This Newsletter is produced by the Communication department of the London Seventh-day Adventist Church

Date Facilitators Event/Theme Time

4 Clara Baptiste Praying the Scriptures 7 pm

7 Alex Golovenko Rehearsal for God’s Party—will you come in ? 11 am

11 Alex Golovenko MRI Church - Missional, Relational, Incarnational 7 pm

14 George Cho ECYC - Youth Sabbath 11 am

18 Lo Richards Praying for our families 7 pm

21 Kirmane Allen Where are the “Elijah”s? 11 am

28 Alex Golovenko Cool Values of the Adventist Home 11 am

Schedule of events and speakers for JULY 2012 London Seventh-day Adventist Church 805 Shelborne Street,

July 2012 Volume 8 Issue 7

Page 3: urgent importance of devel-

oping community through Small Groups What do we mean by “small group”? What do we expect from small groups? What kinds of Small Groups are there? read the editorial to learn more

Strategy Meeting July 16 7 pm

Ordained women lead the Gospel work in China May 24, 2012 edition of the Co-

lumbia Union Visitor ran an article

“God versus the Red Dragon,” a report

by two Adventist pastors after their

visit to China.

Pastor Dave Weigley, president of

the Columbia Union Conference of the

Seventh-day Adventist Church, and

Pastor Raj Attiken, president of the

Ohio Conference, met with local

churches and pastors in Shanghia, Bei-

jing, Hangzhou, Wenzhou, Xi’an,

Guilin, and Chengdu, as well as leaders

of the Chinese Union Mission in Hong

Kong.

The church they visited in Shang-

hai had more than 1,500 in attendance

on a communion Sabbath. With over

400,000 Adventists in mainland China

there are some churches with member-

ships of up to 5,000.

The Church in China is organized

differently than the corporate model of

North America and Europe. It is more

an apostolic model where some 48

“mother churches” are networked, each

with hundreds of church plants.

One pastor is responsible for about

4,000 members, and local congrega-

tions rely on local elders. Women, who

make up a majority of the membership,

elder and pastor churches. Women who

are ordained ministers are responsible

for hundreds of churches. In the West,

these women would be equal to confer-

ence and union presidents.

Visiting American pastors inter-

viewed local believers and learned that

Chinese brothers and sisters are baffled

that “Women ordination” is so much of

an issue in the rest of the world!

Chinese churches are congrega-

tional. There is no “denominational”

organizations in existence, as such are

not permitted by the government.

They are more like to the New Testa-

mental churches, organic not organiza-

tional.

I attended the Seminary at Andrews

with one of church leaders in China,

Rebekah Liu, who was ordained soon

after returning from America.

Her husband De-Shang Zheng said

“When we choose pastors here, gender

doesn’t enter into our minds; only who

is available and capable,” the Visitor

quotes one male leader. “Some people

may say we are going against the

church, but we ordain women because

of the need of the work. If there was

theological [reason] not to ordain

women, we would not prosper.”

Is North America ready to get Biblical , not traditional ? A recent “domino effect” of allegiance

to women’s ordination in the North

American Division has swept many con-

ferences and unions, preparing for official

actions at their constituent meetings to-

ward the end of this summer and in the

fall. At the same time, such maverick

initiatives have been dampened by the

reluctance of others to act. Some leaders

prefer a “word from above.” In the Ad-

ventist church, traditionally, if the Spirit

moves, it must wait around five years for

the Church to respond! (until next GC

session)

In some conferences where the action

had taken place the opposition also begin

to form up. In the territory of the Pacific

Union a petition urges leaders to

“support the limitation of ordination to

well-qualified men as Seventh-day Ad-

ventist pastors” and not change the

“historical” position of the Adventist

church because, for “150 years, the Sev-

enth-day Adventist Church’s position has

consistently been that only men should be

ordained as pastors.” (So far, around 490

have signed it.)

Such terms as “historical” and

“traditional” are fallacy, the scarecrow,

which attempts to brand any dissenting

voices as “unhistorical”, “untraditional”

or “rebellious”. It depends on which

period you look for the “historical” Ad-

ventist position; for starters, the very

thought of ecclesiastical tradition was

anathema for our pioneers as they

launched the Adventist movement.

The debate today is centered on WHO

can be ordained and not on WHY we

should ordain people at all. Dr. Darius

Jankiewicz, Ph.D., in a seminar at the

2012 Women Clergy Conference spon-

sored by the NAD Ministerial Associa-

tion argued that we should not practice

ordination, period. After perusing the

practice in the early church and primitive

Christianity, he presented a conclusive

evidence that ordination is a mere tradi-

tion inherited from Catholicism without

biblical support. This practice leads to

emphasis on organization and is con-

nected to the notion that “organization

brings salvation”.

Those who object to ordination of

women often use “sacramental” argu-

ments, which are inconsistent with our

protestant goal of reclaiming New Testa-

mental Christianity. In some regions of

the world church the practice of

“ordination” has degenerated into a mere

way of measuring a minister’s commit-

ment to denominational interests. In the

South American Division pastors who

keep up with the goal of baptisms or

other quantifiable results get ordination

quickly as a sort of “spiritual prize”;

those who fail in some artificial metric

(even in sales of denominational litera-

ture) remain "un-ordained"; a pastor who

remains un-ordained for too long is ulti-

mately let go.

Some who object to women in leader-

ship claim a literal reading of certain Bi-

ble verses on the topic, taking such out of

cultural and historical context. Consis-

tency in interpretation should be the rule.

Recently (May 26, 2012) a Pentecostal

pastor Mack Wolford, a snake-handling

congregation from Matoaka, West Vir-

ginia, died of a timber rattlesnake bite.

His dad had the same fate in 1983. The

congregation has vowed to keep the

“faith” alive based on Mark 16:17-18.

Others demand women to wear a veil

over their heads during worship (1 Cor.

11). Ukrainian Baptist and Pentecostal

churches here in London still continue

this practice of “women having authority

over her.”

Proof-text hermeneutics of pick-and-

chose passages to prove a point ignores

integrity of taking the whole Bible. We

are to carefully consider all what the Bi-

ble teaches on this matter, as the Truth is

in Jesus, in Whom there is no discrimina-

tion between gender, class or origins…..

On May 11 I sat in a church full

of pastors, elders, church leaders,

when Christian Schwarz spoke on

Small Groups in Toronto.

He suggested all attendees take

their pens to write a definition, and

hundreds of hands reached for their

pens, iPads, smartphones. Then he

projected the definition:

“A ...small group….is a group…. that is…………...small.”

Some people smiled, some looked

upset—their expectation of a new

revolutionary definition was not met,

others just showed their disappoint-

ment.

Over the past few decades the

Small groups movements came up

with numerous definitions and for-

mats for small groups:

Cell Groups

Free-market groups

Open Small Groups

Closed Small Groups

Neighbourhood Groups

Purpose-Driven Groups

Sermon-Based Groups

Organic Small groups

House Churches

Host Groups

G-12 South American model

… and more...much more!!!!

A few month ago we had a team

from Hamilton Living Word Chris-

tian Fellowship visit with us and they

shared their experience, being a

“sermon based” church of small

groups. The weekly sermon becomes

the study topic for each group during

the week after, where group leaders

are often given authority to adapt the

material to their group. It helps to

connect the church and move people

directionally through preaching, but it

also has disadvantages. Some did not

like the fact that their model seemed

to be inward centered and the church

organization did not offer anything

for the outreach programming com-

mon in traditional churches.

A new model is gaining popular-

ity, especially among Adventists in

Florida—the Simple Church!

It is a network of house

churches, which is seen as a

return to Early Church ideals

of community and "doing life

together." There are no

weekly corporate gatherings,

but members simply have

church at home with friends

on Sabbaths!

The founder of this movement,

Milton Adams, quotes from the Min-

istry of Healing page 147 a statement

made by our pioneer, Ellen G. White:

"Everywhere there is a tendency to

substitute the work of organizations

for individual effort. Human wisdom

tends to consolidation, to centraliza-

tion, to the building up of great

churches and institutions. Multitudes

leave to institutions and organiza-

tions the work of benevolence; they

excuse themselves from contact with

the world, and their hearts grow

cold. They become self-absorbed and

unimpressible. Love for God and man

dies out of the soul."

I met Milton in 2010 at SEEDS

conference in Tennessee and talked

with him about their experience seek-

ing the best way to reach the growing

number of unchurched people. It is a

real concern as during the past dec-

ade over 50 million people stopped

attending a local Christian church.

The concern about House

churches is that such can be vulner-

able to poor teaching and heresy

when not connected and accountable

to an "established" body. While they

are similar to the New Testamental

environment, it is important to pro-

vide a networking of accountability

among elders of each community.

A g o o d m o d e l i s

“Neighbourhood” groups, where as-

semblies are based on geography,

with people of different ages and so-

cial affinities forming groups within

their neighborhoods. A church's

coaching/shepherding structure is

also based on geography, with each

coach supervising a specific region.

Close proximity give more opportu-

nities to spontaneously connect, to

assist each other in times of emergen-

cies, and to relate to community

more.

I am not “pushing” any particular

model. Reflecting on Schwarz’ com-

ment I must remind you that we al-

ready have small groups! Any

group of interest—music band, choir,

Sabbath School Classes, men’s min-

istry gathering, Adventurers club,

Community Services team, friends

coming together regularly—all these

are Small Groups!!!We DO have a

Community! We are a community.

The concern of mine is—how

functional are our groups, how

healthy are our gatherings? For our

Community is as functional and

healthy as it’s component groups. Is

there spiritual growth happening in

your group? Is there an accountabil-

ity in your gathering? Is your team

intentional about soul-winning, and

leading people in your sphere of in-

fluence closer to Christ?

Our Church leadership team is

developing a strategy to support our

groups, to offer resources to the

Community, to assist all in improving

our relationship and life.

Are you in the group? Be the

transformation agent. Not in any

group yet? Join one! Or start one….

Our top priority is building rela-

tionships that matter, getting to really

know people, caring for those who

we connect with, because our every-

day life is the mission trip.

We want to move away from

church as performance, where it takes

professionals DOING church. We

are returning to a church of BEING

disciples, lowering the bar on what it

means to "do church" and raising the

bar on what it means to "go and make

disciples."

Praying for the entire World...

July 2012 calendar

Country Population Adventists Prayer needs & challenges faced by people

1

Russia 140,366,561 52,067

Pray for 30% of people who claim to be atheists in wake of the collapse of Soviet Communism,

2 Political leadership is authoritarian and lacks democracy & transparency, pray for openness 3 Freedom of religion is guaranteed by Constitution, but only Russian Orthodoxy enjoys it 4 Integrity of leaders evangelical and Adventist, not to adopt corrupt economic practices 5 Expatriate diaspora to assist with evangelization of deep country sides, to support financially 6 Large prison population (nearly 1.5%) dying from TB & AIDS. Drug abuse epidemic 7 Orphans, homeless, people surviving below poverty. Caucasus zone of conflicts, Pray for peace 8 Saint Barthelemy 9,300 255 Island caters to uber-rich, politics of exclusivity, very little interest in spiritual things 9 Réunion 837,094 1,393 An island east of Madagascar, near Mauritius, 80% Catholic, young church leadership to mature

10 Rwanda 10,277,212 445,556 Healing between Tutsi (formal feudal) & Hutu (former serfs). Forgiveness and unity in faith. 11 Saint Helena 4,406 100 Together with Ascension & Tristan—isolated islands in the South Atlantic. Need connections 12 Saint Kitts & Nevis 52,368 4520 Two volcanic Leeward Island. Restoration of family values needed, 20% birth to teen-mothers

13 Saint Lucia 173,942 15,064 Family restoration needed where 80% of children are born out of wedlock. Spiritual revival.

14 Saudi Arabia 26,245,969 NONE! large ancient Christian population was expelled by Islam. Home of Mecca. No religious freedom

15 St Pierre, Miquelon 6,044 NONE! First evangelical church (Baptist) started only in 1998. Adventist mission is needed. 16 Saint Vincent 109,284 13,512 Pray for fruit of the spirit, for holiness and godliness in the nation that is Evangelical. 17 Samoa 178,943 5675 Fast spreading Mormonism is unchecked. Former missionaries to Pacific islands need revival 18 Slovakia 5,411,640 2,185 Vision and direction to emerging Evangelical church. Outreach to Gypsies & Hungarians.

19 Slovenia 2,024,912 558 Need for Bible distribution. Predominantly Catholic. Mission work is needed for youth. 20 Saint Martin 38,250 1480 Northern part of Dutch Saint Maarten. Unity among churches and spiritual revival needed. 21 Senegal 12,860,717 485 Islam grew from 45% to 95% in the past 100 years. Casamance separatist war. Wolof people.

22 Serbia 7,771,633 6089 An independent country since 2006. Restoration from ethnic conflicts. Peace and forgiveness. 23 Seychelles 84,600 852 Nominal Christianity is plagued by superstition,“gris-gris” magic hold people captive. 24 Sierra Leone 5,835,664 17433 First West African country evangelized. Occult is present and results in militant atrocities

25 Singapore 4,836,691 2,542 Affluence is a stumbling block for conversions. Malay Muslim and Hindu population to be reached

26 San Marino 31,537 NONE! Catholic, yet it is land of liberty. Home of Waldensian church, it needs revival & Christ-encounter

27 Sao Tomé Principe 165,397 2261 Majority are Catholic, but morality is down. 90% children are illegitimate. Needs rural outreach

28 South Africa 50,492,408

Reconciliation work needs t continue after Apartheid. Unity among black/brown/white believers 86,557

29 Economic betterment of underprivileged. AIDS epidemic is the leading cause of death.

30 Solomon Islands 535,699 39252 Restoration of economy and structure after 1998-2001 war. Youth ministry is needed.

31 Somalia 9,358,602 NONE! Complex hierarchy of clans challenges Gospel outreach. Most lawless country in the world.

In the past 9 months we had prayed for 169 countries, where

80% of the world population lives!

This month we will pray for 25 more countries, including

one large—Russia, with about 4% of world population.

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!