The beards and dress-ups at the General Conference’s 2018 Annual Council meetings in Battle Creek were possibly worse publicity than the debate about what was voted at the meetings. And, in that context, it was hardly surprising that Elder Wilson then had to “clarify” — later during the Annual Council meetings — his Sabbath sermon comments seeming to discourage the church’s engagement with “social issues.”
Jesus’ ministry was one of words and deeds that proclaimed that his new kingdom was breaking into the kingdoms of this world.
When He ascended on high, He sent His Spirit to be His Vicar and His Viceroy to impel His followers to continue His kingdom ministry to the world.
Jesus performed his ministry with one individual at a time. Yet the redemption He provided had social implications big time. Redemption and lift is a well understood phenomenon. It has often been seen in the ministry of Adventists.
People who have been redeemed will work intently for the uplifting of their society. This is how we love each other.
The best way to end this nonsense in the Adventist church is to adopt wholeheartedly the desires and wishes of the GC leadership. Give it enough time, everyone will realise what a failure that course of action is and change direction, and will never be tempted to revert to this line of action again. Don’t give it too much time however, as one will end up with a rump of old men, who won’t ever change their ways.
At the moment the church is split. The different factions will continue to seek support for their factional positions. The middle will be hollowed out. Not my idea of an organisation I would want to be a part of.
My reading of church history is that has always been full of division of opinions and good things can come out of it. More important is to treat each other with grace through the miracle of forgiveness that we have received.
I continue to advocate moving the GC to Africa where support is strong and costs of support personnel could be much lower. The NAD is no longer the center of the church.
STEPS TO CHRIST –
This little book was written by Ellen White.
But it interesting that she did not TRUST it in the hands of the Seventh day
Adventist church.
She contacted Revel Publishing, and they published it and sold it through
MANY Secular outlets. The story goes that it was such a popular book for
them that they asked Ellen to compose another book for them.
What is interesting in our time is that Steps to Christ comes in many different
covers, is printed by a number of SDA persons. Given away by the 1000’s, but
the Local churches themselves are not making the Message of Jesus the
primary topic that is shared VERBALLY with the community.
REASON-- we are too busy worrying about END TIMES that we have NO TIME
for the PRESENT TIMES.
Well leave our money here. Y’all can move all you want. I vote for that. And while you at it I want a refund on all $34,678.55 of my 13th Sabbath money too.
Maybe Adventism in America has been excessively good, this why it’s getting the African booth now… It happens often, even between parents and their children.
Many pastors don’t even know what is going on, they read only official literature. And, regarding members, I bet 99.999% have no clue of what is going on. Not providing information is the best way to keep the ignorants supporting the GC believing that it is still “God’s voice.”
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