December


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December 2025 Issue

Editorial

Living in the tension

Crystal E. Ward

What a time in earth’s history to be alive! As I reflected on Daniel 12:1, “a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation” (KJV), I realized how relevant those words feel in 2025. Yet I imagine those who lived through World War I, World War II, chattel slavery, Jim Crow in the United States, or apartheid in South Africa may have felt the same. Still, here we are—Jesus has not yet returned—and at times it feels as though evil has the upper hand. How… Continue reading...

Forgiveness Stewardship of the heart cover image

Forgiveness Stewardship of the heart

Stewart Lozensky

During the Christmas season, we are filled with gratitude for the greatest gift of all—Jesus. As we reflect on His love and sacrifice, we are reminded that Jesus bestows gifts upon us, and we are called to be good stewards of these blessings. Today, I want to stretch…

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The greatest sin in the Bible? cover image

The greatest sin in the Bible? And Adventist mission in the twenty-first century

Kim Papaioannou

Which is the greatest sin committed by a person in the Bible? (No, I am not thinking about the unpardonable sin.) My mind immediately goes to the primeval rebellion of Lucifer against God or to Adam and Eve deliberately eating the forbidden fruit. What about after…

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Shepherding young adults in the twenty-first century: cover image

Shepherding young adults in the twenty-first century: A challenge or privilege?

Magdiel Larramendy Laurencio

Pastor, what should we do with the youth?” What pastor has not heard these words in their ministry, coming from well-meaning adults? It seems that many comments often feature the word youth accompanied by terms such as problem. In my 16 years of pastoral ministry,…

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Building resilience: cover image

Building resilience: Pastoral preparation and in-ministry support

David Sedlacek

When a person experiences the call to pastoral ministry, he or she can take a variety of paths. Some move into ministry without professional training as bi-vocational pastors recognized by a conference. That was my path to ministry in the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day…

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NGOs, ministries, and outreach cover image

NGOs, ministries, and outreach

James Astleford

When you open your emails, you probably have messages from various ministries and organizations. In your mailbox, it may be the same: printed flyers from some of the same ministries. The The question is, What do you, as a minister, need to know about all these organizations?…

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More from this issue:

Revival and Reformation

Awake, arise, always remember

Michele Seibel

It has undoubtedly been a rough year for many. For me, it started with a bang in Hawaii as illegal fireworks misfired, causing unprecedented death and long-term devastation. On the heels of our local tragedy came catastrophic loss in the fires of California. Globally, we have seen mass destruction on natural and human levels. With so many people managing grief and battling illness, it does not seem as though things could get worse. Yet those who call on the name… Continue reading...

Resources

Thinking Faith

Dwayne Wilson

In the foreword of Thinking Faith, editor Rajmund Dabrowski quotes Wharton University professor Adam Grant: “The highest compliment from someone who disagrees with you is not ‘You were right.’ It’s, ‘You made me think.’ Good arguments help us recognize complexity where we once saw simplicity. The ultimate purpose of debate is not to produce consensus. It’s to promote critical thinking.” This resonated deeply with me, and I want to take it a step further: a good… Continue reading...

Dateline

Religious news from around the world

President Erton Köhler presents the sermon. General Conference president calls church to move forward together Silver Spring, Maryland, United States During the 2025 Annual Council, Erton Köhler, General Conference president, called on members of the General Conference Executive Committee to choose unity for mission. Köhler celebrated the richness of the Adventist worldwide family and emphasized that the church is stronger when it moves forward together. “We… Continue reading...

Practical Pointers

Humility: The cornerstone of effective ministry

Hensley M. Moorooven

In accordance with Augustine of Hippo’s profound assertion that “humility is the foundation of all other virtues,” I posit that this fundamental attribute is the most significant qualification for serving the Lord and His church in such times as these. Drawing from almost 30 years of service in pastoral ministry, departmental leadership, and church administration, humility remains the virtue I pray for daily. It is the fertile ground from which authentic servant… Continue reading...