March 1. 1997 v.) co z U) RECOR
AWR Volunteer in Costa Rica 11
Family Spends 100 Years at School n,off and Marie Gambrill's family relationship with Avondale High and Primary Schools has lasted %Al 100 years. Geoff's grandfather, Theodore Gambrill, supported Ellen White in her desire for a primary school to be built simultaneously with Avondale College. Theodore's children, Edwin and Pearl Gambrill, were among the first students to enrol. Marie's grandfather, Henry Thomson, helped build Bethel Hall and other buildings on the college property. Henry Thompson's children, Keith, Bruce and Gray were also among the early primary Growth From school students. While Geoff himself was never a student at either school, Marie attended both Avondale Primary Tragedy-8 and Avondale High School before attending Avondale College. She graduated from the teaching course. Their four boys, Grant, Greg, Murray and Brett were all educated at the two Avondale schools. In turn, Grant and Greg's children have continued the tradition: Edward attends Avondale High School while their other children, Lee-Rae, Joshua and Jordan are in the primary school. Thousands All former teachers, students and friends of Avondale High and Primary Schools are invited to join the Gambrills at the Avondale Schools Centennial celebration, March 28-30. Baptised in Pictured are (front row, left to right): Grant, Greg and Murray Gambrill, and (back row) Jordan, II Mexico-11 Joshua, Marie, Geoff, Brett, Edward and Lee-Rae Gambrill. EDITORIAL Two Principles to Worship By
rary alternative, sometimes called a "seek- centre stage rather than offset by the ccording er service," aimed at the unchurched of the altar, was one. Another was to present Ao a community. Camp-meetings, a bastion of the service in the vernacular, in order to Herald-Sun traditional and conservative church cul- give it meaning. Sunday news ture, have also included elements of con- But the style could have been anything report by John temporary worship style. they chose. It certainly wasn't styled after Ferguson, the Readers' letters to Record on the sub- that of the New Testament church, which Church of Eng- ject (we haven't printed them all) demon- was to worship in small groups in the land, in Great strate that this is an issue that needs to be homes of believers. Britain at least, is addressed. The issue is multifarious and, One cannot appeal to biblical models of in trouble. And only a million Britons vis- as is obvious from the tone of letters, emo- worship to support an argument about ited a Church of England church during tional as well. But is that all it is? style, only to biblical principles. . 1995, the last year for which figures are Is it an Adventist version of the Church At their basis, they are two: first, we available. The same report revealed that of England reforms that will eventually are to "worship in spirit," that is, with more than half a million adherents had lead to the alienation of Adventist heart- our heart right and in the right place. left the church during the previous 20 land? As with the the Church of England, "This people draweth nigh unto me with years. So a headline announcing that the our church might see people leaving in their mouth, and honoureth me with their "Church struggles to keep the faith" is search of less alienating alternatives. lips; but their heart is far from me" hardly an exaggeration. While worship style is an issue, my (Matthew 15:8). What made things really disappointing Second, we are worship "in truth," for the church was, that for half of that "This people ... honoureth which is to worship according to God's time, it had sponsored a program called me with their lips; but their Word or instruction—on the right day, for the "Decade of Evangelism." This was a heart is far from me." example, and not to idols. One of the program that endeavoured to present "a warnings Christ gave about worship is more liberal outlook . . . covering such feeling is that the real issue is more sub- that many of His professed believers I core issues as women priests and homo- stantive—and subterranean. To me the would do it according to the "command- sexuality," he said. It's an irony that the real issue isn't so much the metamorpho- ments of men" rather than according to 10-year makeover of the church, designed sis of worship style as the metamorphosis those of God. Is it possible that, by insist- to gain people, might have somehow con- of worshippers' hearts that is the point. ing on a particular style of worship, we tributed to their exodus. Our worship style is a legacy of the become the objects of this admonition? Other churches, including the Catholic grand-daughter churches of the Reform- What really counts in bringing accept- Church in Britain, have suffered similar ation. The worship style of the Reform- able worship to God? The right preparation declines. In Australia and New Zealand, ation church came about through a change of heart and mind. Outward style needs despite the raising of new Adventist of heart of those who believed in their always to take a back seat to heart content. churches, there's a suspicion that atten- church—and believed so strongly they What God desires from us is not our well- dance (although not actual membership) gave their lives for it. But their style of intentioned words and actions, but genuine is likewise declining. worship, just so long as it didn't resemble and loving obedience to His Word. Some of our churches have attempted to that of the Catholic Church, was largely Any artificial or superficial worship address the loss through overhauling their irrelevant. stimulants won't permanently halt the worship service style, contemporising it, There were some style constructs that congregation drain. What will is worship to give it a broader appeal, especially to were essential to the worship architec- that uplifts and inspires, and that adheres younger people. Others, while maintaining ture. For example, the placing of the to truth, no matter what its format. a more traditional style, offer a contempo- preacher or, more accurately, the Word, Lee Dunstan
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