CONTENTS the General Session in Indianapolis
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We recently reviewed our records to determine the number of President’s Message churches that we had in Indiana in 1990, the year we first hosted “Morning by CONTENTS the General Session in Indianapolis. The membership reports morning, as the President’s Message: showed that there were 69 churches. Today, thirty years later, Mission Possible MISSION POSSIBLE we have 70 churches which means that we have seen a net heralds of the 2 Vic Van Schaik growth of one church in the last 30 years! Clearly, much work remains to be done. gospel kneel before Treasury Report 6 Mark Eaton hat an exciting time to be in Indiana right now! There In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commanded us to “go and make the Lord and W are a lot of things happening across our field. The major disciples of all the nations, baptizing in the name of the Father, renew their vows Ministerial Report focus of our conference for the last couple of years has been Son and Holy Spirit.” The commission of Christ must have been Harvey Kornegay 8 preparing for what will take place next summer. As you may overwhelming to the twelve disciples, as they were only a of consecration to st Secretarial Report know, we have the unique privilege of hosting the 61 General handful of workers. Yet they were instructed to go and reach the Mark Eaton Conference Session in Indianapolis from June 25-July 4, 2020. world for Christ. From a human perspective the mission seemed Him, He will grant 9 More than 100,000 members from around the world will impossible. They must have thought to themselves, “Jesus, we Evangelism Report convene at Lucas Oil Stadium to conduct the Lord’s business. hear what You are saying but there is absolutely no way we can them the presence Robb Long do what You are asking us to do.” 10 Prior to the session, over 70% of our churches across the of His Spirit, with its Refugee Ministries state will be involved in seed-sowing events and evangelistic Those of us living in these last days of earth’s history may feel reviving, sanctifying Sam Ngala meetings that are designed to help men, women, and young the same way. “Jesus, how can we reach the world for You in our 12 people learn about Jesus and His love. In preparation for these generation? More specifically, how can we even reach our own power. As they go Hispanic Ministries opportunities, pastors, members, and conference leaders have small town or city in Indiana with the three angels’ messages? forth to the day’s 14 Victor Jaeger been meeting regularly for prayer, training, and planning with Our church is small and struggling. We lack the volunteers and hopes of effectively reaching our communities with the three finances. What You are asking us to do is impossible!” duties they have Education Report angels’ messages. God is on the move in Indiana, and we are Nicole Mattson simply wanting to join in with what He is already doing in our You and I must remember that the final work is not about us the assurance that 16 midst. and what we will do. Instead, it is about God and what He will Indiana Academy do through us. Interestingly, Jesus, along with giving the great the unseen agency Steve Baughman Although we are seeing the hand of God working in our commission, gave us a great promise. Just before He ascended 18 churches, we also recognize the enormous challenges we are into heaven, Jesus also said to His disciples: “But you shall receive of the Holy Spirit Youth & Young Adult facing today. We live in a culture that seems to have little or no power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall enables them to be Ministries interest in spiritual things. Due to the myriad of distractions, be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, 20 Charles Thompson many of our churches are facing declining and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Here is where we find ‘laborers together membership and aging populations. It makes one hope and encouragement. Jesus promised to send the Holy Youth Rush wonder what the church will look like in the next ten with God.’” Thomas Clark Spirit, the third member of the Godhead, to be with us and give 23 years if the Lord does not come before then. us strength. What we could not do on our own we are now able Acts of the Apostles, page 56 PARL, PG&TS, to accomplish through divine power and help. Stewardship, Association 24 Vialo Weis The mission of Christ is possible…only as God’s people are Spirit- filled and Spirit-led. As we go about fulfilling the commission in Campground Update our cities, may we each hold onto Jesus’ promise. Let us move 27 Aaron Clark forward in faith, trusting that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will be with us every step of the way. And when the work finally concludes at Christ’s second coming, we will rejoice with God in CONFERENCE CONNECTION the many souls that were saved for His kingdom. Volume 30, Number 3 4th Quarter 2019 A quarterly publication of the Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists® for its constituents. P. O. Box 5000 Westfield, IN 46074 www.indysda.org Vic Van Schaik Editor in Chief: Vic Van Schaik President Managing Editor: Colleen Kelly Indiana Conference Editorial Assistant: Beth Bartlett To subscribe to Hoosier Happenings e-newsletter, Layout/Design: April Silva send a request to [email protected] Printer: Seminars Unlimited 2 INDIANA CONFERENCE The Mission: The mission of the Indiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists is to equip and empower members, pastors, churches, and schools in our territory to share biblical truth and the good news of a crucified, risen, and soon-returning Savior with their friends and communities. The Vision: In May 2015 the Indiana pastors and conference administrators prayed and studied together for three days at Timber Ridge Camp, asking the Lord to give direction for a five-year mission plan. The Big Five+ are major initiatives that resulted from their time together. The Indiana Conference Executive Committee further defined theBig Five+ and eventually voted this strategic plan as a way forward in accomplishing the Lord’s work in Indiana. The Challenge: Every member of the Indiana Conference has an important role in God’s work. We invite you to join with us as we implement the Big Five+ goals. If the Lord places a burden on your heart to be involved in some way, please let us know. We encourage you to talk with your local pastor or elder to see how you can use your gifts and talents to further God’s work and see His kingdom grow. Our desire is for total member involvement from all parts of the state. There is mighty power ready to be unleashed through the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon the church. As we press together in unity and seek God’s guidance and help, we will be able to accomplish Jesus’ mission in Indiana in the last days. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.” 4 INDIANA CONFERENCE t has been three years since the last constituency session. 2016 2017 2018 I Let’s look at some key measurements to evaluate the TITHE $8,987,269 $8,994,714 $9,631,943 financial condition of the Indiana Conference. Tithe increased 6.1% in 2016, 0.1% in 2017 and 7.1% in 2018. REMITANCES TO HIGHER ORGANIZATIONS $3,154,542 $3,179,241 $3,485,566 The message of The conference experienced robust tithe growth in years 2016 and 2018 but no growth in 2017. General Conference $1,438,857 $1,394,180 $1,477,389 North American Division for Retirement $998,207 $1,025,397 $1,097,214 the three angels Lake Union Conference $677,023 $719,579 $866,222 Special Conference Assistance - NAD $40,455 $40,085 $44,741 must go to the 2015 $8,473,596 INDIANA CONFERENCE USE $5,561,568 $5,897,527 $6,044,485 Pastor Salaries and Expenses $2,733,914 $2,937,231 $2,734,995 entire world! $8,987,269 Education $1,021,618 $1,066,735 $1,164,604 2016 Youth Ministries $695,953 $709,014 $757,388 Office Expenses $652,509 $647,899 $672,845 $8,994,714 Exchange of Tithe for Non-Tithe Funds (For Capital Projects) $200,000 2017 Trust Services $175,727 $181,687 $176,575 Insurance $45,129 $92,105 $62,067 $9,631,943 Camp Meeting $79,910 $84,366 $83,411 2018 Publishing $86,779 $80,377 $56,631 Church Ministries $30,617 $52,470 $50,548 TREASURY “Ok. That’s good,” you say, “But how was all that tithe money Communication $39,412 $45,643 $85,421 DEPARTMENT spent?” The chart on the next page shows how the tithe was spent in TOTAL EXPENDITURES $8,716,110 $9,076,768 $9,530,051 MID-TERM REPORT years 2016 – 2018. Notice that in 2017 the expense exceeded NET INCREASE / DECREASE $271,159 $(82,054) $101,892 income. In that year, tithe dollars held in reserve were used to make up the difference. In 2016 and 2018 tithe income There is a unique expense in 2018 called “tithe exchange.” “What is that?” you may wonder. Is the conference exceeded expense. In those years, tithe dollars were added engaged in currency speculation? No.