August 1984 Issue
Is public evangelism obsolete?
John W. Fowler
It is often said that new converts go out the back door of the church as quickly as they enter the front door. Public evangelism then becomes the scapegoat for this mass exodus, and the church-growth movement is offered as a ready-made cure for this serious problem. Here the author tackles the difficult question, Has the church-growth movement rendered public evangelism obsolete?
It is often said that new converts go out the back door of the church as quickly as they enter the front door. Public evangelism then becomes the scapegoat for this mass exodus, and the church-growth movement is offered as a ready-made cure for this serious problem. Here the author tackles the difficult question, Has the church-growth movement rendered public evangelism obsolete?Narrative preaching
Des Cummings. Jr.
Many preachers feel that giving a narrative sermon is simply telling a story, but much more is involved than that. Seven simple steps are outlined here in developing a narrative sermon to its fullest potential. One step is to fill out the dynamics of the story immersing your self completely into the Biblical life situation, so that you are able to "walk your character around." You will be interested to discover the other six steps.
Many preachers feel that giving a narrative sermon is simply telling a story, but much more is involved than that. Seven simple steps are outlined here in developing a narrative sermon to its fullest potential. One step is to fill out the dynamics of the story immersing your self completely into the Biblical life situation, so that you are able to "walk your character around." You will be interested to discover the other six steps.Family life ministry that works! (Part 2)
Monte Sahlin
In the first article in this two-part series (MINISTRY, June, 1 984), Monte Sahlin indicated how to define the needs and do the kind of planning that careful development of a family life ministry requires. In this article he discusses how to communicate well with the target audience, points out the skills the program personnel need, and shows how family life programs may be made to contribute to the total church program.
In the first article in this two-part series (MINISTRY, June, 1 984), Monte Sahlin indicated how to define the needs and do the kind of planning that careful development of a family life ministry requires. In this article he discusses how to communicate well with the target audience, points out the skills the program personnel need, and shows how family life programs may be made to contribute to the total church program.Creation, a pillar of the faith
A.A. Roth
The Called Church series has been designed to highlight some of the unique aspects of Seventh-day Adventist theology and to demonstrate how each position is faithful to Scripture. Many churches incorporate creationism into their teachings, but few are the churches that still hold to a literal creation occupying six twenty-four-hour days. The author, who is an accomplished scientist, explains why creationism is still fundamental to Adventism.
The Called Church series has been designed to highlight some of the unique aspects of Seventh-day Adventist theology and to demonstrate how each position is faithful to Scripture. Many churches incorporate creationism into their teachings, but few are the churches that still hold to a literal creation occupying six twenty-four-hour days. The author, who is an accomplished scientist, explains why creationism is still fundamental to Adventism.The privilege of preaching
Kenneth R. Wade
Friday morning, and no sermon to work on! I hadn't started preparations for one or even thought about what to preach! I faced a real crisis last week. I'm a preacher. Have been for most of my adult life. I can't even remember taking a vacation recently when I didn't…
Editor and computer Join Ministry staff
J.R. Spangler
When you walk past his office you usually see his back, since his attention is focused on a Kaypro computer behind his desk. His name, in its longest form, is Kenneth Robert Wade. We welcome Ken as the new assistant editor of our journal. (Attention, treasurers—we…
Was Ellen G. White an epileptic?
Warren H. Johns
The attempt to explain supernatural phenomena exclusively on the basis of natural events is nothing new. The supernatural endowment of the gift of tongues at Pentecost was attributed by skeptic onlookers to the imbibing of too much alcohol (Acts 2:13). Seventh-day…