The days of ambivalence in the Christian life are drawing to an end. Having one foot in the world and the other in the church has caused only pain and imbalance. It is time for us to stop walking along the shore, dreaming of the other side but staying put. It is time to act on our faith—come what may.
Fear of sharing our faith, except for those with the unstoppable sanguine temperament, causes many of us to experience faith-sharing paralysis. We just can’t do it. And since we can’t, we don’t. So another chance to trust in Jesus may have evaporated into thin air. When Christ told us to proclaim forgiveness of sins to all (Luke 24:46-48), He did not discriminate: • He did not isolate His command to Peter, James, and John, the big three. • He did not exclude the women in the room.
He did not pass over timid Thomas a week later (John 20:24-29).
Jesus saw a mighty army eager to share what they had learned from Him. He included everyone in His band of witnesses to the good news. Let’s follow His lead, shall we?
The first time I gave a gospel presentation to someone I didn’t do a very good job. And the second time I didn’t do much better. But I kept presenting. I kept focusing on those wonderful words of life in Scripture, and people began to listen and surrender to the love of God in Christ. Now the verses, illustrations, and analogies come to me naturally—awake or asleep.
Practice does make perfect. Let’s practice giving away our faith, and God will take our humble efforts and one day show us on the Sea of Glass the fruit of this wonderful labor.
Remember: “Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
Again it’s time to act on our faith—come what may.
Ron E. M. Clouzet, D.Min., is ministerial secretary and director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI). He is also professor of Christian ministry and practical theology in Andrews University Theological Seminary.
The Annual Flow Report on Refugees and Asylees is now available.
Note the following highlights:
·More refugees are arriving from Iraq than from any other country. Burma (with refugees primarily from the Karen ethnic group) is a close second, and Bhutan is not far behind.(Fig. 3)
·Figure 5 shows Refugee Arrivals by State of Residence with California and Texas in the lead.
·An overwhelming majority of Asylees are coming from China. (See Fig. 6.)
·Figure 10 shows Affirmative Asylees by State of Residence with California, New York, and Florida at the top of the list.
May God help us to fulfill His purpose in bringing these precious souls—many from countries closed to missionaries—to our shores. (See quote below.)
“God in His providence has brought men to our very doors and thrust them, as it were, into our arms, that they might learn the truth, and be qualified to do a work we could not do in getting the light before men of other tongues.” (Evangelism, p. 570)
“Success in any line demands a definite aim. He who would achieve true success in life must keep steadily in view the aim worthy of his endeavor. Such an aim is set before the youth of today. The heaven-appointed purpose of giving the gospel to the world in this generation is the noblest that can appeal to any human being. It opens a field of effort to everyone whose heart Christ has touched.” (Education, p. 262)
The Fifth Annual Evolution Weekend sponsor claim that 850 congregations worldwide have been discussing the compatibility of religion and science February 12-14, 2010. This is an opportunity for local members to credibly express their view on evolution with other believers and leaders in their congregation and local conference. Notice the red flags added by this blogger.
The Clergy Letter Project Announces
The Fifth Annual Evolution Weekend
12-14 February 2010
850 Congregations Worldwide Will Discuss the Compatibility of Religion and Science
Contact: Dr. Michael Zimmerman, Founder and Executive Director
Clergy Letter Project
317.964.3188
mz@butler.edu <mz@butler.edu>
Web address: www.evolutionweekend.org <http://www.evolutionweekend.org/ <http://www.evolutionweekend.org/> >
Churches, temples and mosques from across the United States and around the world are joining together to celebrate Evolution Weekend, Feb. 12-14, a period designed to recognize that religion and science, two fields of critical importance to humans, should be seen as complementary rather than confrontational. Participation includes such activities as sermons, lectures, discussions and classes.
The fifth annual Evolution Weekend event is particularly timely this year since we are entering the third century since the birth of Charles Darwin and the 151th anniversary of the publication of his book, On the Origin of Species.
Twelve countries on five continents as well as all 50 states will be represented. A list of participants can be found at www.evolutionweekend.org <http://www.evolutionweekend.org/ <http://www.evolutionweekend.org/> > . More than 870 scientists on six continents, representing 29 countries, have signed on as consultants.
Michael Zimmerman, founder of Evolution Weekend and Professor of Biology at Butler University in Indianapolis, praised the participants.
“Religious leaders around the world are coming together to elevate the quality of the discussion about this important topic. They are demonstrating to their congregations that people can accept all that modern science has learned while retaining their faith,” said Zimmerman. “They are also demonstrating that those who are promoting their narrow religious views as the norm, are not speaking for most of the world’s religious community. Evolution Weekend shows that the disagreement is actually not between religious leaders and scientists, but rather between those who believe that their particular religious views should be incorporated into the science curriculum and clergy who recognize and respect the diversity of different faith traditions.”
Evolution Weekend is sponsored by The Clergy Letter Project (www.theclergyletterproject.org <http://www.theclergyletterproject.org <http://www.theclergyletterproject.org> > ), which Zimmerman started in 2004. The Christian Clergy Letter has been signed by more than 12,400 Christian clergypersons in the United States who agree that “religious truth is of a different order from scientific truth. Its purpose is not to convey scientific information but to transform hearts.” Companion Letters by Rabbis (with more than 460 signatures) and Unitarian Universalists (with more than 220 signatures) have recently begun circulating as well.
The letters urge school board members to preserve the integrity of the science curriculum by affirming the teaching of the theory of evolution as a core component of human knowledge. They ask “that science remain science and that religion remain religion, two very different, but complementary, forms of truth.”
“With clergy members and scientists banding together to proclaim that their two fields have much to teach us about the world and the people in it, with the two groups demonstrating that they can work collaboratively, there is now hope that we can put the divisiveness that has been the hallmark of this struggle behind us,” said Zimmerman. “We can look to a future in which it is no longer controversial to teach our children the best science has to offer. We can create a future in which experts in different fields respect one another and the ideas each has to offer.”
Maranatha!
Faith Johnson Crumbly
Editor, LEAD Magazine
301-393-4094
fcrumbly@rhpa.org
LEAD gets to local churches up to six months ahead of local Sabbath School programming, so we are giving local leaders a few file cards of information that can be used for VBS for two reasons:
First, as the old proverb confesses, “The best laid plans of mice and men have often gone astray.” Unforseen difficulties arise. Plans change. Leaders get stressed.
Some churches have not had VBS for a number of years. These programs offer hope and direction for starting again, starting where you are, and starting now.
1. The central theme for Vacation Bible School at the Cloverdale church in Boise, Idaho, led children to investigate “My Community.”
The information and activities revolved around how children can serve and witness for Jesus within their home, school, church, country—and their community. The children enjoyed (A) singing songs, (B) reciting memory verses, (C) hearing interesting Bible lessons and stories, (D) assembling unique crafts, (E) indulging in tasty treats, and (F) unveiling amazing discoveries in nature.
The attendance was consistent throughout the week: 35 children.
Watching a child’s eyes and face light up because they learned something new about Jesus is a heartwarming feeling that cannot be described.
And that was the purpose of this year’s Vacation Bible School at Cloverdale.
Story by Gerry Eslink, a Vacation Bible School volunteer for Cloverdale church.
2. In the long, hot, lazy days of summer, Vacation Bible School provides children with a fun, faith-based environment to learn about Jesus and build friendships.
Wilma Bing, Washington Conference family ministries director, says that local church volunteers have two purposes to fulfill with “Vacation Bible School programs:
1. To reach out to children and their parents.
2. To brings the entire church together for a common evangelistic goal.”
Through the years, Vacation Bible School has emerged as an effective way to bring Adventist and community children together for child-friendly evangelism.
“When I first got involved with VBS about 12 years ago, the majority of the kids were Adventist with only a handful of kids from the neighborhood,” says Linda Burman, VBS director fot the church in Auburn City, Washington. “Initially we found the process of integrating the neighborhood kids into our programs very difficult, as they were basically outnumbered. However, in the last couple years, the majority of kids attending VBS are from the surrounding neighborhood.”
Children in Kirkland (Wash.), Bellevue (Wash.), and Auburn City explored facing fears at Crocodile Dock, while children at Shelton Valley’s (Wash.) summer daycare camp discovered Bible royalty in Castles and Crowns. Graham (Wash.) children explored creation, while children at Auburn Academy Church visited “Rome” and the underground church in the church’s “Journey to Bethlehem” facility.
The Crocodile Dock theme, about not being afraid, was particularly relevant for a young boy with leukemia who attended the Bellevue VBS. The staff and children prayed for him to not be afraid of his treatment. When he came back, he said because of God, he hadn’t been afraid.
“VBS benefits our church,” says Dixie Robinson, Bellevue VBS leader, “because such a large percentage of people work together as a team to put on this evangelistic effort, which has a great impact on our community.”
Story by Heidi Martell, Washington Conference associate communication director
In-a-minute Resources
• Your local Sabbath School and Children’s Ministries directors.
• Candy DeVore, Children’s Ministries director, Review and Herald Publishing Association
Cindy Chamberlin, Gleaner managing editor, shared Vacation Bible School reports for 2009.
The hue of the lessons from Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday has to do with the Levites, the laying on of hands, and what it means to be called. Link to the Walla Walla University Church website to watch two sermon Conversations author Alex Bryan gave on September 26 and October 3. You will find lessons about being called by Christ, which is the calling of all of us, the “priesthood of all believers.”
Jesus would have them understand that authority in His kingdom is not hierarchical but finds expression in one getting immersed in the needs of others.
Knowledge:
By Kwabena Donkor
Kwabena Donkor is an associate director for the General Conference Biblical Research Institute.
While Jesus Christ was on earth, He set in motion a movement that would eventually become the Christian Church. Obviously, He knew what the church would become, but He did not provide any detailed prescriptions for church governance. Still, He knew that issues of authority would arise in the church and He provided principles that should guide its exercise. Such is the passage we will be looking at today.
The Context Jesus took three of His disciples through the Transfiguration experience while they were in Caesarea Philippi (Mark 9:2). In Mark 9:30 we are told that He left the place and took a course that would eventually see Him in Jerusalem. He led the disciples through Galilee purposely to keep them from the crowds so that He would have quality time to instruct them particularly concerning His death and resurrection (Mark 9:31). Jesus had told the disciples about His death before, at which time Peter came in for rebuke (Mark 8:32, 33). In this latest instruction on His passion, however, Jesus added the additional detail that the Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of men. Jesus may have meant this to be an action of God, or He may have had Judas’s betrayal in view. The word translated “delivered” or “betrayed” allows both possibilities. In any case, this instruction was exclusively intended for the disciples who did not grasp it. And they were afraid to ask Him for clarification! Were they being careful because of the earlier incident with Peter?
And how was it that Jesus’ second prediction of His death could provoke a debate on rank among them (Mark 9:34)? Could Jesus’ prediction about His death have been overshadowed by His earlier promise of the kingdom coming in power (Mark 9:1)? Or even the prediction of His “quick” resurrection? Anyhow, they did not grasp it, and Jesus instructed them on ambition, power, and authority as far as the kingdom is concerned.
The Text Jesus and His disciples finally arrived in Capernaum and entered a certain house. Jesus, who had been aware of their debate about rank while they were in “the way,” saw this as the appropriate time to address the matter (Mark 9:33). He asked them what they were disputing. There was silence, because the disciples seemed to have realized that the subject of their disputation on the way was shameful and embarrassing.
Jesus instructed them pointedly that the one who desires to be first in His kingdom must be last, and servant of all (Mark 9:35). In saying that the one who wishes to be first must be servant of all, Mark uses a future tense that could work as an imperative, thereby laying it down as a principle that spiritual greatness necessarily requires service to others. Jesus would have them understand that authority in His kingdom is not hierarchical but finds expression in one getting immersed in the needs of others. Authority does not sit high and look down but stoops low in service, sacrifice, and sympathy. Christ’s impending death that He announced to them was going to be the supreme model of service and sacrifice. How contrary to the principles of His kingdom was the response of the disciples in quibbling about rank at such a time!
Application
The fact that the disciples could contend about power in the light of Jesus’ announcement of His death should warn us about the potency of the desire for supremacy, power, and control. Their insensitiveness was rooted in self-seeking.Ellen White writes: “Among the followers of our Lord today, as of old, how widespread is this subtle, deceptive sin! How often our service to Christ, our communion with one another, is marred by the secret desire to exalt self! How ready the thought of self-gratulation, and the longing for human approval!” (The Desire of Ages, p. 409).
Today we should especially mark the subtlety and deceptiveness of the desire for greatness because of the irony of the fact that although the disciples had left all for Christ’s sake, a corner of their hearts still cherished human greatness for themselves!Thank God that His power is able to banish such self-seeking!
Hi, a number of bloggers have expressed an interest in hosting boot camps for their leaders. You can make arrangements for Boot Camps by directly contacting the LEAD magazine editor who also directs the Boot Camps: fcrumbly@rhpa.org/301-393-4094. I’ll be delighted to talk with you about this.
Notice from the Office of the Adult Bible Study Guide
The Web site www.CreationSabbath.net <http://www.creationsabbath.net/> was created to help with planning and to provide materials for churches to prepare for this event that honors God as our Creator.
Please visit the above link for sample sermons, informational articles, children’s stories, scripture passages, hymns and responsive readings as well as other resources and links.
Together we can create a sense of unity by promoting in a positive light our belief in God as Creator and make Oct. 24 a day when we publically worship God as our Creator and thank Him for giving us life and hope.
Please do whatever you can to promote and prepare for this Sabbath celebration of Creation.
D T H V R K T P O X Y X K K H Q J M T E S R X Y V
Q E Z Z N E J R G H C K W I E T I O M N P O T M E
K K T E M H T K T R F O Y I J U A O H J I T I E Z
U P E N P P C A Q R R N N A T X C E T T R A E S U
E L B A I L E R W T U F H T A R W N D S I E V S H
L Z D I I O W Y H G M T N U E O O I O N T R R I S
U N V E K M N Y H E M P H V F N B G I W U C E A E
I O U W N I M N Z L P K O H F L L A U U A C S H L
X E L Y B Y U O A O T O Y N A Y T G I Z L B U V F
J C K S X B W J R Y C L S C M N G U N R A M S B F
M Z R J K U B C T T U V L S U W E X C P P N P V E
S P O L I T I C S N A N B O Z G H W T L O K J Z H
Y L H T R A E M L K E L F G Z A S I P B P I C G C
P I D L D D L L H I R M I T S G S R E T E R N A L
U C A Y S L Z A J S M S G T N M X D T P W Y P M G
C Y S E R E H N V A P I J D Y R I H L V O E P F G
H P P R B E L I E V E H L G U E Y R A U T C N A S
A F R F I B W G T Y V Y U I N J E T P C G T X C E
R E V O L U T I O N A R Y C T V X I I F H F U E S
I A U I M B B R D O V E E D I A H U Z N H R T T S
S S S I Z I S O T F I G O D X S R Z L H I D I S E
M T R U S T S J M N P O E K R O G Y E X G R E S N
A X V P G D S E J Z L N B O Y A W A X Z N L T Y T
H I G T A V S T J B C C W E S M R B Z Q B Z V R I
P G A R C E X D Q E A F Y J W Z A D Q A R C U J W
ABLE
ANNOINTED
BAPTISM
BELIEVE
BLOOD
CHARISMA
CHRIST
CREATOR
DEATH
DENY
DOVE
EARTHLY
ETERNAL
EVIDENCE
FACETS
FEAST
FLESH
FOUNTAIN
GIFT
HEAR
HERESY
IMMORTALITY
JUDGMENT
KNEEL
MESSIAH
MILITARY
OBEDIENCE
ONLY
ORIGINAL
OVERCOME
POLITICS
PROMISE
RELIABLE
REVOLUTIONARY
SANCTUARY
SERVE
SPIRITUAL
TRINITY
TRUST
TRUTH
WATER
WITNESSES
WON
WORSHIP
WORTHY
WRATH
