“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). As Christians, what are we here to do, if not to “give the reason … Continued
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:15-17 … Continued
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV). From the beginning, the Seventh-day Adventist Church has had a push-pull relationship with the doctrine of Salvation by Faith. It is a … Continued
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? (Romans 10:14, ESV). How can we hear of, call on, or believe in our Savior without someone telling us? … Continued
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in … Continued
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9–10 NIV). The … Continued
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15–16, NIV). In the 2023 Global Adventist Pastors’ Survey (GAPS), respondents were asked about how well they were able to manage their time. How Pastors’ Time is Spent When asked whether they … Continued
And the Lord God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place (2 Chronicles 36:15, KJV). The 2023 Global Adventist Pastors’ Survey assessed pastors’ support systems. The outcomes presented below are the average from the 13 Divisions … Continued
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV). In the 2023 survey of … Continued
And may your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time (1 Kings 8:61, NIV). The Cambridge Dictionary describes commitment as the “willingness to give your time and energy to a job, activity, or something that you believe in.” Do we, … Continued
I entreat you, my brethren and sisters, to be self-reliant in the strength of Jesus. Do not hang the weight of your perplexities and burdens upon your ministers. Christ has invited you to come to him, your burden-bearer (Ellen G. White, The Signs of the Times, September 4, 1879). In 2023, Seventh-day Adventist Church pastors … Continued
“Let the time thus gained be spent in wrestling with God for your ministers. Hold up their hands as did Aaron and Hur the hands of Moses” (Ellen G. White, Pastoral Ministry, p. 100). In 2023, a comprehensive survey was conducted among Seventh-day Adventist pastors, revealing a glimpse into their well-being and the demands of … Continued