GROWING CHURCHES
After reading "Planting for the Growing Season" by Bill Knott (Nov. 25, 2004), I was reminded of the positive experience we had in sharing the message of the church in our hometown.

Several of us who had families of growing children enjoyed organizing Branch Sabbath Schools and Vacation Bible Schools. The neighborhood children were happy to come, thus the interest for evangelism was stimulated and successful. The result was another church of 100 to 125 members in our town and another beautiful church in a town about 12 miles distant.

God rewards all who willingly and faithfully work for Him.

Elinor Dittes
Portland, Tennessee

LISTENING TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY
I appreciated Bill Knott's editorial, "Elites Need Not Apply" Nov. 18, 2004). I'm not sure I would classify the reluctance to use lay members to preach as snobbery, but I do think there is a lack of confidence in them.

Ellen White wrote that it is the work of true education "to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men's thought" (Education, p. 17). But that is not the way to get through college today. I am reminded of the words of Shakespeare in "Julius Caesar," "He thinks too much: such men are dangerous!"

I'm sure there are lots of reasons to deny lay members this privilege, but it is hard to develop skills without practice. There are times when friends come to church just to hear lay members preach. Besides, they have a vested interest in the church's success; they may be more in tune with the thinking of the congregation. It might be helpful for the pastor to hear what lay members have to say.

Norwood Smith

UNSELFISH SERVICE
Regarding the cover story, "A Bridge in Rwanda" (Oct. 21, 2004), I was struck by Carl Wilkens' faith and courage. One might question his refusal to abandon his post. Some might even consider such a decision foolhardy. But I thank God that he chose to stay for the sake of the local people.

The Rwandan genocide has never ceased to fascinate me, as I had for many years the desire to work in that part of the world. That dream was never realized, but after reading the story, I felt another twinge.

Norman W. M. Thompson
Mandeville, Jamaica

THINKING SMALL
I read with interest Virchel Wood's article, "A Thistle, A Fly Leg, and a Cricket" (Nov. 2004). In his first illustration he refers to "James the less" and his preference of thinking of him as James "the little" as an earned nickname.

The editor's note at the end of the article referred to the New International Version translation of James "the younger," which would not be a nickname, as such. I got curious and looked up the Greek meaning of the word "less" in the context of the verse used. It had the meaning of small or little, which would fit quite well the point the author made.

Barbara Thurlow
Hendersonville, North Carolina

WOW!
I wrote a special prayer of thanks this morning for the November 22, 2004 issue of the Adventist Review. It seems as though every article has practical instruction and/or encouragement.

As an elder and lay preacher I am enormously heartened by Bill Knott's editorial, "Elites Need Not Apply."

Jennifer Jill Schwirzer encouraged me in my desire to reach out to my neighbors. ("In", Not "Of") I rejoiced in Nathan Brown's "Buy Nothing Day(s)," giving a further reason for appreciating Sabbath. I wept with the little girl in Alden Thompson's devotional "who can't help my daddy any more because he moved away."

Then there was the half-page news commentary, "Forgiveness--the Tofu of the Soul," easy to overlook, but full of health instruction.

"Greetings from Jungle Boy" delighted me, a grandmother to a present student missionary. Sarah Fordham wrote of "Winter Promise," to one, who in northern Idaho, experiences half a year of winter.

To cap it off, Ed Christian opened our eyes to the messages in hymn lyrics.

Thank you for the weekly Review.

Ruthanneke Edwards
Spirit Lake, Idaho

THANK YOU FOR THE COVER STORY, "'IN,' NOT 'OF.'"
I too have wrestled with the paradox of certain matters as I visit my dear friends in the old-fashioned German Baptist Church in our area. Their women wear attractive little bonnets, long dresses, and low-heeled shoes. I asked one of the brethren, "Are your women folk making a statement with those bonnets?"

He replied, "We hope so."

Their lives are completely structured. Members can't even subscribe to Internet services unless it can be demonstrated to the board of elders that it is necessary for the family's business. Then the husband is honor-bound to never use the Internet for any kind of entertainment. Televisions are not allowed in their homes.

When I was about to visit their church for the first time one of the elders said, "Don't say 'amen,' unless you want the young people to look at you!" I didn't say "amen" although I found times during the service when an "amen" would have been appropriate. (H. M. S. Richards used to tell of visiting churches where the only way to get an "amen" was to roll your own.)

Back in the forties Peter Marshall accepted a call to the ultra-conservative New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He soon turned a church of a couple dozen old people into the "young people's church," replacing the "quartet" with a great choir.

During World War II young people met at the "Canteen," where they sang songs, ate sandwiches, and visited. One dear old spinster was horrified to open the door of the Lincoln Parlor to find a sailor and a young girl kissing while seated on Lincoln's sofa. Pastor Marshall, defending his leadership said, "I married that couple that day and they spent their two-hour honeymoon in the Lincoln Parlor before he shipped out. She was from Iowa and they met at the canteen." The board of elders voted for Marshall to continue as pastor.

I thank Ms. Schwirzer for writing such a cogent and timely article. And I thank the Review for having the courage to print it!

Dick Rentfro
Thorp, Washington


I could comment on several excellent articles in the November 18, Review. However, I will refer only to the cover story, "'In,' not 'Of.'"

Jesus was in this world but not of it. He came down to the peoples' level, but didn't stay there with them. Instead, He lifted them up with: "I have something better to offer. The filthy clothes of ignorance, self-righteousness, language, and behaviors will all change if you choose to follow me."

The article reminds us that in order to balance reverence and relevance, we have to examine the real heart motives.

Natalie Dodd
Centerville, Ohio