Think Local, Act Global:

Recalibrating What Matters - Mission or Method

Speaker

Dwight K. Nelson

Dwight Nelson served as lead pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University from 1983 to 2023. During his time at Pioneer he spoke on the “New Perceptions” telecast, taught at the theological seminary and has written books, including The Chosen. He and his wife, Karen, are blessed with two married children and 2 granddaughters.

Offering

When the Apostle Paul saw Peter refuse to sit with the uncircumcised Gentiles, he set in motion one of the great theological debates of his time. When faced with divisive issues of our own, how will we respond? What can we learn from the example of the Early Church?
Saturday, June 06, 2015
Program: 
As We Begin
The Church's One Foundation
Robert Hobby
Praise
Prayer
Sharon Terrell
Farwell to the Wolfers
Nick, Katy and Mark
Children's Story
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Albert Travis
Worship in Music
O Lord, Most Holy
César Franck
Sermon
“Think Local, Act Global: Recalibrating What Matters—Mission or Method”
Dwight K. Nelson
Connect Card, Tithes & Offerings
Hymn
Rise Up, O Church of God • 615
As We Depart
Toccata on Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Albert Travis

More In This Series

06/27/2015
Is God a farmer? After all, it's one of the most common comparisons Jesus made in His parables. If so, what does that mean for those of us He's asked to bring in His harvest?
06/20/2015
When Christ prayed His last and longest prayer in the book of John, He made four petitions to His Father. How can those petitions guide our church today?
05/09/2015
As Christians, we've never called this world our home. We are as exiles in a foreign land. But how do we reach a culture that is so wholly secular, so different from what we have been called to? How do we engage this culture without conforming to it?

“Think Local, Act Global: Recalibrating What Matters—Mission or Method”

www.pmchurch.tv

 

  • Acts 15
    • Galatians 2:12
    • F. F. Bruce: “[Peter’s] example was bound to have a disastrous effect on others; it would, unless checked, endanger the whole principle of Christian unity. . . . Paul saw quite clearly that the concession in the matter of table fellowship was bound in the long run to compromise the basic gospel principle that salvation was the gift of God’s grace in Christ, to be received by faith alone [and not by circumcision as well].” (Acts 303-304)
    • Two characteristics of a Holy Spirit guided faith community:
      • Acts 15:7—“after much .”
      • Acts 15:2—“sharp and .”
    • F. F. Bruce: “Peter, as leader of the Twelve, . . . reminded the company that the fundamental principle which they were discussing had already been decided. . . . Cornelius and his household had not even made an oral confession of faith when the Holy Spirit came upon them. . . [W]hy should further conditions now be imposed on them which God Himself plainly did not require?” (Acts 306-307)
    • Ellen White: “Thus, without controversy, prejudice was broken down, the exclusiveness established by the of ages was abandoned, and the way was opened for the gospel to be proclaimed to the Gentiles.” (Acts of the Apostles 142)
  • Does circumcision end?
    • Acts 16:3-4—For the sake of the Jews, not wanting to put a stumbling block or wall between him and them, Paul Timothy.
    • Galatians 2:3, 4—For the sake of the Gentiles, not wanting to put a stumbling block or wall between him and them, Paul to circumcise Titus.
    • Paul changed his   depending on cultural circumstances and societal values.
  • The Jerusalem Council models for us an essential truth for the church of God today: unity in , but diversity in .
    • To fulfill the same the same church/the same denomination can practice two very different in the very different cultures and countries of the world and still remain united under the divine guidance of the same Holy Spirit the whole time.
    • You can be a global faith community and practice very methods in your shared mission to “seek and save the lost.”

 

Unity in Mission—Diversity in Method

Adventist Seniors of Michiana August 10 Meeting
Andrews Grove Pavilion

 Calling all seniors aged 55+ to the annual Adventist Seniors of Michiana Corn Roast to be held Sunday, August 10 at 1 PM in the Andrews Grove Pavilion. Bring a dish to share, enjoy the corn provided, and learn who will be our new officers for next year.  Early registration for the 2025-2026 membership year will be available. Despite inflation dues remain at $20 per person.  Call Cheryl Doss with any questions 269-277-0767.

Offering for August 2, 2025

Pioneer Operating Budget

Birthdays were always a special and happy occasion in our home. When it is one of the sibling’s birthdays, we give all our kids gifts to enjoy, not just the celebrant. But when it was our birthday, our children would draw pictures and color them expressing their creativity and love for us. They didn’t have the money to purchase gifts or nice Hallmark cards. Yet when they presented them to us, we cherished those handmade cards more than all the commercial cards produced by Hallmark. Why? Because they were our children’s expression of love from the heart.

It’s hard not to express this love without giving a gift. Likewise, every offering gift should be measured by the unfathomable Gift of heaven. The greatest offering one could make would then appear as nothing in comparison. “How vain the endeavor to measure with mathematical rules, time, money, and love against a love and sacrifice that is measureless and incomputable!" (Testimonies for the Church, Vol.4, p.119). If we can catch a glimpse of just how much God loves us, we would faint. All self-interest and selfish motives will disappear, we will be lost in awe and wonder. It would spur us to shower our Lord with more gifts and with praise and thanksgiving.

North American Division Stewardship Ministries

Register Now for Andrews Academy

Andrews Academy is now enrolling students in grades 9 - 12 for the 2025/2026 school year. We invite you to join the AA family! You will be blessed by what Andrews Academy has to offer. Students consistently score above state and national levels on standardized testing, they are involved in many spiritual and service activities throughout the school year. Our Seventh-day Adventist school’s mission is to inspire our students to think deeply, live fully, serve unselfishly and to honor God completely. School begins August 18. Registration day is August 13. Financial assistance may be available. Call 269-471-3138 for more information or visit https://www.andrews.edu/aa/ and click on “apply today”. 

District Nine Family Camp - (Sub) Camp Au Sable

 Although registration for District Nine Family Camp is still open at www.midistrictnine.com, ALL rooms and RV sites have been reserved!  However, if you wish to tent there are spaces still available.  If you wish to bring your RV, there are spaces available ONLY in the Northwoods.

Help Us Welcome New Students

Many new faces will soon join us as they begin their academic journey at Andrews University. We are preparing to welcome them with our traditional Welcome Picnic on Sabbath, August 23. You can support Belong by signing up to be a table host, preparing food, becoming a general volunteer—or all of the above! Text the word “PICNIC” to 269-281-2345

Looking for a Prayer Group to Join?

Join us for the Midweek House of Prayer, held online every Wednesday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM. We are currently studying the Gospel of Mark. Come and see how your contributions can benefit everyone in the group! The Zoom link is https://andrews.zoom.us/j/9889172131.

Something in Common Sabbath School

Better Decisions/ Fewer Regrets video series by Andy Stanley continues

  • July 19–The The Conscience Question
  • July 26–The Maturity Question
  • August 2–The Relationship Question

Everyone is welcome in PMC Boardroom off of the Fellowship Commons Room from 10:30-11:30 AM on Sabbath.

Fellowship Dinner
Pioneer Commons

 There will not be a fellowship dinner during the months of July and August, 2025.