I actually think you misunderstand what I was saying. While the total tithe income across the world may be in the billions, most of that money is retained and spent at the local conference, union, and division levels. And it is still true that the largest amount of tithe is given in NAD. If NAD drops their percentage that they send to the GC, which has been happening lately anyhow, that will create a budget shortfall for the GC even though overall tithe income worldwide keeps going up. Does this make sense?
yes, it does make sense…you’re distinguishing between total tithe and tithe received by the GC, which i wasn’t…thx for the correction
i’m thinking that this situation is a little like american spending in NATO…if it spends more than others, is it sacrificing more, given that it starts off with more, and does any of this entitle it to push its weight around, a la trump…that is, even before formulas for NAD cutbacks kicked in, did what it sent to the GC represent the same sacrifice that a smaller percentage and much smaller total from zimbabwe would have represented…christ seemed to think the widow’s two mites were worth more than the pharisees’ likely thousands, even though the pharisees’ likely thousands likely paid for the gold in the temple, not to mention the temple itself…
personally, i think it would be an ugly thing for NAD to retaliate for the vote against WO or any voted measures against its non-compliance with san antonio by cutting back what it sends to the world church…jackson has indicated he has a plan up his sleeve if the compliance review committees materialize…i truly hope that plan doesn’t include withholding support…
I don’t think that will happen. Remember at last year’s NAD year-end meetings they voted down a proposal to reduce the tithe sent to the GC to the same levels as the other divisions.
Help us out here. When did Jackson indicate that he has a secret plan?
There has never been an iota or grain of resentment or retaliation from the NAD for the constant procrastination on its request decades ago to move forward in equality. For 100 years this issue has been studied and EGW, a co-founder of the Church has at least six ordination certificates, credentials granted to her by the GC and signed by the various presidents.
If retaliation were an option or a strategy, it would have already been in place. The NAD is nothing but generous, open, giving, and supportive of the World Church. And God has blessed them for it. In fact, could the G.C. even cover its own operating expenses without the NAD? Not likely.
well, i wouldn’t use the world ‘secret’…i can’t remember now where i saw it, but he said something to the effect that he has a back-up plan if the compliance review committees materialize…i’ll see if I can find where i saw it, and get back to you…
I wouldn’t be surprised at all. The NAD has been wise as serpents and harmless as doves. They are well advised by wise counselors and strategists. And with God and the Holy Spirit leading, who knows what plans could emerge?
I was on vacation so I was not there, but someone told me that he said something to that effect during the Q&A session when he came to the Azure Hills for a weekend in September. I then just relaxed, assured that the NAD may be safe…
i’m still looking into where i saw this…if i can find it, and we all look carefully, maybe we can figure out ahead of time what that back up plan is…
last year he definitely ruled out splitting from the GC, and harrpa seems to think he’d never decrease funding…i’m not sure what else there could be, unless it was getting rid of all ordinations, or making all commissionings and ordinations totally equivalent and interchangeable…
Just to clarify. I did not say that NAD won’t decrease funding; they would not do it for retaliatory reasons. Although pushed to the wall and for the preservation of conscience, who knows? Money does talk and the NAD does have leveraging power with the purse. Perhaps this might lead to hardcover negotiations.
All the delegates should read EGW statement for them in the article " The Great Controversy" in the Review and Herald=
“All the compelling power is found only under Satan’s government. The Lord’s principles are not of this order. He would not work on this line. He would not give the slightest encouragement for any human being to set himself up as God over another human being, feeling at liberty to cause him physical or mental suffering. This principle is wholly of Satan’s creation. {par. 7}”
Tonight is the formal opening of the AC2018. I would strongly suggest to all wives of our honorable GC delegates to exert influence and be strong advocates for allowing equal opportunity for both sexes in serving our Lord which might even include the “Tylenol Manuever.” (Aspirin or NSAIDS might do as well.) For the next ten days, make sure a Tylenol tablet is placed and held between your knees making sure it never falls whenever your husband is around you.
EGW MESSAGE FOR THE DELEGATES AT THE 2018 GC ANNUAL COUNCIL=
“All the compelling power is found only under Satan’s government. The Lord’s principles are not of this order. He would not work on this line. He would not give the slightest encouragement for any human being to set himself up as God over another human being, feeling at liberty to cause him physical or mental suffering. This principle is wholly of Satan’s creation. {par. 7} The principles of the character of God were the foundation of the education constantly kept before the heavenly angels. These principles were goodness, mercy, and love. Self-evidencing light was to be recognized and freely accepted by all who occupied positions of trust and power. They must accept God’s principles, and, through the presentation of truth and righteousness, convince all who were in his service. This was the only power to be used. Force must never come in. All who thought that their position gave them power to command their fellow beings, and control conscience, must be deprived of their position; for this is not God’s plan.{par. 8} These principles are to be the foundation of education in God’s church today. The rules given by him are to be observed and respected. God has enjoined this. His government is moral. Nothing is to be done by compulsion. Truth is to be the prevailing power. . All service is to be done willingly, and for the love of God. All who are honored with positions of influence are to represent God; for when officiating, they are in the place of God. In everything their actions must correspond to the importance of their position. The higher the position the more distinctly will self-sacrifice be revealed if they are fit for the office. Every heart that is controlled by these principles will be loyal. But when those who profess to be in God’s service resort to accusation, they are adopting Satan’s principles to cast out Satan; and this never will work.” {par. 9}
It seems to be indeed a “secret” plan. None of my parakeets has been able to provide me any info on this. I think we just have to trust DJ hoping his plan is better and more powerful than Wilson’s current Machiavellian plan.
