Adventist Record - November 2, 2019

red umbrella SEEING GOD’S LOVE ON A RAINY DAY 19 NEWS CHURCH VOICES CONCERNS ABOUT RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL 8 ADVENTIST RECORD | NOVEMBER 2, 2019 ISSN 0819-5633

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editor’s note

leadership learnings A group of Church leaders are working on developing a leadership strategy for the South Pacific Division. The strategy is to be God-focused and biblically based, so we are researching and writing a short theology of leadership.

All of us can identify people who were significant in our leadership development. For example: there was the senior pastor who supported the idea of an intern even though the idea was not fully developed; the treasurer who offered the young accountant another perspective on the issue at hand; the senior pastor who gave the intern a Bible study contact of his own that would certainly lead to a baptism; the trusting principal who allowed a young teacher to try a new method of teaching; the president who challenged a newly ordained pastor to lead the city-wide disciple-making project; quiet chats in the car or corridor imparting wisdom; sharing real-life situations faced in the past for learning.

No leader today is self-made and especially not in the Church. After all we are a “community of faith”.

Leadership is a part of the discipleship journey.

Leaders need mentors. The 12 apostles had Jesus, Paul had Barnabas, Paul then mentored Silas, Timothy and many others. Leaders ultimately serve the community but it is the community and other leaders within that community who serve and develop new leaders. We all play a part in the leadership development of others.

Leaders within the Church are called by God and work toward the same purpose as God—to restore humans into a real life connection with their loving Creator. God gifts the leaders He calls. In biblical history, God, in grace, chose patriarchs, prophets, priests, kings, shepherds, fishermen, women, children and farmers to be leaders, so God could call you. He also provides the best model—His own Son, Jesus.

Jesus modelled leadership, God-style. He gave up eternity in heaven to be born a baby on a planet in rebellion—with no special privileges. His love healed bodies, minds and hearts. He spoke compassion and truth, challenging people to deal with their issues and receive a better quality of life. Jesus came to serve and

abn 59 093 117 689 vol 124 no 21

senior consulting editor glenn townend senior editor jarrod stackelroth assistant editors maryellen fairfax copyeditors tracey bridcutt kent kingston melody tan

bring hope and reconciliation. He did no wrong and gave up His life, died to take the human penalty and consequence of sin, and finally conquered death for all people. Such servant leadership is the model He calls current leaders of God’s movement to—in humility, love, patience, kindness, courage and strength. Power, control, position, authority and self-interest are not the characteristics of a godly Christian leader.

Jesus still calls disciples of all kinds to leadership in many areas of church life. His grace will equip them with spiritual power and grow them in character and competencies. Ultimately leaders help others to know, love and be disciples of Jesus.

Ideally Christian leaders will have clarity of thought, speech and lifestyle regarding vision: God’s preferred future, mission; God’s call for action, purpose; God’s enduring path, values; God’s methods and way through the many obstacles. Leaders will live out these convictions. They serve others, stand for what is right and build collaboration so all humans can experience the love and life God gives.

No-one I know has done all of this, but God still uses them.

The group working on the SPD leadership strategic plan dream of having every leader developing and mentoring at least three other potential leaders, so when vacancies occur within the Church there will be a handful of candidates who could thrive in the new leadership role. I am attempting to invest in other leaders and am learning much in the process.

If you are a deacon, elder, Pathfinder leader, Sabbath school leader, women’s ministry leader or children’s Sabbath school leader, the big question is: Who else are you developing to take your place? Who are you investing in and praying for? Other than yourself, who are you supporting and growing for the sake of God’s dynamic community? The leaders of the future are depending on you—you could be influencing a significant leader in God’s last day Glenn townend movement!

SPD president

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November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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news

wise disciples for jesus Recently, I studied the book of Proverbs. I remember pondering the meaning of Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.”

I take the fruit of the righteous to mean a wise, virtuous way of life, a lifestyle that has the power to win souls. The prayers, the love, the charities, the good example, the qualities that make up the character become the influence by which believers show wisdom.

The Septuagint translates this text this way: “From the fruit of righteousness springs a tree of life.” The righteous life becomes as attractive as a tree of life. Therefore, those who give to people from the tree of life of their personal righteousness attract others to themselves.

One of the goals of Adventist education is to develop in students a vivid commitment to God that leads them to become a link between others and God. This is what we call discipleship.

Students come to our schools to know God, to be transformed by Him and to be equipped so God may use them to influence others.

Though soul winning is bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus, the meaning of soul winning is broader. It implies diverse layers of influence that believers exercise.

Using the Master’s words in Luke 5:10, winning souls is “to catch men”. We catch people by way of our influence: they see our lives and identify something desirable, then they get closer to us to know more and listen to what we say; then they change the direction of their lives, hopefully for the better.

Look at Daniel 12:3: “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.”

According to Daniel, shining like stars makes others turn to righteousness.

That is discipleship, and that is what Adventist education is about.

raul lozano PAU vice-chancellor 4

Adventist record | November 2, 2019

health program results in baptisms record staff seen before.

“The highlight of the baptism was Harish, a diabetic amputee who never missed an evening of health lectures,” Mr Kwong said.

“He was jubilant as they lifted him up in a chair into the pond, two pastors baptising him then manually hoisted him back out. His wife also got baptised.

“I have always been advocating and preaching to churches about health as an opening wedge but have never seen it so powerfully demonstrated as this.”

Two Muslims and five Hindus were among those baptised.

“The health crisis in Fiji poses a great opportunity for the Church to stand tall and reach out to the community with our health message, offering innovative solutions,” Fiji Mission president Pastor Harish preparing to be baptised in Nadi, Fiji.

Luke Narabe said.

A two-week health and evangelism program focusing on Indian communities in Nadi (Fiji) has resulted in 18 baptisms.

The program involved health assessments, food demonstrations and lectures focusing on the epidemic of lifestyle diseases presently affecting Pacific communities. The assessments were carried out each evening using health kits provided by the 10,000 Toes campaign.

Health worker George Kwong said the health activities had drawn people into the evangelistic campaigns in numbers never

prisoners baptised in lae Smith Kintau A week-long revival meeting at Sabbath just outside the prison Buimo Prison Camp in Lae (Papua church. One of the baptismal candidates was released from New Guinea) saw 24 candidates prison the day he got baptised. baptised.

He later said that he will never Minister Glen Kintau and his forget the experience. elder, Freddy Guba, with assisAfter the baptism, the church tance from minister, Denly Tarato, family provided lunch for the prisconducted the revival meeting oners and the duty wardens. inside the prison camp.

Morobe Mission general secretary, Pastor Samuel Mollen, and Mission family life and Sabbath school director, Pastor Kennedy Ministers Glen Kintau and Denly Tarato Way, baptised the with the prisoners after their baptism.

24 candidates on

mums magazine moves to paid subscription melody tan/record staff Mums At The Table magazine—part of the Adventist Media ministry of the same name—is introducing a subsidised annual subscription fee of $A15 for six issues.

This means anybody who has been receiving the magazines previously for free will now need to pay the subscription fee in order to continue receiving them.

“As ironic as it sounds, the change is because of the phenomenal success we’ve had,” said Melody Tan, editor of Mums At The Table. “With more than 10,000 magazines being sent to mums in the community and places such as ultrasound clinics, playgroups and schools, we needed to cover the cost of printing and distributing so many magazines.”

The publication moved to bi-monthly (once every two months) in August. It was previously available for free every month to churches, schools, community groups and individual subscribers.

“As a donor-funded ministry, being sustainable meant we had to introduce

not alone on this parenting journey.” a small fee,” said Ms Tan. “I am a mum of three boys . . . your “I encourage all those who have [magazine] article about not being the been receiving Mums At The Table perfect mum resonated with me so magazines to subscribe to future much. I loved its honesty. It’s given issues. I’ve loved the fact that through me hope and encouragement. It’s like the magazines, we’ve built a commua wave of understanding comes along nity of women who aren’t afraid to with reading your material, which I share their experiences and opinions love,” said Bex. on issues that impact them—and we Churches and mums interested in look forward to continuing to do so.”

Since its launch in September 2017, subscribing to Mums At The Table magazine can do so via <MumsAtMums At The Table magazine has provided support and comfort to many TheTable.com>. mums, and has been distributed by the wider community to new mums like Iresha, who received her first issue from her Plunket nurse (early childhood nurse in New Zealand).

“It is very helpful for new mums like me,” she said.

According to Rebecca, “It makes Mums At The Table magazine has been a hit with new mums. me realise that I’m

adventist jewish congregation marks rosh hashanah Kirsten Øster Lundqvist The Adventist Jewish church plant Bet Tikkun in Wellington, New Zealand, marked Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on September 30.

Lay leader Stephanie Taylor shared the traditions and teachings of Rosh Hashanah as the group gathered for a taschlich service.

Taschlich is a Jewish rite that is performed in the afternoon of the first day of Rosh Hashanah, in which participants symbolically cast off their sins by gathering along the banks of a river, or the sea, and pray for forgiveness.

At Bet Tikkun, the participants prayerfully wrote their sins on rice paper and placed them in a bucket of water, which later was emptied into the sea.

“It is both a time of rejoicing and of

The service was followed by a serious introspection,” said Ms Taylor.

“It’s a time to celebrate the completion shared tea where apples were dipped of another year while also taking stock in honey, symbolic of asking God to renew this year with sweetness and of one’s life. As we celebrate the start happiness. of a new year, today is about creating a new heart and a new spirit.”

As such, the importance of a visual “casting your sins upon the waters” is part of the service.

Concluding the service, the shofar was blown with 100 blasts in three different patterns, symbolising a call to reaffirm God’s sovereignty, remembering the weeping and calling all to rouse the shofar is blown 100 times in different patterns. from spiritual slumber.

November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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women’s congress in png opened by pm erna johnson/record staff Almost 5000 women attended a week-long women’s congress in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, opened by the nation’s prime minister.

The event, held at Bautama campsite from September 23 to 29, was the third Adventist Women’s Congress organised by the Central Papua Conference.

Papua New Guinean prime minister James Marape, an Adventist, spoke at the opening ceremony and shared with the women how important they are to their country, their community and their Church.

The event was themed “Empowered to Arise and Shine”, based on Isaiah 60:1.

Erna Johnson, former Women’s Ministries director for the South Pacific Division and Greater Sydney Conference, spoke to the 1200 teenage girls attending the meetings each day.

“It is the biggest number of teenage

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girls attending a women’s ministries event ever, held anywhere!” said Mrs Johnson. “What a pleasure it was to see those eager faces ready to learn and be challenged.”

Mrs Johnson spoke to the girls about self-esteem, personality inventories, life skills, abuse, how to make good life choices and many other relevant topics. She also presented to all 5000 women each evening about lessons to be learned from women in the Bible.

Dr Agnes Kola, Women’s Ministries director for the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM), and many other speakers presented to the older women on topics such as how to start a small business, singleness, being a widow, parenting and more.

Prayer times were held on multiple occasions during each day.

Central Papua Conference Women’s Ministries director Joy Koi worked for

erna johnson and prime minister james marape.

terry litchfield preaches to thousands.

many months alongside a congress committee to make the event a success.

solomons students feed the homeless ken long/record staff Grade 6 students from Kukum Seventh-day Adventist Primary School in Solomon Islands have reached out to their local community by feeding the homeless.

“We talked about what we could do in Honiara,” said Grade 6 teacher Keith Timothy, “and we decided to take food to the homeless and needy people on the streets of our city.”

Each of the 40 students was required to put together 10 takeaway plates containing sandwiches and fruit, plus a bottle of water.

“We met at our school on Friday night and divided into four groups, each supported by a teacher and parents.

Within two hours we had handed out all 400 plates of food.”

Students from Kukum Seventhday Adventist Primary School.

The students talked to the people on the streets and prayed with them. Some asked the students to continue to pray for them and for their relatives.

“Our students are generally shy, but after a few minutes of sharing food they were excited,” said school principal Delwyn Patovaki. “They were excited because they had the opportunity to serve their community.”

Kukum Adventist Primary School is located in the eastern part of Honiara, in Guadalcanal, and has 536 students.

The school has recently launched a campaign, hoping to raise at least $SBD100,000 to complete the construction of a new classroom block, and to buy chairs and desks, ready for the start of the 2020 year.

“We’ve received great support so far from the Solomon Islands government, the Solomon Islands Mission of Seventh-day Adventists as well as parents, local Adventist churches and private donors,” Mrs Patovaki said.

The school has also banned unhealthy processed foods and is helping students to identify the difference between healthy and unhealthy food, in support of the 10,000 Toes Campaign.

Medical mission helps remote Vanuatu villages Tracey Bridcutt A Seventh-day Adventist medical mission team has visited Unap, Big Bay, on Santo Island—one of Vanuatu’s most remote areas—to train and equip church members in health ministry, and to conduct screenings in local villages.

The team comprised doctor Kalbule Willie, nurse Thomas Lapesai, ministers Christopher Japheth and James Roriri, Bible worker Hamross Ham, local church member Robinson from Unap Village, and Vanuatu Mission health director Phalguni James.

The team visited homes using the “Action for Health Families” kit, conducted workshops and worships at Unap, and health screenings at the clinic.

Around 100 people attended the clinic;

for many it was the first time they had seen a doctor in years.

The team distributed clothes and prayed for clinic attendees. They also conducted training for local church members from West Coast and Big Bay churches, who will continue to visit the homes and follow-up on the health plans made by the families.

Church members trained for health ministry.

news grabs

weet-bix featured on $1 coin

The Adventist-owned breakfast cereal Weet-Bix will soon be featured on Australian $1 coins.

Produced by the Sanitarium Health Food Company, the product will join a series of other Australian icons to be featured, including the television show Neighbours, the word “G’day” and meat pies. They will only be obtainable as change at Australia Post.—news.com.au

dinosaur attention

Southwestern Adventist University’s Dinosaur Research Project is gaining attention, with Hope Channel preparing to release a six-episode documentary about the one-month annual dig, which draws up to 120 participants of all ages.

The series will have a “reality show type feel” and is scheduled to air in the next few months.—ANN

adra responds to earthquake

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake hit Pakistan, resulting in 37 deaths and more than 723 injuries. ADRA Pakistan has deployed a team to assess damage, providing temporary shelter tents for up to 560 people and feeding nearly 400 families for 10 days. More than 90,000 have been directly affected.—Kimi-Roux James

November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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hot topics

Church voices concerns about religious discrimination bill Tracey bridcutt

junk food and memory loss

Researchers at the University of New South Wales have found links between junk food and spatial memory loss. The more consecutive days that rats were fed junk food, the worse their memories became. Senior researcher Professor Margaret Morris explained that reducing junk food can positively affect cognitive ability.—AAP

relevant founder quits

Founder and CEO of Relevant magazine, Cameron Strang, announced his leave of absence on September 23, following claims from staff that he displayed patterns of toxic communication, poor leadership and insensitivity toward people of colour and women. He has published an apology, but has not denied the claims.—HuffPost

Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders in Australia have welcomed the federal government’s draft religious discrimination bill, but say it still needs fine tuning to adequately protect freedom of religion as well as freedom of speech and conscience.

In a submission responding to the bill, the Australian Union Conference (AUC) said it contains a “number of deficiencies that need addressing to ensure that appropriate positive protections are provided for people of faith and those of none”.

The AUC submission outlined concerns about the continuing ability to employ people in church ministries and schools who uphold the Church’s ethos and doctrines. “This is not to discriminate against other persons, rather it is a desire to ensure that our schools and church ministries clearly and overtly manifest the fundamental beliefs, doctrines and ethos of the Church.”

Among other concerns, the AUC noted that, while the Church believes strongly that the separation of church and state is an important principle in a modern pluralistic society, “it is deeply concerning that the courts may be left to determine whether a specific belief is reasonably in accordance with doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of the faith”.

The AUC also warned that the bill’s use of the term “vilify” is problematic.

biggest christian song ever

Lauren Daigle’s hit single, “You Say” recently surpassed Hillsong United’s “Oceans” as the most popular Christian song ever. Sitting at number 1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian Songs chart for 62 weeks, it surpassed the previous record holder, which held the position for 61 weeks.—Relevant

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Parliament house, canberra.

“The term is too broad and leads to uncertainty, which is highly contestable.”

South Pacific Division Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director Ronald Bower represented the Church at the official launch of the bill by Attorney-General Christian Porter in Sydney on August 29.

On September 4, AUC president Pastor Jorge Munoz joined nine other religious leaders at a roundtable discussion with the Attorney-General in Melbourne. Pastor Munoz said it was a good opportunity to highlight some of the concerns the Church has with the draft bill.

“It was a candid discussion,” Pastor Munoz said. “The Attorney-General was very willing to hear from everybody. It was quite positive.”

Pastor Michael Worker, AUC Public Affairs and Religious Liberty director, said the draft bill is a welcome first step in the reform of religious freedom legislation in Australia, but further clarification is needed in some areas.

“I would encourage all of our church members to continue to pray about these important issues and that God will guide the decisions made by our political leaders,” Pastor Worker said.

Following the closure of the public submission period on October 2, the submissions are now under consideration by the government.

flashpoint

south brisbane turns 120

South Brisbane Seventh-day Adventist Church (Qld) celebrated 120 years on Sabbath, August 31. Many past members returned “home” to share memories and reflect on the church’s rich history. South Queensland Conference president Pastor Brett Townend gave a presentation on the church’s journey and challenged the congregation to “look forward”.

He also captivated the children with his ability to crack a whip. Pastor Wal Taylor, aged 102, wrote a letter about the church, which was read out for all to enjoy, and a Korean choir performed “Blessed Assurance”.

A luncheon was also held after the service.—Maryellen Fairfax

a fresh start

People living in Butmas, Santo (Vanuatu) now have access to clean water for drinking, cooking and washing thanks to funding assistance from the New Zealand Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and ADRA Vanuatu. In the past, women and children—often very young, or pregnant—had to make a difficult walk down and up steep hills to fetch water. Now, 10 tap stands have been installed throughout the community of 20 households, giving families more time to focus on other work and earning an income. This development is in line with the Vanuatu Government’s National Sustainable Development plan.—Talemaot

schools build a library

ministry natives

Ministry initiative “Nativ Co” from Canberra National Church has hosted their second annual week-long worship ministry called “Sundown Sessions”. Started by youth members Michael Nolan and Madison Allum, a team of 15-20 people organised street food, hot drinks, live music and lawn games for the local community. Located at Mallee Pavillion, Canberra Exhibition Park, programs were hosted each night from October 1-5 and featured nightly keynote presentations by Pastor Ron Sydney from the USA on hot topics and unanswered questions surrounding faith and purpose.—Jess Ward/Nativ Co

let the little children preach

Lane Park Church (Upper Hutt, NZ) hosted Wellington’s Regional Sabbath on September 7. Young preachers Xinia, Hadessa, Nettalie, Christina, Wednie and Geordina from Wellington Adventist School shared messages on what it means to be “chosen”. Erickson Fabien was introduced as a new pastor to the conference and challenged the congregation to share God in their circles of influence. The afternoon involved distributing 300 food parcels.—Kirsten Øster Lundqvist

victorian women renewed

Mums, grandmothers, daughters and friends gathered on Philip Island for the “RENEW” retreat organised by the Adventist Women’s Ministry advisory team in Victoria. The weekend featured early morning devotions, delicious food, inspirational worships and a pyjama party. Guest speaker, pastor Chanda Nunes, shared her message “A royal invitation”, challenging women to adopt their true identity in Christ.—IntraVic

burns creek builds a well

Students and staff at Burns Creek Primary School (Solomon Islands) are celebrating a water well installation by CleanWater4Life.

Burns Creek is one of the fastest growing schools in Honiara. According to the principal Sherol Mautoa, “This [the water installation] is one of the milestones for the school . . . and I give back the honour and glory to God for His providence.”—The Conch Shell

Thirty-three Year 10 students, five staff and six volunteers from Carmel Adventist College and Landsdale Christian College (WA) travelled to Phnom Dombang, Cambodia, to build a local school library. Working with a small team of local builders, students sawed, screwed and hammered together a traditional Cambodian-style building to house books and desks. By nine years old, most village children stop attending school and start as farm labourers. The schools’ vision was to help break this cycle. Year 12 students will travel to Cambodia after their HSC exams to complete the project.

—Carolyn Frisby

have a news story? email it to news@record.net.au

special day for siblings

Before a packed congregation, identical twins Brianna and Xaviera Fay were baptised on October 5 at Hurstville Seventh-day Adventist Church (Sydney). Their nine-month-old brother, Aiden, was also dedicated during the worship service. The day was made even more special as it was the morning of the twins’ 13th birthday, which they also share with their mother, Liezel.—Robert Fay

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What is ADRA’s role in the

HARVEST MODEL?

I

was in a meeting with Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders when I heard it expressed that ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) helps “prepare the soil”, but does not sow, cultivate, harvest and multiply—if we consider the Harvest Discipleship Cycle used in the South Pacific region (see right).1 The “prepare the soil” step of the cycle is to “connect people into social streams because discipleship is a journey taken in the context of community”.2 At first, this comment surprised me. But then it made me reflect on the perspective Church leaders have on ADRA, its role and how it fits within the Church’s mission.

It also made me reflect on how my ADRA colleagues and I view ADRA’s role in relation to the Church’s mission.

Over time, it seems both Church leaders and ADRA workers have accepted the idea that the Church and ADRA have “distinct” roles—in other words, the Church having a spiritual role and ADRA having a temporal role, focusing on material and social needs of the poor and vulnerable.

This sense of “distinctiveness” is not unique to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and ADRA, and has probably been influenced by historical and financial reasons.

Marshal and Keough3 talk about the “two worlds of religion and development” being rooted in the separation of Church and state. These “two worlds” are “propelled by a divergent set of impulses”, with religious leaders primarily concerned with “spiritual well-being”, and development workers (such as ADRA workers) concerned with “the material” and “technical, hard-nosed economic and financial approaches”.

This appears to apply to the Seventh-day Adventist Church and ADRA context as well.

Financially, ADRA does receive funding contributions from the Church, but the bulk of funding comes from government agencies and generous church and community members. In fact, ADRA worldwide is funded between 60 and 70 per cent4 by government and other philanthropic agencies.

This is positive, as it means that ADRA does not become

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a financial burden for the Church. But it can also impact negatively if the Church thinks its responsibility of caring for the “least of these” is only ADRA’s responsibility and not that of the entire Church (which includes ADRA).

From an ADRA point of view, receiving government funds allows it to be more financially independent, but being dependent on public funds comes at a cost, usually with the requirements of secular funders. This means that ADRA mainly practises development and humanitarian work like most other non-government organisations, whether secular or faith-based.

It is important to note that development theory has been heavily influenced by a secular view of helping others, which, in turn, has been influenced by the notion that we can separate the day-to-day from the spiritual, like state affairs have been separated from religion. Some in Western societies believe this separation is possible.

The reality though is that more than 85 per cent5 of the world’s population professes to have a religious affiliation.

In these contexts, there is no separation; no dichotomy between spiritual and material. And it is in these contexts where both the Church and ADRA do most of their work.

Therefore, I argue that this “sense of distinctiveness” between the Church and ADRA is unhelpful and unneces-

ADRA sary. ADRA is the professional humanitarian and development agency of the Adventist Church that not only responds to temporal needs, but resembles Christ’s love in action and shares hope with everyone, regardless of their religion, culture or background.

ADRA’s sometimes forgotten mandate (among other objectives) from the General Conference is to “awaken concern for the very poor, the deprived, the sick, the malnourished and the victims of natural and man-made disasters resulting in the commitment by the church of its own funds and resources for the benefit of such needy people”.6 This past quarter’s Sabbath School Lesson The Least of These has reminded me that matters of justice, love and mercy are not only relevant for ADRA as a humanitarian organisation serving humanity and for the Church but for the entire society. Micah 6:8 and more than 2000 other biblical verses call us to collectively speak and stand up against injustice and poverty.

According to the General Conference, the method for Church mission implementation is through Christ-like living, communicating, discipling, teaching, healing and serving.

The serving method is stated as follows: Christ-Like Serving—Following the example of Jesus we commit ourselves to humble service, ministering to individuals and populations most affected by poverty, tragedy, hopelessness and disease.7 While ADRA’s purpose is mirrored particularly on this method as a serving agency to populations in poverty and distress on behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, this does not exclude the Church from taking the lead in Christ-like serving and being actively involved in practical discipleship.

I agree that ADRA, as an agency of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is not involved in all the steps of the harvest discipleship cycle. ADRA is, however, connected to the community and connects the Church in ways that are relevant and practical, in ways that help lives be restored to the image of Christ. ADRA also effectively partners with other Church departments and institutions such as Health, Discipleship, Youth and Sanitarium as a joint force for much community engagement.

ADRA staff members are involved in the various harvest steps in their personal lives. And because of these individuals working in un-entered areas of the 10/40 window, refugee camps or even in our neighbourhoods where the Church sometimes has no presence, many brothers and sisters are being harvested for Christ.

At the end of the day discipleship is a personal journey that starts with you and me. The journey starts with an act of prayer aligning us with our heavenly Father’s priorities and through our submission to His will.

I hope and pray that ADRA and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, through God’s almighty power, will expand their reach and bring much hope and healing to people of this world, and any “sense of distinctiveness”

may be replaced with a “sense of common purpose and complementarity”.

This reflection does not reflect the views of any institution herein mentioned. The argument and remaining errors remain mine alone.

1. Harvest Cycle. Available at: https://discipleship.adventistchurch.com/ framework/harvest-cycle/ 2. Prepare the Soil is the first step of the Harvest Cycle.

3. Marshal, K and Keough, L (2004). Mind, Heart, and Soul: In the Fight Against Poverty (Washington, DC: World Bank). Pages 1-2.

4. The 2017 ADRA Annual Report shows an ADRA network total budget for the year of $US219,358,694. I estimate between 60 and 70 per cent coming from government, the United Nations and other philanthropic institutions.

5. Pew Research Center. Available at: <pewforum.org/global-religious-landscape.aspx>.

6. General Conference Policy–HA 05 15 Purposes and Objectives 7. General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Available at: <adventist.org/en/information/official-statements/statements/article/ go/-/mission-statement-of-the-seventh-day-adventist-church>.

denison grellmann Ceo, adra New zealand.

November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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topic/genre

A day in the life of an... editor Name: Jarrod stackelroth Job: editor, adventist record Where: adventist media, wahroonga NSW

What’s a typical day for you?

A typical day is in the office. I check

emails, see what news has come in, and respond to readers and writers.

I spend time on editing and layout as well as writing news and editorials, and uploading stories for the website.

I love getting out of the office (on a non-typical day) and attending events or meetings or ministries and being able to write about those experiences.

Best thing about your job?

I love hearing amazing stories about what God is doing in the South Pacific.

I’m inspired when I meet our readers as I travel. They do amazing things and have amazing testimonies. It’s also great to work in a calm, gracious, Christian environment. Mainstream news rooms can be crazy, competitive places.

What qualifications do you need for How long have you been in your role, this job? and how have you changed over the A love of stories, a critical eye for years? good writing, a flair for language, a

I’ve been editor for three years. I believe my writing has continued to grow and mature. I’ve set some goals and seen them achieved.

Biggest lesson you’ve learned?

My mum taught me this one. Work for God, not people. That way you’ll never get disillusioned.

What led you to this job?

I never knew what I wanted to do when I grew up but I always loved reading and had an aptitude for writing. As a boy I prayed that God would use me where He wanted me.

And through a number of amazing (to me) circumstances, here I am.

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love of God and the South Pacific community of Seventh-day Adventists.

It helps to have broad general knowledge and an interest in world events.

A writing degree would also help.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

The world is incredibly polarised.

So, it seems is the Church. We need to find balance and strike a healthy, conversational tone. It’s hard to find the right language and to challenge everyone including yourself, rather than just relaying what matters to you.

It is an ever present need to balance competing agendas and help the Church move forward together.

How do you share Jesus in your job, (other than writing about Him)?

I love mentoring others to help them share Jesus more effectively, in writing or life in general. I also enjoy preaching from time to time. Even just sharing my job with strangers is a witness because it’s not the answer they expect. I value authenticity and openness very much and try to model that in my writing, speaking and living.

What’s something surprising people don’t know about your job?

There is heaps of correspondence.

The job is not just writing and editing; there are a lot of emails. The other surprising thing is the size of the team.

There are only really two of us that work on Record full time (although many other people contribute). We get a lot done!

Any advice for future editors?

Be true to yourself. Every editor (and I’ve worked under a few) will bring something different to the table.

Work out what your style is and then nail that, while also working on your weaknesses. Put God first and treat people like they’re made in His image and everything else should fall into place.

My story

Baptising a murderer reconciles families at war

O

ppressed by war, bloodshed and violence for more than 10 years, Lakatu village in Goroka (Papua New Guinea) recently experienced powerful reconciliation that has brought peace.

Rex Krisai, who shot and murdered a man from the village during tribal violence nine years ago, repented and was baptised during a recent evangelistic campaign. The murdered man’s family who were also present forgave him.

Back in August 2010, Lakatu Seventh-day Adventist Church organised evangelistic meetings with volunteer missionary Minister Tango. War cries and gunshots forced them to cancel, and as violence began to escalate, homes and properties were destroyed, displacing families—eventually forcing the church to close.

“It was a terrible scene, especially when the act of murder occurred in the church,” said Willie Yavoto, who buried Rex Krisai’s victim.

Nine years later in August 2019, another week-long evangelistic meeting was again held in Lakatu village with Minister Tango.

“It was in this very spot that I fled for my life [nine years ago] . . . but now I stand here again to testify God’s leading in His own timing that I should deliver the message of God’s grace and hope for my people,” Minister Tango said.

Rex attended this year’s meetings and was inspired to be baptised, as well as make a public apology to the village, acknowledging his wrongs.

“Before I go into the water for baptism, I’d like to sincerely say sorry from my heart,” Rex pleaded. “Please forgive me for the evil I did to you, Minister Tango, Kivita family and church family.

I’m changed by the blood of Jesus, have accepted His sacrifice and I’m ready for baptism,” he added.

Brother of the deceased, Allan Kivita, then publicly forgave Rex, leading the village to pursue reconciliation: “On behalf of Kivita family, I forgive you for all Minister Tango, Rex, Allan and Minister Prisca. those evils you did, and wish you God’s blessings as you affirm your decision through the water of baptism.”

The families hugged, cried and applauded as the program came to a close. The officiating pastor for the baptism of Rex and eight others, Pastor Ronald Luke, commended Rex, Allan and their families, and Minister Tango for inspiring the reconciliation.

“This is truly God at work,” Pastor Luke said. “The ministry of reconciliation given to us by Jesus is being manifested today.”

Pastor Luke then challenged the community not to let evil attitudes and actions overtake the village again and to encourage those who have not yet accepted Jesus to be inspired by Rex’s decision to be baptised.

ronald luke/record staff

Living his word

With wayne boehm

LESSONS FROM A NAMELESS MAN We move from the nameless woman in Samaria to the next story: the nameless nobleman of Cana (John 4:43–54).

We find Jesus returned to the town of Cana, subtly reminding the reader of Jesus’ first miracle (water into wine). CONSIDER the locations Jesus travelled to between these two stories—John 2:23, 3:22, 4:4.

REFLECT on the striking similarity to Acts 1:8 and Jesus’ instruction to His disciples to carry the gospel forward.

The nobleman approaches Jesus with what appears to be a sincere request but is countered by what appears to be a rebuke.

NOTE John 4:47,48. As the Christ, Jesus detects something unseen to the human eye—the nobleman’s faith was conditional on him seeing evidence of Jesus’ Messiahship.

In other words, let me see, then I’ll believe. COMPARE this to the woman at the well and Samaritans.

Perhaps in the unspoken text between verse 48 and 49, the nobleman processes Jesus’ challenge and presents his request again: ”Please follow me to Capernaum?” The man’s only hope was found in Jesus. Seeing his resolve, Jesus speaks with the authoritative voice of the Creator: “Go your way, your son lives.”

Jesus did not do what the father asked but gave him a promise instead. With Jesus’ words ringing in his ears, the nobleman—and more importantly, father—turned in faith to Capernaum. His journey home was a journey of faith—rewarded by news his son lived.

“Faith is expecting the Word of God to do what it says and depending upon that Word to do what it says” (RH 1898). Now that is faith to live by.

November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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two false teachings T

he 1919 Bible Conference, held four years after Ellen White’s death, was a significant event in the history of the Church, yet the minutes of the meetings were buried in the White Estate archives until the early 1970s and we‘ve heard little about them since then.

Michael Campbell, who did his doctoral studies on the Conference, released a book this year that addresses this neglect, 1919: The Untold Story of Adventism’s Struggle with Fundamentalism.1 “All of the issues discussed,” writes Campbell, “revolved in some way or another around the twin issues of how to interpret the Bible and Ellen White’s writings. . . . Thus, hermeneutics (the way that inspired writings are interpreted) would become a central focus.”2 According to Arthur G Daniells (1858-1935), the longest serving General Conference president (1901– 1922), the leaders of the Church struggled with two false teachings: that Ellen White was infallible, and that her writings were verbally inspired (dictated by God) and therefore inerrant.3 These views were “widely held among Adventists in her lifetime”, acknowledges George Knight in his recent book, Ellen White’s afterlife: Delightful fictions, troubling facts, and enlightening research.4 For example, he shares a letter Dr David Paulson, the founder of Hinsdale Hospital, wrote to Ellen White, with her reply:

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“I was led to conclude and most firmly believe that every word that you ever spoke in public or private, that every letter you wrote under any and all circumstances, was as inspired as the Ten Commandments. I held that view with absolute tenacity against innumerable objections raised to it by many who were occupying prominent positions in the cause.”

“My brother,” she replied, “you have studied my writings diligently, and you have never found that I have made any such claims. Neither will you find that the pioneers in our cause have made such claims.”5 At the 1919 Bible Conference, G B Thompson highlighted the reason for the church struggle. “If we had always taught the truth . . . [about her writings not being verbally inspired], we would not have any trouble or shock in the denomination now. . . [We] have put the Testimonies on a plane where she says they do not stand. We have claimed more for them than she did.”6 Campbell reflects, “Thompson’s brief comment . . . [became] one of the most famous statements from the 1919 Bible Conference.”7 “The discussions about Ellen White and inspiration,” Campbell reveals, “showcase the reality that there were two contrasting positions about Adventist hermeneutics”—that of the “progressives” and the “traditionalists”. The “progressives” were older men who, from firsthand experience, knew that her writings “were not

inerrant, nor was she infallible”. “The ‘traditionalists’, who tended to be much younger and most of whom had not worked closely with Ellen White, believed that Ellen White’s writings, along with the Bible, were verbally inspired and thus inerrant.”8 Campbell considers that they “were both much closer to each other than either group realised” but debate pushed them farther apart.9 This begs the question: how can this be so, when these two views on inspiration are diametrically opposed to each other?

“These issues were not settled in 1919,” observes Campbell, but “continue to be a topic of debate” to the present.10 More than just a “topic of debate”, they represent two completely opposing theologies, not just of inspiration, but of salvation, that still divides the Church and causes confusion among members.

“In regard to infallibility,” Ellen White clearly stated, “I never claimed it; God alone is infallible” (1SM 37).

“We have many lessons to learn, and many, many to unlearn. God and heaven alone are infallible. Those who think that they will never have to give up a cherished view . . . will be disappointed” (RH, July 26, 1892).

Gerhard Pfandl, associate director of the Biblical Research Institute, in a Sabbath School lesson, “The Prophetic gift” reminds us that: “Ellen White was not infallible, and she never claimed infallibility. She grew, changed her mind on issues,

Culture

and was constantly open for more light. . . . Her writings are not another Bible, nor do they carry the kind of authority found in the Bible. [T]he Bible and the Bible alone is our ultimate authority.”11 Contrary to the dictation theory, she acknowledged: “The Bible points to God as its author. . . . The truths revealed are all ‘given by inspiration of God’ (2 Timothy 3:16); yet they are expressed in the words of men.” The Bible is a product of “a union of the divine and the human” (GC88, 10).

“The Bible must be given in the language of men. Everything that is human is imperfect. . . . God has not put Himself in words, in logic, in rhetoric, on trial in the Bible. The writers of the Bible were God’s penmen, not His pen. . . . Inspiration acts not on the man’s words or his expressions but on the man himself, who, under the influence of the Holy Ghost, is imbued with thoughts. But the words receive the impress of the individual mind” (1SM 20-21).

These are incredibly insightful comments, even if some of her words were borrowed from Calvin Stowe.12 In other words, God did not dictate His messages to Bible writers or to Ellen White and there’s a human element in the writings that is “imperfect”. Herbert Douglass acknowledges, “The human phase of the divine-human communication system will be beset with occasional discrepancies.”13 That there is a human element in her writings is evidenced by the way her messages were prepared. She had literary assistants and secretaries, who corrected her spelling and grammar; who did research for her;

who reworded sentences, helping her to better express the messages from God that she wanted to communicate; and who put together her books.

As well as this, Douglass reveals, Review and Signs editors were given permission to edit her sermons “for their particular needs”.14 At the General Conference, October 30, 1911, W C White, Ellen White’s son, said: “Mother has never claimed to be authority on history . . . [or] to verbal inspiration. . . .

If there were verbal inspiration in writing her manuscripts, why should there be revisions?”15 In writing to SN Haskell the same year, W C White said, with Great Controversy, after giving a partial description of a scene, his mother instructed Sister Davis [her bookmaker] to refer to Uriah Smith’s books and “secular histories”, for details. “I believe, Brother Haskell, that there is danger of our injuring Mother’s work by claiming for it more than she or Father claims for it.”16 The 1919 Bible Conference revealed that “J N Anderson prepared those historical quotations for the old edition” and Robinson, Crisler, Prescott and others “furnished the quotations for the new edition” correcting historical inaccuracies pointed out

by Prescott and others. Prescott reported, “If they did not find in her writings anything on certain chapters to make the historical connections, . . . sometimes her secretaries . . . would prepare a chapter . . . [to] fill the gap.”17 Daniells stated it “is not honest and . . . Christian” to make “false claims” that Ellen White was infallible and verbally inspired. “In Australia,”

he revealed, “I saw the rewriting of chapters [of The Desire of Ages] . . . over and over and over again. . . . If these false positions had never been taken, the thing would be much plainer than today.”18 In discussing the limitations of Ellen White’s giftedness, we don’t want to minimise her contribution to the Adventist Church. God used her in a special way. In Campbell’s assessment, “The greatest proof of her genuine prophetic gift was her overall life and contributions to the Church, which could be seen in such areas as world evangelism, education, medical missions, and her overall spirit of sacrificial service.”19 1. Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2019.

2. Ibid, 54, 42.

3. 1919 Bible Conference Collection, ed. MC Wilcox et al. General Conference of SDA, 1919.

4. Pacific Press Publishing Association. Kindle Edition, 2019.

5. Ibid, 20,21.

6. 1919 Bible Conference, 1238,1239.

7. 1919: The Untold Story, 92.

8. Ibid, 94,95.

9. Ibid, 113.

10. Ibid, 114 11. (Jan-Mar, 2009), 110.

12. Denis Fortin and Jerry Moon, Ellen G White Encyclopedia, 220, 1033.

13. Messenger of the Lord: The Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G White (Pacific Press, 1998), 514, 387.

14. Ibid, 116.

15. 3SM 437,438.

16. Ellen G White Encyclopedia, 218,219. See also Douglass, 388.

17. 1919 Bible Conference, 1248, 562, 1253.

18. Ibid., 1241,1242.

19. 1919: The Untold Story, 85.

errol webster retired pastor living in Bathurst, NSW. author of Try Jesus lessons. article is from his upcoming book, “Good News for an Ageing Church”.

November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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theology

CHEAP FORGIVENESS W hen we isolate forgiveness from the whole pattern of salvation, we turn something sublime and transforming into “cheap forgiveness”. When we seize the gift, but refuse the Giver, we turn the costly forgiveness of God into “cheap forgiveness”.

The 1950s gospel hit, “He”, laments that “He knows every lie that you and I have [ever] told”, but then quickly assures us with the song’s refrain: “Though it makes Him sad to see the way we live, He’ll always say I forgive.” It’s sentimental drivel of course; just “cheap forgiveness”.

The poet, A H Auden, has Herod complain at the birth of Jesus that forgiveness was now assured, so “every crook . . . [will] argue: ‘I like committing crimes. God likes forgiving them. Really the world is admirably arranged’.”

Again we are hearing “cheap forgiveness”. When a priest asked the nineteenth-century German romantic poet, Heinrich Heine, on his death bed whether he thought God would forgive him, he flippantly replied: “Of course God will forgive me; that’s His job (Beruf).” But God’s forgiveness is no such easy-going indulgence.

God’s forgiveness cost the cross. It’s sublime, serious, sanctifying and woven into the very fabric of salvation; it cannot be isolated as a stand-alone device for guilt-free sinning. The cross informs us that the divine forgiveness was not easy, nor casual, and it was not cheap. The song

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“He” is shallower than a bird bath, and the remarks of Auden’s Herod and of Heine trivialise something that is profound, powerful and potent.

True forgiveness is difficult to offer and to receive. After the Nazis invaded Poland, Simon Wiesenthal soon found himself as a Jew in a concentration camp. One day a nurse led him to the bedside of a dying SS officer. The soldier had been severely burnt and was now swathed in bandages; he was dying. He confessed to Wiesenthal how he had been involved in the incineration of more than 200 Russian Jews—mainly women, children and old men. As the SS officer rasped out his words of contrition, Wiesenthal recognised that he manifested a genuine repentance: “I know that what I have told you is terrible . . . I have longed to talk about it to a Jew and beg forgiveness from him . . . I know that what I am asking is almost too much for you, but without your answer I cannot die in peace” (The Sunflower, 57).

But Wiesenthal was unable to give him peace: “At last I made up my mind,” he wrote, “and without a word I left the room” (The Sunflower, 58). He believed only the victims could forgive the SS officer, and they were all dead. Was he right?

Since sin is an affront against God, Wiesenthal could have said to the dying SS officer, “If I had my way you’d

burn in hell, but I urge you to call on the mercy of your God for forgiveness.” This is exactly how Joseph and David saw the matter: “How then could I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9). “Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4).

Christians tend to think they should forgive the most heinous deeds. Don’t we pray “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12; Luke 11:4)? Didn’t the Lord say 70 times seven (Matthew 18:21,22)? Isn’t forgiveness at the heart of the New Covenant (Matthew 28:26)?

And didn’t Jesus, an innocent Man, forgive those who crucified Him (Luke 23:34)? Doesn’t God always forgive? Isn’t that His job?

What then of the warning that God would by no means clear the guilty (Exodus 34:6,7)? Joshua warns the Israelites that God “will not forgive your transgressions or your sins” (Joshua 24:19).

The NT is no less frank in saying that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven” (Luke 12:10).

There is a conditional element to God’s forgiveness: “if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15; 18:34–35). Forgiveness is not an arrangement designed to perpetuate disobedience or abuse. Sometimes a refusal to hate is as far as it is possible to forgive.

When does forgiveness occur? Many would answer, “When we repent.” Or does repentance refer to the acceptance of God’s forgiveness rather than its cause? Notice that in Colossians 2:13 God’s forgiveness occurred while we were dead in our trespasses: “And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses” (italics added).

God’s forgiveness embraced the whole world: “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19, italics added).

Of course “not counting [reckoning] their trespasses against them” is equivalent to forgiveness. The association with “reconciliation” (vv 18, 19b, 20) reminds us that forgiveness is relational; to accept God’s forgiveness is to accept Him, and that has a powerful impact on how we live.

In a forceful example, Paul quotes Psalm 32:1,2. “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the one against whom the Lord will not reckon sin” (Romans 4:7–8). Notice the three synonymous parallels and the twofold use of “blessed”:

• Iniquities are forgiven • Sins are covered • Sin is not reckoned [counted] It is also important to note how the Lord’s not reckoning sin (that is, forgiving it) links back to vv 5 and 6 that speak of reckoning righteousness. Accordingly, the blessedness of forgiveness of which David speaks is synonymous with the “reckoning of righteousness”. “So also David speaks of the blessedness of those to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works” (v 6). Hence “to whom God reckons righteousness” and “against whom the Lord will not reckon sin” are synonymous (italics added).

Jesus’ death was “to bring [us] to God” (1 Peter 3:18), that is, into fellowship with the Father and with His Son (1 John 1:3); and if we have fellowship with Him we shall walk in the light even as He is in the light (vv 6,7). Therefore, “let us live honourably as in the day, not in revelling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:13,14). However, God’s forgiveness always precedes the repentant sinner’s response. It’s the rain that causes the umbrellas to go up; not the reverse.

Likewise God’s “kindness is meant to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4).

Eric Lomax was on the Burma-Thailand railway until the end of the war. The Japanese treated him terribly and his interrogator, Nagase Takashi, tormented him constantly. He despised Takashi with an intense hatred. Even when he had returned to civilian life, his ordeal didn’t end. He continued to be traumatised by the ferocious treatment he had endured as a POW and was consumed with a passionate desire for revenge—he had no peace. Yet when Lomax met a very repentant Takashi in Japan, he “assured him of [his] total forgiveness”; for as he said to his wife Patti, “sometime the hating has to stop” (The Railway Man, 318,319).

The healing was mutual and the two former enemies became friends till the end of their days.

Just as energy can neither be created nor destroyed, so God’s forgiveness can neither be created nor destroyed by us. However, by refusing God’s proffered friendship, we can frustrate the purpose of His forgiveness, which is fellowship with Himself. God’s forgiveness was not wrenched by the cross from His reluctant heart. Forgiveness was in the heart of God before it was expressed on Calvary’s hill. God absorbed within Himself the cost of forgiveness; and the objective of forgiveness is a transforming friendship with God. We cannot take the part without the whole; have the redemption without the response; the forgiveness without the fellowship; or the pardon without the Person. To want the one but not the other is to desire a travesty of forgiveness; to want “cheap forgiveness” instead of the sublime and satisfying genuine gift of God.

Norman young is a former senior lecturer at Avondale, an australian university College.

November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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health

Diabetes: HOW TO REDUCE YOUR RISK Apart from being a devastating disease throughout the Pacific, diabetes has now become Australia and New Zealand’s fastest growing chronic disease and it’s becoming increasingly prevalent among adolescents and children. Nearly 1.2 million Australians and more than 240,000 New Zealanders have been diagnosed with diabetes. A further 500,000 Australians and an estimated 100,000 Kiwis are living with the disease, but don’t yet know it.

Thankfully there are some simple lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk of developing diabetes, like keeping active and aiming to achieve a healthy weight.

Carrying extra weight, especially around your middle, is a key risk factor for diabetes.

the three types of diabetes

type 1 diabetes This is an auto-immune condition when the body’s immune system destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This means people can’t make their own insulin and need to use insulin injections or an insulin pump daily. The cause is unknown and no cure has been found.

choose low gi carbs Low GI (glycemic index) carbs help manage blood glucose and keep you feeling fuller for longer, so you snack less, have fewer cravings and can concentrate better. Look for low GI carbohydrates like wholegrains, rolled oats, wholemeal pastas, quinoa, buckwheat and barley.

cHOOSE HEALTHY FATS

Wholesome blueberry bread Full of wholegrain goodness, this wholesome blueberry bread is a tasty way to get your family to eat extra fruit and veggies. The blueberries and hidden zucchini also make this a great low-GI snack.

Find this recipe and hundreds more at: Australia: sanitarium.com.au/recipes New Zealand: sanitarium.co.nz/recipes

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Nourishing plant fats from wholefoods, like extra virgin olive oil, unsalted nuts and seeds, and avocado, will help slow the release of glucose into your bloodstream, meaning better blood-sugar control. They will also help to reduce inflammation in your body, which has been linked to a range of chronic diseases, including diabetes.

FOCUS ON WHOLEFOODS Evidence is accumulating that the best way to prevent, treat and even reverse diabetes is with a plant-based diet. Basing your diet on a variety of wholefoods, including wholegrain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, will help lower your risk of diabetes. Try replacing some meat meals with plant proteins such as legumes, as these are high in fibre and help to manage blood sugar levels. At the same time, it’s important to limit highly processed high fat and high sugar foods.

type 2 diabetes This is a lifestyle-related condition and is a chronic disease. It’s most commonly found in adults over 45, although we are now seeing children as young as five being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to an increase in childhood obesity. It’s mainly caused by extra body weight and poor eating and lifestyle habits.

gestational diabetes This is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It normally goes away after the baby is born, although it does increase the risk of the mother developing type 2 diabetes in the future. Gestational diabetes can generally be managed by following a healthy lifestyle, but for some women, insulin injections may be required.

/sanitariumaustralia /sanitariumnz

God’s love and a little red umbrella D

roplets of rain lightly caressed my face as I stepped into a new day.

My cheeks tingled as I savoured the chill of the morning air.

Embracing the solitude of my early morning walk, my heart rejoiced and sang with delight as I relished the solitude and anticipation of the day untouched by human demands.

I saw it lying there as I passed . . . a little red umbrella from who knows where, carelessly tossed into the gutter.

I wondered momentarily if I should pick it up, for by now the rain was not so friendly and welcoming.

Although any thought of its usefulness dissipated almost immediately as I surveyed it’s bent and broken prongs.

Despite my soggy joggers I pressed on, determined to enjoy my walk, later wondering if perhaps that red umbrella may have afforded me a little shelter that I now lacked. Had I been too hasty in passing it by? Now I wished I had not been so dismissive of its possible usefulness.

Pondering as I walked, I wondered if at times our lives are not unlike that little bent and broken umbrella.

Sometimes through the storms of life we are left broken. Experiences shatter us and we are often tossed aside like that red umbrella. Left lying in the gutter . . . like damaged goods.

Or maybe, we ourselves have not recognised the God given potential in others, because we see only brokenness. Perhaps the cares of this life consume us and we don’t always take the time to bend down and embrace broken people.

We look, but we do not see.

How often in our own short-sightedness do we overlook the worth of a broken and bent soul longing to be seen and heard?

When the prophet Samuel was instructed to anoint the next king of Israel no-one but God saw a potential king in the unassuming shepherd boy David.

Even David, the summary of youthful vigour and goodness, knew the sting of rejection.

1 Samuel 16 tells the story— one by one the sons of Jesse paraded before the prophet, expecting the honour of royalty to be bestowed upon them . . . and one by one God read the intent of each proud heart, acknowledging instead the unlikeliest of candidates to the throne—an ordinary shepherd boy. The epitome of simplicity.

After all, the life of a shepherd was seen as a most menial one. It is said when God measures a person, he puts the tape around the heart not the head.

Often, we see through distorted human eyes— as it were through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12).

May God grant us the ability to look past brokenness, the ordinary, and see the potential in each person—their unique possibilities; what they could be, given the right opportunities.

I smiled as I bent down and picked it up, both of us dripping wet, and thanked God for the lesson He wanted me to see in the simplicity of a bent and broken little red umbrella.

lyn scarr writes from ocean shores, NSW, where she works as a nurse and enjoys writing short stories.

November 2, 2019 | Adventist record

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Have your Say THE AVONDALE EXPERIENCE Amazing story “Avondale saved my life” (October 19). I too believe my experience at Avondale helped me greatly in overcoming anxiety and low self-esteem in my late teen years. It’s quite possible that going to Avondale straight out of school was the best decision I could have made. It set me up for a great life. There I met my hubby (it’s been 20 years), was set up for my first real job where I gained many real life lessons in a gracious and caring environment (as an admin assistant for the Church for five years), and established many lifelong friendships and positive connections. Thanks for sharing your story and reminding me about a place that made a great difference in my life and can still make a great difference for others—a place I ought to be promoting much more intentionally to other young people.

Deslie Green, via website

UNIMAGINABLE “Taste and see!” (October 19)—a perceptive article. I too lost 90 per cent of one of my senses: hearing. The loss occurred overnight when I was just eight years old, having a devastating effect on my education and social life for many years.

A turnaround occurred when I read the story of Ellen White’s childhood injury that also destroyed her hope of earthly education. A seemingly tragic event until the Lord Himself appeared to her and told her that He had chosen her as “one that had not been educated in the schools” to be His messenger.

This story helped me to put my disability into His hands with the request He would use it to spread the gospel and bring glory to His mighty name in a way that would have been impossible if I had never suffered it.

Looking back today He has answered that request more powerfully than I could ever have imagined.

May He bless you and use you with your talents to help many others to indeed “taste and see that the Lord

is good” in ways you could never imagine.

Graham Weir, via website

DIFFERING VIEWS It is unfortunate [the writer of] “Final arbiter” (October 5) regards people of contrary opinion to himself as opponents of Ellen White. Many of us may have a differing view of her role in the Church and I believe it is highly inappropriate to regard Ellen White as the final arbiter of Scripture.

The resolve of the Reformation was to bring the church out of the dark ages.

One of the fundamental tenets was a renewal of confidence in the principle of Sola Scriptura.

Martin Luther realised that the church could only move forward by going back to Scripture.

Making anything other than Scripture the arbiter of Scripture is a step back to a dark ages theology.

Ellen White had an important role in the establishment and guidance of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, which should not be detracted from. Her

testimonies and writings are important and inspired, but the day when she is put forward by the Church as an arbiter (let alone a final arbiter) of Scripture will indeed be a sad one and reflect a loss of our Reformation basis as Protestants and our status as biblical Christians.

Colin Fair, NSW

BABEL OR BABBLE? Regarding “Not infallible” (August 17). The author claims that Ellen White “did borrow from the writings of other[s] . . . and copy some of their mistakes”.

They then add: ”In 1864, for example, she wrote that the Tower of Babel was built before the flood” (3SG301).

In the preface to the facsimile edition of 3 Spirit Gifts, the trustees of Ellen G White Publications have responded as follows: “Being here reproduced photographically, the pages carry with them . . . such typographical errors as occurred in the first printing.

One outstanding case of this kind will be noted in Volume 3, page 301, in line 4 of the last paragraph, where

through (sic) inadvertently omitted, creating a seeming historical discrepancy in an incidental reference, which has given some careless . . . an opportunity to declare that the book teaches that the Tower of Babel antedated the flood. This typographical error was soon discovered and corrected in the printing of the matter in 1870 in 1SP.” Mrs White did not profess infallibility. She did, however, have this to say about her writings: “All who believe that the Lord has spoken through Sister White and has given her a message will be safe from the many delusions that will come in these last days” (LDE44.2).

Les Tooby, NSW

Note: Views in “Have your say” do not necessarily represent those of the editors or the denomination. Comments should be less than 250 words, and writers must include their name, address and phone number. All comments are edited to meet space and literary requirements, but the author’s original meaning will not be changed. Not all comments received are published.

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noticeboard Appreciation Reynolds. Lynton and family

would like to thank all those who sent cards, messages, flowers and tributes following the passing of Barbara Reynolds. Your care, thoughtfulness, food and visits have been appreciated.

Anniversary WANKE. On

5.10.19 Don and Ruth Wanke celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their Murray Bridge church family (SA).

They were presented with flowers and an anniversary cake was cut at the church lunch. Don and Ruth were married on 6.10.1969 in the Murray Bridge church by Pastor Eric Wolfe. They have three children, Andrew (Erina, NSW), Stephen (Lakelands) and Karen (Adelaide, SA); and seven grandchildren. Don and Ruth are both active members of the Murray Bridge church. They thank God for His many blessings.

Obituaries CALDWELL, Ronnette Maree, born

31.7.1945; died 15.9.19 on the Central Coast, NSW. Ronnie is survived by her brothers, Ivan and Debbie, and Brian and Helen; and sister, Jolie and Frank Freeman (all of Central Coast). Ronnie was a much-loved member of a large family and will be sadly missed by all. Although faced with some lifelong challenges, Ronnie was an effervescent person who brought smiles to all who knew her. She passed away quietly in an aged-care home with her family by her side. Ronnie loved her Lord and we look forward to seeing her on His return.

Paul Roussos

GALWeY, Dr

Alwyn Clyde, born 25.11.1937 in Mount Gambier, SA; died 31.8.19 in Brisbane, Qld. On 20.3.1960 he married Judy Bartley. Alwyn was predeceased by his daughter Sue in 2004. He is survived by his wife (Brisbane); daughter, Darolyn (Brisbane); son, Malcolm (Canberra, ACT); grandchildren, Natalie, Aiden, Joshua, Ben, Jared, Edward and Rose; and great-grandchild Abigail.

Both Alwyn and Judy were “San” trained nurses, spending 10 years in PNG as medical missionaries. Alwyn then trained

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Adventist record | November 2, 2019

as a nurse educator. He taught nursing at Sopas Hospital, the “San” and was deputy director of the nursing school at Modbury Hospital, SA. He then became head of the school of nursing at the ‘San’ while continung his studies, earning the degrees MA Ed and PhD. He became the dean of nursing at the Avondale School of Nursing. He desired to influence the thousands of students he taught for Christ.

Reg Harris, Mladen Krklec

HANDY, Rodger William, born 5.11.1927 in Hornsby, NSW; died 28.10.19 at Sunhaven Hostel, Ashford, NSW. Rodger was predeceased by siblings, Reginald, Florence, Frederick, Thyra, Shirley and Phyllis. He is survived by his wife, Ann (Ashford); and sister, Mavis. He worked for some time at the “San” before relocating to Ashford. Rodger was a keen and accomplished bird watcher and photographer and clever with woodwork.

Ted White KALLIO, Aaro Olavi, born 9.7.1932 in Karjala, Finland; died 5.6.19 in Caloundra, Qld. On 26.6.1955 he married Leila, who predeceased him. On 2.7.1987 he married Ester. He is survived by his wife (Finland); children, Yori (Croydon, Vic), Saara (Melbourne) and Sonja (Talofa, NSW). Aaro used his skills to support the local church and overseas mission building projects. He loved his Lord.

David Lamb, Scott Wareham LEASK, Yvonne

(nee Hodel), born 20.11.1935 in Townsville, Qld; died 28.9.19 in Deception Bay. She was married to Keith Leask. Yvonne was predeceased by her son Stuart McDonald. She is survived by her husband (Rothwell); sons, Neal McDonald (Toombul), and Alan and Michelle McDonald (Redcliffe); grandchildren, Scott, Todd, Lee, Jade and Lachlan; brother, George Hodel (North Lakes); and sister, Jeanette and Alan Gunn (Taigum). Yvonne was a registered nurse all her working life and loved her work. She was baptised after meeting Keith, a senior ambulance officer, later in life. They were married 21 years.

Failing health prevented Yvonne attending church recently but her faith was strong.

Keith Miller, David Edgar, Darren Parker

Lee, Peter Shui Kwan, born 16.10.1935 in Macau; died

12.6.19 in Sydney, NSW, at Wahroonga House. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; daughters, Alexandra and Barbara; sister, Yim Fong; and brothers, ShuiMing and Roland; and their respective spouses. Peter graduated with a diploma in accounting from Avondale College in 1959 and owned an accountancy practice in Sydney. He was a quiet man who served his church faithfully over many years. Peter had a special gift for friendship and hospitality, and his generosity touched many both in the church and in the wider community.

David McKibben, Alex Currie

martin, Gladys Katherine (nee Belgrove), born 18.12.1923 in Goulburn, NSW; died 18.6.19 in Goulburn. On 19.10.1946 she married Les. Kate was predeceased by her husband and son, Garry. She is survived by her sons, Ian (Canberra, ACT), Brian (Goulburn, NSW) and Peter (Urunga).

Owen Ellis PAINE, Robert Henry, born 12.8.1927 in Brisbane, Qld; died 18.1.19 in Geelong, Vic. On 5.8.1948 he married Ellen (Nell) Hunt who predeceased him.

Bob is survived by his daughters, Robyn Pearce (NSW), Margaret Clark (Vic) and twins, Jennifer Watkins (NZ) and Jeanette Dyson (Vic); eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Bob was born the second child of Florence and “Arthur” von Westernhagen, brother to Pearl. He was adopted

by Ellen Paine in 1939. Bob worked as an accountant for the Church, Sanitarium Health Food Company and Warburton Sanitarium and Hospital and then Hardboards Australia. He was an elder at a number of churches in the eastern states of Australia.

Honesty, integrity and discovering the meaning of God’s grace were important to Bob. Gavin Rowe REYNOLDS, Barbara

(nee Vaughan), born 25.4.1940 in Busselton, WA; died 10.9.19 in Rossmoyne. On 26.4.1961 she married Lynton Reynolds. Barbara was predeceased by her brother, John on 9.9.18 and son Leon Jackman on 25.6.19. She is survived by her husband; children, Kelly Jackman (Melbourne, Vic) and Anita Jackman (Kalgoorlie, WA); and grandchildren Kade, Luella, Bay, Cooper and Eva. Barbara

was the first woman to hold an administrative position in the Church in Australia. After working for Sanitarium in Perth and then serving as a missionary at Wiluna and Karalundi missions, she worked in various treasury roles in the WA Conference before being appointed as secretary/ treasurer of the TAUC (now AUC).

Her last position was associate secretary and property manager at the South Pacific Division. She lived for Jesus each day Roger Millist, Steve Goods

SMALLACOMBE,

Geoffrey William, born 4.1.1961 in Port Lincoln, SA; died 28.9.19 in Port Lincoln. He is survived by his children, Kym, Adam and Elyse Smallacombe (all of Port Lincoln). A graveside service was attended by Geoff’s friends and loved ones, who reminisced fondly on his various escapades. Geoff died in the hope of a resurrection to eternal life.

Mike Brownhill

SOMERVILLE, Betty Unice (nee

Dean), born 5.8.1928 in Gympie, Qld; died 10.9.19 in Caloundra.

On 20.11.1948 she married Colin, who predeceased her in 2015. Betty is survived by her children, Phillip and Vicki (Caloundra), Warren and Kristiina (Victoria Point), Kevin and Sharon (Cooloola Cove), Russell and Erlinda (Karratha, WA), and Glenys Wurtulla; 19 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Her hospitality, love and service for others and God, her humour and ready smile will be missed till Jesus comes.

David Lamb, Scott Wareham

ADVERTISING Norfolk Island Seventh-day Adventist Church 125th Annversary

May 22-24, 2020. Former church pastors, members, families and friends are invited to celebrate this significant anniversary with us on Norfolk Island. If you have old photos, memories, anecdotes and memorabilia to share, or inquiries, please contact Ken Weslake <nufkason@gmail. com>.

ALLROUND TRAVEL

International airfares, group travel specialists. Great tours 2020: May 17-31—Israel and Jordan, Dr Peter Roennfeldt. May/June— Paul’s missionary journeys. May/ June-Greece, Patmos, Turkey, Dr

noticeboard Roennfeldt. January 3-13 Cruise Sydney to New Zealand. Passion play Oberammergau—date TBA. October—Gary Kent Bible lands.

General Conference Indianapolis. Contact: Anita or Peter on 0405 260 155. Email <alltrav@ bigpond.net.au>.

TO GIVE AWAY: HAMADA CD PRINTING PRESS

Single colour, suction fed, can also be hand operated. Reconditioned and stored, not used.

Other printing equipment available as well. Must pick up. Phone 0428 699 163.

Mildura church 100th Anniversary

Sabbath November 16, 2019.

Mildura church will celebrate its 100th anniversary. To celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness, an invitation is extended to all members, past members and friends to join us for a day of worship and fellowship.

Sabbath school-10am, worship program-11:30am, fellowship lunch and afternoon program.

Enquiries <mildurasda100anniversary@gmail.com> or phone 0409 437 304.

for private use by all owners. To enquire call 0418 987 608.

POSITIONS VACANT

Sabbath School PowerPoints

ASSISTANT OPERATIONS MANAGER VICTORIA POINT, QLD

500 per cent greater attention and retention. Free downoads. <alightoftruth.com/ss-powerpoints-2019.html> <fustero.es/index_en.php> (languages).

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST Adventist Residential Care

Adventist Residential Care, Yooroonga at Victoria Point, Qld, is under construction right now, with an expected completion by mid-November 2019. Yooroonga will provide independent living for “younger” people who live with disabilities. We are seeking expressions of interest from people who may be interested in becoming tenants in this much-needed facility. If you are interested or know of someone who could be interested, please contact us via email <yooroonga@adventist.org.au> or <robellison@adventist.org. au> or phone (07) 3218 7777.

A service provided by the South Queensland Conference.

GIANT BOOKSALE (DEFINITELY THE LAST)

Bargains galore. 1500 books. $A3 each to clear. Cash only. Half are religious, EG White commentaries, half are not religious, Australiana, Aboriginal history, children’s novels etc (collectables). Nunawading church, 169 Central Rd, Vic. 10am-3pm. Cup Day, Tuesday, November 5. Make a calendar note. Note: no garage sale.

Missionary Luncheon, Education Building, December 7 Please give a talk on “Coming back from the mission field”.

Queries: Warren Martin. Phone 0428 727 384.

For Sale, Alton Gardens

Brand new three-bedroom strata titled villa, in the unique Alton Gardens development in Alton Road, in the heart of Cooranbong village. Designed for active independent living, it is within easy walking distance of all local services and amenities and nestled within professionally landscaped gardens. It features a standalone “Garden Room”

Finally . . .

“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

NEXT ISSUE: ADVENTIST WORLD, NOVEMBER 9

Adventist Retirement Plus South Queensland Conference is seeking a full-time assistant operations manager based at Victoria Point.

The successful applicant will support the operations manager in managing the support services and independent living units of three sites, ensure that we meet our retirement village act legislative requirements, manage multiple service delivery teams and must also work collaboratively with the site care managers.

This position requires relevant tertiary qualifications, excellent communication skills and previous management experience and be a committed member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with a strong commitment to mission demonstrated within the aged care ministry of the Church. For more information contact chief operations officer, 400 Boundary Street, Spring Hill Qld 4004, <danielv@arplus.org.au>. Phone (07) 3218 7777. Fax (07) 3236 1305. <www.arplus.org.au>. Applications close November 15, 2019.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT (PARENTAL LEAVE) RINGWOOD, VIC We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced personal assistant to our Australian Union general secretary and CFO. This full-time maximum term parental leave position (20 January, 2020 to 29 January, 2011) is suited to someone who is organised and able to facilitate a productive office through the efficient processing of enquiries, documents, scheduling appointments, clerical work, and other administrative and business functions. The successful candidate would serve the secretariat and the CFO, be an excellent communicator with good work ethic, and enjoy taking on the dynamics of the day-to-day functions. Applicants must be practising baptised members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For a position description and application requirements, please contact <MelissaHill@adventist.org.au>, people and culture manager, Seventh-day Adventist Church (AUC) Ltd. Applications close November 28, 2019.

FOR MORE AVAILABLE POSITIONS VISIT:

ADVENTISTEMPLOYMENT.ORG.AU

/SDAJOBS

SUPPORTING MINISTRY KARALUNDI COLLEGE Various Positions Karalundi College (WA) is a co-educational, Grade 7-10 Christian boarding school that serves the Aboriginal people of the Mid-West and Pilbara regions, in Western Australia. The college is starting in January 2020. The Board is looking for Adventist staff who can help to effectively deliver the school program, and support and encourage students. Positions available are: Principal, classroom teachers, boarding staff, kitchen staff, administration officer, business manager, chaplain, Aboriginal education workers, head cook, cafe/caravan park manager. Part-time positions: assistant cook, maintenance, swimming pool manager, groundsperson and mechanic. Successful applicants will be required to start and be on site by January 2020. For more details, please contact Brendan Webb at <finance@karalundi.wa.edu.au> or call 0422 520 683.

Applications close November 5, 2019.

Note : Neither the editor, Adventist Media, nor the Seventh-day Adventist Church is responsible for the quality of goods or services advertised. Publication does not indicate endorsement of a product or service. Classified advertisements in Adventist Record are available to Seventh-day Adventist members, churches and institutions only. All advertisements, appreciation, anniversary, wedding and obituary notices may be submitted via <ads@record.net.au> or online at <record. adventistchurch.com>. Notices will not be reprinted unless there is an error of fact caused by Record staff.

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