Yesterday after church, my wife and I visited a town 38 miles away--where I had an invitation by an AA Meeting House to drop off Desmond Doss books during their monthly business meetings. They were thankful for the books.
I then proceeded to a Seventh-day Adventist Church only two blocks away. To my great surprise, as I entered the dining hall, the church's minister was holding court before the congregation, recommending against the Hacksaw Ridge movie, saying it was too much violence. I didn't mind his comments about the movie. On that I agree.
But his comments conflated the movie AND the official movie book, published by Remnant Publications. As soon as he was done, I asked for the floor, and informed the church members that the Hacksaw Ridge book by Remnant Publications is the same as Unlikeliest Hero commissioned by the Seventh-day Adventist church 49 years ago. The church members had not heard of the book.
Unfortunately, because this church's pastor is new--and I believe in courteous deference to their new pastor--the seated brethren quickly drowned out my comments and went back to regularly scheduled potluck themes. My wife and I sat to eat, sharing potluck food she had prepared. I sat near the pastor, whom I know personally (though I didn't realize he was just appointed over that church) to make myself available should he have any interest in learning more about the sharing book, but he never made a move.
A single, elderly church member came by to ask about the book, but only out of curiosity. I honestly felt disheartened and confused. Here I was, having just driven nearly 40 miles to deliver a batch of books to a vital community stakeholder (local AA house). These books contain our vital truths for just this moment, and the local church and its pastor had no knowledge of the opportunity, and appeared to take no interest.
Had God personally commissioned a movie for global distribution on the Sabbath truths in a way that appealed to worldling's interests, this is it! I am sad that many of our churches seem so self-absorbed that when God-given opportunities are placed before us, we are none the wiser, and unknowingly ignore the Master's opening providences.
Others, motivated by ideological springs, prefer to not partake so as not to support those who differ with them. And still others spread innuendo to malign organizations (Remnant Publications) for personal reasons. Dear friend, please allow the Lord to direct you as you bring this incredible opportunity to the decision-makers at your church.
"The arguments have been presented. The seed has been sown, and now it will spring up and bear fruit. The publications distributed by missionary workers have exerted their influence, yet many whose minds were impressed have been prevented from fully comprehending the truth or from yielding obedience. Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord's side." Ellen G. White, GC, 612
I visited another church, 50 miles further in the evening. They were having a difficult meeting where women's ordination and the possible dissolution of the Pacific Union Conference was being discussed, along with a contentious discussion on whether they should suspend Sabbath afternoon vespers and move them to Friday nights instead.
"Oh what peace we often forfeit.."