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The group of more than 2,000 delegates from across the globe made dozens of decisions for the church -- from the mundane to the monumental -- during numerous business sessions.
Among the delegates' most significant decisions:
-Selecting Ted N. C. Wilson as president of the 16.3 million-member Seventh-day Adventist Church, who clearly articulated the role that "revival and reformation" will play under his leadership.
-Editing the Church Manual to include more specific wording on topics that were in need of revision for a changing world, such as the definition of marriage, the authority given to deaconesses and how to handle members who go astray.
-Proposing that the church conduct a thorough review of its biblical theology behind ordination, which comes at a time when delegates from certain world regions are pushing for women to have greater leadership roles.
-Acknowledging the role of young adults and finding a way to increase their presence on the church's decision-making bodies.
Session Successes
Many in the diverse body of delegates -- whose membership hails from scores of cultures and who hold varying degrees of positions on the left-center-right of the Adventist religious spectrum -- noted the success that came out of the 59th General Conference Session.
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"We need to praise the Lord because it went smoothly," said Paul Ratsara, president of the rapidly growing Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division. "We felt the Holy Spirit."
Wilson's nomination for president by more than 200 delegates assigned to the Nominating Committee was seen as key for those who believe the church needs to stay focused on its fundamental course of preaching the Advent message in the end times.
"What stands out the most about this Session is the vision that Pastor Wilson has launched of making sure the church marches toward the final stage clamoring for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit," said Armando Miranda, a General Conference vice president the past 10 years and former church leader in Mexico.
Indeed, in his public comments since being elected president June 25, Wilson has continually emphasized the need to seek counsel from the Bible and the writings of church co-founder Ellen White -- known as the Spirit of Prophecy -- for the "heaven-directed" church.
Others were cautiously optimistic about where the church was headed under Wilson.
"I think the church, from his sermons, is going to go back to the basics, but I hope it's not going back to the basics of a legalistic approach to things," said delegate Shirley Chang of California, one of three lay people from North America on the General Conference Executive Committee, which has more than 300 members.
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In addition to selecting and electing a president for the next five years, which was considered by many to be the single most important accomplishment of the Session, delegates spent many hours revising the 78-year-old Church Manual.
Most of the 95 revisions were rather minor editing changes, but some of the proposals proved controversial because they delved indirectly into topics that weren't officially on the agenda -- such as the church's position against women's ordination -- which the diverse group of delegates wanted addressed.
The committee that spent years studying the Church Manual, for example, proposed to allow each of the 13 world regions to decide whether deaconesses could be ordained, thus potentially putting them on equal footing with deacons, their male counterparts. After all, that's the same way the world church has handled the role of women pastors -- the leadership in each region can decide whether they can be "commissioned."
Women and ministry
Perhaps it wasn't surprising, then, that the discussion on deaconesses turned into a polite debate about whether women should, or shouldn't be, ordained ministers, which prompted those chairing the meeting to urge delegates to stick to the topic at hand.
But it seemed to be the most natural venue for delegates to address the hot-potato issue, especially proponents of women's ordination from Europe, the Australia-based South Pacific region and the United States who said they were disappointed the matter was left off the agenda.
"We would like to hope that in the next Session there will be a motion for women's ordination," said Mariann Harbarth, a delegate from Germany.
"We would like to be able to move forward" on women's ordination, said Barry Oliver, president of the South Pacific region. "The South Pacific Division is in a situation in which unity in the church is being impacted by our failure to move."
Many delegates from Latin America and Africa, meanwhile, remained opposed. Some went as far as to say they opposed deaconesses being ordained because that action could later open the door to pastoral ordination of women.
But the delegates rejected the General Conference recommendation and settled on a blanket policy that makes deaconesses and deacons equal, in all parts of the world, even taking the decision out of the hands of regional leaders.
"I know a lot of us felt that with that vote on the deaconesses, there was such a feeling that it passed with such a large margin," said Chang, the delegate from California, "that maybe it would have been time that women's ordination would have gone through, too."
Discussion on Marriage
Perhaps the most controversial of all topics involving the Church Manual was the issue of marriage, and how leaders sought to solidify the church's position, which states "Marriage, thus instituted by God, is a monogamous, heterosexual relationship."
The proposal to add the words "between one male and one female" to the definition of marriage was bothersome to a minority of delegates, especially one, from the Netherlands, who publicly stated that the strict definition alienates gays and lesbians.
His proposed amendment -- "Marriage is a monogamous, loving relationship between two mutually consenting adults" -- drew gasps from the delegates and prompted many of them to line up at the microphones to oppose the position. The proposed amendment failed by an overwhelming margin of votes.
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In the end, delegates approved the original proposal to strengthen the church's position, but again, the debate showed a stark contrast of opinions based on cultural diversity at a world conference of Adventists.
"I know that fellow was speaking in line with the reality of what is happening today, so yeah, one part of me says this probably isn't the right place," said Pastor John Leeman of the island Republic of Vanuatu, east of Australia. "Another part of me sees there's a need there, there's something there, there's a bell ringing there."
Leeman said that hearing the comment from the European delegate with open-minded views about homosexuality is a wake up call to church members: "If your uncle, if your auntie, if your brother is a gay, how would you deal with it? If they come to church, and sit together, and hold hands, what would you do? What would Jesus say?"
Church leaders didn't have answers for everything, but they paid close attention to the delegates' voices, even for matters that were not on the Session agenda.
The constant discussion about women's ordination prompted delegate Ray Hartwell, president of the Pennsylvania Conference in the United States, to call for a thorough study of ordination. As a result, the Session's Steering Committee, which oversees the daily agenda, agreed to order a comprehensive report on ordination within the next five years.
And the constant calls for more representation from youth and young adults surely got the attention of church leadership who agreed that their role is vital for the church's future.
Ratsara, the leader of the church in the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean region, called the Session a "milestone" for the Adventist Church.
"I leave this place fully assured that the future is bright," Ratsara said, "because the Lord will do wonders."
The next session will be held in San Antonio, Texas, in five years.
Truly the smile of God shines toward His people...
Although the topic of female ordination is one important discussion and has been a subject of much debate for decades now, the reality of 'homosexuality' is something that needs to be seriously sorted out - before we completely forget that whether we like it or not, they co-exist with us, growing in number each day. I believe it is critical to establish a special ministry focused on this special group of believers. Jesus Christ values them as much as he does the 'straight' - we have work to do to love them and make them stay.
Also - the growing clamor for a more active and significant involvement of the youth must be hearken, if not actually prioritized. The youth is "not the future" of church...
The youth is the present! If we do not acknowledge this today, as valuegenesis clearly reveals across multiple generations... our youth will fade away with the past.
May the fruits of spiritual guidance flourish for the next 5 years and onward, kindling new hopes... flaming the passion take the gospel to every heart from our very own Jerusalem... to the ends of the earth1
P.S. On a side note, I notice that GC sessions are only held in America? China can host the Olympics, so does South Africa the World Cup... why can't other continent host GC sessions?
Joeveney Macabeo | July 9, 2010 11:51 AM | Reply
Few points:
1. Its good the session does not elaborate more on the ordination of deaconess. It only introduces the agenda thus giving ample time for more research and consultation. The church shoud be able to make their position clear at the next GC session. I believe the spirit is leading.
2. Why next GC session at Texas? It seems all GC sessions are held at USA. It's unfair.
3. Its encouraging to see most world church leaders are retained for second term. That is good. They will need to fully implement what they have planned during their first term.
4. I think the world church has not placed much emphasis on the outporing of the Latter Rain Spirit. I am a local church pastor. I have witnessed alot of people flooding into the church not because of our preaching/witnessing efforts but they voluntarily come to our church as the spirit leads and as they make personal Bible studies. Its about time the church should place special consideration on the outpouring of the Latter Rain Spirit - Now is the time.
Kembol Kep | July 9, 2010 12:35 PM | Reply
I am thoroughly dissapointed with the way things are run currently by my church. It seems there is pressure for us to make prompt decision without properly consulting the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. For instance i do not see the neccessity of women being ordained for any leadership position in church. Again no explanation has been given why women have been given the right to be ordained as Decconesses. it seems everything relies on vote and my question is what if the majority votes for the wrong thing we will say the Lord has led in all these things. Personally i beleive everything should be left to be settled by scripture and the spirit of prophecy. We have the scripture as our guide why should we decide things based on culture and or personal opinions. Why are we under pressure to ordain women as pastors? Infact iam against their appointment to such leadership position thus why they start clamouring for ordination because they are already in those offices. I agree with Pastor Paulsen who said that women have a lot to do in our churches besides being ministers. if we follow our prophet's counsell we will not err and we will not depart from the truth. May God bless you all
Sibanda Bekithemba | July 10, 2010 5:36 AM | Reply
Where will the 2020 General Conference Session be held?
Kip Kulunyey | July 11, 2010 6:33 PM | Reply
Where will the 2020 General Conference Session be held?
Kip Kulunyey | July 11, 2010 6:36 PM | Reply
I am really surprised the church has passed a resolution on woman ordination. instead of reforming we are going down.
Why should women be ordained now and not all along-can someone explain to me.The principle behind women ordination as pastors and elders is the same as that of ordaining women as deaconesses>I stand to be corrected.
Obert Kwacha | July 12, 2010 4:14 AM | Reply
If majority believers are in South America and Africa or Asia...why always GC i held in USA?
Antan | July 12, 2010 5:51 AM | Reply
Praise the lord i belong to southern asia division from india.. we need photos of the elected leaders for our division and other division. we are planning to project their photos in the church congregation and pray for our leaders so pls send their photos and theie position in GC. thank you....
MAY THE LOVE OF THE LORD BE WITH US IN COMING DAYS.
stephen dass | July 12, 2010 6:29 AM | Reply
View on marriage: Did we forget what happened to Sodom and Gommorah? Sexual immorality was wrong yesterday and is wrong today! God instituted marriage between MAN and WOMAN. The Bible is clear! "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I CORINTHIANS 6:9-11). If they waltz into our churches, we shall tell them to flee this wickedness or they will no inherit the kingdom!
Fabrice Medastin | July 12, 2010 9:42 AM | Reply
View on marriage: Did we forget what happened to Sodom and Gommorah? Sexual immorality was wrong yesterday and is wrong today! God instituted marriage between MAN and WOMAN. The Bible is clear! "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God." (I CORINTHIANS 6:9-11). If they waltz into our churches, we shall tell them to flee this wickedness or they will no inherit the kingdom!
Fabrice Medastin | July 12, 2010 9:43 AM | Reply
It would seem that the basis for ordination is a critical question. Is ordination a biblical authorized act or is it a tradition of our church. Our understanding of the Bible can change as our knowledge and understanding changes. Do we have knowledge and understanding that allows for us to view ordination differently than we have held in former years? In our seeking of knowledge and understanding are we seeking a particular quality of information, or are we open to where the ‘Bible under the Holy Spirit’ will lead us. If we hold it as a historic tradition then it could change as we change. I believe the SDA church is a ‘Bible under the Holy Spirit’ following church. We must be careful we are not making ‘God’ in our image after our likeness and then pressuring ourselves to be like the God we created in our minds. I believe God’s word is clear to those who want to follow it in Spirit and in Truth.
DPW | July 12, 2010 2:47 PM | Reply
AMEN! Brother praise God for those who stand up for the truth! Satan is trying to infilter and change our pillars of faith. God never changes and he warned us that these things were going to be coming about! We should stand for the Truth and stop trying to compromise and be more and more like the world!!! Stick to the Word of God and the messages that God has given us through His Prophets!To the Law and to the testamonies..... Let us untite and Stand for the truth!!! May God help us all to be more like Him! Pray, Pray, Pray!!! Praise God :)
Robert Taylor | July 12, 2010 7:11 PM | Reply
We will "go forward" only with prayer and fasting as Jesus admonished and as the apostolic church did...by God's grace and our cooperation. And yes, "the youth is the present".... Food for thought and action in that take for our new church leaders! The "growing" churches in christendom are the ones that harness the energies and the darings of the youth... as our Lord Jesus did. He not only chose a larger percentage of youth in His lineup, but utilized their young bones and muscles. "Go ye..," He charged. "You shall be my witnesses in...and the uttermost parts of the world." (check the list of the 12 and the 120). Let's not only talk and listen to them (these are very good beginnings), but let us involve the youth more in the planning, decision-making and implimentation processes, too.
Lest we forget, we "go forward" only as we "tell the world" and ourselves that Jesus is coming soon! Yes, He is!
Praise God...!
And remember church, the World Cup was held very successfully in Africa, where the majority of Adventists now live... (I hope I am right!). After Texas, what and where next? God bless His church universal and militant.
Hakeem B. Smith | July 12, 2010 8:57 PM | Reply
Am writting from Lusaka,zambia.I fill let down on my leaders,i guess someone should have mentioned that zambia has the largest number of adventists in the world and its biggest problem is accepting women preachers.This issue should be looked at as the church is clumbing .Other are ready to even break away and form their own churches. On marriage we the conference a plus,in africa and bibilically same sex marriages are not intertainned,just imagine even animals dont do that.
Chilangwa mulenga | July 12, 2010 11:22 PM | Reply
I concur with everybody that has made comments against women ordination and homosexualism. As much as our church is a democratic movement based on the freedom of choice principle set up by the Almighty Himself, using the voting principle to decide on issues that are specifically pointed out in the scriptures is immoral. By so doing, in trying to accomodate immorality in the name of catering for all and sundry, we are arm twisting or rewriting the bible to suit the world. Yet when when we talk of the "World" according to the bible we are talking of the devil and his habitat. In other words we are likening ourselves more with the devil than with the Lord. It is a new order that is taking us away from the cross to the devil. We are almost mistaken that the devil has horns and looks like a monster, yet when he was cast out of heaven, he was never stripped of his glory neigther was he stripped of his supernatural power and beauty. The devil manifests himself in various attractive and logical ways. Lets do everything by the book for when God spoke unto us through the scriptures He knew there will be all these changes in the world, changes or no changes, God' ruling still stands. Lets vote on who should lead and not on sanctifying sin.
Onward Maburuse..Agape SDA.. South Africa | July 13, 2010 2:44 AM | Reply
Hi Antan,
Elected leaders of the world church are responsible for choosing the venue for Sessions. There is some more information at the website http://www.gcsession.org/general/history.html. A few excerpts:
-Session has been held outside the U.S. three times: in Austria in 1975, the Netherlands in 1995 and in Canada in 2000.
-Recent General Conference Sessions have been held in baseball and football stadiums in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Few other venues in the world offer the necessary amenities for such an event: [indoor] seating for 70,000-plus attendees, venue support staff who speak English (the official business language of the church), reliable and cost-effective transportation, and food safety for a large group.
best,
Ansel Oliver
That's a decision that will be made by the world church's 300-member Executive Committee at Spring Meeting in April, 2011. Session venues are typically selected nine years in advance.
Ansel Oliver
May The Good Lord bless His going church! Will pray that the next gathering (GC Session) be in Africa, (South Africa, in particular) which has successfully hosted the World Cup. Imagine what that would do to the large and growing church in Africa, in terms of building faith and unity as one church seeking to add more and more members to it daily. Many people in Africa do not really understand that we are a world movement and that feeling of belonging to one global family under Christ our Head is not easy to grasp without there being at least one GC Session in Africa.
May the Executive Committee be influenced by our prayer and request from Africa. Never mind the logistics much, we do speak English quite well, and as for the facilities for such a large gathering, South Africa has proved that it has them all too well. Besides, why not sit in the grass with us as we do whilst worshipping the Lord, studying the bible,planning for and preaching the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ!
God bless us all
Lloyd Gande
Head Elder
Karoi SDA Church
Zimbabwe,
Africa
Lloyd Gande | July 14, 2010 1:17 AM | Reply
The question should be asked, if 70% of the church is made up of woman, how come so few delegates are woman, and if 70% of the church is made up of people who are under 30, why so few delegates. As men do we see woman as a threat to "our" position or a complimentary benefit to God's church. Do we permit woman to teach our boys to become leaders or do we do it in church. Do we have a man's club in church or we are the body of Christ. Questions... Let us as a church looked to our only example, Jesus. In His life we can find the answers to questions that broke the cultural barriers of a confused Israel then, and our present world that we live in. Some times we forget that this world is not ours, we are strangers passing by, heading to our new home. We must not forget this, because in our weaken state of mind ,we can adopt concepts and ideas that belong not to our God, but that of Satan.
Let us finish the race, united men and woman, together, to the honour and glory of God.
Carlo Schroeder | July 14, 2010 11:27 AM | Reply
Womens' ordination and more recently GLBT issues have been a hot topic for a while. Ignoring the latter for the moment, it continues to amaze me that people confuse principles from scripture with being the black letter law. Obviously, the church has retained it's founding principles, but we do not adhere strictly to biblical teachings found in Leviticus for example, because we recognize the context back then was different. The same for women - who were regarded as property, and slaves.
Obviously, I'm biased, but let's be careful not to mask discrimination under the guise of Godliness. We should be growing not simply in numbers but in wisdom and love as well.
NF | July 14, 2010 9:33 PM | Reply
thats the most sincere statement i have yet to hear. can we please keep GOD the forefront of all our endeavors.
rhonda | July 15, 2010 3:13 AM | Reply
Dear Ansel: I would like to know how I can know the names of lay members of the new GC Executive Committee from each division, for 2010-2015. I remind you that at the past congress 58th GC Session 2005, the entire list of members of the Executive Committee, including the names of the laypersons, was published on page 21 of this archive http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/GCB/GCB2005-08/index.djvu
May God bless the lay members of all constituent bodies of the church, whose participation must achieve the importance that the spirit of prophecy said from the beginning of the organized church. “Every member of the church has a voice in choosing officers of the church. The church chooses the officers of the state conferences. Delegates chosen by the state conferences choose the officers of the union conferences, and delegates chosen by the union conferences choose the officers of the General Conference.”—Testimonies, vol. 8, pp. 236, 237.
Daniel Jimenez-Espinoza
adventist lay
Daniel Jimenez-Espinoza | July 15, 2010 5:44 PM | Reply
am so glad the church is moving forward as we approach the second advent of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. gay or straight, God loves us equally. i think the church should do the same. while upholding a stict policy against the institution of gay relationships, we should embrace all into the faith. for whether white or black, believer or non-believer, gay or straight, Christ died for us all and desires to re-create us anew to that state from which we have fallen. shalom!!
Igbeinkutu victor
Nigeria.
Igbeinkutu victor | July 15, 2010 8:50 PM | Reply
Can someone please help me,what has has realy changed in our church?,i cant understand why women should start preaching now and being ordained.I guess it is the show of hands which i believe should not determine the destine of our church but the bible.email me at cwmulenga@yahoo.com
chilangwa mulenga | July 15, 2010 9:47 PM | Reply
Daniel, we don't have a full list of the new GC Executive Committee yet, because lay and young adult members won't all be selected until Annual Council this October. I could get you a list of the GC Session-elected officers, who are automatically considered members, but you're looking for lay members specifically. Let me do some checking, and we'll try to get a list up as soon as the full committee is selected.
I am amaze to read so many strong opinion agaisnt women's being ordained. We often tend to lean on "opinion" and feelings instead of allowing the Holy Spirit to GUIDE us. Are we forgetting that God Himself is the one that elects the leaders everywhere, much less His Church! Most of the time We (leaders) think that we are the ones running the show; but that is not true at all. I strongly believe that after the church's board meeting elect their leaders; THE OUTCOME OF IT IS GOD'S WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is His church; He is in controlled.
Glenny Mendez | July 16, 2010 7:44 AM | Reply
Jesus came and broke down every wall of partition. He brought to light the high value of women,ie. the woman at the well,and also the women after His resurrection. There is no mention of women being chosen as Pastors, Elders or the like by HIM. There is a term 'THE LAW OF FIRST MENTION' which lays the foundation for Bible principles. I'll lastly use a well noted New Testament quote; the man is the head of the woman, as Christ is the head of the church. If the woman can than be the head of the man, can the church be the head of Christ? Don't take this question lightly. God bless us all as we fulfill our roles in HIS service. I the LORD change not.... Amen.
Raymond Tucker
Rockaway Church
Bermuda Conference
Raymond Tucker | July 16, 2010 4:58 PM | Reply
Since we all (I hope) believe that Sister White was appointed by God as His instrument, we can be assured that what she speaks is the truth and represents the words of God unless she contradicts the Bible but I believe, as I hope you do, that has never occurred.
So I think it is fair to say that we can use her as an example to follow.
There is no record of Ellen White ever having been ordained by the laying on of human hands. Yet she herself states of being ordained by God. Sister White states: “In the city of Portland the Lord ordained me as His messenger, and here my first labors were given to the cause of present truth.” — RH, May 18, 1911.
We have to ask before we continue, is the ordination process by which the laying of hands, by man, more sacred then ordination by God?
She also held the credentials of an ordained minister, first from the Michigan Conference and later from the General Conference. Following the death of her husband, James White, in 1881, she was paid the salary of an ordained minister.
She also speaks about her being called to the ministry. “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” — RH, July 26, 1906.
During Ellen White’s time there were a total of 31 women who were licensed by the SDA Church to preach from its pulpits. Again, wouldn’t you think if it were wrong to license women to preach from the pulpit that Sister White would have stood up against it?
Let's keep our own agenda and beliefs out of religion and rely on the examples Christ gave us in His Word. Pray for an open mind and keep your ear open for His Voice.
Jeff Neuin | July 16, 2010 7:25 PM | Reply
Amen!!!!!
Jeff Neuin | July 16, 2010 7:27 PM | Reply
Totaly agree! I admire the compassion for the gay society but we need to be reminded of the gospel as in two inseparable truths about the character of God. There is "LOVE" and there is "JUSTICE". Jesus showed mercy towards sinners. But he never lower the standards God has set forth in the beginning. Jesus didn't win all souls while on earth just because he didin't love everyone. It is because many didn't willing to surrender their WHOLE SELF to the principles of living he laid out for all of us.
Lupe | July 17, 2010 1:47 AM | Reply
Good question. I think there are very few places in the world that will accommodate 70,000 people - and I expect that number to rise substantially in the next 5 years
Mike Little | July 17, 2010 3:26 PM | Reply
VIEW ON MARRIAGE: God ended his creation work when he established two honourable and holy institutions. Marriage and Sabbath. Satan is using many deceptive tools to destroy these two institutions. He (satan) uses human perceptions to make it look right, feel right and sound right but Biblically wrong. The Bible says "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." (Gen. 2:18 NIV). Apparently, a human male was created first and he was Adam. The Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent God in his wisdom decided to honor and glorify Adam with HIS pro-creative power with a suitable helper and companion. That suitable companion was Eve, a human female so that the work of creating humans to fill this earth will continue according to God's plan. Finally, before sunset on day 6, Adam said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; ..." (Gen.2:23 NIV). Adam and Eve became one flesh in marriage before both celebrate Sabbath with God on day 7. A man and a woman become one flesh today through marriage only. This is the perfect order God put into place right from the beginning. The phrase "one flesh" is irrelevant and unbiblical to homosexuals. Satan is thus devising his deceptions in promoting homosexuals (gays and lesbians) to dishonor the marriage institution established by God. The SDA church worldwide should not be deceived into accepting or honoring same sex marriages. We should learn the lesson of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah for the wickedness of homosexuals that made God's wrath and anger fell upon these cities. I fully agree with Fabrice Medastin (posted 12/7/10) above that the SDA church must deplore same sex marriage and must not tolerate, even if it seems discrimination. Devil is very cunning in promoting pornography industry, same sex marriage and using sexual organs as objects of exploitation to degrade human dignity - the crown of creation - one flesh in marriage between a man and a woman. Please, SDA church leaders, be careful to entertain same sex marriage couples as this wickedness could defile and destroy the church of God.
Johnny Wemin | July 19, 2010 1:16 AM | Reply
Thank you all who hold the unshakable truth that Homosexuality and Lesbianism are SIN issues and not Human Rights issues.
Henry | July 19, 2010 3:38 PM | Reply
How is it that marriage, which is so important here on earth, will not be an institution in the earth made new?
Perhaps it is because we have given it more weight than that of the practical organization of one type of human order.
carole | July 20, 2010 12:01 PM | Reply
Thanks to our Heavenly father for the out comes of the G.C
However,we as true followers of Christ need to be true also
to the Bible and what it says while relying on the Holy Spirit for understading.Numbers should never be used to gauguge whats good before the Lord.Remember the story of
Noah,or even Lot/How many were saved?
Pls,lets stick to the truth whether it means minority or not ,or death,or anything'Our God is faithful and will
protect us in times of need like now.Amen
Aminga Japheth | July 21, 2010 4:54 AM | Reply
Thanks to our Heavenly father for the out comes of the G.C
However,we as true followers of Christ need to be true also
to the Bible and what it says while relying on the Holy Spirit for understading.Numbers should never be used to gauguge whats good before the Lord.Remember the story of
Noah,or even Lot/How many were saved?
Pls,lets stick to the truth whether it means minority or not ,or death,or anything'Our God is faithful and will
protect us in times of need like now.Amen
Japheth Aminga July 21st 2010
Aminga Japheth | July 21, 2010 4:57 AM | Reply
Perhaps the time has come for us to really look into the matter of Women holding Pastoral positions within our church. If we strive to keep equality at the heart of the church, I would think this is only logical. One has to admit, that in many instances, some women preachers deliver the spoken word far better than their male counterparts; not to mention that they can be excellent leaders. I really don't see the big deal with this. What is the biblical reference for this anti-view where this is concerned? Or is it simply a matter of not wanting to break away from tradition? For too long we've been stuck with archaic practices of theology. That is all not necessarily a bad thing. But certainly we can embrace change while not compromising our spiritual values.
Nassau, The Bahamas
Miguel D. Taylor | July 21, 2010 10:10 AM | Reply
Miguel, it's up to you to get the biblical references for yourself. "I really don't see the big deal with this" is not a sound foundation for any doctrine or position.
Gob Bless!
Andrew | July 22, 2010 3:16 AM | Reply
i just pray that the holy spirit guides us in everything we do...LETS PRAY..
Tham | July 22, 2010 9:09 AM | Reply
I have been reading the "Review" editions of the Session, and have a comment as to content: I was very interested in the business meeting report/transcripts/conversations, but was frustrated that so much of it was shunted over to an internet site, to have space for the reporting/voting procedures of the Nominating Committee. Since the results of those votes were featured in other articles in those issues, I wonder if that 'column space' might be deleted, and more business session dialogue put back in. The double reporting of officer nominations was redundant, and left holes in the actual business session transcript/reporting in the magazine.
Harlen Miller | July 22, 2010 9:12 AM | Reply
We need to be careful not to confuse the issue of women in ministry with women ordination. I do not see anything wrong with women preaching or teaching as long as they do it with the humility of recognizing God’s order of headship. God gave man the headship role for the home and the church, that’s just His order of role differentiation. That does not mean inequality or inferiority, God established roles within the equality of genders. Ordaining women, however, puts women in leadership roles that usurp the headship of man and changes God’s order. God has used a lot of women in the Bible, but always keeping in order the role differentiation. We should also be careful not to confuse these issues with world political issues such as human rights, equality, discrimination etc. The selection of leaders in the Bible was discriminatory even to men, for example only Levites could be priests and officiate in the temple (that disqualified men of any other tribe); “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, (1Timothy 3:2), that disqualifies a lot of men today”. All our decisions must be based on the word of God, not philosophical arguments which are endless. May God direct us as we abide in His word and use the sole authority of Scripture as our guide.
Nick
Nick | July 22, 2010 12:55 PM | Reply
While homosexuals are people and are welcome to join worship; it is imperative we remember that it is a SIN for a man to be with another man, or woman with woman in the way Adam was with Eve. If we do not repent of sin, wether it be lying, stealing, fornication, adultery, backbiting, gossiping, whoremonging, homosexuality or sabbath breaking we will be lost. God is coming back for a holy people who have washed their garments in the Blood of Jesus. Were we able to see His face while living in sin there would be no need for Christ to die for us.
The issue of female ordination is worth examination. It is not as clear black and white as homosexuality. Women have been forced into leadership by men who settle for mediocrity. We have pastors today who go from day to day without reading the word which is light. They are empty, blind men leading blind people. They have contributed to offshoots as no one wishes to be apart of apostasy. If the woman can lean and depend on the life-giving word and still respect her husband as the head appointed by God, she is worthy of ordination. Sadly I am yet to meet a woman who understands and respects this principle. Will a woman pastor respects her husband as the spiritual head?
Miguel | July 23, 2010 4:57 PM | Reply
Church leaders didn't have answers for everything, but they paid close attention to the delegates' voices, even for matters that were not on the Session agenda.
What do we mean church leaders didn't answer?
Bible has the answer. That sin should be not expendable at any time in any church. God sad wipe this sin out. That the answer.
pavlo polenchuk | July 23, 2010 6:06 PM | Reply
I agree with Jeff Neuin. It appears male seventh-day adventists choose to ignore that a female i.e Ellen White was chosen by God to be a "modern-day" prophet ordained by God & note that her husband supported her in her ministry (what would have happened if her husband dissuaded her from continuing her ministry, would we have all her inspired books today?).Some men are clinging to tradition. There is enough evidence in the bible to underpin the importance of the role of women in the church & society. It is really sad to see that some adventist men treat adventist women as second-class! Adventists who hold such narrow views are no better or worse than the Pharisees of old. This is the very reason why Jesus the Messiah had to come & live amongst men to show them that what they believed & practised was not what His kingdom was about. We should not kid ourselves thinking we are people of the "book" but are hearts remain unconverted.
I am enormously relieved that God looks at the heart & not hypocritical behaviour.
God Bless!
Charleen | July 24, 2010 2:51 AM | Reply
Yes Jesus loves us. Jesus died for us so that we can be made whole.There will not be any of these debates if the church was to follow the bible. We should not follow our feelings especially when the word of God lives among us.I would like to believe that Churches the world over send responsible delegates to the GC....and I assume these delegates have a great knowledge of the Bible.
Phillimon | July 24, 2010 11:24 AM | Reply
homosexuality is a sin that has been prevalent for thousands of years we cannot allow it under the guise of tolerance to creep into our churches , we as christians should love all mankind but hate all sinfull expressions and acts , we must support and encourage our fellow men but we must discourage sinful practice
david | July 25, 2010 4:27 AM | Reply
You have have the Adventist banner high.To God be the glory.And may you go go from glory to glory in the name of Jesus Christ Our Lord.
Ugochukwu Nnadozie | July 25, 2010 7:43 AM | Reply
"God is waiting to bestow the blessing of forgiveness, of pardon for iniquity, of the gifts of righteousness, upon all who will believe in His love and accept the salvation He offers. Christ is ready to say to the repenting sinner, "Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe the with change of rainment: The blood of Jesus is the eloquent plea that speaks in behalf of sinners. This blook "cleanseth us from all sin."
Testimonies to Ministers p. 517.
The gay community needs the gospel and yes they must be urged to repent and turn away from the terrible iniquity. They must not be made to believe that they can be saved in that kind of lifestyle they have find themselves in. They are no different than the adulterer, drunkard, murderer, or thief who all need salvation. All must come to repentance. Satan seems to be deceiving the gay community that such a lifestyle must be accepted by the world and the church. The gospel is very clear. Let no-one be deceived. So if it be an uncle or sister, whatever the situation, our position as God's people is to intercede, fast, and agonize for such a one that the Lord may be merciful and send His spirit to help them. They need much divine power to reedem them from where they are. If our churches were filled with Holy Spirit, and the latter rain was being given, and we were preaching the gospel in demonistration of the Spirit, surely they would be convicted of their gross iniquity.
One problem we have in our churches is that the Holy Spirit is not being invited and working on us as should be. Spiritualism has set in. We now see many wearing the new "black uniform from Satan" representing darkness and no-one has raised an alarm about it. (I could share more on this when the latter rain was given to me in 2007 when the church prayed for it-realtime experiences). In many churches there is no longer preaching but talking - like a converstation, no appeals, no urging to repentance. The Laodicean message is dead. So what can be expected? No wonder the gay cannot be convicted to repentance. May the Lord help us to awake out our sleep and slumber and to reject spiritualism like Shadreck, Misheck and Abednego at the plain of Dura when Jesus appeared for His church.
BILL | July 26, 2010 6:43 AM | Reply
The marriage instituted by God in the garden of Eden was between man(Adam) and woman(Eve)Genesis 2:22.Marriage betwen same sex is mentioned in Genesis 19 and what led to Sodom and Gomorrah to be destroyed and should not be encouraged.God's idea of salvation is to take to heaven only those who believe in Him(John 3:16).
Ordination of women is not supported by the Bible but can only be backed by traditions of men which keep on changing every day.God is the same yesterday,today and forever and ever.Amen.His word will remain the same as well(Matt.24:35)
Copperbelt Field
Luanshya East Mission District
Zambia
Tryson Kasempa | July 27, 2010 3:04 AM | Reply