astle Hill youth (New South CWales) raised $A18,000 in an evening, far surpassing their goal of $A5,000, to provide a team of young teachers to support the Eden Valley School for Karen refugees—such as the girl pictured—on the Thai Burmese border. e. A formal dinner held at the Baulkham Hills Council chambers, organised, prepared and served by Castle Hill youth, was attended by 150 people at a donation of $35 or more. Dr John Knight (better known as Dr James Wright) presented an entertaining and enlightening speech for the guests. Gifts acquired by youth pastor Darius Jankiewicz were vied for with substantial sums of money—a donation of $A1500 was made for a pot of soup. About 20 youth volunteers will leave with Ian Howie, Castle Hill youth coordinator and primary school curriculum director for the South Pacific Division, from December 20 to January 21, to tutor Eden Valley students and build the first permanent classroom block on land purchased by Helen Hall, the school director. If you want to support these young people, your tax-deductible donation may be sent to ADRA, 146 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, account number 4570.54. "Some of us who are older tried to temper the ambitious predictions and schemes, to prepare the youth for disappointment," says church member Jeanette Kemp. "We failed. And they succeeded. Dreamers and idealists, yes, indeed. Thank God."
RECORD EDITORIAL
Official Paper Seventh-day Adventist Church Beware the LPF South Pacific Division Editor Bruce Manners t's yet another "in" phrase that's government, we must have leadership Associate Editor Alan Holman lbeing used to describe global eco- and direction, and that predisposes a Assistant Editor Karen Miller nomics, politics and the family unit. not-too-level paddock. Editorial Secretary Glenda Fairall Copy Editor Graeme Brown You've heard it—the Level Playing And this means different rules and Senior Consulting Editor Laurie Evans Field—a principle of universal flat- rewards for different groups, for the Correspondents Ray Baird, Lyn Bartlett, Terry ness, if you like. utterly fundamental reason that needs Butler, Ray Coombe, David Hay, Maua Kemo'o, Colin Winch, Neroli Zaska But is there such a thing as the and responsibilities differ. Regional Reporters Nigel Ackland, George Drinkall, LPF? Can all aspects of life be flat- We may not like the idea of being Eric Greenwell, Colin House, Larry Laredo, Malcolm Potts, Leigh Rice, Lyndon Schick, Gordon Smith, tened out, so that the burden of life is ruled, told, changed and manipulated, Chester Stanley, Calvyn Townend. fair to all? Is equality attainable? but that's been our lot since birth. Local Reporters Church Communication Secretaries My personal reaction is one of And it's significant that the Subscriptions South Pacific Division, $A31.00 $NZ43.40. incredulity that people can believe "democratisation" of the family has All other regions, $A64.00 $NZ89.60. Air mail postage such a happy myth. LPF, if it means largely contributed to its demise as a rates on application. Order from Signs Publishing Company, Warburton, Victoria 3799, Australia. "the same for everyone," is a great power-base in the community. Manuscripts All copy for the paper should be sent to idea, but practical nonsense. The church is no different. If every- The Editor, RECORD, Signs Publishing Company, Consider democracy. When one did their own thing, it would be as Warburton, Victoria 3799. Phone (059) 66 9111. Telefax (059) 669019. Cleisthenes brought in a revised fragmented in its direction as was Printed weekly by Signs Publishing Company. Athenian constitution in 507 BC, all early Athens. The fact is, we need adult, male citizens of the city-state leaders. Directory of the South Pacific Division of the Seventh- became automatic members of the The nearest approximation to LPF day Adventist Church, 148 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga, NSW 2076. ruling assembly. Each had equality occurs in representative govern- Phone (02) 489 7122. (Legal Trustee: Australasian before the law, equality of power and ment—where each member of the Conference Association Limited. A.C.N. 000 003 930 Secretary: Tom Andrews, Assistant Secretaries: freedom of speech. It was a new community or group has a say in the Richard Milne, Properties: Bruce Jackson, Finance.) approach to management—LPF. election of leaders—though one won- President Bryan Ball Everyone was a decision-maker. ders how compulsory voting can be Secretary Laurie Evans Treasurer Tom Andrews The theory was simple enough. At democratic. We can choose those Assistant to President Gerald Clifford the time there was no one capable of who, we trust, will represent our needs Associate Secretary Vern Parmenter leadership, so why not hand leader- and philosophies. Associate Treasurers Owen Mason, Lynray Wilson Field Secretary Gerhard Pfandl ship over to the people. But the seeds The current cynical attitude to of disaster had been sown. It's fine for politicians reflects a breakdown in this Departments and Services: ADRA Harold Halliday (Director), Neil Hughes, everyone to have an equal right to trust. No wonder we're being bom- Peter Truscott speak, but who arbitrates when discus- barded by LPF. Historically, the LPF Adventist Health Percy Harrold (Director), Harley sion becomes deadlocked or when syndrome emerges when leadership Stanton Adventist Health Services—Life Plus Don Bain decisions have to be made? potential is low; when leadership is (Director), Val Charlton. The Athenians were so intent on questioned from the grassroots, or Adventist Media Centre Nat Devenish (Manager) debating their rights to the LPF, they when leaders can't agree among them- Archivist and Statistician Roy Clifford Auditing Service Max Mitchell (Director), Eric could only offer open-mouthed chaos selves. Hokin, Ernie Moffitt, Neville Sawert, Robert Stratford when the Spartan army stood at the The canny Spartans knew this, wait- Christian Services for the Blind and Hearing gates. ed for LPF to become effectively inef- Impaired Ray Coombe Church Ministries Bryan Craig (Director and Family A friend recently told me a parable fective, and marched in. Ministries), Wilfred Bili (Stewardship), Colleen Buxton about the Titanic. As the great ship There is, in fact, only one legiti- (Children's Ministries), Barry Gane (Youth), Alwyn was sinking, the captain called a meet- mate LPF. In God's sight all people Salom (Personal Ministries), Eric Winter (Sabbath School) ing of all 1000 passengers—men, are equal. "For there is no difference Communication, Public Affairs and Religious women and children. between Jew and Gentile—the same Liberty Ray Coombe Education Les Devine (Director), Barry Hill, Ian "There are only 500 seats in the Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses Howie, Owen Hughes, Max Miller, Bob Spoor lifeboats," he told them. "So I've all who call on Him, for, 'Everyone Health Food Eugene Grosser (Director), Greg decided, in the interests of LPF, to cut who calls on the name of the Lord Gambrill, Lance Rogers, Allan Staples, Ray Windus Ministerial Association John Gate them loose, so we can all drown with will be saved' (Romans 10:12, 13, Publishing Bruce Campbell equality." NIV). Risk Management Service Robert Smith (Manager) While most of us would applaud the I'm glad salvation is based on the Trust Services Jim Lansdown freedoms inherent in the principles of request, not the requester. That helps democracy, the sad fact is that life is smooth out bumps of frustration at Cover: not and cannot be equal. The reality is how things happen in this imperfect
Photo: Roger Sevenhuysen that the LPF principle doesn't work. world. To function, from family to national Alan Holman
2 RECORD August 22, 1992 LETTERS
edges and if they attended a rock con- visit each five years. Worshipping Angels cert they could be sitting on the I realise that a pastor's work entails P Williams is worried about the ground for not one hour but several. more than visitations and that this let- advertisement of a badge showing the And they'd be paying a substantial fee ter only covers one area of neglect. I three angels (Letters, July 18). But into the bargain. Marjorie Cullen, Vic did have a youth missionary visit me there is no more worshipping angels in once, but he kept looking at his watch. wearing the witnessing symbol of our Futile Hopes I'm reminded of John 21:15, where church than when the Israelites were D Robinson's letter (RECORD, Peter is instructed to "feed my sheep." told to look at the brazen serpent in July 4) refers to certain world condi- John Wilkinson, Qld the wilderness. tions and the worthy efforts of several As long as the people obeyed the "movements" to offset our civilisa- While this letter may make a valid command to look, they lived. But later, tion's degradation of the environment. point, the aim of the editorial was to when some worshipped the serpent, it He closes by stating that it would be ask what we, as individuals, are going had to be destroyed. By wearing a easy for Satan, through "subtle think- to do about those who leave the badge that symbolises our calling to be ing," to set up a world religion. church. Shifting focus to the pastor the people with God's final message to But Satan initiated his "religion" avoids the question. the world, we're creating opportunities 6000 years ago when he offered Eve to explain its significance to those who the first option on higher education. Unkind Comments ask. R Butcher, Vic This has since become the basic incen- I felt the comments of the letter tive for all humanity—to seek knowl- "Other Sports" (August 1) most Many Factors edge as the means to obtain material unkind. I have used the example of In RECORD, July 11, the "Key to wealth and power. The condition of the soccer player in our youth Sabbath Terms" section in the article on organ- our world demonstrates how futile school class. The young man did a ising missions into conferences, gave this hope is. D Thompson, NSW wonderful thing to make a stand for the impression that financial status his Lord. Our young people can be was the only factor used when decid- No Visits faithful to God even in a sports envi- ing on change. To avoid misunder- I refer to the editorial (RECORD, ronment. Franco Giarraputo, NSW standing, it should be noted that July 11) entitled, "What Will You other, equally important, determining Do?" I've had three visits from pas factors apply. They include: tors over a period of 15 years. One Views expressed in Letters to the Editor do not 1. An understanding of and commit- was in conjunction with initial Bible neccessarily represent those of the editors or the ment to the worldwide evangelistic studies, one was when I was asked to denomination. Letters should not exceed 250 words and should be mailed to RECORD Editor, Signs vision of the church by its members. assist in shifting lodgings for someone Publishing Company, Warburton Victoria 3799, 2. The ability of the mission to pro- (the pastor came when I was in bed), Writers must include their name, address and tele- phone number. Letters received more than three vide personnel, especially leadership, and the third was a request for spiritu- weeks after the date of the issue carrying the article to and evidence of members' confidence al books. That's an average of one which they respond will normally not be printed. All in and respect of, appointed leaders. letters will be edited to meet space and literary requirements, but the author's original meaning will 3. The size of the membership. not be changed. Not all letters received will be pub- 4. A demonstrated ability and will- lished. ingness of a mission to carry its share is aillakV--- of financial responsibility in the world mission program. This is by no means a complete list, C4Aill 7711 WO HOW liaa but it does serve to show that financial 77/s KIDS 134704/ 771E1-007/ status is one determining factor in REIVRP" organising a mission into a confer- ence—but only one of many. D R Potter, Treasurer, WPUM Sense of Horror It was with a sense of horror that I read the article "Good Morning, God" in RECORD of July 11. Have our children not got enough tempta- tions facing them without us sowing seeds of rebellion and frustration in their minds? Why, he even reminded them of the hardness of the seats. Young people can be seen every day, sitting on footpaths and gutter
RECORD August 22, 1992 3 EDUCATION Adventist Alternative? by David J Faull If we, as parents, feel that Christian education is important, our children will too.
dventist parents once consid- parents' individual time, much less fear loneliness, hardship or tempta- ered Adventist education providing quality time for the chil- tion. Aessential for their children. dren. Adventist education is a way of life, Today, for many families, Adventist Most children spend at least five not simply an educational alternative. education has simply become an alter- hours in the full-time care of the This way of life is ingrained in the native. school and often an hour travelling to child from babyhood in the home, fos- There are probably a number of and from school in the company of tered on Sabbath by the church fami- reasons for this. There's an increase in school friends. The four to five ly, and enhanced and reinforced every the number of private day at school. school options. The gov- Let's be honest. ernment school system We're not perfect par- has taken stock and ents. We don't attend a improved its image. Time perfect church. But do taken to travel or to we abandon parent- make travel connections hood or church atten- is a continuing hassle for dance? As we sail the parents. sea of life we soon learn Perhaps a parent has that there may be heard of or has had a bad upsets and wrong direc- church-school experi- tions. But without ence. Quality education attention to the set of does cost more and, in a the sails the craft will recession, school fees are drift aimlessly. The an extra financial bur- home, the church and den. the school have a last- To accept these rea- ing influence on the sons as valid for placing a child. child in another school is The pattern set in this to misunderstand the environment is reflected value of the Adventist II lima in the choice of friends, Christian experience. It's Way INA Agr?IIM miNTIONO m.1 mil lifestyle habits, language beyond dollars and cents. and recreation. This If Christian education were simply remaining non-sleeping hours are places a responsibility on parents, reading, writing and arithmetic plus spent in recreation, eating and relating church members and teachers as they Bible, then an Adventist education to family. The school plays a pivotal relate to and practise positive would simply be just another alterna- role in teaching the children by pre- Christian living. tive. Parents could send their children cept and example. Every Adventist child needs such to other schools and teach Bible at The essential impact of Christian an education. The children in the home. education is not in taking Bible class- church are the children of the church. Adventist Christian education is es, studying the doctrines and present- Adventist education was organised to more. It's an attitude toward life, ing subjects such as creation. It's in complement the work of the home toward those around us and toward seeking to put young people in contact and the church. the church. with the answers to the larger ques- This isn't an alternative and isn't Teaching such an attitude isn't easy. tions of life: Where did I come from? guaranteed to save our children. It's a Some parents argue that they're Why am I here? and Where am I safeguard and a direction. If it's teaching Christianity at home and on going? important to us as parents, it will be Sabbath and that this exposure is ade- The answers to these questions important to our children. quate. But consider the realities of the affirm that God exists. He's always average home. The Monday-through- there. He died and rose again. David Faull is principal of the Sydney Adventist Friday stress places pressure on both Through His strength we need not High School, NSW.
4 RECORD August 22, 1992 OLYMPIC GOLD Personal Best
by Ken Long "That's the one I'm going for. That's the one I want."
or the nine-year-old boy, 20 On July 31 he endeavoured to deluded into trying to achieve our per- metres was a painfully long way. achieve another personal best—a gold sonal best or believing that our per- FSeveral months before, while medal in the Barcelona Olympics. sonal best is sufficient. When Jesus chasing his younger brother around "That's the one I'm going for. That's said to Peter, "I have prayed that you the family home, he ran through a the one I want," he stated emphatical- will not lose your faith," Peter's self- plate-glass door. He hit the door with ly before the games. confident reply was, "My personal such force that the neighbours Ever since the giant German, Joerg best is good enough already. I'm thought there had been an explosion. ready to go to prison or even die for His parents, enjoying a backyard Christians know that you if necessary." barbecue, came rushing to find him Jesus put Peter's personal best in its lying on the ground with an arrow of their personal best is true perspective. "I'm sorry to tell you glass 2 cm wide and 20 cm long just not good enough. Peter, but before the rooster crows embedded in his left calf. today, you will deny three times that He was rushed to hospital with the you know me." glass still in his leg. An emergency Hoffmann, pipped him for gold and Christians know that their personal operation was performed. His left the World Championships in Perth, best is just not good enough. No mat- calf had been cut in half and an Perkins has wanted the Olympic 1500- ter how much we deny ourselves, no artery was almost severed. It metre gold medal so badly he could matter how many times we exercise required 86 stitches to close the almost taste it. self-control, our efforts will be inade- wound. For several months he Just get- quate. couldn't walk properly. ting to the "There are those who profess to Swimming was prescribed to serve God, while they rely upon their improve the flexibility in his wasted own efforts to obey His law, to form a leg. Initially his father would carry right character and to secure salva- him into the pool. Later he came on tion. . . . Such religion is worth noth- crutches. With a kickboard in front of ing" (Steps to Christ, page 45). him, he rapidly became familiar It isn't until we realise that our with the 20-metre heated pool efforts will be judged upon the basis where his of Christ's personal best—not rehabili- our own—that we begin tation to grow. began. 0 On July 31, As the Kieren Perkins months wore on the strength in his faced his judg- legs returned and he was able to cover ment day. Not that 20 metres in fewer kicks and in only did he win less time. gold in the 1500- On April 5, 1992, this same young metre event, man, Kieren Perkins, now 18 years he also of age, achieved a personal best. In broke the fact it was not just his personal world record— best. It was the world best, a another personal best. world record-14 min 48.40 sec for starting blocks for the Olympic final Christ's personal best (more com- the 1500 metres. This added to his meant an incredible amount of hard monly known as righteousness) will, already amazing record. Just a few work. Six hours a day, six days a week. on our judgment day, enable each one days before he had smashed the 400 He had already swum the distance of us to receive something much bet- metres record. from Brisbane to Barcelona in train- ter than Olympic gold. G9 He had broken world records in the ing. He needed another personal best 400, 800 (twice) and 1500 metres in to be the winner. Ken Long is a solicitor who writes from Sydney, just eight months. As Christians we are sometimes NSW.