Recommended Reading

The writings of Donald McGavran, prominent church growth leader, hold significance for every evangelistic pastor. MINISTRY notes a recent volume arid also various titles by denominational publishers.

Monthly book reviews by various authors.

Omega

Lewis R. Walton, Review and Herald, Washington, D.C., 1981, 96 pages, $4.95.

Those familiar with denominational history can identify the beginning of the twentieth century as a time of fearful discouragement for the Seventh-day Adventist Church as some brilliant and respected leaders succumbed to influences resulting in their separation from the movement. Ellen White called the apostasy the alpha, warning that it would be followed by an even greater falling away— the omega. The author of Omega suggests we look at some of the things happening within the church in light of those early events.

Understanding Church Growth

Donald A. McGavran, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1980, 488 pages, $10.95.

McGavran's thesis is that the main burden of the church is evangelism. He analyzes a number of situations around the world in order to find the factors that cause some churches to grow and others to stagnate. Three of the points made in his book are especially significant to a pastor concerned about evangelism. 1. The great est obstacle to conversion is social, not theological, because people usually turn to Christianity in large numbers only when doing so does not mean leaving their loved ones. This results in a homogeneous-unit church. 2. Humanitarian activity will not result in church growth unless the primary emphasis is on evangelism. 3. Revival is the key to evangelism.

McGavran believes that revival in churches follows a distinct pattern: (1) prolonged exposure to the Bible and knowledge of its teachings; (2) persistent prayer for revival on the part of a group or congregation whose members are in kin-contact with a generally Christian population; (3) descent of the Holy Spirit on that group or congregation; (4) confession of sin and restitution in open meeting under circumstances that make these actions seen and known by many nominal Christians and unbelieving relatives and friends; (5) vital, convincing witness and consequent in-flooding of converts from among the homogeneous unit of which the Christians are an integral part.—Rollin Shoemaker

Abortion—Mercy or Murder?

James Londis, Southern Publishing Association, Nashville, Tennessee, 1980, 32 pages, $.95.

Ambiguity may be the only absolute in the issue of abortion. This seems to be the underlying assertion of Londis' compelling booklet. This is not a polemic that seeks to defend the Tightness or wrongness of abortion. Rather, it is educative in nature. Londis' purpose is to inform the reader of the issues raised in dealing with this complex topic.—Dennis Radford

Jesus the Leade

Reinhold R. Bietz, Pacific Press, Mountain View, California, 1980, 125 pages, $3.95.

Jesus the Leader will be useful to church leaders at all levels of responsibility. It emphasizes and describes the leadership qualities that made Christ a great leader, a worthy example to be followed by those who aspire to become successful in their work. The content of this book was the basis for the author's presentations in the well-known leadership seminars.

Jesus is presented as a leader of His church, courageous and full of enthusiasm. When His example is set aside and secular methods are followed, when criticism becomes a tool, those working for the church fail. On the other hand, when Christ's example is followed, the church will be successful.

Jesus delegates His authority and power first to the church itself and then to selected followers. These are individuals who have strong characters and firm convictions, who are not willing to com promise with sin, who will be loyal to their supreme Leader, and who will not succumb to the pressures of their peers. These men and women will be willing to work for Christ with a loving spirit, and will be fair and impartial in their dealings. They will be self-forgetful and have forgiving natures even as Jesus did. Those who follow Him as leader will place God's work in the highest priority and dedicate all their efforts in giving emphasis to Christ's plan.—Walton J. Brown

Delivered from Demon Possession

Vaughn Allen, Pacific Tress, Mountain View, California, 1981, 96 pages, $3.95.

The true story of a young woman possessed by several demons and of the courageous pastor who struggled to exorcise the demons from her. The three appendices include quotations from the Spirit of Prophecy on demon possession and a compilation of Bible texts dealing with the subject.

The Testimony of Jesus

F. M. Wilcox, Review and Herald, Washington, D.C., 1981, 160 pages, $6.50.

This review of the work and teachings of Ellen G. White aims to establish confidence in the Advent message and answer questions that have been asked regarding the nature and sources of Ellen White's revelations. Reprint.


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Monthly book reviews by various authors.

October 1981

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More Articles In This Issue

How does God speak?

Inspired writings are a mysterious blend of the human and the divine. We must speak with caution when we describe their nature, not going beyond what is revealed or seeking to reduce the divine to the confines of our logic.

Ellen White's role in doctrine formation

Is the revelation and inspiration of both the Bible and the writings of Mrs. White of equal quality? Can we make a distinction between the "normative" authority of Scripture and the "formative" authority of Mrs. White's writings in our church?

Divine key to a finished work

We have looked in many places for that which will finish the work, but perhaps we have looked in the wrong places. It seems so much easier for the human heart to look to methods rather than to a message.

The year-day principle in prophecy

After widespread acceptance for many years, the principle that a day in symbolic time prophecies of Scripture represents a year of literal time is being questioned. Is there internal evidence within such time prophecies themselves, apart from the traditional proof texts, to support the validity of such a symbolism? Can a literal interpretation of days fit the prophetic viewpoint?

If I were a pastor

As a pastor, you have two congregations——the one you see in the pews each Sabbath and the one that is meeting on the golf course, in the park, and a hundred other locations all over town. This larger congregation needs your ministry too.

What's so unique about Adventism?

Seventh-day Adventists have always seen themselves as a divinely called movement charged with restoring a comprehensive system of truth to the world prior to the return of Christ as Lord. Is this exclusivism?

Seven simple suggestions

Can eating between meals be as harmful as smoking? Can insufficient sleep or being overweight shorten life as much as a lack of vigorous exercise? A nine-year study of more than 6,000 adults says Yes!

Shepherdess: Ministers and their wives

Even some ministers continue to assume that the pastor and his family are above the problems that beset "lesser" mortals. A noted counselor says we should forget such nonsense and deal with life as others must.

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