MINISTRY the voice of the adventist ministry

80 Pages·2008·7.6 MB·English

NOVEMBER '70
MINISTRY
the voice of the
adventist ministry
Volume XLIII No. 11
MINISTRY
THE VOICE OF THE ADVENTIST MINISTRY
Published by The General Conference Ministerial Association.
Secretaries and Editorial Advisers
Secretary: N. R. Dower NOVEMBER 1970
Associate Secretaries: E. E. Cleveland, A. C. Fearing,
J. R. Spangler, G. E. Vandeman
Assistant Secretaries: O. M. Berg, H. L. Reiner
EDITOR D j. R. SPANGLER
MANAGING EDITOR D O. M. BERG
COPY EDITOR D DOROTHY HESSONG
ART DIRECTOR D HARRY BAERG
LAYOUT ARTIST D DON FIOL______________________
IN THIS ISSUE
GENERAL ARTICLES THEOLOGY AND RESEARCH
12 Repentance, Revival, Reformation 17 Joshua's Long Day in the News (Part 1)
Daniel A. Mitchell, Sr. Robert L. Odom
20 "One Giant Leap" for the Church (Part 1) 59 Mystic Tongues Are Speaking (Part 2)
John T. Baldwin Roland R. Hegstad
24 "I Have Set Thee a Watchman" 68 Sanctuary Truth Is Key Adventist
Robert H. Pierson Doctrine (Part 3)
L. E. Froom
PASTORAL
73 Shop Talk
3 Reviving the Prayer Meeting
74 Books
Orley M. Berg
75 News Briefs
7 Preach on Last-Day Events
80 Pointers
Gordon Collier
EDITORIAL
10 The Inside Story of Adventism
R. Allan Anderson
BY HIS SIDE THE MINISTRY: Printed monthly for the Ministerial
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2 NOVEMBER, 1970
Christian . . .
Is Your Life
Too Full?
J. BYRON LOGAN PHOTO
A blood transfusion is in order in all too many instances
if attendance at the midweek prayer meeting is
a true index of the spiritual condition of the
church. That these meetings should form so unim
portant
THE MINISTRY 3
a part in the life of the church is most other reason. And once he has made a
unfortunate for a number of reasons. special study on some great theme, his
First, it may well indicate that the pastor ministry will be forever the richer. He must
himself is missing out on a grand oppor apply himself to learning in order to grow
tunity to use this service as a means of mentally, intellectually, and spiritually.
exploring more deeply some of the great The learning experience must be more
themes of the Bible, thus enriching his own than surface preparation consisting of a
experience and expanding his background string of Bible texts or references from the
of knowledge in the Scriptures. Spirit of Prophecy that perhaps someone
The tendency is to feel that since so few else has already brought together in a logi
come to prayer meeting, why devote a lot cal arrangement. It must be the result of his
of time in preparation. The fact is, that own prayerful study and effort.
should only a few attend, it can still offer to Considering the multitude of demands
the pastor the greatest opportunity for his upon his time, one of the most difficult
own enrichment, an opportunity not af tasks of the pastor is that of maintaining
forded by the Sabbath services alone. The a consistent study program. When under
very nature of the sermonic calendar, taking pressure resulting from a lack of time, the
into account the various seasons of the year, study period is often the first to suffer.
special occasions, guest speakers, et cetera, This is particularly so if there is not a
limits the number of Sabbath sermons that definite study plan or objective. A series of
can be devoted to any one theme. True, a studies presented at the midweek service
series of two, three, or four sermons at the can provide that extra incentive and dis
Sabbath hour will add interest and help cipline.
to build attendance, but even this does not
Members Eager for Knowledge
provide the opportunity presented at the
midweek meeting for larger development Beyond the benefits of this program to
of a subject. the pastor himself, it is very likely that
The pastor must dig deeply into the the attendance at prayer meeting will show
mines of truth for his own good if for no a remarkable increase. Our people are
Studies on prophecy will attract many to the prayer meeting.
DAWEL
AHD
um
4 NOVEMBER, 1970
hungry; they want to be fed, and will re or a careful in-depth verse-by-verse study.
spond gratefully when the necessary food The historical approach, using some of the
is provided. excellent material in L. E. Froom's price
The Testimony Countdown program may less Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers can
be cited as an example. Wherever the pro be very helpful. The approach may center
gram has been presented, attendance has on last-day events and the preparation that
increased. This program indicates also that is to be made for the second coming of
our laymen are interested in the Spirit of Jesus.
Prophecy its background, its relevance, its The subject of last-day events and the
teachings in regard to the big issues around final preparation is one to which our peo
which the closing controversy will center. ple will always respond. Pastor Gordon
Another subject that our people appreci Collier of Jackson, Tennessee, is one of a
ate and are eager to learn more about is number of our pastors whose ministry has
the sanctuary. Of the importance of this been enriched through special attention to
subject we are told: this important theme. You will appreciate
his article appearing on page 7 of this
The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative
judgment should be clearly understood by the issue of THE MINISTRY.
people of God. All need a knowledge for them The Great Controversy can also serve as
selves of the position and work of their great High
Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to
exercise the faith which is essential at this time or
to occupy the position which God designs them to
fill. Christ in His Sanctuary, p. 124.
We need to study the sanctuary of the
Old Testament so that we might under
stand more clearly the wonderful plan of
salvation.
We all need to keep the subject of the sanctuary
in mind. God forbid that the clatter of words
coming from human lips should lessen the belief
of our people in the truth that there is a sanctuary
in heaven, and that a pattern of this sanctuary
was once built on this earth. God desires His
people to become familiar with this pattern, keep
STS^iSSw-rSS^
ing ever before their minds the heavenly sanctuary,
*
where God is all and in all. Ibid., pp. 11, 12.
Recently, Dr. Gordon Hyde concluded a
series on the sanctuary in the Takoma Park
I
church. His material showed considerable
preparation, and again it was demonstrated
that our people will come out when they
know something especially helpful is to be
given. The recently published book, Christ
in His Sanctuary, by Ellen G. White, can be
an excellent help on this subject. Dr. Hyde te«^ * * fc *»*f^-
assigned pages in this text to be read along
with his series.
Study Prophecy
The books of Daniel and Revelation de
mand increasing attention as the end draws
near. Every Seventh-day Adventist minister
should be a specialist in these prophetic . *wtys,";«*,^%eart.: , "'•-'• :7"- , '•-. :-'-: ':•'•-:
Scriptures. There are many ways in which
their great themes can be presented: it may
be in a general survey of the great proph
ecies that sweep across the centuries, taking
them up according to their logical divisions,
the basis of special study. Pastors William ing there are other factors to be considered.
Loveless, then of Sligo, and Glenn Sharman Among them are the following:
of Takoma Park teamed up to present a 1. Introduce the series with a sermon on
six-week series with special assigned read Sabbath morning. Use this to lay the foun
ing from its pages. Overhead screen pro dation for what is to be presented, and to
jection was used for increased effectiveness. create an appetite for the meetings to fol
Other Ellen G. White books may also be low. This is very important.
used. Pastor Melvin Sickler of the Hyatts- 2. Give special publicity to the series,
ville, Maryland, church recently took his starting weeks in advance. Place notices in
congregation through the book Early Writ the church newsletter and Sabbath bulletin.
ings. Refer to the coming series in the church
service, at the meetings of the church coun
Use Variety of Subjects and Methods cil and in pastoral visitation. Give it the
Additional subjects might include the attention that would be given to a special
ministry of the Holy Spirit, the life and evangelistic series, perhaps even preparing
ministry of Christ, lessons from the Exodus a special announcement to be used as a
movement, the ministry of angels, the bulletin insert.
journeys of Paul, and great revivals of the 3. Add interest to the presentations by
Bible, to name just a few. Each of these the use of charts, cutouts, blackboard,
and many more are clamoring for attention screen pictures, overhead projection, out
and study. Then there are studies of a dif lines, et cetera. There are many ways that
ferent nature. Bible survey studies giving almost any subject can be illustrated, even
the background and grand sweep of the if it is no more than a few lines, dates, or
books of the Bible are helpful and can lead names placed on the blackboard. Pastor
into deeper and more intelligent personal Robert Correia of Fredericksburg, Virginia,
study of the Bible. Individual books of the uses plywood cutouts of the sanctuary
Bible can be made the basis of study series. furniture when speaking on this subject
Along with Daniel and Revelation, special and also has a wardrobe consisting of the
consideration should be given to Hebrews. priestly garments. Pastor Gordon Collier
Joshua is a choice book of the Old Testa has developed charts on last-day events that
ment from which to draw lessons on victori have proved very helpful.
ous Christian living and the preparation 4. Have variety; ordinarily a series
necessary for the final crisis. Romans, Ephe- should not run longer than ten or twelve
sians, John, and many others might well studies. Six to eight is more ideal. Those
serve as the basis for inspiring studies. requiring more time could be broken up
Some have used the prayer meeting serv into separate series covering various phases
ice to help prepare the members for per of the subject.
sonal witness. This, too, can be very helpful. 5. Allow time for testimony and prayer.
Pastor Myron Voegele of the San Antonio, The method should vary and will be deter
Texas, church has developed a very ef mined somewhat by the number present.
fective Wednesday night program of this Large numbers can participate in a few
kind. The one-hour service includes minutes by breaking up into small units.
a twenty-minute devotional message, a In any event, the prayers should be short
twenty-minute period of instruction and and to the point. Long, mechanical prayers
ten minutes for the sharing of experiences. that weary both man and the angels are
It closes on a deeply spiritual note, often out of place. Those offering them are
with prayer bands. He uses blacklight and "prayer meeting killers." (See Testimonies,
other teaching aids to help keep the in vol. 4, pp. 70," 71; ibid., vol. 2, pp. 577-
terest high among the youth as well as 579.)
adults. The use of dialog in the prayer The prayer meeting can, indeed, become
meeting can stimulate interest. (See "Rx for a very important part of the church pro
a Sick Prayer Meeting" by D. Hawley, THE gram. To make it so, the pastor must give
MINISTRY, August, 1970, page 14.) it the attention and preparation necessary
in order that it might be adequately pro
Guidelines in Development of Program moted and presented.
These are but a few of many suggestions THE RESULT: Enrichment of the pas
that might be offered. But if the prayer tor's own intellectual and spiritual experi
meeting series is to be of maximum bless- ence and new life to the church.
6 NOVEMBER, 1970
T. K. MARTIN, ARTIST
Preach on
Last-Day Events
GORDON COLLIER
Pastor, Jackson, Tennessee
[A message given at a workshop on "Increasing Prayer and to prepare a people for the crisis of the
Meeting Attendance,3' at the General Conference Ministerial
Counc'l. Atlantic City, New Jersey, June 10, 1970. EDITORS.] ages.
The most thrilling and rewarding expe
As Seventh-day Adventist ministers we be rience of my entire ministry has come to
lieve that this generation is on a collision me from preaching on the last-day events
course with global catastrophe! of earth's history. Again and again my heart
We believe that 3 billion people are face has been rekindled as I have preached on
to face with millennial oblivion! We used the closing events and have witnessed the
to preach that these things would happen; revivals that have followed. Our people
today we preach Look, they are happen everywhere are vitally interested in the last-
ing! Today we see the final phase of Revela day events and the preparation they must
tion 13 being fulfilled before our eyes. make for the impending crisis.
Since this is true, how important it is for A study of the prophecies of Daniel and
us to lift up our voices like a trumpet to Revelation brought the Advent Movement
explain the times in which we are living into existence. The Seventh-day Adventist
THE MINISTRY 7
Church came into being in direct fulfill
ment of Bible prophecy. And the Lord has
Dont Patronize blessed as it has gone forth to preach these
great prophecies to the world. The mes
senger of the Lord assures us that a restudy
of these two books, Daniel and Revelation,
Reserve Your Business will bring revival to the church.
Let us therefore study and preach as
for Oealcti who never before on these two great books of
Bible prophecy that focus on the closing
events of earth's history the image to the
beast, the national Sunday law, the shaking
and the sifting, the fall of Babylon, the
latter rain, the loud cry, the sealing of
aOSEoRSUNOAY God's people, the defeat of Satan, the vindi
cation of God, and the second coming of
Christ!
Four Great Facts
1. This glorious event the second com
ing of Christ is waiting for the defeat of
Satan and the vindication of God.
2. The defeat of Satan and the vindica
tion of God is dependent upon the revela
tion of the character of God in His people
all over the world. (Christ's Object Les
sons, p. 69.)
When the character of Christ shall be perfectly
reproduced in His people, then He will come to
claim them as His own. Ibid., p. 69.
The last message of mercy to be given to the
world, is a revelation of His character of love.
Ibid., p. 415.
[And the message of righteousness by faith] is
the third angel's message in verity (Evangelism,
p. 190). [This is the message that vindicates God,
defeats Satan, and closes the work of the third
angel.]
The message of Christ's righteousness is to sound
from one end of the earth to the other to prepare
the way of the Lord. This is the glory of God,
which closes the work of the third angel. Testi
monies, vol. 6, p. 19.
3. The revelation of the character of
God in His people cannot take place until
we have a revival and reformation of the
church.
4. What will bring revival and reforma
tion to the church is the preaching of the
great prophecies of Daniel and Revelation
concerning earth's closing events. The very
heart and center of last-day events is the
third angel's message, which is the message
of Christ our righteousness in verity.
The honor of God, the honor of Christ, is
involved in the perfection of the character of His
people. The Desire of Ages, p. 671.
8 NOVEMBER, 1970
the church from time to time is because
Preaching the Third Angel's Message
of the vacuum of preaching on these great
subjects. Self-made reformers have filled the
The preaching of the third angel's mes
vacuum with some wonderful truth and
sage, the very heart of which is righteous
some serious error which tear down in
ness by faith, is the only message in the
stead of build up.
world that will revive the church, perfect
If we pastors and evangelists would do
the saints, warn the world, defeat Satan,
more preaching on these great prophecies
vindicate God, bring earth's history to a
concerning earth's closing events, the false
successful close, and usher in Christ's second
movements would fizzle out, our people
coming.
would be nourished, revived, built up in
How better can we do this than by
the faith, and would remain loyal to the
preaching on the last-day events of earth's
church.
history and the necessary preparation for
them? Thousands of letters from our peo
Increasing Prayer Meeting Attendance
ple in many parts of the world testify to
the fact that they are hungering and thirst
Our people will attend prayer meeting
ing for this kind of preaching.
to hear preaching on last-day events and
Pastor, if you want to revive your church,
preparation for the coming of Jesus. This
preach on the closing events. If you want
has been forcibly impressed upon my mind
to establish the faith of your people in the
many times through the years as I have
inspiration of the Spirit of Prophecy writ
witnessed it in my experience. An average
ings, preach on the closing events.
preacher can draw as large a congregation
If you want to confirm your young people
by preaching on the closing events as the
in the conviction that the Seventh-day Ad-
best preachers can by preaching on other
ventist Church is the remnant of Bible
subjects. This has been demonstrated again
prophecy, and that it is soon to triumph
and again.
gloriously, preach on the closing events.
We ought to preach on the last-day events
We are a special people with a special
because they are upon us and our people
message for a special time in earth's history.
are not prepared. Concerning God's people,
As F. D. Nichol declared, "We are a tailor-
God's messenger to the remnant laments:
made people with a tailor-made message for
a morally bankrupt world!" Nearly all who profess to believe present truth
. . . are wholly unfitted to receive the latter rain.
If you want to fortify your people against
Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 466.
stray movements, confirm them in the
faith, and keep them loyal to the church Brethren, this should really alarm us!
preach on the last-day events. Let there be a revival of preaching on
The reason offshoots gain a foothold in last-day events!
THE MINISTRY 9
EDITORIAL
The
Inside
[EDITORIAL NOTE: Due for release next month is the latest
monumental work by L. E. Froom, Movement of Destiny. Story of
At our request R. Allan Anderson introduces to pur many
readers this noteworthy volume in this guest editorial.]
ADVENTISM
R. ALLAN ANDERSON
Emeritus Secretary, General Conference Ministerial Association
SOME books are luxuries, others are ne to comprehend the total sweep of the Ad
cessities. Movement of Destiny is an ab vent Movement from its meager beginnings
solute necessity to anyone and everyone to its present global impact. Our friends
who would be informed on the high points and even those who misunderstand us will
of Adventist history. By his careful re be enabled to comprehend the divine pur
search, masterly presentation and kindly pose in the calling out of this people.
handling of delicate areas of denomina This is not a book you will read and
tional growth and development, Dr. L. E. lay aside. Commenting on Movement of
Froom has once again put us all in his Destiny, Dr. H. M. S. Richards of the Voice
debt. of Prophecy says, "It will certainly be kept
Having watched the growth of this book on the constant-use shelf in my study. It
from the first refreshing manuscript pages is a mine of information for use in the
to the latest vital format, I can say with preparation of our radio messages." And
confidence that we have in this presentation again, "It is an indispensable tool for all
something that will affect the outlook of workers." Dr. W. G. C. Murdoch, dean
every minister and worker in the Advent of the Seminary in Andrews University,
cause. We have long needed such a clear, says, "This is a book for all. The youth
concise, and accurate portrayal. It sets the will delight in learning of the providen
record straight in many ways, but more tial leadings of the church. Those who
it opens up new vistas enabling the reader are older will relive those heartwarming
10 NOVEMBER, 1970