The Spectrum Blog

Adventist News

By Alexander Carpenter

Adventist News Network's Ground 7 podcast:

• A mega cancer study proves healthful living is key to fighting disease
• Kenya makes provision for religious beliefs when choosing the presidential election date
• ADRA lends a helping hand in California and Latin America. Church leaders discuss Africa.

Listen here. (Running Time 10:24)

The South Pacific Division's news cast:

• President of the Adventist Church in the South Pacific announces his retirement
• New President announced and introduced to church members in the South Pacific
• History is made with the appointment of the first Pacific Islander as General Secretary of the Church
• President of the world wide Adventist Church makes a 48 hour flying visit to church's annual meetings
• Central Papuan Mission is now self supporting and is awarded Conference status
• 4360 former Adventists contacted by the church's literature evangelists in the last 12 months.

SPD Adventist News

By Alexander Carpenter

• Carter Report will be the largest evangelistic campaign ever held in Christchurch 2009,
• Aviation course to close at Avondale after 30 years,
• Melbourne youth support poverty awareness concert run for ADRA,
• Printing function to continue at Warburton Victoria following review of operations,
• GC President to visit Australia next week,
• Maclean church runs program for kids,
• Three NSW Adventist schools run a combined school concert,
• 26 motorbikes donated to PNG pastors by South Queenslanders

South Pacific Adventist News

By Alexander Carpenter

You can listen to the Spirit of Things interview on spirituality and health here. 

La Sierra University Wins 2007 World SIFE Competition

By Bonnie Dwyer

Congratulations to all the good people at my alma mater La Sierra University who were involved in the World SIFE Competition over the weekend. Representing the United States, LSU took first place. To John Razzouk, president of the LSU SIFE chapter and Johnny Thomas, the dean of the LSU Business School, in particular, congratulations. You made us proud. Read all about it at: lasierra.edu/news/sife/

Or visit their blog: LSUSIFE World Cup

Jan Paulsen gets it again

By Alexander Carpenter

The General Conference has been engaged in retooling the world administrative structure and this weekend, for Annual Council, Jan Paulsen delivered a pointed sermon on a few priorities (and moot points) for the future.

Recalling the world church's past discussion on women's involvement in church ministry, Paulsen said many woman trained in ministry are not so much concerned with the issue of ordination as with just being employed in ministry.
 
"Local churches are reluctant, and conferences find them difficult to place. That, I think, is a most unfortunate failure," Paulsen said.
 
But the issue, Paulsen said, that has the potential of dividing the church most is theology. He said he does not support another restudy of theological issues originally presented 50 years ago in the book "Questions on Doctrines," particularly regarding the nature of Christ.
 
"I think there is a reason why we have chosen generous language in describing our position as a church on the nature of Christ," Paulsen said.
 
"The uniqueness of Jesus Christ ... leads us to that," he stated. "I just cannot imagine a post-modern person in Europe, a businessman in Asia or Latin America, any more than a farmer in Africa will care one iota whether Christ had the nature of man before the fall or after," Paulsen said. "The realities of the world in which we live have other concerns and other priorities which occupy us."

I believe that's called present truth.

This gets at a Spectrum Blog discussion about Adventists showing moral solidarity with the people -- not the military junta -- of Burma. Should we hone our public moral voice, not just our theological one?

SPD Adventist News

By Alexander Carpenter

• Adventists are talking with both major parties in the lead up to the Australian elections
• Cuban refugee Jaime Jorge is passionate about his ministry and music
• Kiwi born female church leader honoured as Adventist International Woman of the Year
• Sanitarium goes pink in support of breast cancer research
• Signs Magazine receives commendation as a religious website

La Sierra rally for Burma

By Alexander Carpenter

Today at La Sierra University: Show solidarity with the freedom movement in Burma.
WHEN: 12:15 PM Friday Oct. 5
WHERE: The Prodigal Son statue in the middle of the campus, between"> the bookstore and the administration building.
(h/t) Trisha at Adventist Gender Justice. Of course most blog readers can't join in, but perhaps a prayer request for Burma while at church tomorrow and dropping this news anecdote about what Adventist students are doing would help!
 

SPD Adventist News

By Alexander Carpenter

• Cupcake girls raise $40,000 to assist needy communities and schools
• Sanitarium feeds 5000 people breakfast in Fiji this week
• A vegetarian diet is healthy for you and also good for the environment
• New journal for Christian teachers
• Uncle Arthur's Bible Stories to be used in school curriculum
• A new way of selling Adventist books is working

Adventist News update

By Alexander Carpenter

+Solomon Islander Adventist honoured for rescuing JFK back in 1943.

+GC Vice President Ella Simmons says, church is ready for women to function officially at all levels and in all roles.

And here's the flashback Russell Crowe video advertising the ministry track at Avondale College that has been making the rounds of the Adventist blogosphere.

Beyond Buildings: An Adventist Congregation Chooses Missions Over Mortar

by Johnny A. Ramirez

Crosswalk, a thriving congregation in Redlands, California, has decided to get out of the real estate business. 

More than 1,000 people worship at Crosswalk Church each Sabbath. Church leadership can pay the bills, but have concluded that renting a building the church generally uses only on Saturday is not a judicious use of funds.
 
On June 30, Crosswalk senior pastor, Michael Knecht, announced during his sermon that the church will save about $288,000 on leasing costs each year if it rents just one day per week. That chunk of the budget can be better redirected to, as Knecht phrased it, "fruit production."
 
For a church that prioritizes people, "the numbers don't make sense," Knecht said during his address.
 
Knecht explained that Crosswalk's goal is to trim its operating costs to just 14 percent of its total budget, or to about $100,000. The church would funnel the money saved to sustainable ministries in the church, community and overseas, such as the church's project to provide fresh well water, maternity care and polio relief for people in Gimbi, Ethiopia.
 
"The time for building concrete ... monuments to God is perhaps over," wrote one Crosswalk church member on a feedback forum on the church's Web site. "Storing our treasure in heaven through supporting others is the best investment strategy a church can make," the message stated.

Read the full article at the Adventist News Network.  They've posted a relocation FAQ here (pdf).

Crosswalk is quite fortunate in being able to afford its lease. Many dwindling Adventist congregations reside in buildings beyond their means and find themselves more and more becoming property managers just to meet expenses.  This newest change, to move beyond plywood and plaster, cements the reputation of this congregation as being on the cutting edge of church innovations. 

What excites me about Crosswalk is that Senior Pastor Michael Knecht, with his focus on missions overseas, perspicuity asks what it means for Crosswalk to be a church in the world.  Most congregations in Crosswalks position would look to build their own campus.  It really is quite a bold statement of vision and purpose.

Is your church spending too much of its money sustaining itself at the expense of missions and ministries?

Tell the church what to do with $41 million

By Alexander Carpenter

Recently the Seventh-day Adventist Church received a $41 million tithe donation.

Spectrum editor Bonnie Dwyer writes:

At Annual Council this fall the delegates will consider how to use this gift. I suggest that windfall funds such as this should not be used for normal operating expenses. They should be used to secure the financial future of the church. To my mind the future of the church lies in its young people. Therefore I would like to suggest that the funds should be used for the college and university endowment funds.

But we'd like to hear from the Spectrum community.

Drop a comment below and let us know: What do you think the church should do with $41 million?

Spectrum will compile the suggestions and send a report to Jan Paulsen before Annual Council in October.

Mission spotlight -- SPD

By Alexander Carpenter

Often leading the church, the South Pacific Division now has it's own YouTube channel and just started broadcasting what looks like a weekly Adventist News video cast. Check it out! Nathan Brown gets in the picture talking about one of the most important moral issues of both the 19th century and our time.

It's Friday: What's on your mind?

By Alexander Carpenter

What is this? Suddenly there's Adventist news everywhere. . .

[Big hat tip to the queen of Adventist randomness, Chelle Webster, who pointed this out] Sligo Church Pastor Terry Johnsson of White House Honor Guard fame, dances on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. What would Joe Crews say?

As Chelle noted, in the NBC comments section there are some of his members telling people that he preaches better than he dances. I wonder if that is also true about Pastor Greg. . .?

Anyway, what's on your mind?

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

By Alexander Carpenter

The Columbia Union Conference released this information, April 17, 2007.

I know the many of you are wondering if  there's an Adventist connection to the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I  have heard from two people in the region---Jeanie Allen from Potomac Conference and Lynette Wood who teaches at the university---and they both shared great information. We'll keep you posted if we learn more. In the meantime, our president Dave Weigley has asked that we keep all the families affected by this tragedy in prayer.

TRAGEDY AT VIRGINIA TECH
by Jeanie Allen, communication assistant, Potomac Conference

Many of you have been following today’s tragedy unfolding at Virginia Tech (VT), located in Blackburg, Va, where a gunman killed 33 people, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. At this point, we do not know of any Seventh-day Adventist student or faculty casualties.

Known Seventh-day Adventist students attending VT and accounted for include: Jason Dean (New Market, VA), Jessica McNeilus (New Market, VA), Steven Thomas (Manassas, VA), Paul Munilla (Rocky Mount, VA), and Sylvia Grove (Radford, VA). Don Wood, instructor in the Communication Department, and his wife, Lynette Wood, Assistant Professor of Accounting & Information System at Virginia Tech and members of the Radford Church are also safe.

Tom McNeilus, Shenandoah Valley Academy science and math instructor, is very thankful his daughter is safe. Jessica, an engineering student at VT, should have been in Norris Hall this morning but her professor cancelled class last evening, which very well may have saved her life.

This afternoon , the Virginia Tech Adventist Christian Fellowship, a student organization officially recognized by the university and led by Sylvia Grove, will hold a “Time of Prayer” at VT beginning at 1:00 pm at the gazebo by the duck pond. Pastor Daniel Royo (Radford church) will lead out in this prayer vigil.

Royo reports that he’s heard there are maybe 200 Adventist students currently attending Virginia Tech, but  knows only a small percentage. Royo hopes to meet more members at the prayer vigil, but wishes it could be under different circumstances. Please keep the families of those struck today with tragedy and loss in your prayers.

For more information on the Virginia Tech Adventist Christian Fellowship or if you know an Adventist attending Virginia Tech, visit their website at: http://www.friends.org.vt.edu

Of course let's remember everyone involved in our prayers and if you know a student at Virginia Tech or elsewhere, feel free to talk to them as well.

News quotes from around Adventism

By Alexander Carpenter

(photo of Sligo church)

News Channel 9, Chattanooga, TN:

Kennett Sinclair said "as a child. . .I felt they had some very unfair practices. In work and safety."

Sinclair said she came from a strict, Seventh Day Adventist family that sent her to Laurelbrook School on Dayton Mountain in Rhea County Tennessee from 1970 to 1973. Investigators say in papers filed in U.S. District Court that unsafe practices continue to this day.

Court papers show that investigators found children operating heavy machinery, power tools, a sawmill, lathe mill, a coal-fired furnace, a logging operation and wooden pallet factory. The papers said the pallets are used to package stone mined at the site that is sold for profit. Investigators said children have been injured on more than one occasion.

Cayman Net News writes:

The George Town Seventh Day Adventist church is facilitating a seminar dedicated to youth ages 13-18. Entitled ‘Smart Love Seminar’ it started last night and concludes on Sunday. Mrs Van Pelt said dating is something open to all people. “Anyone can date, but few are really good at it,” she said. “Smart dating requires more than cash, cars, and a condom. Make sure you know the secrets to smart dating.”

Bike tour aims to bridge the Kiwi generation gap

Seventh Day Adventist Church health director Jonathan Duffy says that if every adult set out to learn the names of five young people, it could lead to change.

He said the most important protection against risk-taking was for young people to feel valued by significant adults in their community. This was why adults should take time to get to know young people.

SF Chronicle reports: Pacific Union College plans to sell off some land for eco-development.

While men slept," [Ellen] White wrote, "the Devil sowed houses."

That was in 1909, when Healdsburg was hardly a booming metropolis. But by White's reckoning, even modest growth threatened the Adventist creed of living in harmony with nature. Angwin, a wooded mountain redoubt, promised permanent refuge to the Adventist colony and its college.

But today, the Adventists are once again wrestling with the dilemma of growth  --  a proposed development of 591 homes and a sizable commercial complex that could increase the town's population by 50 percent to 4,500, a figure that includes college students.

Update: here's PUC's site on the Eco-Village.

Three dispatches from the REAL Adventist World

By Alexander Carpenter

Here's what's happening in the Adventist world beyond the glossy covers of the Adventist World. (What? Still not up after four months?)

The Rwandan conference president convicted for genocide died at 82 this week after being released from jail. Africa-based Spectrum reporter Alita Bird has a final story in the saga: A Prisoner Is Released. Here's a story on it from the Hirondelle News Agency and allAfrica.com.

Speaking of the ministry, here's a pastor whose obit recently appeared in the Redlands Daily Facts. I thought that following paragraphs were particularly revelatory of the unfortunate way that pastors have been forced called to move their families around in our system.

"In 1965, he was called to the Clairemont Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Clairemont section of San Diego, where he remained until 1969 when he was called to be associate pastor at the Arlington Seventh-day Adventist Church in Riverside.  

In 1970, he went to the Chadron, Neb., Seventh-day Adventist Church district which consisted of four churches, and his wife taught at the Chadron Seventh-day Adventist School.

In 1973, they moved to Scottsbluff, Neb., where Carroll pastored the Scottsbluff Seventh-day Adventist church district and Elaine taught in the Scottsbluff Seventh-day Adventist School.

After that, they went to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975; Brownsburg, Ind., in 1977; Evansville, Ind., in 1980; and in 1983 to Indianapolis (Southside), Ind., from where they retired in June 1989."

By my count that's 8 churches in 24 years and four different states. When the pastor is only around for a few years, it's no wonder that we haven't been good at building local community relationships. Not to mention how a local church responds -- and what about the family?

And what exactly is this conference president thinking? According to the Jamaica Gleaner, the head of the West Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists recently attended an International Conference on Restorative Justice and called for his country to return to its practice of hanging murderers.

In light of the recent two botched hangings in Iraq, how can anyone, much less a leader in the Adventist church advocate that kind of death for a human being. Plus, as the final paragraph of the article notes, and most experts agree, most studies of the data suggest that capital punishment does not deter murder as most murders are caused by passion or poverty. But hey, at least he gets Jesus' message of do unto others as they have done to you and also if they cut off your ear, fight back. . .

Hey church leadership, maybe we need to take the Old Testament less literally and take Jesus, the revelation of God, more literally. Because if I recall my gospels Jesus did that too: You have heard, but I say. . . .

And that may just be a significant reason why Christianity and not the OT faith (six-day creation, lex talionis) changed the world. The revelation of God in living humanity or in the text -- which one gets us closer to the divine NOW?

Adventist News Potluck: Vice and politics edition

The who-says-politics-ain't-for-Adventists edition? Aka, the temperance edition. Dare to be a Daniel?

An Adventist whose fireman brother died in NYC on 9/11 looks back.

The Berea Seventh-day Adventist church, in Dorchester, MA, mourns for an Adventist soldier, killed in Iraq.

"Enticed by its promise of tuition aid, Zayas joined the Army in April 2004 against the wishes of his parents. . .Zayas, 29, was killed in Baghdad Aug. 26, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his patrol."

Adventist teacher turners 109: "A strict Seventh-day Adventist, Brown never smoked or drank. Travel, flowers and cats were her only vices."

Speaking of vices, Collegegale, TN, home of Southern Adventist University, must decide if a little alcohol is good for business. According to WRCB TV, "Garcia, like many other Christians in the predominantly Seventh-Day Adventist town, fear 'Liquor By The Drink' would hurt more than help the city."

But the mayor points out:

"This is a free country and they have the right to oppose that, but the society that we live in today, people want to have a nice sit-down restaurant and be able to have a glass of wine with their dinner and they ought to be able to have that freedom."

And finally (no, really FINALLY!), is that the sound of youth pastors shaving everywhere? Go Goatee, Go! 

In the Washington Post, Michelle Boorstein writes,

[A] sarcastic cover photo — a young, cute guy wearing a goatee and jeans, with a guitar slung across his back and tossing a Frisbee — conjures up memories many adult Americans carry of the people who were assigned by their church, temple or mosque to be with them when they were young. . .that guy is passe.

Boorstein quotes the head of North American Youth Ministries for the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

The Elder James L. Black Sr. says, "the faith community realized in the past few years that old methods such as simple Bible classes weren’t even close to working. As a society, one day we just woke up and realized we ran into a brick wall. What are we saying to these kids? If we don’t keep up, we’ll be left behind."

Wait, he calls himself "senior?"

Yup, let's see those hip new Adventist leaders here.  Hmm. . .at least our director is up-to-date.

Well, at least "JB" is blogging, and if reading two-month-old messages about how his daughter was a virgin at her wedding won't keep our children in the church, I mean, hey, we can always blame that Satan music.

Recent Adventism in the News

The Rev. Al Sharpton spoke out on behalf of a slain NYC Adventist girl.

GC President Jan Paulsen arrived in Africa, home to 40% of the 25-million worldwide Adventist community.* (Yes, those are official stats from ANN.)

When quizzed about the growth of the Adventist church in Cameroon, [Paulsen] replied, "I am never satisfied, but want the church to be known as contributing to the betterment of the community. I am not so much interested in numbers but in the quality of life that Adventists bring to the community."

It is interesting to read the different news emphases between ANN and the Cameroon Tribune.

Representatives of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church and the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) met in dialogue last week and plan to meet next year at Andrews University.

It really pays to keep the Sabbath, and have Mitch Tyner as your lawyer. We'll miss ya at the GC.

As if the Lake Region Conference didn't have enough problems, now two camp counselors have been charged with criminal sexual misconduct this week.

And finally, here are two more articles on the student beating in Uganda. Apparently it's not just a one time thing. Or as Ms Grace Kyomukama, a parent, told the Daily Monitor:

. . .she was forced to change her son from Katikamu to another school because of its habitual corporal punishments. Kyomukama said her son would show her scars from several beatings at school, every time he went home for holidays.

President Paulsen heads to Uganda this week. Given his statement about education:

"Education instills integrity, honesty, nobility and can be one of the ways to fight corruption which is prevalent in many countries. Education produces good moral, law-abiding citizens."

I hope that - while in Uganda - our GC President lets teachers, administrators, parents, students and the Ugandan public know that Adventism is incompatible with violent environments.

*The original sentence misused the term "member." See Monte Sahlin's comment.