This Newsletter is produced by the Communication department of the London Seventh-day Adventist Church

Date Facilitators Event/Theme Time

1 Alex Golovenko Praying for Successful Families and Influential Homes 7 pm 4 Cameron Munro Spiritual Gifts 11 am

8 Aroldo Anniehs Praying for Christian values in our families 7 pm

11 Gord Rayner Pass it on! 11 am

15 Teresa Ferreira Praying for Our Community outreach 7 pm

18 Mike Keim Personal Ministry emphasis 11 am

22 Clara Baptiste Praying for Marriages 7 pm

25 Clara Baptiste The Foundation Matters 11 am

29 Vassel Gregory Praying for Revival 7 pm

Schedule of events and speakers for AUGUST 2012 London Seventh-day Adventist Church 805 Shelborne Street,

August 2012 Volume 8 Issue 8

It Is Written Canada presents

Heritage Singers September 8, 2012 - 8:00 p.m.

Toronto Airport Marriott

901 Dixon Road, Toronto, ON M9W 1J5 To order tickets & for more information,

call 905-404-6510

Read more on

Women Ordination

on page 2

Prayer Calendar on

Page 4

Church School Parent’s

perspective Page 3

In the upcoming months number of Unions will take the matter

of women in leadership to the poles, literally - inviting their con-

stituent members to vote on the issue, in spite of church leadership

appeal to wait and hold off until the matter is fully addressed theo-

logically at the next General Conference.

On June 29, 2012 the General Conference issued an "Appeal for

Unity in Respect to Ministerial Ordination Practices," stating that

the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist Church is currently engaged

in a study of the theology of ordination and its implications. This

study is scheduled for completion by the 2014 Annual Council of

the General Conference Executive Committee. At that time the Ex-

ecutive Committee will determine the report which will be given to

the 2015 General Conference Session along with whether or not any

new recommendation should be considered by delegates to the Ses-

sion.

The appeal calls: 1) for unity in respecting a global church ac-

tion (i.e. the 1990 and 1995 General Conference Session decisions

on ministerial ordination); 2) for each union executive committee to

carefully review the far-reaching effects of pursuing a course of ac-

tion that is contrary to the decisions of the General Conference in

session; and 3) for each union to participate in the current study

about the theology of ordination and its implication.

The General Conference in Session is the highest ecclesiastical

authority for Seventh-day Adventists. The actions of certain unions

which would disagree with GC past decision indicate attempt to

establish an alternative source of authority. In 1990 it was approved

that women should be given wide participation in all church activi-

ties, including soul winning and pastoral duties, but that “in view of

the possible risk of disunity, dissension, and diversion from the mis-

sion of the Church” the Session voted that ordination of women to

the gospel ministry not be authorized. The 1995 General Conference

Session action denied the request of the North American Division

that the Session adopt provisions on ordination as outlined below:

"The General Conference vests in each division the right to author-

ize the ordination of individuals within its territory in harmony with

established policies. In addition, where circumstances do not render

it inadvisable, a division may authorize the ordination of qualified

individuals without regard to gender. In divisions where the division

executive committee takes specific actions approving the ordination

of women to the gospel ministry, women may be ordained to serve

in those divisions."

The appeal emphasizes that “being a part of the global Church

obliges every organization to think and act for the good of the whole

and to shun a spirit of autonomy and self-determination.” It also

states that action of any union in pursuing a different course of ac-

tion represents a rejection of the key value of Unity in denomina-

tional life.

The document also states that the situation in China cannot be

used to justify alternative practice, as the Seventh-day Adventist

Church does not officially exists in China, and local practices are not

endorsed or authorized by official church.

It should be noted that the actions of certain Unions are taken in

regard not to theology but the policy of ordination.

Church-sponsored studies of women’s ordination have a long

history within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. On December 5,

1881 the General Conference Session motion to ordain women. It

was already voted! And "Resolved, That females possessing the

necessary qualifications to fill that position, may, with perfect pro-

priety, be set apart by ordination to the work of the Christian minis-

try." Reported in Review and Herald, Dec. 20, 1881.

for more on the history of this issue see an article online:

http://www.sdanet.org/atissue/wo/appendix5.htm

Study committees were formed at the request of the General

Conference in 1950, 1968, 1970, 1972, and 1973. In the 1973 and

1974 Annual Council meetings, more study was called for. In 1975,

thirteen scholars from the Biblical Research Institute produced a

report in response to an earlier General Conference request for study

which found no theological barrier to the ordination of women, but

the scholarship was put under seal by the General Conference for

nine years. In 1977 and 1984, promises were made that there would

be new studies of the issue, but those promises were not kept. The

1985 GC Session in New Orleans voted for more study of women’s

ordination. Commissions and councils voted for more study in 1988

and 1989, until in 1990 GC president Robert H. Folkenberg put a

moratorium on discussions of women’s ordination. Would another

study be convincing enough to change man-made policies?

Meanwhile, on July 29 the Columbia Union and on August 19

the Pacific Union will hold special sessions to vote on this. Dave

Weigley, the President of Columbia Union explains his position,

citing the statement from the immediate past General Conference

president Jan Paulsen who in his book “Where are we going?” (page

12) writes: “The church has never taken the view that biblical teach-

ings exclude the possibility of women being ordained to ministry on

an equal footing with men. But global leadership has felt that local

readiness and perceptions—heavily influenced by culture—have

thus far kept us from moving forward on this as a global commu-

nity.” Hence he reasons:

1. I can no longer dismiss the evidence of the Spirit’s moving in

China and other parts of the world where women are advancing the

mission of the church as promised in Joel 2.

2. In the early days, our church saw the value of encouraging

both genders to serve according to their calling, and history tells of

female pastors, missionaries, evangelists, conference presidents and

General Conference treasurers . In New York at the turn of the 19th

century, for example, women won 60 percent of our converts.

3. We already accommodate policy variances in some places for

practical purposes, cultural sensitivities or to advance our mission,

e.g., polygamy, labor unions. In our cultural context, this issue has

moral and ethical implications.

4. The attempt to walk lockstep in policy is recent. Our pioneers

would have been hampered by such uniformity.

5. Mission should drive policy, not vice versa. As policies be-

come outdated or problematic for the advancement of the gospel, we

revise or abolish them, and/or create new ones.

Pastor John Brunt, a delegate to the Pacific Union session cites

his reasons to vote positively for women in leadership.

1. Organizationally it is not disloyal to the GC to move ahead.

Nothing ever becomes General Conference policy until it has been

voted at a lower level and works it way up. GC policy is like the

dictionary. Words only make it in after people have used them.

Nothing gets into GC policy until local organizations have had the

courage to move ahead. This is not disloyalty. It is reality.

2. Biblically there are many practices, such as having union

conferences, church weddings, statements of fundamental beliefs,

which are not specifically commanded. Like these, ordination is

human invention. If our ordination practice is discriminatory, we

cannot blame the Bible, we can only blame ourselves.

3. Logically it makes no sense: First, we say that ordination is

not a sacrament in the Roman Catholic sense, but is a recognition of

the function of pastoral ministry. Second, we say that women may

function as pastors. Third, we say women may not be ordained….?

Some authors point to the roots of the whole “ordination” ritual,

tracing it to the Roman Army practice of promoting officers to

higher ranks. Such practice was borrowed by the Roman Church in

creating hierarchical structure. How would you vote?

In May the Oakwood University elite choir, the Aeolians, under the direction of Jason Max Ferdinand, ac-

cepted the invitation to participate in the 7th World Choir Games (WCG) held in Cincinatti, Ohio USA---the

largest and most spectacular international choral arts event in the world,

held in Cincinnati July 4 to 14. The Aeolians were the only Adventist

group in the event.

At the completion of the event the Aeolians took home three awards

including the Championship Trophy in the “Spiritual” category, besting

15 other choirs for the honor. The 42-member group also won one of

several gold medals in two other categories: “Music of Religions” and

“Musica Contemporanea.”

The World Choir Games, sponsored by the Interkultur Foundation

in Germany, is the world’s largest choral competition and is held every

two years. This year, more than 15,000 Choristers in 362 choirs com-

peted in 23 musical categories. Interkultur’s website says the goal of the

event is to bring “people of all nations, cultures and ideologies together

in peaceful competitions and songs.” The next World Choir Games will

be held in Riga, Latvia, in 2014.

Adventist Choir wins World Choirs Competition Games

A 3ABN broadcast was highlighting

a One-Day School Maranatha project in

Zimbabwe. You could see the excite-

ment on people’s faces as they watch

buildings go up, as they come hours be-

fore the enrolment not to miss an oppor-

tunity. One man said, “I want my son in

the Adventist school because I want him

to have the best!” Similar stories come

from Indonesia, Philippines, India, Hon-

duras, Cuba, Malawi and more coun-

tries. High officials in those countries

say that having students educated in the

Adventist school would result in the bet-

terment of their country. Adventist edu-

cation is an “upward mobility.”

Adventist Schools here in North

America also offer the best opportuni-

ties: cutting-edge curriculum, highly

trained and committed teachers, and stu-

dents repeatedly score academically in

the top percentiles across the nation.

Yet immigrants from those same

countries in North America are lured by

secular lifestyle and in pursuit of money

and conveniences often put their chil-

dren into public systems for total strang-

ers to raise. The assumption is that the

Sabbath School will suffice in adding

the spiritual values.

Your child needs more than an occa-

sional exposure to spiritual thinking.

Think of the axiom “A thought reaps an

action, an action reaps a habit, a habit

reaps our character, our character

reaps our destiny.” Your child needs

daily guidance of his thought patterns, a

daily shaping of worldview.

Enrolling your child in an Adventist

school gives that daily exposure to the

true Biblical worldview. Jesus, Creation,

prayer, service, the Sabbath, worship,

and other biblical truth—cannot be

found elsewhere.

Commitment to your Adventist

school ties your family closer to their

church. Kids want to be where their

friends are, their teachers become further

Christian witnesses outside of the school

environment, and church attendance be-

comes habit-forming.

The participation in church life and

education of your children is much

greater through church school than you

would ever be allowed in the public sec-

tor! Your input is welcomed by Church

School teachers, whereas in the public

system it is minimal.

We had witnessed loss of two genera-

tions. First kids leave Church School,

then they leave Church ministries

(Pathfinders, Adventurers) for other

secular club activities and/or sports, fi-

nally they are gone from the church,

calling on pastor only to “christen” a

baby…

When surveyed young adults who

remained in church - majority named the

main reason besides their commitment

to unique belief, the social network and

the experience they had at church

school.

Our children are the greatest gifts

God could bestow. The level of trust and

faith God places on us to rear them for

His service and His heavenly kingdom is

amazing. When you place a child out-

side of Adventist education you are tak-

ing an increased risk with their circle of

friends, their spirituality, beliefs, and

behavior.

Some of those risks are also inside

the Adventist church, as not all children

are reared in Adventist Homes. But the

environment of church school is so

much more intentional in preparing your

child for the Second Coming and eternal

life. And that makes all the difference.

Consider the local Church School

for your child’s future!

Is Adventist Education a part of your Adventist Home?

Country Population Adventists Prayer needs & challenges faced by people

1 Spain 45,450,497 14,608

Mostly Roman Catholic population is disenchanted and is leaving church, Islam increases

2 Evangelical Christians is mainly among immigrants from Latin America & Eastern Europe, 3 Sri Lanka 20,409,946 3,681 Ceylon island, south of India, 84% of people groups are not evangelized, conversions forbidden 4 Swaziland 1,201,904 4,894 Landlocked traditional Kingdom in South Africa, 25% of population affected by AIDS, 5

Sudan 43,192,438 15,354 Southern Christian states gained independence in July 2011, peace is needed along the border

6 Northern Muslim states had been involved in the Darfur conflict since 2003, end of persecution 7 Suriname 524,345 3724 Dutch speaking country near Guyana in South America, revival of youth Christian movements 8 Switzerland 7,594,561 4,324 Neutral territory in European conflicts since 1815, German, French & Italian mix, youth revival 9 Sweden 9,293,026 2,789 Largest Scandinavian country, most extensive social welfare system, lax spirituality and morals

10 Syria 22,505,091 NONE! Political and religious freedom, end of war within and with neighbouring states, end of regimes 11

Tanzania 45,039,573 Island of peace amidst war-thorn African countries for the past 35 years, Muslims converted

406,850 12 3% of population have AIDS, many orphans, refugees from Rwanda & Burundi, church revival

13 Tajikistan 7,074,845 631 Independent from Soviets since 1991, civil ethnic war, 90% are Muslim, need freedom of religion

14 Timor Leste 1,171,163 306 Eastern part of Timor, independent from Indonesia since 2002, predominantly Roman Catholic

15 Togo 6,780,030 10,474 Divide between Gur in the North & Kwa in the South, need for cooperation between Christians 16

Thailand 68,139,238 12,551 Independent kingdom in Asia that has not been ruled by Westerners, king Bhumibol since 1946

17 Highest in the world child prostitution—20% of girls 11 to 17, pray for moral revival among people 18 67% of people groups are unreached by the Gospel because nationality & religious identity linked

19 Tokelau Islands 1,206 4 3 small islands north of Samoa, Congregational church 62%, Catholics 34%, mission needed 20 Tonga 104,260 2,288 171 islands, Christian king, who dedicated nation to God in 1995, only Chinese are unreached 21 Trinidad & Tobago 1,343,725 61,987 Racial discussion between Asians and African creates tension for outreach, Muslims growing

22 Tunisia 10,373,957 28 Most progressive and open country in the Arab Muslim world, yet money is “god” religion ignored 23

Turkey 75,705,147

80

Poorest European nation yet most developed in West Asia, mix of Christian and Muslim heritage 24 Most secular Islamic country, military clashes with Kurdish separatists and other minorities

25 Christian growth has been very small. Largest unreached nation. 15 of 80 provinces have church 26 Turkish Bible is available since 2001, pray for growing mission and outreach, youth revival 27 Turkmenistan 5,176,502 91 Dictatorship “for life” since 1992 breakaway from Soviet Union, Adventist church is persecuted 28 Turks & Caicos 32,990 1,804 history of being used as a drop-off point for drugs trafficking & money laundering, need revival

29 Tuvalu 9,970 139 9 islands slowly disappearing under rising sea-levels as a result of global warming

30 Uganda 33,796,461 193,210

“pearl of Africa” - crime levels are down, AIDS down from 25% to 10% as churches increase,

31 End of “child-soldiers” in the North, continual recovery from Idi Amin’s devastating regime

For two more months we will continue praying by the

schedule for different countries of the world. We started this

challenge in October 2011—praying for the whole world. So far

we had prayed for 194 countries out of 233, and this month we

will pray for 24 more countries.

By the end of September we will complete our One Year

Challenge of praying for the world. Even as our prayer focus

will shift, continue praying for people groups, remembering the

Great Commission of Jesus—into all the world!

We invite you to read more about countries you pray for.

Take time and befriend someone at your workplace, or school

from countries you are praying for. This is the intent of our One

Year Challenge—to be changed and to become agents of

Change in this world.

We pray for the “ends of the earth” as we anticipate the end

of Cosmic battle between good and evil. Your Prayer inter-

feres with the disorder of this world!