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Ministry® International Journal for Pastors

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06ThemanyfacesoffundraisingPastors should see fundraising as a part of their ministry—a ministry of caring. Lilya Wagner and Halvard B. Thomsen

10Biblecamps:EvangelismthroughintensivesummercampsThese Bible camps, as described by the author, continue as an important role in the evangelistic cycle by the church in Finland. Aimo Helminen

13ReflectionsonthefutureoftheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchinNorthAmerica:Thelongviewofchurchgrowth(part2of2)How can the North American church bust the trends and turn the church around? S. Joseph Kidder

18Theordinanceofhumility:PrecursortotheCrossWe lose something precious when we no longer practice the ordinance of humility. Bernhard Oestreich

21Spiritualstrength:Whathappenswhenspiritualleadersandspiritualpeopleworktogether?Lessons from Nehemiah’s life of leadership. Aleksandar S. Santrac

24TotheendsoftheearthThe command of Jesus, “to the ends of the earth,” impels His followers to an astonishing journey of action. Daniel Scarone

05 EditoriAl

28 rEsourcEs

30 dAtElinE

C O N T E N T S

biblE crEdits Scripture quoted from KJV are from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scriptures quoted from TLB are from The Living Bible, copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, IL. Used by permission. Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Scriptures quoted from NKJV are from The New King James Version, copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. Scripture taken from The New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.


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Do you have a mentor whoinspires and instructs youintheworkofministry?Let

me recommend a servant leaderwho has been a great mentor tome—John the Baptist. He nevercalledhimselfaprophet.Hedidn’teventakethetitleofteacher.Hiswaywasrough,hiscompanionsfew,buthismissionwasclear.HewascalledtopreparethewayoftheLord.

Proclaiming truth with holy boldness

John the Baptist proclaimedtruthwithholyboldness.Thattruthfounditsfullestexpressionnotinacollectionof teachingsbut ratherinaPerson.WhenJesuscame tothe Jordan River to be baptized,Johnexclaimed,“Behold!TheLambof God who takes away the sinof the world!” (John 1:29).* Thatbolddeclarationwas the themeofJohn’sministry.HerecognizedJesusbecauseofhispersonalencounterwithGod:“IsawtheSpiritdescend-ingfromheavenlikeadove,andHeremaineduponHim.IdidnotknowHim,butHewhosentmetobaptizewithwatersaidtome,‘UponwhomyouseetheSpiritdescending,andremainingonHim, this isHewhobaptizeswith theHolySpirit.’AndIhaveseenandtestifiedthatthisistheSonofGod”(John1:32–34).

LikeJohn,theLordalsocallsus,inourparticularministrycontext,toproclaimtruthwithholyboldnessaswepreparethewayforHiscoming.Thatproclamationisonlypossibleasa resultofapersonal,supernaturalencounterwithGod.HaveyouevermetafollowerofJesuswhowalkedinthepresenceofGod?Perhapswhenthatpersonprayedwithyouor,bythewaysheshowedtheloveofGodtoothers, you recognizedadirectconnectionwithheaven.That’show

people feltwhentheywerearoundJohntheBaptist.TheysensedGod’spresenceandthatJohnhadalivingconnectionwithGod.

John the Baptist boldly pro-claimedabaptismofrepentancefortheremissionofsins.Hismessagewasacalltorevivalandreformation.Whydidpeoplelistentohisexhorta-tions?Whydidn’ttheyjustbrushhimoffasanotherfanatic?Becausetheysawholinessinhis life;theysawalivingconnectionwithGod.Therewassupernaturalconfirmation thathistestimonywastrue.

Serving with a humble spirit

JohntheBaptistgavethatboldtestimonywithaspiritofhumility.According toJosephus, Johnhadgreat influence over the masses.Hecouldeasilyhavepromotedhispersonalagendaforhisownbenefit.Instead,Johnmaintainedahumblespirit. On one occasion, some ofJohn’sdisciplescame tohimandsaid, “ ‘Rabbi, He who was withyoubeyond theJordan, towhomyouhave testified—behold,He isbaptizing, and all are coming toHim!’Johnansweredandsaid, ‘Amancan receivenothingunless ithasbeengiventohimfromheaven.Youyourselvesbearmewitness,thatIsaid,“IamnottheChrist,”but,“Ihave been sent before Him.” Hewhohasthebrideisthebridegroom;but the friendof thebridegroom,whostandsandhearshim,rejoicesgreatlybecauseofthebridegroom’svoice. Therefore this joy of mineis fulfilled.Hemust increase,but Imustdecrease’ ” (John3:26–30).What an example for us in theseclosingdaysofearth’shistory!Whataboldandcompellingvision:Jesusmustbecomegreater,andwemustbecomeless.

Asweprepare theway for thesecondcomingofJesus,whyshouldpeoplebelieveourtestimony?Afterall,somanyvoicesarecalling.Couldthis be because they see God atworkinusandthroughus?WemustproclaimthetruthaboutJesuswithholyboldnessasaresultofourlivingconnectionwithGod,anddosowithaspiritofhumility.It’snotaboutus.It’sallaboutJesus.

I’mthankfulthatJohntheBaptisthasbeenagreatmentortome,andIpray thathis testimonywill alsoblessyourlife.Somedaysoon,IplantoembraceJohntheBaptistwhenthe saints of all the ages gatherbeforethethroneofGod.Ialreadyknowhowhe’llrespond.He’llsmile,direct my attention toward thethrone,andboldlyproclaim,“Bless-ingandhonorandgloryandpowerbe toHimwhositson the throne,andtotheLamb,foreverandever”(Rev.5:13).

* Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

preparing the way

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Why didn’t they just brush him off as another fanatic? Because they saw holiness in his life; they saw a living connection with God.


lilya wagner, Edd, cFrE,isdirectorofPhilanthropicServiceforInstitutions,NorthAmericanDivisionofSeventh-dayAdventists,SilverSpring,Maryland,UnitedStates.halvard b. thomsen, dMin,isassistanttothepresidentforadministration,AdventistRiskManagement,SilverSpring,Maryland,UnitedStates.

the many faces of fundraising

As a fundraising profes-s iona l , I have foundthat some Bible storiesprovidegreat insight into

theprinciplesof fundraising.Oneof the best examples is found in1Chronicles29:1–17,whereDavidoutlineshisdonationstothebuildingofthetemplebecause“thispalatialstructureisnotformanbutfortheLordGod.”1

“So,”Davidsays,“I’mmakingall my resources available—gold,bronze,wood,onyx,turquoise,andallkindsoffinestoneandmarble.AndI’llmaketheseavailableinlargequantities.Besides, inmydevotiontothetempleofmyGodInowgivemypersonal treasuresofgoldandsilver,andaboveeverything Ihaveprovided for thisholy temple, I’mgoing to give an additional thirtythousand dollars’ worth of gold(goldofOphir)andseventythousanddollarsofrefinedsilver,fortheover-layingof thewallsof thebuilding.NowwhoelseiswillingtojointhiscampaignandconsecratehimselftodaytotheLord?”

Theleadersrespondedbygivingto theworkon the templeofGodfifty thousanddollars ingold andsilver,eightythousanddollars’worthofbronzeandahundredthousanddollars’worthofiron.Besidesthat,those “who had precious stonesgave them to the treasury of thetempleof theLord in thecustodyofJehieltheGershonite”(verse8).

Davidrejoicedgreatly,asdidthepeople, at thewilling responseoftheirleaders.Herespondedbyprais-inghisGod:“Iknow,myGod,that

you test theheartandarepleasedwith integrity. All these things Ihavegivenwillinglyandwithhonestintent.AndnowIhaveseenwithjoyhowwillinglyyourpeoplewhoareherehavegiventoyou.”2

Asmyownprofessionalskillsandknowledgeinfundraisinggrew,Isawhowthisstorydescribedamodern-daycapitalcampaignsoverywell.Allthestepsofasuccessfulcampaignwereoutlined,andthecurrentbestpracticeswerealsoreflected:

• The“kingdom”(i.e.,institutionororganization)budgetsforacam-paignbecause it takesmoneytoraisemoney;italsopracticesgoodstewardship.

• Theking(i.e.,boardchair,presi-dent,orexecutivedirector)givespersonally.

• Leaders(boardmembers,orga-nizationpersonnel)give.

• Thecampaign ismadepublic,anddonorsareenthusiastic.

• Donorsgivewhenasked.• People give for worthwhile

causes—they give to achieveresults. It is not about themoney; it is what the moneyaccomplishes.

• Thecampaignisasuccess.

GiventheampleevidenceintheBibleof fundraisingasaministry,thereis,nevertheless,alackofunder-standing,muchlessanembracing,offundraisinginchurches.Weshyaway from talking about money(except tochidemembers fornotreturningtitheandgivingofferings).Weavoidusingthetermfundraising,

andseparate theactofgiving intocompartments that often do notintersect. Wepraypublicly aboutgivingandsay inourprayerswhatwedonotdaresay inotherwaystoourcongregations. Inshort,wetreatfundraisinglikeabadword,adespisedpracticeeven.

Thatattitudeisallwrong,andthepurposeofthisarticleistohelpputfundraisinginitsproperperspective.Thefirst task,however, shouldbeto dispel a few myths about thisimportantministry.

Myth #1: “God said ‘we must give,’ so we do not do fundraising”

Intimespast,tithesandofferingsjustseemedtomaterialize(orsoweliketothink).Today’schurchmem-bers,however, aredifferent. Theywanttobetreatedasadonor;theydonotwant theirgenerosity takenforgranted.Trusthastobeearnedthroughaccountability,transparency,andgoodstewardship.

AccordingtoDr.WilliamEnright,directoroftheLakeInstituteforFaithandPhilanthropy,givingtoreligiousinstitutionshas fallen fromroughlyhalfofallcharitabledollarsin1995toathird.Between1987and2004,religiousgivingfellanaverageof30percent.Somedenominations,hesaid,experienceda50-percentdropinper-householdgiving.3

J.ClifChristopherwrites:“Donorsaresayingtoourchurchestodaythatyouhavetoearnourgifts.”4InabookcalledPassing the Plate,theauthorsenumeratethereasonswhyreligiousgivingisinadecline:

LEAD ARTICLE | LILYA WAGNER & HALvARD B. THOMSEN


• Theinfluenceofmassconsumerism• Clergy discomfort with issues

ofmoney• A confused and uninformed

laityastoChristianstewardshippractices

• Mistrustoforganizations• The taboo of money-talk in

Americanculture

Impulse giving has replacedplannedandsystematicgiving (forinstance,todayonly9.4percentofall

AmericanChristianstithe).5Formanypeople, their church is not auto-matically their “charityofchoice.”Memberswanttobeinformed,wanttobeasked,andwanttoknowwhattheir offerings and donations areaccomplishing.Also, theywant tobeacknowledgedfortheirgiving.

Myth #2: “Fundraising is for secular organizations, not for us”

Ifwereallybelievethis,thenhowdowehandleallofthoseBibletextsthatcounselustobefacilitatorsofthegivingprocess?

“Since you excel in so manyways—in your faith, your giftedspeakers, your knowledge, yourenthusiasm,andyourlovefromus—Iwantyoutoexcelalsointhisgraciousactofgiving.Iamnotcommandingyoutodothis.ButIamtestinghowgenuineyour love isbycomparingitwith theeagernessof theotherchurches”(2Cor.8:7,8,NLT).

“Andnow,brethren,IcommendyoutoGod,andtothewordofhisgrace,which is able tobuild you

up,and togiveyouan inheritanceamongallthemwhicharesanctified.Ihavecovetednoman’ssilver,orgold,orapparel.Yea,yeyourselvesknow, that thesehandshavemin-istered unto my necessities, andto themthatwerewithme. Ihaveshewedyouallthings,howthatsolabouringyeought tosupport theweak,andtorememberthewordsoftheLordJesus,howhesaid,Itismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive”(Acts20:32–35,KJV).

Researchhasverifiedwhatmanyhavebelievedorsensed:thosewhogive to religiouscausesaremore

likelytogivetoothercausesaswell.Even ifwewere to ignore the factthat“itismoreblessedtogivethantoreceive,”commonsensesaysthatthejoiningoffaithwithfundraisingisapracticalmatterthatyieldsthebestresults—resultsthatareminimizedifthesetwofactorsarefractured.

Myth #3: “But we’re different”

Many Christians believe thatweareaselectpeople,butwhenit

comestohabitsoftheheart,wearenot. Today’sgiverusuallydesiresandrequiresmoreaccountabilityandmoreofasayinwhathappenswiththeirfinances.Thisgoesforboththereligiousandseculargiver.

Wecannot ignore the reasonswhypeoplegive, themotivationsthatcause them tobe involved insupportinggoodcausesfinancially.ResearchersSchervishandHavenshave determined the most com-monlystatedreasonsforgenerosityarethefollowing—andtheseapplysuitably to many Christiangiversaswell:

We practice good

stewardship when we

consider our overall

giving, beginning with

tithing, giving offerings

for specific church

appeals, and stretching

ourselves, and our

resources, to care for

other causes.


• Communities of participation:people give because they arepart of an entity bigger thanthemselves.

• Identificationwithacause:howmuchdowedo tohelppeopletrulybeapartofourchurchlife?

• Invitationtoparticipate:accord-ingtoresearch,themainreasonpeopledonotgive isbecausetheyarenotasked.

• Models and experiences fromyouth:arewebeinggoodphilan-thropicrolemodelsforouryouth?

• Assuranceofpositiveoutcomes,whilealso realizing there isanurgencytocarryoutacause.

• Demographiccharacteristics—thechangingpopulationsinourchurchesalsocausechangesingiving—e.g.,peoplelivinglonger,more consciousness ofglobalneeds,moreactionbyyouth.6

At the same time, we mustrespectthereasonswhysomepeo-pledonotgive.Theymaynotseethe

need;theymayhaveotherinterestsbesidesthecauseathand;theymayfeel disenfranchised.Weneed toremember thatphilanthropy—andthereforethepracticethatfacilitatesgiving (i.e., fundraising)—isaboutbringingpeopletogether,inclusivity,andworkingtowardacommongoal.

The best practicesNow that we have looked at

someof themythsabout fundrais-ing,weneedtolookatsomeofthecoreprinciplesbehindit.

First,weoftenhesitatetousethewordfundraisingmostlybecauseofabuses,especiallyamongtheclergy.But fundraising is a noble act. Itisnotabout themoney; it’saboutwhathappenswhen themoney isacquired.Weoftenemphasize theneed formoney, yetwe forget tofocus clearly enough on why weneedit,onthegoodthatwillresult,on thepeoplewhowillbehelped,and ultimately how we will alsobenefitifwearegenerous.

WhenJesussaid, “ ‘Whateveryoudidforoneoftheleastofthesebrothers and sistersofmine, youdidforme,’”7Headdedillustrationsthatapplytousaswell.Ifwehelpanorganizationsucceedinitsmissionandpurposebecauseweprovidethenecessaryfundsforitsfunctions,wehavehadapart inhelping thehungry, thepoor, thehurting, thehomeless, and countless others.Ifwesupport theenhancementofthehumanmindandsoul througheducationandthearts,forexample,we are serving God as well. Weministerunselfishlywhenwegivetoneedsandopportunitiesthatbenefitthosewithinoursphereofinfluence.

The six “rights” of good fundraising

Thefollowingstatement,adaptedfromTheFundRaisingSchool,sumsupgoodfundraising:Fundraising is the right person asking the right prospect for the right cause in the right way for the right amount at the right time.

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Thesesix “rights”encapsulatethecomplexpracticeoffundraising.

• Fundraising is not just up tothepastorbut toa teamcom-posedofleadersandlaypersonswitha sincerecommitment toacause.Thepastorshouldnotbeasoloperformerbutshouldorganize,mobilize,andmotivatefundraising.

• Understandingwhoourdonorsareisakeyfactoraswell.Weneedtobewiseindeterminingwherefundsmaycomefrom.Wealsoneed tomake itpossible forallthosewhohaveaninterestinourcasetobeinvitedtoparticipate.

• Fundraising isnotmanipulationor coercion. People like to bepartof successful efforts, andit isaprivilege tobe invited tobecomepartofacollectiveeffort.People give because they areasked,becauseacasehasbeenmade that allows them to seetheproblemtheyaresolvingandwhatsolutioncanbeachieved.

• Askingpotentialdonors in therightway;thatis,employingtheright communication strategy(whetherthroughtheInternet,bymail,inperson,orinotherways),becomescritical. This adds tothechallengebutalsoincreasesopportunitiesasourfundraisingteamexercisesindividualtalents.

• Anotherconsiderationistiming.Isthistherighttimetoask?Isthedonorready?Hasenoughinfor-mationbeenshared?Arepeoplepassionate about accomplish-ing a cause? These questionsmust precede an invitation toparticipate.

• Andweshould foreverbanishthesimplisticphrase,“Whateveryoucangivewillhelp.”Theresultcouldbea$10giftwhenreallya$1,000gift couldhavebeenrequestedfortheLord’swork.Byshowingdonorswhattheirgiftswilldo,wecanaskforadonationinacertainmonetaryrange.

Fundraising as a ministryIn theend,wemustsee fund-

raisingaspart of ourministry—aministryofcaring,not just forourcongregation’s needs but for themany needs around us, therebyfulfillingChrist’smandate,“‘What-everyoudidforoneoftheleastofthesebrothersandsistersofmine,youdid forme.’ ”Fundraising,asaministry,becomespartofacon-tinuumofgiving.Wepracticegoodstewardshipwhenweconsiderouroverallgiving,beginningwithtithing,givingofferings forspecificchurchappeals,andstretchingourselves,andourresources,tocareforothercauses.Wehelpotherspracticethesamegoodstewardshipwhenweeducateaboutwisegiving,makinggoodchoices,thelogicalexpectationof results,and themutualbenefitsachievedwhenresourcesareshared.

Andletusnotforgetthatwealsobenefitifwegiveandfacilitategivingbyothers.“Ifyougivetothepoor,yourneedswillbesupplied!Butacurseupon thosewhoclose theireyestopoverty”(Prov.28:27,TLB).“Give,andyouwillreceive.Yourgiftwill return toyou in full—presseddown, shaken together to makeroom formore, runningover, andpoured intoyour lap.Theamountyougivewilldeterminetheamountyougetback”(Luke6:38,NLT).

Evensecularresearchhasborneout thisbiblicalpromise.A recentstudy by the National InstitutesofHealth said, “The resultswereshowing thatwhen thevolunteersplacedtheinterestsofothersbeforetheirown,thegenerosityactivatedaprimitivepartofthebrainthatusuallylightsupinresponsetofoodorsex.Altruism,theexperimentsuggested,wasnotasuperiormoralfacultythatsuppressesbasicselfishurgesbutratherwasbasictothebrain,hard-wiredandpleasurable.”Their2006finding thatunselfishnesscan feelgoodlendsscientificsupporttotheadmonitionsofspiritualleaderssuchasSaintFrancisofAssisi,whosaid,

“Forit is ingivingthatwereceive.”Butit isalsoadramaticexampleofthewayneurosciencehasbeguntoelbow itsway intodiscussionsaboutmoralityandhasopenedupanewwindowonwhatitmeanstobegood.8

ConclusionThe following tombstones, I

believe,illustratethegreathonorofbeinggenerous.

InWarwickshire,England, thisversecanbeseenonatombstone:

Here liesamiser,who livedforhimself,

Andcaredfornothingbutgather-ingpelf.

Nowwhereheisorhowhefares,Nobodyknowsandnobodycares.

Contrastthoselinestothefollow-ingepitaph inSt.Paul’sCathedral,London:

SacredtothememoryofCharlesGeorgeGordon,whoatalltimesandeverywheregavehisstrengthtotheweak,hissubstancetothepoor,hissympathytothesuffer-ing,andhishearttoGod.

Yes,weallneedtoalwaysremindourselvesthatfundraising is ministry.WethenfollowthewordsofJesus,followGod’scommandthatwebegenerousandpromotegenerosity.Whenwedo fundraising,wehelppeopleobeywhattheLordhascalledallwhoprofessHisnametodo.

1 Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures are taken from the New International Version.

2 Paraphrased by the author from the New International Version.

3 Speech given at the Presidents’ Colloquium sponsored by Philanthropic Service to Institutions, November 2008.

4 J. Clif Christopher, Not Your Parents’ Offering Plate: A New Vision for Financial Stewardship (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2008).

5 Christian Smith and Michael Emerson with Patricia Snell, Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money (New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2008), 175–179.

6 Paul Schervish and John Havens, www.bc.edu/research/cwp.7 Matthew 25:40.8 Shankar Vendantam, “If It Feels Good to Be Good, It Might

Be Only Natural,” Washington Post, May 28, 2007, A01.



Aimo helminen, dMin,isdirectoroftheMedia7BibleSchoollocatedinHelsinki,Finland.

Bible camps: Evangelism through intensive summer camps

TheVoiceofProphecyBiblecorrespondence school inFinlandbegan itsoperationin1948.Throughtheyears,

theschoolhasofferedseveralBiblecourses for thousands of Finns.With its modern name, Media7BibleSchool,itreachesabout1,500studentseveryyearwithcorrespon-dencecoursesand through radio,Internet,andtelevision.

Each year we invite many ofourstudentstospecialevangelisticeventsorganizedbylocalchurchesor theBibleschool. Inaddition,allthose who complete one of theBiblecoursesalsoreceiveaninvita-tion and free ticket to a summerBiblecamp.MostofthecampsareheldintheAdventistcampground,CampKallioniemi,which is ideallysituated in the center of Finland.Usuallywehavetwo,six-dayBiblecampseachsummerinJuneorJuly.Peoplefeelrelaxedwhilesurroundedbybeautifulnatureanda friendlyatmosphere.Someof thestudentscometothecampwithamind-setthat theyarewilling tomake theirdecision to followChrist and jointheAdventistChurch.Themajorityof theparticipantshavepreviouslyacquainted themselves with theAdventmessagebutarestillunde-cided.AbouthalfoftheparticipantsarealreadyAdventistswhosupportthecampbybringing their friendsalongwiththemandhavingpersonaldiscussionswithotherparticipants.

The Bible camp work, in auniqueway, follows the intereststhatwehave inFinland.Although

thismethodmaynotbe themostmodernorinnovativewayofdoingevangelism,theBiblecampworkhasbeentested,developed,andadaptedtochanges insociety through theyears,soithashadsteadysuccesseven inan increasinglysecularizedsociety.Problemsdoexist,but thebenefits outweigh the negatives.TheBible campwork still has animportant role in the reaping, ortheevangelisticcycle,ofoursmall5,000-memberchurchinFinland.

Uniquely Finnish modelThe Bible camp work started

about50yearsago, leading to thebaptismofmore thana thousandpeople thus far.WehaveauniqueFinnishAdventistmodeloforganiz-ingreapingcampaignsfortheBiblestudentsandourfriendswhohavean interest inourmessage.Eachyearduringthespring,weplantheprogramandstart advertising thecampsamongthecorrespondenceschoolstudentsand through localchurchesandpastors.Manyofthepastorsareinvitedtojoinasspeakersinthecamps,withacraftedscheduleand topicschosen.Thecampsarealsoopen to friendsofAdventistswho, thoughnotnecessarily cor-respondenceschoolstudents,havestudied the Adventist message,visitedalocalchurch,andattendedotherevangelisticcampaignsduringtheyear.Also, someof thenewlybaptizedmembersreceiveinvitationssothattheymightgrowinfaithandencourage others to make theirdecisiontofollowChrist.TheFinnish

conference plays amajor role bysponsoringthecampandprovidingfreeticketstothecamptothosewhoneedhelp.Eachcamphasabout50participantsandapproximatelyeightpastorsorBibleworkers.Thissizeseemstoworkquitewellwithinthefacilitieswehave.

The camp program has beenplanned in such a way that thebasicsofthegospelandouruniquemessagearecoveredintensivelyfortheparticipants tohaveachanceto make their decision to followChrist andbebaptized.ThecampstartsMondaynightwithan intro-duction to thewholeweekandapersonal,Christ-centeredmessage.Inourmostrecentcamps,thedailyschedulebeginsonTuesdaymorn-ingat8:15withadevotionalstudyontheroleoftheHolySpiritinourlives. The Holy Spirit theme hasthusbeenconnectedwithChrist,HisWord,spiritualgifts,andotherrelated topics.Afterbreakfast,wehavetwomorelecturesandoneintheafternoonthatconcentratesonthecoreAdventistthemes,suchasChrist’ssecondcoming,salvation,Sabbath,death,baptism,andourpropheticfaith.InadditiontothesedailyBible lectures,wehaveabouta45-minutequestion-and-answerperiod justbefore luncheverydayduringtheweek.Peopleareinvitedtowrite theirprayer requestsandquestionsonapieceofpaper,andtheseareread,prayedfor,andques-tionsareanswered.

Aftertheafternoonlecture,theparticipantsaredivided intosmall

A I M O H E L M I N E N


groupsledbypastors.Groupsusu-allyconsistofeightmembers,bothAdventists and non-Adventists,with one or two pastors leadingout.Duringthesemeetings,peoplegetacquaintedwitheachotheronapersonallevelandhaveachancetodiscussandstudymoredeeply

themostimportanttopicspresentedduringthelectures.Manypersonalmattersareprayedforanddecisionsmade.

Eveningmeetingshaveaspecialspirituallyupliftingtone,withmusic,singing,andpersonal testimonies.Spirituallydeepand revivingmes-sagesarepresentedandcallsmade.Attheendofeachevening,peoplewho attended the meeting areprayed for, and pastors servein individual discussions withspirituallyneedypeople.Callshave a special purpose eachnight.Wecallpeopletoexperi-ence freedomwithChrist andthesalvationHeoffers.Wealsochallenge them to followHiminbaptismandbecomepartofGod’sfamily.

Somefreetimeisprovidedintheafternoon,aftersupper,andin theevening.ManyFinns liketorelaxintraditionalsaunaseitherbeforesupperoraftertheeveningmeeting.Thereishardlyanythingelsemoreenjoyablethanarelax-ingsaunaandaniceswiminalakeonawarmsummernightwithgoodcompany.Manydeci-sionshavebeenmadeeveninasauna,whenthespiritualmattersarediscussedandprayedfor.

OnFriday,abaptismalclass isorganizedafter lunch,andonSab-bathaspecialbaptismalservicebythe lakeoccursafter theSabbathworshipservice.OnSabbathafter-noon,anaturewalk to thenearbymountaintoptakesplace,andafterthataspecialwelcomingserviceis

organized for thenewlybaptized.ManyAdventistswho livenearby,orwhosefriendshavebeenbaptizedon thatday,visit thecampduringtheSabbath.ThefollowingSundaymorning wraps up the programwithspecialmessages intended toencourage thenewlybaptizedandotherparticipants to follow in thestepsofChristbypraying,studyingHisWord,andjoiningotherstogive

the testimony of His love to theworld.

For thebenefitof familieswithchildren, we also organize childcareduringthemeetings.Therearemanypeoplewhotravelfromvariouspartsofthecountrytothecamp.Formany, thisbecomesauniqueand

special time tospenda spirituallyupliftingweektheywillcherishtherestoftheirlives.Someofthemwanttoreturnyearafteryear.Attimes,wealsohave immigrantsor refugeeswhoknowvery little Finnish, andsomeofthemhavefoundAdventistfriends and have been baptized.Theatmosphereoncampusisveryacceptingandopen forquestions,discussions, and spiritual search.

Overall, the Bible camps have had a deep

and lasting effect on many people’s lives,

and we will continue to have these camps

in the foreseeable future for the benefit of

the growth of God’s kingdom in Finland.


Manynewfriendshipsare formed,andmost important, formany, thefriendshipwithJesushasbecomestrongeranddeeper.Wearehappythatduringthepastyearswehavehadaprivilegeofbaptizingabout25peopleeachyear—sometimesless,sometimesmore—about20 to30percentofthetotalannualbaptismsinthewholeofthecountry.

Wearehappyforthesepeople.MostofthemstillservetheLordinvariouspartsofthecountryandjoinourlocalchurches.Somemaynotbecomingtochurchregularly,butwedonot let thatdiscourageus;thefinalresultsofourlaborforthesalvationofsoulswillberevealedinGod’skingdomwithmanysurprises.Manywhohavequietlystudiedourcourses or attended our camps,thoughwemaynotseethemveryoften,willbeinthekingdom.How-ever,weneedto improve intheseareas:givingqualitysupporttothenewlybaptized, andmaking theirwaytothelocalchurchessmootherwhenthecampfinishesandpeoplereturntotheirhomes.Wehavetomakeaspecialefforttohelpthosewhomaybefarfromanyofthelocalchurches and where they knowvery fewpeople. Those thathavefriendsinthechurcharemorelikely

tostay in thechurch.That iswhyfriendship evangelism becomesimportant both before and afterbaptism.Overall, theBiblecampshavehadadeepandlastingeffectonmanypeople’slives,andwewillcontinuetohavethesecampsintheforeseeable future for thebenefitofthegrowthofGod’skingdominFinland.

Seven important stepsWe recommend Bible camps

to other conferences and churchgroupsthatareinterestedinreapingevangelism.Hereareseven impor-tantstepsthatneedtobetaken inordertoplanfortheBiblecamp.

1. Secure thesupportof the localconference. The conferencecommitteeneeds toallocateabudgetfortheeventtocoverthecostofsponsoredticketsfortheinterestsrecommendedbylocalpastorsorevangelists.

2. Chooseavenue.Ifpossible,useanAdventistcampsite,whichcanprovidemodestaccommo-dationandmeals.

3. Sendinvitationstoaselectgroupof Bible school students andadvertisecampswithaspecialoffertogetafreetickettoattend

thecamp.Youcoulddecide tosendthe invitationstoall thosewhohavefinishedaBiblecourseduringthelastthreeyears.

4. Advertisethecampsinthelocalchurches, and invite churchmembers to attendand invitetheir friendswhohave shownsome interest in theAdventistmessage.Ifneeded,bepreparedtosponsorthemwithfreetickets.

5. Chooseabouteightpastorsorlayevangeliststobespeakersduringthecamp.Thereshouldbearatioofonepastor/layworkerto8–10people in order to work mosteffectivelyinsmallgroupsandonanindividualbasis.Donotforgetthatyoualsoneedsomeonetoorganizemusic andchild careduringthecampaswell.

6. Plananintensivesix-dayprogramwithanevangelisticpreachingplan.Also,makesure to leaveroom forquestion-and-answerperiods,smallgroupsintheafter-noon,andspecial appealsandprayerservicesintheevenings.

7. Prayandwork,andyouwillseethefruitcomein!

IfyouneedmoreinformationonBiblecamps,[email protected].

During theeditorial reviewprocess, Iwas intriguedbyAimoHelminen’sarticleaboutdescribinghow

individualsarebroughttoacampforthepurposeofBiblestudy.DuringarecenttriptoFinland,IwasabletospendseveraldayswithaBiblestudygroup.Myvisitconfirmedthattheprogramdescribedinthearticleisnotonlytheorybutworks inapracticalmanner. Itwasobvioustomethatthe individualswhocametotheBiblecampwereenthusiasticparticipantsintheprogram.Thecampwasasuccessbecauseofthehighlevelofcommitmentofindividualswhocoordinatethecamp.This istruebothof theministerswhoarepartof the teamand the lay

memberswhotaketheirpersonalvacationtimeinordertoparticipateinthisevent.

AmemorabledayofthecampwastheSabbathdayspenttogetherinstudyandwalkinginthebeautifullakecountryatthecamplocation.AmongthehighlightsofthatSabbathwerethebaptismalceremonyandlisteningtostoriesof individualswhosharedwhat itmeant forthemtorespondtotheinvitationofJesusChrist.

BiblecampsareaneffectivewayofpresentingtheWordofGodandallowingtheHolySpirittodoHisworkinthelivesofindividuals.Manypartsoftheworldwouldgreatlybenefitfromsuchcamps.

The Bible camps: A personal reflectionnikolaus satelmajer


A I M O H E L M I N E N


Part1ofthisseries(Decem-b e r 2 0 1 0 ) p r e s e n t e dresearchfindingsshowingmajor disturbing trends

in church growth in the NorthAmerican Division (NAD). If wetakethenumberofNADconvertsasapercentofthepopulationrateofgrowth,thechurchisexperiencinga decline in growth. The growthpattern also shows that it takesmoreandmorememberstoproduceonecovert(30,asopposedto13).In addition,wenowspendup toabout$42,000perconversion;thisisupfromabout$8,000(2005U.S.dollars)in1948.

Plausible explanationsMostoftheselong-termtrends

arenotverypromising.TheyindicatethatNADchurch isstrugglingandwill continue to experience chal-lenges moving forward. So whatexplains these long-term trends?After reviewing the literature andinterviewing51people1within theorganization,I found that somesalientfactorscametotheforefront.

1. Internal factors.Realgrowthin the church takes place whenlaypeoplearepassionateaboutthemission of Jesus Christ and veryactive insharingHis love.Lackofmemberinvolvementinevangelism

couldbeattributedtoweakspiritual-ity; lackofvision;fearofrejection;busyness; disdain of traditionalmethods of evangelism, such asdoor-to-door andpublicmethods;professionalizingofevangelism;ordoubtthatpeopleareinterestedinthegospel,particularlyinouruniquemessage.Somepeoplemayevenbeembarrassedbytheirlocalchurch.

2. Cultural factors. The spiri-tualandreligious landscapeofthelargersocietyhasbeensignificantlychangedbythepostmodernworld.It isdifficulttopersuadepostmod-ernsoftheauthorityofasingletruthwhentheybelievethateveryview-pointisequallyvalidandimportant.2Thesecultural shifts,whichattachmore authority to the personalexperience and more distrust toinstitutions,aremakingpeoplelessinterestedinchurch,thoughinterestinspiritualthingsisstrong.3

Many,especiallytheyoung,arespiritualand looking foranexperi-ence with God, but they are notinclinedtolookforitinthechurch.4,5

ThisdifficultyisfeltinmostChristianchurchesacrossNorthAmerica. ItisworthnotingthatDavidT.Olson shows that all denominations areexperiencingadeclineintheirmem-bershipaswellasattendancepartlybecauseofsocietalchanges.6

3. Methodological factors. Formanyyearsourchurchhas reliedheavily on public evangelism asa means to fulfill the great com-missionandgrowchurches.Mostpeople I interviewed believe thatour strategies and techniques ofpublicevangelismworkedverywellinthepastwhenmanypeoplewereChristianand religious,but lesssotoday.MonteSahlin’srecentresearchshowsthatwearedoingmorepublicevangelistic meetings but fewerpeoplearecoming.7Furthermore,thestandardassumptionofgettingoneortwopeopletocometopublicevangelisticmeetingsforevery1,000advertising flyers sent out showsthat a very small segment of thepopulationrespondstoourmethodsofevangelismandmarketing.8

Todaywehaveanentirelynewgenerationwith radicallydifferentviewsthanthegenerationsofyes-teryear.Thisnewerachallengesustocoloroutsidetheoldevangelisticbox and try for something moreeffective towinpeople for Jesus.Public evangelism, strongly con-nectedwith friendshipevangelismandsaturatedwithprayerand theHoly Spirit, has a definite placeinouroutreachefforts.Yetwhilekeepingthetraditionalmethodsastools inour toolbox,wemustuse

reflections on the future of the seventh-day Adventist church in north America:The long view of church growth (part 2 of 2)

S . J O S E p H K I D D E R

s. Joseph Kidder, dMin, isassociateprofessorofChristianministry,AndrewsUniversitySeventh-dayAdventistTheologicalSeminary,BerrienSprings,Michigan,UnitedStates.


everyavenuetowinpeopleforJesusChrist.Themore tools thechurchutilizes,themoreeffectiveitwillbe.

Exploding the trendsHowcantheNADchurchbust

the trends and turn the churcharound?Herearesomepointersthatemergedfromourinterviewsaswellasourstudyandobservations.

1. Spir i tual i ty. How do westrengthen spirituality? First, pri-oritize spirituality and revival. Anemphasisonspiritualityandrevivalshould be the main work of thechurch.EllenWhite stronglycon-nected renewalwith anon-goingexperiencewith Jesus. “A revivalof truegodlinessamongus is thegreatestandmosturgentofallourneeds.Toseek this shouldbeourfirstwork...Butitisourwork,byconfession,humiliation,repentanceand earnest prayer, to fulfill theconditions upon which God haspromisedtograntusHisblessing.”9

Thechurchmust investmuchmoreinthespiritualdevelopmentofourpastors,leaders,andmembers.Theemphasisofthechurchshouldbe togrow fullydevoteddisciplesofJesuswithapassiontowintheworldforHim.10Themostimportantassetthechurchhasisitsmembers.When thosemembersare spiritu-allyhealthy,growing, trained,andequipped,theywilldogreatthingsforGod.Theearly church joyfullygavetheirtime,talents,possessions,andeventheirlivesforthecauseofGodbecauseoftheirloveforJesus.11

Thesecondway tostrengthenspiritualityistobeintentionalaboutprayer. Church growth is alwaysclosely related to prayer and thepoweroftheHolySpirit.EllenWhiteclearlyshowed this link:“A revivalneedbeexpectedonly in answertoprayer.While thepeoplearesodestituteofGod’sHolySpirit, theycannot appreciate the preachingof theword;butwhen theSpirit’spowertouchestheirhearts,thenthediscoursesgivenwillnotbewithouteffect.”12

Theearlychurchdidnotgrowbecause of programs or talents;

theygrewbecauseofprayer andtheHolySpirit.13Letus remember“thewordoftheLordtoZerubbabel:‘Notbymightnorbypower,butbymySpirit,’saystheLordAlmighty.”(Zech.4:6).

Tom Rainer shows that pray-ing churches tend to grow andkeepahigherpercentageof theirmembers.14EllenG.Whitenotes:“Prayer and faithwill dowhatnopoweruponearthcanaccomplish.We need not be so anxious andtroubled.Thehumanagentcannotgoeverywhere,anddoeverythingthatneedstobedone....Earnestprayerandfaithwilldoforuswhatourowndevisingcannotdo.”15

Third, bring about worshiprenewal.Churchrenewal isalwaysconnectedwithworshiprenewal.16James Emery White writes thatchurch growth and renewal arealways connected with a revivalof inspiringworshipexperiences.17We learned fromour interviewingthatmost people arehungry forpowerful, vibrant, energetic wor-ship.Manyare longingtohaveanencounter with God, to feel HispresenceandliveHispower.Everytimethechurchisintentionalaboutprayer, building discipleship, andbringingaboutworshiprenewal,thechurchbecomeshealthyandstartstogrow.

GeorgeBarna18makes it clearthat the number-one expectationpeoplehaveof thechurch todayistofeelthepresenceofGod.Ourchurches are urged to pay muchmore attention to their worshipservicesandbathethemwithprayer,andnurture trueworshiperswhothemselvesexperiencethepresenceofGod.Rainerfoundthatdynamicworshipservicescontributeinaverypositive way toward evangelism,discipleship,andassimilation.19

2. Leadership.What is the roleof church leadership in promot-ingchurchgrowth?First,focusoninstilling thevision forevangelismandministry. Asspiritual leaders,administrators andpastors are inthebestpositiontoinstillthevisionthatlostpeoplemattertoGodand

shouldmattertous.Themissionofthechurchought tobe front andcenter,castincreativeandcompel-lingways.As the leaderscast thisvisionforreachinglostsouls,theremustbeanemphasisontheurgencyofour time.TheearlychurchwascaughtupwiththeconvictionthatJesuswascomingsoon,and thatconvictiondrove them to takeHismessage to theentireworld.Theydid it with passion and urgency.PeoplewholoveJesusandhaveaclearvisionof theirdestinywilldoanythingforHim.

Second, t ra in, equip, andmotivate the laity forministryandevangelism. Themain roleof thepastoristotrainandequipthelaityforevangelism.Jesusspentmorethanthreeyearstrainingagroupofpeopleforministry.Pauldefinestheroleofthepastorasanequipperofthesaintsfortheworkofservice,tothebuildingupofthebodyofChrist(cf. Eph. 4:12; 2 Tim. 2:2). EllenWhitewrote:“Everychurchshouldbe a training school for Christianworkers . . . thereshouldnotonlybeteaching,butactualworkunderexperienced instructors. Let theteachers lead theway inworkingamong the people, and others,unitingwith them,will learn fromtheirexample.Oneexampleisworthmorethanmanyprecepts.”20

Shealsoemphasizes thatmin-istersshouldnotdo thework thatbelongstothemembers,thuswear-ingthemselvesoutandpreventingothers fromperforming theirduty.They should teach the membershowtolaborinthechurchandthecommunity.21

Third, engage in critical andcreative thinking and evaluationskills. Effective leaders practicecriticalandcreativethinkingandarenotmerereflectorsofotherpeople’sideas,plans,programs,andvisions.Toooftenpastors,becauseof lackof time or skills, are doing verylittlecriticalthinkingandreflection.In theireffort togrow thechurch,they copy existing models anddirect theirenergiesonpromotingprograms. Programs—not saving



souls—become themissionof thechurchundersuchleaders.Assess-ingthesituation,askingcriticalandthoughtfulquestionsandcomingupwithsolutions tomeet theurgentneeds of our time is theheart ofleadershipwork. For the spiritualleader thereare threebasicques-tions: Where is God in action sowecanjoininwithHim?Howcanwebemoreeffective inwhatwedo?Whatarewedoingthat isnoteffectiveanymore?After reflectingonsuchquestions,weshouldhave

the courage to end what is noteffectiveorrepurposeitsoitwouldbe. Critical thinking will help usmove fromstagnation tocreativityandinnovation.

Fourth,useavarietyofmethodsandstrategiestoreachpeople.Thechurch todayneeds to focusonavarietyofmethodstowinpeople,22such as friendship evangelism;23building authentic spiritual dis-ciples;24 andmeaningfulworship,SabbathSchool,andpublic evan-gelism.25Toomanypeoplethinkofevangelismasaneventratherthanawayoflife.Inreality,evangelismisa

wayoflife.Ittakesplaceatanytime,anywhere, any place, by anyone,underanycircumstances.

ThebookofActsrecordsdozensofincidentsandmethodsofevange-lismandministry.Theearlychurchgrew by employing every meansavailabletothemtoevangelizetheworld.Wewoulddowelltofollowtheirexampleandexperience.Thevarietiesoftheseprogramsserveatleasttwopurposes.Thefirstcreatesanavenueforbelieverstosharetheirfaith inanaturalway.Thesecond

reachesmultiplegroupsofpeoplewhenonemethodmightnotbetherightonetoreachthem.

We are now doing researchto identify the fastest-growingAdventistchurchesandwhat theydo thatmakes themsoeffective.We discovered that all growingchurchesusemultipleavenuesandvenues to reachpeople.GrowingchurchesuseSabbathSchool, theworshipservice,multipleministries,seasonalevents(Christmas,Easter,Mother’sDay, Father’sDay, etc.),personalandpublicevangelism,andevensportevents,toreachseekers.

Somestudiesshowthathealthyandeffectivechurchesemployat leastninepathways26andentryways27ayeartoreachthecommunity.Everyevent,everyministry,everyactivityshouldbedonewiththepurposeofconnectingpeoplewithGod.

Fifth, re-examine theanatomyofthedenominationalstructureandmakeitmoreefficient.Themissionofourchurchwillneverchange.Ourmethodologyandsystem,however,needtobeever-changing,adaptingtoshiftingneeds.Allmeasuresindi-

catethatathoroughre-examinationof our structure is necessary andthatanyadjustmentsmadeshouldcontributetoefficientlyaccomplish-ingthechurch’smission.Almostallthepeople interviewedagree thatsomethingneedstobechangedinoursystem.GeorgeKnightbelievesthatthedenomination’sinstitutionalstructuresneedtobetotallyreevalu-atedinthelightofcurrentrealitiesandpossibilities.28Thebasicofthestructureshouldbeoneoffunction-alityformission.

Thefundamentalobjectiveoughttobefulfillingourcommission,and

The early church

did not grow

because of programs

or talents: they

grew because of

prayer and the

Holy Spirit.


thismeansinvestingourresourcesinthebuilding-upofpeopleandthekingdomofGod,andreleasingallofourresourcesintooutreachandmis-sion.Thiscouldbedonebyputtingfewerpeopleinmanagementposi-tionsandmorepeopleonthefrontline of ministry and evangelism,cuttingbackontravel,andthinkingcarefullyaboutefficiencyinfinance.

A creative idea that emergedfrom our interviews is to makeconferencedepartmentaldirectors(SabbathSchool, youthministries,

personalministries,etc.)pastorsorassociatepastorsoflocalchurchesand have them develop effectiveprogramsinthelocalcontext.Thenpeoplefromthroughouttheconfer-encecouldobservehowtheydoit.Thismodelnotonly savesmoneybutgivescredibility to thosewhoareengagedintheministry.

Anotherstrategyforconservingfinancial resources is toeliminateonelayerofstructure.

Finally, many of those inter-viewedbelieveweneedtoreexaminethewaywemanageoureducationalsystem.Perhapswemightcombinesomeofourcolleges, academies,and elementary schools to freeup more money for ministry andevangelismandfindadditionalwaysto fund our educational system.“EverylevelofchurchorganizationfromthelocalchurchtotheGeneralConferenceexists solely to servethemissionof thechurch,not toperpetuate itself. . . .Wemustbe

drivenbya visionofmissionandnotbypoliciescarved instonebypeople who lived under differentcircumstances.”29

Sixth,plantmorechurches.Allexperts agree that church plant-ing is themosteffectivemeansofchurch growth. According to C.Peter Wagner, “The single mosteffective evangelistic methodol-ogyunderheaven isplantingnewchurches.”30 Lyle Schallerwrites,“Without exception, thegrowingdenominationshavebeenthosethat

stresschurchplanting. . . .Churchplantingcontinues tobe themostusefulandproductivecomponentofanydenominationalchurchgrowthstrategy.”31Olsondiscovered thatnew churches tend to grow byattractingyoungerpeople,providingsynergy,andraisinganewgenera-tionoflayleaders.32

ChurchplantingshouldbeputintotheDNAofeverylocalchurchand conference. A church plantcoordinator in every conference,onewhocarefullyandsystematicallydirects the planting of churches,would be one way to prioritizechurchplanting.EllenWhitestressesthat“uponallwhobelieveGodhasplaced the burden of raising upchurches.”33Arealistictargetcouldbetoreacharatioofonechurchtoabout35,000peopleinthepopula-tion. Olson stresses the need forchurchplantingbecausethedeclinerateofestablishedchurchesprob-ablywill not change.Tokeep the

American church growing at therateofthepopulation,about3,200additional new churches wouldneed tobestartedeachyear.TheAdventistChurch finds itself in asimilar situation.34Tomaintain theratioofchurches topopulationasitwas in1913,wewouldneed toadd 1,000 churches to theNorthAmericanDivisiontoday.

ConclusionExplodingthedisturbingtrends

in the North American Adventist

Churchwill takemuchmore thana fewsmall cosmetic changesoftechnique;itwillrequireareconsid-erationofourvaluesandmethods.Thechallengesthatthechurchfacestodayarevariedandserious;yetasweconsider theway tomove for-wardinthefuture,itiscrucialforustounderstandthatourgreatestneedcanbesuppliedbyonlyonesource:theLordJesusChrist.Throughtheages, the churchhas alwayshadsomeseriouschallenges from theinsideandtheoutside—persecution,compromise,dissension, secular-ism, apathy, and worldliness.YetGodhaspromised thatHewillbewithusallthetime,eventilltheendoftheage(Matt.28:18–20).Hehasassuredusthatthechurchwillgoontotriumphbecausesheis“theoneobjectuponwhichGodbestowsinaspecialsenseHissupremeregard.”35

Thegreatestneedofthechurchtodayisnotanewprogram—butanew passion; not to live in the

Effective leaders practice critical and

creative thinking and are not mere

reflectors of other people’s ideas, plans,

programs, and visions.


past—buttoengageinthepresentandvisionforthefuture;nottorelyon human effort—but on divinepower. Themissioncallingof thechurchtodaywillneverbefulfilledbytheuseofworldlymethodsandideas,butonlythroughaconnectionwiththeLordJesusChrist,whosaidthatwithoutHimwecandonothing,butwithHimwecandoall things(John15:1–5).Soaswegointothefuture,letusgowithHim.Thebestdaysofthechurcharestillaheadofus.

1 This group of people was composed of: 10 pastors, 10 laypersons, 8 seminary teachers, 4 elementary and secondary teachers, 7 conference workers, 4 union workers, 3 division workers, 2 General Conference workers, and 3 researchers.

2Leonard Sweet, Soul Tsunami (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1999), 77.

3 Ibid. 4 George Gallup, Jr. and D. Michael Lindsay, The Gallup

Guide: Reality Check for 21st Century Churches (Loveland, CO: Group, 2002), 8.

5 Reggie McNeal, The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003), 4, 5.

See also James H. Rutz, The Open Church (Jacksonville, FL: SeedSowers, 1992), 3.

6David T. Olson, The American Church in Crisis (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 36.

7Monte Sahlin, interviewed by S. Joseph Kidder, Berrien Springs, MI, March 14, 2008.

8 Norman Shawchuck, Philip Kotler, Bruce Wrenn, and Gustave Rath, Marketing for Congregations: Choosing to Serve People More Effectively, (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1992), 190–195.

9 Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Washington, DC: Review and Herald, 1958), 1:121.

10 Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism (Old Tappan, NJ: Spire , 1963), 21.

11 Bruce Larson, The Power to Make Things New (Waco, TX: W Publishing, 1986), 79–90.

12 White, Selected Messages, 1:121. 13Randy Maxwell, If My People Pray (Boise, ID: Pacific Press,

1995), 31. 14 Tom Rainer, High Expectations: The Remarkable Secret for

Keeping People in Your Church (Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman, 1999), 174–175.

15 Ellen White, Manuscript Releases (Washington, DC: E. G. White Estate, 1981–1993), 8:218.

16 Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Quest for Renewal: Personal Revival in the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 11–25.

17 James Emery White, Opening the Front Door: Worship and Church Growth (Nashville, TN: Convention, 1992), 62–64.

18 George Barna, “How to Reach Post-Moderns.” (keynote speech, Adventist Ministries Convention, Myrtle Beach, NC, January 20, 2009).

19 Rainer, 20. 20 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain View, CA:

Pacific Press, 1974), 149.

21 —, Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists (Basel, Germany: Imprimerie Polyglotte, 1886), 291.

22 Lyle E. Schaller, 44 Ways to Increase Church Attendance (Nashville, TN: Abingdon , 1988), 49–63.

23 S. Joseph Kidder, “The Power of Relationships in Evangelism,” Ministry, July 2008, 10–12. See also Win Arn, The Master’s Plan for Making Disciples (Pasadena: Church Growth, 1982), 33–54.

24 Bill Hull, The Disciple-Making Church (Old Tappan, NJ: F. H. Revell, 1990), 19–27.

25 Thomas Rainer, The Book of Church Growth: History, Theology, and Principles (Nashville, TN: Broadman, 1993), 239–247.

26 Pathways are events that take place over a long time and have a strong spiritual emphasis, like Sabbath School classes for seekers or evangelistic meetings.

27 Entryways are events that take place in a short time, like cooking seminars or stop-smoking classes.

28 George Knight, If I Were the Devil (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald, 2007), 166.

29 Robert Folkenberg, “Renewing Church Organization,” Adventist Review, August 6, 1992, 15.

30 C. Peter Wagner, Church Planting for a Greater Harvest: A Comprehensive Guide (Ventura, CA: Regal, 1990), 11.

31 Lyle E. Schaller, 44 Questions for Church Planters (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1991), 20.

32 Olson, 155–156. 33 Ellen G. White, Medical Ministry (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific

Press, 1963), 315. 34 Olson, 142–157. 35Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View,

CA: Pacific Press, 1911), 12. 36 Adapted from Olson, 183.

1. Behonestaboutthestateof thechurchtodayandpersonally lead thechurch forward in spirituality,renewal,andstrategy.

2. Havethecourageandcommitmenttopursuebothhealthandgrowth.Thisdedicationneeds tocomefromthetopleadershipallthewaytothelocalpastor,layleaders,andmembers.

3. Acceptand learn to thrive inaworld that ispost-Christian,postmodern,andmultiethnic.

4. Followthebestmodelwehaveforthemissionandvisionof the church: the early church’spassion,attitude,mission,andcommitment.

5. Upgradepastors’ministerialgiftsandskills,helpingthemlearntoarticulatethemessageandloveofJesuswithpassion,power,andrelevancy.

6. Engage people in their sphere of influence withprayerandahumble,listeningattitude,takingeveryopportunity God gives. A great way to begin isthroughtherecoveryofthehistoricChristianministryofhospitality.

7. Encourageconferencesandchurches toembracechurchplantingasaprimarymeansofpassingthefaithontofuturegenerations.

8. Encouragepastors and leaders tobe involved inrecruitingandtrainingyoungleaders.

9. Embraceandpromote,ineverychurch,theindispens-able importanceof theHolySpirit in the lifeof thechurch.

10.Bringaboutworshiprenewal.Peoplearehungryforalife-changing,transformationalencounterwithGod.

A new approach for church growth: ten points for the north American seventh-day Adventist church36


Footwashing, as a part ofworship,isnotwidelyprac-ticed inChristianity today.One reasonmightbe that

only John, in chapter 13, writesaboutfootwashinginaworshiplikecontext.ThetwootherplacesintheNewTestament thatmention foot-washing (Luke7:44; 1 Tim. 5:10)refertonormalhospitality.Anothersuggested reason is that, due tothevastculturaldifferencebetweenJesus’timeandours,many,today,findithardtorelatetothepractice.

Thisisunfortunatebecauseweare losingouton somethingpre-ciousbyno longerpracticing“theordinanceofhumility.”And that isbecause of the powerful symbolfootwashingprovidesofwhatJesus,Himself,wastogothroughforusonthecross.

The structureOnlyintheGospelofJohncan

we find the footwashing accountrecorded.Init,aftertheintroductioninJohn13:1–3,thestoryunfoldsinthreeparts.

The first part describes whatJesusdoes (verses4–11)andalsoincludes an exchange betweenJesus and Peter, in which Johndepictsthediscipleasnotgraspingthe intentofJesus’actions.ThreetimesPeter reacts to thedeedsorwords of Jesus, and three timesJesusdeclaresPeter’sreactionsasinappropriate.

Thesecondpartbeginswithareference towhat justhappened:“whenhehadwashed their feet”(verse12).1 Then, after adetailed

introduction that heightens theexpectation of the listeners, thetextpresentsalengthyspeechfromJesus (verses12–20). It seemsasthough the passage invites thelisteners to pay attention to theexplanations that will unlock themeaningofthechapter.

The third section startswithareferencetowhatJesushadspoken:“WhenJesushadsaidthis”(13:21).The text then switches back toa description of Jesus’ actions,whichincludestheofferingof“themorsel”toJudas(13:21–29).Asinthefirstpart,someverbalexchangeisincluded,whichshowshowmuchthe disciples did not understandwhatwasreallyhappening.

What Jesus doesIn the first and third section

of the narrative, we see the actof footwashing itself filled withsignificance.

For starters, footwashingwassimplyapartofthegeneralhospital-ity practiced in that culture. Thisgesturewasdoneforbelovedgueststo indicate they were very muchwelcome (Luke 7:44). Of course,footwashing was a service oftendonebysomeoneof lowerstatus,suchas slavesor younger femalemembers of the family. But notinfrequently, thehousewifeherself(1Tim.5:10)or,inordertoexpressspecialhonortotheguest,eventhefatherhimselfwouldsometimesdothis service.2Also, childrendid ittotheirfatherandstudentstotheirteacher.Inthesecasesitwasasignoflovingservice(cf.Luke7:44–47).3

JesuswashedHisdisciples’ feet,thusdemonstratingHislovingcareforthem.Jesus,bentdowntoserveHis disciples, humbled HimselfbecauseHelovesthem,whichwasaprecursortoandasymboloftheultimatehumiliationHewouldsoonface: thecross.Evenmoreamaz-ing, in the sight of everyone, HeturnswithalovinghearttotheoneensnaredbySatan,Judas Iscariot.Jesusreachedouttothoseensnaredby thedevilquiteoften.This time,though,thetrueloveoftheMastermeetsthefalseloveofthedisciple.

The meaning of it allWhatarewe to take from this

episode?BecauseJohn13introducesthe

readertoChrist’spassion,wemustsee the footwashing in this light.WhatJesusdoestoHisdisciplesisasymbolofHiscomingdeath.Johnstates in thefirstverse thatJesusknew “that His hour had come”(John 13:1), a clear reference toJesus’ suffering (John 2:4; 7:30;8:20;12:27;17:1).This is the timeofPassover, too,another indicatorofJesus’death(John12:1).OutofHisgreat love (John15:13), Jesushumbles Himself, gets rid of Hisgarment,givesupHishonorand,finally,Hislife.

Peter misunderstood, though.HedidnotyetknowthattheLord’saction signified something muchgreaterthanPetercouldthenimag-ine.Jesusclearlysaidtohim:“WhatI do you do not realize now, butyou will understand hereafter”4(John13:7). The“hereafter”does

the ordinance of humility: precursor to the cross

B E R N H A R D O E S T R E I C H

bernhard oestreich, phd,isdeanoftheology,FriedensauAdventistUniversity,Friedensau,Germany.


not refer to the followingspeech,becauseJesusagain testifies thatthediscipleswill understandonlylater (John 13:19). As elsewhereinJohn’sGospel (cf.2:22,12:16),theseversesrefertotheeventsofJesus’crucifixionandresurrection.Thesethingswillopenthedisciples’eyesandrevealthedeepmeaningoffootwashing.

Interestingly enough, Peter’sobjection typifiesaquestionmanyChristianshaveasked through thecenturies.Howcan JesusbeourLordandGodifHeishumanalso?HowcanHebeGodifHediedonthecross?Yet thisdescribes thegreatmysteryof,notonlytheIncarnation,butoftheCross.Godbecameamaninorder tosaveus.Therewasnootherway.Jesushadtodieinordertogiveuseternallife.

Hence,He strongly tellsPeterthatunlessPeterpartakesofthis—“IfIdonotwashyou,youhavenopart with Me” (verse 8)—He willnotbenefitfromwhatJesuswilldoforhim.Thewordpartinthisversemeans“portion”andcanbelinkedto“heritage”or“booty.”Theexpres-sion“noportionwithMe”doesnotspeakofaspiritualcommunitywithJesus,butreferstosomethingthatJesuswillwin,andfinallyshare,withHisfollowers.Andthat,ofcourse,iseternallife.

Theproblem?InJohn’stime(andinours),peoplepreferredaSaviorwho would be more like a hero,someonedemonstratingpowerandsplendor.But thegospelpresentsaSaviorwho ishumble,someonewho submitted Himself into thehandsofevilmen,andwhosuffereda shameful death. FootwashingremindsusofthehumanityofJesusthat rejects all forms of force orretaliation.Nowonderpeopleshyawayfromit.

In His speech after the foot-washing, Jesus dealt with thismisunderstanding. “You call meTeacherandLord;andyouareright,for so I am” (verse 13). In otherwords,Despite the humble service, despite the shameful death, despite the renunciation of all means of

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earthly power, I am still the Lord of the universe.

ThisparadoxonearthistrueinthekingdomofGod:Theonewhowillingly servedall is, in fact, thegreatestofall (cf.Mark9:35;Luke22:26;Phil2:6–8). Jesuspreparedthedisciples forHis sufferinganddeathsothattheymightnotbe indespairbutseeHisgloryanddivinityin His humbleness.

“From now on I am tell ingyou before it comes to pass, so

thatwhen itdoesoccur,youmaybelieve that I am He”5 (verse19).Johnrecallsthesewordsinordertoencouragebelievers tounderstandthat service, suffering, and evendeatharepartoftruediscipleship.6

Misplaced emphasisThe misunderstanding of the

disciples goes even deeper. ThisisseenwhenPeteraskedJesustowash“notonlymyfeet,butalsomyhandsandmyhead”(verse9).WhydidPeterask foramorecompletewashing?AfterJesushaddeclaredthat,withoutHisservice,therewasno way to share eternal life withHim,Petermighthavethoughtthatthewashingdoessomethingtohim

thatwouldchangehim andmakehim qualified for God’s kingdom.Themorewashing, then themorequalifiedhewouldbe,perhaps?

ButJesusrejectsthatinterpreta-tion and says to Peter, “You areclean” (verse10).Healsodeclaresthatthebetrayerisnotclean,despitethe fact that his feetwill alsobewashed(verse11).Obviously,whatJesusdidtoHisdiscipleswasmeantinadifferentsensethanhowitwasgraspedbythoseintheroom.

Thechapteralsorevealsanothercrucialpointbroughtoutby theirmisunderstandingof events—thistimeaboutpriorities.Peterthoughtthat he, himself, comes first, anexpressionofthemisunderstandingofapiousegoism.Afterhelearnedthat footwashing has somethingtodowithhissalvation,Peterwasconcernedsolelywithhimself.What does it mean to me that my feet are washed? How can I gain as much as possible?

His request formorewashingstandsinsharpcontrasttothechap-ter’s focus.John relates theeventwithJesusinthecenter.Hisfateisinview,Hislove,Hisserviceiswhatthischapterisabout.Theemphasis

isontheOnewhowashesthefeet,noton theonewhogetshis feetwashed.7

ConclusionThisdescribes the importance

ofthefootwashingstoryofJohn13andrevealsJesusalreadysignifyingHis surrender to thecrossonourbehalf.WefindChristinthecenter;Heunites the lowest serviceof aslavewithbeingtheLordof lords.Through this footwashing, Jesus

deliveredasermon,notinwordsbut indeed.ThesubjectofHissermonwas His death for us,adeath that revealsHis infiniteloveand true,divinecharacter.Thissermon’scall invitesus tobelieveinHimandfollowHiminserviceandsurrender(Phil.2:5).

Attheplacewheretheothergospelsrecount theLord’sSup-p e r, J o h n r e c o u n t s t h efootwashing.This indicates thatthe footwashinghas the samemeaningas theLord’sSupper.FollowingthecommandofJesus,andthuswashingthefeetofeachother,means(aswiththeLord’sSupper)thatweareproclaimingthe death of Christ (cf. 1 Cor.11:26).Inshort,the“ordinanceofhumility,” footwashing,demon-strates a way to serve otherbelieversand,also, isaway to

drawclosertoexperiencingforour-selveswhatJesushasdoneforus.

1 Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the New American Standard Bible.

2 Cf. Testament of Abraham 2.9, a Jewish pseudepigraphon contemporary with the Gospel of John: “Then Abraham went forward and washed the feet of the Commander-in-chief, Michael.” Cf. Targum Neofiti of Gen. 18:4.

3 Cf. C. Niemand: “Was bedeutet die Fußwaschung: Sklavenarbeit oder Liebesdienst? Kulturgeschichtliches als Auslegungshilfe für Joh 13,6-8,” Protokolle zur Bibel 3 (1994) 115–129; idem, Die Fußwaschungserzählung des Johannesevangeliums: Untersuchungen zu ihrer Entstehung und Überlieferung im Urchristentum, Studia Anselmiana 114 (Rome: Pontificio Ateneo S. Anselmo, 1993), 177–187.

4 Emphasis added. 5 Emphasis added.6 Herold Weiss, “Foot Washing in the Johannine

Community,” Novum Testamentum 21, 1979, 298–325, interprets the practice of footwashing in the Johannine communities as preparation for possible martyrdom.

7 G. Richter, “Die Fußwaschung John 13,1-20,” Studien zum Johannesevangelium, 43–44.

Footwashing reminds us of the

humanity of Jesus that rejects all

forms of force or retaliation.


B E R N H A R D O E S T R E I C H


It is easy to find anarmyof athousand,but,ah,howdifficultto find a general.” So says aChineseproverb.Tofindagenu-

inespiritual leader in theChristianchurch—someone with a visionand integrity—isnot alwayseasy.LeaderswithChristlikevaluesandattitudes are the most valuabletreasure of the church, and GodHimselfisinvolvedintheprocessoftheirupbringinganddevelopment.Nevertheless, evenpowerful lead-ers,withoutthepeopletheyguide,are as generalswithout an army,and thiscould lead tounfortunateconsequences.Without authenticrelationshipsbetween leadersandthepeopletheylead,therecanbenospiritualdevelopmentofthechurch.

ThelifeandministryofNehemiahprovide us with some profoundinsightsonthisauthenticleadershipsovitallyneededbyeverygenerationofChristiancommunity.WhatmadeNehemiah a great leader? Whathelpedhimovercomeeverydistrac-tionandchallengeandconcentrateon leading his people to achievethegoalsGodhadsetbeforethem?Whatkindofconnectionwastherebetween him and the people ofIsrael?Howmightthisbondinspireustoday?Letuslookathisdistinc-tivenessasaspiritualleader.

Lessons from Nehemiah’s leadership

Nehemiah had a vision (Neh.1:3–11). Asacupbearerofthekingofthemightiestnationintheworldofhistime,Nehemiahhadasecureandprotectedposition.Hedidnotneed any commotion in his life.Hecouldhaveprayed for thesuc-cessofJerusalemandtheremnantwithout hispersonal involvementandcontribution.Nevertheless,hewasamanofvisionandaction.Hedaredtocometothekingandaskforpermissiontorebuildthetemple.Hewantedtopersuadetheremnantoftheexigencyandnecessityofthisnobleandglorious task.Todayweneed daring ministers audaciousenoughtoadvancewithvisionandconvince thepeopleofGodof theinevitabilityofspiritualchange.

He was not boastful.“IhadnottoldanyonewhatmyGodhadputinmyheart todo for Jerusalem”1(Neh.2:12).AsthemostinfluentialIsraelite in those times, he couldhaveboastedabouthispositionorhisoriginalvision,buthedidnot.Helethisdeedsspeak.Pastors todayhave to uplift Christ and concealtheir vision until the appropriatetime.Weshouldnotboastaboutourvisionsforthechurchandprovoketheanimosityof thosewhodonot

appreciateandcomprehendGod’sways.Letactsspeak.LetvisionbeconfirmedbyGod’sapproval,notjustbyconvincingarguments.

He had motivation for the task.Peopleworked“withalltheirheart”(Neh.4:6)becauseNehemiahwasamotivatingforce.Hehadadreamandmanagedtotransmithiseager-ness for the rebuilding. Withoutmotivation, pastors, teachers, oradministratorswill notbe able toconfer theirvisionandtransform itintoreality.Motivatingforcetowardthecompletionofasetgoalwillhelpovercomeobstaclesalongtheway.

Nehemiah exhibited extraordinary faith.“OurGodwillfightforus”(Neh.4:20)wasNehemiah’smotivationinthemostdifficultsituationwhenhisenemies threatened todestroy theworkofrebuilding.Thisisextraordi-naryfaithinspiteofoppositionandseriousdifficulties.Pastorsneedfaithinorder toaccomplish thevision.Faithsays:“Godisalwayswithus”evenwhenthecircumstancesspeakdifferently.

Nehemiah was persistent and never quit. Whenenemies threat-ened, when his life was in peril,Nehemiah did not quit; he justprayed (Neh.6:9).Spiritualvictoryintimesofonslaughtfromtheenemybecomespossibleonlywhenweare

Spiritual strength: what happens when spiritual leaders and spiritual people work together?

Aleksandar s. santrac, dphil,isassociateprofessorof religion,ethics,andphilosophy,UniversityoftheSouthernCaribbean,TrinidadandTobago.

ALEKSANDAR S. SANTRAC


ALEKSANDAR S. SANTRAC

apeopleofprayerandfaith.Pastorsintheirministerialstrugglesneedtoobtain thementalityofNehemiah:persist,pray,andneverquit!

Nehemiah loved the people of God, so he never exploited themfinanciallyorotherwise (Neh.5:14,15).Heevensacrificedhisrightsinordertobeanexampletotheflock.He never took anything from thepeople;heonlysharedhisresourcesand time. We cannot exploit thechurch with our needs as if thechurch isobliged todo this. Ifwewant more superior experiences

resultingfromourfaith,weshouldnotaskforanything.Godwillprovideour needs if we are servants ofChrist.

Nehemiah delegated responsi-bilities.Nehemiahidentifiedpersonswithdedication and integrity andsharedhistaskswiththem (Neh.7:1,2).Suchleadershipwithdelegationactuallyimprovedthetaskbecauseeverybodywas involved. To thinkthat we, alone, can accomplishthe task is, at best, risky and, atworst,impossible.Suchapathmayseem easier, but it devalues anddowngradesthechurch.Insharing,thereisstrength;indelegation,thereisunityandfulfillment.

Nehemiah valued the Word of God far beyond his own comprehension or people’s expectations (Neh.8:8,18). Belief in theWrittenWordbroughthimmanytroublesandopposition,buthe insistedthat thereformhadto be based on the revelation of

God(Neh.13).InthelastchapterofNehemiah,thereformofthetemple,marriage, tithe,andworshipwerebasedexclusivelyon theWordofGod. True spiritual revival cannottakeplacewhenwetrustinhumanstrength; theWordalonehas thepowerandauthoritytotransformandstrengthenthecommunityofGod’speopleandleadthemtoaccomplishHiswillandpurposes.

Nehemiah continued earnestly in prayer.NehemiahprayedforGod’sforgiveness,forHisgloriouspowerandgrace,forhimself,andthecour-

ageheneeded.Healsoprayedforhispeople: intercessoryprayerhaspowertotransformandstrengthenGod’scommunity (Neh.9).Prayerstirs theworkof theLord.Pastorsshouldpraynotonlyforthemselvesand their familiesbutalso for thepeople of God and the vision ofChrist.“Prayerdoesnotfitusforthegreaterwork,prayer is thegreaterwork,”saysOswaldChambers.2

Nehemiah showed extraordinary zeal. Nehemiah’szealproducednotonlyhisdedicationfortheworkhesetout todobutalsohadspecificpurposes:formaintainingthepriorityof thehouseofGod(10:39;13:10,11),forthekeepingoftheSabbath(13:17,18),andformaintainingthepurityofthepeopleofGod(13:25).All these aspects were valued asindispensable requirements forproperworship.Thereisnoworshipoutside the truth ofGod. Pastorstoday should teach that zeal for

theholiness inChrist (as a resultofgenuineacceptanceofChrist’srighteousnessby faith) isaneces-sarycondition forproperworship.ThehouseofGod,thedayofGod,andthepeopleofGodareholy,andwecannot afford toneglect theirsanctityinourworshipandwitness.

Nehemiah worked with the out-siders. As a reformer, Nehemiahworked with those within andthosewithout.The“outsider”hadan importance in his leadershipandministry, and,asa result, the“outsiders”“realizedthatthiswork

had been done with the help ofourGod” (6:16).This testimony isamazing.Outofreverenceandfear,theGentileslearnedthatIsraelwasapeopleofthemightyGod.Missiontodaycannotbeaccomplished inisolation.Ourworkandwitnessmusthave fervorandazeal thatwillbenotedbyall.

NehemiahwasGod’sman inawholisticsense.Fullydedicated toGodandwithanabsolutecommit-ment toGod’smission,Nehemiahportrayed theprofileof theperfectspiritual leader. Transformed byGod’sgrace, hewasable to leadotherstoexperiencesimilartransfor-mation.Wherestandsatransformedleader, the responseof thepeoplewillnotbelaggingbehind.

Lessons from the response of the people

People of God had the willingness and motivation to build the temple of

When spiritual leaders and spiritual

people work together, the result is

spiritual strength and impact for the

kingdom of God.


God(2:17,18;4:6).Everywherethecryandcommitmentwassingular:“Letus rebuild.”Theresponseofthechurchdependsonthemotivationofthepastor.Theresultisastonishing. The people had a confidence inNehemiah,andtheylistenedtowhathesaid (5:12,13).Eventhoughhewasayouthful leader,hewasnotdespised.“Wewilldoasyousay”wasbasedon theassurance thatGod,notman,wasleadingthework.Peoplewhocannothaveconfidenceintheirleaderstendtobeascatteredflockwithoutashepherd,and this

leadstospiritualdisaster.Israel loved the law of God (8:1) and obeyedGod’sWord.There isnoadvance-mentwithoutobediencetoGod.

People of God were generous in their tithes and offerings. “Wewillnotneglect thehouseofourGod”(10:39) was the response of thepeople to thecallof their spiritualleader.Ifleadersliveaccordingtothestandardsof theWord, thepeoplewill follow theirexample.Spiritualgrowth,faithfulnessinstewardship,activeparticipation inwitnessandworship, and total support to thechurchwillresult.Steadfastleader-shipwillproducefaithfulresponseinourmembership.

Israel understood that their rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem was a mission to the Gentiles(6:16).Theimpactoftheirsacredworkhadfar-reachingconsequencesthatonly

eternity will reveal. Unconsciousof their spiritual influence and inhumility andpurityof heart, theymoved forward inglorifying theirGod.Theonlyway toglorifyGodtoday, and show the world thatwearedifferent, is to find awayfor successful teamwork of pas-tors, teachers,administrators,andthepeopleofGod. “Teamwork isthequintessential contradictionofa society grounded in individualachievement,”saysMarvinR.Weis-bord,3andno leadercanafford toneglecttrueteamwork.

Spiritual strength in synergy

Spiritual successdependsnotonly on the powerful vision andspiritualpoweroftheleaderbutontherelationship betweenleadersandthepeopleofGod.Thissynergisticteamwork isalwayscrucial for thespir i tual progress. Teamworkdemands, on the one hand, thatpastors, teachers,evangelists,andadministratorsbecompletelyemp-tiedofself-interest,boasting,andthesearchoffinancialgain;ontheotherhand,teamworkexpectsthatleadersbemotivatedby vision, sacrifice,faith,belief,prayerforthepowerofGod,andperseveranceandresolu-tion.OnlythenwillchurchleadershipinspireandstimulatethepeopleofGodtoenthusiasmandtrust,obedi-encetotheWord,generosity,purity,andhumility.Thissacredbondwill

beapowerfultestimonytoChrist’sliving influenceonthe leaders.Butthissacred liaisonisimpossiblewith-outtheproperunderstandingoftheexerciseofauthority.EllenG.Whitesaid: “AlthoughNehemiahborearoyal commission requiring theinhabitantstoco-operatewithhiminrebuilding thewallsof thecity,hechosenottodependuponthemereexercise of authority. He sought,rather, togain theconfidenceandsympathyofthepeople,wellknow-ingthataunionofheartsaswellashandswasessentialtosuceedinthe

great work which he had under-taken.”4Theessenceofsuccessfulpastoral service anda flourishingchurchincludesthepastor’strustinGod and his or her readiness tocooperate with and motivate thepeopleofGoduntilwe reach theunionofhearts.Whenspirituallead-ers and spiritual people worktogether, the result is spiritualstrengthandimpactforthekingdomofGod. This spiritual union, tran-scendingorganizational efforts inprograms and mission, becomesinfluential testimony today andessential qualification for the lifeeternal.

1 Unless otherwise indicated, Scriptures quoted in this article are from the New International Version.

2 http://www.tentmaker.org/Quotes/prayerquotes.htm.3 http://www.heartquotes.net/teamwork-quotes.html.4 Ellen G. White, Christian Service (Hagerstown, MD: Review

and Herald, 1925), 174.



Youwillbemywitnesses…to theendsof theearth”(Acts1:8).1Thecommandof Jesus impelledHis fol-

lowerstoanastonishingjourneyofaction; indeedaseriesofactions,one after another, involving thedisciplesandtheearlybelieverswho,under the influenceandpoweroftheHolySpirit, took themessageof the risenSavior to the“endsoftheearth.”

ThatactioniswhatthebookofActsisallabout.Watchtheascen-sionofChrist, theanointingof theapostlesbyflamesoffire,enablingthemtospeakindifferentlanguages,which,inturn,ledtothefirstgreatconversionsurge,overwhelmingtheJerusalemestablishmentandsettingoff laymissionaries to theRomanEmpire’sdistantoutposts.RacewithPhiliptocatchupwiththeeunuchofEthiopiaand, throughhim,seethemarchofthegospelindistantAfrica.HowabouttheactionofStephen’sstoningleadingtothemiracleoftheDamascusroadthatproducedPaul,thegreatmissionary,who literallytoredownevery frontier to reach“theendsoftheearth”?PonderoverPeter,hisPentecostal sermon,hisencounterwithCornelius thatpre-paredthechurchforthechallengeofthemissiontotheGentiles.SeetheFirstApostolicCouncilofJerusalemanditsimpactonthechurch’sgreatmarch through history. All these,and other action stories, keepusexcitedtoreadabookthattellsofachurchbecomingalivingorganism,growingandexpanding,lookingfornewwaysthroughseaandlanduntilpursuingitswaytotheendsofthe

earth.Thesewere truly theactsoftheapostlesundertheguidanceoftheHolySpirit.2ThebookofActsis,indeed,aninspiringchronicleofhowaninsignificantsectinsideJudaismbecomesaworldwidemovement,confrontingreligiousandphilosophicsystemsthathithertodominatedtheworld. This achievement becamepossiblebecause theearlychurchwas involved in an outstandingmissionarymovement,unmatchedbyanyotherChristianmovementthroughhistory.Thatmovementwasrooted inanunhesitatingresponsetoadirectcommandofJesusatthebeginningofthebookofActs.

Thebookstartswitha fewdis-ciples,hiddenintheupperlevelofanunknownhouseinJerusalem,theirheartsfilledwith fear. ItendswiththousandsofpeoplejoiningthenewChristianmovementandwiththosesamedisciples,nowfilledwithaboldvision,sharing freelyandwith joy,announcing theChristianmissiontothewholeworld,nomatterwhat.Thebookclearlytellsusthatmanyofthemdidthat,riskingtheirlives.

Whatwasthereasonforsuchafantasticchange?Whathappenedinbetween?Wefindanincrediblemes-sagecarefullywrappedinthebookofActs.Butthemostimportantthingaboutthebookisthesequentialandcareful unfolding of a commandgivenbytheLordJesusChristattheverybeginningofthebook.

A critical text and its context

Let’s examine the last con-versation between Jesus andHisapostles.This representsasolemn

gathering—thelastreunionofJesuswith His disciples on earth. ThedisciplesaskedHim:“Lord,areyouat this time going to restore thekingdomto Israel?” (Acts1:6).Weseeherethatattheverybeginningof one of the most outstandingmoments in the life of the earlychurch, the disciples did not yetseethewholepicture.TheysimplymisunderstoodtheLord.Theywereopinionatedandthinkingpolitically,notreligiously.TheywerestillJewsexpectingpolitical supremacy inaworldgovernedbyGentiles.Buttheirnarrow-mindedvisionwouldsoonbechangedforever.

Theyweremomentsawayfromthedepartureof Jesus toheaven.This magnificent and memorableeventintheirliveshadbeenengravedintheirmemory,anditrepresentsthekeyintheanalysisoftherestofthebook.BecausethistopicoccurredinthecontextofthelastmomentsofJesusonearth,inreality,itcomparesto the starting marchof thenextdynamic and colorful event thatbegantodefinetheveryessenceofthebookofActs.

Acts1:6“formssomethingofanoutlineforActs.”3Atthatmoment,theyreceivedpowernottorule,buttowitness.4Jesusreferredtothemnow as witnesses, and He did itina legalsense.“Awitness . . . issomeonewhohelpsestablishfactsobjectivelythroughverifiableobser-vation.”5TheLorddidnotreproachthedisciplesfortheirmisunderstand-ing,butsimplysaid to them:“It isnot for you to know the timesordatestheFatherhassetbyhisownauthority.Butyouwillreceivepower

To the ends of the earth

daniel scarone isministerial assistant for theMichiganConferenceofSeventh-dayAdventists,locatedinLansing,Michigan,UnitedStates.

D A N I E L S C A R O N E


when the Holy Spirit comes onyou;andyouwillbemywitnessesinJerusalem,and inallJudeaandSamaria, and to the ends of theearth”(Acts1:7,8).

Jesushereappointedthem,notonlyasdisciples(theyalreadywere),

butaswitnessesbecausetheywerelivingtestimoniesofthelife,ministry,death, and resurrectionof Jesus.6The resurrection of Jesus was afact,directlyseenbyHisdisciples.Therefore, theywerewitnessesofhistoricalfactsandtheconvictionsoffaithintheearlychurch.Theywerewitnesses to theendsof theearththatmayevenhavetoputtheirlivesatriskindefendingtheauthenticityoftheirstatement.

Whatdoesthephrase“theendsof theearth”mean?Someauthors

have speculated the meaning ofthis expression.7Clearly thebookshows an interest in Rome (thecapitalcityoftheempire),butsomethink this may not only refer toreachingoutof thehubofRometo theGentileworld,but that the

gospelwill continue togobeyondRome.Hencewemaywellconcludethat the phrase “the ends of theearth” isgeographical andethnicin scope, inclusive of all peopleandlocales.Thismissionincludesamulti-directionalandeschatologicalfocus. Independentof theJewishexpectationsof theearlydisciples,whowereanxiouslylookingfortherestorationof thekingdom,God’sintentionwastheworld;notapartof it,noraportionof it,simplytheentireworld.

Did they obey the command of Jesus?

Jonathan Lewis indicates that“Christ’spropheticwordsinActs1:8provideuswithanexcellentoutlinefor understanding themissionarydynamicofthisbook.”8

Thisclearly showsushow thediscipleswentoutdetermined toreachthetargetestablishedbytheirLord.Thecleardistributionof themissionclearlydemonstrates thatthedisciplesobeyedtheirMaster.

What remains?InthebookofActs,asignificant

geographicalmovementoccurs:(1)a territorial expansion that madeinroads into theGentileworld; (2)successandadvanceinthemission,even in the faceof clearhostility,

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both internal andexternal; (3) theheadquartersofthemissionarytaskthatwassetinJerusalem(Acts6).9

ThemissiongiveninActshasgeo-graphical andsociological targetsrather than numeric ones. Jesusdidnotestablishnumericfiguresto

reachJudea,Samaria,or theendsoftheearth.Suchalimitationwouldworkagainsttheurgencyanduniver-salityofthemessage:Godwantedtheearlychurchtoreachthewholeworld,notapartofit.10InthebookofActs,asintheGospels,weseethegrowingoftheChristianmovementin a varietyof levels representingaclearspiritual growing,becausegrowing in theworldmade themgrowinternallyinthechurch;aclearsociologicalgrowingwithdiversecul-turesandethnicallydiversepeopleand languages encompassed bythemessage;acleargeographicalgrowingwith themessage beingacceptedindifferentplaces,towns,cities,andnations.

In the New Testament, Jesuswas never pleased about: goingfishing without catching any fish(Luke5:4–11);seeingemptytablesatabanquet(Luke14:5–23);sowingseed thatwill neverbeharvested(Matt.13:3–9);afigtreenotbearingfruit(Luke13:6–8);anunaccountedsheep not brought into the fold(Matt. 18:11–14); a lost coinnotfound (Luke15:8–11); a lost sonwho does not come back home(Luke15:12–32); andproclaimingtheWordwithoutaresponse(Matt.10:14), because God expects His

workonearthtohaveconcreteandvisibleresults.

Intheearlydays,thechurchthatobeyedthecommandofJesuswasinconstantgrowth.Oneearlychurchfatherwrotetotheheathennations,challenging them:“Wearebutof

yesterday,andwehavefilledeveryplaceamongyou—cities, islands,fortresses, towns, market-places,theverycamp, tribes,companies,palace, senate, forum—we haveleftnothingtoyoubutthetemplesofyourgods.”11 TodayourchurchneedstopayattentionagaintothemovingwordsofJesus.Thosewordswerepowerful.Notby the factoftheirenunciation itself,butby theinfluenceof theHolySpirit in theirhearts thatmoved thosemenandwomentostartamissionarymove-mentunmatched throughhistory.Theydidnothaveall thehightechandgadgetresourceswehavetoday.TheearlyChristiansdidnothavetele-vision, Internet,email, computers,textmessages,software,presenta-tionresources,advertising,oranyofthesocialmediaresourceswehavetoday.Buttheyreachedeveryplacewiththegospelmessage.Andtheyreapedthousandsofconversionsinasurprisinglyshorttime.

Can we not do the same? Ofcoursewecan.Weneedtocatchthespiritoftheearlychurch.InthebookofActs,weseeachurch thatstillkeptadiscipleshipvision.Inthedaystocome,thechurchlostitsdisciple-shipvision,andweneedtoreturntotrue discipleship. As Hull says,

“Christianity without discipleshipcausesthechurchtoassimilateitselfinto theculture.”12Thechallengingcommand of Jesus for missions(Acts1:8)remainsvalidandbindingonthechurch.Allweneedtodoistoresurrect thecommand,place it

beforeourchurch,andpleadfortheHolySpirittohelpusimplementit.TheHolySpiritwillempowerustofulfillthecommand,justasHedidatthebeginningofchurchhistory.Henowwaitstomovethepastoralandlayforceintoabigmissionarymove-ment like we have never seen inhistory. Then, and only then, willChrist’s savingmessage reach theendsof theearth—be ityournext-doorneighbororthedistanttownontheothersideoftheglobe.

1 Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture is taken from the New International Version of the Bible.

2 The role of the Holy Spirit in Acts is clear (Acts 2:4; 8:29; 10:19; 15:28; 16:6, 7; 20:23). It is the Holy Spirit that says: “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2, KJV).

3 A. L. Barry, To the Ends of the Earth (St Louis: Concordia, 1997), 43.

4 Paul W. Walaskay, Acts (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 1998), 28.

5 Darrell Bock, Acts (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 64.

6 Allison A. Trites, The New Testament Concept of Witness (London: Cambridge University Press, 1977), 10–15.

7 See Darrel Bock, 64; D. W. Pao, “Acts and the Isaianic New Exodus,” Wissenchschafliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testaement 2 (2000): 93; T. S. Moore, “To the Ends of the Earth: The Geographical and Ethnic Universalism of Acts 1: 8 in Light of Isaianic Influence of Luke,” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 40 (1997): 389–399.

8 Jonathan Lewis, ed., World Mission: An Analysis of the World Christian Movement, Part 1 (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1987), 79.

9 Daniel Scarone, Hasta los confines de la tierra (Alajuela, Costa Rica: Universidad Adventista de Centroamerica, 1996), 69.

10 Ibid., 73. 11 Tertullian, 37:4. 12 Bill Hull, The Complete Book of Discipleship (Colorado

Springs, CO: NavPress, 2006), 16.

D A N I E L S C A R O N E


The challenging command of Jesus for

missions (Acts 1:8) remains valid and

binding on the church.

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BeyondCommonGround:WhyliberalsandConservativesNeedEachother by Alden Thompson, Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2009.

Beyond Common Ground byAldenThompsonprovidesa

call tounderstandingandunitybetweenthevariousgroupswithintheSeventh-dayAdventistChurchtoday.But itwas thesubtitleofthisbookthatcaughtmyattentionandmademereadit.Thompsonshowshispastoralheart,passion,andvision in thegospel call tounityattheendofeverychapter.Hereareacoupleof examples:“So let’spay closeattention towhatmotivatesourbrothersandsisters inChrist andwhatmoti-vatesthosewhodonotyetknowourLord.ByGod’sgrace,HisSpiritwillbeabletolightafireintheheartsofHispeoplethatnoearthlypowercanquench”(73).“Intheend,therefore,theastonishingtruththatemergesisthatGodisthegreatestlibertarianofall.AndHemadeithappenbygivingupHis liberty,His freedom,dyingonthecrosssothatthewayoflovecouldonceagainbecome the lawof theuniverse. IfGodcandie forus,thensurelyweshouldbewillingto live forHimby living forallHischildren” (155).Theseareheartfeltcallsforunitywithinthechurchweallcouldwarmto.

Somemaynot read thisbookbecause theyhavealready labeledtheauthor as a liberal.Suchbiaswouldbeashamefor,althoughthebookmaychallengesomecherishedstances,thereismuchtolearnfromit.

IhavereadalmostallofThomp-son’s previous books and havenot alwaysagreedwithhim—buthe does make me think. Beyond

Common Groundreliesheavilyonhispreviouswriting;butheaddsanec-dotal storiesandsuggestions thatcouldhelpbuildunity.Forexample,in his previous book, Inspiration: Hard Questions, Honest Answers,hehighlights fromScripturea lovepyramid. Thompson asserts thatconservatives are best at lovingGodandliberalsarebetteratlovingothers.BothaspectsarewhatJesusrequiressoconservativesandliber-alsneedeachother.

The book starts with Thomp-sonprovidingthreeframeworksonwhichallAdventistshavecommonground. The first is the historicallandmarks:theSabbath,theAdvent,the commandments of God, andthe faithofJesusChrist.Thenextunifyingfactoristhelawofloveandthelovepyramid;andthelastanchorpointisJesus—Godinhumanflesh.Theseare thenonnegotiables froman Adventist heritage based onScripture.Thompsondoesnotcallfor compromise but encouragesstrongconviction.However,people

with the same foundationneedto share their convictions andbe complimentary rather thancontradictory.

Eachpersonwillfinddifferentgems in this book. I liked thethoughtsontranslations.Adventistshavealwayshadthosewhopreferoneversion;buttheimportantthingisthatweunderstandwhywelikea translation—andthenbaseourdialogueonScripture.Thechapteron thediversityof theCorinthianchurchshows that therearestillthosewhofollowedPeter,Paul,andApollostoday,but,inourdiversity,wecanhaveaunity that is notuniformity.Hiscall forAdventiststohold toconditionalhistoricismwheninterpretingprophecyisalsotimely.

The book has some weak-nesses.Liberalsandconservatives

arenotdefineduntil themiddleofthebook,and Iagreewithoneofhis students—the Myers-Briggspersonality material complicatesthedefinitionsratherthanenhancesthem (117–131). Thompson, ascholar,hasspentmostofhis lifein largeAdventist institutionsandtheAdventistcommunitiesaroundthem.Perhapssuchacloisteredlifeledtothebook’sglaringomission—Adventistmission.TheauthorgivesworldwidemissionoftheAdventistChurchonlylipservice.

Despitethisblindspot,IconsiderBeyond Common Ground a goodbook.ItshowsThompsonasamanofcourageand integrity.Heopenspeoples’eyestothevariousoptionsofunderstandingfromanacademicviewpoint; but he has a pastoralheart—heenvisionsandpleads forachurchthatmakesopendialogueacontinualhabit.

—Reviewed by Glenn Townend, president of the

Seventh-day Adventist Church in western

Australia.

R E S O U R C E S

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Pastoral Evangelism and Leadership Council

Huntsville,Alabama,UnitedStates—On December 5–7,

2010,approximately2,000pastorsandleadersgatheredonthecampusofOakwoodUniversityinHuntsville,Alabama, United States, for theannual conveningof thePastoral

EvangelismandLeadershipCouncil.Thethemeofthispastmeetingwas“PentecostII:LetItRain.”And“rain”itdid!

Forthreedays,therewasaclearand obvious moving of the HolySpirit—with prayer breaking outeverywhereandmenandwomenof God spontaneously rushing tothealtar inconfession, recommit-ment,andpassionatepursuitofthebaptismoftheHolySpirit.Fromtheworshipexperiencestotheplenaryandbreakout sessions, the focus

wascontinuallyuponevangelismand leadership,withfivemorningandeveningsermonsandmorethan30workshoppresenters.

Thesingular,consistentresponsefromalmosteveryattendeewasthecentralityofGodineverything.“Wecaught a glimpse of Pentecost.”[Fredrick A. Russell]

WestPoint of Evangelism

AgouraHills,California,UnitedStates—The2010WestPoint

ofEvangelismmeeting,focusingonpastorsand lay leaders interestedinvariousaspectsofchurchwork,tookplaceDecember5–8,inAgouraHills,California.Theeventincludedexhibits from various publishersandmediaministriessharingawiderangeofresources.

Bradford Newton, secretaryof the Pacific Union Conferenceof Seventh-day Adventists, thesponsoringorganization,coordinatedWestPointofEvangelism.Inadditiontothegeneralsessions,anumberofbreakoutseminarsonvariousaspectsof church life and outreach werepresented.JanPaulsen, recentlyretired president of the GeneralConferenceofSeventh-dayAdventists,presented the keynote message.RicardoGraham,presidentof thePacificUnionConferenceofSeventh-dayAdventists,gavethefinalmessagebeforethegroupgatheredforafinalprayeraskingfortheLord’sblessingintheirlifeandministry.

ToavoidadateconflictwiththePastoralEvangelismandLeadershipCouncil,heldatOakwoodUniversity,BradfordNewtonannounced thattheWestPoint ofEvangelismwillnowbeheld in thespringofeachyear.Thenexteventisscheduledfor2012.[Nikolaus Satelmajer]

D A T E L I N E

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The Revelationof Jesus ChristHOW TO UNDERSTAND AND INTERPRET REVELATION

Understanding and interpreting the mysteries of Revelation has been, for many,

confusing and controversial. Few Bible scholars agree completely on its meaning

and application in history, or for our day. Some view the symbols of Revelation

as literal; others see them as completely figurative. The title of the book,

Revelation, comes from the Greek word “apokalupsis” meaning “a disclosure of

truth, or instruction (a)concerning things before unknown, (b)used of events by

which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible

to all.” 1

Four basic approaches have been used in the study of Revelation: Preterism,

Idealism, Futurism, and Historicism.Preterism holds that the book of Revelation addresses primarily the situation of

the Christian church in the Roman province of Asia in the first century A.D.

This method does not consider the book to have any predictive prophecy, but

merely encouragement for the church. This method of interpretation disregards

chapter 22 verse 18’s claim to prophecy. “If anyone takes away from the words of

the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life.”

Lesson One

The Revelation

of Jesus Christ

HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND INTERPRET REVELATION








to all.”1


Idealism, Futurism, and Historicism.

Preterism holds that the book of Revelation addresses primarily the situation of






Lesson One

The Revelationof Jesus Christ

HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND INTERPRET REVELATION








to all.” 1


Idealism, Futurism, and Historicism.

Preterism holds that the book of Revelation addresses primarily the situation of






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