the reality of mortality, 8 christ our righteousness, 11 - General ...

WEEKLY NEWS AND INSPIRATION FOR SEVENTH-DAY An'IrrITI"

H • LDER T E LOAF:

THE REALITY OF MORTALITY, 8

CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, 11

LE I I ERS

Nature or Character? Reporting Abuse (cont.) Where Do I Turn? I read with interest Calvin Rock's Raymond S. Moore (Letters, Feb. 10) I have noticed that a number of your recent issues have carried articles deal- suggests being "guarded" about imme- answer (Mar. 31) to the question on the ing with sexual abuse. All the articles diately reporting abuse or neglect, and nature of Christ. Did I detect confusion were one-sided; how about telling the to contact church officials so they can between the use of "nature" and "chardo a thorough professional investiga- acter" as applied to Jesus? other side of the story? "He [Christ] took human nature, and I am presently completing my tenth tion first. We may contact church offiyear of a 99-year sentence for a first cials first; however, we are also bore the infirmities and degeneracy of the race" (The SDA Bible offense of having oral sex Commentary, Ellen G. White with a child under 14. I make Comments, vol. 5, p. 1081). "He no excuses for what I did. I took upon Him our sinful Help a Friend Get the Review know now that what I did was nature" (Review and Herald, wrong and hurtful, but at that Dec. 15, 1896), thus "taking Our mail brought a letter from a friend who has time I didn't. I did not make a upon Himself man's nature in its written us often during the past 10 years. But now conscientious decision that fallen condition" (The SDA Bible she tells with regret that she's having to discon"I'm going to be a child Commentary, Ellen G. White tinue her subscription to the Review. Retired and molester." I have been sexuComments, vol. 5, p. 1131). His with limited income, she simply can't afford it. ally attracted to children (girls nature was therefore that of Help Marilyn get the Review. There are many only) for as long as I can Adam's descendants long after like her—Adventists who would love to receive it remember, my first encounter the Fall. but don't have the means. at age 6 being with my 6-yearHis character, however, was and At the Review and Herald Publishing old "girlfriend" across the is something else. I agree with Association, Larry Burtnett maintains a love fund street. Rock that "Christ was born with of contributions that he uses for this purpose. It I have been a Seventh-day the purity of Adam before he fell, has worked well for years, but now it's exhausted. Adventist for about nine years that He needed no conversion, Nothing's left for Marilyn. now. I realize that sex with chiland that He maintained His absoOur staff at the Adventist Review donates to this dren is a sin. I have tried to fund. You may wish to do so also. Simply send lute holiness with human limitachange, but found that I cannot your contribution to the Review and Herald tions under circumstances far do so; my mind is willing, but Publishing Association, do Larry Burtnett, 55 West more trying than those experimy flesh is weak (Matt. 26:41), Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. enced by Adam." But does not and I fmd myself repeating Paul this have to do with His character when he said, "For the good William G. Johnsson and not with His nature? His that I would I do not: but the nature was "sinful," but His charevil which I would not, that I acter was absolutely sinless. His do" (Rom. 7:19). nature was "fallen," but He did What about telling this side of the story? Our sin is no worse than obligated to contact Child Protective not fall in the least degree, "not even by a thought" (The Desire of Ages, p. 123). any other (James 2:10). We need help, Services. Please advise your readers that Child His nature was the same as ours. love, and acceptance just like any Leslie Hardinge other, not the loathing and rejection Protective Services' first responsibility Santa Barbara, California that we now receive. I need help too. is to protect the child and assess risks; Where do I turn? God hasn't answered, the second responsibility is to return the child and help the family stay intact. No Kids and neither has humanity. Name Withheld Uneducated opinions frighten people, Thank you very much for "Couples and allow unreported abuse to continue. Without Kids" (Mar. 24). As a childless We have responded to this letter. The "state" is not trying to "take over couple we have been probed and Chaplain Richard Stenbakken, director the home," but is attempting to protect insulted by our "Christian" brothers and those that are not being protected. sisters, many of whom automatically of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, recChild abuse occurs in all types of assume they know why we have no ommends that any reader who is aware of similar sexual orientation problems homes—Adventist and non-Advent- children while it is none of their busiimmediately seek specialized profes- ist—and everyone is obligated to report ness. We consider all the children in church "our children." Beth Howbaker sional help. We will discuss this letter suspected abuse. Child Protective Services Mr. and Mrs. John Nauss editorially in our June 9 issue.— Sarasota, Florida Hagerstown, Maryland Editors. 2 (530)

ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

DVENTIS 1

A

MAY 26. 1994

DEPARTMENTS

ARTICLES

2 Letters 6 Newsbreak

LIFESTYLE

8

Can we ever be truly prepared for the inevitable? Until the Lord returns, we'll all have to come to grips with death. Here by Randy Roberts are some suggestions.

10 The Way It Was 13 Children's Corner 19 World Report 22 Bulletin Board

The Reality of Mortality

DEVOTIONAL

11

23 Reflections

Everyone's talking about it. And with good reason. This vital teaching is the simplicity of the gospel message. by Ellen G. White

EDITORIALS 4 One More Word on Money—and Power

COVER STORY

14

Who Shoulders the Load? The needs are great and funding is limited. Is there a way to keep moving forward without overburdening the church as a whole? by Myron K. Widmer

5 As We Wait-2

NEXT WEEK What is the male stereotype? They're all alike, some people say. But are they? Would you know the stereotypical male if you saw him?

8 When death comes

Christ Our Righteousness

19 Teaching basic skills

GC ANNUAL COUNCIL ACTION

16

Stewardship, Self-reliance, and Sacrifice Radical changes in church financing will come for the world field if the church fully implements a 1993 Annual Council action. This is the full document.

Cover by Steve Trapero

General paper of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Subscriber Services Larry Burtnett Marketing Representative

Editor Si Associate Editor .. Associate Editor • K. Widmer '.1edley News Editor Assistant Editor • oven Chavez Assistant Editor iNatls Editorial Assistant Dtaelhe J. Administrative Secretary Chitra Barnabas Editorial Secretaries Carol Jednaszewski Jean Sequeira Art Director Bill Kirstein Designer Steve Trapero Design Assistant Geri W. Busch Ad Sales Melynie Tooley

Consulting Editors Robert S. Eolkenberg, Matthew Bediako. D. F. Gilbert, Robert J. Klcoerhuis. k C. McClure, Kenneth J. Meer, Leon RP,A,G.RalphTontaur Special Contributors Israel Leito, Bryan Bah. M E Gaeta:. P D. Chun, L. D. Rally, Ted N. C. Wilson. Edwin Ludescher, J. J. Nortey, Jan Paulsen. Joao Wolff African•Indian Ocean Editions Editor, Japheth Agboka Inter-American Edition Editor, Adalgiza Aid', South American Editions Editor, R. S. Lessa,Pcr_., JE EJI.: Werner Mayr, Spanish


Ti Writers: We welcome unsolicited manuscripts. Manuscripts must include address, telephone number, and Social Security number, where available. Notification of rejection may be expected only aux ',dallied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Address all editorial correspondence to 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6500. Editorial office fax number: (301) 680-6638. Subscription prices: US$36.97 for 40 issues. US$4897 for 52 issues. Add $10.20 postage for addresses outside North America. To place your order, send your name, address, and payment to your local Adventist Book Center or Adventist Review Subscription Desk, Box 1119, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Single copy. US$2.25. Prices subject to change without notice. Subscription queries and changes of address: Call toll-free 1-800-4563991 or 301-791-7000, ext. 2436. The Adventist Review (ISSN 0161-1119) is published 40 times a year, each Thursday except the first Thursday of each month. Copyright © 1994 Review and Herald' Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Second-class postage paid at Hagerstown, Maryland 21740. Postmaster: send address changes to Adventist Review, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

Texts credited to NEB are from The New English Bible. © The Delegates of the Oxford University Press and the Syndics of the Cambridge University Press 1961, 1970. Reprinted by permission. Tads credited to ND/ are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright ©1973. 1978, 1984. International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondenran Bible 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 the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA Used by permission.

Vol 171, No. 21.

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EDITORIAL

One More Word on Money-And Power Urom all the news, editorials, and 1 articles we've printed in recent weeks about our church's financial situation, you might have gotten the hint that the Seventh-day Adventist Church's coffers aren't exactly overflowing with extra money. And you'd be right. Most conferences and unions in North America have made major cutbacks in expenses, and overseas' divisions and General Conference institutions are bracing now for an expected 8 percent cut in GC operating appropriations in 1995. This cut follows four years of already frozen or decreased appropriations. Yes, money is tight in the regular channels. Yet special mission project funding has been soaring—about $5 million more flowed through the General Conference in 1993 than 1992. And this doesn't include all the money donated directly to mission projects. Change Becoming Habitual All of this spells change—change in members' giving patterns, change in the way the church must restructure itself, change in the methods of appealing for mission funds. Yet in the midst of all of this, one thing never changes: our purpose—to fulfill the gospel commission given by Jesus to His followers (Matt. 28:18-20). Our informal series dealing with church finances—from "Is the Golden Goose Sick?" (Apr. 21) to "Financial Self-reliance: What's That All About?" (in this issue)—has been presented to inform, awaken inquiry, engender support, nurture evaluation of every aspect of our ministry to ensure it is absolutely worth the money spent, and to invite positive change. 4 (532)

Providing you with such information and analysis is essential in the representative-type system of our church, where "power" and "ownership" reside in the hands of those who have a vote. And who are those people? Every baptized member. Yes, us! We Need to Know What Is Happening And to exercise our power and ownership, we need to know what is happening to our church, from our local congregations to the General Conference. Each level of our church government has been set up as our representatives to fulfill our collective will (at least they're supposed to), which we certainly hope is God's will. Conferences work on our behalf in nurturing ministry in a local region. Unions work on our behalf in coordinating ministry—including literature evangelism, colleges, and hospitals—in a larger geographic area. And the General Conference, through its headquarters and 11 area divisions, again works for the collective will of the members worldwide. Is there any wonder, then, that we need information about our church? But before we think too highly of ourselves, we must remember that if we assume power through our voting privilege, we then also must accept power's twin sister—responsibility. For power without accompanying responsibility is foolishness and liable to corruption, but responsibility without power is equally foolish. Then what's our role in all of this? When we became Christians and members, we inherited the privilege to vote and the responsibility for fulfilling God's commission. I believe such responsibility involves three concepts.

1. Church Direction. From our local churches on through to the GC, we have the right to help decide the direction of our church—such as who leads, where our church will put its energies and money, and how we will receive information. However, we must recognize that we cannot vote on every single item or the church would grind to a complete halt—if it ever got going! We elect leaders and others to vote on our behalf at governance meetings from local church board meetings to the GC session every five years. But our responsibility doesn't stop with electing representatives. We must know the issues and inform our elected representatives of our beliefs. 2. Diligence in Providing Information. Members can vote intelligently or ask their elected representatives to do so only when they get adequate information. Members who become leaders must respect the right of all members and provide full and complete information on a timely basis. Information itself is power. It is the indispensable ingredient for good decision-making. With it we create the possibility of intelligent and reasoned decisions. Without it we can expect chaos. And we can expect suspicion, distrust, and conflict if vital information is not openly shared or if it is withheld. 3. Support for the Church. Leaders are leading because we have given them the power to do so. We need to respect their right to collectively lead us, and give them the resources— including God's holy tithe and our offerings—necessary to pursue actively the course they deem best.

MYRON WIDMER ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26,1994

EDITORIAL

As We Wait 2* rrrue or false? The passive couch1 potato Adventist generally tends to be regarded by the church as more orthodox than the involved Adventist who seeks to engage the moral and social issues of our time. Unfortunately, in too many instances the answer is true. For years in my own little corner I have struggled to show that the confluence of spiritual commitment and social concern is possible and necessary. Indeed, a state of civil dormancy in an age of turbulence and atrocity could amount to a denial of the gospel. The present rage among U.S. moviegoers is Schindler's List, a Steven Spielberg dramatization of the heroic efforts of the otherwise crooked Oskar Schindler as he rescued Jews during the atrocities of the Nazi era. If the role of Adventists during that ghastly period were to be scrutinized, would we come off proud? Or would the brave and ingenious efforts of Schindler the swindler put us all to shame? I wonder. Where were we while Pol Pot was conducting his savage pogrom in Cambodia in the seventies? Did we know about it? When General Conference president Robert Folkenberg visited Cambodia's killing fields last year, he was aghast that the world stood by and let it all happen. Someone has said that the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing. Unnecessary Fear I think that a major psychological deterrent for contemporary Adventists who want to voice their opinion on social issues is the fear of seeming to fall into the same camp with evangelical activists—the Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell crowd. But it is a mistake ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

to be cowered into silence because of the excesses of those who seek to turn the church into a political party. We have it from Ellen G. White herself—one of the staunchest among us and one who lived in constant hope of the Advent: "Dear youth, what is the aim and purpose of your life? Are you ambitious for education that you may have a name and position in the world? Have you thoughts that you dare not express, that you may one day .. . sit in deliberative and legislative counsels, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations" (Messages to Young People, p. 36). These are not the words of one who sees Adventists as dropouts from society. We Can Make a Difference If you live in the United States, aren't you glad that the vast majority of seedy programs on television are mandated by government regulation to run outside daytime hours and prime time, thereby decreasing the likelihood of minors running into them? That the airwaves are not more filled than they are with obscenities? That there are regulations mandating that liquor shops and other places of ill-repute be kept a certain distance from schools and churches? That you can now travel in virtually smoke-free public transportation facilities? And that there are laws to protect the environment? Did all these happen by accident? No. They came because citizens, parents, and concerned members of the public made their influence felt over the years. I heard one of our pastors tell the following story. Driving through Portland, Oregon, one day, a friend of his (we'll call her Judy) noticed a large billboard advertising streamlined swimwear and

featuring a scantily dressed woman, with the words "Fast Women at Dominic's."' Judy, offended by the sexist implications of the ad, called the store to register a complaint. Though sympathetic, the management claimed they could do nothing about it since that was a matter for their corporate headquarters in California. Securing that number, Judy called the corporate headquarters, only to be told that it was all in the hands of the advertising agency. Undeterred, she made her third call. The billboard was a fait accompli, the agency said. Judy, a high-ranking official of a coalition of ecumenical ministries in Oregon, assured them she understood. But before hanging up she expressed her hope that they would also understand why 14 Christian denominations in Oregon would be boycotting the chain of stores in response to the offensive ad. Within four hours the billboard was gone. Christians can talk all they want behind the closed doors of their churches, but the perpetrators of vice and decadence in our society will continue to laugh all the way to the bank. Tone-deaf to everything but the shuffling of dollar bills, only the language of the cash register will move them. Alone or in cooperation with others, we must use the language they understand. Are we trying to establish the kingdom of God on earth? Not really. But we cannot forget that this is our Father's world. In the words of the popular song, we should try to make it a better place, if we can—as we wait for His coming. *See May 12 for part 1. Part 3 appears June 9. 'The name of the store has been changed.

ROY ADAMS 533) 5

NEWSBREAK WORLD CHURCH Adventist Membership Increases in Cambodia. Though fighting continues in northwestern Cambodia between the government and rebels, Adventist membership there is increasing steadily, says Tim Maddocks, assistant director of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in Cambodia. In April 75 persons joined the Adventist Church in two provinces, and fighting prevented a baptism from taking place in a third location. In May 70 persons were baptized in the town of Siem Reap. Fifteen of those baptized became acquainted with the church through English language classes, says Maddocks. As of April 30, 476 Adventists worship in Cambodia, an increase of more than 50 percent in one year. New Radio Facilities Open in Kenya. The radio ministry in eastern Africa received a boost with the opening of a new Adventist World Radio production facility in Nairobi, Kenya, on April 14. Funded with donations from Adventists in Kenya, the new Adventist Media Centre-East Africa aids the production of shortwave radio programs in English, Swahili, and Somali. The programs will be beamed from an AWR transmitter in Slovakia to central, eastern, and southern Africa. "The people of the East African Union can be proud of this accomplishment," says Kenneth Mittleider, a 6 (534)

SDA Leaders and Students Killed in Rwanda he General Conference has confirmed that three Adventist Tin theChurch officials and at least 50 college students have died widespread civil unrest that has gripped Rwanda for more than a month. According to the GC, Fast Rwanda Field president Amon Iyamuremye, his wife and daughter, and two pastors from northern Rwanda lost their lives. At least 50 of the 300 students that were attending the Adventist University of Central Africa also died in the fighting. AUCA probably will not reopen this year. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency shipped 40 tons of food supplies from nearby Uganda to Tanzania to help feed some of the 300,000 Rwandan refugees there. Hundreds of Adventists are refugees.

General Conference vice president and chairperson of the AWR board. "This will be a powerful tool for the church in this part of the world to spread the gospel message." To help local program producers, the AWR staff provided a one-week seminar on production techniques. Opposition Hampers Russian Evangelism. After staging hundreds of evangelistic meetings without opposition, the General Conference reports that strong resistance by the Orthodox Church in Russia has hindered four evangelistic series. In Balakhna demonstrations forced the cancellation of an evangelistic series just prior to the opening of the first meeting. However, evangelist Bill Brace did open a series in the nearby Bor for 150 people. In Shuiaj and Balashilrna Russian Adventist evangelists appealed to local authorities for protection

after a media campaign brought strong opposition against their meetings, says Gilbert J. Bertochini, a consultant for international evangelism with the GC Office of Global Mission. Evangelist Perry Parks also faced strong opposition, but with protection of local authorities, his series opened on April 29. South America Promotes Public Awareness. South American Division leaders recently completed a continent-wide public awareness campaign promoting spiritual values, says the General Conference Communication Department. In Brazil alone, organizers placed the message "God Is Father" on 1,000 billboards. The message ties into the International Year of the Family. Free broadcast of 300 thirty-second television announcements complemented the billboards. Organizers estimate the value of the free spots at

nearly $1 million, and the cost of the billboards were only 15 percent of their commercial value. The campaign was underwritten by It Is Written television ministry, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, and Adventist Community Services. To New Position. Bruno Liske, South German Union secretary, was elected union president, effective June 1. Liske replaces Harald Knott. who will retire. Camp Meetings Make a Comeback in Ethiopia. One distinct sign of the changing political situation in Ethiopia is the revival of Adventist camp meetings. Historically these convocations have been rare, but today camp meetings are making a comeback, says Solomon Wolde-Endreas, Eastern Africa Division church ministries director. In south and west Ethiopia, where the Adventist Church is growing most rapidly, thousands of people, especially young people, have gathered for the spiritual convocations (see photo). The changing situation has also brought scattered

FEAR NOT. FOR I AM WITH YO HINSODRRTIN , ANI SIWRITINI'D


NEWSBREAK local congregations back to their original settlements. Destroyed church buildings also are being reconstructed.

NORTH AMERICA Prayer Clock Makes Florida Meetings Successful. When the Adventist church in Altamonte Springs, Florida, conducted an evangelistic meeting, the local pastor organized the church on a prayer clock. Weeks before the meeting a prayer team gathered, meeting each evening. The evangelistic team, led by retired evangelist Hannon Brownlow, also met each morning and evening of the series for prayer. The "America's Prophecy" meetings ended March 26 with 43 baptisms, says Cynthia Kurtzhals, Florida Conference communication director. CUC Students Intern at White House. Since 1993 six students from Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland, have interned at the White House's Office of Presidential Personnel. Of the six, three students have met President Bill Clinton or Vice President Al Gore. Educational Journal Wins Press Award. The Journal of Adventist Education has won a Distinguished Achievement Award from Education Press Association. The award will be presented June 10 at the EdPress annual conference in Chicago, Illinois. The award was given for ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

NBC Dramatizes Birth of LLUMC Heart Patient en NBC television aired Heart of a Child on May 9, the two-hour movie represented a collaboration between NBC and Loma Linda University Medical Center, an Adventist hospital in Loma Linda, California. The movie is the story of Paul Holc, the first child in the world to be diagnosed before birth as needing a heart transplant, the only one to be delivered by cesarean section for transplant, and the only child to receive an organ from an anencephalic infant donor. LLUMC performed the delivery and transplant Paul Holc in 1992 on October 16, 1987. LLU cooperated with Oberon Productions by providing props, including surgery clothes, neonatal intensive-care unit scrubs, diagnostic ultrasound scans, and close-up videos of heart transplant surgery, says Richard Schaefer, LLUMC public relations director.

the feature story "Nurturing Faith in the Christian School," by George H. Akers, former director of the General Conference Education Department. The journal is published by the General Conference Education Department for educators.

FOR YOUR INTEREST Dare to Care Camporee Sold Out. There's no more space at this summer's giant Dare to Care Pathfinder Camporee to be held near Denver, Colorado, August 2-6. All 10,000 participant tickets are sold. However, camporee organizers do have day passes for $10. A day pass allows the bearer access to the campground from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sabbath. Day pass holders

cannot attend the evening program. To purchase day passes, call Audrey Becker at (303) 988-8371.

Family Life Seminar Convenes in July. The twentieth annual Family Life International workshop will be held at Andrews University July 10-18. The seminar, "Restoring Families: Turning Hearts in a Troubled World," offers practical materials for family life educators and relevant instruction for laypersons. The program is spon-

sored by Andrews University, the General Conference, and the North American Division. For more information, write: Family Life International, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49104-0100; or call (616) 471-6366.

ALSO IN THE NEWS HUD Builds Bridges With Churches. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is setting up an office to relate to the nation's churches on issues such as homelessness, fair housing, and community rebuilding. HUD secretary Henry Cisneros pledged to develop the office at an April 23 meeting of more than 300 clergy and lay members of 12 denominations, reports Religious News Service. A major strategy of HUD involves the use of nonprofit groups and churches in creating housing and jobs. Cisneros asked churches to promote fair and open housing, "making it possible for people to live where they want to within their means."

CHURCH CALENDAR May 28 Annual Global Baptism Day June 4 Bible Correspondence School Emphasis June 11 Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries Offering June 17 The Midwest-area Celebration of Recovery (from drug dependency or alcoholism) retreat begins at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, (616) 471-3558. June 25 Thirteenth Sabbath Offering for the Eastern Africa Division (535) 7

WHY TALK ABOUT DEATH WHEN WE'RE ALIVE AND WELL? A widow who attended a grief support group shared the following story with the group. Some years before, she and her husband had witnessed a terrible freeway accident in which there were fatalities. Driving away from it, they vowed that from that day on, whenever they parted—even for a brief time—they would give each other what they called a "journey kiss." For some reason, the morning her husband was killed they had missed giving each other their "journey kiss." "That's the hardest thing for me to deal with now," she told the group. "I feel like a very important thing was left undone." It is critical for later adjustment to keep our "I love you's," "I'm sorry's," eeognize that each --E\ and other emotional issues indi idual handles up-to-date. death, dying, and grief "Many there are who differently. Make alA CHAPLAIN OFFERS bring their precious gifts lowance for that. for the dead. As they stand I encountered a family NINE HELPFUL INSIGHTS. about the cold, silent form, trying to come to terms words of love are freely with the death of their spoken," Ellen White once said. "Tenderness, appreciation, father. In an attempt to lighten their mother's grief, the devotion, all are lavished upon one who sees not nor hears. adult children were trying to convince her to accept their Had these words been spoken when the weary spirit needed particular interpretation of life and death. When she said them so much, when the ear could hear and the heart could she didn't want to accept what they said, they became feel, how precious would have been their fragrance!"' angry. A family fight ensued. While I was sympathetic with their desire to help their mother feel better, they needed to let her grieve in a way that nvest in friendships. might be uniquely her own. Their support, love, and accepTammy was devastated when her husband was killed tance were the greatest gifts that they as Christian children right in front of her in a motorcycle accident. She had a tercould offer. he living know that they shall die . . ." are familiar words to most of us. Still, few of us "living" do anything to prepare for the unavoidable reality of death—our own or that of someone we love. When death does occur, especially if it is untimely or unexpected, the resulting grief can devastate us. Is there anything we can do to prepare ourselves for such a tragedy? After leading grief recovery groups for more than six years, I am convinced that there are things we can do before a loss occurs that will help us deal with the grief that follows.

I

BY RANDY ROBERTS

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rible time trying to recover. When I later asked what had helped her survive, she immediately answered, "Friendships. I had invested deeply in my friends before, and now it paid off." Support from friends and family is essential to recovery after loss. Selfless investments made now may be the one thing that will bring us through grief later.

- E.

eriodicaRy discuss death with those to whom you

was unable to do much of the work of grief. Rather than coming to terms with—and grieving over—the terrible reality that life is not fair, she spent her energy in trying to insist that it be fair. A realistic belief about the unfairness of life will make it easier to bear life's small or great injustices.

L

isten to and learn from a grieving friend. I would venture to guess that most of us have at least

one friend who has experienced the awful pain a loved

are close.

My wife and I practice a TEMPORAL SAFETY IS NOT EQUIVALENT WITH painful but important habit. Occasionally—once a year or BEING LOVED BY GOD. JUST LOOK AT CALVARY. so—we talk about the probability of one of us dying before the other. It is always a difficult conversation, one we one's death can cause. The vast majority of these people never relish, but some important things have emerged from it. would be only too happy to share what that experience has First, we have given each other permission to grieve in been like for them. Talking is a therapy of which they are too soon deprived. As a close friend of mine accurately the way we might need to for as long as necessary should the other one die. observed: "There' s one thing about therapy—whoever' s Second, whenever the surviving person has grieved suffitalking is getting it!" ciently, we have given each other the permission to stop grievThose in grief have much to teach us. It's safe to say that I ing and go on with life. have learned more about grief from listening to grieving people than I have from books. Third, we discuss business, insurance, household, and other items that might be important in the case of the other's death. This has become increasingly important for us as we've had our first child. \ ecognize that grief is not weakness; Christians do Issues talked through and settled on a regular basis leave griev Far too often we have equated grief with weakness. many less loose ends to tie up should a death occur. This allows the surviving person/family to focus more on grief and We have wrongly thought that people with a strong faith in God and the resurrection don't grieve, for to do less on other problems. so would be a sign of doubt. Away with such fallacy! The Bible offers many examples of persons who grieved their losses—individually and corporately. dapt your belief system about life to include the fact The most astonishing is the picture of a tearful God who that life is unfair. Anger is a natural component of the grieving process. mourned over Israel, saying, "How can I give you up?"' That Sometimes, however, a grieving person will invest his or her same God later wept, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how many energy into angrily trying to make life fair, rather than in using times have I longed to gather you to Myself, to protect you, that energy to grieve. make you My own. But you wouldn't. Therefore, I now have A mother who attended one of our grief support groups was to let you go."' filled with rage. Her son, a pizza delivery boy, had been heartPaul, in 1 Thessalonians 4, does not tell us not to grieve, lessly murdered for $20. During our sessions together she was but only not to grieve as do others who have no hope. We do so consumed with fury over this unspeakable tragedy that she have a hope; therefore, our grief has an end.


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Iff

ake your faith and belief in God realistic. Being a Christian, a believer, does not guarantee God's protection from danger, illness, misfortune, or death. I will never forget the father who told me of his agonizing apology to his living children after the death of their brother. He had raised them to believe that God would always protect them from danger. "I'm sorry," he said, "but what I always told you about Jesus protecting you isn't true—He will not always protect you." We live in the land of the enemy, and evil takes its toll. If God always protected us from harm, danger, and death, what would you say to John the Baptist? Or Job? Or the many suffering, martyred heroes

After the Disappointment

recalled in Hebrews 11? Temporal safety is not equivalent with being loved by God. Jesus showed that unequivocally on Calvary.

f

ound your faith firmly on God's Word. There will be a tomorrow—an eternal tomorrow in Christ! Death is indeed temporary. As the gospel song says: "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow." Because of Christ's life, death, and resurrection, the grave need only be a comma in our lives, never a period. And because of that, grief can always have an end. The tragedies of life are seldom under our control. The resulting grief will always

be painful. Thank God that the choices we make today about how we live our lives can help to lessen the problems we may face later. ' The Desire of Ages, p. 560. ' Hosea 11:8, NIV. ' Luke 13:34 (author's paraphrase).

Randy Roberts was a chaplain at Loma Linda University Medical Center at the time of writing this article. He is now an assistant professor of religion at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California.

his disappointment. Instead, he continued worrying about the souls of others, rather than being concerned about his own reputation. BY JAMES R. NIX Still unable to explain why Christ had not returned as expected, on May 2 Miller Reliving the fter the spring disappointment of sent to his publisher a confession Year 1844 1844, when Christ did not return as addressed to his followers. In part he expected, William Miller remained at wrote, "Were I to live my life over again, home in Low Hampton, New York.' with the same evidence that I then had, to During the months of April and May he be honest with God and man I should have continued expecting Jesus to come momentarily. to do as I have done." However, he continued, "I confess On April 5 Miller wrote to Elon Galusha: I am "looking my error, and acknowledge my disappointment; yet I still every day and hour for Christ to come." In anticipation believe that the day of the Lord is near, even at the door; Miller looked forward to being "like Him, whom 28 years and I exhort you, my brethren, to be watchful, and not let ago I loved. . . . I thought before this time I should be with that day come upon you unawares."' Him, yet I am here a pilgrim and a stranger, waiting for a During the last week of May 1844, Miller finally left change from mortal to immortal."2 his home to attend the Annual Conference of Adventists In spite of scoffers, Miller was certain God would take scheduled to open May 27 at the tabernacle in Boston.' care of him. "Why then should I complain," he continued, More about that trip in next week's column. "if God should give a few days or even months more as Sylvester Bliss mentions nothing about Miller traveling during these months. probation time, for some to find salvation, and others to See'Sylvester Bliss, Memoirs of William Miller (1853), p. 254-262. fill up the measure of their cup. . . . It is my Savior[']s Quoted in George Knight, Millennial Fever (1993), p. 162. ' Ibid. will and I will rejoice that He will do things right."' ' Bliss, p. 256. In light of the fact that right then Miller was the butt of ' Ibid., p. 262; Advent Herald, May 22, 1844, p. 128. ridicule and scorn, his willingness to leave it up to God to work everything out for the best is most remarkable. Compiled by James R. Nix, associate secretary, Ellen G. Miller could easily have become frustrated and angry in White Estate, at the General Conference.

Tie Way It Was

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DEVOTIONAL

Christ Our Righteousness Our own merits will never save us.

BY ELLEN G. WHITE

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). od requires that we confess our sins, and humble our hearts before Him; but at the same time we should have confidence in Him as a tender Father, who will not forsake those who put their trust in Him. Many of us walk by sight, and not by faith. We believe the things that are seen, but do not appreciate the precious promises given us in God's Word; and yet we cannot dishonor God more decidedly than by showing that we distrust what He says, and question whether the Lord is in earnest with us or is deceiving us. God does not give us up because of our sins. We may make mistakes, and grieve His Spirit; but when we repent, and come to Him with contrite hearts, He will not turn us away. There are hindrances to be removed. Wrong feelings have

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been cherished, and there have been pride, self-sufficiency, impatience, and murmurings. All these separate us from God. Sins must be confessed; there must be a deeper work of grace in the heart. Those who feel weak and discouraged may become strong men of God, and do noble work for the Master. But they

must work from a high standpoint; they must be influenced by no selfish motives. Merits of Christ Our Only Hope We must learn in the school of Christ. Nothing but His righteousness can entitle us to one of the blessings of the covenant of grace. We have long desired and tried to obtain these blessings, but have not received them because we have cherished the idea that we could do something to make ourselves worthy of them. We have not looked away from ourselves, believing that Jesus is a living Saviour. We must not think that our own grace and merits will save us; the grace of Christ is our only hope of salvation. Through His prophet the Lord promises, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon" (Isa. 55:7). We must believe the naked promise, and not accept feeling for faith. When we trust God fully, when we rely (539) 11

upon the merits of Jesus as a sin-pardoning Saviour, we shall receive all the help that we can desire. We look to self, as though we had power to save ourselves; but Jesus died for us because we are helpless to do this. In Him is our hope, our justification, our righteousness. We should not despond, and fear that we have no Saviour, or that He has no thoughts of mercy toward us. At this very time He is carrying on His work in our behalf, inviting us to come to Him in our helplessness and be saved. We dishonor Him by our unbelief. It is astonishing how we treat our very best Friend, how little confidence we repose in Him who is able to save to the uttermost, and who has given us every evidence of His great love. My brethren, are you expecting that your merit will recommend you to the favor of God, thinking that you must be free from sin before you trust His power to save? If this is the struggle going on in your mind, I fear you will gain no strength, and will finally become discouraged. In the wilderness, when the Lord permitted poisonous serpents to sting the rebellious Israelites, Moses was directed to lift up a brazen serpent, and bid all the wounded look to it and live. But many saw no help in this Heavenappointed remedy. The dead and dying were all around them, and they knew that without divine help their fate was certain; but they would lament their wounds, their pains, their sure death, until their strength was gone, and their eyes were glazed, when they might have had instant healing. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness," even so was "the Son of man lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14, 15). If you are conscious of your sins, do not devote all your powers to mourning over them, but look and live. Jesus is our only Saviour; and although millions who need to be healed will reject His offered mercy, not one who trusts in His merits will be left to perish. While we realize our helpless condition without Christ, we must not be discouraged; we must rely upon a crucified and risen Saviour. Poor, sinsick, discouraged soul, look and live. Jesus has pledged His word; He will 12 (540)

save all who come unto Him. Come to Jesus and receive rest and peace. You may have the blessing even now. Satan suggests that you are helpless, and cannot bless yourself. It is true; you are helpless. But lift up Jesus before him: "I have a risen Saviour. In Him I trust, and He will never suffer me to be confounded. In His name I triumph. He is my righteousness, and my crown of rejoicing." Let no one here feel that his case is hopeless; for it is not. You may see that you are sinful and undone; but it is just on this account that you need a Saviour. If you have sins to confess, lose no time. These moments are golden. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteous-

We can do absolutely nothing to commend ourselves to God. ness" (1 John 1:9). Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness will be filled; for Jesus has promised it. Precious Saviour! His arms are wide open to receive us, and His great heart of love is waiting to bless us. Some seem to feel that they must be on probation, and must prove to the Lord that they are reformed, before they can claim His blessing. But these dear souls may claim the blessing even now. They must have His grace, the Spirit of Christ, to help their infirmities, or they cannot form a Christian character. Jesus loves to have us come to Him, just as we are—sinful, helpless, dependent. Repentance, the Gift of God Through Christ

Repentance, as well as forgiveness, is the gift of God through Christ. It is through the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are convicted of sin, and feel our need of pardon. None but the contrite are forgiven; but it is the grace of God that makes the heart penitent. He is acquainted with all our weaknesses and

infirmities, and He will help us. Some who come to God by repentance and confession, and even believe that their sins are forgiven, still fail of claiming, as they should, the promises of God. They do not see that Jesus is an ever-present Saviour; and they are not ready to commit the keeping of their souls to Him, relying upon Him to perfect the work of grace begun in their hearts. While they think they are committing themselves to God, there is a great deal of self-dependence. There are conscientious souls that trust partly to God, and partly to themselves. They do not look to God, to be kept by His power, but depend upon watchfulness against temptation, and the performance of certain duties for acceptance with Him. There are no victories in this kind of faith. Such persons toil to no purpose; their souls are in continual bondage, and they find no rest until their burdens are laid at the feet of Jesus. There is need of constant watchfulness, and of earnest, loving devotion; but these will come naturally when the soul is kept by the power of God through faith. We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves nor to our good works; but when as erring, sinful beings we come to Christ, we may find rest in His love. God will accept every one that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified Saviour. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling, but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Every burden is light; for the yoke which Christ imposes is easy. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light. This was a morning talk to the ministers assembled at the General Conference, Battle Creek, Michigan, 1883. Found in Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 350-354.

Ellen G. White was a cofounder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which recognizes her as possessing the prophetic gift. ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26,1994

N ' S

•

*

41-1,

I

Gerbil at Large SYLVIA STURGES BARTON inger's out of her nest!" cried Marie at 4:30 Sabbath morning. Mom and Dad opened their sleepy eyes to see Marie's teary face peering anxiously at them. "I heard scratching noises, and now the cage is empty!" Sabbath mornings didn't usually start this way. "Can we find Ginger before we go to Sabbath school?" Marie asked. "Maybe we'll never find her!" The gerbil was so small, and the house seemed so big. Just the week before, Marie had given her the name Ginger Lightning Gerbil because Ginger seemed to scoot as fast

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as lightning, making catching her hard if she got loose. But this time no one had taken Ginger out of her cage. How did she get out in the middle of the night? "She must have jumped out," Marie wailed. "And now I can't find her anywhere!" Marie and Mom kept looking while they got ready for church. Ginger was not under the beds, not behind the dresser, not behind the washing machine. Marie prayed, "Dear Jesus, please help us find Ginger!" The family went to church, hoping to find Ginger when they returned. After lunch Mom announced that it was time

to look everywhere. They looked under the couch. No Ginger. Under the cedar chest. No Ginger. "Please help us get Ginger back," Mom prayed silently as they looked in all the gerbil places she could think of. "I know where the gerbil is!" called Dad. "Where?" Marie ran toward his voice. "Listen," said Dad. Marie listened. She heard a rustling and a scratching noise coming from the coat closet. "Let's surround the closet with boxes and wastebaskets," Dad said. "I'll enter the closet and chase Ginger out and into a box. Then we'll tip the box up, and we'll have her!" Puffing her cheeks out, Marie held in her squeals as she saw Ginger's black shiny eyes and twitching whiskers. Ginger scooted into a box, and Dad quickly tipped the box up and put her back in her cage. "I'm so glad Jesus answered our prayers!" said Marie. And together Dad, Mom, and Marie bowed their heads and said, "Thank You, Jesus."

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The Raineses give their declining church a muchneeded face lift, inside and out, but their strong personalities and spiritual reforms soon divide the church and eventually their own home. When their older son rebels, they find themselves asking if their faith has become replaced by works. US$10.95/Cdn$15.35.

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(541) 13

COVER STORY

Who Shoulders the Load? A recent action calling for financial self-reliance around the world could be the most radical action on finances voted by the world church in years, possibly ever. BY MYRON WIDMER

T

hroughout its history the "Stewardship, Self-reliance, and Charles Griffin: Self-reliance in the Seventh-day Adventist Church Sacrifice" speak about the voted context of the church is not the humanhas accepted tithe and offer- changes. The full document appears on istic concept of "going it alone." Rather, ings and sent hundreds of mil- the pages following this interview. it speaks of maturity, interdependence, lions of those dollars around the and financial ability. It means world to fund its great mission members cooperating with God in thrust. But when an action voted at the accomplishment of the church's the 1993 Annual Council of the mission in their territory—without General Conference is fully impleany dependence upon "outside" mented, a radical change will occur funding for their basic operating in how the church finances itself. expenses. The action within the document I think we have to recognize that "Stewardship, Self-reliance, and the church has made some misSacrifice" calls for all administratakes in its procedure of creating tive levels of the church to become certain mission entities overseas. self-sustaining from their own We have set them up with a sense members' tithe and offerings and of dependency from the very no longer dependent upon appropri- General Conference stewardship directors Charles Griffin (cen- beginning, all to their detriment. ations from higher organizations for ter) and Don Crane (right) answer questions from associate edi- This action calling for self-reliance tor Myron Widmer. their basic operational expenses. and self-supporting operations by This action directly impacts all church entities is in a sense the about half of the church's 11 world diviMyron Widmer: This document end of colonialism and the empowersions—those whose operations are fully has been called a historic action. ment of organizations—from missions dependent upon outside sources from Why? and union missions to divisions—to the division headquarters to even the Don Crane: Both because of the rad- become doers, to become mature hiring of church pastors in some fields. ical changes called for and because of "adults." The document says this dependence the enthusiastic response at the 1993 Crane: This is a purposeful attempt must change, and change soon, to self- Annual Council and since then by mem- to move the church from a state of sustaining operations, with appropria- bers and leaders around the world. financial dependence to a community of tions from outside helping only to fund mutual sharing and sacrificing for the special Global Mission projects not In addition to the call for greater good of the body. Once an entity develfunded locally. stewardship and sacrifice by church ops the ability to provide for its own For a perspective on this action, Don members, the heart of the document needs, it can then share with others in Crane and Charles Griffm, stewardship appears to revolve around a push for the church's global mission. directors of the General Conference and "self-reliance." What is meant by major architects of the document "self-reliance"? Will the hundreds of local missions

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ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26,1994

around the world at some point be cut off financially from world church support? Griffm: Yes and no. The appropriations—if available from other areas of the world—could continue to flow to the area but be redirected to fulfill Global Mission objectives of opening new areas. So yes, the appropriations for regular operations in a local field would be terminated. In addition, any field, as it moves from mission to conference status, would be expected to contribute offerings to the world mission fund, which previously helped the mission meet its operational expenses. Crane: General Conference president Robert S. Folkenberg has made it very clear that this transition to financial selfreliance is a minimum objective in the growth process of the church. Will this action affect the appropriations made from the Thirteenth Sabbath mission offerings? Griffin: No. Even North America will receive Thirteenth Sabbath Offering proceeds on the normal rotating basis. What was the driving force behind the creation of this document? Griffin: Actually several factors have converged to urge its formation: unparalleled opportunities and redirected giving. With the rapid sociopolitical changes impacting the world, tremendous opportunities are breaking forth for us to take the gospel to areas where it has been impossible, such as Russia, Albania, and Cambodia. Our membership in these countries is either small or nonexistent and with few resources to accomplish the great task. That's why members around the world need to help through sharing their tithes and offerings. But isn't getting funds a challenge too? Griffin: Yes, and that brings us to the second factor. In developed countries membership growth is slow and the church is struggling just to maintain its own infrastructure, ministry, and institutions because of members' diminishing financial support or the redirecting of ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

their giving to other designated projects. Many members today want more control over the destiny of their offerings for a variety of reasons, including a certain lack of confidence in the church and the warm appeal of giving to specific projects—where their offering doesn't seem to get lost in a large, monolithic system that some really don't understand. Crane: In addition, the debt of so many members and church institutions restricts their ability to give or operate effectively. And what is the solution? Crane: The call of this document is the call to self-reliance and selflessness. It is a call to honor Christ above personal gain or self-interest. It is a call to deliberately forgo extravagance in decisions that affect the well-being of the church. It is a call to increased faithfulness in returning God's tithe and in giving free-will offerings. Those have always been the foundation of the church's financial support for its global mission. Is such financial self-reliance possible worldwide? Griffin: Definitely; it is starting right now. Crane: After the 1993 Annual Council, Elder Griffin and I listened to union and mission leaders of the Southern Asia Division tell of plans to achieve self-support by specific dates. Other divisions are doing the same. Would you consider this historic for the Southern Asia Division? Griffm: Absolutely. Within the entire division and its four unions, only one unit is a self-sustaining unit, the Mizo Conference. All the rest—the division, the four unions, and 18 missions depend wholly upon outside church help to support their operations. And this is paralleled by other world divisions. How will the missions achieve selfsustaining operations? By getting members to give more, or by cutting back on expenses? Crane: Both ways. I believe when members participate more fully in the decision-making process of the church,

this will lead to greater personal commitment that will move them toward self-reliance objectives. Griffin: And expenses will have to be cut. But it is tragic when downsizing is done without first incorporating a strong spiritual program of stewardship. When we have unions and conferences in the world church that are facing hard times, and when a strong conference has to borrow money to make its payroll, the need is obvious for stewardship education. It's really unfortunate that there are so few stewardship directors in some divisions. Isn't that because stewardship has been submerged into the Church Ministries Department? Crane: That's one reason. But another is that some divisions a decade ago put a high priority on trusts and wills—and not really investing in stewardship education and the nurturing of members' stewardship through conference and pastoral leadership. They rode high for several decades because of the number of trusts and wills that matured. Now that amount has been declining, and many are wondering what to do. We have missed a generation or two without bold and forthright stewardship encouragement. That's why this document is historic, because it is the church's administrators saying, Hey, we'd better wake up. We've missed a generation of people, and stewardship has a very crucial part in the world church, not just overseas for self-reliance but here also in the sense of fiscal responsibility and sacrifice. It is also a call to leadership to practice stewardship—good fiscal responsibility—at the corporate level. Griffin: And for Adventists everywhere, it is a call to fully understand the mission of the church and become so excited about it that giving becomes a natural response to Jesus Christ and His mission. Myron Widmer is an associate editor of the Adventist Review.

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GC ANNUAL COUNCIL ACTION

Stewardship, Self-reliance, an Sacrifice This document was voted at the 1993 Annual Council of the General Conference Executive Committee.

Preparing for the Future The Seventh-day Adventist Church and its leadership are presently challenged with two realities. First, because of unprecedented sociopolitical changes sweeping the world, some countries that recently remained closed to the penetration of the gospel now stand completely open. Opportunity has never been greater for the possibility of proclaiming the three angels' messages in economically depressed countries where resources are limited, facilities sometimes nonexistent, and where thousands are accepting the invitation to faith in Jesus, which results in keeping the commandments of God. The church is confronted by a second reality: in some developed countries of the world where membership growth has been small, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the church and its institutions because of redirected giving or diminishing financial support. Financial burdens, both personal and organizational, are restricting giving on the one hand and causing administrative burdens on the other. The tensions created by these realities are not superficial. They are real! They are felt! They are bewildering! Increased marketing and organizational skills may be helpful to a certain extent, but offer only temporary assistance in addressing new opportunities. Today developed regions of the world are also struggling to support their existing infrastructure, to preserve previously established institutions, to provide spiritual nurture to members, and at the same time, to support a burgeoning world mission program. Exploding church membership in some locations presents challenges and opportunities unprecedented in our history. At the same time, economic shifts—particularly in major provider territories—present new financial realities. On one hand, the church seeks eagerly to reach out to new possibilities, but at the same time must maintain a solid founda16 (544)

tion of support for established work. There is no need to fear this delicate balance, however, for it is certain that when Christians cooperate with God, good things happen. It has been demonstrated that when leaders take the initiative in this commitment and lead their constituencies by the example of their own lifestyles and administrative decisions into a covenant relationship with God, members will respond in positive affirmation. Higher levels of church growth and self-reliance will be the result. Personal Stewardship From the biblical perspective, stewardship describes the primary relationship of the Creator and His created beings. In its broader context, stewardship recognizes the responsibility, authority, and accountability for resources belonging to a superior; and describes the careful management of the Lord's assets in such a trustworthy manner that blessings are received from God and confidence is generated in the members of the body of Christ. Jesus speaks of the lofty concept of stewardship and of the important trust deposited in the hands of stewards in these words: "Who then is the faithful and wise manager ["steward," KJV], whom the master puts in charge" "of all his possessions" (Luke 12:42, 44, NIV). This reaffirms the Old Testament concept of the exalted relationship of the steward to the master (Gen. 4147). Other scriptural passages remind stewards that the Master is the owner of all entrusted gifts and that infidelity will result in removal of that sacred trust (Ps. 8; 50:10-12; Haggai 2:8; Isa. 22:15-23; Luke 16:1, 2; 1 Cor. 4:2). Paul's writings broaden the dimension of stewardship. He uses oikonomia to mean • the responsibility for preaching the gospel in a comprehensive manner (1 Cor. 9:17, 18); • the administration of God's divine plan and purpose (Eph. 1:9-11; 3:2; Col. 1:25, 26, NW); and

• the participation as partners in the plan of salvation (1 Cor. 1:9; Eph. 1:9-11). Unfortunately, stewardship can become commercialized and lose its sacred meaning of cooperation with God in the fulfillment of His mission. Stewardship, in the highest sense, is partnership with God. From this noble perspective one does not regard stewardship as a promotional program or a mechanical method of fund-raising to enrich the church. Ellen G. White identifies the work of stewards in the following words: "A steward identifies himself with his master. He accepts the responsibilities of a steward, and he must act in his master's stead, doing as his master would do were he presiding. His master's interests become his. The position of a steward is one of dignity because his master trusts him. If in any wise he acts selfishly and turns the advantage gained by trading with his lord's goods to his own advantage, he has perverted the trust reposed in him" (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 246). "If He sees you use your entrusted means as a faithful steward, He will register your name in the books of heaven as a laborer together with Him, a partner in His great firm" (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 299). In the parable of the talents there are profound implications of stewardship (Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27). The master judges faithfulness, not by the number of talents bestowed on the steward, but rather by what the steward has done with what he or she has been given. In the Lord's plan there is always a diversity in the distribution of talents. At the conclusion of the parable we see Christ placing His blessing upon faithful stewards whose primary responsibility has been to multiply entrusted talents. He says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matt. 25:21). "With the blessing of God, the one talent through diligent use will be doubled, and the two used in the service of Christ will be increased to four; and thus the humblest instrument may grow in power and usefulness" (Review and Herald, Oct. 26, 1911). Corporate Stewardship The officers of church organizations, chosen as they are to guide church affairs, are in a special and unique sense and most importantly the Lord's stewards. They are "entrusted by our absent Lord with the care of His household and His interests" (Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 37). While the individual church member has been powerfully blessed with "life-changing" stewardship principles, it is time now to apply these principles to those who administer the affairs of God's church. For the global mission of the church to succeed, church leaders must demonstrate faithful stewardship at every church level. The church is responsible to and accountable before God to work together as a corporate body of stewards. In His Great Commission our Saviour commands: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19, NIV). As a body of stewards, the corporate church must fulfill this divine command and proclaim the good news about Jesus to the unreached peoples of our world. The church must move forward country ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

by country, city by city, village by village, and person by person. His stewards must exhibit vision, courage, self-reliance, and selflessness. It is important that procedures be recommended that will move the church from a state of financial dependence (mission status) to financial interdependence (conference status) in a community of mutual sharing and sacrificing for the good of the body. Fields that have grown accustomed to receiving funds from higher organizations to meet basic operational expenses must develop the ability to provide for their own needs and increase their self-reliance to the place where they are able to share with others in the global mission of the church. It is easy to remain in comfortable dependence. God has provided the resources with which the church may accomplish its mission, and every field must seek ways to discover and multiply those resources. For some fields the great challenge is to become self-reliant, while the rest of the church faces mounting obstacles created through economic pressures not always of their own making. Rising debt on institutions and church buildings, and increased costs incurred from routine operations, are major concerns for administrators in parts of the world field. It is only by a miracle of God, the sustained faithfulness of donors, and greater levels of commitment that the needs of a growing church can be met. Importance of Self-reliance Why self-reliance? First, the concept of selfreliance is biblical. Jesus urged that all of His servants make the best use of what is at hand. He says, "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things" (Matt. 25:21. NIV). Second, the principle of equality is involved here. SELF-RELIANCE IS ... For members—multiplying spiritual, physical, and material resources in creative ways to maximize participation in the divine commission of Jesus to carry the gospel to all the world; personal commitment that will lead members and churches to self-reliance objectives that will lead the church from a state of financial dependence to full participation and partnership within the world church. For leadership—enlisting and empowering of lay members in witnessing, income generation, multiplication of local resources, and involvement in strategic planning; the administration and reporting of church funds in ways that will build member confidence. For church organization—reaching higher levels of maturity in leadership, fiscal responsibility, and accountability; loyally supporting denominational policies; achieving the objective of generating 100 percent of operating expenses from local sources and maintaining the denominational standard in working capital; educating membership to share in the support of world missions.

For many years faithful giving on the part of the world church body has made it possible to establish the church in new regions of the world. Now it is time for this same spirit of equality to rise out of those missions/fields/sections to assist other areas that have not yet been reached. "Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little— (2 Cor. 8:13, 14, NW). Third, self-reliance is a valid concept for the church, for it brings about greater "ownership" of the mission of the church. As constituencies make the transition to greater self-reliance, there is a greater sense of satisfaction and of accomplishment, of believing that what is happening within that territory is determined by the collective commitment and involvement of the membership. And finally, self-reliance is crucially important, for it will liberate resources and enable the church to redistribute funds for unentered areas of the world. Self-reliance occurs when administrators develop and multiply existing spiritual gifts and inherent resources within their fields. Through planned stages of development, member confidence increases, a sense of well-being develops, and the church becomes stronger. When constituencies are empowered by their leaders to engage in strategic planning, goal-setting, and funding, this latent force brings about powerful renewal and vigor in accomplishing the mission of the church globally. While the church recognizes the urgent necessity of making this transition to self-reliance, it knows that it is a minimum objective in the growth process of the church, and that in reality every member and each organizational unit should seek to reach higher levels of self-reliance in completing the work entrusted by God. Sacrifice and the End-Time God's stewards will demonstrate to the world in the end-time "the power that there is in the religion of Christ for the conquest of self" (Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 190). Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt. 16:24-26, NIV). SACRIFICE IS . . . For members—demonstrating the power of Christ in the conquest of self, choosing to honor Christ above personal gain or self-interest, and choosing to live a simple lifestyle that deliberately decides to forgo certain pleasures, conveniences, and comforts for a higher purpose. For leaders—setting the example in selflessness by honoring God in personal lifestyle and corporate decisions, and deliberately forgoing extravagance in decisions that affect the well-being of the church. For church organizations—setting aside regional selfinterests and surrendering policy privileges for the global mission of the church.

"Life is too valuable ... to be wasted in pleasing self" (The Ministry of Healing, p. 198). Instead, we will be willing to lose our identity in Jesus Christ and subordinate our interests to God's interests. The Lord makes it clear that selfish interests will not take priority in His people or

His church in the end-time. "Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice" (Ps. 50:5, NW). Ellen G. White said it quite pointedly, "They will act out all the faith that they really possess" (Testimony for the Church at Olcott, New York, p. 20) and further offered this prayer of commitment: "Our heavenly Father, we come to Thee at this time just as we are, needy and dependent, but we know, Lord, that Thou art a compassionate Saviour. Thou hast made an infinite sacrifice, that we might have eternal life, if we will only cooperate with Thee. We ask Thee to put it into our hearts today, to renew our covenant with Thee by sacrifice. Help us this day that we may lay hold upon Thee by living faith. Separate from us everything that would separate us from Thee" (Manuscript Releases, vol. 7, p. 413). Church members and church leaders living in the end-time will model selflessness, both personally and in the corporate church, in order to complete Christ's mission for the church. Summary 1.The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes its divine commission to share the gospel with all the world. 2. Members and leaders accept stewardship principles and reaffirm their partnership with God in the management and multiplication of His assets. 3. The unselfish sharing on the part of developed territories and progression toward maturity and self-reliance on the part of developing territories are basic to stewardship. 4. Systematic and regular returning of tithe and giving of offerings are the foundation for church financial support and world mission outreach. 5. Designated giving (project giving) is also a blessing to both donors and the church. It is vitally important to maintain a balance in emphasis and promotion between systematic and designated giving. 6. When the church becomes self-reliant in the established areas, this in turn will provide means for continued growth in the unentered areas of the world. 7. Members and constituencies who are encouraged to participate in the decision-making and planning process and are extended greater responsibility/accountability develop greater ownership and partnership in supporting the church's mission. 8. Higher levels of self-reliance among church members and constituencies are dependent on significant increases in the percentage of members (family units) faithfully returning God's tithe and giving voluntary offerings. 9. The reduction and elimination of debt, both personal and corporate, will free funds to provide added resources for God's church. 10.Selflessness that leads to a covenant relationship is the basis for practice of personal and organizational stewardship. 11. Administrators need to set an example in efficiency and economy in administrative decisions. In harmony with the urgent needs for renewal of stewardship, increased self-reliance, commitment, and faithful support of God's work, it was VOTED, To adopt the following steward(545) 17

(4) Provide design for organizational development. Provide models for monitoring congregational fidelity. Receive plans and monitor the progress of division self-reliance (conference status) and financial accountability objectives. Report to the General Conference Committee at the time of Spring Meeting and/or Annual Council on the status of self-reliance and financial accountability within the territories of each division. (5) Provide initiatives and models for member development. Approve income-generation programs. Recommend the Seventh-day Adventist Giving System.

ship, self-reliance, and sacrifice proposal: 1. Fidelity and Sacrifice: a. To request church leadership to demonstrate by personal example a renewed covenant relationship in personal stewardship commensurate with the mission of the church and in harmony with the prophetic message for the end-time. b. To request all churches, conferences, unions, and divisions to maintain current giving records which will indicate the percentage of family units who faithfully return God's tithe and give voluntary offerings (congregational fidelity). c. To encourage all local churches, conferences, unions, divisions, and institutions to set objectives for debt reduction and liquidation. d. To encourage all church-owned institutions to return a tithe to their local conference based on the operating gains, less appropriations (net profit). e. To request all denominational workers to model, by personal example, faithful stewardship in the returning of tithe and giving of offerings (General Conference Working Policy V 05 15) and annually reaffirming their commitment. f. To request local church officers in returning God's tithe to recognize the importance of a consistent example (cf. General Conference Working Policy V 05 15 and Church Manual, p. 133). g. To request building project planners for churches, offices, and institutions to avoid extravagance and to "observe neatness, order, taste, and plain beauty" (Testimonies, vol. 2, p. 257). h. To celebrate an annual Covenant of Sacrifice Sabbath in every local church in recognition of the fact that "the work of evangelizing the world has been greatly hindered by personal selfishness. . . . Perfection of character cannot possibly be attained without self-sacrifice" (Ellen G. White, in Review and Herald, Jan. 12, 1905). 2. Self-reliance: a. To appoint a General Conference Stewardship Commission and request that similar commissions/finance committees be formed at the division and union levels. b. To appoint the General Conference Stewardship Commission (GCStewComm) as follows: Members: Folkenberg, Robert S., chairman; Bediako, Matthew A., vice chairman; Griffin, Charles J., secretary; Crane, Donald E.; Patterson, Gary B.; Rick, Rowena R. (Treasury representative); Tolhurst, Athal H. (Secretariat representative); stewardship director, InterAmerican Division; stewardship director, North American Division.

For Divisions With Conference Territories f. To request each division with established union conferences and local conferences to establish a Union/Conference Stewardship Commission/Strategic Planning and Budgeting Committee that will recommend strategic objectives and action plans for fiscal responsibility and increased pastoral responsibility and accountability.

Terms of Reference (1) Provide structure for leadership development. Approve curriculum and materials to be used for stewardship certification and for transitioning missions to conference status and union missions to union conference status. Certify stewardship educators. (2) Approve content of manuals and other core materials. (3) Provide structure for resource development. Serve as consultants for the Calendar of Special Days and Offerings. Serve as consultants for General Conference offerings and world mission offering.

For Divisions With Both Mission and Conference Territories g. To request all divisions, unions, and conferences/missions to appoint full-time stewardship directors and to evaluate current giving records and make specific plans for stewardship training and education. h. To request all division officers to present to the General Conference Stewardship Commission clearly defined steps, including incremental objectives and action plans for fiscal accountability and self-reliance with timetables, by which their fields plan to accomplish their objectives for fiscal responsibility and self-

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Authority and Responsibility (1) Power to act. [These numbers correspond with the preceding numbers.] (2) Recommend to the Department of Church Ministries for fmancing. (3) Power to act. (4) Power to act. (5) Power to act. For Divisions With Mission Territories c. To request each division, in cooperation with its unions that have not achieved full self-reliance status, to appoint a permanent division Stewardship Commission/Strategic Planning and Budgeting Committee (General Conference Working Policy B 06 10, sec. 3) that will recommend strategic objectives and action plans for fiscal responsibility, determine present levels of self-reliance, receive progress reports from the fields, and in cooperation with the unions, make recommendations for conference-status candidacy. d. To regard as positive trends of growth and maturity corresponding reductions in appropriations made by higher organizations to the fields where proposed developmental stages of selfreliance are to occur. e. To reassure missions/fields/sections that accomplish their projected incremental steps toward growth and self-reliance (conference status) that they continue to be eligible to receive appropriations for nonoperational items such as evangelism, Global Mission, and special projects.

reliance through faithful stewardship, at the 1994 Annual Council. i. To recommend the following structure of the Division stewardship Commission/Strategic Planning and Budgeting Committee: division president, chair; division president to designate vice chair; division stewardship director, secretary; treasurer; two members as designated; member as designated (union representative). j. To perform annual audits as indicated in the General Conference Working Policy S 85 25 and Church Manual, page 138, to increase member confidence at local church, mission/conference/field/section, arid union levels, and to make regular reports to the respective constituencies on the use of church funds. 3. Stewardship Ministries: To authorize the General Conference Department of Church Ministries (Stewardship Ministries), in conjunction with the previous administrative actions, to assist in the following: a. Preserve the emphasis on stewardship principles. b. Continue the stewardship certification process of equipping division and union stewardship directors, pastors, and church leaders. c. Consult with administrators in the formation of plans and increasing member faithfulness (congregational fidelity) in tithes and voluntary offerings. d. Support administration(s) in strategic planning and performing self-reliance evaluations. e. Participate in the education of constituencies in the meaning of self-reliance and conference status. f. Support divisions, unions, conferences, and missions/fields/sections in developing and achieving self-reliance objectives, action plans, and timetables. g. Facilitate the development of an appropriate Seventh-day Adventist giving system and other stewardship programs that enhance sacrificial giving and self-reliance. 4. General: a. To appoint a General Conference Stewardship Summit consisting of representation from the General Conference and divisions with the request to report to the 1994 Annual Council on the following assignments: (1) Give direction to the restructuring of stewardship ministries and determine the resources, both personnel and materials, needed to assist divisions, unions, conferences, and missions/ fields/sections, in performing the function of stewardship. (2) Inspire faithful giving and the achievement of self-reliance objectives. (3) Evaluate and make recommendations regarding the Seventh-day Adventist giving system. b. To encourage divisions, where appropriate, to plan similar activities within their territories for union and conference/mission stewardship personnel. c. To include in the curriculum for ministerial training at colleges, universities, and seminaries, instruction in stewardship principles, methodology, and practice, including personal finance and procedures for increasing self-reliance, thus assuring that entrants to ministry, whether by diploma or through certification, are qualified to educate members in total stewardship.


WORLDREPORT

With construction of the community learning center Audre (center) and Carl Parker (right) have seen a dream become a reality.

■ OREGON

Adventists Aid Local Literacy Efforts Adventist couple helps inner-city youngsters with basic skills. or more than eight years Carl Parker

Fand his wife, Andre, of Portland,

Oregon, dreamed of a tutorial program to help inner-city children. What began as an idea is now a full-fledged community learning center. The 7,300-square-foot center, with an appraised value of $410,000, has an enrollment of 65 students, and more are expected. Most accomplishments aren't giant leaps of faith, but little steps made as openings develop. The Parkers had one main goal in mind: to help inner-city children. "We wanted something to help them improve their basic skills," he said. Parker, who has a doctorate in counseling, makes his living at Portland Community College. He sold the idea of after-school-hours tutoring to the Portland public school system, calling it CITY, Citizens Involved in Teaching Youth. This proved to be a successful venture, with some 700 youth receiving

Mort Juberg, a retired journalist, writes from Boring, Oregon. ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26,1994

40,000 hours of instruction in five public schools. Accompanying this, he founded the George Washington Carver Learning Center, a private Christian school meeting in a large home with, as Parker puts it, "an Adventist flavor." Encouraged by the success of these two programs, the Parkers looked toward expanding the learning center. In searching for a possible site for a center, Parker discovered a choice lot in northeast Portland, in the heart of an AfricanAmerican neighborhood.

His dream began to take shape. He contacted the Oregon chapter of Maranatha Volunteers International, Adventists who specialize in building churches and schools. Their leaders looked the situation over and gave tentative approval, depending on the acquisition of the property. Unfortunately, dreams need money for fulfillment. Prospectus in hand, Parker trudged to local banks seeking funding. But no lending institution wanted to gamble funds on a dream.

The attractive community learning center is located at the intersection of two main thoroughfares in northeast Portland. (547) 19

WORLDREPORT

That is, until he came to an independent bank, owned and operated by minorities, the American State Bank. As Venerable F. Booker, president and chairman of the bank's board, noted: "When we looked at the idea, it

was an iffy project. But when I found out about the volunteer help from Maranatha Volunteers International and what they would do, we moved on the project. That was one of the main factors that helped us make

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up our minds to fund the project." The bank lent $40,000 for the land purchase, using collateral furnished by Parker. Final arrangements were completed with Maranatha, and in their usual efficient manner they erected the building shell in a little less than two weeks. Parker feels a strong debt of gratitude to the Maranatha workers. "They gave us a tremendous boost. We'll always be indebted to them." With the building site located at the intersection of two main streets, the work of the volunteers caught the attention of the neighborhood as well as the bank. When people saw how rapidly the construction proceeded, they advanced more money, totaling $240,000, enabling the construction to go ahead. A large banner across the front of the building read "Register Now." This, plus the need for alternatives to public schooling, resulted in many inquiries from concerned parents. "Our enrollment came mostly from word of mouth," Parker noted. "People heard about the school from their friends, and began asking about it." School in the community learning center opened in September 1992 with 65 students, 70 percent of them from non-Adventist homes. Parker didn't want "just another school," but a Christcentered Adventist school. "All of our teachers are Adventist," he stated. "There is a difference. Other Christians are wonderful teachers, but they don't understand some of the things we do." Some of these things include morning worship, and a Week of Prayer last fall. Bible classes are an important part of the curriculum. How do parents react to this? "We tell them that we teach the Bible," Parker said. "There are no arguments. We try to stay away from controversial things and teach the life of Christ." The school maintains high standards, and doesn't celebrate such holidays as Halloween. Students are encouraged to refrain from wearing jewelry, and dress ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

WORLDREPORT • FLORIDA standards are maintained. The children enjoy a pleasant, wellequipped school with five classrooms, for prekindergarten through sixth grade. In addition, there is a science room, a computer lab, and a large assembly hall. But schooling is only a part of the outreach of the center. Parker plans the resumption of the after-hours tutoring. He sees the institution as an evangelistic center also. A Bible prophecy class and a stress management seminar are now being taught for the community. Parker doesn't see the fulfillment of the dream as mere happenstance. "God chose that bank to give us the loan," he said. "There wasn't a time in my life when I doubted. Audre's and my faith, as well as that of many others, along with God's power to move people and resources, made it happen."

Health-Care Professionals Meet Hospital chaplains and administrators discuss ways for better cooperation. ospital chaplains and administrators

H from Adventist Health Systems/

Sunbelt met at Orlando, Florida, in late February to respond to a recent mission conference entitled "Revisioning the Mission." The two groups discussed how they can cooperate to provide the best professional, spiritual, emotional, and physical care for their patients and employees.

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dministrators recognized chaplains for their dedicated service, and various practical suggestions were made to gain the most benefit from their services without subjecting them to unusual stress. Mechanisms to enhance communication between chaplains and their administrators also were discussed. In view of sweeping changes currently taking place in the health-care industry, conference participants addressed the issue of making their respective institutions distinctly Adventist, so that the church's reputation is protected by providing care that sets the standard for all health-care institutions in their communities. Martin W. Feldbush is associate director of Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries, General Conference of SDA, Silver Spring, Maryland.

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(549) 21

BULLETINBOARD

To New Posts Regular Missionary Service Lynn Alan Boyd, returning as business lecturer, Helderberg College, Cape, South Africa, Evelyn Barnara Boyd, and two children left Chicago January 12. Oscar Anibal Giordano, returning as physician/general surgery, Mugonero Hospital, Kibuye, Rwanda, Africa, Maria Eugenia de Lopez Giordano, and four children left New York November 30, 1993. Gregory Taylor Hodgson, returning as general manager, Adventist World Radio-Europe, Forli, Italy, Sandra DeLoras Hodgson and two children left New York June 6, 1993. Larry Dean Mahlum, returning as ADRA director, Indian Ocean Union, Madagascar, Carmen Joyce Mahlum, and two children left Washington, D.C., August 8, 1993. Karel Frantisek Samek, to serve as adviser, Publishing Department, Czecho-Slovakian Union Conference, Lhotka, Czechoslovakia, of Red Deer, Alberta, left Calgary June 15, 1993. Gregory Elton Saunders, to serve as physician/surgeon, SDA Hospital Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria, West Africa, Kathleen Yvonne Saunders, and four children, of Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, left Chicago January 2.

Adventist Volunteer Service Gordon M. Arnott, Jr., to serve as ADRA volunteer,

ADVENTIS 1

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Central Amazon Mission, Manaus, Brazil, of Knoxville, Iowa, left Miami May 27. Timothy Jon Arnott, to serve as ADRA volunteer, Central Amazon Mission, Manaus, Brazil, of Hinsdale, Illinois, left Miami May 27. Stephen Anson Beckwith, to serve as English teacher, Moscow English Language Institute, Russia, of Marshfield, Massachusetts, left Boston August 23. Ronald Deane Bissell, to serve as sponsor, ADRA well drilling, Thailand Mission Bangkok, Thailand, of College Heights. Alberta, left May 1993. Jason Matthew Brooks, to serve as English teacher, Moscow English Language Institute, Russia, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, left Boston December 27. Jenny Tenicela Inga, to serve medical elective, senior clerkship assignment, Miraflores Adventist Clinic, Lima, Peru, of Grand Terrace, California, left Los Angeles December 12, 1993. Brian Leavitt, to serve as sponsor, ADRA well drilling, Thailand Mission, Bangkok, Thailand, of College Heights, Alberta, left May 1993. Kyung Hwan (John) Lee, to serve as dental technician, Adventist Health Center, Moscow, Russia, of Lucerne Valley, California, left Los Angeles December 12. Brian Randal Vincent, to serve as English teacher, English Language Institute, Kiev, Ukraine, of Fall City, Washington, left San Francisco December 26.

Adventist Youth Service Kendol Larry Bacchus (AU), to serve as EnglishBible teacher, Korea SDA Language Institutes, Seoul, Korea, of Richland Park, St. Vincent, left Chicago December 26, 1993. Diane June Farenick (Kingsway), to serve as assistant dean of girls, Hlidaralsskoli School, Olfusi, Iceland, of Oshawa, Ontario, left Baltimore January 12. Ira Ecuer Farley (WMR), to serve as English-Bible teacher, Japan SDA English Schools, Yokohama, Japan, of Weslaco, Texas, left Los Angeles January 4. Steven F. Greenhaw (AU), to serve as English-Bible teacher, Korea SDA Language Institutes, Seoul, Korea, of Berrien Center, Michigan, left Los Angeles December 27, 1993. Lance Edward Lemos (PUC), to serve as EnglishBible teacher, Thailand English Language Centers,

Bangkok, Thailand, of Waterford, California, left Los Angeles January 3. Martha Julia Mathison (WWC), to serve as home economics teacher, Pohnpei Adventist High School, Kolonia, Pohnpei, of Grandview, Washington, left Seattle December 28, 1993. Michelle Lynne Oetman (AU), to serve as assistant librarian, Helderberg College, Cape, South Africa, of Holland, Michigan, left Chicago January 26. Sophia F. Peralta (SC), to serve as English-Bible teacher, Japan SDA English Schools, Yokohama, Japan, of Lemon Grove, California, left Los Angeles January 2. Elizabeth Schutt (SC), to serve as teacher's aide, Guam Adventist Academy, Talofofo, Guam, of Columbia, Maryland, left Los Angeles December 27, 1993. Miwon Seo, to serve as English-Bible teacher, Korea SDA Language Institutes, Seoul, Korea, of Bakersfield, California, left Los Angeles December 12, 1993. Heather L. Thompson (SC), to serve as teacher's aide, Guam Adventist Academy, Talofofo, Guam, of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, left Kentucky January 11. Heather Colleen Tooley (AU), to serve as teacher, band instruments, Helderberg College, South Africa, of Auburn, Washington, left Seattle January 16. Craig Brent Van Rooyen, to serve as administrative assistant to the principal, Marshall Islands Mission Academy, Majuro, Marshall Islands, of Riverside, California, left Los Angeles March 18, 1993. Donald Elbert Wallar H, to serve as English-Bible teacher, Korea SDA Language Institutes, Seoul, Korea, of La Verne, California, left Los Angeles December 26, 1993. Haley Amber Wier (AU), to serve as English/Bible teacher, Japan SDA English Schools, Yokohama, Japan, of Sauk Village, Illinois, left Chicago January 2.

Nationals Returning James Ayako Kemuma Obegi, returning as technology teacher in auto body, University of Eastern Africa, Kenya, East Africa, Ruth Wakisa Bazarra Obegi, and two children, left Chicago February 22, 1993. Heikki Silvet, returning as secretary, Ministerial Association, Euro-Asia Division, Moscow, Russia, and Malle (Viirsalu) Silvet, left Washington, D.C. September 19.

The Fight to Be Free! Gilbert Weldon owns a thriving plantation in the South Carolina Sea Islands, but his life is not without problems. A war over slavery is descending upon his way of life. The plantation has little chance of surviving. Who will be there to pick up the pieces when the battles begin to rage? Jubilation Morn' continues the captivating Weldon Oaks series by Jean Holmes, depicting the true-to-history struggle of the Gullah people. As the story of tragedy and triumph unfolds, we not only see the bitter and hellish war, but friendships, faith, and love. US$9.95/Cdn$13.95. Paper. Available at your local ABC, or call toll free 1-800-765-6955. © 1994 Pacific Press Publishing Association 627/9831

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ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26,1994

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IONS

What a Mountain! e have the good fortune to live near Mount Rainier, about 30 miles distant, as the crow flies. The mountain, like a wide, craggy, gleaming pyramid, dominates the scenery for a hundred miles in every direction. Forests and alpine fields of indescribable beauty adorn its vast foothills. When not enveloped in clouds, its snowcapped peak and huge mantle of snow throw off colors of the most majestic hue at sunrise and sunset. When the valleys below are hot, it's cool on the mountain. So tame are some of the wild animals that they'll approach hikers and eat out of their hands. For three years we lived near this mountain. But I held off going there for the shabby reason of not wanting to pay the $5 admission charge. After all, there is much delightful scenery right in our own neighborhood. Then a friend of my wife's came from out of state for a visit. She wanted to see Mount Rainier and offered to pay the entrance fee. That broke my resistance. As we drove up the mountain, I wasn't prepared for the exquisite beauty that opened before our wondering gaze from various lookout points. That settled it for us—my wife and I bought an annual pass so we could visit Rainier whenever we have suitable opportunity. People come from other continents to see this mountain, and I, living in its precincts, had been denying myself access.

W

A Glimpse of Grandeur Somehow this mountain provides a pleasant and grand escape from the dusty cares of daily life in the lowlands. The grandeur of God is more visible from Rainier's lofty eminences. The mountain is a refuge from pettiness and strain and from city life, with all of its bustle and swish, its screaming sirens and sad faces, its commercial glitter and grinding routines. But no earthly mountain is a final refuge. Each year several hikers die in climbing accidents on Mount Rainier. And tranquil, picturesque Rainier is a dormant volcano, with incipient seismic activity and frequent ADVENTIST REVIEW, MAY 26, 1994

There's one mountain that's a refuge, not for wildlife, but for sinners.

avalanches. Also, it is often veiled in clouds and fog. In the last day when Christ returns to deliver His people from Satan's final assault, every mountain and island shall move out of place.' Rainier shall crumble, and what's left shall melt in the fervent heat of Christ's radiant return.' But another mountain rears aloft that isn't subject to cataclysms or calamities. It's our privilege to ascend this mountain every day. The apostles and prophets speak of this mountain, visible now only to the eye of faith.' It's a refuge, not for wildlife, but for sinners. Not as many people resort to that mountain, as we might expect. Are we reluctant to ascend that mystic mountain because it seems too costly to go, or too close—in the backyard of our lives? The foothill to this glorious mountain is the cross; its flora, the Word, the leaves from the tree of life; its fauna, the angels sent to minister to the heirs of salvation; its entrance fee, the blood of Christ, infinite in value and already paid; its fountains, the healing waters of divine love; its fair summit, the mercy seat. We make the ascent through fellowship with Christ. The view from that mountain is more spacious and sublime than mortal sight can capture, for it extends to eternity and all the exhaustless treasures of Heaven's love.4 In Mount Zion we shall find deliverance. If we look carefully, we shall see the Lamb standing on the summit. And with the Lamb upon the mount will be all those having the Father's name written in their foreheads.' ' Rev. 6:14. ' See 2 Peter 3:10. See Ps. 48:1-3; Heb. 12:22-24. ° See Eph. 1:17-20; 1 Cor. 2:9, 10. See Joel 2:32; Rev. 14:1.

Brian Jones wrote from Auburn, Washington. He now pastors in Braxton, West Virginia. BY BRIAN JONES

(551) 23

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