Letters to the Editor

LOOK AT YOURSELF

Jenny via email

Thank you for bringing back Berto. He livens up the page with his cartoons and makes you look at yourself. For a long time my family had missed seeing and reading the humor that Berto brought to us each Sabbath. Keep up the good work Berto and all at the Record.

WITNESSING

Maveni Kaufononga, FIJI

Thank you for “How can you be right with God” (Opening His Word, April 17). In my work as youth director in Fiji, I am encouraging young people in our mission to commit half an hour every week to sharing their faith.

We have been blessed as many youth have decided to do just that. I’m collecting Bible studies—like Pr Gary Webster’s—to help them in their witnessing.

LESSON STUDY

Alan Harker, NSW

Thank you for the inspiring editorial, “A heart-to-heart with God” (Editorial, April 17).

Our Sabbath school teacher was not well, so I used quotes from the editorial to open the lesson study. 

Our discussion focused on two quotes from the editorial, “I need to break away from a bland, powerless, status quo Christianity and put God where He belongs-first in my life” and “...but until we seek God first with all our hearts, it’s all in vain.” 

VALIDITY OF PROGRAM

Denise Brown, WA

It’s obvious the author of “Natural Alternatives” (Letters, 17 April) has not looked closely at Dr Neil Nedley’s depression recovery program.  I am currently studying the “Training the Trainer” online course. I have studied three modules and each of them has dealt with the importance of changing the thinking associated with depression and gives very practical guidelines. 

Dr Nedley is a conscientious physician who, while aware of the gravity and extent of depression, was not willing to only treat the symptoms. The positive results attest to the validity of the program and I suggest those who wish to knock it should familiarise themselves with its principles before doing so. 

LOST TOUCH?

Kristine Stahl, SA

I think the writer has lost touch with pastoral work in “Is there a better way?” (Feature, April 17). Many of our pastors work very hard, so to add the extra job of church administration into their already crammed schedule is cruel.

Our pastors burnout faster than we can imagine because they’re expected to do most of the work in the church without getting proper support from their congregations.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that many of our pastors are working 16 hour days, seven days a week, having to rely on unsanctified means to keep the unsanctified pace that has been placed upon them. So I can say a resounding “No”.

Our church administrators should NOT pastor churches. I believe our pastors are the hardest working of all denominations. And Frederick Russell is suggesting that we give them more. And I did vote in the poll (Opinion Poll, same issue).