NN Oct 2020 Page 5

01 Oct

ABILITY TO DISCERN

In

By Gordon Anic

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge    and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. [Philippians 1:9-11 NIV]

These words are more appropriate now than they ever were. Life has become one giant stadium with millions of people screaming into millions of microphones and all of that noise is directed at you and me. I don’t know about you but for me it is overwhelming.

I have a job which requires me to be on call all the time. I have bills to pay, my health to take care of and my family to worry about. That family, until July 26th. included my mom. In early July she fell and was taken to the hospital which informed us that she was COVID positive. Our lives turned upside down.

All of a sudden, the noise of the world faded away and all I could focus on was my mother. Things that were important became unimportant and were put on hold. Major issues became minor issues. The world with all of its demands and impositions just didn’t matter anymore.

It is interesting how most of us need a major kick in the pants to slow down, tune out, turn off, walk away and seek peace. Apostle Paul said, “It is my prayer … that you may discern what is best…”

Funny thing is that we all know what is best. Knowledge is no longer reserved for the rich and learned. In the age of information, all knowledge is at your fingerprints. What’s even more amazing is that the right knowledge has always been in our hearts. In your gut you always knew what was best and how to be pure for the day of Christ, but the desires and problems of this world are powerful. We become immersed into recipe of life that Satan has designed. We look around us and we want what the world has to offer. We become over involved in the affairs of the world too such a degree that we become under involved in the affairs of God’s kingdom.

I think it is time for Christians to slow down and tune the world out. Time to go back to basics of prayer, study and time in nature. Next few years are shaping out to be the most significant time to spread the gospel since the apostles received the Holy Spirit at the Pentecost. That time will come and go. Some of us will be ready to go and work while others will be asleep.

Now is the time to discern what you must do to fill your life with Jesus and his righteousness. Now is the time to prepare for the coming of our Lord.

—Gordon Anic is pastor of Arvada Adventist Church

01 Oct

PANDEMIC DOES NOT STOP VIBRANT CHURCH ACTIVITIES, RMC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HEARS

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RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … “Tithe and offering faithfulness is such a blessing in our Conference. Church members and their pastors are inspiring in their dedication to God, which is clearly visible in how God’s church is supported,” said Ed Barnett, RMC president.

In his report to the RMC Executive Committee on September 29, Barnett expressed gratitude to all RMC churches which, in spite of the volatile situation from the pandemic, are successfully using technology so that regular worship services can be conducted.

Reporting on RMC finances, George Crumley, RMC VP for finance, stated that through the month of August “our base tithe (which excludes windfalls), was only down by 0.80%. Our total tithe was down by 7.45%. The reason for the decrease this year,” he explained, “is because through 2019, we had windfalls of over $1,000,000, which we have not had this year.”

Because of weaker tithe and the uncertainty of the future, the Conference is not providing the inflationary pay increase in 2020, in step with all conferences across the North American Division.

Currently the Conference has a hiring freeze, Crumley commented. “Even though revenues are down on tithe itself, but we are still tracking fairly close to budget so far this year,” he reported.

Lonnie Hetterle, RMC education superintendent, shared education highlights. “In spite of the pandemic, RMC schools are open and adapting well” to an ever-changing situation and to safety needs. Hetterle said the new Bible curriculum, “Encounter Series” is life-changing for teachers and students, teaching relationship with Christ. Education is working toward a shift to standards-based instruction rather than just grade-level instruction. This measures the learning of the student.

The committee was also informed of the upcoming joint worship service to be conducted by Denver Park Hill and Littleton churches displaying acceptance and unity.

In a snapshot of the status of the hospitals dealing with the challenges of COVID, Morre Dean, Senior VP and Chief Integration Officer at Centura Health, and a member of the committee, said that the April-May months were the peak impact of the pandemic. Currently the numbers have dropped to a more normalized range in our hospitals. Adventist hospitals have done well at navigating this crisis and returning to a more normal operation. “The mission [of hospitals] is serving the community,” Dean stated.

Don Reeder, Campion Academy principal,  informed the committee that the school’s enrollment began with 142 students and is holding strong. The sale of the 65 acres of unused land will come close to completing the goal of Campion Academy’s endowment for a worthy student fund of 10 million dollars. Reeder added that the school welcomed many new staff members along with a new chaplain, and the school sees a resurgence of the literature ministry program reaching out to the community.

The committee voted for pastoral ordination recommendations to be passed on to the Mid-American Union Conference, which will be subject to the ordination committee review. It includes John Davidson from Cañon City, Bob McAlpine from Alamosa, Nathan Cranson from Montrose, and Matt Hasty, coordinator of Literature Ministry.

Eric Nelson updated the committee on the impact of COVID on our churches. “Most of our churches are open,” he said. He also referred to the required protocols and challenges that churches are facing from the pandemic.

In a report by the RMC Trust Department, its director, Doug Inglish said that the department has faced significant challenges with an overwhelming workload and backlog. They have made a procedural move to write more wills in serving members in our conference. “This streamlines the process and the upgrades in technology have also aided the department to be more efficient,” Inglish stated. The recent departmental audit affirmed these steps in efficiency and has given the RMC trust department the highest rating.  He summarized his report in saying that “the department progressed to a point where they wanted to be all along.”

The Executive Committee members were updated on the 2020 Town Hall filming, a program to be released on October 9 in NewsNuggets and on the RMC Facebook page.

–RMCNews

01 Oct

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN 175 WOMEN ARE HANDED LEMONS? LEMONADE, OF COURSE!

In

By DeeAnn Bragaw – Loveland, Colorado … In early August, the annual Rocky Mountain Conference women’s retreat plans for a weekend escape to Glacier View Ranch filled with laughter, hugs, and friendships renewed was on track to be another casualty of the ongoing COVID situation.

Facing this reality Deeann Bragaw, RMC Women’s Ministry director, remembered the proverbial phrase, “When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade” and began to think of alternatives to the weekend retreat.

“Our much-revised Fall Women’s retreat included being distanced, masked, and outside, but we came together in heart as we were reminded from God’s Word that He wants to take our suffering and turn it into service,” Bragaw, said.

Some 175 women, including Campion Academy girls and women of all ages from around the conference, assembled on the campus of Campion Academy to enjoy a day outdoors and in God’s Word at “Lemonade Women’s Retreat”

The gathering included a worship service led by Jennifer Woody, senior pastor of the Monroe, Washington church. After a picnic-style lunch, the group separated into three groups for workshops, including one designed for teens and led by Woody.

Later, the gathering reconvened to participate in a community service project which included painting “Hope Rocks” to be placed outside where individuals can discover them and gain courage and hope through their messages.

At the close of the retreat, participants were encouraged to surrender a lemon to Jesus, symbolizing “lemons” that have come into our lives, while the group prayed over these “lemons.”

As the assembly was leaving the field where they had enjoyed a day filled with laughter, unique socially-distanced fellowship, and spiritual lemonade, women could be overheard commenting on the events.

“This is the best thing that’s happened to me in six months! I feel so encouraged!” “My devotions were dry. Thank you so much for giving me new tools!” “I never thought of my suffering as something God could use. Thank you!” “I loved painting the rocks! I hope someone is encouraged when they find mine!”

–DeeAnn Bragaw is Rocky Mountain Conference Women’s Ministry director; photos by Stefanie Deapen

 

01 Oct

CAMPION STUDENTS GIVE BACK

In

By Sami Hodges – Loveland, Colorado … Campion students gave their Sunday, normally a free day to enjoy teenage activities, to improve their campus and the campus of Glacier View Ranch, along with various other outreach projects in the surrounding area, during their annual Community Service Day

Students at Campion Academy cleaned up their campus by cutting down dead trees, doing yard work and agriculture and tearing down a deck behind the girls’ dorm.

“This experience taught me how to be more thankful for the staff and what they do for us,” reflected Odalis Mata, Campion senior. “I know the staff are all busy as teachers and parents, so they don’t exactly have time to do things like gardening, yard work, and things like that. For me, Community Service Day was like a ‘thank-you’ from us to them so we could help get things done around campus. “

Other service projects included painting at Glacier View Ranch, passing out GLOW tracts with Literature Evangelism, picking up trash along the highway, and volunteering at a community member’s horse barn with general clean up.

Reflecting on the day, students realized the importance of taking pride in the work completed.

“I was able to come together with students I don’t necessarily talk to as much, and we just helped out together. I think we were able to work together to make the campus look better and know that we did it ourselves,” Brisa Maldonado, Campion junior said.

–Sami Hodges is a senior at Campion Academy; photos by Jill Harlow, Tiffany Dien, and Darcy Force

01 Oct

ALAMOSA PASTOR’S TWO CHILDREN BAPTIZED

In

By Bob McAlpine – Alamosa, Colorado… Every baptism is special, but the Alamosa church recently celebrated two baptisms that Bob McAlpine, Alamosa pastor, will never forget–the baptism of his two children, Meredith and Tristan.

McAlpine recalls the weeks leading up to the baptismal date, saying those weeks “stressed me out. I saw all the petty acts of selfishness that take place between siblings. Worse, I saw how my own bad habits and sins (let’s just be honest, here) were shaping my children.”

There are two types of parents in the world—those who think that their children are perfect, and those who are pained by every little fault or flaw they see in their children. I’m the second kind of parent.

The question McAlpine kept asking was, “How can I baptize these so obviously imperfect children?” The answer came as he was reminded multiple times that baptism is not for the perfect, but for those who want to follow Jesus.

McAlpine recalled the blessing his children gave him while they studied for baptism.

“While I was serving them as a dad and pastor, my children were also ministering to me. They reminded me that Jesus’s love, in the words of The Jesus Storybook Bible, is a “never stopping, never giving up, unbreaking, always and forever love,” McAlpine said.

“Baptizing them was one of the highlights of my ministry,” McAlpine concluded.

Two students who attend the Alamosa Adventist school with Meredith and Tristan are making plans to be baptized later this month.  Outreach continues at the school as half of the students attending are from different faith communities.

–Bob McAlpine is the Pastor of the Alamosa Church; photo supplied

01 Oct

MILE HIGH ACADEMY HOSTS FIRST EVER VIRTUAL ALUMNI WEEKEND CELEBRATION

In

By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Due to a mandated closed campus for large events and COVID unknowns, Mile High Academy shifted its 2020 Alumni Weekend to a virtual celebration on Sabbath and an in-person golf tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course on Sunday.

The virtual Alumni Sabbath event began, September 26. A video was posted via MHA’s YouTube channel as a premiere event and linked to the Alumni website. A .pdf of the program was also offered on the website.

Throughout the video, alumni reflected on the question, “What does MHA mean to you?” Volunteers from many of the honor classes offered the welcome, prayers, Scripture reading, and sermonettes. Celebrating 55 years since his graduation, Alumnus Dave Ferguson (’65) shared humorous memories of his time as a student at Mile High Academy. Elder James Brauer (’70) challenged his alumni family to get to know Jesus, and a new promotional video highlighted the campus and cast light on the values that make Mile High Academy the special school it remains today.

A beautiful morning dawned Sunday, September 27, but turned blustery and cold for the 80 golfers who participated in the annual Alumni Golf Tournament at Arrowhead Golf Course. The teams, nevertheless, enjoyed the morning of fellowship and laughter. The event raised more than $5,000 for the school’s Annual Fund. Prizes were given for first, second and third place as well as a for closest to the hole, longest drive, and a putting-green challenge.

“I am thankful Mile High Academy was still able to host an Alumni celebration. We appreciate the continued support from all our alumni. It’s because of such support that the school is able to celebrate serving the Denver area community for 107 years,” said Jocelyn Aalborg, MHA VP of finance and development and Honor Class of 2005.

To view the alumni weekend video, please visit www.milehighacademy.org/alumni2020.

–Karrie Myers is Mile High Academy’s communication assistant; photo supplied

01 Oct

Fire destroys homes and communities near Pacific Union College

In

RMCNews –Angwin, California … Early Sunday morning, September 27, Saint Helena Hospital and the campus of Pacific Union College received the order to leave the premises immediately due to a nearby forest fire that had just been sparked.

The “Glass” fire grew rapidly and by evening was nearing Saint Helena Hospital as firefighters worked to keep the fire from crossing the road onto the hospital’s campus.

Due to the rapid growth and unpredictable direction of the fire many local residents had only minutes to escape.

While the firefighters did everything possible to contain the fire, the nearby community of Deer Park took a direct hit by the fire.  Foothills Adventist Elementary School, the Dorcas Center, and the Adventist Community Building, located in Deer Park were consumed by the fast-moving fire.

The ever-changing winds made the fire next to impossible to fight and was random in its destruction of property with one side of a highway burned, the other side remained untouched.

The nearby Elmshaven home of Ellen G. White was spared from the fire while destruction surrounded the property.

“The fire got extremely close. I’m feeling like an angel must have been hovering over this place and kept it from burning.  I don’t know what else to think. When everything around us burned and this property here survived,” Abner Castanon, Elmshaven caretaker, said.

Reacting to the tragedy of the Napa Valley fire, regional Adventist leaders said that “with so many facing the uncertainties of displacement and loss, we are continuing to pray for the safety of everyone impacted by this difficult situation and for the cessation of the fires. This is our hope and focus.”

A statement released by Pacific Union College on their Facebook page states, “Your donations are urgently needed to support the students, faculty, and staff in our PUC family who have been affected by the Glass Fire. Our school is safe at this time and we are truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful and caring community. Thank you for your prayers and emergency support.”

PUC is accepting donations to help with the displaced families.  To donate please click here.

The Glass fire continues to burn with no containment as of the time of this article being published.

Photo courtesy of the Elmshaven Landmark Facebook page.

 

Fire closing in on St. Helena Hospital. Photo courtesy of St Helena Hospital Foundation Facebook page.
01 Oct

The Delight in Their Eyes

In

By Esther Ramharacksingh Knott — Columbia, Maryland … During an offering appeal, I once asked the church members, “What secular holiday is in our faces all through the month of October?” There were some children sitting near the front. Their immediate and energetic response was, “Halloween!” Their suppressed giggles and the delight in their eyes was, of course, much less about their understanding of the paganism behind this ritual, than it was about the candy and treats they might receive at a “Fall Festival” — a stash to last all year.

I wanted the children (and members) to engage in a different kind of day that occurs in October — Clergy Appreciation Day. While churches use the second weekend of October to celebrate this day, the entire month of October is now National Clergy Month in the U.S.

Some claim that in 1992, Hallmark Cards started “Clergy Appreciation Day.” After all, giving us a reason to buy a card is good for business. Others state, however, that the concept of clergy appreciation began way back in AD 65-66* when the Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy: “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Tim.5:17, NKJV). While Hallmark may have helped us focus our appreciation by buying cards and gifts from their stores during October, Paul reminds us that it is biblical to honor and care for our pastors.

Making a List

I recently asked Olivia, my 26-year-old daughter who grew up as an MD — Minister’s Daughter (a.k.a. Pastor’s Kid — PK), if she would take five minutes to make a list of what she understands to be the work of a pastor. She told me that the timer stopped her while she still had much more to write. Livvy’s list reminded me that it takes a lot of commitment and energy for pastors to serve from their hearts as they lead, guide, mentor, plan, equip, listen, study, and preach.

During this time of COVID-19 when many churches remain closed, the work of our pastors has shifted and increased as they have developed new skills and have become increasingly creative in the way they serve their members and their communities. Pastors have been kept busy as they check in on members through phone calls, Zoom sessions, and home visits (from the sidewalk). Pastors have delivered meals, Sabbath School Bible Study Guides, and hope. They have organized the members to be intentional about caring for one another and their neighbors. Our pastors have very keenly felt the isolation. So, this year, it is especially important to have a Sabbath —  or even an entire month in October — set aside to shower our pastor(s) with tangible evidences of our appreciation, love, and care for them.

20 Ways to Show Your Pastor Appreciation

To help us celebrate Clergy Appreciation Month, I gathered a few ideas (see below) that I hope will be a springboard for your own personalized expressions of appreciation. You know your pastor best; and if you have more than one pastor on your church staff, be sure do something special for each of them. The “appreciation coordinator” for each pastor should be someone from the primary group whom the pastor serves. For example, a parent-child team could coordinate the appreciation for the children’s pastor.

  1. Send a message of appreciation by card, text, email, and/or “snail mail.” Recall a specific way that you have been blessed by the ministry of your pastor.
  2. A gift card from Amazon, Visa, Master Card, American Express. (This gives the pastor the freedom to shop at their favorite store and buy what they need, including a new suit.)
  3. Group gift of an envelope stuffed with cash ($5 and $10 bills).
  4. Dinner at their favorite restaurant (provide childcare if needed).
  5. Show up at prayer meeting (in person or online).
  6. Support your local church financially on a systematic basis, maybe with an extra gift to a ministry that is extra special to your pastor and is in great need.
  7. Love your pastor’s children and find appropriate ways to demonstrate this. (Do not expect more of them than you do of your own children.)
  8. Do not wait to be asked to fill a position in the church that needs your gifts — volunteer.
  9. Share with the pastor one way your life has been benefitted by his/her ministry.
  10. Post something nice about your pastor on social media — and tag them.
  11. Mow their lawn.
  12. Rake their leaves.
  13. Deliver potted chrysanthemums to their house. (Can you imagine what it would be like for a pastor to come home to a yard spotted with the brilliant colors of these mums?)
  14. Provide Sabbath lunch for the family. Let them enjoy the meal alone.
  15. Live as a disciple of Jesus. (This will bless your pastor as you grow more like Jesus every day.)
  16. Pray for your pastor and his/her family every day in October and let each family member know.
  17. If you have a church school, arrange for the children to make a special presentation.
  18. Have the children’s Sabbath School classes make cards to present to the pastor.
  19. As a group, each take a different day in the month of October and do something special for the pastor on that day.
  20. Have a surprise recognition for your pastor(s) during the church service.

Here is some guidance regarding number 20: A surprise is best because it is awkward for pastors to agree to have time set aside in the service so you can “honor” them. They may even ask you not to do anything, so don’t ask. If the pastor finds out that something is afoot, and expresses discomfort with the idea, with a smile, remind them that “Clergy Appreciation Month” is not just about the pastor. It is about giving the congregation the opportunity to fulfil the biblical imperative to honor those who serve. “Pastor, I don’t think you want to discourage the members from doing something that God has asked us to do.” Keep smiling and keep moving forward with your plan.

Indeed, Clergy Appreciation Month goes beyond showing appreciation for the pastor. It includes demonstrating to our children how to care for others. It is about seeing delight in the eyes of our children as they see the delight in someone else’s eyes because of what they (the children) have given, not received. The “treat” that you give your pastors this October will be their stash — the memory of which can sustain them all year. It will lead to the delight we will see in our Heavenly Father’s eyes when He opens the door and welcomes us into His kingdom, which, of course, will be the greatest “treat” of all — because the sweetness will last throughout eternity.

* Date taken from Andrews Study Bible, NKJV, p. 1579.

— Esther Ramharacksingh Knott is an associate director of the North American Division Ministerial Association and director of the MA in Pastoral Ministry program at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University. She has served as a parish pastor for 26 years, and for the last seven years she has been a pastor to pastors across the NAD, seeking to affirm them all year long. She is also a volunteer pastor at her home church — Berrien Springs Village Church in Michigan. This article was updated on Sept. 30, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. ET.

This article was originally published on North American Division website

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