The Value of Training
Editors View
I love good training events. To
see participants engaged in the conversation (not necessarily agreeing about everything), asking penetrating questions, processing the information presented for themselves, and leaving better equipped for ministry, that is what good training is all about. As Christians, however, there is an even larger objective for training, and that is, to facilitate a personal encounter with God. Many training events are left-brain only. They give great information that can be extremely helpful. But an encounter with God, that is right-brain, experiential, healing and transformational.
Those of us who participated in the Adventist Recovery Ministries training for members of the Columbia Union in October were very blessed by the presence of God. We discussed some very real and challenging issues, and did so with respect and loving care. We looked honestly at ourselves and our history, and made decisions to move forward into the future.
Staff of the General Conference (Dr. Peter Landless), the North American Division (Katia Reinert and Deloris Bailey), and the Columbia Union (Leah Scott) planned an exquisite event with the support of Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. But it wasn’t only the wonderful planning, speakers, meals, and so forth that made this event so special.
We saw the living out of Ephesians 4:1-4: “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.”
It is nothing short of a miracle that a group of people recovering from multiple addictions can come together with the humility and gentleness that was manifested in our recent meeting. This is the strongest testimony to the value and transformational power of a Christ-centered recovery program. We don’t put on airs of greatness because we are all on this journey of recovery together. We’ve learned to listen respectfully to other points of view. We allow for mistakes. We are bound together by the work of the Holy Spirit deep within our hearts. If you haven’t begun your journey to wholeness yet, I would invite you to join us. You’ll be glad you did.