Adventist Congregations in North America invited to Join a “Conspiracy of Compassion”
From NAD News, July 27, 2015: Pastor Jose Cortes, Jr., an associate director of the Adventist denomination’s North American Division (NAD) Ministerial Association, has invited pastors and congregations to join a conspiracy:
What if our Adventist Churches across North America began a conspiracy? What if we decided in harmony with all the other churches across Bermuda, Canada, United States and the islands of Guam and Micronesia that we are going to love our cities like Jesus did? What do you think would happen if we ventured outside the walls of our churches, asked people about their needs, and did something transformational for individuals and communities?
What if our local churches conspired together to do the following?
- Respond to disasters in the community (fires, earthquakes, storms, tornados).
- Feed the hungry.
- Clothe the naked.
- Mentor children after school.
- Minister to prisoners, and also minister to their families.
- Visit and pray for the sick in the community regularly.
- Offer free Marital Counseling (married couples) and FREE Pre-Marital Counseling (engaged couples).
- Offer free Parenting Classes for parents.
- Donate space, free of charge, for community weddings and funerals.
- Advertise the Services of the local Adventist Pastor to conduct Weddings, Dedications of Babies, and Funerals, free of charge for the church’s community.
- Provide manicures and pedicures for battered women
- Celebrate communion with the homeless and bring them in when it is cold.
- Lead Toy Drives during Christmas.
- Stand against modern Slavery and the abuse of women, children and the elderly (not a silent church).
- Teach free Financial Management Classes (How to budget? How to buy a house? How to become debt-free? Financial Freedom, Income Taxes)
- Hold free Fitness classes.
- Connect with governmental leaders and work with them to support good causes regardless of their party affiliation.
- Hold a reception for community business owners and pray for their success.
- Promote and facilitate the adoption of children.
- Co-sponsor and organize concerts with well known musicians in some of our very beautiful, historic, landmark buildings, rather than having these buildings closed to the public most of the time.
- Organize and sponsor celebrations during special days and recognized holidays such as: New Year’s, Superbowl, Valentine’s, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, 4th of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and others.
- Partner with the city and other organizations to serve as volunteers in events such as: marathons, fairs, festivals, and others.
What would happen with our churches if we would venture to open our doors more often, rather than just Saturdays, for a few hours, and Wednesdays for an hour? After all some other churches who don’t have the beautiful and powerful message we have, keep their doors open all the time. What if we dared to distribute flyers in our communities, not with beasts on the cover, but offering the few services mentioned above and many others? What if we did this, not just for a day, or for a season right before the evangelistic meetings, but on a regular basis as a lifestyle? What do you think would happen?
(1) A relevant church is never empty. Jesus was surrounded by people constantly, He did not preach to empty pews, there is a reason why He always had a crowd.
(2) A relevant church reaches and reclaims its community. Jesus did that on a regular basis. He went to the synagogue, sat and read, and then went out to reach and reclaim His community.
(3) A relevant church retains its members. When a community of people are active and happy doing something good, which they enjoy, they don’t leave; the total opposite happens, more people come, youth, young adults, adults, and children, believe me it can be viral. Jesus went viral, and that’s why our church is here today because of what He did.
It’s time for a “conspiracy of Compassion” in our Adventist churches in North America!
Pastor Jose Cortes Jr., is an associate ministerial director who coordinates evangelism for the Adventist denomination in North America.
Pastor Cortes,a magnificent,CHRIST,ordained commission. i suspect a significant amount of opposition by some traditionalists. Reasons why we shouldn’t or can’t open our church property to “just anybody”. Think what would happen?? Praise God, hallelujah.
William has been recommending such a program here at Atoday, for a long time, falling on deaf ears, but he never ceases to preach this message. He would be an excellent choice of heading up a training program, should he have the time and energy.
“WILLIAM NOEL”, IS THE MAN.
Earl,
I am honored by your affirmation. I am willing to do what I can to encourage people to get involved in ministering God’s love.
The things he lists as ideas are diverse and go into a lot of things outside the ministry God has called me to doing so there is plenty of opportunity for every willing person to get involved. We need a large number of people who are involved in doing many things because the ways we can touch people with God’s love are multitude. The first step from inaction to ministry is seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit so you will become aware of the need God wants them to address and discover His empowerment to start working even one-to-one.
Excellent!!!!! That’s what needs to be done if we want to be a relevant now church! Amen! Can’t wait till this younger generation become the leaders of our church/denomination and finally what needs to be done will get done!
A lot of churches are doing these things already and many more need to. I wonder about specializing. Every church cannot do all these things nor is its membership able to.
I have observed over the years that local churches in the same area don’t seem to communicate; in fact they often compete. This should stop with the various churches covering the area with their specialized ministries according to member talents.
Not all members carry out their ministries within the church but may work at home or through other channels. So don’t judge members by how much they do in a particular church.
I would also suggest members get out their comfort zones and take part in all sorts of ministries already working in their communities. It doesn’t have to be church-sponsored (and that would save money for other things). We need to take part with members of the community and not duplicate what is already there–just be present working beside them. We don’t always do it better you know.
One can join community secular groups even like book clubs or anywhere they can take part in discussion of values, and issues facing our society. Very few know what an Adventist is or have false information. One can even share in Bible studies with other religious groups, even Roman Catholics.
Please forgive me, but all those things you listed about churches competing, not communicating, what other churches might be doing and not judging gets under my skin because they are all nothing more than excuses to talk about ministering God’s love while doing nothing more than talking about ministering God’s love.
Ministries begin where people see a need and step-out in faith in the power of the Holy Spirit to meet that need. God does not call churches to ministry, he calls individuals to service and the ministry of the church is simply the collective ministries of all the members who are amazingly coordinated and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Another thing, we need to ban all talk about Bible studies and other direct spiritual presentations from our vocabulary about ministries because of how quickly they raise barriers to God’s love and turn people away whose hearts need to know God’s love and to have basic faith nurtured. If we lead people to fall in love with God first, we won’t have to go asking people if they want to study the Bible because they’ll be asking us to teach them!
I really don’t understand what you are saying, but it sounds offensive.
It may surprise you but people of other faiths are also spiritual and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Those who only think their members are “chosen” are apt to argue over the Bible and be opinionated, and they are not ready to study with others. We meet with others because we are interested in them as persons and not to force feed our religion.
I would like Adventists to be known corporately as people who support and take part in their communities. (I have seen this competing in my area.) I have also seen members work until they are burned out and their families neglected. Ask some PKs for example.
Our members also have different talents, and our ideas of ministry too narrow. Most of our neighbors don’t know what we believe. If they attend some evangelistic meetings like that of Amazing Facts they may come away with only the idea we don’t like Catholicism. Negatives are remembered longer than positives.
P.S., I wasn’t complaining about you, but about the pew-warming folks who seem to know everything about God and how to make the church grow, but who never seem to be around when it comes time to actually do even the least of those things. It sound like you’ve had some experience with the people I’m talking about.
I am not sure who you would consider “pew-sitters.” Our church has a fairly active core of members that seem to do everything. Perhaps they should ask some others to take part. I have been teaching SS but can’t do it every week, and we will be away this winter.
A few times I have volunteered for some things but never heard from anyone. Now I don’t have a car, and I wonder how many others don’t have transportation.
The “pew-sitters” include the elderly, the disabled, those with families and full-time workers. Some can handle these things,others can’t. They can also have clubs and ministries outside the church like mentoring, etc. that keep us from being isolated. I name several of these.
I am glad to see that you have a heart for ministry and are doing what you can. We need more people like you. Are you fulfilled in your role as a SS teacher? Are you praying for the Holy Spirit to help you do it well? I hope so because it is only in His power that we are able to do anything for God.
By ‘pew-sitter’ I was describing about the people who can tell you everything about how things should be done but who won’t lift a finger to do any of it. They come in many forms.
If a person believes in something they will find time to do it. The people who are busiest ministering for God are often the ones who have full-time jobs and families. Being old and physically disabled just means a person can minister in different ways. For example, I’ve seen the elderly and disabled minister to young families by making personalized baby blankets for newborns. Having small children may mean a person could be teaching Sabbath School, helping with the Adventurer’s Club, or similar. There are a host of ways we can be ministering inside our church and ministering to the spiritually wounded.
Free isn’t always best. If attendees pay an affordable fee for a seminar, they may value it more. Dave Ramsey’s “Financial Peace University” has been offered in many non-SDA churches (and probably some SDA) for a fee, yet is highly successful and well attended. Sometimes we undervalue our message. If we are providing a useful service, there is nothing wrong with receiving a fee that underwrites the cost and allows continued propagation of the message.
I agree. Price is a significant factor in the perception of value. Still, our biggest challenge is to make sure we are delivering value that changes lives in ways that shows them God’s love in action.
The first result of every miracle Jesus performed was an improvement in the recipient’s life. The sick were made well, the lame were able to walk, those who had lost loved ones to death had their relationship restored, the lepers were no longer separated from society. Each miracle was an intimately personal demonstration of God’s love and power to the person receiving it as well as those who saw it. Does what we do improve a person’s life in intimate and personal ways? Considering that question in any discussion of ministries opens-up a world of possibilities far longer than the list the author gave us.
My ministry is helping people with home repair and maintenance challenges. Fixing a leaky faucet or replacing a faulty electrical switch or outlet may not seem like much but it can make a big difference in a person’s life and make them more aware of God’s love. We do most of that for free, too, because a lot of our clients neither know what they need or can afford to pay for it. When they ask why we would spend money from our own pockets to help them the answer is simple, “I’m just passing-along some of the love God has showered on me.”
It is difficult isn’t it William. So much need just sort of shows up when you are capable; like GOD planned it (I guess he did). We are happy to serve and HE always provides, but it is difficult not to look around and see who is missing. To have to make decisions on time, our most valued asset, across the needs is hard also. But he always seem to provide for those needs also.
I will admit, many communities are seamless across denominations and those that wish to help. They share beliefs, Churches and works making things much easier for the areas; GOD always provides for all, even the Catholics. I would suggest we always verify Sound Doctrine; the other Churches will expect such and do the same. Better be able to defend beliefs in doing so.
We have been working with many of the schools. To have future Pastors help (and get their hands dirty) does make a difference. I have seen the results in conviction. This is better than the ethics classes we have starting requiring in accreditation. It is easier to teach inclusion and remove the know it all attitude in this environment.
We can always slip in the fact that a few theology classes does not a theologian make or that theology without application does not create wisdom while working. In many cases; just common sense helps. It also provides skill sets that are very useful in the future and can be used on campus. We need to help these kids coming up; they amaze me, providing hope.
This involvement also helps identify the true needs of the Communities. My wife always goes with me; she can provide many things of much greater value than I. She says she can also go into meeting and I echo her voice; just by sitting there. This is the power of oneness that the Church also needs to represent and beacon. There are many out there on their own and need such strength; it will draw them.
We also need to worry about both intrinsic and non-intrinsic needs. Many times involvement and to help is the need. We need to set up avenues for the older and younger to seek help (without fear). We need to stand for and protect those helping. We need to protect those standing for their beliefs.
Many times the smallest things can make a difference. Sometimes the needs are great. We see hunger, hardship, loneliness and in many cases bad decisions. The need is all the same; no one can turn their back within knowledge of such. I seems many hide; so as not to see. How can anyone following HIM do that? We also need to stand within conviction. We hold that responsibility to others in Love.
What ministry has the Holy Spirit called you to do? What specific burden has God put on your heart to do that you just can’t shake-off? Are you obviously seeing the power of God at work in doing it? I meet people all the time in the church who think God has called them to do one thing or another, yet who must search far and wide to find any confirming evidence of God working through them and blessing their efforts. If you aren’t seeing the obvious blessing of God, merely doing what you think is good or what somebody taught you that you should be doing is a prescription for frustration and failure when it is easy to seek and follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
William, I have the lowliest job on the totem pole; janitor. I see the blessings and feel the guidance (and relief) of the SPIRIT in everything; but there is much to do and everyone seems to have given up. The needs are still there, the paths are swept, but no one can move outside of themselves.
Many Countries have asked for simple sustenance help. Australia, Switzerland and other Countries have asked for help with their Juvenile crime issues. The US has a push to center on strong families to help with theirs. We are trying to disband the small pools of personal interests in the medical, social, Governmental and Charitable arenas. There are many complaints; from both sides of many issues. There is much work left to do in just creating the paths.
The few glimmers of light, including yourself, make it worthwhile. We know we cannot change that which will happen. We cannot give up; Love for others will not let us. The times are trying and the enemy is pure evil.
We sound very similar in our families and personal ministries. My calling seems to lead to the areas of most need; maybe that is the difference between us. To serve areas where 38% of the kids do not have a full time working parent, drugs are heavily imbedded and Love in many cases is absent; these situations require strong conviction. Have you dealt with getting a 17 year old off drugs or the absence of Love in a family? Please do not judge differences in gifts or conviction.
Janitor may be your job, but what is the ministry God wants you doing? There’s a good chance God already has you where He can use you, just in a way you haven’t seen.
Stop talking about “over there” and quoting stats about this problem or that. Instead, ask the Holy Spirit to show you what he wants you doing where you are. Presenting yourself as an authority on “sound doctrine” and correcting others IS NOT a ministry that attracts people to God’s love. The most effective way to teach “sound doctrine” is to minister God’s love in practical ways so they will fall in love with Him and want to obey Him.
But by HIS Grace and Calling, I sweep the paths and clean up the messes. Why do you think I am here and now?
Is it not arrogant that you wish to separate the Body? GOD’s children “over there” are hot within the Faith. Should their pleas, requests, complaints, convictions and voice not hold weight?
I have no desire to squelch your individual conviction; but what do you over here in Laodecea have to offer? Jack gives a good commentary over on “Whatever Happened to Submission”; but he picks from the end of the Letter to Physicians. He does not see or ignores the lack of unity as the reason or who it is directed at nor does he mention the related issues at Battle Creek College. Anything to prove individual ideologies. We fight the same battles over an over. We never learn; wisdom or conviction fails us.
I do not own or set Sound Doctrine, neither do you nor any that you associate with; the Body of the Church holds that privilege. I am only commanded to speak, exhort and rebuke failures in such.
Actually I serve here in the third world Country of the USA. The realities stated are representing the failures to even take care of your own. Unless you look at reality and the needs; how do you ever allocate time and resources? To never look at or acknowledge the needs of this much smaller Body is not an answer.
Maybe I will ask within Heart; why do you interfere? I still think you are the best person for this job in Heart; but do consider all of the…
William has been involved in organizing and leading out by example. He has a team that are busy every week in helping others in any way, of need. She and his team woo and love others into the church, by serving their needs. He is not
telling them religion will solve their problems, he is demonstrating a concern and love for others, by doing for them what they can’t do for themselves, later should they ask questions, he answers, but does not scare them away by
quoting Ellen White, or the peculiarities of the Church, however, later, it may be wise to offer “Steps to CHRIST”
to some. William is most knowledgable of other Churched
Christians, and some others helping in the communities, who are not churched. There is no competition to help others, a need is observed and cared for. Every chuch should have a Community Service Committee, with all church members alerted to steering and sharing the workload.
steering and sharing the committe
Earl,
The first and highest priority of every Church Board should be ministries of compassion. Unfortunately, they are too often focused on things like trying to stretch inadequate giving to keep the church building open and trying to get members to give more. Then the mindset becomes that the church can’t afford to do anything new because they have no money for it and they shouldn’t do it because it isn’t preaching the 2,300 days or the the messages of the Three Angels. But something really amazing happens when people start ministering God’s love: the church members get enthused because they see the power of God at work and when they see that, they start giving more. Much more.
For example, my church was established with a commitment to practical ministries of compassion and christian education. We have an ambitious plan for building a K-12 school for up to 400 students, but our plan fell onto hard times when we lost some of our focus but we’ve renewed that focus and set the goal of opening the Kindergarten one year from now. Giving has skyrocketed since.
If a church is having financial problems my advice to them is to forget about public evangelism because it is so horribly expensive and refocus their efforts on ministries of compassion, then watch to see how God solves their fiscal problems.
CHRIS was had and was moved with compassion many times.
Romans 9:
15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Maybe the school was the problem? Were the public schools in the area lacking? Was the school for the Church; in limited Charity? Were there other more critical needs? GOD’s wisdom is above us; but HE will show us if we ask.
Just questions in Heart.
Sorry first word is CHRIST.
should read: He and (she), his wife, and his team…….
Two very important ways to serve that have not been mentioned are Depression Recovery seminars and Healthful living classes like cooking classes, etc.
There are about one in ten or less in society that are depressed and need our (Gods) counsel in lifting themselves up so they can become more productive members of society. Also, at the rate we Americans are contributing to the weight problem in America, it’s time we get involved in our neighbors wellbeing.
The number of ways we can minister God’s love are multitude. To know what is best requires that we seek the guidance of the Ho;y Spirit and be willing to think and work outside the traditional “evangelism” box.
All those items on the list go much further in treating others like Jesus did then Revelation seminars and evangelistic meetings!!!! Ministering to those with needs offers them an opportunity to ask questions when they are ready and they are less likely to be turned off which happens with other methods by preachy platitudes and legalism. Jesus spent a lot of time healing and mingling and comforting.
William:
Literally millions of Seventh-day Adventists trace their coming into a knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, their baptism and their joining into the SDA church to the work of the church evangelists, whose work almost always includes teaching the prophecies of Daniel and the Revelation. After all, according to the very first verse of the book of Revelation, it is “A revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show his servants what must soon take place.” Revelation 1:1. If we believe this, then the messages of the three angels must be extremely important. Yes, the ministries of compassion are also extremely important. This does indeed need to be emphasized, but do we then de-emphasize the message that is also from Jesus found in His revelation to us?
I hope I’m understanding your messages to be that “this ye should have done (teach the prophecies), but not to have left the other (compassionate ministries) undone. Compassionate ministries, including the medical work, can indeed be that vital opening wedge into the hearts of all people everywhere in the work of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Unlike a short evangelistic series, the compassionate ministries programs must be a sustained, ongoing, long term commitments involving all members of the church. The work of the evangelist is to teach; the work of compassion is to do.
It is heart warming to see that there are SDA’s out there who are doing the work of Christ, meeting the needs of our “neighbors”. When I meet the needs of “my neighbor” I am fulfilling God’s purpose for my life. I have found it opens many doors and allows me to see the love of God in many new ways. As a result, spiritual blessings I have received when mingling with Christians of other faiths is very rewarding.