Various Authors

Thoughtful and helpful

I very much appreciate Frank Hasel’s December 2018 article “Dealing With Suffering and Loss.” It was authentically candid yet very thoughtful and edifying. He speaks not as a victor who has emerged a conqueror,…

Silver Spring, Maryland, United States

 Some 330 theologians, Bible teachers, and administrators of the Seventh-day Adventist Church gathered beside the Sea of Galilee for the opening session of the Third International Bible Confer­ence held from June 11 to 21, 2012. Organized…

Theology of ordination study committee

Following the assignment of representatives from the 13 global divisions of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the names of the 100-member Theology of Ordination Study Committee (TOSC) were…

Adventist church president calls for renewed medical mission in cities

Silver Spring, Maryland, United States—Speaking to a packed auditorium at the General Conference headquarters during the Sabbath morning worship…

In lieu of divisional reports in this first issue, we invite the Association members to take a brief survey of responses from the sisterhood of divisions encouraging the launching of The Ministry:

Europe Sees " Advantages"

"…

British Union Institute

ALL the workers of the British Un­ion gathered for a season of spiritual refreshing at Birmingham, England, July 30 to August 2. We were unusu­ally privileged in having with us Pas­tors L. H. Christian, E.…

Thorough Indoctrination of Can­didates *

By J. C. Stevens

The Bible is the foundation of all true doctrine. Seventh-day Adventists are a Bible people; our message is based upon the Bible and the Bible alone. Some would maintain…

Prerequisite Instruction for Baptism

[It is difficult to conceive a discussional topic more vital to the life and spiritual welfare of the church than this. The presentations which follow are not official dictums; rather,…

A Study in Advertising

By Robert L. Boothby

We are living in the age to which the children of God all through the centuries have looked with longing de­sire,— the time when prophecy meets fulfillment…

" Azazel is a transliteration of the Hebrew word translated in the Author­ized Version (Lev. 16:8, sq.) scape­goat.' There has been much discussion regarding the meaning of the term. Some take it to be the name of a re­gion,…

Echoes From Union Conference Groups

Pacific Union

As Bible workers' meetings in connection with union conference sessions represent a somewhat new , departure from the general plan in recent years, it is not surprising…

Pacific Union

The Major part of the instruction at the ministerial institute in connection with the Pacific Union session, held in Fresno, Calif., March 6-15, was given by Elder C. K. Meyers, of, the…

South Africa Introduces a New Secretary

At the annual meeting of the Af­rican Division committee, held in December, Elder E. D. Dick was appointed secretary of the Ministerial Association for the African Division,…

The City Problem

Last month emphasis was placed on the question of rural evangelism, which is continued in this issue. Now we turn to the problem of city evangelism. Be it remembered that, these discussions in The Forum section…

Developing an Efficient Ministry

By L.H. Christian

The success of any worldly enter­prise is measured by its leadership. In the church of Christ this vital prin­ciple applies yet more. Nothing in a spiritual…

Shepherding the Flock

Listening In on the Presidents' Council

(Held Sept. 20-22, 1929, just prior to the Autumn Council, Columbus, Ohio)

The older a church grows, the more…

The Effectual Use of the Question Box

Some form of question box or query corner is employed by virtually every evangelist. Indeed, nearly every newspaper, and religious and secular jour­nal employs some form…

Summaries of 1928-29 Seminars

'Vacation time is almost over, and college halls will soon be humming with V life, and seminar plans for the new school year will be given right of way. The reviews of achievements…

Spirit Rather Than Form

By M.R. Coon

Experience has forced me to the conclusion that the vital point of spir­itual contact lies in the messenger de­livering the sermon, rather than…

Elder J. W. Westphal, secretary of the Ministerial Association for South America, refers to the outlook as fol­lows:

"Sooner or later the proclamation of the third angel's message in many of the countries of the…

Institute Echoes

[The statements which follow were not made for publication. They are the candid expression of established heartfelt indorse­ment and appreciation of the effectiveness of the Bible work, made by prominent lead­ers…

Holding Our Converts

The church's duty embraces not only aggressive evangelism, but holding and upbuilding those already won. Guarding the back door is quite as essential as making successfully…

Helderberg.— We have this year had a most remarkable experience in the matter of practical evangelism in Hel­derberg College. Our Bible teacher, Elder A. W. Staples, conducted a pub­lic effort in one…

Posture in Prayer, and Pulpit Decorum.—The discussion turned to the con­sideration of another phase of the cause and remedy for irreverence in churches, namely, the confusion which arises through lack of uniform practice…

A Revival of Study

It is well for us to pause periodically to review the past as we face the future.

Especially is this helpful under the guidance of faithful veterans such as have been invited to give expression…

The First Approach.—"When the pa­tient registers at the desk on entering the sanitarium for the treatment of the body, let a card be placed in his hands, directing him to the spiritual activities and…

The Prime Object of Preaching

Apprehension has been expressed by not a few ministers and laymen over  the nature of many of our Sabbath services. Some have felt that the time has not been as profitably "occupied" as might have been;…

The following action by the recent Autumn Council is deserving of very careful study on the part of every Seventh-day Adventist speaker and writer. From reliable sources of information, we have reason to believe that all our published…

"Catholic Unity Octave" is the name under which an annual week of prayer and propaganda—now in its thir­tieth consecutive year—is widely conducted by the Roman Catholic Church. In Washington, D.C., the local services were held under the auspices…

Now as we face the task of closing up the work of the White Estate at St. Helena, moving all the files and book properties to our denominational headquarters, and establishing the work there, it is proper that we should pause to…

Josephus and Christ

Is the record that Josephus gives in his "Antiquities," Book XVIII, chapter 3, para­graph 3, and chapter 5, paragraph 2, concern­ing Christ and John the Baptist, authentic? Can we depend on the statements…

Menacing Federal Council Trends

No outside observers of the religious undercurrents in popular American Protestant­ism, a forthright article by W. B. Riley and Dan Gilbert in the January Christian Life and…

Do you consider it proper to receive into church fellowship in a Seventh-day Adventist church, on profession of faith, a man who has been a member of another church and who was baptized into that church by immersion,…

Wherever we have believers, we have Sabbath schools. Our Sabbath school work is perhaps the best-organized depart­ment of our denominational…

Walla Walla College

The School of Theology this year has made HE number of important improvements under the capable leadership of its new dean, T. M. French. New courses have been offered, old courses have been altered, and field…

In a previous article we briefly presented a few historical facts concerning the estab­lishment of our first sanitarium and its struggle for existence. To fully appreciate the perplexities that confronted these early…

Baptism represents a death and burial.

By G. A. ROBERTS, President of the Inter-American Division

When death enters the home, all is sub­dued and quiet. Such a spirit should char­acterize the place where the baptismal services…

Perhaps no enterprise so revealed the faith and courage of the early pioneers as the establishment and development of our first sanitarium. This the brethren entered into with zeal. At the General Conference session of…

In the second article of this series, we presented a brief statement regarding the general health teaching prior to 1866 by such men as Sylvester Graham, Dr. James Jackson, Horace Mann, and Dr. R. T. Trall. Education…

This is a somber theme, but one upon which sug­gestion and counsel have been requested by many. The last solemn service for the dead falls to the lot of every minister. These responsibilities include the conducting…

Contrary to the opinion of many, the Spirit of prophecy did not bring to us the various truths of our message. Rather, it gave guidance as consecrated men studied to unearth from the Word the truths God wished revealed…

It was not an easy task that was under­taken by such a small group of people—that of launching a health journal. Not many physicians in America were well quali­fied as compared to present standards. A number of our doctors…

Just as the advent hope has lighted the benighted places of the earth through the dark centuries, so there have always been in existence groups of men and women and individuals in various parts of the world throughout…

In a previous article we noted the early recognition on the part of our denomina­tional leaders of the necessity of training nurses skilled in specific lines of nursing care, particularly hydrotherapy, in order…

Follow-Up Work in Near-by Areas

Unique Consecration Service

The momentous events of the last few days, which have drawn the United States into the world war as an active belligerent, have radically altered those peacetime conditions and relationships which previously obtained. Certain freedoms and…

Baptism is frequently referred to as the gateway into the church. Jesus said, "I am the door." Breaking allegiance with the world and joining Christ's spiritual body on earth are most significant steps to the new believer. The Bible compares…

1. Divine Strength a Defense

Before you are the words of Scripttire from Job 22:25, "The Almighty stall be thy defense." [See poster.] The rest of the verse reads, "And thou shalt have plenty of silver." The margin tells us that…

Diet was not an afterthought with God. "He who created man and who understands his needs appointed Adam his food. . . .

"Grains, fruits, nuts, and vegetables consti­tute the diet chosen for us by our Creator. These foods,…

"'Mom the day that God "breathed into his 'nostrils the breath of life ; and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2:7), air has been the first essential of life. To supply this need, God sur­rounded the earth with atmosphere which con­tains certain…

Who can measure the value of this first gift of the Creator—He who Himself "is the source of life and light and joy to the universe. Like the rays of light from the sun, blessings flow out from Him to all the creatures…

Creation was complete! "The great Jehovah had laid the foundations of the earth; He had dressed the whole world in the garb of beauty," and He had placed man, "the crowning work of His creation," in this healthful and happy environment.…

It is true that "the 'sweat of thy brow' is literally the price of life as well as of bread."—W. Hutchinson, Exercise and Health, Outing Pub. Co., 1911. Man was not made to live a physically inactive life—he…

In the creation of day and night the Creator provided a pattern of life with alternate pe­riods of rest and activity. The dark part, watched over by moon and stars, makes sleep possible, with its complete rest and repose. The restorative…

George Burnside (Auckland, New Zealand) : I have been very much interested in this discus­sion. Altar calls and aftermeetings are methods that had never been tried in New Zealand, but I tried them. I did not know anything about it, but was…

Although the over-all report of the impoi­tant Grand Rapids Autumn Council just held, prepared by the Secretarial Depart­ment of the General Conference, appears in the Review and Herald, a few of the leading actions of vital concern…

I. I would like to know, statistically, what follow-up work is done by our local conferences when they receive names of interested listen­ers?

We send out thousands of letters to the field but get answers from only one fourth.…

Ministerial Association Secretary A. Meyer writes this encouraging letter regarding recent progress made in his field, the Southern European Division:

"A spirit of courage, zeal, and unity pre­vails everywhere among the working forces…

The Autumn Council of the General Conference is always a time of real interest. At this meeting the needs of God's work in all the earth are studied and the budget set for the coming year. How wonderfully the Lord is prospering His cause!…

GIVING UP TOO SOON

To persevere in soul winning is not difficult so long as we get a

response from the person for whom we work. But when the way gets rough and it looks as if a decision is to be long delayed, or never made…

THINK IT THROUGH

How can we best minister to our jun­iors? Is spiritual entertainment the answer? Novel and interesting approaches are always effectual, but how far can we wisely go? These are real questions especially at camp meeting…

A minister writes:

What is the role of the minister or chaplain in telling a parishioner that his illness is hope­less and death is imminent?

A chaplain answers:

The minister must always remember…

"OUR MEDICAL SCHOOL"

As workers and laymen we frequently and appreciatively refer to the Col­lege of Medical Evangelists as "our medical school at Lorna Linda." Now, while this is in a measure correct, it is not wholly…

BUDGET PLANNING

Under the present economy we hardly plan to employ young married men as personal workers. At least in some lands we have not con­sidered the matter seriously. As a result, today this most important personal work,…

BIGNESS OF HEART

The milk of human kindness is more than a reward within itself.

The official of today often finds himself the district pastor of tomorrow. Time is a great equalizer. There is real substance in the proverb,…

"TRIVIAL"  PREACHING

Much current preaching is "trivial, trite and feeble," Bishop Frederick B. Newell, of New York, told five hundred ministerial and lay dele­gates attending the 156th annual meeting of the New York Methodist Conference…

COULD GOD TRUST YOU?

Suppose, just suppose, God poured out His Spirit in your next campaign and 500 people in one day accepted the message. Or, suppose He entrusted you with the gift of healing, and as you prayed for men dying from…

PASTOR DECLINES A BISHOPRIC

A few years ago Ralph W. Sockman, pastor of Christ Church in New York, asked that his name not be considered for the office of Bishop in the Methodist Church. The announcement came on the eve of a quadrennial…

CONSULTATION SERVICE ON ASTRONOMY SERMONS

Many workers avoid reference to astron­omy in their Bible studies and sermons for fear of exposing ignorance in a highly specialized scientific area—and rightly so. However, astronomy, when…

For this special issue of THE MINISTRY, which honors twenty-five years of con­tinuous broadcasting by H. M. S. Richards, your editors have asked two con­ference presidents, two conference home missionary secretaries, and several pastors to…

"VERY FRIENDLY AND OBLIGING"

We are frequently reminded of our shortcomings, especially in relation to making visitors feel at home in our churches. But here is something on the other side of the picture that is heartening indeed.…

FINDING TIME TO READ

Finding time to read is a major problem in the life of every Seventh-day Advent­ist worker, and yet no matter how busy we are, the busiest among us is usually successful in finding time to do what he wants…

FULL CHURCH COOPERATION

In preparing for the metro­politan evangelistic campaign in Miami, Florida, at the close of last year, Ben Hassenpflug, the Southern Union evangelist, followed a plan that we be­lieve could well commend itself…

DO IT YOURSELF

The "Do It Yourself" fever is currently gripping the country. It is a fatal formula when applied to the minister's relationship to his congregation. For the minister to shoulder the myriad responsibilities of church…

All things both in heaven and in earth de­clare that the great law of life is a law of service. The infinite Father ministers to the life of every living thing. Christ came to the earth 'as He that serveth.' Luke 22:27. The angels are 'ministering…

LIFE IN ACTION

Much is being said these days about the pastor be­coming an efficient counselor. Emphasis is rightly placed on the importance of listening. Certainly there can be no lasting help in counsel that is not preceded by…

WHERE IS THE  ADVENTIST CHURCH?

We were on a vacation trip, and Friday evening found us in a part of the country we had not visited before. We felt sure the town was large enough to have an Adventist church, but could not find it…

MEANINGFUL  PRAYERS

So often our prayers are the mere repetitions of time-worn phrases, revealing little or no thought, and lacking power to im­press the mind, much less to move the will. It does us good sometimes to study the prayers…

Many faculty members of the Seminary are members of various learned societies and attend their annual meetings. From March 12 to 14 Prof. C. E. Wittschiebe attended the Nine­teenth Groves Conference on Marriage and the Family, meeting in…

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

With the message all prepared and the sermon notes all in order, then the ser­mon has to come off the paper into the preacher's soul. The fire must be kindled after the fuel is gathered.

"My heart was…

TIME FOR A CHANGE

Some ministers are quite satisfied with themselves, but their congregations are not satisfied with them. Some parishioners are delighted with their minister, but not he with them. There are also those many happy…

JUST PLAIN FACTS:

Inc role of the Sev­enth-day Adventist minister's tvife is in Transition. It is not a question of a departure from "the good old days." It is just factual. Not too long ago we made some practical observations as…

INVESTIGATE BEFORE YOU CASTIGATE

Every autumn scores of hunters fall prey to their fellows who have mistaken them for game. But the accidental dead are just as dead as though they had been intentionally murdered.

The church…

OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER

In an article, "Is Civil Defense the Church's Concern?" Ed Mack Miller, writing in the November issue of Information (The Catholic Church in American Life), gives a forth­right challenge to the members…

THE GIVER WITH A MOTIVE

To every minister there comes the problem of accepting or declining to accept certain gifts from church members. Gifts are often the sincere, heartfelt expression of grati­tude and Christian love, and the…

A certain man was becoming too in­terested, so his friends thought, in the teachings of Seventh-day Adventists. In the hope of discouraging any further study, they warned him, "Don't you know that if you become a Seventh-day…

ORGANIZATIONAL CALENDARS

The year's end is the time to lay specific plans for the coming year. In­ventory time and planning time calls for a progres­sive outlook in establishing future objectives and goals, as well as a checkup…

MONEY AND SOULS

To evaluate souls in terms of dollars spent to reach them is  as fatal as it is foolish. It is undeniable that the Lord's money must be judiciously distributed and jealously guarded. Nor can one with justice question…

Overseas evangelism, with its peculiar prob­lems, is always of great interest to the readers of THE MINISTRY. The Farthing Evan­gelistic Group have recently completed an evan­gelistic campaign in Secunderabad, India, and at this writing,…

Aristotle, on being censured by his fellows for giving alms to a renegade character, replied, "I did not give it to the man, I gave it to humanity." This is basi­cally the true interpretation of all gifts, a genuine dedication of service…

* A Scientist's Faith in the Resurrection

Dr. A. C. Ivy, Department of Chemical Science, University of Illinois, states his faith in the bodily resurrection of Christ: "I believe in the bodily res­urrection of Jesus Christ.…

PRESSURE OR PERSUASION

Impatience to see men decide for Christ can produce in the soul-seeker extravagance of ex­pression. "You are lost" is a judgment reserved for God alone. While it is true that the man of God possesses the keys…

HE IS RISEN!   

Springtime is God's season for teaching the new life in Christ. Now the warming sun is drawing from the cold earth myriads of tiny living things. All nature is awake! The apostle Paul so beautifully refers to the…

THE CHURCH CHALLENGED

On every hand, whether in secular or religious circles, the Christian church is being eulogized for its current prosperity. This period is characterized as a "renaissance of religion," a "great revival," an…

Nearly two years ago Pastor Fordyce Detamore presented to the Ministerial Association Precouncil of the General Con­ference session his growing convictions as to the place of the short campaign in the work of evangelism.

Presiding Chairman: L. K. Dickson

Panel Personnel:

Presiding Chairman: D. R. Rees

THE PREACHER AND HIS WORLD 

The preacher's function is to witness to the change­less truth in these chang­ing times, to speak of eternal verities to those who are buffeted by the shifting and stormy scenes of life's drama. The voice…

"I WILL SING WITH THE SPIRIT

When the apostle Paul wrote these words to the Corin­thian readers he was stating an important principle in leadership. Of all the men in the congregation who should sing with the spirit and understanding,…

The following excerpts are taken from ad­dresses delivered early this year by Drs. John Sutherland Bonnell and L. Harold DeWolf at the three-day ministers' convocation sponsored by the ministry of Southern California, the Southern California…

The Finnish Evangelistic Team, made up of three of our Adventist sisters on leave of absence from Finland, held a series of meetings in the Finnish Labour Hall in Port Arthur, Ontario, Canada, beginning on January 5 of this year. At the opening…

HUMILITY

One who speaks for God, whatever his educational or cultural background, never has any reason to feel superior. Meekness is a characteristic of all true leadership. Neither should a herald of God ever belittle his calling…

Nine members of the Guided Tour who rep­resent various countries have expressed their reactions to the trip in the paragraphs that follow.

The Tour to the Bible Lands

During many years of Bible teaching in our schools,…