• Adventism, when stripped of cultural additives like fundamentalism and legalism, represents a theology of love rooted in God's heart.

• The imperative is to share this theology of God's heart with humanity, making it accessible and relatable to all, regardless of denomination.

• The focus should be on making disciples of Jesus who embody the message of God's heart and are willing to share it, irrespective of labels or appearances, with three strategies: leading doctrines to God's heart, living out Jesus' love, and cultivating meaningful relationships.

• In the midst of the pandemic, a conversation between the author and future Mayor Stephen Murray led to a focus on reopening the historic Greene Street Gym, a beloved community space in Beaufort, SC.

• Despite complicated local issues related to mismanagement and lack of access, Mayor Murray appointed a city task force in response to community interest, resulting in the reopening of the gym in January 2022.

• The partnership between the author, a clergy leader and educator, and Mayor Murray, a civic leader, demonstrates the power of civic connections and collaborations in addressing community concerns for positive change.

A critical aspect of communicating the Gospel effectively is being able to understand the basic assumptions that those outside of my group bring as a mental map and have clarity toward the goal. Most of us are not aware of such deep assumptions, so is best to simply take a learner’s role and ask, “How do you understand this?” If you are not sure, simply start by seeking clarification…and remember, the goal is eventually leading seekers to the Bible, so keep the focus.

Here is an example of a real-life situation, a conversation between a Muslim Imam and an Adventist pastor. After a few pleasantries, the conversation changed…

• When churches initially closed their doors due to the pandemic, both churchgoers and pastors were supportive, but financial concerns grew, leading to a 58% increase in giving, according to Barna Group.

• As the pandemic continued, the desire to reopen the physical church intensified, but when doors did open, the expected rush of attendees did not materialize, with 72% more viewers opting for online services.

• The pandemic revealed that the church is not confined to a physical building, leading to a rise in virtual church hopping and a shift towards a hybrid church future, where Sabbath observance and nature exploration became cherished aspects of churchgoers' lives.

• Recent data highlights declining pastoral satisfaction, especially among younger pastors, emphasizing the need for them to work in their areas of giftedness and have influence over their church's vision.

• Pastors often feel isolated, lack the energy to grow, and face increased emotional exhaustion, potentially exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Prioritizing self-care, including Sabbath practices, can boost satisfaction and resilience among pastors, while support from conference leaders is crucial for implementing restful sabbaticals.

• Promoting representation is vital, not only due to societal trends but also because women inherently bear the image of God.

• You can foster inclusivity in your local setting by inviting female pastors to speak regularly.

• Insist on diverse representation to ensure meaningful and inclusive conversations.

• Savvy pastors take charge of their retirement by contributing to IRAs and making catch-up contributions if needed.

• Prioritizing budgeting helps pastors control their finances and make intentional spending choices.

• Pastors establish accountability systems and tap into lesser-known conference benefits for financial stability.

In the previous piece, our discussion focused on the first five tips for developing a quality livestreamed worship experience. Here are the remaining five tips.

COVID-19…just hearing that can cause a traumatic response. The pandemic was such a traumatic experience for everyone. However, the pandemic also pushed our postmodern society into the “virtual space.” In the education arena, from Pre-K all the way to the highest ranks of academia, everything was virtual. In the business and professional world, we went virtual with daily meetings to keep organizations and corporations operational. Nevertheless, I would argue that the spaces where the push towards technological advancement made its greatest strides was within the walls of religious houses of worship.

Please join Adventist Retirement and Empower for a one-hour discussion on what pastors should know about taxes. We’ll talk about being retirement ready and how being a pastor can affect SECA, parsonage allowance, and social security. The session is offered three times so you can select a time that works for you.