General Conference President Ted Wilson Calls for Compassion and Healing

[spectrumbot]

Editor’s Note: On June 1, 2020, the Adventist News Network published a statement from General Conference President Ted N. C. Wilson calling for compassion and healing “especially to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, whose lives ended tragically.” This statement follows Wilson’s May 29 appeal which referenced the death of an “unarmed African-American by a police officer,” along with several other events he labeled “unusual situations around the world.”

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://spectrummagazine.org/news/2020/general-conference-president-ted-wilson-calls-compassion-and-healing

[cfowler]

@spectrumbot

On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist worldwide family, I have sent letters of condolence to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, expressing our sorrow for the tragic loss of their loved ones and stating unequivocally that as Seventh-day Adventists we stand strongly on the biblical principles that go against hatred, rage, racism, bigotry, evil surmising, prejudice, and more, and offered the families support, hope, and encouragement through God’s Church.

I wonder what the families would think if they knew about the segregated conferences?

@spectrumbot

through God’s Church.

I wonder what Church he’s referring to? Surely he doesn’t mean just the Adventist Church. TW wouldn’t think that, right?

[frankpeachamvt (Frank Peacham)]

@cfowler

I wonder what the families would think if they knew about the segregated conferences?

I think the Regional Conferences (Black) could easily be united with the overlapping Conferences if the they wished to do so. It remains to be seen if this union would permit enhanced Black leadership and they would be given permission to follow separate policies in regard to their congregations. As it now stands, the two distinct Conferences seldom meet together for ministerial meetings on the local level. I am sure this union would be cost savings in terms of overhead expenses, however the black leadership would be lose status of to the larger white leadership. Is this racism?

[cfowler]

@frankpeachamvt

Is this racism?

It certainly could be viewed that way by many people.

[Barrington (Barrington Brennen)]

Please, please! Why can’t our world president give a social justice message. In his message, while he is seeking to be comforting, misses the target greatly. I don’t think he gets it. I want to see a message of SOCIAL JUSTICE and participation. I do not want to see a SPIRITUAL message to remind us of the “end time” etc. We know that. We need action. I congratulate Adventist pastors and members who are joining the protest. I want to see President Wilson there also. Yes, I want to see him protesting. We need a message about SOCIAL JUSTICE, not one about SPIRITUAL CONVERSION OR CONVICTION. Rise up, President Wilson and protest.

Brennen, Bahamas. I have children living in Florida and Portland.

[DarrelL (Darrel Lindensmith)]

G. Alexander Bryant should be elected to the presidency of NAD. It seems to be the most logical and right move to make. Dr Bryant is more than capable. Why is it that our black brothers and sisters seem to be always relegated to being “vice” this, or “vice” the other?

[DarrelL (Darrel Lindensmith)]

G. Alexander Bryant should be elected to the presidency of NAD. It seems to be the most logical and right move to make. Dr Bryant is more than capable. Why is it that our black brothers and sisters seem to be always relegated to being “vice” this, or “vice” the other?

[DrFBray]

How we embrace diversity of gifts and ethnicities, how we fight bigotry, zenophobia and other related racial differences, would be more believable when the leadership of our conferences, be intentionally accepting of black and brown leaders at the helm of the SDA church Organization.