The Blog of Gordon Pifher

On May 6, 2007, the Board of Directors voted to hold a constituency meeting the morning of August 5, 2007 at Camp Meeting.

Weeks ago, each church was asked to elect the official delegates that will represent your church.

Your constituency delegates will consider a two-item agenda.

1. Conference Office/ABC Building The constituents will be asked to vote on either much needed renovations or relocation.

Reason for the discussion. The Conference office/ABC is 35 years old and needs some major repairs and renovations. At this point, the office and the ABC are dated and many feel does not represent the Seventh-day Adventist Church. • New Roof • Parking lot repair • Window and door protection • Washroom upgrades • Exterior upgrade • ABC renovation • More efficient work space design

The Conference is located on 3.4 acres, of which one acre is used. The property has become very valuable. It would be possible to relocate on a smaller piece of property (1- 2 acres) in Abbotsford and build a new office with no extra funding. The board needs direction from the constituency to either repair or relocate. This is a major decision. Both options will work. We need constituency input. Once the constituency has voted, the Board will proceed with the detailed decisions.

1. Permission to Launch a Conference Capital Campaign The constituents will be asked to give the Board direction to launch a capital development plan for the immediate future. Reason for the discussion Progressive conferences have long range plans for capital development. We have many members that would be anxious to contribute to exciting adventures in our own Conference. Some of the capital projects that would be explored.

• Camp Hope is in great need of renovation, repair and upgrades • Church planting and church building will not happen without more dollars • Creative evangelism dollars are needed

• Radio and television outreach is expensive but priceless

Your administrative wants to work through the Board to develop a well-planned capital fundraising program. This is a major decision and we need your guidance.

Major decisions that will affect every member of our Conference family needs to have constituency input. Town hall meetings will provide clear information on the issues that will be discussed at the constituency session.

We are planning 6 town hall meetings • Every member and church attendee is invited to the town hall meetings. • The 6th meeting, held at Camp Meeting, will provide another opportunity to ask questions and give suggestions on the two constituency items.

Location & Dates 7:00 - 8:30 pm 1. Prince George Church - July 5 2. Rest Haven Church - July 9 3. Rutland Church - July 10 4. Abbotsford Church - July 11 5. Oakridge Church - July 12 6. Camp Meeting - Aug 3 Friday 1:30 - 2:30 pm

When visiting one of our churches, I commented, “You have a wonderful church website” was my affirmation to the members of one of our smaller churches. Your website is attractive, professional and the current articles on health, family and Bible study are well done. I also used your website to get detailed directions to your church location. Thank you.”

Most of the members looked at me with a touch of surprise. Their response was, “We have a wonderful website?”. When I asked how many had visited their own website, it was obvious that most members didn’t know what they had.

Every Church Has A Professional Website • The North American Division has supplied every church with a first class website • The Conference has purchased and is maintaining the domain names for every church. We are the only Conference in Canada that presently has implemented the “easy to find” option.

How Do You Find Your Church Website? • On the internet, address location, type the name of the town, the word adventist (no spaces) and “.ca” and you are there. (example www.trailadventist.ca or www.merrittadventist.ca or www. mcbrideadventist.ca) • It is just that simple.

People Will Check Us Out On The Web Before They Check Us Out In Person • Studies now indicate that before a person will visit a church for the first time they will visit the church website first. • Look at your website. See if you like the first impression.

You Have It. Now Use It! • Every church board should select a webmaster. Use the expertise of some of the younger members • The webmaster will be given a password to update, localize and change your website. • Keep your calendar of events current for the community • Select from the list of option the pictures and content that reflects your church’s personality. • Send some of your leaders to the website training event June 23, 2007 at Oakridge Church. (See ad on next page with full information.)

Put Your Website On… • Your church sign • Church stationery • Weekly bulletin • Business cards • Event advertisements

Advertise Your Website In… • Newspaper Ad: Wanted people interested in Bible study, visit www.crestonadventist.ca • Flyer ad: Secrets for parenting www.ashcroftadventist.ca • Billboard ad: Want to know God’s answers to life’s questions?
Check out Bibleinfo at www.abbotsfordadventist.ca

Websites Produce Results • Churches are reporting hundreds of visits to their church website. • Pastors have their sermons on the website and have received emails from people listening every week. • A pastor reported that two visitors have been attending church regularly because they were impressed with their website.

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven with the everlasting Gospel…”. Revelation 14:6.

The internet will help fulfill this prophecy.

Now you know what you’ve got. Use it!!!!!

Join the Adventist World Church in 10 days of prayer power An unique idea started by a small group of youth has now turned into an Adventist World Church prayer adventure. Following the New Testament example, God’s disciples will be challenged to pray “with one accord” for 10 days. Timing • 10 days of prayer begins June 27 and ends July 7, 2007.
• 7/7/07 has a wonderful ring of completion

Resources • Unified Scripture passages provided for each day • Unified Bible Study guidelines provided through BC Alive

Suggestions • Guidelines for fasting options • Sample programs for families or churches to have special prayer events

Prayer Requests • BC Conference website will be an instrument to submit requests to claim the power of unified intercessory prayer.

AD 31 - There were 120 men and women in an upper room praying for God’s power.

AD 2007 - There could be 120 million praying for God’s power.

Claim the Power of Prayer • Matthew 7:7 • Romans 8;32 • Luke 11:13 • John 16:23

For more information contact BC Prayer Coordinators: Pastor John Gilbert chilliwackpastor@hotmail.com Polly Hosking
phosking@bcadventist.ca. www.operationglobalrain.com