MAY 2018

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PASTORS

TO BOLDLY PROCLAIM

EVANGELIST BILLY GRAHAM, 1918–2018: THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH PAYS TRIBUTE COMING SUMMER 2018

Give your best gift.

giveyourbestgift.com

ARTV IN ASSOCIATION WITH ANATHOTH PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS A FILM DIRECTED BY MARK PADEN WRITTEN BY RICO HILL DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD STEFFENS EDITED BY KRISTINA PENNY PRODUCED BY JARED THURMON AND RICO HILL WITH NAD PLANNED GIVING & TRUST SERVICES FOR MORE INFORMATION - PLANNED GIVING & TRUST SERVICES 301-680-5002 CONTENTS

Published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Read by clergy of all faiths.

04 Letters No more sparklers! 06 Jacques François 05 Editorial Are we, as clergy, playing with sparklers when it comes to 25 Revival and Reformation preaching? Do we realize the potential gospel dynamite available in bringing about transformed lives? 26 Resources 27 Dateline Evangelist Billy Graham, 1918–2018: 30 The Pastor and Health 09 The Seventh-day Adventist Church pays tribute Ted N. C. Wilson, Wintley Phipps, Mark Finley, and MINISTRY® INTERNATIONAL EDITORS International Journal for Pastors Chinese-Robert Wong Barry C. Black 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, French-Bernard Sauvagnat MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. Japanese-Masaki Shoji Only eternity will reveal the impact that Billy Graham, www.ministrymagazine.org Korean-Soon Ki Kang [email protected] Portuguese (South America)-Wellington by God’s grace, made on the entire world. A church Barbosa EDITOR Russian-Michael Kaminsky expresses its gratitude. Pavel Goia Spanish (Inter-America)-Pablo Perla ASSOCIATE EDITOR Spanish (South America)-Marcos Blanco Jeffrey O. Brown INTERNATIONAL Falling into a black hole CONSULTANTS TO EDITOR ADVISORS Audrey Andersson John Fowler, Clifford Goldstein, Ron Clouzet, Michael D. Collins, 13 Myrna Tetz, Gerald Wheeler Daniel Devadhas, Carlos Hein, Patrick Johnson, Victor Kozakov, Geoffrey G. EDITORIAL SPECIALIST She got the worst possible news. Read how one pastor Mbwana, Musa Mitekaro, Passmore Sheryl Beck coped with the untimely death of her husband. Mulambo, Daniel Opoku-Boateng, FINANCE AND Hector Sanchez, Houtman Sinaga, Elias TECHNOLOGY MANAGER Brasil de Souza, Ivan L. Williams, Ted John Feezer IV N. C. Wilson Cracking the Cornelius code—part 2 John K. McVay 15 ADVERTISING SUBSCRIPTIONS It’s been an exciting trip. But are we now ready to journey [email protected] 12 issues: United States US$32.99; Canada into the heart of God as He leads us to those He wants us SUBSCRIPTION and overseas US$47.00. To order: send ASSISTANT name, address, and payment to Ministry® to serve? Kathleen Burton Subscriptions, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 U.S.A. SUBSCRIPTIONS/ www.ministrymagazine.org/subscribe. RENEWALS/ADDRESS DIGITAL DELIVERY Five disciplines of highly effective CHANGES Print subscribers can sign up for digital delivery [email protected] pastors at www.ministrymagazine.org/digital. 18 +1 301-680-6511 Timothy W. Ehrlich +1 301-680-6502 (fax) TO WRITERS We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. COVER Ministry need not be trial and error. What do pastors have Before submitting, review the writers’ LightStock / 316 Creative guidelines at www.ministrymagazine.org. in common when it comes to success? Take a look! LAYOUT Please send manuscripts via email to 316 Creative [email protected]. Stand up, speak up, shut up: Lessons 22 from a picketing prophet Host: Anthony Kent Cohost: Ivan Williams Kelvin Onongha www.MinistryinMotion.tv Habakkuk is packed with a dynamic both challenging and contemporary: being active on behalf of the community, Ministry® has been published monthly since PRINTER Pacific Press® Pub. Assn., while being still and knowing He is God. 1350 N. Kings Rd., Nampa, ID 83687 1928 by the Ministerial Association, General Standard mail postage paid at Nampa, Idaho. Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.® (ISSN 0026-5314) Ministry is a peer-reviewed journal. Member of Associated Church Press. Adventist®, Seventh-day Adventist®, and SECRETARY Jerry N. Page Ministry® are the registered trademarks BIBLE CREDITS Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version. Scripture quotations marked MEV are scripture taken from the Modern English Version. of the General Conference Corporation of Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, ASSOCIATE SECRETARIES Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked NIV® are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW Seventh-day Adventists®. INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture marked NKJV is taken from the New King James Jonas Arrais, Jeffrey Brown, Robert Costa, Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture texts credited to NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright Vol. 90, No. 5 © 2018 © 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. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken Pavel Goia, Anthony Kent, Janet Page PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. www.ministrymagazine.org LETTERS

Calling to and caring for not enough accountability for those God’s presence and His ministry who don’t. Spirit hank you, Daniel [Opoku-Boateng], —Tony Rigden, by email hank you so much for the beautiful Tfor an article well written (“Toward a TJanuary 2018 issue of Ministry, espe- Theology of the Call to Pastoral Ministry,” Authoritative preaching cially the article by Zac Page, praise God! July 2017). It is thoroughly versed in ight on! Please preach the Word, and I have read that article five times already. all-encompassing detail. The article Rpreach it like you believe it, as if it It just means so much, and I sense God’s is very enlightening and has enriched makes an eternal difference whether or presence so much every time I read it. I my learning about the pastoral call, as not your hearers believe and act upon it am thankful also for the letter by Rev. I am being called, myself, to kingdom (Patrick Anani, “Preaching with Authority,” Hellam (in the same issue), and I was ministry. My eyes are “wide open” as I March 2017). Our people need to hear the very impressed by the reply from Seth pursue this servanthood. Thank you! ring of authority from the pulpit. We who Pierce. I believe we use Ellen G. White —Frank Cervini, by email preach must know that we have received quotes because to us she is the most a message fresh from the throne of God reliable source outside of the Bible. We adly, I think the ministers who treat for those who are present. We don’t need believe she also was inspired by the Sministry like a guaranteed cushy more theatrics from the preachers on Holy Spirit to write about what she did, job are the ones who suffer burnout. Sabbath morning, but we need a holy pas- because we needed it. Unfortunately, there is not enough sion for Christ, His truth, and His Church. —Ardyth Trecartin, spouse of retired minister and support for the ministers who care, and —Mark Cockerham, by email conference worker, Maine, United States

Ministry® MAY 2018 EDITORIAL ESTHER F. RAMHARACKSINGH KNOTT

Esther F. Ramharacksingh Knott, MA in Religious Education, previously a church pastor, now serves as an associate director of the North American Division Ministerial Association and director of the MA in Pastoral Ministry program, Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. My Father’s business

t was a busy and noisy registration Because of my interest in gymnas- The next summer I was asked to day in Johnson Gym at Andrews tics and sharing my faith, I chose to go work with an evangelistic team in South IUniversity. This would be my final to Andrews University so that I could be Bend, Indiana. Again, I had the chance year in preparation to be a teacher. I on the university gymnastic team—the to open Scripture with people. One had just switched one of my majors to Gymnics. During that era, the Gymnics woman readily accepted the new teach- religion and was now standing at the were a witnessing team—presenting ings. She said she did so because she teacher-certification table. The person four religious programs and one gym- had seen me in a dream before I even at the table looked at my revised paper nastic show on weekends. came to her door. She believed that God work and said, “You can’t be a certified During my second year in college had sent me. teacher with these two majors.” There as a physical education major, one of was a brief pause, and then I responded, my coaches, Ernie Stevens, handed “That’s okay; I’ll be a pastor.” me the book In His Steps by Charles When asked about my calling, I am Sheldon. I read it that weekend, and the hard pressed to determine the exact bookstore ended up ordering more than My dad always moment of that call. Did I hear God’s 150 copies because of all the referrals I specific voice amid the new reality made. That book led me to follow up on about my majors? I’m not sure. I believe a summer job interview I had brushed inspired me that moment was the spontaneous off. That summer job set up the next expression of the natural progression chain of events. of where God was leading me. The summer of 1978 found me by saying, “A God used the voices of many. My working for the Adventist Collegiate calling started with Adventist parents Taskforce, doing tasks that did not who intentionally lived out their resemble the job description I had been woman’s place Adventist Christian faith in contagious given. I ended up working with five ways. They took me to church and made churches and preaching almost every Sabbath the best day of the week. They Sabbath. Most important, that sum- is in her Father’s inspired me to want to earn money so mer, I gave my first Bible study. While that I could return my own tithe and cleaning out a church closet, I found a offerings. They moved from Trinidad “shoebox” with Bible study interests. to England to Canada and sacrificed to Embarrassed that there had been no business.” send me to Adventist schools. follow-up, a couple of us set to work to My teachers at Toronto Junior contact each person. That became our Academy (now Crawford Adventist summer job. Academy) partnered with my parents One number I phoned revealed that After the summer of 1979, I wanted and the local church in giving me the the person had died since filling out even more. That was when, on that opportunity to serve and lead. My choir the interest card. That was a sobering registration day, I switched my religion director, Jackie Juriansz, taught me moment. Other phone calls led to Bible minor to a religion major and heard about music and relationships while on studies and baptisms. I learned that myself say, “I’ll be a pastor.” trips to Baskin-Robbins for ice cream. when people had the opportunity to I am grateful for those who helped Pastor Duane Anderson taught me that know and experience the truth about me hear God’s call and find my place. I was saved because of Jesus’ gift of God, they would often make the deci- My dad always inspired me by saying, salvation, not because I was a good kid. sion to love Him back. The experience of “A woman’s place is in her Father’s busi- Brian Townsend, my gymnastic coach, leading people into a love relationship ness.” I’m challenging us, as ministers, taught me to love Ellen White’s books. with Jesus became addicting. I wanted to be instruments that God can use to Her books inspired me to dig deeper into more. Back at school, I changed my help men and women hear His call and Scripture and love the Lord of the Bible. minor to religion. find their place.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

MAY 2018 Ministry® LEAD ARTICLE JACQUES FRANÇOIS

Jacques François, MA, serves as pastor of the New Life Adventist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, United States.

No more sparklers!

t proved almost impossible for me stuff many empty bottles with cherry of Christ’s righteousness (Rom. 1:17) when I was young to contain my bombs and then squeeze as many are kindled, and the restoration of God’s excitement when the Fourth of July of those bottles as we could into our image is implanted in His creation. Irolled by each year. Excitement and mailbox. After packing the mailbox with Pentecost inaugurated an unprec- apprehension battled in my stomach these makeshift bombs, we lit them, edented season of courageous gospel as I looked forward to the festivities. slammed the mailbox door closed and preaching. That morning found 120 Excitement because of the mini explo- ran as fast and as far as we could. After members of the Jerusalem church in sions caused by smoke balls, bottle a few moments, we heard a tremendous earnest prayer. After the Spirit of God rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, boom! When we went to inspect the poured Himself on the church, the artillery shells, and jumping jacks. mailbox, it was completely disfigured. gospel was preached with clarity and, Apprehension because I always hoped There were holes everywhere, the door when the dust settled, 3,000 people that this would be the year that I could was thrown violently across the street, were added to the church rolls. graduate from sparklers to the louder and the blast was so intense that it blew I must point out that Peter was not fireworks that were available in the our plastic mailbox right off the post! alone in preaching that day. The Holy arsenal. This act was, of course, extremely Spirit fell on everyone in the upper Every year, my mother faithfully dangerous. I dare not put into words room (Acts 2:2, 3). Verse 4 iterates “they purchased sparklers for the children to how my mother responded. were all filled with the Holy Spirit and enjoy. When we were very young, the began to speak with other tongues, as sparkler was more than sufficient to The gospel explosion the Spirit gave them utterance.” Verse quench our thirst for opulence. As we Cherry bombs are explosive; so is 11 expands this notion when it says, matured, our hearts panted after what the gospel. The gospel causes explo- “we hear them speaking in our own we called “real firecrackers.” We begged sions so intense that it mangles the tongues the wonderful works of God.” my mother to upgrade the stockpiles of kingdom of Satan and unhinges sin’s In a high-octane church, the preacher sparklers that she saved every year and power base. Paul in Romans 1:16 says, is not the only who proclaims the give us more variety to choose from. One “For I am not ashamed of the gospel gospel. Everyone is given a treasure year she finally relented and purchased of Christ, for it is the power of God to chest of gospel dynamite. The gospel quite a number of cherry bombs. salvation for everyone who believes.”* was detonated during Pentecost, and My nephew and I (we were like The word “power” comes from the 3,000 individuals were extracted from brothers because we were the same Greek word dynamis, from which we the grip of death. As my nephew and I age) were really excited about this new derive the English word dynamite. God ignited our cherry bombs on the Fourth development. Immediately we went to has put a stick of dynamite in our hands of July and shoved them in my mother’s work. The evening started with lighting to obliterate any obstacle to eternal life mailbox, so God’s people ignited their one cherry bomb at a time. Because that the enemy puts in humanity’s path. explosives on the day of Pentecost, our street was littered with empty beer God knows that we cannot impose this shoved them into sin’s abyss, and it was bottles that were tossed carelessly type of carnage with a sparkler. Like blown off of its foundation. aside, we decided to light the cherry dynamite, the gospel blows things up. bombs in the bottles to see whether When the gospel is unleashed, it leaves Set it off they would explode. To our satisfaction, in its wake a “race” of people who have Every year, we stood waving the they did. After blowing up a few bottles, experienced the saving grace of God. sparklers in a circular motion until the we got the ultimate idea. We decided to Sin’s stronghold is diminished, flames fire was extinguished. This was cute but

Ministry® MAY 2018 inconsequential. My mother gave us the free tickets to go to the home football for war, dispatched messengers would sparklers because they were safe and games. My reality was astronomically bring news to the citizens of the out- they did not cause any damage. The different in class than it was at a football come of the battle. Sentinels would bombs, on the other hand, massacred game. In class, I sat, listened, recorded stand on top of the city walls awaiting the mailbox. The force of the blast what the instructor had to say, and the tidings of the messenger. The mes- left it devoid of further value. There took advantage of opportunities to ask senger would approach the city in a was something that the sparklers and questions. The interaction between the specific manner that would indicate the cherry bombs had in common, teacher and me was structured, limited, whether the king won or lost. If the however. While the sparklers and the and designed to teach me something messenger demonstrated that the king cherry bombs had differing physical that I did not previously know. However, won, the sentinel would cry with a loud makeups, in order for any effect to take at the football game I was emotionally voice: “Euangelion! Our king won!” The place, both had to be aroused with fire. attached to the outcome of the game. inhabitants of the city had an emotional The gospel contains capabilities When FSU struggled, fell behind score- stake in the outcome. If their king lost, that can annihilate anything in its path, wise, and eventually lost, I was tense, they would be enslaved or destroyed by

As the inferno of preaching burns, it ignites the dynamite of the gospel and shatters all obstacles in the way of the salvation of man.

but it needs fire to unpack its destruc- apprehensive, mad, and/or sad. When the opposing king. The citizens shouted tive nature. Without the flame of Holy my team performed well and eventually just as they would have if they were on Spirit, preaching the gospel is of none won, my mood was quite different. I the battlefield with their king’s army. effect. was happy, overjoyed, and proud. You The fact that our King won the battle I must make a bold statement—the could hear the boom of our roars and should make us rejoice more than we gospel was designed to be preached! If shouts as we cheered our team on. In would if we attended a football game we look at our high-octane commission, class I had an intellectual interaction and watched our team vanquish our you will notice that the first two parts with my studies. At the football game, I adversary. specifically tell us to preach, whereas had an experiential interaction with the the third part tells us to teach. Whenever outcome of the game. I am not promot- Tailor-made the Bible discusses the presentation of ing emotionalism. I am advocating that “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, the gospel, it always does so in the preaching allows the hearer to experi- Because He has anointed Me to context of preaching. God designed the ence the good news of Jesus Christ. preach the gospel to the poor; gospel to be transformational, not just The Greek noun for “gospel” is He has sent me heal the informational. euangelion and is translated as “good brokenhearted, When I was a student at Florida State news” or “gospel,” but it has a rich his- To proclaim liberty to the captives University (FSU), all students received tory. When kings went to the battlefield And recovery of sight to the blind,

MAY 2018 Ministry® LEAD ARTICLE JACQUES FRANÇOIS

To set at liberty those who are one by one. The domino that initiates for the masses in the community and oppressed; the falling of the other dominoes is the begins to preach the wonderful works of To proclaim the acceptable year of Spirit-filled preacher! When I was pursu- God to the residents. All the pastor has the Lord.” (Luke 4:18, 19) ing a master of arts degree in pastoral to do is extend the altar call like Peter studies, one of my professors asked a did and give the invitation to repent, When we examine the ministry of question in class: “How does the gospel to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, it is easy to notice the clinical receive a hearing?” I am possibly over- Christ, to receive remission of sins, and aspect of His miracles. He was a der- simplifying the answer, but according to to accept the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts matologist, because He restored the Romans 10:14, it is through preaching. 2:38). Picture the type of energy and leper’s smoothness of skin. He was According to Scripture, “John the heat the proclaimed gospel will gener- an ophthalmologist, because He Baptist came preaching” (Matt. 3:1); ate and how the community will be restored sight to the blind. He was a “Jesus came to Galilee preaching impacted. What would it be like to claim hematologist, because He cured the the gospel of the kingdom of God” entire street corners, blocks, neighbor- woman with the issue of blood. He was (Mark 1:14); the disciples “preached hoods, cities, countries, and continents an orthopedist, because he healed the everywhere” (Mark 16:20); the apostles for Christ through this intentional and paralytic. According to the text, Christ “preached in Jesus the resurrection aggressive form of evangelism? was anointed to preach, and the gospel from the dead” (Acts 4:2); and Jesus The world does not need another was tailor-made to address the spiritual, told us in the gospel commissions to homiletician or theologian. The world social, and sensational aspects of the preach (Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). craves bold individuals who are human condition as well. God retrofitted unafraid to open their mouths and the gospel to heal broken hearts, give lib- Not the pastor only declare the magnificent good news of erty to the captives and the oppressed, A great and unfortunate misconcep- Jesus the Christ! God needs every hand counteract spiritual blindness, and offer tion that exists in the body of Christ is on deck to accomplish the greatest hope for the future. The gospel paves a that the preaching of the gospel can commission ever given to humanity. highway to salvation. be accomplished only through the The most basic meaning of preaching This is precisely why the gospel is words and energy of the pastor. The is proclaiming. Everyone, even without dynamite: because it blasts through pulpit stands as the pastor’s greatest a theological education, can proclaim rocks and structures that impede the leadership tool, but the pulpit should the good news of Jesus Christ. Just progress of the sinner to have trans- not serve as a cage for the gospel. God ask the leper of Galilee (Mark 1:40–45), formation. What good is a stick of designed the gospel to leak into the one of the ten lepers who was healed dynamite if fire is absent to kindle it? highways and the byways, the streets between Samaria and Galilee (Luke What good is the gospel if the preacher and the mountaintops. 17:11–19), the man healed by the pool is not available to thunder it from Take a glimpse at the book of Acts of Bethesda (John 5:2–15), and the the mountaintops? As the inferno of where the prayer assembly mobilizes to woman at the well (John 4). Only one preaching burns, it ignites the dynamite pray in chapter 1 verses 13–15. One hun- prerequisite preceded the preaching of of the gospel and shatters all obstacles dred and twenty people pack the upper the gospel in all of the mentioned cases: in the way of the salvation of man. room with their prayers and supplica- each person experienced the goodness Paul in his missive to the Roman tions. When the sound of the rushing, of Jesus Christ. church says, “How then shall they mighty wind filled the house where they Choose a community and attack it call on Him in whom they have not were praying, cloven tongues of fire sat with your army of believers like the 120 believed? And how shall they believe in upon each of them in Acts 2:3. Verse 4 did on the day of Pentecost. Unleash Him of whom they have not heard? And continues with the fact that they were each member to proclaim the gospel to how shall they hear without a preacher? all filled with the Holy Spirit and began everyone whom they encounter in the And how shall they preach unless they to speak with other tongues as the Spirit community. Publish the gospel from are sent? As it is written: gave them utterance. In verses 8 and house to house and from apartment 11, every person heard the wonderful complex to apartment complex. Visit ‘How beautiful are the feet of them works of God in their own tongue. Up parks, recreation centers, and grocery that preach the gospel of peace, to this point, Peter has not stood to stores. Take the community by storm. Who bring glad tidings of good preach. The gospel was preached by Ask God for holy boldness—and preach things!’ ” (Rom. 10:14, 15) everyone who was endowed with the the gospel, for there is, indeed, dynamis Spirit of God. in the proclaiming of the good news. The gospel speaks through the Allow your holy imagination to medium of preaching. The preceding picture a moment when every member * All Scripture is from the New King James Version; emphasis added. passage presents dominoes that fall in your church goes looking together

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

Ministry® MAY 2018 Photo: Billy Graham Evangelistic Association - ® Ministry

Factual information found in “Billy Graham: Profile,” Profile,” “Billy Graham: in found information Factual https:// Association, Evangelistic Billy Graham billygraham.org/about/biographies/billy-graham and https://factsandtrends.net/2018/02/21/billy -grahams-life-ministry-by-the-numbers/. Billy Graham’s example of courage of courage example Billy Graham’s * MAY 2018 MAY service, His saving power in the great in the great service, His saving power mes angels’ His three controversy, sages, His health message, His last-day His last-day message, His health sages, the the world—including mission to of the rain the latter for plead need to soon second Christ’s Holy Spirit—and coming. to all of us to is a reminder and grace the from know all the truth we up to live God’s proclaim and God of Word Holy truth. eternal -

Billy Graham articulated his his articulated Billy Graham As Seventh-day Adventists, what what As Seventh-day Adventists, proclaimed Christ’s salvation salvation Christ’s proclaimed Transcending and righteousness. national, borders—cultural, all-inclusive sociological—his of any knew no barriers preaching kind. He included all people in his and lifting up Christ preaching, of outpouring the with Word His truth, for and passion his sincerity desire genuine his by accompanied the grace through all saved have to of Christ. and forthrightly: clearly goal life help is to “My one purpose in life relation personal a find people ship with God, which, I believe, ship with God, which, I believe, Christ.” knowing through comes - God with a tremen for He worked banner His held and zeal dous everyone take to high, encouraging hold of it with him. His preaching exemplified an honesty and openness God’s extolling someone befitting He did many things the world. truths to identity for a positive promoted that Christianity and made every effort to of the standards by uphold and live his understanding to according Christ, truth. of biblical in declaring the have we an example human beings. to truth provided fullest focus with complete proclaim May we messages and enthusiasm the urgent in the Scriptures, liftingup Christ, His His sanctuary His righteousness, Word, - -

ew have impacted the world in the world ew impacted have has. Listed Graham Billy the way as 60 times than Gallup more by men admired one of the 10 most

But Billy Graham repre But Billy Graham - an esti him to took work Graham’s

GRAHAM, 1918–2018: BILLY EVANGELIST TRIBUTE PAYS CHURCH ADVENTIST SEVENTH-DAY THE F A man of courage and grace of courage A man Ted N. C. Wilson, Ted PhD, is president of the Seventh-day Church Adventist Conference, General Spring, Silver Maryland, United States. Billy Graham:Billy tion to Billy Graham’s live evangelistic evangelistic live Billy Graham’s tion to broadcasts, and radio television events, and a column, newspaper a regular 33 write to managed he magazine, seller, books, including his 1953 best than two God, of which more With Peace sold. million copies than statistics. much more sented Graham Pastor his life, Throughout mated 185 countries and territories, but and territories, 185 countries mated home return to delighted always he was to of North Carolina the mountains to be with his five children and Ruth, his addi In years. 63 than more of wife in the world, this preacher of Christ of Christ this preacher in the world, 2.2 billion an estimated by heard was Of of his life. people during the course 215 that it is estimated number, that live at him preach million people heard to with 2.2 million responding events, their give to invitations Billy Graham’s Christ.* to hearts Photo: Wintley Phipps B Evangelistic Association. was asingingevangelist for theBillyGraham Adventist Church, Florida, United States. He aspastorserves ofthePalm BaySeventh-day Wintley Phipps, MDiv, vocalist, entrepreneur, of Precious memories THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH PAYS TRIBUTE EVANGELIST BILLY 1918–2018: GRAHAM, and church going—all theseleftme Bible reading, praying, psalm-singing, was dignityandhonorinlabor.”* one of the worst and that evils, there he said,“Iwas taught that lazinesswas rugged discipline. In his autobiography up surrounded by aloving family and “Billy Frank,” called asthey him,grew farm inNorthCarolina.born onadairy and his kind and gentle He was spirit. at hisintegrityhim, Ihave marveled sing at Pastor Graham’s crusades. for almost 30years it was my privilege to Christ with power and perseverance, and “As ateenager,” hesaid,“our family Throughout the years of knowing he proclaimed thegospel of Forspirit. more thansixdecades for hisloving heart andhumble illy Graham will be remembered Ministry Billy Graham ®

MAY 2018 outreach, Pastor Graham hasbeen lives to JesusChrist. For hisworldwide sands walking forward andgivingtheir I witnessedAssociation, many thou sades for theBillyGraham Evangelistic singing for manyfunctions andcru- other evangelist inhistory. him to preach to more peoplethanany did heknow that Godwas preparing and outofallkindssituations.” Little to ifIhadto peopleeven talk myway in and aboutcommunicating amessage about myself, abouthumannature, “Selling Fuller brushestaught mealot conversation. Hesaidofthat summer, inconveniences ofconstant travel—and sons of hardship and flexibility and the knocking ondoors, learning theles Billy went allover NorthCarolina the Lord. listic meetings, Billy gave his heart to spiritually dead.” restless andresentful. Inaword, Iwas Over aspan of25years whileIwas ayoung Fuller brushsalesman, As evange attending after night One

- - - in a dark, forebodingin adark, world. beautiful legacy: abright lightfor Christ forservice Christ. Heleaves behind a Billy Graham hadgiven hislifetime in almost 100years, itwas clear to allthat a lifetime.” Whenhisdeath came at said, “I thoughtitwould take at least you?” He thought for a while and then long didyou thinkitwas going to take Tell meMr. Graham, realistically how vision was to reach theworld for Christ. your him, “Mr. Graham, when you began The reporterbeing interviewed. asked is aprivilege Iwillalways cherish. Reagan aboutthematchless love ofGod Graham speaking to President Ronald To beintheroom andlisten to Pastor was oneof love, unity, andinclusiveness. becoming abrotherhood.” Hismessage become aneighborhoodwithout fied inthelife of Pastor Graham. wasdiplomacy something Isawexempli- dictates oftheirconscience.” Christlike could worship God according to the of Muslims,Jews, a nation where people was meant to beanation ofChristians, of was meant to beaChristian nation, it Christian nation. Butmore thanAmerica “Wintley, manypeopleseeAmerica asa crusade inRussia1992,hesaidto me, first his from back traveled we As life. willstayThey withmefor therest ofmy words Ihave heard Pastor Graham share. congregation ofcypress stumps. near Tampa, where hewould preach to a and to travel to theFloridaBibleInstitute the life ofPastor andministry Graham my blessingto host television specials on presidents oftheUnited States. Itwas also ceremony was attended by three former humbled to singat its opening.The built inCharlotte, NorthCarolina, Iwas evangelist inhistory. recognized as the most widely heard * (New York: HarperCollins, 1997). The IAm: as Autobiographyin Just ofBillyGraham Biographical information inthistribute befound can Some years back, IsawBillyGraham haveHe saidofAmerica, “We I have somanyprecious memoriesof When the Billy Graham Library was ministry back in the fifties, your fifties, the in back ministry EVANGELIST BILLY GRAHAM, 1918–2018: THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH PAYS TRIBUTE

Undying influence: Reflections on Billy Graham’s influence

Mark Finley, DDiv, Billy Graham’s ethical integrity, with a woman who was longing for an evangelist, serves open transparency, and genuine sincer- even deeper understanding of God’s as an assistant to ity are among the hallmarks of his 99 Word. She explained that she had made the president of the Seventh-day years. Although we never met, his influ- her commitment to Christ while watch- Adventist Church ence on my own life was significant. ing Billy Graham preach on television. General Conference, Here are three specific ways Billy There are countless others rejoicing Silver Spring, Graham influenced me: First, I sensed in the truth of Scripture who had their Maryland, United States. early in my own ministry that the pro- first flush of faith when they heard Billy claimed Word has Photo: Graham Billy Evangelistic Association little value if it is first heard Billy Graham preach in not the lived Word. Boston in October 1964 when I was Preachers may draw a freshman theology student. I was large crowds, but I deeply impressed with the simplic- if their lives do not ity of his biblical message and the reflect the gospel profound impact it had on his audience. they preach, their Conservative New Englanders are words will have little skeptical of appeals that play on the impact on their audi- emotions and can readily detect hypoc- ences. Second, I was risy or showmanship. The hundreds impressed by Billy who responded to Billy’s altar call that Graham’s preaching evening sensed a sincerity, genuine- with the simplicity ness, and commitment to the living of the gospel. As a Christ that touched them deeply. Here preacher sharing the was a man with the message of Jesus everlasting gospel that touched hearts and changed lives. (Rev. 14:6–12), I am In an age when a significant number constantly reminded of public evangelists faced challenges in that the essence of moral and ethical areas, Billy Graham the prophetic mes- was above reproach. A man of sterling sage is to lift up Jesus. Third, Billy Graham preach. He led them to Christ, integrity, uncharacteristic humility, moral Graham was not afraid to make appeals. and Jesus took them on a journey of purity, and unwavering commitment to There was a sense of urgency in his discovery in Scripture from there. I am his Lord and family, he became a model preaching. He made powerful appeals, reminded of John’s poignant words for tens of thousands of young preachers. calling people to a decision. In a secular in the Bible’s last book, Revelation, Early in his ministry, he and a culture, he still believed in the impor- “ ‘ “Blessed are the dead who die in the few close confidants met in Modesto, tance of confronting people with the Lord from now on.” ’ California. They made a lifelong life-and-death message of Scripture. “ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they commitment to hold one another On a significant number of occa- may rest from their labors, and their accountable. In this so-called “Modesto sions, individuals who attended his works follow them’ ” (Rev. 14:13, NKJV). Manifesto” each man pledged to never evangelistic meetings and accepted Although Pastor Graham rests in be alone with any woman other than Christ came to my prophetic presenta- Jesus, this powerful preacher’s undying his wife and to be transparent in all his tions seeking still more truth. Early in influence still lives on. [Mark A. Finley, financial dealings. my ministry, I distinctly recall visiting Adventist Review]

MAY 2018 Ministry® EVANGELIST BILLY GRAHAM, 1918–2018: THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH PAYS TRIBUTE

Barry C. Black, PhD, DMin, is the first African American, first navy chaplain, and first Seventh-day Adventist to be chaplain of the United States Senate.

Ministry® MAY 2018 AUDREY ANDERSSON

Audrey Andersson, MA in pastoral ministry, is executive secretary of the Trans-European Division, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.

Falling into a black hole

hen life crashes in on exclusive club, which no one wants to acknowledge they have come only from you, what do you do? join. You have experienced the worst our loving Father, who weeps with and Events are so traumatic kind of loss. It marks you, and in time, cares for us. Wthat the whole world you will come to recognize the signs in seems to shrink and be encapsulated other people.” The person knew what Press Pause into a single moment. Life seems like she was talking about: her son, a few When the unthinkable happens, a black hole, one of those mysterious years earlier, had committed suicide. the world seems to stand still. I will objects in space so dense that their No matter how similar the loss, always remember the moment when gravity allows nothing, not even light, everyone responds differently. Yet, in my husband phoned to say, “The house to escape. all kinds of situations of loss, there are is on fire; there will be nothing left,” and Sympathy, compassion, under- commonalities. I want to share some the phone call saying, “I am so sorry. Lars standing, and good advice are helpful of my journey, some of what I have was killed in an accident.” Initially it was when the problem is not yours. But learned, in the hope that it may help difficult to even comprehend what was when it is yours, when you, yourself, are others. being said. This seems to be one of the immersed in that black hole, is there a brain and body’s defense mechanisms. way out of the darkness? God is with you As the words do sink in, they are followed The psalmist wrote: “The Lord is by a myriad of emotions, feelings, and Life-changing moments near to the brokenhearted, and saves questions, existential and practical. At Twice I have been confronted by the crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18).* Jesus this point, as far as possible, press Pause. life-altering moments. In April 2005, echoed these words, saying: “Blessed Some practical decisions—for example, our home burned down, leaving my are those who mourn, for they will be funeral arrangements—cannot wait, but husband and me just in the clothes comforted” (Matt. 5:4). They are not everything that can wait should wait. we wore, homeless, with memories empty words. Paradoxically, God is Perspective and wise decisions come and nothing else. Watching everything nearer at times of grief and loss than with time. you own burn is a sobering event that at any other time. Memorizing and radically changes priorities. meditating on the promises brings hope Grieve Then, in October 2016, my husband and comfort in tangible ways to those Solomon, the wisest man who ever was killed in a work-related accident. in trouble. As with physical injuries, lived, says: Losing inanimate things is difficult, but significant loss leaves scars that will it pales compared to losing your spouse. never completely disappear until we “There is a time for everything, Nothing prepares you for such get to heaven, but God’s promises bring and a season for every activity traumatic, life-changing events. I have healing, no matter how terrible the loss: under the heavens: come to learn that God’s grace, love, “He heals the brokenhearted, and binds a time to be born and a time to and mercy know no bounds. His grace up their wounds” (Ps. 147:3). die, . . . is truly sufficient to heal the worst hurts God is a God of surprises. At times a time to weep and a time to laugh, of the soul. of great need, God sends what I have a time to mourn and a time to There is no right or wrong way to come to regard as “random bless- dance” (Eccl. 3:1, 2, 4, NIV). deal with situations of significant loss. ings”: blessings that come through After my husband’s death, someone people and events so unexpectedly and Grief is normal. Crying and showing said: “You are now a member of a very beyond our normal experience that we emotions help articulate the hurt, loss,

MAY 2018 Ministry® AUDREY ANDERSSON

anger, and numerous other feelings. It is secretaries. Two weeks previously, 17 Gratitude a necessary part of the healing process. young Adventists had been killed in a bus Processing loss is difficult. Standing at the graveside, I was acutely accident. Five survived, and as local and Acceptance enables me to function at conscious of the contrast between my world leaders surrounded the survivors an adequate level. Embracing loss takes own grief and that of friends without and prayed, I could not contain the me to the next level, allowing me to a faith in God. Ours was not that gut- tears. Suddenly, I felt an arm around my engage, process, and recognize that this wrenching grief without hope. As Paul shoulders and a hand grip mine as col- is something that will shape my life and wrote to the believers in Thessalonica, leagues on either side silently expressed who I am. It grafts the loss into the fabric we should “not grieve as others do who their understanding and support. of my life, creating a seamless whole have no hope” (1 Thess. 4:13). This from the past and present, allowing moment is not the end; rather, it is a Pray both to merge into the future. Finding hiatus on the journey. In the immediate aftermath of my gratitude in the loss offers the greatest Grief cannot be compartmentalized. husband’s death, I often found myself potential, yet it is totally and completely Catastrophic loss may happen in a split praying, saying to God, “Here I am,” beyond my natural ability to do so. In not knowing how to formulate what I these situations, gratitude is a gift from wanted to say. For a period of time, it God. When I discover gratitude in the was enough. Others were praying for me midst of the loss, seeing it for what it I have come to learn who knew and articulated my needs. By is, a consequence of living in a broken, coming into the presence of God, their sinful world, then the unwanted and prayers on my behalf were sufficient. unacceptable can be transformed into that God’s grace, Meeting people, sometimes strang- a blessing, an expression of God’s grace ers who had heard of the accident, and and goodness in my life, and true heal- hearing how they have prayed and ing takes place. love, and mercy are still praying gives me strength and courage on a daily basis. Intercessory “The land of no more” know no bounds. prayer on behalf of others should never All significant loss is the start of an be underestimated. unwanted journey—a lonely, painful journey, washed in tears. A journey of Ask for help self-discovery, healing, restoration, As I was traveling home following and change. A journey of blessing, joy, second, but its consequences continue the news of my husband’s accident, laughter, and gratitude. for a lifetime. Difficult as it seems initially, the receptionist in the airport lounge For me, it is an ongoing jour- life continues. A new reality gradually saw that I was upset and asked what ney where I have come to a better takes shape. People talk about “closure,” was wrong. I blurted out what had hap- understanding and experience of the but a better description would be to pened. Immediately she took control, goodness and love of God. I can only reach an “accommodation” with what staying with me until I boarded my express my gratitude to God for blessing has happened. The psalmist understood flight. As she left me, she said, “Ask for my life beyond all measure, helping me this; he did not pretend that everything help. Allow others to help you.” As time to a clearer understanding of a bigger was good or perfect. Rather, the psalmist has progressed, I have understood and perspective than just the immediate often complained and expressed his appreciated her advice. moment. As I look to the future, I know frustration to God. Time dulls grief. Over Sometimes others can see your that the God who has not failed in the time, good days outweigh the bad, but need better than you can. Following past will not fail in the present or future. there will always be moments when grief the funeral, I returned to England. One Yes, I felt as if I were, indeed, in a returns like a whirlwind: anniversaries, of my colleagues came to my office and black hole from which no escape is memories, precious special moments. told me that he was coming to charge possible. But I can face the future with Then, too, memories may be triggered my car battery that evening. I told him it confidence, and hope. God never fails. by something as simple as a smell, word, was fine; the car had started that morn- His goodness and mercy know no limit look, or flower. ing without a problem. He insisted, and and are a constant support on the Transparency helps others know the battery charger proved him right. pilgrimage to “the land of no more”—no what I am feeling and enables them to Asking for and accepting help may more sorrow, no more pain, no more offer support. Eight months after my not come easily, but opening the door parting—and no more death. husband was killed, I was sitting on a for others to help becomes a double platform in Mexico, with other division blessing: you are blessed, and so is the * Unless otherwise stated, all scripture references are executive secretaries and GC associate other person. from the New Revised Standard Version.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

Ministry® MAY 2018 JOHN K. MCVAY

John K. McVay, PhD, serves as president of Walla Walla University, College Place, Washington, United States.

Cracking the Cornelius code—part 21

he Cornelius narratives in . . . for the Angels of holiness are [with] how he had seen the angel standing in Acts 10:1–11:18; 15:7–11 chal- their [congregation]” (1QSa 2:3–10).4 his house and saying, “Send to Joppa lenge us with a strange riddle. God, in the last days, will establish and bring Simon, who is called Peter” ’ ” TGod, a heart-knowing God (vv. a temple made up of people. To this (Acts 11:13). 7–9), works through surface-reading temple, composed of men, “shall not This is actually the fourth time that people: “ ‘For the Lord does not see as come [even to the tenth generation and Luke has related to his readers the vision mortals see; they look on the outward for]ever, Ammonite nor Moabite nor bas- of Cornelius. Luke waits until now to appearance, but the Lord looks on the tard nor stranger nor proselyte for ever.” disclose that the angel actually went into heart’ ” (1 Sam. 16:7).2 God, who seeks Why? It was because “His holy ones [the Cornelius’s house: “ ‘He had seen the the salvation of all people, is served by angels] are there” (4Q174 1.1–7).5 angel standing in his house.’ ” Chris Miller saints bent on guarding and constrain- The code of the Dead Sea Scrolls is writes, “The rhetorical impact of this ing His pursuit. Buried in these stories decipherable. If you wish to know who revelation cannot be overemphasized. about Cornelius are three keys that will is pure and who is impure, watch the The statement came directly after Peter help us crack this riddle of the Cornelius angels leave. If the wrong people are admitted that he had entered the man’s code and journey into the heart of God. in the assembly, the angels, being holy, house (v. 12) in the face of the accusation will depart. Angels do not associate (“you went to uncircumcised men,” v. The Qumran solution with impure people like Ammonites, 3). Peter admitted that he was guilty The big, burning question for Moabites, or even a full convert. In short, as charged, but the trump card of his early Christians was, Should God’s angels will not have anything to do with defense . . . is that Peter was not the first holy people fellowship with Gentiles? Gentiles. That is the code of Qumran, the one in the house; an angel of God had The answer of the Qumran commu- code of the Dead Sea Scrolls. entered this Gentile house before Peter! nity, the code of the Dead Sea Scrolls, In essence he said, ‘Blame the angel; he was intriguing. God has granted the Follow the angel rushed in first.’6 If you would crack the Qumranians “to inherit the lot of the But what of the Cornelius code? Cornelius code, you must use key no. 1: Holy Ones. He has joined their assembly What does it have to say? If you wish to follow the angel as he goes in. to the Sons of Heaven” (1QS 11:7, 8).3 leave behind your merely human views The worshipping community on earth, of who is pure, clean, and acceptable to Listen to Peter you see, is joined with the one above. So God, then attend to key no. 1: follow the Buried in the Cornelius code is worshipers below are in the presence of angel as he goes in. “One afternoon at another key that will help us crack it and and participating in worship with “the about three o’clock he [Cornelius] had a journey into the heart of God, key no. 2: Sons of Heaven,” “the Saints,” the “holy vision in which he clearly saw an angel listen to Peter as he speaks up. When ones,” the angels. The fact that angels of God coming in and saying to him, Peter shows up at the home of Cornelius are present in the congregation affects ‘Cornelius’ ” (Acts 10:3). Later, Peter in Caesarea, Cornelius is waiting and who can join in worship. “And no man ends up back in Jerusalem defending has assembled the congregation. He smitten with any human uncleanness” his evangelistic field school in Caesarea. has estimated the travel times, sent such as paralysis, blindness, or deaf- As part of his defense of his actions, out the messages, and convened “his ness “shall enter the assembly of God Peter says: “ ‘He [Cornelius] told us relatives and close friends” (Acts 10:24).

MAY 2018 Ministry® JOHN K. MCVAY

As Peter speaks to this group, he shares understanding. But I dare to believe, Hear echoed in the strange phonemes three words from on high that give us though, that Peter is right about God: of the world’s languages planted on another key to crack the Cornelius code. “ ‘God shows no partiality, but in every your tongues My destiny for My church, Peter walks into Cornelius’s home nation anyone who fears him and does the mission I have bequeathed to it. I and sees the gathered congregation. what is right is acceptable to him.’ ” wish for every person of every nation to The sight inspires statement no. 1 Peter shares the Savior with those be part of My church! They are already (v. 28): “ ‘You yourselves know that it is saints in Caesarea. He tells the story of Mine by creation, My sons and daugh- unlawful for a Jew to associate with or Jesus. His sermon is about to be rudely ters. Let Me use you to make them interrupted, but before it is, he shares Mine again by redemption, drawn from statement no. 3 (v. 43): “ ‘All the prophets “every nation, and kindred, and tongue, testify about him [Jesus] that everyone and people” (Rev. 14:6, KJV). who believes in him receives forgiveness The very one we of sins through his name.’ ” As the old See God’s heart hymn puts it, “Come, every soul by sin Peter’s writhing tablecloth is not a might judge to oppressed. . . . He will save you, He will picture of his future menu. It is a picture save you, He will save you now.”7 of the church as God was then shaping be on the fringe, it and bringing it into being—and as it Watch the Spirit is now developing. The members you unimportant to Buried in the Cornelius code is a serve and the people you will seek to win third and final key that will help us crack are unlikely to look or act like you. They the future of it and journey into the heart of God, key may not come from your race, speak no. 3: watch the Spirit as He comes down. your dialect, or know your culture. The This key is buried a bit more deeply than churches you serve will be full of diverse Christian mission the others. It is itself encrypted. But people and—God be praised!—more are follow the logic. Peter is preaching, and on the way. Peter’s vision is God’s way of may, in fact, be the Spirit decides it is time to interrupt: shouting, “Vive la différence!” “While Peter was still speaking, the Christian mission is not so much the linchpin, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the something that we plan as it is a won- word. The circumcised believers who drous journey of discovery into the tipping point, had come with Peter were astounded very heart of God Himself. The itiner- that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been ary is bound to surprise. The very one the crucial poured out even on the Gentiles, for we might judge to be on the fringe, they heard them speaking in tongues unimportant to the future of Christian figure inducing a and extolling God. Then Peter said, ‘Can mission may, in fact, be the linchpin, anyone withhold the water for baptizing the tipping point, the crucial figure paradigm shift in these people who have received the Holy inducing a paradigm shift in outreach. To Spirit just as we have?’ So he ordered understand that, and more importantly them to be baptized in the name of Jesus to experience that, would be to crack the outreach. Christ. Then they invited him to stay for Cornelius code and begin the trek into several days” (vv. 44–48). the heart of the heart-knowing God. Whatever doubts Peter and his 1 Part 1 can be found in the March 2018 issue of entourage have about Cornelius and Ministry. to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me his household are power-washed away 2 Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotations are from the that I should not call anyone profane or by a torrential downpour of the Spirit. New Revised Standard Version. Emphasis is added. 3 Geza Vermes, The Dead Sea Scrolls in English, 3rd rev. unclean.’ ” Please notice carefully: The Gentiles and aug. ed. (London: Penguin Books, 1987), 79. The The preliminaries over, the intro- have just heard and believed the gospel. Qumran community was a Jewish ductions given, Peter gets down to The Spirit descends. Peter and the six monastic community that lived near the shores of the Dead Sea. preaching and begins with statement Christians who accompany him from 4 Ibid., 102. no. 2 (vv. 34, 35): “Then Peter began to Joppa hear the Gentiles speaking in a 5 The translation is that of George J. Brooke, Exegesis at speak to them: ‘I truly understand that wide variety of tongues, just as Jewish Qumran: 4QFlorilegium in Its Jewish Context, JSOT God shows no partiality, but in every Christians did in Jerusalem on the day Supplement Series 29 (Sheffield, UK: JSOT, 1985), 91, 92. 6 Chris A. Miller, “Did Peter’s Vision in Acts 10 Pertain to nation anyone who fears him and does of Pentecost (Acts 2:4–8). Men or the Menu?,” Bibliotheca Sacra 159, no. 635 what is right is acceptable to him.’ ” I am The descent of the Spirit and the (July–Sep. 2002): 313, 314. not so sure Peter is right about his own gift of tongues shout a divine message: 7 John H. Stockton, “Only Trust Him,” 1874.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

Ministry® MAY 2018 The next great thing? A postlude from John McVay

t has been a long, challenging day of ministry. While more profitably be spent on others who have greater dinner is baking, you sit in a comfortable chair on potential to build the church and grow the kingdom? Iyour back deck, the smell of lentil loaf in the air. Or is it just possible that, in a youth-oriented, And the real begins to bond with the surreal. A goat. postmodern culture, she represents the next great Stumbling across the sky, superimposed above your thing in mission? Could it be? lawn. His beard is long and scraggly. His hair mangy. There is a hint of burnt lentils in the air, which means As you try to separate the strands of reality from the crusty bits around the edges are just about right. And surreality, the old goat begins to morph before your the scene shifts yet again. A raptor, a hawk, a falcon. eyes. Satyr-like, the old goat’s head becomes a human Appearing quickly, flying straight for you. As he hurtles face. The front legs become hands and the back, feet. toward you, you flinch. He brakes with outstretched And before long, there he stands. An old goat. Wholly wings, his talons come straight for you; he utters a other. His wrinkled hands, laced by prominent veins, piercing, wrenching cry. In that frozen moment of quiver as they reach out to you. There is a dull look of time, the hawk morphs. The talons become legs. The a bygone era in his eyes. He repeats the same story to feathers a robe. The crested head, a turban. And now you three times in as many minutes. He fumbles with there he stands, an apparition hovering over your deck, his hearing aid and snaps his jaw awkwardly to readjust this Osama bin Laden look-alike. An AK-47 is slung over his dentures. His eyes, refracted through thick glasses, the back of his robed form, his chest crisscrossed by seem too large and are full of anguished plea. There is bullet sashes. The needle on the baptismal candidate no chance he will lead a small group, chair the finance meter in your mind drops perilously close to zero. committee, or help underwrite the building program. Yet his robe thins at the knees, betraying a piety that Even helping a bit with the yard work is in his past. mirrors Cornelius’s own, a devout man who fears God What good is he now? Who is he, friend in ministry? with all his household, gives alms generously to the A threat to your time and efficiency? A deterrent to people, and prays constantly to God. He addresses you church growth? Dead wood? in Arabic with blessings and words of Godward praise Or is it just possible that he represents the next drawn from the Qur’an. Who is he? A terrorist bent on great thing in mission? Could it be? destroying the civilization of which you are a part? An The smell of lentil loaf engulfs you, and the scene armed imam breathing anathemas down upon the changes. A writhing, black snake appears, cobra-like, infidel? Someone impervious to the message you bear? its hooded form glistening in the sunlight as it jerks and Or is it just possible, given the shifts of macro- writhes its way toward you. The hood morphs into hair. demographics, that he represents the next great thing The long, lithe, reptilian body gives way to her slender in mission? Could it be? form, garbed in too few clothes. She holds in her hand O Lord, just as You did for Peter and those early a small, electronic trinket. She holds it with such care Christian saints, impel us beyond our personal, eccle- and attention that it seems sacred, the crucible of her siastical, and missional boundaries. Teach us that not life. Thin wires trace their way up through her dyed, every constraint we feel is one You endorse. Not every jet-black hair to ears pierced with cheap metal for their ban we have posted is one You have revealed. Not every full arc. Matching metal flashes a few inches above boundary we acknowledge is one You trace. And not her low-slung, metal-studded belt . . . and in her lips every anathema we hear is a curse You have spoken. . . . and on her tongue. Her body jerks and writhes as Jog us out of our deepening ruts in evangelism, mission, she stands there; her arms and wrists bear the marks and ministry, and set us on a new course, an itinerary of self-harm, of cutting. Who is she, this one who into Your very heart. Breathe new life into us, dry bones now materializes before you? A distraction to your and all, that we might rise and live and minister in your real ministry? Someone impervious to the message name. Grant us the joy of cracking the Cornelius code you bear? A waste of time, effort, and care that could and knowing You, our heart-knowing God.

MAY 2018 Ministry® TIMOTHY W. EHRLICH

Timothy W. Ehrlich, DMin, serves as senior pastor for the Oakhurst United Methodist Church, Seminole, Florida, United States.

Five disciplines of highly effective pastors

y doctoral disserta- I was able to obtain the help of races, genders, educational levels, and tion was titled “The Florida United Methodist Bishop geographic regions. They reported that Relationship Between Kenneth H. Carter Jr. to find highly the number of adults who describe MCritical Spiritual successful pastors. He nominated 14 themselves as Christians dropped 10 Incidences and Their Impact on Pastors’ clergy members from the 720 churches percent to about 71 percent of the Calling, Philosophy, and Success in of the Florida United Methodist Annual American public from 2008 to 2015.1 Ministry.” As the title implies, I was Conference as being the most success- This downward trend follows a larger hoping my research would establish a ful pastors. Five of the selected pastors pattern of continuous decline of religion link between the number of spiritual are published authors; two others serve in America for the last 60 years—but experiences a pastor had and their churches with 3,000 or more in atten- has been accelerating in the last ten.2 success as a pastor. I expected to find dance; and another serves the church According to research done by the that virtually all highly successful now attended by the current governor Hartford Institute for Religion Research, clergy are empowered and energized of Florida. By any measurement, these in a random survey of more than 32,000 for ministry by having had dramatic, are highly successful pastors. In addi- churches conducted in 2015, the aver- critical spiritual incidents in which they tion to the 14 highly successful United age attendance in American churches clearly experienced the presence of God Methodist Florida clergy members, I shrunk from 129 in 2005 to 80 in 2015.3 or the action of God (i.e., miraculous also interviewed a group of seven more Should the average number of attend- events). I also hoped to find a pattern of typical pastors from several Protestant ees continue to decline at the same rate behavior that these pastors use to bring denominations as a reference group. for the next 10 years, church attendance about or to put themselves in a place Thus I began my research, and will shrink to 50! I like to put it in graphic where intense spiritual experiences to my surprise, I did not find the link terms: Christianity, the body of Christ, would occur—a pattern that others between spiritual experience and suc- is like a person who has been shot and seeking to be more successful could cess that I expected to find. But I did no one stops the bleeding. Our decline follow. I was motivated to take on this find, instead, five disciplines that all is less apparent and is slower than that research project because of my deep of the highly successful pastors have of an untended gunshot victim, but our concern about the continuing decline in common. end, if left untended, is just as certain. of Christianity in America and my desire What follows is what I found. to uncover information that might help Barking up the wrong tree halt or reverse the decline. The problem As a United Methodist pastor with The criteria I used in selecting The subject of clergy success is really more than 30 years in the denomi- highly successful pastors included a critical issue because Christianity is nation, I have experienced many full-time clergy who (1) had served on the decline in America, and church denomination-wide efforts to halt the churches that grew significantly under growth experts agree that the success of downward slide in membership since their leadership to an attendance mark a church depends on its clergy leader- the denomination was formed in 1968, of over seven hundred, and (2) were ship. The Washington Post reported in one that now affects every Christian recognized as successful leaders in their May 2015 that Christianity is declining denomination in America. Church community and by their denomination. across the entire United States—in all growth experts have studied highly

Ministry® MAY 2018 successful pastors and their churches surprised when my interviews revealed by God was one of the most unexpected in exhaustive detail. They have care- that 17 percent of the select pastors had findings of the survey. One hundred fully laid out the “how to” details and not ever experienced even one large- percent of the select pastors were put together plans on how these suc- scale, dramatic, and/or miraculous absolutely convinced of their calling cessful programs or activities can be spiritual incident. So I found some from God, compared to only 33 percent implemented. They have carried out correlation between having experienced of the reference group. I expected that comprehensive clergy training events, critical spiritual incidents and clergy the 50 percent of pastors who had a in which virtually every denominational success; however, those pastors who miraculous or mystical calling would pastor has been trained—and yet the had not ever experienced one or more have a much greater conviction or downward trend continues unabated. miraculous or critical spiritual incidents certainty about their calling than did So then, what do all highly suc- clearly show that this type of experience those whose calling was not so clearly cessful pastors have in common? We is not essential to clergy success. mystical, but this was not the case. One generally assume that these highly One interview was particularly hundred percent of the select pastors successful pastors are very passionate important. The pastor has grown his expressed absolute certainty about about their service. My study confirmed church from fewer than 400 on Sunday their call and, significantly, they all that one factor they share is their pas- to over 3,000 in the last 20 years. I also reported mentally revisiting the sion for serving God and His people. was expecting to hear about many memory of their call, or their sense of It is not the ministry techniques and amazing spiritual incidents that he had being called, at least daily. practices they use that make them experienced. Instead, I was shocked The interviews also revealed that successful, because they use different to hear that he could not point to a pastors who did not have a strong sense approaches and techniques, but their single miraculous experience or criti- of calling served much shorter terms passion about their ministry is what cal spiritual incident in his life. At the in their pastorates. Though they were drives them. In my study I questioned same time, this pastor’s conversation, the same approximate age, they were these pastors about the source of their his demeanor, and his personal and on average four years in their current passion and how they fed or nurtured professional disciplines, all showed he ministry setting versus 14 years for the it. I also asked them many detailed was consumed with passion for serving select pastors. questions about the disciplines that God and God’s people. The conclusion I reached is that their passion to serve engenders in As the rest of the interviews were the most important thing pastors can them, and I was delighted to discover carried out with the other select pastors, do to increase their effectiveness is to that passion for ministry leads all these I realized that not only were all of them get in touch with their sense of calling highly successful pastors to faithfully extremely passionate about their min- and reaffirm that calling daily. Whether use five ministry-related disciplines, istry but all of them were practicing the doing this in a disciplined daily prayer and these five disciplines feed their same five disciplines! These disciplines, time or altogether during an individual passion. as a rule, emerged in these pastors retreat, pastors must get in touch and because of their passion, but all of them stay in touch with their calling. The study were empowered and impassioned by My study consisted of a series of their disciplines, so they are in a positive Discipline no. 2: Keeping interviews using a survey form that reinforcing cycle where their passion the relationship strong included the same quantitative and drives the disciplines and the disciplines Another important discipline qualitative questions for each pastor. fuel their passion. I realized this seems to the select pastors practice is being The interviews revealed that 41 percent be the formula for clergy success: pas- intentional about working on their of the highly successful pastors (here- sion for serving God and God’s people relationship with God. One hundred after referred to as the select pastors) that is expressed in, and fed by, five percent revealed that they find ways to reported having actually heard God disciplines, and these disciplines can, nurture their faith or relationship with speaking to them and calling them into fairly simply, be emulated by clergy God daily. One hundred percent either ministry, compared to zero percent of seeking to be more successful. prayed or spent time with God daily. the reference group. That is a significant I was surprised to discover that 100 difference, but it still meant 50 percent Discipline no. 1: An percent felt spiritually fed by perceiving did not have a critical spiritual incident unshakeable sense of God moving in the lives of others whom leading them to feel called. Fifty percent calling they were serving in ministry. One of of the select pastors’ group also reported In each of the interviews I asked the the highly successful pastors who said experiencing more than five large-scale, pastors to describe their calling: what he could not recall ever seeing or expe- dramatic, and/or miraculous spiritual led them to believe God wanted them riencing a miracle or other action or incidents (compared to just 17 percent to serve as a pastor? The strength of event that was undeniably the action of of the reference group). I was likewise their perception that they were called God is, nevertheless, passionate about

MAY 2018 Ministry® TIMOTHY W. EHRLICH

his perceptions of God working subtly, work in and through his or her ministry, not just healthy, they are robust. The in the day-to-day events of his ministry, these pastors take time daily to feed Canadian Mental Health Association which he calls “glory sightings.” Each their spirit, and this, in turn, feeds their and the Parish Nursing Association both staff member is expected to report on passion for ministry. define health in terms of body, mind, their “glory sightings” at their weekly The benefits of the discipline of spirit, and emotions. These pastors are staff meeting. maintaining a strong relationship also highly intentional and diligent about I was intrigued to discover that were apparent: 100 percent of select taking care of themselves in each of the select pastors find that their pas- pastors said their spiritual experiences these four measurements of health. I sion for serving God is empowered positively influenced them profession- have just described what they do to take by their observation of God at work ally in one or more ways, which included care of their spirit, but an impressive in small-scale and seemingly minor enabling them to stay in ministry, being 100 percent of the select pastors also parts of their daily ministry. One put better able to share the love of Christ expressed a commitment to taking care it succinctly, “What drives me is see- with people, and being better able to of their bodies through regular exercise. ing people putting their faith into give their life entirely to God. Out of all Each one exercises several times a action; I’m seeing this payoff in lives the five disciplines, making time for God week. Several said they would like to transformed.” Compared to hearing requires the most effort, attention, and lose weight, but none were obese. All God speak or having a vision, seeing self-discipline, but the discipline of daily pastors expressed that exercise was someone putting their faith into action taking time to maintain a good relation- both a stress reliever for them and a certainly is a lower intensity spiritual ship with God is critical to success and way to honor God by taking care of the experience, but to these pastors such longevity in ministry. themselves physically. observations are like manna, spiritual These pastors are committed to food that nourishes their passion for Discipline no. 3: A improving their minds. I was surprised ministry. So whether the pastor was commitment to health in at the hunger for knowledge these fed primarily by prayer time or by the body, mind, and emotion pastors demonstrate through their experience of the miraculous power Another unexpected result of the voracious consumption of books, arti- of God or by the observation of God at survey was that the select pastors are cles, and online content. These pastors

HELP US PLAN OUR FUTURE

www.ministrymagazine.org/survey

Ministry® MAY 2018 see themselves as being on a lifelong year, there were more than a dozen. He their churches carry out. Their passion journey of self-improvement. One pas- said he was a student of business prac- for serving comes from a deep love for tor told me, “A leader is a reader!” He tices because church is a business. He God and their fellow human beings, showed me a shelf of more than 30 told me, “I am successful because I use ministry-related books that he had read a combination of business practices and in the last two years. Another showed spirituality.” All of the select pastors had me on his Kindle that he had read 35 different authors whom they followed books in the last 35 weeks. Every one of and different ministry practices that Whether doing the successful pastors took time at least they employed, but in their interviews weekly to read, both for relaxation and 100 percent attributed their success, this over time in a professional enrichment. Regarding the at least in part, to their use of good disciplined daily prayer Word of God, business practices and good ministry practices. They were all time or altogether • 100 percent read the Bible weekly, • 92 percent read the Bible daily. • seeking to borrow heavily from the during an individual techniques of other highly success- Another significant discovery for ful pastors, retreat, get in touch me, second only to the discovery of how • building their churches up through with and stay in touch intently the highly successful pastors good ministry practices, and focused on their calling, was the extent • intentional about providing quality with your calling. of commitment these pastors make preaching. to caring for their emotional health. One hundred percent referenced the Each of these pastors has used their emotional support they received daily reading, study time, and continuing which leads to daily work on their or weekly from a strong network. This education to make themselves experts relationship with God, including daily network of support takes a slightly on good ministry practices. revisiting their calling, and to using these different form for each, but they are four other disciplines. For these pastors, all strongly connected to one or more Discipline no. 5: A great their passion for ministry leads them to other pastors or to a covenant group of commitment to the great use the same five ministry disciplines, pastors or to a mentor, counselor, thera- commandments and the and the ministry disciplines, in turn, pist, or coach. These pastors referenced Great Commission increase their passion for serving God. drawing strength for the challenges of In the course of the interviews, I cannot promise that employing ministry from the emotional support several of the select pastors named the these five disciplines will make any pastor they received: they know they are not in great commandments (Matt. 22:36–40) successful. I can say that 100 percent of ministry alone. A benefit these pastors as driving their passion for ministry and the highly successful pastors I interviewed receive from their emotional connec- shaping their ministry practices. All of follow each of these disciplines. I can also tions is that, while they are receiving the highly successful pastors referenced say that there is a definite connection emotional support, they are at the same their deep love of God. Because they love between a pastor’s passion for ministry time being held accountable to remain God, as commanded by Jesus and His and longevity of service, ministry success, faithful in using the other disciplines. Father, they feel a great commitment to and overall happiness. the second greatest commandment—to Discipline no. 4: Diligent love others. Because they love others, 1 Sarah Pulliam Bailey, “Christianity Faces Sharp students of ministry they want others to come to know the Decline as Americans Are Becoming Even Less practices joy of loving the God they know. Because Affiliated With Religion,” Washington Post, May 12, In answering the survey questions, they love God, they feel a deep commit- 2015, washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith the select pastors frequently referenced ment to the Great Commission (Matt. /wp/2015/05/12/christianity-faces-sharp-decline -as-americans-are-becoming-even-less-affiliated or quoted the teachings of the most 28:18–20), namely to make disciples of -with-religion/?utm_term=.5c269f6f91e9. successful pastors in America. They all people on earth. 2 Tobin Grant, “The Great Decline: 60 Years of Religion each showed themselves to have a good in One Graph,” Religion News Service, January 27, working knowledge of the writings of Conclusion 2014, religionnews.com/2014/01/27/great-decline multiple experts on church growth and All highly effective pastors are pas- -religion-united-states-one-graph/. 3 David A. Roozen, “American Congregations 2015: church healthiness. One pastor showed sionate about ministry. Their passion Thriving and Surviving,” Faith Communities Today, me the books about good business for serving God and God’s people is what faithcommunitiestoday.org/sites/default/files practices that he had read in the last drives the various practices or programs /American-Congregations-2015.pdf.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

MAY 2018 Ministry® KELVIN ONONGHA

Kelvin Onongha, PhD, DMin, serves as director of the doctor of ministry and master of arts missiology programs, Adventist University of Africa, Nairobi, Kenya.

Stand up, speak up, shut up: Lessons from a picketing prophet

n increasing intensity, the cry for before the Babylonian captivity of Israel Stand up justice, equity, and freedom for the during a period when social injustices After decrying the widespread oppressed, deprived, and marginal- were especially abundant. It was a time injustice in Israel and God’s seeming ized is spreading around the world. of great national upheaval character- indifference to the issues of the day, the I 1 Also, more classes and categories of ized by gross social injustice. While prophet awaited the Lord’s response society are lending their voices and the prophet was, on the one hand, (Hab. 2:1). Habakkuk, like the other marching in protest against the social concerned with the oppression and minor prophets whom God commis- inequities they find. Not left out of the abuse of the righteous by the wicked sioned, was to confront contemporary fray are Christian churches, leaders, and in an era when law was ineffective, on vices and social issues. The messages members, especially in recent protests the other hand, he focused his attention of the minor prophets clearly indicate across America. on what he considered a more serious that God is truly concerned with how While many more Christians would, problem—God’s apparent silence and people, His creation, are treated—He perhaps, have loved to join the marches passivity in the face of unrelenting evil.2 has an interest in their welfare, because for justice, for them several other Although he appeared to be greatly He is their Father. Similarly, God’s questions first need to be answered: moved by the lack of social justice in people ought to consider the plight of What role should Christians play in his nation, themes in the book include the alienated, marginalized, powerless, the issues of contemporary society? faith, morality, and the necessity for and oppressed. However, it ought not What examples or models do we find in prayer.3 And central to the book of stop there. Not only are Christians to Scripture that would serve as patterns Habakkuk are the themes of theodicy be concerned, but they are also to for responding to such concerns? and theophany.4 alleviate the conditions of such persons One scriptural example of how to The second chapter of Habakkuk, by addressing their situations, because confront today’s social issues, I believe, the heart of his brief book, relates his we all share a common heritage with appears in the ancient book of the dialogue with God as he stands up, God as His children. prophet Habakkuk. This pithy account speaks up, and shuts up in the presence History demonstrates the impact of in the Old Testament presents a prophet of the Almighty. Habakkuk, whose name the Christian conviction, as they have who, rather than speaking as the oracle means “to embrace,”5 makes his appeal a responsibility to stand up against of God, seems to be taking up the role of before the court of the Sovereign of the society’s evils. For example, through a picketer in protest against his Sender universe through three significant acts. Christian actions, eventually the great and Sovereign. We will examine the significance of these evil of transatlantic slavery ended, three acts for contemporary Christians despite its widespread economic The prophet Habakkuk and their relevance for modern-day power. Also, because missionaries The prophet Habakkuk, who wrote ministers immersed in a world of great sought not only to preach the gospel the book named after him, lived just social injustices. but to transform lives, they established

Ministry® MAY 2018 schools, hospitals, and other infrastruc- systemic injustice faced by the poor and play catch up with secular philanthropic ture that eventually brought social suffering entails legal and structural organizations who have well-developed reform to the lands they had gone to reform—something they cannot do, due structures and resources to deal with evangelize. to their disenfranchised and powerless the social issues that the church now At some stage, however, the passion situation. For this reason, the voices of struggles with. for social issues became submerged Christians need to be heard on behalf John Stott cites the primary causes under the priority of proclaiming the of the powerless wherever legislation behind the church’s current neglect gospel, and the church eventually is made and executed. of its social responsibility—known as lost its position as the primary agency Fortunately, history records the the “Great Reversal”—as (1) the fight for bringing about social change. In powerful interventions and rhetoric of against theological liberalism, (2) the recent times, after much debate and individuals such as William Wilberforce reaction of evangelicals to the “social consideration, Christian organizations and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The gospel” promoted by the “liberals,” (3) have finally come to acknowledge that advocacy they employed before the the widespread disillusion and pes- they cannot divorce the teaching of the governments of their day did not consist simism that followed World War I, (4) gospel from a concern for social issues, merely of rhetoric alone but included J. N. Darby’s premillennial dispensa- for they are, in reality, complementary.6 artistic images that graphically depicted tionalism teaching, and (5) the spread It is not enough just to protest the plight the visual horrors of enslavement.7 of Christianity among conservative, of the poor, suffering, or downtrodden. To the present day, there still exist middle-class people.9 As a result, the Christians must also act in their behalf, many issues that demand the interven- church lost its position as the vanguard

The voice of the church will be amplified and more authoritative when it is truly seen to be a fellowship of people who care for and are involved with each other.

doing whatever is possible to bring tion of the church on behalf of those for social concerns and, in addition, relief. God’s children must demonstrate adversely affected by such powerful abandoned its prophetic voice as the His love and mercy. Affected by their social forces as globalization, urbaniza- conscience to the nations. situation and motivated by divine love, tion, industrialization, technological It is encouraging to note that the they will do whatever has to be done to progress, and immigration. Such condi- Seventh-day Adventist Church not render help to all who suffer. tions and issues have been fueled by only seeks to engage the social issues greed, selfishness, inhumanity, and all of the communities where it is present Speak up that sin has caused. but increasingly is taking a position of Another noteworthy step the Curiously, the strongest voices advocacy.10 Nevertheless, some still prophet Habakkuk took was to speak speaking up for the suffering and needy question how far the church should go up to the Lord about the social and are not coming from the church but, in speaking out against societal wrongs moral issues that he observed (Hab. rather, from secular agencies. Yet, early and ponder what level of advocacy is 2:1; 1:2–4). Similarly, Christians have, as in its history, the church became well- proper to effect structural and systemic part of their responsibility, not only to known for its ministries of compassion reforms that would correct exploitation relieve the burdens of the suffering but to the extent that the emperor Julian and oppression. also to speak on their behalf. Besides once remarked, “Jews took care of the hurt and pain caused by depriva- their own, the pagans took care of Shut up tion and oppression, another very nobody, but Christians took care of A unique contribution of Habakkuk significant issue confronting victims everybody, not only their own, but the in response to issues of social injustice of injustice is their lack of representa- pagan needy as well.”8 However, at pres- is the lesson of silence. After two rounds tion. A critical factor for resolving the ent it is the church that is trying hard to of complaints from the prophet and

MAY 2018 Ministry® KELVIN ONONGHA

counterresponses from God, Habakkuk and social ministers need, as did the God is always at work. He never sleeps hears the command to be silent. The prophet Habakkuk, to learn to trust that or slumbers. Even when the earth was Lord is in His holy temple, therefore all the Lord is in control so that they can without form, and void, and darkness the earth must hush (Hab. 2:20). step out of His way, lest they interfere was upon the face of the deep, the Spirit While engaged in the task of with what He is set to accomplish. of God was still moving upon the face of responding to social injustice and the In the third chapter of his short the waters. Our task, then, must be to concerns of the suffering, it is sometimes book, Habakkuk finally recalls the join God in His mission. easy to succumb to the temptation of Lord’s miraculous works in history Dr. George Webber, former presi- becoming more righteous than God. Not and is encouraged by them. Similarly, dent of New York Theological Seminary, just a few persons have left the Christian Christians who work for social justice tells the story of how he and his friends, faith over issues of theodicy, protesting, and equity need to remember God’s seated in chapel as students at Union “If God is so just and righteous, why is mighty interventions throughout Theological Seminary, read the words there so much suffering and evil in the human history that demonstrate His inscribed on the stained-glass window: world?” Some have also suggested that sovereignty and justice. Crises in social “Go ye into all the world . . .” Webber part of the reason young people, espe- injustice, therefore, provide opportu- says, “Sitting there with several fellow cially millennials, are leaving the faith is nities for activists and protestors to students, we felt a challenge to take the that they do not see the church actively question themselves, not God, as to Lord of the church to the pagan streets engaged in the social issues of the day. whether they still trust that He is in of East Harlem. . . . The fact was that in In other words, they regard the church control of human affairs (Dan. 4:17, East Harlem there were many signs of and God as irrelevant to contemporary 32), and that, in the fullness of time, He his presence for us to discover. If Jesus challenges and needs. always acts. Contrary to the impression Christ truly is Lord, then we are called Habakkuk was not unique in of the prophet and of some contempo- to point to signs of his presence, to join questioning Yahweh about His justice. rary activists, God does have a divine in his continuing ministry rather than to Others, such as Jeremiah (Jeremiah 12) timetable for responding to societal bring him as a stranger to a world from and Jonah (Jonah 4), have done the injustice, and His plans know no delay.12 which until the Christian clergy arrive, same. Job seemed to be asserting His call for silence is also an appeal for he is otherwise absent.”14 his righteousness in contrast to the reflection and introspection. senseless adversity that he was passing Without a shadow of doubt, Finally: Look up through (Job 29). Yahweh’s purposes will inexorably come Christians indeed do have a divinely Although the command to be silent to pass—Bible prophecies adequately appointed duty and responsibility, like (Hebrew has)11 was given to Habakkuk, demonstrate this. However, His people the prophet Habakkuk, to stand watch it also applies to others seeking to need to learn how to wait patiently and at their duty posts, write and proclaim address social injustice. It was note- confidently. God’s ultimate solutions the words of the Lord against social worthy, however, that God prefaced the for dealing with societal injustice are injustice, and wait patiently in prayer command by the reminder that He was usually long term and rarely quick fixes. and faith for Him to act. However, while in His holy temple (Hab. 2:20), which is As Jeff Boyd wisely observes, Christians they are waiting, they are expected to to say, Yahweh is at His duty post, He is who advocate for change fall into two be living obediently and faithfully (Hab. at His watch. Implied is the idea, “You errors of judgment—believing either 2:4).15 It is not enough for Christians stay at your post and take care of your that they can quickly end injustice or to take up placards against social job, because I am on top of Mine!” that they can make no change at all.13 evil and injustice when even in their Another important lesson speaks We need to understand that human congregations racial, tribal, and class to those who might consider social suffering, and the related cosmic prob- issues remain unresolved and ignored. issues more important than the task of lem of evil, results not from any single We cannot cry out against the sins of evangelization. The fact that the Lord factor but, rather, occurs for complex government and not notice the hungry, is in His holy temple means that He reasons blending poor human choices, homeless, and hurting in our midst. always has a plan wherever a problem greed, selfishness, satanic devices—in The voice of the church will be ampli- exists. In our concern to respond to the short, sin. While we often may seek to fied and more authoritative when it is plight of the powerless and oppressed, address the visible signs of the problem, truly seen to be a fellowship of people we must have the wisdom and discern- God goes to work at the root, and who care for and are involved with ment to know when to stand up in their because of the intricate dynamics of each other. behalf and when to wait in silence and interrelationship, solutions are not as Habakkuk also directs the attention prayer for the Lord’s greater purposes easy as we think—just as the prophet of picketing Christians to the cruciality of to become manifest. The prophet leaves Habakkuk discovered (Habakkuk 1). worship even as they watch, write, and modern-day activists to grasp the divine Though we may not always discern wait on the Lord. Service and ministry to gift of patience. Christian activists God at work, we must recognize that humanity must never distract from the

Ministry® MAY 2018 importance of worship and fellowship 1 Richard D. Patterson, “Habakkuk,” in Minor Prophets: Church, ed. Rudi Maier (Berrien Springs, MI: with God, for it is there that we discover, Hosea–Malachi, vol. 10, Cornerstone Biblical Department of World Missions, 2015), 269. as did the psalmist, that God is always Commentary, ed. Philip W. Comfort (Carol Stream, IL: 8 Quoted in Darrell R. Watkins, Christian Social Ministry: on duty in His sanctuary, working out His Tyndale House, 2008), 398. An Introduction (Nashville, TN: Broadman and purposes in justice and mercy (Psalm 73). 2 Ralph L. Smith, Micah–Malachi, vol. 32, Word Biblical Holman, 1994), 9. Although Habakkuk, as a prophet, Commentary (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1984), 9 John R. W. Stott, Issues Facing Christians Today: A 96. Major Appraisal of Contemporary Social and Moral ought to be the bearer of divine judg- 3 Patterson, “Habakkuk,” 400, 401. Questions (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), ments to the people, paradoxically 4 James D. Nogalski, Micah –Malachi: The Book of the 28–30. he, rather, complains to God about Twelve, Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary 10 See Lehnart Falk, “Does the Church Have a Social the wicked. Perhaps another lesson (Macon, GA: Smyth and Helwys Pub., 2011), 654. Responsibility? Advocacy, a Biblical Legacy” and Jeff for Christians involved in community 5 Smith, Micah–Malachi, 93. Boyd, “Advocates for Social Change,” in Church and would be that while they have a duty to 6 Craig Ott, Stephen J. Strauss, and Timothy Tennent, Society. respond to the needs of the suffering and Encountering Theology of Mission: Biblical 11 Nogalski, “Micah–Malachi,” 674. powerless, they should, like the prophet, Foundations, Historical Developments, and 12 Patterson, “Habakkuk,” 414. learn to look up and address their chal- Contemporary Issues (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker 13 Jeff Boyd, “Advocates for Social Change,” 268. lenges to God. Habakkuk reminds us to Academic, 2010), 144. 14 George W. Webber, Today’s Church: A Community of stand up, speak up, and know when to 7 Jeff Boyd, “Advocates for Social Change: Beyond Exiles and Pilgrims (Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 1979), 27. shut up, for God is always in control and Teaching People How to Fish,” in Church and Society: 15 Smith, “Micah–Malachi,” 107; Patterson, “Habakkuk,” has never not been in control. Missiological Challenges for the Seventh-day Adventist 414.

The lighthouse

t Parkway Baptist Church, a car spiraling out of control and hitting lighthouse stands for much a tractor trailer head on. Craig didn’t Amore than a place’s history, stand a chance. purpose, or presence. It is not a beacon Our heads spun as our hearts cried to warn of physical peril or a tourist out to God. Why would God allow so attraction. For the members of this many people to die on 9/11? Then how before; and one by one, people came church, the word lighthouse holds could God allow such a godly person to the altar. a significance that very few people as Craig to lose his life so horribly in What was intended to be a memo- know. a tragic car accident? Answers did not rial service turned out to be a day of At Parkway, the music ministry was come immediately; but they did come. salvation. Thirteen people accepted one of my favorite aspects of church. As Craig’s family, members of the com- Jesus into their hearts. We began to a choir member, I was able to use my munity, and the entire congregation understand. There was more involved musical talents to reach other people’s of Parkway Church gathered to say than our losing such a great leader; hearts. Our worship leader, Craig goodbye. God be praised, Craig’s wife, more even than his family’s unimagi- Stamper, never seemed weighed down Susan, had been spared in the accident. nable grief. by his duties; he just embraced them. With her broken arm in a cast and sling, No one was being punished for With eyes shining and a hand raised she stood bravely near her husband’s anything. God used Craig to be our high toward heaven, he would exclaim, closed casket. Her eyes glistened as lighthouse, beckoning lost people to “God is good, all the time, and all the she greeted people who came down the salvation. I could almost hear Craig’s time, God is good!” aisle. My heart ached for her. voice one last time calling out to us: The tragedy of September 11, 2001, The senior pastor spoke, then stood “God is good, all the time, and all the struck close to home. For Craig and his on the platform steps. That is when we time, God is good!” wife, Susan, it was with heavy hearts heard it. Craig’s voice! It rang out over that they headed north to be with the sound system, singing his favorite family who had lost one of their own. song: “There’s a lighthouse on the —Kimalee Finelli writes from Orlando, Florida, The next day, our senior pastor broke hillside that overlooks life’s sea . . . And United States the sad news. They did not make it to I thank God for the lighthouse, I owe my

New York. A rainy evening and bad road life to Him.” His voice was strong and * Heritage Singers, “Jesus Is the Lighthouse,” Vintage conditions were to blame for Craig’s clear as if he were right there, just like Collection, heritagesingers.com/track/469334/

MAY 2018 Ministry® RESOURCES

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More, and Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier, Toronto, ON: Box of Crayons Press, 2016.

oaching is arguably one of the This is contrary to many management most essential skills leaders can theories of leadership commonly applied Cuse to successfully develop oth- in business and often based on reward ers, yet many seldom do. And even when and punishment: “Do what I say, and they try, they struggle to coach effec- you’ll be rewarded. Ignore what I say, and tively. The author attempts to simplify you’ll be punished.” Many organizations coaching by offering “seven essential outside of business—even ministries—are questions”: using this approach in an attempt to get results. This book, however, advocates a 1. Get straight to the point in any different approach that mirrors participa- conversation with “the Kickstart tive theories, which include others in the Question”: What is on your mind? decision-making process by welcoming 2. Stay on track during any interaction and encouraging their input. with “the Awe Question”: And what Rather than focusing a conversa- themselves rather than to control the else? tion on a selfish agenda or motive, this outcome. 3. Get to the heart of any interpersonal coaching habit “invites people to get I recommend this book for anyone or external challenge with “the to the heart of the matter and share interested in working more effectively Focus Question”: What’s the real what’s most important to them. You’re with others. The concept of “saying less challenge here for you? not telling them or guiding them. You’re and asking more” can be applied to 4. Understand the basis for any adult showing them the trust and granting just about any organizational setting, relationship with “the Foundation them the autonomy to make the choice especially in a coaching relationship Question”: What do you want? for themselves” (39, emphasis added). (“the coaching habit”). By applying the 5. Save hours of time for yourself If leadership is a shared process— principles in the book, the “coach”— with “the Lazy Question”: How can not one person controlling or coercing supervisor, manager, boss, mentor, I help? others; but a community conversation pastor, elder, parent, insert your title 6. Save hours of time for others that leads to decentralized power and here—shifts the focus away from with “the Strategic Question”: If decision-making—what would happen performance and starts to address devel- you’re saying yes to this, what are if leaders were to truly “say less and opment. The dialogue is less about the you saying no to? ask more”? “It increases the sense of issues and more about the person deal- 7. Ensure that your coaching is mutu- tribe-iness, as, rather than dictating ing with the issues. “This conversation is ally beneficial with “the Learning what someone should do, you’re helping more rare and significantly more power- Question”: What was most useful him solve a challenge. And in doing so, ful” because it calls others “forward to for you? you’re increasing not only his sense of learn, improve and grow, rather than on autonomy—you’re assuming that he can just getting something sorted out” (40). Through these questions—with come up with answers and encourag- What would leadership look like if practical tips and entertaining anec- ing him to do so—but his rank as well, it focused less on the tasks and more dotes weaved in—Stanier elevates because you’re letting him ‘have the on empowering the people in charge of the concept of coaching from a skill floor’ and go first” (123). those tasks? The author suggests that the to a way of thinking, an attitude, a The author suggests that many lead- results would be a positive shift toward day-to-day approach to working with ers are guilty of desiring control in very greater engagement and productivity. people—a coaching habit. “The change subtle ways when they have the urge to of behavior at the heart of what this be what he calls the “Advice Monster.” —Tony Yang, MBA, MDiv in progress, is a pastor book is about is this: a little more asking Leaders who “say less and ask more,” on and an author and serves as director of enrollment people questions and a little less telling the other hand, seek to empower others and strategic marketing at Andrews University in people what to do” (17). to think of the answers and solutions Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.

Ministry® MAY 2018 DATELINE

Inter-American pastors review best practices for evangelism and retention

iami, Florida, United States—130 Summit leaders met in several whole message, then it’s pastoral Mpastors, administrators, and groups to highlight their best practices malpractice.” lay preachers from the Seventh-day and new ways of improving evangelism, Preaching the gospel from the pul- Adventist Church throughout the Inter- discipleship, and retention and devise pit is what Claudius Morgan has been American Division (IAD) met during a new evangelism initiatives they can doing for more than 31 years. He’s been two-day summit to review evangelism implement this year. a well-known evangelist throughout the practices and set up new strategies to Robert Costa, associate ministerial Caribbean, the Inter-American region, reach more people with the gospel. secretary for the Adventist General and even in parts of North America. Photo: Keila Trejo/IADPhoto:

Balvin Braham, assistant to the Conference, encouraged leaders to “The key is that connection with the president in evangelism for the church look for ways to adopt new methods of Holy Spirit, digging deep into the Word in the IAD stated, “What leaders want evangelism. of God with a mix of prayer nights, to see is at least 200,000 or more new “We . . . cannot discount technologi- anointing services, food drives for the believers across the territory every cal media,” said Costa. “Using Christ’s needy in the community, children’s year. For that to happen means not only method of preaching, technology tools programs, fellowship, and more,” said empowering and energizing church and proclaiming the message every Morgan. “Getting church members members into becoming disciple- Sabbath will bring success,” he added. involved in the preparation and running makers, and getting children and young “When the people are cemented in of a public campaign is key to growing people more involved, but also finding the Bible message, they stay in the the church and retaining members.” better methods to preach the gospel in church because there is power in the Pastors in Guatemala began public and small-group settings.” Word . . . so, if we don’t preach the equipping and involving more church

MAY 2018 Ministry® DATELINE

members in all kinds of evangelistic IAD, praised the hard work of pastors “We presented a few things to group efforts, such as distribution of tracts and members in growing the church leaders on possible ways to measure and books, social projects in the com- but challenged leaders to reach fur- other metrics outside of baptisms and munity, discipleship training, social ther. Sam Neves, General Conference the numbers, as well as new tools for media impact, and more. Already, associate director of communications, members to be involved in evangelism 114 new churches have been planted stated, “In the next 24 hours, more than efforts continually,” saidJose Romero, IT since last year, and pastors are chal- 100 million people will look to Google, director for the church in the IAD, who led lenging the 5,000 trained and actively YouTube, and Alexa for trustworthy a technology team during the summit. involved members spreading the gospel answers to their deepest questions and “Leaders will compile all the meth- throughout Guatemala to commit to crisis. Unfortunately, they will not find ods discussed and evaluated during the winning five new souls each this year. the eternal gospel God has called us to summit and will apply them for greater Israel Leito, president of the proclaim, because the nearest Adventist effectiveness across Inter-America,” Seventh-day Adventist church in the website is beyond page 3.” Braham said. [Libna Stevens/IAD] Photo: Keila Trejo/IADPhoto:

Concerted efforts result in almost 4,000 baptisms in Cameroon

ameroon—Baptisms crowned the public sites. Public evangelism was but I believe we can still do better than C“harvest” phase of the Pentecost driven by the support ministry of 3,482 this to the glory of God,” he said. Several 2018 series, an outreach and evan- small groups and a series of planned medical specialists joined a Health gelistic initiative of the West-Central acts of community service and charity. Mobile Clinic initiative, including car- Africa Division (WAD), a church region Cameroon Union Mission (CMUM) diologists, ophthalmologists, dentists, that includes Cameroon and 21 other evangelism director Meting Jean gynecologists, laboratory technicians, nations in Central and West Africa. The Pourrat shared that he was able to and nurses. public commitment of new members witness God’s assistance throughout Community outreach and service through baptism came at the end of the logistically challenging initiative. initiatives opened doors and made it a series of biblical messages on 611 “Once again God has led us through, possible for the church to launch the

Ministry® MAY 2018 final phase of evangelistic preaching. Statistics reveal church membership help new members succeed via the Meetings were held on house porches has now reached 108,000 members Total Member Involvement program. “By and at lounges, in public spaces and in worshipping in almost 1,500 churches involving every newly baptized member local churches. Many church member and groups in Cameroon. The challenge, in missionary and community activities, volunteers contributed to the success however, is how to nurture and keep we will make strong disciples committed Photo: West Central Africa News Division

of the initiative. Besides local preach- those members “in the fold.” Leaders to prayer and Bible studies,” said CMUM ers, guest speakers from the WAD shared that the regional church is now president Assembe Valere. headquarters and the world church implementing an intentional plan to The 163 pastors called to minister to preached in various venues across the church members in Cameroon recently country. attended a spiritual retreat with “I felt blessed as every eve- General Conference Ministerial ning I was able to share God’s Association leaders Jerry and Word,” said Stella, a church Janet Page as guest speakers. member who attended and lis- “It was all about rekindling the tened to General Conference flame so that the authen- associate secretary Hensley tic experience of the early Moorooven preaching in the Christian church can be capital city of Yaoundé. At the reproduced,” leaders said. end of the series, all across “It was a beautiful conclu- Cameroon, 3,741 persons sion of Pentecost 2018 in were baptized. Another 1,000 Cameroon. It really rained.” people are still studying the [Adventist Review & Abraham Bible, with plans to be bap- Bakari, West-Central Africa tized in the near future. Division News]

MAY 2018 Ministry® THE PASTOR AND HEALTH FRED HARDINGE

Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD, is an associate director of the General Conference Health Ministries department, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. Always relate to others with love

vegan food truck owner, Delinda believers in parts of the world where by saying, “You have disappointed Jensen, who scolded victims of fortification of foods is either nonex- me, and I will not try to help you.” Athe Las Vegas shooting mas- istent or financially impossible for the A few words spoken hastily under sacre as “meat eaters,” said she has majority of members. Small amounts of provocation—just what we think received death threats for her com- milk, eggs, and clean flesh foods may be they deserve—may cut the cords of ments. She wrote on Facebook, “How the only guarantee of a healthful diet. influence that should have bound many animals will live because of the (Please don’t hurl rotten tomatoes at their hearts to ours. deaths of the 58 victims?”1 Jensen me before reading on!) The consistent life, the patient made the post a day after the deadliest What diet does the church recom- forbearance, the spirit unruffled mass shooting in modern United States mend? “Because our bodies are the under provocation, is always the history that also injured more than five temples of the Holy Spirit, we are to most conclusive argument and the hundred concertgoers. care for them intelligently. Along with most solemn appeal. If you have These sad comments from this adequate exercise and rest, we are had opportunities and advantages misguided lady remind me of the to adopt the most healthful diet pos- that have not fallen to the lot of importance of attitudes we exhibit sible and abstain from the unclean others, consider this, and be ever a foods identified in the Scriptures.”2 wise, careful, gentle teacher.4 Even though we may recommend a vegetarian diet, we do not enforce it. “In working for the victims of evil “Because our bodies Each member remains free to humbly habits, instead of pointing them to the follow the leading of the Holy Spirit despair and ruin toward which they are the temples of in choosing their eating pattern while are hastening, turn their eyes away remaining in regular standing with the to Jesus. Fix them upon the glories of the Holy Spirit, we church. the heavenly. This will do more for the No matter which dietary pattern saving of body and soul than will all the are to care for them you follow, remember that your attitude terrors of the grave when kept before toward those who may differ with you the helpless and apparently hopeless.”5 intelligently.” should be rooted in the Spirit of Christ. So, “fix your thoughts on what is “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer true, and honorable, and right, and evil by doing good” (Rom. 12:21).3 pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think I have found the following counsel about things that are excellent and toward those with whom we may dis- to be most helpful in my ministry to worthy of praise” (Phil. 4:8). We will agree. Unfortunately, we sometimes others of differing habits and beliefs: make friends by being kind and loving, hear similar, but perhaps less extreme, not by being critical and rude. ideas expressed within the church. Remember that you cannot read 1 Delinda Jensen, quoted in Bill O’Boyle, “Death I am deeply troubled when I witness hearts. You do not know the motives Threats Follow Local Vegan’s Facebook Post About the “potluck wars” that take place in which prompted the actions that to Vegas Shootings,” Times Leader, Oct. 5, 2017, some churches. Why is it that some you look wrong. There are many timesleader.com/news/local/677746/death-threats lacto-ovo vegetarians look down upon who have not received a right edu- -follow-vegans-facebook-post-about-vegas -shootings. those who eat flesh foods, and some cation; their characters are warped, 2 “Living: Christian Behavior,” adventist.org/en/beliefs vegans look down upon lacto-ovo veg- they are hard and gnarled, and seem /living/christian-behavior/. etarians? The Seventh-day Adventist to be crooked in every way. But the 3 Scripture in this article is quoted from the New Living Church does not make one particular grace of Christ can transform them. Translation. 4 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain dietary pattern a test of fellowship. Never cast them aside, never drive View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn. 1942), 494. We are a global church and have many them to discouragement or despair 5 Ibid., 62, 63.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

Ministry® MAY 2018

® GENERAL CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage 1350 N. KINGS ROAD PAID NAMPA, ID 83687-3193 Nampa, ID Permit No. 147 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED FAITH ★ COURAGE ★ STRENGTH

TWO AWARD WINNING STORIES ON DVD! The first feature is the WWI portrayal of ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS Dr. John McCrae, who wrote the epic poem In • The Centurion of Matthew 8 • Longinus at the Cross Flanders Fields. The second tells the story of the • Cornelius sinking of the troop ship Dorchester off the coast • The Philippian Jailer of Newfoundland. • Plus More! TO ORDER visit: www.BibleFaces.com Dr. Dick Stenbakken • 2493 Frances Drive • Loveland, CO 80537 • Phone: 970-667-0866

BibleFaces Soldiers of Destiny BackCover Ad v2.indd 1 3/18/18 10:25 PM