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Brad: Visionary Spiritual Leadership
By Harold L. Lee
with Monte Sahlin
Center for Creative Ministry
Lincoln, NE
2005
Copyright © 2005, Center for Creative Ministry and Bradford-Cleveland Institute
We dedicate this book to Brad and Ethel.
Table of Contents
Forward by Calvin Rock
Preface by Neal C. Wilson
Chapter 1—Childhood and Spiritual Foundations
Chapter 2—Pastoral Ministry and the Art of Preaching
Chapter 3—Conference Administration in an Era of Change and Progress
Chapter 4—Denominational Leadership
Chapter 5—A Theology of Church Organization and Administration
Chapter 6—A Passion for Evangelism
Chapter 7—Christian Social Concern
Acknowledgments
Any good book is not the product of a single mind. This one is no different. The authors are grateful to many people who have made this book possible. Foremost, I want to express my profound thanks, deepest admiration, and respect to Monte Sahlin, an exceptionally talented servant of God and the Church. He had the arduous task of bringing all the research and outline together into cogency and a readable book. To properly assess his value and the help in this endeavor is impossible.
There is a significant need to recognize and publish the contributions made by many outstanding Black spiritual and visionary leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, men of yore, who have emerged since the introduction of Regional Conferences in 1944–45, most of whom are products of Oakwood College, Huntsville, Alabama. This volume recognizes the outstanding gifts and lasting contribution of one such individual: Charles Edward Bradford, affectionately known as “Brad” to many, and as “hon” by his devoted wife, Ethel. This book is only a beginning. It is hoped that this volume will encourage others to take up the task and chronicle the contributions others have made.
The raw materials used to construct the narrative are the experiences, memories, and testimonies of many people, as well as a wealth of documents that constitute the basis for this work. This includes articles, scholarly papers, official documents, letters and sermons by Brad. Parts of the book were first presented by Brad at the several Compleat Administrator seminars, Faith Action Advance meetings, and similar events. Throughout the book there is also information gathered in personal interviews with Brad, Calvin B. Rock, Mrs. Eva Bradford-Rock, and Mervyn Warren. We thank them for their wisdom and friendship, as well as their willingness to talk on the record.
We also thank the many others who contributed personal notes and materials for use in the preparation of this volume, including James and Sharon Lewis, Neal C. Wilson, Delbert Baker, Warren S. Banfield, Mardian Blair, Henrietta E. Blanchard, C. D. Brooks, E. E. Cleveland, James Cress, George H. Crumley, Robert Dale, Dr. Sidney L. Davis, Charles E. Dudley, Philip Follett, James Gilley, Malcolm D. Gordon, William and Noelene Johnsson, Ted Jones, Alvin M. Kibble, Chaplain James H. Melancon, William C. Murrill, Gary Patterson, Benjamin Reaves, Russell Staples, Fred Thomas, Meade C. Van Putten, Kit Watts, Robert L. Woodfork, Sr., and Charles Woods. We are particularly appreciative of the assistance of Bert B. Haloviak, director of Archives and Statistics for the General Conference, and the research and editorial staff of the Center for Creative Ministry.
Having said all this, we as authors take full responsibility for the content of this book, as well as for any errors and omissions. We hope you find it not only reflective and refreshing, but also inspiring.
Harold L. Lee
Forward
A very wise and prudent author once wrote, “there are no great men among us.” (Ellen G. White, Evangelism, page 134) Her point is that all leaders, no matter how memorable or meaningful their contributions, owe their effectiveness to God. Among those whom God calls and equips for leadership in the church, some are more supremely endowed than others.
High on the list of the gifted leaders that God has provided for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 20th century is certainly Charles E. Bradford. Blessed with the strength of conviction, the unswerving loyalty and deep commitment of his preacher father, and the sensitive intuition, winning personality and endearing disposition of his mother, Bradford came to church leadership balanced and buoyed for productive service. He also acquired an appreciation for education, a healthy dose of racial pride, a pronounced gift for oratory and an exemplary work ethic. Coupled with unique gifts of memory, a sense of timing, a voracious appetite for reading and a lively sense of humor so distinctly his, we do not wonder that his contribution has been singular. We must note that the primary element of his stature as a church leader is not his gifts but his deep devotion to God.
Because, “to whom much is given, much is required,” Bradford’s requirements have been extraordinary. With his spiritual insight and dedication, he has influenced the lives of millions as well as making an impact on the thinking of a whole generation of church leaders, the structure and the dynamics of the church.
As a leader, thinker, preacher and author, Bradford deserves the commemoration that this book provides. The Bible study, theology and administration preserved here deserves our appreciation and renewed attention. Only once or twice in each century do character and vision combine to produce such a luminary—a star, a person upon whom rests the hand of God and upon whom coalesces the undiluted recognition of the people.
This book describes how all of the above develops into practical areas of service. It reminds us that while there may be “no great men among us,” the great God gifts as He desires and honors His pledge to provide His church with leadership equal to its mission.
Calvin Rock
General Vice President (Retired)
General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church
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