Trans-European Division Asks General Conference to Amend Working Policy, Create Single Credential

Spectrum Website
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The Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists (TED) has unanimously voted a strong request to the General Conference that consideration be given to issuing a single credential for those in ministry, or to alternately amend existing credentials making them more inclusive.

TED President Rafaat Kamal convened an extraordinary session of the TED Executive Committee Wednesday specifically to draft a formal response to the General Conference’s “Unity in Mission” document. Committee members convened in person and by conference call for the all-day session.

During its 2016 Annual Council, the General Conference Executive Committee voted 169-122 to endorse a three-page document titled “Unity in Mission: Procedures in Church Reconciliation” that outlined a multi-step procedure for dealing with entities of the World Church seen as being out of compliance with denominational policy. Though leaders denied that the document focused on women’s ordination specifically, its implementation has targeted territories of the World Church that ordain women ministers.

Using the steps in the “unity” document, the General Conference has taken what it characterizes as conciliatory steps with North American Division union conferences the GC views as being out of compliance with GC policy on the issue of women’s ordination.

The Trans-European Division Executive Committee during its 2016 Year-end Meeting in Montenegro determined that “particular issues and circumstances within Europe that need sensitive understanding from the larger body of Adventism.” The equal treatment of women was chief among those issues during a discussion of the division’s response to the “Unity in Mission” document. According to a report from the TED News Network, the TED Executive Committee looked to Acts 15 and the Jerusalem Council as a model for finding a win-win solution for two groups at an impasse. Swedish Union President Göran Hansen suggested that leaders work towards solutions and reconvene the full Executive Committee in February 2017. Hansen suggested that giving more time to discussing, listening and consulting with policy experts would help the division move towards consensus. Netherlands Union Conference President Wim Altink recommended that TED officers, working with the division executive secretary, draft a careful, well-reasoned response to the “unity” document to be discussed, amended and accepted at the extraordinary session. The committee overwhelmingly approved the proposals from Hansen and Altink, and February 15 was chosen as the date for the committee to convene.

TED Executive Committee members deliberate during Wednesday's extraordinary session.

The TED request included a preamble pledging to respect and uphold decisions made by the General Conference in Session with recognition that decisions made at the General Conference level of administration must always be implemented in a local context.

TED leaders noted that the ordination vote at the 2015 General Conference Session in San Antonio, Texas has had unintended and, at times, problematic consequences: women pastors and women elders have been told by church members that they may not speak in churches, for instance. Since San Antonio, the TED and constituent unions have deliberately worked to affirm women in ministry, combatting misinformation that arose from the ordination vote. The Executive Committee called the time and energy consumed by dealing with the San Antonio’s aftermath vote a distraction from the church’s mission and said the issue alienates young church members, hurting the church’s credibility with a largely secular public.

The request voted unanimously by the TED Executive Committee states:

Recognising that the current system of ministerial credentials (ordained) and commissioned credentials function for most of the church, and wanting to respect the decision made by the General Conference in Session in San Antonio, we would request that consideration be given to:

A single ministerial credential which is issued to all who are engaged in pastoral ministry, so bringing Working Policy in line with Fundamental Belief 14. This would entail amending Working Policy by deleting the parenthesis and footnote to BA 60 10 and/or amending/deleting E 60 to reflect a single credential.

TED Executive Secretary Audrey Andersson said the request is well within voted policy. “We cannot create a new credential ourselves, but we can recommend to the GC,” she said.

The Executive Committee saw other potential solutions available to the GC. The GC could also enhance the role of commissioned ministers to acheive gender parity.

TED President Rafaat Kamal said of the request, “it opens the door for positive dialogue and solutions.”

Jared Wright is Managing Editor of SpectrumMagazine.org.

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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at http://spectrummagazine.org/node/7879
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#2

Congratulations to the TED on picking up the pieces once again that are lying around in the china shop.

Commiseration on their likelyhood of success.

To Che Guevara the following saying is attributed: “We don’t have a chance, let’s use it.”

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#3

ted be sure to turn off the lights as you close the door behind you.

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#4

I wonder how long would it take the NAD to follow course and turn in an equally “unanimously” vote to request the GC to “Amend Working Policy, Create Single Credential.” As a matter of fact, why did not the NAD take the lead?

Mr. Dan Jackson, the clock is ticking. We are counting the days.

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#5

What is BA60 10 and E 60? How does that relate to women’s ordination in pastoral work? It is common knowledge that the Adventist church teaches, and upholds, the biblical teaching of gender equality. It has however voted to not ordain women. There are those than cannot separate one from the other and find glaring inconsistency therein. How can the mere “one credential” move solve the ordination issue? Or is the TED attempting to put the GC/World church in a legal corner in order to achieve ordination?

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#6

Such gentle but persistent work by the TED should prevail, especially if joined by the NAD and SPD. Surely the GC leaders can see where this is going, and that the needs of the western world will not go away. I pray for the God of Peace to over-rule personal pride.

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#7

Working to achieve much needed policy change in the General Conference Working Policy such as is recommended here by the Trans-European Division Executive is essential. However, there is one thing that is even more fundamental than that.

It is time to recognize that a one size fits all ordination just doesn’t work in our global communion. Rather, what we all must agree on in the global context is a broad and encompassing statement of the theology of ordination. We need something more than the 3 page consensus statement of the TOSC though this is a very helpful beginning. Such a statement would include a set of values and principles that could be globally endorsed.

Our practices of the rite of appointment to Adventist leadership could then be designed and implemented more locally ie at Division and Union level. It would be anticipated that there would be considerable variety in the design and implementation across the world field.

In order to maintain global unity, all such practices would be endorsed by the global field ie. at Annual Council, before their implementation. Also, when an Adventist leader transfers to a new field, their individual credential would be endorsed by that new field.

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#8

The Trans European Division is appropriately headquartered in St Albans, England, where the United Kingdom currently celebrates its second female prime minister, after Margaret Thatcher.

The twenty two countries which make up this division have had NUMEROUS female prime ministers/presidents.

Somewhat difficult for their church pastors/teachers/professors/administrators to perpetuate the General Conference myth that women are inherently inferior!

The TED suggestion of one credential for ALL ministers, should offer the denomination a face saving EXIT from the current impasse which is proving divisive, disruptive, damaging, and dismaying.

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#9

AAt last

At last common sense seems to prevail. Well done TED for presenting a simple way forward.

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#11

God is on His throne! Here we are: the part of God’s reformation that started in 1844, that has been called to reinstate the Most Holy Place and articles in the ark of the covenant. The Law, the jar of manna and Aaron’s rod that budded=Divine Election. We are finally wrestling with that last article-letting God be God and acknowledging God’s right to choose whomever He wants to do His work. Jesus is coming soon and this church is fulfilling prophecy through the Sanctuary and the last prediction by Paul in Galatians 3:28: no male or female. My prayer is that our church will bow before God in this and not delay His coming any longer!

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#12

you were deceived in thinking that you could force God to follow your schedule. Nothing has changed.

Come out of her my people that you be not partakers in her sins.

Christ is risen.

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#13

If I recall from earlier Spectrum, All the Europeans are asking for – a BLESSING on what they had already begun. Commissioned pastors regardless of Gender.
One from the NA Division would hope that they WILL NOT recind what they began with Equality and Non-discrimination to the Call of the Holy Spirit among their members.
Even if the MEN of the GC, wearing Blinders, as Jesus said, See but Don’t see, Hear but Don’t Hear the Spirit calling, may they continue down the path they began regardless of not receiving a Blessing.

#14

sadly, TED’s total population of 81,000, representing 0.4% of our world church, is an issue…for instance, SID’s total population is 3.5 million, representing 17.5% of our world church…unless our GC becomes organized around the concept of divisional equality irrespective of numbers, there’s little hope that a smaller division’s input, or even legitimate needs, is going to receive any meaningful consideration…because the eventual regional tilt of influence in our GC, clear in hindsight, was obviously neither foreseen nor planned for, we now have a world church run by the global south…under current circumstances, the global north has the choice to obey the dictates of the global south, or obey the dictates of the global south…this die has been cast long before any bright ideas have had a chance to emerge in any extraordinary EXCOM meeting in any division in the global north…

before we can meaningfully discuss church policy in terms of cultural applications, it is necessary to ensure that all cultures come to the table with equal relevance…perhaps divisional equality, and not gender equality, should be the real focus for divisions in the global north as we approach indianapolis 2020, assuming a world church still exists…

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#16

The church is again approaching a major intersection for it to make a genuine decision with biblical backing. In the 1900,during WWI, the church was confronted with the decision as to whether its member should bear arm; the GC didn’t give a convincing answer. as a result, the church had its first breakaway(Reformed SDA Church) in Germany.the Reformed SDA church continues to teach the bible and all writins of Ellen White. TED’s request is a Trojan horse with the purpose of WO. The wisdom of this world is not what Church is run by rather the divine word of God. TED should focus on growth in its population of 81,000 in the entire Europe. It is now to take God’s word to the people. People are busy working to fragment the church with worldly policy issue

#17

With all due respect to this weighed and clever request of my division, let me analyse the wording:
The request is saying: “we would request that consideration be given to…” We would is like standing or kneeling in front of a king or a dreadful ruler. And yes it is so after getting GCAC 2016 message of compliance. What else is left to you if you have only 81.000 members and are a net receiver of GC funds. I think that everyone can see that it is a power game. That is why I have more confidence in NAD.
Anyway kudos to my Division for discovering this detail of this huge discrepancy between WP and a very important FB #14.

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#18

When the “national legislation” goes against scripture then we need to follow scripture. Scripture paints a patriarchy as the structure of society and church relationships not feminism. If women never entered ministry then this would not even be raised….for decades male ministerial entrants accepted that their licenced status was not on par with full ordination………the horse has already bolted and we may well regret ever ordaining women even as elders……I think that is just the TED’s smokescreen to continue to push WO in the GC’s face…….they quickly go against “legislation” when it suits them……

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#19

Good evening Everyone,

In relation to this topic, I would like to ask this question:

Given the case that Adventist pastors, and irrespective of their gender, have accepted the position/job to serve God in a leadership capacity, are you of the view that both parties should be conferred the title “ordained” so that they can fulfill the church ordinances, as well as get other perks that come with the title?

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#20

Perhaps, but if the goal for the TED should be to increase its numbers, it may be a more appealing and credible movement with a message also carried by women ordained as ministers in a church that has entered the modern age. If one is going to fret over an apparent lack in church growth, apparently having a church with only ordained males has historically not been as successful as hoped. WO is not necessarily a worldly issue, but like some other issues facing our church, it can be a distraction in these times, and I’ll lay the credit for that on how poorly GC leadership has handled the matter. A more important issue facing our church, whether presented by ordained women and men in the ministry, is getting our message and mission straight. As long as we present a picture of God’s Remedy (Gospel) for the cosmic rebellion (sin in the Great Controversy) that is obscured and misrepresented by the forensic language of penal substitution, we are failing to accept Christ’s Great Commission - to represent and reveal the truth about God’s Character of love. The gender of the message bearer is insignificant in this case. Consider: “It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth.” – {COL 415.3} I also refer readers to Signs if the Times, January 20’ 1890, "God Made Manifest in Christ."Perhaps, but if the goal for the TED should be to increase its numbers, it may be a more appealing and credible movement with a message also carried by women ordained as ministers in a church that has entered the modern age. If one is going to fret over an apparent lack in church growth, apparently having a church with only ordained males has historically not been as successful as hoped. WO is not necessarily a worldly issue, but like some other issues facing our church, it can be a distraction in these times, and I’ll lay the credit for that on how poorly GC leadership has handled the matter. A more important issue facing our church, whether presented by ordained women and men in the ministry, is getting our message and mission straight. As long as we present a picture of God’s Remedy (Gospel) for the cosmic rebellion (sin in the Great Controversy) that is obscured and misrepresented by the forensic language of penal substitution, we are failing to accept Christ’s Great Commission - to represent and reveal the truth about God’s Character of love. The gender of the message bearer is insignificant in this case. Consider: “It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth.” – {COL 415.3} I also refer readers to "Signs if the “Times,” January 20, 1890, “God Made Manifest in Christ.”

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#21

In the bible, there was a woman named Noah .( Numbers 26:33 ) . God believes in being equal ,. We should both treat women equal and pay them equal . The benefits that go along with being ordained should be extended to all .We must move beyond the Angels of Ebony, where we ate in separate dinning rooms at GC ,just because of the color of our skin. God created both Man and Wo- Man .The roles may be different as to gender , but as it relates to duty and the call to ministry ,God requires all hands on deck . Brothers, You can not have these women to go to university ,complete a degree and not aspect to be in full time ministry .If you have a problem with that, than let’s all become Scottish and wear a skirt . No one will know what we are wearing under it . Amen. Praise the Lord.

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#23

I just can’t fathom how women’s ordination can be controversial in the Adventist Church. Certainly every Adventist has read the creation story where Eve was created from Adam’s rib to indicate equality. The Patriarchy was the result of sin. Certainly Jesus our creator , savoir and re-creator did not die to leave us in sin! Perhaps Baptists could have an issue with women’s ordination but Adventists?

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