Adventist North American Division Begins Annual Meeting of Governing Body with Review of Goals
October 29, 2015: The 2015 annual meeting of the executive committee of the Adventist denomination’s North American Division (NAD) started this morning with a review of goals by Pastor Dan Jackson, the president of the NAD. The denomination began in North America over a century ago and it has grown to 1.3 million members and more than 6,000 congregations, and Jackson referred to it as a “Grand Collaboration … all about placing our hand in the hand of God and allowing Him to lead us and to shape us!”
The expression of Adventist faith and mission in North America, Jackson emphasized, is in the congregations, elementary schools, secondary schools. colleges and universities, hospitals and health systems. “Collectively we are the expression of Adventism throughout our territory. No one expression is more important than another. We are stronger if we work as a team.”
“Here are my dreams for the North American Division team,” the long-time Canadian pastor who has also served as a missionary in Asia, told the group which includes all of the conference presidents, union conference officers, and presidents of education and health care institutions. The strategic plan that he introduced extends over the next five year.
“Number one … I dream of a North American Division where every church member is actively involved in growing the Kingdom of God. Where all members live out their lives in Christ with the knowledge that they have been called by God to serve as minister.” (1Peter 2:4-9)
“Number two … I dream of a North American Division which has grown to 7,300 congregations. Currently we have 6,277.”
“Number three … I dream of a North American Division where we unite to celebrate the expression of our faith in our local communities [through projects such as] Days of Hope and Compassion, Days of Wholeness and Compassion 10 Million.”
“Number four … I dream of a North American Division where our youth and young adults are actively engaged in the mission of the church and feel wanted and valued.
“Number five … I dream of a North American Division where we are fully utilizing the available technologies to the maximum extent possible [including] big data and social media.
“Number six … I dream of a North American Division where we are actively seeking out the new communities that are arriving on the shores of the United States, Canada, Bermuda and Guam–Micronesia as emerging immigrant populations.”
“Number seven … I dream of a North American Division where every church throughout our entire territory is a House of Prayer.”
“Number eight … I dream of a North American Division where we have 300 successful and thriving female pastors.”
“Number nine … I dream of a North American Division where members are actively involved in blessing their communities with health ministries; where partnerships are developed to do large and small events to bless those less fortunate [such as] Pathways to Health and Let’s Move.”
“Number ten … I dream of a North American Division where our K-16 schools are thriving as a result of the collaboration of pastors and teachers who see each other as colleagues in ministry.”
“Number eleven … I dream of a North American Division where our hospitals and health systems are included in our strategic planning and in the implementation of our mission throughout our territory.”
On this last item Jackson announced a Strategic Round Table early in 2016. The presidents and vice presidents from the health systems affiliated with the denomination will participate in these discussions.
[October 30, 2015]
Jackson is still promoting female pastorettes but the importance of the family apparently is not that important and obviously gets short shrift. How sad.
Each of these goals by Brother Jackson includes the words “I dream” but the meaning of that term ranges from a wish list to policies and procedures to personal preferences to deeply embedded belief systems.
In order for NAD to really change, however challenging and time-consuming it is, we must see it as a task that is not only possible but necessary. Church leaders use the word “culture” as a rhetorical talisman to block local church leadership initiatives, stifle innovation, and maintain the status quo. In the last decade, and in this last GC meeting we have learned that policy changes without cultural change is an exercise in futility and frustration.
The greatest impediment to meaningful cultural change is the gap between what leaders say they value and what they actually do. To lead challenging reform efforts, you must be willing to make changes in decision-making policies. Fundamental alternatives to the status quo of apathy and sameness must be presented. We are lacking in peer review and accountability in our ministerial ranks. We are complacent and “business as usual” in our strategies with and for the local church.
When Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have A Dream” speech he backed it up with a concrete action plan that determined to apply change methods that avoided making the mistake of the person holding a hammer who therefore sees only nails.
Dan lists his 10 “dreams”. When will the SDA church decide to get feedback on what the dreams or wants are of the members? This one way communication from top down is causing cynicism, apathy and bitterness. The denomination is plagued by institutionalism. The center of attention is the SDA organization, not on Jesus, gospel or bible. Outreach is geared to make “Adventists” not believers/followers of Jesus. I challenge any pastor or conference official to institute surveys to get input from members on issues. Time for the leaders to hear what members think instead of just telling them ..what to think (or do). The call for revival and reformation was a flop. The leadership is where revival & reformation needs to take place FIRST!
Jimbob,
Conversely, is it possible that “if the people will lead, the leaders will follow”?
Some here also view or participate on the Spectrum site. Dan just presented a sermon which just turned my stomach because it was so shallow and self-serving on the WO (groan)hot potato topic. Most male SDA pastors don’t know how to deliver significant sermons. How can female pastors deliver any better quality if schooled from the same educational institutions? And some reader will challenge my opinion of sermons? Until you get surveys going on what the member audience, in general, thinks about the quality of sermons, all you can do is express your opinion too. If sermons were so great, there would be more invitations from members to their associates.
The church is to be governed by the Word of God, not by, “what do you want to hear so you can feel good about yourself.”
At this point, the church itself has taken the place of first importance over scripture. But this is typical of human nature. It has been demonstrated for 6 thousand years in the sin scenario of human history. And sinful man will always patronize himself and seek acceptance in society in general.
Years ago I heard a sermon at camp meeting of how human beings are more important than the law. Obviously, either the speaker had no idea of what the sin issue is, or simply wanted to say something that sounded so “spiritual” and “enlightening” to receive approval and acceptance with the audience. All he did was echo the words of the devil to Eve, “Ye shall not surely die”, you are more important than the law.
But this ignorance and rebellion against God and His authority has taken many roads and diversions to make the same point. If man is “more important than the law”, then we can only conclude that “man is more important than God or His authority.”
And this is where we are today in the SDA church as “the law” has been replaced by human evaluation of what is important in various relationships in the order of creation. God created Adam first in authority, and this has not been negated by any so-called “gospel” of equality. At this point, it is blatant rebellion against God and His authority to state how this earth will operate.
Bill,
Do you remember if it was a spin on a gospel Sabbath text where Jesus used the account of David where he ate showbread from the temple and Jesus indicated priorities of commandment observance and survival of a human?
Just guessing , but most Christian pastors have warped scripture to be antinomian. The whole SDA denomination stands as a witness against 99% of Christianity who invalidate the 4th commandment with their tradition or warped bible spins.
David eating the shewbread was an exception to the rule. Are those who advocate WO appealing to an exception to the rule, or, are they claiming there is no such rule? I think we all know the answer. Those who advocate WO deny any rule of male headship exists nor did it ever exist.
As for the Sabbath, we are obviously on the road to an abandonment of the Sabbath and opting for a “spirit ethic” spirituality akin to the Catholic church. Again and again, we hear “the spirit” this and “the spirit” that, and ignore bible mandates claiming “the spirit” has opted for this or that activity. And this is one main argument used by those who advocate WO.
Questions like, “How can we deny what the spirit is doing in the ministries of all these women?” We apparently think outward signs of “success” automatically affirms the validity of the ministry. This is the same argument to support the “celebration movement” in the SDA church where we “rock and roll” around the golden calf and keep the young people in church by way of massive doses of entertainment to appease their desire to be like the world and still be church members. In many cases, it is the parent who wants them in church in the hopes they will somehow “be converted” as long as they attend and participate in church.
Wrong……. Only if the church teaches bible truth can the Holy Spirit convict and convince our your people the value and importance of being a Christian.
The SDA church is heading in the wrong direction each week.
I see an increasing diminution of scripture in the churches that I attend.
Bible verses are only used to support a topic or agenda instead of being explained to present the will of God and what is necessary for salvation.
Dan, we all have the greatest aspirations; but I think we will be happy if we can get to the 1.3 million members that you state the NAD already has; with the a net growth rate and baptisms dropping by 3,000 over the last few years.
Are you trying to simulate Canada? Where 25% now have no profession of faith (it was 4% in 1971), 66% profess to be Christian (it was 88% in 1971) and 11% profess other than Christian faith (it was 4% in 1971).
Maybe we can just stick with HIS PLAN? The NAD is dying and you offer nothing to change that; as multitudes of others work diligently for HIM. Do you have an individual plan to get to your dreams; or do you have dreams, without guts to your plans?
Anyone else notice misplaced allegiance/loyalties to the denomination instead of to God/Jesus/truth/bible.
Here is a question to chew on? What is really considered an ATTACK on the church?
Think: What is the church? Is it the 2 billion Christians on Earth.?
We know the bible verse..come out of Babylon MY PEOPLE.
Is it just the remnant SDA denomination? What about other sabbatarian denominations?
Is calling the remnant church Laodicea…an attack on the church?
Isn’t it accusing the brethren of being poor, blind, & naked?
Is any criticism of any conference official an attack on the church? What about any criticism of any pastor?
Is anyone who attacks the 40% pro WO an attack on the church? Is any attack on the 60% anti WO an attack on the church?
Is there NO room for improvement on pastors and if one inputs a critique…it is an attack on the church?
If one says that most SDA don’t spend any time on their SS lesson..is that an attack on the church? If one says that most SDA don’t really spend much time reading their bibles…is that an attack on the church?
If the conference or any pastor calls for revival & reformation , is that a subtle attack on the church?
Could those who are touchy about attacks on the church really be so institutionally oriented that they lose their security because their GOD has been threatened?
SDA allegiance versus God/Jesus/truth allegiance ???
Is this a subtle form of SDA idolatry?
Jimbob,
Organization has the potential of being a valuable tool of the church. To the extent, however, that the organization is considered to BE the church, problems cannot be resolved. It is the believers who constitute the church.
If I have a tool in my garage and it proves ineffective when I try to use it, I need to consider whether I am, maybe, not using it correctly. If it is defective, can the defect be rectified? In some cases, it might be easier to work without the tool than to use a defective one.
Some years ago, although I was not a member of the “personal ministries team”, I was invited to sit in on a meeting–with the understanding that I was not authorized to vote.
I listened for an hour. Not one thing about personal ministries. The entire time was spent talking about conference programs.
For my wife and me, personal ministry is what we do, personally, for our neighbors. There are many ways to encourage an interest in spiritual realities without using conference programs or so-called “conference funds”.
I fear our denomination has come to copy the Roman model where all instruction comes from the hierarchy.
Whatever happened to the concept that the minister’s role is to help the laity do whatever the Lord is calling the laity to do?
How many pastors first task upon going to a new assignment is to ask the laity what they are doing and what they wish to do?
Should we not approach this in wisdom? With the high level truths?
We either believe in GOD or not. We believe CHRIST came in the flesh and died for our sins or not. We believe in the BIBLE or not. We are part of the Body or not. We are Christians or not.
Colossians 2:8 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
In you contentions; why would you want to be part of a denomination that does not have allegiance to GOD/CHRIST/Truth/BIBLE? Can you provide proof of that charge please; otherwise would this not be considered an “attack” on the Church and therefore the entire Body, no matter your definition is?
How many times does Revelations 2 through 3 state; “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”? Seven times; one for each message to the Churches in Asia. Should we not hear? Should those that think they are rich and in need of nothing not be told they are poor, blind and naked without HIM?
The vote had nothing to do with WO; only allowing the division to make the decision on their own. The vote was no. Is anyone operating outside of such not idolizing themselves?
Proverbs 28:26 “He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.”
We are commanded by Scripture to correct, because of these actions; not to sanction, arbor or suffer them.
Charity,
How do you propose to translate all that high-minded theology into practical ministry of God’s love to those who are struggling with sin? Apparently you think you have all the “wisdom” and “high level truths” in the world, but so far you haven’t given us a single example of how you translate that theory into practice that is effective at changing lives and bringing people to God. So, since you haven’t shown us even a flash of personal experience in doing what you talk about, why should anyone believe any of your high-minded “truths?”
“why should anyone believe any of your high-minded “truths?”
More importantly, “Why should anyone believe your ‘high minded’ love, that has no definition nor content?’
William, the only high-minded theology involved here is HIS. The rest of us rest of us understand that we are only pawns; less than pond scum without HIM.
Give up world and read your BIBLE for HIS theology. Romans 10 is a good place to start on bringing people to GOD:
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
1 Peter and 1 Timothy both have 5 chapters and deal with the various bodies that are the Body of the Church; and the operations of those Bodies.
2 Peter and 2 Timothy both go into results of the failures currently being experienced.
Titus is very good and teaches us how and what to teach our children, the blasphemes of the Word that result and the required rebukes in correction; we fail in all situations, requirements and counts.
We know why we fail; we have people that think they are smarter or have a better plan than GOD. That is ignorance.
We should be growing fields of shepherds and teaching others how to do the same. We should be experiencing the results; but not. Do you have another explanation for these failure? Do you want to defend and place the blame on someone else; like everybody else? Maybe we just dug our own hole.