Successful organizations learn to “play to their strengths”.
The band director was desperate to have a complete orchestra. He finally talked me into trying to play the slide trombone.
Following a few practice sessions, the director was observant enough to learn that most of his slide trombones could not consistently read or play a planned note.
The conductor was also wise enough to feature the wonderful trumpet players and not to select any music where the trombone played a lead role. He knew how to “play to his strengths”.
As we compare our ministry with Christian and world religions, do we know how to “play to our strengths”? Do Adventists have a unique strength that sets us apart from any other church?
The plain facts
Most of our BC churches have less than 150 in total attendance.
Our successful support of the worldwide church and our organizational philosophy limits the number of staff we have for each congregation.
Compared with other denominations, following could be a list of our trombones.
It is NOT playing to our strengths to invite interests to “Join the church that offers the best” in the following areas:
- Community and fellowship
- Children and Youth Programs
- Church Staffing
- Creative Worship
- Impressive Church Architecture
If we want “to play to our strengths,” let’s plan to feature the special gifts God has given us. Our unique contribution is TRUTH about God’s character. We have unique Biblical teachings that vindicate His character to a world that believes lies about His work.
Play the Adventist Trumpets God created our world through Jesus
- We are the only major church organization that sets aside an entire day once a week to remember His creative power.
God is Not Sadistic
- Our understanding of “what happens when you die” demonstrates that God is not torturing people in the open flames of hell and certainly will not be burning people throughout eternity.
God Wants Service Growing Out of Love, Not Fear
- The Day of Atonement, Sanctuary and Millennium message primary teaches that God will not reward or destroy until every living being has an opportunity to review the books of Heaven and the merciful actions of God.
Let’s Play to Our Amazing Strengths
Show the neighbours the unique teachings we have that vindicate God’s true Character, and then invite people to connect with a church whose prime role is to reveal these wonderful life-giving truths.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
Most nights, just before I put to sleep the joys and cares of each day, I open my computer and enter a new adventure of communication. I’m on facebook. I type in my name and password and enter a world of friends, and every friend has a face. These are friends I have chosen. These are people I have something in common with. Facebook lets me see the friends my friends have and even lets me see if we have mutual friends. A snapshot of life from those I care about is on one page. I look at their pictures and see that Esther is eating too much sugar, and Cara’s dog is taking over the house. I write a comment and know that tomorrow night they will likely respond. I see tears and smiles, and their pictures of celebration and beauty.
Just last night:
- John is excited about his new phone
- Allan is encountering God
- Rebekah is moving
- Cara has company coming
- Andrew is planting an exotic garden
- Janet is wishing Mom a happy birthday
- Paul is saying “Yipee” about his holidays
- Gail is feeling energetic
- David’s wife is having a baby girl
- Esther is enjoying the sun on her balcony
- Wendell just climbed Rooster Mountain
- Cindy is at Carolina Camp Meeting
- Joy is thankful that God has answered her prayer
Use facebook to…
- Keep up with friends and family
- Share photos and videos
- Reconnect with old classmates
I look on the corner of my computer screen and notice five of my friends are online at that very moment “Hi Bryan, how did your day go?” We talk for a few minutes and sign off. Sometimes several friends are all talking together. Type and click “send” and two seconds later my friend is talking to me from anywhere in the world.
There is a Biblical promise that someday we will be able to see Him “face-to-face”. Our culture has expressions that verify the importance of this “face watching”. “It’s good to finally talk face-to-face”. “Nice to put a face with the name”. “I’m anxious when we can meet face-to-face”, we say.
Facebook is just a little taste of what will make Heaven special. 1,000’s of friends with 1,000’s of stories and 1,000’s of prayers.
With Facebook, I look at a friend’s picture and it shows me images of the friends we have in common. In Heaven, we will all have one Friend in common, and we will see Him “face-to-face”.
Old Song . . . New Message
Face to face with Christ, my Savior,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ Who died for me?
Refrain
Face to face shall I behold Him,
Far beyond the starry sky;
Face to face in all His glory,
I shall see Him by and by!
Only faintly now I see Him,
With the darkened veil between,
But a blessed day is coming,
When His glory shall be seen.
The theme for Camp Meeting 2008 is Sanctuary.
One of the most important understandings of God, as revealed in the Christian faith, is His desire to have
a relationship with His creation - you and me. God created us with a plan for Him to live “among us, with
us and in us.” Camp Meeting 2008 explores God’s plan in this three-fold Sanctuary emphasis.
Friday - Sunday (July 25 - 27)
“God Among Us” (Exodus 25:8)
Since Adam and Eve decided to separate from God, He has done all He can to be with us. His
first attempt with Israel was through the Old Testament Sanctuary. There will be numerous
presentations extending throughout the week on this important Adventist topic.
Monday - Thursday (July 28 - 31)
“God With Us” (Matthew 1:23)
The amazing picture of Jesus was the revelation that God was willing to live with us. Camp
Meeting 2008 will reveal the importance of the miraculous incarnation of God.
Friday - Sabbath (Aug 1 - 2)
“God In Us” (2 Corinthians 6:16)
Jesus revealed it was important that He leave earth so a more intimate presence could be claimed by His children. The disciples experienced the amazing promise that our bodies are the “a
sanctuary” or temple of God.
Experience
A
sanc·tu·ar·y - A place where holiness lives
Sample Guest Speaker List
Auditorium
• Dan Jackson - President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
• Miroslov Pujic - General Conference Director for Post-Modern Studies
• Charles Drake - Vice-President for Administration for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Mid-America
• Kay Kuzma - Founder and President of Family Matters and Adjunct Associate Professor of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda University
• Lonnie Melashenko - Director-Speaker for the Voice of Prophecy (world’s second oldest religious broadcast)
• Hans Diehl - Founder Director of Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Loma Linda, California
The Wave (formerly Youth Adult Tent)
• Matthew Gamble – Teaching Pastor and Spiritual Life Coach at the 24-Seven Ministry Center in Seattle, WA
Youth
• Marco Belmonte
Unique Opportunity
• Tour a full-sized model of the Old Testament Sanctuary
• An amazing one hour guided tour through “Messiah’s Mansion”. This will be an inspiring attraction that will also be advertised to the community. Experience Sanctuary Camp Meeting
• Sanctuary Camp Meeting will be an unforgettable experience, reminding us in numerous ways, of how much God wants to live with His children.
• Watch for more details in future posters and bulletin materials Plan Now To Attend Sanctuary
• If you haven’t made arrangements to attend, now is the time. Don’t miss Sanctuary Camp Meeting 2008. This will be a life-changing event.
• We will blend different daily guest speakers, with some presenters, to provide thematic presentations for the entire week.