RMCNews Page 6

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … “When I was 18 years old, I took an interest survey in college that said I should be a funeral director. When you’re 18, you don’t want to hear that. I joked and laughed about it. But, you know, here I am, at the end of my career, working with wills and trusts and helping people plan for their legacy. The interest survey was probably right back then,” Mary Lynn Green, RMC’s new director of planned giving and trust services, said.

Mary Lynn Green, the fourth child of a railroader and nursing assistant, grew up in small-town America in Missouri. She recalls the town having around 2000 people and two main schools–a public and a Catholic school–both around the same enrollment.  Green adds, “We were not rich in material things, but I never grew up thinking anything but that I had a very good life.”

Her mother, she says, was an Adventist, while her father wasn’t. Later, in life he was baptized into the church, which created a unique family situation. She sees this as an asset in her current role when dealing with blended families of all types.

Green describes her new role as, “giving folks peace of mind by helping them plan for their future and [to] understand where they are today, where they want to be in the future, and even as they pass away.”

As director, Green is honored to lead a department that provides these services free of charge. Many conferences do not offer this. “It is a service of our church to the Rocky Mountain Conference constituents. There is no fee for doing the work that we do.”

She explains that even though planned giving and trust services deals with financial aspects of everyday life, they are doing ministry.

“We always think of what we do as a ministry. The relationships that we build with the constituents who reach out for our services are our utmost priority. We represent the church, and we aim to send the message, ‘We care about you. You are part of our church family.’ And we’ll continue to do what we’re doing as a service, developing relationships, listening to people, encouraging them, praying with them.”

Green added that planned giving and trust services helped individuals stay connected during the recent pandemic. “During the pandemic, Matt Moreland [associate director / field representative] spent hours on the phone. People were lonely, isolated. They needed to know that the church cared. By providing this service and by building relationships, we want people to know that we care and this is their church.”

After serving under two previous directors, Green plans to lead the department with an emphasis on grace while expanding technology use. “I think for me, my focus is grace. We make mistakes. We’ve all experienced the grace of the Supreme, and I believe in extending grace. I love the team that I work with. There is no division between me and the team. We’re all a team. We all work as a team. Out of the [previous] two directors, I probably have the most technological focus. As much as anything else, it’s the experience I have and the times we live in.” She looks forward to leading the department in visiting as many churches as possible.

Green is interested in visiting the vast territory of RMC including parts of Wyoming where she lived for a time. “We had the privilege of living in Northern Wyoming for five years and we loved Wyoming, but we didn’t get over to the Eastern side of the state. The same for Colorado, I’ve been to the Western Slope a little bit but I haven’t been down to Alamosa, and I have not been to the churches in New Mexico. I would love to have the opportunity to stop and say hello to folks, share potluck, visit, and answer their questions.”

Green, with her husband, lives in Denver and spends her free time exercising and taking breaks to enjoy family time with her two sons who are in their early twenties.

Planned Giving and Trust Services is available to answer your questions. Please call 303-733-3771 or email [email protected]. If you would like to schedule a visit to your church from Mary Lynn Green or anyone from the department, please contact your pastor.

–RMCNews; photo by Jon Roberts

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Reinder Bruinsma, known to readers of RMC Mountain Views magazine as a contributing author, was appointed on April 26 by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands as knight of the Order of Oranje-Nassau. A surprise to him and his wife, Aafie, the news became a joyful surprise to many of his readers, colleagues, and friends around the world.

“My wife and I were more or less abducted to the town hall of Zeewolde, where we were received by Gerrit Jan Gorter, the mayor of our town,” Bruinsma shared to his blog readers. The mayor said the King was “pleased” to bestow this honor on him. “Because of Corona restrictions, he was not allowed to pin the decorations on me, but asked my wife Aafje to do so,” he commented.

Readers of Mountain Views recognize Dr. Bruinsma’s name for his regular contributions in which he comments on issues and developments in the international church. He has served the Seventh-day Adventist Church in publishing, education, and church administration on three continents, including as secretary of Trans-European Division and president of the Netherlands Union. A prolific writer, Bruinsma has authored numerous books, the latest of which is I Have a Future: Christ’s Resurrection and Mine.

“Our contact and ensuing friendship date back to the 1980s when we were engaged in the publishing ministry in Europe,” Rajmund Dabrowski, editor of Mountain Views, recalled. “Listing Reinder’s church positions would be rather futile, though including communication is more than appropriate as he was appointed director of communication of the Trans-European Division, a position I vacated in 1994.”

Dabrowski added, “My endearment to Reinder includes his love of life, his honesty in the way he expresses his views, all laced with a dry sense of humor.”

“For me it became obvious that we should invite Reinder to write for our magazine. We are blessed to share in his thinking and in his scholarly approach to issues which we often talk about. He challenges the church to stay in the conversation,” Dabrowski shared.

Hearing about Bruinsma recognition, Ed Barnett, RMC president, commented, “That is amazing. I am proud of my Dutch brother. We are blessed to be ministered to by Reinder Bruinsma in the Rocky Mountain Conference on such a regular basis. Congratulations, Brother Bruinsma.”

The Order of Oranje-Nassau was established in 1892, to honor Dutch citizens in the Kingdom of the Netherlands (including the islands in the Caribbean), who have “rendered exceptional service to society.” The Mayor acknowledged that, “the work of the church is also very much part of society,” Bruinsma commented.

 He further added, “I will have to explain to my foreign friends that being a “knight” in this Dutch order does not have the same meaning as receiving a “knighthood” in England, and that they do not suddenly have to address me as “Sir.”

 —RMCNews; Facebook photo.

RMCNews with MHA and BAA communication – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … “It was fun to play [basketball] because we got to make new friends,” remarked Irene, Brighton Adventist Academy (BAA) sixth-grader on two Adventist schools uniting to worship and enjoy a friendly game of basketball between middle schoolers on April 17.

The evening began with a devotional thought by Walter Weber, MHA middle school teacher who encouraged the gathered students to remember social media doesn’t love them and to remember to listen to the people who do love you.

“Middle schoolers have a lot of voices telling them what to do. It can be confusing for them. I wanted to remind them to listen to the really important voices–the ones that love them–God and their parents being the most important among them,” Weber commented.

The activities, organized by both school administrations and athletic departments as well as MHA’s middle school coach Kurt Fesler, included a friendly co-ed basketball competition followed by a close game between Brighton’s middle school boys’ team versus MHA’s middle school A-team.

The students enjoyed the “normal” evening. “We’ve only been able to play one other game this season due to COVID,” said Logen, MHA middle school student. “It was fun hosting another school and playing basketball again in our gym.”

Remarking on the friendly competition, Gizelle, BAA seventh-grader said, “I enjoyed playing with Mile High Academy because I love basketball. It was fun because it was an official game and not just playing basketball with my classmates at school.”

Jodie Aakko, BAA Principal, was thankful for the event. “Thank you, Mile High Academy, for inviting us to play basketball. [It was] a great evening to celebrate our students’ abilities, youthfulness, and great sportsmanship. Great job students—you used your teamwork, just like coach Morrison taught you!”

Students will remember the time together and the chance to get acquainted with new friends. “It’s always fun playing basketball, but this evening was great because it was more [than] just a game. It was a time to get to meet new friends and life felt a little more normal,” said Logen.

— RMCNews with MHA and BAA communication; photos by Jodie Aakko

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … Following the formal announcement by Ed Barnett, RMC president, about his retirement at the end of August, the RMC Executive Committee on April 13, was also informed of a suggested process for electing a new president.

Gary Thurber, Mid-American Union Conference president, reported on the process of selecting the next president. Constitutionally, the Executive Committee is responsible to fill officer vacancies between constituency sessions. Timing of the retirement means that the Conference is neither in a rush nor at leisure to fill the position, it was explained.

Thurber asked all members for suggestions of attributes desired in the next president as well as names they wished to be considered. He is planning to meet with the committee at the June 15 meeting to share those attributes and names.

It was noted that the committee may choose to have a special meeting in July to begin the voting process or wait until the regularly-scheduled August meeting. Since best information comes from references rather than interviews, it was suggested that only the top candidate be formally interviewed by the committee, rather than the top three or four with elimination based on the interviews.

There was general committee consensus to wait until the June 15 session to vote on the details of the process.

In general RMC ministry reports, Campion Academy principal Don Reeder reported on ongoing student recruitment for the 2021-2022 school year. He expressed appreciation for the special funds provided by the Conference.

Mickey Mallory reported that he met with a team at Campion Academy about the formation of a Ministerial Club with an aim to give practical experience to students in functions of ministry, helping them to consider whether they have a ministerial calling.

Reporting on current developments in education, Diane Harris, RMC director of education, said that the Conference support to all schools was a big morale boost. The Glenwood Springs church school is re-opening for the 2021-2022 school year. She informed the committee that Mile High Academy is meeting with local pastors about financial and other support and is pleased with the response as ten churches have pledged support.

The Executive Committee voted to form a committee to give study to a policy that would make every church within a certain distance of the school a constituent of MHA. The policy may serve as a model for other area schools within RMC. Commenting on the proposed action, Don Reeder expressed concern over how this might affect CAA recruiting, and that the committee might address that as well.

Presenting the current financial state of RMC finances, George Crumley, RMC vice-president for finances, said total tithe through the month of February was down by 2.38% while the base tithe, which we budget, was up 5.27%. “So far, through February, the operating fund is tracking better than what was anticipated. Much of this is related to some expenses that have not occurred yet relative to the budget. As we progress through this fiscal year, we will incur those expenses and thus track much closer to what we budgeted for,” he said.

Crumley also informed committee members that the Lifestyle Center is exploring the possibility of having a lifestyle physician come on board who would function as an independent contractor in association with the center for consultation regarding a person’s health and how lifestyle choices can make improvements. If this arrangement can be met, it would be funded by fees and donations, Crumley explained. The committee voted to appoint Dr. Tim Arnot as Lifestyle Specialist Physician for the Denver’s Lifestyle Center, with the cost being met by fees he will charge supplemented by donations for up to three years.

The committee also voted to appoint Matthew Moreland to the newly created position of Corporate Real Estate Manager, which shall have signing authority for real property only at the level of the association secretary and association treasurer.

The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2021.

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

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