April 16, 1994 RECORD $oir I it* ",'; • ''"1:4‘"''' EDITORIAL Attention, Please! cover the whole ground." has there been a way to reach into so ter the Hands up if you had to read the pas- many homes so powerfully. The bot- A irst sage twice. I think Lincoln meant, "I tom line is how we do it. The Adventist hour, the politi- don't have the time to cover as much Media Centre has found that spot cian had hardly ground as Judge Douglas." But the advertising reaches more people more said hello. He point is that audiences weren't both- effectively than a 30-minute religious finally finished ered when speakers consistently used program buried predawn on Sunday his speech after long, complicated arguments and sen- morning. But, who knows, more effec- three hours. The tences. They had no trouble following tive methods may appear. audience then every word. They kept listening. With TV (and radio) we need to find went home to eat their evening meal Things are different today. How what works and what doesn't. We may and returned to listen to a rival politi- would we feel if next Sabbath the need to try approaches that are new cian respond. He spoke for four hours. preacher didn't sit down until after 2 and unfamiliar. It means making mis- The year was 1854. The place, a mid- pm? Would we remain seated and takes and learning. It means seeking western town in the United States. The retain our Christian experience? professional advice. It means prayer. politicians were Stephen Douglas and Our interest runs out quickly. We But we must do something if we're Abraham Lincoln. Both men would don't like wading through long, com- serious about our mission as Seventh- later become presidential candidates. plex arguments, even when we're read- day Adventists. Mr Lincoln, of course, would win. ing. Magazines editors spend half their Having said that, it's easy to place But, at this stage, they weren't even wrong expectations on our TV and candidates for the senate and weren't radio work. Their role is primarily seed well-known. The crowd came only TV is too good an opportu- sowing, not reaping. If we're looking to because they were interested in hearing nity for the church to ignore. persuade viewers about all 27 two people exchange ideas. It was nor- Fundamentals and prepare them for mal at community occasions for speak- immediate baptism, we'll be disappoint- ers to take at least three hours. time cutting. The lengths. Of sentences. ed. That requires personal contact. Anything less and the people felt cheat- Today, attention spans are chronical- Media outreach is effective in the ed. ly short. Just think of the evening TV long term only when it's backed up by There's no doubt these men were news where a story rarely lasts longer loving, dedicated, Spirit-filled intelligent and interesting. And, at than two minutes and the average shot Christians. It's effective only when com- times, their speeches probably soared is 3.5 seconds. The images are forever bined with effective follow-up people, into majestic heights of great pathos moving to keep our attention. programs and materials. The Adventist and beauty. But not all the time. Here's The ultimate failure isn't to misin- Media Centre's public evangelism, Bible a snippet from one of Lincoln's form viewers. The ultimate failure is to Correspondence School and production responses in a presidential debate: bore them. Everything has to entertain. staff are an enthusiastic part of the total "It will readily occur to you that I If it doesn't, nobody watches. church team. The media will only ever cannot, in half an hour, notice all the It's no surprise that TV is a poor be one factor in our combined effort to things that so able a man as Judge medium for properly discussing serious fulfil our mission. Douglas can say in an hour and a half; issues. If anything, it tends to trivialise But it's a vital factor. And it's an and I hope, therefore, if there be any- them. TV wants to cover subjects exciting factor. Thank you for support- thing that he has said upon which you quickly, simply and with good visuals. ing the Adventist Media Centre with would like to hear something from me, TV in Australia and New Zealand isn't your donations, prayers and interest. but which I omit to comment upon, a good place for preaching sermons. Gary Krause you will bear in mind that it would be But TV is too good an opportunity Creative Director expecting an impossibility from me to for the church to ignore. Never before Adventist Media Centre Manuscripts All copy for the RECORD should be sent to: The Editor, RECORD, Official Paper Signs Publishing Company, Warburton. Seventh-day Adventist Church Victoria 3799. Manuscripts or computer Next Week: South Pacific Division disks will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Editor Bruce Manners Phone (059) 66 9111. Fax (059) 66 9019. Why should we consider being Assistant Editors Lee Dunstan, Subscriptions South Pacific Division, Karen Miller $A31.00 $NZ43.40. a Millerite worthwhile ? Editorial Secretary Glenda Fairall All other regions, $A67.00 $NZ94.00. Copy Editor Graeme Brown Air mail postage rates on application. Senior Consulting Editor Laurie Evans Order from Signs Publishing Company, Warburton, Victoria 3799, Australia. Printed Cover Photo: Adventist Media Centre weekly by Signs Publishing Company. A.C.N. 000 003 930 Vol 99 No 14 2 RECORD April 16, 1994 LETTERS God's Word. But such progression and, also, to read that ADCARE was Gender Bias in Church shouldn't lead us away from the "way- born in May 1993. It would be more I am encouraged when women and marks" and the .real—not imaginary— correct to say that the SDA Church men bring this issue to the fore and "landmarks." adopted the name at that time as an encourage healthy debate. I look for- In the book Counsels to Writers and umbrella to its various community min- ward to the day when a member of my Editors, pages 31 and 32, E G White istries. sex will represent me in church matters writes: A number of years ago the combined on an equal basis with the male gender. "When the power of God testifies as Northern and Southern Federations of J Norman, NNZ to what is truth, the truth is to stand Queensland Conference chose the forever as the truth. No after- name ADCARE to represent all of Hung on Culture suppositions, contrary to the light that their community service work, the In letters "Still Staggered" (February God has given are to be entertained.... name eventually being registered. 5) and "Thanks for Challenge" (March One will arise, and still another, with Since that time volunteers have done 12) I find no reference to the Bible— new light which contradicts the light meritorious work, the government has that has been our only guide. If we that God has given under the demon- given financial assistance through hang together on culture, we'll hang stration of His Holy Spirit. We are Family Services, and many people have separately. Perceived cultural confor- not to receive the words of those who expressed gratitude for the care of the mity has already taken a toll on our come with a message that contradicts .ADCARE volunteers. Surely this church. Give us the Bible and the Bible the special points of our faith." deserves recognition. only. Joe Patrick, NSW J Nurzynski, Qld E Hughes (formerly Barnett), NSW An Helpmeet ADCARE Origins The name ADCARE was originally a I write in response to "Letter It was heartening to read in business name used by the Signs Amusing" (Letters, March 5). While RECORD (February 12) of the work Publishing Company for a direct mar- wives working alongside their husband- being done by ADCARE and again of keting venture a decade ago. The name pastor, -elder or -deacon may be the the plans for the future (March 5). This Was registered in Victoria on July 30, ideal, this isn't always possible in an kind of outreach has always been done 1984, and relinquished in favour of the imperfect world. in the Adventist Church, but seldom SPD for its community welfare organi- The gifts that the Holy Spirit appor- gaining recognition. Now the commis- sation some 18 months ago. tions are to everyone "just as he deter- sion of Matthew 25:40 will not only be mines" (1 Corinthians 12:11, NIV), and seen to be done, but will bring a bless- aren't dependent upon marital status ing to those in need and also the Views expressed in Letters do not necessarily repre- or gender. church. sent those of the editors or the denomination. Letters I firmly believe in women's min- However, it is disappointing that no should not exceed 250 words and should be mailed to mention was made of the work done by RECORD Editor, Signs Publishing Company, istries and the nurturing, fellowship Warburton Victoria 3799. Writers must include their and outreach they provide. "Bearing ADCARE in the Queensland name, address and telephone number. Letters received others' burdens" becomes a shared Conference during the past five years, more than three weeks after the date of the issue carrying the article to which they respond will normally not be responsibility rather than leaving it all printed. All letters will be edited to meet space and liter- to the minister's wife, something that ary requirements, but the author's original meaning will presupposes that, first, the minister or not be changed.