August Newletter 2012
-
Upload
stepan-golovenko -
Category
Documents
-
view
223 -
download
3
description
Transcript of August Newletter 2012
This Newsletter is produced by the Communication department of the London Seventh-day Adventist Church
Date Facilitators Event/Theme Time
1 Alex Golovenko Praying for Successful Families and Influential Homes 7 pm 4 Cameron Munro Spiritual Gifts 11 am
8 Aroldo Anniehs Praying for Christian values in our families 7 pm
11 Gord Rayner Pass it on! 11 am
15 Teresa Ferreira Praying for Our Community outreach 7 pm
18 Mike Keim Personal Ministry emphasis 11 am
22 Clara Baptiste Praying for Marriages 7 pm
25 Clara Baptiste The Foundation Matters 11 am
29 Vassel Gregory Praying for Revival 7 pm
Schedule of events and speakers for AUGUST 2012 London Seventh-day Adventist Church 805 Shelborne Street,
August 2012 Volume 8 Issue 8
It Is Written Canada presents
Heritage Singers September 8, 2012 - 8:00 p.m.
Toronto Airport Marriott
901 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON M9W 1J5 To order tickets & for more information,
call 905-404-6510
Read more on
Women Ordination
on page 2
Prayer Calendar on
Page 4
Church School Parent’s
perspective Page 3
In the upcoming months number of Unions will take the matter
of women in leadership to the poles, literally - inviting their con-
stituent members to vote on the issue, in spite of church leadership
appeal to wait and hold off until the matter is fully addressed theo-
logically at the next General Conference.
On June 29, 2012 the General Conference issued an "Appeal for
Unity in Respect to Ministerial Ordination Practices," stating that
the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist Church is currently engaged
in a study of the theology of ordination and its implications. This
study is scheduled for completion by the 2014 Annual Council of
the General Conference Executive Committee. At that time the Ex-
ecutive Committee will determine the report which will be given to
the 2015 General Conference Session along with whether or not any
new recommendation should be considered by delegates to the Ses-
sion.
The appeal calls: 1) for unity in respecting a global church ac-
tion (i.e. the 1990 and 1995 General Conference Session decisions
on ministerial ordination); 2) for each union executive committee to
carefully review the far-reaching effects of pursuing a course of ac-
tion that is contrary to the decisions of the General Conference in
session; and 3) for each union to participate in the current study
about the theology of ordination and its implication.
The General Conference in Session is the highest ecclesiastical
authority for Seventh-day Adventists. The actions of certain unions
which would disagree with GC past decision indicate attempt to
establish an alternative source of authority. In 1990 it was approved
that women should be given wide participation in all church activi-
ties, including soul winning and pastoral duties, but that “in view of
the possible risk of disunity, dissension, and diversion from the mis-
sion of the Church” the Session voted that ordination of women to
the gospel ministry not be authorized. The 1995 General Conference
Session action denied the request of the North American Division
that the Session adopt provisions on ordination as outlined below:
"The General Conference vests in each division the right to author-
ize the ordination of individuals within its territory in harmony with
established policies. In addition, where circumstances do not render
it inadvisable, a division may authorize the ordination of qualified
individuals without regard to gender. In divisions where the division
executive committee takes specific actions approving the ordination
of women to the gospel ministry, women may be ordained to serve
in those divisions."
The appeal emphasizes that “being a part of the global Church
obliges every organization to think and act for the good of the whole
and to shun a spirit of autonomy and self-determination.” It also
states that action of any union in pursuing a different course of ac-
tion represents a rejection of the key value of Unity in denomina-
tional life.
The document also states that the situation in China cannot be
used to justify alternative practice, as the Seventh-day Adventist
Church does not officially exists in China, and local practices are not
endorsed or authorized by official church.
It should be noted that the actions of certain Unions are taken in
regard not to theology but the policy of ordination.
Church-sponsored studies of women’s ordination have a long
history within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. On December 5,
1881 the General Conference Session motion to ordain women. It
was already voted! And "Resolved, That females possessing the
necessary qualifications to fill that position, may, with perfect pro-
priety, be set apart by ordination to the work of the Christian minis-
try." Reported in Review and Herald, Dec. 20, 1881.
for more on the history of this issue see an article online:
http://www.sdanet.org/atissue/wo/appendix5.htm
Study committees were formed at the request of the General
Conference in 1950, 1968, 1970, 1972, and 1973. In the 1973 and
1974 Annual Council meetings, more study was called for. In 1975,
thirteen scholars from the Biblical Research Institute produced a
report in response to an earlier General Conference request for study
which found no theological barrier to the ordination of women, but
the scholarship was put under seal by the General Conference for
nine years. In 1977 and 1984, promises were made that there would
be new studies of the issue, but those promises were not kept. The
1985 GC Session in New Orleans voted for more study of women’s
ordination. Commissions and councils voted for more study in 1988
and 1989, until in 1990 GC president Robert H. Folkenberg put a
moratorium on discussions of women’s ordination. Would another
study be convincing enough to change man-made policies?
Meanwhile, on July 29 the Columbia Union and on August 19
the Pacific Union will hold special sessions to vote on this. Dave
Weigley, the President of Columbia Union explains his position,
citing the statement from the immediate past General Conference
president Jan Paulsen who in his book “Where are we going?” (page
12) writes: “The church has never taken the view that biblical teach-
ings exclude the possibility of women being ordained to ministry on
an equal footing with men. But global leadership has felt that local
readiness and perceptions—heavily influenced by culture—have
thus far kept us from moving forward on this as a global commu-
nity.” Hence he reasons:
1. I can no longer dismiss the evidence of the Spirit’s moving in
China and other parts of the world where women are advancing the
mission of the church as promised in Joel 2.
2. In the early days, our church saw the value of encouraging
both genders to serve according to their calling, and history tells of
female pastors, missionaries, evangelists, conference presidents and
General Conference treasurers . In New York at the turn of the 19th
century, for example, women won 60 percent of our converts.
3. We already accommodate policy variances in some places for
practical purposes, cultural sensitivities or to advance our mission,
e.g., polygamy, labor unions. In our cultural context, this issue has
moral and ethical implications.
4. The attempt to walk lockstep in policy is recent. Our pioneers
would have been hampered by such uniformity.
5. Mission should drive policy, not vice versa. As policies be-
come outdated or problematic for the advancement of the gospel, we
revise or abolish them, and/or create new ones.
Pastor John Brunt, a delegate to the Pacific Union session cites
his reasons to vote positively for women in leadership.
1. Organizationally it is not disloyal to the GC to move ahead.
Nothing ever becomes General Conference policy until it has been
voted at a lower level and works it way up. GC policy is like the
dictionary. Words only make it in after people have used them.
Nothing gets into GC policy until local organizations have had the
courage to move ahead. This is not disloyalty. It is reality.
2. Biblically there are many practices, such as having union
conferences, church weddings, statements of fundamental beliefs,
which are not specifically commanded. Like these, ordination is
human invention. If our ordination practice is discriminatory, we
cannot blame the Bible, we can only blame ourselves.
3. Logically it makes no sense: First, we say that ordination is
not a sacrament in the Roman Catholic sense, but is a recognition of
the function of pastoral ministry. Second, we say that women may
function as pastors. Third, we say women may not be ordained….?
Some authors point to the roots of the whole “ordination” ritual,
tracing it to the Roman Army practice of promoting officers to
higher ranks. Such practice was borrowed by the Roman Church in
creating hierarchical structure. How would you vote?
In May the Oakwood University elite choir, the Aeolians, under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand, ac-
cepted the invitation to participate in the 7th World Choir Games (WCG) held in Cincinatti, Ohio USA---the
largest and most spectacular international choral arts event in the world,
held in Cincinnati July 4 to 14. The Aeolians were the only Adventist
group in the event.
At the completion of the event the Aeolians took home three awards
including the Championship Trophy in the “Spiritual” category, besting
15 other choirs for the honor. The 42-member group also won one of
several gold medals in two other categories: “Music of Religions” and
“Musica Contemporanea.”
The World Choir Games, sponsored by the Interkultur Foundation
in Germany, is the world’s largest choral competition and is held every
two years. This year, more than 15,000 Choristers in 362 choirs com-
peted in 23 musical categories. Interkultur’s website says the goal of the
event is to bring “people of all nations, cultures and ideologies together
in peaceful competitions and songs.” The next World Choir Games will
be held in Riga, Latvia, in 2014.
Adventist Choir wins World Choirs Competition Games
A 3ABN broadcast was highlighting
a One-Day School Maranatha project in
Zimbabwe. You could see the excite-
ment on people’s faces as they watch
buildings go up, as they come hours be-
fore the enrolment not to miss an oppor-
tunity. One man said, “I want my son in
the Adventist school because I want him
to have the best!” Similar stories come
from Indonesia, Philippines, India, Hon-
duras, Cuba, Malawi and more coun-
tries. High officials in those countries
say that having students educated in the
Adventist school would result in the bet-
terment of their country. Adventist edu-
cation is an “upward mobility.”
Adventist Schools here in North
America also offer the best opportuni-
ties: cutting-edge curriculum, highly
trained and committed teachers, and stu-
dents repeatedly score academically in
the top percentiles across the nation.
Yet immigrants from those same
countries in North America are lured by
secular lifestyle and in pursuit of money
and conveniences often put their chil-
dren into public systems for total strang-
ers to raise. The assumption is that the
Sabbath School will suffice in adding
the spiritual values.
Your child needs more than an occa-
sional exposure to spiritual thinking.
Think of the axiom “A thought reaps an
action, an action reaps a habit, a habit
reaps our character, our character
reaps our destiny.” Your child needs
daily guidance of his thought patterns, a
daily shaping of worldview.
Enrolling your child in an Adventist
school gives that daily exposure to the
true Biblical worldview. Jesus, Creation,
prayer, service, the Sabbath, worship,
and other biblical truth—cannot be
found elsewhere.
Commitment to your Adventist
school ties your family closer to their
church. Kids want to be where their
friends are, their teachers become further
Christian witnesses outside of the school
environment, and church attendance be-
comes habit-forming.
The participation in church life and
education of your children is much
greater through church school than you
would ever be allowed in the public sec-
tor! Your input is welcomed by Church
School teachers, whereas in the public
system it is minimal.
We had witnessed loss of two genera-
tions. First kids leave Church School,
then they leave Church ministries
(Pathfinders, Adventurers) for other
secular club activities and/or sports, fi-
nally they are gone from the church,
calling on pastor only to “christen” a
baby…
When surveyed young adults who
remained in church - majority named the
main reason besides their commitment
to unique belief, the social network and
the experience they had at church
school.
Our children are the greatest gifts
God could bestow. The level of trust and
faith God places on us to rear them for
His service and His heavenly kingdom is
amazing. When you place a child out-
side of Adventist education you are tak-
ing an increased risk with their circle of
friends, their spirituality, beliefs, and
behavior.
Some of those risks are also inside
the Adventist church, as not all children
are reared in Adventist Homes. But the
environment of church school is so
much more intentional in preparing your
child for the Second Coming and eternal
life. And that makes all the difference.
Consider the local Church School
for your child’s future!
Is Adventist Education a part of your Adventist Home?
Country Population Adventists Prayer needs & challenges faced by people
1 Spain 45,450,497 14,608
Mostly Roman Catholic population is disenchanted and is leaving church, Islam increases
2 Evangelical Christians is mainly among immigrants from Latin America & Eastern Europe, 3 Sri Lanka 20,409,946 3,681 Ceylon island, south of India, 84% of people groups are not evangelized, conversions forbidden 4 Swaziland 1,201,904 4,894 Landlocked traditional Kingdom in South Africa, 25% of population affected by AIDS, 5
Sudan 43,192,438 15,354 Southern Christian states gained independence in July 2011, peace is needed along the border
6 Northern Muslim states had been involved in the Darfur conflict since 2003, end of persecution 7 Suriname 524,345 3724 Dutch speaking country near Guyana in South America, revival of youth Christian movements 8 Switzerland 7,594,561 4,324 Neutral territory in European conflicts since 1815, German, French & Italian mix, youth revival 9 Sweden 9,293,026 2,789 Largest Scandinavian country, most extensive social welfare system, lax spirituality and morals
10 Syria 22,505,091 NONE! Political and religious freedom, end of war within and with neighbouring states, end of regimes 11
Tanzania 45,039,573 Island of peace amidst war-thorn African countries for the past 35 years, Muslims converted
406,850 12 3% of population have AIDS, many orphans, refugees from Rwanda & Burundi, church revival
13 Tajikistan 7,074,845 631 Independent from Soviets since 1991, civil ethnic war, 90% are Muslim, need freedom of religion
14 Timor Leste 1,171,163 306 Eastern part of Timor, independent from Indonesia since 2002, predominantly Roman Catholic
15 Togo 6,780,030 10,474 Divide between Gur in the North & Kwa in the South, need for cooperation between Christians 16
Thailand 68,139,238 12,551 Independent kingdom in Asia that has not been ruled by Westerners, king Bhumibol since 1946
17 Highest in the world child prostitution—20% of girls 11 to 17, pray for moral revival among people 18 67% of people groups are unreached by the Gospel because nationality & religious identity linked
19 Tokelau Islands 1,206 4 3 small islands north of Samoa, Congregational church 62%, Catholics 34%, mission needed 20 Tonga 104,260 2,288 171 islands, Christian king, who dedicated nation to God in 1995, only Chinese are unreached 21 Trinidad & Tobago 1,343,725 61,987 Racial discussion between Asians and African creates tension for outreach, Muslims growing
22 Tunisia 10,373,957 28 Most progressive and open country in the Arab Muslim world, yet money is “god” religion ignored 23
Turkey 75,705,147
80
Poorest European nation yet most developed in West Asia, mix of Christian and Muslim heritage 24 Most secular Islamic country, military clashes with Kurdish separatists and other minorities
25 Christian growth has been very small. Largest unreached nation. 15 of 80 provinces have church 26 Turkish Bible is available since 2001, pray for growing mission and outreach, youth revival 27 Turkmenistan 5,176,502 91 Dictatorship “for life” since 1992 breakaway from Soviet Union, Adventist church is persecuted 28 Turks & Caicos 32,990 1,804 history of being used as a drop-off point for drugs trafficking & money laundering, need revival
29 Tuvalu 9,970 139 9 islands slowly disappearing under rising sea-levels as a result of global warming
30 Uganda 33,796,461 193,210
“pearl of Africa” - crime levels are down, AIDS down from 25% to 10% as churches increase,
31 End of “child-soldiers” in the North, continual recovery from Idi Amin’s devastating regime
For two more months we will continue praying by the
schedule for different countries of the world. We started this
challenge in October 2011—praying for the whole world. So far
we had prayed for 194 countries out of 233, and this month we
will pray for 24 more countries.
By the end of September we will complete our One Year
Challenge of praying for the world. Even as our prayer focus
will shift, continue praying for people groups, remembering the
Great Commission of Jesus—into all the world!
We invite you to read more about countries you pray for.
Take time and befriend someone at your workplace, or school
from countries you are praying for. This is the intent of our One
Year Challenge—to be changed and to become agents of
Change in this world.
We pray for the “ends of the earth” as we anticipate the end
of Cosmic battle between good and evil. Your Prayer inter-
feres with the disorder of this world!