AVE YOU EVER FOUND YOURSELF IN THIS SCENARIO? YOUR CHURCH nominating committee asks you to serve as Sabbath school leader. They also express a desire for improvements in the Sabbath morning programs. Though you’ve seen a dynamic Sabbath school, with functioning action units and teacher training, you’ve never directed one before, and the closest Adventist Book Center (ABC) is in the next state. Where do you start?
Maybe the following sounds familiar to you: It’s midyear and the church board wants you to take over the women’s ministries department. The previous leader has stepped down and really didn’t function well. You believe God is calling you to this task but you honestly don’t know where to begin. What’s the first step?
In the past, ministry resources were limited and not easily available. You’d have to order them by phone, during business hours, or drive to the nearest ABC to survey the supplies. Fortunately, that has all changed today. The church has produced a vast assortment of resources for ministry leaders, and new ones are constantly being developed. Pathfinder supplies, Sabbath school helps, youth ministry instructions, and family life materials are just a few examples of the wide array of resources available.
What’s also changed is that many resources are available online. You can view descriptions and place orders, night or day, with just a click of your mouse at AdventSource and AdventistBookCenter.com. In addition to these outlets, Internet searchers can find many free resources from the North American Division and the General Conference. The Adventist Review has compiled a list of ministry tools. They will be invaluable in helping you get started.
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Carlos Medley is online editor for the Adventist Review.
