The Ontario Convention Center had standing room only for the 2007 ministerial council in August, and plenty of pastors stood. With over 780 pastors attending, this was the biggest ministerial council in the history of the Pacific Union Conference.

George R. Knight, a retired Andrews University professor and author of several books on Adventist history, was the most talked about speaker during and after the event—rating on a post-event survey as both the most valuable and least valuable speaker at the event (though the positives outnumbered the negatives five to one). Knight candidly admitted having his own "years of apostasy," when he doubted several traditional Adventist interpretations of prophecy. Then he carefully and passionately outlined his steps back to the basic positions of Adventist pioneers.

All three of Knight's evening presentations were entitled, "The Apocalyptic Vision and the Neutering of Adventism," but with different subtitles: "Enough of Beastly Preaching...," "Another Look at Apocalyptic Prophecy and Adventist History," and "But Don't Forget the Beasts (Including the New Ones)...."

"You had the right speakers, presenting essential topics. That's why I decided to come," commented Jorge Soria, Hispanic ministries director for the Pacific Union. Marian Knittel, senior pastor at Bakersfield Central noted, "You encouraged us in the beginning and challenged us at the end. How were you able to schedule all of those speakers in such a perfect order?"

In another demonstration that not all pastors think alike, Herb Larsen, Jr., an Adventist layman from Canada, who challenged pastors to become explosive catalysts for Jesus and obtain a closer relationship with Him, was ranked second most valuable, and second least valuable, speaker at the council (again, with a five to one positive ratio).

Morning devotions were given by Hyveth Williams, senior pastor at the Campus Hill church, Chris Oberg, senior pastor at Calimesa, and Ron Clouzet, director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute."

General sessions presented by Bill McClendon, who conducts year-round public evangelism at his South Tulsa church, gave details about "Growing God's Church through Evangelism."

Each afternoon there were breakout seminars on such topics as parenting, preaching so people come back for more, rethinking the Advent, how to witness to Muslims, a fresh look at the central storehouse concept (regarding tithe), and how prayer makes a difference.

The breakout seminars for Hispanic pastors covered a broad range of topics. Atilio Dupertuis spoke on "The Pastor and Evangelism," and Andy Ng talked about health and exercise. Miguel Valdivia surveyed the products that Pacific Press has for Hispanic ministry, and Ernesto Castillo and Sandra Juarez brought the pastors up to date on the Hope Channel's EsperanzaTV and other NAD ministry tools.

At breakout sessions for pastor's spouses, Karen Martell spoke on the difference prayer can make, Cheryl Simpson explored the problem of organization, and Anita Roberts wondered if the angels sometimes laugh at our self-inflicted difficulties.

The council concluded with a challenge by Randy Roberts, senior pastor at the Loma Linda University church, entitled "Prophets, Preachers and Other Such Fools." Roberts asked how pastors can know if their ministry is going well, what pastors might be able to boast about in their ministry—and what the apostle Paul's response was to such questions.

C. Lloyd Wyman, director of the ministerial association in the Pacific Union, expressed surprise at both the attendance and the many positive responses, but declined to take credit for either. "The work was done by members of the planning committee, and the results came from the Holy Spirit," Wyman said.