The Logos for June 15, 2019--The Shifting Tide of Fatherhood

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The Logos for June 15, 2019--The Shifting Tide of Fatherhood

This lead article is written by David Defoe, Licensed Clinical Counselor and Family Life Educator, Lead Pastor at the New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Excerpt from Adventist Review - May 31, 2016 Edition.

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds. . . . Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the Lord swore to give your forefathers” (Deut. 11:18-21).

One of the greatest joys a man can have is to hold his newborn child in his hands for the first time. Gazing into his baby’s precious eyes, holding its little wrinkled hands with a finger, or listening to the sweet sound of its whimpering cries. It’s one of the most rewarding—and scary—experiences one can have.

With the euphoria of the moment comes an automatic weight on the shoulder of many fathers. Almost instantaneously comes a sense of overwhelming responsibility. We realize in that miracle moment that we are now responsible for a life that at that time can do nothing to protect itself, express its feelings, or care for its basic needs. In an instant, the parent becomes protectors, advocates, and providers for their children.

Not Your Father’s Father
Fatherhood over the past four decades has changed significantly. The role played by fathers in family life has undergone seismic shifts that can be tied to a variety of influences. Some of the changes are because of cultural trends, economic factors, historical events, and gender-equality movements. Cultural shifts have moved the role of fathers in the family from an authority figure concerned about breadwinning, control, discipline, power, and value creation, to a more supportive, emotionally engaged posture. The feminist movement of the 1970s and 1980s, which pushed for more gender equality, introduced into the equation relational consequences for fathers who would not engage in child-rearing activities.

Our job is to instill courage to face a world that is often unimpressed with our children’s best efforts.

Economic factors have played a key role in the shifting of fatherhood, as more women since the 1960s have entered the workforce.

Increasingly men are looking for ways to be better fathers, and to equip themselves to guide their children through a changing culture effectively.

So how can a father be a better dad in this shifting culture?

Be Present
Single-parent homes represent a growing epidemic in North America and around the world. Children whose fathers are around, living at home, have been shown to have less behavioral and substance abuse problems, and greater levels of autonomy and confidence. The impact of missing fathers has ramifications for economic stability, school achievement, substance abuse, physical and emotional health, crime, and sexual activity.

Our children need us: they need us to be present, to be engaged emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Be Involved
There’s a big difference between being there and being “with” your children.

We have to interact directly with our children; we cannot be so passive that opportunities to play, learn from them, and emotionally connect with them pass by.

Accessibility. Make sure your children can express issues that are important to them, that you are open to meaningful conversations about their day, their friends, their challenges, and their relationships. If parents do not make themselves accessible to their children, not just with time but with nonjudgmental listening, our children will find someone else to talk to.

Responsibility. Provide children with the resources they need to be successful.

Build Trust
We are great at providing physical needs, recreational needs, and spiritual needs, but our children have emotional needs as well.

Love Through the Ages
Our job is to help build confidence, to instill a sense of esteem, resilience, and courage to face a world that is often unimpressed with our children’s best efforts. That can be done only with encouragement, unconditional love, and support. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4).

Man, What a Man!
As fathers, we have the important task of being leaders, priests in the home. It is our responsibility do our best and give all we can to help our children succeed in this changing world. Our children need us: they need us to be present, to be engaged emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

As the paradigm of fatherhood continues to shift and fathers’ roles expand, we do well to remember Ellen White’s statement: “The world is not so much in need of great minds as of good men who will be a blessing in their homes.”

The Author:  David Defoe (See Photo on the right), Licensed Clinical Counselor and Family Life Educator, Lead Pastor -New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church, Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Excerpt from Adventist Review - May 31, 2016 Edition. 

CONFERENCE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE

JUNE

14: Bahamas Academy Secondary Baccalaureate Service
17: Bahamas Academy Elementary/Early Learning Center Graduation (a.m.)
17: Bahamas Academy Secondary Graduation (p.m.)
21-23: BC Pathfinder Camporee
27: SBC Executive Committee Meeting
28: RENEW (Launch of SBC Ministerial Magazine)
29: SBC Conference Bible Experience (Finals) Joint Service
29: Youth Basketball Championships

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES

All Elders, Church Clerks and assistants are asked to attend a special meeting at the Grant’s Town Church on Sunday June 23, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. Please be on time. Family Island Elders and Church Clerks will be related to through the district Pastors. Pastor Leonardo Rahming, Executive Secretary.  

ATCU PUSH INITIATIVE

2019 Reaping Campaigns in ATCU
The prayer focus of The Atlantic Caribbean Union (ATCU) for the week, June 16 – June 22, 2019 is: Solution to Marital Problems.

ADVENTIST LAYMEN’S & SERVICES INDUSTRIES/ASI IAD - ASI CONVENTION

The ASI Convention for the Inter-American Division will be an unforgettable experience. Register now with your local ASI leader/ representative at your church. Convention begins August 21 - 24, 2019 at the Atlantis, Paradise Island. Persons from throughout the Inter-American Division will be there. You must plan now to be there too. Registration is ongoing. --Ms. Shandera Smith, Executive Secretary, A.S.I. 

COMMUNITY SERVICES

The Adventist Community Services of our Conference along with the organizing committee would like to thank all those who supported the recent Disaster Preparedness & Relief Fair. Funds raised will be allotted for assistance in the time of a disaster. --Pastor Valentino Campbell, Community Services Coordinator.

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

Adventist Spotlight will be recording at: the Bethel Church today (June 15th) with Speaker, Pastor Larry Green.

July 6 - Pastor Alvarico Moss (New Providence Church)
August 3 - Pastor Danhugh Gordon (Johnson Park Church)
*All Pastors are asked to indicate their availability.

Harold Dorsett, Television Coordinator-SBC Media Network.

CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

The C.H.A.M Department extends a thank you to all parents of children who attended the Retreat held on June 7-9, 2019 at the Adventure Learning Center Campgrounds. Thank you, C.H.A.M leaders, guest speakers and medical personnel (from the Adventist Health Professionals Association) for your continued support as we work together in the wholistic development of our children.

VACATION BIBLE XPERIENCE SCHEDULE “IN JAMII KINGDOM”

July 1 - 5, 2019
Good News Church - 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Maranatha Church - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Church - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Ephesus Church - 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

July 1 - 12, 2019
Grant’s Town Church - 9 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Hillview Church - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

July 7 – 13, 2019
Breath of Life Church

Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, C.H.A.M Director.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OPENINGS AT BAHAMAS ACADEMY

Bahamas Academy is accepting applications for the following positions:

Grades 7 – 9: Mathematics, Technical Drawing, General Science, English Literature, English Language, Social Studies

Grades 10 – 12: Accounts, Commerce, Biology, Combined Science, Physics, Chemistry

Applicants should possess at least a bachelor’s degree in the subject area and have a Teacher’s Certificate.  Teaching experience would be an asset.

Applications can be emailed to aburrows@sbcadventist.org.bs or sent to the following address:

The Office of Education
South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
P. O. Box N-356
Nassau Bahamas

AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS: The Education Department of the South Bahamas Conference is looking for persons in grades 11 and 12 who are interested in studying teacher education. Interested persons may contact the office of education at their earliest convenience. --Elder Anthony Burrows, Education Director.

HEALTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

National Health Insurance (NHI): We are encouraging all members to register for the National Health Insurance. For further information call 396-8500 or https://www.nhibahamas.gov.bs --Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director.

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT

Second Quarter 
“WE” (Women Empowerment) – Q2 Forecast:

June 2019:  19th SBC GEMS Council Outreach – Willamae Pratt Home for Girls

Save the Date!:  Under the theme, “In Christ”, the Turks & Caicos Conference will be hosting the Atlantic Caribbean Union’s Retreat. This amazing retreat will convene at East Bay Resort, South Caicos on November 1-3, 2019 with guest speaker, Janice Johnson-Browne. Kindly see your local leader for further details. Please also note there will be no registration forms accepted after August 31, 2019. 

Special Note:  Please be reminded that the deadline for the registration fee and shirt sizes for the ATCU Retreat being held in South Caicos is due by June 30, 2019. Registration forms can be collected at the SBC Office from Mrs. Brooks and payments made to Mr. Dwight Brown. Please see your local Women’s Ministries Leader for any further information.

DONATION REQUEST: Used, But In Good Condition Devotionals. Kindly donate to your local Women’s Ministries Leader for distribution during our community out-reach projects this year. 

Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director.

YOUTH DEPARTMENT TIDBITS

Youth Month: July
Launch: Hillview Church - Friday, July 5, 2019 @ 7:30 Pm

SUMMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES:

Basketball Jamboree: Saturday night, June 22, 2019 Time: TBA

Adventist Basketball League 2019: Every Saturday Night: July 6, 13, 20, 27, Time: TBA. Teams are asked to register at Conference Office.

Adventist Track & Field Olympics 2019
Sunday, August 4, 2019 @ 9:30 a.m. T.A.R. (Former National Track & Field Stadium)

Adventist Youth Awards 2019: Date: Sunday, July 28, 2019 Time: TBA. Venue: Super Clubs Breezes Resort & Spa TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE!

Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director.   

PRAYER MINISTRIES

All members are invited to participate in all of our joint prayer meetings for the reminder of the year. Please note that each service will be held at 6 o’clock in the morning with the exception of July which will be from 9 a.m. - 12 noon.

November 3-8, 2019 - Week of Prayer Early Morning Joint Meetings at 5 a.m.  each morning at the Grant’s Town.

March 13 -15, 2020 - Prayer Conference will be held. I am asking all members to start preparing for this awesome experience. Our guest will be Pastor Pavel Gora- Ministry Magazine Editor. You will not want to miss this. – Pastor Leonardo Rahming, Prayer Coordinator

PERSONAL MINISTRIES PEOPLE TO PEOPLE

Sites For Reviving The Spirit Of Service Campaign August 10-17, 2019: It’s time to revive the spirit of service. Get involved in your sites. The method is PEOPLE TO PEOPLE. Jesus said go into all the world. People reach people.

Centreville and New Haven
Peardale, Ephesus, Agape, Message of Hope
La Senda de la Vida
New Englerston and Living Faith
Grant’s Town and Johnson Park
New Providence and Real Harvest
Maranatha, Philadelphia and Redemption
Bethel, Francophone, Ebenezer
Hillview, Bethany, Adelaide, Gambier
Good News, Berea, Breath of Life

CENTREVILLE CHURCH  THE PRAYER SATURATED CHURCH SEMINAR - July 7, 2019 - 9 a.m. -12 noon at the Centreville Church. You are invited to this special forum which will impact your personal and corporate prayer life. The Seminar will also feature the Launch of "10 Prayers of Faith For Tough Times" - Author: Paul A. Scavella. Free Registration  at ctvprayerministry@gmail.com or call Elder David Knowles at 601-413/425-11911 or Elder Roger Rolle at 558-0030.  --Centreville Prayer and Personal Ministries Departments.

BAHAMAS ACADEMY ENTRANCE EXAM

Bahamas Academy’s entrance exam will be held on Wednesday June 19, 2019. Students seeking entry into grades 1- 6 should report to the examination room from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and students seeking entry into grades        7-10 should report to the examination room from 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. at the school located on #73 Marshall Rd. Applications are available at the school or online at www.bahamasacademy.org 

GRADUATION EXERCISES: Bahamas Academy will hold its Graduation Exercises on Monday June 17, 2019 at Loyola Hall on Gladstone Road. The Early Learning Center and Elementary divisions’ program will begin at 9:00 a.m. and the Secondary division will begin its program at 1:00 p.m. All are invited to share in this grand occasion as we celebrate with our graduates. --Administration.

Living Faith and Centreville churches – The Adventist Youth department of our churches will be hosting a Sex Education Series, beginning June 15 to July 20, 2019 at the Living Faith Church. You are invited to join in the discussions on a variety of related topics every Saturday (during this period) at 5:30p.m. Come for the Real Talk, Exciting Activities and more!

Please Email Weekly Announcements

To: sbclogos@gmail.com

By Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Conference website:

http://southbahamasconference.org

CALL 341-4021

 SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH

June 22, 2019 AT 8:02 P.M.