Ministerial Stories

More than ever before the word "complexity" describes the role of pastoring congregations in the North American Division.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes the sacrifices and dedication of its employees and seeks to demonstrate its appreciation in a variety of ways. One way the church expresses appreciation after the death of a pastor or educator is with a Seventh-day Adventist Clergy or Educator Memorial Medallion. 

Every church you’ve ever attended, or that you drive by on your way to a Sunday sporting event, was built on a physical attendance model that is location-centric.

As a result,church leaders and pastors have spent time every week encouraging, inviting and pleading with people to come to a specific place at a specific time on Sundays. 

It’s no secret, sabbaticals done the right way yield wholistic staying power even for pastors. In my last article I wrote, “among the care-giving professions benefiting from sabbaticals, pastors committed to the life-long journey in ministry may significantly thrive. 

The Lord established the rhythm of work and rest during creation, (Genesis 1 & 2) and this rhythmic cycle was lived out weekly by Adam and Eve.  This cycle supported wholistic – (mind, body, and soul)relational living with God and each other.  The rhythm between work and Sabbath is a real blessing spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially.  

Recently the chairs of religion from Adventist higher education met with ministerial representatives to coordinate curriculum and internships for ministry. Meeting at the new NAD headquarters, the May 21-23 sessions were filled with presentations and discussions on how to fully integrate the Core Qualities of effective ministry into the ministerial training process.  

The NAD Pastor Advisory was established to be a think tank, a feedback sounding board, and action committee addressing relevant and rising issues pastors face in our division.  This representative group is composed of senior/lead, associate, district, and sole church pastors.

In 2015 the results of the qualitative and quantitative findings of a study in the North American Division on Pastoral Education and Family Stress were shared.  The research looked at seminary training, continuing education, role demands, and family stressors. 

Revivals depended chiefly on evangelical sermons delivered by chaplains or local clergy. In a revival sermon preached frequently to Confederate regiments in February and March 1864, Chaplain William Baker pointed to the dreaded coming season of war: “We are now approaching a crisis in public suffering. 

It is futile for any ministry or organization to work as a silo unto themselves. Working alone in the face of so many opportunities to benefit from others only hinders or stunts the super potential of the exponential. There are so many benefits to sharing, partnering and collaborating, and the North American Division Ministerial Association has decided to be intentional about collaborating. 

The North American Division (NAD) Ministerial Association introduces a new professional growth policy for pastors at the NAD Year End Meetings in Columbia Maryland. This new policy, if adopted at the year end meetings, will provide structure for pastors to continually become more effective in ministry.

Conferences may choose to implement the Volunteer Lay Pastors Ministry to assist in the advancement of the mission of the church in the North American Division (NAD). 

The 2018 North American Division (NAD) Women Clergy Conference is slated to be held September 2-5, in Palm Springs, California. This inspirational gathering is designed for all female Adventist professional pastors and chaplains serving in the NAD. 

Are people placed in ministry positions just to fill empty slots? Or does your congregation’s ministry selection process match gifts with mission? The newly released special edition of CALLED magazine answers those questions in its focus on equipping members for service.

Are people placed in ministry positions just to fill empty slots? Or does your congregation’s ministry selection process match gifts with mission? The newly released special edition of CALLED magazine answers those questions in its focus on equipping members for service.

Internship places students in real-life work situations with real-life co-workers performing actual professional tasks, which the job encompasses.

Mentoring doesn’t have to be formalized, structured, or systematized. I am convinced, though, that the most valuable forms of mentoring are done intentionally.

Our message is powerful. Our beginning was providential. Our emphasis is prophetic. From a handful of disappointed North Americans, we have become a worldwide, multicultural movement that seeks to point people back to scripture. We can make a compelling argument directly from the Word, and we seek to inspire people to return to a more biblical approach to Christianity.

In general, moving, relocating, transitioning, or however you want to categorize it, is known as the soon-to-be plight of most pastors in ministry. It's not a matter of if we will relocate, but when.

What are you willing to risk this year for God? As we start the New Year, here are 7 spiritual leadership lessons I've learned from Nehemiah who risked adversity's advantage.

Understanding the complex role of contemporary pastors gives insight into the necessity for spiritual connection, emotional care, and physical awareness. This is essential and important to life balance in the professional journey of Adventist pastors.

Our Savior's example of spending time with His Father in prayer is the essential witness to us in these modern busy times. Jesus made spending time with His Father priority.

It takes prayerful and persevering intentionality to spend time with God on a daily basis because the enemy of our soul wars against this.