A Virtually Untapped Resource

THIS church has not yet taken full advantage of one of its great est resources. We have not learned to use effectively the growing number of retired ministers that live among us. These men have served well and long and desire to be relieved of the heavier burdens that they have formerly carried. It is right that they should do this, but many of them still would enjoy serving the church in a helpful and constructive way as their time and strength permit. . .

-Ministerial Association Secretary at the time this article was written

THIS church has not yet taken full advantage of one of its great est resources. We have not learned to use effectively the growing number of retired ministers that live among us. These men have served well and long and desire to be relieved of the heavier burdens that they have formerly carried. It is right that they should do this, but many of them still would enjoy serving the church in a helpful and constructive way as their time and strength permit.

One such minister has written recently stating that he is more than willing to visit church members, new and old, study and pray with them, and try to minister to their spiritual needs. Since this type of service is so greatly needed, we suggest that these workers be invited to assist in this most important aspect of ministry. They can be of invaluable assistance. In cooperation with the pastor, the elders, and the deacons of the church, whose duty it is to visit the church members, they can make a meaningful contribution to the spiritual health and growth of our people. At the same time, they will have a special interest that will challenge their many and varied talents and continue to use their great experience in service for the Lord and His people.


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus
-Ministerial Association Secretary at the time this article was written

October 1974

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Bible Conferences

THIS editorial is being written as the last of the three Bible conferences is drawing to a close. Sitting here in the large church auditorium at Pacific Union College, I am led to reflect on what these Bible conferences have accomplished and the possible impact they might well have on the work of the church. . .

Are Adventist Evangelists Speaking in "Unknown Tongues"?

THE GOSPEL commission found in Matthew 28 has always been taken seriously by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Its efforts to evangelize the world, and in particular to make the world aware of the coming of Jesus, as taught in the three angels' messages of Revelation, have been met with increasing success in many quarters of the earth. In 1973 for the first time, more than 200,000 people were brought into the church. . .

How "Secular" Should Adventist Theology Be?

SECULARISM comes in two varieties. The first kind is the more sophisticated, and we may call it intentional secularism. This is a deliberate, well-thought-out view of things that often takes the form of naturalistic humanism. In response to the question of the reality of God, it answers either "No" (atheism) or "You really can't tell for sure" (agnosticism). But this thoroughgoing, intentional secularism does not necessarily imply an obsessive pursuit of pleasure (hedonism) or possessions (materialism). . .

A Strategy for Reaching Secular Man

EVERY so often I arm myself with the strong sword of the promises Cod gives, a fat billfold, and a secret pocket to keep all that cash safe, and infiltrate the citadel of the enemy they call New York. Fabulous, heartless city, capital of a secular, spiritually apathetic, materialistic culture. There Christianity orbits as distantly as in the scrabbling hovels of pagan lands. . .

Building a Biblical Cosmology

COSMOLOGY is the study of the structure of the universe. Particularly it is an attempt to understand how this structure is related to the past history of the universe and possibly to its future. Originally a branch of philosophy, cosmology has during the past century become a vigorous science in the Western world. . .

Arithmetic Proves Christianity True

Editor's Note: The fact that Dr. Ford is emphasizing a new application of verses 24-27 does not mean that he does not support the literal and chronological application of these verses to the events associated with the first coming of Christ. In response to a query from the editors on this point, he makes it very plain that he has no intention of teaching "dispensationalist futurism" and that the last-day application he makes of portions of these verses does not include the "chronology involved in the primary fulfillment of the prophecy."

Revelation and Interpretation in Daniel

THE BOOK of Daniel contains aspects of God's revelation that in several ways are unique. Nowhere else among the prophetic words of Scripture do we find such a care fully laid out overview of history beginning with the time of the author and closing with the time of the end . . .

The Imperative of Change

THE WORDS of the wise man Solomon, "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Prov. 29:18, K.J.V.), and the prediction of the prophet Joel, "Your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions" (Joel 2:28, K.J.V.), suggest that God's plan for the progress of His work includes an ever-changing flow of ideas and challenges. . .

Americans: Foods and Foibles

WHEN YOU look at an American under 25 years of age you see an individual almost unique in the history of mankind. He has spent his entire life in a society that has had a great excess of food. Few generations on earth have ever been in a similar situation, and it is interesting to view the ways in which this is influencing our nutritional health, our attitudes, and our behavior. . .

Treating Teeth With Tenderness

A STRIKING statement made by a well-known, qualified man in the area of medical education brings to focus the importance of maintaining the health and integrity of the teeth, gums, and adjacent tissue. Charles Mayo, one of the founders of the medical center bearing his name, is quoted as saying, "Preventive dentistry can extend human life ten years."

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up
Advertisement - SermonView - Medium Rect (300x250)

Recent issues

See All