Transitions

Last night, our youngest child graduated from 8th grade at Madison Campus Elementary.  The miracle of Sarah notwithstanding, he is the last of our children to move through that transition point. His mother and I are proud, happy, and also a little sad; a little nostalgic. We look at pictures from when our children were little and now we're living with two and a half adult children  (ages 24, 21, and 14). Our oldest child will be leaving home next week for a new job hundreds of miles away and in this move, marking a new transition from her parents home, to her own. We're happy, because this is the way it's supposed to be; we're sad, because we will miss her, and know that the experiences and interpersonal dynamics that have defined our family are about to change.

We miss the days when our children, like their parents, were young, and wistfully ponder that if it were possible, would we turn back the clock? No; we wouldn't, because . . . yes; it's supposed to be this way.

The passage of time has a way of reminding us of how life is measured in important moments . . .birth, baptism, graduation, marriage, and ultimately, death. Some refer to it as the 'cycle,' but as people of faith, we do not think of life, and of those we love, as mice on a treadmill who run till they drop, or, as if our destiny is like moving through a circular maze which has an entry and exit point, but no meaning during the in between. For followers of Christ, we travel a different path that leads to a better place, one that in Matthew 7, which I was reading devotionally this morning, sounds challenging to find and to stay on.  It is described this way:  " Broad is the way and wide is the path that leads to destruction, and many enter through it . . but small is the gate and narrow is the path which leads to eternal life, and only a few find it." Through God's grace, I'm at peace this day to know,  that you and I, and I trust those I love, walk the narrow path and have passed through the "small gate." I think of Jesus as the 'gate keeper' and I wouldn't want anyone else in charge of "keeping the gate!"

Enough philosophy, and theology, for now; Malinda and I are grateful for the gift of our children, and of our youngest son achieving this first rung on the academic ladder. I suppose more than an accomplishment that all experience who ever got through at least elementary school, it was to Mom and Dad a reminder that time is moving all of us forward toward an appointment, not with death, but with life, and the Life Giver - Jesus Christ - who comes in glory . . . very soon!

AHS Conference on Mission

I have been in Orlando for the past two days attending the Adventist Health Systems Board session as well as the Conference on Mission which follows the first day board meeting and goes through Sabbath. AHS continues to execute what seems to me to be a wise and prudent plan of business, making acquisitions when they make financial sense, partnering with other organizations when THAT makes sense, and attempting to adapt to the rapidly changing health care industry which is of course, heavily regulated and always subject to changing policies and  almost unpredictable reimbursement rates. Through this murky regulatory swamp, the organization seems to continue to make money and most importantly, link their financial success to the desire to have a mission and ministry in North America.

This year's Conference on Mission is devoted exclusively to the Creation Health program that you may have heard about. It's an outstanding tool developed in-house by AHS, and brings a comprehensive approach to wellness and  disease prevention lifestyle based on the 8 natural principles of good health espoused by Ellen White and affirmed by medical experts today.

One aspect of the program is focused on providing financial incentives to individual hospitals throughout the system that apply for special funding for the purpose of using the Creation Health program to impact the community in measurable ways.  I was very proud of Erika Skula, CEO of our
own Manchester, KY, hospital who was one of three presenters recognized for receiving the grant money and, in her presentation today, shared how she has taken Creation Health and is using it to
assist patients in the county where Manchester lies in introducing them to better living. Interestingly, her proposal, now made a reality, was to buy a van, beautifully designed with Creation Health logo and graphics, for the purpose of transporting the often indigent patient population of the county to the hospital for non-emergency appointments. Transportation is a big problem in this very poor isolated area, and while the patients are being driven to the hospital, a tv monitor in the van plays through a presentation of Creation Health and invites them to consider learning more about it's principles and practices. Well done Erika!

This event is one of my favorite assignments to attend each year; it builds confidence, if any were needed, that our hospitals are being led by committed individuals who want to do more than make money; but want to introduce the community to better health, and ultimately, the healing ministry of Christ which is the mission/ministry focus of AHS.

The Thursday night devotional was given by Tony Campolo, well-known author and speaker. Sabbath, Dr. John Nixon, former Sr. Pastor at Collegedale and presently faculty on the staff of the School of Religion at Southern, will be speaking.

Happy Sabbath!

Below are a few pictures from in front of AHS corporate headquarters, where  visitors to the campus are greeted by an inspiring depiction of the "the healing at the Pool of Bethesda," complete with a fountain and life-size sculptures. An additional picture is take just as you enter into the lobby (where Jesus is greeting the healed lame man). AHS has a beautiful building that they've been in just over a year.  It's functional and inspiring!

Lame Man Waiting by the pool

Jesus welcoming the healed lame man

Standing at front entrance looking east toward the rest of AHS campus

Jesus approaches the lame man at the pool of Bethesda.

In Denver

Just before leaving for Denver and my doctoral class right after New Years holiday, I attended the annual Literature Evangelist Year-End rally/convocation in Pigeon Forge. On Friday evening,  It was a privilege to be involved in introducing the attendees to Mary Schmidt, a newly employed  Kentucky-Tenn L.E. who lives in Portland, TN, and who shared her testimony of knocking on the door of an apartment a few weeks ago, only to be introduced to a former SDA who has since that meeting, attended church with Mary.  What a ministry it is for our faithful team to often six days a week, introduce the public to not just literature and books, but to Jesus and His Church.  Well done!

For the past five days I've been in Denver taking a class entitled "Solving Problems in Ministry and Leadership."  The course, team-taught by Dr. Gordon MacDonald and Dr. Scott Wenig, attempts to introduce the student to the techniques, philosophy, and the practical approaches to identifying problems and challenges and ministry, and moving toward resolution.  I"ve had several classes in this area and among many convictions arising from my course work is that what appears to be THE problem, is often only a symptom, and that it is only through careful evaluation, listening, and exploring the complexities of how parts and people relate to and affect each other, do you often begin to identify the real problem(s). That of course is the necessary identification that must take place before exploring possible solutions.

At the core of good leadership (also an oft repeated theme in this program) is the heart, mind, and spirit of the leader.  Good leaders are constantly self-examining, looking beyond today to tomorrow, assume a continual -posture of learning, and are able to skilfully navigate the perilous path of change.  A number of times this week my classmates and I commented and processed one gem of wisdom (one among many) offered by Dr. MacDonald and that is  the reality that effective organizations are always poised for the potential of changing and re-grouping, recognizing that adaptability is, at least in the business world, the key to survival.  For the church, it can be important in terms of its effectiveness in its mission and in its relevancy.  I have said often to our administrative leadership that Adventism possesses a powerful, unique, and transformational message that we must never grow weary of delivering to the world. How we bring that message, that life, to our community through the presence of the Church, and the influence of it's members, demands vigilance, resolve, courage, and boldness in loving a sometimes unlovely world.  It also insists upon a constant engagement in examining with honesty and energy, what is working in our task to win the lost for Christ, and, what is not working. Another self-evident truth that I'm reminded of almost everytime I read USA today, or, scan the news, is that the world is changing at break-neck speed.  It means potential, opportunity, and challenges are before us.  Enough preaching for now.  The pictures below are . . . from the LE Rally in Pigeon Forge, an early morning picture of the back of the chapel at Denver Seminary this week, and finally, a classroom shot of Dr. Gordon MacDonald doing what he does best. teaching, not so much by delivering information, but through insisting that we think through what Scripture and  life experience have to teach us in the context of where we are serving God and His Church.

Will be leaving tomorrow for Nasvhille, hopefully before the snow that is predicted begins to fall. Will be around 30 degrees and 30 mph wind at the time my flight leaves. BRRRRR!  Grace to you.

Steve

New Beginnings

Wow.  Didn't realize it's been two months since I last posted. Since then, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, three of my favorite times of the year have come and gone. The days around Christmas were a mix of both fun including my daughters graduation from Southern, and yes, a little stress. The stress was generated by the need to finish the pre-class written assignments for my January doctoral class at Denver Seminary. Eight book reviews, and additionally two longer written assignments, one of which I didn't notice in the syllabus until late, made for some long hours at the word processor.  However, the day after Christmas I finished the papers and now await the most enjoyable aspect of the class, the on-site classroom lectures and interaction.

My course this month will be taught by Dr. Gordon MacDonald who I've taken a class with before, I think this time last year. He is a prolific author having penned probably a dozen or more popular volumes that circulate widely in evangelical Christianity and even in the corporate business community. Much of his material and his focus is in the area of self-development, self-discipline and self-evaluation. In the last class I took from him I found it very interesting to hear his presentation and read his book chapters in the area of the 'stages of life' and how the needs, challenges, and goals of life change from decade to decade.  What's important to you in your 30's will change when you're in your 40's, and definitely once you hit your 50's.  "Can I get a witness?"

Dr. MacDonald writes a lot of ink and is passionate about  addressing the important areas of your life in order to be productive in your professional ministry through age 70.

The areas of emphasis that he believes are important includes the emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual. He believes that exercise and diet and attention to the physical is as important to giving our best as is growing your ministry skill set. While that's not a new idea to Adventists, it's also amazing to see how Christian thought leaders today are connecting with the ideas and thoughts of Ellen White who espoused the same concepts a century ago. Committing to being a 'lifelong' learner is another major theme that he introduces to his students. He is also, like many of the professors I've had in Denver, a proponent of  a weekly Sabbath rest though connecting that blessing with Saturday is not part of the conviction.

My January class, which concludes with the post-class assignments in March, marks the conclusion of my class-work seminar's and inaugurates the dissertation stage in my program.  Amazingly, I began this doctoral journey with trepidation, at the very beginning of my tenure here in KYTN, and three years later, I am I think, a more informed leader now than in 2010.

As opportunity presents itself, I will write more from Denver next week.  Today and through Sunday, I am in chilly Pigeon Forge, with the LE's on their annual retreat.  Peace and joy as athe Sabbath draws near!

Monday's Meeting

I talked with my wife a few minutes ago and shared that today's agenda focused, almost entirely, on two items: the NAD budget, and, the proposal to increase funding for NAD retirement. The first issue, the NAD budget, occupied hours of discussion which normally would not be the case, except, this year, a recent General Conference action returns around 1.5 million dollars back to the NAD - tithe funds.  This prospect of "available money"  generated a lot of discussion from the floor exploring the possibility of those funds being returned, in some form, to local conferences. That sounds great on the surface; however, it was argued that should some form of returning those funds to the local conferences take place, it would negatively impact,  if not conclude,  the NAD mission/vision strategy which focuses on a number of areas of ministry going forward.  In the end, the voted actions of the delegates defeated initiatives to give further study or open the door to doing anything different with these monies other than to support the NAD recommendation to use the funds for furthering division ministry initiatives, as well, as for the first time in many years, balance the NAD budget which has been in a deficit position for some time.

The second issue which took more time than I anticipated, was in response to the NAD's recommendation to increase by around 1.5 %, overall, funding of the NAD retirement plan for those who are receiving the defined benefit provision. The case was made quite clearly that unless this action was taken, that a deficit/shortfall for NAD retirement funds was certain. This has come about as the result of several factors not the least of which is the failure of retirement investments to yield the expected rate of return needed to fund retirement.

Before this item came up for a vote, the NAD officers huddled with Union administrators and agreed that the NAD would absorb, each year, until 2024, which is when these extra monies would no longer be needed, to contribute annually, around 2.5 million dollars. This was welcome news in that it would reduce the amount the 58 local NAD conferences will have to absorb in order to ensure that retirement remains solvent.  Following this announcement, the recommendation passed by a wide margin.

As the day concluded, I had opportunity to tour, for the first time, the Hope TV studios, which were newly opened two years ago. The studio is a beautiful state of the art facility, that, as I toured it with the Hope TV Director, Brad Thorp, will continue to expand its footprint in the U.S., with entry into the cable TV market.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, two items will be debated at length, I am sure.  One, is the recommendation to support a 1.5% cost of living increase for next year, and second,  a review and likely newly voted action on womens ordination.  Last years action, we were told at the opening session, did not hold up under legal review. The conflict arose in that NAD policy cannot deviate from voted GC policy. However, this does not, according to many, prevent the Unions, and apparently even local conferences, from voting their own positions on womens ordination. Most are aware that both the Pacific Union and the Columbia Union have voted to support women's ordination, and one local conference, the SouthEastern California Conference, has voted to endorse and provide for women's ordination to the Gospel Ministry.

I won't have the ability to report all of tomorow's actions as  I will not be present for what will likely prove to be an all day discussion; I need to return to Nashville before the days business will conclude.

Hope you have found the reports to be of interest . . .

Steve

Sunday Afternoon

After lunch, most of the afternoon has been absorbed with presentations representing four major areas of NAD emphasis. Right after the education segment, I noticed that the  security department of the car rental company that I have rented my auto thru, were trying to contact me, so, I have left late in the proceedings to attend to this; apparently, there is a misunderstanding on the length of my rental.  The rental company thought I was returning this car on Friday! Sean Boonstra is just now presenting an initiative on plans for evangelism in Indianapolis; Sean, you may recall, is the former director/speaker for It Is Written and now serves the NAD in the area of evangelism. A couple of added insights . . .

Dr. Jackson has commented on the overall health of Adventist Media ministries with the exception of Voice of Prophecy which is facing some significant financial pressures.

After this mornings lengthy floor debate over Super Storm Sandy, ADRA, etc., we have learned that over lunch, the NAD has appropriated $500,000 from their reserves for immediate assistance to the N.E. corridor affected by the storm.  Additionally, they are designating a special Sabbath offering in two weeks, to further assist. I have mixed feelings on this issue that absorbed most of the morning and resulted in this sizable financial decision . ..  while I am sure it will help those affected by this tragedy, I wonder if such appropriations will be, or should be, solely the result of the impact of a line-up of impassioned speeches . .  speeches that were not given when the tornado's devastated Joplin, MO, or, the flood waters nearly swept away metro Nashville, or as oft the case, hurricanes that slammed the S.E. coastline. If our determination of what we do, and how much we do, is to be determined by the speeches made at Year End Meeting that, in timing, coincide with a terrible natural disaster, then, I would hope that all future  natural catastrophe's would happen around Year End Meetings and then be followed by impassioned advocates willing to address the  post-storm needs at the microphone.

Year End Meetings, First Day of Business

I have been in the Washington D.C. area since last week, anticipating attendance at NAD events and meetings prior to  the annual NAD Year End Meetings (YEM) which officially launched last Friday afternoon. The pre-meetings are add-ons  and are offered to provide information  to delegates as well as to highlight various ministries including Adventist Risk Management, a unique 'Diversity Celebration' on Friday, and Philanthropic Ministries. I'm likely leaving a few out.  These sessions preceed the NAD Year End Meeting business session which began this morning in earnest, and continues through next Tuesday. Other ministries, such as Religous Liberty and the Adventist Review, host luncheons for delegates, and during these luncheons give reports and highlight their respective areas of ministry.

Due to the impact of Superstorm Sandy, Wednesdays pre-event meetings were cancelled. After my own flight was cancelled and re-scheduled twice, I did get to Baltimore Thursday after visiting the day before with my mother and sister who live near Richmond, VA. A note on Sabbath before a report on today's meeting . . .

Sabbath here, as always, is a real quality  event with the focus this time around on 'ordinary people doing extraordinary things.' The choir from Southwestern Adventist University provided worship music and Elder Dan Jackson, NAD President, preached on the biblical theme of how leaven was used in Scripture.  It often served biblically as a symbol of influence and change, sometimes for evil, and sometimes for good. His summary point and conclusion as I understood it, was the call to treat each other, even when we differ, with dignity, love, and respect.  A good message to consider as the business agenda launches.

This mornings (Sunday) session had gone quite smoothly, after worship, opening with the President's Report, and, as the President's Report was being moved and seconded for acceptance, numerous individuals began to line up at the session microphone, the line growing after being inspired by the first delegate to the mike.  The speeches from the floor were in response to Elder Dan Jackson's final President's report comment;  a brief one,  focused on the role of ADRA and it's absence to serve and minister to the needs in North America.  This became a  point of impassioned discussion particularly on the part of leadership from New York and New Jersey who were impacted by 'Sandy' and who confessed that the SDA Church's ability to meaningfully provide help in this disaster is far from adequate.  This opened up a bigger discussion which revolved around the lack of a coordinated Division agency to help in catastrophic disasters throughout North America.

The most recent discussion at the mic, interestingly, is whether offerings given this week to 'ADRA' to help the victims of Sandy - and  which we all now know, provides no disaster help in North America - would actually be given in relief of Sandy victims.   My guess is from this discussion there will be a renewed resolve to address organizational support from the division when disasters take place. There will also be renewed study to the role ADRA should play, if any, in North America and whether the time has come for some NAD structural support, outside of what has been present in the past,  for areas affected by disaster

I'll write another update later today after the afternoon session.