Adventist Record

03/12/2025

While attending the Australian government prayer breakfast recently, I met a Christian brother from India whose story deeply challenged me. He is a mechanic by profession—but beyond his trade, he is a passionate church planter. Over the years, he has planted more than 400 churches and has a goal to plant 2000 across India.

As we spoke, he discovered that I am a pastor. With genuine curiosity he asked, “So, where are you planting churches?” His question caught me off guard. It stirred something within me and made me reflect on our core calling—to build God’s kingdom in this world. Am I truly engaged in God’s mission, or have I become too comfortable within the walls of administration and routine ministry?

One of our strategic focus areas for this quinquennium is “I will go on God’s Mission”. This is not just a slogan—it’s a personal commitment. Whether we are administrators, teachers, health workers or local church members, each of us has a part to play in sharing Christ’s love and expanding His kingdom.

We can witness through acts of kindness, intentional prayer, personal Bible studies or simply by being the hands and voice of Jesus in our communities and workplaces. Every genuine word of encouragement, every prayer for a neighbour, every act of service—these are seeds of the gospel that God can use to change lives.

Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37,38 ESV).

May we each say, not just with our words but with our lives, “Here am I, Lord—send me.”

(Pastor Maveni Kaufononga, South Pacific Division vice president)

03/12/2025

We live in a world where everything is customised, convenient and customer-focused. But what happens when that mindset seeps into our spiritual lives and our churches? Join us today (4pm AEDT) on Record Live as we rethink what faith looks like in an age shaped by consumerism, with Dr Brendan Pratt, who completed a PhD in the subject.

02/12/2025

In the 16th year of the Bookshelf Top 20, the annual list continues to feature new books and favourite books among Bookshelf readers, reflects book sales through Adventist bookshops in Australia and New Zealand since January 1 this year. As such, the Top 20 also offers summer reading suggestions and helpful gift-giving ideas.

Dr Sue Radd’s Food As Medicine books continue to hold their places as perennial favourites on the bestseller list, but four of the top five books are new publications this year and this year’s list is dominated by books from Signs Publishing. This year’s list also includes three titles from Sukeshinie Goonatilleke in the top 10, continuing the popularity of this series of stories from Reformation history.

This is your chance to discover your next great read—or recipe idea—and perhaps to win one of the books on this list.

In the 16th year of the Bookshelf Top 20, the annual list continues to feature new and favourite books among Bookshelf readers.

28/11/2025

I don’t know about you, but awkward silences in conversations make me feel, well . . . awkward. Often I will eagerly start talking to fill the void. When I think about it, sometimes that’s how I try to fill the silence I feel from God, too.

It’s easy to perceive God’s silence to mean He must not be listening, must not be doing anything, must not be responding.

There have been times in my life where it’s felt like I’ve been waiting on God to open the next door and make His plans clear. But to be honest, I’m not very patient when it comes to waiting. Looking back, I wonder if those silent periods were moments where God was trying to tell me something.

Despair, longing, hopelessness—these feelings have marked the prayers of countless people throughout history—and perhaps yours too. This is what we see in the prayers of Hannah, an Israelite woman who longed for a child and cried out to God to remove her barrenness. After years and years of what seemed like silence, God blessed her with a baby boy. This boy, Samuel, was an answer to her prayers.

To read "Samuel: Hearing in the silence" by Jöelle Weekes, comment to receive a link in your DMs. Don't forget the # or it won't work!

28/11/2025

Women in church leadership can be a contentious issue among Christians, frequently prompting vigorous discussion. Male headship in the church often lies at the heart of the debate.

Although the phrase “male headship” is not found in the New Testament, it finds its roots in a particular interpretation of two primary New Testament passages, 1 Corinthians 11:3 and Ephesians 5:22, which establish the man/husband as head of the woman/wife.

Because the apostle Paul does not provide a comprehensive explanation of what it means to be the “head” as applied to Christ or husbands, various culturally influenced meanings have been ascribed to the idea throughout Christian history. Most commonly, it has been assumed that the word “head” should be understood in terms of the husband having authority over his wife and the expectation that the wife should submit to the decisions of the husband in all matters pertaining to family life (For a further exploration on headship in the home see part 2 in the December 6 issue).

For many Christians, the idea of male headship in the home naturally extends to the church. They believe that since the church is God’s family, the supposedly biblical rules governing family life should apply to the life of the church. It follows that, as the husband is the head of the family, the pastor is the head of the congregation, which submits to his authority. Since the New Testament only speaks of the “husband” being the head, this should naturally preclude women from any position that would place them in authority over others in the church.

Is there biblical support for the idea of male headship in the church? And what did Ellen White and other early Adventists think about all this?

To read the full article by Darius Jankiewicz, comment to receive a link in your DMs. Don't forget the # or it won't work!

28/11/2025

NEW ISSUE out tomorrow in churches or online today! Featuring…

👀 Male headship in the church
👨🏼‍🦲New president for Tasmanian conference
🍎 The teacher who never took a day off

(no Adventist media employees were hurt in the making of this video)

26/11/2025

Sanitarium dietitians say eating well at home begins with smart pantry planning. Much like a capsule wardrobe, a 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 is a set of essential items that work across multiple meals.

The combination of seven pantry staples in 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺’𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸 gives you the basics for a nutritious meal any night of the week. “It includes protein, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fruit and healthy fats. It means you always have a backup when you’re short on time,” says Sanitarium accredited practising dietitian Nicola Perry.

𝗡𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮’𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘀𝘂𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁

1. Tinned Legumes (Chickpeas, Lentils, Mixed Beans)
Legumes are incredibly versatile and they are packed with nutrients, fibre and antioxidants. Research shows they are one of the foods associated with living longer.

2. Canned Tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are another healthy staple. They are a source of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, and it’s known that canned tomatoes actually have more lycopene than fresh tomatoes.

3. Wholemeal Pasta or Brown Rice
Wholemeal pasta and brown rice are high in fibre, which aids digestion and promotes good health.

4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
Packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, extra virgin olive oil also contains polyphenols and antioxidants.It can be used in salad dressings, for roasting vegetables and even in cake.

5. Wholegrain Breakfast Cereal
Having a wholegrain breakfast cereal on hand means you are not only covered at breakfast, but you have a nutritious base that, with the right recipe, can create a versatile snack or meal at any time of the day.

6. Canned Fruit in Juice
Canned foods can be used widely as cheap, delicious pantry staples that can help you meet your daily nutrition goals and veggie intake. Canned fruit in juice—not syrup— is nutritious, affordable and has a long shelf life, making it budget friendly too.

7. Mixed Dried Herbs or Spice Blend
Herbs and spices are a great way to give meals extra flavour, without needing extra salt. Some can also be a source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds so having them on-hand and using them liberally is a win-win for taste and health.

26/11/2025

As we get close to the end of 2025, we have an opportunity to grab our Record team together and reflect on the best moments. Our regular team are joined by Juliana and Ashley to reflect, reminisce and look forward to 2026. And don't worry, in the next few weeks we've got some great interviews to finish the year. Wednesdays 4pm AEDT, and podcast Friday mornings.

26/11/2025

The 2025 ACA Health competition highlighted student learning on hydration, screen time and healthy living across Adventist primary schools.

25/11/2025

At many local churches, nominating committees are busy filling roles for the year ahead. But few committee members are stopping to consider how they will know if the leaders they have chosen will not just bring new ministry energy but importantly safeguard and support their church community.

Jesus’ instruction to His disciples to let the children come to Him (Matthew 19:4) reminds us of our biblical and moral duty to care for children and the most vulnerable. With a new year on the horizon, nominating committees are beginning to consider who amongst us will lead ministries and bring f...