| Author | Message | ||
| Ikilgore Registered user Username: Ikilgore Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2006 |
Aloha guys, I found this article when I was looking through some stuff on my parents coffee table. It was from the Lake Union Herald Feb. 2007 issue. So here is what the "Presidents Perspective" is for the month: Who Are These People? They love God, but they are not ìhead over heelsî about church. Many times they drop their children off for Sabbath school and join them later for what they hope will be a brief and engaging church service. They think the church has too many rules. They are health and fitness conscious, but object to some in the church who have made health a religion unto itself. They are bored with the many ìnurturingî programs and see no practical approach to get out the good news about Jesus. They are reluctant to contribute money or personal time to ìchurch work,î but they willingly contribute to Darfur in Africa, or volunteer to work in a soup kitchen for the homeless or hopeless in the community. They do not wish to hold a church office or form attachments that interfere with their personal pursuits, but will make personal sacrifices to ìrough itî on a mission trip. They may return a faithful tithe, but give no ìlocal budgetî offerings. They assemble in Internet chatrooms to debate the relevance of church membership, yet quickly respond that they are Seventh-day Adventists if asked about church affiliation. Who are these people? Do they sound familiar? They are the new generation of youth and young adults, and I have had the privilege of being closely associated with them. Recently, I had a chance, informal meeting with a group of these wonderful characters. They were huffing and puffing about the restrictive doctrines of this Church that I have been committed to all my life. At first I wanted to be defensive, even militant, about their objections. Then the Spirit reminded me of my own philosophy: If you have no good reason for what you believe, then stop believing it. So, I asked the question, ìWhich doctrine do you object to most?î ìThe Sabbath,î they responded. Well now, being an old evangelist and revivalist, I have always believed that the Sabbath is the easiest and most defensible of the doctrines. So, I was a bit taken aback that we started there. After only a few moments of Bible review, it became evident that they believed the Sabbath, but objected to some of the man-made restrictions and traditions connected to the Sabbath. We reviewed several other doctrinal points and made similar discoveries. It was interesting to note that when we came to the State of the Dead or Soul Sleep doctrine one person took on the rest of the group with a masterful explanation. The summary of this gentle encounter was they believe the doctrines of Scripture held by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, but they have serious objections to how some of those beliefs are set forth and administered by the Church. And there appears to be little difference among them, regardless of their race or ethnic background. Make sure they are included on the boards and councils of your church, but be prepared to listen. They have very relevant input for us. Cut down on the ìnurture,î and build the ìoutreach.î Throw out your cherished dogma that has no Biblical foundation. Decrease the criticism, and increase the love. They are ours. They are His. I really enjoyed the article. He was right on so many levels. The young people of the SDA church are wanting more. They don't want the rules of the Church to hold them back. They want Jesus and nothing less. That is what they want. The Sabbath is a burden to them, not a blessing. The health message that the church churns out is so outdated. We as young people want Jesus and nothing less. If you can't find Jesus in the church that you grew up in, then there is nothing wrong with moving on to a place that does. Walter had it right on so many levels in his article. He only had one thing that I hope that he writes on again is what his response's are to some of the things in the article. Maybe I will send him an email on it. Just wanted to let you guys read it. See what you guys think.... | ||
| Aliza Registered user Username: Aliza Post Number: 156 Registered: 8-2006 |
Am I missing it? I don't see a passion for Jesus here. | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 515 Registered: 5-2002 |
I wonder how much lipstick they think it will take to turn that old Sabbath pig into a prom queen... | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5393 Registered: 12-2003  |
I agree, Aliza, I don't see passion for Jesus here, either. You know, Isaiah, this article is so like so much I read on other websites and publications. Somehow the young people are getting across the point that the old SDA distinctives are ridiculous. Goodóthat's a step in the right direction. But here's what also keeps showing up. They actually "believe in the doctrines of Scripture held by the Seventh-day Adventist Church"óbut this very point is where the deception kicks in. The Adventist doctrines of Sabbath, soul sleep, judgment, the great controversy, etc., are not Biblical. Yes, most Adventist young people DO believe in these doctrines. They might not be able to explain them well, but they believe these things and believe they are Biblical. It's not Jesus alone most of them are conscious of wanting. They might actually desire the fulfillment only Jesus can bring, but they are still veiled by all those Adventist doctrines that they do believe. It's only when we risk letting go of all those things we believe and follow Jesus alone that we find meaning and the ability to know truth. Only then can we figure out what true Biblical doctrines are. We can't fully embrace Jesus and hold onto false doctrines. They have to go before we really know who He is. Praise God He is faithful! Colleen | ||
| Ikilgore Registered user Username: Ikilgore Post Number: 27 Registered: 11-2006 |
Aloha guys, I agree with you on all points that you make. The beliefs that they hold are NOT biblical. The Sabbath is a man-made burden (now it is) and most people just really don't care about it. The IJ is the most ridiculous and heretical (heretical...that's a word right?) doctrine they believe in. The thing that always messed me up while at both Great Lakes Academy and at Andrews Academy was that they spent so much time defending thier beliefs and showing Jesus. We would spend hours in "Witnessing class" trying to back up individual beliefs and on how to show Jesus to the world. You're right guys that there is no mention of Jesus' love in the article. I think Walter is on to the fact that SDA's really need to be accepting of other people's beliefs. | ||
| Rejoyce719 Registered user Username: Rejoyce719 Post Number: 22 Registered: 1-2007 |
Thank you, Ikilgore, for the article. The author did take a step in the right direction by saying "make sure they are included on the boards and councils of your church, but be prepared to listen. . . . Throw out your cherished dogma that has no Biblical foundation. Decrease the criticism, and increase the love. They are ours. They are His." The author said "increase the love and decrease the criticism". Jesus is Love. The author said, "Listen to them". If this is actually done, then this group and the church will drop the beliefs of the SDA church that are not Biblical. I doubt that the church will, but this group will see truth. This author is more open-minded than I have heard any leader in the SDA church by saying to throw out cherished dogmas without Bible basis. | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 653 Registered: 1-2003  |
My prayer for myself is that I might not respond with a spirit of what they still don't have right or still are missing . . . but in a spirit of thanksgiving of how God is working in many lives and is revealing Himself little by little to these dear sons and daughters of His. God accepts us even in our error and our dirty rags as HIS . . . I know He continues to work and guide me each and every day. God is working layer by layer in my life to reveal Himself and all His wonderful glory. He has not given up on me or any of those in the SDA church who are slowly being given "new light".  In Him, Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Rejoyce719 Registered user Username: Rejoyce719 Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2007 |
So true seekr, that "new light" may come by allowing those questioning people to speak on the "boards and councils". Then to actually listen to them as this author recommends. |
