For the first time, hundreds of pastors from the Southern (SCC) and Southeastern California (SECC) conferences met in a joint session to explore sharing the gospel more effectively. Adding to the occasion’s historic import, pastors encouraged three lay people from their congregations to also attend the Sunday portion of the two-day event (March 5-6).
“During our symposium, Partnership with a Missionary God, our goal is to exchange ideas and share resources,” said Gerald Penick, SECC president. “If we are growing spiritually, we will grow numerically.”
“This is a unique opportunity for lay leaders and pastors to learn together,” added Larry Caviness, president of the Southern California Conference.
More than 800 pastors and lay people flocked to the La Sierra University Church in Riverside to hear Sunday morning speakers Les Pollard, vice president for diversity at Loma Linda University, and Laurence Burn of Adventist Frontier Missions.
Fifteen overflowing workshops that afternoon addressed topics ranging from youth evangelism and secrets of growing churches to using the Bible as an evangelistic tool and how technology can enhance worship and public outreach.
Demonstrating one attention-getting use of technology, three or four short video clips featuring pastors from the audience were shown before each general session. Volunteers spoke to the camera about “evangelism that is working in my church.”
Plenary speakers on Monday included Howard Small, pastor in SCC, and Richard Peace, professor of evangelism and church renewal at Fuller Theological Seminary. Workshops investigated preaching to the post-modern mind, a new look at the apocalypse, guiding the church through change, and implementing discipleship in a local church.
Post-modernism provoked the liveliest interaction in workshops and a panel discussion. While traditionalists prefer a religion based on information, logic and Bible proof, post-modern individuals are looking for relationships, participatory worship and an expressive religious experience.
“Won’t we water down or compromise the gospel if we present it in new ways?” one pastor asked.
“It’s a question that Jesus also faced,” responded Arthur (Rudy) Torres, pastor of the Garden Grove church, in a workshop that he and Andy McRae conducted on emerging trends in the church. “The ‘wine’ of the gospel is the same. But old or new ‘wineskins’ react differently to it. We need to make the gospel understandable to diverse audiences.”
Together, the two conferences employ more than 400 pastors, including those who are part-time. “Many of our pastors appreciated the fellowship between the two conferences,” said Velino Salazar, executive secretary of SCC. “And nearly 100 percent of them thought that including lay members was a great idea.”
“Our next job is to support those who have been inspired,” added Sandra Roberts, executive secretary of SECC. “Many are ready to try new things!”
