LEIIERS
Millerites name, dates of birth and death, as well ory as the "see what this leads to" con- The brief sketch of Charles Fitch in as the words "Who shall roll away the clusion of an Adventist editorial on "William Miller's Helpers" (July 28) stone?" Wes Peterson alcohol is a bit irresponsible and turns mentions his "baptizing three groups of Des Moines, Iowa off young people. young people" a few days before the Perhaps in France Coke is somehow expected return of our Lord. This cor- Notable Silence connected culturally to champagne, but rect statement, however, does not In recent months the Review has unlikely so in the United States, where express the poignancy of the event. printed some articles and many letters we're introduced to the joys of "bub- Fitch had already baptized one about sexual abuse by church members. bles" in 7-Up, root beer, mineral water, group, and seeing that mid-October is Obviously this sort of thing must not be etc. My father's special Sabbath after- not the ideal time of the year for going tolerated in the remnant church. In the noon treat to us was root beer floats into Lake Erie, even fully clothed, he majority of cases the perpetrators have (great memories), and despite a lifetime was quickly returning home in cold, been males. Unfortunately, there has "addiction" to these, I still find cham- wet clothes. On the way he met another been a notable silence about one factor pagne distasteful. I suspect the same group who were anxious to be baptized that surely has to be a significant influ- could be true for other Adventists who before the Lord's coming. So, shivering ence in some cases of sexual abuse— can intelligently separate the effects of and cold, Fitch went again, waist-deep, the lamentable tendency of some drinking one beverage from another. into the cold waters of the lake and bap- women to display bare skin. Barbara Aved tized them. Returning once more to get Because of injudicious reading that I Sacramento, California changed and warmed, he met yet a third did as a teenager and a young man, I group who earnestly requested baptism. have had a severe struggle maintaining Reviving Education In spite of his coldness, he also purity of mind. This struggle is renewed I read "A Revival of Christian immersed this last group. when I see women dressed skimpily or Education" (August NAD issue) to The next morning he had a heavy in figure-revealing clothes. It has been learn what our division's goal for cold, but nevertheless rode his horse to shown that men are more sexually Christian schools is. I share the con- visit other believers. The serious chill aroused by sight than are women. Ellen cepts Dr. Warren Minder outlines developed into a fever, and he died. White states: "The lust of the eye and except for one. He says teachers in When he awakes on the resurrection corrupt passions are aroused by behold- Adventist schools should be church morning, will he think that it is October ing and by reading" (Testimonies, vol. members and follows that absolute 22, 1844? Ellen White wrote of him as 2, p. 410). Some of our sisters will be with: "Perhaps, as one moves up the one "whom God had laid in the grave to found guilty of unnecessarily arousing ladder of education to graduate save him" (Early Writings, p. 17). To the base passions of their brothers. school, a Christian teacher who is not save him eternally, or from the Name Withheld a member of the Adventist Church Disappointment? Probably both. wouldn't greatly influence the student Edward E. White Advice From a Catholic whose value system is firmly in Berkshire, England I am a practicing Catholic and my place." wife is an Adventist, and together we The challenge at all levels of educa- "William Miller's Helpers" brought determined to raise our son as an tion—including pastors, parents, and back memories for me. I grew up in Adventist also. Sabbath school teachers—is the prob- Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As a boy I I have a for-what-it's-worth observa- lem of modeling. I do not cast away my lived for a time across the fence from tion. I believe it's time for Adventists to inner beliefs when I walk through the the cemetery in which Joshua V. Himes quit using the Catholic Church to prove doors of a classroom or into a pulpit. If is buried. themselves. Your church is more than I am a person with a winning personal- Himes apparently never became a 130 years old, and if you haven't ity dealing with 6-year-olds, I will have Seventh-day Adventist, but he spent his matured beyond comparisons, you an immense impact on their futures. If I declining years in their company. He probably never will. Walter C. Lane am a person with a winning personality died near an Adventist school, Elk Opeka, California and great intelligence, I will impact my Point Industrial School, in southeastern graduate students or parishioners just as South Dakota, about the time my grand- Perils of Alcohol (cont.) easily. Because a person is 28 years old father was a student there. For some There are inherent dangers associated is no guarantee his or her "value system reason unknown to me, he was buried with alcohol, true—but Coca-Cola as a is firmly in place." in Sioux Falls. His grave marker is a gateway drug to champagne drinking? Clarence Dunbebin large red boulder, with only part of one Not all bubbles are created equal. To Associate Superintendent of Schools face polished. It contains Himes's select one wine maker's marketing the- Potomac Conference of SDAs
2 (978) ADVENTIST REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 22, 1994
ADVENT'S 1
SEPTEMBER 22. 1994
DEPARTMENTS ARTICLES
2 Letters COVER STORY
6 Newsbreak 8 Leaders for These Times In this interview, General Conference president Robert S. 15 Children's Corner Folkenberg outlines what he sees as essentials for Adventist leadership in the 1990s. Check it out. Because we're all lead- 15 The Way It Was ing someone. by William G. Johnsson 18 World Report THEOLOGY 22 Bulletin Board 10 Adventists and Other Christians-2 12 Think young! What is genuine Adventism? Is it what we believe? How we 23 Reflections live? What we eat? What we wear? How we worship? All of the above? by Robert McIver EDITORIALS LIFESTYLE 4 God of the 12 Six Ways to Bring Children Into Your Life Unlikely You don't need children in your life. Or do you? by R. Casey 5 Two Images of Christ STORY 16 Preserved for a Purpose It's not often we can tell for sure that we've been spared from NEXT WEEK death. But what does it mean when it happens? 16 Why am I here? "The Church in by Daniel B. Grisier China" For decades WORLD REPORT the only reports about the Adventist Church 18 Project 66 in China were "unoffi- God isn't dead. In fact, He's leading out in a modern transla- cial." Now the tion of the Bible in Russia. by J. R. Spangler Adventist Review goes "on the record."
Cover illustration by Randy South
General paper of the Marketing Representative manuscripts. Manuscripts must include English Bible. The Delegates of the Oxford Seventh-day Adventist Church Ginger Char,-J- address. telephone number, and Social Security Subscription queries and changes University Press and the Syndics of the number, where available. Notification of rejec- of address: Call toll-free 1-800-456- Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970. Editor William G. Johnsson Consulting Editors: Robed S. Folkenberg, tion may be evected only it accompanied by a 3991 or 301-791-7000, ext. 2436. Reprinted by permission. Tecds credited to NW Associate Editor Roy Adams Matthew Bediako, D. F. Gilbert, Robert J. stamped, self-addressed envelope. Address all are from the Holy Bible, New International Associate Editor Myron K. Widmer Koostertuis, A C. McClure, Kenneth J. Mdtleider, editorial correspondence to 12501 Old The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119) Version. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, News Editor Carlos Medley Leo Panzolin, Calvin B. Rock G. Ralph Thcapson Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20934-6600. is published 40 times a year, each International Bible Society. Used by permission Assistant Editor Stephen Chavez Special Contributors: Bryan Ball, M. E. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638. Thursday except the first Thursday of of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Bible texts cred- Assistant Editor Kit Watts Cherian, P. D. Chun, Israel Leito, Edwin each month. Copyright © 1994 Review ited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Editorial Assistant Ella Rydzewski Ludescher, J. J. Nortey, Jan Paulsen, L D. Subscript's* prices: US$36.97 for 40 and Herald° Publishing Association, 55 Version of the Bible, copyright @ 1946, 1952, Administrative Secretary Ch 'Ira Barnabas Raelly. Ted N C. Wilson. Joao Wolff issues. US$48.97 for 52 issues. Add $10.20 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of Editorial Secretaries Jednaszewski African-Indian Ocean Editions Editor, postage for addresses outside North America Maryland 21740. Second-class postage the National Council of the Churches of Christ • .,--queira Japheth Agboka To place your order, send your name, paid at Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. in the USA Used by permission. Art Director Bill Kirstein Inter-American Edition Editor, Adalgiza address, and payment to your local Adventist Postmaster: send address changes to Designer Steve Trapero Archbold Book Center or Adventist Review Subscription Adventist Review, 55 West Oak Ridge Design Assistant Geri W. Busch South American Editions Editor, R. S. Desk, Box 1119. Hagerstown, MD 21741. Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Ad Sales '.'r • Aley Lessor, Portuguese; editor, Millet Mayr, Spanish Single copy, US$2.25. Prices subject to change Subscriber Services Larry Burtnett To Writers: We welcome unsolicited without notice. Texts credited to NEB are from The New Vol. 171, No. 38.
ADVENTIST REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 22,1994 (979) 3 EDITORIAL
God of the Unlikely
n the summer of 1986 I peered down moter for the Second Advent, I'd have down neighborhood, the noisy traffic, Ian overgrown lane leading to a dilap- gone on to Boston. and the tavern sign—and into the past. idated farm set back in the woods. Could this be the place? of many miles from a scenic light- A Whisper Four other cars soon turned onto the Nhouse that George Washington Some say Ellen came to the prayer leafy, untraveled road. Yes, Jim Nix commissioned for the rocky coast of band in a wheelchair. Certainly she was said, this was the place. He was leading Maine is a narrow frame building. The sick, breathing with great difficulty, a group from the Association of God who stopped at William Miller's sometimes coughing blood. Her voice Seventh-day Adventist Librarians had diminished to a whisper. Like the (ASDAL) on a brief denominational If I had been God others, her faith trembled. history tour in New England. Five girls knelt together in their Just a stone's throw from Vermont, upper room and prayed for light. The the farmhouse is perched on a long hill in search of a promoter names of Elizabeth and Ellen's three at the edge of New York. It still stands, friends have been lost in the mists of as it did more than 180 years ago, amid time. But in response to the petitions of a towering grove of maple trees. for the Second Advent, this obscure prayer band, God spoke. Once a stubborn padlock gave in to Just as Jesus had sought out Mary Jim's persuasion, about 30 of us filed when she wept over the empty tomb through a back entry into the empty, I'd have gone on after the Crucifixion, so God sought out dimly lit, musty-smelling house. (Our Ellen and gave her a message that would visit was long before Pathfinders and resurrect hope and send her on a mission other enthusiasts refurbished the to Boston. to all those broken and doubting. place.) If I had been God in search of a prophet, a messenger, a comforter for Musty Study farm in Low Hampton also came to the my people, I'd have skipped the By crowding a little, we fit into a room corner of Ocean and C streets in south teenagers' prayer band and the girl who that had been William Miller's study. Portland. could hardly be heard across the room. Here he had begun a methodical investi- One of Miller's preaching itineraries gation of the Bible in 1816. Two years brought him to Portland about 1840. nd so it was that by an overgrown later he believed he had figured out Among those who accepted his call to armhouse in the New York woods Daniel's 2300-day prophecy and that it get right with God and prepare for and beside a narrow frame building on a meant Christ would come in his lifetime. Jesus' imminent return were Mr. and street corner in south Portland I traced Miller was 36. Not until he was 49 did Mrs. Robert Harmon and their eight faintly the footprint of God—and recog- he offer to tell anybody what he knew. children, including one of the 12-year- nized that God's ways are not my ways. We stood elbow to elbow in this dark old twins, Ellen. The poor, the unimpressive, and the room where windows were boarded up When Christ did not appear as improbable are not outside God's provi- to prevent further vandalism. Even in expected on October 22, 1844, the dence. All of us who find it hard to act its prime the house and study would Millerites were shattered. Ellen turned upon our convictions, who struggle have been ordinary. 17 soon afterward. On a December when our lives make no sense, and who Miller, a farmer and veteran of the morning she went to the home of her search for the missing pieces in our War of 1812, was nobody special. He Advent friend Elizabeth Haines to pray faith have recourse. We may turn to the was in no hurry to share his findings. about their disappointment. Elizabeth God of our own Adventist history. And there weren't many to share them lived upstairs in the house on the corner The God of the unlikely is still a God with in this wild country far from towns of Ocean and C streets. who empowers. of any size. As we gazed at the windows on the If I had been God in search of a pro- second floor, we looked beyond the run- KIT WATTS
4 (980) ADVENTIST REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 22, 1994 EDITORIAL
Two Images of Christ
ve often wondered why the apostle philosophies permeated the Colossae One of Paul's first converts in 1..Paul paints two radically different residents, including some of the Philippi, Lydia, was an entrepreneur portraits of Jesus in his letters to the Christian believers. who sold purple, the most expensive of believers in Philippi and Colossae. Among the heresies in Colossae was dyes. Valued as highly as gold, purple In broad brushstrokes Paul paints a gnosticism, a system of false teaching was used to pay tribute (taxes or fees) celestial image of Jesus in Colossians 1, that advocated knowledge as the way to and for international trade. Some schol- calling Him the firstborn of Creation, salvation. This had a disruptive effect ars say the prestigious city had power- the Creator of all things, the Sustainer on the congregation. Some believers ful, prosperous, and proud citizens who of the universe, Maker of heaven and also worshiped angels, who supposedly were ambitious and status-conscious.' earth, and the sole physical expression operated as mediators between man and In his letter Paul wanted to tell the of God (verses 15-20). God. Philippians that the essence of true As such, Christ becomes the ruler Along with these heresies, the Christianity is found in humility. The over all the competing power networks. Colossians also contended with prestige and honor they had achieved He controls governments and rulers, the Judaizers, who tried to force early counted for nothing in the heavenly cartels and syndicates, and the juntas Christians from non-Jewish back- courts above. and clans. Paul also says Christ is the He says, "Let nothing be done head and central focus of the church. Christ controls through selfish ambition or conceit, but He is the life force and vigor of the in lowliness of mind let each esteem church, the sole avenue through which others better than himself. Let each of heaven and earth become reconciled. all competing you look out not only for his own inter- In Philippians 2, Paul portrays Christ ests, but also for the interests of others" as the humble servant, a model of (Phil. 2:3, 4, NKJV). downward mobility who displays lead- power networks. We as Christians can learn much ership by example. from these two portraits of Christ. They Christ "made Himself of no reputa- embody the essential elements of the tion, taking the form of a servant, and gospel. The Creator of the universe, the coming in the likeness of men. And grounds to adopt Jewish customs as a Giver of life, would humble Himself being found in appearance as a man, He condition of salvation. Judaizers also and die to become our personal humbled Himself and became obedient plagued the church in Galatia. Saviour. to the point of death, even the death of To address the Colossians, it was Christ put the needs of others above the cross" (verses 7, 8, NKJV). essential for Paul to convey Christ's His own concerns. How much more Jesus surrenders His powers on divine position as Creator of the uni- should His disciples model His compas- behalf of the powerless. He dies so that verse. Christ alone is the ultimate sion, spread His love, and share the sinners might live. power of the cosmos. He alone is the hope of the gospel with those who have central conduit to salvation, not knowl- no hope. Diverse Audiences edge, angels, or Jewish tradition. Only when the servants of Christ cast Perhaps one reason for the distinctive Unlike Colossae, Philippi brought a off self and start serving others will portraits is found in the divergent con- different challenge to Paul. Named after they enjoy a full relationship with gregations of Colossae and Philippi. Philip II, the father of Alexander the Christ, walking in His footsteps and Colossae, a Roman city in Asia Great, Philippi was located in eastern joining in His suffering. Minor, had been an industrial center Macedonia. The town later became a ' The SDA Bible Dictionary, p. 877. famous for textiles. In the time of Roman military colony. The gold and 2 The Word in Life Study Bible (Nashville: Thomas Christ the city was in decline. With the silver in the neighboring mountains of Nelson, 1993), p. 681. spread of Hellenism, a style of Greek the Pangaeus ridge gave the town culture that followed the conquests of importance. The commerce brought Alexander the Great, many mystical wealth to many Philippians.' CARLOS MEDLEY
ADVENTIST REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 22, 1994 .981 5 NEWSBREAK
NORTH AMERICA sons in the South Philippine Oakwood College Students Union territory, there was Philadelphia Civic Leader only a handful of church Visits GC. Philadelphia City Evangelize Washington, D.C. members among the 6 mil- Council president John F. lion Muslims in the area as 19-year-old students from Oakwood College in Alabama Street, a graduate of Advent- of 1990, says Robert S. to the streets of Washington, D.C., to spread the gospel ist-owned TM Folkenberg, General message this summer. The team knocked on doors, helped con- Oakwood Conference president. duct a Vacation Bible School, and spoke for a tent revival on the College, vis- But now, as a result of city's south side, all with the sponsorship of the nearby Hadley ited the evangelistic outreaches to Community Seventh-day Adventist Church and its pastor General that Muslim population, Joseph Hutchinson. Confer- more than 200 new To build interest, Robert Davis, who was returning to his ence on Adventist members come John Street hometown, along with Raphael Soriano and Joseph Footman, August 26. from an Islamic background, visited 800 homes, with 180 residents requesting Bible stud- Street met with a North Folkenberg says. ies. During the meetings the students and 25 volunteers from American Division taskforce three area Adventist churches provided a Vacation Bible that is developing plans for New Church Planted in School, afternoon child-care program, and a family life series. an Adventist health initiative Southern India. As a result At the end of the meetings 29 persons, including 17 youth, throughout the division. of the work of two Spicer joined the Adventist Church, says Audrey Davis, mother of The proposed Adventist College students, the city of one of the young evangelists and personal ministries leader Health Network aims to Pollachi in southern India for the Hadley church. assist local churches to pro- has a new Adventist congre- vide health services for their gation. The students, Giftson communities. Philadelphia pleted in 10 months. pathology and anatomy at Chandran and Immanuel has been chosen as a pilot the LLU School of Medi- Dorairaj, presented health site for the project, says To New Positions. cine, was recently elected Benjamin C. Maxson, min- programs and invited people DeWitt Williams, North dean of the School of to study the Bible over a American Division health isterial secretary and stew- Medicine and vice president two-year period. Though the and temperance director and ardship and development for clinical faculty. Dr. Bull students encountered resis- chairperson of the newly director for the Upper replaces B. tance, 35 persons have been formed task force. Columbia Conference, Lyn Behrens, Part of the Thirteenth recently was elected as an who held that baptized and a new chapel dedicated recently. Sabbath Offering for the associate director for stew- interim post ardship in the General fourth quarter of 1995 has along with Conference Church ADRA, AHS to Rebuild been designated to help her position Ministries Department. Guinean Health Services. develop Adventist Health as LLU presi- Maxson replaces Charles Benjamin The government of Guinea Network centers in 10 major dent. Maxson has contracted with the cites in North America. J. Griffin, who recently became Greater New York Adventist Development and New Dining Hall Under Conference president. Relief Agency to help rebuild Construction at AUC. J. David Moorhead, health services in the West Construction on a new dining Loma Linda University African country. hall has begun at Atlantic Medical Center senior vice The largest part of the pro- Union College in South president for children's ser- ject calls for the Advent- Lancaster, Massachusetts. vices, was elected president David Moorhead ist Health System/Sunbelt to Financing for the $2.5 of the Medical Center, effec- provide technical and man- million Chan Shun Dining tive January 1995. Dr. agement assistance to improve Commons was provided by Moorhead replaces David B. WORLD CHURCH the physical plant and provide donations from alumni and Hinshaw, Sr., who is retiring patient-care and management friends, says Jocelyn Fay. from all administrative posi- Breakthrough Among training for the 600-bed college public relations tions after 40 years of ser- Philippine Muslims. Ben Donka Hospital in Conakry. director. The 17,000-square- vice to the university. though there is one "Ultimately the plan is to foot building should be com- Brian S. Bull, director of Adventist for every 65 per- give citizens of Guinea
6 (982) ADVENTIST REVIEW. SEPTEMBER 22. 1994 NEWSBREAK
access to improved diagnos- Report ranked the laboratory well the theme of the 1995 Old Columbia Pike, Silver tic and treatment," says Jane as best in Australia and General Conference session, Spring, Maryland 20904- Allen, AHS/Sunbelt director eighth worldwide. `United in Christ,— says 6600. Specify the number of corporate communications. Richard 0. Stenbakken, of meal tickets needed. "Donka Hospital will be At 85, Japanese LE Music Committee chairper- You must have a meal developed as a major referral Continues an Active son and director of ticket to get a Sabbath hospital in the republic." Ministry. Born in 1909 in Adventist Chaplaincy lunch. There are no Adventist Japan, Komura Udaka con- Ministries, based at the churches in Guinea, though a tinues to lead an active liter- North American Division. Correction. Earl J. Parch- small number of recently ature "It is our hope that unites us ment, the Caribbean pastor baptized church members evange- across ethnic and geographic who helped pioneer the gather regularly for services. lism barriers." Adventist work among the ministry West Indian communities in New School Building that she FOR YOUR INTEREST Montreal and Toronto, Dedicated in Southern started Canada, died on May 16 in Brazil. Civic leaders and nearly Sesquicentennial Orlando, Florida—not his Adventist officials partici- 40 years Commemoration Set. You son Orville Parchment, as pated in the grand opening ago, are invited to the Hope Is printed in the August 18 of the new home of Don Komura Udaka says Alive weekend at the Newsbreak. Pedro II Elementary Sakari Orihara, publishing William Miller homestead ALSO IN THE NEWS Adventist School in Esteio, director for the Japan Union. near Whitehall, New York, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In 1993 Udaka visited October 20-23. The week- The four-story structure 1,787 homes and introduced end commemorates 150 Half of U.S. Public has 23 classrooms, adminis- Adventist books and maga- years of God's leading in the Abandons Family's Religion. trative offices, library, audio- zines to people. She sold 602 Adventist Church. In years past, church affilia- visual areas, a 450-seat books and 469 copies of The weekend will close tion was passed down from auditorium, and an artesian Signs of the Times. She dis- Sunday afternoon with a generation to generation like well, says Revista Adventista. tributed 2,587 tracts, offered commemoration service at a family heirloom, but as the The opening of the new prayers in 137 homes, and the Hiram Edson farm near twenty-first century looms building culminated a three- gave 69 Bible studies. She Port Gibson, New York. The closer, fewer than one of year building program at the has seen 19 persons join the farm site is where the under- every two North Americans school. Adventist Church as a direct standing of the cleansing of cling to the denomination of result of her ministry. the heavenly sanctuary was their parents, says Religious Hospital Laboratory Is first revealed. A rebuilt barn News Service. Among World's Best. The GC Session Theme Song from the Edson family will According to the recent pathology laboratory at Selected. The General be dedicated. study, "The Presbyterian Sydney Adventist Hospital Conference Music Com- To obtain an information Presence: The Twentieth- in Australia ranks among the mittee has selected the hymn packet with hotel listings, Century Experience," only world's best, according to "We Have This Hope!" as program, schedule, map, 43 percent of the United two quality control surveys. the theme song for the 1995 and free tickets for Sabbath States public remain in the The American College of General Conference session lunch, write to 1844-1994, religious body they were Pathologists survey placed in Utrecht, Netherlands. Adventist Review, 12501 born into. the lab first among all Although more than 250 Australian hospitals and in songs were submitted by CHURCH CALENDAR the top 1 percent worldwide individuals around the for "Urgent Result Turn- world, the selection commit- Sept. 24 Pathfinder Day Around Time," says Peter tee felt the hymn, originally Sept. 24 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering for the Trans- Weeks, hospital public rela- written for the 1962 GC ses- European Division tions director. sion by Wayne Hooper (and Sept. 30 New England Celebration of Recovery retreat (for The Murex External used for the 1966 and 1975 recovering alcoholics, drug users, and their fami- Quality Control Audit for sessions), is the best hymn lies) begins at New England Memorial Hospital in Therapeutic Drug for the session. Stoneham, Massachusetts, (617) 279-1007. Monitoring, End of Cycle "This hymn expresses Oct. 1 Health Emphasis Week begins
ADVENTIST REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 22.1994 (983) 7
COVER STORY Leaders for These 'Times General Conference president Robert S. Folkenberg discusses Adventist leadership with the Adventist Review editor.
BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON
ohnsson: What do you see mark of selflessness that Christ expects church pastor or other leader who sets as the primary role of to see in His extended family. limits or calls "sin by its right name." Adventist leaders in the At this time we are doing fairly well The mission of the church will increas- final years of this century? caring for ourselves and our needs, but ingly demand this type of leadership. Folkenberg: I do not see not as well in our attention to those So far as outcomes are concerned, a single role, but a variety who have not heard the message of the doing things "because we have always of emphases that must be three angels of Revelation in the vast done them that way"—whether in organi- kept in focus. The loss of reaches of the world where we have zational structure and/or staffmg, institu- Jany one would have serious, negative few if any believers. tional operations, training, or worship effects on the church. styles (which already vary dramatically These emphases must begin with a Explain what you mean by a focus around the world)—is a justification focus on our message. If we forget the on unity and a focus on outcomes. whose days are numbered. This must be gospel message God has given us to pro- Leadership must identify core values balanced, on the other hand, against the claim, with its judgment-hour urgency, and fundamental beliefs, and protect anarchist who wants to make change for we are like the spinning tire, with great them against compromise in an era in its own sake, regardless of its outcome. motion but no movement. Thus a con- which individualism is carried to Both common sense and propriety stant emphasis on our core values and destructive excess. This identifying landmarks is a must. calls for a willingness to speak up and affirm What other emphases should char- that which contributes acterize leaders for these times? to our message and Three others—a focus on mission, a mission (which we do focus on unity, and a focus on out- fairly well); but it also comes. Mission is basic because at the calls for speaking out heart of our relationship to Christ is the individually and collec- need to respond to His sacrifice by sub- tively against forces mitting our wills to Him in order that that disrupt, divide, and He can, as the song says, live out His ultimately destroy life within us. He demonstrates His (which we don't do presence in our life by living in us the well). A society that type of utter unselfishness that led Him affirms individuality to sacrifice His life for us. So the evi- (even when it is dence of the transformed life of a destructive to others), Christian will be the demonstration that that rejects any author- we consider others and their needs ity as intrusive, and that more important than our own. The loves only that which gospel commission is not a mere sug- makes us "feel good" gestion, but a mandate, an identifying does not tolerate well a
8 (984) ADVENTIST REVIEW, SEPTEMBER 22, 1994 demand that every level of church and hazards Adventist leaders will face? discomfort and therefore an unwillingness organization and institution be evalu- There are many, but let me mention to confront, face-to-face, someone whose ated by its effectiveness, efficiency, just one. I believe one of the greatest conduct has offended them. It seems so and contribution to the church's mis- threats to organizational unity, and there- much easier to talk to someone else about sion. We frequently, and rather hypo- fore mission, will be ethnic balkanization it rather than the individual involved. critically, apply this standard to and tribalism, in which the desire for con- someone else's organization or struc- trol and "upward mobility" will subver- If you could push a button and ture. Instead, it should be applied from impart three or four new or better skills the local district that may have unnec- to Adventist leaders within the next two essarily competing primary schools in A society that affirms years, what skills would these be? close proximity to each other, to the First, the ability to see and act in congregation that is contemplating ren- advance on trends rather than wait for ovating its physical plant, all the way individuality does not the effect of those trends to become a to adding a staff member to the General crisis and when options are more limited Conference. We should hold ourselves and outcomes more painful. to the highest possible standard of out- tolerate well a leader Second, a willingness to call groups comes assessment. (church boards, conference committees, not just individuals) to a level of collec- How can trust be increased? who calls "sin by its tive sacrifice and mission-driven plan- Regular evaluation, accountability, ning rarely seen today. and better communication are the only readily apparent tools at our disposal to right name." How important do you believe lead- increase trust, which is an indispensable ership training is for Adventist leaders? commodity in the mission of the church. I believe God deserves the very best However, once lost, trust is extremely sively dominate the agenda. There is we can give Him. Thus developing our difficult to regain, regardless of any of increasing evidence of this trend in many, skills to the highest possible level is the above initiatives. if not most, parts of the world, including consistent with the gravity of the calling some places where it is least expected. He has laid on us. Is church leadership more difficult Maintaining unity under this type of pres- now than when you started? If so, why? sure will become increasingly difficult. What is your advice to new leaders? Yes. I began at a time and place Stay close to God. Spend time with where trust in leaders was in place, full You probably know more His Word in meditation and prayer. Be bidirectional accountability was Adventist leaders than any other per- faithful to the truth that has been expected, and measurable productivity son today. What qualities do you most entrusted to you. Be courageous and act was required. Thus organizational initia- appreciate about our church's lead- when He impresses you. tives were basically supported before ers? their implementation and evaluated after A leader who demon- their implementation. Today any initia- strates a close walk with tive that is seen as "top down" must first God and is sensitive in overcome a "kiss of death syndrome" to dealing with others but survive and be tested. In spite of this, who is willing to stand some do survive. A great example is the up and speak out when new Adventist Communication Net- decisions appear to con- work, with the Net '95 initiative. flict with the principles revealed in God's Word Are church members' expectations and the special counsel of leaders changing? we have been given in I don't think they are changing as the Spirit of Prophecy. much as we may think they are. I believe our members expect Spirit-filled What weaknesses leaders, with a keen vision and sense of have you observed direction, who demonstrate unswerving among leaders? confidence in our message and loyalty Leaders are not exempt to our mission. from the weaknesses all humans face. Probably As you look toward the year A.D. one of the most common 2000, what are the greatest challenges weaknesses is an inherent