"OW 4 IY1 Ili/ Al ri RECORD 1 0 1 9 9 9 mot In this issue
The Balkans and us
Should the Vatican be a state?
Book review: It's Time
New spirit builds in Vanuatu editorial MISSIONS NEED YOUR MONEY
A urprise, surprise, surprise. After tithes and offerings will never come Bob Larsen says, "A division employ- being presented with a lei and near the cost of running the mission." ee recently donated 1500 books to swelcomed by a choir, I was share between our ministers. They introduced as the auditor of the What are the needs? were rapt." South Pacific Division during a dis- Needs in the Western Pacific can trict meeting at the Batuna Adventist be grouped in three categories. How can you help? Vocational School in the Western • A need for more permanent • Pray for the work of the church Province of the Solomon Islands last church buildings and repairs to exist- in the Pacific islands, and "write a month. ing buildings. Bush material churches note to let us know you're doing (Bob Stratford and other auditors at on Guadalcanal last up to 10 years. that," adds Pastor Eaton. the division needn't worry. I'm an But if a cyclone hits, they might last • Financially support the work of editor not an auditor for good rea- only five years. the church in the islands through sons.) And at Atoifi Adventist Hospital on mission offerings and donations. The mistake was unintentional, but Malaita, "building maintenance has "Anything happening in Kiribati is I soon became aware of the prob- been non-existent for the past 10 happening because of private dona- lems missions in the Western Pacific years," says chief executive officer Dr tions," says Pastor Dunn. "Tithe, Union Mission (and most places in Narko Tutuo. "The hospital's been offering and appropriations simply the Pacific) have with money—the forced to use repair and maintenance pay for the operation of the office lack of it. funds for operating costs." and the wages of the ministers. "I'm frustrated," says Eastern • A need for more trained minis- There's no money for evangelism, Solomon Islands Mission (ESIM) pres- ters. On average, every minister in there's no money for development, ident Pastor Ray Eaton. "Whether we the Western Pacific cares for 300 there's no money for maintenance, have a system that's too hard to com- members and four churches. A minis- there's no money for anything." prehend, I don't know. But we're so ter on the island of Choiseul in the • Personally support the work of far behind with this accounting busi- Solomon Islands cares for 15 church- the church in the mission field. ness, you end up flying by the seat es! "It's an enormous cost to come out of your pants." "Some can't meet the demand," here on a fly'n'build," says Pastor More bad news. Tithe-giving in the says Western Solomon Islands Mission Eaton, "but if you don't come, you're ESIM will, says Pastor Eaton, be secretary Pastor Luther Taniveke. probably not going to give that "drastically affected" because of the "When their travel budget runs out, money anyway, and if you do come, ethnic tension on Guadalcanal. they can't visit their churches." you'll get motivated because of what Rapid growth in the Malaita Pastor Dunn says, "We can't import you see." Mission is straining finances and ministers [into Kiribati] because the Pastor Dunn adds, "People are stretching resources. The mission is country speaks its own language. missing out if they don't accept calls planning to baptise 1200 people this And we can't afford to train any to serve in cross-cultural ministry." year (it baptised 320 in the first quar- young people. So, hopefully, we can Reports about the work of the ter), but "the new converts are all equip local churches to run without church in the Western Pacific non-wage earners," says the presi- relying on a minister." will follow in the com- dent, Pastor Baxton Ri'imana. • A need for more resources. ing weeks in RECORD. It's the isolation that's straining "We have a guy out here who pro- Sense the needs as finances in the Kiribati Mission. duces resources," says Pastor Eaton, you read and ask, "Small churches on isolated islands "but they aren't that good because "How can I help?" with expensive transport between the he's not qualified to produce islands makes it difficult," says the resources. He is me." president, Pastor Colin Dunn. "Our Vanuatu Mission secretary Pastor Brenton Stacey
Next week Official Paper Manuscripts Should be sent to The Editor, RECORD, South Pacific Division Signs Publishing Company, Warburton, Victoria 3799. ACN 000 003 930 &A/ENT-114m Manuscripts or computer disks will only be returned if ADvarrisr accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Editor Bruce Manners CHURCH Phone: (03) 5966 9111 Senior assistant editor Lee Dunstan Fax: (03) 5966 9019 Sanitarium: Is it Editorial assistant Brenton Stacey Email: record0a 1 .com.au Editorial secretary Meryl McDonald-Gough Senior consulting editor Barry Oliver Subscriptions South Pacific Division, $A40.00 really so good? $NZ73.00. All other regions, $A70.00. Air mail rates on application. Order from Signs Publishing Company, Vol 104 No 26 Warburton, Victoria 3799, Australia. Printed weekly by Cover photo: B Stacey Signs Publishing Company. 4
July 10, 1999 adventist life THE CAMP THAT WOULDN'T CANCEL by Adrian Raethel
ver come to the end of a lem, the facility demanding and hectic day we wanted to F only to discover that you have use at a church meeting to go to? You real- Howqua was ly don't have any energy left. You being reno- don't feel like going and you wish vated. someone would cancel the meeting. There That's how I felt about one of our had camps recently. been March had been busy—a youth delays CALM PENS rally, Friday night program, and it 11.111111$ LIM RETURN Pathfinder fair, committee meetings wasn't etc. Then, commencing with Easter, ready. Mike Collum (the associate youth We director in our conference) and I could had planned a series of three camp on camps, back to hack, with two of the river flat, them at opposite ends of the state. but that would have parts of the The first, an inter-conference meant lots of extra gear, Victorian High Country, youth camp went well, but we lead- setting up an outdoor kitchen, pitch- capping that off with a closing ers don't get a lot of sleep during ing tents and so on. Sabbath worship that encouraged such events. We arrived back at the And I had family visiting from the teens to overcome the obstacles campground in Nunawading, Vic, at interstate. If I went to camp, I'd only in their own lives. 11 pm on Easter Monday after dri- have had a short time to spend with Most importantly, around the ving for eight hours, only to have to them. I mean it wouldn't be fair to camp fire on several occasions, we unload the truck from that camp. leave my wife to look after my rela- had the opportunity to share Jesus Then we reloaded it ready for our tives. Anyway, that's how I reasoned. with these teens. They asked ques- New Vision camp beginning the While the New Vision camp was tions openly about God, their school next morning at Camp Howqua on, I rang our youth secretary and, life, how to cope with peer pressure some three hours drive away. The to my dismay, the applications for and why we had chosen to be in blind campers were arriving at Teen Camp now far exceeded the youth ministry. 9 am. Fortunately, Mike was there, minimum number I had set. Despite We could see God working. On waiting with the counsellors. my best efforts and my desire to the Saturday night a group of teens That camp also went smoothly, cancel, God had other ideas. set up an impromptu prayer meeting. with the biggest drama being a flat I told Him He would need to give We must never underestimate the tyre on our service vehicle. We did- me the energy to run the camp. value of our camping ministry in the n't even have a trip to hospital— God doesn't let us down. It soon Adventist Church. There's something that's always a good sign. But again, became obvious why He wanted us precious about taking groups of leaders don't tend to get a lot of to run this camp. We had teens young people into a natural setting. sleep at camps and by this stage my come to the camp who live in small Camping gets them—and us—away energy level was low and falling. country towns with small Adventist from our electronic gadgets, and it The third camp we'd planned was churches where there is little activity can teach us so much about our- Teen Camp. We've been working for their age group. selves, about God and His creation. hard to build up our teen camps Several teens came from homes It also provides an opportunity to over the past few years because with difficult backgrounds. Teens share Jesus in an open and authen- they had gone through a low period came who aren't in a Pathfinder tic manner. where there was not enough interest club and don't have the opportunity After two camps I was tired and to run them. Just before Easter, we'd to go camping very often, if at all. looking for excuses to cancel the only had a few applications. We'd The adventure activities provided third. Now I'm glad that God got set a minimum number to run the the opportunity to challenge these His way. ni camp and it hadn't been reached. I teens to reach their full potential, thought, This is my opportunity to physically and emotionally. cancel. On Sabbath afternoon we hiked Adrian Raethel is the youth director for the Besides, there was another prob- through some of the most beautiful Victorian Conference.
,July 10, 1999 Off the RECORD flashpoint Did you hear . . . ? Bus puts Mildura church on the road ■ . . About the debate over who was the first woman to be senior elder of a Seventh-day Adventist church in South New Zealand? Illhere has been an over- It wasn't Lorraine Harvey whelming response from the (Flashpoint, April 17) but rather, Mildura, Victoria, community to Ashburton church member the AdCare-Sunraysia bus (see Margaret Cruikshank, says Bill Newsfront, July 18, 1998). Donaldson. More than 4000 people have Ms Cruikshank was head elder at used the bus's services since it Ashburton in 1993. was officially put into operation a year ago. It is used to transport ■ . . . What was said at the "Keep senior citizens and the handi- Our Kids Alive" drug forum in capped, for mobile catering, and to promote health awareness. Sydney on June 19? "Our volunteers are busy keeping up with the demand," says bus drive and No, neither did a lot of others. coordinator Darcy Malycha, "but their enjoyment is very rewarding." More than 60 So, watch the video. people have volunteered to work on the bus project with six coming from other Produced by the Adventist Media churches in the community. Centre, the video is two hours long Pictured are members of the Sunraysia Legacy Laurel Club. Kneeling is Mr and features those who spoke at the Malycha. forum, including Brian Wafters, chair of the National Drug Council. "As awareness increases, drug Aussie graduates with PhD Go Signs Visiting scholar an Adventist use decreases," Graham Stacey (pic- The Greater Sydney Keletso Setlhabi (pic- says forum tured), an Australian, Conference has ordered tured), a Seventh-day organiser became 50,000 Olympic-issue Signs Adventist, has been award- the first of the Times for distribution Margaret student at the games in Sydney, McKay (pic- 4 to com- 2000. The tured with her Briefly plete a full-colour son, David, PhD in 32-page ■ Castlemaine (Vic) who died from clinical mini Signs church member Anne a drug overdose in 1997). "Educate psychol- features Lomas (pictured) has yourselves." ogy from Loma Linda writers recently Phone (02) 9498 8822 for more University (California, from over- been pro- information. USA). He graduated at seas and in moted to Loma Linda on June 13. the South Officer ■ . . . About the evangelist who Dr Stacey's dissertation Pacific Sister in the baptised more people than his was the result of a scien- Division, and focuses on Order of St church had members? tific study examining psy- the theme "Winners and John in Reynold Toa, from Mulakoola, chological contributors to losers." The 32 pages will recognition Vanuatu, baptised 30 at the end of how people deal with be incorporated into a reg- of her years of service to an evangelistic series last year. That stress. "I wanted to add ular issue of Signs early in the organisation. Ms more than doubled the member- research support to the 2000. Youth from the Lomas joined St John in ship. Now they have to find another type of programs we used Greater Sydney Conference 1954 because she want- place to meet. to run at the Warburton plan to give away Signs at ed to see the Queen. Health Resort," says Dr games venues as part of ■ I. . . About the day set aside to Stacey, a former director their outreach. ■ Bundaberg (Qld) celebrate the formation of a confer- of the resort. "And, I church hosted a drug ence? wanted to examine the awareness program The South Queensland relationship between psy- No RECORD, August 7 called Directionz on May Conference has declared October 23 chology and health and The RECORD will not 15. Speakers included as the date for centenary celebra- the the role of values in appear in churches on Angela Wood, whose tions at Toowoomba. The confer- healthful living." Dr August 7. Instead, members daughter Anna's death ence was formed 100 years ago dur- Stacey's next challenge is will receive a complimenta- from the drug ecstasy ing a camp-meeting conducted at to "find a place to com- ry copy of Signs of the was highly publicised a Toowoomba. bine my interest in ethics, Times. August is Signs cam- few years ago. religion and psychology." paign month. I
July 10, 1 999 Off the RECORD flashpoint
ed a place in the visiting Did you hear . . . ? scholars program "National museums, negotiating his- Health course released ■ . . . About the phone call that tories" at the Australian made a sale for a literature evange- National University's Centre new health course has list? for Cross- A been released by the Phil Sutton was presenting the Cultural Adventist Discovery medical books to a couple and was Research. Centre. A joint venture of about to give the price when the Ms the Discovery Centre and phone rang. While the husband was Setlhabi, the Sanitarium Health on the phone, Phil continued with who Food Company, it is avail- his comments and the husband works at able as a correspondence returned in time to hear the price. "I the course, or it can be pur- was talking to my mate and told him National Museum in chased for personal use. you were selling Dr Wright's books." Botswana, is studying at Experts in various His friend had said, "We've just Deakin University in health-related areas have bought those and they're fantastic." Victoria. written the 12 booklets. The couple bought the books. The topics give a balanced whole- presentation for a healthy ness, as well as presenting •U. . . About one of the RECORD edi- World church lifestyle, touching on the current information on tors who is about to have a book physical, mental, social nutrition and health published by the Review and Court rejects school battle and spiritual aspects of research. Herald early in The European Court of 2000? Human Rights in the case Lee of Seventh-day Adventist to allow children exemp- The Luxemburg tribunal Dunstan's students from Luxemburg tion from school atten- had stated that "the right manuscript aj put the demands of state dance on Sabbaths (see to education is part of the received a education before the prin- Newsfront, February 6). fundamental rights in a "unanimous ciples of religious free- The European Court in state, and these must be approval" of Strasburg, France, rejected protected, and may Idom. The case, brought the book committee at the publish- by the children's families, the appeal, upholding the restrain the liberty to ing house. His book is the story of appealed for education verdict of the Luxemburg manifest one's religion." the five Adventists from Papua New authorities in Luxemburg administrative tribunal. —ANN Guinea (PNG) who survived more than three months adrift in the Pacific Ocean (Newsfront, January 24, 1998). He was able to interview Catholic document not authenticated the survivors when in PNG last year. hurch members cluding with an urgent letter (dated May 7, 1999) ■ Cshould disregard infor- appeal for money. to Dr Beach that "there is . . . About the young Adventist mation about a purported The rumour of the exis- no reason to think that who is about to take on the world "Special document from tence of the document this statement ['Special with his knowledge of geography? the Vatican," says South came to the attention of document from the David Biehl, an eighth grader Pacific Division secretary the General Conference in Vatican'] is authentic. I do from South Carolina, USA, recently Dr Barry Oliver. "The April this year. not know who has put won the national championship in a I information has not come Inter-church relations this together." National Geographic competition. from the South Pacific director Dr Bert Beach was "While we all have a He will be one of three represent- Division." asked to investigate the concern for discerning the ing the United States in Canada According to Dr Oliver, matter. As a result of those times in which we live and where he will compete against rep- some church members investigations, which were are called to be vigilant as resentatives from other countries.— have received a newsletter exhaustive, religious liberty authentic children of God, ANN describing what is sup- director Dr John Graz stat- the South Pacific Division posed to be a "Special ed that: "There is no evi- advises membership to dis- document from the dence this document regard this rumour," says Church calendar Vatican," listing 10 "objec- exists. It has no origin, no Dr Oliver. "There is no tives" for "the evangelisa- signature, no date of issue, evidence of authenticity, • July 24 Union Institutions Offering tion of Seventh-day no name." and it should not be dis- Adventists by the Roman Pierre Duprey, secretary seminated in our churches • August 7 Signs of the Times Catholic Church" and con- at the Vatican, stated in a or anywhere else." Rally Day I
Ju ly 10, 1999 feature HOW ADRA SAVED AUSTRALIA b y G a r y Christian
a curious transforming appreciation of tpower in a natural disaster; at people affected least that has been my discovery by Australian oover the first six months of 1999. disasters Loren Pratt, mild-mannered pastor inevitably finds its of the Innisfail church and recent focal point on the distributor of $A15,000 worth of pastors and church Adventist Development and Relief members who Agency (ADRA) disaster relief funds involve them- to Innisfail, Qld, flood victims, was selves in distrib- transformed overnight into a kind of uting the much- Marvel comics super-hero. needed funds. No longer can he walk the streets The beginning of this of his town unrecognised. On his year has been full of disasters. own description, people would fall The South Queensland floods, the at his feet to worship him for the Innisfail-Maryborough floods and the are significantly changed for the assistance he was able to give to Moora floods. ADRA was there. better? people in dire need, but with true Assistance was given to victims of the And just imagine what happens humility he deflected the praise to Exmouth, WA, disaster. The $A9,000 to people's view of Christianity ADRA and the annual Adventist given was much less than flood assis- when they hear that an Adventist Appeal. tance simply because insurance cov- tradesman from Perth built a brand Pastor Frank Williams and wife ers cyclone damage, while flood vic- new designer kitchen for free, Karen are the darlings of Gympie, tims generally have no cover. thousands of dollars worth, for one Qld, after buying stoves, washing In the Sydney Eastern Suburbs of the families most affected by the machines, hot water systems, hailstorm, the AdCare faithful floods. fridges, dryers, furniture, small looked after the accommodation I met the woman who will kitchen appliances, floor coverings, needs of displaced families as well receive the kitchen when I visited microwaves and water pumps for as 150 interstate volunteers. Moora after the flood. She was dis- flood victims in Gympie from the These are significant interventions. traught, overwhelmed and con- $A30,000 allocation of ADRA and And they change people's percep- stantly fighting off tears when we Adventist Appeal funds. tions about Christianity and the ser- looked at her place. One generous Even Pastor David Price, Ad Care vice orientation it entails. Here's a Christian has dramatically bright- Director for the Western Australian letter to Frank and Karen Williams: ened up her life. Conference can tread the streets of "Just a note to thank you and Moora, the town north of Perth that your church for calling on us and Lessons Learned was given $A50,000 flood relief for recovering our floors, due to What should we learn from all of funds by ADRA in April, and warm that awful flood. One really good this? I don't know if you have to the adulation that is so foreign to thing about it was meeting such noticed it, but at the moment there the rank and file church administra- wonderful people such as you are. I seems to be a growing community tor. just wanted to let you know we appreciation of Christian service. This is the power of Christian ser- really appreciate what you did for Christianity is, after all, about gen- vice and generosity, embodied by us. If you have any time to spare erosity, giving and sacrifice. It's Adventists who faithfully give to the please call and have a chat. It is so sobering, too, that there are many annual Disaster Relief Offering, and nice talking to you." volunteers who work with the State who collect for the Adventist Can there be any doubt whether Emergency Services (SES), many of Appeal each year. The grateful perceptions of Adventist Christians whom have no Christian commit-
n 1 0 0 0 feature
ment, who shine brighter in terms tion can cover Australia like with good leadership is often des- of sacrificial giving than many nobody else. We have a map of perately needed. The work isn't Christians. This is a sobering fact. Australia on a computer here, with pretty—shovelling mud, pulling up At ADRA, we take seriously the a pushpin marking every church in carpet, loading trucks with refuse— ethic of Jesus, of Christian service. Australia. It's amazing how much but there would be the satisfaction The disasters of the past few of Australia we cover. of helping people at their point of months are prompting some new The Salvation Army, so recog- need. directions. nised for its disaster relief, is a We will try to pull this idea church only one-third the size of together and work with the Youth New Disaster Relief Directions ours, with not as many people on Department in your conference. Liz There are two directions that we the ground or the geographical Robertson, an ADRA volunteer, has at ADRA think we should go. spread. Red Cross, the other major already designed the T-shirts with 1. When any natural disaster disaster agency, has representatives the words "Caution: ADRA at Work" happens in Australia, we need to in the large regional centres, but emblazoned across the back. be on the 6 o'clock news that night not in the remote country areas Yes, there is a curious transform- advertising an appeal for that disas- where we often have churches. ing power in a natural disaster. I ter. We want to call it the "ADRA Many small towns, for instance, recently spent many hours on the 100-per-cent-Goes Disaster Fund" have an Anglican church, but it has phones at Randwick Racecourse, to let people know that we won't few members in these towns and finding motel accommodation for be stashing large percentages to not much of a central communica- people whose tarpaulins were cover inflated administration costs. tion infrastructure. There is so blown away in the Eastern Suburbs ADRA already has a 100-per- much good we could do. of Sydney post-hailstorm squalls, cent-goes policy, which was recog- 2. Adventist young people, aged and whose ceilings were falling on nised recently by a Business 16-30, are hugely mobile. One of top of them. Review Weekly study of charities the major needs in any disaster is One evening, as I walked out of (October 19, 1998). The value of for temporary SWAT-style squads the disaster recovery centre, I this is that ADRA can become a to do the inevitable hack-work of stopped for a moment. I noticed household word overnight, and any disaster situation. I have spo- that my stride was bigger than people should find giving through ken to the SES and their eyes posi- usual, my step more confident. A an organisation that is itself sacrifi- tively light up at the suggestion of hero lurking within? A legendary cial attractive. a coordinated group of young peo- performance? Why not? IN Using the model established by ple giving them Sundays. Pastors Pratt and Williams, using Often they have individuals vol- local church people and ministers unteer, but they are difficult to Gary Christian is the director for program in time of disaster, our denomina- coordinate. A committed group support for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency-Australia.
Should the Vatican be a state?
The Holy See—that is, the pope and central adminis- organisations includes various bodies that promote free- tration of the Roman Catholic Church—has long dom of choice, reproductive rights, gender equality, asked to be recognised as a state. It has established health and population issues. Some of these bodies repre- diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries. sent dissident voices in Catholic ranks. In fact, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 went so far as Few would quarrel with the right of the Catholic to grant the Papal ambassadors (nuncios) to the various Church to speak out and defend its policies—opposing countries the rank of deans of their respective diplomat- abortion, most family planning and aspects of gender ic corps. The Holy See even has special status at the equality. The issue being increasingly raised is whether United Nations as a permanent observer non-member one church should be granted the privilege to sit with state. governments and help decide government policies affect- Other churches, insofar as they are recognised by the ing the lives of people everywhere. United Nations, have the status of a non-governmental A much more appropriate place for the Vatican would organisation (NGO). be to sit with the other NGOs representing Christian More recently an international coalition of some 70 churches and various world religions, rather than claim non-governmental organisations has started an effort to governmental status based on artificially interpreted have the Holy See (or Vatican) removed from its privi- criteria. Bert B Beach, director of interchurch relations, leged and exclusive status as a church headquarters General Conference. Adapted, with permission, from recognised as a state by the UN. The list of opposed Adventist Review
fuly 10, 1999 feature THE BALKANS AND US by John Denne
ovi Sad, Nis, Belgrade, world because she was punished for the same ADRA that is on the inside Skopje. I've had the privilege being in the north of the land where helping those who are still in Kosovo, of lecturing at each of them. "ethnic cleansing" was being exer- and those in other places inside nMost of us who live outside the cised in the south. Homes have been Yugoslavia. ADRA dispenses millions Balkans couldn't have placed their bombed there, as has the bridge that of dollars of aid to assist both those location on a map until a few weeks carried the cities main water supply. on the inside and the outside who ago when they began to be turned A friend of mine in Yugoslavia, have been turned inside-out. inside out. I couldn't have located Miodrag Zivanovic said during the This is love. them either, until I worked on the conflict, "There is no water, no elec- inside. tricity, no gas, no jobs, no income, What is right? less and less food on the market. It was not right in 1995 when, 1995 People are facing an imminent and within four days, some Croatians In 1995 I lectured in Novi Sad severe famine. People eat what in drove out 150,000 Serbs to when there were hundreds of thou- normal circumstances would not be Yugoslavia. And it is not right what sands of refugees inside Yugoslavia. food fit for human consumption. The some Serbs have done. The war- It was pitiful to see them travel in the whole system which supports every- crimes tribunal in The Hague will snow, some with everything they day life is in collapse." never right the wrongs of either 1995 owned in a horse-drawn, covered It was tough on the inside. or 1999. wagon. Some had no covered wagon Yet, in spite of this, another friend What is right is that, in spite of the at all, they only had what they stood of mine, Radivoj Vladisavljevic report- hatred, there are an incredible num- up in. ed that "God is bringing eternal good ber of people who still love and care I I talked with those who had suf- out of the terrible disaster. . . . Many for others. ADRA is one of several fered dreadfully as they fled their are hearing the gospel for the first Christian aid agencies that help us to homes during "ethnic cleansing" in time. Our churches have meetings believe that in the midst of this "hell Croatia. These were wonderful, every day at 5 pm under the theme on earth" there is still a God, and that peaceful people. When I think of `Prayers for Peace.' At 7 pm they have His people genuinely care for others. them I can still feel their warmth, to be back home or in the air-raid Dijana Daka was a pastor from a integrity, pain and love. shelters for another night of bombing, Seventh-day Adventist church in As I look at my photographs I see another night of uncertainty." Djakovica, Kosovo. As a refugee, she that, in spite of incredible trauma, There are those on the outside of fled outside to Albania. She appeared they could still smile. Many were Yugoslavia for whom bombing was on British ITN and said, "I am thank- elderly. Their families had lived in just part of an adrenaline rush. They ful to the Lord for the protection He Croatia for generations, but they lost don't know what it was like for peo- provided during the past six weeks everything when they walked 70 kilo- ple on the inside. of this terrifying ordeal. I have lost metres to safety in Banja Luka. Their In Macedonia, George and Marija everything, except my faith in my homes had been set on fire. Later Trajkovski visited Kosovo families, God. I am so happy to be alive." they were transported to Novi Sad—a refugees, at the Cegrave camp. One A previous UN Secretary-General, haven for the brutally displaced. man shared a tent with his wife and Dag Hammarskjold, was right when The world never knew the name children, his brother, his brother's he said, "When you have nothing left Novi Sad then, nor did it want to wife and their children-10 altogeth- but God, it is then that you know that hear of the pain inside her. Nor did it er. God is enough." want to know of the loving hearts It was very hot, above 39 degrees It's worth remembering that we that received the hungry, homeless Celsius. Inside the tent it was even (and others) often only know that Serbs from Croatia. There was no talk hotter. It was very difficult to survive God cares when He motivates others of an international airlift to the out- there with small children. George and to be His feet and hands and heart side. Serb cared for Serb. And, in Marija are in charge of ADRA and eyes. That's what Jesus calls us to spite of their pain, these refugees (Adventist Development and Relief be. MI expressed a remarkable faith in God. Agency), managing the dispensing of blankets, food etc. Now This is the same ADRA that is feed- John Denne is the pastor of the Glen Innes Now Novi Sad is known to the ing 100,000 refugees in Albania, and church, North New Zealand.
Ju ly 1 0 , 1 999 f ea t u r e
35 years of age or younger? IT'S TIME WANT TO TELL THE CHURCH andid," "candid" and "very abuse in the Adventist home and the candid" is what I've written suffering caused by marriage failure. SOMETHING? through the notes I wrote as I Unfortunately, there are few prac- Here's your chance. read It's Time—or to give it its tical suggestions on living the full title, It's Time to Stop beliefs. From reading the introduc- Rehearsing What We Believe and tion, I expected some "how-tos." Start Looking at What Difference It For example, in writing about sal- Makes. vation by faith in Jesus, Bruinsma This book by Reinder speaks of the complete Bruinsma takes a refreshing assurance to look at the 27 fundamental life now and teachings of the Seventh-day forever that Adventist Church. Dr a Christian Bruinsma begins with a It's Time can have, but sobering story that prompt- he doesn't ed the book. A long-time to Stop suggest ways Adventist, while on his a person could Rehearsi death bed, cheated on his ng receive the sister. What We assurance. To Bruinsma suggests be fair, though, Write a guest editorial for Relieve there could be other the chapters on the RECORD. Adventists who hold to and Start Christian An editorial may be an opinion the truth of the teachings Looking at lifestyle, steward- piece, a devotional or doctrinal of the church, but have ship and the mil- study, a call to the church or a not let these teachings What lennium were variety of other things. Dif change their lives. ference more practical Hint: Read a number of editori-
Dr Bruinsma is a it Makes than I anticipated. als before writing. Dutch pastor who is I was, and I Deadline: September 30, 1999. currently the secretary Reinder Bruinsnia expect others will Length: About 750 words. of the Trans-European be, challenged by The entry judged the best will Division, based north of London. He some of the be published as a guest editorial has worked as a missionary in Africa author's thoughts, but that's what in the RECORD and the writer will and the United States (he says) as Bruinsma seems to aim at—a receive $A100. well as his pastoring, study and rethinking of our beliefs in a world departmental work in his homeland. that needs to see the difference Conditions of entry: 1. The name, address, phone number It's refreshing to have a church before it may want to be a part of and age of the writer must be stated leader from a part of the world other the same kind of thinking. on every editorial submitted. (We may than the United States who deals so If you were to read a chapter a need to phone you for your photo- openly with some of the implications day, you would find something to graph.) of the church's beliefs. His style is think about for the rest of that day. 2. There is no limit to the number of relaxed and conversational. He states Hopefully, thinking about the submissions from any writer. the purpose and style of the book beliefs we hold dear would chal- 3. All editorials must be submitted on two-thirds of the way through on the lenge us to right living, not just hardcopy, A4 and double-spaced (that chapter on the "Gift of Prophecy": "I right thinking. II makes it easier to pass on to the hope it has become clear that I try to iitclges). 4. Only entries postmarked on or before be honest and intend to stay away September 30, 1999, will be accepted. It's Time, Reinder Bruinsma, a Sycamore from mere pious cliches." 5. All unsuccessful submissions will Tree Book from Pacific Press Publishing While dealing with doctrinal also be considered as articles for the Association, Nampa, Idaho, USA, 1998, beliefs, he isn't afraid to deal with RECORD and, if published, the writers paperback,159 pages. Book of the Month current issues that affect people in will receive the normal payment for price $A 18.95, $NZ25.50, K23.50. everyday life—as the title suggests. publication. Available from Adventist Book Centres. 6. The judges decision is final. In the chapter on marriage he Reviewed by Glenn Townend, Victoria. openly speaks of violence and
July 10, 1999 n e w s f r o n t NEW SPIRIT BUILDS IN VANUATU he influence of independent economy meant some Tministries in the Vanuatu parents could not pay their Mission is diminishing. school fees. As a result, Independent ministries aren't some school boards are growing," says mission president now responsible for their Pastor Nos Mailalong. "Their mem- own staffing, funding and bers are either backsliders or dis- administration.
gruntled members who join to fight "We're always finan- back at the church. They're not win- cially challenged," says ning new members from outside the Pastor Mailalong. "At one B Stacey
church." stage, the church was : Pastor Mailalong—the first Ni operating more than 40 tos Vanuatu to serve as mission presi- primary schools in the Pho country. Now we oper- dent since the Seventh-day Adventist Students at the Seventh-day Adventist primary school in Port Church began in Vanuatu in 1912 ate nine." Vila. (he is also one of the youngest)— "Handing responsibili- The church has a long history of education work in says church members are realising ty to the boards works Vanuatu—Aore Adventist Academy opened in 1927. "Since the real nature of the independents. to a certain extent," then, it's also been our mission endeavour," says mission sec- "I visited the village of the inde- reports Pastor Larsen. retary Pastor Bob Larsen. "We've had a lot of young people pendent ministries' leader Arnold "But the downside is the pass through our education system. Some of them are now Maseng recently," says Pastor schools don't receive the working in the private sector and in government departments. Mailalong, "and the villagers have same resources our The deputy prime minister is a Seventh-day Adventist." taken a stand against him. They church schools do." I haven't allowed him to enter the When a Seventh-day Adventist pri- from the South Pacific Division, the local Adventist church building." mary school closes, parents send mission is building a new high Mission secretary their children to school on 4.5 hectares of land near Pastor Bob Larsen the closest govern- the centre of the Vanuatu capital. adds, "Last month, ment school—the "Educated people come to Vila, and Arnold and I had a education is free. they want their children to get a fairly intense discus- Aore Adventist good education," says Pastor Larsen. sion outside the mis- Academy opened "We believe the school will pay its sion office, but we in 1927 and "is own way." parted on good recognised as terms. I said, 'Come being an integral back at any time. part of our mis- Bob Larsen on ... I'm happy to discuss sion, but it has its Vanuatu Mission president Pastor Nos these things.- Mailalong ("It's a demanding responsibil- own struggles," ity. I have to sacrifice a lot of my family says Pastor Larsen, Tithe giving Education system time.") and secretary Pastor Bob Larsen "and those strug- "While things are tight, we're tests mission ("Working with ministers keeps me in gles sometimes not in the embarrassing situation In the past, the touch. If the job was purely shuffling overshadow the of having to drop ministers or state of Vanuatu's paper, I couldn't stand it. '9. positive things close institutions." Aore does. It has always provided a quality secondary Reporting challenges education. Most of our mission "I was looking through the pre- Vanuatu in 1998 workers were at one time students vious statistics for our mission, at the academy." and in the past 10 years we had- • Church members: 13,253 But "Aore poses a great challenge n't had anyone die!" • Baptisms: 665 to the mission," says Pastor • Churches, hand churches and Mailalong. Youth ministry companies: 138 A challenge of a different kind is "The youth aren't hard to reach, • Ministers: 33 about to begin in Port Vila. they're hard to motivate." Thanks to a $5 million vatu loan