08 Apr

COMMENTARY – WHERE IS THE HOPE?

By Ardis Stenbakken–Here in Loveland, a young man, Max Moree, working on his Eagle Scout project, refurbished a huge star that had deteriorated on a hillside and was no longer lit. It is generally lighted only at Christmas, but has been lighted before during crises–the Iran hostage crisis and September 11, 2001. Now it is lighted again as a beacon of hope for the Loveland residents during the pandemic. To give hope. But is that really where hope comes from?

Hope. We have hope: hope that this COVID-19 will soon be over. Hope that we can meet again in worship. Hope that the kids will be able to go back to school, hope that there will once again be childcare, and hope that our school seniors will be able to have a graduation ceremony.

But that is not really the hope I am talking about. I am talking about having hope even if these things don’t happen for a very long time, or even at all.

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalms 31:24). That is where the real hope lies. Hope for those struggling with kids stuck in the house, for those who worry about family members in the health profession, for those who are sick. Hope as you feed your family and pay the mortgage. “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God (Psalm 42:11).

Ardis Stenbakken writes from Loveland, Colorado, where she is a member of Campion Seventh-day Adventist Church. She is a former Women’s Ministry director of the General Conference; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

07 Apr

FOR YOUTH – CONNECTION THROUGH THE SCREEN

By Jessyka Dooley–Denver, Colorado … As COVID-19 sweeps the country, we’ve all experienced normal life descend into a world of online and virtual connection. From work to school to social hour, people are connecting through screens rather than in person. Find here what is available to our RMC young people:

HIGH SCHOOL VESPERS – At Campion and Mile High academies, school leaders and administration are now hosting live, Friday evening vespers for their students. Taking place at 6 p.m. MST, the academy vespers programs allow students to connect with their own schools in a positive and engaging way despite being spread out across Colorado and the country. Students tuning in to their school’s vespers receive worship, a message, and important announcements that help keep everyone united during this time apart.

Immediately following the MHA and Campion programs, the MVMNT hosts an engaging and dynamic service built upon the idea that social interaction and connection do not need to stop in a time of social distancing. Last week, participants tuned in at 7:30 p.m. MST to enjoy good conversation and a game (two rooms and a Zoom) before a short worship thought. You may be thinking, how can we play a game over Zoom? Guess you’ll need to join this coming Friday to find out! Email Pastor J. Murdock ([email protected]) for the Zoom link and password.

RMC YOUTH HOSTS WEEKLY “YOUTH LEADERS” ZOOM MEETING – In the age of COVID-19 and virtual ministry, churches and schools alike have dropped their perceived boundary lines to minister as one.

For the past three weeks, youth pastors and leaders from around the conference have connected via Zoom to discuss what virtual ministry looks like specifically for kids, teens, and young adults in the Rocky Mountain Conference. Familiar and new faces alike have joined these meetings to gain insight, ideas, and resources to benefit growth in their local contexts.

Collaborations that began long ago are now bursting with opportunity as leaders across the conference seek this new opportunity to run Bible studies, Connect Groups, and Sabbath Schools together.

The plan for 2021 has been to run a Greater Summit: Leaders for those involved in youth ministry across the conference. We’ve seen a silver lining to this global pandemic in that it has jump-started the collaboration process. Leaders from across the conference are able to connect, share, and collaborate on ministry ideas and events together. There is no more “my kids” and “your kids” because right now they are all “our kids” and we want the absolute best for them during this crazy time.

If you are a youth leader in your local church, school, or community, and would like to be part of this weekly meeting, contact Jessyka Dooley ([email protected]) for the Zoom link and password.

Jessyka Dooley is RMC associate youth director; photo by Harry Cunningham at Unsplah

07 Apr

Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center: Resources and Support

By Rick Mautz–Denver, Colorado … The Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center, a department of the Rocky Mountain Conference, has been very active during this health crisis, working to bring you helpful information.  You can access this information from www.rmlc.online by looking for specific pages devoted to COVID-19 with the labels “COVID-19” and “Daily BOOST”.

While the media has clearly presented instructions on avoiding exposure, a critical part of your protection, our purpose is to help you know how to build up your immune system, an area seldom presented by the media. Even after a vaccine is developed, the primary player in this battle will be your immune system.  If or when you are exposed to this virus, a strong immune system can react quickly to fight off this invader.  With a compromised immune system, the virus multiples more quickly and can gain the upper hand before the body can detect its presence and begin the fight.

We are fortunate to live in a time of advanced medical care and practices, but we must not forget the critical role each of us can play in maintaining health and fighting disease.  I encourage you to maintain a balanced approach to health, which includes an understanding of the power of lifestyle and things you can do for yourself that, in most cases, cost you nothing.

When we discover and implement the things we can do for ourselves, we lessen the fear and stress that weakens our immune system.  Active stress (doing something to improve our condition) is known to improve the immune system, while passive stress (fear of something we have no control over) weakens our immune system.

Take advantage of the lifestyle support on our website and remember these few steps.

  • Stress less with trust in God,
  • Get outside for fresh air, sunlight, activity while exploring God’s creation,
  • Eat a whole plant food diet while not overeating,
  • Drink plenty of water and try a daily hot and cold shower,
  • Reach out and support others by phone or other media,
  • Get plenty of rest.

Make this a time to build your health not only for this health crisis but for a happier and healthier life after it passes.

Rick Mautz is RMC health ministries director. Rocky Mountain Lifestyle Center is part of RMC.

07 Apr

Connecting With Seniors – Quarantine is not the last word.

By Stephen Chavez for Adventist Review

By now they’re familiar: video images of people—neighbors, families, coworkers—showing up outside someone’s window to offer well-wishes, and, in one case, to celebrate the 100th birthday of a woman who was isolated because of the COVID-19 virus. These are extraordinary times for all of us, but for seniors it’s especially challenging.

My 92-year-old dad lives in a retirement community on the opposite side of the country from where I live. When I contacted him a few weeks ago for our weekly visit via Facetime, his first words were: “I’ve been quarantined!”

Compared to many, my dad is in a good place. True, he’s supposed to stay in his one-bedroom apartment. And when he walks the hall (to get his mail, for example), he’s supposed to stay at least six feet away from anyone he might meet. But his meals are delivered to his room in disposable containers and left on a stool just outside his door three times day; someone comes to clean his apartment once a week; and he’s been assured that the facility’s employees are monitored to make sure that none of them carry the coronavirus.

But the facility has temporarily banned outside visitors, and forbidden its residents from going outside, where they might be exposed to the virus.

For a guy who’s used to visiting with friends in the dining room, participating in weekly Bible studies and vesper services, going on outings to shop, and taking the shuttle to church once a week, he finds this rather confining.

We can only imagine the hardships encountered by other families. I know a woman who now finds herself unable to visit her husband of more than 60 years. The woman’s husband, in the final stages of Parkinson’s disease, is descending into advanced dementia. She worries that he will not understand her failure to make her usual daily visits. The very idea that he should pass away alone, without her having a chance to say goodbye, causes her sleepless nights.

Some facilities allow families to visit those in hospice care. But many patients linger, well enough to be cheered by family members or friends who are now prohibited from visiting.

We understand that these are unprecedented times and conditions. When we reflect that some of the largest concentrated outbreaks of the disease have been in facilities that house seniors, we have to appreciate the somewhat severe measures being taken.

But what can we do? Is there no recourse other than to just stand by and watch it happen?

We can act.

First, we can support those whose concern about a loved one they can’t visit is palpable. With phone calls, e-mails, and cards, we can communicate our solidarity with them in their struggle. But instead of offering trite clichés, let’s provide willing ears to listen to their fears without judgment. More than advice, such individuals need empathy and someone to lean on.

Second, if those in isolation are cogent and functional, we can send cards and make phone calls. Situations vary from person to person, but opportunities to extend the love of Christ in some form or fashion are available for those willing to think outside the box.

Third, we can orchestrate some public demonstration—a mini-concert, pep rally, or exhibition—in front of a window where those who are confined can enjoy the spectacle. Always obey the instructions of local health officials regarding groups and distances, but COVID-19 is no match for community spirit.

In a few weeks or months we’ll be on the other side of this crisis. Let’s make sure that, as far as possible, we all make it through together.

Stephen Chavez is assistant editor of the Adventist Review

“This article was originally published on AdventistReview.org

06 Apr

PASTORAL LEADERSHIP IN A PANDEMIC

Message from Daniel R Jackson 

Columbia, Maryland … Pastors, I want to express appreciation to each of you for what you are doing to support people in your communities through this stressful unprecedented pandemic.

COVID-19 has impacted every church in the North American Division including yours. The North American Division and the General Conference are abiding by the directions of governments to protect the health and safety of citizens. We have gone virtual and we ask you to do the same.

This is a moral and ethical issue.  Social distancing, shelter in place, and bans on public gatherings are not religious freedom issues, rather they are public health issues.  It doesn’t exercise common sense when some churches put people’s health and life at risk by continuing to violate government health orders. We need to do all we can to participate in the protection of the health and safety of those around us including ourselves.

Yet in the fog of this crisis loom great ministry opportunities. I am simply thrilled at the creativity and agility of our pastors as you and your congregations are discovering how to meet the needs of your community.  You are leaving notes on the doors of your neighbors asking if they need help. You have opened up food distribution centers. I believe in future days your congregations will find even more safe, innovative, and compassionate ways to be the virtual hands and feet of Jesus.

Please know that I am praying that God will bless you. These are difficult times and you know the saying ‘that when the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ And God will bless your leadership as you place your hand in His and continue to innovate for the cause.

Daniel L. Jackson is President of the North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Editor’s note: This article is an excerpt from a live presentation that Dan Jackson gave to pastors during the March 27 ‘Ministry in a Pandemic’ virtual conference. It was first published in Best Practices in Adventist Ministry. You can view the entire presentation here.

06 Apr

RMC PASTORAL MINISTRY IN TIME OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

By Mickey Mallory–Denver, Colorado … While some things have been suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ministry for our RMC pastors continues, albeit, done differently. Below are some examples of the innovation of our pastors during this trying time.

Mark Monreal from the Riverton District in Wyoming says that to stay connected with his members, he calls them, sends text messages, and invites them to connect through Facebook. He posts live worship services online and he and his family can be seen leading out in song. One of their biggest challenges, he says, is helping the elderly members who need support and supplies. To care for them, he calls to ask what help he can provide and then coordinates with members who are able to help them. Several of his members are attending to the needs of people in their community. They raised funds to provide food supplies for members in the Philippines, which included nearly 40 families and 25 students.

When asked what encouraging words he has for his fellow brothers and sisters living in RMC, he said, “This crisis may have caused social distancing, but it has also brought us closer to other people around the world and it gives us an opportunity to spread more of God’s Word.”

Juan Estrada from the Colorado Springs Hispanic District shared that he calls his members, sends them messages of hope, and prays for them. He records sermons for online viewing for Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In addition, he organizes a prayer conference on Wednesdays and Sundays. The biggest challenge facing his members right now is keeping the faith and not losing hope. He encourages them to hang in there because he believes with much encouragement, and lots of faith and hope that the pandemic will soon end, and they will be able to worship together again. His Colorado Springs Church is involved in a plan to provide help to the homeless through their food bank. They are currently providing food on the first Saturday of each month to a group of 200 people in a shelter in Colorado Springs.

Wilmer Martinez from the Pagosa Springs Hispanic District in Colorado calls his members to see how they’re doing and if they need anything. He lets them know he is there for them in these uncertain times. Despite wanting to see them in person, he reminds them often of the importance of staying home. One of his biggest challenges is in the area of communication. Since not all of his members are familiar with technology, he does meetings using both Zoom and phone call, so both groups’ needs can be met. He encourages his members to check on their neighbors.

When asked what encouraging words he has for his fellow brothers and sisters living in RMC, he says, “Jesus is coming soon and this all should pass, and soon we will be home with Him for eternity.”

Lester Bentley from the Sheridan District in Wyoming said that to stay connected with his members, he is talking with his elders three or four times a week and calling his members throughout the day. So far, among his five churches, he has probably talked to 70 per cent of his members, including a few who have not attended church in quite some time. Using his computer, he has started a midweek video devotional and a Friday night devotional which he calls Friday Sundown Worship.

One of his challenges is not having all of his members on Facebook. In order to help those who are not Facebook people, he set up a YouTube channel called Mountain View Sermons.  He uses this to teach Sabbath School each week. In order to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the communities he serves, his churches have helped members that need assistance buying or getting food and other necessary items. They have either supplied money or picked up the needed items and delivered them. Gillette has helped several individuals from the community. Sheridan and all five churches will be participating in the It Is Written online evangelistic series that is starting April 17.

His words of encouragement for RMC members are, “Perhaps what we are seeing is just the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps it will be the catalyst for sweeping changes in the world. Some for good and probably more that are not so good. But God has promised, “Lo I am with you always even until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). This promise is just as relevant for us today.”

Bob McAlpine from the Alamosa District in Colorado says he maintains connection with his members through social media and increased phone conversations. One of the challenges that he has experienced is keeping his church members together during the crisis. Video conferencing, phone calls, and email all help, but can’t replace physical presence. On top of that, some of his older members do not have the internet, which makes it harder to stay in touch. Fortunately, his elders have stepped up to reach out to the older or more vulnerable members as well as keeping in touch with one another and the rest of the congregation. In order to help those struggling in the community, he shared that members are supporting the local homeless shelter while others are actively participating in the public health response.

His message to RMC members is, “Even if this crisis took us by surprise, it has not caught God off guard. Our confidence does not come from health and prosperity in this life, but from the hope that we will share eternity with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit when Jesus returns and puts an end to sickness, sin, and death. Whether we are facing anxiety about health issues, financial issues, or political issues, let’s look to Jesus for peace and reassurance.”

Wayne Nazarenus from the Colorado Springs South Church District in Colorado shared that he makes a point to call and check on his members. On Sabbath, March 20, he called every church family in his two churches and read a Scripture and prayed with them by phone and they responded very positively. On top of this, his head elder in Trinidad set up a phone conference call for the worship service. He had 28 people call in and other family members were most likely listening on the speaker phone. This is almost twice the number of people who come to church on a Sabbath morning. A number of people called who are not able to attend church because of health and age.

About a week ago, he and his wife were walking in their neighborhood and noticed many cars around one of their elderly neighbor’s home. He talked with two of the young sons who were standing outside and found out that their mother had died. They are Catholic but appreciated him stopping and sharing his concern. They were trying to figure out how they could have a proper funeral. We have also visited outside with several other neighbors on our walks in the neighborhood.

These stories have a common thread – the pastors and church members are working together for ministry to continue during this difficult time.

While we wait for the glorious coming of Jesus Christ, may we all find ways to work together in our local church to advance His message of love and healing to a hurting world.

Mickey Mallory, RMC ministerial director; photo by Rajmund Dabrowski

02 Apr

DIGITAL RESOURCES: ONLINE WORSHIP TOOLS FROM ADVENTIST LEARNING COMMUNITY

Columbia, Maryland … The widespread closings experienced and calls for social distancing throughout the world due to COVID-19 are unprecedented.

But Matthew 18:20 reminds us that “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” We are in this together, and the Holy Spirit assures us we are never alone.

The church is not a building, it’s a people. And the Sabbath is not a destination, it’s a place in time that comes to everyone regardless of physical location. The North American Division has gathered and will continue to gather and produce new resources and content to help our church community come together for worship in the digital space.

Adventist Learning Community has created a portal with large collection of resources. Please check back regularly for updates.

See online worship tools now.

31 Mar

RMC Disaster Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Are you the light?

Denver, Colorado … I have always enjoyed teaching Kindergarten Sabbath School classes. The children are so excited to sing songs that have actions to them. Remember, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna’ let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!   Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m gonna’ let it shine.  Hide it under a bushel, No! I’m gonna’ let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Are you, are we as the church, letting our light shine or are we hiding our lights under a bushel? During a disaster–yes, a pandemic is a disaster–the Seventh-day Adventist Church through the Disaster Response team becomes a beacon in the impacted community. Today, our community, county, state, nation, and world are impacted by the pandemic. Even with social distancing being very necessary how can we, as a church, let our light shine?

The North American Division Community Services Department will be giving the Rocky Mountain Conference a one-time $25,000 grant to be used in purchasing food items for those in need. Does your church have a food pantry? Feed the homeless? Give out Senior boxes? If so, please contact Cathy Kissner at [email protected].

During World War II, homes that had loved ones serving or that were far from home, placed a lighted candle in the window. I have a candle in my window because we are called to be the light on the hill.   We are not to put our light under a bushel, nor to hide in a church building. Christ can lead you to know how and when to shine your light. Trust in Him to guide you and your church. Remember that prayer is the key that opens the door to your light shining.

Cathy Kissner; photo by Anuja Mary Tilj on Unsplash

30 Mar

Ministering to Children in Times of Coronavirus

This week, as I read news articles and had conversations about the challenges families are facing during the COVID-19 crisis, a concern that many shared is how to survive social distancing/self-isolation with young children. These articles and conversations have reminded me of the time when our family served as missionaries in Fiji.

When we first moved to Fiji, our daughters were just three and five years old, respectively, and I had undertaken to homeschool them. Aside from the social isolation of homeschooling in a foreign country, we also faced the isolation brought on by the rainy season, which sometimes kept us indoors for weeks and even months at a time. Here are some things I learned then that your family might find helpful now.

Start and Finish Your Day with God

Each morning, give thanks for all that is good in your life; read passages of Scripture that help calm your anxiety; and then ask God to give you all that you need — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:2223) — so that you can be the parent your children need.

Ask God also to help you remember to seize those moments when you fail as an opportunity for your family to learn about His amazing grace. Children don’t need a perfect parent. Instead, they need a parent who models humility by being willing to apologize and who models grace by offering and receiving forgiveness.

Each evening, reflect on your day and identify the moments when you experienced God’s presence; thank Him for those moments and for the things that went well; ask forgiveness for the things that didn’t go so well. Ask Him to give your children all that they need to grow in their experience of being loved unconditionally by their heavenly Father; and then ask Him to help you learn from your failures, to give grace to yourself, and then to move on.

I have often found comfort in these words: “We shall often have to bow down and weep at the feet of Jesus because of our shortcomings and mistakes, but we are not to be discouraged” (Ellen G. White, Manuscript 31, 1890).

Teach Your Children How to Connect with God

In times of fear and anxiety, children need parents to not just model their faith in God but also to help them connect with His providence in meaningful, age-appropriate ways. Here are some ideas on how to do this.

In early childhood (age 2-6)

Take your children on a quiet nature walk, asking them to keep their eyes and ears open and their mouths closed. Later, talk about what they saw and heard, reminding them of God as Creator. They can also look for an object while out walking that reminds them of God’s providence and then draw this object as a way of imprinting this lesson in their minds.

Play quiet sacred music, asking them to be still and listen. Then ask them what they heard, and talk about how the song described God as provider and protector.

Read simple Bible stories that focus on the love of God, connecting God’s love with yours.  Then encourage children to respond to the story by memorizing a short phrase, drawing a picture, creating something with modeling clay, or dictating a thank-you note to God.

In middle childhood (age 6-12)

Continue with the activities of early childhood but add Scripture memorizing. Choose Bible verses that speak to fear and anxiety, and help children think about how the verse applies to their feelings. Encourage them to memorize and write the verse and put it in their pocket, and to pull it out and read it when they feel afraid.

In later childhood and adolescence (13+)

By age 12 or 13, children begin to think about God and spirituality differently. Their task for this stage of development is to find God for themselves, which means they need to put what their parents taught them on a shelf for a little while. What they need from us as parents is that we understand the journey they are on and that we come alongside them in support. They need to see our faith as authentic — that it makes a difference in our lives, even in times of fear and stress, and that it provides meaning — that our faith offers answers to the difficult questions of life.

So what can we do?

Intentionally spend quiet time together. Pre-teens and young teens crave alone time with an adult. Go for a walk together in the early morning or evening, contemplating the dawn or the stars and listening for sounds, and reflect on God as Creator. These quiet times are also an opportunity to share something from your devotional time that morning.

Read small portions of Scripture together, slowly and reflectively, and talk about how they might apply to your children’s lives. Choose narrative passages that provide evidence of God’s providence in difficult times; Psalms that describe God’s sovereignty and goodness; and passages that speak directly to human fears and anxieties, such as Philippians 4:6-7.

Read biblical narrative/fictional stories together. If you’ve never read aloud to your children, or if you stopped when they learned to read for themselves, this time of social distancing may be an opportunity to begin a new family tradition that might continue for years to come. In our family, we read aloud while the girls worked quietly on crafts, drawing, and painting.

Show respect by listening, rather than continually preaching and correcting. Have the humility to believe that you can learn from, rather than just teach, your children. And share some of your own struggles, in age-appropriate ways, so that your children can see how your faith intersects with the challenges of life. These types of conversations can have a lifelong impact on your children, so try to see this time of enforced confinement as an opportunity to practice having these conversations.

Structure Your Day Around Predictable Routines

Children (and adults!) thrive on routines, as they provide a sense of stability and security in times when things feel out of control. While a strict schedule is not necessary, having somewhat regular times for rising, worship, meals, schoolwork, outdoor play, story time, and bedtime provides structure so that children can anticipate what is coming next and what is expected of them.

One routine I found particularly helpful is what we called “rest time.” When our children stopped napping during the day, we helped them learn to have quiet time in their rooms. This allowed us to rest and helped them learn to have some downtime and to play alone.  Initially, they had special toys, puzzles, and activities for their rest times; however, as they got a little older, this was no longer necessary, as this was when they listened to recorded stories and they looked forward to it.

If you look online, you will find many suggestions for keeping children engaged and occupied, some of which you might enjoy and some of which you might loathe. I loved reading to our children, and I enjoyed simple crafts, but I hated science experiments, I didn’t love board games, and I got lost in attempts to be consistent with anything that required charts and stickers. You might be the exact opposite of me, so do what you’re good at and what you enjoy. But whatever routines you decide on, be sure to include some outdoor exercise once or twice a day, which will help your children be more calm; and keep your habits at least somewhat predictable, as this will help your children feel safer and more secure during a difficult time.

Remember, This Too Shall Pass

When we were first asked to serve in Fiji, I was ambivalent about the move. I was anxious about raising our children in a different country, so far from extended family, and I was ambivalent about homeschooling. Now that our children are grown and I am older, I consider those years in Fiji as the summer of my life, and I give thanks to God for the slow pace and the many hours of family time, which ultimately shaped the family we have become.

The original version of this commentary was posted by Adventist Record.

“This article was originally published on AdventistReview.org