When Ken Wade, associate editor, accepted a call to Singapore to be the ministerial secretary of the Southeast Asia Union Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, the search was on for a replacement. Since half of Ministry's regular subscribers live outside North America, we were delighted to find someone who has an international perspective John M. Fowler, the recently elected ministerial secretary of the Southern Asia Division of Seventh-day Adventists.
Previously Fowler served as an associate secretary of that division and as it director of education as well as pastor,evangelist, teacher, and literature evangelist. But his main claim to fame lies in his extensive editorial experience. Beginning as an assistant editor at the Oriental Watchman Publishing House in Poona, India, he became an associate editor there, and ultimately, for 10 years,chief editor.
Fowler also holds impressive academic qualifications: a B. A. in religious education from Spicer Memorial College, India; an M.A. in religion from Andrews University, Michigan; an M.A. in journalism from Syracuse University, NewYork; and an Ed.D. from Andrews University, Michigan.
His wife, Mary, is a teacher. They have two children, Fylvia, who lives in Takoma Park, Maryland, and Falvo, a student at Columbia Union College,Maryland.Fowler has published more than 150articles and is an adjunct professor of religious education at Andrews University.His hobbies include reading, especially English literature, and photography. We appreciate the contribution John is already making to this journal. You can read his first editorial on the opposite page.
Other changes
Ministry is making a number o fchanges both in style and content. We are returning to pictorial covers and a contents page inside. We are also transferring our editorials to the front of the journal.
In addition, we have made a significant change in our statement of mission. Formerly it read in part: "Ministry is an international professional journal published monthly by the Ministerial Association of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is directed primarily to the Adventist ministry, and secondarily, on a bimonthly basis, to clergy of other communions.
"We have now added an extra section to this paragraph: "Because of the intimate relationship between the roles of pastor and elder in caring for the local church, and because in many areas elders provide the primary leadership in the local church, Ministry also addresses local elders--informing them and assisting pastors in training them."
From time to time we will offer articles addressing the needs of elders and also present material that pastors may use in training of elders.
Change-resistant
Whenever we make changes in this journal, someone is dissatisfied. When we quit the pictorial covers, we received many letters lamenting that change. Now some are decrying our return to pictorial covers.
I am reminded of the letter that Martin Van Buren, governor of New York,wrote to President Andrew Jackson on January 31, 1829.
"The canal system of this country is being threatened by the spread of a new form of transportation known as railroads. The federal government must preserve the canals for the following reasons.
"One, if boats are supplanted by railroads, serious unemployment will result. Captains, cooks, drivers, hostlers, repairmen, and lock tenders will be left without means of livelihood, not to mention the numerous farmers now employed in growing hay for horses.
"Two, boat builders would suffer, and towline, whip, and harness makers would be left destitute.
"Three, canal boats are absolutely essential to the defense of the United States. In the event of the expected trouble with England, the Erie Canal would be the only means by which we could ever move the supplies so vital to waging modern war.
"As you may well know, Mr. President, railroad carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by engines that, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock,and frightening women and children.The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed.
"What would he say today? Change is inevitable. We can choose whether to shape it or let it shape us. J. David Newman.