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 CONTENTS

Published by the Seventh-day Adventist

Church. Read by clergy of all faiths.

04 Letters
06 The crucial ingredient in pastoral
leadership
Steve Greene
05 Editorial
21 Revival and Reformation
Leading with love. “The greatest of these…” is tragically
omitted when speaking about leadership. Learn from 26 Dateline
the Greatest how love builds relationships and develops
29 Resources
leaders.
30 The Pastor and Health
10 Seven rules for pastoral interns
Stanley E. Patterson
Starting right. Paul said, “I have fought a good fight; I have MINISTRY®
International Journal for Pastors
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13
Barbosa
Finding Ezra: Embracing the leader that EDITOR
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ASSOCIATE EDITOR Spanish (South America)-Marcos Blanco
Jeffrey O. Brown
Mark LaFollette INTERNATIONAL
CONSULTANTS TO EDITOR ADVISORS
Leading with authenticity. Read about how a pastor can John Fowler, Clifford Goldstein, Ron Clouzet, Michael D. Collins,
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utilize and mobilize the leadership qualities of others, Myrna Tetz
Johnson, Victor Kozakov, Geoffrey G.
EDITORIAL SPECIALIST
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Leading with efficiency. Can church board meetings COVER

TO WRITERS
We welcome unsolicited manuscripts.
electrify and unify the leadership of your church? Are 316 Creative Before submitting, review the writers’
guidelines at www.ministrymagazine.org.
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need to be. 316 Creative [email protected].

22 Questions for pastors as they prepare for

retirement
Bruce Manners
Host: Anthony Kent
Cohost: Ivan Williams
www.MinistryinMotion.tv

Ending right. Study this comprehensive checklist and

countdown schedule for retirement, “lest after preaching Ministry® has been published PRINTER Pacific Press® Pub. Assn.,
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BIBLE CREDITS Scripture quotations marked ASV are from the American Standard Version. Scripture quotations marked ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® of the General Conference Corporation of
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www.ministrymagazine.org
LETTERS

“Forgiveness is not forgetting; rather, article is a very thoughtful reflection

on Christ’s advice to Peter to forgive
forgiveness is remembering in a different “seventy times seven.”
To support his ideas, he comes to
way and from a different perspective.” the conclusion that “we misinterpret
Jesus and distort the whole concept
of forgiveness when we insinuate that
May Ministry on and relocate this lost art in our quest His answer to Peter’s question encom-

I t’s been more than three months, but I

can’t have enough of the May issue of
the Ministry magazine, “The Pastor and
to reclaim our relationship as children
of God. I pray that it will not only catch
the attention of the ministers but also
passes the whole gamut of human
situations that confront us.” So, allow
me to offer another interpretation of
Family.” I know normally you receive inspire and motivate them towards what Jesus may have meant when he
letters immediately, but mine has taken restoring our churches back into “God’s shared these words with Peter.
three months to finally write since I house of prayer and worship.” Forgiveness is a process of healing,
believe you are a godsend. —Manny Dasappa, retired pastor, South Africa not a single event. This is especially true
I am a young pastor in Kenya who is when the hurt is deep either physically
also pastor’s kid (PK). I have served as Seventy times seven or emotionally. By that I mean we don’t
the regional PK coordinator for close to (July 2017) simply say the words “I forgive” and
seven years. I would say I am a literal PK
enthusiast about issues on the pastor
and his or her family. The reason I write
I liked the article “ ‘Seventy times
seven’: How we misinterpret Peter’s
question and Jesus’ answer” by Roy
everything is better. Deep wounds take
time to heal, and memories linger and
need to be dealt with on multiple occa-
this email is that recently, with the help Adams, which was published in the July sions as they continually come up in our
of my conference, I organized a PK 2017 issue of Ministry. thoughts. Each recalling of the event
camp meeting. When close to 30 PKs The author is accurate in feeling that needs forgiveness applied again. With
gave their life to Christ, it dawned on “forgiveness” is applied—expected— this in mind, Jesus told Peter that you
me how easy it is for a pastor’s family almost demanded—relatively may need to forgive this event not once,
to reach out to other pastors’ families thoughtlessly by Christians (and others) not seven times, but seventy times seven.
rather than anybody else. Information in our time. I do not believe He is saying that if a
on PKs has been handled so well by this It is distributed as if it were a magic person hits you once, and then again and
magazine that I wish I could give a copy pill or “stardust” to anyone, including again, you need to forgive that person
to every pastor. Blessings once again for those who don’t ask for it and quite at least 490 times. Rather, He may be
your May 2017 issue!  possibly never will. saying that when you have been hit by
—John Kabira Wakabira, pastor At times the statement is made that someone, forgiving that person for the
it will make “me” feel better—noth- one offense may take multiple times of
ing about the perpetrator admitting repeated forgiveness as the pain and
Bring back the romance the wrong that’s been done (perhaps memory continue to reoccur. The goal
(July 2017) terrible in the damage inflicted)— of forgiveness is to reduce the intensity

I greatly appreciate this timely and

well processed article [“Bring
back the romance”] on a relevant,
nothing about genuine life-changing
repentance.
—David Robert Black, pastor
and frequency of the memories, not to
erase them.
Forgiveness is not forgetting; rather,
yet greatly neglected aspect of our   forgiveness is remembering in a different
spiritual growth. Before my retirement
from ministry, I also faced the same
challenge in our churches. We seem to
I appreciate Roy Adams’s sensitivity
to abusive situations people can
find themselves in, and how repeated
way and from a different perspective.
And that can take time. However, with
repeated forgiveness, memories and
focus on nonrelevant issues and neglect forgiveness without accompanying perspectives do begin to change. And
that which is essential. Trying to restore change on the part of the abuser can over time, the painful event will no
prayers in prayer meetings and other actually prolong the abuse. I also like longer dominate and control your life,
assemblies was a difficult task, often his awareness that victims of extreme but you will start to take back control of
met with great resistance. This thought- evils should be allowed time to grieve as your life as you move through forgive-
provoking and well-written article does they gain strength and understanding ness from victim to victor.
an excellent job in helping us to refocus to begin the forgiveness process. This —Dick Tibbits, email

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
EDITORIAL PAV E L G O I A
Pavel Goia, DMin (ABD), is the editor of Ministry.

The prayer of the Servant

O
ne day in college in Bucharest, your education. You need to love them
Romania, the dean came to as much as you love yourself, so you
me and said, “You are missing
school every Saturday. We know you are
need to pray for them as much as you
pray for yourself. They don’t know
Leaders are called
an Adventist, but in this country there is God. They are communist. But you
no God. The next Saturday that you miss are not there by chance. Remember, to love God and
school will be your last day in college. nothing happens by chance. God put
You will be expelled.” I prayed for two
days and nights asking God to save
you there for a time like this. You are
there that they may know God through
His work more
my education—but with no answer.
Then I asked my dad for direction. He
you. Do not misrepresent God by living
a self-centered life. Therefore, pray that than self and love
answered, “You said you want to serve God will do with you whatever will help
God, didn’t you? If that’s still true, those people learn about God.” people and serve
then you need to change your prayer This was tough counsel, but that
style. There are many things that God’s
servants should do, but I recommend
night I prayed and told the Lord I was
prepared to follow the advice I received
them.
you start with three vital points: from my father. Instantly I had peace.
1. “Sacrifice your will to God’s I didn’t know how God would answer,
will. Your prayer should mirror that of or whether I would be expelled from
Jesus: ‘ “nevertheless not My will, but school, but I knew that God heard my serve and save. Moses was willing to
Yours, be done” ’ (Luke 22:42).1 Don’t prayer. The next day was a Friday; it lose his own salvation to serve and
pray only routine or crisis prayers; make was to be my last day of school. As save others (Exod. 32:32). Paul said that
prayer a lifestyle, make it the breathing I approached, the school secretary he would rather be anathema, cut off
of your soul. If you love God more than asked me whether I was friends with the from Christ, for others’ sake (Rom. 9:3,
anything else, then He comes before a country president, Nicolae Ceauşescu. ASV). It has been well said that “Service
job, before a house, before education— I thought she was joking. She asked Leadership is the powerful force that
even before family. ‘ “If anyone comes whether I had any friends, relatives, occurs once a person discovers their
to Me and does not hate his father and or connections in the government. My heart to serve, answers their call to
mother, wife and children, brothers answer was a simple “No.” She then lead, and summons their courage to
and sisters, yes, and his own life also, told me that early in the morning, the engage.”2
he cannot be My disciple” ’ (Luke 14:26). president had given an order. Starting Leaders are called to love God and
2. “Seek first God’s honor and His that Saturday, to save energy and help His work more than self, love people,
plans. Before you ask God for help, the economy, all schools in the country and serve them. It begins with a close
look for the things that would benefit were to be closed every Saturday. relationship with God. “Without this
His kingdom and plans. Worry for His I called my dad and told him the daily communion with God no human
work, and let Him worry for your work. great news. He said, “If you want to serve being can gain power for service.”3 I pray
‘ “Seek first the kingdom of God and His God, remember, don’t ever try to have that Ministry will be a blessing and a tool
righteousness, and all these things shall Him serve you. Jesus came to serve; do to support your service for God.
be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). Make sure the same. Honor Him, and He will honor
that in all your prayers you put God, His you.” I understood from that day that 1 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture is quoted
kingdom, and His plans before your leaders are called to sacrificial service. from the New King James Version.
2 “What Is Service Leadership?” Kiwanis, accessed
plans, and then learn to trust and wait This issue of Ministry considers
October 10, 2017, kiwanis.org/clubs/member
on Him for all your needs. Pray that God what it takes to be effective in leader- -resources/service-leadership/what-is-service
will do whatever is best for His honor. ship throughout the life cycle, from -leadership.
3. “Serve the people around you. internship to retirement. God calls us 3 Ellen G. White, In Heavenly Places (Washington, DC:
Love the people at school more than to service. Jesus gave up heaven to Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1967), 85.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
LEAD ARTICLE STEVE GREENE
Steve Greene, PhD, publisher of Ministry Today, SpiritLed Woman, and Charisma
magazines, is a nationally known speaker and trainer in marketing and customer
relationship management, Lake Mary, Florida, United States.

The crucial ingredient in

pastoral leadership 1

I
f God is love and we have not developed, intrinsic motivation is Lead with love, lead with
loved, how then shall we lead? instilled, and productivity improves. intention
It is often assumed that lead- First, allow me to explain what kind Love involves more than emotion. It
ers should be tough as nails. of love I mean. The love articulated in requires intention and action. One does
Frederick Taylor, father of scientific 1 Corinthians 13 (often read at wed- not love by accident.
management, developed an approach dings) serves to define the kind of Love-driven leaders understand
during the industrial revolution that love in which Spirit-led leaders should how to speak the truth in a way
still influences the management styles operate. Love is selfless as it “seeks not that brings about growth, not pain.
of businesses across the world today. its own” (v. 5). It “rejoices in the truth” The apostle Paul was honest to the
Essentially, Taylor threatened the (v. 6) and does not sugarcoat anything. Corinthian Christians in addressing
workers’ security until they worked Love “bears all things, believes all their problems in the church. He also
like machines. The mantra echoed: things, hopes all things, and endures urged them to speak truth to one
“Work faster and better, or we will find all things” (v. 7). another and dispel sinful behavior so
someone who can.” A love-driven leader must mirror that they could be like “unleavened
But the apostle Paul said in these characteristics. Although we aim bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Cor. 5:8).
1 Corinthians, “Though I have all faith, to meet a certain profit or goal, our When we fail to serve God in the
so that I could remove mountains, and mandate as followers of Christ is to way He intended, God disciplines and
have not love, I am nothing” (13:2b).2 model the character of Jesus in all that corrects us. He does not shame us or
Herein lies the most powerful com- we do. God is motivated by love: “For make us feel guilt, nor does He leave
ponent of being a leader who moves God so loved the world that He gave us on our own to learn the right way.
people: leaders must love those whom His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). The Like the love-driven leader that He is,
they lead. Cross is proof of God’s generous, sacri- God not only gives us direction but
Oftentimes, as pastors, business ficial love. We are to demonstrate that also guides our steps. He provided
leaders, or even parents, we become same “giving” love to others, especially the perfect example in Jesus Christ.
so overcome by our priorities and those we lead. We know authentic love through what
responsibilities that we forget to show Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord Christ did for us. We can aim to imitate
compassion to others. We become so your God with all your heart, and with that kind of love-driven leadership in
focused on the end goal that we use all your soul, and with all your mind. ministering to those we lead.
language that can damage a healthy This is the first and great command- When we are honest in our words
working environment. ment. And the second is like unto it, You and actions, we act lovingly: “The Lord
Organizational needs must be pre- shall love your neighbor as yourself. On disciplines the one he loves and he
sented lovingly. When a task needs these two commandments hang all the chastens everyone he accepts as his
to be completed, a kind tone of voice law and the prophets” (Matt. 22:37–40). son” (Heb. 12:6, NIV). Speaking the
makes all the difference. It must be Everything we do—whether it is truth in love requires the right word
made clear that it is the worker who leading a team at work or ministering to choice. For love-driven vocabulary,
matters and is needed most. They the family at home—should be done in use the Ephesians 4:29 test: “Let no
are not cogs in a machine. When love and obedience to the Lord. Leaders unwholesome word proceed out of your
leaders love, better relationships are serve God by serving others. mouth, but only that which is good for

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
building up, that it may give grace to the a leader has a remarkable impact on people to fulfill God’s plan for them
listeners” (MEV). establishing a loving, nurturing work and help them discover their God-given
Before speaking, ask yourself, “Will environment. potential.
these words build up?” Lastly, leaders who lead with love The journey to fulfilling one’s
Zig Ziglar said, “You don’t build a and intention do not turn off when they potential begins with realizing one’s
business—you build people—and then go home. I heard someone once say, potential. I remember a pastor once
people build the business.”3 Apply this “Home is where I don’t have to guard pointed out a man to me and said, “He’s
mentality to all facets of your life. Build my words and actions. My home is my thirty-eight and has lots of potential.

If God is love and we have not loved, how

then shall we lead?

yourself and build the people around castle, and I don’t have to be on guard What that really means is, he ain’t done
you, especially those you lead. all the time.” The opposite is true. nothing yet.”
Furthermore, evaluate the thinking Leaders who are truly motivated Leaders can play an important
behind your words. I believe bad think- by love lead well in every environment, role in helping a person realize and
ing leads to bad speaking. We must whether at home, in the workplace, at ultimately fulfill their potential. At
allow the Holy Spirit to lead us to pure church, or in personal relationships. the root of this process is a person’s
thoughts. When faced with an issue, Never let your intention fade for the pur- spiritual condition.
we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to pose of comfort. When you consistently There are certainly people who
provide discernment and enable us to demonstrate effective, love-driven have moved far away from God and
speak restorative words into a situation. leadership, you leave behind a legacy their God-given purpose and yet are
Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken wherever you go. talented and successful. However,
is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” they are doing so well only in their own
Spiritually disciplined thinking, Love-driven leadership eyes. Without God, human potential is
which is careful and untainted by false seeks out potential limited: “With men this is impossible,
interpretations or influence, generates God has a plan for every person but with God all things are possible”
“fitly spoken” words. The language of you lead. Your responsibility is to lead (Matt. 19:26). God can direct our paths

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
LEAD ARTICLE STEVE GREENE

and provide favor along the way, and a hinder our team, such as self-sabotage, His disciples. When they frantically
Spirit-led leader can be instrumental in the imposter syndrome, insecurities, woke Him up, He remained composed
that journey. and fatalism. and calmed the sea, saying, “ ‘Why
To have an influence over a person Because we lead people, not robots, are you so afraid? Do you still have no
requires having a relationship with we must understand their strengths faith?’ ” (Mark 4:40, NIV).
them. and weaknesses because this is key to Becoming overwhelmed will not
In the same way that relationships recognizing a person’s potential. Operate change the situation. It is also a form
are mutually beneficial, influence is in your strengths as a leader, and encour- of focusing on the self. Jesus encour-
also a two-way street. If we want to age team members to operate in their aged His disciples to be concerned
be influential leaders, we must be strengths as well. Doing so draws on our about the needs of others and to
willing to be influenced by the needs potential and propels success. demonstrate love to them in action.
of those we lead. Recognize a person’s I take comfort in knowing that God When we feel paralyzed with stress,
potential and demonstrate love by knows me more than I know myself. If we tend to concentrate on our own
working to help that person fulfill their I listen to His voice, He will lead me to needs and what we require from other
potential. A team must feel that their the lane in which I work best. God will people. However, when we serve
leader genuinely cares about them. also guide me in leading others to their others, we feel good about ourselves
Because the leader generates a culture lane so that they, too, can thrive in what and reclaim our motivation and sense
of meaningful relationships, a matrix of they do. of purpose.
influence will manifest. Overall, we need to stay afloat in
Prioritizing relationships will also Leader love bears, the midst of a storm. Rebecca, our
lead to strong work efficacy. Part of believes, hopes, and office manager, created an object les-
relating to a person is understanding endures son for the overwhelmed. She wore
why they do what they do. If we can Love-driven leaders endure trials water wings to work! It was a way to
determine the tendencies of our team and refuse to be overwhelmed. symbolize that floatation devices are
members, we are better positioned Jesus was unbothered by a storm always available for the overwhelmed.
to handle behavioral issues that can that threatened to shipwreck Him and Rebecca also succeeded in bringing

Join the global Adventist family in reading Learn more and sign up for the
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New books start on the following dates: believehisprophets

Daniel November 8th

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Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
laughter into the chaos. Loving leaders teams and our projects. When we trust same. Instead of blithely enjoying the
seek opportunities to help their team in the Lord, we stay afloat and endure. privileges of being in authority, serve
weather the storm, even if it means When we have faith in His design in us your team in the same self-sacrificing
wearing water wings in a professional to be creative, we thrive. Leaders who way that you serve God. Let love be the
work environment. love their teams allow space for innova- motivator.
As Christians, what keeps us afloat tion because creativity is a God-given Love-driven leaders pursue suc-
is the Holy Spirit. When we are grap- quality. The Holy Spirit helps us see cess—but not at the expense of their
pling with too many tasks and not possibilities in everything around us. team. They pursue excellence—but not
enough time, when a plan gets thrown We are born to create. above being ambassadors for Christ in
off course and the team begins to drown their conduct. Love-driven leaders are
in work, do what the disciples did. Do all Let love remain motivated by a desire to bring glory
that you can do in the situation, but also Success in leadership involves to God.
trust the Lord to help your team. Pray strong, genuine work relationships, a As we lead with the heart of God,
for guidance, discernment, and peace. language that builds up a team, and we are ever reaching beyond our own
Loving leaders do not rely on their own the faith to remain calm in the midst of beliefs and opinions to a higher stan-
strength; they rely on the strength of chaos. But none of these healthy work dard, the Word of God, and the example
the Holy Spirit. They have faith in the qualities would lead to the success of Christ.
God in them and the God in their team that God intended if they were not
members. motivated by love: “If I give all my goods 1 This article is based on Steve Greene, Love Leads
Our ability to endure any challenge to feed the poor, and if I give my body to (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2017).
2 Unless otherwise noted, Bible quotations are from
is a function of our mind-set. Solomon be burned, and have not love, it profits The King James 2000 Bible, copyright © Doctor of
says, “For as he thinks in his heart, me nothing” (1 Cor. 13:3, MEV). Theology Robert A. Couric 2000, 2003.
so is he” (Prov. 23:7). Our success is As we saw in John 3:16, our God is 3 Zig Ziglar, AZ Quotes, accessed October 2, 2017,
predicated on how we think about our a God who gives, and we are to do the azquotes.com/quote/729932.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

January 10 –20, 2018

W W W.T E N D AY S O F P R AY E R .O R G

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
S TA N L E Y E . PAT T E R S O N
Stanley E. Patterson, PhD, serves as chair and
professor of the Christian Ministry department,
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary,
Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.

Seven rules for pastoral

interns

A
n article by Anisa Purbasari realities of serving as a minister of the to embrace the essential work of a
Horton, in a recent issue of gospel. My sense of calling was severely pastor at the entry level. Horton states
FastCompany Leadership challenged by this disillusionment. that “the rules that truly matter in
Newsletter, 1 caught my If not for the grace and patience of a the workplace are often not written
attention with this introduction: loving God, and the love of His people, anywhere—they’re simply things that
“Entering the workforce for the first I would likely not have survived in those who have been in it for a while
time can be a shock to the system. professional ministry. I passed through consider to be obvious.”3 Forty years
Here’s what you need to know.” That that dark valley, and four decades later of pastoral and ministerial work likely
sentence evoked a flashback to my I am able to declare, “I would not wish qualifies as “in it for a while,” so I will
own career entry more than 40 years for any other lifework than the blessing share my list of the essentials:
ago. I was a new Christian. Parallel to of serving God’s people as a minister of
my conversion experience was a sense the gospel.” 1. Love your people—unconditionally.
that God was calling me to pastoral Back to the newsletter article. It Love them to a depth that compels
ministry. As my calling matured, I took shares seven rules and gives a com- you to say, “If necessary, I will die
the necessary step of entering college mentary on each. As I read them, I found for them” (John 10:11, 15).
to prepare for professional ministry. myself wondering whether I might have 2. Point them to both the Living Word
Over time, I also developed a vision of benefited from an understanding of and the written Word—always.
what life would be like serving God’s these words of counsel as I began my 3. Model and encourage the devo-
people and leading them forward to ministry so long ago. Therefore, I am tional disciplines of Jesus.
accomplish Christ’s mission for the going to list each of Horton’s seven 4. Walk in the Spirit—with integrity.
church. It was this dream, and the rules and add my own commentary on 5. Give hope and rebuke judgmental
romantic idealism that shaped it, that each, with contextualization to pastoral attitudes and behavior.
set me up for my own experience of ministry. 6. Be there—for your family, church
“shock to my system.” family, and community.
I was unprepared for the realities Rule no. 1: You are there
I was facing as a young and spiritually to do your job This list is not comprehensive, but
immature pastor—imperfect members, The first rule begs an important it reflects the essential elements that
imperfect conference leaders, imperfect question, “What is my job?” There is come to the surface in my experience.
churches—each combined to collapse no official job description that can In your search, seek out respected
my dream and violate my idealistic pic- serve as the standard by which a pastor spiritual leaders for guidance in the
ture of life as a pastor. My guess would can be evaluated. The Seventh-day essential work of a pastor and then
be that good people likely dropped a Adventist Minister’s Handbook 2 serves embrace the work of ministry with
word here or there that should have as a comprehensive guide for the work energy and commitment. Respectfully
tempered my vision, but for what- of a pastor. However, 281 pages cover ask your conference leaders for clarity
ever reason, I was unprepared for the a lot of territory if you are struggling regarding their expectations of your

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
work. In the end, you have to decide Rule no. 3: Feedback will I began to have a recurring dream that
what is important. Never allow yourself not come automatically involved my answering the phone
to fall into a reactive mode of pursuing Feedback is essential to personal and hearing a person ask, “Where are
someone else’s agenda—be vigilant to and professional growth. During the you?” to which I responded, “At home.
remain proactive. Know your job, and educational process feedback happens Why?” Only to have the person on the
be faithful to do it. regularly because it was intentionally other end of the line respond, “You are
built into the process. In the context of supposed to be at the funeral chapel.
Rule no. 2: It is up to you pastoral ministry, feedback or evalua- We are waiting on you!” After which I
to figure things out tion is often scarce, and caution should awoke in a sweat but grateful that it was
The context of pastoral ministry be exercised in making assumptions only a dream. But in reality, it was not
compels me to adjust this rule in order based on such feedback. The minister only a dream; I had reached the limit
to avoid an individualistic concept of of the gospel has to be proactive in of my ability to intuitively manage my
being a leader. “You” are involved in pursuing an agenda of meaningful time and ministry events. I solved it by
crafting or discovering solutions to the and carefully designed feedback. A disciplining myself to use a calendar
challenges in ministry; but rather than simplistic approach to growth metrics and log, and the anxiety disappeared
coming up with the solution, you are is sometimes applied to describe the along with the bad dream.
charged to lead a community process, pastor’s effectiveness. The interdependent nature of the
formal or informal, that addresses For example, to make baptism church allows us to benefit from one
the challenges you encounter. This totals meaningful, the pastor or church another’s gifts. We become whole,
concept is as old as the earth itself. “In must measure evangelism results and collectively, because the Holy Spirit has
the beginning God (plural) created the discipleship effectiveness by reporting promised that outcome. My experience
heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). The what measures were applied to inten- has produced a testimony that allows
suggestion that man be created in the tionally grow new members toward me to confess my lack of giftedness in
image of God (v. 26) reveals a collective maturity. How many remained bonded the area of detail. Graciously, the Holy
planning process that involves the to the church after six months and/or Spirit has always provided persons in
community of God. This conversa- one year later? This feedback process my life who handled the details wonder-
tional, community-based approach requires the church to thoughtfully fully well as long as I maintained clear
to leadership was incorporated into explore the why and how questions and open conversation with them. We
the organizational structure of the regarding retention. Counting and have also been blessed with incredible
Seventh-day Adventist Church and is reporting only the raw results of mission technology that enhances our abilities
revealed in the practice of community efforts without considering ongoing to address details well beyond our
or committee-based decision-making. realities results in misleading statistics natural ability. Both of these resources
Leaders in the church identify and and lost opportunities to learn and make it possible to stay on top of the
analyze the challenges and then craft grow. In addition, it degrades the gen- details of organizational leadership.
recommendations to the appropriate erative duties of the pastor to teach and
committee or constituent body charged equip—not just baptize. Rule no. 5: Understanding
with making the decisions. The minister of the gospel as a how you fit in the bigger
The absence of “terminal author- professional must implement feedback picture goes a long way
ity” 4 as a legitimate function of the loops on all aspects of ministry—evan- The pastor is a part of a managed
pastor does not minimize the value gelism, discipling, preaching, finance, organization (conference or mission)
of this rule. Your participation in the plant services, and so on. Intentional that was created by the church com-
process of “figuring things out” calls feedback, evaluation, and processes munity to enhance the effectiveness of
on the ingenuity and creativity of the that allow for the adjustment of meth- its mission. The organization includes
local church. When properly pursued, odology will strengthen the mission supervisors and employees who are
it allows for the design and delivery profile of the church. subject to lines of authority. The pastor,
of customized ministr y (ser vice, subject to the authority of the confer-
evangelism, Christian education, etc.) Rule no. 4: Attention ence administrators and executive
suited especially for the context of your to detail is extremely committee, is sent to lead a church or
community. Such creativity avoids a important district, neither of which is designed
reactive ministry that depends upon My perception, after many years of for being managed—but is rather, a
mass-produced ministry models that being a minister of the gospel, serving group of free individuals who can come
are not guaranteed to be a fit for your pastors and teaching pastors, is that or go as they please. The minister of
church or community context. The many pastors are not detail-oriented by the gospel has no legitimate control
problem and the solution belong to the nature. Many years ago, as my ministry authority over the members of the
community you lead. challenges became more complicated, church. Consequentially, a way must

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be discovered or developed that allows the church in a professional capacity. certain gatherings, but more than 40
responsible leadership behavior with These exceptions should be seen as years of service as pastor, administrator,
the conference, associated church an act of grace or kindness, not as an and seminary professor have taught me
organizations, and the local church. A entitlement. that the organization and its institutions
clear sense of this reality and the need I was the recipient of such grace are the primary stewardship focus of
to develop relationships at all levels is by a conference many years ago when the organization. Recognizing personal
critically important if the pastor is to I was passing through a dark and dif- responsibility to plan for the education
successfully address all aspects of the ficult valley in my life. I remain amazed of children, budget for the family, and
portrait of the church. and humbled by the generosity they prepare for retirement can release us
While relational leadership is the extended to me and my family. I feel from attitudes of entitlement.
only legitimate option in the local that I would cheapen their gift to The pastor’s stewardship of self
church, the development of healthy me if I thought the exception was an and family is impacted by their specific
relationships at the conference level entitlement. It rests upon each of us calling of God. Ministry has more than
and beyond allows the managed nature to be careful stewards of our lives and one career path, and that decision is
of the organization to take a back seat resources. Again, such an attitude is not the responsibility of the confer-
to quality, respectful relationships intended to be mutual or reciprocal. ence. Decisions of whether to move
between pastor and conference leaders. The application of the fruit of the Spirit or not are always difficult, but the
In turn, it is incumbent on conference (Gal. 5:22, 23) rests upon the corporate ultimate decision remains with the
leaders to treat pastors as professionals church as much as upon the pastor pastor, and so do the consequences.
rather than as employees. Working and should influence the quality of the Home ownership, retirement strategies,
toward a healthy collegial relationship relationship. investments—all fall upon the primary
creates a positive context for the growth steward of self and family. Build your
and effectiveness of the pastor and the Rule no. 7: No one will expectations upon the reality that you
churches served. care about your career as are the steward.
much as you
Rule no. 6: Companies Unmet expectations are the tinder Conclusion
are not obliged to of disappointment and bitterness. If These seven rules provide a
consider your needs and this is true, then we should be care- skeleton upon which to build a life
interests ful to build our expectations upon a in professional ministry. There are
“As an employee, your job is to solid foundation. Pastoral ministry is likely “bones” missing that you feel
bring value to the company, and at a unique career path. My early disap- should be addressed. Reflect on it
times, that might mean putting their pointments in ministry were very much and add them. My purpose in this
needs ahead of yours.”5 This is a deli- influenced by the faulty expectations exercise, using Horton’s framework,
cate rule! Our conference organizations I conjured up in my imagination. It is to contribute ideas that might posi-
should be compassionate and caring was unwise of me to assume that my tively impact the early experience of
toward their pastors. But are these leaders would be perfect Christians in a minister of the gospel and beyond.
organizations “obliged to consider all their leadership behavior or that Press forward, and enjoy all that God
their needs and interests”? The needs my members would be consistently has prepared for you in service to Him
and interests of all ministers of the cooperative and encouraging. If my and His people.
gospel are addressed by policies that maturity had been fully formed, I would
attempt to establish parity among not have included such in my vision. 1 Anisa Purbasari Horton, “New Graduates: These
those who serve the organization, Expectations must first address per- Are the Unspoken Rules of the Workplace No One
Tells You,” FastCompany Newsletter, May 12, 2017,
but this is not so different from the sonal responsibility. If a pastor assumes
fastcompany.com/40419679/new-graduates-these
secular corporate context from which I that the church organization should -are-the-new-unspoken-rules-of-the-workplace
borrowed these seven rules. There are be taking care of her or him from the -you-need-to-know.
occasions when leaders in the secular cradle to the grave, there will likely be 2 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,
corporate context make exceptions to disappointment. Seventh-day Adventist Minister’s Handbook (Silver
policy. They address unique situations The pastor is the primary steward Spring, MD: The General Conference of Seventh-day
on behalf of the employee and grant for self and family. The church orga- Adventists, 2009).
3 Horton, “New Graduates.”
exceptions if they believe doing so nization is primarily the steward of
4 Stanley E. Patterson, “Terminal Authority as a
would be in the best interest of the the organization and its mission. “The Function of Community,” in Called: A Digital Magazine
organization. But this is true also for pastor is our first concern” would be a for Clergy (Spring 2016).
the conference and those who serve lofty expression that would play well in 5 Horton, “New Graduates.”

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Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
M A R K L A F O L L E T T E
Mark LaFollette, MDiv, DVM, serves as lead pastor,
Riverwood Church, Cannon Falls, Minnesota, United States.

Finding Ezra: Embracing

the leader that you are

I
s this it? Is this all ministry is going and we all have to work through it. and pound his fists. Instead, he did
to be for me?” A pastor blurts out an And, hopefully, in time we’ll each find what every Israelite should have been
audible prayer as he stares out the a decent seat on the right bus.” doing. He went into public mourning.
window. Six years out of seminary, But here lies my question: What He went straight to the house of God,
he is now two years into his second could happen if the two pastors I just ripped his tunic down the front, thrust
church. Not that everything was bad. described found each other and were his hands toward heaven, and prayed
People say: “Your sermons are really able to work together? Both are effec- aloud. In my mind, I hear him shouting
speaking to me.” Or, “Thank you, I feel tive leaders. What do we gain by having as he starts his prayer with, “ ‘I am too
like I’ve really grown through your these pastors off in their corners, alone ashamed and disgraced, my God, to lift
ministry. Thanks so much for being and discouraged? The church needs up my face to you . . .’ ” (Ezra 9:6, NIV).
our pastor.” both kinds of leaders. In fact, these In time, a great crowd of people of all
But there are the other voices. Ones leaders display two core, biblical quali- ages gathered around him and joined
that say: “Where do you think this ties of leadership that we need if we him, weeping.
church is going? What are we doing? are to be the vital churches we have And with the help and support of
Where’s the vision? It feels like we’re been called to be. And when these key leaders of Israel, Ezra led the nation
stagnating.” As the pastor hears these two forms of leadership are working in turning back from disaster.
voices in his head, he says: “When did together in synergy, they can be virtu- What do we say about Ezra as a
it become a bad thing to just learn the ally unstoppable. leader? He led from the core of who he
Word of God and live it authentically? Whatever your leadership tenden- was. In other words, he led by example.
If I hear one more person say ‘without cies may be, my purpose is to encourage There was an integrity about him that
vision the people perish,’ I’m going you to embrace the leader that you are others respected and wanted to emu-
to . . .” and to make your leadership work late. The heart of his leadership is
Another pastor in a different town through creative synergies with other summed up in Ezra 7:10. He devoted
stares down at his cup and says, “Is this leaders around you. To show you what himself to the study of the Law of the
it? Is this how it’s going to be for the next I’m talking about, let’s look at two Lord, to do it himself and to teach it.
few decades or until I quit and get a real leaders who put their synergy to work. He was an effective teacher who was
job?” He is eight years out of seminary Ezra and Nehemiah led Israel dur- able to identify the crisis and put words
and deep into his second church plant. ing an extremely challenging, pivotal to it that people understood and were
He loves getting teams together, casting moment. The cause of rebuilding the challenged by.
vision, and seeing the energy build. And nation had floundered. That said, he was not necessarily a
God has used him. strong strategist or tactician. In fact, you
But there are voices. Like those that Ezra will notice that most of the leadership
say: “I love the vision of this church and Ezra arrived first on the scene. As activity was executed by leaders who
the things we’re doing. But I have to find soon as he got there, he was stunned. gathered around Ezra. While Ezra did
a church where I can grow spiritually.” All the evil that had brought about the some of the directing, his key contribu-
As the voices echo in his mind, he says, downfall of the nation and the destruc- tion to the solution was to identify the
“If I hear one more person say, ‘I’m not tion of Jerusalem a generation ago had problem clearly and present the big
getting fed here,’ I’m going to . . .” come back—it was as though Israel had picture of what Israel needed to do. He
You could look at those two stories learned nothing and run headlong into said, “ ‘Now then make confession to
and say, “The pastorate is tough. We another round of disaster. So what did the Lord, the God of your fathers and
all have our strengths and weaknesses, Ezra do? He did not scream and yell do his will’ ” (Ezra 10:11, ESV).

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M A R K L A F O L L E T T E

Nehemiah the Law, left many Israelites owing large in Ezra/Nehemiah: “Then Nehemiah the
Then came Nehemiah. He mourned amounts of interest to their wealthier governor, Ezra the priest and teacher
and grieved in repentance, much counterparts (see Nehemiah 5). And of the Law, and the Levites who were
like Ezra. But Nehemiah was drawn faster than imagined, by the grace of instructing the people said to them all,
to action through a different path. God, under Nehemiah’s leadership the ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God.
Jerusalem’s infrastructure was so desti- wall was completed and Jerusalem Do not mourn or weep.’ ” (Neh. 8:9, NIV).
tute that Israel could not function as an became a real city that could no longer For all the people had been weeping as
autonomous nation. Not that Nehemiah be abused or ignored by its enemies. they listened to the words of the Law.
cared only about bricks and mortar. He So what about Nehemiah as a And so under Ezra and Nehemiah,
realized that the material devastation leader? He was a visionary who intui- there began one of the most significant
of Israel was a manifestation of spiritual tively saw what needed to happen for revivals in the history of Israel. And not

When it comes to

leadership, no one is

the complete package.

But God created you to

be the kind of leader

you are for a reason.

rebellion and devastation from which the nation to move forward. And, while only was Israel’s heart renewed, but
Israel had not recovered. Right away, others may see the same problem the walls of its great city were restored.
Nehemiah knew what his part was in and long for a change, Nehemiah put Clearly Nehemiah and Ezra were
this. If Israel was ever going to come longing into action. He was a directive two very different leaders. One was a
into its own as a nation, Jerusalem must leader who was strategically and tacti- God-loving master executor of vision.
have a wall. cally strong. The other was a teacher who led by the
When Nehemiah arrived, he ana- example of his godly life. As we look
lyzed the situation and then worked Standing together at what God led the two of them to do
with leaders to execute a brilliant When the wall was completed together, one thing we cannot deny
plan whereby the wall would go up all under the leadership of Nehemiah, is that both kinds of leadership are
around the city at the same time, so the nation was moved by the need to needed. If you do not have Nehemiah,
there would be no breach as the wall realign their hearts with God. And who the wall will never get built. And without
grew. This happened mostly through did they turn to? Ezra, the scribe. And in Ezra, you will never have anything
family groups each taking responsibility Nehemiah 8, Ezra opened the Word of worth building a wall around.
for certain sections of the project. Along God to the great assembly, and people
the way, Nehemiah dealt with intense were thunderstruck by their guilt and by Making it work
opposition. He also worked to correct their need to repent and come to God. There are more implications to this
an administrative evil that, contrary to And then comes one of my favorite parts than I can cover in one article, but let

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
me offer some applications. I believe trend back and forth, opting for one Develop a relationship with that leader
that once you have run the gauntlet of model of leadership over another, and let that leader coach you and give
the leadership assessments (Strengths based on perceived needs at the time. you a loving “kick in the pants” when
Finder, Golden, SIMA, etc.), one thing Having said this, my aim is not to needed. If you cannot find a leader
becomes clear. In the church there are fix the world but to encourage you. like that in your congregation, is there
two leadership inclinations that are Whether you are an Ezra or a Nehemiah someone outside your church who
essential, namely, Nehemiah and Ezra. trying to figure out your place in minis- can help you with Nehemiah-type
And while there may be some leaders try, I want to offer you hope. I believe coaching?
who have a dynamic synergy of the whichever leadership tendency you If you are a non-staff leader in your
two tendencies inside them, most of have, the Ezra-Nehemiah synergy can church who serves alongside a pastor,
us tend to be in one space or another be made to work for you and your celebrate and enjoy your pastor’s gift-
along the Ezra-Nehemiah spectrum. people. ing. And, rather than trying to push him
In the United States, we have Wherever you are, if you are a or her in a certain direction or wishing
seen a pendulum swing of popularity Nehemiah leader, you want to cultivate he or she were different, look for ways
between the two styles. For the longest and raise up an Ezra or two around to bring leaders with complementary
time, most churches would have been you. Be open to entrusting some pulpit gifts around him or her.
delighted to have a gifted Ezra as their time to them. Your church needs them My last piece of advice for you
pastor or leader. But since the 1980s, as it needs you. God can use the two would be to embrace the leader that
as culture has changed and there has of you in ways that may not happen you are. When it comes to leadership,
been growing concern that the church otherwise. no one is the complete package. But
does not execute well in regard to her If you are an Ezra leader, can you God created you to be the kind of
mission, there has been a significant find a Nehemiah in your congregation leader you are for a reason. And, as you
shift of attention toward Nehemiah who shares your heart for the church bring complementary leaders around
leadership. Individual churches may and has strategic, tactical gifting? you, beautiful things can happen.

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L A R R Y R . E V A N S
Larry R. Evans, DMin, serves as assistant to the president
for Special Needs Ministries, General Conference of Seventh-
day Adventists, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

Ethics, stewardship, and the

illusive hidden agenda1

C
enturies ago, a friend of Jesus’ • He looked upon his brethren as organizations that the association had
came to a crossroads experi- greatly inferior. He saw himself as been hired to help prosper. The four,
ence with God. Things were the one with business acumen—the often misdirected, personal attributes
not turning out as well as he one they really needed. that Hock observed at work in the
had hoped. He had spent time with • For Judas, material solutions were business world are as follows:
Jesus—a lot of time. They traveled and the logical solutions, not the kind of
dined together. He was a religious man, solutions that Jesus offered, such 1. Ego—a strong sense of “self-
part of the inner circle; he was smart, as those in His sermon regarding importance”
ambitious, and talented, trusted and the Bread of Life. 2. Envy—a feeling of discontentment
admired by others. He had seen some • Feeling highly qualified but unap- because of the possessions, quali-
amazing miracles at the hands of Jesus. preciated, he paid himself from the ties, or “luck” experienced by others
What he did not know, what he refused meager funds gathered for the poor. 3. Greed (avarice)—a manifestation
to recognize, was that he had a demon. He did this because it was logical to of subversive greed for wealth or
Eventually that demon would lead him pay himself back for the time and material gain
to compromise his integrity, lead him sacrifice he had given in service for 4. Ambition—a determination to
into deceitful actions, and ultimately others.2 achieve success or possessions at
destroy everything he had hoped to gain. any price3
The damage from such compromise hurt J u d a s w a s d o m i n ate d w i t h
not only him but others as well. thoughts about himself; his own eth- Unfortunately, these self-centered
In the book The Desire of Ages, ics, ideas, disappointments, hurts, personal characteristics are seldom
Ellen White shares some intriguing and frustrations took center stage. His kept in isolation. Marianne Jennings,
and instructive insights about Judas, worldview was no bigger than himself: an attorney internationally known
the betrayer: it was all about him! He had not learned for her work in the area of corporate
to give of himself or of his means with- ethics, warns that “the moral fiber of
• Judas had not always been corrupt out expecting something in return. an individual matters if the company is
enough to do such a deed. In the end, the path Judas followed to have an ethical culture.”4
• He had an insatiable appetite for led to the unethical and manipulative Decades earlier, Ellen White pre-
money until it became a ruling behavior that eventually brought his sented a similar thought when she wrote,
motive of his life. own destruction. “True Christian principle will not stop to
• He felt a desire to be changed in weigh consequences. It does not ask,
character and wanted to connect Self-centeredness in an What will people think of me if I do this?
with Jesus, but he did not come to organization or how will it affect my worldly prospects
the point of surrendering himself Dee Hock, founder and CEO of the if I do that? With the most intense longing
fully to Christ. Visa credit card association, noted the children of God desire to know what
• He cultivated a disposition to criti- four character traits that could lead to He would have them do, that their works
cize and accuse. personal demise and even take down may glorify Him.”5

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
 Pressure from social expectations reasoning inevitably leads to a moral of the leader and what God can do
and financial needs must bow to a collapse and impacts many in its wake. through the leader for His people.
higher standard. A guiding ethical prin- Research suggests that there are Joseph, Samuel, and Daniel were men
ciple, simply stated by Jesus, moves three primary aspects of transparency called to their posts at historically criti-
the attention from self-centeredness to that every organization should practice: cal times. Such is the need today. The
self-integrity: “So in everything, do to (1) information disclosure, (2) clarity, and challenge is clear. “Men of tried courage
others what you would have them do (3) accuracy in their communications and strong integrity are needed for this
to you, for this sums up the Law and the with stakeholders.7 The degree to which time, men who are not afraid to lift their
Prophets” (Matt. 7:12, NIV). these three principles are practiced is a voices for the right. To every laborer I
statement about the integrity of the orga- would say, In all your official duties, let
Redefining what is right nization and its leaders. Transparency integrity characterize each act.”9
It is when circumstances seem to be
overwhelming, however, when the efforts
of others seem inadequate, that taking
matters into our own hands appears to be
the right thing to do. Such was the case in Pressure from social expectations
the time of the judges. Having forgotten
what the Lord had done in the past, God’s
chosen people turned away from Him
and financial needs must bow to
and toward the idols of their day (Judg.
2:10–13). The Lord raised up leaders, a higher standard.
referred to as judges, to save His people
from their own schemes, but “they would
not listen” to the judges. “They refused
to give up their evil practices and stub- can be painful, and if the revelation is Such counsel is needed. True, last-
born ways” (vv. 16, 19, NIV). Without new and not pleasant, it can prompt ing, effective, and visionary leadership
their Guide, “everyone did as they saw an angry and, at times, a threatening is not dependent on human devising.
fit” (Judg. 17:6, NIV). Circumstances, response. Yet true transparency will The effective leader is God’s steward, not
rather than God, defined what was right. present as objectively as possible the only of His material resources but as an
Personal integrity was sacrificed for full truth so that right decisions can be example by revealing the highest level of
selfish interests, and the corporate whole made. Ellen White addressed one chal- ethical forms of motivation and practice.
paid a terrible price. Not all selfishness, lenge this way: “Many times when the Judas had much to offer; unfortu-
however, is visible on the surface. Motives Lord has opened the way for brethren to nately, things did not work out as he
are often not immediately seen, but their handle their means to advance His cause, had hoped. Much can be learned from
effect is harmful nevertheless. the agents of Satan have presented his sad example.
some enterprise by which they were
Transparency and the positive the brethren could double their 1 This article is based on Larry Evans, “The Steward and
Ethics,” Dynamic Steward 19, no. 3 (July–September
hidden agenda means. They take the bait; their money is 2015), 29.
The daunting question haunts many invested, and the cause, and frequently 2 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View,
organizations, “Why do good, smart, themselves, never receive a dollar.”8 CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940), 716–722.
sincere, people do dumb things?” So The intentions may be good, but 3 Dee Hock, Birth of the Chaordic Age (San Francisco,
CA: Berrett-Koehler Pub., 1999), 193.
often they have an ulterior motive, some- speculation, a lack of full disclosure, 4 Marianne Jennings, The Seven Signs of Ethical
times called a “hidden agenda,” which and the belief that the end justifies Collapse—How to Spot Moral Meltdowns in
suggests that a less-than-transparent the means can lead both the organiza- Companies . . . Before It’s Too Late (New York: St.
Martin’s Press, 2006), 35.
position is necessary to accomplish tion and the individual to an ominous, 5 Ellen G. White, My Life Today (Washington, DC:
a desired result. As Jennings points if not destructive, end. The desire to Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1952), 256.
out, “No one wakes up one day and accomplish good while compromising 6 Jennings, Seven Signs of Ethical Collapse, 4.
decides, ‘You know what would be good? truth by distortion or partial revelation 7 Andrew K. Schnackenberg and Edward C. Tomlinson,
“Organizational Transparency: A New Perspective
A gigantic fraud!’ ”6 The person’s pietistic assumes we know better than God—an on Managing Trust in Organization-Stakeholder
or spiritual objective, such as the one assumption that Judas also made. There Relationships,” Journal of Management 42, no. 7
Judas had in betraying Jesus, takes is a better way. (2016): 1784–1810, journals.sagepub.com
/doi/10.1177/0149206314525202.
priority regardless of the immediate cost.
8 Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship (Washington,
The hope is that time will prove that the A great need DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1940), 235.
individual was right after all. The end, it The Bible makes it clear that per- 9 Ellen G. White, Gospel Workers (Washington, DC:
is felt, justifies the means. Such ethical sonal integrity impacts the effectiveness Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1948), 141.

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
D A N S E R N S
Dan Serns, MAPM, serves as evangelism
coordinator for the Texas Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists, Burleson,
Texas, United States.

Want better church board

meetings?

W
hat if your church board How can our church board meetings • A short devotional reminding us
meeting was your favor- better reflect the leadership gatherings of our mission and message. This
ite meeting each month? during the early church? Here are three can be given by any of the church
What if you could hardly ministry models to move us in that leaders.
wait until the leaders of your local church direction. They are effective for church • Bible study. Read a chapter around
gathered to share what God has been school, organizational, and institutional the circle with each person reading
doing the last month and to pray and meetings as well. Remember that a a verse, and then we share verses
plan together for the next month? good model can make our difficulties that spoke to our hearts.
The book of Acts describes the gath- easy and light. • Prayer time. Short prayers by several
erings of the early church leaders in people.
these ways: 1. Love and pray for each • Watch and apply a Transforming Your
church board member Church video clip. 1
• “They were all with one accord in one and their family
place” (Acts 2:1, NKJV). Pray for some specific blessing for Huddles. Through the years I encour-
• “They were all filled with the Holy each one in the days leading up to the aged my elders to mentor other church
Spirit” (Acts 2:4, NKJV). meeting. If board members are not suc- board members, but it rarely happened
• “With gladness and simplicity of ceeding in their personal walk with Jesus; until I added a 15-minute agenda item
heart, praising God and having favor their relationships, including family; and to the church board called “huddles.”
with all the people” (Acts 2:46, 47, the ministry and mission Jesus has called During this time, all board members get
NKJV). them to, then you will have a hard time into their huddle with their designated
• “They went to their own companions accomplishing the Great Commission elder/mentor. In these groups of 3 to 7
and reported all” (Acts 4:23, NKJV). where God has placed you. But if you are leaders, they share with each other what
• “They raised their voice to God with praying for their success and victories in is going well in their life and ministry,
one accord” (Acts 4:24, NKJV). these areas, you will see breakthroughs how they have seen God at work dur-
• “Grant to Your servants that with all in their lives and the lives they influence. ing the past month, what challenges
boldness they may speak Your word” they face, and how they are trying to
(Acts 4:29, NKJV). 2. Simplify the agenda address the challenges. The huddle is
• “When they had prayed, the place During my first church board meet- a place of fun, fellowship, collective
where they were assembled together ings as a young pastor, I had no clue what help, encouragement, and prayer. It is
was shaken; and they were all filled to expect or how to lead. In the years since, a place where basic discipleship and
with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke I have simplified the church board agenda small group life is modeled for the rest
the Word of God with boldness” (Acts in advance to include five sections. of the church family.
4:31, NKJV). Vision, Bible study, and prayer. This Reports. After huddles the church
• “Rejoicing that they were counted section sets the tone for the entire meet- board returns to the larger circle. Now
worthy to suffer shame for His name” ing. We usually do one of the following it is time for reports. This can be one of
(Acts 5:41, NKJV). during this time. the most exciting times of the meeting.

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
 • Soul-winning report (5–7 minutes): recommendation for new Sabbath next church board meeting if it is
Stories and statistics are presented School teachers or assistants. something important.
about what the Lord has done A board member might make a • Insisting on recommendations that
to move His work forward in the recommendation for a major pur- can be voted up or down or easily
areas of new baptisms, new groups chase from the area of the budget modified and voted moves the
started, and new churches being they oversee. No recommendation church toward solutions and cel-
planted. should take longer than three to five ebrations and away from problems
• Ministry reports (2 minutes each): minutes. After a brief discussion, and frustrations.
This report is given by any who either a vote can be taken or the
have something fresh to add. item can be referred to the next Circle prayer and group hug. At the
Once again, the emphasis is on church board meeting if there is end of each meeting we all stand and
short stories (or statistics) or new a need for prayer and reflection join hands in a circle. Then we each pray
groups that have started that are before voting. a one- to two-sentence prayer around
being mentored by a church board • This “Recommendations” section the circle. After that we take two steps
member. of the church board meeting is forward, forming a tighter circle, put our
• Clerk’s report (5–7 minutes): This where some churches derail. There arms around the person on each side of
report includes the following plus may be a few church board mem- us, and on the count of three we all hug
votes:
1. Minutes of the previous meet-
ing. (A copy of the minutes has
usually been sent to church
board members a week in
The Lord can help us
advance along with a notice of
the meeting.)
2. Church calendar. We quickly have beautiful, inspiring,
review the calendar for the next
two months. We use the online
Google Calendar. unifying church board
3. Membership changes, if any:
baptisms, professions of faith,
transfers, deaths, and dropped meetings that help us move
memberships. Anything voted
in this area goes as a recom-
mendation to a church business
meeting.
forward rapidly with His
• Treasurer’s report (5–7 minutes):
We briefly review whether financial
stewardship is strong enough to work in these last days.
support our ministry and mission
expenses or if we need to adjust
something. Note—if finances
dominate your church board bers who think the board meeting the entire circle of people and say “Grug”
conversations, read and apply the would be a place to bring problems (short for group hug) and then, “When
principles in these articles: “Shifting and dump them on the group. you have the Lord and you have each
Your Focus to Increase Tithe and This results in long discussions, other, what else do you need!” We end
Offerings” 2 and “ ‘Our Church Is frustration, and few answers. united in Christ, joyful and happy that
Financially Broke.’ ” 3 What is the solution? If anyone the Lord has led us one more month!
Recommendations. This is a time brings a problem to the church
when church leaders can make specific board, they should be asked 3. Add tools to your
recommendations for their area of immediately: “What’s your recom- leadership tool box
ministry that impact the larger church. mendation?” If they do not have No leader is perfect, but if you have
• The head deacon might make a one, then move on immediately more tools in your leadership tool box,
recommendation that relates to to the next recommendation. The the Holy Spirit can guide you to use
the building. The Sabbath School person presenting the problem can the right one at the right time. Here are
superintendent might make a bring a recommendation to the some tools that can help.

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
D A N S E R N S

• Secret ballot for very sensitive business meeting, where every This provides spiritual bonding of
issues or if there is a bully on the member is notified and encour- leaders for the new year.
board. aged to attend. At this meeting, we • Set blocks of time on the church
• Straw poll (nonbinding) to see handle any major issues that need board for major items such as set-
whether your church board team church-wide attention. ting goals, building teams/huddles,
is clearly leaning one way or the • New church year orientation. At the scheduling the calendar, and
other; and if so, you do not need beginning of the church year, we agreeing on the budget.
more discussion on a topic. have a new church year orientation
• Prayer break for wisdom on deci- for church board members and The Lord can help us have beauti-
sions and recommendations. group leaders (Sabbath School, ful, inspiring, unifying church board
• Church business meeting.  Every ministry, Bible study, and other meetings that help us move forward
third church board meeting (once groups) to hear each other’s testi- rapidly with His work in these last
a quarter) we designate as a church monies and share vision together. days.

Inspired insights on church board meetings4

1. “Ministers should avoid long could not then have urged in the in the building up of the work.
committee meetings.—A minister insinuation that there were things They have no spirit of sacrifice
cannot keep in the best spiritual kept back that the people were not themselves, and how can they
frame of mind while he is called permitted to know. Those who take understand the experience of
upon to settle little difficulties in no interest in the business meet- those who dressed cheaply, and
the various churches. This is not ings, generally have no real interest who denied self, who placed them-
his appointed work. God desires in the cause of God, and these selves in any position that the
to use every faculty of His chosen are the ones who are tempted to cause of God might prosper. They
messengers. Their mind should believe that the management of know nothing of this, it is Greek
not be wearied by long committee our various enterprises is not just to them.
meetings at night; for God wants what it should be. 5. “The committee meeting should
all their brain power to be used in 3. “The same persons should not be just as much under the dicta-
proclaiming the gospel as it is in serve for years on the same tion of the Spirit as the prayer
Christ Jesus. boards and committees.—Piety meeting.—I wish to say to you that
2. “Those who do not attend com- is needed. Less self-confidence the business which may be carried
mittee meetings tend to be and far more humility must be on at this meeting is just as much
critical later of how things are seen. The work of God has come a part of the service of God as is
done.—They say, ‘Oh, it is only to be looked upon as a common prayer. The business meeting is to
a business meeting.’ But all who thing. It would have been much be just as much under the dictation
have the mental capacity ought better to have changed the men of the Spirit as the prayer meeting.
to be anxious and determined on boards and committees than There is danger of our getting a
to understand how the business to have retained the very same sentimental, impulsive religion.
matters are managed. Some who men for years, until they supposed Let the business transacted at this
have given up the faith have made that their propositions were to be meeting stand forth in such sacred-
very false statements in relation adopted without a question; and ness that the heavenly host can
to the workings of the cause and generally no voice has been lifted approve of it. We are to guard most
the management of its business. in an opposite direction. sacredly the business lines of our
Had these attended the business 4. “Committees should not be made work. Every line of business carried
meetings, and listened attentively up of those who have no spirit of on here is to be in accordance with
to the proceedings, they would self-denial.—When our brethren the principles of heaven.
have understood how the work keep on the board, men whose 6. “When God’s presence is recog-
was conducted in all its branches, hearts are as hard as stone, men nized in committee meetings, it
and could have borne testimony to who have not hearts of flesh, what will safeguard against imprudent
the strict integrity that character- can you expect? How can these speeches and domineering atti-
izes every department. The enemy men know what those sacrificed tudes.—Let God be recognized as

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
 the supreme Ruler of His heritage. the suggestions the devil had put have knowledge when to speak
Let every man place himself under in their minds to hinder the work and when to keep silent.
His control. Let Him be recognized of God and to disgust those who 8. “Only the church, not the board,
in all our assemblies, in every busi- would see the work of God move. disciplines members.—‘And if he
ness meeting, every council, every There have been suggestions made shall neglect to hear them,’ what
committee. He sees all that is done, by themselves which have carried, then shall be done? Shall a few
and hears all that is said. ‘Thou which God never put into their persons in a board meeting take
God seest me.’ Let these words be minds. Satan attends every board upon themselves the responsibility
kept ever in mind. They will be a meeting, every business meeting, of disfellowshiping the erring one?
safeguard against imprudent, pas- every committee meeting, and ‘If he shall neglect to hear them,
sionate speeches, against all desire if he can impress anyone’s mind tell it unto the church.’ Let the
to domineer. They will repress to make objections or to throw church take action in regard to its
words that should never be spoken, in suggestions that will delay the members.”
and resolutions that men have no work hours and weary out those
right to make—resolutions that who are called upon to attend 1 See “Transforming Your Church,” Texas Evangelism,
restrict the liberty of human beings. these meetings, he is wonder- accessed October 5, 2017, www.texasevangelism
.com/transform.
7. “Satan attends every committee fully pleased. He has had his way 2 See Dan Serns, “Shifting Your Focus to Increase
meeting, trying to impress minds in the matter. And the business Tithes and Offerings,” Dan Serns (blog), May 10,
to make objections that will delay which should be pushed through 2015, danserns.wordpress.com/2015/05/10
the work.—The very thing that with dispatch, yet in an intelligent /shifting-your-focus-to-increase-tithe-offerings/.
the Lord had impressed upon the manner, is made tedious and to 3 See Dan Serns, “ ‘Our Church Is Financially Broke,’ ”
Ministry, June 2016, www.ministrymagazine.org
minds of His servants that ought drag along because of the human, /archive/2016/06/broke.
to be done has not been done at unsanctified elements in the char- 4 Ellen G. White, Pastoral Ministry (Silver Spring, MD:
the right time, because these men acter of some who are placed in General Conference Ministerial Association, 1995),
advanced their own ideas under responsible positions, who do not 251–253.

Tell us what you think about this article. Email [email protected] or visit www.facebook.com/MinistryMagazine.

The Power of the Word

I t was my senior year in high school.
My father had recently committed
suicide. I was coping by consuming
is when I saw a black snake poking its
head out from under the log. I paused.
Was Satan challenging these words? I
violent video games, pornography, and read the passage again. As I whispered
even dabbling in drugs and witchcraft. the name of the Lord, the snake came
Abuse from my past was a burden I within three feet of me and stopped, of pornography since that time. The
constantly carried. as if it were confronting me. I read the flesh still calls out to me, but I thank our
I was raised in a home that pro- verse once more with confidence, and Savior that His Spirit is working in me
fessed Christianity. I knew that God with a loud hiss, the snake fled back more each day.
was real and powerful, but why was I under the log. It may sound strange, but Are you struggling with sin? If you
not feeling His power in these times this experience opened my mind to the call on Him, He will hear and rescue
of darkness? I grabbed my Bible and power of God’s Word. you. He taught me that the same Word
headed outside. Making my way to a Two years later, desiring a fresh that brought the world into existence
large oak tree that had fallen, I began start, I left to serve for a year as a student is found in the promises of Scripture.
to read the book of Job. Surely I could missionary in the Philippines. But I found Read, believe, and claim it. It is the very
relate to this guy! myself bound in sin and addiction. One essence of power and provides freeing
I came to verse 21: “ ‘Naked I came day, I lay on a wet floor covered in sand love.
from my mother’s womb, and naked and mud. A typhoon was raging. Gripped
shall I return there. The Lord gave, and by sexual sin, I cried out, “Please, Lord, —Seth Hill is coordinator for data strategy and millennial
the Lord has taken away; blessed be take these addictions away.” By God’s marketing, Adventist Review, Silver Spring, Maryland,
the name of the Lord’ ” (NKJV). That grace, I have been free from the slavery United States.

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
BRUCE MANNERS
Bruce Manners, PhD, is a retired pastor residing
in Victoria, Australia.

Questions for pastors

as they prepare for
retirement

T
he worst thing a pastor can retirement age. Is that your plan? Full- University about retirement, she told
do when preparing for retire- time or part-time? Or both by gradually me that many ask about how much
ment is nothing. Retirement reducing your hours? Does your confer- money they need for retirement.
needs thought and inten- ence allow or encourage this? When “I say to them, ‘Wrong question.’
tional preparation. will you have a discussion with your The question is: ‘What do you want to
As a pastor, I had not thought much president or ministerial secretary? do when you retire? Who are you going
about retirement, and any thinking What will you do in retirement? One to do it with? What sort of activities are
tended to focus on having enough way to begin thinking about this is to you going to do? What would a typical
money. I did not know how much was work out how many hours a week you week look like for you?’ That should
enough but figured we (my wife and I) currently work. Is it 40 hours, 50, 60? then drive a lot of other decisions,
would somehow survive. More? When you retire, you gift yourself including where people live.”
Then, in my early 60s, I was asked this many hours a week. What will you
to write a book about preparing for do with them? How will you prepare
retirement. That is when I began You need a plan: “Retirees who had financially?
to understand that preparing for a game plan for both the fiscal and the It is difficult to be too specific about
retirement deserves a whole-of-life often-neglected nonfiscal aspects of finances in a magazine with a world-
approach. The book, Retirement retirement and who frequently revisited wide spread. Many countries have
Ready?,1 became a four-year writing and updated that plan were the most government pension plans available
project. It took research, but I learned satisfied with their lives.” 2 You need that support retired people. But there
most by interviewing professionals a plan that gets you out of bed every are also countries where no govern-
within and outside the “industry” and morning looking forward to the day. ment support exists at all.
academics who study retirement. To help with your plan, analyze your Pastors in both situations need to
That said, I make no claims of passions, interests, and priorities. What evaluate how they will cope financially
being an expert in this field, but I have are they? How will they fit into your after they finish receiving a wage.
learned how individuals can create retirement life? Those in countries with little or no
their best retirement. The following is a Add to that your bucket list (the government support may find it quite
series of questions that could help you things you want to do before you kick difficult. The question will be, Are you
as you plan your retirement. the bucket!). And remember that the able to put aside some money now
simple act of writing down your goals for then?
What is your plan? will help you achieve them.3 Review Those in countries where an
What do you plan to do in retire- them from time to time. option exists of government support
ment? There is a growing trend for When I interviewed researcher- (a pension, perhaps) along with the
individuals to plan to work beyond academic Joanne Earl from Flinders expectation that you are responsible

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
for helping fund your retirement may of ministry make it a chore to continue by 100 percent in the United States
need a financial planner or financial to work? That would make it difficult. and 25 percent in Australia. The fastest-
advisor. growing divorce rate in the United
A registered financial advisor will Are you talking to your Kingdom is among baby boomers.4
understand the complexity of the spouse? Will we retire at the same time?
retirement or pension system and When I interviewed sex therapist Fewer than 20 percent of couples in
changes that may come. Financial Bettina Arndt about the kind of issues the United States retire at the same
advisor Melanie Tull told me that the couples face as they age, I asked what time.5 If you and your spouse retire at
Australian government rewards retirees she found was the biggest sexual issue. different times, how will that work for
who put their money in the “right Her answer surprised me. She said that you? What will the retired one do while
structures.” That may also be the case sex was too often the “classic elephant the other continues to work?
elsewhere. in the room when couples become anx- What are our plans in retirement—
As a rule of thumb, whatever your ious about their sex life and stop talking together and separately? This is where
situation, you should be thinking about it. It is incredibly important that you dream together. Dream and share.
seriously about your finances for retire- people learn to talk about sex.” Some things you will naturally want

As a rule of thumb, whatever your situation,

you should be thinking seriously about your
finances for retirement about 15 years
before you expect to retire—and working on
a plan to fund your retirement.

ment about 15 years before you expect If couples do not talk about their to do together. Others are personal
to retire—and working on a plan to sexual problems, frustration exists. If interests. As a couple, we are kept busy
fund your retirement. That plan would there are sexual issues—for whatever with various projects, but we reserve
include being debt free before retiring. reason—they need to be talked about. Sundays and Wednesdays to do things
Being debt free also means owning Sex is a natural part of a healthy mar- together—on Sabbaths we care for a
your home before retirement. About 25 riage and sometimes needs to be Sabbath School class together.
years ago, my wife and I noticed several worked on. You might be surprised what other
older pastors retiring without owning Here are some other questions questions come up as you talk about
their homes who then struggled finan- couples need to talk about: these four areas of your life.
cially. That was incentive enough for H ow i s o u r m a r r i a g e ? W h e n
us to set the goal of owning our home you come to the retirement zone How will you stay
before retirement—a goal we thankfully (before and after retirement) there healthy?
achieved. is a risk that the marriage may be in What are you doing now to be
You may be able to work on into trouble. Couples in the 50 plus age healthy when you retire? You will want
the retirement years. That will keep group are divorcing at an increasing to be healthy as you go into retirement
an income stream flowing, but what rate. Marriage therapist Bryan Craig rather than get there and try to recover.
happens if you become ill? Or if you pointed out that over the past 20 I suspect I do not have to belabor
discover that, as you age, the pressures years the divorce rate has increased here the advantage of a plant-based

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
BRUCE MANNERS

diet and avoiding fats and sugars; the 40 years old and older. I was relieved are gone, a positive attitude will keep
benefits of exercise; the importance of when clinical psychologist Deanna you going.
sleep; and regular medical checkups. Pitchford told me, “Forgetting is a Psychologist Kendra Cherry says,
They are all important. normal part of aging.” It is natural and “Positive thinkers cope more effectively
You should also check your family not a sign of dementia. than pessimists.” They tend to look at
history to find out what negative health The good news is this: “Our brains what they can do to fix the problem.
possibilities there may be. This can do gradually age along with our bod- And they “look at the situation realisti-
be helpful. I discovered how helpful ies, but we all possess the power to cally, search for ways that they can
when, a few years back, two days of slow, stop, and possibly reverse the improve the situation, and try to learn
serious headaches led to MRI scans brain aging process.”6 from their experiences.”7 This is healthy.
and the revelation that I had had a The question is, What do you need And a positive attitude toward
minor stroke. to do now to arrive at retirement in as aging will help you live longer. More
It took several weeks to discover I healthy a state as possible? than 1,000 people above the age of 50
have atrial fibrillation (AF)—irregular in Oxford, Ohio, USA, were surveyed on
heartbeat. It is probable that a clot How positive is your their attitude toward aging in 1975. In
formed during a missed beat and went attitude? 1999, another researcher checked the
to my brain, causing the stroke. It would If you wanted to rank attitude, death records to see what this attitude
have been helpful to have known that health, and money, I suggest that did for length of life. Those with a
AF runs in my family. It is now well money matters. But health matters positive attitude toward aging lived
under control, but I have added it to more. There is not much value in retir- an average of 7.6 years longer. That is
my conversation at family gatherings. ing to be the richest person living in a a huge difference. It is more than if they
What about your brain? Mental nursing home bed. And attitude mat- had been able to cure cancer within
lapses are more frequent in people ters most. If your money and health the group.8

Ellen White on pastors in retirement

T
he concept of retirement as it is now known was Old pastors should boast not of past glories, “but
not a widely practiced or understood concept show what you can do now. Let your works and not
in Ellen White’s time. Only in the 1920s did your words praise you.”15 They should encourage
retirement begin to spread widely through a variety and never speak “lightly or disparagingly” of younger
of industries in the United States (she died in 1915). pastors.16 And they are warned that the “inclination to
The expectation—and her expectation as found in criticize is the greatest danger of many.”17
the compilation from her writings The Retirement To Stephen Haskell (73 years old; she was 79) she
Years—was that pastors would continue to work until wrote that neither of them should be under “continual
physically unable to. strain.” She encouraged him to avoid “taxing labor,” to
Having recognized that, she makes several com- keep in a “rested condition” with sleep in the daytime
ments about aging pastors. She urges “our old and to be able to think more clearly so that his words would
tired laborers” to rest but to “keep the armor on till be “more convincing.”18
He [God] bids you lay it off.”10 She told G. I. Butler,
“Let us—you and Brother Haskell and I—grow old 1 Ellen G. White, The Retirement Years (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald
Pub. Assn., 1990), 16.
gracefully”11 and later tells him, “I greatly desire that 2 White, The Retirement Years, 23.
the old soldiers, grown gray in the Master’s service, 3 White, The Retirement Years, 24.
shall continue to bear their testimony.”12 4 White, The Retirement Years, 33.
Aged and worn pastors have counsel “of the high- 5 White, The Retirement Years, 39.
6 White, The Retirement Years, 40.
est value.”13 “It is better, far better, to die of hard work 7 White, The Retirement Years, 48.
in some home or foreign mission field, than to rust out 8 White, The Retirement Years, 73.
with inaction.”14 9 White, The Retirement Years, 125.

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
 DOCTOR
What will you do with your
calling?
Reality check. Ministry can be dif-
ficult. Some pastors find that their
OF MINISTRY
I was talking to a pastor in his mid- ministry has burned them out and
Changing the People Who
50s who has a demanding but success- they need to withdraw in retirement Change the World
ful ministry. He surprised me by saying to recover. Retirement allows you to do
he would love to retire. He would like that. Take the time you need. Seek the Apply Now
to volunteer to care for a small country help you need. Do the things you need for concentrations
church while renovating houses. to do to stay close to God.
I asked the obvious question: “Why I cannot think of anything more
launching in 2018:
don’t you?” tragic than the comment from an
“What do you do with the calling?” elderly, retired minister involved in
Good question. a University of Florida study. He was
Retirement does not mean you asked whether he engaged in spiritual
are giving up on your calling. It will activities. He responded, “Well, not as
bring change. As a retired pastor, I am much anymore, I’m retired.” CHAPLAINCY
involved in my church, but I am home The researcher reported, “He
most nights, I no longer chair major ended up not being very spiritual at
meetings, and I am no longer the go-to all.”9 How sad.
person for church issues.
The advantage of retirement is 1 The book is intentionally secular and published
that you can mostly choose to do the by the South Pacific Division Signs Publishing DISCIPLESHIP
ministry things you enjoy. Or work
Company. The idea started as a request from (ENGLISH & SPANISH)
literature evangelists for such a book. It is also
on ministry projects close to your available in Adventist Book Centers and secular
heart. Or follow or even create ministry bookshops in Australia and New Zealand, and
opportunities. online at bookdepository.com.
No two retirements will be the 2 Frederick T. Fraunfelder and James H. Gilbaugh,
Retire Right (London: Penguin Books Ltd, 2009), 15.
MULTIETHNIC/
same, but I find that I am now more
focused on my skills and giftedness 3 Ashley Feinstein, “Why You Should Be Writing MULTICULTURAL MISSION
in retirement than I ever could be in
Down Your Goals,” Forbes, April 8, 2014, forbes AND MINISTRY
.com/sites/ellevate/2014/04/08/why-you-should
pastoral ministry. There is incredible -be-writing-down-your-goals/#3525d8af3397.
satisfaction in this. And that, I believe, 4 Paul Clitheroe, “Retirement and Its Impact on FAMILY MINISTRY
can be the experience of most pastors. Relationships,” ipac, November 21, 2011, ipac
Your retirement is your retirement. .com.au/blog/retirement-and-its-impact-on
INTERGENERATIONAL
It will be what you make it—it needs -relationships/#sthash.sWXreFYB.dpbs.
thought and planning. 5 Miriam Goodman, “How to Avoid Living Unhappily MINISTRY
Ever After in Retirement,” nextavenue, March 6,
I remember the father-in-law of 2013, nextavenue.org/how-avoid-living
one of my pastoral colleagues advising
me to retire as soon as I could. That is
-unhappily-ever-after-retirement/.
6 Gary Small, Two Weeks to a Younger Brain (Palm
Application
what he had done—at 65. He had been Beach, FL: Humanix Books, 2016), 1. deadline is
a pastor-evangelist and departmental 7 Kendra Cherry, “The Benefits of Positive Thinking
director in two divisions. for Body and Mind,” verywell, last updated August January 31, 2018
He told me his retirement years
31, 2017, verywell.com/benefits-of-positive
-thinking-2794767.
for spring
had been the best of his ministry
and he had traveled widely, speaking
8 Lea Winerman, “A Healthy Mind, a Longer Life,” cohort launches!
Monitor on Psychology 37, no. 10 (November 2006):
overseas and at home without the 42, apa.org/monitor/nov06/healthy.aspx.
administrative pressures he once had. 9 Cathy Keen, “Religious Orientation Influences www.andrews.edu/dmin
He had just flown to the east coast Elderly’s Fear of Death, Study Shows,” University
of Australia after doing a series of of Florida News, April 18, 2006, news.ufl.edu
/archive/2006/04/religious-orientation-influences
Phone: 1-269-471-3544
meetings on the west coast. He was in
-elderlys-fear-of-death-study-shows.php. Email: [email protected]
his early 90s.

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Local church apologizes publicly to its pastors

A USTRALIA—The South New South

Photo: Adventist Record

Wales (SNSW) Conference session
began with a reconciliation ceremony
and a public apology from a church to
its ministers.
Griffith church publicly repented and
apologized for the way they had treated
their pastors in the past, extending their
apology to the conference and their
fellow churches.
“We have sinned against God, the
South New South Wales Conference, our
sister churches, and the ministers who
have come to minister to us along with
their wives and families,” said a state-
ment, signed by the church members.
The letter drew comparisons with
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their The statement was voted by a several weeks, giving all members and
rebellious criticism of Moses, as well church business meeting and pre- regular attendees a chance to read and
as being based on Daniel’s prayer of sented at the constituency meeting. sign it. [Jarrod Stackelroth | Adventist
repentance. It was run in the church bulletin for Record]

Pastors’ summit on abuse draws hundreds

S pencerville, Maryland, United

States —The North American
Division (NAD) live streamed the endit-
“I pray that wherever we find abusive
behavior, we will deal with it in a
Christian way—we will not ignore
never stops on its own. . . . Statistics
on abuse in our church are just as bad
as in society.”
now Pastors’ Summit on Abuse. Pastors it. We have to help end abuse. It is Tucker received the most applause
and church leaders from across the our Christian mandate. We have to during the two-day event as he elu-
division, in person and online, attended inform ourselves. We have to inform cidated several biblical passages,
the first-of-its-kind event, which was our people.” describing how some common inter-
dedicated to sharing information on Presenters and topics included Kiti pretations are inaccurate. “Scripture
how to recognize and prevent abuse at Freier Randall, “Child Abuse”; David does not require you to stay in an
church events and in the lives of church Fournier, “Child-to-Child Bullying”; abusive relationship,” he said.
members. Presenters also shared legal Lola Moore Johnston, “Teen Dating A different group of presenters
definitions of abuse and what church Violence”; Mable Dunbar, “Intimate spoke for the Spanish-language lec-
leaders should do in reporting cases. Partner Violence: Pastor/Ministry tures on day two. These experts spoke
Hundreds of questions and com- Response”; Mark Chopko, “Pastors’ on the same or similar topics as their
ments were sent to the enditnow social Legal Responsibilities Regarding English counterparts.
media team throughout the day. Most Abuse” and “Pastoral Care for the During his presentation,
of these questions were answered by Abuser”; and Mike Tucker, “ ‘The Bible Alfonso Valenzuela, pastor of the
the presenters (after their lectures), Says’—Debunking Scriptural Support San Bernardino Spanish church in
attorneys, pastors, and Adventist Risk for Abusive Relationships.” California, said that every minister
Management representatives. Tucker, who is speaker/director of must recognize when there is some
Daniel R. Jackson, president of Faith for Today Ministries, started his type of abuse and report it to the
the North American Division, stated, presentation by stating that “abuse authorities.

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
 “Even if you do not want them
to, [the victims] will come to you,” he
said. “If you don’t have the counseling
education, refer them to professionals.” “I pray that wherever we find
To watch the presentations, visit
facebook.com/enditnowNAD/. Those
who attended the entire day, in either
abusive behavior, we will deal
Spanish or English, are eligible for con-
tinuing education credits. [Kimberly
Luste Maran, North American Division
with it in a Christian way—we
News]
will not ignore it.”

Photo: Pieter Damsteegt, North American Division News

Pastoral leaders respond to crisis in Las Vegas community

L as Vegas, Nevada, United States—In

the midst of a hurting community,
local Seventh-day Adventist churches
affected by the Las Vegas shooting that
took 58 lives on October 8, 2017.
The Paradise and Mountain View
to the community to pray with those
affected by the event.
“People from around the world
steadily moved into place to aid those Adventist churches opened their doors are reaching out to Las Vegas, and

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
 D AT E L I N E

our church is doing likewise,” said BJ considering such overwhelming—and Church members joined the long
Boles, senior pastor of the Mountain unexpected—need. lines of blood donors at Red Cross blood
View Church. “We weren’t ready for this kind of drives, and ministered to the mourners
Those from the churches who are disaster,” said Neri. “We could be doing who come by. In addition to supporting
trained in counseling have been volun- so much more.” the victims, churches are also supporting
teering their time in the area’s hospitals. Leon Brown, president of the the first responders and law enforcement.
Peter Neri and Neat Randriamialison, Nevada-Utah Conference, agrees that The local pastors are coordinating
senior and associate pastors of the there is very limited understanding of additional visits to the hospitals to
Paradise Adventist Church, were among this kind of crisis—and, thus, a need speak to and pray with those who are
several pastors who spent time counsel- for a different kind of readiness and still waiting for their friends and family
ing victims and their families. planning. “We must step up our game members who are being treated.

Photo: Faith Hoyt, Nevada-Utah Conference

“These people need prayer and so that we can be better prepared for Carlton P. Byrd, speaker/director
someone to talk to,” said Neri. “They disasters like this,” Brown said. of Breath of Life, who held a two-week
have been very receptive to praying Responding quickly to this need, evangelistic campaign in Las Vegas,
with us.” regional leaders have already initiated commented, “God will be with us during
Neri and Randriamialison visited discussions with local pastors to better this most difficult time, but as our revival
the Sunrise Hospital and Medical understand crisis readiness and disaster theme says, the time is now! Now more
Center early Monday morning. For preparedness. Jerry Waggoner, direc- than ever, we sincerely believe that this
hours, the pastors listened to the stories tor of Adventist Community Services is an opportunity to extend God’s love to
of those waiting in the auditorium for the region, began work Monday Las Vegas residents and share His mes-
and prayed with them. Though their to improve lines of communication sage of hope and healing from the study
ministry was well received, the pas- between Las Vegas churches and the of His Word.” [Faith Hoyt, Nevada-Utah
tors feel it was a small contribution entities involved in disaster response. Conference | Pacific Union]

Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
 RESOURCES

Designed to Lead: The Church and

Leadership Development
by Eric Geiger and Kevin Peck, Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2016.

C
hristian leadership develop- training missionaries to evangelize the importance of leadership devel-
ment and discipleship are the world; however, the concept and opment they will automatically
two integral components of practice of intentionally equipping implement a strategy to develop lead-
the mission of the church that have leaders to serve the world in secular ers. Their experience and research
received significant attention from capacities has not been given the kind indicate that, by and large, leadership
practitioners and scholars in recent of bold attention that is presented in development is not being imple-
years. Within the last three decades this book. mented in a systematic way in most
several authors (e.g., Bill Hull, Michael In this regard, the authors have churches, even in cases where the
Foss, Randy Pope) have elaborated on articulated a subtle and audacious pastor believes it should be a priority.
important aspects of Jesus’s method approach to strategic leadership Hence, there needs to be more than a
of discipleship and leadership that that is simultaneously advancing the conviction concerning the importance
had earlier been highlighted in Robert mission of the church while altruisti- of leadership development, there
Coleman’s seminal work, The Master cally benefitting secular society. The needs to be a culture whose experien-
Plan of Evangelism (1963). authors substantiate their argument by tial beliefs and values are conducive
In Designed to Lead, Geiger and highlighting theological evidence indi- to mentoring leaders, followed by a
Peck build on this body of research by cating that leadership development is construct that outlines various levels
emphasizing two main ideas: (1) it is inextricably connected to discipleship of competencies and the pathway to
crucially important for the church to and that the local church is uniquely reach them. This solution sees the
develop leaders that can serve in all designed to develop the best kind of main responsibility of the pastors as
spheres of life, both in religious and leaders. What is refreshing is Geiger and that of equipping the congregation
secular domains, and (2) discipleship Peck’s emphasis on the local church for ministry rather than the members
is essentially God’s chosen method for developing leaders to serve in secular relying on their pastor and paid profes-
leadership development; therefore, domains and the way they highlight sionals to perform ministry for them.
our strategy and philosophy of equip- the unique capabilities of the church This book is certainly worthy
ping Christian leaders should not be to accomplish this mission. of perusal and contemplation. The
divorced from discipleship. For example, they suggest that strengths of the book are that it pro-
Geiger and Peck passionately con- one quality that makes the church vides a compelling case for viewing
tend that the church has been designed unique is the influence of the Holy the local church as a unique center for
by God to develop leaders who can be Spirit. Leadership can be facilitated in developing and discipling leaders that
deployed to benefit humanity in all various institutions of the world, but can serve in both secular and religious
spheres of life—in the home, church, the church offers Spirit-led leadership, domains, and that it proffers a prag-
community, business, and government. which is far more effective than what matic discussion on the importance
Accordingly, they state, “Because a local the world can offer. In the authors’ of creating a transforming culture and
church exists to serve her community, view, Spirit-led leadership is the best viable constructs for equipping leaders
to bless the world, to be a light to the kind of leadership because it seeks in the church. Thus, for its passion-
nations, then the leaders developed to fulfill the values of God’s kingdom. ate appeal to implement a biblically
in each local church are developed for Geiger and Peck also observe that in based, missional, and civic-minded
much more than each local church” (7). most secular organizations, leaders leadership development strategy in
The book presents an argument work with paid employees who can be the local church and for its clear and
that suggests that the church should motivated by monetary compensation practical approach to achieving this
be the best place for leadership devel- or be terminated; however, leaders in goal, I give this book high recom-
opment. The notion that the church is the local church must, of necessity, mendations.
the best place to train leaders for the work with volunteers and, as such, the
world is a revolutionary thought that leaders are forced to develop a variety —Michael G. Coleman, MDiv, MA, a pastor in New
can have enormous missional impact of skills to successfully motivate and York for 26 years, is completing a doctor of ministry
when concretely implemented. The lead the volunteers. degree in organizational leadership at Andrews
church, in its modern and postmodern The authors do not presume that University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United
existences, has been accustomed to once pastors and churches understand States.

N OVEM B ER 2 0 1 7 Ministry®
 THE PASTOR AND HEALTH
Zeno L. Charles-Marcel, MD, is an associate director of the General Conference Health Ministries
department, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

God’s desire for us:

A healthy spirit, mind, and body
H
ow likely are you to take medi- depression. Poor physical health and God is amazing! He took lowly
cal advice from a doctor whose poor health habits are associated with fishermen from Galilee, called them
open lifestyle betrays the very diminished mental health, namely sub- out to be with Him, discipled them, and
advice he or she is giving you? Would optimal function in thinking, behavior, developed them into apostles—fishers
you really be prone to accept smoking feelings, responses to stress, or interact- of men and the founding members of
cessation counsel from a physician who ing with others. Persons in good health His new church. He did His work for
smokes two packs of cigarettes per and high fitness have a better mood, them, in them, and through them then;
day? Many people would not. While the greater resilience, and less anxiety than He is doing the same work for us, in us,
those who are not fit or not in good and through us today. One or more of
general health. But how do we do it? His modern-day fishers collaborated
We need to do what the apostles with the Holy Spirit and fished each of us
did—learn from Jesus. He loved people! out of the world. God’s Word to us today
“We should love He loved them enough to tell them the is, “ ‘Come, follow me,’ . . . ‘and I will
truth in as winsome a way as possible. send you out to fish for people’ ” (Mark
God and His He went where His Father sent Him, 1:17). This applies to pastor-disciples,
where the people were, and He mingled elder-disciples, deacon-disciples,
with them. Christ worked with the homemaker-disciples, and plumber-
children enough to crowds tirelessly, bringing gems of truth disciples. All of us must be about the
to them in a way they could understand art and science of fishing for men and
be as healthy as and relate to. Jesus’ concern about women for God’s kingdom.
people’s spiritual condition was para- Biblical anthropology is clear: the
mount. He was concerned about their living organism is not an aggregate
we can be.” hearts and minds. But Jesus was also assembly of body, mind, and spirit
concerned about their bodies. He went but, rather, an integral entity of inter-
about healing people of all manner of connected, inseparable dimensions.
illnesses. So, too, we should care about Misuse of the body shortens our useful
doctor is not expected to be “perfect” or the entire person: spirit, mind, and time for and our usefulness in God’s
even the ultimate role model for healthy body, beginning with ourselves. service. All dimensions of us need care
behavior, people naturally look toward Paul prays: “May God himself, the and attention; all are important in their
healthcare professionals to practice God of peace, sanctify you through and own right. Spiritual development is
what they preach, if only in public. through. May your whole spirit, soul and essential, but we must not neglect
Health personnel, especially physi- body be kept blameless at the coming our minds and bodies. We should love
cians, have vast amounts of knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who God and His children enough to be as
and information at their disposal, and calls you is faithful, and he will do it” healthy as we can be. We should strive
the expectation is that “those who (1 Thess. 5:23, 24, NIV). This text implies for the best physical condition possible
know better are expected to do better.” at least the following: God is willing to because our “physical” connects to
If this is true for the practitioners in the set us entirely apart for His purpose; everything else.
medical field, is it not also true for the the complete and entire person (body, Let us cooperate with the One who
“doers of the Word”? Our special fishing mind [psyche], and spirit) is to be kept calls us to faithfully keep blameless our
work is to help people be prepared to blameless at Jesus’ coming; and that it spirit, soul, and body unto His appear-
meet our Maker. Is this just a “spiritual” is God, the One who calls us, who will ing, and, by God’s grace, our physical
preparation, or is there more? do this. So, what are we required to health, mental soundness, and spiritual
Studies show that individuals do to satisfy Paul’s prayer? Surrender vitality will afford us the influence that
afflicted with chronic disease are more and submit to God’s plan for our entire we need as twenty-first-century fishers
prone to emotional distress and clinical being: spirit, mind, and body. for people.

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Ministry® N OV E M BE R 2017
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