Pastor's Blog

 

The Adventuers & Pathfinders are doing a joint fundraiser selling Butter Braids. What are they? They are delicious pastries filled with cream cheese, apples, cherries, blueberries, and cream cheese along with vabarian cream or cinnamon. I haven't tried these before but I am assured that they are delicious so I have placed our order. You can place your order, too, by contacting any one of the Pathfinders or Adventurers. 

 

On Feb. 28, at 6 pm, there will be a school constituency meeting. Last night our school board met and came up with a plan and a budget for next school year, but before it can be official it needs to be voted on by our church in business session. Please save the date and plan to come. Adventist education is not cheap. The proposed budget for the school is a no frills budget intended to help keep our church school open.

 

Last Thursday I met with some of the other pastors in town for a meeting about what we can do to help those in need in our community. Two years ago the Association of Montrose Clergy gave away on average between $6,000 to $6,000 per year. Last year they gave away approximately $48,000 in their assistance fund (which our congregation contributes to). The need has never been greater. So, we need to look at ways in which we can help.

This morning I learned that Delphine Watson Gates (sister to John Watson) passed away last night. Our condolences to John and the rest of his extended family. Some of you may know her from the fact that she was a school teacher on the western slope for many years.

Over the weekend our family had the privilege of visiting Steve & Judy Schwarz in Canon City, Colorado, where I was able to do a weekend series on the Spirit of Prophecy. On Friday night I talked about Ellen White's conversion experience, then on Sabbath morning about the rise of Adventism as a prophetic movement, and then on Sabbath afternoon a how-to seminar on how to understand Ellen White's writings. Several church members have told me that they would like me to do the same seminar for our church so I think I may try to do that some time in the not-to-distant future. I was thankful for traveling mercies. On Friday while we were driving up there, just past the canyon beyond Arrowhead on the last wide turn, there was a terrible accident (some church members last Saturday night rolled their car on the very same spot). So we were thankful that the Lord protected us.

I was able to learn recently that it would be to our advantage to hold a radio station board meeting. So, on Monday, we got some more information from a second engineer that led us to discover that no tower on the western slope would fit the FCC requirements, but if we could find a piece of land on a high piece of property that we could reduce the height (and cost) of such a tower. Pastor Seth and I met with John Harold who told us exactly where such a tower should be built--in fact he was working on installing a tower for a GPS system to keep track of all of his tractors on the western slope--so we went and did some sleuthing and have a potential spot for a radio tower that is approximately 800 feet above the town of Olathe. On Monday evening we had our first radio station board meeting. At the meeting we voted to accept the 3 delegates each from Delta and Cedaredge churches, and that the pastors of involved churches also be board members. In addition, we voted David Lehmann as the new president, Jerilyn Pester as the secretary, and Robert Johnson as the new treasurer. If you have questions about the radio station please contact David at: (970) 252-0429 or info@mrdetector.com). At this point the board has collectively voted to proceed with the engineering services required to file the application and to also proceed with filing an application for both radio station licenses. If we should be so fortunate as to actually get both of them the goal is to have one station in English, and the other in Spanish.

Instead of my sermon series on the book of Galatians I am now going to begin a new series (and postpone the series on Galatians until after we get done with this first) on peacemaking. There is a wonderful series of materials that several friends, including Elder Eric Nelson at the conference office, have recommended to me, and I think it would be to our advantage for all of us as a church family to understand how to deal with conflict in a biblical way. So, we are going to look at biblical principles for how to resolve conflict. It is important because if, as Ellen White says, we are to become "more loving and lovable Christians" then as a church family we need to know how to resolve differences in a healthy way. I will post a new sermon series handout this coming Sabbath so that you can follow along. I also plan to have a more extensive conflict resolution policy that I will present at our next church business meeting.

Montrose: Elder Mike Ryan will be preaching a message from Titus 2:11-14 entitled "From Saints to Sinners."

THE SCHOOL NEEDS A NEW ROCKING CHAIR
Last Saturday night we had a little work bee at the school and I was impressed at all of the hard work that our teacher, Bridget Cline, and some of her helpers have been doing. They have so much to do. It crossed my mind that the library could use some extra "TLC" or "tender loving care" because as I sat in the library getting my son to sleep the rocking chair in the library, I noticed, was literally falling apart! So, I thought I would make an appeal because I am willing to be that someone, somewhere in our congregation has an extra rocking chair that they aren't using or might like to get rid of. If you have such a rocking chair would you please let Carlton Mason, our school board chair, know. You can reach him at: 209-4606 or by e-mail at:masons86@montrose.net.

On Saturday night, Feb. 20, at 6:30 pm there will be the annual school auction. Please let Bridget Cline or one of her assistants or any one of the school board members know if you have things that you have sitting around and would like to get rid of that could be used as a part of the school auction. Please mark your calendars and save the date! COMPOST BIN NEEDEDThis morning I received a phone call from Bridget Cline that the school is going to place a greater effort on recycling, and in particular, composting. If you have an extra composting bin that she can use for our school would you please let her know (596-7599 or  bridgetsline@yahoo.com).

 

CITRUS FRUIT ORDER DUE NEXT MONDAY
The next citrus fruit order is due on Feb. 22. For more information or to place your order please contact Bridget Cline (596-7599 or bridgetsline@yahoo.com) or the church office (249-4942 oroffice@montrosesda.org). Mrs. Cline is challenging all of the parents and our church family to order their weight in fruit! Please note the following revised list of prices:

 

Naval Oranges: small box $18; large box $34

Grapefruit: small box $17; large box $30

Tangerines: small $23

Variety Pack: $26

 

The Adventuers & Pathfinders are doing a joint fundraiser selling Butter Braids. What are they? They are delicious pastries filled with cream cheese, apples, cherries, blueberries, and cream cheese along with vabarian cream or cinnamon. I haven't tried these before but I am assured that they are delicious so I have placed our order. You can place your order, too, by contacting any one of the Pathfinders or Adventurers. 

 

On Feb. 28, at 6 pm, there will be a school constituency meeting. Last night our school board met and came up with a plan and a budget for next school year, but before it can be official it needs to be voted on by our church in business session. Please save the date and plan to come. Adventist education is not cheap. The proposed budget for the school is a no frills budget intended to help keep our church school open.

 

This last week was very special as we concluded our week of prayer with a special Agape feast with the celebration of Communion on Friday evening. One of the most memorable parts for me was the special time when those present were able to share testimonies. I'm praying that this will be a great avenue for us to continue praying for the Holy Spirit. We've also started sending out a sign-up sheet for those who are interested in small groups.

On Sabbath I was blessed once again with a wonderful worship service. I continue to receive such positive feedback from our church family. If you have suggestions on how to improve it please let me know so we can pass those along to the worship and music committee. Our commitment is to excellence so that we can do our very best in our worship to uplift and praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus, in every worship service. On Sabbath afternoon Elder Valentine continued his talk with a follow-up training seminar talking about leadership principles from the life and experience of Nehemiah.

 

Each Sabbath for the past three weeks we have had increasingly disruptive elements that have occurred that have caused me concern as the pastor of this congregation. As a result, I am going to postpone my sermon series on the book of Galatians and begin a new sermon series that coincides with the Church Peacemakers process. It is a non-profit group that works with churches and has a core curriculum that follows biblical principles for resolving conflict. I think it is important that each and every church member know what is appropriate versus inappropriate, and when someone disagrees with someone else that their be healthy processes in place to encourage people to deal with their disagreements in a loving and Christ-like way.

 

I don't know if any of you happen to watch "The Amazing Race" but it happens to be my favorite television program because it shows lots of different cultures and interesting places around the world. I love to travel so every time I have a chance to watch it I learn something new about the amazingly diverse world that we live in. It also reminds me that the Apostle Paul talks about the fact that each of us are a part of a spiritual race. In fact we are to run the race with endurance (Hebrews 12:1). Just like the Olympians who are competing right now God calls us to keep our eyes focused on the prize before us: the invitation he extends to all of us to spend all eternity together with Him. So, as we think about the Olympics or maybe if you are like me and like to watch "The Amazing Race" remember that God loves you and to keep focused on the spiritual race that each of us are on, too.

Montrose: Elder Maurice Valentine, ministerial director for the Mid-America Union, will be our featured speaker. After church there will be a regularly schedule potluck followed by a seminar.

Montrose: Dr. Bill Knott, the editor of The Adventist Review and Adventist World, will be speaking during the worship hour. This is a rare privilege to have one of our church leaders and I believe is the first time the editor of the Review has ever spoken in one of our congregations on the western slope so please come. Afterward there will be a fellowship potluck.

We've done a little bit of re-arranging our week of prayer, but the overall format is still going to be the same. We are going to start each evening at 7 pm and conclude on Friday evening with an Agape Feast that will include the celebration of the Communion Service. Here are the list of topics:

Sunday, Feb. 7: The Holy Spirit and the Church (Gordon Reichard)

Monday, Feb. 8: The Holy Spirit in Our Personal Lives (David Arthur)

Tuesday, Feb. 9: The Holy Spirit and Community (Tavia Wilson)

Wednesday, Feb. 10: The Holy Spirit and Our Families (Allison Duncan and Celia George)

Thursday: Feb. 11: The Holy Spirit and Education (Wes Cooper)

Friday, Feb. 12: The Holy Spirit and Scripture (Norman Graham) with an Agape Feast and Communion

On Saturday night, Feb. 20, at 6:30 pm there will be the annual school auction. Please let Bridget Cline or one of her assistants or any one of the school board members know if you have things that you have sitting around and would like to get rid of that could be used as a part of the school auction. Please mark your calendars and save the date! 

This morning I received a phone call from Bridget Cline that the school is going to place a greater effort on recycling, and in particular, composting. If you have an extra composting bin that she can use for our school would you please let her know (596-7599 orbridgetsline@yahoo.com).

First of all I want to congratulate my good friend, Dr. Jonathan L. Vigh, who last Friday successfully defended his Ph.D. dissertation in atmospheric science at CSU. Friday was a long day since I drove to Brighton to pick up Citrus fruit. I left early, since the fruit wasn't going to be delivered until mid-afternoon so I could hear my old roommate from academy explain about the formation of the hurricane eye. What was interesting to me was to learn that not all hurricanes develop an eye--some of them develop a partial eye or one that collapses, and often they appear and disappear. What is interesting to me, is that the Bible says that God spoke to Job out of the eye of the storm (Job 38:1) so you have to wonder if God might have been in the midst of a hurricane? Altogether it is wonderful to celebrate significant achievements in life. Mrs. White talks about how we should strive for excellence in our academic pursuits so I praise the Lord for my friend Jonathan (and for being able to successfully pick up our citrus fruit for the school).

I was also impressed at how many young people showed up for the regional Bible Bowl across the western slope on Sabbath afternoon--one of the largest groups ever with five teams participating. The Cortez team, as they have for the last ten years, blew everybody else out of the water! But, our kids studied hard and I'm really proud of them. Some of the questions were really hard. Our church was a bundle of energy, and all of the studying each young person did of the Bible books of Daniel, Hosea, and Joel, are an invaluable treasure. I'm also thankful for Debbie Short who worked tirelessly to prepare a special supper afterward for our young people, and our deaconesses who earlier that day coordinated the potluck. What a wonderful church family we have that press together to tirelessly serve others. It reminds me of our Mid-America Union motto: "selfless service for the Savior."

On Sunday our daughter turned three. It was a special day for us. We had a couple of her friends over and played games and the usual type of thing. At the end of the day Heidi asked her what was the best part of the whole day: she said it was being able to play with her friends. It reminded me about what really is important in life: our relationship to God and then our relationships with one another. I had to have my own daughter remind me that what really counts is God's love transforming our own lives and then prioritizing those around us. As it says in Galatians 5:6: "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."

It was brought to my attention recently that one area that we have a few members struggling with is how to in a healthy and balanced way approach the sacred writings of Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White. The thrust of my recent article in the Adventist Review is about how important it is to realize that how we approach sacred writings (hermeneutics) is more often than not the area that divides "liberals" from "conservatives" within the church (although I don't like the use of labels since I think they are altogether harmful and destructive). If we are not clear on this point of hermeneutics we can compile all of the lists of Scriptural texts and Spirit of Prophecy quotations, but it won't do us any good. I've now done two series for week-of-prayer about how to read her writings so I have attached a document that I have frequently used for weekend seminars on the Spirit of Prophecy (I will be doing another weekend seminar for a church here in a few weeks) that I hope church members will find helpful. Also, in case you missed it, our speaker for this summer's church retreat is Dr. George R. Knight and he also contributed a really insightful article on the topic that can also be read online at: http://www.adventistworld.com/article.php?id=655&search=knight

I received a phone call from JoAnn Reed about our upcoming worship service, which just makes me so excited about what we are doing: rehearsals on Friday evening, putting more planning into the actual service, and then afterward we are going to meet as a worship committee for a few minutes to debrief and keep working on our worship service. I really believe the Lord is blessing this church in the direction we are headed and that as the worship and music committee invest their collective resources we are going to see rich dividends of spiritual blessings for those who come. Our worship is so very important and it is vital that we take the time to be intentional about how we go about doing it. As a committee we won't get everything right, but the point is that a greater effort is going to be made to do our very best so that the Lord will find our worship pleasing and acceptable in His sight (Psalm 19:14).

 

Gunnison (11 am): Michelle Crawford will be speaking.

Montrose (10:45 am): The Pathfinders are putting on the worship service, which will include several sermonettes from our young people. There will be a potluck this Sabbath that was postponed becuase of inclimate weather last weekend.

 

WESTERN SLOPE REGIONAL BIBLE BOWL
This coming Sabbath (after being postponed due to inclimate weather last week) there will be a potluck after church in Montrose followed by a Bible bowl in the church at 3 pm. We are going to have seven teams who will be tested on their knowledge of the books of Daniel, Hosea, and Joel. Last year our club was able to participate  in Grand Junction. This is the largest regional Bible bowl with this many teams that they have ever had so please come out and support our young people. You will also notice extra young people along with their leaders at church on Sabbath, and a few clubs will be staying on Saturday evening for a supper and some recreation after Sabbath in the school gym. For more information contact Heidi Campbell (240-3412 or heidi.c.campbell@gmail.com).

FEDCO SEEDS ORDERS
This last weekend we planted the first seeds in our peat pots for our garden this coming summer. If you enjoy gardening and would like to both get a great deal on seeds while at the same time support our Pathfinder club you can order your seeds from any one of our Pathfinders or one of their leaders. Packets of seed are $1.50 and the order form (which is also available in your box at church) can be downloaded at: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/forms/montrose.pdf Orders are due by Feb. 17.

CITRUS ORDERS
If you ordered citrus please stay tuned for details.

 

Last Sabbath I preached a message outlining Biblical principles for worship. Our worship and music committee unanimously voted on starting a new order of worship. From what has been presented there is nothing that we have not tried or done before except that it may be in a slightly new order. The goal is to be more intentional and to plan our services better because I believe God expects us to put our very best when it comes to our worship services. So with that in mind there will be worship rehearsals on Friday evenings starting next week at 7:30 pm. The new order of worship is as follows:

 

10:45     Musical Prelude

10:50     Welcome and Announcements

11:00     Offering

11:05     Children's Story

11:15     Call to Worship ("Come Let Us Worship & Bow Down")

11:17     Scripture

11:19     Garden of Prayer

11:25     Songs of Praise

11:40     Sermon

12:05     Closing Song and Prayer

 

For the first weekend in February we have a special guest, Dr. Bill Knott, who has served as a pastor for many years and currently serves our church as the editor of the Adventist Review and Adventist World. It is a real privilege to be able to have him come and speak to our congregation. Because we will have a number of special guests we are going to have an additional potluck. Then on Sunday evening please remember that we are having a special, lay-led week of prayer in our church that begins each evening at 7 pm. I've had several young people who have said they are going to help out with young people so limited child care will be available if you would like to come. I also have one empty slot still open so if you are interested in speaking please let me know. On Friday evening we are going to conclude our week or prayer with an agape feast (light breads and fruit) combined with the celebration of the ordinances.

THE PASTORAL PERSPECTIVE
This last weekend I had the privilege of having my father come out and visit us for the weekend. He bought tickets on Frontier Airlines, which used to fly into Grand Junction so when he rebooked them he booked the tickets into Durango. So I was relieved Friday morning that he didn't fly there because of the blizzard (after all the airport closed) and I thought for sure I was going to have to drive to Denver to get him (if I could even get over on I-70), but praise the Lord, an airline agent rebooked him on a flight directly into Montrose! So I had some extra time in my church office and I was able to save Dorothy from having to come in an extra morning to the church office while the locksmith rekeyed the church. Incidentally, I think everyone who is a church officer has gotten a key and so far I have only received one request. So, if you need a key or would like one, you need to let me know so we can get it voted by church board next week.

 

Last week I was also the volunteer hospital chaplain, and as always, I was able to visit with a wide variety of people from our community and elsewhere. I always enjoy being able to do hospital rounds. One person I walked into their room and they were about to go have exploratory surgery with the thought that they were dying. So I was praying for them, and then they took the person off to surgery. The next day I was able to visit with that person and their family and it meant the world to them that I was able to pray with them when I did. And, in addition, they asked what church I was from. My standard response, "Is that I am one of the pastors in town," but they pushed me further so I said, "I happen to pastor the Montrose Seventh-day Adventist Church although our chaplains pastor a variety of churches in our community." It left a very positive impression with them of our church.

 

On Sabbath afternoon, right after church, we had an elder's meeting and set up a regular schedule for elders meetings (the first Wednesday evening of each month). We are also setting up a regular schedule for worship and music committee, which will be either the third or fourth Thursday of every month. The goal is that some of these other committees tend to only meet when there is some problem and my goal, as the pastor, is for us to be very intentional for all of these groups to function as part of a healthy and thriving church. I am particular excited about our new worship service format because it has been highlighted as one of the greatest needs in our congregation. We need to first and foremost remember that worship is NOT about us--instead true worship is placing God as the audience and we uplift and adore Jesus Christ. The only criticism I have heard is from one family about a passage from theTestimonies (5T 491-500), but even in this passage it does not equate silence with reverence. In order to arrive at a "balanced" position on worship from Ellen White's writings we need to examine everything that she wrote on the topic including the passage immediately before this one, which talks about expressing love for one another and in our worship. In fact, I find such a stance to be counter to the very essence of what a Protestant worship service is all about--the principles of sola scriptura (the primacy of the Scriptures) and the priesthood of all believers, which Martin Luther wrote so passionately about. So, I would argue, that if someone wants a church service that is completely silent then that kind of worship service where believers should be completely passive and not even wish each other happy Sabbath, that such a service most closely resembles the Roman Catholic Mass. But, we as Seventh-day Adventists are Protestants and that means that we follow the New Testament church model for how we go about our worship services and go to Scripture to establish these biblical principles and NOT tradition. If you missed out on my sermon you can download it online from our church web site (www.montroseadventist.org) or pick up a CD by the sound booth.

 

I was reminded on Sunday of a sensitive situation in our own congregation where someone accosted me about something, but because of confidentiality I was not able to explain to them the entire situation as I understood it. The situation reminded me of what a close pastor friend told me about a situation that was happening right now in a congregation far away from here: the husband was an elder in church but was having an affair. The wife did not even know about the affair. The pastor and elders met with the elder and he was told he had to step down. The wife began to attack the pastor and elders because she felt her husband had been dealt with unfairly by having to step down from his position. In fact the elder himself, despite his precarious situation from having had an affair, began to attack the pastor, too. I find it very sad because of pastoral confidentiality the pastor had to eat all of this criticism even though it was very unfair. The reason I am telling you this story, which happens to be a true story, is that some times we make assumptions about church leaders that are not necessarily accurate because we have not walked in their shoes and do not know what they know, which is why they are making the decisions that they do. That is why God institute the church and it is one of our fundamental beliefs so a basis of church membership is upholding the Seventh-day Adventist Church and its leadership. We need to be more loving and tolerant of one another, and take the time to listen to one another in the same loving way. If we do not or baselessly make accusations without having all of the facts the danger is that we may be dishonoring Christ. I recently came across this beauitful quote by Ellen White: "I wish we had much more of the Spirit of Christ and a great deal less self, and less of human opinions. If we err, let it be on the side of mercy rather than on the side of condemnation and harsh dealing" (Letter 16, 1887).

 

Last but not least, on Monday I was able to enjoy a day off with my father (Sundays and Mondays are our family days even though I seldom get to even take one day off a week for family time). So we went skiing together, and then yesterday I spent the day in Denver for Rocky Mountain Conference Executive Committee, and got back late last night. I am encouraged that God is at work across the Conference. He has called each one of us to work together in the spreading of the gospel commission here, right now. So instead of focusing on what other people may or may not be doing that is wrong, let us concern ourselves chiefly with what we are doing to advance the gospel since that is what He has tasked each of us with doing.

 

Last but not least, this morning I noticed that my cover article in the Adventist Review on the 1919 Bible Conference just came out. I think the whole episode of 1919 has some important lessons that our congregation can learn from today so if you get a chance you read it for free online at: www.adventistreview.org.

Life @ Montrose

 

January 20, 2010

 

 

Gunnison* & Montrose (11 AM): Pastor Campbell is preaching a message based on Revelation 4 entitled "Majesty." 

*This is our second Sabbath streaming live video for the sermon from Montrose to Gunnison.

This coming Sabbath there will be a potluck after church in Montrose followed by a Bible bowl in the church at 3 pm. We are going to have seven teams who will be tested on their knowledge of the books of Daniel, Hosea, and Joel. Last year our club was able to participate  in Grand Junction. This is the largest regional Bible bowl with this many teams that they have ever had so please come out and support our young people. You will also notice extra young people along with their leaders at church on Sabbath, and a few clubs will be staying on Saturday evening for a supper and some recreation after Sabbath in the school gym. For more information contact Heidi Campbell (240-3412 or heidi.c.campbell@gmail.com).

This last weekend we planted the first seeds in our peat pots for our garden this coming summer. If you enjoy gardening and would like to both get a great deal on seeds while at the same time support our Pathfinder club you can order your seeds from any one of our Pathfinders or one of their leaders. Packets of seed are $1.50 and the order form (which is also available in your box at church) can be downloaded at: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/forms/montrose.pdf

This last week we had a much smaller order of fruit (about sixty boxes) but if you missed the chance to order your citrus fruit the next order date is Feb. 22 (fruit will be received March 4-7) and the last order we will do is on April 5 (with fruit to be received April 12-16).

Last Thursday I had the privilege of meeting with our Association of Montrose Churches (AMC) for our monthly meeting. I was able to sign up (with Alice Carpenter's blessing of course) for our church to host the AMC meeting again this coming April. I'm so thankful for this group of pastors who truly are concerned and committed to helping people in our community. Some of you are aware that one of the primary purposes of AMC is to provide an avenue for our churches here in Montrose to collectively help those who are in need. In our last church board, pursuant to what we have voted, we extended another $1,000 to help the AMC benevolence fund for people in our community who need help with anything from their utilities to transients who need a place to sleep. In addition, AMC vets all their requests for help through the police department. I also enjoyed our meeting because they asked me to share with my pastoral colleagues at this last meeting about my trip to India last October.

Last Thursday evening we had school board and it is no secret that we have some financial challenges with regard to our school. We are behind in our worthy student funds. So if you feel so impressed I would encourage you to give to the worthy student fund to help our young people receive a Christian education. I want to thank our church for your collective support of our Adventist education.

On Saturday evening Heidi and I had the privilege of enjoying some supper with our Adventurers who were doing a camp-in at the school. I had a great deal of fun playing games like "Simon Says" and an egg on a spoon race. We finished up the evening by watching one of the old Herbie the car movies (about as good of a movie as you could ever hope to have shown to our kids). I think a good time was had by all, but if you get a chance extend some appreciation to our Adventurer leaders who really go the extra mile to disciple our children.

Another personal highlight for me was last night. We had our first monthly worship and music committee. One of the areas over and over again in surveys and from church members that our church would like to see growth in is the area of our worship, and in particular, making our church services more friendly and dynamic. This coming Sabbath I am going to preach a message laying a Biblical foundation for what true worship really is. Last night as we had worship and music committee I asked each person around the table (and we had a diverse group which represented our entire congregation, young and old, new and veteran church members) what they liked about our existing worship service and what was one thing they would change. As a result of a rather cordial conversation together it was agreed to change the order of worship, which we will do beginning with the first Sabbath in February. One of the goals is to emphasize a couple of things: (a) our church services need to be better planned so that when we stream video live to Gunnison they are not waiting; (b) our church services need to be friendly times when people feel welcome so the group unanimously voted that we be intentional about making time for people to greet one another every Sabbath; and (c) one of the highlights of worship is the opportunity to sing, both praise songs as well as hymns and more traditional music. So three praise teams have been organized with several more that we are working on (if you are interested let me know) and we are looking for people who play musical instruments to please let one of the worship committee members or me know (plus there will be rehearsals on Friday evenings at 7:30 pm). Ultimately I am thrilled to see our congregation try a new order of service. We have made modifications to our worship service several times since I have been here, but these latest changes I believe will meet the needs of our congregation that so many have asked for over and over again.

January 13, 2010

 

 

Gunnison & Montrose (11 AM): This coming Sabbath we will try to do a streaming worship service from Montrose. Pastor Campbell will be preaching on Romans 12:1-2 in a message entitled "Living Sacrifice."

 

It is time to order your citrus fruit once again! The funds raised helps our Spring Creek Adventist School. Although the orders are due next Monday, since it is a holiday on that day, we are asking that you turn in your orders if possible by this Friday (Jan. 15). This is a chance to enjoy some delicious citrus fruit. Please encourage your friends, co-workers, and neighbors to order fruit, too! (and by the way, I checked with Golden Harvest this morning and the recent cold weather has not affected their fruit crop.)

 

I'm sure most of you have heard by now about the tragic earthquake in Haiti were presumably hundreds of thousands of people have died. ADRA, our Adventist Development and Relief Agency has an emergency fund for responding to this diaster. You can contribute online by clicking on this link: https://secure2.convio.net/ccadra/site/Donation2?df_id=1740&1740.donation=form1&JServSessionIdr004=ngjivvlo22.app7a

 

This coming Sabbath is the annual religious liberty Sabbath. Although we do not have a religious liberty director we will have brochures passed out and show a brief video. Across our conference our religious liberty department has made it possible for people to continue to keep their jobs and observe the seventh-day Sabbath. Just in the past year we have had several dozen cases here in Colorado alone so please considering donating to this worthy cause.

 

On Saturday evening our church in business session voted to update the school constitution (a new copy of the constitution is available through the church office). There weren't any major changes in my opinion, but just some clarification and updates to keep it current. In addition, our church voted a couple of additional things: (1) to set the quorum for church board meetings at 51 percent; (2) to approve removal of the overgrown shrub/tree on the side of the church where the trash cans are kept; and (3) to proceed with pursuing a radio station application as funds are donated.

 

This morning I was overwhelmed with the horror of the devastation that has occurred on the island nation of Haiti. When I was much younger I had the privilege of traveling to the Dominican Republic for a mission trip (the Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti). On Sabbath afternoon we had an opportunity to travel across the border and see the nation of Hatii. We thought the people were in desperate need in the Dominican Republic, but when we traveled over to Haiti I was apalled at the overwhelming poverty and destitution that we saw there. I hope you will consider donating funds to ADRA to assist with the recovery efforts.

 

On Saturday evening, after church business meeting, I was able to travel up to Glacier View Ranch for pastor's meetings. Dr. Joe Kidder, a professor from Andrews in the Seminary, was our guest speaker and he talked with us about the importance of prayer, worship, and forgiveness. I was inspired by the opportunity to pray with my fellow pastoral colleagues from across our conference. I also learned some new ideas and was challenged to spend more time in prayer. Although I have prayed regularly I have not made a commitment to pray systematically. Dr. Kidder shared how his church had lots of fighting and bickering until he learned to pray. He was so discouraged he was ready to throw in the towel and his wife told him to go to the church to pray. The next day he went to the church. He prayed for about two minutes. And then he fell asleep. But he tried again the next week and it worked. Over the weeks and months his church experienced a revival as he prayed. So, revival starts with each of us, and I want to see revival take place in our church. So I want you to know that I am going to try to do better about praying for each of you, to pray for our community, and to pray earnestly for God to work mightily on our behalf. One of the ways I am going to do this is to schedule time each week to pray in the sanctuary of our church and to pray in each pew for the families who sit there.

 

Yesterday afternoon we had a powerful time together with our new conference president, Elder Gary Thurber, who shared with us his vision for the future of our conference and some expectations he has for each of us. What I really appreciate it is that he affirms that the pastor is the leader of the local congregation and as such he or she is the expert on what is going on there. He gave some expectations of areas that he wants us as pastors to work on: to come up with a plan for our churches, to exercise regularly, and to make time for family time (I learned that pastors, unlike Adventist church members in general, in the latest Adventist health study do not live the additional 6-7 years that the average church member can expect to live long by adhering to the Adventist lifestyle). So Adventist pastors as a whole are very overburdened and stressed. I like his spiritual focus and that he gives us room as pastors to let the Holy Spirit lead and work in our lives. At the same time, because we have had different leadership models, he is taking the best of the TeamOne focus on accountability and applying it to all of us as individuals so that we are accountable to conference leadership so that we are striving for excellence. He also shared how there was a lot of pain because another church leader was not sitting in his chair and that he was sorry for that, but we have to move forward. This became an opportunity for us pastors to share testimonies, appreciation for Elder Thurber's ministry so far, and even for some pastors to ask forgiveness of one another. It was a very special time as we pastors prayed for one another. One of the challenges has been because there have been differences, rumors and gossip have abounded, and feelings hurt, that we as pastors need to make sure that we focus on the work the Lord has entrusted for us, and when their our problems we need to not talk negatively of other parts where the Lord is working because we have enough to do and pray for where we are at, and to instead follow the principle of Matthew 18 to go to that person if we do have a legitimate concern. So, my heart was warmed because I sensed the presence of God as we covenanted together as pastors to go out from our pastor's meetings more united than ever before and to strengthen each other. While we may not always see eye-to-eye we need to do everything we can to build up the Lord's work here in Wyoming, Colorado, and northwest New Mexico across the vast expanse where our primary focus has got to be telling the world about Jesus. As we left we had a picture frame with a picture that we took of all of us pastors where we covenanted together to become more like Jesus and to let the gospel change us and our ministry. This was a pastor's meeting unlike any I have ever been to before.

 

Because the meeting got done so late yesterday afternoon we didn't get back until late last night. This morning, as I have been catching up in the church office, I pray that God will bles our church family. If you have started reading the 40 Days of Prayer please keep reading. If you haven't, it isn't too late. Please call me and I can help you get a copy of the book. I am looking forward to an opportunity for us to come together for a week of prayer from February 7-12. We need to pray more for one another as a church family and for God to truly transform our lives.

Gunnison: Pastor Campbell is preaching from Romans 1 about the power of the gospel.*

Montrose: Gordon Reichard is sharing about how if we know that Jesus is Lord Over All we will have hope, joy and full assurance of salvation in life.**

*Stay by for our weekly potluck.

**Please plan to come for our weekly summer picnic in the park.

Just a quick reminder that if you are on school board there is a meeting at the church this evening at 7 pm, and next Thursday evening (Aug. 6) we have our regular church board meeting at the church, also at 7 pm.

This is just a quick reminder that school registration will take place on Sunday, August 2, from 3 to 5 pm (followed by a corn roast). Please plan to register your children on that day (which includes registration for Adventurers and Pathfinder, too). Contact Bridget Cline for more information (596-7599 or bridgetsline@yahoo.com).

Two weeks ago I met with our school financial aid committee as we reviewed requests for financial assistance. Would you consider helping to sponsor one or more students at our school? You can help make it possible for a young person to be able to attend Spring Creek Adventist School. I ask for you to please pray about and consider making Adventist education possible. Please contact Pastor Campbell (497-9636) for more information or to make your pledge.

The past week has been extremely intense with lots going on in our church, our conference, and our community. I was deeply saddened to learn of Sergeant Kinterknecht's death, and the wounding of two of his colleagues, that occurred. We mourn his passing and pray for all of our law enforcement officers who risk their lives each and every day so that we can be safe. I pray especially for his two daughters. I only met Sergeant Kinterknecht a couple of times with community activities, but he is someone who I want to honor by attending tomorrow's memorial service at the Montrose High School. Since I know you are a praying church family I ask that you pray especially for the family right now as they prepare to say their good byes.

On Sunday we had a much happier event--Heidi's cousin got married in Boulder. Emma was the flower girl. It was a beautiful ceremony with lots of family around. On Monday, our usual day for a family day, we went and did some fun things in the Boulder area. One of the highlights was visiting the Celestial Seasonings factory and headquarters just on the north side of Boulder. It was an aromatic experience. If you've never been there you need to make sure you go on their free tour (you won't want to miss the mint room!). My favorite tea is "sleepy time" so I learned that this is by far their biggest product (so apparently I'm not allowed) by a factor of 3 to 4 times any other tea they make. It also reminded me of how God asks us to live our lives in a way that is like herbal tea: we permeate everything around us with God's love. So, the next time you get out some hot water and a tea bag remember to let the love of Jesus shine in your hearts. We are to be aromatic Christians--people should be able to "smell" the sweet fragrance of how Jesus helps us to become more loving and lovable Christians.

Then on Tuesday we stayed over for conference committee. It was our first meeting with our new president, Elder Gary Thurber (who will be now joining us, due to a schedule change, in late September here in Montrose). I was thankful for his devotional that morning that set a spiritual tone for the entire day. Although I can already see there are important issues to be discussed, I also know that we have a great group of leaders who I am looking forward to serving with--people who are just as passionate about speaking caringly as they are candidly, and at several points during the day we stopped to pray. So I ask that you please pray for our conference administration as they wrestle with important issues that affect the entire sisterhood of churches here in Colorado and Wyoming.

Today we have the privilege of hosting our western and southwestern Colorado pastors for our monthly "cluster group." We're discussing George Knight's new book, The Neutering of Adventism, followed by lunch together. I'm always thankful for opportunities to share and learn.

Gunnison: No speaker available so a DVD by Cindy Tutsch will be shown.

Montrose: Gordon Reichard is preaching about "Global Warming and the Bible."

The theme for this year's western slope camp meeting is "Life Lessons from Our Adventist Pioneers" by our speaker, Dr. Jud Lake. Camp meeting will take place at the Delta High School (1400 Pioneer Road, Delta, CO). Some of the topics included: Friday evening, 7 pm "Get Connected" by Dr. Lake; Sabbath School by Elder Jim Brauer; a sermon by Dr. Lake entitled "See Straight"; a Sabbath afternoon seminar on "Gain Clarity!" also by Dr. Lake and then concluding with a series of training on small groups by some of our members and Pastor Randy Mills in Grand Junction. It will be a "high Sabbath" and I encourage you to mark your calendars for June 5-6 (there will *not* be services at Montrose that Sabbath so please plan accordingly).

This week has been a "vacation" so that we can spend some time with family--who of course want to see the new baby. It is always really nice to relax and do things together. I look forward to the opportunity every summer. Unfortunately as life goes on and becomes more complex it becomes increasingly more difficult to make time, but it is still important nonetheless. For us we are spending time in a cabin in northeastern Tennessee. Each day we have been able to spend some time going on nature walks. So far this week we have seen five black bear! Yesterday we explored a water fall.

I was so pleased last Sabbath at the wonderful investiture service that the Adventurers and Pathfinders put on. Our conference representative shared with me that this was one of the better attended services that she has attended so I just want to thank our church family for your support of our two clubs. With that being said, we are looking for someone to lead Pathfinders for next year (and home and school). If you know of someone, or perhaps you might be interested, please feel free to let me or one of the members of nominating committee know so that we can consider your name for one of these roles.

This week I received word that Penny fell. Many of you know Penny from her faithful testimony each week during church. Unfortunately she fell and either broke or cracked some ribs. She wanted me to share with our church family that she will not be able to be at church this Sabbath, but she would very much appreciate any church members who might be willing to stop by and visit her this Sabbath. Please keep her in your prayers.

Last but not least, if you have not turned in your pledge letter would you please do so right away? The last day to turn in your letter to our church treasurer, Dick Walters, is tomorrow. Your financial support of our school is invaluable as well as critical to knowing where we stand financially in terms of finances for our school next year.

This morning I had a providential encounter: while waiting for a mentor to call I received another phone call on my church office phone. The person had dialed the wrong number. Before he hung up he asked, who are you again? what church are you the pastor of? I told him who I was. He then paused. My grandfather was an Adventist minister. Now at the age of 92 he is dying of cancer. We talked for about five minutes about his life and I had prayer with him. As we got ready to say good bye he invited me to come see him and in amazement asked rhetorically, "I wonder why it was that I dialed this number today. I needed to talk to you." Every day we have opportunities, even with a person who dials the wrong number, to share Jesus with them.

Yesterday I was on my way into the hospital when lo and behind, Helen Leonard and Irene Holden were on their way out. Actually, Helen is still in the hospital recuperating from a broken hip, but she is hoping to go home by the end of this week (they were going "home" for a visit with a nurse in preparation for more therapy at home). Would you please pray for Helen as she recuperates? If you get a chance I am sure she would love a phone call or a card.