THE MID-AMERICA ADVENTIST Vol. 4, No. 12 Lincoln, Nebraska December 15. 1983 A Way of Caring. A Way of Life. SHE PRESIDENT'S PAGE THE MID-AMERICA ADVENTIST Outlook Official organ of the Mid-America Union Con- ference of Seventh-day Adventists, P.O. Box 6127 (8550 Pioneers Blvd.), Lincoln, NE 68506. (402) 483-4451. Dear Fellow Believers, Halle G. Crowson Editor Let me share with you a few recent developments in the church that affect our Shirley B. Engel Assistant Editor work here in Mid-America. We have just completed the 1983 General Conference Alice Selivanoff Editorial Assistant Annual Council and the Mid-America Departmental Council. You, no doubt, will be College View Printers Printer interested in some of the actions that were taken. Change of address: Give your new address with zip code and include your name and old address The Annual Council voted to merge These Times as it appeared on previous issues. (If possible clip and Signs of the Times. The new journal, yet to be your name and address from an old OUTLOOK.) named, will be printed by Pacific Press Publishing Asso- News from local churches and schools for publica- ciation, with Kenneth Holland as editor. The feeling tion in the OUTLOOK must be submitted through the local conference Communication Depart- was that this move would provide a better journal and a ment, not directly to the OUTLOOK office. saving in production cost. Mid-America Union Directory Because of certain geographic, ethnic and financial President 1 0. Tompkins considerations the Annual Council voted to merge two Secretary D. E. Holland African Divisions. The Trans-African Division and the Associate Secretary George Timpson Treasurer Lee Allen East Africa Division are now merged to become the Assistant Treasurer Arthur Opp Eastern Africa Division. The South African Union and Adventist Health System the Southern Union will be operated under the direct Middle & Eastern J. R. Shawver supervision of the General Conference in the same Communication, manner that the Mid-East Union has operated for the Religious Liberty, A.S.I..... Halle G. Crowson Joel 0. Tompkins Education Randall Fox past several years. Associate Education Melvin E. Northrup The Mid-America Departmental Council recommended the creation of a Publishing Health, Temperance, Board for the purpose of giving direction to the operation of the Home Health Educa- Inner City George Timpson Ministerial & Evangelism tion Service. The Adventist Health System is in the process of building two retirement Coordinator James A. Cress centers, to be located in Kansas City and Denver. The Personal Ministries Department Associate Ministerial, recommended and encouraged further training for laymen for the purpose of Bible P.R.E.A.C.H. Seminars Halle G. Crowson studies and evangelistic meetings. The Youth Department for North America will be Personal Ministries, Sabbath conducting a camporee at Vail, Colorado the last week of July, 1985. Mid-America will School W. E. Peeke Publishing and HHES conduct the 1984 Bible Conference at Glacier View Youth Camp in Colorado in Sep- Hoyet L. Taylor Associate Publishing Ron Ihrig tember, 1984. You will be interested to know that even in the face of rising costs, the Associate Publishing R. W. Belmont OUTLOOK operating budget will be less for 1984 than in previous years. The Education Trust Services Lee Allen Department announced an increase in opening day enrollment in the academies of the Youth and Family John Thurber Mid-America Union Conference. Ministerial Director, Jim Cress, announced plans for Local Conference Directory six soul-winning workshops for ministers during the first six months of 1984. CENTRAL STATES: S. H. Cox, President, Leroy Hampton, Secretary-Treasurer; P.O. Box 1527, Kansas City, MO Even though our country has suffered from sustained recession, the tithe income 64141, 5737 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130; Tele- from the churches in Mid-America has shown an increase for 1983. We praise the Lord phone (816) 361-7177. Correspondent, Nathaniel Miller for His goodness to His people. Maybe this would be a good time to reflect on the past year and see if we need to square up our account with God. Surely we have tried to stay DAKOTA CONFERENCE: Ben J. Liebelt, President; Errol L. Eder, Secretary-Treasurer; P.O. Box 520, 217 North up to date with our tithes and offerings. But just in case we have been a little lax in this Grand, Pierre, SD 57501; Telephone (605) 224-8868. area, now would be a good time to get caught up and start the new year with a clean ABC, P.O. Box 1491, Jamestown, ND 58401; Telephone (701) 251-1187. slate. I have heard of some people who stayed away from church because they were Correspondent, Marvin Lowman behind in tithes and offerings. They feel so badly about the matter that they don't want IOWA-MISSOURI: W. D. Wampler, President; Robert G. to attend a gathering of God's people. This shouldn't be. I was just reading in Steps to Peck, Secretary; D. F. Gilbert, Treasurer; P.O. Box 65665, Christ that we should come to Jesus just as we are. "Christ is the source of every right 1005 Grand Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50265; Telephone (515) 223-1197. impulse. Every desire for truth and purity, every conviction of our own sinfulness, is an Correspondent, Robert Du Puy evidence that His Spirit is moving upon our hearts." Steps to Christ, page 26. This is a KANSAS-NEBRASKA: L. S. Gifford, President; ... , Sec- precious truth. When we find out who Jesus really is, we will have an easier time of fol- retary; Norman Harvey, Treasurer; 3440 Urish Road, Top- lowing His way . eka, KS 66614; Telephone (913) 478-4726. ABC, 4745 Prescott, Lincoln, NE 68506; Telephone (402) We're living in some very serious times—yet some very exciting and rewarding 488-3395. times. Surely we are living in the days just before Jesus comes. Please join me in praying Correspondent, Teddric Mohr for a finished work in our own experience and throughout our Mid-America Union MINNESOTA: E. E. Lutz, President; C. Lee Huff, Secretary; Marshall Chase, Treasurer; 10001 Wayzata Blvd., Minne- territory. tonka, MN 55343; Telephone (612) 545-8894. Yours in the Master's service, Correspondent, Beverly Dickinson ROCKY MOUNTAIN: Wm. C. Hatch, President; Gordon Retzer, Secretary; L. D. Cleveland, Treasurer; 2520 So. Downing, Denver, CO 80210; Telephone (303) 733-3771. Correspondent, Robert McCumber Adventist Book Centers .90 Each conference operates its ABC with the same address and telephone number as the conference except those listed separately. Joel 0. Tompkins, President Mid-America Union Conference ...on the COVER Courtesy Adventist Health System and Cecil Coffey Vol. 4, No. 12, December 15, 1983. The Mid-America Adventist Outlook (ISSN 0274-922X) is published monthly by the Mid-America Union Conference of Seventh- day Adventists, 8550 Pioneers Blvd., Route 8, Lincoln, NE 68506. Printed at College View Printers, Second-class postage paid at Lincoln, Nebraska. Annual subscription price, $8.00. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mid-America Adventist Outlook, P.O. Box 6127, Lincoln, NE 68506. 2 OUTLOOK Witnessing, Our Most Pleasant Duty Souls, Our Greatest Reward By J. Russell Shawver cattered throughout the work of the church is one of big- days of our church as the total min- Adventist Health System/ ness that is in danger of losing istry of Christ was studied, it be- Eastern and Middle identification with the church. But came evident that ministry to the America are thousands of physical person was a requirement dedicated church mem- of the gospel commission, indeed bers whose technical expertise is We are confident, how- was vital to its success. surpassed only by the light of ever, that we can cope Accordingly, a health work was with issues of great magni- started. It would take volumes to tude so long as we keep our eye set on the reasons The pattern was set by for our being. the great physician. this is not the case. The scope of relate the known results from this our health ministry is large indeed, century of effort and to show the but the system's people know the growth that our health work has objectives, know its relationship to enjoyed. the church and apply its purposes Suffice it to say that we are in the to patient care. throes of tremendous and fast- Over and over again you see the moving events. We are all expe- joy that comes to health care workers when they have oppor- tunity to share the love of Christ. Our strength is in the And you see their happiness in the Promises of God. We can J. Russell Shawver spiritual reward when a soul is won cope if we listen to Him. Christianity that shines through to the Lord through the witness of their services. their lives and service. In this ministry of healing, com- As most people are aware, great riencing the pressures of the times bining technology with people changes are coming into the in our personal lives, in our busi- who care, lies the secret of success health care industry. Cost con- ness and social functions and cer- for our health work. The caring trols, new services and techniques, tainly in our efforts to make the touch spells the difference be- competition—these are concerns church the viable force it must be. that can overwhelm the manage- Our strength is in the promises ment of health care institutions. The caring touch spells of God. We can cope if we listen to We are confident, however, that the difference between Him. We can be victorious, and I we can cope with issues of great believe we shall be.