| Author | Message | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 669 Registered: 11-2005 |
Here are some useful links: http://formeradventist.com/stories/teresaarthurbeem.html http://formeradventist.com/stories/stevepitcher.html http://formeradventist.com/stories/hutton.html http://formeradventist.com/stories/beritfischer.html http://formeradventist.com/stories/pacino.html http://formeradventist.com/stories.html www.ellenwhite.org/testimonydd.htm http://truthorfables.com/Why_Remain_SDA.htm http://www.oneflockministries.org/lettertofamilyandfriends.html http://truthorfables.com/SDA_Directory.htm Gilbert Jorgensen | ||
| Marysroses Registered user Username: Marysroses Post Number: 132 Registered: 4-2007 |
I read all these threads about resigning, and how hard it is to get names off SDA church rolls... Makes me wonder, since I never bothered! Am I still an SDA member? That would be hilarious as I've been a practicing Catholic for the last 25 years. The possibility is a bit annoying, but I don't really care as it doesn't affect me. I do remember, as far as my 'transitioning", when I came home from SWAU (then SAC) before I spoke to my mother I did speak to my SDA pastor. I told him what I was thinking and praying about doing, and asked for his input. I also VERY EXPLICITLY asked him NOT to say anything to my mother until I had made a final decision, as I wanted to be the one to tell her I was leaving. The RAT, UGH!, the RAT went straight to my mother that very evening and told her she needed to straighten me out. SHEESH! I was 21 years old. Such a total lack of any sense of ethics or confidentiality was the very last straw. God Bless! MarysRoses | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 464 Registered: 8-2006 |
MarysRoses, You may very well be a member. I am and I've been "out" of the church for 10 years, having only visited less than 10 times with my best friend since then. I haven't asked for my name to be removed, but I decided a few months ago that I should. When I get some free time (hopefully soon) I will sit down and write a letter to the board. From a comment once, I believe when my name came up for removal, there was some opposition to doing so by my best friend. I had not requested removal before because of hurting some that I love dearly. However, I've come to realize that true love does not engage in deception or false hope that I might return. So, I will craft my letter carefully. Thanks for the links, Gilbert! I intend to use some of the info in my letter. I'm sorry you had that experience with your former pastor. There is a lack of ethics and boundaries in many cases as it seems the "end justifies the means" to keep one or to bring one back into the "fold". Susan | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 166 Registered: 5-2007  |
I am not 100% sure my name was ever removed from the SDA rolls. But, it should be. When I left the SDA church I was living such a blatant sinful life I assumed that I would automaticlly be removed but I was wrong. Years later, there was a big fight within the Napa SDA church to get their pastor removed and I was sent an "underground" letter asking for my support. This is how I found out that I was still a member. At the time, I had just turned my life back over to the Lord and was getting ready to join the Napa Valley Evengelical Free Church. I told my new pastor about the situation and he said he would get my name removed. I never brought up the subject again, so I can only assume it was done. It would really be strange to find out that I am still a member after having been away for over fifty years. Phil | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 4234 Registered: 3-2004  |
My name was removed, without me being informed, about 2 years after I was divorced. I understand I was supposed to be called and informed, but no one did. I found out about it from one of the board members at the market. At the time I found out, I did not care. I do not know how long before it was removed. I had been attending church sporadically and not a soul said anything to me or every asked me why I was not attending. I had not moved or changed my phone number. Oh well, God had something better for me and surprissingly I have not hurt over it. Thank you God, You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 1043 Registered: 8-2004  |
This thread reminded me that I'm still on the books in the Gulf States Conference even though I requested my name to be removed years ago. It motivated me to write to the conference to see why my name is still listed. Here's what I wrote (minus my address that I will not post on open forums): Dear friends, I sent a resignation letter to my then local SDA church in Chunky MS back in 1993. I assumed my membership had been removed (I resigned to join the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement - I have since resigned from there as well and am simply a Christian instead of SDA of any form), but find that I'm apparently still on the books in the Gulf conference. The Chunky (Pine Forest) Church apparently never acted on my request, and since it has now disbanded I renew my resignation request to it. Magazines and letters still arrive addressed to me under my maiden name (Mary L Seeley) at my parents' address (...) from the conference office addressed to me as a Gulf States member, and I even received an invitation to participate as a 'member at large' in a recent conference business session. What do I need to do have my name removed from the church books, and from the mailing lists? Sincerely, Mary L (Seeley) Stockler I will be interested to see if they handle this request in a timely manner. I'm hoping for the best. Blessings, Mary | ||
| Laurie Registered user Username: Laurie Post Number: 96 Registered: 6-2007 |
according to the church manual, there are only 2 ways to have your name removed(besides being disfellowshiped). #1 your death, #2 your request only finalized by a church business meeting where your request is voted on. I would guess that you are all "still members". Laurie | ||
| Marysroses Registered user Username: Marysroses Post Number: 137 Registered: 4-2007 |
Thanks Laurie, I somehow find this amusing. I should be upset but its difficult to take it seriously. My apologies to those struggling to get their names off the books, I can see how it would be important to healing or closure to many. I guess its just been so long, it amazes me it is a possibility. MarysRoses | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 1046 Registered: 8-2004 |
LOL! In the SDA Reform Movement there are two almost identical ways out - Physical Death or "Apostasy". You can be removed from membership without requesting it if you do something the church decides you need disciplined for (and the SDARM uses 'discipline' much more often than the 'regular SDA' church, but less now than it used to). I guess I officially became an apostate from the Reform Movement sometime in August 2004 - you could date it from August 5, when I wrote the letter of resignation, August 10, when I sent it, or August 18, when the church (not unanimously) voted to accept my resignation. It is wonderful to be free in Jesus! Blessings, Mary | ||
| Laurie Registered user Username: Laurie Post Number: 98 Registered: 6-2007 |
It was very important for me to get my name off, for many reasons. One being I refuse to be one of the numbers on their little membership graphs. Laurie | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 1405 Registered: 9-2006  |
Do you think maybe they like to hang on to those membership names for bragging rights? When they have to take a member off the rolls that is one name to weaken the organization. And with so many leaving it makes them look bad, which just by the way is justified. So I don't think I would allow them to keep my name on the rolls because of that. River | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 168 Registered: 5-2007 |
Mary, I desided to use myself as a test case regarding this subject and did the following: I just emailed the Napa SDA church and asked for verification that my name on their rolls has been removed after having been gone for fifty years. I wonder what kind of response I will get back. If I get any kind of answer I will post it here on this thread.  Phil | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 2100 Registered: 10-2004  |
Laurie, that is incredible. Isn't that illegal, to be able to refuse to remove someone's membership by the church voting against it? (Which would make it even more incredible that that is in the official "Church Manual" for all to see!) I seem to remember hearing that the Mormon church used to refuse to honor people's requests for removal of membership, until they got in trouble with the law. The SDAs almost always seem to be able to avoid getting in trouble with the law, though... By the way, River, the SDAs often don't even remove dead people's names from their membership rolls! Jeremy | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 471 Registered: 8-2006 |
I find it very ironic that SDA teaches you can have your name blotted out of the Lamb's book of life by choice, but you can't have your name blotted off their book of church membership by choice. Susan (Message edited by SusanS on September 01, 2007) | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 683 Registered: 11-2005 |
Within many Christian churches it is possible to do a membership transfer between denominations. I have been "toying" with the idea of having the Baptist church that I attend request a membership transfer from the SDA church where my SDA membership is still held. I understand that that level of formality between denominations tends to force the issue, and usually the SDA Church will then vote you out under the heading of "apostasized" so they can try to embarrass you before the requesting denomination. Dale may know more about this. I believe that Jerry Gladson was involved in a situation where so many Adventists were leaving that the SDA church actually did membership transfers to Disciples of Christ, or a similar denomination. Seems like it was in Southern California? Gilbert Jorgensen | ||
| Laurie Registered user Username: Laurie Post Number: 99 Registered: 6-2007 |
Jeremy - it is incredible! The congregation, in theory, has the right to refuse your request. This is intimidation and humiliation intended to scare people from making the request and thereby maintaining their membership numbers. Here's what my church manual says ( it is an older version, but I believe nothing has changed): Names shall be dropped from the list only on a vote of the church, by granting letters of transfer, or by disfellowshipping, except in the case of deceased members. There must always be a vote of the church to add or drop a name from the church membership roll, except in the case of the death of a member. No name is to be added or dropped on the action of the church board alone. The clerk has no authority to add or drop names from the church list without a vote of the church. When I went through this process, I could not believe it. A board member told me that they tried to pass my request through quietly as a favor to me, but one of the elders whipped out his manual and demanded a business meeting to publically vote on my request. As I stated in another thread, next to the IJ, nothing makes me madder than this subject. I better stop talking about it right now. I am getting ready for church and don't want to be thinking about this! Laurie | ||
| Larry Registered user Username: Larry Post Number: 141 Registered: 5-2007 |
The sda church character seems to not be of God in some or most localities. After all, the character of our God is not one of force or humiliation. The character of the god of sda-ism seems to be much agreeable to force and embarrassment, in that they can force you to leave your name attatched to their roster, or cause you grief if you try to remove it. | ||
| Jeremy Registered user Username: Jeremy Post Number: 2103 Registered: 10-2004 |
Here is the wording of the current "Church Manual":
Unbelievable! Even a "church board" having to vote on, and being able to deny, your request is bad enough. Jeremy | ||
| Laurie Registered user Username: Laurie Post Number: 100 Registered: 6-2007 |
Intimidation and humiliation. That's why I would not let them keep my name. I didn't care what it took, my name was coming off! Laurie | ||
| Insearchof Registered user Username: Insearchof Post Number: 156 Registered: 8-2005 |
When I finally get around to it, I am considering requesting a transfer rather than a drop just to see what happens. I have a friend on the church board that wants a transfer request just so any objection can be discussed (such as why we don't transfer to a Christian church). Of course, it is easier just to let it all go and do nothing. Then no one from the church feels 'obligated' to visit or call. ISO |
