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FIRST MINISTRY Ministry is the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association and has been published since 1928. Association Secretary James A. Cress Editor Wiilmore D. Eva 1 +1 =1: The impossible possibility Managing Editor Julia W. Norcott Editorial Assistant Sheila Draper An outstanding article exposing to mind and heart Professional Growth and Inter-church Relations the ultimate basis for successful interpersonal Nikolaus Satelmajer Contributing Editors: Sharon Cress, Peter Prime, Joel relationships Sarli, Kit Watts John M. Fowler International Editors: Inter-American Division Felix Cortes South American Division Zinaldo A. Santos Consulting Editors: Ben Clausen, Raoul Dederen, Teofilo Ferreira, Ron Flowers, John M, Fowler, Michael Hasel, Roiand Genesis 1 and the building of the Hegstad, Kathleen Kuntaraf, Ekkehardt Mueller, Jan Israelite sanctuary Pauisen, Robert Peach, Angel Manuel Rodriguez, Penny Shell, William Shea, Russell Staples, Richard Tibbits, Ted The fascinating relationship between the Israelite Wilson, Edward Zinke sanctuary and the creation Pastoral Assistant Editors: John C. Cress, Fredrick Russell, Mayian Schurch, Loren Seibold Angel Manuel Rodriguez International Advisors: Alefandro Buiton, John Duroe, Andrews Laurence Ewoo, Paulraj Isaiah, Anthony Kent, jairyong Lee, Ivan Manilich, Gabriel Maurer, Ivan Omana, David Osborne, Peter Roennfeidt, Raymond Zeeman Avoiding the pitfalls of prayer Pastoral Advisors: Leslie Baumgartner, S. Peter Campbell, Miguel A. Cerna, jeanne Hartwell, Mitcheli Personal and pastoral questions about prayer Henson, Greg Nelson, Norma Osborn, Leslie Pollard, Richard W. O©Ffill Dan Smith, Steve Willsey Advertising Editorial Office Subscriptions and Circulation Jeannette Calbi Cover Art Jonathan Eva and Peter Hamlin What does the Lord require? Resources Cathy Payne The unprecedented demand on Adventist missions in today©s world Subscriptions: 12 issues: United States US$29.95; Canada and overseas US$31.75; airmail US$41.75; Corden R. Doss single copy US$3.00. To order, send name, address, and payment to Jeannette Calbi, Ministry Subscriptions, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904 U.S.A. Subscription queries and address changes: Ten years and counting Email: [email protected] Fax: 301-680-6502 Journal of a journey of tensions within pastoral Phone: 301-680-6503 To Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. ministry Editorial preference is to receive manuscripts on diskette with name, address, telephone and fax John Crys numbers, and Social Security number (if U.S. citizen or possessing a U.S. Social Security number). Send editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600. Phone: 301-680-6510; fax: 301-680-6502; Email: [email protected] or Pulpit and politics [email protected] (editorial offices). An unusual story of pastoral call Writer©s Guidelines available on request. David Pendleton Ministry (ISSN 0026-5314), the international journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Association 2001, is published monthly by the Genera! Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and printed by Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1350 N. Kings Road, Nampa, ID 83687-3193. Member Associated Church Breaching the barriers Press. Standard mail postage paid at Nampa, Idaho. in attendance PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. Overcoming barriers to congregational growth Vol. 75 Number 2 Bible credits: Texts credited to NKJV are from The New King David Ripley James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. Bible texts credited to NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. MINISTRY February 2002 E T T R S April issue "Having begun in the Spirit, are you stration of the holiness, effectiveness n your April 2001 issue, there was a let now being made perfect [i.e., com and justice of God©s government, and I ter to the editor emphasizing that God plete, finished] by the flesh" (Gal. 3:3)? thus His character namely, the com has already been vindicated by Christ©s He declares of his own experience that munity of God©s children who effectively "finished work" on Calvary, and needs Christ©s work in him is not yet finished live for God in this world through faith no further vindication by His people. In (Phil. 3:12-14). In Ephesians 3:10, he and by the Holy Spirit, and who thus, in fact, it was said that to even teach such declares that the primary purpose of his the face of false accusations against a thing "turns the plan of redemption preaching the gospel was "to the intent God, give evidence before the universe on its head." You responded with a that the manifold wisdom of God might that God©s government is just and effec "Well said." be made known by the church to the tive in the actual lives of the people I heartily agree that we need to principalities and powers in heavenly among whom it operates. emphasize more the efficacy of Christ©s places." The clear implication is that the We think that a careful re-reading of sacrifice. The inestimable gift given on powers in heavenly places, at least at the whole biblical testimony definitely Calvary is the foundation of our Hope the writing of this epistle many years justifies this important differentiation of as Christians. It is unquestionably the after Calvary, did not then understand role in the vindication of God. only sacrifice that will ever be needed the manifold wisdom of God. In Further, while in parts of her work, for the salvation of the human race. 1 Corinthians 4:9, Paul further clarifies Mrs. White may seem to say otherwise, However, as a church that (correctly) this point by telling us that the onlook- we believe that when all her writing is claims the Bible as our only creed, I ing universe is watching us. ... combined, she stands by the same cru believe that we must avoid the tempta Mark Howard, pastor, Fredericktown, Ohio. cial distinction between the roles of the tion to be "men-pleasers" by denying perfect Christ and His imperfect people the abundance of Scripture to prove it. Editorial Note: We must state that, in vindicating or warranting the love, His one request to His Father was for us for reasons of limited space, we have justice and holiness of God and His gov to be with Him where He is (John not included all of this well-crafted let ernment. After all, how could imperfect, 17:24; 14:3), and He promised to come ter. However, allow us to again finite people actually or ultimately by back for us (John 14:1 -3). If all was "fin frustratingly say to this letter, "Well themselves vindicate or justify a perfect, ished" at Calvary, why hasn©t He come said." We say this because this issue is infinite God? On the other hand, how yet? Are there more important things not simply a question of either/or, but could the evidence of God©s work pres on His mind? Can it be said of our mer of both/and, as long as we observe the ent in the lives of His children be left out ciful Savior that He, like the ancient god following important distinction: of the verification or validation of God©s Baal, may be too busy, or on a long A distinction, though not a separa ways when there are questions about journey, or perhaps sleeping (1 Kings tion, needs to be drawn between what Him circulating in the universe? 18:27)? This is an inevitable conclusion or who alone is able to and therefore One other thought should be to what some are calling the "finished" ultimately does effectively "vindicate" expressed. It seems we Christians do atonement. the character of God namely, the Lord have a way of down-playing the full and Paul makes it clear that there is a Jesus Christ Himself, through His living, infinitely potent effect of the life and work yet to be accomplished. In that dying, rising again, and ascending to death of Jesus, as exposed in the Bible. great declaration of righteousness by the right hand of God; and what or When this is done, we easily become faith to the Galatians, he declares, who makes only an important demon continued on page 28 Free Subscription If you©re receiving Ministry bimonthly and haven©t paid for a subscription, it©s not a mistake. Since 1928 Ministry has been published for Seventh-day Adventist ministers. We believe, however, that the time has come for clergy everywhere to experience a resurgence of faith in the authority of Scripture and in the great truths that reveal the gospel of our salvation by grace, through faith alone in lesus Christ. We want to share our aspirations and faith in a way that will provide inspiration and help to you as clergy. We hope you will accept this journal as our outstretched hand to you. Look over our shoulder, take what you want and find helpful, and discard what you can©t use. Bimonthly gift subscriptions are available to all licensed and/or ordained clergy. Requests should be on church letterhead and addressed to the editorial office. February 2002 MINISTRY EDITORIAL Downsizing interpersonal offenses here is a strong element of mys privileged peoples of our world, as they tery in love. And in hate. Hate WILL EVA judge those who, in their eyes, lack T may be easier to explain, espe giftedness or proper development.