17th Century Sabbath Text Available Online!

As reported on Jim Skaggs' weblog, One Eternal Day, the text of the mid-seventeenth century work, "The Doctrine of the Fourth Commandment..." by John Ockford, is now available online at the webpage of the Yakima, WA SDB Church.

Ockford's work, which was banned by the English Parliament shortly after its publication in 1649-50, was ordered burned by that same body, and accordingly copies of the volume are extremely rare. One original copy is known to exist in Oxford. It is also helpful in dating the rise of the Seventh Day Baptist movement's origins in England.

The book gives an early apologetic for Seventh-day Sabbath worship and is among the first published by known Seventh Day Baptists. It is an extremely important work because it also outlines the basic case for Sabbathkeeping SDB's have used ever since. In reading the pages, it is astonishing how little the case for Sabbath observance has changed since 1650.

The work of bringing this historical text into the present day was done by Pastor Stanley Fox, of the Yakima church, after his own personal study of the text proved helpful to his own understanding. Impressed by the work, he endeavored to make it available and transcribed it from a copy from the microfilm in the Historical Society library. The transcription work was difficult and time-consuming, but it is now complete.

We encourage all Seventh Day Baptists to visit the site, enjoy Ockford's work (and Pastor Fox's!), and support the Yakima church (which is also in the process of constructing a new meeting house)!

Sabbath School Lessons for Youth

Truth For Youth is Sabbath School material for youth and young adults. It is written by Seventh Day Baptists for Seventh Day Baptists and follows the International Bible Lesson series (the lessons on which The Helping Hand in Bible Studies is based).

Lessons for September 5 and 12 are available on the Board of Christian Education website for downloading. As further lessons are completed, they will be posted to the page.

Please e-mail Pastor David Taylor any comments you have so they can be shared with the writers. If you don't have his email address, you can get it by sending an email to dt@educatingchristians.org and waiting for the automated response by email.

Truth For Youth Writers:

• Pamela Gould (Washington, DC, SDB Church)
• Helmer Umana Jr. (Christian SDB Church, Arlington, VA)
• Saul Alonzo (Central SDB Church, Maryland)
• Heather Alonzo (Central SDB Church, Maryland)
• Jeff Hazen (Central SDB Church, Maryland)
• Pastor Dave Taylor (Central SDB Church, Maryland)

(The content of this post is based on an email sent by Pastor David Taylor. The content of the email was altered to fit the context of this blog. --Andrew)

The Biggest (SDB) Loser

The latest Sabbath Recorder carries many pictures of a Conference event that was a takeoff of a TV reality show--"Survivor."

Well, from Survivor we move to another so-called reality program-- "The Biggest Loser." The object of that show is for contestants to lose weight by working out and controlling their diet. Are you ready for the Biggest SDB Loser?

Rules for the contest are on page 2 of the September SR. Weigh in soon, take your group's "before" photo, and get ready for the "losing" to begin on October 1st.

September SR Posted On-line

With dozens of photos and a number of updates from our 2009 General Conference, the September Sabbath Recorder is now posted at our website.

Who is the President-elect? Who received the Robe of Achievement? Who was named Sabbath School Teacher of the Year? Who got the Scripture Memory Bowl? How much was the Conference offering?

As that old spaghetti sauce slogan used to say: "It's in there!" Enjoy your end-of-summer reading!

Forget Something?

We had a great turnout at Conference in July.

So did the "Lost and Found" box!

If you forgot an item at Conference, hopefully it made its way to the parsonage in Shiloh, NJ. Charlotte Chroniger called the Center with a whole list of things they collected: CD player, clothing, umbrella, brown/tan blanket, Bibles, red Converse sneakers, men's dress shoes and more.

You can call the Chronigers at 856-455-0488 if you've been hunting for something since returning home.

Updates from Conference

Here are some stats and happenings from the 197th SDB General Conference held at Lancaster (Pa.) Bible College, July 26 to August 1.

Statistics
Registered guests: 733
Delegates: 335, representing 55 churches
At Youth Pre-Con: 23
At Young Adult: 27

Elections
President 2009-2010: Paul Andries
President-Elect: Steve Rogers
General Council: Steve Rogers, Andrew Samuels
Council on Ministry: Steven James, Kenneth Burdick
Faith and Order: Andrew Samuels, Nathanael Lawton
COSAR: Clayton Pinder
Tract Council: Joel Osborn, Levi Bond
Memorial Fund: Erin Burdick-Inabnit, Jim Goodrich, Myron McPherson
Christian Social Action: Jeanie Smith, Lydia Solomon, John Pethtel

Recognitions
Robe of Achievement: Jackie Wells Payne
Teacher of Year: Ruth Hazen
Scripture Memorization Bowl: Toronto, Canada

Next Year:
Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri
July 25-31, 2010
Theme: “Servants Together in God’s Ministry”

Good Sabbath

The sun is nearly set. The work week, even though I've been on vacation, is nearly over. The Sabbath is coming and reminds me again of the rest that is coming - the Sabbath-like rest that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9).

I often reflect on how glad I am that Sabbath has arrived. This week, I reflect on the gracious promise of Christ: "You will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:29). Where does this rest come from? It comes from taking the yoke of Christ and learning from Him. It comes from hearing and obeying Him. It comes from trusting and following Him. Rest comes from imitating Christ.

As I enter this Sabbath, I remember that His yoke is easy — but not because the life I live feels easy or the decisions I face seem simple. I remember that He said that if I am to come after Him, I am to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). I remember that I am told that I will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12).

As I enter this Sabbath, I remember that His yoke is easy — because He carries the load. I intentionally set aside work and the temptation which whispers, "You can make it on your own!" and place my life, my trust, my hope, wholly in the One proclaims:

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:29, NIV).

Scripture Memorization Program 2009-2010

The Scripture Memorization Program for 2009-2010 Conference Year will focus on Conference President Paul Andries’ theme: “Servants Together in God's Ministry.” For those who prefer to memorize contiguous sections of Scripture, this year's long text is 1 Corinthians 12:12-25.

The brochures were mailed today, August 7. So, your church should see them in the next week. If you don't want to wait, want the alternative September - May format, or would like a text file with the verses, they are available on the Board of Christian Education site.

2009 Christian Education Sabbath

Promote the Christian Education opportunities in your local church with Christian Education Sabbath, the Sabbath after Labor Day (U.S)—September 12, 2009. If this date is already taken by other activities, consider using a date later in September or during October.

Packets of material to help your church plan a Christian Education Sabbath are going to be mailed next week. If you can't wait for the package to arrive, you may download it from the BCE Website.

Criers posted, too!

All of this year's Conference Criers (daily Conference newsletter) are posted at our website. Click on the "Calendar" drop-down at the top and choose "Conference Crier."

A shout-out and a bunch of thanks go to the Crier editors: Micayla Neher, Katie Brown and Josh Rankhorn. This task was above-and-beyond their SCSC duties at Conference. Great job, gang!

And don't forget to check out all the Conference photos. (See yesterday's blog below.)

Conference Photos posted

Thanks to the good work of our lovely and talented webmaster, Linda Lawton, the last of the many 2009 Conference photos are posted at the SDB website.

While we continue to gather information and totals, I can report that the final Conference registration number was 733, with the number of voting delegates at 335. With all of the visitors, attendance at Lancaster (Pa.) Bible College was over 800 on Sabbath day.

Enjoy the pictures, and thanks again, Linda!!

Malcolm Smith coming to Westerly

On Sabbath, August 22, the Pawcatuck SDB Church (120 Main Street, Westerly RI) will host Malcolm Smith of San Antonio, Texas.

Recognized as one of the great Bible scholars of the past century, London-born Malcolm Smith has been guiding people into the covenant love of God for over 50 years. He is considered a revolutionary teacher for anyone hungry for more than “religion.”

Malcolm presents the story of the Gospel in a personal way—personal to himself and to the listener. Through concentrated research into God’s Word and listening to the Holy Spirit, he presents the gospel of hope and promise to others.

New York Times bestselling author William Paul Young (The Shack) cites Malcolm Smith as one of the speakers who influenced his creative inspiration.

The day’s schedule begins with a time for coffee and donuts at 9:30 am, followed by a presentation at 10:00. Three other presentations are listed (lunch provided), ending with a time of communion and a question-answer period at 5:00 pm. Childcare is provided and there is no admission charge. A free-will offering will be taken.

For more details, go to www.pawcatucksdb.org.

BWA makes changes

Before we get to coverage of the SDB General Conference, here's some news from the Baptist World Alliance (from Eron Henry).

The General Council of the Baptist World Alliance voted to amend its constitution and bylaws on Friday, July 31.

As of now, the BWA will, for the first time, have a first vice president, and the Executive Committee of the BWA will comprise 25 members, reduced from more than 60 persons.

The new Executive Committee now has greater oversight responsibilities, including "overseeing the development and implementation of the overall program of the BWA" and "generally overseeing the financial affairs of the BWA."

Whereas previously three-months notice was required for all BWA Executive Committee meetings, either the president or general secretary can now call special meetings of the executive with a minimum of five-days notice.

Sections of the constitution dealing with divisions, departments, committees and auxiliaries have been revised and are being placed in the bylaws. Similarly, two clauses in the constitution on regional fellowships are now in the bylaws instead.