabled were losing their patience in the brief time they were confined to their homes during the pandemic? What can you teach a person with developmental disabilities about forgiveness when they may be shown scorn and ridicule, yet they still demonstrate love for that community? What can you teach a person about perseverance, whose body does not respond to their commands but somehow, they push through life, craving to see another day?

I hope you are getting the picture that even if someone cannot cognitively respond to you, they are teaching you daily about the love of God. God continually responds to us even when we cannot adequately compute the mind of God. Providentially, God has allowed the disabled and non-disabled community to minister to each other mutually. Though we may live in different vessels, we are experiencing the same storm of sin; it’s just that we are affected in different ways. God desires us to grow and reflect His character, and we can do so through our daily interactions with those made in His image, for we are all made in His image and bear His likeness.

When we lock away our fellowship and refuse to interact with individuals with various disabilities, the church is no longer as effective as it could be. The church loses its Christ-centered distinctiveness when it is unable to see Christ in each person. It seems we have forgotten that when we are in heaven, Jesus will continue to bear the scars of a crucified body and that for time and eternity, as we see our Savior, we will view the marred yet precious body of our Lord. If we cannot fellowship and look upon those with disabilities here on earth, how can we be so sure that we will look upon Christ, who bears the hallmarks of visible disabilities upon His body? Another way of putting it is how can we love God, whom we have not seen, if we don’t know how to love those we see?

Each time I come across someone with a disability, I have a deep admiration for what I can learn from them. Through my continued interaction, I have grown in my emotional intelligence, and I’m learning more about the love of God. I am also learning to be more patient with myself and with others and I’m constantly learning from some of the greatest of Christ’s disciples as we journey through life together.

—Shaun Brooks, DMin, pastors the All Nations Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lilburn, Georgia. He also serves as the Possibilities Ministry Coordinator for Georgia-Cumberland Conference. Republished by permission from North American Division Ministerial Association Best Practices for Evangelism Newsletter post, November 11, 2022. Photo by Zhuo Cheng You of Unsplash.

08 Jan

ADVENTHEALTH CASTLE ROCK EARNS 2024 LEAPFROG TOP HOSPITAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING QUALITY AND SAFETY

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AdventHealth – Castle Rock, Colorado … Highlighting its nationally recognized achievements in patient safety and quality, AdventHealth Castle Rock has been named a top hospital by The Leapfrog Group. The Leapfrog Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most competitive awards American hospitals can receive.

The top hospital designation is awarded by The Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization of employers recognized for setting the highest standards in healthcare quality and safety.

“Providing high quality, clinical care is the core of our business,” said AdventHealth Castle Rock President and CEO, Michelle Fuentes. “I want our community to know they can feel confident trusting us with their care and if we just happen to be one of the best in the nation, that is the cherry on top!”

Nearly 2,400 hospitals nationwide were evaluated for the award, with only 134 selected, placing AdventHealth Castle Rock among the top 94% of hospitals in the United States. Additionally, AdventHealth Castle Rock received an ‘A’ hospital safety grade from the Leapfrog Group in November.

“We take our responsibility to provide excellent care very seriously, and I am proud of our brilliant team for receiving this recognition in addition to the ‘A’ safety grade from the Leapfrog Group in November,” said Fuentes. “This is a major step toward becoming the preeminent faith based, consumer-focused hospital in the areas as we continue on our mission to extend Christ’s healing ministry.”

The quality of patient care across many areas of hospital performance is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including infection rates, practices for safer surgery, maternity care and the hospital’s capacity to prevent medication errors. The rigorous standards are defined in each year’s Top Hospital Methodology.

To qualify for the distinction, hospitals must rank top among peers on the Leapfrog Hospital Survey, which assesses hospital performance on the highest standards for quality and patient safety and achieve top performance in their category. To see the full list of institutions honored as 2024 Top Hospitals, visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.

—AdventHealth. Republished with permission from the AdventHealth Castle Rock The Newsroom website. Photo supplied.

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