| Author | Message | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 626 Registered: 7-2004 |
Pastor O'Ffill has started a thread by the above name here: http://www.revivalsermons.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=701 We have so frequently discussed the "bait & switch" methodologies used by Adventist supported Revelation Seminars, so I had to read that one thread to it's end. The loyalists at R/S are appalled at Adventist churches and Adventist supported schools changing their names to "Community" and "Christian" in order to attract more people. I agree with them that they should be up-front about all of the institutions and outreach programs that they support, and that they should include their names either in the titles, or list that name on the front page/sign posts. If they are not ashamed of what they are doing, they should have no problem attaching their name. Once again, though, I had the disappointing experience of seeing denomination aggrandized, and very little mention of Jesus. | ||
| Michael Registered user Username: Michael Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2005 |
I laughed when my mother told me that the Napa SDA church had changed its name to the Napa COMMUNITY SDA church. I don't know if that is "bait & switch" or just an identity crisis. There pastor is "progressive" and has attended the Prevailing Church conference at Willowcreek Community Church in Chicago. I think it's just another example of people who want what Christian churches have but can't break loose from the snares of Adventism that bind them. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1795 Registered: 3-2004  |
This bait and switch is going on right near where I live. I have mentioned on another place here how the SDA church is renting the Community church near me. Out in front on Saturday morning is a sign that says Living Water Fellowship. Some one here went online and found this meeting under Nevada SDA churches. When one does not know God, they will go to any length to attract people to them. Diana | ||
| Cindy Registered user Username: Cindy Post Number: 772 Registered: 7-2000 |
I remember back in '97 or '98 having to work with an "Amazing Facts" evangelist (who will remain nameless). We got into an discussion/arguement over the deception I felt was being used... I was in charge of delivering a $2,500.00 check to the local University for use of an auditorium for the first few meetings (then, when enough "interests" were hooked, we would move back to the SDA church building). What I was supposed to do was to deposit the churches' check into MY checking account and then write a personal check to the University for the $2,500.00. This way no one, even at the University, would know the "crusade" was sponsored by Adventists! I balked at this, citing deceptive practices. The "evangelist" read me some insane Ellen White quote in favor of doing these very things! I can't remember what exactly it said, but it was to the effect of gradually introducing the "truth" in a way that would not antagonize anyone right from the beginning.... Needless to say, this evangelist and I did not get along well, especially since I was wearing a heathen wedding ring. He made sure I got a copy of Joe Crews' and the Spirit of Prophecys' statements against such pagan symbols... It is something to laugh about now... and yet, remembered also with sadness. JESUS--and all of His embodied Truth, Light, Freedom, Grace, and Rest--was missing. grace always, cindy | ||
| Abundantrest Registered user Username: Abundantrest Post Number: 4 Registered: 8-2005 |
When we have held seminars in the past, we always rented another location in which to start the seminar. The reasoning was that few people would attend even the opening night if they knew it was the Adventist church sponsoring the event. When I read these posts, I was reminded of this scripture, which has always led me to beleive that this type of deception is wrong: "Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not give up. Instead, we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God's message, but in God's sight we commend ourselves to every person's conscience by an open display of the truth." - 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, HCSB I think Paul hit the nail right on the head with that one. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 1802 Registered: 3-2004 |
Abundantrest, I just read that same text in the past two days and again this morning. I agree that Paul hit it on the head. Thank God for the Bible. There is so much I am finding out that I never learned in my 17 years of SDA schooling. God you are awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2431 Registered: 12-2003  |
Wow, Cindy, what a story. Totally believable, but jarring nonetheless. Yes, Paul really did capture the essence of the problem as well as the essence of true Christianity in that text. Colleen | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 233 Registered: 2-2001 |
We would always start at some hotel or library so that no one would know who we were. Leo Scrivener (i think that was his name) gave us the hard sell on telling people we were Christians and only if they directly asked were we to say we attend the SDA church, but it was to be a personal thing, not admitting the seminar was sponsored by the church. I almost feel dirty for all the deception. The sad thing is I really belived I was doing the right thing. I guess it is the mob metality---you can justify anything if the group goes along with it. I remember one time one of the members was out in the parking lot telling attendees the "we have a prophet" That went over really well. Now I just sit back and laugh. |
