"Someone's Brainstorm"

THE CHORE before me didn't seem particularly exciting. It consisted of digging out the names of non-Adventist ministers in my area. The reason, I was told, was so that the General Conference might send a copy of THE MINISTRY magazine in an endeavor to better acquaint them with what Seventh-day Adventists have to offer.

Searching through telephone books and calling various churches and parsonages was quite a task. Finally the work was finished. Very frankly, I considered it a waste of time, but at least I had complied with someone's brain storm and hoped that it made them happy.

But I had not heard the last of the P.R.E.A.C.H. project, as the endeavor was called. My next contact with the project was through a brief note ad dressed to me by an Episcopal priest!

The letter was from the priest of the local Episcopal church, who was serving as the current president of the area ministerial association.

The pastor's letter indicated that he had received the September issue of THE MINISTRY. He reported his impression that it was "well-written and interesting," and went on to say that he was especially thrilled since it "contained an article on my late beloved teacher, William Albright."

The pastor explained that in enjoying the magazine "it occurred to me that you (the local Adventist ministers) might be interested in joining our area ministerial association."

So I was invited to attend the next session of the local ministerial association and wondered what course to take. After praying about it and researching the counsels, I appeared at the October 22 meeting held at a nearby Lutheran church along with about twenty-five other ministers of various denominations.

I was pleased and a bit surprised to find that the Episcopalian pastor who was in charge knew quite a lot about Adventists and explained that he was sorry the lunch was "not kosher," but might be able to arrange something better in the future. "We will set you at the end of the last table, near a non- smoker," he volunteered.

I praised his thoughtfulness, but asked him not to be overly concerned for me. By mid-meeting the president was announcing plans to take a sabbatical in order to finish a paper on the early history of the church in the United States. I heard him saying, ". . . and since I must resign my position as liaison with the county board of education and health, I would like to recommend another." With that he introduced a new member, myself, and added, "Since he directs the Healthful Living Center, and since Adventists are very health-conscious, I thought it would be well to nominate him to replace me." I smiled, a bit stunned to find myself already a representative to a public body from a ministerial association I had joined only thirty minutes before. But that was just the first surprise!

Near the end of the meeting the pas tor, speaking again, said, ". . . and so for our December program I thought it would be nice to have Pastor Green share with us the truth about Adventists. Who they are and what they believe!"

Thus, on December 3, I found myself pushing open the door leading into the Episcopal church, prepared to present this special program and explain what Adventists believe.

I commented on how nice it was to know that the church took my talk so seriously, since the school was decorated in a theme on Creation and the church in a theme on the Second Advent. It seemed to me that our Lord had all things prepared for my message. I preached a half-hour sermon on the three angels' messages and the "ecumenical movement that began in 1844." The ministers present listened attentively. They seemed to be quite impressed. When it was finished, one of them broke the silence by saying, "That was extraordinary. I can see the mission you talk about!" Other comments were: "I did not know you firmly believed in salvation by grace." "We are not so far apart as I thought!"

P.R.E.A.C.H. opened the door. I was the fortunate one who was given the golden opportunity that "someone's brainstorm" presented. Thank you! I'm sure this is just a beginning!

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