Faithpoints: 2010

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E-Newsletter of the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

December 2010

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Giving Without Limits
By Raj Attiken

One of the teachings of the Bible that Seventh-day Adventists hold to is that we are stewards of God's creation, provisions, and grace. From my earliest childhood I was taught to practice stewardship, principally by returning tithe and giving offerings to the church. Years later I learned that stewardship was one of the fundamental doctrines held by the Church.

Over the years I have seen many approaches to how stewardship - primarily relating to money - has been taught. One approach has been to present it as an obligation, as something that God expects of us. Those who don't bring their tithe into the "storehouse" are represented as being thieves and robbers (Malachi 3:8).

Another approach is to follow a formula: tithe (10%) + offerings = faithfulness. The "vending machine" approach promises the giver that as we give, God gives back even more. Then there is the "we need money" method-listing all the needs in the church that cannot be met because of a lack of money. It's a message of scarcity.

I have grown to understand that the kind of giving that Jesus commends in the various stories of the Gospels is giving that defies definitions, prescriptions, or formulas.

A woman pours out her entire life-savings in gratitude when she anoints Jesus' head and feet;
A widow gives her all by giving her "mite";
A boy gives away his lunch
A tax-collector, Zacchaeus, gives half his possessions
A prodigal (or extravagant) father liquidates half his estate for a son who wants to leave home;
A Man lays down his life for a friend - and enemy.

I suggest that gratitude should be the compelling motive that moves us to give to the church, as well. The church, after all, is the community that helps keep the story of salvation alive in our minds, keeps alive the memory of our heritage and the rituals that give meaning to our faith, and keeps hope and assurance alive. This community gives us the chance to offer our worship and praise to God in particular ways that bless us. Our investment in this community must match the gratitude we have for this community and our desire to see it flourish.

The real stewardship question may not be how much of God's blessings we would give or return to Him. The issue may really be, how much of His blessings we will keep for ourselves. The formula says: Keep 90% and return 10%. Gratitude may say, "I will give away half," as did Zacchaeus, or "I'll give lavishly" as did Mary when she anoints Jesus with spikenard. Genuine gratitude defies limits and boundaries. Genuine gratitude is lavish, reckless, and extravagant.

Campus Ministry a Hit!

Our Ohio Conference campus chaplains are working hard! Bible studies, meals, service events, and lots of other things. You can keep up with their whirlwind of activity by checking in to their blog.

In Athens, the Thurbers have led a group of college students in volunteering at the Adventist Community Services warehouse set up for people who lost their homes in a recent tornado. They've taken over the Athens church worship service once each month, too, and hosted a Thanksgiving meal for students.

In Columbus, the Helbeys are holding weekly Bible studies on the gospel of John. They've opened their home (located conveniently near OSU campus) for students, and are gradually getting acquainted with more students. They've also reached out to Spanish students. (You'll enjoy this story of a mis-invitation - that turned out OK!

Our Dayton-Kettering chaplain, Sabrina Araiza is also holding Bible studies for students, as well as social events, and getting involved in volunteer opportunities. She also led a group of students in the cross-state trek to Athens, to join the Athens ACF for Thanksgiving dinner.

Can you support this ministry financially? Check out our PayPal contributions page.

Some Good News for Ohio
by Monte Sahlin

Unemployment in Ohio came down in the last month from 10% to 9.9%, continuing a downward trend most of the year. At the same time, the total number of employed persons in the state is 5,000 less than last month. While that may indicate that many middle-aged people are becoming discouraged and giving up on ever finding another job, or are being pushed off unemployment insurance because they have run out of weeks of coverage, at the same time the sustained decrease in unemployment indicates that the closing down of jobs has peaked.

Below is the unemployment current figure and year-long trend for state metro areas.

Akron -- 9.3% now compared to 11.8% in January 2010
Canton -- 10.6% now compared to 13.8% in January
Cincinnati -- 9.3% now compared to 10.8% in January
Cleveland -- 8.6% now compared to 10.3% in January
Columbus -- 8.4% now compared to 9.8% in January
Dayton -- 10.4% now compared to 12.6% in January
Lima -- 10.1% now compared to 12.3% in January
Mansfield -- 10.9% now compared to 13.7% in January
Sandusky -- 9.3% now compared to 14.2% in January
Springfield -- 10.2% now compared to 12.2% in January
Toledo -- 10.5% now compared to 13.6% in January
Youngstown -- 10.8% now compared to 13.7% in January

If you are one of the unemployed, we pray you may find employment soon. We also pray that this upturn means a better new year for the Seventh-day Adventist church in Ohio.

In This Issue

Why I Want Jesus to Return Soon

Ministry to Secular Campuses

MVA Update

Inspiration

Quick Links

Ohio Conference website
Adventist Christian Fellowship (secular campus ministry) blog

Faithpoints Archive

Mount Vernon Academy

Camp Mohaven

MVA Update

* Laptop-based instruction: MVA has just given every MVA student a laptop that can be used for class only.

* The student census is 124, including 9 international students.

· Student week of prayer, 2nd week of January; students will be speaking, leading other students to Christ!

* Mission trip to Lesotho, end of January

* Spring concert - May 8, 2011.

* For more information, contact Tina Stevenson.

Stewardship report

As of the end of October, cumulative tithe for the year is 2.2% behind last year's. We are grateful for the faithful generosity of our members despite difficult economic times.

We are hopeful that the year-end contributions made in the few days left in December will move us to a positive picture for the year. The last Sabbath of the year is on December 25.

To be credited in 2010, your contributions need to be received by your church by December 31, either by mail or personal delivery. Thank you for your generous support of your church and the ministry of the Ohio Conference.

Inspiration

The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ's day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does not bring forth the fruits of righteousness. A jealous regard for what is termed theological truth often accompanies a hatred of genuine truth as made manifest in life. The darkest chapters of history are burdened with the record of crimes committed by bigoted religionists....

The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and
grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.
- The Desire of Ages, pp.309-310

Upcoming Events

OHIO MINISTRY UNIVERSITY, March 19 & 20, Embassy Suites Hotel, Dublin, Ohio. Focus areas include:

Personal Spirituality
Marketing Your Ministry
Friendship Evangelism
Vacation Bible School
Disaster Response
Ministry to High School Youth in your Community

BIKER CAMP MEETING, June 1-5, Mount Vernon Academy. A specialty camp meeting that will focus on four target audiences:

Church members (who may or may not be bikers themselves) who wish to develop a ministry to bikers in their communities;
Adventist bikers who wish to enjoy a specialized camp meeting with features for bikers;
Christian bikers from across the State of Ohio
Non-Christian bikers from across the State

INTERGENERATIONAL CAMP MEETING, June 12-18, Mount Vernon Academy

A stimulating and inspiring camp meeting experience for persons of all ages.
The programming will include unique intergenerational worship experiences along with age-specific programs, seminars, workshops, and other features.

ACTS 2011, October 22, Roberts Center in the Holiday Inn, Wilmington, Ohio. Another Ohio Conference sponsored national Sabbath gathering of Adventists, in partnership with the Columbia Union Conference.

The event will focus on the message of the biblical book of Acts and Ellen White's Acts of the Apostles (which was published in 1911 - a century ago).
Featured speakers will include Elder Ted Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, and Dr. Ganoune Diop, Director, Global Mission Study Centers, General Conference of SDA.

"The Heavens Declare"

Dawn, taken by Marcia Waters. "This pic was taken at Deer Creek State Park in Ohio, from the Deer Creek Lodge.". Share with us your favorite photo of the Ohio sky!
Morning sky - Marcia Waters