Eastern Regional Association May 2024 Newsletter

Pastors and Leaders Conference Update

The inaugural Pastors & Church Leaders Conference held on May 7^th-9^th at Alton Bay delivered on its promise. Chris Date of Rethinking Hell supplied a comprehensive account of the case for conditional immortality; between his presentations and the Q&A, there seemed to be no stone left unturned. While he certainly buoyed the convictions embraced by most of those who attended, Date also provoked considerable reflection on the part of our leaders. He challenged us to avoid arguments based upon moral disgust in a God who would eternally torment sinners, saying we should instead focus energies on making a strictly biblical case for conditionalism. Likewise, he urged us not to lump convictions about the sleep of the dead into conditional immortality when making the case for conditional immortaliy, saying we should limit ourselves to proving the truth of the claims essential to conditionalism.

Additionally, Date’s open-handed posture of fellowship towards those of differing convictions underscored the tone set by the Restoration Network panel. The panel, featuring Date along with Lou Going, Derek Irvine, and Tom Loghry, discussed with audience participation the theological implications of conditionalism and its place in the Advent Christian denomination. The panel concluded by discussing the possibility of explicitly welcoming those who disagree with conditionalism as Advent Christian pastors – a possibility which Date (as an outsider) thought should be welcomed.

While conditional immortality was the dominant theme of the conference, the presentations offered by Executive Director Justin Nash were hardly undercards. In two sessions, Nash persuasively made the case for the mentorship of pastors and the biblical grounds for local church membership. The Q&A sessions (which included Clayton Blackstone and select testimonies speaking to mentorship) were sources of encouragement, clarification, and some edifying back and forth on the importance of mentors and church membership.

The conference was made all the better by those who attended, totaling 46 in number; if you would like to watch any of the presentations you can find them at this link. Next year’s conference will be June 5th-7th and will feature Dr. David Santis as he presents four sessions on the theme of the importance of “Teaching from the Old Testament.” These sessions won’t be strictly lectures, as they will include a workshop quality with the aim of equipping our leaders to begin effectively teaching from Old Testament in our local churches. The conference will also consider the importance of friendship among church leaders, as well as the importance of the ordinances of the church (this latter topic featuring Nathaniel Bickford as speaker). You can also expect the continued involvement of the Restoration Network in this conference – we encourage all to join us next year!

(sumitted by Tom Loghry)

Pastor Spotlight

Bear River, Nova Scotia - I (Ken Perkins) am excited to be returning to Malawi this year. After ten consecutive annual trips, the five-year interruption caused by COVID and disruption in the travel industry has been very frustrating. During the ten years I developed good relationships with pastors in both Malawi and Mozambique and look forward to renewing them.

I plan to resume teaching at the point I left off in 2019, although I may have to adjust on the fly depending on current conditions. I had been doing a survey of theology and had reached the doctrines of the Church. The pastors also expressed interest in learning the history of the Church as well as the history of the Advent Christian Church. Obviously, with teaching time limited to two weeks at a time, several trips would have been necessary to cover all that. Losing four years has forced some rethinking.

In 2019 the pastors also requested a minister's manual, and that has become the main focus of my preparation. I am trying to weave doctrine, history, and practice together. I am scheduled to leave Halifax of July 30 and arrive in Malawi the next day. The working plan is to spend the next two and a half weeks with my translator, Lyson George. In that time, we will try to get as much of my material translated as possible so it can be distributed to the pastors in draft form. Seminars will be held August 19 to 23 in which I will the present the material.

The document will be a living document. Principles and practices will need to be adapted so they are meaningful in the culture. I will also learn more about what the pastors expect and need in a manual. The plan is to bring that information home and make the adjustments, with the eventual goal of publishing the manual in book form.

Oh, and I hope to visit and worship with as many pastors and churches as possible on the four weekends I'll be in the country. I would appreciate your prayers now, as preparations are made and I continue to prepare material, and during the trip itself. Thank you.   

Pastor Ken Perkins

Update on ERA Superintendent Search

News from ACGC

New Director of Leadership Development

We are pleased to announce that Rev. Mike Alix has agreed to serve as our next director of leadership development. He will be replacing Dr. Matt Larkin who stepped away from the role in February of this year. Mike is husband to Erica and father to Joseph (11), Gideon (9) and Asher (6). He has served as pastor of Blessed Hope Advent Christian Church in Waterville, Maine for the past 13 years. He is a graduate of the Berkshire Institute of Christian Studies, Nyack College (B.S. in youth ministry) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.). He has also served on the board of Lakeside Advent Christian Campmeeting Association, Maine State Advent Christian Conference board and the Berkshire Christian College board of trustees. The Alix family will be moving to Charlotte and Mike will begin his new role at ACGC July 1. Please be in prayer for Mike, Erica and their boys during this time of transition. Also, please pray for Blessed Hope Advent Christian Church as they work through the process of finding a new pastor.

ACGC International Missions Update

MEXICO - On April 20, Latin American area director Craig Libby led a team of Advent Christians to assist at a medical mission in Ensenada, Mexico. This team included ACGC Missions Engagement Coordinator Catherine Rybicki, Amy Pike and Natalie Pike (Nooksack Christian Fellowship) and 10 of our AC pastors from Mexico. Craig and his wife Kristi are part of the Mexican Medical Mission organization that made this community service event possible.

These events, called “Brigadas Medicas,” offer the community various no-cost medical services. This event was extra special for two reasons[...]

Click the image above to read the most recent prayer points.

Trip To Lancaster, PA

The Attleboro Advent Christian Church invites you to join them August 14-16, 2024, on a chartered bus Journey into Amish country, Lancaster, PA. where we will enjoy sightseeing at Bird-in Hand Farmers Market and The Amish Village. Evening Dinners at Shady Maple Smorgasbord & Plain and Fancy Restaurant will give you a taste of Amish and Dutch Cuisine. Let’s not forget the premier production of “Daniel” at the Sight and Sound Theater.

All expenses are covered in your individual fee with the exception of lunches, snacks, and souvenirs.

For more information and or a registration form: call Pastor Paul Carter at 508-222-8407

Calling all camp counselors!! If you have EVER considered being a camp counselor, now is the time! Sports and Music Camp in Alton Bay, NH is seeking female counseling staff. They are currently waitlisting campers due to a lack of counselors and could really use YOU! Camp is June 22-29, 2024. Link below to staff applications!

Scholarship Opportunities

DuBois Scholarship - Sponsored by the Maine State Conference, amount awarded depends on number of applicants and funds available; This scholarship is given in loving memory of Rev. Wendell DuBois, Tammy DuBois and Virgene Hughes. It is designed to assist those seeking a call to vocational ministry in achieving their academic goals. The application needs to be postmarked by August 31 to be considered. The scholarship monies will be disbursed during the 2nd semester of the academic year.

Berkshire Christian College Scholarship Fund - Scholarship amount varies depending on the program of study. The purpose and description of the scholarship is:

• Seminary education in partnership with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary at four campuses - two in Mass., one in Fla., one in NC. (www.gordonconwell.edu) Advent Christian students receive up to a 50% tuition reduction. (Additional scholarship assistance may also be available.)
• Theological formation through the Ministry Training Institute (MTI). Students enrolled in MTI are eligible for scholarships through Berkshire Christian.

Castle Hill Scholarship Fund - The Castle Hill Advent Christian Church closed its doors in December of 2019 due to declining numbers and the difficulty of finding pastoral leadership. Through a generous donation, a Ministry Scholarship will be established in their name. It is their desire that this ministry scholarship be established to help fund individuals who are seeking vocational ministry training either from a ministry training program within the Advent Christian constituency, or if a person chooses to seek to prepare for vocational ministry outside of the Advent Christian constituency, the Christian institution must be accredited.

Applicants are required to fill out the application and have all of the required information turned in to the Superintendent’s Office by September 15th in order to be considered by the Eastern Regional Board of Directors. The Board will present scholarships to qualified applicants by dividing $2000 dollars among them per year. If only one applicant applies, the cap for an individual scholarship is $1000 dollars made out to the school of their choosing.

Eastern Regional Association

P.O. Box 214 Winchester, NH 03470

Phone: 603-332-1412