Ohio Conference President Responds to Pipim Rebaptism
by Monte Sahlin
By AT News Team, July 10, 2014
Pastor Ron Halvorsen, Jr., president of the Ohio Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination, issued a statement yesterday (July 9) in response to “numerous inquiries” generated by the re-baptism of Dr. Samuel Pipim. The baptism took place at the Columbus Ghanaian Adventist Church, which is part of the Ohio Conference. The statement indicates that conference administration was not aware of the event until after it happened, the pastor who conducted the baptism is from a different conference and the pastor of the church was out of the country at the time.
The re-baptism “does not mean that Pipim is once again a Seventh-day Adventist minister,” Halvorsen wrote. “The Ohio Conference will not recognize or endorse any attempt by Pipim to resume a denominational ministry within our conference. Ohio Conference pastors have been instructed to not have Pipim preach, teach, or lead in any of our conference churches. We ask our local church leadership to refrain from inviting Pipim to preach, teach, or lead out in our churches as well.”
“A minister from the Georgia-Cumberland Conference did re-baptize Pipim on Friday evening, June 20,” the statement says. “I have been told the pastor of the church where the baptism took place was on a mission trip in Ghana during this time,” Halvorsen stated. “The Ohio Conference was unaware of this event until it was seen on Facebook several days after it took place. When I first heard that Pipim had been re-baptized, I believed it must have been in another conference because I did not recognize the name of the pastor who baptized him” because he is not one of Halvorsen’s pastoral team.
“I have been unable to personally speak with this pastor regarding the details surrounding this re-baptism and how it came about, but will be speaking with him at the first possible opportunity,” Halvorsen told his members. It is unclear why key leaders were left out of the loop in the preparations for an event that had already been the topic of considerable discussion in the neighboring Michigan Conference, where that president has also made it clear that the move was ill-advised and that a decision has already been made that Pipim will not be allowed to return to pastoral ministry or hold any leadership role in the church.
Halvorsen put the event in perspective. “What does this mean for the Ohio Conference and the Seventh-day Adventist denomination? It simply means that Samuel Pipim was re-baptized at a local church in Ohio, where I have been told he has family. It does not mean that Pipim is once again a Seventh-day Adventist minister. The Ohio Conference will not recognize or endorse any attempt by Pipim to resume a denominational ministry within our conference. Ohio Conference pastors have been instructed to not have Pipim preach, teach, or lead in any of our conference churches. We ask our local church leadership to refrain from inviting Pipim to preach, teach, or lead out in our churches as well.”
Adventist Today has previously reported on both the divisive issues related to Pipim and his sexual misconduct and abusive behavior toward women. He continues to publish books and a Web site dealing with topics of religion and Bible study.
~http://tinyurl.com/lce59ab
Why is this of such great interest one wonders. Henry Wright, a Pastor, had a moral problem, came back to the ministry and retired in a blaze of high adulation.
In my personal view a Pastor who has a moral problem involving sexual misconduct should be barred permanently from the ministry.
Why does this article focus on Pipim while nary a word is said about Wright? Go to the link above and click on April.
Is Pipim being given extra attention since he was a conservative and good at exegesis?
I do not in any way condone the confessed actions of Pipim with respect to his moral shenanigans. But why the extra scrutiny as compared with others who have engaged in similar conduct? Fair is fair and not one of us is his judge.
Maranatha
You might want to ask Jay Gallimore that question. Posted above are links to Gallimore's public letters regarding Dr Pipim. I think they speak very clearly to the causes of concern here. Jay Gallimore is hardly a liberal Adventist poster child 8-). Apparently he sees ongoing danger in Dr Pipim's chosen course of action.
Correction – you can read the comments posted here to find a variety of links regarding Dr Pipim and the responses of various parties who have gone on-record.
https://atoday.org/article/2566/news/june/pipim-is-re-baptized-great-potential-for-divisiveness-among-adventists
Link to Ohio Conference statement:
http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Statement-from-President-Ron-Halvorsen-Jr–July-2014.html?soid=1103716057154&aid=uncoxZiJBSI
Would it be well to seek Truth on this subject? The idea that a moral fall on the part of a pastoral leader requires he/she be permanently barred from pastoral roles as a rule set in stone is not Biblical or consistent with the Spirit of Prophecy.
Are there consequences that spring naturally from any kind of fall? For sure. Scripture is clear that leadership must maintain a high standard AND provision is made for repentant sinners who are held accountable for their sins. Let's not make any blanket standards that are not Biblical. Consider, Moses called to lead after being a murder; Aaron chosen as High Priest after leading the nation in immoral calf worship, then tried to lie his way out by saying he threw the gold in and the calf came out; then King David allowed to stay as king in spite of being an adulterer, and a murder, but was humbled and repentant. He paid a terrible price for his sins.
He/She that is without sin may cast the first stone. The tragedy in the case under discussion is that the repentant sinner seems to have found a way to circumvent the checks and balances of the church system. This does bring more attention, and the fact that after careful review and the knowledge that his sin was a repeated sin involving multiple young people who looked up to him as a role model.
The honorable thing would have been to allow the local pastor and church board of the church receive a report from the Michigan Conference about the facts of the case before acting on this. Secondly because of the reversal of previous plans for rebaptism when it was known there were other females harmed, which had not been confessed… For the man to have honor in the church he needs to honor the church and let the system work. If he feels he has been dealt with badly in Michigan why not let Ohio know the facts and let them make a way. This is clearly NOT the case. Both sets of leadership were kept out of the loop. No input sought. All things were not done decently and in order. Pastor Halverson has done what he could after learning the facts. Prayer time.
Nash, I don't think you know the facts, who told you the local church did not inform Ann Arbor church? I am one of the elders of Columbus Ghanaian SDA church where the rebaptism took place, our church has all the communication between us and Ann Arbor church pastor on file, he could not name any known sin Dr. Pipim is involve presently, he was talking about his past which Dr Pipim has confessed, some of the Ann Arbor church board members were present during the baptism so don't make that false statement that the leaders were kept out of the loop. No one has contacted us for the facts, even the Ohio Conference president sent out this letter without finding out the truth about this baptism. Let me ask you this question, are local churches suppose to call the conference before baptism can take place? For the conference to tell us not to allow Dr Pipim to teach or lead in any service I don't think we will adhere to that directives, we agree that he is no more a minister for now but he can lead and teach in our church. Please read again the story about David
britwum, why do you think Mr. Pipim came to your church for rebaptism? Why did he and/or you import a pastor from Georgia to perform the rite?
britwun, you do know king David was a secular king, right?
He was not a part of the Levitical sanctuary system, nor in the realm of spiritual guidance, you do know this, right?
But if you wish to equate SKP's actions with king David (who committed a one-time act, not several over a period of time before being caught) then I am quite sure none of us have a problem with him operating in the secular realm.
Otherwise, as pointed out by someone else, SKP's action equate with those of the sons of Eli, who God would not forgive.
I am a huge fan of the Biblical David. He was a great sinner and he was forgiven much. At times he exhibited very noble passions and at other times his baser passions. Sometimes he went from one to the other very rapidly. For example he went to kill Saul but then thought better of it and only cut-off a piece of Saul's garment. And then he regretted evan that prank.
David collected many wives. There is no record that he ever denied himself a woman he laid eyes upon. The only problem with Bathsheba is she was already married so he had to get rid of Uriah.
However in an earlier episode he desired Abigail who was married to Nabal. He was on his way to kill Nabal at one point but Nabal spared him the dirty work by kindly dying of some kind of seizure. So he got Abigail without having to rub-out Nabal. How convenient.
As Ellen points-out in her commentary on David, his intemperance in the womanizing department eventually brought great sorrow upon his family.
Sorry David but this big fan of yours would not want to leave you alone with an attractive young woman. For your benefit and hers.
Ok…I miss the connection with my points…
Forgiven does not mean there will be no consequences.
I'm still missing what that has to do with my points. Scratching my head.
Nor does forgiveness remove you beyond future temptation.
The sons of Eli were not forgiven becaue they had abused their holy office to misrepresent God to the people, and placed themselves beyond repentance.
Dr Pipim has publicly repented and accepted God's forgiveness. Was his repentance perfect? NO. How can I say this with confidence? Because no sinner has ever perfectly repented of his or her sins. Only Jesus has ever perfectly repented of my own sins, when he went to John for baptism. Jesus was baptized in my place and in Dr Pipim's place. People here who like to argue about baptism are prone to ignore the only perfect baptism – the only baptism that really counts.
As I have repeatedly written, repentance and forgiveness do not erase all consequences of sin in this life. One consequence of sin is loss of trust, another is loss of resistance to that particular sin. I would not trust Dr Pipim alone with an attractive young woman any more than I would trust David alone with an attractive young woman. Why deliberately invite future temptation where you have previously fallen? For you this is Satan's ground and you should avoid it.
I give up. It seems your argument is with yourself and whatever is going on in your own head. That makes dialogue with another on the impossible side, since you are not seeing what they wrote for all the stuff in your own mind. LOL
And…with all due respect Jim Hamstra, I think you need to review the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail. (I do agree with you about consequences, tho)
I know that I over-simplified that story but how much space did you really want me to devote to it?
I do believe that had not God and Abigail intervened, David would have murdered Nabal and taken Abigail as his wife. In the end he got what he wanted without blood on his hands. If you are so inclined you might want to read what Ellen says about that episode. In the case of Bathsheba God did not intervene and David proceeded to do what, left to himself, he would have done many years before.
David's "fall" with Bathsheba was not a sudden impulse. It was the consequence of many years of self-indulgence of his lust for women and his lust for power.
Could the same be true of Dr Pipim? God only knows the rest of the story.
I have read both the scripture account as well as EGW, several times. If "you" are so inclined you may want to review, just as I suggested, umm, first. Hopefully we aren't resorting to childishness…are we? 🙂 I am loathe to "add or subtract" from scripture, regardless of which side does it. Besides, as I pointed out, SKP was/is not a secular king, so the David application does not apply to him, as I see it. The sons of Eli, as pointed out by another, apply to SKP. As a secular king he could remain in his role. As a minister he had to be removed just as Eli's sons had to be removed. Compare spiritual with spiritual, compare secular with secular, fully realizing it is "they" who started the comparison.
The way you are stating the story it comes across that David was scheming on Abigail, rather than as stated in both the scriptures and EGW, that David asked for food and Nabal refused, which angered David since his men had been protecting Nabal and his possessions.
There is no mention of David lusting/coveting Abigail, or that he even knew her. I'm not he didn't, just that the scriptures give no indication of it being true. Therefore we would have to read into what we already believe. Were David's multiple wives an abhorrant act by today's standards (and God's)? Without a doubt, but it was what it was in that day and time.
As for Bathsheba, according to the scriptures, David stayed home instead of going to battle as he usually did, idleness contributed to his fall? According to EGW:
David was surrounded by the fruits of victory and the honors of his wise and able rule. It was now, while he was at ease and unguarded, that the tempter seized the opportunity to occupy his mind. The fact that God had taken David into so close connection with Himself and had manifested so great favor toward him, should have been to him the strongest of incentives to preserve his character unblemished. But when in ease and self-security he let go his hold upon God, David yielded to Satan and brought upon his soul the stain of guilt. He, the Heaven-appointed leader of the nation, chosen by God to execute His law, himself trampled upon its precepts. He who should have been a terror to evildoers, by his own act strengthened their hands.{PP 718.1}
Heretofore David’s record as a ruler had been such as few monarchs have ever equaled. It is written of him that he “executed judgment and justice unto all his people.” 2 Samuel 8:15. His integrity had won the confidence and fealty of the nation. But as he departed from God and yielded himself to the wicked one, he became for the time the agent of Satan; …{PP 719.2}
No hint of your conclusion in either source.
"When the young men returned empty-handed and related the affair to David, he was filled with indignation. He commanded his men to equip themselves for an encounter; for he had determined to punish the man who had denied him what was his right, and had added insult to injury. This impulsive movement was more in harmony with the character of Saul than with that of David, but the son of Jesse had yet to learn of patience in the school of affliction. " (PP 665)
"David afterward married Abigail. He was already the husband of one wife, but the custom of the nations of his time had perverted his judgment and influenced his actions. Even great and good men have erred in following the practices of the world. The bitter result of marrying many wives was sorely felt throughout all the life of David." (PP 668)
What if God and Abigail had not intervened? We cannot know for certain. I think my prediction is certainly plausible though by no means certain.
Neither can we know for certain what is the destiny of Dr Pipim. I prefer to think of him as a man after God's own heart despite his failings.
I do think the church needs to take appropriate precautions against repeat offenders, and to educate vulnerable young people regarding how to handle inappropriate advances.
Wow…you know if you read this from outside the denominational cloister you would seriously have to wonder what baptism is. That there even is such a thing as re-baptism. But in any case does baptism have anything to do with Christ and belief or acceptance or following…Seems that this baptism is more about speaking rights or something, why even if it was just about forgiveness how strange to think that people don't want God to forgive until they are satisfied that it is time to forgive. Come to think of it maybe even for us somewhat inside the denominational cloister I am not sure what these people think baptism is. Curious indeed!
What is baptism?
Biblical baptism symbolizes cleansing from sin and consecration for service. When we go down into the water we relinquish our old life of sin. When we come up out of the water we are consecrated by the Spirit for our new life of service to God.
In the OT the officiating prissts were cleansed and re-consecrated every day (at the Laver) before they entered into the presence of God.
What is trust?
Trust is a mutual relationship. I cannot trust someone who does not trust me.
So here is the problem with Dr Pipim. He has been accepted into membership in a church where he did not violate trust. And some in that church appear willing to trust him with local church leadership.
In the larger Adventist context there has been a serious violation of trust which will not be as readily restored. Issuing ministerial or missionary credentials to someone who as a prominent leader and teacher has violated trust on more than one occasion and in more than one way, on different continents, would require a very high standard of evidence that trust can be restored.
In addition to abusing his position of trust and influence, to take advantage of different women at different times and in different places, Dr Pipim has misled at least one conference president, and also a lot of other leaders and members, over a period of years. Meanwhile he has continued to pursue his independent ministry, promoting himself and his new books.
To whom is Dr Pipim holding himself spiritually accountable? To the young women whose trust he has viloated? To the church leaders whose trust he has violated and continues to violate? Or only to himself and his circle of adherents who still trust him?
As a church elder I have directly been involved in two different situations where our senior pastors had a "moral fall" involving indiscretions with married women. In one case the pastor publicly and of his own volition confessed his wrong before the entire congregation on Sabbath morning, and promptly resigned. He understood that he had violated our trust in a manner that could not be easily restored. To my knowledge he has not attempted to re-enter gospel ministry.
In the other case the pastor concealed his behavior from the rest of the staff and from the elders and from his "promise keepers" accountability group, and denied it to any and all for a period of years. Eventually he was confronted with clear evidence of his wrong course of action and forced to resign. (And the conference found itself on the losing end of a multi $ million lawsuit.) Shortly thereafter this former pastor applied for a job as a chaplain. The fellow pastor whose name he gave as a reference, refused to endorse his application.
Although the first example was a more blatant indiscretion, the latter was ultimately a greater violation of trust. He who covers his sins shall not prosper. He who honestly acknowledges his sins shall be forgiven.
As we begin to understand how deeply ingrained within in us are our own sins, we learn not to trust ourselves. You cannot deceive others without deceiving yourself as much or more. We can only truly trust in Jesus Christ. Not in our own selves or any other human.
Brother Britwum, thank you for sharing that your church talked with the Ann Arbor Church. The fact is this particular case has to do with a former employee of the church who had more leadership than only that of a local church member. His case needed and received the attention not only of the Ann Arbor Church but of the Michigan Conference leadership, which had responsibility in the matter.
Given that you are an elder in the Ohio church where this happened would you clarify what contact you or your fellow church leaders had with the Ohio or Michigan Conference Officers? Did your pastor participate in reviewing this case and did he support this baptism happening while he was away? Could you shed some light on why it was not done while he was present?
Baptism is a new beginning in Jesus, claiming His totally cleansing blood and receving full standing as a brother/sister in Christ. The amount of time since the story first broke is not the issue. At issue is clearing the past away, which requires the repentant sinner to confess and forsake all sin not just some. It is not for us to judge the sincerity of repentance. That is the work of Heaven. However, it is not a trust builder in this man to exclude those from the process that he engaged on his way out, be baptized by an out of conference pastor, in a neighbouring conference while the pastor is away.
Do these concerns make any sense to you brother Britwum or does it seem to you that your congregation could not find value in pausing to hear the concerns of others who may be affected by your actions? One final question, has Dr P moved to your area? Is he in regular attendance? Have you set up a system to minister to his needs and assist him in a serious on going accountablity of faithful men who will ask him the tough questions every week for the rest of his life? (Dear Brother P, how is it going this week? Have you spent time daily in the Word? Have you without fail avoided being alone with any female other than your wife during this past week? Are you only using the internet in a manner that Heaven can bless?) We cannot know if this brother in Christ would have been faithful had he had such accountablity before all of this happened! Now it is essential that he have it without fail. Brother now that you have baptized him, do not drop him or assume he needs no support. As for the rest of us men we need it too. Let's form some accountablity men's ministry teams for the safe guarding of all young and older ladies, our sisters in the faith.
Brother Britwum has made a cogent reference to David of the Bible.
How horrendous to send Bathsheba's husband into battle to be placed where he would be killed so David could have Bathsheba. Adultery and then vicarious muder!
Why all the quibbling about Pipim's rebaptism? Why not leave the matter in the Lord's hands instead of attempting to be judge and jury from afar?
Maranatha
Good question.
God sent a prophet to confront David. David was smitten. He poured out his heart in the 51st Psalm, seeking forgiveness and acceptance by God. We have it on record. We don't find him maneuvering out of channels to get his way. He confessed. Straight up.
Somehow this situation seems different, admittedly from afar. But there must be something to the fact that those church people nearest to Pipim were not convinced that he was a candidate for re-baptism. He resorted to what seems, from afar, to be extraordinary, perhaps devious ways of getting what he wanted. That means something to me, particularly since he seems to want badly to be in a position of legitimacy to do his thing and influence people. I for one am concerned about his future impact in people.
I don't need to be judgmental to know that men with his behavior problem have a track record of being repeat offenders. Prudence would say don't legitimize his ability to be in a position to do it again. Forgiveness and lack of judgmentalism is one thing, a good thing. Risk management is another. They are not mutually exclusive. Steps toward legitimizing the man need to be very deliberate.
David did indeed repent. But that did not avert the natural consequences of his sin. He totally lost his moral authority within his family. Four of his sons died (two killed by their half-brothers). One of his daughters was raped (by her half-brother). Bathsheba's father changed from one of David's wisest counselors to one of his most dangerous detractors. His harem was disgraced by his rebellious son Absalom. He was not allowed to build the Temple.
Only God and Dr Pipim can truly know the depth and sincerity of his contrition and repentance. And only God can know what will be the long-term consequences of Dr Pipim's wrong choices.
I don't disagree with anything you say, above, Jim. But outside of the spiritual realm, great caution and prudence is called for in relating to a man who may be a serial offender. The collective church has an obligation to not only deal with Pipim in a Christian manner regarding his spiritual welfare, but beyond that to do its best to prevent circumstances that would be conducive to further offenses.
I totally agree with you regarding the risk of additional offenses from someone who has already been exposed as a repeat offender.
Most of what I have seen seems to be hearsay and there is no question that someone involved in a moral transgression should be carefully vetted before rebaptism.
My sense is that Pipim is the recipient of an extraordinary amount of adverse commentary because he was a very conservative SDA.
No one really wants to talk about Henry Wright who experienced a moral fall and later became the recipient of much adulation in the Columbia Union Visitor. I suspect he was not the conservative that Pipim was and I seem to recall that Henry was a flamboyant preacher.
Maranatha
Whatever wrongs henry Wright may or may not have committed (and I know nothing regarding him), and whether or not he was properly dealt with, have absolutely no bearing on the case of Dr Pipim. "He did it too" is a weak excuse heard often by parents and school teachers.
My sense is that Pipim is the recipient of an extraordinary amount of adverse commentary because he was a very conservative SDA.
Jay Gallimore is one of the most theologically conservative conference presidents in North America. That is one reason why he hired Dr Pipim to lead the campus ministries in the Michigan Conference. Jay Gallimore is now publicly on-record against both Dr Pipim's sexual misconduct and also his deviousness and deception in his dealings with Jay Gallimore.
This situation has absolutely nothing to do with theology and everything to do with pastoral misconduct and highly destructive behavior from a prominent and very talented leader whom Jay Gallimore had trusted and strongly backed.
Have you actually read the two public letters from Jay Gallimore? Do you actually know anything about Jay Gallimore?
I don't know the details, but from what I read the Pipim case was different because the subject took advantage of more than one young girl, and it was not consensual. That would set it apart from some others mentioned and, if in this country, could have meant jail time. Am I wrong?
Tick Tock.
Tick Tock.
Perhaps an indemnity line should be specifically added to the Columbus Ghana tithe envelope for future Pipim claims so this church will be solely responsible for its Pipim decision.
Tick Tock.
Tick Tock.
Truth Seeker, do you believe that "a very conservative SDA" should get a pass on calculated sexual predatory behavior sexual molestation, including a number of rapes?
I have read the Samuel Koranteng-Pipim repented and thus deserves to be re-baptized. The only problem is that this is based on Pipim's own *claims* of repentance, while the evidence suggests otherwise:
1) He has not even admitted to the crimes of rape and sexual molestation perpetrated on at least 8 known victims so far. (The number of victims *known* to counselors and investigators keeps going up.) Instead he has minimized everything into "a moral fall," which, to most people implies an instance of consensual sex between equals. Note that "a fall" implies something that is not planned. (It should also be mentioned that rape is not primarily a sexual thing, but *power* thing.)
By contrast, the evidence demonstrates that the rapes were carefully planned and executed. Behavior before, during and after the event followed a formula that seems to have worked for him from 2000 (first known victim) to the time one victim recorded a phone call and used it as evidence against him. For the others it was their word against his, and who would believe a presumably deluded, emotional college girl against a great "man of God" as the charismatic Dr Pipim? (And you wonder why no others have publicly come forward?)
The evidence indicates that this man is a coldly calculating sexual predator who used his status as "a man of God" as a cloak for his addiction to "power over" sex.
Does minimizing one's sin sound like "repentance"?
2) He did not comply with the counsel from the Michigan president to halt his ministries and take time out for reflection. He continued unabated – inviting a group of college students to his home just a few days after being disfellowshipped. (I gasped at his brazenness when I saw this.) And I understand that these home gatherings continued and included the same kind of "sleepovers" during which he had previously molested female guests.
He went ahead with traveling, speaking, writing, selling his materials, just as if nothing had happened – in direct violation of counsel of his conference president.
Does that look like "repentance"?
3) While he could not be baptized in his own Ann Arbor church, despite his pleadings, he arranged a surreptitious baptism in another conference by a minister of yet a third conference – thus spreading the responsibility thin enough that it was hard to pin the blame on anyone. Looks like careful planning.
The baptism occurred on a Friday evening with a great deal of celebration by invited friends, while no member of the church at large was present. It was apparently too risky to hold the baptism during a regular Sabbath service. Someone might object.
Consider the usual purpose of baptism: A public declaration of commitment to Christ. Instead, this appears more like a dunking in a "fishing pond," which could provide more fish for the eagle to prey upon.
I believe the following quotes from Ellen White are relevant here:
“I saw that many souls have been destroyed by their brethren unwisely sympathizing with them, when their only hope was to be left to see and realize the full extent of their wrongs. But as they eagerly accept the sympathy of unwise brethren, they receive the idea that they are abused; and if they attempt to retrace their steps, they make halfhearted work. They divide the matter to suit their natural feelings, lay blame upon the reprover, and so patch up the matter. It is not probed to the bottom, and is not healed, and they again fall into the same wrong, because they were not left to feel the extent of their wrong, and humble themselves before God, and let Him build them up. False sympathizers have worked in direct opposition to the mind of Christ and ministering angels.” {1Testimonies 213.1}
“These are perilous times for the church of God, and the greatest danger now is that of self-deception. Individuals professing to believe the truth are blind to their own danger and wrongs. They reach the standard of piety which has been set up by their friends and themselves, they are fellowshiped by their brethren, and are satisfied, while they entirely fail to reach the gospel standard set up by our divine Lord. If they regard iniquity in their hearts, the Lord will not hear them. But with many it is not only regarded in the heart, but openly carried out in the life; yet in many cases the wrongdoers receive no rebuke.” {1Testimonies 214.3}
“The strongest bulwark of vice in our world is not the iniquitous life of the abandoned sinner or the degraded outcast; it is that life which otherwise appears virtuous, honorable, and noble, but in which one sin is fostered, one vice indulged. To the soul that is struggling in secret against some giant temptation, trembling upon the very verge of the precipice, such an example is one of the most powerful enticements to sin. He who, endowed with high conceptions of life and truth and honor, does yet willfully transgress one precept of God’s holy law, has perverted His noble gifts into a lure to sin. Genius, talent, sympathy, even generous and kindly deeds, may become decoys of Satan to entice other souls over the precipice of ruin for this life and the life to come.” {MB 94-95}
A particularly strong statement regarding one who had apparently indulged in sexual abuse: (ALL CAPS added.)
“… No help for this man – it is impossible for E to be fellowshipped by the church of God. He has placed himself where he cannot be helped by the church, where he can have no communication with, nor voice in, the church. He has placed himself there in the face of light and truth. He has stubbornly chosen his own course, and refused to listen to reproof. He has followed the inclinations of his corrupt heart, has violated the holy law of God, and has disgraced the cause of present truth. … IF HE REPENTS EVER SO HEARTILY, THE CHURCH MUST LET HIS CASE ALONE. IF HE GOES TO HEAVEN, IT MUST BE ALONE, WITHOUT THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE CHURCH. A standing rebuke from God and the church must ever rest upon him that the standard of morality be not lowered to the very dust.” Testimonies for the Church 1:215 (Note: EGWs son thought “E” had committed incest – another form of control and power rape, and applicable).
He should be evangelizing in jail!
This re-baptism seems to have initiated a backlash evident at such sites as http://drpipimtruth.org/ with a parallel Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/253247818203183/. There's also a Facebook page with a broader focus called "Adventists Stopping All Predators" at https://www.facebook.com/AdventistASAP.
I remember someone saying on Facebook that those determined to expose the truth are "educated, intelligent and determined." This re-baptism may yet lead to Pipim's undoing. And if there's any hope at all for Pipim's salvation, his "undoing" is a prerequisite. He must see his own brokenness before Christ can save him – as is true for us all.
It seems to me that the Seventh-day Adventist church may be a good hunting ground for sexual predators because we do not suspect such people among us – especially not among our "nice" and charismatic speakers. I believe we owe it to ourselves and our young people to become more educated and aware. The Facebook page called "Adventists Stopping All Predators" at https://www.facebook.com/AdventistASAP is a good place to start because it already has a wealth of resources.
Until evidence is adduced which clearly and reliably shows that the subject has *not* undergone a necessary change the case is closed insofar as I'm concerned.
All the spiteful, pejorative and judgmental words have absolutely on effect on how God views this situation. And He has not chosen to give you or me such an insight.
Maranatha
It might be closed for you, but there remains a burden on church administrators to protect the vulnerable through prudent management of risk. So far, I approve of what they have done, without regard to the slippery, backdoor way in which his re-baptism has been staged and handled.
Truth Seeker – What is really the difference between a conservative theology and a "liberal" theology if as a conservative, one engages in fornication or supports such behavior among others? Conservatives can have a "reprobate" mind as well, where they support in others an attitude of others wanting to exploit women, or be promiscous, etc. Also why should persons be blamed for not being conservative when conservatism in some instances is aligned with a "settler" mentality – of trying to integrate into a system of injustice, immorality, and ungodly and unchristian stereotyping and false characterizations of others based on their ethnicity. Henry Wright allegedly cheated on his wife with one woman – he confessed to it and repented of it as far as the world knows. To be honest, there is probably evidence that cheating is quite common many members of many church denominations. Cheating, although a sin, is quite different from what is being alleged here. The use of the term "liberal" and "conservative" is divisive to the extent that it really masks a sentiment against groups of persons based on their history in the New World as well as their ancestry.
I think there is something wrong when a so-called "conservative" approves of others who themselves believe in fornication, or mistreatment of women, etc. "conservatives" are also wrong if they preach a theology which disparages other ethnic groups. To have a reprobate mind is to have an orientation where one approves of fornication, lies, etc. in others. It's wrong to have a theology that encourages reprobate type of thinking.
Correction- "have absolutely *no* effect on how God views this situartion."
Thank you Truth Seeker, the case is closed and Dr Pipim at this particular moment is spreading the gospel and thousands of people are attending this meeting. Let those who wants to be the judge continue and this man will win souls for Christ. Again, I will encourage the judges to read the story of David, he mastermind the murder of a man and took his wife, he was forgiven.
Those who want to question Columbus Ghanaian SDA Church about Dr Pipim's rebaptism can go to our website and get our contact information or schedule an appointment and meet us in Columbus. Thanks
britwum, can you point me to Pipim's equivalent of David's Psalm 51?
Out of curiosity, what is "this meeting" to which you refer?
I don't know why you insist on making this into a political argument (cons. vs lib), I don't care what his religious politics are, he should suffer the consequences of an immoral and illegal act. That happens in this country whether one repents or not–or at least it should–and certainly in the church!
Like David of old, Dr Pipim will suffer whatever consequences God sees fit to permit. I hope for his own sake and that of his family, that nobody molests one of his own children. As I have described above, David (one of my own favorite Bible characters) was a forgiven man and a man after God's own heart, but still he experienced dreadful consequences in his own family, and died a very broken man.
The issue that Adventist leaders cannot ignore is how to protect their flocks from further predation.
Brother Britwum, the questions I asked you were simply enough questions.
Please give Mr. Pipim some support. Let us know that the men of your church have entered into an agreement of accountability with him. It APPEARS that it is your belief that he is now free to go forth and preach the gospel and with thousands attending his meetings. Wasn't he asked by church leaders to refrain from such?
You and your church family have taken a position in opposition of Mr. Pipims former conference leadership and those of the conference where his membership is now held. Is there not wisdom in the counsel of many? If your congregation believes in Mr. Pipim it would have been good to work with the church leadership not attempt to trump it. Is it not established that this case is not about a moral fall but about a sexual predator who would be in prison for a long time and on a life time sexual offenders list had he been caught in this country?
This case is no where near the case of King David. Both were bad acts. The current one is persistent, took advantage of under aged girls, ignored the appeal for him to cease his youth ministry and he continued to have youth in his home for sleepovers… and now he finds a congregation that goes it alone to sneak his baptism in under the nose of church leadership.
If it is learned that he has been caught in further sexual acts against young women your church will have to consider your role in giving him a sense of safety, being untouchable by the church as a whole because you are his protection. That speaks for unity doesn't it? NOT.
If you are so confident of your position, and want to have a meeting, why don't you have one with your Conference leaders and explain things to them? Tell them how you are all for working together. Courage brother. We need to pray for each other.
Allen,
I certainly agree with your questions and counsel regarding Dr Pipim.
The published reports (as opposed to rumors) that I have seen do not indicate whether Dr Pipim actually violated legal minors. He certainly did violate spiritually vulnerable young women. Whether or not he is guilty of any civil crimes depends upon the various rape and consent and abuse laws in at least two rather different legal jurisdictions (Michigan and Botswana). So far he has been charged with no crime in Michigan. Whether he would be charged with a crime should he choose to return to Botswana I do not know.
Regardless of his legal status or his theological views, Dr Pipim not only violated multiple women, but he violated his sacred trust as an ordained gospel minister, teacher and youth leader. These are the matters that church leaders must decide how to deal with. On the one hand is the need to minister redemptively to Dr Pipim and his own family. On the other hand is the need to minister redemptively to these women, and to avoid further opportunities and temptations for future violations, insofar as possible.
A "recovering" alcoholic should not work in a bar, and is well advised to avoid bars altogether. Likewise for a "recovering" smoker regarding tobacco shops, and for a "recovering" heroin addict regarding drug dispensaries.
Years ago I had a friend who after a long struggle and much prayer overcame his tobacco addiction. Some time later he began to assist in the Five Day Plan to Stop Smoking. While ministering to other smokers in this context, he began to feel the urge to smoke again. Eventually he succumbed, and one by one returned to his former destructive habits. In the end there were major destructive consequences for him and his family.
For his own safety and that of his family Dr Pipim needs to seriously consider some other form of ministry. One cannot keep doing the same things and expect different results. Those who are encouraging him to continue with his former ministry need to seriously consider whether they are doing him a disservice.
Your advice to Brother Britwum is well-founded and I hope he and his fellow elders seriously consider it. Dr Pipim needs systematic ongoing spiritual accountability to someone besides himself or his wife or his ministry associates. How can I say this? Because his former accountability structures have failed him multiple times in the past. This is even more of a challenge considering that he and his family still reside in Ann Arbor MI (at last report) whereas his new church family is a couple hundred miles away in Columbus OH.
Thanks Jim for your comments. I do not have facts first hand. I suspected that Mr. Pipim was baptized into a church that was not near his home… If he attended services there regularly including midweek service there could be some hope for him finding some personal care.
You comparison to recovering addictions is well taken and applies in this case given the repeat history of use of position and authority that springs from it, of positional trust and respect to gain access to girls is not a moral fall. It is calculated abuse of authority to serve personal advantage at the loss of purity of the victims. THIS IS THE CONCERN.
Opening the way for any man with this history is irresponsible. Emotion must be set aside and objective viewing done and from this accountability must be constant (weekly) and by men in solid community with Bible reading believers. The accountability must not be from just one man. It needs to be a group and how much better if it includes at least one trained, educated sexual abuse therapist. Anything else is a set up for a man who knows how to manipulate for personal gain to be devious and hood wink those to whom he is accountable.
If you read my posts on this subject in the past years you will realize I am an advocate for restoring fallen church workers who have gone through a program of education, retraining, and accountability. The simple passing of time does not change the thinking indulged over a long period of time. The encounters this man has had (based on reports) didn't just happen. There was malice of forethought. This requires intentional accountability or IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.
Does anyone know if the elders of the Ohio church have set up an appointment with the conference leadership to share what happened first hand? The conference should not have to seek them out.
Those who have proclaimed "case closed" may have to re-think their claims if Dr Pipim strikes again, or if one of his previous victims chooses to take him to court. There have been immoral actions. There may or may not have been criminal actions. There is a fair likelihood of tortious actions (ie causes for a lawsuit and awarding of damages).
Once the fact that Dr Pipim is a serial sexual predator comes to light, any group that invites him to speak to or work with potentially vulnerable young women, incurs potential liability should one of their own be victimized. In this regard a church membership "shell game" becomes a bit like an clergy reassignment "shell game". The only distinction is who the courts will deem liable for downstream consequences.
Indirectly passing Dr Pipim's membership from Ann Arbor to Columbus via re-baptism does not of itself solve any problems. It only rearranges the problem by diffusing responsibility and accountability. This is one reason why churches are generally advised to avoid accepting into membership people (and especially former members elsewhere) who do not actually reside in the local community of the church they are joining.
Baptism is a sign of repentance from sin and consecration for service. It is also a sign of being joined to the body of Christ. How can someone be joined to a body and yet live apart from that body? This is sort of like getting married but not living together. It can and does happen but it impairs unity and invites a lot of problems.
So I think it is only fair for us to ask the church in Columbus Ohio, that re-baptized Dr Pipim and presumably voted him into your membership, how do you intend to actually join him into your local branch of the body of Christ? Re-baptism is NOT "case closed". For the body of Christ it is "case re-opened". The patient has been admitted to a different hospital. Is the intent convalescence or treatment or hospice?
There seems to be fewer safeguards for employment as a pastor-counselor in the church than for most any position in secular "worldly" society. Rather strange.
In North America there are now very strong safeguards in place for pastors and teachers and even for volunteers such as myslef who are authorized to work with children. Every few years we must undergo a vetting process that among other things includes a background check. However, these measures cannot catch first-time offenders or those who have covered their tracks well enough to not be "caught".
Whether similar measures are in-place in other parts of the world I do not know. Nor do I know whether all Adventist churches and employers apply these measures consistently. Only that they are applied where I live. I have undergone the "church safety" training conducted by my local conference and I know the rules and procedures. Regarding Dr Pipim, these measures would prevent him from having further unsupervised contact with children or youth in either a professional or a volunteer capacity, in the context of any church-affiliated oreganization or activity. But given his "celebrity" status in certain quarters, there appears to be a real danger that some (not including the current Michigan and Ohio conference presidents thank God) may be inclined to give him a pass and not apply the established policies and procedures. (This is not a comment about baptism.)
In my opinion what is badly lacking in the Adventist church worldwide is effective training for vulnerable populations, especially children and young adults, regarding what to do if someone approaches them in an inappropriate manner, either in person or via media. We train people not to smoke or drink. We train people in personal and spiritutal "hygiene". We do not in an organized manner, train people how to establish and maintain a "safe personal space" for themselves. The measures now in place have far more to do with avoiding corporate liability than with promoting personal safety. They may limit the damage done by serial offenders but they do little to prevent the first offense.
There are Adventist pastors and lay people (including myself and one of my sons and doubtless others) who have taken-up these matters in SS classes for young people. But at the moment we are in the minority. If I had any influence within the hierarchy, I would make developing and implementing age-appropriate training, a top priority for our children and youth and education and women's ministries.
It is well and proper to teach people about Jesus. It is also well and proper to teach people how to care for themselves in this sinful world. This applies both to our personal safety and also to our "cyber" safety. The day is far gone when we can merely look the other way and pretend this is not our own problem.
If someone in a position of influence within the church wishes to launch such an initiative, I would gladly volunteer my assistance (not that I am an expert, merely that I have actually trieed to address the problem).
I should add that the problem we have in the church is analogous to the problem that we have in the US military. We have a "chain of command" in-place that is supposed to deal with these matters. But this hierarchy of authority has conflicts of interest. First of all, they have a legitimate desire to limit the damage done to their institutions. Full disclosure by victims CAN damage the organization's image and credibility. A second problem is that a small percentage within the hierarchy are themselves violating their sacred trusts. A third problem which is truly unfortunate in an organization that claims its hierarchy of authority constitutes "servant leaders", is that violations of the hierarchy are frowned upon and even stigmatized. A fourth problem is that some authority figures will react in a manner that adds fuel to the fire, rather than constructively addressing the problem.
For these reasons it is not always safe or even prudent for victims to simply report their problems up to their immediate authority figures. The reports may be stigmatized or ignored or the reporter may be accusied of disloyalty. In other words the victim becomes an offender or a trouble maker. One of the things I discussed with my Jr High SS class was the need identify a "safe adult" whom they could trust if something untoward happened. This might or might not be a parent or a teacher or a pastor. If you are uncertain whom you can safely approach when the need arises, you tend not to report bad things to anyone.
I know. When I was molested as a small child I did not dare to tell my parents. Two of my siblings were also involved and they did not dare to tell our parents. Not that our parents were un-loving or abusive, simply that we were not confident regarding how they would respond. I could relate many episodes from my school days where I experienced or witnessed very bad things happening. I could also relate the negative consequences for myself when I tried to inform adults who should have been responsible, regarding what was really happening. Most people in authority do not like to hear bad news. There is a strong instinct to either ignore or shoot the messenger. I have been both ignored and shot-at. (Maybe two conference presidents now know a bit of how I felt?)
There is also the perceptions of those overseas who almost worship Pipim and refuse to believe his accusers. If and when they are willing to have him preach in their churches how can they be restrained?
Standards of personal and professional accountability vary widely around the world. This affects not only society at-large but also the Adventist church.
If baptism had be retained by the Seventh-day Adventist church as an independent rite signifying a person’s acceptance of Jesus Christ as their savior, Dr. Pipim would not have sought baptism, as he was already baptized.
However, the Seventh-day Adventist church now uses the desire for baptism to coerce a signed statement with regard to the candidate’s stated belief in 13 very specificl statements and commitment to support the church in acting on these beliefs. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventist_Baptismal_Vow
Just like baptism, rebaptism is the official certification by the church, through its representative baptizing church leader, of the moral standing of the candidate as worthy of church membership.
This is why Dr. Pipim made this effort as his private ministry will benefit substantially if he can claim to be a member in good standing.
Tried and found guilty of "not repenting" by a kangaroo court. Pretty sad.
Marnatha
How does this fit into our current discussion:
http://www.drpipimtruth.org/seana-waters-pipim-victim-at-andrews-university/
How many other unknown victims are there? How many others have taken their own lives after dealing with the tramua of an assualt by THIS TRUSTED CHURCH LEADER who was out of leadership but has found his way back in and as declared above is out and about conducting an evangelism series?
This situation appears to be a ticking time bomb.
Repentance requires reform. Is this a new name that has been brought forward now or has it been known in the past? It is not my desire to discover ALL of the VICTIMS of this case. The point of all of this is that HE has found a way to circumvent the process and sneak back into a role where he is now accepted as ok to be front and center and preaching. IF ALL OF THE FACTS are known by those who choose to call him to service then it is on them if more victims are attacked. IF HE HAS WITHHELD information then it is on HIMSELF. Given all that has gone around on this case, LET THE BUYER BE AWARE.
The Ohio congregation and mostly those leaders who carried the ball on this have serious responsiblity now and into the future.
What a tragedy. The destructive consequences for emotionally vulnerable women and girls (or in some cases men and boys) cannot be underestimated. Also the lack of a sense of empowerment, and a safe way, to report what happened. Until a victim in Botswana finally had the courage to report to her local church authorities what had happened to her, this continued unapace. Perhaps we need some kind of "safe" hotline for reporting these incidents?
We can and should continue to be concerned about Dr Pipim and his victims. We should also look for changes we can make as a faith community to avoid or limit these horrible incidents in the future. Not just to limit downstream consequences once a victim has come forward and exposed a perpetrator, although that is an important first step.
http://www.drpipimtruth.org/why-the-victim-is-silent-an-observation/
Many serial predators recognize those who are msot vulnerable and least likely to report what happens.
My personal experience with the SDA church as a child growing up in it til my now middle-aged years, is that we do not acknowledge nor address abuse in any of its forms in our church. In short we not only do not recognize it, we often deny it is abuse.
While it is quite easy for us to point at SKP, we might want to back off him and take a closer look at ourselves. I can assure all that the signs and warnings were always there. Due to our ignorance and lack of education we do not take seriously those signs, explaining them away in some form. Instead those very signs should alert us to the careful watching of such individuals. If those closest to SKP had paid attention to those little signs and cues and watched him more closely, much more closely, most of this would have been prevented as well as caught years ago. The best and safest place for all abusers, regardless if its the common bully to a pedaphile, is the church. Trust me! In fact, run it by your local police dept if you don't believe me. http://boz.religionnews.com/2014/06/27/4-lessons-learn-church-just-doesnt-get/
I learned long ago the dependent, aka the abuser in whatever form, is not the problem. They are quite easilty dealt with. It is the co-dependents, those who protect them through various means that were the real problem. Denying that it happened, "the victim is making a big deal out of nothing", all kinds of head in the sand tactics.
Today with the exponential growth of sites addressing and educating of the various forms of abuse we have less excuse than ever before of not educating ourselves as to what abuse is and entails, not just in our prominent brethren, but in ourselves, our pew mates, our best friends in the church.
Forms of abuse
http://www.caps.utoronto.ca/Services-Offered/Assault-Counselling/Forms-of-Abuse.htm
http://www.scu.edu/wellness/topics/relationships/formsofabuse.cfm
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=8476
See also "manipulation", "spiritual abuse", etc.
http://lymesentinel.blogspot.com/search/label/Activism%20Concerns
http://boz.religionnews.com/2014/05/30/job-training-isnt-working-lets-start-seminaries/
"Without pastors receiving substantive training about the dynamics of child sexual abuse and those
who abuse, churches will never be safe places. On-the-job training all too often results in greater
harm to the very individuals who are most in need of protection and help.
When it comes to responding to abuse, the Christian community has been shackled by
inadequate preparation and training. For example, most pastors don’t know how to recognize abuse,
report abuse, or to work with families impacted by abuse. I once read about a study of 143 clergy of
various faiths in which 29% believed that actual evidence of abuse, as opposed to suspicion was
necessary before a report could be made. Such a mistaken belief naturally results in the under-reporting of suspected abuse cases. This same study concluded that at some level, the 143 clergy
participants impacted the lives of 23,841 children!"
So. Let us rethink this altogether, cause the church is not, nor has been, a very safe place for a good many souls.
In many parts of North America, Adventist church school teachers are in fact being tained regarding how to spot indications of abuse and when and how to report suspected abuse. In some conferences volunteer workers are being trained in how to report abuse.
By law in most states teachers are required to report suspected abuse.
So some progress is being made. But much more needs to be done. I am a strong advocate for teaching potentially vulnerable children and youth, how to properly respond to improper advances. But it is far easier to hope these things do not happen to "us" than to honestly confront them.
See the lead story in the latest Review.