SHEEP WHO FEED OTHER SHEEP
Bravo and amen to Bill Knott's editorial, "Elites Need Not Apply" (Nov. 18, 2004). Lay leaders, these servants/children of God, deserve our recognition. I pray that we may all respect them for their dedication and submission to God and celebrate what He does through them.

A rancher does not hire college professors to feed his sheep (they wouldn't do it anyway), but friends who learn what sheep need, who are willing to win the sheep's confidence by getting close to them, and who know what it is to tremble at the thought of losing one.

Rex Shores
Oklahoma

Thank you for the editorial about the beauty of our message and how the straight truth, not overly nuanced messages, speak to the heart of Adventism. Excellent!

Ralph Arnold
Thousand Oaks, California

COMPARED TO WHOM?
I appreciated Gerald A. Klingbeil's article, "I'm Better Than You" (Aug. 12, 2004). It reminded me of a saying my mom use to say about people who don't feel good about themselves unless they are standing on someone else's shoulders looking down. The challenge lies between prayerfully asking God to change our perception of others and ourselves, or continuing in our denial and perceived superiority. Thank you, Mr. Klingbeil, for an honest approach to a touchy subject and the witness of your experiences.

To answer your question, "Is that something that happens only to me?"; I have been hit by that same problem a time or two.

Mary M. J. Wagoner-Angelin
Ooltewah, Tennessee

JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS PICTURES
Regarding the "Connecting With Jesus" project ("Plan Voted for Spirit of Prophecy Project," Newsbreak, Nov. 2004): I have a concern that the Ellen G. White books presented thereby include ample illustrations, rather than only be text-filled. Even black and white illustrations would greatly enhance the material's impact and benefit. Younger readers will be attracted to pictures and illustrations, while some older readers may more readily be attracted to the text and its meaning. We print beautiful color illustrations in our outreach editions of Mrs. White's volumes, while too often offering seemingly straight-laced, text-only volumes for our members.

In this new effort to provide Ellen White's writings for the world church, we need to include an attractive and positive appearance to the books; otherwise many will go unread. As prospective readers peruse the illustrations in the book, they will gain a desire to know the concepts and facts behind the pictures, thereby willingly embrace the text.

Archie McCluskey
San Rafael, California

MUSICAL NOTES
Regarding the music guidelines established at the Annual Council ("Executive Committee Adopts Philosophy of Music," Newsbreak, Nov. 2004), I say, Praise God; it's about time. It's been hard for me to go to church and listen to music that reminded me of bars, men, and alcohol, all of which I have given up by God's grace. The music in our churches has been a stumbling block to me. I would sit in church thinking about dancing. These guidelines are an answer to the prayers of many in this area.

I can put religious words to any melody and beat. But if I change the words of the "Electric Slide" to "In God We'll Abide," does that make it a song of worship? Does it lift our hearts and minds to our Creator? I don't think so.

I have heard that those who cannot make it as secular musicians become religious musicians to get their feet in the door. We have let this go on too long; maybe now it will stop. Now I am dancing in my heart in praise to what God has done through this year's Annual Council.

Debra A. Snipes
Hendersonville, North Carolina

VALUE AND INFINITY
In the 149-04G Values Statement of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (Annual Council Report: "Amendments Made to Mission Statement," Nov. 2004), I find the phrase "every person . . . is of infinite value."

Infinite is a word that, in context, has precise mathematical meaning. It also has precise meaning in the context of the Axiology developed by Hartman. In this statement it seems that neither of these contexts are the intended ones, thus rendering the use of the word and the statement problematic. Even more problematic is the notion that committees have anything to do with the value of individuals in the pew. As the organizational history of our church demonstrates, as the Protestant Reformation demonstrates, and the emergence of the Christian church demonstrates, values and truth flow upward rather than downward.

Anthony Aaby
Walla Walla College
College Place, Washington

THE GIFT OF PRESENCE
Thank you for the lovely article about ministering to those who are in their last moments of life ("The Ministry of Presence," Sept. 23, 2004). I just started my residency in family medicine, and I often dread dealing with those who are in the dying process. I find it even more difficult dealing with the families of those who are dying.

As I read the article I was reminded of how I always relied on my father to offer the "ministry of presence" whenever we visited those who were sick, shut-in, or dying. I always felt awkward and didn't know what to do or say. I spent most of my time thinking of the appropriate time and way to say goodbye.

This article has shown me how I can spiritually minister to the dying and their families.

Sandra Pascal

DOES HE, OR DOESN'T HE?
It's heartbreaking that the Adventist Review allows Adventist theology to be formed by journalists and freelance writers. The latest case in point is "Does God Kill?" by Leslie Kay (Oct. 2004).

Students of the Bible know that Jesus came to reveal God's character. Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9, NIV). We know the kind of person Jesus was by His life, His Sermon on the Mount, His behavior in the Upper Room, and, most important, by the way He died. God's character prevented Him from doing anything unethical to gain an ethical end.

Ms. Kay quoted Ellen White's words: "The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of [God's] character of love" (Christ's Object Lessons, p. 415). But Kay's article certainly didn't do that.

It sounds like Danny Gilbert (not his real name) in Kay's article understands Mrs. White's comment better that Kay does. Perhaps the Danny Gilberts and thoughtful theologians such as the Ty Gibsons of our church present us with a truer picture of our wonderful God.

It's time we move from a theology of the Middle Ages to a truer understanding of our God of love; a God who at His worst simply gives us up and lets us go. He simply ceases to sustain us. That's much different from killing those who reject Him.

Carl E. Crawford
Mount Vernon, Washington

For a more comprehensive treatment of this complex and controversial topic, the book, A Deep But Dazzling Darkness: Exploring God's "Dark Side" in the Light of His Love, by Leslie Kay and Jennifer Jill Schwirzer, is available from Adventist Book Centers and Amazing Facts. --Editors