The Few, the Proud, the Chosen

[CGMedley]

Seventh-day Adventists. We often call ourselves people of Book or God's remnant church. However, are Adventist Christians in danger of repeating the history of ancient Israel? Discover Eric Bates views on God’s chosen people. You can read his compelling story in this week's Adventist Review. http://www.adventistreview.org/2005-1524/story3.html

[Dr. Shane]

I have seen too much of this atttitude in the Adventist churches in the NAD. I have been to churches where no one is doing outreach work and the pastor is discouraged and has given up.

Some contribute large offerings for others to do the work. There is nothing wrong with large offerings but it still doesn't relieve us of carrying the gospel ourselves. We are not comanded to subcontract the gospel work to others. Each of us are to be a missionary in our respective areas. Yet we tend to see too many that want to leave the outreach work to the clergy alone.

It isn't about just reaching people. An active church provides a safe haven for spiritual growth for the members after they have joined the church. An active member use to be defined by one that attended church three times a month and is now defined by one that attends church once a month. In Latin America it is common for many members to attend church three time a week! Oh have we strayed.

It is little wonder that the NAD church suffers with growth. Is the NAD church like the tree that bears no fruit?