Explore modern society through the words of Seventh-day Adventist minister and social analyst Monte Sahlin. The 51 articles in this collection discuss important topics like the history and demographics of the SDA denomination, issues of marriage and parenting, SDA doctrines and their implications in the postmodern world, and helpful analyses of congregations today. Many articles were penned for the Center for Creative Ministry or the Center for Metropolitan Ministry (of which Sahlin is chairman) and focus on issues of urban life and community.
“In recent years, worship attendance has become recognized as a much better measure of church growth and vitality than is membership.” (Page 8)
“‘Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow me.’ ’ It is important to note both the introductory sentence and the five verbs in this statement.” (Page 14)
“‘First meet the temporal needs of the people, and relieve their physical wants and sufferings, and you will find an open avenue to the heart, where you may plant the good seed of virtue and religion.’” (Page 13)
“We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and comfort the suffering and afflicted. We are to minister to the despairing and inspire hope in the hopeless.’” (Page 13)
“significant social interaction, involvement in the community, what ethnographers today call ‘participant-observer’” (Page 14)