Blog

By Craig Carr

Beginning in the fall of 2014, the Rocky Mountain Conference initiated a process with congregational leaders in cooperation with their pastors to gather feedback and communicate ministry plans for 2015. This yearly procedure has already produced many wonderful results, such as clarity of mission and objectives, as well as improving communication between pastors, church leaders, and conference leadership.

The objectives of the planning and evaluation process include prayer, healthy dialogue, and clarity of purpose. Not only is it important that the pastors and church leaders evaluate how things are going, but the intentionality of this dialogue has helped produce clarity regarding who is responsible for what.

The mission and purpose of a congregation resides in both the pastor’s role and the board’s role in accomplishing agreed-upon goals. Of supreme importance to this entire process is the time spent in prayer in which pastors, church leaders, and conference leaders are praying for the Spirit’s guidance. The evaluation process helps all involved to understand the question, “Where have we been?” while the planning process helps identify, “Where do we go from here?”

Evaluation: A Process of Review and Affirmation

Initiated by the Ministerial Department, church board members (either through the board chair or head elder) are sent a packet of evaluation forms to be completed by each board member. For simplicity and comparability, questions are answered on a 1 (disagree) – 5 (agree) scale and the forms are returned to the ministerial department to be tallied.

The following is a breakdown of the 31 evaluation questions:

The first ten are designed as a self-evaluation tool for individual board members and their perceptions of their congregations. Questions are related to the individual’s church involvement and the overall direction of their church.

The next nine questions regard the effectiveness of the involvement and support of the Rocky Mountain Conference. This feedback is helpful to conference leaders on specific ways in which the churches may be better served.

The final 11 questions serve as an evaluation of the pastor. Leaders rate their perceptions of their pastor’s ministry effectiveness, from prayer and preaching to leadership and training.

The evaluation form allows for general comments to be written that also proved insightful.

The evaluation process would be incomplete without the voice of the pastor. Each pastor completes a set of self- evaluation questions that include the same 11 questions their board members complete. The average of the board member’s responses and the pastor’s self-assessment are com- pared and discussed with the pastor. These comparisons have been helpful to identify areas in which the pastor’s self-perception may differ from that of the leaders.

“I really appreciate the evaluation process implemented by RMC,” comments Pastor Blake Jones of the Twin Peaks (Louisville) and Vista Fellowship (Longmont) churches. “While knowing how the pastor and congregation truly feel may be uncomfortable, it does help facilitate a healthier relationship between churches, pastors and the conference.”

Ed Barnett, RMC president, says that he is sold on the idea of evaluations. “Evaluations are great tools to get feed- back on how the local church, pastor or conference are doing. As we discussed evaluations with the pastors, nearly all came away encouraged. And if there were areas that showed that they needed growth, we were able to help them with additional assignments. I feel that it has raised the bar for our congregations, ministers, and the conference itself.”

Commenting further, Barnett says that having annual evaluations will further strengthen ministry and mission. “Turning in evaluations every year not only looks at what is happening in the immediate period, but even five years out. I believe that due to that process this year we have had more requests for evangelism budgets as churches have begun to take their mission perhaps more seriously.”

Planning: A Time to Unite in Mission and Purpose

The Ministerial Department sends planning documents to each pastor who then facilitates discussion and agreement with local church leaders on plans for the up-coming calendar year. Plans include the local church’s top ministry priorities, activities and events planned for spiritual nurture, leadership training, as well as outreach and evangelistic efforts.

While most churches already make plans each year, the added challenge of creating a five-year strategy helps pastors and church leaders see a longer view of the impact of the yearly activities, providing a lengthier trajectory and greater sense of purpose. With ministry plans comes the need for resources, so it is at this point that pastors make their church’s financial requests known for evangelism for the coming year.

The plans submitted by each pastor are reviewed by conference administration and direct the conversation at the pastor’s annual review with the ministerial director and member(s) of administration. This meeting with the pastor takes place toward the end of the year, reflecting on the current year using the feedback provided and discussing together the plans for the coming year which were created by the pastor and local church leaders.

On a personal note, I have found this process to be very affirming of the many things our pastors are doing well in pastoral leadership. It has also been helpful to review the honest feedback from leaders to help identify specific areas that need improvement.

With goals of providing healthy dialogue between pastors, church leaders and conference leadership, this yearly process has already proven to be a useful tool. It is our hope that clear and consistent communication, clearly defined goals and strategies, and healthy accountability at all levels can produce a united effort in ministry, “according to the effective working by which every part does its share, caus(ing) growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:16)

–Craig Carr is RMC ministerial director.

By Agape Hammond

Mile High Academy will hold a grand opening celebration welcoming students to its new location for the 2015-2016 school year on August 16, 2015. However, before that can happen, there is work to be done.

Currently the roof renovation, a four-phase project, is underway. Soon the interior of the school will receive a whole new makeover. All this is part of a carefully outlined remodel and expansion plan that will bring the property into the 21st century. This will be a school worthy of both our excellent academic standards and the students who walk the halls daily.

The new site, nine miles south of the current location, is in the Highlands Ranch community. After 65 years in its current Denver location, MHA is excited to explore the south Denver area.

The move is intended to provide an opportunity for growth while continuing to provide students excellence in Christ-centered education. There is already an atmosphere of anticipation.

Alexis, a sophomore who will be making the move with us in the fall spoke excitedly about what MHA has meant to her. “I’m not just a number here. I have students and teachers that want me to grow. They challenge me.”

She went on to say that she is excited for the move.

“There will be opportunity for growth. I can’t wait to go to a newer facility, a place where we can expand. And the view— it’s a prettier view.”

Have we mentioned the views from the new location? Looking out the large panoramic lobby windows reminds us again of how much we have been blessed.

The principal, Toakase Vunileva, says, “What an exciting time to watch God move! Every step of the way, I have watched God open doors for the future and the continued growth of excellence at MHA. We read stories about miracles that are both past and present and we may think to ourselves, ‘That’s amazing but it’s never happened to me.’ When we celebrate the opening of our new school, it will be because God saw fit to make it happen and we were tools in the process. What a testimony to the faithfulness of our great God!”

The future of Mile High Academy has been a vision in the making since 2008. From planning to prayer to the hard work and determination of leaders, board members and parents, this is an opportunity that has long been anticipated. We look forward to another hundred years of Christ-centered education through God’s leading.

–Agape Hammond is marketing director at Mile High Academy.

By Barbara Parrott

Rocky Mountain Conference staff members, along with other friends and family, continue to remember the legacy of Gerry Chapman, director of trust services. Born and raised in Loma Linda, CA, he spent more than 43 years in pastoral ministry in Iowa, Colorado, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois.

His pastoral ministry continued even as director of trust services for the Rocky Mountain Conference, beginning in 1997, when he served as interim pastor for Denver South Church and as a Sabbath School teacher and membership clerk. He considered it a privilege and an honor to serve.

A memorial service was held February 7, 2015 at Denver South Church where he held membership during his sojourn in Colorado. Gerry was honored for his many years of faithful service, which continued in spite of his own battle with illness.

His colleagues have commented on the strength he showed, never missing a day of work until his last two weeks. “It was apparent to all of his co-workers,” shares Bill Hay, associate to Gerry, “that Gerry was a man of strict integrity. He placed faithfulness to his convictions and responsibilities ahead of everything else on earth. It mattered not what others thought, he would always remain true.”

Gerry’s pastor, Ramon Ulangca says, “Gerry’s legacy of service in the Rocky Mountain Conference was one of total commitment and sacrifice for the cause of Christ and the welfare of His church. His quiet demeanor masked a steely resolve based on clear convictions that consistently guided every decision he made. As a pastoral colleague and friend, I will always cherish the memory of his unwavering support and wise encouragement of my ministry.”

Rick and Joan Rosvall give an example of Gerry’s dedication to his clients: “Gerry was a very caring and out-of-the-ordinary servant.” He delivered comforting words at Joan’s mother’s funeral, performed our marriage ceremony and administered all four of our parents’ trusts. We can’t say enough great things about what this man did for us. Gerry was a beacon of light and we will always miss him.”

Gerry’s passing was a great loss for the staff of the Rocky Mountain Conference and an even greater loss for his family. Our prayers continue for those who survive him; his mother, Margaret Chapman; wife, Pat Chapman; daughter and son- in-law Jennifer and Eric Bishop; son and daughter-in-law Patrick and Emily Chapman; and grandchildren Ava, Olivia and Allison.

–Barbara Parrott is RMC director of property and trusts.

By Michele Stotz

The Voice of Prophecy ministry officially opened the doors of its new home in Loveland, Colorado, on April 9, 2015, following 86 years in California. This new location felt like a bit of a homecoming, since H.M.S. Richards—the ministry’s founder—spent his early years in Loveland.

Voice of Prophecy speaker/director Shawn Boonstra said that his leadership team searched across America for the ministry’s brand-new home. After narrowing down the search to 11 cities, one candidate rose to the top: Loveland. And the Voice of Prophecy’s deep history in the area helped to cement this choice.

“I wish H.M.S. Richards were still alive to see that we’ve not only found a new home, but in a way, we’ve brought his ministry back home,” said Boonstra.

A Rich History

Richards and his family moved to Colorado when he was five, and the state made such an impression on him that he would become nostalgic later in life at the sight of the majestic Rocky Mountains.

For a time, his father, H.M.J. Richards, was pastor of the West Denver Church, and even received a speaking lesson from Ellen G. White after she heard one of his sermons and was concerned that he was straining his voice. His father later became vice president of the Colorado Conference— now the Rocky Mountain Conference—and the entire family was deeply involved in the church’s early days in this area.

Richards’ grandparents owned a farm on the outskirts of Loveland, so the family spent a lot of time there prior to building their own home in Loveland.

Education was also important to the family, and Richards’ father founded East Colorado Academy, which later became Campion Adventist Academy. Richards was one of the school’s first graduates, and today its elementary school bears his name.

These early years in Colorado stoked Richards’ passion for evangelism. While assisting and attending local evangelistic meetings, he made a decision to dedicate his life to Jesus, and in 1907 was baptized by his father in Lake Loveland. A few years later, he preached his first sermon  in Fort Lupton, just north of Denver. Of course, that was just the beginning, but it laid the groundwork for a ministry that now reaches around the world with the Good News of Christ’s soon coming.

Looking to the Future

It was with this history in mind that the Voice of Prophecy opened its doors in Loveland and looked to the future with anticipation.

The dedication ceremony hosted more than 300 visitors and included leadership from the Rocky Mountain Conference, members of the local Chamber of Commerce and the community, and many church members—some of whom drove hours to attend the event.

“For our church in this region, the Voice of Prophecy is more than a place on the map,” said Ed Barnett, president of the Rocky Mountain Conference. “We are excited to officially welcome them as partners in mission.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was followed by tours of the facility, and attendees were excited to hear about ministry projects such as the weekly radio program, the ministry’s recent month-long series in Minneapolis, the DISCOVER Bible School, Bible distribution in the Arctic, and a humanitarian project that is rescuing young girls from human trafficking in India (watch a video about the project at vop.com/india).

“What better place than a city named ‘Loveland’ to tell the whole world about God’s love?” said Pastor Boonstra. “From behind these doors, people from around the planet will be listening!”

To learn more about the Voice of Prophecy’s ongoing projects, and to read Shawn and Jean Boonstra’s latest blog entries, visit vop.com.

–Michele Stotz is Voice of Prophecy director of public relations

The first-known Seventh-day Adventist in Colorado was a young girl who traveled across the Kansas plains in a covered wagon in the 1860s.* She found work in the home of a Denver family, eventually marrying a miner named Shaw. They made their home in Golden.

Others followed—Mrs. Amy Dartt, who came from the 1844 Movement and settled in Boulder, and Mrs. Cora M. Thayer (later Mrs. Cora M. Jones), a long-time member of the Longmont church who eventually settled in Georgetown.

These three women were lights among the scattered mining towns and ignited other flames in the region.

After Elder J. O. Corliss held tent evangelism meetings in Boulder in the late 1870s, a congregation was established in this Old West territory. Another was organized in Longmont in early 1880, quickly followed by another in Denver with 21 charter members and with E.R. Jones as pastor.

In 1872, James and Ellen White traveled to Colorado to enjoy its beautiful scenery and invigorating mountain air and to recoup their health. They stayed in a cabin at 11,000 feet and so enjoyed their time that, according to Boulder County records, they purchased a 320-acre tract, which became a retreat for the White family.

The General Conference encouraged the creation of city missions during the 1880s and several were established, among them a city medical mission and workingmen’s home, a rescue home for women, a Bible school, and vegetarian cafés in Denver and Colorado Springs. These cafes were flourishing as late as 1902.

The Colorado Conference was organized in1882 when the General Conference recognized enough interest. It included Northwest New Mexico’s San Juan County, an easier drive from Colorado than from Texas in the Texico Conference. It was reorganized February 8, 1981 when it merged with Wyoming Conference and became the Rocky Mountain Conference.

The current office location was opened January 1, 1958 on S. Downing Street across from Porter Adventist Hospital which had occupied its facility since 1930.

Today, the Rocky Mountain Conference is one of 601 world-wide local conferences and home to 17,642 Seventh- day Adventists. A part of the 1.2 million members comprising the North American Division, it is made up of 129 churches, companies and groups, two camp retreat centers, and 23 schools, which provide a Christian education to more than 800 students. [Carol Bolden]

*Information taken from “History of the Boulder Seventh-day Adventist Church” in the files of the Boulder Daily Camera, and Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, vol. 10.

By Greg Hodgson

Volunteers from the Adventist hospitals in Colorado have been extending the healing ministry of Christ not only locally, but also internationally. In 2016, Centura Health will celebrate 10 years since the founding of Global Health Initiatives, the medical mission arm of the current Adventist hospitals in the Denver metro-area.

The first volunteers left Colorado for Mugonero Adventist Hospital in Rwanda in January 2006. An orthopedic team from Avista Adventist Hospital led the charge, and was quickly followed by a medical mission team traveling to Nepal in February, and then to Peru in April. Since that time, nearly 1,200 volunteers have participated in these three projects, performing hundreds of free surgeries and seeing nearly 30,000 primary care patient visits. The projects are part of building a long-term relationship that promotes change and improvement of medical care overseas.

“The main objective of these medical mission projects is to build capacity at existing mission hospitals so that they can better serve their own communities,” comments Stephen King, vice president for mission and ministry at the Colorado hospital system. “We accomplish this through providing continuing medical education for local doctors and nurses, and through leadership training, strategic planning, financial management, and human resource development.” Additional support is provided through the provision of needed medical equipment and supplies, as well as some limited building projects.

“Adventist hospitals in the developing world were started by brave medical missionaries which normally had strong support from their home churches and the larger church organization,” says Greg Hodgson, director of Global Health Initiatives.

Hodgson explains that, “over time these hospitals were transferred to local leadership, which is important in developing national expertise, but unfortunately the international support and funding largely disappeared. But as the world church organization is no longer giving support to these facilities, others come to their aid. We are among the Adventist hospitals which have prospered in the United States and elsewhere, and we want to be involved.”

“We take pride in these global health programs,” adds Morre Dean, president of the south Denver group of Adventist hospitals. “Not only are we strengthening these mission hospitals, which are vital to the health of their communities, but we are also providing our own physicians and associates an opportunity to participate in a life-changing mission. With God’s blessing, this is truly a win-win situation for all involved.”

–Greg Hodgson is director of Global Health Initiatives for Centura Health.

If you were one of the visitors joining “A Journey to the Cross and Beyond,” an Easter commemoration at Campion Adventist Academy, you were likely stopped by Rodney Kelly, a horse centurion sporting an impressive Roman soldier’s garb and riding atop Smokey, his handsome horse. “Have you paid your taxes?” he asked. “Taxes are due on April 15,” I replied. “These are Roman taxes,” he sternly insisted. After responding that I already paid my tithe, he commanded me to “carry on” to Jerusalem.

Rodney was one of 65 re-enactors of a first-century interactive makeshift marketplace erected at Campion Academy, April 4-5, focused on “bringing Jerusalem to Loveland,” according to Dick Stenbakken, a member of the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church whose concept attracted nearly 900 visitors. “I am elated,” he said. “We had no idea what to expect. We planned for the first group to go through our marketplace at 3 o’clock on Sabbath afternoon and were overwhelmed by a crowd of 160 people.”

As a community event, visitors were encouraged to participate in a practical expression of love, which for many is the significance of Easter. The organizers invited visitors to make a contribution to the food pantry of the local community. After passing by the empty tomb, and before moving to the final stop of the experience in the multipurpose room of the church with refreshments and a display of first-century Roman artifacts and armor, visitors were pointed to a screen depicting a painting of the Second Coming of Jesus by Nathan Green. Assisting in the moment was Ardis Stenbakken, who approached visitors and simply asked, “Do you see yourself in this picture?”

A notable aspect of the event was the obvious engagement and cooperation of the Seventh-day Adventist community in the area. Hosted by the Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church, it brought five other churches into the organizing group. They included the Loveland Church, the Eden Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loveland, the Greeley Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Adventure Seventh-day Adventist Church in Windsor, and the Fort Collins Seventh-day Adventist Church. They are already looking forward to next year!

—Editor

By George Crumley

Tithe is what sustains mission in the Adventist church. It is because of tithe that pastors are able to bless their communities, and teachers are able to reach the hearts of young people. This mission is being carried forward day in and day out across this conference because of our workers’ committed efforts.

In 2012 and 2013, base tithe within the Rocky Mountain Conference was basically flat, meaning there was virtually no increase from one year to the next (base tithe excludes windfall tithes which are non-recurring amounts of tithe in excess of $50,000). This flat tithe created a deficit budget in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 because costs went up from inflationary pressures while budgeted tithe income did not increase. The good news is that even though we had budgeted deficits for these two years, our actual results for each year resulted in financial gains. This kept our working capital strong.

Additionally, in 2014, we had a healthy base tithe increase of 4.39%. This gave us increased dollars to use when preparing our 2015 budget, which resulted in a balanced budget for the conference this year. This enables us to continue to advance our mission of “Knowing Christ and Making Him Fully Known.”

So I want to express my deep appreciation to each of you for your faithfulness in returning your tithes and offerings, and also I want to thank the Lord who is the giver of “every good gift.”

–George Crumley is RMC vice-president for finance.

Have you read an Adventist book lately? Just in case you are looking for quality reading, the Rocky Mountain Conference Adventist Book Center (ABC) has an extensive selection to choose from, as many people have already discovered over the past year.

Suzanne Hafar, the store manager, has been pleased with the ABC’s performance. “Thank you for helping us make our first year as an independent store a successful one. At a time when bookstores struggle to survive, with God’s grace, your dedication to support our store and a lot of hard work, we were able to pay our bills in 2014.”

This summer offers an even greater than usual incentive to visit the store. Its camp meeting sale takes place on Sunday, July 5 (10am-2pm). All canned Worthington, Loma Linda and Caroline’s foods are on sale, so be sure to stock up!

If you are unable to visit the store in Denver, it will be loading a truck and heading out to camp meetings later this summer. Visit the mobile store at Mills Spring Ranch for Wyoming camp meeting (July 14-18), or on the Campion Academy campus (July 24-26).

There are also other ways to shop: online (www.adventistbookcenter.com), by phone (1.800.254.9687, ext 628), or through email ([email protected]). The ABC ships everything but frozen food, so phone, order online or send an email, and Suzanne and her staff will do their best to meet your needs. In fact, they see this as their primary mission!

“Unlike other stores that believe it’s all about money, our mission is to spread the gospel of Jesus so that we can all finally go home,” Suzanne says.

For many Seventh-day Adventists who are planning to attend the 2015 General Conference session in San Antonio, Texas, a few things may be guaranteed. First, it is expected that the weather will be hot. Perhaps equally, the anticipated agenda may bring moments of heated debate. This world global convocation of believers is a long-anticipated opportunity to celebrate the church’s culture, values and recommitment to mission. It is a church business session, but also a spiritual feast.

Apart from the expected visitors from four corners of the globe, nearly 2,600 delegates officially representing the church membership will engage in a “voting marathon,” so-called by a colleague of mine. This year voting will be done electronically.

Several features of the upcoming 60th session, to be held July 2-11, include the election of top church leadership for the next quinquennium. The session agenda includes proposed changes to the Church Manual, as well as to the fundamental beliefs. Much anticipation comes with an agenda item on the ordination of women to the gospel ministry. The delegates will be asked to vote “Yes” or “No” regarding whether “it is acceptable for division executive committees, as it may deem it appropriate in their territories, to make provision for the ordination of women to the gospel ministry”. The proposal comes after several years of study by a Theology of Ordination Study Committee (TOSC).

Much time during the session will be devoted to “state of the church” reports by the General Conference church leadership, and by each of the church’s 13 world regions, representing a growing body of 18 million believers. For many attendees—perhaps as many as 65,000 on two weekends—the session will mean meeting old friends and making new ones. Much time and resources will also be spent at the Adventist exhibits—a market place of resources from the world of Adventism, its ministries and entities.

As the General Conference in session is the highest church legislative body, it goes without saying, all Seventh-day Adventists are being asked to commit the convocation and its deliberations to prayer. Keeping the session in our prayers is—many will agree—an Adventist way of expressing our belief in God’s leadership among His people until the return of Jesus.

—Editor