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ii^H Letters

"I committed adultery" top three soul winners in the conference, though you were a martyr suffering The extremely sad experience ("I and met my conference-set objectives. unjustly a persecuted man who Committed Adultery," July 1992) is all I never contested the charge made deserves the sympathy of the people. too familiar. Through the years the against me. I willingly complied with the You have not a proper sense of sin. You ministry has lost many workers, some of stipulated requirements of conference are not right before God in motive or rare talent, brilliance, and productivity, administration. I pleaded with my spirit" (Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, in the same way. superiors to discipline me in any manner p. 176). Philip R. Mills, M.D., Wichita, Is adultery, serious as its conse they chose, only to allow me to stay in Kansas. quences often are, so much worse than the ministry. But alas, the church didn©t other sins? Is there no way of rehabilitat care enough for me to provide any kind In the United Pentecostal Church ing and restoring such workers, particu of rehabilitation. Their treatment of International we have what we call a larly one-time offenders? Do not choice was to apply the scalpel and "black hole" that friends, etc., disappear forgiveness and restoration go together? remove me without anesthetic. into when they do the unthinkable Can we not do something to save this Several months after my dismissal I adultery. One day you see them and the loss to the church? Do we not have the met the conference president on the next you never see them again! capacity to do something really Christian steps of the largest church in the We are working on a policy to in this respect, or will we continue to denomination, smiled, and stuck out my rebuild the lives and ministries of one- throw them to the wolves? hand to say good morning. He declined time-only cases. I©m in favor of this; for In a recent discussion I had with a my handshake, nodded curtly, and if pastors fail more than once, they are union president, he agreed that some walked into the church. I was so showing a real disregard for Jesus© thing should be done. But will we? heartbroken I wept. My wife has refused blood that washes such sins away. Several denominations are taking to enter a Seventh-day Adventist church Name withheld. positive steps in this direction. I recently since that day. It has also wreaked havoc read a book about a pastor who had a with the attitude my children have of the Pastoral accountability serious problem. When things finally church in which they matured. I was quite impressed with "A caught up with him, he confessed to I hope one day this church will Design for Pastoral Accountability" having ongoing affairs with various practice what it preaches to a far greater (July 1992). No doubt it will be an eye- women in his previous three parishes degree and realize that salvaging its opener to anyone who faithfully fills in over a 10-year period. He was removed wounded leaders is a worthwhile the chart to determine the individual as senior pastor, made an associate in activity. Name withheld. areas of strength. However, I feel two of another congregation (but fully sup the most vital areas were not included. ported by his fellow ministers), and One couldn©t help feeling a strong The most important accountability given professional help. In time he sense of pity for the author his guilt, for a minister, as one who speaks for regained the confidence of his denomi suicidal depression, loss of friends, and God, is personal time with God, time nation. financial difficulties. How thankful we allotted for prayer that time that alone Can we not accept the counsel of the can be that a fallen person can be saved, makes all other activities meaningful. I Master in another context: "Go, and do as was David and all of us through the believe that the success of a person©s thou likewise"? John M. Staples, merits of Jesus. ministry is in direct proportion to the Angwin, California. Unfortunately the article leaves the amount of time and quality of the effort impression the author was mistreated. put forth in faithful prayer. I identified with the writer and This is hardly the case. Eli stands as a The second vital factor that contrib relived a personal experience. Once warning that there is a difference utes to the effectiveness of a minister is again I felt the hurt my actions brought between genuine love for the sinner and time spent with immediate family. on my loved ones and me, and the indulgence of aggravated sin in leader Working through the most intimate agonizing trauma imposed by the ship. To an evangelist who committed relationships in our private lives enables administrators of the church I had served adultery and who felt he had been us to assist others. for 29 years. wronged with the loss of his credentials, From my observation, it is in the If someone had told me that I would Ellen White wrote: "Instead of seeing areas of greatest intimacy with God, be treated the way I was by the "caring that no one can have too strong feelings with family that the pastor has the church," I would have argued the point. against a man professing to be a greatest difficulty. I am convinced that a I pastored some of the denomination©s shepherd of the flock, who will corrupt truly valid ministry must spring from the larger churches, was always one of the the minds of the unsuspecting, you act as (Continued on page 27)

If you©re receiving MINISTRY bimonthly without having paid for a subscription, it©s not a mistake. Since 1928 MINISTRY has been published for Seventh-day Adventist ministers, but we believe the time has come for clergy everywhere to experience a resurgence of faith in the authority of Scripture and in the great truths that reveal the gospel of our salvation by grace, through faith alone in Jesus Christ. We want to share with you our aspirations and faith in a way that we trust will provide inspiration and help to you too. We hope-you will accept this journal as our outstretched hand to you. Look over our shoulders, take what you want and find helpful, and discard what you cannot use. Bimonthly gift subscriptions are available to all licensed and/or ordained clergy. Requests should be on church letterhead.

2 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 First Glance

The Seventh-day Adventist Church takes seriously the command of Jesus "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching L Letters them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt. 28:19, 20, NIV). 4 Why the Sabbath? Therefore we present this special issue describing what the Adventist Martin Weber church is doing to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. J Into all the world : the meaning Seventh-day Adventists have never taught, and do not teach of Global Mission today, that you must become a commandment-keeping Adventist in Michael Ryan order to be saved. Only the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross for our sins can save anyone (1 Peter 1:18,19). People are saved when J.U Exclusivism, pluralism, and they accept by faith the sacrifice of Christ (Rom. 3:22-24; Eph. 2:8, 9). Global Mission Russell Staples Seventh-day Adventists also take seriously the words of Jesus when He said "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). 14 Cross-cultural adaptation That is why they emphasize so much the fourth commandment which Jon Dybdahl is the most neglected of the ten commandments. This they do not in order to be saved but because they are saved. Those who love Jesus J-O By everyone to everywhere are interested in learning what He wants and with the help of the Holy Harold Butler Spirit doing what He wants. Love never asks how little it can do but how much. Overseas mission service Yvonne Dysinger and Ted Wilson Jesus gave everything for us and He desires that we give every thing in response. The hardest part of Christianity is being willing to .Z.5 The challenge of the cities surrender ourselves one hundred percent to Christ. A surrender of Bruce C. Moyer ninety-nine percent is just as futile as a surrender of one percent. 28 Biblio File We present these articles on Global Mission not to boast about what the Adventist Church is doing, but to share the part we are 32 Shop Talk playing in fulfilling the gospel commission. We are part of the great army of Christians seeking to lift up Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And may anything we do be done for the one purpose of glorifying God (1 Peter 2:12).

Ministry is the international journal of the George W. Reid, Ariel Roth 12501 Old Columbia Pike SUBSCRIBERSERVICES: Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Asso William H. Shea, Russell L. Staples Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600 Larry Burtnett ciation. Sally Streib, Richard Tibbits Amasias Justiniano, Ministerial Secretary Ministry, the international journal of the ASSOCIATION SECRETARY: INTERNATIONAL South American Division of SDA Seventh-day Adventist Ministerial Asso Floyd Bresee EDITORS: Caixa Postal 12-2600 ciation 1992, is published bi-monthly Walton Whaley, Ministerial Secretary 70279 Brasilia, DF, Brazil by the General Conference of Seventh- EDITOR: Africa-Indian Ocean Division of SDA day Adventists and printed by the Review J. David Newman 22 Boite Postale 1764 John H. Gate, Ministerial Secretary and Herald Publishing Association, 55 Abidjan 22, Cote d©lvoire, West Africa South Pacific Division of SDA West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD ASSOCIATE EDITORS: 148 Fox Valley Road 21740, U.S.A. Single copy US$2.25. John M. Fowler, Martin Weber Baraka Muganda, Ministerial Secretary Wahroonga, N.S.W. 2076, Australia Member Associated Church Press. This Eastern Africa Division of SDA publication is available in microfilm from EDITORIAL ASSISTANT: P.O. Box H.G. 100 P. V. Jesudas, Ministerial Secretary University Microfilms International. Call Ella Rydzewski Highlands, Harare Southern Asia Division of SDA toll-free 1-800-521-3044. Or mail in Zimbabwe, Africa SDA Complex quiry to: University Microfilms Interna EDITORIAL SECRETARY: Post Box 2, HCF tional, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Dot Tone Johannes Mager, Ministerial Secretary Tamil Nadu, India MI 48106. Euro-Africa Division of SDA SEMINAR DIRECTOR: P.O. Box 219, CH 3000 A. David C. Currie, Ministerial Secretary Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Rex D. Edwards Berne 32, Switzerland Trans-European Division of SDA Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904. Stamped, 119 St. Peter©s Street self-addressed envelope should accom CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: V. P. Bocala, Ministerial Secretary St. Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England pany unsolicited manuscripts. Office tele Carlos Aeschlimann, Galen Bosley Far Eastern Division of SDA phone: 301-680-6510. Ellen Bresee, James Zachary 800 Thomson Road Mikhail P. Kulakov Singapore 1129, Republic of Singapore ul. Severodvinskaya 9 Postmaster; Send address changes to EDITOR EMERITUS: Apt. 407 Ministry, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, J. Robert Spangler Jaime Castrejon, Ministerial Secretary Moscow 129224, USSR Hagerstown, MD 21740. Inter-American Division of SDA CONSULTING EDITORS: P.O. Box 140760 COVER DESIGN/LAYOUT Gerard Damsteegt, Raoul Dederen Miami, FL 33114-0760 Scott Kirby/Ann Taylor Robert Folkenberg, Roland R. Hegstad Frank Holbrook, Herbert Kiesler William C. Scales, Jr., Ministerial Secretary ADVERTISING SALES: Alfred C. McClure, Leo Ranzolin North American Division of SDA Ella Rydzewski Volume 65 Number 11

MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/l 992 3 Editorial Why the Sabbath? Martin Weber

everal years ago I Calvary. On that fatal Friday afternoon that many who try to please God wind up had the opportunity Jesus once again completed a work on trusting in their own works for salvation. to share my testi our behalf. With His dying breath He Misguided souls who rummage around in mony informally on cried, "It is finished!" Mission accom their lives looking for evidence that they one of the California plished! As the sun began to set, the deserve to go to heaven must lament, S State University cam friends of Jesus laid Him to rest inside a "Woe is me, for I am undone!" The puses. Ted, a sopho tomb, where He remained over the Sab Sabbath is designed by God to prevent more art student, wanted to know why he bath hours to memorialize His completed such spiritual discouragement. Week by had to become a Christian to be saved. work of salvation. After His quiet Sab week it comforts the conscience, assur "Hindus and Buddhists have high moral bath repose Jesus came forth and as ing us that despite our unfinished charac standards," he argued. "Muslims and cended to heaven©s throne. ters we stand complete in Christ. His Jews worship a personal God. Jesus was Because of His two great accomplish accomplishment at Calvary counts as our a great leader, all right, but couldn©t we ments of Creation and Calvary, Jesus is atonement. just appreciate Him as one of the world©s Lord of the Sabbath. We express our faith Many Christians mistakenly regard great gurus and remain outside of Chris in Him as our maker and redeemer by God©s day of rest as an ancient Jewish tianity?" sharing the Sabbath rest He earned by relic with no meaning for modern Chris "Here©s what Christianity offers that©s His work. In keeping the Sabbath we tians. Some even consider Sabbath- unique," I suggested. "Although many contribute nothing of our own we only keeping an attempt to gain salvation by world religions value Christ as a teacher accept God©s gift of life and new life in works. Yet nothing could be further from and worthy example, only Christianity Christ. The Sabbath is much like bap the truth the word "Sabbath" comes honors Him as the unique Saviour of the tism: both are important observances from a Hebrew word meaning "to cease, world." I proceeded to explain that God that signify our acceptance of what Jesus desist, rest" the very opposite of works. has high standards that none of us can has done for us. While baptism is a one- Of course, works of love are essential in meet; our only hope of doing business time event, the Sabbath is a weekly expe Christian living; it©s just that we don©t with Him is through the One who is our rience of celebrating Christ©s accomplish depend upon them for salvation. In ap Saviour as well as our Creator. ments. preciation for salvation by grace, genuine These twin facts of life creation and Our own feeble accomplishments can faith leads us to be faithful and obedient. salvation not only form the foundation not impress a holy God. He appreciates Yes, we need God©s law to convict us of of Christianity but also motivate our wor sincerity, but His uncompromising law sin but we are not saved through that ship. That©s where the Sabbath comes in. demands a finished work of perfection: law. We©re saved by trusting in Jesus. Through the weekly day of worship God "Six days shall thou labour and do all thy This is the message of the Sabbath. has chosen to memorialize both Creation work" (Ex. 20:9). But tell me, have you You may have noticed how the Sab and salvation. ever finished all there was to do when bath commandment differs from the other To appreciate the meaning of Sabbath Sabbath came? I haven©t either! Often nine. All the other commandments tell us rest we must go back to the Garden of I©m like a hamster in the pet shop spin what we must do for God and neighbor. Eden. After Jesus finished His work of ning inside one of those little wheels. But the Sabbath points us away from Creation on Friday afternoon He pro Always moving, always striving, but never human works to rest in God©s work for ceeded to rest on the Sabbath. Then He making it to the top where the law re us. Therein lies our salvation! Without invited Adam and Eve to join the celebra quires me to be. The Sabbath offers Sabbath rest our obedience to God would tion of His work even though they had refuge in the completed work of Jesus indeed be legalism. done no work themselves to earn the right from the hamster wheels of our own I believe the Sabbath is the greatest to rest. accomplishments. teaching tool of the gospel. It©s the This essential meaning of the Sab Complete in Christ this is the mes brightest of billboards proclaiming bath resting in Christ©s accomplish sage of the Sabbath. What therapy for ments and not our own is reinforced by legalism! The enemy of souls well knows (Continued on page 31)

MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 Into all the world: the meaning of Global Mission

ore and more I was A century of growth Michael Ryan convicted that time Seventh-day Adventists are one of the was short and Jesus fastest-growing churches. At the time of was about to come. the 1888 General Conference session, I determined that there was one Adventist for every 58,000 M somehow I would people in the world. In 1929 the ratio had share the hope of improved to one for every 6,837. Just salvation with those whom I had ne prior to World War II there was one The Seventh-day glected for years." Adventist for every 4,549. In 1960 it Result? Brenda led 11 fellow work rose to one in 2,425. Adventist Church ers, friends, and relatives to Jesus Christ Today, for every 758 of the world©s in 1991. population one is an Adventist. Of the has launched the "From the day of my baptism three 250 million people who live in South most arduous plan years ago in the college chapel, I felt God America, one out of 230 is a Seventh-day speaking to me, ©Go home and be My Adventist. Of the 46 million who live in in the history of witness.© I was afraid, for there was not the Philippines, one out of 90 is an Ad a single other Adventist in my family, my ventist. Rwanda, in Central Africa, how missions. An town, or even my state. It©s a miracle. ever, takes the statistical lead with one introduction. God has sustained us. Many are now Adventist out of every 33 people. faithfully worshiping God, and many oth Around the world every 52 seconds ers are studying His Word. Yes, I have another person is baptized as a Seventh- been beaten a few times, thrown out of day Adventist. my house, and our simple little church structure has been burned. We are still at Ratio of SDA Membership great risk, for this is not a Christian to World Population country. Oh, but the joy that has been mine to work with God." Year SDA Ratio World Result? Since 1991, 42 people now Membership Population faithfully worship and witness for God in 1888 26,000 1:58,000 1,500,000,000 Michael Ryan a land of 1.2 million people with previ Ed.D., is the 1929 300,000 1:6,837 2,000,000,000 secretary for Global ously no Adventists and very few Chris 1940 505,000 1:4,549 2,300,000,000 Mission, General tians. 1960 1,200,000 1:2,425 3,000,000,000 Conference of To become a Christian is to proclaim 1970 2,000,000 1:1,280 3,700,000,000 Seventh-day Jesus Christ. A Christian has no other Adventists, Silver 1980 3,500,000 1:1,279 4,400,000,000 Spring, Maryland. business, no higher priority, than to tell 1989 6,183,585 1:846 5,234,000,000 others of Jesus© love and His offer of 1990 6,661,462 1:798 5,321,000,000 salvation. Seventh-day Adventists every Increase 7.7% Increase 1.6% where affirm with the apostle Paul: "We 1991 7,097,661 1:758 5,384,000,000 preach Christ." This is Global Mission. increase 6.5% Increase 1.1%

MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 5 New horizons economic, spiritual, cultural, and politi In the face of this rapid worldwide Unentered Countries and cal. Values are being redefined. There is Territories of the World growth, most Seventh-day Adventists are a longing for stability, direction, and shocked to learn that 89 percent of the meaning. And where people are in transi Afghanistan TED Mauritania AID church©s 6.5 million members are con tion, spiritual opportunities exist. Yet it is Albania TED Monaco EUD centrated in areas where only 23 percent not only opportunities that indicate that Andorra EUD Mongolia EAC of the world©s population lives. This means Bahrain MEU Oman MEU Global Mission©s time has come. The Bhutan SUD Palestine MEU that only 11 percent of church member pace of the great controversy between British Indian Qatar MEU ship is found in heavily peopled areas good and evil has quickened. Satan knows Ocean AID San Marino EUD with 77 percent of the world©s population. that time is short, and those agencies that Brunei FED Saudi Arabia MEU We praise God for the rapid growth of the work with him are busy setting the stage Cambodia FED Somalia BAD church in Central and South America, the Comoros AID Syria MEU of deception. Djibouti BAD Tunisia EUD southern half of the African continent, Falkland Is. SAD Wallis & Futuna South Korea, the Philippines, and the Jesus is coming again Holy See EUD Islands SPD South Pacific Division. Could it be that Seventh-day Adventists are familiar Johnston Is. NAD Western God is now directing the church to addi Libya MEU Sahara EUD with the signs of Jesus© coming. Every Maldives SUD Yemen MEU tional windows of opportunity? newspaper illustrates Matthew 24 and points to the nearness of His return. Nega Countries of the World (UN 1991) 215 God prepares the church Countries with SDA presence 186 tive signs seem to stand out false christs, Countries with no SDA presence 29 At the 1990 General Conference ses earthquakes, pestilences, a semblance to sion the church officially launched the the days of Noah. Matthew also speaks of Global Mission initiative to establish a a positive sign of Jesus© coming: "And Seventh-day Adventist presence * in all this gospel of the kingdom shall be Progress "Where they say God has unentered lands and people groups. In preached in all the world... and then shall no people" clear and deliberate language, the world the end come (verse 14)". Is this sign Islam. Which area of the world has the session called for a rebirth of missions: to being fulfilled today? highest percentage of church growth? awaken the church to a sense of mission, Paul says it will happen. Romans 9:25- Inter-America? South America? South under the empowering of the Holy Spirit, 28 affirms that God©s children will be east Africa? Papua New Guinea? Over a to take the good news from everywhere to found in the lands where it was said God 10-year period, the church in one Middle everywhere. Global Mission is an initia has no people. The text also places this Eastern country has experienced a growth tive whose time has come. harvest at the time when the remnant will rate of 814 percent. By the power of the In 1987 at the Annual Council in Rio be gathered. It will be a short work, and Holy Spirit more than 50 new churches de Janeiro, Neal C. Wilson, then General God will finish it. will be planted in the Middle East by the Conference president, first called for a What are the challenges? Where is the year 2000. Recently 43 were baptized in global strategy that would place Advent land that yet remains? Is a harvest taking a country that has never had a Seventh- ists in every corner of the world. Robert place in those lands? What should the day Adventist presence before. Muslim S. Folkenberg, now General Conference Seventh-day Adventist Church be doing? North Africa has had similar experience. president, was a member of the group that Hinduism. 1992 marks 100 years of initially drafted the Global Strategy docu The challenge Seventh-day Adventist presence in India. ment that now serves as the base from One out of every 6.5 persons in the During these years 800 companies and which the Global Mission program has world is a Muslim, and there are 1.1 churches have been established. In the developed. God©s leading has been evi billion of them. While there is one Sev next eight years the Southern Asia Divi dent as He positioned the church to re enth-day Adventist for every 758 popula sion hopes to organize 950 new compa spond to one of the most unprecedented tion worldwide, in the Middle East the nies and churches. More than 120 of these sweeping geopolitical changes ever to ratio is one to every 50,500. India©s 900 have already been established, 91 in areas take place in the history of the world. million are predominantly Hindu. In north of 1 million people that have had no In 1987 the earth was pregnant with India, areas without an Adventist have a Adventist presence. Nepal now has an change. The Soviet Union was about to population twice the total population of organized company of believers. open its doors, allowing free access to the United States. China has 1.2 billion Communism to Christianity. Thou 280 million people hungering and thirst people. The combined population of sands of people are filling and refilling ing for something better. The walls of North, Central, and South America is less public evangelism halls in the indepen Eastern Europe were coming down, and than the population of areas within China dent countries that have emerged from China©s 1.2 billion people were on the without an Adventist presence. In the the former Soviet Union and Eastern verge of experiencing greater religious Buddhist world, one out of every 8,400 is Europe. Cambodia, formerly unentered, freedom. Tremendous opportunities were a Seventh-day Adventist. now has several groups of believers. about to open among the vast millions of While there are no unentered groups China. According to a Chinese gov South Asia. Christian growth was begin of 1 million people in Eastern Europe, ernment report, there are 200,000 Sev ning to make inroads into the 1.1 billion Western Europe has 43 such segments. enth-day Adventists in China. Recent people of the Islamic world. Massive urban areas that account for advances in religious freedom have made The world of 1992 is vastly different 60 percent of the world©s population pose it possible for thousands to respond to the from that of 1987. We are in transition an increasing challenge to evangelism. gospel. Within the guidelines provided

6 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISFS AND GLOBAL MISSION To every notion, kindred, tongue, and people" Rev. 14:6

Population per SDA Member

Q No SDA Members

Q Above 5000

H 1000 to 5000

JUJ 50 to 1000 ili Less than 50 LEGEND (Numbers) Urge numbers=Country population in millions Small numbersPopulBtton segments of ona mite w* no SDA (Countries with less than one million are not labeled)

Dota for January, 1990 neighbor can be an unentered area. In this Organization and finance task, every division, union, conference/ Membership involvement forms the We are God©s mission, church, and member has a part. backbone of Global Mission. Global Mis ambassadors to Some have misunderstood the Global sion has been organized as the president©s Mission initiative. They have thought program. From conference/mission to the proclaim the hope that it was a program for some far-off General Conference, the president takes distant land for which they were to con responsibility for direction and emphasis. of Jesus Christ to a tribute money. Giving money is impor Global Mission serves to coordinate ex tant and appreciated, but Global Mission isting church resources to establish Sev lost world. extends much further. If a conference/ enth-day Adventist congregations in mission or a church has not identified unentered areas. All play a part. Without unentered areas close to home and be the participation of dedicated Adventists come involved in taking Jesus to neigh and such ministries as the Adventist De bors and friends, that conference/mis velopment and Relief Agency, Adventist sion or church has missed one very im World Radio, Church Ministries, Com portant aspect of Global Mission. munication, Education, Health and Tem For example, the Atlantic Union, in perance, Ministerial, Publishing, and other the North American Division, has tenta departments and institutions, Global Mis tively selected more than 50 unentered sion would have no resources or pro by the government, the church has expe areas for penetration. The South Ameri grams. All of these entities play a role and rienced significant growth. can Division, with a membership of more are vital in realizing the Global Mission Buddhism. Adventist work began in than 1 million, has identified 4,172 objective. Global Mission itself is not a Sri Lanka 80 years ago. In all these years unentered municipalities. By 1995 the department, but an initiative to which Adventists have a presence in only 10 of division hopes to have a Seventh-day every resource of the church is being the 22 predominantly Buddhist districts Adventist presence in every municipality. summoned. of Sri Lanka. Since 1990, amid intense The General Conference provides a persecution and church burnings, groups Global Mission information for special Global Mission appropriation to of believers have been established in pastors the four divisions and one attached union seven additional states. It is the goal of Global Mission office at the General in which are found most of the unentered the Sri Lanka Union to have groups wor Conference. For more information on territories. Approximately 12 percent of shiping in all 22 districts by the year Global Mission services, call toll-free the General Conference Global Mission 1995. In Thailand, where Buddhism (within the USA) 1-800-648-5824. For funds go for operation of the Global Mis claims 62 million, the Adventist Church example, call: sion Office at the General Conference. has planted 31 new churches and plans to to involve your church in prayer The Global Mission Office includes the establish 106 more by the year 2000. for a specific unentered area. Center for International Relations, Glo FoMf/z.Agrass-rootsmovementamong for more information on the bal Urban Mission, and the three Reli the youth of the church is impacting on progress and challenge of Global Mis gious Study Centers located in England, Global Mission. Apart from the Holy sion. India, and Thailand. Other divisions also Spirit, the most significant worldwide to find out how your church can receive funds for Global Mission projects variable that is making Global Mission be involved in small projects. Small as provided by donors through develop go forward is the young people. Think of projects are those that (1) are affordable; ment. When donors send money for a the young Taskforce teams scattered (2) focus on finishing the work preach Global Mission project, all of the funds are around the world. Consider the students ing Christ and establishing a body of sent to the project and none of the funds are from Spicer College and the difference believers in an unentered area; and (3) kept for operational overhead. they are making for Global Mission in include frequent reports to inform church The window of opportunity for Global India. Hundreds of young people are risk members of results. Mission may remain open only for a ing their lives at this very moment to plant for speakers for Global Mission moment a moment filled with the great the gospel in closed and hostile areas of weekends. est display of the power of the Holy Spirit, the world. The Far Eastern Division has for materials for a church Global a moment in which the unveiled ambi just launched the most dynamic youth Mission bulletin board (many churches tions of evil will directly conflict with missionary movement, with plans to send are doing this). Christ©s desire that all people will go to 1,000 missionaries into Muslim, Hindu, Center for International Relations. heaven. We are God©s ambassadors to Buddhist, and Communist countries. Call if people or youth groups would like proclaim the hope of Jesus Christ to a lost to volunteer to take Jesus to an unentered world. Now is the time. God©s church will Everybody to everywhere area. rise to the challenge of Global Mission. What is Global Mission? I want to Study Centers. Centers focusing on make one thing perfectly clear. Global the challenges and opportunities of Mission is an initiative to penetrate the working among Muslims, Hindus, Bud unentered areas of the world with the dhists, and the urban masses have been gospel of Jesus. Every country of the established in different parts of the world * An Adventist presence is defined as an orga world has "unentered areas." A next door field. nized local church.

8 MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/1992 Global Mission Progress Analysis, July 1990 June 1992 New work in unentered areas Groups of less than 1 million Groups of more than 1 million with no SDA with no SDA members * Entity Project Appro Project Groups Groups Groups Groups Churches Division ** priations Donations Identified Targeted* Identified Targeted* Established

AID Mauritania Better Living Center 100,000 + Niger Stop Smoking/Better Living Ctr 64,000 * W. Africa Union, 5 targets 10,000 Congo, 4 targets 22,500 + Niger, 3 targets 16,000 + AID TOTAL 212,500 21 5 80 48 0 EAD EAD TOTAL 0 449 449 24 14 0 EUD Bulgaria, paper for SOP books 90,000 Czech., Bind, equipment 110,000 Romania, 5 crusades 7,815 Czech, church building 30,000 Bulgaria, church building 35,000 Romania, church building 35,000 EUD TOTAL 307,815 50 8 74 10 0 ESD 8 pastors in unentered areas 80,000 Work in 8 unentered areas 1991, 1992 90,000 Bibles and study guides 90,000 Ukraine church building 35,000 Russian SOP books 60,000 ESD TOTAL 265,000 0 0 FED General, 1991, 1992 526,000 N. Korean dental lab 60,000 + Women©s Ministry Indonesia 71,000 FED TOTAL 131,000 1044 100 278 65 0 IAD 875 875 0 0 NAD 2 2 0 0 SAD 4,172 1000 0 0 SPD 20 20 0 0 SUD 40 volunteer families to unentered areas 40,000 Volunteer families to unentered areas 217,192 General 1991, 1992 600,000 SUD TOTAL 257,192 500 173 498 200 0 TED Bedouin work 30,000 5 crusades in Hungary 7,815 5 crusades in Poland 7,815 5 crusades in Romania 7,815 Afghanistan Center 100,000 TED TOTAL 53,445 15 15 128 20 0 MEU General, 1991, 1992 200,000 AWR Radio equipment 75,000 AWR Radio equipment 100,000 + Sudan, 12 unentered targets 56,000 Turkey, 6 unentered targets 64,000 Lebanon, 4 unentered targets 51,000 MEU TOTAL 346,000 10 10 223 30 0 SAU 0 0 1 1 0 EAAC General, 1991, 1992 (ITS) 600,000 China English teachers 50,000 Run Run Shaw Hospital 250,000 * EAAC TOTAL 300,000 11 11 900 40 0 * Projects approved, funding incomplete. * Each group contains a population of one million with no SDA members at the beginning of 1990. * Targeted means plans have been completed for and/or activities have begun in these groups. ** AID=Africa-Indian Ocean; EAD=East Africa; EUD=Euro-Arica; ESD=Eura-Asia; FED=Far Eastern; IAD=Inter-American; NAD=North American; SAD=South American; SPD=South Pacific; SUD=Southem Asia; TED=Trans European; MEU=Middle EAst Union; SAU=South ern Africa Union; EAAC=East Asia Administrative Committee.

MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/1992 Exclusivism, pluralism, and Global Mission

he missionary enter branches of these religions are bubbling Russell Staples prise of the church over with fundamentalistic zeal and evan has always had chal gelistic fervor. lenges to meet and difficulties to over Pluralism in the West T come, but relatively Religious pluralism exerts profound seldom has the tra legal and religious consequences. In some ditional concept of mission itself been Western countries where religion is taught directly challenged from within the in public schools, it is now required that How to vitalize the church. No, I am not thinking of the all religions be given equal time and that spirit of missions perennial struggles the church has within Christianity be taught simply as one of, itself to maintain missionary conscious and on an equal footing with, the great without sacrificing ness and the flow of resources to mis religions of the world. Christian hymns sions, or even to combat the ever-present may not be sung at assembly, as was the theological funda tendencies to turn the structures and re custom in my high school days, not even mentals. sources of mission into a church mainte carols at Christmastime; and Christian nance system. The challenge I am think communities are keenly aware of this ing of is more abstract and resistant. loss. About 30 years ago W. Cantwell Furthermore, some of these world re Smith suggested that Christianity was ligious communities hold such high ethi facing its third great challenge. He iden cal and social standards that maintenance tified the first as its encounter with Greek of values in some Christian communities philosophy; the second as the encounter appears contemptibly weak and shabby. with the Age of Reason and Science; and In the seeming absence of Christian con the third as just beginning, the encounter viction, world religions are converting with other world religions. 1 A half cen from within the Christian fold. In the light tury earlier the World Missionary Con of religious pluralism and the failure to ference at Edinburgh (1910), with ring win significantly large cohorts to Chris ing optimism, had declared the world tianity, it would seem, alas, that the pre more open to the gospel than it had been diction of Cantwell Smith is a more nearly at almost any time previously, and the Russell Staples, PhD., accurate reflection of the contemporary is chairman of the other religions moribund and ready to situation than the Edinburgh pronounce Department of World die. The world religions were regarded ment. Mission, Andrews somewhat as darkness that would disap It is not surprising, then, that within University, Berrien pear before the light of education and the the past 20 years there has risen a new Springs, Michigan. gospel. Now, 80 years later, the theological subdiscipline, "the theology "heathen" are no longer "over there," of religions," that is coming to dominate they are here. The non-Christian reli missiological thinking. In fact, it appears gions themselves have undergone a pro to be the hottest subject on the evangeli cess of revitalization in reaction to Chris cal theological agenda. Books dealing tianity and Western culture. Some directly with Christianity©s relationship

10 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 to other religions and missiological ap Christianity and other religions ness. Christianity is thus one form of proach to peoples of other faiths are How should Christianity relate to other religious expression among other equally coming off the presses at an astounding religions? Generally answers take one valid responses to the divine reality. rate. And, given the state of the debate, of four perspectives: exclusivism, Relativists tend to be agnostic. They this challenge is likely to be a major inclusivism, pluralism, and relativism. recognize no exclusive truth, and as such missions issue for some time to come. Exclusivists maintain that the central are diametrically opposed to pluralists, On one side of the debate are scholars claims of Christianity are uniquely true who accept the truth claims of religion who favor religious pluralism and sup and that the claims of other religions are and advocate a certain kind of missionary port a "wider ecumenism" of religions. to be rejected when these are in conflict activity. On the other side are evangelicals with with Christianity and its major tenets. Our concern in this article is primarily the greatest mission enthusiasm since the One such uniquely true claim is that Jesus on a dialogue between exclusivism and days of the Student Volunteer move is the only Lord and Saviour of human pluralism. ment a century ago. These evangelicals kind. This is generally the position of are moved by a vibrant eschatological American evangelicals. Why pluralism? fervency, partly coupled with ideas Inclusivists affirm the uniqueness of Several factors are responsible for the regarding the beginning of the third Jesus Christ on the one hand and on the rise of pluralistic position. First, reflec Christian millennium and the possibility other the possibility of God©s saving ac tions on theological positions have raised of a world with a Christian presence in tivity in other religions. They seek to questions on uniqueness. Such positions every unreached people group by the end avoid minimizing the truth claims of the include the concept of endless punish of this millennium. Thus two opposing gospel, but allow that God may also work ment without any hope of deliverance for currents of thought, each of which is in other ways and in other religions. those who have not heard the gospel; profoundly missionary, are now in open Pluralists, in contradistinction to both understandings of the function and scope confrontation. exclusivists and inclusivists, are prepared of general revelation and special revela This article will set forth the major to abandon the claims of Christianity to tion and of the relationship between the reasons for the rise of this "wider exclusive truth or uniqueness in favor of two; functions of the Holy Spirit in the ecumenism" movement, examine lead a willingness to recognize truth and the missionary process; and concepts of sal ing positions in the evangelical stance, saving activity of God in all religions, vation and universalism. and make some suggestions regarding a with Christ being one of the great figures Second, insights from the social sci possible Adventist posture. God has used to call people to faithful ences and history of religions have un-

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MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/l 992 11 placed on the positive affirmation of this dom.4 Has not the evangeli text as the weight given to its unstated If the doctrine of everlasting punish obverse that those who have never had ment provides mission motivation for cal exclusivist an opportunity to hear the gospel have no some exclusivists, is it not enough to hope of salvation and are eternally lost. affirm the final judgment by a God who approach perhaps Second, exdusivism emphasizes the rewards all justly, without falling back on concept of the heathen going to a the horrors of unending punishment? Oth narrowed too much Christless grave. It is not so much the erwise, it would seem that the responsi the theological foun grave now, as endless punishment, from bility for mission has been narrowed too which there is no hope of deliverance. much to a negative incentive. dations of mission? The key text cited is Matthew 25:46. This The debate regarding possible saving doctrine of endless punishment for finite dimensions of general revelation is too sins or for not having heard the gospel complex to discuss in a few lines. On the constitutes a powerful motivation to mis basis of Romans 1:18-23, many argue sion for some evangelicals and provides that general revelation is adequate to dercut claims of Christian uniqueness. pluralists a ground for criticism that ap constitute a basis for judgment, but not Parallels in the development of religious proaches ridicule. for salvation. But justice requires that experience in humankind and the discov Third, exdusivism affirms that gen persons be condemned only for failing to ery of cultural shaping of religion have eral revelation, while a source of some do what they know is right and are able to had a relativizing influence. Is religious knowledge of God, does not constitute do. If, then, general revelation provides a affiliation practically determined by saving knowledge. Exclusivists hold that basis for damnation, then it should also where one is born? It seems so. The vast special revelation alone conveys the provide the basis for salvation. number of adherents of the major world knowledge that leads to salvation. This is Wesley showed us long ago a more religions that are resistant to Christianity specifically affirmed in the Lausanne balanced view. He taught that the hea cause pluralists to ask whether Christian Covenant: "But we deny that this [general then will be judged according to the light ity constitutes God©s only way of salva revelation] can save." 3 they have.5 In a sermon entitled "The tion. Ethical questions come up as well: These issues are outlined rather starkly General Spread of the Gospel," he asked What is one to make of the justice of a here, and in fairness it must be stated that whether a lack of means will frustrate God who ordains that people can be saved not all exclusivists adhere to all of these God©s purposes and answered: "No: were only in a way that excludes the majority points. there no other means, he ©can take them from salvation? Are two thirds of the by his Spirit© (as he did Ezekiel) [Eze. children of earth God©s orphans? Global Mission and all of this 3:12], or by ©his angel,© as he did Philip, Third, the demographic pluralism in There is, of course, a close connection [Acts 8:26] and set them down where our Western cities has had a bearing on between methods of salvation and mis soever it pleaseth him.... He will give his the debate. It was easy to think of adher sionary motivation. Motivation is also Son ©the uttermost parts of the earth for ents of other religions as being misguided affected by understandings of the doom his possession.© " 6 or benighted when they lived at a dis pronounced upon those who either reject Some contemporary evangelicals do tance. But now that they are neighbors or have not heard the message. And cer make a case for a broader function of with a level of religious commitment and tainly the fear on the part of the general revelation than is typical of moral standard that is a challenge to our evangelicals is warranted: that if the above exclusivists. Some of them fall back on own decadence, a new way of thinking doctrinal points are undercut, there will an intuitive sense of a divine being and about these religions is virtually forced be a corresponding reduction in the sense moral worth. Others argue the case ex- upon us. In the face of these and other of necessity and urgency of the mission egetically and rationally. Still others similar considerations, pluralists have ary task. build on the functions of the Holy Spirit, sought to legitimate a broader under Nevertheless, it needs to be asked: as did Wesley. For example, Donald standing of the missionary task of the Has not the evangelical exclusivist ap McGavran allows that God, should He so church, and in all fairness it must be proach perhaps narrowed too much the choose, "can bring those who know noth admitted that the issues they raise are theological foundations of mission? Is ing of Jesus Christ back into fellowship weighty and challenging. there anything that can be learned from with Himself. But the means by which He the pluralist approach? might do this . . . remains hidden." 7 J. Exclusivism and its responses Is it possible to affirm the uniqueness Herbert Kane takes a similar position: Three major considerations lie at the of Jesus Christ that there is salvation in "Throughout history there may have been heart of the exclusive position main no other name without turning Acts the odd person who got to heaven without tained by American evangelicals. First, 4:12 into a universally binding, negative the full light of the gospel. In that case, exdusivism affirms that there is salvation statement? Peter does not state, as do God is the sole Judge." 8 John Stott hints in "no other name" than that of Jesus some exclusivists, that all who have not at this possibility, but prefers to remain Christ. Acts 4:12 is the key text, and of heard the name of Christ will be lost. We "agnostic" regarding what has not been course this affirmation is in harmony are to proclaim the uniqueness and saving revealed.9 with the general understanding of the power of Jesus Christ; but it is God©s Ellen White, taking a stance similar to gospel. What is distinctive about the ex prerogative, and not a human responsi that of Wesley, writes more openly than clusive position is not so much the stress bility, to judge who will be in the king do the above evangelicals on two points:

12 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 First, that the Holy Spirit may work di providence of the Holy Spirit or a mis Master." Sermon 106, "On Faith," in The Works of rectly on the heart of those who have not sionary agent, salvation is only through John Wesley, ed. Albert C. Outler (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1986), vol. 3, p. 495. heard the gospel; and second, that God Jesus Christ. Finally, Adventists recog 5 Ibid., Sermon 106, sect. 1, par. 4, p. 494. will judge them according to the light nize that it is not given to us to judge who 6 Outler, (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1985), they have (i.e., general revelation): will be in the kingdom; God is the sole vol. 2, p. 497. "Among the heathen are those who wor and sovereign judge. 7 "Contemporary Evangelical Theology of Mis ship God ignorantly, those to whom the With these fundamentals, the mis sion," in Contemporary Theologies of Mission, ed. Arthur F. Glasser and Donald A. McGavran (Grand light is never brought by human instru sionary spirit among us should be vital Rapids: Baker Book House, 1983), p. 105. mentality, yet they will notperish. Though ized in a gracious spirit of love as we set 8 J. Herbert Kane, Understanding Christian Mis ignorant of the written law of God, they about the renewed task of Global Mis sion (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1974), p. have heard His voice speaking to them in sion. 137. 9 David L. Edwards, Evangelical Essentials: A nature, and have done the things that the Liberal-EvangelicalDialogue (Downers Grove, 111.: law required. Their works are evidence 1 W. Cantwell Smith, The Faith of Other Men (New York: Harper and Row, 1962), pp. 122, 123. InterVarsity Press, 1988), p. 327. that the Holy Spirit has touched their 2 This is implied in the Lausanne Covenant, par. 10 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain hearts, and they are recognized as the 3 (J. D. Douglas, ed., Let the Earth Hear His Voice View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898), p. 638. children of God." 10 "God©s test of the [Minneapolis: World Wide Publications, 1975], pp. 11 Manuscript 130, 1899, as quoted in The Sev heathen, who have not the light, and of 3, 4), and is directly affirmed by Harold Lindsell: enth-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Washing "Man may not be regenerated either because he has ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1956), those living where the knowledge of truth never heard the gospel... or because he has refused vol. 5, p.1121. See also Education (Mountain View, and light has been abundant, is altogether to avail himself.... Whichever it may be, the end is Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1903), pp. 29,262, different. He accepts from those in hea the same. He is permanently separated from God. 263; Prophets and Kings (Mountain View, Calif.: Heaven and hell, then, are the competing options Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1917), pp. 376-378; and then lands a phase of righteousness which Christ©s Object Lessons (Washington, D.C.: Review does not satisfy Him when offered by which the unredeemed man faces." ("Fundamentals for a Philosophy of the Christian Mission," in The and Herald Pub. Assn., 1941), p. 385. those of Christian lands. He does not Theology of the Christian Mission, ed. Gerald H. 12 Clark Pinnock, who has previously written require much where much has not been Anderson [Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1961], p. several essays on various aspects of this debate, has bestowed." 11 246). recently published a book on the subject, in which Clark Pinnock takes an even broader 3 Lausanne Covenant, par. 3. the issues involved are discussed with admirable 4 This is the position John Wesley took. Of the clarity: A Wideness in God©s Mercy: The Finality of view, verging perhaps on an inclusivist heathen, Wesley wrote, "Yet it is not our part to pass Jesus Christ in a World ofReligions (Grand Rapids: position. But even so, he succeeds in sentence upon them, but to leave them to their own Zondervan Pub. House, 1992). showing that an evangelical need not be locked into the extremes of the exclusivist position to maintain a powerful sense of commitment to, and motivation for, mis sion. 12

Toward an Adventist posture ©ft?* While not intimately involved in this debate, we Adventists are influenced by 100 YEAR the kinds of doubts about mission that are becoming a part of the wider public con sciousness. We too face the challenge of maintaining missionary responsibility and motivation. We are also forced to clarify our theological foundations of mission RECALL and the uniqueness of Christianity amid world religions. A HIGH-TECH FLASHBACK TO From what we have seen so far, it seems to me that a moderate exclusivist ELLEN WHITE IN AUSTRALIA position is most compatible with the Ad ventist sense of identity and mission. Take a short intriguing journey into the past to celebrate the 100th Along with other evangelicals, Anniversary of Ellen G. White©s arrival in Australia. Jeff Watson, of BEYOND Adventists believe that sin has corrupted 2000 fame, presents this unique video about Mrs. White©s nine-year ministry human nature, and that we are all doomed to perish were it not for the intervention in the South Pacific. An excellent program for teaching young people about and mercy of God. We also believe that this portion of our denominational history. human beings have no power within them selves to achieve salvation. Salvation is a SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY PRICE wonderful and undeserved gift of God©s grace, mediated only through Jesus Christ. $14.95 PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING Regardless of the avenue through which the knowledge of Jesus Christ comes to TO ORDER, JUST CALL 1-800-225-7707 the believer, whether through the unusual

MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 13 Cross-cultural adaptation

ow should Masai now actually, an issue of present truth. Jon Dybdahl tribespeople recently First, the worldwide Christian mission converted from ani ary movement must be cross-cultural. To mism worship God reach the world in a global mission, mis as Christians? How sionaries must meet people where they H should we preach are. The unreached cannot be won unless Jesus to Muslims on the gospel comes to them in harmony with the Indian subcontinent, where some bib their own thought patterns. lical phrases like "Son of God" are widely Second, travel, immigration, and com How to contextualize misunderstood? Is it valid for former Bud munication advances over the past de dhists to continue past meditation prac cades have internationalized the world and the gospel. tices after conversion to Christianity? How the church. We are no longer isolated en far should North American churches go in tities able to live our own lives and think accepting music popular in youth culture? our own monocultural thoughts. In this All these questions deal with the matter of global city, Christianity must show that it contextualization. is a world religion. How can the unchanging revelation of Third, the development of anthropol the eternal God find expression in the ogy and sociology has led to greater aware diverse and changing life of human be ness about other peoples. This has height ings? The church has a vital challenge to ened sensitivity to their cultures. When communicate God©s salvation in the con recognizing others as children of God, text of the world©s many religions and fully equal to ourselves, it is hard to main cultures. People can respond only to a tain a sense of cultural superiority. Rather, message they clearly hear in their own we have a new desire to communicate the context. gospel in a way that allows local cultures to Contextualization was not bom in the remain true to their heritage. ivory-towered halls of the great universi Four, cross-generational communica ties or in the studies of theologians. It tion in a rapidly changing society involves comes with urgency from the front lines of cross-cultural communication; the older mission, where those communicating Jesus generation faces major challenges in com struggle to tell the gospel story. Proclaimers municating with their own children and want animists, Buddhists, Muslims, the grandchildren. We must learn to commu secular minds of the West and elsewhere, nicate meaningfully to our children in their rich, poor, slave, free, Jew, Greek, all to subculture so they do not hear truth as Jon Dybdahl, Ph.D., is the associate hear the message clearly. The question is dead, irrelevant orthodoxy. director of the so urgent it must now become the concern Institute of World of all Christians, from lay member to church Biblical basis of contextualization Mission at Andrews pastor, from mission president to univer Contextualization by its very nature University in Berrien involves risk. Are there principles in God© s Springs, Michigan. sity professor, from foreign missionary to home missionary. Word to guide us? Consider 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: "For though I am free from all Factors requiring contextualization men, I have made myself a slave to all, that Four factors in our world make con I might win the more. To the Jews I be textualization particularly necessary right came as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to

14 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 those under the law I became as one under Spheres of contextualization on the other hand, is not as concrete and the law though not being myself under The three major spheres where gospel visible in daily life. Whether we are deal the law that I might win those under the contextualization can take place are church ing with church life, theology, or ethics, law. To those outside the law I became as life, ethics, and theology. Church life in God has called us to communicate our one outside the law not being without cludes the realms of hymnody, architec message in apowerful, contextualized way law toward God but under the law of ture, worship style, ecclesiastical struc for the sake of the gospel, even if we meet Christ that I might win those outside the ture, methods of governance, decision- with misunderstanding. law. To the weak I became weak, that I making, etc. Ethics involves the standards might win the weak. I have become all and moral life of the church. Theology Methods and models things to all men, that I might by all means includes doctrinal beliefs, statements of Here are three principles that govern save some. I do it all for the sake of the faith, and explanations about God. While contextualization: gospel, that I may share in its blessings." * to some extent these areas overlap, each 1. A difference exists between form Note, first Paul©s action of context- presents its own special challenges. and meaning. Form refers to the outward ualization. He becomes all things to all Contextualization should take place in all act or object that transports the inward people. Seeking to reach Jews, Gentiles, three spheres. concept which is the meaning or con and those with weak consciences, he in Should Zambians be required to hold tent. Think of it this way: Form is like the carnates himself in these cultures. The worship services based on a North Ameri pipe; meaning is the water passing through apostle clearly does not forsake his prin can pattern? Should the order of service, that pipe. All of life and religion have both ciples (note verse 21), yet he regards the songs sung, and the use of time be the form and meaning; the two go together. contextualization as his very mission, a same in Africa as they are in America? I Both form and meaning change over time, fulfillment of the "law of Christ." The think not. Zambian worship should fit even within a single culture. Absolute bib previous chapter (1 Cor. 8:9-13) offers within the Zambian context. lical meanings can be expressed in differ additional insight into Paul©s strategy. Should Muslims be told about Christ ent forms. Notice, second, Paul©s attitude of and the Trinity in the terminology of West Cross-culturally, of course, having dif contextualization. Though free from all, ern Christians, or in terms they can relate ferent meanings for the same form is a he has made himself a slave to all. The to? Language not directly abhorrent to major problem. For example, silence is a easiest path is always to avoid context Muslims can be found to express the es form of human behavior. The silent per ualization and simply follow one©s own sence of the gospel. By judicious use of son in many Eastern cultures is seen as culture, Paul says that theoretically we Bible passages that do not offend, com profound and deep, full of wisdom. In are free to do so. However, he rejects the bined with a knowledge of Jesus from most of the West, however, silent people easy path and makes himself a slave to Muslim sources, a valid contextualization are perceived as backward, introverted, others. It takes work and humility to be all in the theological sphere can take place. perhaps slow-witted or even angry. The things to all people, but Paul is following A strange anomaly exists. Tradition form silence is the same, but the mean the path of his Lord, who, according to ally for Adventists the theological sphere ing given that form radically varies by Philippians 2, took the form of a slave in has been the central core of our identity. culture. order to contextualize Himself as a human The ethical sphere is a close second, while The wedding ring is a form with varied and communicate with us. church life would clearly be third in the meanings. For years North American Ponder, third, the aim of context minds of most. This seems to imply that Adventists shunned it as a violation of ualization. He aims to "win the more" contextualization in church life is the easi Christian principles regarding adornment. (verse 19) or "save some" (verse 22) for est and that contextualization in the sphere Most European Adventists, however, have the "sake of the gospel" (verse 23). To lose of theology would require the most care regarded the ring not as jewelry but as a sight of this aim is to turn contextualization and effort. In real life the opposite is often symbol of deep commitment to the Chris into an empty intellectual exercise. true. Adaptations for the sake of the gospel tian wedding vows. If the meaning we see Contextualization is also clearly es in church life are often harder for people to in the ring form is sinful adornment, wear poused by Ellen White.© She states that the relate to than theological contextualization. ing it is wrong. But if the meaning is a usefulness of Gospel laborers who follow The present controversy in our church commitment to principles related to Chris such principles would increase a hundred over "celebration" worship is an example tian marriage, it is not wrong. fold.2 of this. Practicers of celebration worship Properly evaluating any belief or prac With such a need in the world and a do not see themselves as changing church tice requires examination of both form and definite inspired mandate, how should we ethics or theology. Others, upset at this meaning. Contextualization requires that proceed with contextualization? To that movement, have tried to move this matter we ask: Does this issue deal with form or issue we now turn our attention. We will of church life into the theological sphere meaning, or both? Has either form or mean deal first with the spheres of context so their critiques can gain credence. A ing changed over time? Does either need ualization, followed by the methods and fellow Adventist pastor remarked that it to be changed? What does this form mean models that explain the process. Then we would be easier in his church to preach a in another culture? will examine guidelines to help us discern new viewpoint on one of our fundamental Answers are not always easy, but sepa where God is leading in contextualization beliefs than it would be to change the order rating form and meaning can help us un and ways to guard against dangers. Finally of service! derstand many issues that have faced the we©ll consider a case study to illustrate Church life is hard to contextualize church as times change and we meet other how contextualization has worked in my because it is visual and affects the way cultures. ministry. people actually live their lives. Theology, 2. Contextualization is a translation

MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 15 process. When church life, ethics, and I suggest that the best vehicle for tion of contextualization in every sphere theology are translated into the target cul contextualization is a trialogue an ongo with the whole counsel of God©s Word. ture so that receivers can "read" Christian ing three-way conversation among the 2. Pray for and trust in God©s leading. ity in their own environment, context- Bible, the missionary, and the missionized The Holy Spirit has promised to guide us ualization is taking place. In a most basic Thus theology, ethics, and church life can into all truth. We must believe that pledge way, translating the Bible into various lan be contextualized to the receivers© situa and really allow Him to lead. guages involves interpretation and thus tion while remaining consistent with Bible 3. Check our motives and attitudes. contextualization. Muslims seek to avoid truth and with worldwide members in other Are we truly trying to give the Gospel as this contextualization to this day there i cultures. Such a trialogue not only clearly as possible, or are we just making no true authorized translation of the Ko contextualizes the theology of the excuses for laxity? Do we have the mind of ran. It can only really be understood in missionized but in fact enriches the theol a servant, or are we just pushing our own Islamic theology by those who know Ara ogy of the missionary. At the same time it agenda and culture? bic. preserves the centrality of Scripture and 4. Consult the community of believers. The theory of how translation should the unity of the body. Often individual decisions are not good be done has changed over the years. Not This trialogue is not done only once ones, reflecting only one viewpoint. The long ago, literal or "formal" translations but is a continuous dynamic process that church is a body; there is wisdom in hear were the rule. Many came close to word under the Spirit©s guidance leads to an ever ing what the Spirit is saying to the whole for-word translations. The American Bible clearer vision of God©s will. body. Society has convinced most Christians to 5. Realize that over time, truth sur day that dynamic equivalence translation: Dangers of contextualization faces. Sometimes haste forces wrong deci are best. The idea is that the essential The process of contextualization faces sions. Allow the Spirit time to bring about thought should be translated rather than two major dangers. The first is superficial right ones. Sometimes questionable deci simply all the words. A slavish word-for- ity. This can arise from ignorance or insen- sions are reversed as we allow God timeto word translation may in fact distort the sitivity. Sometimes a few outward forms operate. meaning of the original, because of differ are changed, but a deep awareness of the 6. Maintain concern for the weak. Paul ences in grammar and word order.3 receivers© values and culture never takes in 1 Corinthians 9 says that we become all Contextualization in presenting the place. The few who become Christians do things also to the weak. The weak in this gospel should follow the same rules used so by converting culturally to the ways of context refers to those who are bothered by good translators. Styles of worship, the missionary, thus becoming strangers by certain changes taking place in the marriage customs, and statements of belief in their own land and ill-fitted to reach church. Committed contextualizers always should all go through "translation" when their own people with the message of Christ. consider the feelings of their brothers and the gospel goes into another culture. The brand of Christianity practiced be sisters and try to relate to them while also 3. Contextualization requires a comes increasingly irrelevant to the needs relating to those who need to hear the "trialogue" a three-sided conversation of people. As one young man said: "What gospel. among proclaimers and their culture, re the preacher said sounds nice, but I never ceivers and their culture, and the Bible. get the idea he is really talking to me." The Case study Much early mission work took place in a eternally relevant gospel is perceived as How does all this work out in practical straight line that went from the Bible irrelevant, not on the basis of what it really circumstances? Illustrations could come through the missionary to the target group. is, but on the basis of the cultural baggage from any place, even subcultures in North The proclaimer made the decisions about contained in its presentation. America. For me, the clearest example the message and delivered them as a pack The second danger is syncretism, the comes from my own mission experience. age to the hearers. If the missionary was mixing of differing beliefs. That happens In the mid-1970s we were working with sensitive, there might be some feedback so when contextualization has gone so far the Hmong people in northern Thailand. that the action was reciprocal. If not, the that it has lost its Christian principles. Most Hmong people are spirit-worshiping missionary produced carbon-copy Chris Form and meaning have been captured by animists, and in our area they had had no tians living as aliens in their own country. the culture, and the essence of Christianity previous genuine contact with Christian Some suggest that the proclaimer must is lost. Instead of Christianity using the ity. The first challenge we faced was pre set up a dialogue between Scripture and vehicle of culture to communicate its mes senting the gospel in a way that spoke to the missionized so they can discover God© s sage, culture has taken over Christianity to their real needs. Traditional Western ways will and express it in their culture. While use the faith for its own aims. In our of presenting the good news of Jesus did this is an improvement on the straight-line attempt to communicate with culture, we not work. method, it remains deficient. First, it is an must take care to preserve absolute bibli ideal that is not possible: usually the mes cal principles. The church must constantly Theology contextualized sage comes first through a living cross- guard against these two extremes in In the West we usually present Jesus in cultural evangelist; if not it comes through contextualization. one of three different ways: 1. Jesus is the a translated Bible from a cross-cultural answer to guilt, able to pardon our sins and missionary. Second, when people become uidelines and safeguards enable us to overcome them. 2. Jesus loves Christians they become part of a multi How can we safeguard context and cares for people who haven©t experi cultural, universal, worldwide church, and ualization from syncretism? enced love. 3. Jesus gives meaning to life theology must be shared. The unity of the 1. Maintain close connection with the now and offers eternal life. body must be maintained. Scriptures. Continually check the direc None of these three approaches

16 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 scratched the Hmong where they itched. arose as to what it meant to live as Advent- for the Hmong new year, they would wear To them, shame posed a larger problem ist Christians. One had to do with the the circles as a part of that costume in than guilt and sin. Sacrifices to get rid of circles of silver that both men and women that case, they were more like a pin or tie sin already existed. They experienced love wore around their necks. To Western mis tack than jewelry. and care in their extended, close-knit fam sionaries the circles looked suspiciously Everyone was satisfied with the deci ily groups, so loneliness and lack of caring like necklaces and hence jewelry or adorn sion. No grumbling took place because were not a major issue. The notion of ment. Did these silver circle forms have they had made the decision and outsiders "meaning of life" was abstract, and they the same meaning for the Hmong? There had not imposed it. Clear Bible principles already had some hope for a hereafter in were no banks in their remote villages. had been translated into Hmong culture their religion. Some said the circles were the safest and by the Hmong themselves. Continued contact and discussion with easiest way to store money a kind of safe the Hmong convinced us that Jesus Christ deposit box in place of the local savings Conclusion was extremely relevant to them in two and loan. Would we be accused of making More than 2 billion of the world©s ways: First, they lived in constant fear of theft easier if we suggested that the circles population will hear the gospel only if the spirits who they believed caused mis of silver be removed? What should we do cross-cultural missionaries make them fortune, crop failure, sickness, and death. that would uphold the principle of selves servants and become all things to Jesus Christ had power over these entities. nonadornment and stewardship and yet be them. From tribes in Africa to heavy- metal This biblical theology had little relevance sensitive to the Hmong culture? rockers in the "jungles" of New York City, to Americans but powerful meaning for We arranged with local Hmong pas from the sophisticated professional to the the Hmong. Second, the Hmong believed tors and leaders that the members them troubled teenager next door, people des in a high God, and they knew His name but selves should decide what to do. First, we perately need to hear the gospel in a con little about Him. They were eager to learn reviewed together the Bible teaching on text they can understand. Who will humble more and discover that He has a Son who adornment and jewelry. We then discussed themselves and become incarnate as slaves cares about their fear of the spirits and has available options. After a season of prayer, for the sake of these souls? Who will go power to conquer them. we opened the matter for discussion and through the hard, risky business of This contextualized gospel brought nu debate in the body of believers. I pur contextualization so others may clearly merous Hmong to immediate faith in posely excused myself from the dialogue. hear the gospel? Christ. Many decided to follow the living I felt that I had already done what I could God after only one hearing of the gospel. and it was time for them under the Spirit©s *A11 texts are from the Revised Standard Ver They rid their homes and their bodies of all guidance to choose what they should do. sion of the Bible. 1 See especially the books Gospel Workers the spirit-related charms and parapherna The members pondered the matter for (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., lia used for generations. They joyfully quite a long time before reaching their 1915), pp. 117-119; Testimonies for the Church looked for the Second Coming, when they decision. They determined to not wear (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., could see this Jesus. the circles of silver on a day-to-day basis, 1948), vol. 2, p. 673; and Selected Messages (Wash judging that even in Hmong culture the ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1980), book 3, p. 217. Ethics contextualized circles were more adornment than they 2 Gospel Workers, p. 119, par. 3. As this new phenomenon of Christian were safe-deposit boxes. On festival occa 3 Charles H. Kraft, Christianity in Culture ity entered Hmong life, many questions sions, when donning traditional costumes (Maryknoll, N. Y.: Orbis Books, 1979), pp. 261 -275.

BEYOND BELIEF BOT PAD , HAP 10)06

MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 17 By everyone to everywhere

lobal Mission is a sys munity may vary with each situation. It Harold Butler tematic, planned ap may be a public evangelistic crusade; an proach of taking the English language school; a health educa gospel to specific tion program; distribution of food, cloth areas or people ing, or literature; or simply being a friend. G groups that have not Whatever the approach, it must break heard or accepted down prejudice against the gospel and Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. reveal that Christians really do care be The model and What is the best method to start new cause that is the Christian thing to do. It challenge of work? Are there basic principles that must also foster relationships that might apply to all planning? While some funda develop interest in the gospel. Global Mission. mental principles remain the same for all plans, each situation requires a custom Christ©s method ized approach. For example, meeting Look at Jesus and see how He made people©s needs is a principle that can be contacts. He was an itinerant, traveling used anywhere, but what needs and how from town to town with His disciples. they are met may differ. A country like There was little if any community-based Japan with its high-tech, literate Shinto- support. His ministry was with people. Buddhist culture would require a much He taught them, healed them, and spent different approach than Afghanistan with time with them. He provided opportunity its agrarian lifestyle and Islamic belief for spiritual healing. His encounters were system. However, both contacts may be not for long periods of time, or even gin with the principle of providing a repetitive. Christ employed a personal service to society that meets a felt need. ized approach. Often He dealt on a In the Philippines, with its Christian person to person basis, rarely holding background, the first contact may in large public meetings. His methods were volve only an invitation to an evangelis simple and practical. He adapted easily to tic crusade or perhaps an opportunity to the situation and to the individual con reestablish one©s relationship with Christ. cerned, whether rich or poor, educated or Harold Butler, Decision, response, and baptism may fol uneducated. He sought people, spoke to D.D.S., is director of low. On the other hand, Somalia, a Mus them at their level, and met them where development and lim nation with no Adventist members they were. He refused no one. He used the planning at the and recovering from years of civil strife, Office of Global meager resources at hand. Mission at the may require a totally different approach. General Conference. The initial contact there may be humani Early church tarian aid through the Adventist Devel Paul and other early missionaries com opment and Relief Agency or the Advent bined Christ©s method of going from ist Volunteer Taskforce, meeting crucial town to town with a new church-based agricultural or health needs. outreach. As soon as one church devel Thus, the initial contact with a com oped, it became a base of outreach to the

18 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 surrounding areas. A community of Early Adventist missionaries used a churches began to develop. The early method similar to that used by the apostle Christians were Christians by example Paul. When the apostle started work in a Christian migrants first. In contrast to the typical lifestyle of city he went to the synagogue first and and traveling the day, they gave to the poor, helped the tried to get converts from the Jews before sick, cared for widows and orphans, and going to the Gentiles. Once there was a merchants took the were generally good citizens. Christian nucleus of believers in that location, the migrants and traveling merchants took new members worked for their friends gospel to areas far the gospel to areas far from their home and neighbors, expanding their group. churches. They were so successful in Although Adventists are Protestant Chris from their home sharing their faith that historians estimate tians, some of their major doctrines differ churches. that half of the city dwellers of the Roman from other Protestant denominations. Empire were converted to Christianity Early Adventist missionaries often started from a non-Christian, hostile background working in new areas by sharing their before Constantine made Christianity the unique Christian beliefs with other Chris year a missionary team arrived. state religion. This was accomplished, tians with whom they had something in In India Adventist work began with a not by a centrally organized program of common, just as Paul did with the Jews. woman. Anna Gordon left the United outreach, but by individually inspired After establishing a local nucleus of mem States in 1892 as a self-supporting mis Christians doing their part in sharing the bers, they shared the gospel with the non- sionary. However, one year later she died. gospel. Christian community. Soon after, five literature evangelists from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Adventist beginnings Adventist missions and laypersons States landed in India. In 1895 the church When the Adventist movement be Adventist laypersons initiated the work sent Georgia Burrus, a Bible worker, as gan, the church was small, regionally inseveral countries. Michael Czechowski, the first regular missionary to work among based, and concerned primarily with North a Polish Catholic priest, converted to the women of Calcutta. America. In 1869, nine years after the Adventism during a trip to the United South America was no exception to organization of the church, the first For States in 1857. Unable to persuade the the pattern of lay involvement seen on eign Mission Society was formed for the Adventist Church to send him back to other continents. In 1883 W. J. Boynton, purpose of sending the gospel to foreign Europe as a missionary, he found his own a layman, sent tracts with a sea captain lands and distant parts of the United source of support and returned to Europe from New York to Guyana. The captain States. By the 1870s Adventist members to share his new-found faith. From Italy dropped them off on the pier in began to feel a responsibility to take the to Switzerland to Romania, he traveled Georgetown. Curious individuals picked gospel to the whole world. In 1874 the from town to town. He printed some 100 up the tracts. Several accepted the truth first Adventist missionary went to Swit tracts in various languages. His work and wrote to Boynton, requesting more zerland. Thereafter, missions opened up caused Adventist headquarters to send materials. To follow up these interests T. in Australia (1885), South America their first church-sponsored missionary, E. Amsterdam went to Guyana in 1886 as (1886),Africa(1887),theFarEast(1888), J. N. Andrews, to Switzerland in 1874. a self-supporting literature evangelist. A Turkey (1889), the Pacific Islands (1890), Abram La Rue approached the church year later a regular missionary reached and India (1893). about going to China. Administrators Guyana. In Uruguay three colporteurs The early Adventists based their mis told him he was too old and advised him started the work in 1891. Later a Bible sions philosophy on Scripture. Mark 16:15 to go to Hawaii. In 1883 he started selling worker joined them, and in 1895 the first told them to go to all the world and preach Adventist books in Hawaii. Within two missionary arrived. In Colombia, a self- the gospel to every creature. They iden years the church sent a missionary to the supporting English teacher started the tified with the three angels of Revelation islands to follow up La Rue© s interests. La Adventist work in 1894. 14:6-12, who had the everlasting gospel Rue continued his mission sailing to Hong for every nation, tribe, language, and Kong, China, Japan, Borneo, Indonesia, The model and the challenge people. They took seriously their task of SriLanka, Singapore, Palestine, andLeba- The early Adventist mission model proclaiming the gospel to the world. They non. And wherever he went he sold Ad included: (1) publications taken or sent even felt that Christ would not return ventist books, creating interests for the to seaport towns; (2) literature evange until the task of proclamation is com truth. In 1902 church headquarters sent J. lists working initially among Christians plete. N. Anderson to Hong Kong to baptize the in these towns; (3) regular missionaries Because the Adventist Church is believers La Rue had prepared. sent after interests had developed; (4) worldwide, the phrase "foreign missions" A diamond-digging Adventist layman missionaries and national workers taking is not quite appropriate to define the from Nevada went to South Africa in the gospel inland; and (5) Adventist health Adventist mission. Missionaries are sent 1878. He took with him a supply of and/or educational work established to "from everywhere to everywhere." In Adventist tracts and papers. He shared his strengthen and broaden the growing effect, "missions" in Adventism has a faith and soon created a good interest in church. unique meaning: "missions at home and the community. In 1886 the new believ This model and the method of the abroad simultaneously, with the whole ers wrote to the General Conference re early church may not be exciting or pro world a mission field and every member questing a minister be sent to their town found, but they were simple and they a missionary." to start an Adventist church. The next worked. Beginnings were small. Deprived

MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/l 992 19 any to carrying out Christ©s type of min istry. ADRA is able to meet a variety of Sowing the Seeds Adventists can also needs and begin establishing relation ships with communities. As an interna for a New Kind of be true witnesses tional organization with credibility with many governments, ADRA©s goal is to Leadership while practicing help others help themselves. their various 3. Communication. Face to face ini tial contact is preferable but not always professions. possible. The church has used Adventist World Radio to" make initial contact with potential believers in areas inaccessible of a local support base, the evangelists to direct contacts. The printed page is moved from town to town, building a another proven method of making initial nucleus of believers. Self-supporting vol contact. Even if we cannot give out litera unteers and itinerant tentmakers made ture in person, we can mail it to any part their impact. Ministry was often indi of the world. Audio- and videotapes are vidualized. Ministers practiced what they becoming important communication tools preached. They loved people. They helped for outreach. Christian Record Services people. reaches out to the hearing- and sight- And the results were historic. Just as impaired around the world. the early Christian church was very suc 4. Educational contacts. With the Isn©t it about time you discovered cessful in the first few hundred years of its world becoming more and more an inter servant-leadership? outreach, so was the early Adventist mis national marketplace and English be The Greenleaf Center, an international, sion. Today, 129 years after the organiza coming the most common mode of com not-for-profit organization invites you tion of the church, Adventists have a munication, Adventist English language to discover the meaning of servant- presence in 200 of the world©s 229 coun schools not only meet a specific social leadership by ordering: The Servant as tries. and business need, but provide opportu Religious Leader and Trustees as The remaining unentered areas of the nities for goodwill and outreach in many Servants, both by Robert K. Greenleaf. world are a great challenge, however. places. Many of these areas are resistant to Chris Students in many countries are look What Others Are Saying: tianity. What can we learn from the early ing for an opportunity to travel abroad "Servant leadership deals with the reality of power in everyday life its legitimacy, the ethical Christian church and early Adventist and study in Western universities. Inter restraints upon it and the beneficial results that missions that will help us reach these national friendship organizations arrange can be attained through the appropriate use of unentered areas? What resources does for foreign students to live in private power." The New York Times the church have to make the initial con homes while they attend university. Open tact? Here are some. "We are called upon to be servants and leaders, ing our homes to such students provides to make a difference, to generate power for our 1. Health. The health work is still the an excellent contact point. institutions so they will measure up in every way right arm of the church. We have a rich 5. Adventist tentmakers. Adventists ... to address the challenges of a hurting heritage of health outreach programs that today have an opportunity to follow the society." Milton Murray, Philanthropic Dollar are being used successfully in many coun example of Paul. The great apostle made "I have read The Servant as Religious Leader tries. Can our health work still play this tents to support himself, but used every over and over again. While Greenleaf says that important role today? The curative ap moment he had to be a witnessing mis he writes as a student of organizations rather proach of the past, with a hospital/clinic sionary. Adventists can also be true wit than as a theologian, his insights are thoroughly base, may not always be possible because nesses while practicing their various pro biblical." J. David Newman, Editor, Ministry of political, financial, or human resource fessions. This may be the only way Chris "Greenleafs concept of servant-leadership constraints. However, simple tasks such tian faith will ever enter some parts of the encourages increased service to others; a as sending volunteer health teams to vil world. The Center for International Rela holistic approach to work; promoting a sense of lages, teaching people basic health prin tions, recently set up by the General community; and sharing of power in ciples, and conducting rural and mobile Conference, will help Adventist profes decisionmaking." Friends Journal clinics may still serve as an effective sionals be tentmakers in areas where To receive both The Servant as Religious Leader and means of witness and outreach. Of course, there are no Adventists. Trustees as Servants sent $10 in check or money the sophisticated high-tech health care These are just a few ways to make order to: The Robert K. Greenleaf Center 1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 321, Dept. MM available in our large institutions will initial contacts in unentered areas. Each Indianapolis, IN 46208 continue to open doors. group responsible for an unentered area (317) 925-2677 2. Development and relief. Adventist will have to innovate outreach methods Name . Development and Relief Agency (ADR A) appropriate to that situation. But innova Address. is already on the front lines in many parts tion need not be complicated or costly; it of the world with their humanitarian out can be simple, practical, and people- City/State/Zip______reach and development programs. This In appreciation for your order we will also send you a bonus based just like the early models of mis publication, The Leadership Crisis, absolutely free. Additional free organization probably comes as close as sion. information concerning the programs and work of the Greenleaf Center will be enclosed with your order.

20 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 Overseas mission service

ecently Ron and seas in 1874. The church has a compre Yvonne Dysinger Teresa Clark of hensive program sponsoring career and Ted Wilson Iowa moved with volunteer missionaries to support its ever their family to Af growing global mission. Adventists are rica. They took up working in 185 countries, yet much re R the challenge of as mains to be done. See the chart on the sisting the publish following page for the types of service ing work of the Adventist Church in opportunities available. The Lord may be Rwanda. Ron©s talent, motivated by his love for the Lord, is now guiding hun 1. Career missionaries. Qualified calling you. dreds of literature evangelists in sharing applicants have specific educational quali the good news of salvation. fications, specialized skills, and the long- Pat is a health worker and Adventist term commitment needed in many areas "tentmaker" in a Middle Eastern country. of the world. Mission service today Tentmakers are committed Christians who includes administration, development/ use secular jobs in non-Christian coun relief, educational, health, pastoring, pio tries as vehicles to share their Christian neering, publishing, office-related, and faith. Pat©s contagious enthusiasm and other professional and technical opportu Yvonne Dysinger is commitment have already won friends nities. Many positions require a specific administrative for her Saviour. Through her witness for academic background and experience. assistant at the Christ after one year at her post, two new Some require proficiency in a second Center for believers have been baptized, three more language. International Career missionary applicants should Relations. are ready for baptism, and several others are studying. be members of the Seventh-day Advent Wes Olson, M.D., of West Virginia ist Church and in good health emotion typifies the medical personnel who vol ally, mentally, and physically. They unteer their time in relief service. When need spiritual vitality and dependence on asked why he and his family served for prayer, along with high dedication to the three months at Mugonero Hospital in sanctity of marriage, home, and family. Rwanda, he responded, "In the final judg They must commit themselves to TedWilson,Ph.D., ment God will ask us how we treated multicultural relationships and have the is an associate secretary of the those in need. Did we feed them, clothe educational requirements necessary for General Conference them?" Dr. Olson covets the hope of visas and work permits, plus the experi of Seventh-day hearing the Lord©s words, "Inasmuch as ence needed to meet job requirements. Adventists. you did it to one of the least of these My Some of the most critical needs at present brethren, you did it to Me" (Matt. 25:40, are for health professionals. NKJV). The Seventh-day Adventist Church 2. Adventist Volunteer Service has had a global emphasis since our first (AVS). Avenues for AVS assignments missionary, John Andrews, went over are open to individuals willing to serve

MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/l 992 21 levels, treasurers, physicians, dentists, Avenues of Opportunity Overseas allied health professionals, secretaries, maintenance and construction workers, Categories Length of Service Educational Requirements Support evangelists, and Week of Prayer speak ers. Retirees© expertise, experience, and CAREER MISSIONARY faith provide a meaningful complement a. Family 6+ years (with College/Graduate Salary and to the advancement of the good news in furloughs) degree allowances cross-cultural settings. e. Teachers for eastern Asia. Quali b. Single 2+ years College/Graduate Salary and fied college graduates to teach English degree allowances are needed in the eastern Asia program. ADVENTIST VOLUNTEER SERVICE This is an opportunity to participate in a a. Educational 2-12 months As applicable Self-funded or as special avenue of volunteer service. indicated by field f. Volunteers with special skills. Vol unteers qualified through academic study b. Medical/dental 1-3 months Professional degree Self-funded or as as applicable indicated by field or experience are needed to fill a wide range of service opportunities from min c. Medical Elective 1-3 months Professional graduate As arranged istry to maintenance, computer skills to study construction, optometry to obstetrics, ad d. Retirees 1-24 months As applicable Self-funded or as ministration to accounting, seminar lead indicated by field ers to science teachers. Term of service runs from two to 12 months. e. Teachers for 12-24 months College degree As arranged Eastern Asia 3. Adventist Youth Service (AYS). f. Volunteers with 2-12 months Degree or experience Self-funded or as The General Conference sponsors a pro special skills as required indicated by field gram enabling youth to volunteer their services. AYS has proved to be most ADVENTIST YOUTH SERVICE adventurous and exciting for Adventists a. Student Missionary 3-12 months College student/ Board/stipend between 18 and 30 years of age to work in Adventist Youth non college youth and lodging the following areas. (ages 18-30) a. Student missionary. For Adven ADVENTISTS ABROAD tist youth currently enrolled in one of the Tentmakers Open-ended As applicable Self-funded church©s institutions of higher learning. Most assignments are for teachers. b. Adventist youth. For young Adventists studying or employed in the non-SDA Church sector. between one and 24 months in meeting are usually for a short term of one to three c. ADRA short-term. For Adventist specific priority needs. Volunteers should months. This service provides temporary college students wishing to do pioneer be active members of the church and coverage in places where the regular work in remote areas for a short term. The display a maturing faith. Many opportu physician or dentist is away on furlough. Adventist Development and Relief nities exist for volunteers, especially in Health-care professionals are expected to Agency offers exciting and rewarding the Far Eastern Division. provide photocopies of a diploma or projects in many countries. a. Educational service. Multiple op certificate and a current license to prac portunities on all levels are available for tice. 4. Adventists Abroad. The church educators with appropriate credentials. c. Medical elective. TheLomaLinda cannot employ all qualified Adventists Openings include teaching English as a University schools of medicine and den who desire to work abroad. However, second language. Beyond the need for tistry provide, during the senior year, outside of the regular denominational classroom instructors are requests for edu time for students to be involved in hospi avenues there are numerous opportuni cational administrators. Assignments can tal/clinic service in an area of choice. ties for "tentmakers." Tentmakers are range from two months up to two years, Each year a number of senior medical/ committed Adventist Christians who, like with the possibility of extension to five dental students use this opportunity to the apostle Paul, use their secular skills or years. Denominational service credit can serve in an overseas mission hospital. expertise as a means of entry into and be arranged when a field salary is pro Assignment to a participating hospital is support in another culture. Their primary vided. made by Loma Linda University and purpose is to share sensitively their faith While specific academic credentials processed through the General Confer in Christ and where possible establish are essential, personal commitment to ence Secretariat. and strengthen churches. God and love for people are also basic d. Retirees. Scores of opportunities As the global economy develops and qualifications. exist for retirees to serve in assignments the foreign job market increases, thou b. Medical/dental relief. Opportuni ranging from 1 to 24 months. Current sands of unprecedented opportunities are ties for relief health-care professionals needs are for pastors, teachers on all opening for Adventist tentmakers in gov-

22 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 ernment embassies and consulates, inter national organizations, businesses, asso ciations, research and educational insti tutions, consulting firms, and private voluntary organizations. These entities are looking for profes The challenge sionals such as health workers, diplo mats, mechanics, English teachers, com puter programmers, agriculturalists, sales consultants, engineers, etc. Other av enues of overseas witness include self- of the cities employed entrepreneur opportunities, and student-study or teacher-exchange pro grams. Recognizing this tremendous poten tial for witnessing by its laity, church leaders in 1990 voted to establish the Center for International Relations (CIR) under the umbrella of its Global Mission office. CIR particularly focuses on re he follqwing factors stricted-access areas of the world where Bruce C. Moyer might render us the promotion of Christianity faces po sleepless as we con litical, sociocultural, or religious impedi sider how to pray and ments. Through its databases the center work for the cities of assists in matching interested individuals T the world. with international job opportunities. 1. Urbanization. In addition to calls processed by the Our planet is increasingly urbanizing. various offices of the General Confer The church must Eighty percent of©North Americans are ence, tentmaking and other overseas mis urbanites. Asia has 90 percent of its popu sion opportunities are also offered by become part of the lation in cities, and Africa ;is the fastest laymen©s organizations associated with urbanizing continent. Eleven million a the Adventist-Laymen©s Services and community. year move into Latin American cities. At Industries (ASI). Guidelines have re the turn of this century, 15 percent of the cently been provided by the General world lived in cities. By mid-century, 28 Conference that will strengthen the coop percent; by 1975, 41 percent. Currently eration between supporting ministries and the world is 49 percent urban; by 2000 it the church organization, thus expanding will be 55 percent. That would be 3 the mission outreach of Seventh-day billion people the total world popula Adventists. The Adventist Resource tion of 1965. Management Service (ARMS) is a devel Today there are 3,450 cities of more oping office connected with ASI. It will than 100,000 people in each, and 330 maintain a database of opportunities from megacities populated by more than a many different entities within the church million in each. Supercities, with 4 mil and its supporting ministries and will also lion-plus inhabitants in each, number 45, serve as a clearinghouse for personnel and there are 12 supergiants with more seeking service availabilities. than 10 million in each. Consider the size Seventh-day Adventists are commit of Tokyo/Yokohama (27 million), Mexico ted to the task of world evangelization City (21 million), Shanghai (20 million), through the implementation of Christ©s New York (18 million), Sao Paulo (16 Great Commission: "Go therefore and million), Los Angeles (13 million), and make disciples of all the nations, baptiz Calcutta (9 million). ing them in the name of the Father and of Bruce C. Moyer, S.T.D., is associate Urban growth rate is twice that of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching professor of religion rural growth. Sao Paulo, Brazil, grew at a them to observe all things that I have at Columbia Union rate of 20,000 a month in the mid-1970s, commanded you; and lo, I am with you College and director a quarter million a year. Never before in always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. of the Center for history has Christian witness faced so Global Urban Mission 28:19, 20, NKJV). in Takoma Park, large an urban challenge as today. For more information, contact the Maryland. 2. God©© s love for people. Urban mis General Conference Secretariat, 12501 sion is important because God loves the Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD people crowded in the cities. Urban mis 20904. sion is also important because Adventism

MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/l 992 23 is a mission to people. If we are to take suffering, pain and alienation. He is alive vent, social involvement, and the Sab seriously Christ©s Great Commission, to and well in the cities, and He calls us to bath. "go and make disciples of all nations" join Him there. Christ, our model, minis The Second Advent and its concomi (Matt. 28:19, NIV), we must go to the tered in multicultural and urban settings. tant doctrine, the judgment, teach us that cities. We cannot afford the luxury of He did not limit His ministry to the Judean nothing is permanent but God Himself. settling down in the suburbs and in com suburbs but served racially mixed and The Second Advent liberates us from the fortable churches, teaching fine theol culturally diverse Galilee and Samaria tyranny of the present by anticipating the ogy, while ignoring the desperate needs and urban Jerusalem. coming of God©s future and even par of the urban world. Jesus wants us to be ticipating in that future now. The Second with Him where He is (John 14:3), and Three enablers Advent offers hope for the urban hope that close personal proximity need not be Three important value commitments less. The judgment will reverse the tables simply future it must also be present. of the Adventist Church prepare us well of political power and give the kingdom Jesus is present wherever there is sin and for work in the cities: The Second Ad- to the saints. We can experience the reality of that future here and now: "As through Jesus we enter into rest, heaven begins here. We respond to His invita tion, Come, learn of Me, and in thus coming we begin the life eternal. Heaven is a ceaseless approaching to God through Christ."© Advent-expectant theology and re 2 New Tools to Help sultant lifestyle can modify even the bleak est urban existence, transforming ghettos Your Church Chart through changing lives. Adventists have a rich history of quiet A New Course social involvement and gentle transfor mation. Our hospitals serve many of the larger cities of the world and are known for their excellent care. Programs di Written by Russell Burrill - Director of Evangelism rected toward better living, aimed at vari North American Division Evangelism Institute ous soft and hard addictions, improve the health and economics of urban peoples and their quality of life. The State of the Church Adventist schools have also been re A manual that provides a self diagnostic study of the sponsible for significant social changes. In the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil, the local church. several conferences in that city operate •&• How does your church compare with growing churches? more than 40 elementary schools. They •& In what areas does your church need to improve? have earned the respect of the commu •& Most complete diagnostic material available for the nity 75 percent of their enrollment is local church. from the non-Adventist public sector. MSI 605.1 U.S. $49.95 + ($6 S&H) The effect of these schools on the church is considerable, providing many new members each year. The impact of these Recapturing the Adventist Mission schools on the city is also significant as A Seminar which includes: families are visited by teachers and pas •& Instructor's manual tors to be touched by the gospel and introduced to a wonderfully inclusive •& Participant manual for church to duplicate community of faith. Mission schools in ^ 40 Overhead transparencies for the seminar Africa and the South Pacific have served Will help a church that has become stagnant in as change agents producing much of the growth to begin to dream again. political leadership in the new nations. MSI 605.2 U.S. $39.95 + ($5 S&H) Adventist schools have influenced many of the leaders. Isaiah relates the rich Sabbath bless Ministerial Supply Center -Seminars Unlimited ings the Lord gives to those who show P.O. Box 66, Keene, TX 76059 concern for the hungry, the homeless, and 817-641-3643 800-982-3344 the oppressed (see Isaiah 58). Our com Canada and Overseas shipping may vary mitment to the Sabbath must drive us to Please call for exact charges the slums of the world, where millions live in terrible desperation. Such a minis-

24 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 try can only enhance our Sabbath joy. intelligent and even less sanctified when lies, and perhaps most important, model "Then you shall take delight in the Lord, we later went to an inner-city church in a ing community. One of the most impor and I will make you ride upon the heights violent area ruled by a vicious gang, with tant gifts that the church has to offer to the of the earth; I will feed you with the my two daughters working with me in cities is just what we are. We must not heritage of your ancestor Jacob, for the our summer urban day camp. Yes, cities accept the concept of "throwaway " neigh mouth of the Lord has spoken" (Isaiah are dangerous, but even more dangerous borhoods, where the visible evils of drugs, 58:14, NRSV). is our fear itself. prostitution, and violent crime are fenced Fear of the unknown and of that which off from us and contained, ignoring the Three barriers is different intimidates us. The fact is that equally serious but less visible crimes of Ray Bakke, noted urban missiologist, life is dangerous everywhere today. Drugs the suburbs. perceives three major barriers to Chris are a problem in affluent suburbs as well tian involvement in the cities.2 The first as in ghettos. Driving on the highway is Three prepositions is the theological barrier. We still read more dangerous than driving through The relationship of the church to the the Bible through rural eyes, having been town. Misplaced fear can immobilize us city may be viewed through three prepo raised that way. The urban reality is so and prevent us from effectively follow sitions. The first is the church in the city. new that we have not had time to catch up ing Jesus, who is Lord of the cities as This is the shallowest relationship of the with it theologically. We suffer from much as He is of the jungles and bush and three. The church is simply there, with no what Alvin Toffler calls "future shock," farmlands. particular attachment to the city or the the premature arrival of the future.3 Many Safety is never mentioned in the bib specific neighborhood. The church in the of us idealize the little brown church in lical lists of personal and collective goals. city is superimposed upon the neighbor the wildwood, forgetting that our fastest It is not included in the fruit of the Spirit hood, a ghetto in one building. Frequently growing churches are in the cities. Bakke (Gal. 5:22, 23). In fact, Jesus suggests the church in the city is a drive-in church, states, "We need to expand our theology that seeking safety is actually fatal (Matt. a congregation that drives in on Sabbath until it encompasses God©s vision of the 16:24, 25). and then returns to the safety and tran- city." 4 The gospel cannot be effectively quility of the suburbs or farms. These The second barrier is the ecclesiasti shared from a distance. Christians are commuting members generally have no cal barrier. Our churches can no longer be desperately needed in the cities to model stake in the community: they have no culturally homogeneous religious clubs faith and compassion, successful fami psychological ownership there, no con- speaking one language and operating on a rural time schedule. Urban congrega tions must celebrate the three angels© messages in a rich diversity of cultures and languages. One intersection near my church offers me the opportunity to eat Cuban, Salvadoran, Jamaican, Chinese, Italian, Vietnamese, West African, and Peruvian foods, but the music and wor ship style in my church the member ship of which reflects all these cultures is still mostly Western. The local Safeway store is open 24 hours a day. My church is essentially closed except from 8:30 ENCUENTRO a.m. to 12:00 noon on Sabbath. How can (SPANISH "ENCOUNTER") we liberate our churches to serve in the new urban context? How can we minister to the culturally distant who live in the shadows of our existing churches? The needs of the cities require strong urban churches with experienced leadership. The popular "Encuentro" Bible study series in Spanish, now on The traditional distinction between for video! Ten videocassettes for a SPECIAL PRICE OF S99.95 (plus eign and home missions is a thing of the past. shipping and handling) for the FIRST 250 ORDERS. Topics are The third barrier is fear. With the needs of the cities being so pressing, we presented in the light of the Word of God with an appealing must fight the temptation of "White combination of narration, music, and sound effects. fright" and "White flight," escaping to the suburbs. People thought my family was brave and praiseworthy when we moved to Africa a number of years ago, taking our small daughter with us. Some CALL 1-800-225-7707 of these same people considered us less

MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 25 problems from personal experience, in ally renew its sense of uniqueness and forms the church, while the church re prophetic identity within the constantly spects the people of the community, cor changing structures of society. And the In this model the rectly perceiving them as persons of great church©s identity and uniqueness in the church incarnates wisdom and potential the only poten past may not suffice today as we near the tial agents of real change in the commu twenty-first century. itself in the commu nity. Few urban Adventist churches (with 3. A positive attitude toward the the exception of some largely Adventist unchurched. When Christians experience neighborhoods) are community churches, nity, becoming one a radical break from the host society, they with the people. acquainted with and responding to their find it difficult to cross back over and immediate surroundings. Those that are recruit new members. To be totally ab know the excitement of being part of such sorbed into an Adventist subculture is to a dynamic living organism. be no longer effective "in the world," as Jesus said we should be (see John 17:11). What works? The larger society then perceives that we Mission is always local. McDonald©s have little intrinsic interest in them, other can franchise identical outlets in all the cern for its schools and its families, no than as numbers on our books or trophies cities and succeed because they are sell of our "crusades." The unchurched must concern for what happens on Sunday ing basically a standardized product. not be viewed as the "enemy," but as the through Friday as long as the church Christianity, however, is intensely rela subject of God©s concern and thus the building is not harmed. tional and thus must be culturally condi church©s. The second level is the church to the tioned. What works in one city may not 4. A willingness to make the best of city. This suggests interaction between work in another; even what works in one the church and the community, concern social context. When people migrate to a neighborhood of a city may not work in new area, they are open to change. They about the neighborhood and its problems. another neighborhood of the same city. It is a more wholistic approach that un have already changed homes, jobs, and New York is different from Sao Paulo. neighbors, and they need to replace old derstands the need for the church not only Manhattan is different from the Bronx. loyalties with new relationships. The to be present in the community but also Strategy may be painted in broad strokes, church as community can offer a new concerned with both evangelism and even but the fine lines must reflect the imme church home, new spiritual neighbors, social action. The Achilles© heel in this diate cultural, social, economic, and his and a new community of satisfying and approach, however, is that the church torical context. caring relationships. "knows" what is best for the community During the past decade in Sao Paulo, ("Look at those teenagers. What they 5. The establishment of small groups Brazil, the Adventist Church has experi to give a structure for evangelism and need is . . ."). enced unprecedented growth, swelling to easier assimilation of new members. These In reality, the people most affected by 73,000 members. A recent survey of our problems are the ones best able to deal groups allow for diversity, fellowship, lay conferences there serves as a baseline of training, and growth. with them. While this is a primary prin comparison with other urban areas, and ciple underlying effective urban minis suggests some broad essentials that ap try, it is also one of the most difficult The new frontier pear to be transferable: The cities are the new frontier of mis insights for Christians to apply even 1. A growth mentality. It is important sions. Alert and sensitive Christians in after we accept it intellectually. Because that the local church senses an imperative we know the gospel, we feel that we know many churches and denominations are of growth and perceives itself as growing. responding to the challenge. What a shame what is best for the community. Programs Organisms that do not grow may be either it would be if Adventists, who sense their under the "church to the city" model may retarded, sick, or dying. When a church end-time uniqueness, should fail to read thrive, but only as long as the congrega loses its vision of growth it faces one of the signs of the times by failing to follow tion keeps committing people, materials, the three dangers. This growth identity is Jesus in His mission to every nation and and funding. Effectiveness is limited, generally accompanied by a strong sense and burnout is inevitable. Eventually the tribe and language and people. of urgency that drives the congregation. The cities cry out for creative, innova programs will die because they were never Frequently this growth identity is facili tive, caring Christian mission. God in the programs of the people. The people in tated by a visionary program developed vites us to join Him in His mission to the the community were spectators or cli within the conference/mission or union, world, to the increasingly urban world. ents, not participants and goal owners. So that builds the structures of evangelism Dare we refuse? the church to the city model is actually into the local churches. colonialist in nature, operating out of a 2. A sense of confidence on the part of paternalistic attitude. the church. That is, the church members 1 Ellen G. White, The Desire ofAges (Mountain The third approach is the church with must have assurance in both then- salva View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940),p.331. the community. In this model the church tion and in their Christian uniqueness. 2 Ray Bakke, "Overcoming the Real Barriers to incarnates itself in the community, be Few members are going to be enthusias Urban Evangelization," in John Kyle, ed., Urban Mission (Downers Grove, HI.: InterVarsity Press, coming one with the people, and entering tic about inviting others to become part of 1988), p. 76. as a partner into the life of its neighbors. a community that is vague about its iden 3 AlvinTaffler.Future Shock (New York: Ran The community, which understands the tity or purpose. Adventism must continu dom House, 1970).

26 MBSfISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 and Bible teachers. It is not "easy" to The harvest is still plenteous. Jeremia land one of these positions, but with Florea, Bee Branch, Arkansas. Letters training, anything is possible. Chaplain From page 2 Willard Beaman, Moberly, Missouri. Gospel, justice, and the globe Justice and peace on whose terms Strange! Jesus said, "The harvest is ("The Gospel and Global Mission," plentiful, but the laborers are few." May 1992)? God desires justice and foundation of relationships an intimate What has happened? Maybe we need to peace, and also mercy. But Satan relationship with God through prayer reexamine our tracks. convinced Eve that justice (fairness) and a nurturing relationship with one©s Many years ago and in another world made it OK for her to eat the forbidden family. Leora DeWitt, South division, after finishing the seminary fruit and that God was unjust in telling Lancaster, Massachusetts. course and three years with the military, her not to. Since that time Satan has I was called to be director of four continued to deceive humanity with his I used to be a pastor departments in a conference with more kind of justice while, at the same time, Dwight McDonald ("I Used to Be a than 100 churches. Another colleague demanding the right to destroy us on the Pastor," May 1992) makes several was called to be a minister. Soon he basis of what he portrays to be God©s important points. The problem is more realized that his first priority was to justice (Job 1; Zech. 3:1). The universal common than many realize and may evangelize. So he began to hold three- conflict being played out in our world is occur for a variety of reasons. In my month meetings in different places, the contest between Satan©s terms for own case, I returned from overseas baptizing hundreds of people and self-centered justice and peace and mission service to find my recession- organizing new churches. God©s terms, which are based on burdened home division unable to find Could it be that our educational unselfish love. With most of the people immediate employment for me. My five system and seminary training should be in the world choosing Satan©s terms, months of unemployment were made reevaluated and redirected? It is gener how can a social gospel convince them easier by a number of people who did ally believed that half the population of otherwise and help them understand exactly what McDonald recommends. North America is unchurched. If so, the their need of a Saviour? To his excellent counsel I would like harvest indeed is plentiful. Maybe in the We can be thankful that God does to append a special word to conference future our colleges and seminaries not save us on the basis of the justice we administrators. Much of the nonfinancial should train more frontline evangelists deserve (judge by our actions), "but stress of pastoral unemployment can be rather than pastors. They could according to his mercy" (Titus 3:5). This relieved if leaders in the church still strengthen the now dying little churches is the good news the gospel and it is recognize the calling and usefulness of and organize new ones. It will not be an our global mission to make this saving clergy whom they cannot afford to easy road. But looking back at our mercy known to the entire world. This employ. Most of us are willing to assist church history, we meet Joseph Bates, changes hearts a social gospel does in pastoral lines, even when we cannot James White, John N. Loughborough, not. J. Stanley McCluskey, Redlands, be paid for doing so. My own self- and J. N. Andrews as field evangelists. California. esteem was considerably improved by a conference president who asked me to serve as pastor (at least on weekends) in a district that was temporarily vacant, arranged to pay my travel expenses, welcomed me warmly at conference workers© meetings, put my name in the conference directory, and even gave me a paid subscription to Ministry*. Donn W. Leatherman, Collegedale, Tennessee. Sound familiar? You need:

The article touches many of us who have been pastors. How well I recall the feeling of deep concern when the QuoteBase conference spoke of "cutbacks" in the ministry 30 years ago and terminated me (For PC compatibles) for "lack of funds" and other reasons. I know how it feels to be out of work as a minister, but I have learned one QuoteBase is specialized database software for anyone who collects literary thing: there are other places than the material for later use in sermons, articles, books, research papers or for church to minister to persons in need. personal enrichment. As your ongoing research continues, your database of Many hospitals have clinical pastoral rich and useful material will grow and diversify. You will find QuoteBase, education that furthers the scope of versatile, easy to use, and it will soon be a well used tool in your work place. ministry. Chaplains serve in hospitals, military, and correctional institutions. For more details, contact MLI Software at 1-800-382-9622 Colleges and academies need chaplains

MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/l 992 27 Biblio File

World Religions in Your Neighbor bor and the place of worship down the basic tenets of Christianity. hood, Loving Your Neighbor When street may be non-Christian. The author recognizes the idealism of You Don©t Know How Terry Muck writes on how Christians the "sixties generation" that evolved into Terry C. Muck, Zondervan Publishers, should relate to these neighbors. Do we ego-centered self-fulfillment. His goal is Grand Rapids, 1992, $9.99, paper. Re encourage dialogue? Do we socialize to help boomers develop self-fulfillment viewed by Lawrence G. Downing, pastor, with them, convert them, or denounce through self-denial. Anaheim Seventh-day Adventist Church, them? Can they be saved in their own He understands our modern world of Anaheim, California. religions? diversity and the many choices we face. North America, once predominantly In answering these questions, the au He acknowledges that baby boomers are Judeo-Christian, is changing. One in 10 thor is not concerned with hermeneutics, not choosing Christianity. He wants to persons is a non-Christian. Your neigh- soteriology, ethics, ecclesiology, and au change that situation. thority of non-Christian religions. He Easum is convinced that churches does not examine their social dynamics. wanting to reach baby boomers must He does not discuss how fundamentalism make major changes in evangelism and defines and shapes religious practices. worship. He warns of tensions that will The Tie That ©Binds He does not explore what drives non- arise from such a choice. Easum explains Christian religions to propagate their be differences in thinking and acting be liefs. tween opposing groups of people. He But he does answer questions in a shows how churches can reach boomers sensitive, practical, and reasonable man without totally alienating current mem ner. Muck writes primarily for the person bers. in the pew. He challenges us to initiate Before reaching out to boomers, the dialogue with non-Christians. He shares author suggests, each church should ask how he and his family respond to invita itself five questions: 1. Are most of the tions to participate in non-Christian reli major ministries conducted on church gious services. property? 2. Does the church provide The author, a teacher at Austin Pres ministries for the community and give byterian Theological Seminary and a spe visibility for the church? 3. Does the Shame, andThe Church cialist in non-Christian religion, also poses church provide ministries that nurture This award winning video was some disturbing questions: Are not all and assimilate those who respond to the especially developed to assist clergy religions the same anyway? Does the church©s outreach? 4. Does the church (and the general Christian community) Bible teach us to avoid personal contact provide ministries that make disciples with non-Christians? Are my non-Chris in the identification of personal, spiritual out of those involved in the life of the tian neighbors lost? How should I share church? 5. Do all the ministries of the andchurch-relatedproblems which have my faith? church consider the needs of the shame at the core. NonChristian religions are here to unchurched and provide ways to estab Payoffs for reducing shame in the stay. Every indicator points to their grow lish a relationship with them? Christian community include deeper ing influence. This book offers the pastor One helpful chapter shares insights on spirituality, a reduction of energy putting a concerned and thoughtful answer on how to preach to boomers and what wor out "church fires", less clergy- how to love our non-Christian neighbors. ship styles will attract them. The author©s parishioner criticism, and more comments on "celebration" worships satisfaction with interpersonal How to Reach Baby Boomers will be of special interest to Adventists. relationships. William Easum, Abingdon Press, Nash Reaching baby boomers is not easy. ville, 1991, 143 pages, $10.95, paper. But for churches that believe God calls This 40-minute video is a rich Reviewed by Gary E. Russell, pastor, resource for sermons, vespers, and them to welcome this largely unchurched Seventh-day Adventist Church, generation, Easum©s book will offer a special programs. It comes equipped Dowagiac, Michigan. source of relevant ideas for ministry. with discussion questions and Easum pastors a church that reaches backround information which would out and draws in baby boomers. His Health, Healing, and Transformation be useful in the church setting. Viewers purpose in writing this book is not to E. Anthony Alien, Kenneth Luscombe, et will find this video thought provoking, describe or define baby boomers others al., MARC, World Vision International, as well as inspirational. have done that. Instead, he proposes to Monrovia, California, 1991,109 pages, To receive your copy, send $39.95 assist churches in ministering to this gen $7.95, paper. Reviewed by Richard A. to: eration and realize the cost in doing so. Hansen, M.D., director, Poland Spring KolleenNeff,Psy.D. He suggests basic changes in leadership Health Institute, Poland Spring, Maine. skills, the quality and scope of ministry, Creative Horizons This book hopes to assist the church and the methods of preaching and wor with one of its most important missions 332 N. Magnolia Ave. ship. He maintains that churches can the healing ministry of the gospel. It is an Monrovia, CA 91016 make changes without abandoning any outgrowth of presentations made at the

28 MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 1989 World Vision International Confer sentation, sees our unresponsiveness as ence on Health. Four presentations are the result of indulgent lifestyles. We included. overeat, not being hungry. We overspend The material goods The first presentation, by Dr. E. An and are not satisfied. We attempt to com thony Alien, a psychiatrist and theolo pensate for such sins with fast fitness a missionary gian, analyzes salvation and healing as a workouts. Health becomes another means part of the kingdom proclamation. As to secure prestige, pleasure, and power. possesses may be Christ commanded His disciples to heal To be a Christian, Luscombe says, is confused with the the sick, He challenges the church to to invest our lives as Jesus did. This call fulfill a similar role today. Alien takes to discipleship takes into consideration gospel. issue with the spirit-body dualism domi the needs of the world; the reality of nating the church, and looks at the human selfish, sinful human nature, and God©s being as a whole person. This whole- healing power. Jesus demonstrated that person approach to health and human true greatness comes from serving others. development, derived from Gospel ac We are not His disciples unless we follow the quest for gold, our idolization of counts of healings, drives him to a minis Him, but there will be a cost. He asks, Are learning, and our focus on institutions try of caring. He believes that an inflated we willing to suffer to bring healing to rather than people. The idolatry of health concern with filled churches has dis others? care workers and the use of drugs can be tracted us from our healing ministry. The The third presentation, by Brian a form of magic, states Meyers. There evils of exploitation and noncaring must Meyers, an executive in Health Services fore it is essential to redirect faith from be countered by Christian ministers, phy for World Vision, looks at health care in the human instrument to the God of res sicians, and health-care institutions. Alien the light of the Exodus. It took only a few toration. encourages local churches to function as days to get Israel out of Egypt, but it took Toward the end of the book we meet hospitals of healing with prayer as the 40 years in the wilderness to get Egypt out Dr. Eric Ram, director of International principal tool. of Israel, he says. Like Moses, health- Health for World Vision. He repeats the Kenneth Luscombe, a Baptist theolo care workers must listen to God. "Seeing call to heal found in the Gospels. Jesus gian from Australia, in the second pre him who is invisible," we turn away from exemplifies compassion, he tells us. And

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MINISTRY/NOVEMBER/1992 29 compassion is more than pity or sympa taught in a missions context. tianity and the Anticolonial Reaction," thy; it is a capacity to feel, even suffer, His book deals with the vexed issue of "Missions and the Nationalists Revolu with persons in need. Love is a fruit of the the link between imperialism and Chris tions, 1860 to 1895," "Christianity and Spirit. Physician missionary Paul Brand tianity. He confesses to being tempted to Culture," and "Empires and Missions calls it a polyvalent vaccine for the pre entitle his work "The Bible and the Gun." Under Human and Divine Judgment" are vention of almost all diseases of a behav Imperialism was not achieved without relevant. ioral nature. The church must possess this force. Governments often used armed The collapse of Christian work in same compassion of Jesus in ministering intervention on behalf of Christian mis China in 1949 shows how a seemingly to the ill. sion, either to protect nationals or as an sound structure may rest on an insecure The message of this book deserves excuse to penetrate other lands. base. Church institutions commanded prayerful reflection. Medical practitio Students of nineteenth-century his little loyalty from the Chinese nationals. ners and church leaders will profit from tory of prophetic interpretation will be Stanley contends that the heart of our the insights and challenges posed by these interested in the discussion of the relative mission problem has been that Western Christian leaders. roles of pre- and postmillennialism in cultures contain a complex amalgam of missionary enterprise. While this reviewer Christian and secular influences. The The Bible and the Flag would agree with Stanley that the mis Western missionary may have rationalis Brian Stanley, Apollos InterVarsity Press, sionary movement was "born out of a tic philosophical assumptions that do not Leicester, England, 1990, 212 pages, conviction that the church stood on the fit other cultures. The material goods a L10.95; also available through brink of the last days of history," the missionary possesses may be confused InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, III., question of the balance between post- and with the gospel and create an appetite for $22.95. Reviewed by Hugh I. Dunton, premillennialists before 1880 may need things, he says. librarian, Newbold College, England. to be examined. Certainly the pre The author calls for an alternative that While Adventists discuss Global Mis millennialists claimed that their belief will "involve the construction within each sion, they also need to look at what past did not lead to any complacency or fatal society of a Christian counterculture to experience teaches. Dr. Brian Stanley, ism. exemplify the absolute values of the king registrar and tutor in church history at While the whole book should be read dom of God within that particular cul Spurgeon©s College, London, is passion by missiologists, some chapters are par tural context." ately concerned that church history be ticularly instructive. For example, "Chris Stanley raises such questions as,

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Where do we stand on the fate of those This book is built on 23 propositions who have never heard of Jesus Christ? about communication. Smith©s proposi Are all the heathen lost? Are all non- tions encompass fundamental truths about Why the Sabbath? Christian religions of the devil, or are communicating from a Christian per From page 4 they approaches to God, awaiting fulfill spective. Smith shows how meaning and ment in the gospel revelation? Has the understanding are the focus of communi main aim of mission shifted from souls to cation. social uplift? Calvary©s freedom. Week by week the We must ask whether Adventist mis No Other Name, An Investigation Into seventh day comes around to remind us sions have been too closely associated the Destiny of the Unevangelized, John we can©t save ourselves we must trust with political regimes. Has such associa Sanders, Foreword by Clark H. Pinnock, Jesus. And in this world where atheism tion muted the church©s concern for so William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., abounds, the Sabbath testifies that we cial justice or left the church vulnerable Grand Rapids, 1992,312 pages, $16.95, didn ©t evolve by chance. God made us as when the regime ended? paper. His children. Adventists need to be sensitive to the John Sanders researches the various Unfortunately, we Adventists have issues raised in this book and to absorb its schools of thought concerning the des traditionally presented the Sabbath as an lessons. We must, as Paul said, become tiny of the unevangelized. He investi attempt to fulfill the law rather than as all things to all men, without losing sight gates the claims of two extreme views rest in the accomplishments of Christ. of the centrality of the One crucified, restrictivism and universalism and re No wonder fellow Christians who know risen, and returning. veals their weaknesses. He supports the God©s grace have not been overly im "wider hope" of salvation as universally pressed by Adventist evangelism. Thank Recently Noted accessible and builds a good case for God we are repenting of legalism and Creating Understanding, A Handbook for inclusivism: universally accessible sal beginning to preach the truth as it is in Christian Communication Across Cul vation apart from evangelization. An ap Jesus. tural Landscapes, Donald K. Smith, pendix section discusses the salvation of So let us call the world to worship Zondervan Publishing House, Grand infants. This book is indispensable for God at Calvary, not at Sinai. Only then Rapids, 1992, 382 pages, US$17.95, anyone interested in missions and evan can we honor the gospel and complete Cdn$24.50, paper. gelism. our Global Mission.

MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/l 992 31 Shop Talk

Two 1992 evangelism relating to the physically, them from the sermon file to Third, Operation An councils in the North mentally, or emotionally a diskette for illustrations or drew, a time to sponsor American Division handicapped. Single copies quotations. To avoid outreach activities that en West: December 13-16, are US$10 postpaid in the confusion I use the exten able members to find souls 1992, beginning 7:00 p.m., United States. Bulk orders sion ".i" for illustrations and for Jesus, such as home Sunday, December 13, on are discounted, and free ".q" for quotations. Items Bible study fellowships, the campus of the Adventist copies are offered to indi can also be dated as a stop-smoking programs, etc. Media Center. Speakers and viduals or congregations in reminder of when they were Fourth, Operation Philip. presenters include Glenn financial need. Contact last used. It is always wise Just as Philip explained the Aufderhar, Dan and Gloria N.O.D., 910 6th St NW, Suite to make a note indicating prophecies of Scripture, so Bentzinger, Alf Birch, Mark 600, Washington, D.C. 20006. the source of the illustration an evangelistic reaping and Ernestine Finley, Don or quotation. Gayle Woods, crusade takes place. and Margie Gray, Gordon Eulogy Burlison, Tennessee. Fifth, we have Operation Henderson, Dan Matthews, I have found it effective Barnabas, when new Lonnie Melashenko, H.M.S. to summarize the eulogy at Footprint with a prayer members are encouraged Richards, Jr., George funerals into a one-column I have a special cer and commissioned into Vandeman, Jim Wood, and format on my computer. On emony for every newborn in missionary service. C. Lloyd Wyman (director). another page I change fonts Paraguay Adventist Hospi I have found this 12- Motels, restaurants, and and type the scriptures used. tal. I present the parents to 16-month plan highly stores are within 1 ©/2 miles Then I have my plotter print with a Bible containing the effective in integrating and of the campus. For further this combination in appro baby©s footprint, with the mobilizing evangelistic information call 805-373- priate colors, after which I prayer expressed that the principles into the life of 7612 or write the Adventist place it in a double picture child will learn to walk the local churches. I will be Evangelistic Association, frame and present it to the Bible way. Already a few more than happy to send 1100 Rancho Conejo family at the proper time parents have come to Christ details about this plan to Boulevard, Newbury Park, and setting. I find this to be and have been baptized anyone upon request. California 91320. quite an effective tool for through this evangelistic Steve Durkac, P.O. Box East: December 14-17, counseling and evangelism. tool. Pastor Tomas Recalde, 12207, Rock Hill, South 1992, beginning 7:30 p.m., Even if one does not Colonia Hohenau, Paraguay. Carolina 29731. Monday, December 14, and have a color printing plotter, ending at noon, Thursday, most printers accommodate Five phases of evangelism Communion for children December 17 at the Daytona font changes. The effect still Here is a plan I find With the rising number Hilton, 2637 S. Atlantic looks excellent in black on effective in helping pastors of unbaptized children Avenue, Daytona Beach, white. Bill Tuite, Alexan prepare for evangelistic participating in the Com Florida 32118-5699 (call for dria, Indiana. crusades. Divide the church munion service, deacons are hotel reservations at 1-800- year into five concentrations often confused about whom 525-7350). Essays of congregational focus. to offer the emblems. The The program will include For some years my Each concentration is a time situation could be solved if evangelists presenting ministry has profited from for events and focus of the week before Communion messages just as they do in essays on a wide range of evangelistic principles based the church bulletin had a crusades. Participating subjects in the newsletter of on characters of the early note tucked inside encourag evangelists are Lyle Albrecht, the Royal Bank of Canada. apostolic church. ing parents to discuss the John Carter, Ron Halvorsen, If you also wish to receive First, Operation Peter, matter with their children and Dennis Ross. There will the Royal Bank Letter free during which church leaders and decide at the family also be workshops on pas of charge, write to the Royal declare faith in the power of level whether or not the toral preparation for crusades. Bank of Canada, P.O. Box God©s Spirit to evangelize children will participate. 6001, Montreal, P.Q., H3C- successfully, despite Then when it comes time for Enhancing worship for the 3A9. William Cranford, opposition and dissension. the Lord©s Supper, the disabled Winston-Salem, North Second, Operation parents can take the em An interdenominational Carolina. Stephen, when the church blems from the trays and handbook to assist congrega has revival services and hand them to their children, tions in welcoming persons Illustration and quotation forms prayer bands to thus alleviating any diffi with disabilities is available diskettes inspire members to partake culty for the deacons. Dan from the National Organiza When typing sermon of the Holy Spirit©s power. Martella, Provo, Utah. tion on Disability. Its 52 notes on my computer, I Bible credits: Texts credited to NKJV are from The New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, pages are full of fresh ideas usually include any illustra Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. Bible texts credited to NRSV are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ for overcoming the reluc tions or quotations. Rather in the U.S A. Used by permission. Tests credited to NTV are ftom the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copy tance and awkwardness than having to retype them right 1973, 1978, 1984. International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946,1952, 1971, by the many members have in in case of future use, I copy Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

32 MINISTRY/NO VEMBER/1992