ANN Bulletin - July 15, 2008 - unOFFICIAL ADVENTIST FORUM

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.
And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with
– even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department.
Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14.1: The Message

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#177553 - 07/21/08 07:23 AM ANN Bulletin - July 15, 2008
magilly46 Registered: 10/29/02 Posts: 183 Loc: BC	Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters July 15, 2008 In This Issue: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventist Internet pioneers honored at evangelism forum Awards also planned for new innovations July 14 Denver, Colorado, United States Australia, New Zealand poll: many not familiar with Adventism Research 'imperative' to church's success, Adventist marketing director says July 14 Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia Ghana: Adventist university president receives nation's highest civilian honor Laryea second Adventist awarded Order of Volta July 15 Accra, Ghana Church Chat: Why mission tales are still needed Photography ace Weber on the art of storytelling; two teary-eyed translators July 9 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adventist Internet pioneers honored at evangelism forum July 14, 2008 Denver, Colorado, United States ... [ Mark A. Kellner, Adventist Review ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Beckett, left, director of the world church's Office of Global Software and Technology, received one of the first Adventist netAwards for using technology to expand the ministry and mission of the church. [photo: Gerry Chudleigh/ANN] A group of Seventh-day Adventist Internet pioneers were honored by the Communication Department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists during the 2008 Global Internet Evangelism Forum held here July 11. At the same time a separate award program offering as much as $67,500 in annual prizes was announced to drive further innovation in technology and ministry. "Very often we look into the future without recognizing that which is meritorious for us already," said Rajmund Dabrowski, director of communication for the General Conference, in announcing the "Adventist netAward," which will become an annual recognition of service in technology. The first winners announced were: Darryl Hosford, Berrien Springs, Michigan, "for continuing the vision to communicate the Gospel through Internet technology and commitment to grow the Seventh-day Adventist Internet community." He is the founder of Hosford Web Services and SimpleUpdates.com, which hosts the Adventist Review and Adventist World Web sites. He also created the breakthrough Web site for the NET98 evangelistic outreach. BibleInfo.com and founder Fred Hardinge, Spokane, Washington, who in 1995 began creating the Web pages that became this online Bible answers Web site. His award came "For development of a Seventh-day Adventist ministry tool, for outreach to online communities and communicating the value of Bible study on the Web." Ron Vhymeister, professor, department of business, Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, Silang, Cavite, Philippines. He was recognized "for fostering the use of online technology in the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, specifically reaching the unreached people groups in the '10/40 Window' through the Internet." Gordon Harty/Sean Carney -- "For pioneering involvement in the application of technology and networking for Seventh-day Adventist mission, including the establishment of Three Angels' Global Networking, TAGnet." John Beckett, now director of the General Conference's Office of Global Software and Technology, was previously Webmaster for the church for eight years. Beckett was awarded "for fostering awareness of technological advances to expand the ministry and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church." Thomas and Violet Zapara, Laguna Beach, California, whom Dabrowski described as "business people who are also known for their profound commitment to the ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and for sharing the gospel." The Zaparas, who helped fund technology developments, were recognized "For visionary support and for empowering others to use technology for the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church." Separately, prizes were announced by Hart Research Center and TAGnet to foster creativity in online development. The annual "Adventist netPrize" will feature an overall grand prize of $15,000, and awards in the categories of communication, mission/evangelism and education of a first prize of $10,000, second prize $5,000 and third prize, $2,500. Further details on the award criteria and entry details will be available shortly, said Danny Houghton, executive vice president of TAGnet. The Global Internet Evangelism Forum is an annual gathering of Adventist Church technologists, supplemented by periodic regional meetings. More information on the event is available at gien.adventist.org. Australia, New Zealand poll: many not familiar with Adventism July 14, 2008 Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia ... [ Elizabeth Lechleitner/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders in the South Pacific say that research should be integral in shaping the church's message after a recent poll indicated about 50 percent of Australians and New Zealanders know nothing about the church beyond its name. The numbers climb to a "distressing" 70 percent for poll respondents aged 18 to 34, said Mirella Gordon, church marketing director for Wahroonga-based Adventist Media Network. She speculates the statistic likely represents a general lack of knowledge about religion among many young people. Respondents did, however, consistently link the Adventist Church to healthy living. Learning how the public perceives Adventism is key to tailoring the church's message, making the AU$16,000 AMN invested in the poll money well spent, Gordon said. The Adventist Church has traditionally "underused" outside surveys, she said. "We do some internal research, but when it comes to understanding the external community, we rarely ask ourselves the questions." Newspoll, an Australian public opinion polling company, telephoned 1,720 respondents aged 18 and older from February to April for the Awareness Survey. Each was selected randomly to best reflect the region's various demographics, including age, gender and education level. Results indicated that most respondents knew the Adventist Church is a worldwide Christian denomination, which church leaders find heartening, Gordon said. Considerably fewer knew that Adventists worship on the seventh-day Sabbath or were familiar with the church's extensive network of schools and hospitals. Regardless of demographics, most respondents strongly associated the church with healthy lifestyle choices. When asked a series of questions about their own perceptions toward the church, nearly one-third said Adventists are "too private and inward looking." When asked if the church presents its beliefs positively, 70 percent said they weren't sure, reflecting their general lack of specific knowledge about the church, Gordon said. Rajmund Dabrowski, world church communication director, called the poll "commendable" and urged church leaders in other regions to follow suit. "Church awareness could be drastically improved in many parts of the world as we build public relations around the results of such polls," he said. Church leaders in the South Pacific anticipate conducting similar polls every two years as reference point for a larger effort, The Interactive Church, meant to help local churches better connect with their communities. The region also plans to use additional polls to inform major church decisions. "We want to test key messages and have a better understanding of how ... what we do or plan to do resonates with people," Gordon said. Ghana: Adventist university president receives nation's highest civilian honor July 15, 2008 Accra, Ghana ... [ Solace Asafo/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seth Abaya Abang Laryea, right, receives Ghana's highest award for private citizens, the Order of the Volta, at a ceremony held July 3, 2008. The award was presented by Ghana's President John Agyekumto recognizing Laryea's work in higher education. [photo: Emmanuel Quaye/ANN] Valley View University (VVU) President Seth Abang Laryea recently received one of Ghana's highest national awards given to private citizens, the Order of Volta, in recognition of his contributions to college-level education. Formally called Adventist Missionary College, VVU was established in 1979 by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. President of Ghana, John Agyekum Kuffour, presented Laryea with the award at a ceremony held July 3, 2008 at the Accra International Conference Center. Laryea and 250 other Ghanaians were awarded for their exceptional contributions toward the development and well-being of the country, said President Kuffour. "I appreciate the award and what it stands for," Laryea said. "I believe there are hundreds of people who contributed to the work that merited that award." The government granted VVU a presidential charter in May 2006, making it the first chartered private university in Ghana. Laryea is the second Seventh-day Adventist to receive the Order of the Volta Award from Ghana. Matthew Bediako, executive secretary of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, was awarded the Order for religious contributions in 2006. Church Chat: Why mission tales are still needed July 9, 2008 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ... [ Ansel Oliver/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Video producer Dan Weber on location in Cuba last year. He helps to produce the quarterly Adventist Mission DVD, which highlights the church's mission work around the world. [photo: courtesy Office of Adventist Mission] Dan Weber will go for a week without showering to get a good story. The video producer travels far and often to update the world church on its mission projects, sometimes to places well off the beaten path. But whether traveling to urban settings or rural locales, Weber brings back stories that inspire and educate church members about the importance of mission, both for financial support and in understanding the church's world mission. The tales are told in various ways and time lengths on the quarterly Adventist Mission DVD. Some have described it as one of the most well-produced video resources in the denomination. Though it's mailed free to every church in some countries and to all world church administration offices, many Adventist Church members still don't know about it. Weber, 40, who holds a photography degree from the church's Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, said he works not only to inspire church members who view the Adventist Mission DVD, but also future video producers and other storytellers who will one day work for the church. He reflects on capturing stories, the church's status in other countries and promoting his profession within the church in the following excerpts from a recent interview. Adventist News Network: How do you explain your job, in a nutshell? Dan Weber: I told my boss I'm changing my job title. I'm not a video producer anymore, I'm a ... what did I call myself? A "digital anthromissiologist." It's a combination. I'm a digital anthropologist with an understanding of missiology. Does that make sense? To do this job, you have to understand four things: you have to understand story telling, you have to understand technical aspects of how to tell a good story, you have to try to understand the culture that you are observing, and then you have to understand missions and the role that plays in the church. When you combine all those together then you have a successful story. ANN: What was one of your favorite stories to tell? Weber: I got to go to a prison in Moldova. There they call it a life detention center -- they don't believe in capital punishment there so if you are convicted of a heinous crime, you go to jail for the rest of your life. So I went to one of these prisons and out of the 80 prisoners, several of them have become Adventist. I got to worship with them inside a small cell. You can be kind of skeptical about prisoners that convert because they might be trying to get out early. But these guys aren't getting out at all. They have not converted to Adventism to try to gain favor or to get an early release. In fact, it hasn't benefited them because often times they are ostracized for their beliefs. Their faith is very strong. ANN: What's coming up on the Adventist Mission DVD for the rest of the year? Weber: On the current [third quarter] one we go to a school reaching out to Native Americans in Arizona. We go to kind of a church plant outside of Pittsburgh, a town where the Adventist Church basically had no presence whatsoever. We go to Haiti. We do a story on Aldergove Adventist Church in British Columbia and their community outreach program where they took a $10,000 investment and turned it into a community investment of $170,000. ANN: What about next quarter? Weber: We'll go to Taiwan, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. ANN: What's happening with the church there? Weber: Taiwan is a cool place. The offering there is going toward establishing Hope Channel China. They have a small studio set up and they're creating programming. And Mongolia is a cool story because the church there is really young -- the first person was baptized there in 1993. You go to the churches and it's a lot of young people and that's kind of nice to see because you go to North America or Japan and you don't see that. But Mongolia is still going through some growing pains. It's still a mission field. ANN: Are all your travels as inspiring? Weber: Unfortunately it's a misconception that we're doing well everywhere around the world. We are in some areas, but there are areas where the church as a whole isn't doing well at all. You know, the 10/40 Window [Northern Africa to the East Coast of Asia] where less than one percent of the population is Christian, let alone Adventist. But yet, you see the people that are there working and their dedication and their faith and their commitment. That is inspiring. ANN: You work at the Adventist Church world headquarters, yet you're not a pastor. How did that happen? Weber: I get asked that question almost every time I go on a trip. "What do you mean you are not a pastor, don't you have to be a pastor to work at the [world church headquarters]?" And I say "No." They want to know what I am. I say, "I am a trained professional communicator." ANN: Could a pastor do your job? Weber: I have 18 years of experience picking up cameras and going all over the world to shoot pictures. If a pastor had that kind of experience then they could do my job. I think we shouldn't put someone in a position just because they are a pastor. I think you should put someone in a position because God has given them a talent and a skill. I really feel that God calls us all to use the talents that He has given us to help His work ... whether you work for the church or not. ANN: How can we encourage more church members and employees to train in communication? Weber: First of all they have to have a passion for it, and then I think they have to be willing to learn from others. We have to get the church to recognize that this type of job is important. Storytelling is a powerful way of communicating. I'm glad the [world church headquarters] has done that. What I wish is that local leadership in many parts of the world would understand the power of telling stories. We need every church member involved and to do that we need to inspire them with stories of things that are working well for the church. ANN: You started out as a still photographer. Is that an important first step before transferring to video? Weber: You know, some of the best camera people I have ever met have all started out as still photographers and I really think it is a natural progression because you start off learning how to compose a shot as a still photographer, you tell a story in one picture. When you move to video you're learning to tell a story through a sequence of pictures. ANN: What keeps you motivated? Weber: Every time I pick up a camera bag and I get on a plane and go someplace it's like I'm right out of school again. I know I'm going to experience something new, it's the coolest feeling. ANN: What was one of the toughest stories to tell? Weber: Let's see ... yeah, I was in Phnom Penh [in Cambodia] and one of the small groups the Adventist Church is focusing on is people who are HIV positive. A lot of them are immigrants from Vietnam and they live in slum areas. We met a woman who became an Adventist after she found out she was HIV positive. She had been in the hospital and the doctor sent her home to die. Her mother was converted and started sharing her faith with her. Her health has gotten a lot better and when I met her you couldn't tell that she was someone who was going to die. What was inspiring to me is the fact that she has opened up her small room and does bible studies in there and we got to film that. Here is someone who has a life-threatening illness, but she's not letting it affect her life and she is moving on and sharing her faith the best that she can. When we finished the interview I looked over at the [local church president and executive secretary] who were translating for me and they were both just bawling, tears were just running down their face because they were so moved by this woman's story. That was hard. My challenge is always to take that kind of a story and share it in such a way that emotion is going to come through. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- news.adventist.org ANN World News Bulletin is a review of news and information issued by the Communication department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. It is made available primarily to religious news editors. Our news includes dispatches from the church's international offices and the world headquarters. Reproduction Requirements: Reproduction of information in this article is encouraged. When reproducing this material, in full or in part, the words "Source: Adventist News Network" must appear under the headline or immediately following the article. The words "Source: Adventist News Network" must be given equal prominence to any other source that is also acknowledged. Ground 7 News Podcast: Ground 7 News is a review of news and information issued by the Communication Department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. Reproduction of the ANN podcast is encouraged. When rebroadcasting this material, in full or in part, the words "Source: Adventist News Network" must be mentioned before and after the podcast. ANN Staff: Rajmund Dabrowski, director; Ansel Oliver, assistant director; Taashi Rowe, editorial coordinator; Elizabeth Lechleitner, editorial assistant. Portuguese translation by Azenilto Brito, Spanish translation by Marcos Paseggi, Italian translation by Vincenzo Annunziata and Lina Ferrara and French translations by Stephanie Elofer.
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