NN Oct 2022

By Nathaniel Gamble

Two basic questions confront church members in the United States this election season: should I vote and, if the answer to the first question is yes, how should I vote?  Given the current acrimonious relationship between our two major political parties and the fallout from it that tends to show up at the dinner table, the office break room, and even the church pew, it can feel overwhelming to figure out who and what to vote for–and even why, or if, you should vote at all! It would be foolish to pretend that we are not living through a difficult social and political time, which is why answering these questions is so important.

What complicates this picture is that the membership even in Seventh-day Adventist circles is not politically monolithic. Some of us are various shades of red, while others of us prefer assorted hues of blue. Perhaps this will surprise some church members, but this Conference also hosts a robust strain of purple Seventh-day Adventists: individuals who lean Republican on some issues and Democrat on others. The questions of whether you should vote and how you should vote are simply another way to ask, “How do we stay together as a people, and how do I keep my friendships with those who may believe very differently from me politically?” The answer is found in our identity as those who belong to Jesus.

Should you vote? Definitely! It has long been a principle of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that a free conscience is a gift from God–and the free exercise of that conscience in making decisions and electing choices, regardless of how well or poorly those choices are made, is of utmost value to God. Jesus did not die only for your sins; he also died – and rose again! – for your freedom of conscience. And this also means that Jesus died for your neighbor’s freedom of conscience, whose politics you may or may not like. Relationships are kept intact, and unity among people is achieved when individuals are free to exercise the dictates of their conscience, while also lovingly respecting the intentions of others.

Considering this, how should you vote? You should vote as someone who is supremely loved by Jesus. The idea that one political party is for God and the others are not erroneous.  Likewise, the notion that one way to vote on a given ballot measure is automatically godly and all others are automatically demonic is disingenuous. Sometimes, it is very clear which decision brings God the most honor; usually, however, the decision-making process is messy, and people must simply make the best choice they can from a slate of less-than-ideal options. The best way to vote is to ask Jesus to be in the voting process with you. Then make the best choice you can, entrusting yourself and your decision to his mercy and faithfulness.

The options we get to choose from in the voting process are not always beautiful or comfortable. But the continual ability to vote, wherein we freely put our conscience into practice, is a beautiful gift given to us by God. Don’t let the occasional discomfort of voting dissuade you from exercising your conscience and respecting others as they exercise theirs. The worst electoral mistake you can make is not voting at all.

–Nathaniel Gamble is RMC religious liberty director. Photo by Dan Dennis on Unspash.

Vanessa Alarcón – Eire, Colorado … Under the theme, “Renewed in Christ,” more than 120 women met for the annual Hispanic Women’s Ministries gathering at Vista Ridge Academy on October 1. Several presenters participated in the gathering, including the keynote speaker, Pastor Ruth Rivera, Lieutenant Junior Grade and Chaplain for the US Navy.

Pastor Rivera gave two presentations focused on the freedom we have in Christ. Her mother, Social Worker Miriam Rivera, presented a workshop on building resilience through connection with others. The gathering included personal testimonies by participants on how they personally were renewed in Christ through their challenges. Dr. Ryan Turnewitsch, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine, presented seven steps for healthy aging.

The Sabbath morning was filled with inspiring music led by the Colorado Springs Hispanic church and the day ended with a celebration of anointing. Attendees shared that they left spiritually refreshed with practical ways to improve their physical and emotional health and spiritual walk in Christ.

“The overall atmosphere provided a spiritual reflection as attendees participated in interactive activities focused on prayer,” shared Patricia Rivera, RMC Hispanic women’s ministries coordinator. “We were incredibly blessed by our speakers this weekend. I hope women will continue to seek God every day and live holistically healthy lives,” Patty added.

The next Hispanic Women’s Ministries retreat is scheduled for Fall 2023 at Glacier View Ranch.
–Vanessa Alarcón is an elder at Boulder Adventist Church. Photo by Dr. Ryan Turnewitsch

Joel Reyes – Grand Junction, Colorado … Excited and looking forward to the story they will hear and the new songs they will learn, they cross the large field between Little Lambs Learning Center and Grand Junction church every Friday morning and quietly make their way into the sanctuary of the church–all 22 of them, together with their teachers. Many of them do not come from Christian homes and the Bible stories are new and exciting.

This year, Intermountain Adventist Academy made an effort to reach out to Little Lambs Learning Center, the day care center sharing a section of the campus, inviting the pre-kindergarten class to come to school chapels on Fridays. Both the learning center and Intermountain Adventist Academy had to make a few adjustments to their programs to make it happen, but in the end, both are blessed.

What a joy to see the line of small kids marching in perfect accord, quietly taking their place in the front rows of the church to worship with our Intermountain Adventist Academy (IAA) students.

October 17-21 was our Fall Week of Prayer with Brandon Westgate, the Rocky Mountain Conference youth director, and our little friends came and visited us every day. The final day, Sunday, October 21, was “spirit day” at IAA, a day where students dress in different ways following a predetermined theme. The theme for the day was “wacky day.”

When our little friends from Little Lambs learned what their “bigger” friends across the field were doing, they also wanted to have a wacky day. So, they showed up wearing a rainbow of colors that obviously did not match. Even their teachers put on some outrageous items to match the children.

We express our gratitude to the Lord for Brandon’s visit, and for the opportunity God has given our school to minister to our little friends across the field. Perhaps one of them went home and shared with their parents about Brandon’s biblical illustration regarding value, and how priceless they are, so priceless that Jesus came all the way from heaven to redeem them.

Perhaps they naturally started to sing one of the songs they learned in chapel. Think about it…

“You came from Heaven to earth
To show the way
From the earth to the cross
My debt to pay
From the cross to the grave
From the grave to the sky
Lord I lift Your name on high…”.

Isn’t that how ministry works? It only takes a spark to get a fire going.

–Joel Reyes is Intermountain Adventist Academy principal. Photo supplied.

RMCNews – Denver, Colorado … At the outset of the October 11 meeting of the RMC Executive Committee, Mic Thurber, RMC president, welcomed new members to the committee: Ana Alvarez, layperson from Colorado Springs Hispanic; Randy Fueilly, layperson from Durango; and Anton Kapusi, pastor from Pueblo.

Following their individual introductions, and a presentation of present activities and plans to the new Executive Committee, all RMC departmental directors were voted for the current quinquennium. The directors, who are committee invitees, left the deliberations in order for the committee to discuss and vote on them to continue in their current positions. RMC president, Mic Thurber, whose wife Jana was being voted on for her positions as Prayer Ministries Coordinator, Women’s Ministries Director, and Ministerial Spousal Support Director, also left the room. Doug Inglish, RMC vice president for administration, chaired in his absence. All directors were returned to their respective positions, and Thurber resumed the chair.

Darin Gottfried, RMC vice president for finance, presented a current financial statement. “Through August of this year, RMC total tithe is down by 2.01% or (236,957.58). Our base tithe, which excludes windfalls, was down by 5.17% or (609,254.58),” he reported.

The Committee accepted the financial report subject to audit. The audit review was presented in which RMC received a favorable opinion. Also voted was establishing the RMC compensation review committee for the quinquennium.

Gottfried informed the Executive Committee that at their next meeting, he will present a preliminary budget for 2023.

Inglish reported pastoral vacancies in six districts, including Aurora First Church–Lead Pastor; Colorado Springs Central–Lead Pastor; Golden Church–Lead Pastor; Fort Morgan District–Lead Pastor; Littleton Church–Associate Pastor and Lead Pastor; Palisade District–Lead Pastor. The committee was briefed on where each of these churches stand in the process of finding the next pastor.

A motion was passed to close the Holyoke church following a report that the church voted in business session to close.

It was also voted to extend an invitation to fill an Executive Committee opening for a layperson from Wyoming. The name will be released if and when that person accepts the position.

The committee was briefed about bringing Good News TV, an independent ministry not affiliated with RMC, to the Denver area. The presentation was made by Luke Skelton, supported by local church leaders who are helping to make it possible. The ministry has been registered with the Secretary of State office in Colorado as a non-profit, received their Tax Identification Number, and has applied for 501 (c)3 status. According to Skelton, they have been up on free, over-the-air TV on channel 26.5 for several weeks, bringing a select variety of programs from Hope TV, 3ABN, and other ministries. Viewers are already calling in.

With travel plans to attend meetings in Chicago regarding the upcoming Pathfinder Camporee in Gillette, Wyoming, Mic Thurber asked Doug Inglish to chair the remainder of the meeting.

A report was given by Lisa Cardinal from the subcommittee appointed to make recommendations on the protection of employees who may disagree with the action of the constituents to allow for ordination of candidates of either gender. In the preceding committee meeting, which set up the subcommittee, a temporary policy was suggested by RMC president Thurber and approved, which is as follows:

• No worker will lose his or her job because of their personal view on women’s ordination.
• No pressure will be brought to bear from administration for a worker to change his or her view on women’s ordination.
• No worker will be kept from any normal advancement opportunities because of their personal view on women’s ordination.
• No potential worker who is otherwise appropriate for a given position when coming into our conference will be denied it by conference administration based on their view on women’s ordination.
• Attendance and participation in fellow pastors’ ordinations has always been voluntary in Rocky Mountain Conference. That practice will continue.

A survey of conferences who have moved forward on ordination for either gender indicated that they have had no problems with employees who did not agree, but that if any problem arose, they were confident that there were already policies in place to deal with dissension that became inappropriate. It was the opinion of the subcommittee that RMC also has policies sufficient to address inappropriate dissension, which place the Executive Committee as the final arbiter of any such cases, and that no further policy is necessary. Upon their recommendation, no action was taken.

The status of the Bloomfield NM Hispanic Church, which has considered moving to the Texico Conference, was discussed. Further investigation is needed to know what will be required to complete the process.

The committee discussed the emphasis Risk Management has placed on having clear separation between RMC and independent ministries over which we have no oversight. Donations, seats on the board, and even rental of facilities must be carefully monitored in order to not become entangled so that courts could find us financially liable for the actions of such a ministry. It is possible to engage in a level of cooperation while clearly remaining separate organizations, but it is vital that RMC oversee relations with any such entity. This is not a value judgment on these ministries. Our administration and affected departments (such as Property and Trust) are already reviewing all such relationships and making necessary adjustments.

The committee accepted proposed dates for 2023 meetings which are as follows: February 21, April 11, June 27, August 22, October 17, and December 12.

The next RMC Executive Committee meeting is scheduled for December 12.

–RMCNews

By Nathaniel Gamble

October 31 marks a very special occasion and it’s not Halloween. I’m talking about Reformation Day, the anniversary of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses against Indulgences in 1517 and starting (unbeknownst to him at the time) the Protestant Reformation. Reformation Day has been observed intermittently since the late sixteenth century, gaining in popularity and international celebration as the centuries progressed.  The 500^th anniversary of Reformation Day was observed throughout the world in 2017, and was the occasion for several Lutheran, Reformed, Anglican, Anabaptist, and a few Roman Catholic commemorations.

Seventh-day Adventists, however, have never really paid much attention to Reformation Day. For various reasons, some of which include jobs, school, family, and church responsibilities, Adventists have mostly been unaware of the importance or significance of Reformation Day. But I believe Reformation Day is an excellent time to demonstrate a winsome witness as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian and invest more deeply in Seventh-day Adventist religious liberty concerns.

For starters, Reformation Day provides us with an opportunity to get to know our neighbors.  All of us have friends, family members, and work associates who identity as Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, and Mennonite, to name a few. Do you know anything about these religious identities? Did you know your Lutheran friend’s religious heritage developed from Luther’s insistence on justification entirely being by Christ’s grace? How about your Baptist neighbor, whose religious tradition goes back to English believers who maintained that those being baptized must be old enough to make a decision for Jesus for themselves? Did you know that both the Methodists and Episcopalians have roots in Anglicanism, which began as King Henry VIII’s own version of Christianity? And did you know that the Mennonites used to be persecuted for their Christian beliefs by Lutheran and Anglican churches, but not by Baptist churches? All of these groups can be traced back in one way or another to the Protestant Reformation, and getting to know these histories will help each of us deepen our relationships with those who call these histories their own.

Perhaps more pressing, however, is the continued need which Reformation Day occasions: to be like Jesus by protecting the freedom of others to practice religion according to their conscience. For all his good, Luther often encouraged princes and other government authorities to forbid the practice of any form of Christianity in their lands except his own. The reformers Huldrych Zwingli and Heinrich Bullinger followed suit in Zurich, as did Martin Bucer in Strasbourg. John Calvin encouraged the same policy in Geneva, even going so far as to encourage the banishment of Jerome Bolsec for denying double predestination and involving himself in the execution of Michael Servetus for denying the Trinity.

Additionally, all these reformers fiercely argued for directing persecution and capital punishment against Anabaptist Christians, and most also argued that Jews and Muslims should be deprived of their religious liberties. Except for Anabaptists, who believed everyone should have the freedom to practice religion according to their conscience, Protestants and Roman Catholics in the sixteenth century felt that religious liberty only applied to their own groups instead of to all groups. For Seventh-day Adventists, the freedom to worship (or not worship) according to your conscience is sacred and must be afforded to everyone–something we learned from the Anabaptists.

So, what should an Adventist do with Reformation Day? My suggestion is to use it as an occasion to better understand God and others. Spend the day reading some histories of the Reformation to better know and understand the world we live in today. I recommend starting with John Bossy’s Christianity in the West, 1400-1700; Diarmaid MacCulloch’s The Reformation: A History; or Brad Gregory’s Salvation at Stake: Martyrdom in Early Modern Europe. Alternatively, you could search for Reformation Day celebrations near you and attend one. Doing this will expose you to the religious experiences of others while providing you with a platform to share Jesus’ love. Of course, there’s always the option of throwing your own Reformation Day celebration. This could be a neighborhood block party, a lunch with a few friends whose Christian denominations you’re interested in learning more about, or just a small family get together to praise God for the ways he has led believers in the past as you look forward to the future he has in store for you.

Finally, consider getting involved in local, national, or global religious liberty efforts.  Visit the North American Division Public Affairs and Religious Liberty webpage at www.religiousliberty.info and check out the many resources available to Adventist church members. It identifies several ways to defend and work toward religious liberty for everyone from a Christ-centered perspective. Whatever you do on Reformation Day, do it to the glory of God.

–Nathaniel Gamble is RMC religious liberty director. Photo Win van ‘t Einde on Unspash.

Mickey, Mallory – Columbia, Maryland … Our very own Rajmund [Ray] Dabrowski, Rocky Mountain Conference Communication Director, received the Society of Adventist Communicators Lifetime Achievement Award last week at the North American Division headquarters in Columbia, MD. It was a fitting honor for a man very dedicated to serving his God and his church.

Born in central Poland, Ray has served the church well for more than 50 years now. Among the many highlights of his ministry two occurred while he was serving at the General Conference in Silver Spring, Maryland. While there, he established Adventist News Network and coordinated a process to establish the church’s global corporate identity (logo).

Brenda Dickerson, Mid-America Union communication director, remarks, “Ray has brought the Adventist Church to higher levels of communication professionalism in every role where he has served during his long and notable career. It is an honor to work with him and learn from the wealth of experience he graciously shares.”

For the last eight years, Ray has served as editor of NewsNuggets and Mountain Views in the Rocky Mountain Conference. As editor, he strives to help people, around the conference and beyond, to connect to each other by sharing life and ministry stories. His greatest passion is to help people connect to Jesus Christ by sharing the story of God’s amazing love.

Ed Barnett, former Rocky Mountain Conference president, believes Ray was “a godsend” to the conference. “We had just lost our communication director on a Wednesday and that Sabbath I went to Boulder to preach. After church, Ray came up and introduced himself to me and let me know he was retired from the General Conference Communication Department and would love to help if needed. We ended up hiring him and are still being blessed by his work today!”

Always full of humor, Ray says, that in his case being a church retiree is fake news.

When reflecting upon the recognition Ray was recently given, current Rocky Mountain Conference President, Mic Thurber, shared that it was “a well deserved recognition for our friend and colleague. His many years of excellent service to our entire church and, in his later years here in RMC, have made a lasting mark. We are blessed to continue to benefit from his depth of experience and professionalism. Thanks for investing in us, Ray, and we wish you every blessing as you continue to help us all communicate God’s love and grace.”

This Friday, just like every other Friday, many across our conference and beyond, will receive the Rocky Mountain Conference NewsNuggets. There will be a number of stories contained in it, but the story behind all the stories is the story of an editor who loves God very much and wants to make an eternal difference in the hearts of each reader.

Thanks Ray, for letting God use you. We are all better because of your work.

– Mickey Mallory is RMC ministerial director. Photo by Hugh Davis.