Southern Adventist University

40 Pages·2014·4.09 MB·English

September 2014
S
OUTHERN
Avoid These Visitors to Your Church
Vantage Point
The Troubles and Trophies
of Christian Womanhood
Women of every ethnic group, religious orientation, age, and socioeconomic posi-
tion are on the front line of a societal assault. Academically decorated, professional,
church-attending women stand beside poverty-stricken, uneducated, substance-abusing
women who all are striving to navigate the dicey waters of 2014. Most women, if not
all, are socialized, at least in Western culture, to find satisfaction in intimate relation-
ships. In their quest to make the relationship with their man work, they frequently
neglect their own feelings and personal development.
Because of a plethora of forces enshrouding women (i.e., parenting, career pursuits,
continuing education), many women experience frustration and anger as they struggle
to achieve balance while taking advantage of opportunities for personal and profes-
sional development. These opportunities often are sacrificed on the altar of support for
family members and significant others.
Researchers describe anger as a state of displeasure often born out of unfairness or
the result of a real or imagined threat. They also note that anger cannot be destroyed,
but it can be stored, or its form can be changed. Needless to say, stored anger is not
helpful. It often is masked through depression, which is a result of anger turned in
upon oneself. It sometimes is expressed as self-pity — a result of repressed anger.
Impatience also is another byproduct of anger. As women try to make sense of their
Ron C. Smith,
world, how they address the anger resulting from unmet dreams is absolutely essential
D.Min., Ph.D.
to their well-being.
President of the
The other major culprit causing difficulty for many women already has been al-
Southern Union
luded to: anxiety. Anxiety is a fear that saturates the soul and paralyzes the sufferer. It
Conference has a tendency of robbing life of good things. Then there is the challenge of competing
in a “man’s” world and its attendant stresses. Need we say more?
Has someone injured you — a husband, boyfriend, child, parent, or boss? Before
you rob yourself of the trophies of womanhood because of the troubles you face, let
God know how angry you are. Ask Him to empower you to let it go. Under His sup-
portive hand, you can forgive and move on to levels of fulfillment never experienced
before. “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our
Lord Jesus Christ,” I Thessalonians 5:9.
If you feel anxious, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus
Christ,” Philippians 4:6, 7.
2 TIDINGS • September 2014
Contents
SOUTHERN
F
Volume 108, No. 9, September 2014 eatures
The Southern Tidings is the official
publication of the Southern Union
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE Avoid These Visitors
302 Research Drive
Norcross, Georgia 30092 • Mail Address to Your Church
P.O. Box 923868, Norcross, Georgia 30010-3868 4
Telephone [phone]
www.southernunion.com
Staff
Editor R. STEVEN NORMAN III
Managing Editor IRISENE DOUCE
Circulation BOBBIE MILLBURN
Advertising NATHAN ZINNER Miracles and Milestones
Production COLLEGE PRESS
Highlighted at Grand Opening
Layout MEGAN KELLER
8
Contributing Editors
Adventist Health System RAINEY TURLINGTON
Adventist University of Health Sciences DALLAS SACHSE
Carolina REBECCA CARPENTER
CREATION Health LYNELL LAMOUNTAIN
Florida MARTIN BUTLER
Georgia-Cumberland TAMARA WOLCOTT FISHER
Gulf States NILTON GARCIA
Worth the Wait
Hispanic MARIEL LOMBARDI
Kentucky-Tennessee STEVE ROSE
10
Oakwood University GEORGE JOHNSON JR.
South Atlantic WHITNEY JORDAN
South Central MARVIN ALLISON
Southeastern ROBERT HENLEY
Southern Adventist University LUCAS PATTERSON
Conference/Institution Directory
CAROLINA [phone]
P.O. Box 44270, Charlotte, NC 28215
We Are Blessed
FLORIDA [phone]
351 S. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-3824 12
GEORGIA-CUMBERLAND [phone]
P.O. Box 12000, Calhoun, GA 30703-7001
GULF STATES [phone]
P.O. Box 240249, Montgomery, AL 36117
KENTUCKY-TENNESSEE [phone]
P.O. Box 1088, Goodlettsville, TN 37070-1088
SOUTH ATLANTIC [phone]
s
P.O. Box 1688, Decatur, GA 30031-1688 13 Southern Union
SOUTH CENTRAL [phone]
P.O. Box 24936, Nashville, TN 37202 w 14 Adventist Health System
SOUTHEASTERN [phone] 15 Adventist University of Health Sciences
P.O. Box 1016, Mt. Dora, FL 32756-0056
ADVENTIST HEALTH SYSTEM [phone] 16 Carolina
900 Hope Way, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
18 Florida
ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY OF e
HEALTH SCIENCES [phone] 20 Georgia-Cumberland
671 Winyah Drive, Orlando, FL 32803
OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY [phone] N22 Gulf States
7000 Adventist Blvd., Huntsville, AL 35896 26 Kentucky-Tennessee
SOUTHERN ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY (800) SOUTHERN
28 South Atlantic
P.O. Box 370, Collegedale, TN 37315-0370
SOUTHERN TIDINGS | Volume 108 | Number 9 | September 2014 30 Southern Adventist University
Published monthly by the Southern Union. Free to all members.
Periodical number: 507-0000
POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to Southern Tidings, 25 Announcements
P.O. Box 923868, Norcross, GA 30010-3868
36 Classified Advertising
[email protected]
39 Events Calendar
September 2014 • TIDINGS 3
Cover Feature
Avoid T hese
V i si tor s t o
Your Church
How to Keep Emergencies
and Accidents from
Visiting Your Church
BY DEENA BARTEL-WAGNER
4 TIDINGS • September 2014
The Anytown SDA Church in with proper oversight by a church cal devices. Extension cords are to be
Somewhere, USA, was not prepared safety officer. used on a temporary basis only. All
for several undesirable visitors that extension cords should be grounded
came to their church. These visitors What Went Wrong? and UL approved. Multi-outlet power
— accidents and emergencies — vis- The kitchen fire at Anytown SDA strips should be fused and never
ited the church and school property. was replicated in Adventist churches connected together in series. Decora-
Now the church board was struggling across North America. In one five- tive lighting and spotlights should
with financial decisions resulting year period (2006-2011), Adventist only be used for 90 days or less,
from claims on the accidents. Risk Management (ARM) received unless properly installed and wired
The first accident was a fire
that occurred in the kitchen. Dur-
ing potluck, several warming trays
and crockpots were plugged into an
electrical strip during the worship
services. The circuits overheated and
fire and smoke severely damaged the
kitchen. A total remodel was needed,
resulting in thousands of dollars.
Just as the church was recover-
ing from the fire incident, Mabel S.
was making her way into the church
on an icy winter morning. The side-
walks hadn’t been treated and Mabel
lost her footing. When she hit the
ground, Mable broke her hip and her
arm. Surgery and months of rehabili-
tation meant another claim against
the church’s insurance policy.
The church board didn’t think
things could get any worse, and then
they did. Enrollment at the school was
at an all-time high. Everyone was ex-
cited that so many children were able
to receive a Christian education. More
seating was needed for the upper-
grade classes. In order to have enough
seating, classrooms had been rear-
ranged. There was some extra room in
the third- and fourth-grade classroom,
and several volunteers decided that
they could move the six-foot tall book-
cases from the seventh- and eighth-
grade classroom into that location.
Everything was fine until two
of the third-grade boys decided to
climb up the unsecured bookcase
shelves. Their weight and movement
was enough to topple the bookcases.
Adventist churches and schools reported 283 fires from 2006-2011. Thirty-four percent
Both boys suffered injuries and spent
of these fires were from electrical causes.
time in the hospital. The church now
faced two additional claims.
Fortunately, Anytown SDA is a claims involving 283 fires at Adventist directly into the building’s electrical
fictional scenario, but these incidents churches and schools. Thirty-four system. A recent visit to a youth Sab-
could occur in any local church, percent of the 283 fires reported bath School room found three power
including yours. These accidents were from electrical causes. Some strips plugged together in a series to
weren’t just a string of bad luck for of the most typical irregularities are power numerous pieces of electrical
the members of Anytown SDA. Each unsafe wiring, overloaded circuits, audio-visual equipment. This is a fire
scenario could have been prevented and the use of inappropriate electri- waiting to happen.
September 2014 • TIDINGS 5
Scheduled inspections will help you plan your building maintenance. Inspect and repair regularly to keep accidents and emergencies away
from your church.
Slips, trips, and falls are a primary role for this position is to prevent ac- bonus, you will have the satisfaction of
cause of church accidents. Checking cidents within the boundaries of the performing work that may save thou-
for worn and torn carpets, treating church/school property. sands of Church dollars. These can be
icy sidewalks and steps, and keeping The CSO and team will be used for to further telling the story of Je-
walkways clear of debris and other responsible to conduct inspections sus in your community. Another benefit
items will help to keep claims from throughout the facility. These inspec- is that you have possibly saved people
being made because someone fell on tions should address any issues that from injury, or even saved a life. There
your church property. are found. They may include areas isn’t a much better feeling than that.
Heavy furniture items, such that can be prone to slips, trips, An effective and proactive safety
as the bookcase that was moved, and falls; electrical issues; and other program at your church or school
should always be secured. physical plant abnormalities. can be done with a few simple steps.
Another area of responsibility is Running an effective safety program
How to be Proactive to ensure that off-site activities are also doesn’t have to be difficult. Ad-
Ensuring safety on the grounds conducted safely. This would include ventist Risk Management (ARM) has
of church and school is good stew- transportation to and from the site, prepared the tools and the educa-
ardship for everyone. Church mission as well as a site inspection. These tion to assist you. You may find the
is impacted through loss of time and types of activities would include day resources for each of these elements
money. If injuries occur, those af- camps, field trips, Pathfinder activi- at www.adventistrisk.org.
fected lose time from work and may ties, afternoon hikes/trips, bonfires There are four essential elements
have to spend weeks or even months and campfire socials, hayrides, skat- of your safety program: evaluation,
in rehab. Knowing that the church/ ing, water skiing, etc. emergency planning, maintenance,
school has done all it can to make and training.
certain the building and grounds How Much Time Does It Take?
are safe provides peace of mind to The remarkable thing about a safe- 1. Evaluation
church leadership. ty program is that it can be done in both ARM has created several simple
Electing a church safety officer large and small churches, and doesn’t tools for use in the evaluation process.
(CSO) and committee is a first step have to be time or energy intensive. No The church self-inspection form and
in being safety-minded. The primary special training is required. As a special guide is a very easy-to-use tool. The fill-
6 TIDINGS • September 2014
able digital form can be completed on a Developing an emergency plan may be weekly e-newsletter on safety topics
computer or tablet. The option to print it one of the more time intensive parts of relevant to the church, and once-
and fill it out manually is also available. a safety program, but it is well worth the a-month webinars on safety topics
The form guides the user through effort. Work with a team of people and specifically designed for safety at the
the various parts of a church — from the develop the plan in a systematic way, local church and school. You may
mothers’ room to the sanctuary, the bap- rather than trying to muscle through it all subscribe to Solutions or enroll in the
tismal tank, etc. It shows how to look for alone over a weekend. webinars in the Prevention section of
potential hazards or maintenance issues. The Guide for Developing High- Adventist Risk Management website.
Completing this form at least once a Quality Emergency Operations Plans for Take advantage of these oppor-
year will give a good idea of what type Houses of Worship by the U.S. Depart- tunities. Share the information with
of risks your church might be facing. It ment of Homeland Security is in the your deacons, church leadership, and
will also help you understand what kind Prevention section of the ARM website. ministry leaders. The church safety
of maintenance issues you should be officer can take a real leadership role
addressing. This information will guide 3. Maintenance in building a safety culture in the
you and the board to understand the Many of the risks and hazards church. This provides for the safety
maintenance focus, and how to prioritize that will need to be addressed will of the attending membership and
these issues. be maintenance issues. Work closely visitors. Your church can be a light in
The length of the inspection will with whoever is responsible for the the community, emphasizing the fact
depend on the size and complexity of care and upkeep of the church or that you are people who care about
the church or school building. ARM’s school. Conducting seasonal mainte- the physical and spiritual wellbeing
professional risk control specialists find nance on different parts of the build- of others.
that even after conducting a thorough ing such as gutters, walkways, and If you implement these tips, you
inspection of a facility, the next year roofing materials will play a big part will improve your chances of keep-
they will find problems they missed in understanding and preventing the ing emergencies and accidents from
before, as well as new problems that property and casualty risks that the visiting your church.
have cropped up. This demonstrates church maybe facing. Deena Bartel-Wagner is the owner of
the importance of regular inspections Verbal Oxygen Creative Services.
and maintenance. 4. Training
The fourth element to running
2. Emergency Planning a successful safety program at your
Emergency planning is incredibly church is to continue to educate
important for the local church as well. yourself. ARM provides Solutions, the
Church Safety At-A-Glance
Elect a church safety officer (CSO) and
committee. The primary role for this posi-
tion is to prevent accidents within the
boundaries of the church/school property
and to ensure that off-site activities are
conducted safely.
Four Essential Elements of Your
Safety Program:
1. Evaluation – ARM has created sev-
eral simple tools for use in the evaluation
process. The church self-inspection form
and guide is a very easy-to-use tool.
2. Emergency Plan – Develop an
emergency plan for your church to help
your church prevent emergencies, and
effectively respond in the event of an
emergency.
3. Maintenance – Manage the risks
and hazards that cause accidents and
emergencies by consistent maintenance.
issues. Work closely with whoever is responsible for the care and upkeep of the church or school.
4. Training – Take advantage of the educational brochures, booklets, and webinars on the ARM website. You will
also learn a lot at the training opportunities offered by your local conference.
September 2014 • TIDINGS 7
Florida Feature
BY MARTIN BUTLER AND LEE BENNETT
your churches and hospitals provide
to all of us in Central Florida, and to
Altamonte Springs in particular, are
such a blessing to this community.”
Playfully chiding the commis-
sioner, Pat Bates stepped forward
and declared, “Yes, but I’m the may-
T
T
NE or of this awesome city, and this is a
N
E
B good place to be. I attended events
E
E
L here when it was Robb & Stucky,
Florida Conference ribbon-cutting participants: Lee Constantine (left), Seminole Coun- and as I walked into the entrance a
ty commissioner; Duane Rollins, Florida Conference treasurer; Mike Cauley, Florida few minutes ago, I thought you had
Conference president; Carmen Rodríguez, Florida Conference executive secretary; and
razed the building and put up a new
Pat Bates, Altamonte Springs mayor.
one. It’s amazing in there, and I can’t
“This is a milestone day!” de- cated Walmart store; however, Scott wait to take the tour.
clared Florida Conference President was not able to get that project off “With Florida Hospital Altamonte
Mike Cauley as he extended a warm the ground. Later, he suggested all and Adventist Health System head-
welcome to more than 400 well- the stars were aligned for us, but we quarters already in our city, now we
wishers who gathered June 1, 2014, know it wasn’t the stars. God had a have this awesome building with a
for the grand opening celebration of bigger and better plan.” deli and a book store which are so
Florida Conference’s headquarters As an afternoon rain subsided, badly needed in our community. I
and the renamed Adventist Book Cauley invited local leaders to say a can’t tell you how blessed Altamonte
Center, A Better Choice. few words. Seminole County Com- Springs is to have Seventh-day Ad-
“Who would have thought a few missioner Lee Constantine spoke ventists as part of our city.”
years ago, when the Department first. “I was four years old when my
of Transportation told us they were family moved to Central Florida. Liv-
going to widen Interstate 4 and we ing on Bear Lake Road near Forest
needed to find a new home, that Lake Academy, we were welcomed
God would lead us in such a marvel- by the Seventh-day Adventist Church
ous way?” Cauley asked. family. Thus, today, as a former state
“It’s quite a miracle how we end- senator and now as county commis-
ed up with this building,” responded sioner, it is a real honor to welcome
Kathy Deering , Florida Conference you to Altamonte Springs.
property development director. “Scott “In my younger days, when
Fish, president of UP Development, I was a city commissioner in Al-
bought this former upscale furniture tamonte Springs, I had the honor
store for demolition. It was his inten- of being Florida Hospital Altamonte
tion to develop this site for a relo- Foundation president. The services
8 TIDINGS • September 2014
The building features eight areas called pillars with raised ceilings
and skylights through which an abundance of sunlight streaming in
represents our call to go out and light the world. The large central
pillar houses a depiction of Jesus as the Water of Life and serves as a
casual common area for employees and guests. The fountain was
generously donated by Little Diversified Architectural Consulting.
tantly, it says much about the God grace, nutrition, choice, and all the
we serve. May this be the center out things we articulate through Florida
of which great ministry to communi- Hospital’s CREATION Health moni-
ties throughout Florida takes place.” ker. This place has that potential!”
Next, Ron Smith, D.Min., Ph.D., Mike Cauley then gave his clos-
Southern Union Conference presi- ing perspective on the milestone day.
Seven of the building’s pillars are themed
dent, challenged the crowd: “The “This wasn’t a project we went out
on principles of discipleship: Teaching,
Church is not a preservatory for for. It was something that came to us
Surrendering to God’s Will, Faithfulness
as a Steward, The Call to Mission, Grow- pickled saints or a waiting station in terms of opportunity and neces-
ing in Grace, Communion with God, and for those who quest to sprout wings sity. If we were going to build an
Service through Ministries of Compassion. and halos to be launched into glory. office, we wanted to underscore our
Meeting rooms, such as the one pictured
The Church has a real responsibil- reason for existence.
above, were created beneath the four
ity to be relevant in our culture, “What you see within this prop-
pillars within the Conference office. The
other three pillars are in the book store. introduce men and women to Jesus erty is about our purpose — making
through our mission, and set men mature disciples, preparing people
Humbled by these kind greetings and women with heavy burdens free for the coming of Jesus. We believe
from the mayor and commissioner, in our surrounding community. God has called us to empower the
it was Adventist leadership’s time to “It is my prayer that, in this churches, pastors, educational institu-
seize the moment and represent the beautiful edifice you’ve built to God’s tions, educators, and our office staff
Church well. Ken Denslow, assistant testament for service to this commu- to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
to the North American Division presi- nity, you will operationalize the love “So, today is not about us, but
dent, spoke first: of Jesus in a very tangible way.” about stewardship. This space has
“We hire architects who help us Spinning off the words of those been created for service. It is about
cast our vision through buildings. speaking before him, Lars Houmann, the privilege God has given us to
We build, and it says something CEO and president of Florida Hos- become the light of the world.
about who we are, what we believe, pital, told of the vision Mike Cauley “And now, we pray that people’s
and what we stand for. This beauti- shared with the Florida Conference lives will be restored because of
ful, beautiful place says much about Executive Committee a short time the empowerment of ministry and
Florida Conference but, more impor- earlier. “Pastor Cauley did a fantastic service that comes out of this place.
job. I was inspired as he articulated We pray for the congregations and
how this place could become a real people who come to churches want-
presence in the community and ing to find meaning, and for schools
move forward in benefit and out- where young people are disciplined
reach! to maturity, that they will become
“I really want to see that come empowered by the grace of God to
Y true. I encourage all of you to see do great and mighty things.
H
P
RA this location as a place where the “Bless this place. We pray that
G
TO community can achieve and receive You’ll protect it and make it a light-
O
H
P house — a beacon of hope for this
R
NNE Veteran shoppers and new clientele from community. May the Spirit of God
TA the community find the newly renamed
N always have His way.”
BE location, A Better Choice: Books • Deli •
OS: Natural Foods, an enjoyable place to shop See the entire Grand Opening vid-
T
HO or have a healthy lunch. eo at floridaconference.com/?p=7189
P
September 2014 • TIDINGS 9
Southern Adventist University Feature
WORTH THE WAIT
BY LUCAS PATTERSON
After three years of renovations on Summerour Hall, home to Southern’s School of Education and Psychology, the University has an
improved resource with which to address both student and community needs.
When senior elementary educa- financed primarily through South- have already heard from many of
tion major Brianna Weaver gradu- ern’s capital funds. But, as generous the students taking summer classes
ates from Southern in May, she gifts from friends of the University about the new building’s beauty and
plans to work either in a multi-grade unexpectedly came in, the plans improved functionality.”
rural classroom, or perhaps teach — and the budget — expanded. In Feeling like you belong is criti-
overseas. Both of those scenarios the end, those additional resources cal on an expanding campus. With
will test her ability to think indepen- meant that more than 7,000 square nearly 3,300 students enrolled,
dently and troubleshoot problems feet of space could be added to the Southern has witnessed incredible
quickly while under pressure. The structure. The value of that space is growth in the last two decades.
newly updated Summerour Hall impossible to measure. Summerour Hall plays a big role in
helps provide an environment that “With all our classes now be- accommodating this influx, as the
nurtures the educational camarade- ing offered in a single building, we School of Education and Psychol-
rie and growth necessary to train her are able to build a better sense of ogy is home to some of the most
for those challenging days ahead. community within these specific popular undergraduate degrees; in
majors, and provide easier access addition, there are more than 100
Student Needs to professors for our students,” said students pursuing one of several
Summerour Hall’s renovations John McCoy, dean for the School graduate-level degrees offered in
began three years ago and were of Education and Psychology. “We this academic area.
10 TIDINGS • September 2014