| Author | Message | ||
| Bmorgan Registered user Username: Bmorgan Post Number: 119 Registered: 7-2000 |
Friends of mine are still trying to convince me that the SDA church is not what it used to be, therefore, I can/should worship with them. Adventism is new and it is no different than my Non denominational "Sunday Church". They tell me their sda church is "progressive" and gospel oriented. I copied their values and beliefs. Would you consider going back to "this" new type of Adventism? Why not? Aren't they Evangelical, and now part of the Body of Christ? Personally, if I had been an SDA, I'd be even more confused than before. What do you think? Erma http://lookingforachurch.org/ New Hope Adventist Church Today, New Hope Church is a thriving, emerging, post-modern congregation committed to reaching the community for God. Our Church Values... Grace Centered What does it mean to be grace oriented? Some people think the word ėgraceî refers to a prayer prior to your meal. This little word is filled with deep meaning. To be grace centered means to have an abundance of generosity towards others. At New Hope, it means we are not going to judge you ņ no matter where you came from is what your past involves. We are going to go the extra mile to accept you because Jesus did the same for us. A church is a hospital for those who are spiritually ill. It is our goal to see you living a healthy life that brings honor to God. Then you too can extend grace to others. Romans 5:20 Worship Focused At New Hope we are committed to honoring God through joyful expressions of corporate worship. We are open to hearing and experiencing the power of God's presence through the ministry of music and practical Bible teaching, and creativity of the arts. We acknowledge God's sovereignty over our lives and invite Him into our hearts through music, praise and exaltation. Psalms 96.9 Spiritually Growing Understanding the vitality of spiritual growth within the church, we actively encourage our members and friends to grow in their personal relationship with Christ through the disciplines of prayer, the study of God's word and making four basic commitments: - Commitment to Christ and Membership in the Body of Christ - Commitment to Maturity in Christ. - Commitment to a Ministry with Christ - Commitment to Missions for Christ A variety of Saturday morning classes, small groups and various ministries and education classes meet throughout the week to provide opportunities for people of all ages to interact and grow spiritually, sharing challenges and asking questions that lead to a deeper understanding of Christ and His plan for our lives. Philippians 3:14 Culturally Relevant Unfortunately, many churches in America are stuck in culture that existed 600 years ago (or longer). We understand that culture changes, therefore we are committed to sharing the gospel in a way your friends will be able to understand it. We are committed to making our music, preaching, ėlingoî, the way we reach people, to be relevant to the culture of our zip code. Because we are committed to reaching the surrounding communities, we will do everything to ėspeak to same languageî. Galatians 2:14-15 Community Oriented Being continually prepared through our experience of worship, discipleship, nurture and evangelism, it is our privilege to offer our time and our talents in service to our local community and our world. We fix our eyes on the example set by Jesus, embracing all people as our brothers and sisters in Christ, and striving to extend unconditional kindness and service to all who are in need. Through various ministries that serve the local community, we are impacting people because they are children of God. Luke 4:18-19 Child Friendly Children are the most impressionable people in the community. According to researcher, George Barna, most decisions are made (44%) by children before they are become teenagers. As a result, New Hope church is committed to reaching children and equipping families to make life long decisions for Christ. Matthew 19:14 Evangelism Directed Believing wholeheartedly that the good news of Jesus Christ is the best news for the world, it is our mission to reach out to the unchurched and share the hope that is ours through the cross of Christ our Savior. We embrace the great commission of Christ as being personally relevant to each member of our community and prayerfully seek opportunities to invite others into full fellowship with the body of Christ. We have taken Jesusí words to ėgoî at heart. We are committed to going to the community before asking them to come to us. Our passion is to reach lost people for Jesus. Matthew 28:19-20 what we believe STATEMENT OF FAITH Our Commitment We believe there is one coeternal God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons. We believe that from before the foundation of the world the Father pledged that the Son would give His life for His creation and that the Holy Spirit would convince people of their need and grow them in God's grace. We accept the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the atoning sacrifice for our sins and believe that by grace alone, through faith in His shed blood,we are saved from sin and its penalty. We accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Saviour believing that God, in Christ, has forgiven our sins, ratified and finalized at the cross, and given us a new heart. We accept by faith the righteousness of Christ, our Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary. We accept His promise of transforming grace and power to live a loving, Christ-centered life in the home and in the world. We believe that the Bible is God's inspired Word, the only rule of faith and practice for the Christian. We are committed to regular prayer and Bible study to facilitate growth and spiritual maturity. It is through the Bible that we learn about and understand God's gracious gift of salvation. It is our purpose to live in obedience to God and the Ten Commandments, understanding that that obedience in no way contributes to the source of our salvation but is always the fruit of our relationship with God. Through the Holy Spirit, He writes His law of love on the heart of every believer. Honoring the seventh day Sabbath reminds believers of creation and re-creation. True Sabbath-keeping involves celebrating and resting in the finished work of Christ. We look forward to the second coming of Jesus and the blessed hope when "this mortal shall . . . put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:54 ). In anticipation of His return We will seek by our example and testimony to help others accept Christ as Savior and Lord. At the second coming of Jesus all who have been saved by grace will finally realize the resurrection of Jesus in their own lives. We accept the biblical teaching of spiritual gifts and believe that every member is a minister. God's church will "eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 14:1). Spiritual gifts (charismata) are given to those who have accepted God's grace (charis). We believe in church organization. It is our purpose to support the church by our tithes and offerings and by our personal effort and influence. By returning to God tithes and offerings we show my dependence on and love for the One who sacrificed everything for us. We believe that we should be a responsible steward of all that God has entrusted to us. We desire to honor God by following Biblical principles for good health in our spiritual, mental, physical, and social responsibilities. This includes proper exercise, rest, diet, and the management of life's stresses by trusting in God and the discarding of unhealthful practices such as the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, foods or substances which tend to cause physical, mental, or spiritual degeneration. Since our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit we want to present it as pure to Christ as we can in honor of His pure and perfect body that He sacrificed for us. We understand the basic Bible principles of living the Christian life as taught by Seventh-day Adventists and, by the grace of God we plan to order our lives in harmony with them, remaining responsive to unfolding truth in the light of the gospel. We appreciate that there will always be new understandings of truth as it is in Jesus and that there are some things He has not revealed to us yet because we are not able to comprehend them. We acknowledge the New Testament ordinances of the church as an expression of faith and forgiveness of sins: baptism by immersion, and the Lord's Supper. We understand the burying in and the lifting up out of the water as a precious symbol of our death and resurrection in Jesus, and the bread and the wine as symbols of the body of Jesus broken for us and the blood spilled that we might live. Believing God has used the Seventh-day Adventist church to contribute to the ongoing process of reformation and discovery of truth, we are members of New Hope Seventh-day Adventist Church which is part of the world community of Seventh-day Adventists. We understand that this church is part of the larger body of Christ which is made up of everyone who has accepted the sacrifice of Christ for them. | ||
| Seekr777 Registered user Username: Seekr777 Post Number: 647 Registered: 1-2003  |
Well they do have one of the most beautiful and well done web pages I've seen on almost any church web site.  Richard rtruitt@mac.com | ||
| Honestwitness Registered user Username: Honestwitness Post Number: 215 Registered: 7-2005  |
If I were looking for a church, knew nothing about Adventism, and lived in their area, I'd definitely investigate them further. Did you notice they have some sermons listed that were given by "Pastor Ann Roda?" If this is where the future of the Adventist church is going, I'd say some of our prayers are being answered. But, I'd want to learn more about them before deciding anything for certain. Honestwitness | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 506 Registered: 5-2002 |
I see clear references to keeping the 10 Commandments (with special emphasis on Sabbath), isolating the gift of prophecy(thinly veiled Ellen White?), reference to a future bestowal of immortality to the believer ("state of the dead" doctrine), tithing (but of course), clear reference to teetotaling and "unhealthful...foods and substances..." (bacon-wrapped shrimp for dinner followed by a cup of coffee?), and baptism by immersion exclusively. The last one, "Believing God has used the Seventh-day Adventist church to contribute to the ongoing process of reformation and discovery of truth" smacks of remnant theology. I think this is nothing more than a wolf wearing sheep's clothing tailored by Armani. Caveat emptor. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3369 Registered: 3-2004  |
It does not matter to me how progressive/evangelical an SDA church sounds, at this time in my life, I will not attend it. Only if I went to a wedding/funeral would I go. As Freeatlast said above there is still evidence of the 10 C/sabbath, gift of prophecy, and my "favorite"-tithing and all the other stuff. A wolf disguised as a sheep, tailored by who ever is still a wolf. God is to awesome to let me go back wards. Diana | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 427 Registered: 9-2006  |
We desire to honor God by following Biblical principles for good health in our spiritual, mental, physical, and social responsibilities. This includes proper exercise, rest, diet, and the management of life's stresses by trusting in God and the discarding of unhealthful practices such as the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, foods or substances which tend to cause physical, mental, or spiritual degeneration. My remarks: this goes right back to the old EGW type eating and drinking thing that, in my opinion will put pressure on the people to ėMeasure upî. We understand the basic Bible principles of living the Christian life as taught by Seventh-day Adventists and, by the grace of God we plan to order our lives in harmony with them My view: More Adventism, more EGW, more IJ under a new roof. Notice they say ėas taught by Seventh Day Adventistî notice ėin harmony with themî. What they are saying to me is ėThe Adventist have not been deceivedî. Which I believe they have. Honoring the seventh day Sabbath reminds believers of creation and re-creation. My view: More day keeping, more sundown Friday night to sundown Saturday night and how will they do this, what rules and burdens will be placed on the people. We accept the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary as the atoning sacrifice for our sins and believe that by grace alone, through faith in His shed blood,we are saved from sin and its penalty. We accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Saviour believing that God, in Christ, has forgiven our sins, ratified and finalized at the cross, and given us a new heart. My view: This looks encouraging but how does it really stack up against trying to hang on too ten commandment type law keeping and Saturday Sabbath keeping? Can one really hold on to grace alone and hold onto the old ways at the same time. Jesus in one hand and Adventism in the other? I just really question how that can ever work. I cannot see how you can maintain an Evangelical Adventist church. Now I am not downing their efforts but I do have questions that I would put to them and very pointedly. I may get the chance and if I do I will. River | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 507 Registered: 5-2002 |
This is your father's Oldsmobile but we bolted on some 22-inch spinners and added front-to-back and side-to-side. See, we preach "lingo". We got street cred! Rides real low too. Stone tablets in the trunk... (boys in the hood are always hard come talkin that smack and we'll pull your card) | ||
| Javagirl Registered user Username: Javagirl Post Number: 353 Registered: 6-2005 |
So now SDA congregations are joining the "Emergent" church phenom? I think that is more frightening than traditional SDA. I see New Age influence throughout this site! I see that the TEXTS under paragraphs "Our church values" are completely out of context, and really dont even make sense with the value stated. I think the paragraph on "Grace Centered" borders on blasphemy. I have a strong negative reaction to almost every sentence. Some quotes from the first section only...Grace Centered ------"This little word is filled with deep meaning. To be grace centered means to have an abundance of generosity towards others." My response: The grace of Jesus Christ has nothing at all to do with having an ABUNDANCE (note the emergent, prosperity wording)of generosity toward others! I am SAVED by grace, Jesus died to extend saving grace, not to give me an abundance of generosity toward others!!!! ------ At New Hope, it means we are not going to judge you ņ no matter where you came from is what your past involves. We are going to go the extra mile to accept you because Jesus did the same for us. My response: No Jesus did not go the extra mile to accept me. He died to redeem me. He died for my unacceptably sinful life. He died to change me. He NEVER went the extra mile to accept sinners as they were. He always rebuked sin, and never compromised the gospel to attract people "where they were". -----A church is a hospital for those who are spiritually ill. (okay, I agree with that statement) ------It is our goal to see you living a healthy life that brings honor to God. Then you too can extend grace to others. My response: WHAT???? I live a healthy life, then I can bring honor to God, and extend grace to others? By leading a healthy life??? How about, "It is our goal to see you living a life fully surrendered to Jesus Christ.... Romans 5:20 (How does this fit here?)... Since this is a text in support of the law being fulfilled in Jesus Christ, I guess it would be even less congruent if it were posted on the support of the 10 commandments section on the website. That is my opinion on the first paragraph. I would be up all night if I commented on the whole thing. One other thing of note...the sermon series on guess what? Successful living!!! (more Emergent, prosperity wording). These statement are stronger than usual for me, and I think my personal opinions will probably come across as sarcastic or cynical or something. I have strong reactions to New Age, Emergent Church philosophies. I think this church website, and others like it, are very good reasons for us to PRAY CONTINUALLY for wisdom and discernment, especially when looking for a church home! Lori | ||
| Insearchof Registered user Username: Insearchof Post Number: 109 Registered: 8-2005 |
Odd that this info comes up today regarding New Hope. I visited their website this morning...I was browsing over at RS and they loathed New Hope for the exact opposite reasons...too evangelical, etc. They are being 'displayed' as a positive result of NCD. ISO | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 428 Registered: 9-2006 |
I went to the website and read one of the sermons, it was a good sermon I thought but I donít see this kind of teaching will adhere to Adventist teachings. The one thing that realization of faith alone would tend to do is cause people to read their Bible in context just due to the loving it causes one to shower upon their savior and hunger after him. The one thing that I believe is that God is calling people too himself in this day and time. I would think that if the Holy Spirit gets in there he will bring about change. I do pray that this is so. River | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3370 Registered: 3-2004 |
River, I do agree with you that even if that church is SDA, the preaching can cause people to read their Bible in context. There they will learn of Jesus. God is calling his sheep and they are answering. Praise God for that. He is awesome. Diana | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 429 Registered: 9-2006 |
Lori wrote: ------"This little word is filled with deep meaning. To be grace centered means to have an abundance of generosity towards others." My response: The grace of Jesus Christ has nothing at all to do with having an ABUNDANCE (note the emergent, prosperity wording)of generosity toward others! I am SAVED by grace, Jesus died to extend saving grace, not to give me an abundance of generosity toward others!!!! ________________________________________________ Got to agree with you Lori, does not look like a whole lot of day light does it? Lori also wrote: ------ At New Hope, it means we are not going to judge you ņ no matter where you came from is what your past involves. We are going to go the extra mile to accept you because Jesus did the same for us. My response: No Jesus did not go the extra mile to accept me. He died to redeem me. He died for my unacceptably sinful life. He died to change me. He NEVER went the extra mile to accept sinners as they were. He always rebuked sin, and never compromised the gospel to attract people "where they were". _________________________________________________ Got to agree with you once again Lori, sounds like Adventist moving into ėNew Ageî movement of some sort. Formers, you have got to be careful, I personally know a couple who left Adventism and I do suspect wound up in a ėNew ageî movement and I judge that by material he sent me. What has proved out to be ėGoodî and ėGod givenî hold onto and allow him to add to that what he wills. (2 Tim 4:2 KJV) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Tim 4:3 KJV) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2 Tim 4:4 KJV) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Tim 4:5 KJV) But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. That last sentence I want to really exhort you all to pay attention too, notice in verse 4:2 how the writer says to ėPreach the wordî ėReproveî ėrebukeî ėexhortî with doctrine. River | ||
| Stevendi Registered user Username: Stevendi Post Number: 62 Registered: 10-2006 |
New wine in a very tired old bag, full of holes. Steve | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 508 Registered: 5-2002 |
I think this demonstrates clearly the points that were made on another thread. As long as a local church promotes Sabbath, the "prophetic gift" (read: Ellen White's inspiration), conditional immortality, and remits tithe to the GC, they can stand under the "Seventh-day Adventist" corporate umbrella. Ellen must be rolling over in her grave! | ||
| Tisha Registered user Username: Tisha Post Number: 218 Registered: 3-2005 |
The very first "Church Value" - -------------------------------------------------- Our Church Values... Grace Centered What does it mean to be grace oriented? Some people think the word ėgraceî refers to a prayer prior to your meal. This little word is filled with deep meaning. To be grace centered means to have an abundance of generosity towards others. At New Hope, it means we are not going to judge you ņ no matter where you came from is what your past involves. We are going to go the extra mile to accept you because Jesus did the same for us. A church is a hospital for those who are spiritually ill. It is our goal to see you living a healthy life that brings honor to God. Then you too can extend grace to others. Romans 5:20 -------------------------------------------------- They totally misunderstand the true meaning of Grace Centered! They act like it is about them and barely mention Jesus - and not even then about his GIFT of GRACE to us, only that he didn't judge us. WHAT???? God DOES judge us and we ARE SINNERS, but Jesus GRACE saves us. After that I could barely read anynore! They have some PC words, but miss the whole meaning if Christianity. I'D RUN AS FAST AS I COULD!!! -tisha | ||
| U2bsda Registered user Username: U2bsda Post Number: 445 Registered: 11-2004 |
Go back? Never! Although I do find this type of change encouraging. I left due to doctrinal differences which we would still basically have even if I attended a SDA church like that. It looks like (by their wording) that they do not have the strong "remnant" status that you will find in other SDA churches. That is encouraging to me. That was one of the major reasons why I left in the first place. Even if they did have their head screwed on right about the purpose of the church I would still not attend there. My beliefs on the Sabbath, state of the dead, Holy Spirit, etc are very different from any Adventist no matter how evangelical they are. | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 1535 Registered: 7-2003 |
It's hard to add to what has already been said, but as long as adventists view themselves as 'something' special that God has used (as in the last statement of beliefs), they're still believing in jews/gentiles, sda/non divisions. God uses ALL people regardless of labels. God does not use baptists in a way different than methodists or presybterians, etc. God uses willing people. And maybe unknowing people, but he does not use by denominational label. As everyone else has basically said, new skins, old wine. Maybe more subtle, might deceive the ignorant a little longer, but still old wine at the core. | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 854 Registered: 1-2003 |
Still mixing OC with NC! | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 384 Registered: 8-2006 |
At one point in my life, if I had no knowledge of the gospel, the covenants, and the SDA church and I was looking for a church, I would investigate them further. Now that I know differently, I'd agree with Lori that this is the best reason for fervent prayer before seeking a church to attend! No matter WHAT the SDA church says about themselves TO themselves or to others, I'd never, EVER consider attending or joining any SDA congregation again. Susan | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5320 Registered: 12-2003  |
I agree, Susan. Lori, your comments exactly reflect my own reactions. As far as their statement on "Grace-filled" goes, the grace of the Bible is not a freely-given bestowal of acceptance on just anyone. It is a free gift to those who accept Jesus' sacrifice. The deal with true grace is that it's not just an outpouring of mercy; it requires that someone PAY. Mercy is compassion for those who need it. Grace is forgiveness given BECAUSE someone besides the perpetrator has paid the price. I remember one time when our son caught a chain and pendant of mine in the vacuum cleaner during his pre-teen years. The necklace was ruined, and I was sick. But I chose to forgive him and took responsibility for the loss myself. I remember distinctly at the time thinking, now this is grace. (I knowóa bit self-congratulatoryóbut grace nonetheless because I took the price. There's no way he as a child could have paid.) Mercy is handed out freely; grace is available because someone pays. Colleen | ||
| Freeatlast Registered user Username: Freeatlast Post Number: 509 Registered: 5-2002 |
"Mercy is handed out freely; grace is available because someone pays. " That is tremendous. And our Lord is full of BOTH grace and mercy! | ||
| Rejoyce719 Registered user Username: Rejoyce719 Post Number: 14 Registered: 1-2007 |
I noticed it says, "especially the gift of prophecy". Why single out one gift? Do they continue support of EGW? A false prophet is a false prophet. If they really have removed the false beliefs of Adventism, then choose a new name and remove all connection. Freeatlast took the words out of my mouth. This church appears to be a "Wolf in Sheep's Clothing". | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3388 Registered: 3-2004 |
In reading their beliefs I see very little of Jesus Christ mentioned. It does not matter what the wolf is wearing, it is still a wolf. Diana | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 1697 Registered: 10-2004  |
I came across that site awhile back. I don't believe that church is any different than any other SDA church. The so-called "evangelical" SDA churches may try to sound better with regard to certain things--but in reality none of the beliefs have actually changed. Look at their teaching about salvation, for example. They say: "We accept by faith the righteousness of Christ, our Intercessor in the heavenly sanctuary. We accept His promise of transforming grace and power to live a loving, Christ-centered life in the home and in the world." Notice that the righteousness of Christ by faith is still tied in with "transforming grace and power"--imparted righteousness rather than imputed righteousness. They also say: "It is our purpose to live in obedience to God and the Ten Commandments, understanding that that obedience in no way contributes to the source of our salvation but is always the fruit of our relationship with God." Notice that word they add in there: "understanding that that obedience in no way contributes to the source of our salvation..." They can't say that our obedience in no way contributes to our salvation. They have to say that it does not contribute to the source of our salvation. In other words, our obedience is necessary for maintaining our salvation, it's just not the source of our salvation. Same old SDA theology and subtle deception. Also, how can they be an evangelical church while teaching polytheism? Their statement on God does not even make any sense linguistically! "We believe there is one coeternal God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three coeternal Persons." What is a "coeternal God"? How can "one God" be "coeternal"? That is an oxymoron! It is grammatically incorrect. With whom is He "coeternal"? By definition, for anything to be "coeternal" there has to be more than one. Therefore, if "God" "Himself" is coeternal, there has to be more than one god. The statement only makes sense at all when you realize that Adventism teaches that "God" is a group of three beings who are one in purpose. In other words, "God" is not a living supreme being but merely the title of a "group"--an "organization" or "club," comprising three divine beings. Jeremy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5352 Registered: 12-2003 |
Great anaylsis, Jeremy. Colleen | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 145 Registered: 8-2005  |
This is where my wife has been attending for the past few months. Apparently the bulk of their members are young, 30ish and more "liberal" then others my wife has worshiped with. They really want her to join to help with the children's ministeries. | ||
| Reb Registered user Username: Reb Post Number: 28 Registered: 5-2007 |
Looks like the wolf used Woolite and whitened his fleece. This is still an SDA church and as long as there is EGW, and this "remnant" nonsense it's still something I wouldn't touch with a 39 1/2 foot pole. I have researched "Evangelical Adventists" and they are still SDA, they still belive in EGW, etc, etc. All the wolf did was take a bath in Woolite and made his fleece look whiter. He's still the same old wolf. |
