Help for Seventh-day Adventist Church Leaders

Advent Movement- Douglas Venn

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:49:18 +0000

Douglas Venn to “Hope for Bangkok” Church Planting Initiative with the Thailand Adventist Mission from Moscow – Pullman District (UC Conf). (Doug’s email- advennture@gmail.com; Dawns email- flowermomma@gmail.com)

The New Desire of Ages

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:44:09 +0000

· At our recent Leadership Convention in Portland last September, each participant received a new Desire of Ages with New King James used for each of the texts. It gives a fresh new sound when reading it. I am planning to “read it again for the first time” during 2007, and I invite you join me. This is a great time to challenge your entire congregation to take a journey with you through the life of Christ.

The Pastors’ DVD

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:42:29 +0000

This resource, produced by the North American Division (NAD), is sent free to every pastor in the NAD. Each one includes video clips and sermon ideas as well as newsletters and other resources. On volume 9 I found the “Golf Cart Ministry” and “Seven Minutes or Less” ideas very interesting. On volume 10 the three segments I found most helpful were about “Baptisms and Baptisteries,” “Involving Young People in Technology Ministries” and “Tell the World.” For highlights of each of the ten volumes to date see http://www.acnsat.org/dvd-faq.htm.

Andrews Seminary Extension Classes- Fall 2006

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:40:47 +0000

· Nine students registered for the New Testament theology- Parables class (Professor Robert Johnston) and fourteen for the Spiritual Formation class (Professor Joseph Kidder) this November in Walla Walla. The next two intensives will be held May 6-10 and 13-17 at our new NPUC Office in Ridgefield, WA (Portland, OR area). These are tuition free for pastors and lay members approved by their conference. For more information see http://www.inministry.info/

H.K.W.H.T.A. – Trevor O’ Reggio

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:38:55 +0000

We loved the [Adventist] message because we saw the profound changes that came because of it. We left the rest of the relatives behind who didn’t accept it. Today there is a distinct difference between those who accepted it and those who didn’t. Those who did are all healthier, wealthier and happier.”

– Trevor O’ Reggio, Director, MA in Religion program at Andrews University Seminary and Assistant Professor of Church History. When he was twelve years old the Adventist message was preached in his poverty stricken village in Jamaica. Twenty seven of his relatives, including Trevor, were baptized, while many other relatives did not accept the Adventist message. He Knows What He’s Talking About (H.K.W.H.T.A.)

How does the South Tulsa Adventist Fellowship get new members involved in the mission?

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:37:29 +0000

In 2000 the South Tulsa Adventist Fellowship was started with about two dozen members. Today, with about 600 members, it is the largest Adventist church in the Oklahoma Conference. How did they grow? Pastor Bill McClendon says “Evangelism, evangelism, evangelism.” But how do they get new members involved in the mission and life of the church so they don’t lose them? From the beginning, to be a member, everyone- whether newly converted, long-standing, or transferred in- is expected to be involved in the following—

Attend a small group
Assist with one evangelistic meeting a year
Join a hospitality team
Attend church business meetings
Attend communion service

By clarifying these things up front they have people join who are excited to be a part of God’s movement in their area. For more information see http://www.stafonline.org/.

20,000+ new Adventists in Bolivia as a result of three harvest cycles

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:36:01 +0000

In March 2006 the NPUC sent 94 short-term missionaries to assist with reaping meetings in Santa Cruz, Bolivia (photo gallery at http://www.ub.org.bo/index.php?option=com_zoom&Itemid=131&catid=3&PageNo=1). The entire country had three Harvest Cycles this year, with tremendous results.

We recently received this report from Françoise Monnier, the wife of the Bolivian Union President— Let me give you great news: We had in September our last evangelistic campaign by satellite with Pr. Alejandro Bullón, the evangelist of the South American Division; and, on September 30^th, the Bolivian Union reached the number of 20,162 baptisms. Praise the Lord. For the first time, our union passes the 20,000 line. We are very happy. You are a very important part of this result and we want to thank you for the amazing participation of your entire group in reaching this goal. Thanks a million.

This means in 2006 one new Adventist joined this movement in Bolivia for every nine previous Adventists. They have found some very effective ways to mobilize their church members in regular, repeated soul winning.

Hispanic Institute of Evangelism is launched in Upper Columbia Conference

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:32:42 +0000

Developing strong, committed and equipped lay leaders is the purpose of the recently organized Hispanic Institute of Evangelism. The institute was launched the weekend of November 17-19 in the Tri-Cites, WA area by Ramon Canals, NPUC Assistant to the President for Hispanic Ministries and a number of pastors in the Upper Columbia Conference. Over a period of two years participants can take 12 intensive courses (each about six hours long), such as Old Testament, New Testament, Personal Evangelism, Public Evangelism, Church Organization and Church Growth, taught on selected weekends by pastors and guest presenters. Forty seven lay members have already registered, and many more are expected in the future. A similar Hispanic Institute of Evangelism was initiated in the Washington Conference on September 4, 2006 by Omar Grieve, conference Hispanic Coordinator, with twice-monthly classes being taught to over 400 registrants in the Lynnwood Spanish and Auburn Academy churches.

Washington Conference focuses on Building Soul Winning Momentum

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:29:05 +0000

At our recent NPUC Momentum Team meeting, hosted by the Washington Conference, we heard thrilling reports of what the Washington Conference is doing to inform, excite and involve their members, including church school students, in the Momentum process. Heidi Martella, WA Conf communications intern, told of weekly bulletin inserts during November and December, and art and writing contests involving every grade of student. Gayle Lasher, WA Conf Bible Worker, updated us on the 80+ volunteer Bible instructors she is training and sending out each week in preparation for the reaping meetings. Bruce Koch, WA Conf evangelism coordinator, has put together an outstanding WA Conf Momentum Team of twelve, including Heidi & Gayle, which is meeting on a regular basis to track progress. They are a wonderful model of what can happen when we focus on building soul winning momentum. For more information see http://www.washingtonconference.org/article.php?id=124&PHPSESSID=a1d1af87cd1ad87164e85dfddaaee1a2.

Momentum- First Harvest Cycle begins in January with Intercessory Prayer!

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 21:26:07 +0000

Two Harvest Cycles per year for five years- that’s the basic concept behind “Building Soul Winning Momentum in the Northwest.” What does a Harvest Cycle look like in your church or school? It all begins with prayer and is based on a serious commitment to the Gospel Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). Here’s what’s recommended—

Dates- 2007	Church or School Activity	Who Might Lead Out
January 6-12	Week of Fasting & Prayer	1^st Elder (or Academy Bible Teacher/Chaplain)
January- March	Small Groups- Church members (or students) find a partner and begin a small group ministry or Bible study to meet the needs of their non-member friends, relatives. neighbors and co-workers	Personal Ministries Leader and/or Sabbath School Leader (or Academy SA, Class & Club Leaders)
March and/or April	Local Reaping Meetings- 12-15 nights of reaping meetings	Team of Seven (Lay Preacher or Pastor, Assistant Leader, Secretary-Treasurer, Deacon, Deaconess, Two Children’s Ministry Leaders)
April 21-28*	Satellite Reaping Meetings- 8 nights broadcast from one of the Ten Largest Cities in the Northwest	Pastor or Lay Leader
May-June	Friendship Triads- Two members team up with each new member to reach out to their friends and relatives	Deacon and Deaconess (or Academy SA, Class & Club Leaders)
July 7-14	Week of Fasting & Prayer to begin the next Harvest Cycle	1^st Elder (or Academy Bible Teacher/Chaplain)

* One week earlier at uplink site

Why Not Try This? …Start the New Year with a Week of Prayer & Fasting in your district

danserns — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:00:42 +0000

Our church was planning an aggressive year of soul winning and I knew we needed God’s wisdom and guidance more than ever before. I asked our first elder, as the elected spiritual leader of the flock, to lead out in a week of prayer and fasting. He looked at me with an expression on his face as if to say “Wouldn’t we all die if we went without food for seven days?”

“No, no, no” I said. “Isaiah 58 tells us that true fasting is more than just going without food. The idea is to ask God privately what each of us should fast from so we will have more time available to do God’s work. God might impress some to fast from good hobbies and others to fast from bad habits. Whatever it is they need, God will show them.”

“So what do you suggest since I haven’t ever done this before?” he asked.

“Let’s do this. First, ask God what you should fast from. Then on the first Sabbath of the month, take five to ten minutes during the announcements to let the congregation know what you have done and challenge them to do the same. Fasting from something will also allow them more time for prayer with God.”

“I can do that. Is that all?”

“Be sure to tell the people the first Sabbath that on the second Sabbath we will have time for a few short, spontaneous testimonies of what God has done in their lives during the week of prayer and fasting. Also, you might encourage them to call up or get together with other members during the week to pray together and encourage each other.”

“I’ll do it” he said with a smile.

The first Sabbath came. The First Elder got up and said “This is a new year. And as church leaders we are calling on each member to observe a week of fasting and prayer. This doesn’t mean you have to go without food for a whole week, though some of us could use something like that, especially after the holidays! Instead, just ask God what He wants you to go without this week so you can have more time in prayer with Him and more time to share Jesus with others. I already asked God what I should go without and He made it crystal clear. I thought about telling you this morning, but then I decided it was none of your business! You ask God and He’ll let you know what you need. Next Sabbath we’re going to have a short testimony time where anyone who is willing can tell what God has done in your life during the week. Oh yes, if you think of it why not call up someone or go see them and pray together. We need to do more of that anyway. Any questions? Then let’s do it.”

The second Sabbath rolled around. The First Elder got up again. “It’s time for us to tell what God did in our lives during this week of fasting and prayer. Let’s hear from you.” After a little hesitancy at first, people started to raise their hand for a roving microphone.

First was a computer programmer. “Every day when I log onto the internet to start work I spend a half hour reading the news online. The Lord impressed me to go without internet news for a week and spend the time in Bible study and prayer. It was hard to break the habit at first but by the end of the week I was having some incredible ‘God time’.”

A lady was next to raise her hand. “I’m single and live alone. That means I watch way too much TV and eat too much, too. You probably already noticed! The Lord impressed me to go without TV, which was really hard, but I found when I did that it was easier to go without so much food. I called up my friend here, and we prayed over the phone almost every day,” she said as she put her arm around the shoulder of the lady next to her.

Another lady on the other side of the sanctuary raised her hand. “God impressed me to give up caffeine for the week. We all know it’s bad for you, but a lot of us still use it. The third day without it I had a splitting headache, but then it gradually went away. I’ve decided to stay caffeine free from now on. I’ll miss my daily visit to “St. Arbucks,” but I’m planning to use the extra time and money to help one of my friends who is going through a tough time right now.”

After several more testimonies, The First Elder looked back at me then said “I don’t think we were supposed to go this long. We had better leave time for the pastor’s sermon.”

I told him, “Don’t worry about me. You are all giving the sermon today about what God is doing in your hearts and lives. I’ll just have a short wrap up. And let’s see what God is going to do in this city through your commitments to Him.”

There are a lot of things we can do to prepare for soul winning and reaping. But that Sabbath morning in church I was convinced that this was the best starting place for all the other preparation that was to come. God had already claimed the hearts of those who were willing to be soul winners.

“We are living in the most solemn period of this world’s history. The destiny of earth’s teeming multitudes is about to be decided. Our own future well-being and also the salvation of other souls depend upon the course which we now pursue. We need to be guided by the Spirit of truth. Every follower of Christ should earnestly inquire: “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” We need to humble ourselves before the Lord, with fasting and prayer, and to meditate much upon His word, especially upon the scenes of the judgment. We should now seek a deep and living experience in the things of God. We have not a moment to lose. Events of vital importance are taking place around us; we are on Satan’s enchanted ground. Sleep not, sentinels of God; the foe is lurking near, ready at any moment, should you become lax and drowsy, to spring upon you and make you his prey.” {Great Controversy p. 601.1}

“The Lord has given us the promise, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” [JAMES 1:5.] It is in the order of God that those who bear responsibilities should often meet together to counsel with one another, and to pray earnestly for that wisdom which He alone can impart. Talk less; much precious time is lost in talk that brings no light. Let brethren unite in fasting and prayer for the wisdom that God has promised to supply liberally. Make known your troubles to God. Tell Him, as did Moses, “I cannot lead this people unless Thy presence shall go with me.” And then ask still more; pray with Moses, “Show me Thy glory.” [EX. 33:18.] What is this glory? –The character of God. This is what He proclaimed to Moses.” {Gospel Workers p. 417.2}

“Now and onward till the close of time the people of God should be more earnest, more wide-awake, not trusting in their own wisdom, but in the wisdom of their Leader. They should set aside days for fasting and prayer. Entire abstinence from food may not be required, but they should eat sparingly of the most simple food.”(1904). {Last Day Events p. 82.2}

What better time is there than now, as the new year begins, to call for a week of prayer and fasting for the spiritual health of the people of God and for the salvation of the many in the surrounding communities that are looking toward heaven for something better?

Blessings to you,

Dan Serns