International Journal for Pastors Letters

Ghosts on the way to the pulpit non-Adventists. Similar studies in In fact, the pattern of pastoral I was about to dismiss the May Germany could not find a difference at ministry portrayed by Protestants back issue as an example of painful all. Second, sexual practices do not then wasn't even appealing to our early hypocrisy when I came upon the letter seem to have been taken into account. Adventist pioneers. They perceived it "Ghosts on the Way to the Pulpit." Even though we strongly prefer to be a waste of time, contrary to their Ballis is right on target. I am on the abstinence, "safe" sex (while by no understanding of the Parousia. Because verge of being an ex-minister largely means being safe) is certainly risk of this, pastoral ministry within our because of miscommunication and an reducing. Third and most important, church has not been given the "organizational culture of secrecy, the study does not demonstrate that emphasis it deserves until very deception, and oppression." The Adventist students are influenced in recently. handling of my particular situation has their risk behavior by their risk-taking Another factor that has contributed been very painful and disillusioning friends. Rather the study very clearly to the church's negligence of pastoral for me and my family. Political and shows that the example of parents is ministry is our lack in developing a institutional concerns have far highly significant and the input of clear, well-defined, biblical theology outweighed pastoral concerns. teachers is important. Thus we could on the role of the pastor. Hence the I freely admit bringing "ghosts" into draw the opposite conclusion and prevailing mentality that seemingly the ministry. This kind of vulnerability encourage non-SDA attendance as a places the pastor on the lowest rung in has left me open to emotional means of help and mission without the leadership of the church. devastation by a system that exploits increasing risks. The main conclusion What is needed is a careful and the weak. It is dangerous to be open and task, then, would be to include the systematic analysis of the teaching of and needy in a system as closed as parents in the education process. Quite the New Testament in the following ours. apart from the empirical argument, areas: (a) the nature and I believe we have "come of age" segregation and monastic solutions can responsibilities of elders and bishops; because our religious and institutional hardly be the Christian's answer to the (b) a correct biblical understanding of dysfunction and addictions can no gospel call. The primary task of our spiritual gifts, their variety, and longer cover up the obvious need for educational system cannot be implications; (c) understanding the ministries of healing and recovery that protection, but preparation for the real theological implication of Jesus' are resisted at all levels. Name work as well as for the world to charge to Peter and other biblical Withheld. come.—Andreas Bochmann, Ph.D., allusions to pastoral responsibilities. Neuenhagen, Germany. Such a study will portray the pastoral AIDS and Adventist youth ministry to be a dignified, satisfying, A research study has been presented Preserve the vessel, share the God-ordained, sacred office. on the AIDS risk among Adventist treasure Thank you once again for your youth in the July issue of Ministry Thank you for the article by Eric article.—Vince David, Bible teacher, ("Aids and Adventist Youth"). As a Winter entitled "Preserve the Vessel, Honiara, Solomon Islands. pastoral counselor I find it laudable Share the Treasure" (June 1996). that the topic is addressed at all, and as However, let me express my personal Remembering our Father a social scientist I am pleased to see observation regarding the status of a Ministry magazine is such a some relevant, readable, and reliable local church pastor in this part of the wonderful paper for clergy. Every research rather than opinions based on world field. month when it arrives it is instructional vague assumptions. It seems very apparent among the and upbuilding. Our ministry has However, I do have problems with laity and the clergy that the pastor of grown as a result of sharing its the apparent suggestion of the authors the local congregation is psycholo- contents. that one should consider reducing the gically perceived to be the lowest The June 1996 issue was packed number of non-Adventists in our officer in the ministry in contrast to the with good reading, and I was schools. The implicit hope that this exuberant evangelist and the particularly helped when I read would reduce the risk among Adventist departmental personnel. "Remembering Our Father," by Sharon students is not borne out by the We developed this concept early in Cress. It was a job well done. The Lord evidence. First of all, the authors admit our history because of our expectation used her to talk to pastors in a realistic the limitations of the self-selected of the imminent return of Jesus. We manner in relation to what we meet as sample. There are reasons to suspect grew with the understanding that the we execute the Master's business. He that the extremes of the spectrum (i.e., end was near and that time was short. goes the whole way with us.— the "goodies" and the "baddies") are As a result of this belief, our primary Cranmer B. Nkiriyehe, executive overrepresented, artificially increasing mission focus was on evangelism and director, Western Uganda Field. the differences between Adventists and evangelism alone. Continued on page 30 2 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 First Glance

A potent vision propelled the Seventh-day Adventist 2 Letters Church into existence. The vision received its fire, focus, and form from a promise that is often expressed in four words: 4 Going beyond unity in diversity Jesus is coming again, or better still, "I will come again" (John Will Eva 14:3, KJV, etc.). The promise takes incarnate wings and soars when the heart of faith hears it spoken by the voice of the 5 Cut it down! One who first uttered it in an hour of significant uncertainty Sharon Cress and confusion to those first followers of His. What it means here and now to the pastor who believes it, proclaims it, and 6 There is no delay lives by it, and what it increasingly means to a world in the Mario Veloso throes of even greater uncertainty and confusion, is incalculable. The intensity of the faith and passion that mounts 10 The end-time message in historical perspective in the Adventist soul when these words are spoken directly Hans K. LaRondelle affects the lifeblood of all we understand ourselves and this movement to be. 14 Is this the church? Or should we look for another? The theme articles by Mario Veloso, Hans LaRondelle, Auldwin Humphrey and Norman Gulley are dedicated to enlarging the vision and vitalizing the convictions of Seventh-day Adventist 17 A song in the night ministers when it comes to this integral aspect of the faith. Norman R. Gulley The support articles by Auldwin Humphrey and Jack Lange are also calculated to be genuinely encouraging, though in 20 The process of crisis intervention a different way. Martin W. Feldbush In this December issue we look forward to a new Ministry Seminary courses of Florida Hospital year, and among other things, to a new 1997 12-part series 24 Benjamin D. Schoun and Dick Tibbits overseen by Rex Edwards. Whereas our 1996 series spoke of the way a pastor might deal with the crises of his or her Burnout's subtle approach members, the 1997 series will speak candidly of the public, 26 Jack Lange personal, and even private challenges of the pastor, and how pastors have grown in the face of these real-life difficulties. I wish I had said that! Good reading! 29 James A. Cress

31 Shop Talk

Ministry is the international journal Walter L. Pearson, Jr. Ekkhardt Mueller, Euro-Africa SUBSCRIBER SERVICES: Steve Hanson of the Seventh-day Adventist Joel Sarli P O. Box 219, CH 3000 Ministerial Association. Michael A. Speegle Berne 32, Switzerland Ministry, (ISSN 0026-5314), the interna- Heikki Silvet, Euro-Asia tional journal of the Seventh-day Adventist ASSOCIATION SECRETARY: CONSULTING EDITORS: lsakovskogo St. #4, Korpus 1, Ministerial Association B 1996, is published James A. Cress Matthew Bediako Stroghino, 123181 Moscow, Russia monthly by the General Conference of Ellen Bresee Jaime Castrejon, Inter-America Seventh-day Adventists and printed by the EDITOR: Willmore D. Eva Floyd Bresee P.O. Box 140760 Review and HcralP Publishing Association, Gerard Damsteegt Miami, FL 33114-0760 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD ASSISTANT EDITOR: Julia W. Norcott Raoul Dederen William C. Scales, Jr.. North America 21740, U.S.A. Subscriptions: USS25.00 for Robert Folkenberg 12501 Old Columbia Pike 12 issues worldwide, air mail US$39.85. SEMINAR DIRECTOR: John M. Fowler Silver Spring, MD 20904 Single copy US$2.25. Member Associated Nikolaus Satelmajer Roland R. Hegstad Alejandro Bullon, South America Church Press. Periodicals postage paid at Karen Holford Caixa Postal 12-2600 Hagerstown. MD. This publication is avail- SPECIAL ASSISTANT EDITORS: Herbert Kiesler 70279 Brasilia. DF, Brazil able in microfilm from University Microfilms Miguel Angel Cerna Alfred C McClure Ray Zeeman, Southern Africa Union International. Call toll-free 1-800-521-3044. Esther F. R. Knott George W. Reid P.O. Box 468, Bloemfontein 9300 Or mail inquiry to: University Microfilms Eric C. Ward Angel Rodriguez Free State, South Africa International, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Ariel Roth John Willmott, Southern Asia Arbor, MI 48106. PRINTED IN U.S.A. EDITOR EMERITUS: J. Robert Spangler William H. Shea SDA Complex. Post Box 2, HCF Russell L. Staples Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India 635110 Editorial Office: 12501 Old Columbia Pike, PASTORAL ADVISORY: Richard Tibbits Eric Winter, South Pacific Silver Spring, MD 20904. Stamped, self- J. Ray Bailey 148 Fox Valley Road addressed envelope should accompany S. Peter Campbell INTERNATIONAL EDITORS: Wahroonga, N.S.W. 2076. Australia unsolicited manuscripts. Office telephone: Charles Ferguson Walton Whaley, Africa-Indian Ocean Peter Roennfeldt, Trans-European 301-680-6510: Fax: 301-680-6502. E-mail Desmond Francis 22 Boite Postale 1764 119 St. Peter's Street via CompuServe: 102555.70 or 74532.2425. Robert Lloyd Abidjan 22, C8te d'Ivoire, West Africa St. Albans, Herts, ALI 3EY, U.K. Sam Miller George Johnson, Asia Pacific Postmaster: Send address changes to Dwight Nelson 5 Temasek Blvd ,#10-01 Suntec City Tower COVER DESIGN: Harry Knox Ministry, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Donald Stoyanowski Singapore 038985, Rep. of Singapore Hagerstown. MD 21740. Eric C. Ward Eugene Hsu, East Asia Association LAYOUT: Regina Hayden House 1004, Grandview Terrace CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Siu Lam, Tuen Mun, N.T., Hong Kong Galen Bosley Joel Musvosvi, Eastern Africa MARKETING: Mark Thomas Sharon Cress P.O. Box H.G. 100, Highlands Rex D. Edwards Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa ADVERTISING SALES: Melynie Tooley Volume 69 Number 12 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 3 Editorials Going beyond unity in diversity

Will Eva

he other day as I was talking foundational enough to cause us to reject and fellowship, feeling sincerely justified to a friend and colleague about the whole if we find significant enough for rejecting or emotionally disfellow- Ta relatively minor aspect of error existing within them. All this shipping anyone who sees things in any Seventh-day Adventist culture/tradition considered, however, let me follow my other light. he said, "If I were to find that this aspect original line of thinking. A few years after Minneapolis Mrs. of truth is not as I and others have One example of this tendency to White wrote something that has all the always believed it to be, I would leave reject the whole because of a ques- earmarks of profound wisdom and inspi- the Adventist Church." tionable part, or to detach from one ration. With Minneapolis in mind and all His statement got me thinking. This another because of a point of perceived that had happened since, she said, "We was not the first time I had heard error, came to our church in Minneapolis cannot then take a position that the unity someone say this kind of thing. What he in 1888 when interpretations of Galatians of the church consists in viewing every said came across as brave, honest, and were the center of a divisive dispute text of Scripture in the very same light. high-principled; however, something in among leading ministers. In the heat of The church may pass resolution upon it bothered me. I wondered how worthy the situation Ellen White tells of one resolution to put down all disagreement the Adventist faith would be if its minister who said, "If our views of of opinions, but we cannot force the mind ultimate credibility depended on the Galatians are not correct, then we have and will, and thus root out disagreement. proper expression of a controverted not the third angel's message, and our . Nothing can perfect unity in the church aspect of its tradition. position goes by the board; there is but the spirit of Christlike forbearance."' If everything had to be deemed nothing to our faith." To this Ellen White What is and what is not the baseline perfect before it could be accorded any replied, "Brethren, here is the very thing unifying ingredient among us? Feeling significant credibility, there would be I have been telling you. This statement we must have everyone seeing things few things that we could trust with any is not true. It is an extravagant, exag- in the same light is not. The humble degree of certainty. And I realized that gerated statement. If it is made in the exercise of the divine principle of this is the uncomfortable point to which discussion of this question I shall feel it "Christlike forbearance" is. many have come: rejecting, or at least my duty to set this matter before all that A particular quality of forbearance is placing in serious question valuable are assembled, and whether they hear or championed here. This is not just people, organizations, books, publi- forbear tell them the statement is "openness," nor is it merely "unity in cations, and other sources of truth and incorrect. The question at issue is not a diversity." This is rather a spirit which sustenance because we have found a vital question and should not be treated refrains or abstains from unneccessary flaw or two in them. More serious than as such. . . . There has been a spirit of expressions of negativity when they this and more to the point of my Pharisaism coming in among us which I seem most justified. Even more signi- editorial, do we find ourselves adopting shall lift my voice against wherever it ficantly, this is a "Christlike" principle. negative interpersonal attitudes and may be revealed."' A particular issue or person is approached breaking from one another over issues In this situation the points of debate in a way consistent with the way Christ that are not all that critical? had been assigned an importance so great might respond or not respond. We are keenly aware of the other side that it was only natural for disagreement We are constantly searching for points of this coin: Truth is truth and should not to end in estrangement and schism. In of logical, rational, or propositional be mixed with error, and it takes just a this setting it is not difficult to see Ellen connection between one another and this little leaven to permeate the whole lump White's point that the underlying mistake certainly has its place. But we search one (Gal. 5:7-10). And a given controverted of the Pharisee is not merely his pro- another's words, minds, hearts, eyes, and point of truth or culture may be much verbial legalism, but the fact that he takes expressions trying to find people who more important than we consider it to his own codified expressions of reality think as we do on this or that matter. In be. There are also many aspects of truth and turns them into ultimate tests of faith Continued on page 30 4 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 Cut it down! My New Year's resolution

Sharon Cress

he huge prickly pear cactus were pursed (an expression she still Eulita was up and about so we could dominated the center of our keeps in reserve for moments of deep taunt each other for a few more years. T driveway. Azaleas and other contemplation or consecration), and the Life went on. smaller flowering shrubs shared the longer she worked, the deeper the In all that happened back then, my space. However, the cactus was the furrows in her forehead became. Anger mother taught me a lesson that only now center of attention. Neighbors clustered replaced anxiety and was finally over- in adulthood I can really understand. around and admired it. Passersby slowed come with what seemed to be resolve. I to take a second look. Visitors marveled figured the furrows meant she had decided Lessons I learned at its size and symmetry. My sisters and what Deanna's and my punishment would I learned, from her willingness to I respected it. Long, ferocious-looking be, since it would be our fault because sacrifice something that had brought her spines as large as sewing needles covered we had not been hurt! a sense of satisfaction and admiration, the pancake-like pieces. In between these Finally it was over. Cactus needles that love for people is so much more sharp thorns grew thousands of finer of all shapes and sizes covered a paper important than love for things. No matter needles—all of them menacing. plate. Coating my sister's arm and leg how important something is to us, no This marvelous cactus, along with with antiseptic, Mom abruptly and matter how much pleasure it brings, dozens of African violets decorating our quietly got up. Deanna and I were even though it may be a "good" thing, if kitchen windows, was a testimony to waiting for a reprimand and decided it brings pain to others, then maybe we my mother's love of plants. that whatever happened to us was should get rid of it. My mother wasn't Then it happened. One day while my definitely better than Eulita's fate. going to let anything—no matter how cousins were visiting we were involved Intent on inspecting Eulita's wounds, special it was to her—harm someone she in a frantic game of chase. We all rounded we didn't notice where Mom had gone. cared for. She had not been aware that the cactus close together—and too close The next thing I remember was seeing the beautiful plant could be an instrument to the cactus. My sister Eulita lost her her striding through the yard pushing of such pain. But the minute she saw the balance and tumbled into the barbs. a wheel-barrow. In it were an ax and a damage, she didn't dally—she chopped shovel. She went straight for the cactus it up and buried it. And she never spoke Screams of pain and began cutting it down. of it again. Her screams of pain brought my In a matter of moments it was felled, During this season most of us are mother running. One arm and one leg chopped, and loaded into the wheel- thinking about the positive resolutions were completely covered with dozens barrow. She was heading for the back we will make as pastoral families to do of the sewing-size needles, and count- corner of the yard. There she began things differently in 1997. As I reflected less small spines were sticking out all digging a large hole into which she on this childhood incident I thought over. Leaving the rest of the gang dumped the remains of the once- about some things that are actually very outside, Mom grabbed Eulita, took her glorious cactus. Covering the hole and pleasant and rewarding, but that can to the kitchen, and went searching for stamping it down, she headed back to cause pain to other people who are close her tweezers. My other sister, Deanna, the garage, put away the tools, and came to us. In and of themselves these things and I watched in fear and silence while inside. All she said was "That cactus may give immediate pleasure, enjoyment, Eulita moaned and cried as my mother won't hurt anybody anymore." and satisfaction. In the long run, how- began the tedious task of gently and Somewhere in some old family ever, they may need to be buried along methodically removing every one of photographs there is probably a picture with the old year. those needles. of that plant. In my childish eagerness As pastors we sometimes tend to Deanna and I kept peeking around back then I was simply glad that I hadn't spend all of our time and energy the kitchen door like baby chicks. We been punished, that the cactus was serving and meeting the never-ending had a good look at Mom's face. Her lips forever gone, and that the next day Continued on page 30

MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 5 There is no delay

Mario Veloso he "delay" of Jesus' second in terms of separation—the sheep from coming is a frequently discussed the goats. The basis given for this Tsubject. In such discussions separation is the issue of service. Those there is often a lot of heat but very little who serve are seen as the righteous. light. This article proposes to deal with What they do for their fellow beings in that subject without confronting any need, without knowing it, they are particular person. For this reason there pictured as doing to Christ, the coming When the New will be no reference to authors or to any King. The cursed ones, in turn, are Testament does not extrabiblical writings, even though pictured as not having served the King reference to ideas is unavoidable. We (see Matt. 25:31-46). The mission is announce the hour shall look at the biblical material to see described in the parable of the talents— of Christ's coming, whether or not there are grounds in investing one's talents is God's business Scripture for proposing that there is a and requires the complete dedication of how could there be a delay in Christ's coming. In doing this, every talent given by God. Those who delay? we will look at three main sources— improve on their talents are pictured by Jesus, Paul, and John. Jesus as good and faithful (see verses 24-39). Preparation for the Second Jesus—the day and hour no one knows Coming requires having the Holy Spirit Although the Synoptic Gospels (see verses 1-13). speak much on the subject of Christ's In all of this, time is very important. coming, we shall limit ourselves to It is significant in all of the signs and Matthew 24 and 25.* According to symbols, as well as in the straight- Matthew, late on Tuesday afternoon of forward statements of Jesus relating the Passion Week, after spending the to the Second Coming. The timing of whole day in the Temple, Jesus and His the signs is progressive. Some of the disciples went to the Mount of Olives, signs cover only the period up to the where He talked to them about His destruction of Jerusalem, as with the second coming. He spoke about the warning about "the abomination of destruction of the Temple and the signs desolation" (see Matt. 24:15). Other of His coming, which has led some to signs go farther into the eschatological interpret that He was indicating that time frame, with still others reaching both events would happen almost through to the second coming of Christ simultaneously. But a careful look at the itself. A significant time factor here passage shows that Jesus was more refers to the preaching of the gospel in Mario Veloso, Th.D., is an associate secretary interested in explaining the end of the all the world, which is followed by of the General world at His second coming than He Jesus' time-related promise "And then Conference of Seventh- was the end of the Temple. The collapse the end will come" (verse 14). Likewise, day Adventists, Silver of the Temple and of Jerusalem was, the parable of the seasonally mature fig Spring, Maryland. however, in the minds of His disciples tree shows by the state of its foliage that and illustrative of the end of the world. "the summer is near" in the same way In relation to His coming, Jesus as the fulfilling of the signs of Christ's spoke about time, preparation, mission, coming show that the coming of Jesus and judgment. Jesus described judgment is near when all the signs are in 6 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 evidence. Such things announce that Second Coming would occur in their the church would rise those "speaking His coming is near, "at the very doors" time (see 2 Thess. 2:3). The truth is, perverse things, to draw away the (verse 33). Among other things, the the apostles never taught this concept. disciples after themselves" (Acts signs tell us that there exists an interim This is particularly clear in looking at 20:30). And when Paul forewarned period between the destruction of the teachings of Paul, from whom we Timothy about it, he told him that their Jerusalem and the second coming of have the two letters to the Thessalonians teachings would not be according to the Christ. as witnesses. In the first letter, written truth and that all this would come in the Christ's straightforward statements in A.D. 51, Paul encourages the Thessa- "latter times" (2 Tim. 4:3, 4). clearly inform us of the possibility of a lonians to suffer persecution in hope So for Paul two points were very "delay" or a length of time during which and contentment. He reminds them of clear regarding the time of the Second people look expectantly for the coming his faithfulness in teaching them about Coming. First, it would be in the future, of Christ as being earlier than it the day of the Lord. As a result they after many historical events had ultimately turns out to be. At one point "know perfectly" that the Lord will occurred. Second, it would come as a Jesus makes this statement: "But of that come "as a thief in the night" (1 Thess. "thief in the night" (1 Thess. 5:2). There day and hour no one knows, no, not 5:2). This knowledge has far-reaching was no fixed date established. Both even the angels of heaven, but My ethical consequences, affecting their concepts rule out the possibility of a delay. Father only" (verse 36). Another verse lifestyle while they wait in assurance There is no delay in Christ's coming repeats the same concept: "Watch of the final salvation, which He brings because from the very beginning Paul therefore, for you do not know what in when He comes (verses 4-11). A few foretold historical events that would hour your Lord is coming" (verse 42). months later Paul wrote another letter have to happen before the coming of the And a third one declares: "The Son of because false teaching had come in Lord. Again there is no delay in relation Man is coming at an hour when you do among them concerning the time of the to any particular date or time, because not expect him" (verse 44). So Jesus did Lord's return. Some false teachers such a date or time has never been not announce the hour of His coming. were teaching a realized type of established. How, then, could anyone speak about eschatology affirming that the Lord a delay in His coming? There could be had already come. John—I am coming quickly a delay only if He had set an announced This was not in harmony with Paul's The second coming of Jesus is the time for His return. This not being the teaching when he went to Thessalonica theme of the book of Revelation. In its case, there is no delay. the first time (see Acts 17:1-9). Neither introduction the book talks about the There is one more important piece did it agree with his teaching in his first manner of His coming, and in its of information. At the end of His letter to them (see 1 Thess. 5:2). Paul conclusion about the time. There are reference to the time of His coming, taught a historical eschatology. This is many references, and John uses many Christ told the parable of the wise and the central teaching of the Second different time symbols. But in this article the evil servants. The wise servant takes Epistle. The day of the Lord has not yet we are looking only at the question of care of his master's household properly. come (see 2 Thess. 2:1, 2) and will not time as it relates to the Second Coming, The evil servant says, "My master is come immediately because there are aiming for one particular objective—to delaying his coming" (verse 48), and some events that must take place in discover whether a delay of Christ's instead of caring for his fellow servants, history before the coming of the Lord. return to the world can be detected. he beats them. While he is thinking Any teaching contrary to Paul's doctrine Revelation was written by John about the delay of his master, he loses is seen as a deception. "Let no one sometime between A.D. 95 and 100. In track of the signs; he does not observe deceive you by any means; for that Day its introduction there are two references the condition of the fig tree, he does not will not come unless the falling away to a specific time that relates to the preach the gospel, and thus he is "not comes first, and the man of sin is things the book is about to unfold. John aware" of the time of the master's revealed" (verse 3). "Do you not says that his book is about things that coming (see verse 50). He is just that— remember that when I was still with you would "shortly [en tachei] take place" an evil servant—somebody who drinks I told you these things?" he asks them (Rev. 1:1), and they must be understood, the drink of the drunkards, rather than (verse 5). for "the time is near [eggus]" (verse 3). the words of his master (see verse 49). The whole history of the falling away John is referring here to when the events or great apostasy in the Christian church predicted in the book of Revelation Paul—the apostasy comes first and the work of the "man of sin," the would begin to be fulfilled. En tachei One of the presuppositions behind the "son of perdition," or "the lawless one," means quickly, hastily, immediately, idea of a delay is the concept of a was still to be fully played out. A few with no delay, thus putting an emphasis "realized" eschatology. Some exponents years later, in his farewell address to the on time in such a way as to express of this idea teach that the apostles and elders at Ephesus, Paul said that this urgency. Eggus emphasizes proximity the apostolic church believed the apostasy would come because within in time, not urgency. It means near at MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 7 hand. This is why a specific appointed delay in Christ's coming ushers in a very The evil servant in Christ's parable, time (kairos) could be near. The events tenuous understanding of revelation. It the one who believed in the delay of his predicted in Revelation will take place is not consistent with what Scripture master's coming, has confused his with no delay when their appointed time actually says. It is, in fact, only an mission and the whole purpose of his is near. exposition of what some contemporary actions. As he waited for his master to There is a clear sense of urgency in interpreters think is the state of things. come back, instead of remaining faithful the introduction of Revelation, but it is Revelation, through Paul's personal and wise while he served his lord, he related only to the "things" predicted in teaching and writings to the Thessa- began to behave as if he were the master, the book. What does come in short order lonians, says that the Second Coming is forcing his own will on everyone and (by the end of the first century, in fact) is still in the future. But thinking in terms governing his actions by his personal the beginning of the historical events that of some kind of delay or apostolic sensual pleasure (see Matt. 24:48-51). are predicted to occur prior to the Second misprediction, some contemporary In contrast, those who understand the Coming. Obviously, however, the teachers place the Second Coming in a nature of the timing of Christ's coming Second Coming itself is not contem- time prior to the one Paul was indicating. know that His coming occurs quickly plated as early as these signatory events. What is the basis for these approaches at the end of the predicted period of The coming of Christ is not referred to to the biblical message? They are waiting and probation (see Rev. 22:11, in terms of time in the introduction of proposed on the basis of a deception 12). For "the Spirit and the bride say, this prophetic book. At this point John introduced by attitudes, spoken words, `Come!' And let him who hears say, talks only about the manner of Christ's and writings similar to those exposed by `Come!' And let him who thirsts come. coming—"He is coming with clouds, Paul in passages such as 2 Thessalonians And whoever desires, let him take the and every eye will see Him, and they also 2:1-3. The behavior of these teachers water of life freely" (verse 17). • who pierced Him. And all the tribes of affects their spiritual and practical lives, the earth will mourn because of Him" turning them into busybodies instead of (verse 7). So John did not say that the communicators of the gospel (see 2 All Scripture passages quoted in this article Lord would come during the time when Thess. 3:11-14). are from The New King James Version. he was writing the book of Revelation, shortly before A.D. 100. He said that the signatory events he prophesied would begin to occur about that time. The urgency of the second coming appears in the conclusion of the book. After all the events predicted in Sevellth-day Revelation have been fulfilled, the urgency is transferred from the things "which must shortly take place" (Rev. idvelltist 22:6) to the second coming of Christ DI A itself. The expression "I am coming ntcyclopedta quickly [tachu]" is repeated three times (verses 7, 12, 20). It is only after all the evised in 1995 and expanded to volumes events predicted in Revelation have 10 and 11 of the Commentary Reference come to pass that the coming of the Lord Series. Contains several thousand articles on occurs "quickly." Before that time we church history, organizations, institutions, iographies, beliefs, practices, policies, cannot speak of a delay or believe that 10 11 something is untrustworthy about the methods, definitions, and activities of the church. Hardcover. US$37.99, Cdn$54.99 each. promise of His coming, because it has US$64.99, Cdn$93.99 set. not yet occurred. Clearly, we live in a moment of history when many of these events are still to manifest themselves. To order, call your Review&Herald Adventist Book Center. Implications for the church and her Great Authors. Great Books. members 1-800-765-6955 Our knowledge and attitude toward Canadian price., do not include CST, and may the time of the Lord's second coming vary according to currency fluctuation. has implications for lifestyle, theology, and mission. The concept that there is a 8 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996

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96 Press pntiiislling„ . Association 368/80700 The end-time message in historical perspective

Hans K. LaRondelle here is joy in discovering the scarlet beast with seven heads and ten architectural design of John's horns in Revelation 17. TApocalypse. This hidden design In short, the proper approach to cannot be discerned by the usual understanding Revelation 12-14 requires approach of dissecting the book into a contextual interpretation. This larger separate parts or chapters. The book of view leads to the conclusion that Revelation is an indivisible, organic Revelation 12-20 constitutes a developing An approach to unit, an ingeniously balanced com- unit characterized by a progressive Revelation 12-14 position. The beauty of its parts and revelation of the same controversy counterparts becomes visible only in between good and evil. light of its total structure. In a similar fashion, the judgment of God on the persecutors of His people is The literary analysis gradually developed in the portrayals of Early visions in Revelation are the wrath of God in Revelation 14-19. regularly developed more fully in later While the third angel's message warns ones. A prime example is the seventh against the coming outpouring of God's trumpet in Revelation 11, which is wrath in "full strength" (Rev. 14:10, widely recognized as a preview of the NIV; akraton: unmixed [see RSV]), the subsequent visions in Revelation 12-20. subsequent chapters disclose that this One cannot understand the prophecy of ultimate outpouring of God's wrath will the seventh trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19) consist in the seven last plagues, adequately except in the light of the "because with them God's wrath is expanding visions that follow (Rev. 12- completed" (Rev. 15:1; also 16:1-21). 20). No chapter in the Apocalypse must This contextual and structural therefore be isolated from its context as approach of Revelation 12-14 is crucial an independent revelation. for the discovery of the biblical meaning Also, the central unit of Revelation of Armageddon as the culmination of 12-14 must be understood in the light the last plagues. This contextual method of subsequent chapters, which clarify will prove to be the corrector of popular the earlier symbolic portrayals. For yet erroneous interpretations. example, the term Babylon occurs for the first time in Revelation 14:8 The theological perspective without any explanation or clarifying Beyond this literary analysis, an reference. However, the subsequent understanding of the message of Reve- Hans K LaRondelle, Th.D., is an emeritus professor chapters (Rev. 16-19) further elaborate lation 12-14 also requires a theological of systematic theology the meaning of Babylon. Other exam- perspective. This inquiry searches for at the Seventh-day ples of this kind of approach are the connections of every apocalyptic Adventist Theological visions of the red dragon with seven term and name with the Old Testament Seminary, Andrews heads and ten horns in Revelation 12 and its covenant promises and curses. University, Berrien Springs, Michigan. and of the sea beast with seven heads More than any New Testament writer, and ten horns in Revelation 13. An John borrows Hebrew words and informed interpretation of these symbols concepts to describe the theological requires the input of the vision of the significance of Christ's church. The 10 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 Hebraic style of John's Apocalypse is "another series of visions" in the for how we understand the final events now universally acknowledged. R. H. Apocalypse.' Others discern different in the book of Revelation. One recent Charles established that John did not use subdivisions or scenes, while they author asserts: "The events of chapter the Septuagint, but the Hebrew text of maintain the unity of chapters 12-14. 13 follow chapter 12 in chronological the Old Testament for the hundreds of This idea of a central unit comprised in order."4 Accordingly, he projects the allusions to Moses and the Prophets.' these three chapters gains strength if one visions of Revelation 13 in the future. The fact that John also uses Old considers the infrastructure and gradual This innovative concept requires a close Testament passages in Revelation 12- progression of the Apocalypse as it examination. 14 is absolutely essential for the proper moves toward the end-time in its overall The assertion that Revelation 13 interpretation of this key section. The narrative. follows chronologically after Revelation apocalyptic phrase "Fallen! Fallen is Revelation 12 covers the whole 12 is based on the assumption that "the Babylon the Great" (Rev. 14:8, NIV) is covenant history of the Christian church. story which began in chapter 12 is borrowed from a fusion of two pro- Thus the purpose of Revelation 12 goes continued without interruption in chapter phetic passages which predicted the fall beyond warning the Christian believers 13."5 But this assumption is not justified. of the Neo-Babylonian empire (Isa. 21 against persecution by encouraging them In both Daniel and Revelation the order and Jer. 51). to persevere until the end. This chapter of the visions is not intended to present Such literary correspondences prove presents as its central vision the heavenly a chronological sequence. The literary to be indicators of a typological con- acclamation of victory over Satan, structure of both apocalyptic books nection between Israel's history and later combined with the celebration of the reveals a persistent pattern of paralleling church history. The implications of a inauguration of Christ as the rightful king panoramas of covenant history. The biblical typology are often overlooked, of heaven and earth (verses 7-12). The visions of Daniel 2, 7, 8, and 11 are to be yet prove to be of crucial importance. excursus in the narrative quite naturally understood as progressive parallel Such a theological relationship fore- looks beyond earthly history to the origin visions, each elucidating important shadows, in essence, the high calling but of all hatred and cruelty against the aspects of the whole picture. This is also the failure of the Christian church. woman of God. It reveals the depth confirmed by comparing the expla- The principles that ought to guide the dimension of all persecution of God's nations of the interpreting angel of each Christian interpreter are determined by children by pointing out the real enemy vision. the gospel of Christ.' of the church and of Christ. The parallel style of Daniel's visions A further theological characteristic of A heavenly warfare is seen to be is equally apparent in John's Apocalypse. the Apocalypse is its repeated pheno- inciting the earthly wars against God's The series of the seals (Rev. 6) ends with menon of contrasts. John clarifies the people (verses 7-9). However, the the final judgment of God. The following characteristics of truth by contrasting reason for doxologies and jubilation is series of the trumpets (Rev. 8; 9; 11) them with falsehood. He places the the victory of Christ over Satan now resumes a description of the church age faithful remnant of God's people over (verse 10). As in Daniel 7-12, so with a progressive emphasis on the against their Babylonian opponents. Revelation 12 offers a panoramic view end-time. Babylon is placed in stark contrast with of church history seen from God's The visions of Revelation 12, where the New Jerusalem, the Lamb in oppo- perspective. It shows how God began Christ receives all authority by virtue of sition to the beast, and the glorious His work of redemption through Jesus His self-sacrifice (verses 10, 11), cannot woman in heaven (Rev. 12) is contrasted the Messiah, and how Satan tried to follow chronologically after the vision with the prostitute sitting on many waters destroy the Messianic redemption for of the seventh trumpet in Revelation (Rev. 17). In this contrasting imagery humanity. Revelation 12 thus sets the 11:15-18, where He has already begun many have discerned an ironic parody stage for the rest of the book, which to reign. Rather Revelation 12 presents or mimicry of the work of Christ. This progressively enlarges the conflict a review of the entire church age, starting style serves the purpose of creating a between Satan and the followers of with the first advent of Christ. theological antithesis, a helpful method Christ on earth (Rev. 13-19) until the The three visions within Revelation for differentiating or contrasting truth everlasting peace of Paradise is restored 14 apparently do not teach a chronolo- and error more sharply. (Rev. 20-22). gical order of fulfillment. The threefold Revelation 13 portrays the temporal message of Revelation 14:6-12 obviously Progressive revelation in Revelation triumphs of the ancient dragon through must be proclaimed prior to the vision 12-14 the activities of his two earthly allies or of the Lamb with His victorious 144,000 Revelation 12-14 is justly considered agents: the ten-horned beast from the sea followers (verses 1-5). This vision of by many as the keystone or central and the two-horned beast from the earth. the 144,000 overcomers has therefore vision of the Apocalypse. Leon Morris This raises the urgent question How been called an interlude, a scene of end- discerns "seven significant signs" in is Revelation 13 related to Revelation time "assurance."6 Again, describing Revelation 12-14, which he calls 12? The answer is of crucial importance things in a chronological sequence is

MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 11

clearly not the intent of the writer. visions that progressively illuminate features (warring against the saints and The visions of judgment in Reve- each other. We therefore must reject the the time period) correspond exactly lation 15 and 16 only enlarge the vision assumption that the vision of Revelation with those in Daniel 7 and Revelation of the world harvest in Revelation 14:14- 13 continues the narrative of Revelation 12. Therefore they must be identified 20, where the righteous are redeemed 12 without interruption. with each other. and the wicked are destroyed. Likewise, In Revelation 12, the final warfare Revelation 17, which further explains Wars against the saints against the saints is called the dragon's the punishment of Babylon, does not A second indicator that Revelation war against "the rest of her offspring— follow chronologically after Revelation 12 is further expanded in Revelation 13 those who obey God's commandments 16, where Babylon has already been is the corresponding wars against the and hold to the testimony of Jesus" destroyed. saints in both chapters. Revelation 12 (verse 17, NIV). The meaning of this These examples should alert us forecasts two consecutive wars against brief statement of warfare is expanded against assuming that Revelation 13 the church of Christ: the first one in further in the last vision of Revelation follows Revelation 12 "without inter- verses 6, 14-16, and the second one in 13. This vision (Rev. 13:11-18) shows ruption." First of all, there are two verse 17. The first warfare against the how a two-horned beast came out of the indicators of an interruption between church is characterized by the time earth as the second ally of the dragon. Revelation 12 and 13. Revelation 12 symbol of 1260 days and three and a This land beast will exercise its authority concludes with John's statement: "And half times (verses 6, 14), which estab- to enforce the worship of the revived he stood on the sand of the sea" lishes a definite link with Daniel 7:25. beast in all the world (verses 12-14). (RSV in NASB in Rev. 13:1). The This Danielic connection requires the This vision thus enlarges the final war NIV translates: "And the dragon stood backdrop of the long-range vision of against the faithful remnant people of on the shore of the sea" (verse 1). The Daniel 7. It discloses that the three and God (Rev. 12:17). It predicts the world- statement of John about this new a half times or 1260 days of Revelation wide enforcement of a special mark, location on the seaside (cf. Rev. 12:4) 12 must be reckoned as the period of "which is the name of the beast or the explains why the dragon could spew supremacy of the little horn of Daniel 7, number of his name" (Rev. 13:17, NIV). water "like a river" at the woman to and not of pagan Rome. These 1260 This final warfare against the remnant sweep her away (Rev. 12:15). days refer therefore to the dark Middle church in Revelation 13:11-17 is the The next vision (Rev. 13:1-10) Ages, when many thousands of people amplification of Revelation 12:17. This discloses by what dramatic means the were persecuted and martyred for the persecution of Christ's followers is dragon will persecute the saints and alleged crime of "heresy." presently still an unfulfilled prophecy. blaspheme God's name. The closing Revelation 13 begins with the vision But its universal extent and climactic statement of Revelation 12 also looks of a sea beast with 10 horns that place in human history positions this forward to Revelation 13. Revelation connects this vision unmistakably with religious war at the center of God's end- 13 begins with a new vision: "And I the portrayal of Daniel 7! The sea beast time message in Revelation 14. saw," which reveals some important incorporates all four beasts in Daniel connecting links with the panoramic 7 (verses 1, 2), indicating thereby the God's final appeal view given in Revelation 12. The first progress of time through to John's The threefold message of Revelation link is the time phrase for the period visions. The sea beast exercises its 14:6-12 represents God's final appeal or of persecution, 42 months (Rev. 13:5; authority against the saints for "42 ultimatum to a world united in rebellion cf. 12:6, 14). The same time symbol months" (verses 5-7). These two against its Creator. Therefore, this was used in Revelation 11 to signify the predetermined period of "trampling Diagram 1 on the holy city" (Rev. 11:2; cf. verse 3). There is no legitimate reason to Revelation 13:15-17 Revelation 14:9-11 assume that the equivalent time symbols He was given power to give breath to the image A third angel followed them and said in a loud are different time periods. A new vision of the first beast, so that it could speak and voice: 'If anyone worships the beast and his does not automatically suggest a cause all who refused to worship the image to image and receives his mark on the forehead chronological sequence succeeding a be killed. He also forced everyone small and or on the hand, he, too, will drink of the wine previous vision. The immediate context great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive of God's fury, which has been poured full a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be indicates whether a new vision amplifies that no one could buy or sell unless he had the tormented with burning sulfur in the presence a previous vision or continues the mark, which is the name of the beast or the of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the historical narrative. number of his name." smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever. Once again the equivalent time There is no rest day or night for those who symbols in Revelation 11-13 indicate worship the beast and his image, or for anyone who receives the mark of his name.— that all these chapters are parallel 12 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 message constitutes the central burden 17 by enlarging on it with a description to Rev. 15-19) and to the larger contexts of the entire Apocalypse and conveys a of the mark of the beast (Rev. 13:13-18). of the New and Old Testaments. This specific alert signal to the end-time Revelation 14 presents God's coded method may protect us against some of generation. At the same time, Revelation response or counterpart to this end-time the misrepresentations that abound 14 contains the most dreadful curse ever conflict of Revelation 12 and 13 by today. At the same time it opens up for pronounced on mortal beings—the wrath urging the saints to overcome the beast us a deeper and clearer understanding of God without divine mercy (verses 9- and its mark (cf. Rev. 13:15-17 and of apocalyptic prophecy, critical to our 11) and the comforting assurance of the 14:9-11). The summation of Revelation experience as Christians today and in presence of Christ for the overcomers 14:12 shows a striking correspondence the future. ■ (verses 1-5). It is important to observe with verse 17. Both end-time passages that the message of Revelation 14:9-12 identify the faithful saints as those who *Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture corresponds precisely with the perse- keep the commandments of God and references in this article are from the New cution initiated by the land beast in who persevere in the testimony or faith International Version. Revelation 13:15-17. A comparison of of Jesus (Rev. 12:17; 14:12). These link- ' R. H. Charles, Studies in the Apocalypse both passages shows the historical ages indicate that chapters 12-14 are not (Edinburgh: T. and T. Clark, 1915), p. 88. parallel. (See Diagram 1.) intended as uninterrupted sequences, 2. See H. LaRondelle, The Israel of God in Prophecy: Principles of Prophetic Interpretation These parallel passages show that the but as parallel compositions, each of (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Andrews University Press, threefold message of Revelation 14:6- which zooms in more closely on the 1983) and Chariots of Salvation (Hagerstown, Md.: 12 does not follow Revelation 13 final events of the church age. Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1987). Leon Morris, The Revelation of St. John (Grand chronologically, but instead refers to Only when this infrastructure of Rapids, Mich.: Wm. Eerdmans, 1973), p. 155. further aspects of the same time period. Revelation 12-14 is settled can we L. Wilson, The Revelation of Jesus (Bruston, God responds immediately to meet the proceed with confidence to relate these N.Y.: Teach Services, 1990, 1992), p. 230. Ibid., p. 230. final challenge of Satan. In fact, He even apocalyptic portrayals to the wider C. M. Maxwell, God Cares, (Boise, Id.: Pacific forewarns the church of the final test of contexts of the Apocalypse (especially Press Pub. Assn., 1985), vol. 2, p. 349. faith. The vision of the harvest of the earth in Revelation 14:14-20 naturally Diagram 2 follows chronologically after the time of the threefold warning message of The Progressive Parallelism of Re verses 6-12. The vision of the 144,000 victorious Revelation 12 The dragon wages war against saints who stand on Mount Zion with the woman and her child—the the Lamb fits at the conclusion of the Messiah (verses 1-5). final conflict. It is placed before the three angels' messages, however, in the Revelation 13 Hebrew style of stressing the glorious The woman flees into the wil- The dragon uses the sea beast outcome of God's people already in derness for 1260 days (verse 6). with 10 horns crowned to wage advance, by way of an interlude. war against the saints for 42 months (verses 1-10). Reviewing the seven visions of Revelation 12-14, we conclude that these three chapters are interwoven In heaven: Celebration of Christ's indivisibly. As a unit they show a enthronement (verses 7-12) progressive expansion and increasing emphasis on the end-time. The literary Revelation 14 composition of Revelation 12-14 The woman is in the wilderness The preview of the victorious shows two parallel structures (see for 3'/2 times (verses 13-16). saints on Mount Zion (verses Diagram 2). 1-5). The literary and thematic corres- pondence between Revelation 12-14 The dragon wages war against Finally a land beast with two The end-time warning produces show intentional linkages that repeat the remnant of the woman's lamblike horns enforces the overcomers over the mark of the offspring, who "obey God's mark of the beast on a global beast. They "keep the corn- and expand previous visions. Revelation commandments and hold to the scale (verses 13-18). mandments of God and the faith 13 does not cover the full panorama of testimony of Jesus" (verse 17). of Jesus" (verses 6-12, RSV). chapter 12, but begins to enlarge the section of religious persecution of the The double world harvest at the 1260 days in Revelation 12:6, 14, and Second Advent (verses 14-20). then moves to the final conflict of verse

MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 13 Is this the church? Or should we look for another?

Auldwin Humphrey man condemned to die, John caught in a Laodicean time warp be our the Baptist found himself excuse for not resembling the body of Alocked away in Herod's prison. Christ? Faced with the ominous prospect of At first blush we go for our unique being beheaded, he found his faith in points of doctrine—the Sabbath, the the Messiahship of Christ challenged. state of the dead, the Spirit of Prophecy, "Art thou he that should come, or do and health reform. We would also cite we look for another?" (Matt. 11:3) was the fact that we are a worldwide church. the question he sent his disciples to These offer very good credentials. present to Jesus. However, they are quite different from Jesus responded, "Go and shew John the kind of credentials that Christ shared again those things which ye do hear and with John the Baptist, a deathrow see: the blind receive their sight, and inmate grasping for his last straw of the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, hope: "The blind receive their sight, and and the deaf hear, the dead are raised the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, up, and the poor have the gospel and the deaf hear, the dead are raised preached to them" (verses 4, 5). This up, and the poor have the gospel list of observable indicators were preached to them." characteristics of the work of the One None of the credentials cited by who should come. Christ were doctrinal. They all related If modern-day John the Baptists to helping "restore in man the image of were to ask the probing question of our his Maker."' (This coincides with data church in North America "Are you the that shows that people do not generally true church—or should we look for leave the Seventh-day Adventist Church another?" what would we point to? over doctrinal concerns, but over Would we be able to say that we possess relationships and felt needs.) Christ's the early church fervor? Could we show credentials centered around relieving an effective use of spiritual gifts? Would suffering and healing. we be able to point to 1 John 3:14 and say "We know . . . because we love the A taxonomy of kingdom growth brethren"? What could we point to as It is not my desire to minimize the our badge of validation? value of our doctrines. They are the foundation of our value system. It is to Our badge of validation place doctrine in its proper relationship Auldwin Humphrey is the adult ministries The challenge of being the "true to the overall taxonomy of kingdom director of the North church" has motivated us to share our growth. If we would genuinely love American Division of unique perspectives over the years. people, manifesting kindness, com- Seventh-day Adventists, But today we face a bigger challenge. passion, and tenderheartedness, there Silver Spring, Are we truly Christ's church? Can we would be 100 baptized where now there Maryland. offer fruits that bear witness to God- is one. Isn't it interesting that Christ empowered ministries? Can we, like validated His Messiahship by pointing Christ, offer tangible indicators that John the Baptist to His miracles of dispel the doubts? How long will being healing and the restoration of people's 14 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 lives? Isn't it interesting that He didn't Isaac: "Come near so I can touch success. "The Saviour mingled with validate His Messiahship by a body you, my son, to know whether you are men. . . . He . . . ministered to their of beliefs? He pointed to the fruits of really my son Esau or not." needs, and won their confidence. Then a God-empowered ministry—"words Isaac touched him and said, "The He bade them, 'Follow Me.'"2 We must made flesh." voice is the voice of Jacob, but the truly become what we claim to be— If inhabitants from another galaxy hands are the hands of Esau." Christ's true church. ■ were to visit our planet today and If we were to approach Christ study the Scriptures from stem to stern, seeking His confirmation as disciples, would they find the Seventh-day would we have to cover ourselves Adapted from Ministry Makers, a publication of NAD Adult Ministries, spring 1996. Adventist Church to be an embodiment with the church's doctrines to keep of Christ's ministry? Would they find Him from seeing who we really are? ' Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain the fruits of ministries dynamically Would He say, "The doctrines are View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1898), pp. 37, 38. 2 connected to Jesus Christ? Would Mine, but the life belongs to Caesar"? , The Ministry of Healing (Mountain they identify our church as the true Many are asking the question that View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1905), p. 143. church? Would we be recognizable John the Baptist asked: "Is this the outside of our doctrinal garb? one, or should we look for another?" Sermon Outlines Ironically, the church has become I am convinced that we need not look on diskette 500: Bible Doctrines like Jacob when he sought to deceive further. However, the disguise of 5501- Bible Profiles his father, Isaac, into giving him the doctrine must be peeled back and a U5$49.95 each 0559.95 outside U.S. Order your disks birthright. Isaac smelled the tasty rebuilding of what's real must take today! WordPerfect® and Microsoft Word® food. He felt Jacob's goat-hair- place. Models of ministry that focus formats—Windows and Mac covered hands. The dialogue went on the Holy Spirit as the source of Ministerial Rssociation 12501 Old Columbia Pike like this: gifts that empower each member- Silver Spring, MO 20905 Isaac: "Who is it?" minister must be put in place. Orders: (301) 680-6508 Jacob: "I am Esau, your firstborn." Christ's methods alone can bring true Fax: (301) 680-6502

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MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 15 Reintroducing Y Tape of the Month

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Dan as pastored, been a church administrator, and with his wife, Gloria, has conducted over 60 crusades. Gloria shares her God-given musical talents in public evangelism, and through home visitation she has brought hundreds to a decision for Jesus.

0 HAVE TOP SOUL series of miracles led "the prodigal son" Hark to evangelism. Personal experiences enable him to see potential in people. WINNERS WORKING aOSELY Loyda, who speaks English and Spanish, has a Bible worker's certificate and uses her Will ME IS THRUM, RUT business skills in soulwinning. TRE ADDED BLESSING IS AS a teenager confronted with death in a hold up, Leo's life direction changed as he 1114T NESE ARE MY chose to serve the Lord, beginning his ministry at ZO. Utilizing both her music and business talents, Tamara has added special PERSONAL dimensions to their 84 crusades.

MENDS." :nod one of these 'ramie teams for your hometown, write or call IT IS WRITTEN EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION -MzEuir FINLEY Dave Wolkwitz, Director - Box 0 - Thousand Oaks, (A 91360 805/3/3-1145 - FAX: 805/313-1134 www.iiw.org A song in the night

Norman R. Gulley s time runs out and the planet The good news rushes toward its ultimate There's deserved concern about Arendezvous with destiny, we these things. We don't like the idea wonder if we will make it to the third of a Sunday law with its ultimate millennium. One thing is certain: there enforcement with a death decree (see is a sense that something momentous is Rev. 13:15). Nor are we comfortable about to happen. Never before have with the thought that all the world will Triumphing in the people around the world reported so follow a dominating and oppressive throes of end-time many angel encounters or described world power, actually worshiping this such a variety of encounters with authority called the beast (see verses 3, turmoil apparitions of Mary. Never before have 4), while nations, with America in the psychics been so widely accepted, or forefront, force the issue (see verse 12). spiritualism had such a worldwide It is troubling to know that freedoms as impact, or phenomena such as the New basic as buying and selling will be Age movement been so influential. severely curtailed unless homage is paid Christians in America have an unpre- to this dominator (see verse 17). And cedented opportunity to dominate no one likes the prospect of being the American politics through such aus- object of universal hatred. pices as the Christian Coalition. In a recent survey of college students, Something must be going on behind 56 percent were afraid of last-day the scenes (see Rev. 16:12-16). events. In fact, 41 percent said they The earth flies through its history would rather die than live through the toward a final terminus like a plane on last days. One student said, "I would a transoceanic flight. It has been a long rather go to heaven through resur- time since takeoff, and the trip is rection!" Yet paradoxically, 88 percent becoming tiring and more turbulent. claimed they knew Christ as a personal Looking ahead, a dark sky threatens, friend. But so many are overwhelmed dense with apprehension. Surly clouds with the cares of everyday life or with dominate the horizon. As the planet the prospect of coming circumstances flies through them, they swirl and shift, that they cannot see the Christ who is socking in a shuddering world. There coming. used to be ways of flying above or It is past time for Adventists to around such storms, but these ways can know deep down that final events have no longer be found so easily. It is the more to do with who is coming than Norman Gulley, Ph.D., is a professor of earth's destiny to fly right into this with what is coming. These disturbing systematic theology at ultimate bad weather front. events have to do with Christ rather Southern Adventist The stupendous crisis of all time than just crisis. He makes all the University, Collegedale, is unfolding. It will never again be difference. He comes as a light stronger Tennessee. business as usual. The early time of than the sun. His glory dissolves the trouble, the great time of trouble, black clouds. With Him no night on a and Jacob's time of trouble dominate hurting planet is dark or empty. His the prophetic horizon of a shaken light beams from the future into the planet. center of our trouble, and we who look MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 17 for the Advent should know that. This is the point. These people sing words God says, Rest in Me, trust Me, Though darkness shrouds the globe, it about their greatest trouble long after I am able to take you through. is powerless to stop the entrance of this it happens simply because they know quality of light. With Him the blackness that all they have gone through has Resting in Jesus is never terminal and cannot last long. been worth going through, especially This is how it will be for the final With Him we have a future, not the in the light of the Lamb they have been "Israel." When everything seems night. He is light, and He is our future. following! That puts final events in a hopeless, we will look to Christ, rest His track record is this way, and so it totally different light. Suddenly one is in Him, and trust Him to take us will be to the end of time. Adventists confronted with the fact that even in through to the other side. This resting need to know this deeply and certainly. the midst of unprecedented trouble and trusting in Jesus has everything to there is far more than darkness and do with the Sabbath test that comes It is worth singing about ominous horror. when a threatening civil power is If I have a bad day, it's not worth descending on us. Sunday legislation thinking about, let alone singing about. The words of the song will not only involve the question of Yet the end-time saints will sing the So it is the 144,000 who sing the which day is holy; in a far deeper sense song of their experience following the song, and the song they sing is called it has to do with the Sabbath experience. most horrendous period of trouble ever the "song of Moses the servant of God It is this Sabbath-like experience of known (Dan. 12:1). Scripture says, and the song of the Lamb" (Rev. 15:3). resting in Christ and following Him "They sang a new song before the Here are the words: "Great and mar- even when doing so seems to place all throne.... No one could learn the song velous are your deeds, Lord God the odds against us that is the very except the 144,000 who had been Almighty. Just and true are your ways, essence of the experience of the 144,000 redeemed from the earth" (Rev. 14:3).' King of the ages. Who will not fear and is the heart of their song. These are the ones who live through it you, 0 Lord, and bring glory to your At the Red Sea it was not the all. It is "the song of their experience."' name? For you alone are holy. All Israelites who rolled the waters back. When do they sing it? The context nations will come and worship before Christ did. Moses didn't keep the says they stand on Mount Zion with you, for your righteous acts have been waters back. Christ did. Their scan- Christ (see Rev. 14:1). Mount Zion is revealed" (see verses 3, 4). tily armed men didn't destroy the "the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the Notice the focus of the song. There Egyptian army. Christ did. "The living God" (Heb. 12:22). This city is is not one word about the trouble they mighty hand of Christ rolled back the in heaven now and will come to the went through, nor is there anything waters of the Red Sea, so that they new earth after the millennium (see about their victorious living. From stood up like a wall. Thus He made a Rev. 21:1-3). The context also says the beginning to end the song is about the dry passage through the sea, and Israel 144,000 will follow Christ wherever marvelous deeds of God! It is the work passed over dryshod."3 He goes (see Rev. 14:4). "This seems of Christ that counts in every step of Look at the Song of Moses. "I will to point to some special privilege the our salvation, and so when all is said sing to the Lord, for he is highly 144,000 will have."2 This privilege, I and done, it is still the work of Christ exalted. The horse and its rider he has believe, has everything to do with the that will count. hurled into the sea. The Lord is my reason they live through the ultimate But why is this song called the strength and my song; he has become postprobationary crisis. In this respect Song of Moses? Because it calls our my salvation" (Ex. 15:1, 2). "In your they are like Christ, who lived through minds back to God's deliverance of unfailing love you will lead the people His time of trouble without the assurance Israel from Egypt at the Red Sea as a you have redeemed. In your strength of His Father's comforting presence. type of the final deliverance. When you will guide them to your holy Jesus had no mediator in heaven. So it the great army of Pharaoh came after dwelling" (verse 13). And so the song will be for the 144,000. They will the unarmed Israelites, "they were goes on for 18 verses. There's not one demonstrate in a comparative way what terrified and cried out to the Lord" word about the time of trouble they He demonstrated in an absolute way— (Ex. 14:10). From a natural point of passed through. The entire song is that a human being dependent upon view there was no hope for them. about God and the awesome power He God can live a victorious life under the Terrible fear gripped them. But manifested on behalf of His people. most challenging of circumstances. In "Moses answered the people, 'Do not The Song of Moses and the Song of the this way the 144,000 join Christ in be afraid. Stand firm and you will see Lamb is about Christ, not about times answering the great controversy issue. the deliverance the Lord will bring of trouble. It is about Christ, not the They will follow Christ wherever He you today. The Egyptians you see crisis. It is now that we must learn to goes (Rev. 14:4) and live forever to tell today you will never see again. The look at every struggle of our lives and the story to the unnumbered worlds Lord will fight for you; you need only at the ultimate crisis in the same way— flung throughout the universe. to be still' " (verses 13, 14). In other seeing past the crisis to the Christ! 18 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 Just as Christ was with His people He comes to deliver His people. The 10, 17) brings joy to the saints. "Their at the Red Sea, so He will be with the crown is a stephanos, a laurel wreath faces, so lately pale, anxious, and 144,000 in the great time of trouble. He of victory, worn by the winner of an haggard, are now aglow with wonder, is the God who stands with His people Olympic-type game. It is the same faith, and love. Their voices rise in in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3:25). He is stephanos that the redeemed wear (see triumphant song: 'God is our refuge the Christ who stands in the midst of Rev. 4:4). Chapter 14 pictures Jesus as and strength, a very present help in His churches (Rev. 1:12, 20). He one of us. He has been through the trouble. Therefore will not we fear, promised, "Never will I leave you; never worst time of trouble, far greater than though the earth be removed, and will I forsake you" (Heb. 13:5), for "I ours, in Gethsemane and at Golgotha. though the mountains be carried into am with you always, to the very end of In Revelation 14 He comes as the the midst of the sea; though the waters the age" (Matt. 28:20). Christ makes the compassionate Deliverer, the Son of thereof roar and be troubled, though same decisive difference to final events man, the Redeemer wearing the crown the mountains shake with the swelling as He did at the Red Sea rescue. Without of the redeemed. thereof' (Ps. 46:1-3).6 Him there is no good news. But because In Revelation 19 He comes on a When their enemies have no song, of Him there is always the very best white horse to make war, to judge, and the saints will sing their new song. That news indeed! Going through last-day to throw the enemy into the fiery lake. song is about triumph and not tragedy, events has much more to do with what He comes with multiple crowns, each about faith and not fear, about Christ He is going to do for us than with what one a diadem worn exclusively by and not the crisis. This is our destiny we are going to do for Him. royalty. He comes as King of kings and to sing that song. What is coming will When the final moments come, conquering God. At the sight of such a be tough but thrilling.' It will find us Christ will provide latter rain power to Christ the saints rejoice, for "God has in the final exodus, facing the final Red comfort and sustain us (see Joel 2:28). judged her [Babylon] for the way she Sea, and crossing over with Christ our He will send the plagues against a treated you" (Rev. 18:20). Now in only help. ■ world confederated against His people Babylon there is no song to sing. It is (see Rev. 16). He will destroy the destitute of music (see verses 21, 22) Bible texts in this article are from the New International Version. enemy and deliver His people (see Rev. and filled with fear. 18). No wonder the 144,000 have What does God say to His children ' Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy something to sing about forever! The in these two pictures of the Second (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1950), p. 649. focus of this song is always to be our Advent? He says, "I understand; I 'The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com- focus. Thus it will not be God's know what you will go through. I'll go mentary (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald children who will feel fear in the final through it with you." "The precious Pub. Assn., 1957), vol. 7, p. 826. 3 Ibid., Ellen G. White Comments, vol. 1, throes of history, but it will be those Saviour will send help just when we p. 1101. who enact a death decree who in the need it. The way to heaven is conse- White, The Great Controversy, p. 633. end will experience ultimate fear (see crated by His footprints."4 He also 5 Ibid., p. 627. 6 Ibid., p. 639. Rev. 6:12-17). says, "I am the King of kings. Do not 7 This article is about the 144,000. There are be afraid when all the civil powers of others who become martyrs (Rev. 20:4). For them Two Second Advent scenes the world are in union with all the see 1 Corinthians 10:13. But the game isn't over until it's apostate religious powers to oppose over. In the first quarter of the end-time you. They are a wisp of smoke to Me, game there's a Sunday law. In the the eternal King. Do not be afraid of second quarter there's a death decree, what they might do against you. I will and then the plagues will be pounding have the last word. I am coming to the planet. The fourth quarter is the destroy them. When languishing in climax—Armageddon and the Second prisons, My angels will come to you, Advent. We know that as the game ends, `bringing light and peace from heaven.'"5 Christ will manifest His power by "You will only observe with your eyes obliterating the opposition. And the and see the punishment of the wicked. 4. A collection of saints will be homeward bound and If you make the Most High your pastoral wives' forever safe. Thus we need to look at dwelling—even the Lord, who is my / favorite red coming events from the end of the game refuge—then no harm will befall you, forward. It makes all the difference. no disaster will come near your tent. 14.95 There is a dramatic comparison in For he will command his angels 53.50 shipping & handling Revelation 14 and 19 that is important. concerning you to guard you in all your To order call: In chapter 14 we see Christ riding on a ways" (Ps. 91:8-11). .41(1) 982-3344 white cloud with a crown on His head. Sudden deliverance (see Rev. 18:8,

MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 19 Pari 12. of a I2-part series

The process of Counseling peoee in crisis crisis intervention

Martin W. Feldbush ecently my wife and I took sailing lessons. The most memorable point of our lessons was an incident in the classroom, in which our instructor put everything in perspective. He gave us a simple conceptual frame- work into which we could fit everything we were learning. He said there are three basic things one needs to know to sail: (1) how to read the wind, (2) how to set the sails, and (3) how to steer the boat. W../ Learn those, our instructor assured us, and you'll be a sailor! Pastors who want to respond to crises also need a conceptual framework from which to work. This article will deal with a theory of caring relationship, types of Crisis intervention is crises, constituents of pastoral care, a model for helping, and an evaluation process. A caring relationship an art of restoring A caring relationship is built on helping others grow and actualize themselves instead of using them to satisfy your own needs.' It is based on genuine love. It is not an isolated feeling or momentary relationship, but a process of development human beings to their toward wholeness. Milton Mayeroff suggests that caring consists of the following ingredients: knowledge and competence, the ability to evaluate ourselves critically in the helping process, the gift of patience in "staying with" the person in need, trusting counselees' ability to grow so that we do not overdo for them, honesty, the God-given dignity and humility to know our limitations, a sense of hopefulness about the potential for growth, and the courage to invest ourselves in caring for others.' David Switzer argues that caring is pastoral when the minister's caring is seen potential. as an expression of the whole life and purpose of the Christian community.' He outlines three ways in which such an expression becomes possible: Empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share in the emotions and feelings of another person. The goal is to understand the other person from his or her point of view, assuring him or her that he or she is heard and appreciated. Respect. Respect involves communicating to others that they are of value. This is crucial since people in crisis often have low self-esteem. Unconditional acceptance of the other person enhances self-esteem. Self-disclosure/vulnerability. When we communicate that we too are human and have the same feelings and needs, we convey to people in crisis that vulnerability is not unique to them. To these factors one may add the quality of being nonjudgmental. Help in crisis

Martin W Feldbush, D.Min., is an associate director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland. 20 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 Part 12 of a 12-part series

aims at understanding the individual and not judging. The external event or change in the life situation or in the person's main point is that before we do anything to help the person in perception of the circumstances?6 crisis, we need to create an environment in which caring and healing can take place. Constituents of pastoral care Since there are varying types of crises, pastoral Types of crises intervention must vary accordingly. We will look especially Two types of crises are predominantly discussed in at the pastor's response to situational crises, utilizing a model literature today. First are developmental crises, experienced recommended by most specialists. This involves four steps. at the transitional or turning points of life that produce stress. 1. Pastoral presence. When a person in crisis comes to They are fraught with a need to adapt, to find new meanings, the pastor for assistance, the pastor should make available and are often (but not always) predictable events we know those attending skills that show his or her interest in the will happen someday. Included are marriage and birth of individual. These skills are primarily nonverbal. They children, adolescence, career changes, aging, bereavement, communicate in the first few moments of the interaction etc. Second are situational crises. These are reactions to that the pastor is there for one purpose—to be with that specific, external, and often unanticipated events in our lives. person and provide compassionate care. Included are traumatic events such as 2. Identifying needs and resources. accidents and natural disasters, failure and The pastor uses general leads and appro- breakup of relationships, loss of a job, priate questions to let the person tell his unexpected death of a loved one, and so The pastor has a or her story. Being a listener is the heart on. Of course, there can be some overlap of pastoral care, because in that act the between these types of crises. A situational person externalizes his or her understanding crisis differs from a developmental crisis "kit bag" that is of the circumstances, perceptions about in the source of stress and in the element them, and knowledge of available coping of time.' used through the resources. By listening, the pastor gathers Most researchers see a crisis as a result information and impressions that will of a sequential process: form the basis of the next step. 1. A precipitating event occurs, often Holy Spirit and 3. Pastoral diagnosis. Although this external in nature. article does not deal with pastoral 2. The individual examines the situation assessment theory and methods, it is to determine if it threatens some basic loving inter- important for pastors to understand need. The degree of threat will depend on common models of diagnosis that can be whether the person has experienced the personal care. used in counseling and shared with threat before, its impact then, the available practitioners of other disciplines. Basi- coping resources, and so on. At this phase cally this involves understanding and the person interprets the event and assigns it meaning— utilizing biblically based pastoral concepts of caring and threatening, mildly threatening, nonthreatening, etc. Thus compassion to hurting people. what the person believes about the event is as important as 4. Pastoral interventions. Only after valid pastoral the event itself. assessment should the pastor utilize the spiritual therapies 3. Having deemed the event a threat, the person employs at his or her disposal. To do otherwise would be like a coping methods and resources to deal with the matter. The surgeon performing an operation without examining the adequacy of these will determine the extent to which the patient or doing any diagnostic studies. The pastor has a event will be internally experienced as a crisis. "kit bag" similar to the physician, except that it does not 4. Last, if the coping mechanisms fail, the individual contain instruments. It contains spiritual therapies that enters the crisis phase, reacting internally to the hazard.' become operative through the ministry of the Holy Spirit Thus, a crisis has more to do with a person's internal and the healing balm of loving interpersonal care. Among response than with the external situation. those therapies are the use of Scriptures, prayer, the caring Since we are dealing with situational crisis intervention, Christian community, pastoral counseling, the ceremonies it is essential to know whether or not a person is experiencing and rites of the church, etc. The pastor's therapies thus that kind of crisis. Determining this will decide the degree become the natural outgrowth of a relationship based on of help we might feel we are able to give to the person. mutual trust. Switzer gives a three-question diagnostic procedure: 1. Has there been a recent (within the past few days or weeks) onset The helping model of troublesome feelings and/or behavior? 2. Have these Tom, a recent graduate of a state university, came to his symptoms grown progressively worse, leading the person pastor one day and shared feelings of low self-esteem and to the pastor for help? 3. Can the onset be linked with some described physical stress symptoms. He sometimes MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 21 Part 12 Oa 1>>-pari series

wondered if it was worth keeping on in the face of life's information that has already been gleaned and implementing problems. The pastor wisely realized that Tom needed more solutions that are agreed upon. The first task is to inventory than a prayer and a verse of Scripture and encouraged him to problem-solving resources that the counselee can call upon, talk about his situation. He especially wanted Tom to share such as church, personal faith, social support systems, specifically what was happening in his life and how long he community agencies, and so on. Essentially this is drawing had felt this way. The pastor's attitude of personal acceptance out the inner strengths and external resources that can be encouraged Tom to share his story, and out tumbled an account used in dealing with the crisis. One way of getting at this is of bad financial decisions and escalating debt. His credit cards to listen for and/or ask about similar crises that may have were over the limit, and three weeks earlier his car had been happened in the past and how the person coped with them. repossessed. The worst of his symptoms had begun at about The counselee often realizes he or she has been through this that time. The pastor read the signs of situational crisis and before and had resources to cope then. Identify and discuss moved toward helping Tom in his problems. these resources. The pastor's basic goals were: The second task is to assist in the decision-making process. 1. To provide symptom relief, and lower distress and Encourage the person in crisis to identify decisions and actions maladaptive coping. that if taken would alter the situation. Initially this is 2. To help Tom return to normal functioning. brainstorming. Since we want the counselee to assume 3. To provide reassurance when appropriate. responsibility for himself or herself, we do not offer options How does a pastor help people like Tom? Switzer's until the person has exhausted his or her ideas. The pastor then helping model provides some assistance to the pastor. The assists in the evaluation of options. Will it work? Is this feasible? model has three phases. Why? Why not? What will the probable results be? Phase 1: Contact. Contact involves a caring and The pastor then gently yet firmly encourages the therapeutic relationship. During contact, trust is built through counselee to make a decision about a course of action, communication of accurate empathy along with good encouraging him or her to act upon it. The pastor does not attending and listening skills. During this time the pastor make these decisions for the person. He or she suggests will get to know whether the crisis is situational or not. If it alternatives only when it is apparent that the course of action is not, the pastor may have to switch gears and refer the chosen might result in harm. person to another professional. Part of the decision-making process is affirming the The pastor encourages the person to tell the story, asking resources suggested by the counselee, especially relationships the individual to identify the problem that precipitated the with both God and people. This is important because people crisis. If the counselee's narration does not reveal when and in crisis often suffer from damaged relationships. how the distress began, the pastor must intentionally search Action decisions lead to new learning. This is reviewing for these precipitating factors through gentle questioning. what has transpired and asking what the counselee has learned By telling the story, the counselee builds trust and aids in from the process. This helps the person add these learnings to the assessment of the situational crisis. The pastor can also their arsenal of resources to be utilized again in times of crisis. begin building hope by suggesting the need for contracting Follow-up is essential, whether in the form of continued an agreement that the two work together on the problem. counseling sessions or informal yet regular contacts. The Phase 2: Focus. Focus helps review in detail the preci- pastor, having encouraged the counselee to implement the pitating event and the person's reaction to it so that together plan of action, now helps to evaluate progress and make you can clarify (a) what has happened and (b) why it is perceived midcourse corrections if needed.' as a threat and the reason for the kind of response it is eliciting in the counselee. The counselee must connect the event and its Evaluating the helping process assigned meaning to see that the difficulty might not only be How do we evaluate the helping model and its effect on the event itself but also his or her beliefs about it. If the counselee the person in crisis? Switzer poses five evaluative questions: is not able to make this connection, the pastor might state the 1. Has the level of anxiety been reduced? core of the problem as he or she sees it. 2. Can the person describe the plan of action in his or her Sometimes it is helpful to ask the counselee to describe own words? the situation both before and after the crisis-producing event. 3. Is the person hopeful regarding the future? Especially look for changes in behavior, emotions, physical 4. Does the person exhibit appreciation for the help given? symptoms, relationships, and mental functioning. As a result 5. Is there realistic expectation that the unmet needs of active listening and other discovery techniques, the pastor precipitating the crisis can be met?8 and parishioner will come to a better understanding of what This model is not meant for every occasion, yet it helps has happened, what the problem is, and why it is perceived as many people to proceed in an orderly manner while retaining a threat. emphasis on the quality of interpersonal relationships. Both Phase 3: Coping. Coping is doing something about the are needed by people whose crises leave them feeling alone problem. This involves making some decisions based on and unable to sort out cognitively what is happening. The model 22 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 Part 12 of a 12-part series

may seem too structured to some yet refreshingly focused to others. Try it, practice it, evaluate it, and refine it.

Milton Mayeroff, On Caring (New York: Harper & Row, 1971), p. 1. Ibid., pp. 9-20. 3 David K. Switzer, Pastoral Care Emergencies (New York: Paulist Press, 1989), p. 16. 4 The Minister as Crisis Counselor (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1974, 1989), pp. 33, 34. 'Howard W. Stone, Crisis Counseling (Philadelphia: Fortress, 1987), pp. 12-14. 6 Switzer, The Minister as Crisis Counselor, p. 41. Ibid., pp. 65-89. 8 Ibid., p. 85.

CONTINUING EDUCATION EXERCISE

The process of crisis intervention COUNSELING

al are the iaeilitat condltib4dif Optinseling aSiki▪ lieir role in developing a context for healing and grov. th? Identify and distinguish between tiro di,cessed in this article. Learn a basic model of interpersonal 3 Discuss how to identify situ usl crises as ttIal be evidenced.:„ helping that can be applied in a variety in parishioners or connselees who come to v`oit 4. in ma rize the sett tientkaijrneesalh41eads to1116,6*Stience of situations with pastor and chaplain— of ,itnational lievien.• and suinniaiiTh.basic phases. lin 'the helping Model discussed in this artielm A 10-part self-study course with lessons ^t) on ministry Uow would •ou evaluate• the effectiveness of this•helping process aftertsing *le help someon? • during family crises , • to the terminally ill Sugg"' ested reading • to the dying • to the bereaved Qinebell, Howard. Basic 23,:pay of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Rev. Ed. New York: Abingdon Press, 1984, 1992. Provides a • during crisis of divorce theological foundation for pastoral counseling and discusses various • during suicidal crisis 'types of pastoral counseling. Kennedy, Eugene. Crisis Counseling. New York: Continuum Pub. with a concluding lecture on the when Co., 1990. Written for the nonprofessional counselor, it deals with and how of referral. the theory of crisis, types of interventions, and their application in a variety of situations including depression, rape, suicide, bereavement, by Martin W. Feldbush child sexual abuse, and others. 'Mayeroff, Milton. On Caring. New York: Harper and Row, 19'71. A Contains two textbooks: secular discussion on the meaning of caring and its dynamics in The Minister as Crisis Counselor and Pastoral Care Emergencies interpersonal relationships. by David K. Switzer—study guide Stone, Howard W. Crisis Counseling. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, and audiocassettes. 1976, 1987. A classic covering the dynamics of crisis counseling and providing a design for intervention and the place of such care in the church. US$39.95 Switzer, David K. The Minister as Crisis Counselor. Rev. Ed. plus $5.00 shipping and handling; Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1974, 1989. A seminary textbook on additional shipping charges may apply to orders shipped outside U.S.A. crisis theory and methods of intervention and application in several contexts—including family crises, grief, marriage and divorce, and suicide. . Pastoral Care Emergencies. NewYork: Paulist Press, 1989. Deals with the ingredients of caring in various crisis situations, Ministerial Continuing Education including sickness, death and dying, bereavement, suicide, family Seminars Unlimited • P.O. Box 66 • Keene, TX 76059 systems needs, homosexuality, mental illness, and substance abuse. Info (817) 641-3643 • Orders (800) 982-3344

MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 23 Seminary News Seminary courses at Florida Hospital

Benjamin D. Schoun and Dick Tibbits

lorida Hospital is a leading "Field Ministry." As part of the courses youth ministry within the Master of medical institution in both the participants will do youth ministry with Divinity program. Others can attend as F Adventist Church and the regional a mentoring pastor. The nearby Forest well. The program will be offered again community. Its leaders have a strong Lake Academy, Florida Hospital church, January 5 to March 18, 1998. commitment to its mission of service and Orlando community will provide a Leadership is the second area of and Adventist Christian ideals. With its wide range of opportunities for deve- emphasis. It will be an intensive course College of Health Sciences, the large loping skills. The resources of the offered from February 23 to March 2, number of academically qualified Florida Conference of Seventh-day 1997. Florida Hospital has established professionals in the area, its location in Adventists and Campus Crusade for a nationally recognized quality man- Orlando with a wide cross-cultural Christ are available nearby. This winter agement and planning system that can community, and the quality of nearby quarter in Florida is a feature of the assist church leaders to enhance their churches and schools, it provides an seminary's new Master of Arts in youth administrative skills. The course will be ideal mix of characteristics for focused ministry degree and the emphasis in taught by some of the hospital's top experiences in ministerial education. At the invitation of the Florida Hospital administration, a ministry development program has been designed with the seminary that offers courses in IT'S NI (1101( E 11 ;AC ",$, four areas. These courses can be taken NTANuAi for seminary academic credit or for These 10 baptismal personal upgrading resulting in CEU. class presentations for The time involvement ranges from short juniors help=kids under- intensives to quarter-long experiences. stand the 27 fundamen- They are not only for current seminary tal beliefs and the 13 baptismal vows students but also for pastors, conference, FOR Adv nt it Church of. t h e judicatory, and other institutional leaders Includes valuable locally or at a distance. Florida Hospital resources for pastors will assist in arranging housing during and teachers. Paper, 122 the time of the particular program. pages. US$8.99, The first of the four areas is Youth Ministry. It is a quarter-long program BY STEVE CASE Cdn$12.99.IT'S MY CHOICE that will begin on January 6, 1997, and STUDENT continue to March 19. Throughout this These WORKBOOK period these courses will be offered: Review and Herald® These workbooks, products are designed especially "Contemporary Youth Culture," "Coun- available at your for kids 10-12, feature seling Youth/Young Adults," "Visionary Adventist Book Center. three work sheets for Leadership in Youth Ministry," and Call 1-800-765-6955. each study plus simpli- fied baptismal vows. Canadian prices do not include Benjamin D. Schoun, D.Min., is the associate GST and may change according to Paper, 48 pages. dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological currency fluctuation. US$2.99, Cdn$4.29. Seminary, Berrien Springs, Michigan; Dick Tibbits, D.Min., is administrative director of pastoral education and whole person health at 1"2 Florida Hospital. 24 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 management personnel and will incor- Hospital SDA churches, with their patients, supervisory conferences, porate special features, such as the excellent pastoral teams, innovative reading and seminars, preparing ver- Florida Hospital Conference on Mission services, involvement of members, and batims and case studies, in participating and a study of their mission-based outreach programs, stand out as good in learning groups, and conducting customer relations and service program, models from which others can gain worship services. It is a real privilege SHARE. The ongoing management ideas and principles to apply in other to take such training in an Adventist operation and culture of the hospital will settings. This master's or doctoral class Christian setting, where people's be a laboratory for real-life observation. will be conducted as an intensive from religious values are upheld. The course can be taken either on the March 21 to 29, 1997, with pre- and These educational experiences offer master's or doctoral level and requires postsession assignments. variety and enrichment to the seminary pre- and postsession assignments. The fourth area, Clinical Pastoral on-campus programs. It gives our The third area is Worship and Education, is especially appropriate to students more options for meaningful Church Renewal. Many pastors and the Florida Hospital environment. It learning. We also believe that the church leaders gravitate to some of the allows participants to improve their interaction between ministers and country's fast-growing and innovative pastoral care and counseling skills for health-care workers can only enhance churches in order to learn ways of parish ministry or for some type of an understanding of each other and reaching unchurched people. Worship chaplaincy ministry. CPE has its own contribute to the development of a renewal has become one of the important certifying organization and grants common vision, purpose, and ministry. components of the broader goal of recognition in units. However, up to 12 For further information and costs for church renewal. We believe that several quarter credits can be earned from the any of these programs, please contact of the Adventist churches near Florida SDA Theological Seminary for a unit of Dr. Dick Tibbits at Florida Hospital Hospital have demonstrated leadership CPE. Units can be completed in a full- (407-895-7757), or Dr. Douglas Kilcher in this area that is both attractive and time 11-week program or an extended at Andrews University Seminary (616- appropriate to Adventist theology and program over several months. Call for 471-3245 or CompuServe 74532,37 or values. The Forest Lake and Florida dates. The time is spent in ministry to 74617,2163). ■

IN REMEMBRANCE TOUCHED BY FIRE OF ME Igniting a Passion for Ministry to Others Thoughts on the Larry Yeagley, a pastor with a passion for Communion Service ministry, shares experiences from what he E. Harold Roy explores both calls the "most rewarding work in the the spiritual and practical world." Meet the man with the 16-gauge meanings of the shotgun who asked for a "dunkini a Communion and foot- despairing woman named washing services, showing Sunshine, a tattooed ex- how these memorials to convict who learned to care salvation can help us live in tenderly for his abusive assurance and joy until the father; and scores of other day when we partake of the real-life people with real Lord's Supper with Jesus in needs. Paper, 128 pages. heaven. Ideal for US$7.99, Cdn$11.49. Communion Sabbaths. Paper, 89 pages. E. I-1,-o US$7.99, Cdn$11.49. These Review and Herald° products are available at your Adventist Book Center. Call 1-800-765-6955.

Canadian prices do not include GST and may change aL paling to currency fluctuation.

MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 25 Burnout's subtle approach

Jack Lange was 24, recently converted, and full up with church problems. I wasn't of faith. One day I met Richard, a enjoying the ministry as I had. Despite / godly middle-aged Adventist. When planning ahead, there were times I he told me he was recovering from a ner- couldn't remember what to do next. vous breakdown, I couldn't believe it. I Sometimes I resented living in the said, "A Christian shouldn't have a parsonage next to the church. "Won't breakdown, Richard." His glance the members ever leave me in peace?" A pastor shares his reflected hurt and indignation. He I would say to myself. traumatic quickly asked, "Why not?" Wanting to A change was taking place in me so help him, I replied, "Our faith in God slowly that I was hardly aware of it. I experience with lifts us above stress." Richard didn't didn't recognize then that I was experi- burnout pursue the conversation. I didn't realize encing the early-warning symptoms of it at the time, but he must have felt sorry a breakdown. I thought of going to a for my youthful ignorance. There was no doctor but put it off, hoping that the next way I could have known that years later, holiday season would recharge my as an experienced minister, I too would batteries. It didn't. I continued to have suffer a major stress-related breakdown. highs and lows, but the lows gradually A few years after I met Richard, a sank a little deeper. At times an uncha- conference president told my theology racteristic depression would pass over class that he expected us to "work hard me temporarily. Although I realized that and harder still to finish the work." As I might be suffering from stress, I never a young minister I followed that advice comprehended where the seriousness of to the point that I felt guilty if I stayed the condition could lead. home because someone canceled a With most illnesses, physical pain Bible study appointment. jars one to action. With psychological- emotional exhaustion, the warning Early symptoms symptoms are more subtle and harder Most of the time ministry brought to detect) me much joy. My theological training, Recently I spoke to a number of however, had not prepared me for the people who were recovering from burn- pain caused by the artillery and missiles out. While most of them on hindsight some of the saints fired at me. As I can now recognize the early-warning worked in small churches I found it symptoms, they could not recognize difficult to deal with conflicts, and was them at the time of their occurrence. Jack Lange is a pastor Personally I was only vaguely aware of in New South Wales, drained emotionally. In my mid-40s I Australia. started to become strangely tired. the indicators, and it took a crisis to Instead of me "finishing the work," the awaken me. By then it was too late to work was finishing me! I found it prevent an irreversible slide into severe difficult to relax. I couldn't enjoy my breakdown. This is why it is so important meals. I couldn't appreciate the beauty for clergy to be able to identify the early of a flower or the colors of a butterfly. symptoms. The sound of my kids playing happily Needless to say, when one is expe- jarred my nerves. My mind was caught riencing warning symptoms of burnout 26 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 it is unwise to accept a new appointment desire to escape the torturous symptoms one knows the frustration of chronic with added responsibilities, yet this is of clinical depression.' fatigue syndrome.' exactly what I did. It was an unwise I had no option except to accept decision, and it produced the extra wave medical advice and take extended sick Clinical depression that sank my ship. leave. Two years later I am still not well Clinical depression, often caused by enough to cope with the emotional burnout, is more common than many The crisis demands of ministry. It took time for ministers realize. Dr. Fran Singer One night about two years ago I had accumulated stress to cause the break- writes: "It has been estimated that one an extended visit with a couple who were down. It takes time to get better. To have in 20 men and one in 10 women will pulled toward legalistic fanaticism. After my life turned upside down was not become clinically depressed at some that emotionally draining visit I drove easy, even though the Lord has closely time in their lives."' Christians are not off into the country for a Bible study. I blessed my every new step. For some- exempt, but for fear of embarrassment slammed on the brakes too late. At 60 one who has been an active minister for they try to conceal their illness. To admit miles per hour the car plunged over the many years, it's very difficult to have depression is seen as lack of faith, embankment, flew 50 feet through the to do something else, for my heart is especially in a climate that measures air, and crashed in swampy ground. The still in the ministry. This type of faith by joyful emotional experiences. car was badly damaged, but I wasn't frustration is inevitable in a deeply A clinically depressed person is not seriously hurt. In stunned amazement I burned-out minister and causes much someone who is merely going through a prayed: "Thank You, Lord, for protecting emotional pain. very sad experience. "Feelings of sad- me. I didn't even see the corner coming; The family suffers too, as it now has ness, frustration, and unhappiness are there must be something wrong with to live with a sick person whose natural reactions to real-life problems, a me." My advanced state of crisis required depleted emotional reserves cannot painful loss . . a conflict. Psychiatrists that accident to convince me fully that I cope well with the demands of growing refer to such reactions as 'adjustment was ill. From then on my health deteri- children (particularly teenagers). Full- disorders.' If the symptoms gradually orated rapidly. I was diagnosed as blown chronic fatigue, which is a clear up as the problem subsides, you've suffering from stress-related breakdown/ classic symptom of burnout, has to be probably just had an ordinary adjustment depression. To my surprise, blood tests experienced to be properly understood. disorder. If not, you may be suffering revealed the presence of a virus that Most drivers know what it's like to feel clinical depression.''' caused chronic fatigue.2 so tired while driving that it seems It was only after I experienced Doctors told me that prolonged stress impossible to stay awake any longer. burnout that I could fully appreciate had affected my immune system, But when one experiences similar what the psalmist meant when he allowing the fatigue-causing virus to mental fatigue by 10:00 a.m. despite described his inner turmoil: "My eyes assert itself, thus further lowering my having had a good night's sleep, then grow weak with sorrow, my soul and ability to handle stress.

Emotional-psychological burnout 33,000 Page SDA Pioneer Library Severe "burnout" (sometimes called a nervous breakdown) causes suffering Words of the Pioneers, 2nd Edition (1995) of greater intensity than most physical CD-ROM, each word indexed with FolioTM pain. With physical illness one's mind can still think well enough to cope with search & retrieval software (Windows or suffering. However, when the mind that Macintosh). Priceless, mostly out-of-print controls the coping mechanism breaks writings, 1840's onwards. $195.00, plus $2.50 down, the result is devastating. Without S/H. (CA residents add 7.75% sales tax). any exaggeration, my struggle was Complete bibliography upon request. equal in intensity to the trauma of awakening from a nightmare to discover Contact your local ABC or reach us directly: Adventist Pioneer Library that it is real. Fitful sleep was invaded 2 Dept. AR1 TS Phone/Fax: (909) 824-1361 with panic attacks involving adrenaline P. 0. Box 1844 2 E-mail: [email protected] rushes, heart spasms, and phobic Loma Linda, CA 92354-0380 Web: http://www.andrews.edu/other/APL/ thoughts (phobias and emotional lia- Adventist Repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew bility are common with this condition) . Pioneer what it cost to search for truth as for hidden treasure, Library and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. I could understand why many suicides (RH 5/25/05) are motivated, not by some new and Recommended by the Ellen G. White Estate and the G. C. Ministerial Association isolated tragedy, but by a desperate MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 27 my body with grief. My life is con- Early in my illness the Lord led me Preventive measures sumed by anguish and my years by to a wonderfully comforting book, Self- If you suspect you may be on the groaning; my strength fails because of Help for Your Nerves.' It persuaded burnout track, find a doctor who under- my affliction, and my bones grow me that the traumatic symptoms I stands the complex nature of ministry. weak" (Ps. 31:9, 10, NIV). experienced were unpleasant but not He or she may advise you to slow down, Even the strength of David's mind was harmful in the long term. It showed me or may surprise you by recommending reduced to severe depression that lasted I should not be unduly frightened by the a long period off work. This may seem for years. Evidently, strong spiritual involuntary bodily reactions and moods to be overly cautious, but is preferable leaders are not exempt from severe of my breakdown/depression, and to having to experience other potential depression! It is significant that the indicated that these always pass and will effects of depression. It may take courage psalmist mingles expressions of suffering diminish in time.9 to inform your administrators that you with expressions of great faith: "But I trust I also benefited from physical exer- feel stressed out, that they should give in you, 0 Lord. . . . My times are in your cise and a simple diet free from highly you freedom to lighten your load. Let hands" (verses 14, 15, NIV). Apparently refined food and rich desserts. The doctor your congregation know of your limi- David's sufferings were caused, not by prescribed an antidepressant drug, and tations and your need to slow down. If any lack of faith, but by the prolonged it helped me. It was not a mood-elevating you don't, they will keep sending work conflict situations he encountered. drug, but it helped by raising the level of your way. Some ministers try to give the So it's usually not appropriate simply neurotransmitters in the brain.'° impression that they are unbreakable, but to tell depressed Christians to "have I have found spa bathing calming to church members respect ministers who more faith" or to "lay your burdens at my nerves. Hobbies create needed reveal their humanity. the foot of the cross." They may already therapeutic pleasure without harmful Learn to say no more often. Don't be plagued with the misconception that stress, and they distract the mind from worry if this occasionally offends some their condition is a result of lack of faith morbid preoccupations. well-meaning church members who when in reality it may have a medical In my case, I wish that the church had think that you should operate up to their basis. It is far better to reassure them made available some trained counselors expectations. No minister can entirely sympathetically that God is with them who could visit incapacitated pastors on escape criticism. and that the suffering will pass. a regular basis. In the New South Wales Sometimes even a healthy minister Police Force a special counselor visits may have to try to adopt a five-day week Some practical pointers weekly with stressed-out police officers as a survival measure. We vary enor- While it is not within my ability to and provides valuable encouragement mously in our workload abilities. "Each give medical advice, I will briefly and direction. This kind of ministry in a individual must find his or her level of mention some practical pointers that church setting would be invaluable to stress tolerance, because below it you'll have helped me personally. pastors. feel bored and frustrated, and above it you'll suffer exhaustion."" ■

There Is more to a life than just"malting d I See M.W.P. Carney, "The Diagnosis of Depressive Symptoms and the Prediction of ECT Here Is a book that offers a special day added value encounter with God: Response," British Journal of Psychiatry 3 (1965): 659-674. .2 See A. S. David, "Postviral Fatigue Syndrome: Time for a New Approach," British Medical Journal 296 (1988): 696-699. 3 See Ian Hickie, "The Psychiatric Status of Patients With the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome," Minutes- British Journal of Psychiatry 28 (1990): 536. See P. 0. Behan, "The Postviral Fatigue Syndrome—Analysis of the Findings in 50 Cases." Journal of Infection 10 (1985): 211-222. See William Vayda, Chronic Fatigue: The Silent ith Go Epidemic (Sydney, Australia: Simon and Schuster, 1991), p. 174. 6 Fran Singer, "Let's Talk," New Idea, Sept. 5, 200 devotionals for Christian mew 1992, p. 86. tail tirg [lick Elluerlisen aLnil RagBabrowaisx Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Af,;• 12 Disorders, 3rd rev. ed. (Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 1987). licivenTalk Media. 8 Claire Weeks, Self-Help forYourNerves (Sydney, Australia: Angus and Robertson, 1989), p. 28. oso 4 1_1300_11140_3140 9 See also Vayda, pp. 51, 65. ilto al, a I Ade at". 8-1-rs m cent,. Bark Eirvve 10 See Philip Elmer-Dewitt, "Depression: The Growing Role of Drug Therapies," Time, July 6, lit-luentrgtUooh Centers Columbia.. RID allOtIS 1992, p. 58. " Vayda, p. 51. 28 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 Pastor's Pastor I wish I had said that!

James A. Cress

collect Noah's Arks and interesting present were still awaiting the arrival of choose the right way. Then our whole quotations. My collection of arks, on the Spirit of God. I have known projects being will be guided by the Spirit of Christ. / display in the Ministerial Association abandoned for the lack of funds, but not We will love God, and our thoughts will Office, has become a favorite stop on the for the lack of the gifts of the Spirit. Pro- be like His."—Ellen G. White. General Conference tour. I hope some vided the human resources are adequate, of my favorite quotations will brighten we take the spiritual for granted."—John "The grass may look greener on the your day and challenge your thinking! V. Taylor. other side, but it's just as hard to cut."— Little Richard. "If there is miscommunication, blame "An appeaser is one who feeds a yourself not your audience. You are the crocodile, hoping it will eat him last."— "Christmas reminds us that we are not message! "—Richard Ailes. Winston Churchill. alone. We are not unrelated atoms, jouncing and ricocheting amid aliens, but "Let me tell you the secret that has led "The message of Jesus Christ is to bring are part of something which holds and me to my goal. My secret lies solely in my hope to the least, the last, the left out, and sustains us. As we struggle with shopping tenacity."—Louis Pasteur. the lonely."—Charles E. Bradford. lists and invitations compounded by December's bad weather, it is good to be "We do not want suffering; we want "There is a rule in sailing where the reminded that there are people in our lives success. We identify not with those who are more maneuverable ship should give way who are worth this aggravation, and low and hurt, but with those who are high to the less maneuverable craft. I think this people to whom we are worth the same. and healthy. We don't like lepers or losers is sometimes a good rule to follow in Christmas shows us the ties that bind us very well; we prefer climbers and comers. human relationships as well."—Joyce together, threads of love and caring, woven For Christians the temptation to be Brothers. in the simplest and strongest ways within conformed to this world is desperately the family."—Donald E. Westlake. sweet and strong. Yet, says the apostle "Preach the gospel at all times. If Paul, we are children of God if we suffer necessary, use words."—Francis of Assisi. "Don't approach a goat from the front, with Christ . . . God does not give His a horse from the back, or a fool from any hardest assignments to His weakest "No dog can go as fast as the money side."—Yiddish proverb. children."—Cornelius Plantinga, Jr. you bet on him! "—Bud Flanagan. "General DuPuy taught me something "Only a fool tests the depth of the water "The knowledge of where people are invaluable about holding on to one's core with both feet." —African proverb. wrong is a hindrance to prayer, not an of individuality. . . . 'Never be so consumed assistance. 'I want to tell you of the by your career that nothing is left that "Learn to say no. It will be of more use difficulties so that you may pray more belongs only to you and your family. Don't to you than to be able to read Latin." intelligently.' The more you know, the allow your profession to become the whole Charles Spurgeon. less intelligently you pray, because you of your existence.' I remember thinking at forget to believe that God can alter the the time of something the staff had observed. "What I envy most about you Chris- difficulties." —Oswald Chambers. None of us had ever seen the inside of tians is your forgiveness; I have nobody General DuPuy's home. Now I understood to forgive me."—John Stott, quoting "No one beneath you can offend you. why."—Colin L. Powell. humanist Margharita Laski. No one your equal would."—Jan L. Wells. "Why did Jesus Christ not remain alive "Keep in mind that the true measure of an "I will permit no man to narrow and and eliminate, generation by generation, individual is how he treats a person who can degrade my soul by making me hate all the evils which harass humanity? Sim- do him absolutely no good." —Ann Landers. him."—Booker T. Washington. ply because He was the Great Physician, and in the finest tradition of medical "When the character of a man is not "God has given the power of choice to science, He was unwilling to remain clear to you, look at his friends."— each person, and it is theirs to use. We preoccupied with the symptoms when He Japanese proverb. cannot change our hearts. We cannot by could destroy the disease. Jesus Christ was ourselves give our love to God, but we can unwilling to settle for anything less than "I have not heard recently of com- choose to serve Him. We can give Him the elimination of the cause of all evil in mittee business adjourned because those powers of our minds. He will help us history."—Richard C. Halverson. • MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 29 made does all concerned a disservice. I Letters invite you to come to the deaf camp Cut it down! Continued from page 2 meeting at Milo and check the Continued from page 5 situation for yourself. Joyce Rigsby, "Outsiders" in a hearing church Hanford, California. needs of our congregations. We forget that Thank you for publishing my article our families may feel hurt and neglected. "Outsiders in a Hearing Church" They see us ever ministering to others and (March 1996). I wrote the article to never ministering to them. If we are over- raise the awareness of the need for an Going beyond unity extended and overstressed by our work expanded deaf ministry within the to the extent our families feel neglected Adventist Church and not to pat people in diversity or hurt, we need to repent and cut down on the back. While I recognize that the Continued from page 4 the time spent away from them. editorial deletions were because of Some of us may have spent more space limitations, I take issue with the other words, we search for unity on the money than we can afford because we added statement "Our church has come basis of cognitive similarity. And our have credit cards. All during the year, a long way in meeting those challenges." relationships remain strained as we and especially at the Christmas season, I wish that during my years as a encounter (and we constantly do) any this "easily accessible" money tempo- nearly deaf person in the Seventh-day who see things in a different light. rarily provides immediate gratification Adventist Church I had found that to In all of this, the only real basis for for a personal want, but it may mean be true—but it is not. The facts are that oneness and Christian solidarity is doing without something that is truly there are four ordained deaf ministers this fabulous spirit of "Christlike important for the whole family. If we in the North American Division. One is forbearance." were selfish with our resources, maybe retired, and the other three are part- 0 God, fill us full of Your Spirit! • we need to take the cards and cut up the time employees. As the deaf members temptation. of our church are widely scattered, I Communicating is a valuable pastoral am sure you can appreciate the ' Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Washington, skill. Words are one of our main means dilemma this creates. D.C.: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1980), of spreading the gospel. However, this book 3, p. 174, 175. To present this situation as one in Ellen G. White Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, same instrument, the tongue, that utters which significant progress is being p. 266. messages from on high can become harsh and abrasive with our families when we are tired, angry, hungry, or The reason for this season is Jesus. With Him we share our love, joy, and stressed. But these are just excuses. friendship with our friends all year long. Ministry is one journal that Words wound and broken promises hurt has made Jesus the center of its message. It is more than a journal—it is a deeply. Like the cactus needles, they professional tool to help the pastor introduce Jesus as a friend, speak of penetrate painfully and are not easily His love, and share His concerns. Every pastor and church elder would removed. We must cut out these hurtful love to read Ministry. How about giving him or her a gift that will last words from our vocabulary. all year long? For only US$26.95. As we begin the new year, let's take inventory of the things in our lives that Names and addresses of those to whom the gift will be sent: may be damaging to another person. Cleason May the Lord give each one of us the Name wisdom to identify them and the Address courage to bury them before someone eve, City State Zip is really hurt. • / and Name Learn how you can Addre,, become the best leak City State Zip possible witness for Christ and lovingly In remember all Name lead others to a year /any Address personal relationship. with Him. City State Zip by lard Deville

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30 MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 Shop Talk

Ministry back issues and carries no bias toward our church family gathered were in mind, the group Australian reader would certain types of organ or at a brookside in the shadow divided by families to ask like to have back copies of builders. A comprehensive of the Appalachians. Our each other's forgiveness, Ministry from 1980 onward. list of materials available Family Life committee had pray, and wash each other's If you have and can spare, from the Organ Resource planned a special outdoor feet in the creek. Then, after please contact: Wegweiser Centre can be obtained free communion service. reading some verses from Research, Brooklana, Via by writing or phoning: The Although the New Testa- Zechariah 12 and 13 ULONG, NSW 2450, Organ Resource Centre, ment is clear about the predicting the Saviour as "a Australia—Keith Moxon, Southgate Post Office Box original Lord's Supper being fountain" opened "to cleanse Brooklana, NSW, Australia 76112, Edmonton, Alberta, upstairs, indoors, we cele- them from sin and impurity" Canada T6H 5Y7. Phone: brated as a close parallel to (13:1), we each approached A letter from north 403-429-1655. the Old Testament leper a table and took portions of Philippines cleansing service of bread and juice for ourselves. Mrs. Noemi M. Abarquez Christmas ideas Leviticus 14. With a Memories of other treasured makes the following request: For many years I have tumbling cascade as our Communion services were "We are trying to build a followed the practice of background I told them the shared from the grassy library that our pastors and placing a live, undecorated story of a healed leper's circle. Then the pinkened workers can use. May we Christmas tree in the (sinner) examination by the dusk closed our Sabbath request your readers to send sanctuary of my churches. priest, the two birds, one with a circle, hands clasped whatever books they can We have been encouraged (Christ) sacrificed over a and singing a song of unity. spare? We are willing to pay to do this in The Adventist running stream (Jesus, the As the last prayer faded, postage. Please contact us Home, page 482. Living Water), the blood the pond frogs began. directly at North Philippine On Sabbath morning the sprinkling over the other Afterward, watermelon Union Mission of SDA, deacons hand out bells bird (contagious person was the centerpiece of Corner of San Juan-Donada made of red or green paper wanting to regain his place multiple conversations, Streets, Pasay City, Metro in which people can place in the camp), then its some lasting more than an Manila, P.O. Box 401, their monetary gifts to release to free roaming hour. It was a beautifully Manila, Philippines. Jesus. In the flurry of flight again (sinner set free meaningful time.—David holiday gift giving, many because of Christ's life E. Smith, Greeneville, The Organ Resource Centre forget to remember Jesus in gift). While these symbols Tennessee. Established in 1987, the their gifts. The members Organ Resource Centre then bring their gifts and (ORC) operates as a project place them on the tree. ,fdow•up -eso,;rce. of the Edmonton Centre of Another option is to use red the Royal Canadian College yarn which the deacons take U5 6.95 helpful new re of Organists. When faced row by row allowing the plus shipping and handling for use in home with the purchase of a new members to paper-clip their Cal for quantity discoun fellowship groutA,,A, organ, churches are often at gifts on the yarn. The yam pastor's Bible classes, 4. . — a loss as to how to begin is then placed on the tree alternative Sabbath schoOT their search. The ORC seeks like a garland. The curriculum, midweek meetingt, to educate churches in the presentation of our gifts to follow-up of seminars, retreats, organ selection process by Jesus is made a very special and more. Features five sessions' supplying them with a part of the worship service. to help people understand. the source of objective infor- I use the bells primarily Bible better. mation. This centre has to assist in the raising of the vailable, u1r,. rt yout Net '4.'s connection: compiled over 100 articles Ingathering goal in my Ministerial Supply Center/Seminars. P.O. Box 66 • Keene, TX 7605y and publications from churches. The bells could Orders: 18001 982-3344 various sources including also be used for other Information: (8171641-3643 books and periodicals from projects.—Vialo Weis, around the world, and has Shattuck, Oklahoma Bible Credits: Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, established a resource list © The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Texts from which to choose Brookside Communion credited to NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers. Texts applicable materials. The One Sabbath evening, an credited to NKJV are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1979, 1980, 1982, Organ Resource Centre hour before sundown, about Thomas Nelson, Inc.. Publishers. Bible texts credited to RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1946, 1952, 1971, by the Division of Christian Education of does not provide advice, 25 genetic subfamilies of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission.

MINISTRY/DECEMBER 1996 31

es alive with evangelism via satellite. But w FICN offers the following menu:

good news about the Seuenth-day Rduentist church.

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,.You'r,e invited. For a FREE poster of our season calendar of o raceme our monthly program schedule, call BOO-FICN-H19, ext. 6.