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2013 1st Quarter Passport
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Laugh Out Loud…
Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year
SeventhSeventh--day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Planday Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan
The PASSPORT is the official newsletter for Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference retirees through-out 9 Regional Conferences in the North American Division.
EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN
Continued on page 2
Two elderly women were out driving in a large car. Both could barely see over the dash-board. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through. The wom-an in the passenger seat thought to herself, "I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light." After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection, and the light was red again. They went right through it yet again. This time, the woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red and was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nerv-ous and decided to pay very close attention to the road at the next intersection to see what was going to happen. At the next intersection, the light was definitely red, and sure enough, they went right through again. She turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred! Did you know we just ran through three red lights in a row? You could have killed us!" Mildred turned to Daisy and said, "Oh my... am I driving?"
Who’s Driving Miss Daisy? The older a man gets, the more ways he learns to part his hair. Some men pull what little bit of hair they have around on their head to cover their baldness. However, as a man gets even older, he realizes there are basically only three ways to wear his hair--parted, un-parted, and departed.
A Hairy Experience
Reporter: "So you are 100 years old. How did you manage to live so long?" Old man: "Well, sonny boy, I got married when I was 21. The wife and I decided that if we had ar-guments, the loser would take a long walk to get over being mad. I suppose I have been benefitted most by 79 years of fresh air and exercise to these here old legs"
The Longest Walk
is it the measurable long-term growth impact, of your visits from the conference office position, on the congregations after you have served them and gone to the next church.. Certainly, a huge amount of success depends on pastoral follow through. If the pastor is ab-sent from the room when the Departmental Di-rector comes to train the church officers (or is multi-tasking in the same room), then success-ful “follow-through” is impossible without his participation, knowledge and consent about the instructions given. Pastoral Absences on Sabbaths My current illness has caused me to become an Internet church member. Beginning on the East Coast I travel through the time zones all the way to the West Coast. In just these few weeks Sen-ior Pastors have deferred to an associate, an elder, an intern or a guest speaker on several occasions. While the associate, guest or elder may be good preachers, the Senior pastor’s thread of continuity is broken.
this issue
ISSUE
01 PASSPORT FIRST QUARTER 2013
TheThe EnergyEnergyEnergy of the sda movementof the sda movement
I was preparing to leave a pastoral posi-
tion in one conference to take a position
as a departmental director in another. The
wife of one of our legendary pastors in the
conference called me and said, “I am happy
for you. The farther you get away from the
people in the churches the better off you are
going to be.”
I did not see the move as such then but it was
an insight into what the overwhelming majori-
ty of Adventist workers believed then and still
hold as truth today; in fact, it appears to be
the energy and flow of perceptions about the
SDA ministry prevailing among us.
The increased size of your congregation with
each assignment or the loftier titles you as-
sume in the conference office or hierarchy of
the church, is the yardstick that measures
your progress in “The Work”.
Seldom is it the increase in real membership
produced under your pastoral hand. Neither
The Energy of the SDA Movement P 1
Not Bad Just Different P 3
Farewell Tribute—Antoinette Wilson P 4
Alumni Weekend P 7
Regional Conference Retirees P 9
2013 Camp Meeting Schedules P 10
THE NEWS LETTER FOR
REGIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREES OF
THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
“The Energy Of The Movement” still flows away
from our congregations and, in my opinion, as
long as this continues the future growth is not
too bright for the Seventh-day Adventist mes-
sage in these United States.
Joseph W. McCoy,
Executive Director
To page 11
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
History TidHistory Tid--Bit...Bit...
“UNBRIDLED DEFIANCE”
As was covered by the New York Times, this statue of the late Rosa Parks was unveiled and dedicated by President Obama and Congressional leaders as the first black woman to be honored with a life-size statue in the Capitol. This past February 4 marked the civil rights activist’s 100th birthdate. It is noted that after her death in 2005 she was the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. President Obama commented on her small stature but that she was ‘big’ on courage. “In a single moment, with the simplest of gestures, she helped change America and change the world”, the President stated. Although March was ‘Reading Month’, many children will en-joy reading or being read to by parents and grandparents across the nation in any month. Visit your local library. Why not choose History ‘HerHerHerstory’.story’.story’. Paula E. Thompson
11
face the tough issues, take the proper positions, fix the broken places, refine the soul winning processes, call the faithful to full God-fearing service and change the face and the energy of The Movement. Things to Consider There are reasons why the energy of The Move-ment flows away from the congregation: Ingathering/Fall Drive goals Message Magazine goals Religious Liberty offerings Conference-wide development goals Baptismal goals and expectations Members who were prepared for full time pas-
toral ministry but were never hired by a con-ference
A few highly successful members who do not have their work celebrated around the dinner table each Sabbath after church (professional jealousy)
The “incentives/perks” enjoyed at other lev-els of church administration
Earned honoraria for guest speaking engage-ments
There are additional reasons: Members who resist taking leadership advice
from pastors whose salaries are 1/4 of their own
Members who want the preacher to preach, leaving the ”driving” to them
Members who see the pastor as their employ-ee instead of God’s appointed spiritual leader
Members who want pastoral accountability without corresponding membership account-ability
Members who see the pastor as the only soul winner instead of viewing him as co-laborer for the salvation of souls
Surely there are many more reasons but these are some of the things from which most pastor’s flee, consciously or unconsciously. In my 40 years of ministry I have found exactly 4 who vig-orously resisted fleeing the full service congre-gational pastoring; 3 were eventually persuaded to take positions in administration and are “among men most miserable”.
One of the 3 pastors who went into administra-tion served for a short time and asked to return to congregational pastoring. He eventually went back into administration but in the end re-turned to the congregation. One went into ad-ministration for a few weeks and ‘demanded’ to return to his pastoral assignment and has never looked back. Today he is one of our most suc-cessful pastors. So what are the few things we can learn from this discussion? I do not have all the answers No one has all the answers Someone needs to keep asking questions Some brave hearts need to step up and do
something different because the current growth strategies are not working too well and are working less effectively with each passing day.
On Sundays, in the first-day congregations by contrast, the Senior Pastor seldom if ever gives way to anyone and often preaches 4 times every Sunday. Yes, it is the same ser-mon but a different group of listeners. Often he will have a membership that exceeds his facility’s capacity but instead of building a larger “storehouse” he increases the num-ber of services. This action reserves finan-cial resources that are put into other minis-tries that nurture his congregation and en-rich the surrounding community. One thing that is noticeable in many cases. The longer the pastor remains with a congre-gation, the more the membership increases. Adventist traditions are different. We assign a pastor for a few years then we move (“promote”) him. He serves that church a few years and many times nothing apprecia-ble happens in growth terms. Even if it does, in rare cases, it is time to go to the next “larger” assignment. In too many in-stances whether serving as a pastor or in a conference office position, what is measured isn’t what you have done but where you have been. It is called “experience”. Too often that means the pastor has mastered the system. In this age of slowing SDA membership growth in the United States, among our tar-get population, it is time we take a look at these things. This does not take a General Conference Executive Committee action. It will take some brave stout-hearted men and women of courage and resolve on the local conference level; however, stout-hearts that are not intimidated by pending constitu-ency meetings. Brave hearts leading our conferences who as a group of leaders can
“Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Matthew 15:6-9
From page 1—The Energy...
Ellen White and Leaders
Oakwood Meeting 1904
Oakwood Nostalgia...
From page 2—The Energy...
2
New Rosa Parks Statue
60th
General Conference Session
Guidelines, applications, and shipping instructions for exhibitors will be available in January, 2013. Musician
Applicant Packet (PDF) —The divisions will accept applications for music performance from June 1, 2013 until Jan 1,
2014 only. Visit www.2015.gcsession.org for detailed information.
Courtesy of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
6060thth
General Conference SessionGeneral Conference Session
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 200 East Market Street - San Antonio, TX 78203
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—2013
ALLEGHENY East Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY East Conference Campgrounds
Pine Forge Academy CampusPine Forge Academy Campus
Jun 27 - Jul 7
ALLEGHENY West Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY West Conference Campgrounds
Jun 28-29
CENTRAL States Conference CampgroundCENTRAL States Conference Campground Jun 7-8 Rky Mt. - Denver, CO Jun 14-15 Cen. Region - Kan. City KS Jun 21-22 East. Reg. - St. Louis, MO
Jun 28-29 Grt. Plains - Omaha, NE
Jul 5-6 Grt. Lakes - Minn., MN
LAKE Region Conference CampgroundLAKE Region Conference Campground
Camp WagnerCamp Wagner
Jun 14-22 English Aug. 29-Sept. 2 Hispanic
“WHEREAS, The present development of the work among the colored people in North America has resulted, under the signal blessing of God, in the establishment of some 233 churches with some 17,000 members and
WHEREAS, It appears that a different plan of organization for our colored membership would bring further great advance in soul winning endeavors, therefore
WE RECOMMEND, that in the unions where the colored constituency is considered by the union conference committee to be sufficiently large, and where the financial income and leniency warrant, colored confer- ences be organized.”
That Action was taken at the Spring Council of the General Conference in 1944. It set in motion the establishment of Regional Conferences in the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church with 17,000 members in 233 congregations. Most conferences had 1 state or 2 as their assigned territory. Because member-ship in the proposed “Colored” conferences was too scattered to make them viable, Union Executive Com-mittees had to enlarge the territories to encompass several states in a region of the nation, hence the
term “Regional” Conferences.
The 2010 NAD Statistical Report showed the “different plan of organization” with 279,072 members in the 9 Regional Conferences. That year Regional Conferences employed 719 ministers who shepherded 1004 congregations. These conferences are now predominantly composed of members who are Black but not exclusively for members who are Black.
The Formation of Regional Conferences is
consistent with Biblical principle:
NORTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds Camp Victory Lake
Jun 28-29; Jul 5-6 English May 23-25 Hispanic Aug 14 - 18 Haitian
SOUTHATLANTIC Conference CampgroundsSOUTHATLANTIC Conference Campgrounds River Oaks
Jun 6 -15
SOUTH CENTRAL Conference CampgroundsSOUTH CENTRAL Conference Campgrounds Oakwood UniversityOakwood University May 30-Jun 8
SOUTHEASTERN Conference CampgroundsSOUTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds HawthorneHawthorne
Jun 20-29
SOUTHWEST REGION Conference Campgrounds Lone Star Camp
Jun 7-16
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 3 10 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
Not Bad Just DifferentDifferentDifferent
I Corinthians 12:4-6 —”Now there are diversi-ties of gifts (gifts of grace produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit), but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations (service to the Christian community such as serving tables—deacons), but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations (“working” - The Greek word indicates power in operation that produces obvi-ous results), but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”
The existence of Regional Conferences frequent-ly calls legitimacy and relevance into question. The growth of the SDA Message among Black people in the United States speaks for itself.
In 2000 the Regional Conferences created a different retirement plan for its employees. To-day, they are more than 50% toward fully funding their liabilities; contribute more than $2 million annually to the NAD to assist them with their un-derfunded liability, all with the same percentage of tithe sent by them to the NAD for the pre 2000 retirement plan.
The fact is, Regional Conferences have always been part and parcel in the official SDA Church organization. Just as in a family home there are bedrooms for sons, daughters, and parents, Re-gional Conferences is the “bedroom” where Black people identify initiatives that grow the Lord’s work in their part of our North American Division “home.” Not Bad Just Different; not segregated, not separate and unequal, not ostra-cized and excluded, not for Black people exclu-sively, just different and, by the Grace of God, productive and all in the household of faith.
Joseph W. McCoy, Executive Director
This article is a reprint published in the NAD Adventist World, February, 2013.
Arise! Shine! Jesus Is Coming
20132013 CAMP MEETING SCHEDULES
2015
REGIONAL CONFERENCES
RetireesRetirees Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013
NAME CONFERENCES POSITION YEARS Janet Arms AEC Administrative Assistant 41.9 Loretta Black SAC Principal/Teacher 22 James Clark NEC Pastor 22.9 Jasper Dawkins SAC Camp Superintendent 34.2 Reva Glaze NEC Administrative Secretary 12.4 John E.C. Hill SEC Teacher 8.6 Kwang Oh Kim SAC Pastor 7.9 Orlando King SAC Principal 5 Sally Morris LRC Teacher 3.9 Richard Reeves AEC Pastor 30.5 Beverly Smith LRC Teacher 24.4 Garnet Spencer SEC Pastor 10.9 Marc Thevenin NEC Pastor 29.3
9 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
Currently Serving
385385 Retirees
W e honor the memory of Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson. While she was not a denominationally em-ployed retiree, her service to the Sev-enth-day Adventist Church, primarily her dedicated service at the First SDA Church of Huntsville, is noteworthy.
It is in that context that we acknowledge her contribution as a re-tired Adventist. She dedicated her life to serving her Lord, her community, and her church.
She was born on April 17, 1947, in Scottsboro, AL, to the late Dr. Horace P. Snodgrass and Mrs. Katherine Walk-er Snodgrass. Antoinette LaFayette was the only girl; her siblings Horace Nathaniel, Lamar, and Benny Lee have all preceded her in death. Unlike most children, she was far beyond her years. At the early age of three, she began playing the piano. By age four, aided by a stack of phone books, she started playing for her father’s church services. After leaving Scottsboro, her family moved to Huntsville. Soon after, Antoinette attended Council High School and later graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Elementary Education. She perfected her craft of teach-ing, beginning at Terry Heights Elementary School and con-tinued at The Academy for Academics and Arts (AAA). While teaching, Antoinette developed a program that taught different skills through music called Sing to Improve Reading (STIR). It was not uncommon to hear music flowing down the hallways as her students sang about verbs, adjectives and nouns to her amazing piano accompaniment. Later she was able to help implement STIR in classrooms and school systems across the country and ultimately recorded a CD that is used in classrooms today. Her passion for teaching was evident through each lesson she gave her students— focusing on developing critical, educated thinkers and re-sponsible citizens in their community. She loved all of her students as if they were her own children, giving them indi-vidual hugs at the end of each school day. Antoinette’s music ministry for the church began with the formation of a youth choir at First Missionary Baptist Church,
A Farwell Tribute
Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson
where she served as the pianist. Throughout her early years, her talent as a gifted musician was noted as she opened up for major gospel artists in-cluding Andre Crouch, James Cleve-land and Shirley Caesar. She was sought out by local artists and choirs for accompaniment as well as for piano performance.
“As I Look Back Over Our Lives” As told by “Murphy”
“On December 26, 1971, Antoinette married the love of her life, Cleveland Thaddeus “Murphy” Wilson. First Mis-sionary Baptist Church was where it all began for us. Our fathers, Pastor Rus-sell T. Wilson and Rev. Horace P.
Snodgrass united us in Holy Matrimony; the absolute greatest day of my life! We realized early in our marriage why God put us together. We were an evenly balanced mixture of patience, impatience, fire, calmness, methodical thinking and impulsiveness, sprinkled with a heavy dose of commitment, and smothered in love for God and each other. It never occurred to us this would be the foundation for a music ministry of almost 38 years. I always likened Antoinette and myself and our 41 years of marriage to other (well) known duos: The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans; at choir rehearsals, Abbott and Costello or my personal favorite for us — George Burns and Gracie Allen. So many times in trying to hurry Fayette along when she’s talking to people on the phone or in person, I would finally say to her, “Say goodnight Gracie.” She would look at me with love, and then say, “Goodnight”. It is without question that Antoinette lived a life for the Lord using the talent that He gave her to serve others. Because of this, her family and friends can look forward to the day when they shall see her again in the Kingdom. Antoinette will be missed by her devoted husband, Murphy; her daughters — Gina and Danita and sons in-law; her loving mother — Mrs. Georgia P. Snodgrass; her brother — Dr. Wayne Snodgrass; grandchildren, extended family, a host of friends, and church family, and the staff from the office of the Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan.
”She was a great lady, with great hands, and an even greater heart for
great service to a greater God…who was greatly loved.”
A thank-you to the family for sharing excerpts from the obituary to complete this tribute.
April 17, 1947 — March 12, 2013
The Oakwood Education Experience
Read more on page 7 4
Anna Knight
Educator
Medical Missionary
Arna Bontemps
Harlem Renaissance
OC Junior College
1931-1934
Dr. Gaines Partridge Educator
Alumnus Oakwood Junior
College
Eva B Dykes
Educator
1893-1986
Easter/Alumni Weekend came and went quickly. However, there’s still time to pledge or send dollars to Oakwood. Nothing has changed...students still need the help of generous alumni. The University has many projects— pick one and make a donation. Perhaps you remembered your camera and smiled. Perhaps you ran into your roommate! Perhaps you now have more great memories of the celebrated Alumni Weekend. Just perhaps...
The ‘o‘o‘ouuu’ ’ ’ Experience Pictorially speaking...
Under which name did you or someone you know attend Oakwood?
1896 – Oakwood Industrial School 1904 – Oakwood Manual Training School 1917 – Oakwood Junior College 1943 – Oakwood College 2008 – Oakwood University How many Alumni Weekends have you attended?
MORAN HALL
Award winning
COMMITTED
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
Dr. John Nixon, Sr.
Former OU Pastor
Dr. Leslie L. Pollard
2011
11th OU President
Calvin E Moseley
1st Black OU
Church Pastor
1932
Harman Lindsay
Former GC
Treasurer
G.S. Irwin
Superintendent
of So. Region
O. A. Olsen
GC President
Charles E. Dudley Former SCC
President
Calvin B. Rock 1971-1985
8th President
5
James I. Beardsley
1917-1921
1st President
J. L. Moran
1932-1945
3rd President
F.L. Peterson
1945-1954
4th President
Garland Millet
1954-1963
5th President
Addison V. Pinkney
1963-1966
6th President
Frank W. Hale
1966-1971
7th President
Benjamin F. Reaves
1985-1996
9th President
Joseph A. Tucker
1922-1932)
2nd President
Lewis C. Scheafe
1st Black Board
Member 1902
More Nostalgia page 8
Charles D. Brook First Speaker for
Breath of Life TV
Walter Pearson Former BO Life
Speaker
Dr. Carlton Byrd OU Senior Pastor
Breath of Life Speaker Delbert W. Baker
1996-2010
10th President
Walter Arties
Founder/Producer
Breath of Life ‘75
Award Winning Vocal Group ‘COMMITTED’
Heather Knight
OU Alumna 1982 1st Female President
Pacific Union College
2009
Wintley Phipps Pastor/CEO
Dream Academy
Mervyn Warren
Conductor/Lyricist
Songwriter
Harman Lindsay
Former
GC Treasurer Ellen G. White
G.A. Irwin
Superintendent
O.A. Olsen GC President
E. E. Cleveland
Evangelist, Civil
Rights Activist
Joseph W. McCoy SDA Regional
Retirement Plan 2000
Rosa Banks 1st Female GC
Field Secretary
Charles Bradford 1st Black NAD President
John Street Mayor of Philadelphia
November 2, 1999
Aeolians 2012 World Choir Games Spiritual Champions
Organized by Eva B. Dykes
1948
Jason Ferdinand
Arranger/Director
Aeolians Wayne Bucknor Songwriter/Arranger
Aeolians
8
The O
U Music
Experience
Oh, Sing Oakwood, SingSingSing for His Glory!
Janice Chandler
Lyric Soprano
Inez Booth
43 Years of Service
Music Instructor
Alma Blackmon Director -Aeolians
1972
Lloyd Mallory Conductor/Director
Aeolians
Grammy Award Winning TAKE 6
Alumnus Become Ambassadors
Harold Anthony, Sr. Choral Director
Arranger Alma Mater
Who Remembers? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at Oakwood College in 1962,
during the heat of the Civil Rights Movement in Ashby Auditorium.
Barry Black 1st Black Chaplain
US Senate Appointee
2003
Brenda Spraggins Vocalist/UNCF
OU 1st /National
Queen 1969
Marcus Thompson
Violist/Recitalist Aeolians
M ost people know that eating more fresh fruits and vegetables are vital to good health. But more important is
the quality of those fruits and veggies. Certified organic produce is being suggested as the pro-duce of choice by today’s Nutritionists. Food Scientists state pesticides and other harmful chemicals have a negative impact on how the nutrients of our foods are absorbed. It is a known fact that chemically engineered food is injurious to healthy cells in our body systems and may cause life threatening diseases. It may take a little more time to identify the market resources that provide the best quality of organic produce. Hook up with whole food or health food stores in your area, in the long run it’s worth the research. Take time—read labels. Additionally, a good rule of thumb— if you can’t pronounce it you probably don’t want to eat it. Carefully choose your vegetarian packaged foods. According to the Cornucopia Institute, the food buzz word now is ‘hexane’. This is a by-product of gasoline, hidden in many soy products. It has been found in well known food brands, except certified organic products. Don’t be afraid to do research and ask questions concerning your labels; remember, your health is at stake! Stay well and be well, remembering that we must eat to live and not live to eat. So if we eat well, we can be more proud of being what we eat! Paula Thompson
2013 Dates & Events...
HEALTH TRIVIA
Did you know the heart pumps blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels? WOW! Why do we yawn? Research can pinpoint what happens to the body when we yawn...but they’re not sure why we yawn. Research shows our lungs fill up. Our abdominal muscles flex as the diaphragm pushes down. Our lungs seem to
s-t-r-e-t-c-h to capacity and our heart rate in-creases. Yawning is still a mystery to science. It seems to show up when tiredness is evident in both mind or body, and more oxygen is needed. Google 2007 University of Albany study on ‘yawning’.
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ps. 139:14
Tips for Washing Fruit
Rinse fruit in colander Drain and damp dry Combine 2 T salt, 2 T baking soda in
large zip lock bag or container with top Place damp fruit in bag/container;
shake vigorously Rinse Notice film is gone Enjoy!
“Brethren, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health.” 3 John 2
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
By birth many of us were born into small or large families. There are 8 in my family, and 5 in Jo-seph’s. We are blessed to have 3 daughters 4 grand children, and 2 son’s in-law. Although today, the aver-age size of a family is 4, Seventh-day Adventist Christians are blessed to be a part of a family too large to count. If you have children, think about the number of people they call “auntie” or “uncle” that do not have a trace of related blood running through their veins. This extended family has its negatives and positives. Family gossip runs quickly on the telephone and social networks as alleged secrets leak out. How-ever, on a positive note, that same family sends out words of hope, encouragement and prayers, when another family member has met with a crisis. So, this article, though small in size, is a dedicated word of thanks to all that have prayed the
McCoys through Joseph’s recent health challenges. We feel loved and blessed to be a member of this big SDA family. Judith B. McCoy, Assistant Editor
March 28-31— Was Oakwood Alumni Home-coming
NOW thru April 15 —Grant Program to benefit Oakwood University’s campus enhancement projects. Retirees VOTE NOW! www.retoolyourschool.com
Consumers may vote once a day during the voting period. Home Depot prizes range from $10,000—$50,000
May 11— OU 2013 Baccalaureate/Commencement
May 12— Mother’s Day PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
2013 Dates & Events...
Alumni-Weekend was originally focused on Acade-my recruiting efforts for the then, Oakwood College. One could circle their calendar for Easter Weekend years in advance, knowing that a big reunion was planned. As retirees, we now represent “the old people” that attended the banquets, went to church on time, did not congregate in the hallways, did not hang out on Friday or Saturday nights. Do you remember gathering in the college cafeteria on Friday night for a spaghetti supper and having enough food for all and enough room to mill around and meet and greet old friends? We have outgrown the cafeteria, the campus church for Sabbath wor-ship and we have outgrown using the gymnasium for one basketball event for the entire crowd on Saturday night. We stay in hotels instead of sleep-ing on the floor of old friends living in the Huntsville area. We have seen warm weather, cold weather, rainy weather and have even had threats of snow from time to time. No matter the weather, our hearts were warmed as we greeted one another. Our chil-dren laugh at us as we speak to people that we do not remember. Just wait, forgetting names and faces will happen to them too. We are repeating stories that are 50 plus years old. Somebody needs to write a book chronicling the events (good and questionable), that transpired on the OC/OU campus from years gone by. One thing is for certain...good music, dedicated instructors and students committed to learn have always been part of the Oakwood experience.
7
Continued on page 8
Are We Really Are We Really
What We What We
Eat?Eat?
6
By Judith McCoy
Website:
www.regionalretirement.org
M ost people know that eating more fresh fruits and vegetables are vital to good health. But more important is
the quality of those fruits and veggies. Certified organic produce is being suggested as the pro-duce of choice by today’s Nutritionists. Food Scientists state pesticides and other harmful chemicals have a negative impact on how the nutrients of our foods are absorbed. It is a known fact that chemically engineered food is injurious to healthy cells in our body systems and may cause life threatening diseases. It may take a little more time to identify the market resources that provide the best quality of organic produce. Hook up with whole food or health food stores in your area, in the long run it’s worth the research. Take time—read labels. Additionally, a good rule of thumb— if you can’t pronounce it you probably don’t want to eat it. Carefully choose your vegetarian packaged foods. According to the Cornucopia Institute, the food buzz word now is ‘hexane’. This is a by-product of gasoline, hidden in many soy products. It has been found in well known food brands, except certified organic products. Don’t be afraid to do research and ask questions concerning your labels; remember, your health is at stake! Stay well and be well, remembering that we must eat to live and not live to eat. So if we eat well, we can be more proud of being what we eat! Paula Thompson
2013 Dates & Events...
HEALTH TRIVIA
Did you know the heart pumps blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels? WOW! Why do we yawn? Research can pinpoint what happens to the body when we yawn...but they’re not sure why we yawn. Research shows our lungs fill up. Our abdominal muscles flex as the diaphragm pushes down. Our lungs seem to
s-t-r-e-t-c-h to capacity and our heart rate in-creases. Yawning is still a mystery to science. It seems to show up when tiredness is evident in both mind or body, and more oxygen is needed. Google 2007 University of Albany study on ‘yawning’.
“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ps. 139:14
Tips for Washing Fruit
Rinse fruit in colander Drain and damp dry Combine 2 T salt, 2 T baking soda in
large zip lock bag or container with top Place damp fruit in bag/container;
shake vigorously Rinse Notice film is gone Enjoy!
“Brethren, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health.” 3 John 2
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
By birth many of us were born into small or large families. There are 8 in my family, and 5 in Jo-seph’s. We are blessed to have 3 daughters 4 grand children, and 2 son’s in-law. Although today, the aver-age size of a family is 4, Seventh-day Adventist Christians are blessed to be a part of a family too large to count. If you have children, think about the number of people they call “auntie” or “uncle” that do not have a trace of related blood running through their veins. This extended family has its negatives and positives. Family gossip runs quickly on the telephone and social networks as alleged secrets leak out. How-ever, on a positive note, that same family sends out words of hope, encouragement and prayers, when another family member has met with a crisis. So, this article, though small in size, is a dedicated word of thanks to all that have prayed the
McCoys through Joseph’s recent health challenges. We feel loved and blessed to be a member of this big SDA family. Judith B. McCoy, Assistant Editor
March 28-31— Was Oakwood Alumni Home-coming
NOW thru April 15 —Grant Program to benefit Oakwood University’s campus enhancement projects. Retirees VOTE NOW! www.retoolyourschool.com
Consumers may vote once a day during the voting period. Home Depot prizes range from $10,000—$50,000
May 11— OU 2013 Baccalaureate/Commencement
May 12— Mother’s Day PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
2013 Dates & Events...
Alumni-Weekend was originally focused on Acade-my recruiting efforts for the then, Oakwood College. One could circle their calendar for Easter Weekend years in advance, knowing that a big reunion was planned. As retirees, we now represent “the old people” that attended the banquets, went to church on time, did not congregate in the hallways, did not hang out on Friday or Saturday nights. Do you remember gathering in the college cafeteria on Friday night for a spaghetti supper and having enough food for all and enough room to mill around and meet and greet old friends? We have outgrown the cafeteria, the campus church for Sabbath wor-ship and we have outgrown using the gymnasium for one basketball event for the entire crowd on Saturday night. We stay in hotels instead of sleep-ing on the floor of old friends living in the Huntsville area. We have seen warm weather, cold weather, rainy weather and have even had threats of snow from time to time. No matter the weather, our hearts were warmed as we greeted one another. Our chil-dren laugh at us as we speak to people that we do not remember. Just wait, forgetting names and faces will happen to them too. We are repeating stories that are 50 plus years old. Somebody needs to write a book chronicling the events (good and questionable), that transpired on the OC/OU campus from years gone by. One thing is for certain...good music, dedicated instructors and students committed to learn have always been part of the Oakwood experience.
7
Continued on page 8
Are We Really Are We Really
What We What We
Eat?Eat?
6
By Judith McCoy
Website:
www.regionalretirement.org
Easter/Alumni Weekend came and went quickly. However, there’s still time to pledge or send dollars to Oakwood. Nothing has changed...students still need the help of generous alumni. The University has many projects— pick one and make a donation. Perhaps you remembered your camera and smiled. Perhaps you ran into your roommate! Perhaps you now have more great memories of the celebrated Alumni Weekend. Just perhaps...
The ‘o‘o‘ouuu’ ’ ’ Experience Pictorially speaking...
Under which name did you or someone you know attend Oakwood?
1896 – Oakwood Industrial School 1904 – Oakwood Manual Training School 1917 – Oakwood Junior College 1943 – Oakwood College 2008 – Oakwood University How many Alumni Weekends have you attended?
MORAN HALL
Award winning
COMMITTED
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
Dr. John Nixon, Sr.
Former OU Pastor
Dr. Leslie L. Pollard
2011
11th OU President
Calvin E Moseley
1st Black OU
Church Pastor
1932
Harman Lindsay
Former GC
Treasurer
G.S. Irwin
Superintendent
of So. Region
O. A. Olsen
GC President
Charles E. Dudley Former SCC
President
Calvin B. Rock 1971-1985
8th President
5
James I. Beardsley
1917-1921
1st President
J. L. Moran
1932-1945
3rd President
F.L. Peterson
1945-1954
4th President
Garland Millet
1954-1963
5th President
Addison V. Pinkney
1963-1966
6th President
Frank W. Hale
1966-1971
7th President
Benjamin F. Reaves
1985-1996
9th President
Joseph A. Tucker
1922-1932)
2nd President
Lewis C. Scheafe
1st Black Board
Member 1902
More Nostalgia page 8
Charles D. Brook First Speaker for
Breath of Life TV
Walter Pearson Former BO Life
Speaker
Dr. Carlton Byrd OU Senior Pastor
Breath of Life Speaker Delbert W. Baker
1996-2010
10th President
Walter Arties
Founder/Producer
Breath of Life ‘75
Award Winning Vocal Group ‘COMMITTED’
Heather Knight
OU Alumna 1982 1st Female President
Pacific Union College
2009
Wintley Phipps Pastor/CEO
Dream Academy
Mervyn Warren
Conductor/Lyricist
Songwriter
Harman Lindsay
Former
GC Treasurer Ellen G. White
G.A. Irwin
Superintendent
O.A. Olsen GC President
E. E. Cleveland
Evangelist, Civil
Rights Activist
Joseph W. McCoy SDA Regional
Retirement Plan 2000
Rosa Banks 1st Female GC
Field Secretary
Charles Bradford 1st Black NAD President
John Street Mayor of Philadelphia
November 2, 1999
Aeolians 2012 World Choir Games Spiritual Champions
Organized by Eva B. Dykes
1948
Jason Ferdinand
Arranger/Director
Aeolians Wayne Bucknor Songwriter/Arranger
Aeolians
8
The O
U Music
Experience
Oh, Sing Oakwood, SingSingSing for His Glory!
Janice Chandler
Lyric Soprano
Inez Booth
43 Years of Service
Music Instructor
Alma Blackmon Director -Aeolians
1972
Lloyd Mallory Conductor/Director
Aeolians
Grammy Award Winning TAKE 6
Alumnus Become Ambassadors
Harold Anthony, Sr. Choral Director
Arranger Alma Mater
Who Remembers? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at Oakwood College in 1962,
during the heat of the Civil Rights Movement in Ashby Auditorium.
Barry Black 1st Black Chaplain
US Senate Appointee
2003
Brenda Spraggins Vocalist/UNCF
OU 1st /National
Queen 1969
Marcus Thompson
Violist/Recitalist Aeolians
REGIONAL CONFERENCES
RetireesRetirees Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013
NAME CONFERENCES POSITION YEARS Janet Arms AEC Administrative Assistant 41.9 Loretta Black SAC Principal/Teacher 22 James Clark NEC Pastor 22.9 Jasper Dawkins SAC Camp Superintendent 34.2 Reva Glaze NEC Administrative Secretary 12.4 John E.C. Hill SEC Teacher 8.6 Kwang Oh Kim SAC Pastor 7.9 Orlando King SAC Principal 5 Sally Morris LRC Teacher 3.9 Richard Reeves AEC Pastor 30.5 Beverly Smith LRC Teacher 24.4 Garnet Spencer SEC Pastor 10.9 Marc Thevenin NEC Pastor 29.3
9 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
Currently Serving
385385 Retirees
W e honor the memory of Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson. While she was not a denominationally em-ployed retiree, her service to the Sev-enth-day Adventist Church, primarily her dedicated service at the First SDA Church of Huntsville, is noteworthy.
It is in that context that we acknowledge her contribution as a re-tired Adventist. She dedicated her life to serving her Lord, her community, and her church.
She was born on April 17, 1947, in Scottsboro, AL, to the late Dr. Horace P. Snodgrass and Mrs. Katherine Walk-er Snodgrass. Antoinette LaFayette was the only girl; her siblings Horace Nathaniel, Lamar, and Benny Lee have all preceded her in death. Unlike most children, she was far beyond her years. At the early age of three, she began playing the piano. By age four, aided by a stack of phone books, she started playing for her father’s church services. After leaving Scottsboro, her family moved to Huntsville. Soon after, Antoinette attended Council High School and later graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Elementary Education. She perfected her craft of teach-ing, beginning at Terry Heights Elementary School and con-tinued at The Academy for Academics and Arts (AAA). While teaching, Antoinette developed a program that taught different skills through music called Sing to Improve Reading (STIR). It was not uncommon to hear music flowing down the hallways as her students sang about verbs, adjectives and nouns to her amazing piano accompaniment. Later she was able to help implement STIR in classrooms and school systems across the country and ultimately recorded a CD that is used in classrooms today. Her passion for teaching was evident through each lesson she gave her students— focusing on developing critical, educated thinkers and re-sponsible citizens in their community. She loved all of her students as if they were her own children, giving them indi-vidual hugs at the end of each school day. Antoinette’s music ministry for the church began with the formation of a youth choir at First Missionary Baptist Church,
A Farwell Tribute
Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson
where she served as the pianist. Throughout her early years, her talent as a gifted musician was noted as she opened up for major gospel artists in-cluding Andre Crouch, James Cleve-land and Shirley Caesar. She was sought out by local artists and choirs for accompaniment as well as for piano performance.
“As I Look Back Over Our Lives” As told by “Murphy”
“On December 26, 1971, Antoinette married the love of her life, Cleveland Thaddeus “Murphy” Wilson. First Mis-sionary Baptist Church was where it all began for us. Our fathers, Pastor Rus-sell T. Wilson and Rev. Horace P.
Snodgrass united us in Holy Matrimony; the absolute greatest day of my life! We realized early in our marriage why God put us together. We were an evenly balanced mixture of patience, impatience, fire, calmness, methodical thinking and impulsiveness, sprinkled with a heavy dose of commitment, and smothered in love for God and each other. It never occurred to us this would be the foundation for a music ministry of almost 38 years. I always likened Antoinette and myself and our 41 years of marriage to other (well) known duos: The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans; at choir rehearsals, Abbott and Costello or my personal favorite for us — George Burns and Gracie Allen. So many times in trying to hurry Fayette along when she’s talking to people on the phone or in person, I would finally say to her, “Say goodnight Gracie.” She would look at me with love, and then say, “Goodnight”. It is without question that Antoinette lived a life for the Lord using the talent that He gave her to serve others. Because of this, her family and friends can look forward to the day when they shall see her again in the Kingdom. Antoinette will be missed by her devoted husband, Murphy; her daughters — Gina and Danita and sons in-law; her loving mother — Mrs. Georgia P. Snodgrass; her brother — Dr. Wayne Snodgrass; grandchildren, extended family, a host of friends, and church family, and the staff from the office of the Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan.
”She was a great lady, with great hands, and an even greater heart for
great service to a greater God…who was greatly loved.”
A thank-you to the family for sharing excerpts from the obituary to complete this tribute.
April 17, 1947 — March 12, 2013
The Oakwood Education Experience
Read more on page 7 4
Anna Knight
Educator
Medical Missionary
Arna Bontemps
Harlem Renaissance
OC Junior College
1931-1934
Dr. Gaines Partridge Educator
Alumnus Oakwood Junior
College
Eva B Dykes
Educator
1893-1986
60th
General Conference Session
Guidelines, applications, and shipping instructions for exhibitors will be available in January, 2013. Musician
Applicant Packet (PDF) —The divisions will accept applications for music performance from June 1, 2013 until Jan 1,
2014 only. Visit www.2015.gcsession.org for detailed information.
Courtesy of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist
6060thth
General Conference SessionGeneral Conference Session
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 200 East Market Street - San Antonio, TX 78203
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—2013
ALLEGHENY East Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY East Conference Campgrounds
Pine Forge Academy CampusPine Forge Academy Campus
Jun 27 - Jul 7
ALLEGHENY West Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY West Conference Campgrounds
Jun 28-29
CENTRAL States Conference CampgroundCENTRAL States Conference Campground Jun 7-8 Rky Mt. - Denver, CO Jun 14-15 Cen. Region - Kan. City KS Jun 21-22 East. Reg. - St. Louis, MO
Jun 28-29 Grt. Plains - Omaha, NE
Jul 5-6 Grt. Lakes - Minn., MN
LAKE Region Conference CampgroundLAKE Region Conference Campground
Camp WagnerCamp Wagner
Jun 14-22 English Aug. 29-Sept. 2 Hispanic
“WHEREAS, The present development of the work among the colored people in North America has resulted, under the signal blessing of God, in the establishment of some 233 churches with some 17,000 members and
WHEREAS, It appears that a different plan of organization for our colored membership would bring further great advance in soul winning endeavors, therefore
WE RECOMMEND, that in the unions where the colored constituency is considered by the union conference committee to be sufficiently large, and where the financial income and leniency warrant, colored confer- ences be organized.”
That Action was taken at the Spring Council of the General Conference in 1944. It set in motion the establishment of Regional Conferences in the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church with 17,000 members in 233 congregations. Most conferences had 1 state or 2 as their assigned territory. Because member-ship in the proposed “Colored” conferences was too scattered to make them viable, Union Executive Com-mittees had to enlarge the territories to encompass several states in a region of the nation, hence the
term “Regional” Conferences.
The 2010 NAD Statistical Report showed the “different plan of organization” with 279,072 members in the 9 Regional Conferences. That year Regional Conferences employed 719 ministers who shepherded 1004 congregations. These conferences are now predominantly composed of members who are Black but not exclusively for members who are Black.
The Formation of Regional Conferences is
consistent with Biblical principle:
NORTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds Camp Victory Lake
Jun 28-29; Jul 5-6 English May 23-25 Hispanic Aug 14 - 18 Haitian
SOUTHATLANTIC Conference CampgroundsSOUTHATLANTIC Conference Campgrounds River Oaks
Jun 6 -15
SOUTH CENTRAL Conference CampgroundsSOUTH CENTRAL Conference Campgrounds Oakwood UniversityOakwood University May 30-Jun 8
SOUTHEASTERN Conference CampgroundsSOUTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds HawthorneHawthorne
Jun 20-29
SOUTHWEST REGION Conference Campgrounds Lone Star Camp
Jun 7-16
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 3 10 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
Not Bad Just DifferentDifferentDifferent
I Corinthians 12:4-6 —”Now there are diversi-ties of gifts (gifts of grace produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit), but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations (service to the Christian community such as serving tables—deacons), but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations (“working” - The Greek word indicates power in operation that produces obvi-ous results), but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”
The existence of Regional Conferences frequent-ly calls legitimacy and relevance into question. The growth of the SDA Message among Black people in the United States speaks for itself.
In 2000 the Regional Conferences created a different retirement plan for its employees. To-day, they are more than 50% toward fully funding their liabilities; contribute more than $2 million annually to the NAD to assist them with their un-derfunded liability, all with the same percentage of tithe sent by them to the NAD for the pre 2000 retirement plan.
The fact is, Regional Conferences have always been part and parcel in the official SDA Church organization. Just as in a family home there are bedrooms for sons, daughters, and parents, Re-gional Conferences is the “bedroom” where Black people identify initiatives that grow the Lord’s work in their part of our North American Division “home.” Not Bad Just Different; not segregated, not separate and unequal, not ostra-cized and excluded, not for Black people exclu-sively, just different and, by the Grace of God, productive and all in the household of faith.
Joseph W. McCoy, Executive Director
This article is a reprint published in the NAD Adventist World, February, 2013.
Arise! Shine! Jesus Is Coming
20132013 CAMP MEETING SCHEDULES
2015
“The Energy Of The Movement” still flows away
from our congregations and, in my opinion, as
long as this continues the future growth is not
too bright for the Seventh-day Adventist mes-
sage in these United States.
Joseph W. McCoy,
Executive Director
To page 11
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013
History TidHistory Tid--Bit...Bit...
“UNBRIDLED DEFIANCE”
As was covered by the New York Times, this statue of the late Rosa Parks was unveiled and dedicated by President Obama and Congressional leaders as the first black woman to be honored with a life-size statue in the Capitol. This past February 4 marked the civil rights activist’s 100th birthdate. It is noted that after her death in 2005 she was the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. President Obama commented on her small stature but that she was ‘big’ on courage. “In a single moment, with the simplest of gestures, she helped change America and change the world”, the President stated. Although March was ‘Reading Month’, many children will en-joy reading or being read to by parents and grandparents across the nation in any month. Visit your local library. Why not choose History ‘HerHerHerstory’.story’.story’. Paula E. Thompson
11
face the tough issues, take the proper positions, fix the broken places, refine the soul winning processes, call the faithful to full God-fearing service and change the face and the energy of The Movement. Things to Consider There are reasons why the energy of The Move-ment flows away from the congregation: Ingathering/Fall Drive goals Message Magazine goals Religious Liberty offerings Conference-wide development goals Baptismal goals and expectations Members who were prepared for full time pas-
toral ministry but were never hired by a con-ference
A few highly successful members who do not have their work celebrated around the dinner table each Sabbath after church (professional jealousy)
The “incentives/perks” enjoyed at other lev-els of church administration
Earned honoraria for guest speaking engage-ments
There are additional reasons: Members who resist taking leadership advice
from pastors whose salaries are 1/4 of their own
Members who want the preacher to preach, leaving the ”driving” to them
Members who see the pastor as their employ-ee instead of God’s appointed spiritual leader
Members who want pastoral accountability without corresponding membership account-ability
Members who see the pastor as the only soul winner instead of viewing him as co-laborer for the salvation of souls
Surely there are many more reasons but these are some of the things from which most pastor’s flee, consciously or unconsciously. In my 40 years of ministry I have found exactly 4 who vig-orously resisted fleeing the full service congre-gational pastoring; 3 were eventually persuaded to take positions in administration and are “among men most miserable”.
One of the 3 pastors who went into administra-tion served for a short time and asked to return to congregational pastoring. He eventually went back into administration but in the end re-turned to the congregation. One went into ad-ministration for a few weeks and ‘demanded’ to return to his pastoral assignment and has never looked back. Today he is one of our most suc-cessful pastors. So what are the few things we can learn from this discussion? I do not have all the answers No one has all the answers Someone needs to keep asking questions Some brave hearts need to step up and do
something different because the current growth strategies are not working too well and are working less effectively with each passing day.
On Sundays, in the first-day congregations by contrast, the Senior Pastor seldom if ever gives way to anyone and often preaches 4 times every Sunday. Yes, it is the same ser-mon but a different group of listeners. Often he will have a membership that exceeds his facility’s capacity but instead of building a larger “storehouse” he increases the num-ber of services. This action reserves finan-cial resources that are put into other minis-tries that nurture his congregation and en-rich the surrounding community. One thing that is noticeable in many cases. The longer the pastor remains with a congre-gation, the more the membership increases. Adventist traditions are different. We assign a pastor for a few years then we move (“promote”) him. He serves that church a few years and many times nothing apprecia-ble happens in growth terms. Even if it does, in rare cases, it is time to go to the next “larger” assignment. In too many in-stances whether serving as a pastor or in a conference office position, what is measured isn’t what you have done but where you have been. It is called “experience”. Too often that means the pastor has mastered the system. In this age of slowing SDA membership growth in the United States, among our tar-get population, it is time we take a look at these things. This does not take a General Conference Executive Committee action. It will take some brave stout-hearted men and women of courage and resolve on the local conference level; however, stout-hearts that are not intimidated by pending constitu-ency meetings. Brave hearts leading our conferences who as a group of leaders can
“Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Matthew 15:6-9
From page 1—The Energy...
Ellen White and Leaders
Oakwood Meeting 1904
Oakwood Nostalgia...
From page 2—The Energy...
2
New Rosa Parks Statue
Laugh Out Loud…
Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year
SeventhSeventh--day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Planday Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan
The PASSPORT is the official newsletter for Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference retirees through-out 9 Regional Conferences in the North American Division.
EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN
Continued on page 2
Two elderly women were out driving in a large car. Both could barely see over the dash-board. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through. The wom-an in the passenger seat thought to herself, "I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light." After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection, and the light was red again. They went right through it yet again. This time, the woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red and was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nerv-ous and decided to pay very close attention to the road at the next intersection to see what was going to happen. At the next intersection, the light was definitely red, and sure enough, they went right through again. She turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred! Did you know we just ran through three red lights in a row? You could have killed us!" Mildred turned to Daisy and said, "Oh my... am I driving?"
Who’s Driving Miss Daisy? The older a man gets, the more ways he learns to part his hair. Some men pull what little bit of hair they have around on their head to cover their baldness. However, as a man gets even older, he realizes there are basically only three ways to wear his hair--parted, un-parted, and departed.
A Hairy Experience
Reporter: "So you are 100 years old. How did you manage to live so long?" Old man: "Well, sonny boy, I got married when I was 21. The wife and I decided that if we had ar-guments, the loser would take a long walk to get over being mad. I suppose I have been benefitted most by 79 years of fresh air and exercise to these here old legs"
The Longest Walk
is it the measurable long-term growth impact, of your visits from the conference office position, on the congregations after you have served them and gone to the next church.. Certainly, a huge amount of success depends on pastoral follow through. If the pastor is ab-sent from the room when the Departmental Di-rector comes to train the church officers (or is multi-tasking in the same room), then success-ful “follow-through” is impossible without his participation, knowledge and consent about the instructions given. Pastoral Absences on Sabbaths My current illness has caused me to become an Internet church member. Beginning on the East Coast I travel through the time zones all the way to the West Coast. In just these few weeks Sen-ior Pastors have deferred to an associate, an elder, an intern or a guest speaker on several occasions. While the associate, guest or elder may be good preachers, the Senior pastor’s thread of continuity is broken.
this issue
ISSUE
01 PASSPORT FIRST QUARTER 2013
TheThe EnergyEnergyEnergy of the sda movementof the sda movement
I was preparing to leave a pastoral posi-
tion in one conference to take a position
as a departmental director in another. The
wife of one of our legendary pastors in the
conference called me and said, “I am happy
for you. The farther you get away from the
people in the churches the better off you are
going to be.”
I did not see the move as such then but it was
an insight into what the overwhelming majori-
ty of Adventist workers believed then and still
hold as truth today; in fact, it appears to be
the energy and flow of perceptions about the
SDA ministry prevailing among us.
The increased size of your congregation with
each assignment or the loftier titles you as-
sume in the conference office or hierarchy of
the church, is the yardstick that measures
your progress in “The Work”.
Seldom is it the increase in real membership
produced under your pastoral hand. Neither
The Energy of the SDA Movement P 1
Not Bad Just Different P 3
Farewell Tribute—Antoinette Wilson P 4
Alumni Weekend P 7
Regional Conference Retirees P 9
2013 Camp Meeting Schedules P 10
THE NEWS LETTER FOR
REGIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREES OF
THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH
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