January

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January 2025 Issue

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Editorial

To wholistically flourish

Leo Ranzolin, Jr

Throughout my teaching at several Adventist institutions, I’ve had the privilege of being an elder in the churches attached to these institutions. This role has afforded me the opportunity to get acquainted with the pastors of these large, multi-staff churches. As I’ve developed relationships with these shepherds of the flock, I have become increasingly aware of how these gifted and committed pastors often find themselves struggling with the stresses of ministry—anxieties,… Continue reading...

Developing a compassion mindset cover image

Developing a compassion mindset

Erik C. Carter

At the center of the Loma Linda University campus stands a profound sculpture: an artist’s portrayal of Jesus’ story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). The sculpture’s location on a faith-based health science campus is an intentional display of one of the institution’s…

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Expanding the mission: cover image

Expanding the mission: Churches and their role in advancing wholeness in the city

Saúl Barceló

In a world marked by fragmentation, isolation, pain, and despair, God calls the church to be a beacon of hope. Its mission is to help individuals mend the broken pieces of their lives by fostering connection, promoting healing, and guiding others toward a deeper sense…

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Digital harms and restless hearts cover image

Digital harms and restless hearts

Zane Yi

You have likely had a parishioner express her exasperation with her kids who are “always on their phones” or “won’t come out of their room.” Maybe you are a parent yourself and have noticed your kids constantly looking at their phones and wondered if it is related…

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The $25-million gift cover image

The $25-million gift

Whitny Braun de Lobatón

It’s funny how thoughts can hit you at the strangest times. I was in labor, seven centimeters dilated, and I started thinking of my grandpa’s anecdotes about living a morally serious life and how our actions, for good or bad, can have long-lasting consequences. (There…

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If I were to return to pastoral ministry . . . cover image

If I were to return to pastoral ministry . . .

Jeff Gang

I am a pastor who teaches at a health science university. My interest in health is part of being raised in a Seventh-day Adventist family that valued the Adventist health message, having the conviction that physical health and spiritual health are interrelated. My…

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More from this issue:

Pastor’s Pastor

Dealing with loneliness in ministry

Ramon J. Canals

At a recent Ministerial Council meeting with more than 200 pastors in attendance, a psychologist presented an assignment: “I want you to get into groups of two and write a list of seven ways ministry has negatively impacted your life. After you compile the list, please share it with the rest of the participants.” Hearing the responses, I was not surprised that many pastors shared similar challenges. However, I was struck by the fact that loneliness topped the… Continue reading...

Dateline

Religious news from around the world

West Kenya Union Conference president Samuel Misiani (wearing #426) approaches the finish line. Photo: West Kenya Union Conference Inaugural running event in Kenya engages pastors and church leaders Eldoret, Kenya The health department of the West Kenya Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, under the leadership of Daniel Tirop, hosted a running event at the University of Eldoret, Kenya, on October 6, 2024. This inaugural event attracted 882 participants… Continue reading...

Resources

Written for Us: Paul’s Interpretation of Scripture and the History of Midrash

Jean-Claude Rukundo

Written for Us offers a groundbreaking perspective on how Paul’s interpretive methods compare to Midrash, a genre of Jewish literature that interprets and elaborates upon biblical texts. The book challenges the common view that Paul’s work is directly founded in the Midrash. The author, Yael Fisch, a professor from Tel Aviv University, proposes that we should analyze Paul and the Midrash as separate entities rather than assuming they influenced each other. She… Continue reading...

Practical Pointers

Wholeness at life’s end

Gerald Winslow

For over three decades, I have taught at Loma Linda University (LLU), a school that emphasizes restoring human wholeness through whole-person care. This goal of wholeness may be defined as “the lifelong, harmonious development of the physical, intellectual, emotional, relational, cultural and spiritual dimensions of a person’s life, unified through a loving relationship with God and expressed in generous service to others.”1 Many years ago, when I was teaching… Continue reading...