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A Life in the Spotlight a Life in the Spotlight February 1999 AA LifeLife inin thethe SpotlightSpotlight ReviewingReviewing God’sGod’s handhand inin thethe ministryministry ofof EarlEarl E.E. ClevelandCleveland Living Despite the Odds ASI: Catalyst for Awakening The Inspiration of Desperation LETTERS Tithe and the Local Church My righteous indignation was aroused the world increasingly has our love. It disturbs me to read of pastors and by this article. If our God-given sys- laypeople questioning the historic use tem is not broken, why fix it? When —Paul Lindstrom of the tithe (see Carlos Medley’s less than half of the membership of PASCO, WASHINGTON “NAD Committee Members Question many churches return a tithe and a Tithe System,” Dec. NAD Edition). smaller percentage support the As I understand it, the local church My wife and I are of limited funds—our does get “our little piece of the pie.” combined income is approximately We get a pastor who is paid from the What’s Your Story? $20,000 annually—yet we give 10 per- tithe money. If the local church can- We still meet a lot of Review cent in tithe and 10 percent in offering not find the money they need to oper- readers who ask, “Why don’t you do (50 percent to the local church budget; ate evangelism and other church func- an article on ———?” To which we 20 percent to conference fund; and 30 tions, the problem is in the spiritual reply, “Why don’t you write one?” percent to another need, local or other- condition of the local church mem- The Adventist Review is open to wise). On top of this, we have promised bers, not in the way the tithe money is all Adventist writers—young and old. the Lord that we would put the distributed. And though we can accept only 10 “largest” bill in my wallet each Sabbath percent of the 60 to 80 unsolicited morning into the offering plate. Many —Philip A. Lewis manuscripts we receive each month, times it isn’t much (or nothing at all), SEAMAN, OHIO we’re always looking for fresh, clear, but occasionally it has been a $20 bill real voices. or even one time a $100 bill! Categories: story, devotional, the- Despite our low income, the Lord I was shocked to read that the ology, biblical study, news report, fea- has blessed us greatly so that we have North American Division—with its ture, current issues, lifestyle, opinion, no lack at all—and indeed, we are able multicar, multi-TV, multi-Bible, interview, Reflections. to do things that many other families multieverything households and its Length: 800 to 2,400 words are not able to do with much larger padded pews, cathedral ceilings, and (725-750 for Reflections). incomes. If every Adventist did this, multipastored churches—was Payment: $40 to $200. the church would be able to do incred- complaining about not having Unsolicited manuscripts are eval- ible things. enough money. Most of our brothers uated the first week of each month. have next to nothing, and half the Attach a brief cover letter to a typed, —Name Withheld world still has never even heard the double-spaced manuscript and mail precious name of Jesus. How can to: Manuscripts, Adventist Review, anyone filled with God’s Spirit ask 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver The Sins of the Church to keep more money when we hear Spring, MD 20904. No e-mail sub- Regarding Robert Folkenberg’s “The stories about starving children, missions, please. Sins of the Church” (Dec. NAD bamboo churches, and one pastor Edition). God’s revelation to us is one for 20 churches? It is not more of total openness. The Bible is filled expensive programs that we need church budget, is it not symptomatic with potentially embarrassing stories in to fill our churches; it’s unselfish of a fatal spiritual disease? Greed and which God’s children don’t do what’s Godlike love. selfishness contrive human solutions right and don’t represent Him well. that will incur God’s wrath. With But there is no attempt on God’s part —Jeff Zaremsky this ailment priorities are reversed, to cover it up. Instead, the record is NEW PORT RICHEY, FLORIDA commitment to God is nominal, and complete for all to read, ask questions, 2 (130) ADVENTIST REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1999 and make up their own minds. John S. Nixon’s “Time for a Miracle” We as a church should be this open. (Dec. NAD Edition). Having been a If the church tries to hide parts of itself, member of the Adventist Church for it becomes dishonest and makes itself more than 10 years now, I have never less and less relevant to society. Why understood why we have White and would people turn to a church for Black conferences. It was always COVER STORY answers when it can’t take the questions? explained away as “They don’t want to Our church does have the answers be part of the White conferences.” My 8 A Life in the Spotlight Known and highly regarded that this world is looking for. It can husband and I posed this explanation throughout Adventism, E. E. give a good accounting of itself, even to some Black friends we met while Cleveland looks back. in the face of tough questions. Let the attending a Black church in Atlanta, BY STEPHEN CHAVEZ church continue to be honest, open, and they don’t understand it either. and relevant. Times have changed, and we will ARTICLES have to answer to God in the very —Mark Reeves near future as to why we continue a 13 Catalyst for Awakening NEW YORK, NEW YORK practice in direct opposition to His The members of ASI want to instructions. It is indeed time for a change the world. And they’ve already gotten started. miracle. BY WILLIAM G. JOHNSSON Elder Folkenberg’s message is powerful and on track. We have seen and heard —Suzanne French 22 The Inspiration of far too much hatemongering from PALMETTO, FLORIDA Desperation those trying to “perfect the church.” The Bible is as much about what Folkenberg’s message is written in the to do as what not to do. BY TED L. RAMIREZ same loving, entreating spirit that he is Abortion encouraging us to exhibit toward the Thank you for having the courage to 26 Living Despite the Odds organization. print Gary Krause’s news commentary We can minimize the risks of “Criminal Timing” (Nov. 26 Anchor- illness by living well. —Judith Bee Kreischer Points Edition), regarding the high BY ZENO CHARLES-MARCEL BERWICK, PENNSYLVANIA school student who discarded her new- born baby at a high school prom. DEPARTMENTS I have been disappointed at the 2 Letters reluctance of so many in the Adventist 7 Give & Take When making admissions, being Church to meet the abortion issue general can be far too easy and self- head-on. No one, upon reading this 12 Dialogues: Sandra Doran serving. It avoids admitting responsi- piece, can miss the obvious point— 17 Global Mission bility or naming safeguards against that there is no substantial difference 18 World News & Perspectives repeating the same mistakes in the between killing a baby before birth or future. General admissions are then after birth. It’s still a baby, no matter 25 Cityscapes misquoted to deflect further criticism what semantic gymnastics are used. 29 From the Heart by saying “We’ve already admitted our 30 Reflections mistakes . .” when in fact we’ve only —Walter Sumner admitted that some mistakes have CANAAN, MAINE been made. Those who risk trying to EDITORIALS SUPPLIED effect changes are even accused of 5 Notes From the Wilderness PHOTO being negative and destructive. Letters Policy Eventually they become quiet. That The Review welcomes your letters. 6 Giving in the Spirit can’t be a good thing. Short, specific letters are the most effective BACKGROUND and have the best chance at being pub- NEXT WEEK / —Steve Divnick lished. Letters will be edited for space and ULLINS KETTERING, OHIO clarity only. Send correspondence to One P RED Letters to the Editor, Adventist Review, The remarkable witness of one solitary F 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, believer. BY Separate Conferences MD 20904-6600; Internet: PHOTO There is no room for bigotry in our [email protected] CompuServe VER O church. I couldn’t agree more with network: 74617,15. C ADVENTIST REVIEW, FEBRUARY 1999 (131) 3 “Behold, I come quickly . .” Our mission is to uplift Jesus Christ through stories of His matchless love, news of His present workings, help for knowing Him better, and hope in His soon return. The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119), published since 1849, is the general paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is published by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and is printed by the Review and Herald® Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Standard postage paid at Hagerstown. The North American Edition of the Adventist Review is published 12 times a year on the first Thursday of each month. Copyright © 1999, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Publishing Board: Robert S. Folkenberg, chair; Phil Follett, vice- chair; William G. Johnsson; Lowell Cooper; A. C. McClure; Dorothy Watts; Ted N. C. Wilson; Martin Ytreberg; Robert Nixon, legal advisor Executive Publisher and Editor William G. Johnsson Associate Editors Roy Adams, Bill Knott Managing Editor Myrna Tetz News Editor Carlos Medley Assistant Editors Stephen Chavez, Andy Nash Editorial Assistant Ella Rydzewski Administrative Secretary Chitra Barnabas Editorial Secretary Jean Sequeira Art Director Bill Kirstein Designer Bill Tymeson Design Assistant/Production Stephanie Kaping Ad Sales Melynie Tooley Subscriber Services Steve Hanson Marketing Coordinator Ray Tetz Consulting Editors: Robert S.
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