A Case Study in Inclusiveness
A case study illustrates the importance of inclusiveness, highlighting the need for accommodating physical disabilities beyond mere accessibility.
Inclusiveness in religious movements traditionally dominated by older white men has improved but still faces resistance in certain areas.
The article emphasizes the significance of appreciating and accepting individuals with physical disabilities, moving beyond discussions focused solely on their health challenges.
The Role of Compassion and Cultural Intelligence in Ministry
In a biblical example, Jesus demonstrated the importance of compassion and cultural intelligence by breaking down barriers between Jews and Gentiles.
Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to interact effectively across cultures, with a focus on CQ Drive, which addresses biases toward different cultures.
The story illustrates how stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination can inhibit cross-cultural ministry, emphasizing the need for compassion and unbiased outreach to all individuals.
Adventism And The Heart of God
Adventism, when stripped of cultural additives like fundamentalism and legalism, represents a theology of love rooted in God's heart.
The imperative is to share this theology of God's heart with humanity, making it accessible and relatable to all, regardless of denomination.
The focus should be on making disciples of Jesus who embody the message of God's heart and are willing to share it, irrespective of labels or appearances, with three strategies: leading doctrines to God's heart, living out Jesus' love, and cultivating meaningful relationships.
Civic Connections for Community Concerns
In the midst of the pandemic, a conversation between the author and future Mayor Stephen Murray led to a focus on reopening the historic Greene Street Gym, a beloved community space in Beaufort, SC.
Despite complicated local issues related to mismanagement and lack of access, Mayor Murray appointed a city task force in response to community interest, resulting in the reopening of the gym in January 2022.
The partnership between the author, a clergy leader and educator, and Mayor Murray, a civic leader, demonstrates the power of civic connections and collaborations in addressing community concerns for positive change.
Cross-Cultural Witnessing
A critical aspect of communicating the Gospel effectively is being able to understand the basic assumptions that those outside of my group bring as a mental map and have clarity toward the goal. Most of us are not aware of such deep assumptions, so is best to simply take a learner’s role and ask, “How do you understand this?” If you are not sure, simply start by seeking clarification…and remember, the goal is eventually leading seekers to the Bible, so keep the focus.
Here is an example of a real-life situation, a conversation between a Muslim Imam and an Adventist pastor. After a few pleasantries, the conversation changed…
The Doors of the Church are Now Open…Surprise
When churches initially closed their doors due to the pandemic, both churchgoers and pastors were supportive, but financial concerns grew, leading to a 58% increase in giving, according to Barna Group.
As the pandemic continued, the desire to reopen the physical church intensified, but when doors did open, the expected rush of attendees did not materialize, with 72% more viewers opting for online services.
The pandemic revealed that the church is not confined to a physical building, leading to a rise in virtual church hopping and a shift towards a hybrid church future, where Sabbath observance and nature exploration became cherished aspects of churchgoers' lives.
Remedy for the Decline in Pastoral Well-Being
Recent data highlights declining pastoral satisfaction, especially among younger pastors, emphasizing the need for them to work in their areas of giftedness and have influence over their church's vision.
Pastors often feel isolated, lack the energy to grow, and face increased emotional exhaustion, potentially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prioritizing self-care, including Sabbath practices, can boost satisfaction and resilience among pastors, while support from conference leaders is crucial for implementing restful sabbaticals.
How to Be an Advocacy Movement of One
Promoting representation is vital, not only due to societal trends but also because women inherently bear the image of God.
You can foster inclusivity in your local setting by inviting female pastors to speak regularly.
Insist on diverse representation to ensure meaningful and inclusive conversations.
5 Healthy Habits of the Financially Savvy Pastor
Savvy pastors take charge of their retirement by contributing to IRAs and making catch-up contributions if needed.
Prioritizing budgeting helps pastors control their finances and make intentional spending choices.
Pastors establish accountability systems and tap into lesser-known conference benefits for financial stability.
NAD Ministerial Book Club Explores Mending Ministers
Improving pastors’ health is a priority today
We initiated a comprehensive plan to strengthen, encourage, and inspire ministers
to a new level of health and wellness.
Register today to be part of this ever important discussion.
Why I Said Goodbye to 24-Hour News Channels
2.5 years have passed since we decided to stop watching 24 hour news channels in our house. It's been amazing! Let me share our experience, it may not be yours, but it's been a blessing for us. In fact it's been one of the BEST decisions we have made as a couple.
Top 10 Tips For Quality Livestream Worship Services - Pt.2
In the previous piece, our discussion focused on the first five tips for developing a quality livestreamed worship experience. Here are the remaining five tips.
A Suggested Culturally Intelligent Approach to Addressing Remittances
Pastoring today will ultimately include ministering to immigrants. Most immigrants come from collective cultures that leave behind family members to whom they send remittances to assist their families back home. In my case, I pastored a Hispanic church whose members were mostly from Mexico. In reviewing our church giving I saw that while most of the members were faithful in returning tithe, local church giving was not as high due to the remittances the members sent to their families back home.
The Challenge: Reaching People Born in North America by Manny Arteaga, Jesse Wilson, and Timothy Gillespie
How to spiritually reach people born in North America? When you think about this question, people born in North America refer to hundreds of demographics with vastly different cultures and needs. So the SDA church is asking how we can spiritually reach all these people. How can someone create one answer to this question that encapsulates all these cultures and needs? Watch this video to find out.
How to Discover the Health of Your Congregation by Dr. David Ripley and Pastor Lynn Ripley
In this video, Heather Crews tells stories of creative community connections that she has either had the privilege to be the assistant on or heard from pastors. The stories will inspire and encourage you to think outside the box and develop innovative ideas to reach your own community. Watch the full video here.
The Courage to Lead Beyond the Congregation: An Interview with MyRon Edmonds
“If you are only leading your congregation to change, then you are going to be myopically focused on the obstacles that are presented by to church. But if you see yourself as a change agent for your community—if you recognize that you are called to lead that community—then you begin to perceive both the real opposition and incredible opportunities for transformation.”