01 Dec

Welcome them back

By Ed Barnett

At our 2017 RMC Constituency Meeting this last July, we announced that the next five years will be a time for each of our churches to reach out to former Seventh-day Adventists in their area. Each of us has friends or acquaintances who have seemingly slipped “between the cracks” and are no longer a part of our fellowship at church. I want to take this opportunity to challenge each pastor and church member in our conference to begin working on a plan or strategy to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are no longer a part of our faith community.

This is never an easy task, but it can be a very rewarding one when you see people reconnecting with us. It can be very exciting both individually and also for the church family as a whole. As a pastor for more than 25 years, I remember trying to reach out to former members and finding that they were generally easier to reconnect with the church than someone encountered “cold turkey” off the street.

This may issuing an apology for what these individuals suffered at the hands of the church in the past. Sometimes our people have been ignored or have been treated poorly. We should be quick to apologize for any behavior that may have caused them to become disillusioned with the church.

We may think that those who stopped being a part of our community were at fault, but an unfortunate attitude, a hurtful comment, or even a mundane comment about them taking a pew seat which you “reserved” only for yourself may be the reason they have distanced themselves.

Many times I have seen people come back to the church and get actively involved again. They can be a great blessing in the church and in reaching out to other people who have slipped away.

The whole matter is very personal to me. I have a sister and a brother-in-law in this conference whom I love very deeply. They were both brought up in the church and went to our schools, but were treated poorly over a late school bill for their kids in one of our elementary schools. At least that is the story that I have been told over the years. I wasn’t there, but they were hurt and didn’t feel welcome in the local church. They have been out of the church for many years now.

Having people treated ungraciously, even if they were totally at fault or wrong in their assessment of how they were treated, is not okay. It is not consistent with how Christians work things out. Sensitivity is required of us at all times.

I sure would love to have some caring members or pastor go visit with them and apologize and invite them back to the church. I don’t know what the results would be, but I am praying for them and hoping that someday someone will reach out to them from their local church.

The rule of thumb is that it usually takes one visit for each year an alienated person has been away. So this really isn’t a quick or easy task. It may take 10–15 visits before someone makes the decision to come back. A single cursory visit is not enough. This kind of reclamation must be a consistent ongoing and prayerful process that a church must organize if it is to be effective.

Looking to the future, I would love to invite each of you who are actively involved in our conference to prayerfully consider what you and your local church can do to come up with a plan to reach out to your former brothers and sisters who are no longer a part of the church. Former Seventh-day Adventists realize that this world is coming to a close. May we help them, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to get their lives turned around and begin living for Jesus each and every day.

–Ed Barnett is RMC president. Email him at: [email protected]

01 Dec

It’s Easier to hate than to love

By Ron Price

I consider myself to be a staunch Seventh-day Adventist. Based on that information, you could rightly expect that I read books from the Spirit of Prophecy (I just finished rereading The Desire of Ages, and am now rereading The Great Controversy), and other Seventh-day Adventist authors. Over the years I have also found value in reading other Christian authors who are not of the Adventist faith. Some of my favorites include Max Lucado, Phillip Yancey, and Kary Oberbrunner.

I try to read all books with my critical thinking brain on full alert, but this is even more true when reading authors who I know hold what I consider to be erroneous views on the Sabbath, the state of the dead, the Sanctuary, etc. I say all this to introduce you to an author you may not have heard of, but who has a life-transforming message. I refer to John Bevere and his book The Bait of Satan.

In Galatians 2:20 (NLT), the Apostle Paul writes: “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” I’ve heard this referred to as “The Great Exchange” whereby Christ died that I might live, so I choose to die so that Christ may live in and through me. I willingly give up all rights to dictate the path of my life or to make any decisions without first consulting Him and seeking His will. The bait of Satan is to tempt me to take those rights back and shift the focus and control of my life from Christ to me.

It is easy to observe self-centeredness in secular society. The vast majority of citizens live day-to-day lives firmly in the grip of the enemy. They adhere to the 1960s motto “I’m Number One!” The biblical admonition found in Philippians 2:3, “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves,” is absolute nonsense to those who have not tasted the joy and peacefulness of a living relationship with Jesus.

Every day it seems we read or hear of someone resorting to anger and violence because they feel entitled to do so. They feel their rights are superior to others—often based on racial or other differences—and therefore they deserve to act however they choose, and nobody better try to stop them. But is it not also true that at times we see that same sentiment within the church? Professing Christ-followers, those who have willingly accepted the Great Exchange, all too often take the bait of Satan and act as if they had never been transformed by knowing God (see Romans 12: 1, 2). They can get angry over seemingly trivial matters such as someone sitting in their pew or what color the new church carpet should be. The command to love their neighbor is all fine and good so long as their neighbor is living by their rules and expectations. Most would agree that as followers of the Lord Jesus

Christ we are to adhere to His command to love our neighbor, but doesn’t it often seem so much easier to hate, or at least dislike our neighbor than it is to love him or her? Hateful emotions occur when we forget that we have voluntarily given up all rights and therefore cannot take offense when others mistreat us. It’s not our business—it’s His. Just like it’s not our business where we work, or who we marry—or stay married to; where we go to church. None of these are our decisions anymore once we choose to let Christ have full reign over us. When we feel offended, we are to follow His response: “He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly” (1 Peter 2:23 NLT). While denying self in favor of our Lord may not always be easy and pain-free, it is always the proper course of action for His followers to take.

So here are two quick tips to make that a bit easier. First, I recommend reading The Bait of Satan. Obviously, Bevere goes into much more detail than I am permitted in this space. As you become more aware of the enemy’s tactics and attempts to get you off your Christian walk, you will be much better prepared to cast them aside and keep walking.

Second, I have set my watch to vibrate every two hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. I use these alarms to remind me that whatever is going on in my life at that precise moment, Christ is still on the throne and He can handle anything I might be facing. When the alarm goes off, I utter a quick prayer thanking Him that He is in charge of both the universe and me.

I find these frequent reconnections throughout the day help me to stay focused on the big picture and what is really important. Remembering that God loves me helps me to love others and myself. Why not give it a try? As my Jewish grandmother used to say about chicken soup, “It couldn’t hurt.”

–Ron Price is a member of the RMC executive committee from Farmington, New Mexico. His recent book is Play Nice in Your Sandbox at Work. Email him at: [email protected]

01 Dec

Be reformed true reformation – what it is and where it starts

By Reinder Bruinsma

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 statements to the door of the Castle Church in the German city of Wittenberg. This year, this memorable event of exactly five centuries ago is being widely commemorated. It is usually regarded as the beginning of the Reformation of the Church, which would in due time lead to the split of western Christianity into Roman Catholicism and a wide array of Protestant denominations.

Even a cursory look at the conditions of the church in Luther’s day is enough to make one realize that a thorough overhaul of the medieval church was long overdue. Lots of serious theological errors and unbiblical practices had crept in. Moreover, the lines of demarcation between the church and the worldly powers had become extremely fuzzy and members of the higher clergy tended to live immoral lives while enjoying inordinate luxury. In most places, little was done to instruct the church members and to provide them with good pastoral care. Church offices were often sold to the highest bidders, and cash payments were supposed to instantly deliver the souls of deceased family members from purgatory!

Reformation was badly needed, and five centuries later it is fitting to remember the great men of faith like Luther and other reformers who, often at the risk of their own lives, protested (hence the name “protestants”) against the un- scriptural teachings and abuses that had become the norm rather than the exception in the Church.

Reformation Is Always Needed

Five centuries ago the world entered a new era. As the reformation spread, millions of people learned in a totally new way about the gospel of Jesus Christ and about His saving grace. Moreover, Bible translations into the native languages of the people made it possible for them to read God’s Word for themselves. And now they understood that they could have direct access to God without the intervention of a priest!

All this is reason for immense gratitude. But it must, at the same time, be admitted that the reformation of the sixteenth century was not final and complete. Looking back today from a protestant (and most certainly from a Seventh-day Adventist) perspective, Luther and the reformers of his days should have gone much further than they did. They did not restore the Sabbath to its rightful place and did not do away with infant baptism—to mention just two glaring omissions in the reformation program. And, as the protestant churches developed, we discover a notable lack of searching for more truth, and we find that many of the theological standpoints were gradually fossilized into formal creeds and dry formulas. But fortunately, new reformers arose who were used by God to bring revival and reformation.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church owes much to the sixteenth century Reformation, and to later reform movements that revitalized the faith of many believers. In addition, the great revivals in nineteenth century America helped to set the stage for the Advent movement of William Miller and his associates. And this, in due time, would lead to the birth of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Does this mean that the reformation of the church is now complete? Can we sit back with the assurance that the Truth has gained the victory over all error and that God’s ideals for His church are now fully realized? Has the final reformation resulted in a perfect, end-time remnant church that is ready to enter its final destiny? If that were only true! Any Adventist with open eyes sees the many defects of his or her church and is aware of the many thorny issues that confront Adventism. And few Adventists in the western world are unaware of the polarization between various factions that tends to create more heat than light. The recent call of the leaders of the denomination for “revival and reformation” is timely and needed. As early as 1887, Ellen G. White made an earnest appeal: “A revival of true godliness is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs” (Review and Herald, March 22, 1887). The following statement, from her Testimonies for the Church, expresses the clarion call that she would constantly repeat: “There is a great necessity for a reformation among the people of God. The present state of the church leads to the inquiry, is this a correct representation of Him who gave His life for us?” (Vol. 3, p. 474). How do we reply to this discomforting question?

Where Does It Start?

In recent years the members of the Adventist Church have been challenged by their leaders to embrace their call for “revival and reformation.” But however important this initiative may be, it has severe limitations. A revival and a reformation do not start as the result of a committee action during a meeting of church officials, and it does not become a reality through detailed programs, urgent publications, and well-designed websites. A revival in a union or conference does not result from a two-third majority vote in a constituency session, and a local reformation cannot be decided upon in a business meeting. Reformation begins in the heart of the individual believer.

The most pertinent statement in the Bible on this topic is, I believe, found in Romans 12:2. The New International Version translates Paul’s words in this crystal clear manner: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The New Living Translation is even more straightforward: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”

Reformation is not primarily a matter of changing our behavior, although this may be an important aspect. In Luther’s day, it certainly was. But ultimately, Luther was much more concerned about a change in the way people think—about God and about themselves. He was adamant that we are saved by grace, through faith alone, and not through buying indulgences and doing penance. This meant a total renewal of the mind. The people had to realize that God would transform them into new persons, if they would change their way of thinking about Him and themselves.

There is always a temptation to believe that reformation is primarily about doing things—or no longer doing particular things. It is always accompanied by the subtle temptation to assume that by changing aspects of our behavior, we become acceptable to God, and that a change in who we are in God’s sight results from something we do. The apostle Paul corrects this idea: God transforms us into new people as we change our thinking and realize that everything depends on divine grace. As a church community, we are always in need of renewal because all of us who belong to this community need this renewal—this new orientation, this reformation from the inside out. Does this mean that church leaders should not call for revival and reformation and that they cannot stimulate this process in any way? It does not. They have an important role and church-initiated programs can be very helpful, but when all is said and done, we must remember that true revival is the work of the Holy Spirit, who is looking for individuals who open themselves up to His reviving work on their hearts.

We need reformation as much as the people needed it in Luther’s day. We need role models who encourage us and point us to the Source of life. We need leaders who will help to create the spiritual climate in our church that is conducive to our personal spiritual growth and that will create an ever stronger desire in us to let God transform us into truly new persons. For that is where it starts.

–Reinder Bruinsma is a theologian, writer, and former church administrator. He writes from the Netherlands. Email him at: [email protected]

01 Dec

Duplo and technic two models of faith development

By Japhet De Oliveira

You may recall playing with the various types of Legos yourself. If not, you have almost certainly seen them in stores. Small children—even babies—start with the simple Duplo range, made up of large simple shapes, and progress according to age and skill through increasingly complex sets. The Technic range is the highest-level, and these sets typically contain hundreds if not thousands of small and intricate pieces. The instruction booklets are an inch thick. At every level of Lego, it is essential to engage the imagination in order to get the best value from the toy. At some point, Lego creators hope that you will leave their instruction manuals aside and start to create your own models, discovering that there are so many beautiful things to make from your own imagination.

When it comes to developing your faith as a disciple of Jesus, there are several ways to proceed. These are called pathways, such as service, meditation, worship, hospitality, etc. All of these, however, have their roots in the Bible. Bible study is essential to discipleship. The difficulty, for many of us, is that we find the Bible hard to study. You pick it up, start to read with the best of intentions, and almost immediately find your mind wandering.

You may read through entire chapters and wonder what they were all about. This is why we tend to prefer devotional books—because someone else has put in the time and effort to break the text down and provides a completed model. While those completed models are fun, being able to freestyle and create meaning for yourself is even more amazing.

This is why the Lego metaphor works so well for me. We all need to start at the Duplo level when we first begin to read the Bible. Large chunks of it. Big stories. Big ideas. Main characters. Creation. Flood. Exodus. Nativity. Resurrection. Eventually, over time we grow in our knowledge and understanding and are able to work at the Technic level. Later on, we can become truly creative and develop meaningful interpretations and insights on our own. When you read the Bible at a higher level, you notice connections. In the story of Elijah, for instance, you notice that the cave he enters to engage God is the same cave in which Moses met God. When God asks the question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” you realize that in this case God did not call Elijah to the cave. There is something else going on.

It is important to remember that you need to keep both Duplo and Technic (and beyond) in your Bible study. These different levels of discovery will be important to you in different ways throughout your life.

Finding the best method for your faith development first requires honesty. Accept and acknowledge that what you do now is not what you will do for the rest of your life. Commit to being adaptable and be willing to change as needed so that you do not get into a rut. Avoid building the same types of models all the time. Experiment and stretch and challenge yourself. You have to want to discover more about Jesus every day— and He will in turn reveal more to you about your call and purpose in life.

One final thing before I share the list of options for Bible study: I would encourage you, no matter where you are, to consider starting something like the Daily Walk right away. Joining a wider faith community on the same conversation is a great way to stay engaged with discipleship and to hold each other accountable. You can subscribe online and engage with a connect group or life group or start your own at www.boulder.church/daily. The “How-to Guide” is really useful, along with the introduction to each new series.

Some of the Best Models of Bible Study

Raw Text. This is a really a lot of fun, if you want to go through the whole Bible in a year. Ideally, find a partner who is willing to do this with you. Start in Genesis, read four chapters, and text each other one single idea that stood out. It could be a question, an insight, a problem, a praise—just one thought. There will be days when it will be really hard to narrow it down to one single thought, and other days when you will find it hard to generate a thought of any kind. Don’t feel like you need to resolve everything; the purpose of this year is to build a great foundation. You can be a novice or a seasoned follower of Jesus—this exercise is great to repeat with fresh eyes. Highlight in your Bible the texts that speak to you or intrigue you. When there is a puzzle or question, place a question mark by the text (or an exclamation mark if you were surprised). Using a pen/pencil with the text brings another level of engagement that increases your concentration.

Book by Book. This requires concentrated time. Choose one book in the Bible. Select a reliable commentary that helps you understand that book and study it verse by verse. The key is finding the best commentary. Talk to your pastor or elder about the book you are interested in and they can recommend a range of commentaries for every book.

I Just Need to Know. This is very provocative. For this type of Bible study, you will approach a subject, an area that you have been thinking about for a long time. How do you find out if the Bible speaks to it, and how do you discover the most complete picture of this subject? This approach can be- come contentious because it requires you to enter into the large world of application and interpretation rather rapidly. To make sure you are at the best starting point, establish what your hermeneutic principles are. I would recommend you start with www.adventist-biblicalresearch.org as a great resource. You will then want to find biblical scholars who teach in your subject area. Again contact your pastor or elder and they can recommend some reading which will help you back into the Bible to discover what it teaches.

Reset. I do this often. This is a great method of devotional study that allows you to reset yourself in Jesus and remind you of all that you were called to be. Take the book Steps to Christ by Ellen White, and as you read it, every time you come across a scriptural reference, pause, open your Bible and read the passage and its entire context. It will allow you to begin connecting the dots, and help you to see the Bible at the Technic (and beyond) level.

Dramatic. This is for the creatives amongst us. Did you know that often the Bible was read out loud in the past?

Find a really great audio version of the Bible—preferably one with various voices and in the same translation as your Bible. As you listen, follow in your text. Pause to make notes on your impressions.

Study Guide. This is by far the most popular method that our church offers and the list of options is vast. From weekly Sabbath School lessons to small group study guides to online Discover Bible School lessons, there are many, many options and topics for study. You can study alone or as part of a group. As a tween, I took every single Voice of Prophecy Bible Study course that my church offered by mail. They were brilliant.

Personal Trainer. Need a coach? There are some who find starting Bible study (or getting back into it!) alone really difficult. If you want to join a Bible Study class, or would prefer a one-on-one Bible Study with a facilitator, similar to a personal trainer, your church can arrange that. Let your pastor or elder help get you on the right track.

Finally, make sure you have a great Bible. This should be an actual physical text, rather than an electronic version. You need a Bible with wide margins so that you can mark up the text and you need a set of pens that do not bleed through the pages. According to 2 Corinthians, the Holy Spirit leads us to Truth, so always pray before you start your study.

–Japhet De Oliveira is senior pastor at Boulder Adventist Church. Email him at: [email protected]

01 Dec

The art of contentment

By Dena King

The Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 2:14–16 paint a beautiful picture of what we, as God’s people, are called to be. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud I did not run in vain or labor in vain” (ESV).

I especially love the wording, “in a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Never is this more important than now, in our current culture. Recent events remind us that we are indeed living in a crooked and twisted generation. And in the midst of this mess of a world, we are called to be shining lights, without grumbling or disputing.

I think as Christians we would all agree that this is what we want to be, but many of us are going about it in the wrong ways. My church friends and those who profess to be Christians are spending their days complaining and ranting, critical of the world around them, throwing verbal daggers at the other side of the aisle. This is not what we are called to be!

When we read about the children of Israel and their exile from Egypt, we see that God was calling them out and asking them to set the example as His chosen people. But instead of reading a story about shining lights in the middle of a crooked and twisted generation, we read a story of a group of people who are constantly whining and complaining. There are fourteen documented instances of their complaining. They take issue with everything from Moses’ leadership to the menu.

For the children of Israel, their grumbling and complaining had very real consequences. Three thousand people were killed when they became impatient with Moses and worshipped the golden calf, Miriam was struck with leprosy, they were struck with pestilence, and once the ground even opened up and swallowed the offenders! God does not take complaining lightly.

So, how do we shine as lights when everyone around us is complaining? And how do we do this without being “that annoying friend” who just seems to make things worse by calling everyone to simply “look on the bright side?”

When I was just nine or ten, my family attended church in Columbia, Missouri. Our pastor at the time was a competitive guy who loved sports. As a sort of community-building exercise, he organized a church volleyball league that played every Saturday night. I remember the church gym being packed on Saturday nights with our most competitive members decked out in their sports goggles and knee pads sweating it out on the court while my Pathfinder friends and I sold pizza from the gym kitchen.

One Sabbath morning, our pastor made an announcement that it was again time to sign up for a team and he passed a clipboard around the congregation. I remember my mother taking the clipboard and I was shocked to see her begin writing (we have never been a sports-playing family) and then I was even more shocked to see that she was actually scratching out something someone else had written. I was sure this was breaking some sort of rule!

When we got outside that day I tattled to my siblings, “You’ll never believe what Mom did!” And then our mother explained what she had changed. Someone had written, anonymously of course, “What does volleyball have to do with our salvation? Answer me that, pastor!” And then my mother said, “He didn’t need to see that.”

An important lesson has stuck with me since that day and that is this: There is a lot of criticism that is completely unnecessary. And it can end with us. We don’t have to tell our friend the ugly thing someone else said about them, or vent our own frustrations, or share that rumor.

And I have to wonder if this is the way we, as Christians, are called to be a peculiar people. Perhaps we are not called to be peculiar in the way we dress or eat, but perhaps we are called to be peculiar in this really wonderful way in which we don’t do what is normal. Where it is normal for people to share everything that offends them on Facebook, we share the things for which we are grateful. Where it is normal to tear others down when they feel they are justified in doing so, we are lifting others up and extolling their good works. Where it is normal for people to talk about how rough their life is, we are quietly living lives of contentment.

Before our first child was born, my husband and I were given a children’s book titled Life is Good at Grandma’s. It is all about how Grandma loves you and thinks you’re the greatest. Your crayon drawings aren’t perfect, but Grandma puts them on her refrigerator. You break Grandma’s favorite teapot and all she says is, “That’s okay.” Basically, Grandma loves you and thinks you are special no matter what.

Our kids are incredibly fortunate to have two wonderful grandmas—Nonni and Grammy. They know that when they are with one of these ladies, they can ask for anything–treats, cartoons, books, toys, you name it. They are all theirs. I can see, in our daughter especially, that she feels special when she is in the presence of one of her grandmas. She struts around as though she owns the place. And this doesn’t happen by accident. The grandmas create this incredible, special environment because they love their grandkids and want to see them happy.

I believe if God had written a children’s book for us, it would be called Life is Good at God’s House. Our creations and works of art are weak, at best, but He cherishes them. We make a mess and break things beyond repair and He sweeps up our messes and says, “You’ll be okay.” Similar to Grandma, He does this not because we have done anything to deserve it, but because He loves us. If an all-powerful God who is perfect can look at us and not be critical, how much more should we look at the world around us with loving eyes!

God does not want us critiquing the world and com- plaining. He wants us to live content, happy, fulfilled lives in Him. So that we, like Paul, may say, “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11–13, ESV).

–Dena King is a member of the Boulder Adventist Church and co-owner of The Grey House in Estes Park, Colorado. Email her at: [email protected]

01 Dec

A guilty heart is not a cheerful heart

By Doug Inglish

Guilt is a terrible motivator.

I don’t mean that it is not effective, or that it has no place in our lives. That feeling that I have done something wrong motivates me to reflect, to change course, to apologize and make restitution if necessary, and to have a more satisfying life afterward. It is a gift from God that we are able to feel guilt.

But the motivation that comes from the internal guilt we feel is a very different thing to the guilt that others try to use to motivate us. We may be shamed into action, but that may be more the result of attempting to relieve social pressure than it is the desire to live righteously.

I think that’s why Paul said that God loves cheerful givers (2 Corinthians 9:7). Of course He loves everyone, but obviously some things motivate God toward loving us more than other things. Same goes with your kids, or even your pets. I love my dog, but I am far more aware of my love when we are playing fetch than when she chews up something I need.

If you got a nice birthday gift from someone who said, with obvious sincerity, “I felt like I had to get you something, and this was on sale, so whatever,” would you cherish the gift? It might have been just what you wanted, but the fact that they bought it out of guilt kind of ruins it. How much more pleasant to get a simple, “Happy Birthday!” from a loved one who really means it.

So yes, God loves you. When you set up an automatic withdrawal for tithe just to avoid feeling guilt, or drop a couple bucks in the plate just so no one will notice you letting it pass, He still loves you. But the truth is, you won’t feel any better about yourself, because you’re not giving cheerfully.

On the other hand, when you are filled with gratitude for your blessings; when you have learned to be content with what you have; when you are stirred to support a mission because you want it to be successful; when you truly internalize the reality that you can’t out-give the Lord; when your gift comes with all that positive emotion behind it, the very act of giving makes you cheerful. When that happens, all heaven sits up and takes notice, and God says, “There! That’s it! That is how I want you to feel! I’m happy because you are cheerful, and I love it when you feel good about doing the right thing!”

I have listened to stewardship sermons that really hit the mark for me. As the speaker talked about blessings that, having been un- locked by our generosity, flow from God like rain in a storm, I’ve thought about how my own experiences confirmed the message. Then walking out of the church, I have overheard someone who listened to the same message grumble, “Well, got my guilt trip for the day.” I don’t doubt that they did, just as the Pharisees got a guilt trip when they listened to Jesus talk about how their extreme faithfulness in tithe didn’t make up for their lack of mercy (Matthew 23:23).

But I don’t think that Jesus was out to lay a guilt trip on them. I believe His message was meant to point out that the way they were giving wasn’t making them cheerful. If they had been practicing justice and mercy and faith, they would have felt a lot better about their own lives. They would have understood that the giving of tithes is a way to spread justice and mercy and faith even further.

So, back to my original point: guilt is a terrible motivator. It has a role to play in our lives, but it isn’t meant as a tool to manipulate people. Nevertheless, if we haven’t learned how to be cheerful givers, even a sermon from Jesus on stewardship sounds like a guilt trip.

It’s true that sometimes well-meaning speakers use guilt as a motivation. We’re all human, all learning, all making mistakes. But when you hear a sermon or an offering appeal that sounds like a guilt trip, remember two things: first, nobody can guilt you into something you are already doing cheerfully, so don’t take offense if they try. And second, if you do feel some guilt, maybe that’s because an adjustment in action or attitude is needed so that you can say, “I can bring joy to my Heavenly Father by being cheerful.”

–Doug Inglish is RMC director of planned giving and trust services. Email him at: [email protected]

01 Dec

When to be rubber and when to be a sponge

By Carol Bolden

What’s it like to be a pastor’s spouse? A recent article, titled, “Pastor, Remember Your Wife is the Most Vulnerable Person in Your Church,” talked about the key figure in the life of many pastors and how she (in this case, but obviously sometimes he) might feel about his or her treatment in this role.

To find out more about how our pastors’ spouses feel, we interviewed several to see how they relate to that role. Two are wives, and to add a little spice, we also interviewed the husband of a pastor. His answers might surprise you. Meet the three pastoral spouses: Michelle Morrison, wife of Wayne of Brighton; Jed Dart, husband of Lee Lee of The Adventure; and Becky De Oliveira, wife of Japhet of Boulder. Here are their answers to seven questions:

How influential are you as the spouse of a pastor?

Michelle Morrison: When my husband first became a pastor, it was as a volunteer and I truly didn’t think I’d be seen as a pastor’s wife because we weren’t really “real.” When I said that to a friend, he responded, “Oh, they will see you as a pastor’s wife alright! Don’t kid yourself!” I went home sensing a huge weight of responsibility on my shoulders, knelt down and prayed that God would carry it. It lifted, never to return.

Jed Dart: As [influential] as the Holy Spirit persuades. Lee Lee and I are very close spiritually and are focused on introducing people to a saving relationship with Jesus. She mostly feels God calling her to speak on certain topics at church, but will always read her sermon to me. We will pray beforehand and God will give me ideas, Bible verses, stories, or general input that help with the message.

Becky De Oliveira: I’m quite influential as an advisor to my husband; otherwise, not very.

What are the joys and self-fulfillment of being a pastor’s spouse?

Michelle: [I love] having a platform to be deeply involved in the personal and spiritual lives of those we serve. I love being a part of making a difference! When my pastor/father- in-law passed away, besides his death and the deep loss my mother-in-law felt, [she also felt] the loss of her role beside him as a pastor’s wife. The churches they had been serving were still there, but she was no longer involved. She was replaced, yet she didn’t die. It was a very huge loss and created a void and question regarding her worth and purpose. It would [affect me that way] too.

Jed: The true joy for me is ministering together! We look at ministry not so much as his or hers but as a team. We are one as a couple and one as disciples of Christ. Another joy is when I see the Holy Spirit working in Lee Lee’s ministry whether it’s a powerful sermon that I know wasn’t her, or when she teaches a class and her passion for Jesus and the subject are evident (that’s pretty much every class she teaches) or when we are counseling a couple and she is bold and direct for the purpose of unity in the relationship. Another joy is praying together—praying for humility and obedience in our lives, praying for our church friends who are struggling, praying for the Holy Spirit to bring revival in northern Colorado, not just at the Adventure but all Adventist churches.

Becky: I don’t tend to think of myself as a “pastor’s wife” so I don’t interpret my experiences primarily through that lens. I enjoy meeting new people, so that’s fun.

What are the anxieties and frustrations of being a pastor’s spouse?

Michelle: Fielding expectations, perceived or real [can be a frustration]. Having a settled conviction about what it is you believe and why, living authentically in those beliefs and being secure in Jesus’ love protects from the judgment that I’m sure is out there. Perhaps the greatest protection from that is a husband who protects me and the kids from the judgment of others and the rumor mill and gives us the freedom to make our own decisions regarding things people may judge us for, e.g. being at a meeting or not; what we wear and when, etc.

Jed: The thing that is most frustrating for me is when I believe Satan’s lies. “You’re making no difference,” “People don’t want Jesus,” etc.

Becky: I sometimes feel frustrated that people do not under- stand some of the issues that pastoral families can face—the expectation, for instance, that you will send your children to a particular school even if it does damage to them. I don’t like hearing my husband criticized in brutal ways. It hurts when my friendships (occasionally) turn out to be contingent on how people feel about Japhet or whether he makes a decision they approve of or that works in their favor. But most church members are pretty wonderful. I’m continually amazed at how wonderful they are.

Do you feel sidelined?

Michelle: Yes, that feeling comes and goes—especially when I’m not even an ordained elder. My husband will often remind me that even though I’m not paid or ordained as an elder, his ordination extends to me because God didn’t just call him; He called us both as a couple. When I believe that, it helps. When my own worth is threatened for some reason, [it’s more difficult].

Jed: Not at all. I feel sometimes overwhelmed because I take on too much.

Becky: I like being married to Japhet and being the mother of my children. I also enjoy the work I do and the hobbies I pursue. The “role” as some see it, of “first lady” is not one that I think about very much. I suppose I find it mostly embarrassing when people make a big deal out of me in that way. I like it better when I get to define myself. But I do really enjoy people, so I guess the friends I’ve made over the years—all over the world—have been the rewarding part of the “role.” Many people might be less inclined to get to know me if I weren’t married to the pastor.” So no, I don’t feel sidelined. I get plenty of attention.

What expectations do your husband and your church have of you?

Michelle: I love being a pastor’s wife. I think it is what you make it. Working through your personal boundaries and how that looks in respect to the “calling,” differentiating between God’s work and people’s demands can be tough, and having sought out counselors regarding those issues helped us previously when we were in business, so the crossover to ministry wasn’t that different.

Jed: Lee Lee’s expectations are to use my spiritual gifts to give God glory and for people’s benefit. Lee Lee will ask me, “Do you want to be in charge of all baby dedications?” Me: “Yes” (I love kids). Lee Lee: “Do you want to do Bible studies with the pre-teen kids who are interested?” Me: “Yes.”

Becky: I’ve been pretty lucky over the last 22 years. I’ve always felt that church members pretty much let me be me. I think most of them have liked me reasonably well. I haven’t felt pressured most of the time to be any particular way. Institutionally, I think there are strange expectations, but I haven’t experienced these very much at the local level.

Can you have your own professional life alongside the demands of being a pastor’s spouse?

Michelle: I suppose you can, but my role as a pastor’s wife is more primary to me from a spiritual perspective than that of my “job.” I always have worked part-time in my professional life, so I would have the time to devote to church work and the demands of family life. At least I did until my nest emptied and I actually had more time to do both concurrently.

Jed: I do. I am in sales and travel a territory for work. This can be frustrating because I miss our small group or prayer meetings, etc. But God has helped me have the energy I need so that on weekends and when I’m home, I can be fully engaged at church and ministry.

Becky: Is it even an option not to have such a life? It seems to be mandatory, for financial reasons if not personal ones. When Japhet was first employed, the conference he worked for told him that pastors’ wages were set with the “expectation” that the spouse would have a “high-paying professional job.” If anything, I’ve probably shot a little low. I’m not the cardiovascular surgeon that I was supposed to be, I guess. I have had to make a professional life in a variety of situations, sometimes out of thin air. I’ve done better at some times than at others. Our years at Andrews University were particularly rewarding for me professionally. I was on the faculty and went back to grad school for a while. I hope to have at least a few more rewarding professional spurts before I’m done. Perhaps that high-paying professional job is right around the corner . .

How do all these demands impinge on your relation- ship with your spouse? Do they create tensions and how do you resolve those tensions?

Michelle: There’s always a pull from the church. I’ve just learned that I need to pull back and present my or our family needs to my husband/pastor without resentment. [Then] we have conversations, sometimes more heated, sometimes just a plea. I believe my husband really loves all of us as a family, that he is well-meaning and well- intentioned and if he’s hurt us by a choice he’s made in favor of a church function or church member, he didn’t mean to. Coming at potential or real tensions from this perspective helps soften the conflict.

Jed: The demands can definitely impinge on our relation- ship but we continue to work through and towards strengthening our relationship with Jesus first and each other second. We are vigilant in blocking out time from work to invest in each other. We believe our strength to minister and disciple others depends on our surrendering to Jesus Christ and our marriage being strong and united.

Becky: I think the worst thing about ministry is the visibility of it. How many jobs are there in which your partner observes you so closely doing your job? Unfortunately for me, I’m all too aware of what people at “work” think about him and that can be very, very painful. I sometimes struggle with anger about decisions we’ve made that, in my more dramatic moments, I will claim have “ruined our lives.” And, yes, it creates tension. I’m not sure how to resolve it. Perhaps I will have a deathbed epiphany and someone will be nearby to scribble the answer down. The answer is probably “43.”

Our pastors and their wives are dedicated, caring people who pour their lives into their members. They find fulfillment in their role as pastor’s spouse. But being a husband/wife or father/mother is challenging under any circumstances. Juggling these roles along with being in the spotlight adds another dimension of stress.

It appears that our pastors’ spouses have done their homework when it comes to resolving the challenges and stress of their roles. Lori McDaniel, a pastor’s wife in Arkansas, says, “When it feels like everyone’s opinions add up to overly critical expressions that define my very existence and identity, I must let it all bounce off.” Yet, she continues, there are times when we must be a sponge and soak things up.

Let’s make all year a time to celebrate and appreciate our pastors’ spouses.

–Carol Bolden provides administrative and editorial support for the RMC communication department. Email her at:[email protected]

01 Dec

How your generosity supports the church

By George Crumley

As pastors inspire hearts with the love and care of God, and faithfully keep the needs of His cause before a congregation, it naturally responds with a desire to do largehearted things for the Lord. When projects arise that need funding, it’s easy to give; it’s clear how the money makes a difference. For some people, however, “tithe” isn’t so easy to respond to because all they know is that it’s an optional line item on an envelope that is neatly pocketed on the back of the church pew. Yet, wanting to give their best to God, some have further inquired: Why tithe? Where did that practice even come from? How in the world is a person to survive on less than their full income? Why is it not kept at the local church? Should I give if the church is not functioning as I think it should be? Where does my tithe go when I put it in the church offering plate?

The ten percent tithe is not just something that the Adventist Church dreamed up, but it has a biblical basis that goes all the way back to Genesis. We are told that Abram, Jacob, and the Israelites returned God’s tithe. All through Scripture we are assured by and challenged with the truth that giving tithe actually increases our blessings; “Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom . . .” (Luke 6:38, NKJV). The tool of tithing, in the hand of faith, has proven itself as a great benefactor. It is an understood truth by individuals of great wealth and fame as well as common folk throughout the world, and by a number of denominations.

One of the primary reasons for the system of tithes is that it’s God’s plan for supporting His workers on planet earth. When we shop at the grocery store, we not only receive food in exchange for our resources, but we provide a livelihood for those who work there. When we return tithe to the Lord, it provides a livelihood for those who actively minister in word and deed. It is preciously sacred to the heart of God because His church is His most precious possession on earth. To withhold His tithe not only weakens the hands and efforts of those who are giving up everything to obey the call of God, but it also withholds blessings that would have been ours.

Some within the Adventist church wonder why the tithe is not kept at their local church. Their argument is that so much more could be done if their tithe stayed in the local vicinity. Those with a heartfelt desire to do generous things for their local church are to be gratefully commended, but that is the purpose of our offerings and not of tithe. The use of the shared tithe is designed to collectively reach geo- graphic areas of weaker affluence, so that they too can have the possibility of pastoral oversight, evangelistic outreach, and Christian education. It is the sharing of the tithe that has helped spread the gospel of Christ around the world and not just to areas of privilege. Imagine a well-fed father, dressed in a warm jacket, gloves, and hat while his family is without— cold and hungry. So would be the result of God’s work if the tithes were only kept locally; others would suffer and go without, while a local few would be nurtured and grow.

There is something powerful about sharing and giving away. Imperceptibly, dynamics in and around me change. When I take intentional moments to contemplate His intimate goodness and extreme self-sacrifice for my happiness, my narrow agenda is eclipsed. My deep gratefulness can’t help but search for expression, and returning His tithe is the least I can do. Gratitude gives me direction, purpose, meaning, and fulfillment. Other relationships improve, self- esteem heightens, and joy increases as I exercise the faith that allows me to sacrifice and give.

There is a power in giving. I’ve learned that it is when I open my arms to give away that this is the very posture that allows me to receive blessings (see Malachi 3:10). I attribute all the blessings of life, from the tangible gifts down to the feelings of peace in the midst of life’s storms, to the Lord’s faithfulness. Why wouldn’t I reciprocate in response to His heart’s desire? Somehow, since the intrusion of selfishness, it’s easy to wander into the deception that fulfillment comes from getting. But the truth is that the Lord asks for the tithes and offerings in order to develop the life-giving force of benevolence in us. Our all-powerful God is not reliant upon us to support His cause. Giving is for our benefit; “. . . it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35, NIV).

In this region, when we return His tithe through our local church, 100% of that donation is forwarded to the Rocky Mountain Conference office located in Denver, Colorado. The conference retains close to 80% of the tithe once evangelism and education funds come back through the union. This percentage is used to support pastors, Bible workers, evangelists, teachers, and the conference office support staff. I believe that one of the primary reasons the church has grown to over eighteen million members world- wide is because at its foundation is God’s plan for the shared tithe. As the tithe increases, it allows for a corresponding expansion in the number of workers who are then able to touch more lives for Jesus. Below is a simple diagram for the flow of tithe.

As an accountable organization, audits are done every year at each conference, union, division, and at the General Conference, and are conducted every two years at the local church level. These audit findings are then shared with their governing committees.

Some find it hard to pay their tithe when others do not advocate their particular views. They withhold their gifts to  God as an act of protest against the people heading in what they perceive is a wrong direction. Though some unworthy ones may receive a portion of the tithe, there is a weighty caution to consider before boldly withholding a cent of God’s tithe and offerings. (see Malachi 3:8–9).

I remember reading a book by Stephen Covey, who worked as a management consultant with Fortune 500 companies. In that book he states, “. . . all organizations, even the best of them, are absolutely filled with problems.” Reflecting on the seven churches in the book of Revelation, it is clear that God’s church is not immune to issues. The vast majority of those churches had problems, and yet Christ was in their midst. He did not separate Himself from them. He put His energies into being part of the solution and to lovingly uphold the truth.

Another reason some withhold their tithe is that they wonder how they are going to live on less than their full income. But in light of God’s warnings for those who withhold and His promises for those who freely give, my question is, “How can one really live without returning their tithes and offerings?” My personal experience and observation has been that God somehow makes that remaining amount go further as He grants us wisdom on how to better manage our personal resources.

As an accountable organization, audits are done every year at each conference, union, division, and at the General Conference, and are conducted every two years at the local church level. These audit findings are then shared with their governing committees.

What a wise and good God we have. He is always faithful to His promises. When we do what He has asked us to do, He will always follow through on what He has promised.  

–George Crumley is RMC vice president for finance. Email him at: [email protected]

01 Dec

Adventist Education is for everyone

A Voice from Mile High Academy

The Great Commission is clear in its admonition that we are to go to every nation, tongue, and people, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and that He is with us always, even to the ends of the earth. There is no better way for us to share the gospel than through our education system. Families are searching for safe places for their child to learn. If we have good schools, people in our community who desire a Christian education for their child will seek to put their student in our schools if our mission aligns with their own.

I have learned parents are willing to choose Mile High Academy (MHA) because our mission aligns with their desire to have their child in a Christian environment. MHA has always practiced an open door policy where students of any faith may attend if they are willing to support our mis- sion and core values. As a school, we are intentional in seeking out mission-minded teachers who are, first in love with Jesus and who are also Bible-believing Seventh-day Adventists. Instead of going out into all the world, we have the unique opportunity of having the world come to us. Understanding what it means to be open is much harder for us than we may realize.

Openness means we have to be inviting, inclusive, friendly, willing to live outside of our own thoughts. It also means we have to be more gracious and open to understanding another person’s perspective. It is as simple as the “golden rule”—do to others what you would have them do to you. Treat people with respect and kindness, live out our CHERISH (Christ-centered, Honor, Exploration, Responsibility, Integrity, Service, Heroism) core values and students will grow into doing the same. Our unique gift is that the nations come to us and in this opportunity, we get to share Jesus and bring our faith to life.

Every day, students of different walks of life come through our doors, sit in our classrooms, and learn from our Christ- centered teachers not just how to write, read, and subtract, but how to lead a servant life, and our teachers get to share the story of Jesus with each of them. Those experiences bring us the chance to share Jesus in very real ways. It’s within the safety of our walls that students can ask hard questions like: Why do you have faith? Who is God? Is God real? How do I find my way?

At the end of the day, if we are honest, these are the same questions we wrestle with as adults. Is God really there, does He hear me when I pray, does He still love me even though I am bad? The truth, as our students live and grow at MHA, is they are finding their way with the guiding hand of teachers who look to the Bible for answers. That’s the gift we have as an education system—safety for our kids to grow. Every child matters, each is important, and they deserve our full attention as they learn and grow.

As families explore schools for their own children, I answer questions like Why do you keep a Saturday Sabbath? Do you believe in creation? Do you believe that a world-wide flood really happened? These are all questions I am excited to answer because they lead back to why I believe, and in Whom I believe.

Students spend a little over 850,000 minutes of their waking lives in our schools. There is no mistaking the role we play in who they will become someday. It’s an unbelievable opportunity to share our faith with all those who enter our doors. As Adventists, we must be committed to being open, inclusive, loving and willing to step out of ourselves for the sake of sharing the gospel with others. We have to be the hands and feet of Jesus. The greatest challenge for me is trying to get our families to live life together. The image of the church described in the Book of Acts continues to play through my mind—the early church lived life together. They embraced the lonely and broken, shared their food with all those who needed it. We are busy living life and we don’t make time for people. Our impact as a church is greater if we do ministry together.

Our school community is growing through enrollment, through the ministry our students bring to the local, national, and international communities we are called as a church to engage and live life with today. In the last three months through our Real World Learning (taking academic content and creating or doing something that brings aware- ness or impacts the community) alone, our community has grown by more than 55 people. Not associated with the Adventist faith at all, they are getting to know who we are as a school and, in turn, as a church because our students are out there changing the world.

I hope Mountain Views readers will understand just what a great ministry Adventist education plays in the lives of so many students. It is because of the powerful partnership we play with our students that our world is being transformed by the way we are living the Great Commission!

–Toakase Vunileva is Mile High Academy principal. Email her at: [email protected]

A Voice from Campion Academy

Experiencing Christ in a learning environment is our purpose and mission at Campion Academy. No matter where our students come from or what kind of background they have, our goal is that each student experience Christ through our academics, campus jobs, sports, music, faculty and staff, and other students. Christ is the center of everything we do, and every day we do our best to let Him lead and guide us in His direction.

As a boarding and day academy, we receive a good number of students each school year who are not of our faith. We are always so excited to welcome these students with open arms and show them the love of Jesus through our words and actions before we jump right into Bible class and memorizing verses. These things come in time, but our first goal is always to help these students experience Christ’s love through the atmosphere at our school. Practicing this with intention is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

Over the past few years at Campion, we have created an International Student program where we welcome students from other countries, helping them develop their English- speaking skills by having them live in our dormitories and get to know American culture. In doing this, we can minister to them. Because these students live in the dorm, our deans and resident assistants (RAs) have the opportunity to get to know them really well and help them feel at home. Our deans will frequently check in with all of our students— especially international students—to make sure they’re doing well and to ask them if they have questions about topics covered in classes, chapel, vespers and church, specifically about Christianity and our faith. These small acts go a long way with our students in showing Jesus’ love to them.

As we continue to develop our International Student program, Pastor Paul Eagan created a Bible class that covers the basics of the Bible, Christianity, faith and our specific beliefs. Not coming from a Christian background can certainly have its challenges when attending a Christian school. This class has been wildly popular among our international students who get a concentrated, easy-to-understand-and-apply knowledge of the Bible and of Christ.

Our students are our greatest blessings here at Campion. On an average day, you can walk down the hallways of the Administration building or cafeteria and witness students praying with each other and for each other. It is such a phenomenal sight to see when our students become disciples of Christ and then begin discipling other students. This does not just happen in the Ad building. These acts of faith continue on in the dorms as well. When the deans choose new RAs for each school year, they choose students who will be good spiritual leaders for their hall of students, who will help them experience Christ in the dorms.

One amazing example of our RAs and their spiritual leadership happened last school year in the girl’s dorm as one RA in particular would make it a point to have a “bedtime prayer” with each girl on her hall at night. For Susan, one of our Chinese international students who did not believe in God, this practice was foreign to her, but she went along with it and said she enjoyed the intentionality of her RA and her nightly prayers. As Susan listened night after night to her RA’s prayer, she began to slowly open her heart to the idea of a god, and specifically our God. Susan said that both her roommate and her RA had an incredible impact on her decision to believe in God, and just recently Susan committed her life to Christ!

It is truly amazing to see how our students are becoming missionaries to other students—to their friends, and to see lives being changed and transformed right on the campus of Campion Academy. May your prayers be with Campion and for all of our students as they come to know Christ better.

–Donavan Reeder is principal of Campion Academy. Email him at: [email protected]. Kelsey Cate is director for communications at Campion Academy. Email her at: [email protected].

A Voice from Vista Ridge Academy

Vista Ridge Academy is blessed with support from Boulder, Chapel Haven, and Twin Peaks Adventist churches. Our constituent churches are committed to helping their families desiring a Christian education to attend our school. Enrollment increased 25 percent last year due to our marketing and recruiting efforts with retention and new student enrollment. With the addition of three-year-olds in our preschool program, 70 percent of our preschool students are from our community while community families make up 38 percent of our students in the K–8 classrooms. We have learned that community families share similar faith values with us. When we give community families campus tours, we are often asked what Seventh-day Adventists believe. Parents want to know how our beliefs align with their beliefs. We proudly share our central belief that “Jesus became human to save us, and through Him, we can begin again. He is preparing heaven for us and will return to take us there.” Many parents, showing relief, say they also believe this. We also share that we are part of a worldwide education program sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Parents learn that our Bible curriculum is implemented without apology and approached with the understanding that many of our students, Adventists included, may not be knowledgeable regarding the truths found in the Bible. These parents desire a Christian learning environment for their children and appreciate our approach to Christian education.

Community parents often reach out to our teachers about our Adventist faith, and often an invitation follows asking the parent to attend one of our Adventist churches. Through the years, several of our community families have become members of our church through ministry taking place at our school.

Some challenges we have encountered with community families has involved the aligning our Adventist beliefs with opportunities set forth by community parents. Whether there is a suggestion of serving alcohol or meat at an event or hosting events on Sabbath, we are committed to uphold- ing our Adventist beliefs and values in all our planning. We have found that once community parents learn more about our beliefs, they approach their planning differently and are respectful of our beliefs.

Another challenge for us is how to navigate the “us” (Adventist) versus “them” (Community) mentality. Our Fundamental Belief #14 states, “We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another.” Vista Ridge Academy provides Christ-centered elementary education for all students, both Adventist and community children. We know we can learn a lot from our community parents, so we have always been intentional about inviting all parents to help us with Home and School events and projects, marketing events, commit- tees, classroom activities, etc.

We want all our families to feel welcome at Vista Ridge Academy. From the first point of contact to enrollment and beyond, we focus on giving great customer service to all our families. This process involves phone calls and texting, emails, personal notes, campus tours and face-to-face meetings. During the first month of school, all families are invited to our Dedication Sabbath and Back to School Night. We also host a Welcome Breakfast for new families. We invite our constituent churches to these events to share their church ministry with the parents. This past summer, Boulder Adventist church invited families to attend Vacation Bible School, held at our school. Twin Peaks Adventist Church invited all our families to join their Adventurer and Pathfinder Club. This year, Parent Ambassadors are reaching out to new families to see how they are adjusting to having their children at Vista Ridge Academy. One Parent Ambassador is doing this by hosting a dessert night in their home for all the Pre–K and Kindergarten moms.

One of our community families said, “You’re one of the best secrets around.” Vista Ridge Academy is committed to letting our community in on the secret. We want our school to be the first choice for Christian education in the north Denver metropolitan area, creating strong students and community engagement and a reputation for excellence in academic achievement and personal growth.

To help make our vision a reality, we have put together a three-year marketing plan. To reach community families, we are participating in several events with the town of Erie and the Erie Chamber of Commerce. Some of these events include hosting Business After Hours and Meet the Candidates, having a booth at Erie Country Christmas, Erie Town Fair, Erie Block Parties and the Erie Miner’s Blast. This year, we are working with the Erie Community Food Bank by collecting personal care items and helping to create Thanksgiving baskets for local residents in need.

Vista Ridge Academy is excited to offer a Christian education to all families who desire one. We join the Rocky Mountain Conference in supporting and empowering all our families foremost to “know Christ and to make Him fully known.”

–Sandy Hodgson is principal of Vista Ridge Academy. Email her at: [email protected]. Marsha Bartulec is vice principal and marketing director of Vista Ridge Academy. Email her at: [email protected]

01 Dec

A Voice from Vista Ridge Academy

By Sandy Hodgson

Vista Ridge Academy is blessed with support from Boulder, Chapel Haven, and Twin Peaks Adventist churches. Our constituent churches are committed to helping their families desiring a Christian education to attend our school. Enrollment increased 25 percent last year due to our marketing and recruiting efforts with retention and new student enrollment. With the addition of three-year-olds in our preschool program, 70 percent of our preschool students are from our community while community families make up 38 percent of our students in the K–8 classrooms. We have learned that community families share similar faith values with us. When we give community families cam- pus tours, we are often asked what Seventh-day Adventists believe. Parents want to know how our beliefs align with their beliefs. We proudly share our central belief that “Jesus became human to save us, and through Him, we can begin again. He is preparing heaven for us and will return to take us there.” Many parents, showing relief, say they also believe this. We also share that we are part of a worldwide education program sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Parents learn that our Bible curriculum is implemented without apology and approached with the understanding that many of our students, Adventists included, may not be knowledgeable regarding the truths found in the Bible. These parents desire a Christian learning environment for their children and appreciate our approach to Christian education.

Community parents often reach out to our teachers about our Adventist faith, and often an invitation follows asking the parent to attend one of our Adventist churches. Through the years, several of our community families have become members of our church through ministry taking place at our school.

Some challenges we have encountered with community families has involved the aligning our Adventist beliefs with opportunities set forth by community parents. Whether there is a suggestion of serving alcohol or meat at an event or hosting events on Sabbath, we are committed to uphold- ing our Adventist beliefs and values in all our planning. We have found that once community parents learn more about our beliefs, they approach their planning differently and are respectful of our beliefs.

Another challenge for us is how to navigate the “us” (Adventist) versus “them” (Community) mentality. Our Fundamental Belief #14 states, “We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another.” Vista Ridge Academy provides Christ-centered elementary education for all students, both Adventist and community children. We know we can learn a lot from our community parents, so we have always been intentional about inviting all parents to help us with Home and School events and projects, marketing events, commit- tees, classroom activities, etc.

We want all our families to feel welcome at Vista Ridge Academy. From the first point of contact to enrollment and beyond, we focus on giving great customer service to all our families. This process involves phone calls and texting, emails, personal notes, campus tours and face-to-face meetings. During the first month of school, all families are invited to our Dedication Sabbath and Back to School Night. We also host a Welcome Breakfast for new families. We invite our constituent churches to these events to share their church ministry with the parents. This past summer, Boulder Adventist church invited families to attend Vacation Bible School, held at our school. Twin Peaks Adventist Church invited all our families to join their Adventurer and Pathfinder Club. This year, Parent Ambassadors are reaching out to new families to see how they are adjusting to having their children at Vista Ridge Academy. One Parent Ambassador is doing this by hosting a dessert night in their home for all the Pre–K and Kindergarten moms.

One of our community families said, “You’re one of the best secrets around.” Vista Ridge Academy is committed to letting our community in on the secret. We want our school to be the first choice for Christian education in the north Denver metropolitan area, creating strong students and community engagement and a reputation for excellence in academic achievement and personal growth.

To help make our vision a reality, we have put together a three-year marketing plan. To reach community families, we are participating in several events with the town of Erie and the Erie Chamber of Commerce. Some of these events include hosting Business After Hours and Meet the Candi- dates, having a booth at Erie Country Christmas, Erie Town Fair, Erie Block Parties and the Erie Miner’s Blast. This year, we are working with the Erie Community Food Bank by collecting personal care items and helping to create Thanksgiving baskets for local residents in need.

Vista Ridge Academy is excited to offer a Christian education to all families who desire one. We join the Rocky Mountain Conference in supporting and empowering all our families foremost to “know Christ and to make Him fully known.”

Sandy Hodgson is principal of Vista Ridge Academy. Email her at: [email protected]. Marsha Bartulec is vice principal and marketing director of Vista Ridge Academy. Email her at: [email protected]