2015 San Antonio Adventist General Conference Session: Observations and Reflections
by Ervin Taylor, July 19, 2015: Below is a collection of observations and reflections overheard and observed based on actions taken at and statements made by Adventist denominational leaders and others during the 2015 San Antonio General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
1. “An Adventist General Conference session combines aspects of an ecclesiastical council, three-ring circus, revival meeting, political convention, sales pep rally, bazaar, family reunion, and reaffirmation rituals carried out in colorful costumes.”
2. “The voting carried out at these sessions represents the working out of a reaction from former Adventist missionary lands in the global South paying back the homelands of the Adventist global North for 150 years of evangelistic, medical, and educational efforts.”
3. “Despite the many negatives that surface at the GC session, the reports of work of ADRA in many parts of the world and the integrity of the reporting of the research at the Adventist Health Study provide evidence that many positives and much good can, under some conditions, be carried out by some working within the Adventist denominational structure.”
4. “Some Adventist clergy seem to fear a secret ballot as much as other Adventists fear the secret rapture.”
5. “The revised Adventist denominational statement concerning the nature of Creation means that, for the sake of consistency, corporate Adventism may, in the future, declare that the ancient Hebrew understanding that the earth is flat may well become Adventist Church doctrine.”
6. “When you attend an Adventist General Conference session, you are presented with evidence that, in some contemporary denominations, the spirit of the Middle Ages can be maintained and the Enlightenment can be prevented from intruding.”
7. “Institutional Adventism has created a special Adventist version of Protestant Christian Fundamentalism which denies that Adventism is Fundamentalist while embracing all of the elements of historic Fundamentalism.”
8. “Those opposing the ordination of women to the Adventist ministry need to figure a way to say with a straight face that the female Adventist prophetess was not a human woman but a special creature endowed with superhuman qualities that transcend gender.”
9. “By the actions voted at the General Conference session, the Adventist World Church has demonstrated that it is itself irrelevant not only in the modern world but also in contemporary First World Adventism in the same way that a company that manufactures buggy whips would be considered irrelevant in a modern economy.”
10. “The statements of the current General Conference president reaffirm the accuracy of a dictum of a World War II German political figure to the effect that if you say things that may not be true a sufficient number of times, those things become true to your hearers.”
Congratulations! In only a few paragraphs the observations reflect more accurately than all the lengthy comments made from hundreds of attendees and those who followed closely on telecasts.
We have yet to learn of the impression of the residents of San Antonio of the delegates they met. Could be informative, also.
“8. “Those opposing the ordination of women to the Adventist ministry need to figure a way to say with a straight face that the female Adventist prophetess was not a human woman but a special creature endowed with superhuman qualities that transcend gender.”
While many things you have observed have some credibility, to conclude that since EGW was a prophet, this means she is ipso facto qualified to hold some church office.
The fact is Dr. Taylor, that God Himself ordains a prophet, and the church has nothing to do with it. And whether the church will accept the prophet or not, will not affirm or negate the prophets ministry.
In many cases, the church never accepted the prophet. And even when it did, it went to no special effort in some ordination ceremony to affirm their acceptance. Such as Elijah, John the Baptist, Jeremiah, and the list is endless. So you create a false dilemma by assuming that a prophet is ordained by the church.
The church ordains men who qualify scripturally to hold certain offices of ministry and administration and the church does the ordaining, not God. And Jesus said, “Whatever the church does on earth that is in harmony with God’s will, is acknowledged in heaven.”
God affirms the actions of the church when those actions are in harmony with His will. No need to ordain a prophet, God did that.
Bill: “The fact is Dr. Taylor, that God Himself ordains a prophet, and the church has nothing to do with it. And whether the church will accept the prophet or not, will not affirm or negate the prophets ministry.”
Totally agree with you Bill. I agree even if the Bible expects all elders to be male (even though the SDA Church already allows ordained female elders) this does not preclude God from choosing Himself female prophets.
But my fundamental question is: Does God only choose female prophets, or does He or can He also choose women to other forms of spiritual leadership? Paul tells us God chooses people to a variety of spiritual roles:
“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11-12)
One will note prophets aren’t even first on the list! As for apostles, note God chose Matthais as one of the Twelve directly through lots (the origin of the word clergy in Greek) (Acts 1:17,26). This is in contrast to the Seven who were elected by hands (cheirotoneo or χειροτονέω, Acts 14:23; 2 Cor. 8:19). Paul likewise makes it clear that the validity of his ministry is not dependent upon the commissioning of any human authority (Gal. 1:1; 2 Cor. 11:5).
And wasn’t Mary Magdalene the first apostle? She wasn’t in the Twelve, but neither was Paul or Barnabas, who were apostles nonetheless.
Adventists are not good losers. Let me say for the record that I am 110% in favor of women’s ordination. I owe a great deal to the women of this church. My ministry includes a span of thirty-five years as a Pastor, Educator, Chaplain and Chaplain Educator. I’ve had the pleasure of presenting many candidates for chaplaincy certification who were ordained and enthusiastically endorsed by their denominations. It was embarrassing when so many Adventist women were discouraged by teachers and leaders from becoming pastors, chaplains, and serving in a variety of roles because they could not count on the full support of their church. Women are particularly adept at ministry and there is NO REASON WHY WE CANNOT ORDAIN THEM!
My mother who taught me to respect and learn from women mentors I am very grateful for the iconic and wise women who mentored me in ministry and leadership. Madelyn Haldeman, Ruth Murdoch, Leona Running, Heidwig Jemison, and many others. My Mom also taught me about losing gracefully. Losing hurts! I’m always blown away by how much can be learned simply by living and experiencing. Much of life is what we make it — to be in the position to maintain autonomy over the meaning of our existence and experiences is a privilege to be cherished and not squandered. We can find worthiness in the lows, t
and in losing. Winning is easier, it feels better! We lost in San Antonio now let’s focus on winning at home and most importantly in our lives! No te desanimes!
That is a fascinating collection of quotes. If only they could be attributed to individuals. I don’t know which one I like best, but #1 would have to be right up there.
#1 is undeniable by anyone who has attended a GC session. I went to St. Louis 10 years ago. I came away with the feeling I just attended a Democrat or Republican convention. It was the only one I ever attended, and probably the only one I will ever attend.
I considered Texas since I live in the KC area. But had other things to do and don’t really regret not having gone.
Many of you hate to see the church trying to defend itself by the word of God. It is the liberal view. I hate to see the church trying to defend itself outside the word of God.
At any rate, for me, politics now dominate as the main agenda and unity is more important than truth. Whether you are liberal or conservative, it is obvious that unity transcends any other consideration.
I am reminded of the Jews who killed Jesus for the sake of this agenda. And who doesn’t know that Rome holds the church above any other consideration.
Just to set it right–the Jews did not kill Jesus–the Romans did. This horrible spin has caused the Jewish people much persecution over the centuries while neglecting to say that the first Christians were Jewish and did not consider starting a new religion. Christ followers were a Jewish sect for some time.
Jesus was Jewish as were his followers.
I like (4) the best.
I think (9) is the biggest piece of nonsense (or choose a stronger expletive if you wish) in this article. The world is much larger than the Left Coast of the USA. There are many parts of the world where the SDA church remains highly relevant. Just because I don’t like particular actions of some person or entity, does not render them irrelevant. This is a rather childish mode of reasoning. Or perhaps another manifestation (10)? There is a case to be made that it takes one to know one 8-).
In the end, I think most people know nothing substancial was really accomplished. If you advocated male headship, there was nothing to really affirm a decision in favor of it. If you advocated WO, it was equally obvious that you could just go on with business as usual. And this is what will continue to happen for obvious reasons.
The GC can not discipline themselves, let alone any other administration under them. And as it is in civil government, those who can not discipline themselves are not qualified to govern anyone else. And this applies to any and all forms of government. Parents who can not govern themselves are certainly not fit to govern their children.
True government always starts with self government. So, how does church government on every level stack up to this test? How about a F-. The corruption in the Jewish nation at the coming of Christ, and the corruption of Christanity in the Catholic church, is now transcended by the corruption in the SDA denomination.
And I attribute about 99% of the cause of this condition to the Pluralism embraced by the church about 50 years ago. The theory of unity embraced by some idea of “unconditional election of the church” gendered a spirit that ignored self government as long as you were loyal to the church. The same spirit that governed the Jews and Rome.
But as a Protestant, I still believe God can and will create a community of believers who hold the bible above every other consideration.
“The corruption in the Jewish nation at the coming of Christ, and the corruption of Christanity in the Catholic church, is now transcended by the corruption in the SDA denomination.”
Hyperbole. Utter hyperbole.
Corruption in the SDA church pales in comparison to that elsewhere. And ironically there is a fair case to be made that corruption within the SDA church is possibly more prevalent in some parts of the world that claim to be the most “authentic” doctrinally. We live in a corrupt world and are not immune to its ills.
“Hyperbole. Utter hyperbole.”
Well, its an opinion, isn’t Jim? Maybe yours is even more “hyperbole.”
Nothing substnatial was accomplished? Quite the contrary, and in a most negative way because the whole topic of WO has stirred-up such animosity among some and such opposition to seeking God’s guidance and empowerment that the spreading of the Gospel is being further slowed in the lands where it needs to be re-energized.
And you could end up saying the same thing about the Sabbath…..
You expressed my thoughts so well! Thank you!
I don’t understand #4–why would they fear a “secret rapture” as we think it’s nonsense and unbiblical? Or is this a joke?
Erv,
Thank you for that collection of observations. If anything, that illustrates the diversity within the church and how difficult it is for the church to be uniform across cultural and historic divides.
Number Nine really resonated with me because it captures the view my experience with the Holy Spirit has led me to: while I enjoy the fellowship of other believers, what matters most is not the church organization but my personal connection with God so that I can be effective for Him by working under His guidance and in His power.
Obviously, a collection of alleged statements that reflect pretty much the observed writings of the collector!
The church remains relevant in the world as indicated by the many good things it accomplishes that would not be done if not for a larger organization with great resources. The fact that it is becoming more personally irrelevant due to some decisions and the political nature that has always been there is not of importance to the universe. If God leads, He is continuing to use the church as He wishes, good decisions or bad. I have had to move from thinking of the church as a “government” to a “servant.” It exists to serve God and members. It will be judged as such in the end. God lets it decide how it wants to serve. He also lets me decide how I want to serve. Done.
Paragraph 8 is particularly on point. No credible argument can be made as to why it was acceptable for Ellen White to be selected to fulfill her various roles, many of which were pastoral in nature (e.g. preaching, mentoring, counseling), if the Bible/God is somehow against women serving in such positions. That is an inconsistency which those against w/o cannot explain.
No. 2 illustrates the greatest irony and the failure of overseas mission.
Back in the 1950s an admirable conservatives’ warning was that like the Babylonish daughters in the immediate wake of the Reformation, our Church would “sit back and rest” on its reformational achievements, and would cease to implement Present Truth as it was revealed.
Today we are improbably being told that we have taken things too far and that we must “advance” to a holier past, at a time when our Church was still assembling its earliest DNA. In no sense do I believe that the Church I honor and support today somehow reached its spiritual apogee in the 1880s or early 1900s. The story and tradition of Adventism has been to progress into “all truth” and by no means do I believe we have reached that summit of faith.
Some perhaps argued back in the 1850s that abolition of slavery was extra-biblical and that there was absolutely, positively, no support for such a social (let alone theological) stand at that time. But a progressive Adventist Church perceived in
Scripture a progressive form of liberation that transcended Paul’s repeated admonitions that slaves obey their masters, and in fact we earnestly championed the “stealing” of slaves from the South to lead to freedom in regions north.
I still believe that we have far more to fear from those who call for cessation of the Protestant Reformation in the Adventist Church. We have a long way to go to implement Truth in our midst, and some change may seem at first blush to challenge ancient readings of some…
Edwin A. Schwisow on July 27, 2015 at 8:50 am said:
“But a progressive Adventist Church perceived in Scripture a progressive form of liberation that transcended Paul’s repeated admonitions that slaves obey their masters, and in fact we earnestly championed the “stealing” of slaves from the South to lead to freedom in regions north.”
FYI, We have the late Roy Branson to thank for this research on Ellen White’s view of equality , he wrote:
“It would have been possible for Adventists to have opposed slavery, seen its evil as one of the signs of the end, and still not preached equality between blacks and whites. By the time of the collapse of Reconstruction and the birth of Redemption, when Mrs. White launched her appeals for the Southern work, even radical Republican papers assumed the inferiority of the black man. “It was quite common in the eighties and nineties to find in the Nation, Harper’s Weekly, the North American Review, or the Atlantic Monthly, Northern liberals and former abolitionists mouthing the shibboleths of white supremacy regarding the Negro’s innate inferiority, shiftlessness, and hopeless unfitness for full participation in the white man’s civilization.”[ C. Vann Woodward, The Strange Career of Jim Crow (1966), p. 70; cf. Vincent P. Desantis Republicans F ace the Southern Question (1959), pp. 2452. .”‘ Testimonies, vol. 7, p. 225.] And during this same period of the eighties and nineties, Mrs. White was adamant: “blacks and whites are equal…