Church Van for Sale
The Ashland Advent Christian Church in Maine is offering fellow Advent Christians the first option to purchase their used van. It is a 2000 Ford Econoline 15-passenger van. It has a V10 motor and a heavy suspension system. The church is asking for $4,000 but will accept other reasonable offers. Interested persons should contact trustees Frank Martin (FWM651@gmail.com) or Janet Jandreau (Janet_Jandreau@hotmail.com).
Advent Christian Village Fifth Sunday
Ministry continued at ACV throughout 2020, thanks to friends like you. We are profoundly grateful for the support of many churches.
Now in 2021, we continue to offer hope to those in need. Please remember them as you prayerfully consider giving to Advent Christian Village.
We ask you to pray for ACV and, as the Lord leads, please send your best gift today.
Advent Christian Village 5th Sunday
PO Box 4305 • Dowling Park, FL 32064
www.acvillage.net/giving • (386) 658-5110
Click here to download the January Fifth Sunday PDF.
Click here to download the January Fifth Sunday PowerPoint.
A new book by Dr. David A. Dean
Himes Publications presents: “We Hold These Truths: The Positive Good in Advent Christian Theology” available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle.
What is Advent Christian Theology?
Does it have any relevance for the twenty-first century church?
In this collection of four presentations spanning three and a half decades, Dr. David A. Dean offers a concise presentation of those doctrines which comprise the distinctive beliefs of the Advent Christian Denomination (expanded syllabus “We Hold These Truths”). Dr. Dean presents these beliefs in a manner that highlights the constructive value of these distinctives (“The Positive Good in Advent Christian Theology”). He also articulates the features of these beliefs that are beneficial and of continuing value as well as their grounding in the Bible and a common-sense use of biblical terminology (“Advent Christian Distinctives: Are they of Any Value Today?”). He presents the doctrines, not because they are popular, but because he derives them from the Bible as the church’s only authority for faith and practice. He also offers a practical plan for incorporating Advent Christian theology into preaching and teaching — not as an exercise of doctrinal indoctrination but as a natural outflow of teaching the whole counsel of God (“Preaching Advent Christian Doctrine” which he published in booklet form).
To read this book is like sitting anew in Dr. Dean’s classroom and gleaning wisdom from his almost seven decades of Christian ministry and life experience.
"My Parents, the Missionaries: Or Why Don't Millennials Come to My Church Any More?" by David E. Dean
Originally presented as the March 2018 keynote address at the Prairie States Advent Christian Conference meeting, this book summarizes the characteristics of the Millennial generation and addresses the failure of established churches to recognize their own short-comings which produced such widespread disinterest among the Millennials. Instead of placing the onus on Millennials for abandoning the established church, this book challenges church leaders to acknowledge the generational paradigm shift and to think missionally and so, understand, reach out and minister to the Millennial generation.
What others say about this book:
“Rev. Dean writes, ‘It is time for us as church leaders to wake up, look around us, and see the depth of the challenge before us.’ The challenge is indeed substantial, but by God’s grace and the power of the gospel, it is not insurmountable. In this book, Rev. Dean presents the church with some of the necessary, faithful first steps in reaching the nearly 65 million Millennials who do not know Christ. In reality, the model Rev. Dean presents will help the church be more effective reaching members of any generation with the gospel. I commend it to anyone looking to minister more effectively to Millennials. You will most certainly gain some insight or instruction from reading it.” Justin Nash, Director of Communication, Advent Christian General Conference
“Rev. David Dean has written a concise, inspirational and observational primer for anyone who is strongly considering stepping out of their comfort zone to reach the Millennial generation for Christ … Read this book and learn from David’s experience and insight.” Rev. Steve Epting, Pastor Hope Community Church, Chicago Ill.
“We as church leaders and Christians need to apply these concepts in our local ministries to continue sharing the gospel and successfully leading others in discipleship.” George Griswold, President Prairie States Advent Christian Conference
“Using his parents’ experience as short-term missionaries to India in 1997 as a metaphor, he suggests that reaching Millennials could be considered a cross-cultural effort.” Ron Macy, co-pastor Flagg Center Church of God
“Pastor Dean provides the reader with an overview of Millennial characteristics and traits, along with an excellent bibliography for those who are interested in learning more. This will not be the last book on this critical topic for church leaders, but it is a good starting point, particularly for leaders of smaller congregations.” Rev. Mark D. Woolfington, Pastor Church of the Highlands and Chaplain at Aurora University
Here’s the help you’ve been looking for with interpreting and teaching God’s Word!
If you’re a pastor, elder, teacher or are someone interested in better handling the Word of God, these seminars are designed for you!
Beginning in January and running through November, the Maranatha Conference will be sponsoring online live instruction (via Zoom) every third Saturday from 1:00-4:00 PM (EST) on the topic of Biblical Interpretation or Hermeneutics.
There is no cost for these sessions.
The first session on January 16 will be a basic introduction and overview of the principles and guidelines for careful Bible interpretation. Each following session will be concerned with how to interpret and exegete a passage from a particular Biblical genre. The presenter will cover the things one needs to consider in interpreting that genre, then will do an exegesis from a particular passage in that genre, and finally examine the passage in light of all of Scripture.
The June presentation will be on Sermon Preparation and will be from 10:00 AM to Noon and resume again at 1:00 PM and end at 4:00.
Those who make every session will be enrolled in a drawing (just in time for Christmas 2021) to win one of three prizes: a $300, $200 or $100 gift certificate from the Westminster Theological Seminary Bookstore. You could be one of three winners so plan now to register and schedule these presentations in your 2021 calendar.
Click here to view the schedule, topics and presenters.
Click here to register.
Job Listings Have Moved!
Now you can find job listings around the denomination in one place! Click here to view open positions. If your church or camp has an opening that you’d like posted, e-mail listing information to acpub@acgc.us.
Free Piano and Bench
Free Lowboy piano and matching bench in good condition. Please e-mail Bob Copeland at bcopeland1217@gmail.com or call him at Tabernacle AC Church at 828-754-3331.
Three Titles from Rev. Steve Ruberg, M.A.
“Ministry on the Go!”
A “how-to-help” guide for lay people and pastors for effective outreach ministries.
This book is a valuable aid to those who seek to minister to people and want to know what to they can do.
“Ministry on the Go!” provides detailed actions one can perform to minister to people in various situations. Ministry to those experiencing grief, dementia, discouragement, homelessness, visual impairment, hearing impairment, mental illness, addictions and dying are out-lined. Settings such as hospitals and nursing homes are included. This book is a “how to help” manual to reduce anxiety in stepping out to minister to people. The recommendations are proven. This is a resource every Church and lay-person should have.
Available through xulonpress.com or amazon.com.
Purchase on Amazon here.
Purchase on Xulon Press here.
Also available from Steve Ruberg, text 919 915-5022 or e-mail smruberg@juno.com
Price: $10.00 includes mailing at book rate.
“Parent to Parent: Practices I Know Work for the Behavior Management of Children and Grandchildren”
“Parent to Parent” is the result of many years of study, experience, experimentation and observation of parents and children by the author. It is designed as a workbook to be used individually or in a group setting. Principles and practices which are necessary for effective parenting and behavior management are concisely stated in large print. Recommendations for various ages are included that can be effective in various situations.
Many specific interventions are included to give parents/grandparents a choice of options. Interventions are recommended for several behaviors that need intervention. An article on a system for getting chores done at home is included, which the author developed and successfully implemented with his three daughters for several years.
For parents and grandparents in the fast-paced society, this manual offers concise, concrete methods and interventions that work. A “Quick Start Guide” is included that is a concisely stated and ordered synthesis of the material presented.
Available through xulonpress.com or amazon.com.
Purchase on Amazon here.
Purchase on Xulon Press here.
“A Pastor’s and Layman’ Guide to Ministry Opportunities”
“A Pastor’s and Layman’ Guide to Ministry Opportunities” is a condensed version of “Ministry on the Go!” and provides detailed actions one can perform to minister to people in various situations. See the index for topics. The recommendations are proven. This is a resource every Church and lay-person should have.
Available only through Steve Ruberg, text 919 915-5022 or e-mail smruberg@juno.com
Price $5.00, includes mailing at book rate
Available until supply runs out.
Classic Advent Christian Reprints Now Available
“The Origin and Development of the Advent Christian Denomination”
“The Origin and Development of the Advent Christian Denomination” is the third chapter of Dr. Dean’s Th. D. thesis, “Echoes of the Midnight Cry,” and recounts the formation of the Advent Christian denomination from the days immediately after the “Great Disappointment” of 1844 until 1865 when the Life and Advent Union broke away from the World’s Crisis Adventists. Dr. Dean chronicles the moderate Adventism’ response to the fringe and extremist responses to the disappointment. He traces the growing controversy over the “immortality question” and the attempt by the editors of the moderate Adventists periodical, the Advent Herald, to prevent the acceptance of conditional immortality within the Adventist movement. In detail, Dr. Dean shows how the Herald’s decision to exclude articles by the proponents of conditionalism led to the founding of the World’s Crisis periodical and the vital importance the Wilbraham campmeeting played in the formation of Advent Christian Denomination
Available here.
“The Return of Christ”
In “The Return of Christ” (1922) F. L. Piper presents a survey of the biblical teaching on the Second Advent of Jesus Christ by detailing the Scriptural evidence supporting the future return of our Savior. His passion for the authority of the Bible and Christ’s return are evident. The Advent Christian denomination emerged from William Miller’s movement proclaiming the imminent premillennial return of Christ. The predominate position of the wider church of Miller’s time had been postmillennial and denounced Miller’s message. Within half a century, though, Miller’s premillennial position had become (with modifications) the accepted view of the North American churches.
Available here.
“Resurrection: His and Ours”
“Resurrection: His and Ours” is Dr. Dean’s landmark publication and showcased him as the premier Advent Christian theologian of his day. Although Dr. Dean’s specialty was apologetics, “Resurrection: His and Ours” is not a defense of Advent Christian theology. Instead, he presents the doctrines of the Advent Christian church as articulated in its “Declaration of Principles.” This exposition presents the principles thematically using a theology of resurrection as the organizing principle. In the first section, Dr. Dean examines the doctrines the denomination holds in common with evangelical Christianity, focusing on Christ’s resurrection as central. The second section covers the denomination’s distinctive doctrines of the return of Christ, the sleep of the dead, conditional immortality and the earth as the location of the eternal kingdom.
Available here.
“Miles Grant: His Life and Theological Contribution to Adventism”
When Advent Christians today hear the name of Miles Grant (1819-1911) they know he was a major Advent Christian thinker in the 19th century. Most current leaders, though, believe his theology was defective and his influence was detrimental to the development of Advent Christian theology. Few today know much about his life and theology. In this book written in 1951, Dr. David A. Dean provides a biography of Miles Grant (whom Dr. Dean admired for his devotional practices and devotion to ministry), outlines his presuppositions and methodology, surveys his theology and finds it deficient as well as detrimental to the denomination. This is an invaluable introduction to Miles Grant whose influence extended well into the 20th Century. This book also presents a preview of Dr. Dean’s theological contribution to the Advent Christian denomination.
Available here.
Baptism Updates
Baptisms are awesome, we want to celebrate together.
Please send us the names and dates of recent baptisms and we will include them in upcoming publications! You can e-mail the information to acpub@acgc.us.
Karmon Norris Prayer Chain
If anyone receiving the Karmon Norris prayer requests by email has changed his email address in the last few months, please notify Nancy Brooks at nancybrooks@acgc.us with your new address. Thank you.
Asleep In Christ
Now located on our website is an “Asleep in Christ” page. As we are made aware of your Advent Christian loved ones who have fallen asleep in the Lord, they will be added to this list. Click HERE to go to this web page. If you wish to have details of your loved one on the website, please send the information via email to cbrock@acgc.us