More Adventist Master Guides Than You Can Shake A Stick At Invade Berean SDA Church.

The Georgia Master Guide Convention at Berean 

In 2013 Brennan Francois was CEO of Parkridge (name of an Adventst healthcare company) Valley Adult & Senior Campus in Chattanooga (an area that contains Southern Adventist University). Although from New Orleans (hence the Mardi Gras beads in the photo) like today’s speaker, THIS IS NOT TODAY’S SPEAKER!

MORE MASTER GUIDES THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT!

The April 2, 2016 Sabbath Service at Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church, Atlanta Georgia, was dedicated to a celebration of the Master Guides. It was designated “Georgia Master Guide Day,” and featured a sermon by Master Guide and Pastor Brennan Francois. He was introduced by former South Atlantic Conference President Vanard Mendinghall, who concluded his introduction by quoting Pastor Francois’ motto, “You can do it, oh yes you can!” Here, as usual, is a link to the ENTIRE SERVICE. Pastor Brennan Francois’ remarks begin at time marker 1:11:25, and extend all the way to time marker 2:07:20. The speech was very engaging, and did not impress me as being one that fell only 4 minutes short of being an hour long.

As a relatively new Adventist, I was not, prior to this week’s activities, overly familiar with the nature of, and the scope of the mission of Adventist Master Guides. Online researches Friday revealed that the requirements to become a Master Guide are very stringent and time consuming. But after a full day’s exposure (this Sabbath) to the culture of the Master Guides, I have now determined that it just might be a very good thing to attempt to become one myself. Many of my role models at Berean were revealed to be Master Guides, including freshman Berean Pastor Danielle Pilgrim. At the close of the day, I was privileged to witness the Investiture Ceremony of eight newly-minted Master Guides, among whom was another of my role models, Deacon Ernis Walker. This avocation (should I prove capable of making the cut) would afford practically endless opportunities to try to be of service to one’s fellow man. Should patience and persistence by myself result in the eventual acquisition of this goal, it will doubtless prove to be an ample rewarder of those who diligently seek it! The key to this aspiration will be diligence.

This is an image of the correct version of Brennon Francois. It is a still from one of his motivational videos, part of the M.A.D. (“Make a Difference”) series that he produces. Here is a LINK to one of them.

THE GEORGIA MASTER GUIDES: INITIAL DIGRESSIONS

The Constitution of the Georgia Master Guide Club declares the purpose that it intends to serve in Article III, Section 1, which states  that this is “To foster the study of God through His second book- Nature.” The Constitution is very detailed in regard to the organization of the club. but Article III, Section 1 represents its only theological and philosophical statement. “Nature” is more than simply foliage and animals. “Master Guides” is much more than simply “Nature.” But the prominence that Nature enjoys in the Georgia Master Guide Club Constitution provides a wonderful opportunity to digress into this topic.

The deepest ever picture taken by the Hubble Space telescope. The farther you look, the more you see.

Here is a link to the prestigious scientific journal “Nature,” which covers every aspect of God’s creation. Unfortunately, it hardly ever gives credit to God as being the Creator. Every now and then God gets mentioned. Here is a comment about an article, “Scientists are Still Keeping the Faith,” that appeared in the April 1999 edition, “Although the suggestion eighty years ago that four in ten scientists did not believe in God or an afterlife was astounding to contemporaries, the fact that so many scientists believe in God today is equally surprising.” This comment, probably written by the editors at “Nature,” reflects a bias against believing scientists. Why should they be “surprised?” Here is a LINK to a PDF file of an article by Benjamin L, Clausen of the Geoscience Research Institute, an Adventist endeavor founded in 1958. The article is entitled “A Believing Scientist Approaches the Sciences.” It warns us that we must exercise caution when attempting to base theology upon a scientific model. God is much more than just a God of “science.” The article also reveals that a proper appreciation of God’s creation may be manifested by our careful stewardship of the environment.

The many attributes of God lead, in some cases, to seeming paradoxes, but none should be excluded in any attempt to reconcile Divinity and Nature [my editorial interjection on these matters will appear in a moment. I feel that God, for the purpose of giving us an opportunity to “choose” to serve Him, not only reveals, but also conceals].

An illustration intended to depict allegorical “Plato’s Cave,” a fable indicative of the limits of empiricism (aka “the Scientific Method”). We all currently “see through a glass darkly.”

Here is all of Mark 4:11-12, as I think it has great relevance: “And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” This statement by Jesus is based on Isaiah 6:9-10. Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary somewhat softens the severity of these verses by noting “…no humble inquirer after Christ, need to fear this awful doom, which is a spiritual judgment on those who will still hold fast their sins.” I will add to this “those who still hold fast to their error.” Humility as an accessory to Inquiry is not a universal hallmark of the academic community (I am being understated, as humility in academia is actually extremely difficult to discover. Scientist and scholars, possessing god-like perception, often fancy themselves to be gods).

The Master Guide Club and it’s subsidiary organizations (the Pathfinders and Adventures), always stand ready to acknowledge the role that God plays in Nature, for He is the author, sustainer, and finisher of both our faith and our environment.  As stated by Article III, Section 1 of the Georgia Master Guide Club Constitution, we are instructed to study God through Nature, including Him in every thought, and to be appreciative observers and conservators of the wondrous works that He has wrought. These works have been ingeniously fashioned in a manner that can allow those who may choose to do so, to exclude God from His own creation. As noted earlier, secular explanations of the natural world may a be part of God’s providence that allows us to exercise our freewill. God will not force you to love Him, or even to believe in Him. Neither will God compel you to become a “Creationist.” Godless alternates to fundamental truth exist. These self-contained alternate theories presume to answer every question but the only two that truly matter: (1) How did all of this stuff initially come into existence? (2) Is there some underling reason or purpose for it to be here?

An old star atlas displaying the constellations Cygnus and Lyra. The swan means as much to me as the Phoenix does to Atlanta! I remain, for the present, just an ugly duckling.

Dyed-in-the-wool atheists either declare these two questions to be irrelevant, or furnish spurious and unsatisfactory answers to them. But, in regard to “Nature,” these are the only questions that really matter. They lie at the heart of everything. Every other question is incidental. Every local manifestation of God’s workmanship is mere ornament. Even the overall relationship and interdependence of local incidences of “ornament,” and their integration into a glorious and seamless totality, is unimportant in comparison to the two overarching questions: “how,” and “why?” Your reliable Master Guide can readily supply you with answers to these two important questions, as all of the answers are to be found in the Bible! A good knowledge of Scripture places a solid foundation beneath any subsequent contemplation of  particular facets of our jewel-like universe.

THE GEORGIA MASTER GUIDES CONVENTION

The rules regarding the prerequisites that aspiring Master Guides must possess state that one must be at least 16 years at the beginning of the process, procure a written recommendation from your church board, be trained for and involved with (for at least a year) the Adventures or the Pathfinders, and last, but by no means least, be a baptized member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (this link, lifted directly from the Master Guide site, leads to the “big” Adventist site, which is http://www.adventist.org/). Subsequent requirements are noted:

• Read or listen to, and then write a one-page summary of Ellen White’s “Steps to Christ,”
• Either complete a “devotional study guide” that is named in the requirements, or another “year-long” effort that includes the Gospels and either “The Desire of Ages” or “Humble Hero” (two more by Ellen White: the latter being a condensed version of the former).
• Keep a “devotional journal” (which sounds like fun) for a month, or complete a course known as “Steps to Discipleship” (link is to a PDF).
• Prepare a two paragraph summary of each of the 28 “Fundamental Beliefs” that Adventists subscribe to (they are fundamental, but can be subjected to clarifications, as this LINK reveals).
• Give a presentation on four “Fundamental Beliefs” from a selection of these provided in the requirements.
• Learn of the heritage of Adventism. A few alternate ways to do this are provided. Alternate 2 focus on the history of the Pathfinders and points the way to this PDF (“The Pathfinder Story) and also to this other PDF (“We are the Pathfinders Strong”).
• Learn even more of the heritage of Adventism. Four suggested works are cited, with PDF’s available for “Lightbearers for the Remnant” and “The Church Heritage Manual.” Approved alternates to the suggested four are allowable.
• Some studies on the topic of “temperament” (a kind of synonym for “character,” I presume).

Five more categories of requirements follow this first flight. Due to a lack of motivation, I never quite made “Eagle Scout” back in the days of my regrettably misspent youth. Becoming a “Master Guide” would appear to be even more difficult. Yet it is within the grasp of any who are determined to apply themselves to the task. On April 2, 2016, Berean Seventh-day Adventist Church was swarming with  energetic and determined individuals who had successfully obtained the position of Master Guide. They proved to be a great personal motivation. This motivation is not pristine. Altruism may be compromised by a slight touch of envy!

This scene from another of Brennan Francois’ videos finds him chilling out in Jackson Square, down in the “Big Easy.” Saint Louis Cathedral is visible at left.

MASTER GUIDE BRENNAN FRANCOIS’ REMARKS TO BEREAN

Pastor Brennan prefaced his remarks by thanking Elder Vanard Mendinghall for the positive influence that he has had on his life. Pastor Brennan observed that, as Christians, we are obliged to love others, but not necessarily to like them. But he both loved and liked Elder Mendinghall (a Master Guide from way back).

The title of Pastor Francois’ sermon was “Being Led to Lead.” A variety of Scriptural references was provided before the sermon proper was started (Isaiah 30:21, John 14:6, Matthew 4:1, First Samuel 3:1-10 and 2:12, John 10:27, and Acts 2:17). “Don’t turn to the right or the left; I am the way; Jesus was led by the spirit into the wilderness; “The Call of Samuel;” “The Awful Nature of Eli’s Sons;” My sheep listen to my voce, and follow me; and finally, and in full:”And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams…” This string of verses indicate a trajectory toward an ultimate goal, with the potential for undesirable deviation from the correct path. Leadership is courtesy of God and Jesus, but an expansion of the concept of good “leadership” could be utilized to embrace the Master Guide approach. Wrong paths are noted (the sins of the sons of Eli), but a hopeful outcome is promised (the “last days,” just moments before Christ returns to aright all wrong). These verses seemed to auger a sermon about a journey, and the need for proper guidance upon this journey. It has been observed that the novels of James Fenimore Cooper were all about the process of movement. The dynamic quality of these works was unprecedented, and entranced readers around the world. The journey itself, for the first time in the history of literature, became as significant as the destination.

Nathaniel “Natty” Bumppo, aka “The Pathfinder” was a recurring character in the works of James Fenimore Cooper. Raised by Indians, Natty would have made a good Master Guide, had Adventism existed in that era.

Pastor Francois prayed that today’s word would not return to him void. The sermon would comprise three points. The first of these points dealt with the concept of “direction.”

After his college graduation in 1982, the pastor related how seven carloads f his relatives travelled in a convoy from Texas to Louisiana. His wise and experienced father and uncles lead the convoy. They were the metaphorical “Master Guides.” Everyone placed implicit faith in them. Yet a wrong move was made. Some cars, including the one that the recent graduate rode in, did not follow the leaders down the incorrect path. The pastor had his own memory of the proper way to get back home. He was torn between loyalty to his leaders, or adherence to his “inner voice,” one he knew represented truth.
“A Master Guide, and in a real sense any true child of God, must be able to distinguish and know, for his or her own self the Voice of the Master.” Those who serve as leaders must first know what it is to be led. The implication of the pastor’s statement is that we should allow God to lead us in our leadership. He regretted that many Adventists were not heading down the right path. He remembered the wonderful guidance that his mother used to give to him. When she died, he had to learn how use his own initiative.

The pastor also remembered a flight to New Jersey he once took. The airport was wretched. A later trip to the same destination caused the pastor some apprehension, as he expected to encounter the same terrible conditions at the airport. But the formerly deplorable terminal now shined and gleamed like a bright new penny. It had automatic toilets. Ultraviolet light activated both the automatic toilets and sinks, A person beside the pastor at the sinks happened to be wearing black, which could not be recognized by the ultraviolet sensors that cut on the water. The other person asked the pastor how the water might be cut on. The pastor, in turn, posed a question to the other person, “do you know Jesus?” “I don’t want to know Jesus! I just want water,” the person responded. The pastor then said “when you know Jesus, the water of life flows freely.” Still struggling, without effect, to get some water out of the sinks, the other person asked the pastor, “can I use some of your water?” The pastor steeped back, but as the person started to wash his hands, the water flow stopped. In exasperation, the person addressed Pastor Francois, “tell me about this Jesus!” He wanted his own water, with which he could wash his own hands.

The Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well learns that she may be able to acquire some “living water” (John 4:10) from Jesus. The image is of a  German illuminated manuscript (I assume) from 1420.

Pastor Francois told the assembly that they, too, needed their own supply of the “living waters” that Jesus can provide. “You can’t lean on anybody else,” the pastor stated, We have no business leaning, unless it is on the “everlasting arm of Jesus.” “A true Master Guide, a true child of God, will know the Master for himself,” Pastor Francois proclaimed (“lots and lots of study involved,” I pondered). God will clearly point out the way. Thus concluded point number one. The “direction” we must travel is indicated by God.

Point number two concerned the act of “teaching.” The Master Guide must teach others to recognize the voice of God.  Any Master Guide  who does not do this is disgracing the uniform. The unspeakable character of the sons of Eli were cited (two errant priests who were destroyed by Philistine forces). Eli was presented as being a good example to follow, as he taught young Samuel to listen for the voice of the “true Master Guide.” Eli sought to rectify the mistakes he made with his own sons through the correct instruction of Samuel. A simple relation of personal experience, supplemented by a list of “do” and “don’t do,” is inadequate for shaping the character of the young, pastor Francois stated. The Holy Spirit (“God’s voice,” in the pastor’s lexicon), and the ability to recognize when He is speaking, is a indispensable accessory to “right living.” How can we teach this skill, if we do not listen to the voice of God ourselves? It is our privilege to teach people to develop their own internal GPS. We are not in the business of creating “clones” of ourselves.

A scene from one of the Star Wars movies, “Episode II, Attack of the Clones”

Pastor Brennan Francois now  revealed (from Ellen White’s work “Education”) that all of us are endowed with a power that may be likened to that of the Creator. This is the power to lead, and the power to teach. We were urged to produce a generation of students who are thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men’s thought.  The pastor revealed that he had called his brothers that morning (Ben and Byron), asking them to pray for him, for he intended to preach the kind of word at Berean that had almost gotten Jesus thrown over the cliff. “God is waiting to pour out His Spirit on all flesh,” Pastor Francois related, quoting from an Acts 2:17 restatement of a prophecy from Joel 2:28. This Spirit will empower this generation to perform amazing exploits. This generation, up to now, has been an impotent and powerless one. The pastor told how he had attended a “first day” church last Sunday. It was packed. Folks had been forced to park their cars a mile away. Why are these people not “knocking down our doors” [I assume that the “our” refers to the Adventist denomination].  “It is because we stifle their creativity, their innovation, because we have snuffed out all their lights. We have told them all the things that we can and cannot do., and we have not provided for them a clean palette upon which they can paint the glory of God for themselves (I did not feel like throwing Pastor Francois “off of a cliff” because of his statements. Other recent Berean sermons, featuring this same indictment, had prepared me for his candor). “As Master Guides, we are failing this generation,” he added. We are smothering their enthusiasm, rather than channeling it.

Pastor Francois revealed that when children of God prosper, it comes as no surprise to him, for God did not lie when He stated that He would make us “the head, and not the tail.” Leadership can sometimes serve to thwart this prosperity, however. Too many who grew up with the pastor, who are now adults, are “Lost” (an emphasis on this term may have marked the introduction of the third of three “points” of the sermon. The concept of “movement” is now thwarted. Point one, “direction,” may have yielded to its opposite, “misdirection”). They have only heeded the voice of men (“Vox Humana” on your organ stop, as Luther Washington II well knows). Being lost is not only frustrating. It is also dangerous. The pastor related a trip he and his wife took in Chicago to see a musical. After the play, he wound up lost in a bad part of town, A stranger came up to the window of the pastor’s car and said “people like you get killed in this part of town, But I am going to point you down the right road, and you get down that road as quick as you possibly can!” Any other road would lead to destruction.

A diagram of a typical British World War Two era convoy of merchant shipping. There may be safety in numbers, but your salvation is a personal affair!

Pastor recalled the convoy of relatives that he mentioned at the start of his sermon. Then misdirected leaders eventually made it back home, exhausted, depleted, and disheveled, taking much longer to do this than did the pastor’s group (they who followed the “true path”). The illustration yielded to direct admonition, a preface to an appeal. “Some of you are lost!” One New Years [Eve] the pastor was in his car, driving in the dark, in the rain, in the boondocks of South Carolina with his son, looking for a church he was scheduled to make a appearance in. Out of the back seat his son spoke, “Daddy, do you know how to get home?” “Yes,” the pastor replied. His son was thinking “out of the box.” The pair were not forever doomed to wander rural Carolina, lost in a dark and rainy night (I would equate this to Hell, but I am striving to avoid editorial commentary during sermons these days). The pastor felt a soothing sense of relief as he absorbed his son’s words. The pastor headed home. On the way home. he stumbled upon the church.

“You don’t have to stay lost! You can always come home!”

“I’m done!”

Pastor and Master Guide Brennan Francois was not totally done, for there were souls that needed to take their own journey at this time, albeit a short one, to the altar. They would be either saved for the first time, or rededicated to their salvation. The legion of Master Guides present would be implored to apply themselves to their important work with renewed strength, and to be zealous of good works.

An enormous quantity of Master Guides assembles after this Sabbath’s service in order to have their picture taken. Eight more were inducted that evening.