![\"Ministerial](\"https:\/\/ted.adventist.org\/sitenews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/images_news-2019_Ministerial_Council_7_Robert_Folkenberg_Jr.jpg\" "\\"Pastor")
<\/a><\/p>\nRobert Folkenberg, Jr. (President of the Chinese Union)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n For the last 15 years, Pastor Robert Folkenberg, Jr. has served as the president of the Chinese Union. His invitation to preach at the BUC Council is based on his depth, enthusiasm and experience as a pastor. Naturally, he also took some time to share news from China. With freedom to worship regularly challenged, and 216 churches closed by the government over the last three years, the mood among members is a feeling of resilience, not oppression. During 2018 13,000 people were baptised, raising the recorded membership to 455,000 worshipping in 4,000 known churches. Factionalism in some parts is a serious problem, which Pastor Folkenberg and his team are seeking to solve with greater organisation at the request of members.<\/p>\n Each of his three sermons focused on the pastor and his relationship with Christ. Here are just a few of the takeaways:<\/p>\n \u2018What can God do through one committed person, constrained by the love of Jesus?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018We know the truth about God, but we do not know God.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Is there such a thing, Pastor, as a Christian without surrender?\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Go deep; stop living in shallowness (a fish cannot grow big in a shallow pond).\u2019<\/p>\n Dr David and Dr Beverly Sedlacek (Andrews University professor and therapist respectively)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The purpose and focus of David and Beverly\u2019s ministry at the council was to help the pastor and spouse enjoy healthy emotional relationships, frequently using their personal experiences to illustrate. Recognising that everyone picks up and carries emotional scars of one sort or another, through teaching and prayer they aim to help heal, turning what could be described clinically as dysfunctional into the functional. However, in the Christian context, the purpose is to rise far beyond the functional and experience the joyful life Christ promises.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s just a sample of their ministry:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2018What stood out for me most in the presentation was their discussion on the process of forgiveness. In particular I really found their perspective on learning to forgive as Jesus forgave very thought-provoking. They used Jesus\u2019 experience in the Garden of Gethsemane as an example. This is a summary of their explanation of what happens: <\/p>\n \u201cIn the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prays. Somewhere in the process of praying to God, He who knew no sin became sin. He went to Gethsemane and was spotless. At that point, the sins of the world roll onto Him and He becomes the Sin Bearer. Likewise, when we go through the process of forgiveness it is similar to Jesus\u2019 experience in Gethsemane.\u201d\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n Details of the Sedlacek ministry can be found at intohisrest.org<\/em>.<\/p>\n Pastor Calvin Preston (Executive Vice President, South Atlantic Conference)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n There is something special about a veteran pastor. Notably, they are not afraid to cut to the chase and say it as it is. They are gifted with the holy confidence of experience. As Pastor Preston shared as he opened his final presentation, \u2018We know a few things, because we have seen a few things.\u2019 He proceeded to share a few lessons learned:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Pastors and the church they serve:<\/strong> Pastors and problems:<\/strong> Pastors and communication:<\/strong> Pastor Patrick Johnson (Trans-European Division Ministerial Secretary)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The final meeting together was not a lecture or seminar, but a worship service \u2013 Communion. Pastor Patrick Johnson reminded pastors about its meaning, something quite strange if considered for a moment. Using Luke 22 as his text, he explained how Luke describes a meal with three reminders:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n As we ate and drank together \u2013 one in Christ \u2013 Paul Lee sang an old gospel song, the testimony of countless Christians past and present. Significantly, though, it\u2019s also the story of every pastor who daily commits to serving you and me.<\/p>\n \u2018I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus \u2018No one ever cared for me like Jesus, \u2018All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me, \u2018Ev’ry day He comes to me with new assurance, Charles Weigle<\/em><\/p>\n The devotional speakers for each day were, Pastor Nerine Barrett, Dr Patrick Herbert, and Pastor Adriana Fodor. Watch all of the full presentations here<\/a><\/p>\n
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\u2018Young ministers often fall into the trap of focusing on what is wrong with the church. Older pastors have a similar trap, except that they tend to focus on who is wrong with the church. Both of these foci are unhealthy if you dwell on them for too long, and both will mess you up.\u2019<\/p>\n
As pastors we find that we often face problem after problem. . . . The Children of Israel cried to Moses; but Moses cried to the Lord. As Moses approached God with his problems an interesting thing happened: he realised that he needed to protect God’s reputation.<\/p>\n
Why would the church pay for your phone if you don\u2019t answer it? Be accessible!
People today don\u2019t care about how much you know, until they know how much you care. . . . It\u2019s about finding the way to someone\u2019s heart.
Trust makes leadership possible.<\/p>\n
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Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely:
He did something that no other friend could do.<\/p>\n
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me:
O how much He cared for me!<\/p>\n
All my heart was full of misery and woe;
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me,
And He led me in the way I ought to go.<\/p>\n
More and more I understand His words of love;
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till some day I see His blessed face above.\u2019<\/p>\n