the Record as a PDF - Seventh
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the Record as a PDF - Seventh
August 19, 2006 In this issue Adventist Health’s eye on future ASA’s Rockingham health run Answering Inspired? questions Students studying in the leadership training courses offered at the two-week session held in Fiji. Training sharpens Pacific leaders A Institute celebrates 20 years Wahroonga, New South Wales bout 50 people, three of whom were women, attended leadership cohort training sessions for leaders of the Adventist Church in the Pacific islands. The two-week training sessions were held in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea between May and July Representing the different levels within the church, including senior pastors, departmental directors, school principals, treasurers and presidents, participants will be presented with a Certificate in Leadership from Pacific Adventist University at the completion of their course. ISSN 0819-5633 “Most of the students in the training sessions already hold tertiary qualifications, so the fact that they are still seeking further development in their professional skills shows their zeal for learning,” says Dr Barry Gane, director of Leadership and Professional Development in the South Pacific Division (SPD). “It is also nice to see women included in the training groups.” “I think the program is a very good move by the SPD to give proper training to islanders in regards to leadership in the church,” says Mrs Elma Sese, finance director of the Adventist Development (Continued on page 5) editorial We need to find better ways to engage with the art and entertainment of our culture. “Dear Slim” P icking up a “best of”/remix album recently, I was reminded of two of the most intelligent and inspiring examples of contemporary Christian music I have come across. The tracks come from an unlikely looking white-boy hip-hopper called KJ-52. While you might be tempted to agree with P J O’Rourke’s less-than-complimentary description of this musical genre—“a form of music created by one performer shouting obscenities in a singsong voice while other performers torture a cat and throw garbage cans down a flight of stairs”—let’s give KJ a chance. The two songs—“Dear Slim” (from the album Collaborations) and “Dear Slim pt 2” (on It’s Pronounced Five-Two)—were addressed to controversial and hugely successful shock-rapper Eminem. “Dear Slim pt 2” tells of the attention received by the film clip to the first track when it was played on MTV. Both tunes provide an example of a credible Christian engagement with popular culture. KJ employs the culture itself to communicate with that culture and translates the gospel into a language just as significant as that of some obscure jungle community. When it comes down to it, decrying popular culture as substandard is a cheap shot: it’s not hard to do and achieves little—even P J O’Rourke without much in the way of Christian or moral pretensions can do it. And so often, albeit well intentioned, Christian cultural critique simply misses the point. Official Paper of the South Pacific Division Seventh-day Adventist Church ABN 59 093 117 689 www.adventist.org.au Vol 111 No 32 Cover: Alex Currie Commenting upon Eminem’s 8 Mile movie from a couple of years back, a newspaper reviewer questioned one prominent Christian response. By way of movie critique, the Christian review had simply tallied up the number of uses of various swear words through the movie, presumably concluding that this automatically implied an “unsuitable viewing” label. The newspaper reviewer justifiably questioned the significance of this word count in comparison with the unmentioned culture of poverty, violence and desperation portrayed in the movie, reflecting the real-life background from which Eminem and his movie alter ego emerged. We need to find better ways to engage with the art and entertainment of our culture and KJ demonstrates one way it can be done. As a fellow white performer trying to find credibility in a largely black musical genre, KJ expresses his identification with Eminem’s struggles, disadvantage and heartbreak. In “Dear Slim,” he reflects upon his initial resentment at comparisons with the more-famous Eminem but comes to recognise the compliment and opportunity this gives him within that culture. Though not expressing it in such terms, KJ is echoing Paul’s mission statement: “I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:22*). Through hip-hop, KJ is meeting the culture on its terms—and subverting it to the cause of the gospel. And KJ does it well. His songs are not Editor Nathan Brown Senior assistant editor David Edgren Editorial assistant Adele Nash Editorial assistant Scott Wegener Copyeditor Graeme Brown Editorial secretary Meryl McDonald-Gough Layout Nathan Chee Senior consulting editor Barry Oliver www.record.net.au August 19, 2006 awkward, half-hearted ditties—the “fifthrate poems set to sixth-rate music” of much of C S Lewis’s church experience. As Lewis noted in his essay “Good Work and Good Works,” “Good works need not be good work, as anyone can see by inspecting some of the objects made to be sold at bazaars for charitable purposes.” To be credible in our culture, we need to ensure we appreciate and respect the artistic forms we use to communicate. If we are simply feigning an interest as an evangelistic hook, we are not respecting the integrity of the art and the people who find expression and meaning through that form. God expressed great satisfaction at the excellence of His creation (see Genesis 1:31); we need to take similar care with our creative communication. When an artist such a KJ-52 can address Eminem, his music, his fans and the wider culture, reminding them all—in a culturally relevant artistic form—that “I only want to share with you Jesus’ love for me,” “not a day goes by that I don’t pray for you,” and “a life without Christ is still a life that is never fixed” (from “Dear Slim pt 2”), we have to rejoice. Regardless of our musical appreciation, “the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice” (Philippians 1:18). *Bible quotations are from the New Living Translation. Mail: Signs Publishing Company 3485 Warburton Highway Warburton, Vic 3799, Australia Phone: (03) 5966 9111 Fax: (03) 5966 9019 Email Letters: [email protected] Email Newsfront: [email protected] Email Noticeboard: [email protected] Subscriptions: South Pacific Division mailed within Australia and to New Zealand, $A43.80 $NZ73.00. Other prices on application. Printed weekly. Nathan Brown news Institute celebrates 20 years COORANBONG, NEW SOUTH WALES T his year, the Institute of Church Ministry (ICM) celebrates 20 years of service. In August 1986, ICM was founded at Avondale College by Dr Alwyn Salom and adopted the vision of “Empowering local churches to fulfil the Great Commission.” Thus began an era of service by ICM as a seminar trainer, researcher and church consultant in a variety of ministries. The directors of ICM over these two decades have been Drs Alwyn Salom, Stephen Currow and Doug Robertson. Examples of the seminars currently operated by ICM include “Living proof” (spiritually motivated Christians are the “living proof” of the gospel), which trains church members in lifestyle witnessing to secular, postmodern people. “Live long and love it” is a local church ministry to the large and growing group of active “new” seniors in the non-church community. “Opening the front door of your church” assists the local church in changing its focus from an inward to an outward orientation and making the church “user friendly” for newcomers. “Network” (new edition) trains church members in the discovery and use of their spiritual gifts. ICM has also conducted and participated in a variety of research projects, including studies from the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) (to be held again in 2006). After each survey, ICM prepares a report based on the responses from all the Adventist churches participating in Australia. These reports are made available to the church at large. The The Institute of Church Ministry website. most recent report was prepared by Dr Currow. It is available from the web- consultancies such as “Refocusing your site <www.InstituteOfChurchMinistry.org> church” and the envisioning and goal-set(follow the link to “Challenges”). ting process in the church. In addition, ICM prepares demographic In the past seven years, Dr Salom has studies of the community to assist local established an off-shore ministry in Japan. churches meet the ministry needs in their Research and coaching in the area of church areas. Over the 20-year period, demographic health has been carried on in 130 Japanese studies (“Community profiles”) have been churches. After evaluating church health prepared for more than 400 Adventist assessments, consulting/coaching visits have churches. been made to the churches to assist them in Both the NCLS reports and the commu- improving their church health. nity profiles become the basis of consultanPastors and church leaders are encourcies as ICM personnel coach churches in aged to consult the ICM website for a full list appropriate ministries that target existing and details of services offered by ICM and needs in their own church or in the minsitry for contact information.—RECORD staff area of their community. More @ www.InstituteOf Church Other consultancies include long-term Ministry.org ◆ In 1994 the ◆ During a week-long Lava Lava Kanwalchurch, NSW, was burnt down. Recentl y, a s m a l l burnt Bible found in the burnt church, showing the affects of the fire, had a revolving glass showcase made for it by church member Robert Gordon. It is now on display at the front of the new church as a reminder of the destructive nature of fire and, like the fire, that sin leaves permanent scars until the second coming of Jesus.—Northpoint Island Vacation Bible School program at Wallsend church, NSW, children were invited to bring children’s books and clothes for donation to an orphanage in India. More than 300 books and 500 items of clothing were collected. Of the 185 children who attended, 78 had never been to church. Children received a DVD with photos and video taken during the week. Wahroonga church, NSW, ran Serengeti Trek, attracting 128 children. The children at this program collected books, pens, stickers and other stationery to send to children in Papua New Guinea.— Lidia Nowicki/Lloyd Turner/Tracey Bridcutt ◆ Jade McGrady, an active mem- ber of the Warwick church youth group, received an award for senior student of the year at the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee Week in Warwick, Qld. NAIDOC Week recognises the accomplishments of young indigenous people in the community.—Mary Fedorow ◆ The Royal Oak church, NZ, were paid a visit by Dr Jonathan Gallagher as their speaker on July 15. Dr Gallagher is a General Conference representative on the United Nations Religious Liberty Association where the Adventist Church holds Special Consultative Status.—Mark Ryan IN YOUR HANDS - HAVE YOU GIVEN AWAY YOUR SIGNS YET? August 19, 2006 3 news Messiah comes to PAU Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea J une 30 saw the presentation of 520 copies of the book Messiah to students of Pacific Adventist University (PAU). The book is an adaptation of The Desire of Ages by Ellen White into contemporary language. The arrival of the book was seen as very timely by PAU, as it came a week after the conclusion of the Week of Prayer conducted by Dr John Hammond, director of Adventist Schools Australia for the Australian Union Conference. Graham Chester, deputy vicechancellor of PAU, says, “Dr Hammond had taken a very successful Week of Prayer, using the theme, ‘Unlikely heroes of the cross.’ We decided to capitalise on both the Week of Prayer and that theme. “We launched the book as the ‘Hero of the cross,’ the Messiah. During the opening part of vespers we had our speaker for the evening, Dr Paul Petersen, the South Pacific Division’s (SPD) field secretary, present a copy of the book to a representative from each of the six schools.” At the conclusion of the program, stu- ◆ On May 20, Betty Antwis was honoured at Albany church, WA, for having played the organ for 50 years. She was presented with flowers and chocolates as appreciation from the congregation. The next day Betty contributed an item for a concert at the church, which raised $A500 for the Bible Society—June Gallop/Stacey Brown dents collected their copy of Messiah from their school deans, who were located at one of the five exit points of the chapel. When asked about the reason for giving out the books, Dr Petersen said, “So that the students can read and come to know more about the Messiah, the Desire of Ages, and build an intimate relationship with Him.” PAU students with their copies of Messiah. Dr Petersen also encouraged the students to read a chapter a day as part of their daily devotional readings. Students were enthusiastic about receiving the book, with several students expressing their gratitude to God for giving them the gift of the book for free. One student commented, “I heard of this book and wished I had the money to buy one. If I were to buy this book, I would have bought it for more than K30 but I’m so thankful that I got one free.” A non-Adventist student also remarked, “This book will not only help me in my gospel class but also enable me to come to know more about the Messiah and what the Messiah expects of me.” Mr Chester says, “I would say that the giving of the book has been very well received and we will only know in the kingdom just how much good it actually did.” The university expressed thanks to the Signs Publishing Company, which provided copies of Messiah. Liz Dunstan, Signs book department manager, says, “This completes an SPD initiative to encourage young people to read more Ellen White by providing them with subsidised copies of Messiah. More than 1000 copies were distributed as part of this project, which began with a promotion in The Edge and ended with this mass distribution at PAU. “In the past two years, we’ve managed to offer this book for $A5 to young people in Australia and New Zealand, while providing it free in the Pacific.”—Adele Nash/Edna Worri ◆ Northpine Christian Col- ◆ Jack Harris lege, Qld, has run a number of seminars for parents and carers of students in recent months, dealing with a variety of topics of interest. Their first seminar covered the background of the Adventist Church, its institutions and some if its major beliefs. Other seminars have covered topics such as marriage enrichment, grief and loss, and parenting teens. “These seminars have been a wonderful opportunity to reach out to our college community,” says principal Graham Baird.—Katy Bidmead of Broken Hill church, NSW, was chosen by the Quota Club of Broken Hill as the Citizen of the Year for 2006. Mr Harris gives his time to many services, including Meals on Wheels, Neighbourhood Watch, Broken Hill walking tours—from which he has raised thousands of dollars for local charities—and has donated blood some 117 times.—Len Tolhurst ◆ The Parramatta church, NSW, held their annual International Tea on July 17. Julie Owens, local parliamentarian, officially opened the event for the more than 450 attending members who represented more than 40 nationalities. Food from 10 different stalls was served and church members presented entertainment representing nations from different parts of the world, including Scotland, Peru, USA, Croatia, Sweden, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Italy, Africa, Cook Islands, Indonesia, Latin America and Australia.—Jasper Hutabarat Days and offerings: ◆ AUGUST 26—Abuse prevention Awareness day August 19, 2006 news Adventist health professionals eye on future Training sharpens Pacific leaders Wahroonga, New South wales A lmost 100 Adventist health professionals from around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific islands attended the third annual Adventist Health Professionals Conference in Sydney at the end of June. Organised by Adventist Health Ministries of the South Pacific Division (SPD), the theme of the conference this year was “Where to from here,” focusing on emerging trends in health care. “It’s meant to be a weekend of spiritual refreshment for Adventist health workers,” says Dr Chester Kuma, associate director of Adventist health ministries. “It’s also an opportunity for them to get together and share their experiences and a time to find strength again to go back to work.” Leanne Kaiser Carlson, futurist and co-founder of the Kaiser Institute in the United States, was the main speaker for the conference. Ms Kaiser spoke about the future of health delivery and the opportunities that are coming up for improvement and development in the health industry. ◆ Kyle Cummings of La Sierra University, California, USA, celebrated his 21st birthday in England, competing in the World Championship Water Ski Race. “My dad started a water ski team called Team Jesus a few years ago,” says Mr Cummings. “We put the name Team Jesus on our truck and boat that now go all over the world.” Mr Cummings began skiing when he was Other guest speakers for the conference included Dr Darren Morton, senior lecturer at Avodale College; Sue Radd, one of Australia’s leading nutritionists and health communicators; Paul Bogacs, manager of the Salvation Army Counselling Service; and Dr Ross Grant, head of the Australasian Research Institute, situated at Sydney Adventist Hospital and lecturer at the University of New South Wales. Health challenges faced in the Pacific islands were also presented by Gad Koito, director of Adventist health ministries of the Papua New Guinea Union Mission; Dr Lester Ross, director of Adventist health ministries of the Trans-Pacific Union Mission; as well as Dr Kuma, who until recently was working as the head surgeon at the National Referral Hospital in the Solomon Islands. “It was an excellent program and a good opportunity to meet new people,” says Dr Kuma. “It was good to get out of the daily routine, get acquainted with other Adventist health workers and put a face to the names of people we only dealt with through phone or emails.”—Melody Tan three years old. He has become one of the top waterski racing skiers in the United States. The sport consists of skiing up to 177 kilometres per hour behind a 6.4-metre-long boat with 1200 horsepower.—Tamara Fisher ◆ Users of eBay UK can now donate a percentage of their sales to ADRA–UK. eBay commissioned MissionFish to build a program that would offer their UK-based members an opportunity to support charities while buying and selling. Now, if UK eBay members sell an item, there’s (Continued from page 1) and Relief Agency–Solomons who attended the training session in the Solomon Islands. “The church in the Pacific has a lot of potential leaders, but they often lack proper training and right information in this special area. I’d like to encourage more women to join this course in the future.” The course includes modules ranging from basic leadership theory through to human resource management and strategic planning. Dr Alex Currie, manager of the Adventist Counselling Centre, says, “There has been a real desire among South Pacific islanders to be involved in leadership training. They are passionate about learning and developing their skills and show a lot of enthusiasm.” Dr Gane adds, “The groups have been committed when it comes to building competencies and developing personal growth Many of them will move into positions of greater responsibilities and this is already happening for some.” The groups from Fiji and Papua New Guinea are scheduled to receive their certificates next year while the group from Solomon Islands will complete their training in 2008.—Melody Tan the option to choose a charity on whose behalf they want to donate a percentage—ADRA–UK is one of them.—Bert Smit More @ www. missionfish.org.uk ◆ This year Adventist Risk Man- agement Inc (ARM) celebrates 70 years of insurance and consulting services. ARM supports the Adventist Church on issues ranging from property damage loss resulting from fire or natural catastrophe to indemnity costs. In 2005 ARM spent some $US8 million to restore more than 400 properties damaged during the US hurricane season. “ARM has saved the church thousands of dollars in insurance premiums, says ARM vice-president Arthur Blinci. “At the time of a loss it’s really the church responding and coming together to restore that which was lost instead of those dollars going out to commercial insurance companies.”—Rochelle Browne/ANN ◆ September 9—World Mission Budget Offering August 19, 2006 news ASA runs for Rockingham’s health Rockingham, Western Australia A team of 30 members from the Adventist Students Association (ASA) pushed two old, unused hospital beds through the streets of Rockingham to raise money for the Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital on the afternoon of July 7. The fundraising run began at the hospital and wound its way through the trade centre and by the city’s shopping centre before ending at the beach on Railway Terrace. As they went, the university students from ASA collected donations from pedestrians and car drivers. By the end of the journey, they had collected $A1,639.60, which will be given to the Friends of the Rockingham-Kwinana District Hospital. A team of police constables from the Kwinana police station escorted the ASA members, together with a brigade from the Rockingham fire station. ASA members were very pleased about the total amount that had been raised. “I really felt like I was contributing substantially to the Rockingham community by participating in this service project,” said Paul Sexton, who is a volunteer for the St John’s Ambulance Service in Perth. Dr Jared Watts, a graduate from the University of Western Australia Medical School, said this was one of the best fundraising bed-pushes he has been involved with. Members from ASA continued the attitude of generosity by visiting individual patients in Adventist Students Association members with local police, the medical and who helped provide vehicular escort for the bed run in maternity wards Rockingham, at the end of the fundraising event. at RockinghamKwinana District Hospital on July 8 and ical wellbeing. This concern for people’s giving them a rose and a card with a mes- health is motivated by the care that Jesus sage of Christian encouragement. Christ had for the physical wellbeing of “We believe that Jesus has been abun- the people of His day,” he adds. dant in His generosity toward us, so we This community service project comes in would like to reflect that attitude of giv- the middle of the annual ASA Convention, ing in the way we relate to our immedi- which was held at Lake Cooloongup. The ate community,” says Dr Sven Ostring, convention was organised by Dr Ostring, ASA president and organiser of the serv- the tertiary student chaplain for the Westice project. ern Australian Conference, Maree Sexton “As Adventists, we have a fundamental and Wendy Sexton, who is herself studybelief in a holistic understanding of human ing medicine at the University of Western nature, so that the spiritual wellbeing of Australia.—Adele Nash/Sven Ostring people is closely integrated with their physMore @ www.myasa.org.au ◆ The goddaughter of Adolf ◆ An American report, entitled Hitler participated in a unique outreach to southern Poland to share her story of forgiveness. Rosemary Claussen, whose own father was later executed by the Nazis for being sympathetic to the plight of Jewish people, joined 150 Americans and scores of Polish Christians for the Festival of Life 2006 held in Wisla. The festival included several mini festivals throughout southern Poland, which include music concerts, extreme sports demonstrations and children’s ministries.— Dan Wooding/Assist News “Bible Literacy Report II: What University Professors Say Incoming Students Need to Know,” revealed that English professors surveyed at leading universities agreed that “regardless of a person’s faith, an educated person needs to know about the Bible.” “The virtual unanimity and depth of their responses on this question were striking,” said Dr Marie Wachlin, researcher and author of the report.—crosswalk.com ◆ Students recently created and voted for the best games tion. The role-playing game illustrates the difficulties people must endure simply to gain food and water while militia kill, rape and pillage. More @ www. dafurisdying.com programmed to create awareness of the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Western Sudan in the Darfur Digital Activist contest. The game “Darfur is dying,” developed by students at the University of South California, USA, won the competi- ◆ Researchers have turned up no evidence to support a link between personality, intelligence and birth dates. The study of more than 15,000 people found “in no cases did date of birth relate to individual differences in personality or intelligence.”—The Australian IS your church doing something Exciting, innovative or inspiring? Email [email protected] August 19, 2006 news Territory kids get a daily healthy start Darwin, Northern Territory K ids in the Northern Territory have been given a great start to the day, following a visit from eminent Australian cricket star Brett Lee, who visited two schools in the area to celebrate their successful progress and involvement with the Good Start Breakfast Club (GSBC) program, an initiative of Sanitarium and the Red Cross. As well as bowling a few overs, Mr Lee also served up some bowls of the breakfast variety, encouraging kids to choose the best start in life by eating a healthy breakfast every day, a major aim of the program. Chatting to kids at Ludmilla Public School in Darwin and Yipirinya School in Alice Springs, Mr Lee said educating kids about adopting healthy lifestyles is something he is passionate about. “The GSBC is such a fantastic initiative, and one of those programs where you can actually see the positive difference it’s making in communities all over Australia,” said Mr Lee. “What started out as a program giving kids in areas of most need a healthy breakfast every day, has turned into something much greater and more positive than ever imagined.” Recent research suggests an overwhelming 80 per cent of teachers where a GSBC is operating report a higher rate of concentration, attentiveness in the classroom, and improved social behaviours in those kids who regularly attend the program. General reports on the program are indicating valuable community benefits such as a reduction in petty theft of food prior to school starting as reported by local police, and a sustained increase in school attendance as reported by school principals. Darwin’s Ludmilla Public School principal Graham Chadwick said the program has been making some fantastic inroads in their community. “There’s no doubt the breakfast club has been making waves in our classrooms in terms of better concentration and cooperation. Kids across all year levels have been coming into the classroom full of energy and enthusiasm, and are really ready to engage in learning,” Mr Chadwick said. “But it’s not only in the classroom where we’ve been Adventist cleans up Australia Day Award Albany, Western Australia M Brett Lee with children in Darwin, enjoying a healthy start to the day. noticing their progress—in the playground at lunchtime and recess as well, the kids generally seem a lot happier, and are getting on well with each other, their teachers and with the wider community.” Yipirinya School principal Ken LangfordSmith confirmed the positive impact of the program on their community. “We’ve noticed a whole range of improvements in the kids; however, the most visible has been an impact on their health and physical wellbeing, and a great improvement in attendance rates as a result of the breakfast club,” says Mr LangfordSmith. “We are incredibly proud of the kids’ continued progress, and a visit from Brett Lee is an exciting reward for all their improvements.” Sanitarium Health Foods general manager Dean Powrie attended the Ludmilla Public School breakfast event. “Working with the local community is a really important part of our vision at Sanitarium. We’re committed to providing happy, healthy lives, and want to ensure the kids in our community have every opportunity to start developing healthy habits from an early age,” Mr Prowrie reflected. “This is more than just a feeding program—it’s about nourishing the minds of growing bodies, and teaching kids positive habits that will stay with them for life, ensuring the brightest futures.” Research suggests more than 40 per cent of Australian schoolchildren miss breakfast. Not eating a nutritious breakfast can adversely affect a child’s ability to concentrate, their social behaviour and early physical development. More importantly, skipping breakfast is now considered a major contributor to obesity in children.—Jaemes Tipple argaret Martin, a member of the Albany Adventist church in Western Australia, received an Australia Day Award earlier this year for her service to the community. The mayor of Albany presented Mrs Martin with the award, which came following her retirement from the Keep Albany Beautiful Society, of which she was president for 30 years. During that time, Albany won the state title 13 times. Mrs Martin has been heavily involved in other community activities over the past 35 years, and says, “I was a member of the town council for 10 years and have been a justice of the peace for 26 years, and have only recently retired from bench duties. The Royal Association of Justices recently made me a life member, which was an honour.” Her term as the national president of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WTCU) is also drawing to a close after six years, which is the maximum term allowed. Mrs Martin has been involved with the WCTU in various roles since she was 18 and has now become the world superintendent of Alcohol-Free Hospitality. She also helped establish the Citizen’s Advice Bureau in Albany, a hydrotherapy pool, mammography unit and Lions Day Care Centre for disabled people, as well as volunteering with health services. “I enjoy working for my community, as it is very fulfilling,” says Mrs Martin. “I really enjoy being a quiet achiever and don’t seek accolades.”—Adele Nash Margaret Martin with her Australia Day Award. August 19, 2006 feature Video ministry: Are you ready? By John Gate V ideo ministry, like any outreach ministry, if it’s to be effective and successful, requires vision and planning. A local church that is planning to be involved in long-term video ministry needs to address the following: 1. Advertising. How will the videos be advertised? Television? Letterbox cards? Or one of the many other ways? 2. Budget. What funds are put aside in the church annual budget for the purchase of video sets for distribution, and also for advertising? 3. Team. Video ministry needs a team “Training in video ministry is important for the delivery team. Ensure the videos or DVDs advertised are supplied and ready for delivery.”—Pastor Gary Kent, Fountain in the City church plant, Sydney, NSW who can work and pull together. 4. Supplies. This includes supplies of advertising material as well as supplies of videos for distribution. 5. Ministry resources. See the article on video-ministry resources that lists what is available in this area. 6. Training. Video ministry follows a definite strategy. Once the strategy is understood, give some training on how to implement video ministry in harmony with that strategy. 7. Support. The devil will do all he can to discourage those involved in outreach. Those involved in video ministry need support, so when discouraging times come they do not fall by the way. 8. Reaping. Video ministry, although it connects with people on their agenda, August 19, 2006 is also directional. It aims to encourage people to respond in a positive way to the messages shared through the videos. Plan for events people can be invited to where they can make decisions. When we look at the church preparations for TV advertising, the following key points should be attended to: 1. Prayer—both personal prayer and church prayer. In the week before the TV advertising and in the week or two after, it’s appropriate during the worship service to have a season of prayer requesting God’s special blessing on the advertising and the delivery of the videos. 2. Prepare supplies in advance. Weeks before the TV advertising, each church should make sure it has sufficient of the distribution video, whether it is Search 6 or Who Is Jesus or one of The Code videos. Sets of the videos, so distributors can also follow through with the video series, and other follow-up resources, such as the call card and the record of contacts, should be available. These forms are on the resource CD. 3. Bulletin notices. Several weeks before the TV advertising, bulletin notices announce the time of the television advertising so members can be aware of what is happening and be prepared to participate. 4. Training. It’s helpful for experienced video ministers to share with new video ministers the strategy for delivering videos and following up. This series of articles is designed to help in this process. 5. Screening. A number of churches have taken the opportunity to show the advertised video during the worship service on the week the TV advertising commences. This gives an opportunity to see what is being delivered to the homes and gives members ownership of the program. R This is part of a series of articles exploring video ministry and how it can work in your community. John Gate is director of the Adventist Discovery Centre. Lord of my heart By Lesley Howie O h Lord, You are all I desire. It burns within my heart To know that You are with me And that You truly love me. I desire day by day to be more like You, A humble servant With a character that reflects only You. Lord, You are the Desire of all the Ages Written about in earth’s history pages. I long to see Your shining face— When You come to take me to Your heavenly place You will have given me, my whole heart’s desire. R Lesley Howie writes from Marks Point, New South Wales. feature Past the excuses BY CHRISTINE MILES I took SIGNS magazine for granted. I listened to the words of other people who also took it for granted. It wasn’t modern enough, Christian enough, interesting enough or cheap enough for me to be bothered with. Why should I read it? Why should I provide financial support to Signs? Of course, I hadn’t read it myself. I simply made my decision based upon what other people said. And then one day, in 2001, the cover of a Signs magazine caught my eye—“John Grisham on success.” John Grisham, at the time, was my hero. I loved his books. I aspired to be a writer, just like him. And the article grabbed me. I read it five times. And I still have that issue of Signs. Inevitably, I read the rest of the magazine too. It fitted in the glove box of my car quite nicely, and since I was often in the car waiting for other people, it provided interesting reading for otherwiseboring moments. I became an avid reader of Signs. Of course, my admiration didn’t reach my pocket and I continued to scrounge magazines from Signs racks at churches and Tui Ridge Park. My admiration did not extend to sharing Signs with my friends nor, I am ashamed to say, did it extend to arguing its good points to fellow church members who continued to insist the magazine was not modern enough, Christian enough, interesting enough or cheap enough to convince them to subscribe. But God knows the ways of my heart. I found myself writing personality profiles that were published in Signs. The most successful way of getting an interview with famous people was, I found, to send a covering letter with a copy of the magazine. Nobody turned down my request for an interview if approached in this manner, but I soon discovered that if I wanted to provide a copy with one of “my” articles in it, then I’d need to begin a small bulk order. About the same time, my unchurched friends discovered I was being published and requested their own copies. And so I found myself delivering up to 20 copies of Signs every month to friends and potential subjects. (That—incidentally—was when I discovered that Signs was the cheapest magazine to which I could ever subscribe!) While this may sound great, it wasn’t all that great because my friends didn’t really want the magazines on the months when I wasn’t in print. Their interest did not extend beyond wanting to read what I wrote. So, I prayed about that too—and started giving my extra copies of Signs to acquaintances. These were the people whom I met at least twice a month on the street, whose children attended the same school as my own children, but they didn’t know I was a writer. Their reaction was incredible: one person opened the magazine and promptly wanted to subscribe; another person phones and scolds if she thinks I’ve forgotten to deliver her copy; another person shares it with five other people before returning the magazine in time for the next issue. Several teachers at my children’s school read Signs. It is, they all say, the best magazine they’ve read in a long time. And they want more. I have always been big on friendship evangelism. I’ll listen to anyone. If people come to me for help, I can provide it. Most people know I am a Christian, simply because I keep a “Sabbath.” But the thing that was often missing in my friendship evangelism was a starting point for Bible-based discussion. And Signs gave it to me. Easy. I deliver a Signs magazine—and we have a chat over the fence or beside the school gates or in each other’s homes. Not one of these people ever said, “I don’t like the magazine. It’s frumpy, it’s not Christian enough, it’s too Christian, it’s boring or it’s too expensive.” Most of them promise to subscribe. Like me, one day they probably will. From agnostics to Buddhists to Christians of other faiths, they love Signs and always say yes to another issue. My excuses—possibly your excuses—are just that: excuses. There’s ministry with Signs—and anyone can do it. R Signs—In you hands. August is Signs month. Visit <www.signsofthetimes.org.au>. Christine Miles writes from Auckland, New Zealand, and is a regular contributor to Signs of the Times and RECORD. August 19, 2006 9 feature Answering Acquired or Inspired? questions Dr Don McMahon BY DON S MCMAHON Released last year, Acquired or Inspired? Exploring the Origins of the Adventist Lifestyle by Dr Don McMahon launched a strong scientific argument for the inspiration of Ellen White’s writings on health and by extrapolation her wider writing and ministry.* While recognising that some of her health statements have not been verified by today’s medical science—particularly her explanations of the why of many of her health principles—Acquired or Inspired? concluded that “a large core of accurate lifestyle statements are in accord with modern thinking. In these [Ellen White] was more than 100 years ahead of her time. When the knowledge of the mid19th century is taken into consideration, it is impossible to exclude inspiration from Ellen White’s writings. Ellen White’s writings should not be rejected; it is essential they be carefully studied and appreciatively implemented.” Dr McMahon’s study was endorsed by Dr Jon Paulien of Andrews University (USA) in the following terms: “If McMahon’s research on health can be fully verified, it will revolutionise our understanding of Ellen White’s ministry and spiritual gifts.” To date, few arguments have been raised to call into question the scientific method or results of this research. But questions from a critic have prompted Dr McMahon to extend his study. R onald Numbers, author of THE Prophetess of Health, who in 1976 raised serious doubt about the origins of the Adventist lifestyle and whether inspiration was involved has commented on Acquired or Inspired? He raised two doubts: that an independent marker assessing the credibility of the various statements of health principles would come to a different conclusion; and that if the methodology were to be applied to the health writings of Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Later Day Saints —commonly known as the Mormons—the same results would be gained. A different measure? The first query was readily answered. The World Health Organisation—an independent assessor—was heavily used in the assessment used in Acquired or Inspired? The statistics used to establish the evidence of inspiration in the health writings of Ellen White were repeated using the “risk factors for death and disease” as published by the World Health Organisation (2002) only to 10 August 19, 2006 make the assessment. This change made no substantial difference to the results. Mormon health writing The second doubt was harder to refute and took considerable effort delving into the health writings of the Mormon Church. In 1833—four years after the founding the Mormonism—Joseph Smith claimed he had a vision on health. It is called the “Word of Wisdom” and is recorded in “Doctrine and Covenants,” Section 89. It contains only eight health recommendations of which only four are significant. These are: exclusion of all alcoholic drinks (except beer and communion wine); no smoking; sparing use of meat (confined to times of famines, winter and if hungry); and living on a diet of fruit, vegetables and grains. Three years after the murder of Joseph Smith, in 1844, Brigham Young—the new Mormon president—claimed he had a vision that led to the exodus of the Mormons to Salt Lake City, Utah. From 1851 until 1886 all sermons given by senior Mormons were recorded and are still available in the “Journal of Discourses.” From 1852 to 1877, Brigham Smith added to and altered the “Word of Wisdom.” Alcohol, pig meat and any meat for children was totally excluded. Eggs and fish were considered suitable as a replacement. The dietary rules were expanded to exclude the eating of fat or sugar or too much volume or variety of foods. Bread should be cooked slowly until the crust is as thick as a man’s hand and the bread should be dry and stale. The exclusion of hot drinks Number of health principles feature 110 100 90 80 Unverified Minor Significant 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Mormon health writing Spiritual Gifts Sylvester Graham Health principles considered verified and unverified found in the “Word of Wisdom” was extended to include tea and coffee. He stated the need for clean air and water, even to boiling the water before drinking it, but he also claimed there should be a limit to how much is drunk as well as eaten, especially for young people. He also limited the amount of exercise regarded as safe. He warned against the wearing of warm clothes or heated houses, going so far as to claim it was better to live in the open or in tents rather than in houses. In 1856, Jedediah M Grant—a church president—talked about cleanliness. He Defining terms: Significant, minor and unverified “Significant”—a health principle that has played an important role in the increase in life expectancy in the past 150 years, including principles addressing health risks listed by the World Health Organisation as leading risk factors for death and disability. “Minor”—a health principle that has been endorsed by medical science but that is unlikely to have a dramatic impact on life expectancy or quality of life. “Unverified”—a statement or principle judged not in accord with today’s medical knowledge. did not present it as a health rule or as a part of the “Word of Wisdom,” but because stinking houses and people were socially unacceptable. As cleanliness rules are part of health they have been included in the assessment. Comparing Mormon health principles In total, there were 45 rules of healthful living extracted from the Mormon writings, of which 18 (40 per cent) were regarded as being significant, 6 (13 per cent) minor, giving a total of 24 (53 per cent) verified health principles. There were 17 (46 per cent) principles that are unverified by modern medicine. The question must be asked as to whether this is sufficient to raise the possibility of inspiration in the process of developing these health principles. One way to do this is to compare them with secular writers of the same time—and with Ellen White. Ellen White’s health writings presented in Spiritual Gifts (published in 1864) are the closest in number and time to the Mormon health writings. She had in this work 46 health principles of which 32 (70 per cent) were significant, 12 (26 per cent) minor, giving 46 (96 per cent) verified with only two (4 per cent) not verified by modern medicine. As an example of a comparable 19th century health writer, Sylvester Graham is perhaps the most appropriate secular writer with which to compare the Mormons’ health principles. Graham had a much larger number of health principles at 106 of which 24 (23 per cent) were significant, 21 (25 per cent) were minor, with a total of 45 (48 per cent) verified and 61 (58 per cent) were unverified. Thus it is seen that the combined Mormon work had a better percentage, but lesser number of significant principles than Graham, and that both the Mormons and Graham, in all aspects, were considerably worse than Ellen White. The probability of inspiration It is possible to do a comparison between each of the health reformers by the probability of getting their results by random selection from the available health knowledge at the time in which they wrote. In doing this, an adjustment is made for the possible influence of Scripture and the Methodist tradition of health reform. The Mormons have a 1 in 45,000 chance of getting their results, while Ellen White has a 1 in 1018 chance of getting her results. The Mormons’ result is slightly worse than that obtained in a similar analysis of another health writer of the time, James C Jackson, and a little better than the result that can be found in the writings of John Harvey Kellogg. Thus when the same methodology is applied to the combined health writings of Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Jedediah Grant it becomes evident that they fail to demonstrate inspiration as can be demonstrated in the health writings of Ellen White and that the assertion of Numbers is incorrect. R *See Record reports: “Acquired or Inspired? dedicated,” News, April 9, 2005; “Acquired or Inspired?—Review,” Perspective, April 30, 2005; and “Acquired or Inspired? reprinted by Signs,” News, August 27, 2005. For more information, see Acquired or Inspired? Exploring the Origins of the Adventist Lifestyle by Dr Don McMahon. Available from Adventist Book Centres or at <www.acquiredorinspired.com>. Don McMahon is a retired medical specialist, who writes from Nunawading, Victoria. August 19, 2006 11 perspective DWUadVDaae ][VeUad`Wd :[=[Ve 6akagZShWSbWf SfZa_W1FZ[eiWW]iWi[^^ WUadVDaae TWdW_W_TWd[`YZai ][VeUad`Wd 9aVUdWSfWVfZWS`[_S^e Xadgefa^aa]SXfWd S`VW`\ak I want to know BY KELLIE HANCOCK Kellie Hancock writes from Raymond Island, Victoria. 12 August 19, 2006 DD 8[^^[`fZW4^S`]e “Out of the the Lord formed every of the field and every of the air, and brought them to to see what he would call them. And whatever called each living , that was its name.” Genesis 2:19 NKJV 5a^agd;` IadVEWSdUZ Find the word in the list below BUDGIE CAT CHOOK DOG DUCK GOLDFISH GUINEAPIG HORSE RABBIT TURTLE Peta Taylor I don’t care which religious community you align yourself with. I want to know how spiritual you are as a person in the daily activities of life. I don’t care how many fundamental beliefs you cherish in your head. I want to know what your heart cherishes, for that is what your hands will ultimately do. Show me what you do with your time and how you spend your money and I will know what your real beliefs are. I don’t care what doctrinal knowledge you possess or how many times you’ve “proved” your position. I want to know how many times you’ve proved God exists by being His helping hand to the lonely, the sick, the poor and the unheard voices. I don’t care if your church building has fancy stained-glass windows, cushions on the pews or beautifully landscaped gardens. I want to know about the people inside. Do they act differently when inside those four walls than when outside? Do they use different words, put on different mannerisms or even dress differently? Do they have friends outside those walls? I don’t care if you pay tithes and give offerings or how much you donate to charities or other tax-deductible organisations. I want to know how the other 90 per cent of your income is spent. Your generosity in all of life speaks more to me of who you are and what kind of God you serve. I don’t care where you are on the ladder or what your title is. I want to know how much family time was sacrificed to get there and what you will sacrifice to stay there. Show me how much family time and personal time you spend with God, and I will have a clearer picture of where you are spiritually. I don’t care which food you choose to eat or drinks you choose to drink. I want to know how often you share that food and drink with others. If you practise hospitality—whether your table is groaning with gourmet delicacies or simply bread and water—that tells me more about your “inner health” than any dietary preferences. I don’t care what special days, seasons or festivals you observe. I want to know how you live sunset-to-sunset every day of the year. Your daily pace, rituals and observations reveal more to me than your beliefs about specific days. I don’t care which books or magazines you read, conferences or seminars you attend or even how much Bible study you do. I want to know how all that information is making a difference to your ability to live in such a way that I might be attracted to That Story as my own. R letters Jesus’ nature In response to “‘Identity’ question” (Letters, June 17) and “Near enough” (Letters July 22). John Ralston, SA In order to be useful, a ladder must always be long enough to connect the lowest point with the highest point to be reached. Jesus identified Himself as such a ladder (see John 1:51). Many attempts have been made to shorten it. Sometimes the top is “cut off” by making Him a “lesser God” or the bottom is shortened by making Him into a “greater human.” In either case the “ladder” would not meet its intended purpose. Both faith and reason should enable us to accept the inspired logic of Romans 8:14 and Hebrews 2:11-18 and see that “the Ladder” is indeed long enough. It may be unpleasant to accept that these statements remove our excuses for sinning, but they also give us the assurance of possible victory over temptation. H K Mcrobb, NZ When Jesus was born He took on our fallen human nature, not to be confused with character. “It was in the order of God that Christ should take upon Himself the form and nature of fallen man” (Spirit of Prophecy, Vol 2, page 39). Ellen White writes further, “Many claim that it was impossible for Christ to be overcome by temptation. Then He could not have been placed in Adam’s position. . . . But our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities. He took the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. We have nothing to bear which He has not endured” (The Desire of Ages, page 117). Hebrews 2:16-20 makes it clear that Christ did take our fallen nature. It was for we fallen humans that He came as a baby, lived a sinless life and we can too if we are connected with Him by faith. Ron McGrath, WA The sinless nature of Jesus was from His Father’s side. This was combined with the sinful nature from His mother’s side. This—the incarnation—was to connect humanity with divinity. “God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone” (James 1:13, NIV). Therefore, when Jesus was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV) it must have been His humanity that was tempted. If it was not possible for His humanity to sin, why was He tempted at all? Praise God for the sinlessness of Jesus. teachers, who receive a very small stipend. One of our schools has 95 per cent nonAdventist students and had 45 baptisms last year—the biggest source of baptisms in that mission. At the same time I have enjoyed some of the most creative and interesting lessons that I have ever seen, with extremely lim- The answer to our need for spiritual enlightenment is to focus on a power outside ourselves. Looking up David Caldwell, NSW “Less introspection” (Letters, July 1) certainly makes a valid point. Perhaps introspection has been overdone. According to Paul, there is a place for self-inspection but it is no doubt to be done on a higher level than the navel: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV). As Christians, we must surely believe that, because of our inherent carnal natures, a spiritual life would be impossible to achieve through transcendental meditation, an Eastern practice that became popular for a time last century. Indeed, the answer to our need for spiritual enlightenment is to focus on a power outside ourselves. Again Paul has the answer. We must be “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, KJV). Our gaze should be up and outwards, not down and inwards. Apples for teachers David McClintock, Director of Adventist Education, TransPacific Union Mission This year I have had the privilege of visiting many schools in the Trans-Pacific Union Mission. I agree with “Adventist secondary schools: A more complete ‘report card’” (Feature, July 15) that we have many committed and spiritual teachers. I have seen teachers, who receive considerably less than their government counterparts, enthusiastically teach students in our Adventist schools. Many are volunteer ited resources. The examples I have seen of the integration of faith and learning have been inspiring and humbling. Do our schools in the Pacific measure up? Absolutely. Could they be better resourced? Absolutely. Are they producing students with a closer relationship with Jesus? Absolutely. Am I proud to be a part of the Adventist education system as a Bible teacher for 26 years and this year as an administrator? Absolutely. Counting costs Dean Powrie, General Manager, Sanitarium–Australia Sanitarium shares the concern about the cost of Sanitarium products in the Pacific (“Powerful food,” Letters, July 22). Conscious of the unemployment and low disposable income in the Pacific islands, Sanitarium has always had a pricing strategy in this region of a very low margin and therefore little profit. Most of the retail price is actual costs involved in sending our goods to market, with fixed costs outside of our control such as highly expensive freight costs, VAT or GST added by governments, import duties and retailers’ margins. Sanitarium will continue to discuss with retailers appropriate pricing for our products. Note: Views in Letters do not necessarily represent those of the editors or the denomination. Letters should be less than 250 words, and writers must include their name, address and phone number. All letters are edited to meet space and literary requirements, but the author’s original meaning will not be changed. Not all letters received are published. See masthead (page 2) for contact details. August 19, 2006 13 noticeboard Positions vacant ▲ Administrative Assistant—Risk Management Service (Wahroonga, NSW). For fur- ther information please visit the POSITIONS VACANT section of the SPD website at <spd.adventist.org.au/employment>. Applications in writing (including your CV, three work-related referees and the contact details of your church pastor) should be forwarded to Human Resources, Seventh-day Adventist Church (Division Services) Limited, Locked Bag 2014, Wahroonga NSW 2076; email <[email protected]>; fax (02) 9489 0943. Applications close August 18, 2006. ▲ Book Department Support Officer—Signs Publishing Company (Warburton, Vic) is seeking an energetic, customer-focused person to join the busy Book Department team. Duties include assisting with operational activities, internal administration, client relations and marketing. Microsoft Office Suite skills as well as database experience necessary. Must be a team player and have a proven commitment to the church, its value system and beliefs. For further information contact Liz Dunstan on (03) 5966 9111; or email <[email protected]>, no later than August 31, 2006. ▲ Graphic Designer—Signs Publishing Company (Warburton, Vic) is seeking an en- thusiastic Graphic Designer for a full-time position in a busy, modern prepress department. The successful applicant will be skilled in the Mac environment; be proficient in electronic design and layout; and have experience in commerical electronic design. Any other connected attributes would be favourably considered. Commitment to quality and service, together with a respect for Christian values and ethics are essential. For further informationcontact Ray Portbury on (03) 5966 9111; email <ray.portbury@ signspublishing.com.au>. Applications in writing should be forwarded to Ray Portbury, Production Manager, Signs Publishing Company, 3485 Warburton Highway, Warburton 3799, no later than September 1, 2006. Weddings Obituaries Agafonoff—Jones. Samuel Peter Agafonoff, son of Peter Agafonoff and Tamara Melnikoff (both of Las Vegas, USA), and Alison Kay Jones, daughter of Ion Jones and Glenda Boulton (both in Sydney, NSW), were married on 25.2.06 at Winston Hills, Sydney. Sean Berkeley Brew, Ina May, born 11.8.1909 at Garfield North, Vic; died 25.6.06 at Nunawading. Ina was a devout Christian and gave quite a number of years for the work of God in denominational service, firstly at the SHF Warburton, then Signs Publishing Company as a proofreader, before taking charge of the bookbinding department. She believed that flowers were truly God’s gift and was never far from them. Mervyn Sparrowhawk Ball—May. Howard Charles Ball (Terranora, NSW) and Lynette May Weeding (Terranora) were married on 23.6.06 in the Tumbulgum Adventist church. Adrian Raethel Bapty—Venter. Luke Bapty, son of Greg and Janelle Bapty (Caboolture, Qld), and Amy Venter, daughter of Steve and Joan Venter (Napier, NZ), were married on 3.7.06 at the Caloundra Adventist church. Steve Kane, David Edgar Beaden—Sison. Barry Glenn Beaden, son of Gerry Beaden (Palmwoods, Qld) and the late Heather Beaden, and Anna Fe M Sison, daughter of Constantino Sison (Pangasinan, the Philippines) and the late Gorgonia Sison, were married on 29.7.06 at Maroochy Bushland Botanical Gardens, Tanawha, Qld. Mike Brownhill Clark—Gould. Stuart Nickolas Clark, son of David and Lorrita Clark (Lesmurdie, WA), and Heidi Lewella Gould, daughter of Ian Gould (Valentine, NSW) and Kerrie Wolters (Singleton), were married on 16.7.06 in the Pacific Room at Noah’s on the Beach, Newcastle. Norman Young Fernandes—Gagliano. David Immanuel Fernandes, son of John and Idalina Fernandes (Punchbowl, NSW), and Camille Louise Gagliano, daughter of Antonino and Carol Gagliano (Fairfield), were married on 30.7.06 in Wahroonga Adventist church. Bruce Shield 14 August 19, 2006 Carmichael, Peter David, born 16.4.1952; died 25.6.06 at Grafton, NSW. Rachael Parsons, Peter’s last live-in carer, had become like family to him and carried all the responsibilities of family in regard to him. Peter was adopted early in life, but brought up by his grandmother (adopted) who was an Adventist. Muscular dystrophy should have seen him die before the age of 20, but his will to live and love for God and spiritual things carried him to age 54. The church, his friends and his family have been blessed by his life and connection to God. Gordon Smith Howse, Kathleen Ailsa, born 10.8.1937 at Wahroonga, NSW; died 25.6.06 in Ringwood Private Hospital, Vic. In 1961 she married Brian. She is survived by her husband (Warburton); her sons and their spouses, Greg and Jannene, Tony and Tammy (Warburton East), and Murray and Lynelle (Bundaberg, Qld); her grandchildren, Kalan, Ashlyn and Hannah; and her step-grandchildren, Kirsty and Hayley. Kath was a godly woman who has given us all a wonderful example of faith in the face of adversity. She will be greatly missed by both her family and her church family. Eric Kingdon, Joy Kingdon Hudson, Freda Elsie (nee Webb), born 21.1.1915 at Glebe, NSW; died 21.6.06 at Kings Langley Nursing Home. In 1934 she married Leslie Tanner, who predeceased her in 1944. In 1957 she married Bill Hudson, who predeceased her in 1998. She is survived by her brother, Pastor Fred Webb (Adelaide, SA); her son, Victor Tanner (Camden, NSW); her daughter, Ellena Brack (Leumeah); her sons and daughters-in-law, Athol and Barbara Tanner (Leppington), Reginal and Ella Tanner (Bundaberg, Qld), and Nigel and Le-anne Hudson (Kingscliff, NSW); her grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and greatgreat-grandchildren. Freda supported her husband in literature evangelism and was also very active in church work. Robert Craig, Wal Taylor McCutcheon, Avis Melva (nee Fischer), born 17.12.1925 in Napier, NZ; died 7.5.06 in the nursing home, Victoria Point Adventist Retirement Village, Victoria Point, Qld. She was predeceased by her husband, Alan, on 30.12.02. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Mirian and Peter Gratton (Motueka, NZ), Ivan and Maree (Melbourne, Vic), Bevin and Jan (Auckland, NZ), Ruth and Garth Jensen (Taihape), Barbara and Bruce Myers, and Glenda and Stephen Sheaffe (all of Brisbane, Qld); her sister, Ethne Knight (Napier, NZ); her 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. Avis was a devoted mother to her family. She was also committed to the church and served in many roles. Avis and Alan grew up together in the Napier church, where their parents met and worshipped with Ellen G White. Anton Van Wyk McGillivray, Aubrey, born 17.1.1926 at Tumut, NSW; died 30.6.06 in Tumut Nursing Home. On 15.12.74 he married Gloria. He was predeceased by his stepson, Ron, on 8.7.05. He is survived by his wife (Gundagai); his stepchildren, Robin, and family (Wollongong), and George, and family (Wagga Wagga); his sister, Jean (Tumut); and his nephew, Colin, and family (Wahroonga). Aub was loved and respected by all who knew him. He possessed a strong faith and trust in his Saviour and died looking forward to a glorious resurrection. He will be sadly missed. Neil Lawson, Nicu Dumbrava Advertisements Note: Neither the editor, Signs Publishing Company, nor the Seventh-day Adventist Church is responsible for the quality of goods or services advertised. Publication does not indicate endorsement of a product or service. Advertisements approved by the editor will be inserted at the following rates: first 30 words or less, $A49.50; each additional word, $A2.20. For your advertisement to appear, payment must be enclosed. Classified advertisements in Record are available to Seventh-day Adventist members, churches and institutions only. See masthead (page 2) for contact details. The Idea of North will be performing at the Adventist school hall in Erina on August 26, 2006, at 7.30 pm. “The best contemporary a cappella group in the country,” says James Morrison. Tickets can be purchased by phoning CCAS school on (02 4367 7239; or Rod on 0412 430 830. Carer needed—Pennant Hills, NSW. Livein carer needed for 38-year-old female. Carer’s pension/allowance available. Rent subsidised by Housing Department. Vanessa (02) 9481 4746. Incredible India! An incredible journey! Next tour scheduled for November 2006 so plan to be there! Book now to avoid disappointment. Visit web: www.pgsindia.net. Contact Personal Guide Services—India, PO Box 42066, Casuarina NT 0811; or phone (08) 8945 2845; 0427 510 841; or email <[email protected]>. Final Events DVD and other Amazing Facts products and Your Story Hour dramatised stories are available from the Australian distributor, The Story Factory. Contact Darren or Robyn Peakall on (08) 9257 2211; 0417 913 695; or email <[email protected]>. Receive the Hope Channel and 3ABN NOW! Complete satellite kit for just $A265 + freight. Full instructions for DIY installation or installers available. Australia only. Rural Electronics (02) 6361 3636; or <[email protected]>. Wanted—large three-year-cycle Bible Story felt sets and any felt pictures or sets for use in China. Please contact Fae Sawyer (Mon–Thurs) during business hours on (02) 9847 3333. Electrician 4U—for all your electrical needs contact Bruce Petrie on 0418 333 175. Servicing Melbourne Eastern, South-Eastern, Outer Eastern and Yarra Valley areas. Want a change from Pentecostal worship songs? Conferences, churches, schools, pastors, teachers, songleaders—Psalm Harmony is a new worship concept from an Adventist composer. For a free demo contact <[email protected]>. Data projectors, screens, DVDs VCRs, PA systems etc. SDAs committed to lower prices for SDA churches, schools etc. Ask for Trish at Rural Electronics (02) 6361 3636; or <[email protected]>. Retirement village—Hopelands Estate. Brand-new English cottages for sale in Wallsend, NSW. Close to shopping mall, hospital and conference office. Phone John McNaughton today for free brochure. (02) 4951 1810; mobile 0418 114 388. General practitioner required—Warburton, Vic—VR and FRACGP necessary qualifications. Training practice in the idyllic Upper Yarra Valley, only 70 km from Melbourne CBD. Please contact Dr David Church (03) 5966 5988; or <[email protected]>. Luxury cottages (3) and day spa/residence, mini bus. Award nomination. Excellent takings! Ballarat Tranquility and Serenity. <www.tranquility.com.au>; (03) 5336 1343. Finally Birthdays are good for you; the more you have, the longer you live.