Calimesa Young Families & Children's Ministries

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Poverty is present in every society. Poverty robs human beings of their most basic rights. It keeps people hungry; it deprives them of medical care, clean water, an education, the opportunity to work, and often results in a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness, and inequality.  Every day, more than 24,000 children die due to preventable conditions created by poverty.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that actions to reduce poverty and its attendant injustices are an important part of Christian social responsibility.  The Bible clearly reveals God’s special interest in the poor and His expectations as to how His followers should respond to those who are unable to care for themselves.  All human beings bear the image of God and are the recipients of God’s blessing (Luke 6:20).  In working with the poor we follow the example and teaching of Jesus (Matthew 25:35, 36).  As a spiritual community Seventh-day Adventists advocate justice for the poor and “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves” (Proverbs 31:8 NIV) and against those who “deprive the poor of their rights” (Isaiah 10:2 NIV).  We participate with God who “secures justice for the poor” (Psalm 140:12 NIV).

Working to reduce poverty and hunger means more than showing sympathy for the poor.   It means advocating for public policy that offers justice and fairness to the poor, for their empowerment and human rights.  It means sponsoring and participating in programs that address the causes of poverty and hunger, helping people to build sustainable lives.  This commitment to justice is an act of love (Micah 6:8).  Seventh-day Adventists believe it is also a call to live lives of simplicity and modesty that witness against materialism and a culture of affluence.

Seventh-day Adventists join the global community in supporting the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals for reducing poverty by at least 50 percent by 2015.  In furtherance of this, Seventh-day Adventists partner with civil society, governments and others, working together locally and globally to participate in God’s work of establishing enduring justice in a broken world.

As followers of Christ we engage this task with determined hope, energized by God’s visionary promise of a new heaven and a new earth where there is no poverty or injustice.   Seventh-day Adventists are called to live imaginatively and faithfully inside that vision of God’s Kingdom by acting to end poverty now.

This statement was approved and voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Administrative Committee (ADCOM) and was released by the Office of the President, Ted N. C. Wilson, at the General Conference session in Atlanta, Georgia, June 23-July 3, 2010

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Bring work gloves and garden tools to help rake, pull weeds, clear walkways and paths and beautify CCG!

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We, the members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, speak up and join with others to bring an end to violence against women and girls.  Global statistics indicate that in all societies women and girls are more frequently the victims of violence.  Actions or threats likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering are incompatible with biblical ethics and Christian morality.  Such actions include, but are not limited to, family violence, rape, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), honor killings, and dowry murders. Manipulation, denial of personal liberty, and coercion are also acts of abuse and violence. To such behaviors the Seventh-day Adventist Church says, “Let’s end it now!”

Seventh-day Adventists recognize that creation in God’s image bestows dignity and worth on every individual.  The measure of that worth is seen in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ to provide eternal life for everyone.  The love and compassion that characterized the earthly life of Jesus sets an example for all His followers in their relationship with others.   Christ-like behavior leaves no room for violence against family members or persons outside the family.

The Bible counsels Christians to view the body as the temple of God.  Bringing intentional harm to another person desecrates that which God honors and is therefore sinful behavior.  Seventh-day Adventists commit themselves to being leaders in breaking the cycle of violence perpetrated against women and girls.  We will speak out in defense of victims and survivors through teaching, preaching, Bible study, and advocacy programs.

The Seventh day Adventist Church seeks and welcomes partnerships and collaboration with others in addressing this global issue.  The collective voice of many can save tens of thousands of women and girls from the harm and suffering that result from abuse and violence.

(This statement is supported by the following Bible references:  John 3:16; Genesis 1:26; Isaiah 61:1-3; Ephesians 5:2-3; 1 John 3:10, 15-18, 4:11; 3 John 1:2; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19; Romans 12:1-2.)

This statement was approved and voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Administrative Committee (ADCOM) and was released by the Office of the President, Ted N. C. Wilson, at the General Conference session in Atlanta, Georgia, June 23-July 3, 2010.

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During last weeks General Conference Session many Official Statements were voted by the World SDA Church.  Three in particular had to do with children and the family.  I just wanted to share them with you in the next several days because I think its great that our world church is prioritizing our children and families.  Something to be grateful for.

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Seventh-day Adventists place a high value on children.  In the light of the Bible they are seen as precious gifts from God entrusted to the care of parents, family, community of faith and society-at-large.  Children possess enormous potential for making positive contributions to the Church and to society.  Attention to their care, protection and development is extremely important.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church reaffirms and extends its longstanding efforts to nurture and safeguard children and youth from persons–known and unknown–whose actions perpetrate any form of abuse and violence against them and/or sexually exploit them.  Jesus modeled the kind of respect, nurture, and protection children should be able to expect from adults entrusted with their care.  Some of His strongest words of reproof were directed toward those who would harm them.  Because of the trusting nature and dependence of children upon older and wiser adults and the life-changing consequences when this trust is breached, children require vigilant protection.

Redemptive Correction

The Seventh-day Adventist Church places a priority on church-based parent education that helps parents develop the skills necessary for a redemptive approach to correction.  Many children experience harsh punishment in the name of a biblical approach to discipline.  Correction characterized by severe, punitive, dictatorial control often leads to resentment and rebellion.  Such harsh discipline is also associated with heightened risk for physical and psychological harm to children as well as increased likelihood the youth will resort to coercion and violence in resolving their differences with others.  By contrast, examples from Scripture as well as a large body of research confirm the effectiveness of more gentle forms of discipline that allow children to learn through reasoning and experiencing the consequences of their choices.  Such milder measures have been demonstrated to increase the likelihood children will make life-affirming choices and espouse parental values as they mature.

Making Church a Safe Place for Children

The Church also takes seriously its responsibility to minimize the risk for child sexual abuse and violence against children in the congregational setting.  First and foremost, church leaders and members must themselves live by a strict code of ethics that precludes even the appearance of evil as regards the exploitation of minors for the gratification of adult desires.  Other practical measures toward making church a safe place for children include attention to the safety of the church facility and its surroundings and the careful supervision and monitoring of children and their environment during all church-related activities.  Education regarding what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate interaction between adults and children, the warning signs of abuse and violence, and the specific steps to be followed should inappropriate behavior be reported or suspected are vitally important.  Pastors and church leaders who are visible and approachable play an important role in prevention as well as in responding well to the needs of children whose safety may have been jeopardized.  Regular updates are needed regarding their moral and legal responsibility to report child abuse to appropriate civil authorities.  The designation of trained personnel and specific protocols at wider levels of Church organization will help to ensure appropriate action and follow-through when abuse is reported within the church setting.

Because of the complex nature of the problem of child sexual abuse and violence against children, intervention and treatment of perpetrators requires resources beyond the scope of ministry provided by the local church.  However, the presence of a known perpetrator in a congregation calls for the highest levels of vigilance.  While perpetrators should be held fully responsible for their own behavior, the supervision of persons with a history of inappropriate behavior is necessary to ensure that such persons maintain appropriate distance and refrain from all contact with children during church-related activities.  Provision for alternative opportunities for perpetrators to grow spiritually in settings where children are not present greatly enhances child protection.

Fostering Emotional and Spiritual Healing

Children who have been personally victimized or who have witnessed disturbing events need the care of adults who treat them with sensitivity and understanding.  Practical support that helps children and families maintain stability in the midst of turmoil empowers victims and their families and promotes healing.  The Church’s commitment to breaking the silence frequently associated with child sexual abuse and violence, its efforts toward advocacy and justice for all victims, and deliberate action to safeguard children from all forms of abuse and violence will contribute much toward the emotional and spiritual recovery of all concerned.  The Church regards the nurture and protection of children as a sacred trust.

(This statement has been informed by the principles expressed in the following biblical passages:  Lev. 18:6; 2 Sam. 13:1-11; 1 Kings 17:17-23; Ps. 9: 9, 12, 16-18; 11:5-7; 22:24; 34:18; 127:3-5; 128:3-4; Prov. 31:8-9; Is. 1:16-17; Jer. 22:3; Matt. 18:1-6; 21:9, 15-16; Mark 9:37; 10:13-16; Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21; 1Tim. 5:8; Heb. 13:3.)

This statement was approved and voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Administrative Committee (ADCOM) and was released by the Office of the President, Ted N. C. Wilson, at the General Conference session in Atlanta, Georgia, June 23-July 3, 2010.

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