GleaeAPRIL 5, 19 71 NORTH PACIFIC UNION CONFERENCE
)1(GEORGE E VANDEMAN DOOMSDAY
the new Decision Pak see page 2 These days we're adding new words to our dictionaries at a furious pace. In the world of science and technology there's lunar module, computer software and eight-track stereo. The tense international situation has given us such words as brinkmanship and Vietnam ization. Changing social and political conditions give us such terms as Black Panther, Bircher, acid rock and hippie.
And on the witnessing front? Here are some up-to-date terms for you: Laymen's Year and Decision Pak.
What, pray tell, is a "Decision Pak"? It's a brand-new "pak" of four inexpensive paperbound books, each a jewel in its field. The titles are: / Want To Be Free; The Magnificent Seventh; Look, No Doomsday; and Man, What A God.
A. Graham Maxwell, chairman of the Loma Linda University religion department, is the author of / Want To Be Free. He shows how a right relationship to God, with an understanding of and glad compliance with His law, does not enslave a man, but actually makes him free. The author gives us a clear explanation of God's will, as expressed in the Ten Commandments, with a friendly approach which accentuates the positive. Human beings want to be free, and this book shows the way.
In The Magnificent Seventh, Kenneth Holland, editor of These Times magazine, gives us a fresh new approach to the seventh-day Sabbath doctrine. The Sabbath, he says, is an oasis in the desert of time. His is not a legalistic aspect of Sabbathkeeping. Rather, he shows us the privilege of entering into a special relationship with God and receiving strength and blessing from it.
Elder George Vandeman, well-known television evangelist, gives the world a badly needed message of hope in his latest book, Look, No Doomsday. In his highly personal style, he has written such chapters as "Struck by Lightning," "The Smoldering East,- -Not Without Warning," and "Escape Into Space." This booklet contains the message the world needs so desperately—not a message of doom, but of hope and sure salvation through "escape into space" with Jesus Christ. The innovative cover design of this paperback suggests that through Christ we are approaching, not the end, but a brand-new beginning.
Finally, Mervyn Maxwell, professor of church history at the Theological Seminary, has written Man, What A God! He tells us about the wonderful God that we have. In five brief chapters he tells us that God is greater than our greatest need, that He is present with us everywhere, that He is Someone we can trust.
These four paperbacks, which you can buy for just $1.00 for the whole "pak," make an excellent way to share your faith with friends, neighbors, business associates, young people—almost anyone. They are written, not just for devout Christians of other denominations, but also for secular-minded people who have little knowledge of God or the Bible.
Why not sit down right now and make a list of those whom you want to win, then lay plans to put one or more of these four "decision pak" books in their hands? The results of this simple plan may well stretch into eternity!
GLEANER April 5 1971 page 2 O GlealieC news 13 InCriT Official organ of the North Pacific Union Adventist States Position Churches Push Aside Elderly Conference of Seventh-day Adventists On Family Planning For Youth, Consultant Charges 10225 E. Burnside Box 16677, Portland, Oregon 97216 WASHINGTON, D.C.—An editor of ATLANTA.—Older people are 255-7300 (Area 503) the Seventh-day Adventists' general being pushed aside by American church paper has declared that parents churches in their zeal to win young April 5,1971 have no right to bring children into the people, a consultant for two retire- Volume 66 Number 7 world to be a burden to others. ment groups has contended. Mrs. Ester Editor Cecil Coffey Stamates is a consultant to churches Janice Erntson Herbert Douglass responded to Assistant Editor and religious organizations for the Copy Editor Helen W. Cross questions from many readers caught up in the discussion of population American Association of Retired Contributing Editors: J. C. Hansen explosion. He reached back to the Persons and the National Retired Alaska; C. H. Hamel, Idaho; G. e. Teachers Association. Mrs. Stamates Williamson, Montana; D. G. Matthews, 1800's when church officials first gave Tom Calkins, Oregon; R. E. Eckerman, counsel on family relationships. said churches are doing little to utilize the time and talents of older members. Upper Columbia; Don Blehm, Wash- The editor says there is no divine ington; Laurice Armstrong, Walla Walla Many older people feel rejected, she command compelling parents to College. said, by the very churches they helped produce children as fast as nature will Layout Ronald L. Kwiek allow, but much to the contrary. build. Production Manager John D. Wohlers Douglass pointed out that criteria for Printer College Press Regulation Would Protect prospective parents includes the mother's health and the father's Sabbatarian Employees financial standing. The editor stated WASHINGTON, D.C.—Contractors Contents that the size of family should vary and subcontractors who provide work according to the resources of affection or supplies for the U.S. government What Is a 'Decision Pak'? 2 and material sustenance that will Union Session Reelects Walde 4 may be required to permit all their guarantee each child the love, time and employees to observe their Sabbath Youth Observers' Observations 7 support he deserves for health and The Sky Is the Limit 10 and religious holidays. This will be happiness. Quest for Relevance 12 true if a new regulation filed in General News 14 The Adventist church has taken no Washington, D.C., is put into force. Future vents 24 position on methods of birth control. Observers say there is little doubt that News of the Conferences 26 the regulation will become effective. It Classified Advertisements 32 is designed mainly to protect Jews and Witchcraft Now Youth Problem Seventh-day Adventists. Others it According to Baptist Clergyman would protect include Moslems and small Christian groups such as Seventh- Notice to Contributors FORT WORTH.—The practice of day Baptists. All material submitted for publica- witchcraft is more prevalent than drug In most of these cases the Sabbath tion by individuals or organizations must abuse among youth in some parts of begins at sundown on Friday and be channeled through the appropriate contributing editor listed on this page. America, according to a Baptist continues for 24 hours until sundown Editorial and classified matter originat- minister from New York City. The on Saturday, according to Old Test- ing outside the North Pacific Union Con- clergyman said that more than 65 ament guides. The proposed rule ference must be submitted through a percent of American youth have either would augment a five-year-old exec- denominational recognized entity of experimented with drugs or are on utive order barring discrimination on - organization. drugs. But he stated that in the city of the basis of race, color, religion, sex or New York witchcraft is even more national origin by employers holding When Your Address Changes prevalent. He knew of mediums, he federal contracts or subcontracting for Send your new address with zip code said, who are 12 and 13 years old. The such contractors. The regulation number to North Pacific Union minister charged, "Most of our pulpits would affect all employees of a firm GLEANER, College Press, College Place, are cowards' castles. A lot of our doing work for the government even if Washington 99324. Include your name and old address as it appeared on pre- pastors are totally irrelevant to the real their own jobs are not connected with vious issues (if possible, send address problems of youth." a government contract. label). Allow four weeks for change to become effective. Second class postage paid at College In This Issue Place, Washington. Published semi- monthly at the College Press. Subscrip- Larry Canaday ("Union Session Reelects Walde") photographed the recent North tion price $4.00 per year. Pacific Union Conference quadrennial session. He is important to the GLEANER for another reason; he is production editor ... Richard Utt ("What Is a 'Decision Pak'?") is head book editor at Pacific Press Publishing Association ... One of the youth observers at the Union Conference Session was Lonny Lasher, ("Youth POSTMASTERS: Send Form 3579 Observers' Observations") editor of the Walla Walla College COLLEGIAN ... to North Pacific Union GLEANER, Col- Victor Fullerton ("The Sky Is the Limit") is associate secretary of the Department lege Press, College Place, Washington of Education, North Pacific Union Conference .. . Oliver Jacques ("Quest for 99324. CP15700 Relevance") is director of university relations, Loma Linda University.
GLEANER April 5 1971 page 3
Union Session Reelects
Walde More than 600 Seventh-day Adventist administrators, lay leaders and pastors from five states of the Northwest convened at Walla Walla College last month for five days of business conferences and seminars. This was the 13th Quadrennial Session of the North Pacific Union Confer- ence. Elders Pierson, Walde and Wilson examine Conferences represented by dele- the printed program just before the first gates were Washington, Oregon, Idaho, meeting. Montana, Upper Columbia and Alaska. Reelected as president of the secretary, Publishing Department; North Pacific Union Conference was T. M. Ashlock, secretary, Sabbath E. R. Walde. Also reelected were M. School and Religious Liberty Depart- C. Torkelsen, secretary, and L. W. ments; W. L. Massengill, secretary, Crooker, treasurer. Stewardship and Trust Departments; New terms of five years, a General and G. D. Brass, secretary, Youth Conference recommendation, were Activities and Temperance Depart- included in all elective positions. ments. L. W. Crooker was assigned Others returned to office were responsibility as secretary for the W. E. Wasenmiller, auditor, and Association of Privately Owned J. W. Griffin, associate auditor; Services and Institutions (ASI). T. W. Walters, secretary, Department In addition to the officers and of Education, and associates, V. H. departmental leaders elected, the fol- Fullerton and Elaine Schander; J. J. lowing were named to the executive Costa, director of Institutional Ser- committee: vices; D. E. Caslow, secretary, Depart- Conference presidents; M. J. Blair, ments of Lay Activities, Radio-TV and administrator of Portland Adventist Health; Cecil Coffey, secretary, Public Hospital; C. J. Nagele, Pendleton, Photography by Larry Canaday Relations Department; C. P. Lampson, Oregon, president of Harris Pine Mills;
A moment of prayer preceded the speakers' mounting the platform.
GLEANER April 5 1971 page 4 Elder Pierson told the delegates and guests that one aim of the church should be to "establish a presence in every country." He suggested that the time has come to do some reorganizing of the church structure and he said a commission is currently giving this topic an in-depth study. He challenged Adventists of the Northwest to play an active role in the denomination's announced goal of adding at least one million new members within the next five years. "We must never be satisfied with the past," he said. "The challenge of the future is too great for that. This is the day when God is expecting more of us, and He will give more to us."
Elder Pierson admonished the Most delegates were registered by opening ministers, administrators and lay session. leaders present to "lift up Jesus before
A call for revival and reformation
The opening session began with a theme song. Elder Walde under- scores a point in his A. L. Paulson, Springfield, Oregon, both the world and our church report. nursing home administrator; R. L. members." Reynolds, president of Walla Walla He said, too, that "we must not College; A. M. Running, Mountain lose our vision of a worldwide, View, California, associate manager, finished task." Pacific Press Book Department; Stan- Attending and participating in the ley Wilkinson, M. D., Yakima, Wash- sessions, in addition to Elder Pierson, ington, general practitioner; H. were these General Conference repre- Douglas Miller, D. D. S., Enterprise, sentatives: Neal C. Wilson, vice presi- Oregon; Earl Reynolds, Seattle, Wash- dent for North America; Lowell Bock, ington, Boeing Aircraft; R. S. Hamil- secretary for North America; Mike ton, M.D., Conrad, Montana; N. A. Stevenson, associate MV secretary; N. Lindsay, Seattle, pastor of Spruce R. Dower, Ministerial Association Lowell Bock makes Street Church; and John Todorovich, secretary; and Kenneth Wood, editor a point. Portland, pastor of Mt. Tabor Church. of the Review and Herald. Dr. W. H. Shephard, who has been In other actions, the delegates serving as secretary of the ASI and approved several changes in the Religious Liberty Departments, wording of constitutions and bylaws; announced plans to retire and did not enlarged both the union conference stand for reelection. Elders Walde, executive committee and the Walla Wilson and Crooker participated in Walla College board (adding more lay- publicly recognizing the long and pro- men to both of these); and adopted ductive service by Dr. Shephard. the following "resolution of grati- Keynoting the session was Robert tude": H. Pierson, president of the General "Whereas, our Heavenly Father has Conference. seen fit to reveal through His servants
GLEANER April 5 1971 page 5 at this session a new depth of His grace for those called to witness to the last generation, and "Whereas, we have been impressed by His spirit that our work must be done with more urgency because the time is short, and that our dedication to the task must be clothed in Christ's righteousness, "Be it resolved, that we express gratitude to God for the clear message of the hour and for the response we find in our hearts; that we pledge to our Heavenly Father a total commit- ment to His cause; that without reserve we accept anew the love prof- fered to us at Calvary so that our witnessing may be done totally in the strength of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ." c. Following the business session were The Oregon Conference Ministers' Chorus was directed by Wesley Rhodes. three days devoted to seminars and workshops for ministers and office secretaries. Both sections were under the direction of Walla Walla College faculty and staff. Some of these activities are among those pictured on these pages. More detailed reports will appear later in various forms. Said Elder Walde at the close of the session: Elder and Mrs. T. K. Ludgate, "This has been a good session, and veteran missionaries and college staff members, showed an intense its deep spiritual emphasis and prac- interest in the proceedings. tical content will be a strength to God's work in time to come."
N. A. Lindsay was elected Observation to the executive com- mittee.
The vote is taken.
GLEANER April 5 1971 page 6 youth observers went to the special committee to watch it pick members of the standing committees. This writer went to that meeting along with Dan Lamberton, a senior pre-law major from Brewster, Wash. The committee made a special effort to give all levels of the church a voice on the standing committees. On the nominating committee, for example, each conference received representa- tion in accordance with its size. Pastors, departmental leaders, litera- Youth observers not only learned a great deal about their church; they gave a great deal to ture evangelists, a woman and a the session by being present. member of a minority racial group were all seated along with representa- tives of other special interest groups. the North Pacific Union Conference Monday morning, three observers— constituency meeting was a combina- Alan King, a sophomore theology Youth tion of this program to involve youth major from Bozeman, Montana; Ned in the church and young people's Lindsay, a freshman biology major Observers' desire to become involved with the from Seattle; and Dennis Wysong, a church. junior theology major from Brewster, When the possibility of attending Wash.—attended the nominating com- Observations the constituency sessions was mittee. They stayed long enough to By Lon Lasher mentioned in discussions between see the committee agree on nominees Associated Students of Walla Walla for Union conference president, secre- Youth observers first came on the College officers and Robert L. tary and treasurer. Seventh-day Adventist church scene at Reynolds, president of WWC, Many delegates welcomed exercise after a the General Conference session last Reynolds promised to ask for permis- day of sitting. summer in Atlantic City, N.J. Initiated sion to let youth observers attend. by Neal Wilson, vice president for the That permission was granted and ▪ North American Division, the program ASWWC officers named 10 observers. allowed a youth observer from each Most observers went to the meet- North American Union Conference to ings. Not all were able to go, however, attend business meetings, some com- because of classes and because tests mittee meetings and in general observe came the next week. the world church in session. Although Those that did attend found much opposed at first, it proved so success- of interest. ▪ ful that it's now being tried at the After Sunday evening's meeting, Union conference level and may soon observers joined conference caucuses become a reality in the local confer- and watched them choose three dele- ences. gates from each conference to sit on The naming of youth observers to the special committee. Then, two question. Some items seemed unknown to the delegates until read from the chair and a vote called for. Such actions prompted one observ- I er to question the necessity of the meetings. "Everything went so fast," says 11111. Dan Meidinger, a junior theology major from Moses Lake, Wash. "Most things were really decided before coming to the floor. I realize it's prob- One day there was a banquet. ably necessary to work this way because of the many items and the "Some people were distressed that shortness of time, but I wish there was they stayed that long," said Neal more discussion. Except for formality, Wilson, who attended the constituency there doesn't seem much need for the meetings. "But it was good that they meetings." did." Observers noted a strong common 4 Youth observers were most inter- interest also. Few delegates questioned The banquet was one of the meals which were served twice daily, in mid-morning and ested in methods of procedure. These the goals or methods suggested by the mid-afternoon. were different from those they were chair. They were mainly concerned used to. In student organizations, for with how best to reach those goals. example, the subject is debated and When the matter of a woman on the decided upon in the general meeting. nominating committee was men- Committees are formed only if further tioned, for example, discussion con- study is needed. cerned finding a woman who was a In contrast, observers noted, most voting delegate, not whether there of the power in constituency meetings should be a woman on the committee. came from the chair. The general Although there was almost no assembly served to ratify committee dissent, there was provision for it. And reports and suggestions from the chair. that may be why. Because of the This observer attended all general multi-level representation on the meetings at which reports were given. committees, all areas of the church All passed with no dissent and little could speak out if necessary.
One more spoonful?
GLEANER April 5 1971 page 8 7
Photo by Ron Kwiek The secretaries came from their workshops pleased with what they had learned.
A point well taken
MIL Photo by Ron Kwiek The youth observers liked the meet- hearts. But when they saw that young ings, but are hesitant about being people are willing to take responsi- voting delegates on the Union level. bility, they backed the program. "There are just some areas we don't "But I'm not entirely satisfied with know about," says Ned Lindsay. the youth observer program. That isn't "There isn't much sense of our trying what we should aim at. I hope to see to discuss things in those areas." young people involved on the confer- Alan King echoes this feeling. "The ence level. I also hope to see youth election of Union officials doesn't con- delegates on Union committees. cern me very much because I don't Young people need to be delegates work with them all the time. I'd be with full voting rights," Wilson said. interested in a conference session, The youth observer program isn't though. I know more about what's the end of youth involvement with the happening at that level." church. Even though both sides got Despite this feeling, the observers their desire fulfilled, this isn't the end, felt the experience worth their time. it's just the beginning. Eyes opened on "It was interesting to see how the both sides. Youth found the church church works," says Alan. "It re- doesn't want to exclude them from its affirmed my faith in the church." workings and the church found that Dan Lamberton was impressed by youth want to be included. Where it the effort the special committee made goes from there depends upon those to see that each area of the church was involved. represented. "A person needs to see something like this when he hears doubt that the church is willing to recognize all areas," he says. When Wilson was at the consti- tuency meetings, he talked with this writer about the youth observer pro- gram. "When I first mentioned it for the General Conference meetings," he said, "there were some with faint
GLEANER April 5 1971 page 9
s I / Ma • 14 •
`THE SKY
Auburn chemistry students in study groups.
fter operating Seventh-day Adventist schools for nearly 40 years, this denomination printed the A book Education, by Ellen G. White. Its first penetrating line announced, "Our ideas of education take too narrow and low a range." Speaking of the student, she said, "Except by his own choice, there is no limit to the possibilities of his development." A decade later, in 1913, Seventh-day Adventist educators were again challenged with this broad objective, "I am instructed that we are to THE carry the minds of our students higher than is now thought possible." Only dimly do we, even today, realize the full impact of these startling words. Educators, whose minds are accustomed to maximums and minimums as far as potential is concerned and confine themselves to grading systems that imply perfect, satisfactory or unsatisfactory, find it difficult to comprehend the full implication of such statements as this, "There is no limit to the useful- ness of one who, putting self aside, makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart, and lives a life wholly consecrated to God." In a very real sense the only required condition for LIMIT' learning is birth. Everyone who lives, learns, and the closer one lives to God the more one learns. This broad range view of education was late blooming and slow in developing. Educators were more comfortable when learning was thought of in more limited terms. For example, time was when it was thought that children would learn only what adults wanted them to learn, but By V. H. Fullerton children, like adults the world over, learn wherever and
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