The sad truth is that God will allow us to destroy something He created.  All throughout history, God has given us the freedom to choose Him or not.  The Israelites of old chose to destroy the gift God had given their nation.  Prophets, kings, and spiritual leaders have always decided to follow God or not.  People choose everyday to protect or destroy their bodies through lifestyle decisions.

If Bible-believing and passionate Adventist church members do not stand up for Jesus and His truth, we just might see the Church God created crumble right before our eyes.

What does the attack on God’s Church look like?

• God didn’t create the world in six literal days…
• Moses didn’t write the first five books of the Bible…
• The Spirit of Prophecy is a joke…
• It does not matter what you eat and drink…
• It does not matter what you wear, pierce, or paint…
• God created homosexuals that way…
• God never intended for men to always be the spiritual leaders in the home and church…
• It’s all relative…

“And I said to them, You see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem is wasted, and the gates of it are burned with fire. Come and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no more be a reproach. And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, and also the king’s words that he had spoken to me. And they said, Let us rise up to build. So they made their hands strong for good.” (Neh. 2:17, 18)

If our Church is under attack, we must be the ones to stand up for Jesus and say, “enough!”  We must prayerfully ask our spiritual leaders to stand up for Jesus and His amazing truths.  The world is in need of a spirituall-sound and mission-focused people who are willing to follow Jesus wherever He leads.

The question is… WHAT WILL YOU DO?  Will you sit back and just pray about it?  Or will you prayerfully stand up for Jesus and make it known that we are an Adventist people who love God and His truths and we will not allow backsliding church leaders destroy what God created (His end time Church)?

Please write a comment below if you are a Bible-believing Adventist who supports…

• Six literal days of creation
• Homosexuality is a sexual sin that God can help people overcome
• Men have been called to be the spiritual leaders in the home and church (all are equal, but have specific gender roles)

May the Lord have mercy on our Church!!!

FYI – I personally believe that we are saved by grace alone and that it is because we are saved, we choose to follow Jesus and implement the teachings of His Word.

What’s next for God’s endtime Church? 

Here is a little history…

1. We got super conservative and legalistic through the 80′s
2. Then we got tired of the ultra conservatives abusing others (judgementalism and cold formalism) and we began to attend Willow Creek Church seminars and other leadership events to learn how to be a warm and accepting church in the 90′s
3. Through the 90′s we worked hard to be a warmer and healthier church.  There was no problem adopting the “seeker friendly” methodology of being visitor-friendly, but we began to compromise our theology when we adopted their theology of worship.  I remember visiting an Adventist church in the midwest where the rock band was really rocking and the pastor’s wife was literally jumping up and down in the front row.  People got so tired of the cold formalism they were willing to go from one extreme to the other.
4. From that point on the liberals in the Church began to slowly chip away at our theological foundation.  Examples: Truth is relative, Style of worship and music does not matter, We need to do whatever it takes to get people to like us, God made homosexuals that way, Lower shirts, high skirts, and jewelry on women, Theistic Evolution, Women ordination, etc.

What’s next for our Church? 

• Are we going to allow cheap grace to thrive?
• Are we going to turn a blind eye to the teaching to theistic evolution?
• Are we going to destroy God’s home and church leadership structure by allowing women to be ministers and ordained?
• Are we going to embrace homosexuality as a God-thing?

Why talk about these issues?  Because disobedience is a slippery slope.  If we are rebelling against God, we are following in the footsteps of the Israelites of old.  Instead of struggling with the basics, we should be faithful with the simple truths so to be ready for more difficult issues in the future. 

What is the answer?

1. Prayer… Our current GC president is doing a great job to help us focus on prayer, revival, and reformation
2. Our Church leaders need to clearly communicate our spiritual identity… ”This is who we are and this is what we believe.”
3. Accountability… ”If you church leaders and university professors don’t like it, then please find another career asap.”  We do not need rebellious church leaders and teachers in important positions to poison our church members and children.
4. Mission… mission… mission…  We need to be about our Father’s business of seeking and saving the lost.  This focus on missions will help us take our eyes off ourselves.

What’s next? 

If regular people like you and me will stand up and say, “enough!”  We will rock our Church like never before.  The Spirit of Prophecy makes it very clear that the final shaking will take place when people speak up for God. 

Let’s stop playing church and Christian and get to work!!! 

God wants to use you, but you must be willing to be used (read your Bible and pray everyday).  We need to make sure we always speak up for Jesus and His amazing truths, but always doing so in love and kindness. 

This is a video of Pastor Ivor Myers preaching a sermon called, “The Blueprint: Earth’s Final Movie.”  I encourage you to watch the whole video… it starts a little slow, but gets very exciting further into the video.  Every Adventist needs to learn how to communicate this message. 

PLEASE SHARE THIS VIDEO WITH OTHERS!!!

Feel free to post your thoughts below…

Are you a liberal, conservative, or stuck in the middle?  I like to think I am stuck in the middle… that’s where Jesus was when He walked the earth. 

For example:

1. I believe that homosexuality goes against God’s will and is wrong, but I also believe our churches should always be safe places for active homosexuals to attend.  No one… no matter what they may be struggling with should not feel uncomfortable in our churches.  It is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict the heart.  When a homosexual couple attends your church, you should be the first to approach them and welcome them with open arms.
2. I believe that men are called to be the spiritual leaders in the home and church.  I also believe that women should be allowed to preach and conduct evangelistic meetings.  There is nothing wrong with women sharing the good news of Jesus’ love… the problem arises when women desire to replace men in spiritual leadership positions.  God has given us gender roles to help bring balance in a world of chaos.

These are two examples of a balanced view on two important topics in the Adventist Church.

Examples of conservative view-point:

1. Conservatives usually talk rudely about homosexuality in Sabbath School, church services, in hallways, and fellowship halls (not all the time, but the topic with arise from time to time).  Many conservatives are not sensitive to the fact that there might be active homosexuals visiting the church and could easily offend someone.
2. Conservatives usually take a very firm stand against having women teaching adult Sabbath School, preaching in the pulpit, and conducting evangelistic meetings.

Examples of liberal view-point:

1. Liberals usually take the stance that homosexuality is acceptable in the eyes of God.  They want homosexuality to be accepted in the Church as something normal.  Many liberals believe that homosexuality is not a sin against God.
2. Liberals usually support women in ministry for elders and pastors and believe we should ordain them as ministers.  Many liberal couples do not believe in gender roles.  I personally have seen many liberal women belittle and disrespect their husbands just as the world does.  Whenever a church is filled with liberal couples, mission usually disappears and cheap grace takes its place.

If you do not believe me… take a look at Spectrum (liberal Adventist magazine).  This “Adventist” group promotes pro-homosexuality, women in ministry, and theistic evolution.  Spectrum Magazine [CLICK HERE] 

Are you a liberal, conservative, or stuck in the middle?  I hope you are stuck in the middle with Jesus.  As moderate Adventists, we need to be warm, loving, and accepting of everyone no matter who they are without compromising God’s amazing truths.  All we can do is love others and as the Holy Spirit leads… share Jesus and His truths in a loving way.  Once the message is delivered, we must allow the Holy Spirit to do the convicting. 

I hope you will make your church an “active sinner” friendly place.  People should always feel safe no matter who they are or what they have done.  By the wonderful power of God, you can be the one who builds bridges of love in your local church.

Adventist liberals and feminists are moving quick to destroy a Biblical teaching that will cause our Church to be weaker instead of stronger.  We need to prayerfully seek God’s plan for Adventist homes and churches.  It is important that we study this topic with an open and teachable mind.

All throughout Old and New Testament history, men have been called by God to be household leaders, kings, priests, and apostles. Not once did God deviate from this system. God the Father and Jesus had many opportunities to change the gender role system, but never did.

But I do not allow a woman to teach, or to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. But she will be kept safe through childbearing, if they continue in faith and love and holiness with sensibleness. 1 Timothy 2:12-15

The Apostle Paul is not a male chauvinist pig or just happened to be stuck in a specific cultural time. Paul is tying this God-given teaching to the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. By doing so, he is including all generations and cultures.

“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” — 2 Timothy 3:16.

We need to remember that men are built and wired for physical strength and leadership. Women on the other hand are wired with highly sensitive emotions and work great in a nurturing or supporting role. Women help bring balance in the relationship between men and women… making them a team instead of competing adversaries. “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” Lucifer as the serpent used women’s sensitivity to his advantage and deceived Eve into taking of the fruit.

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 5:22-25

God is clearly teaching that there are Biblical Gender Roles. Men are to be “Christ-like” leaders in the home and women are to respect this Biblical system.

“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” — 2 Timothy 3:16.

This is where the Church needs to step in and help educate, support, and hold our men accountable to the calling of household leadership. Instead of debating “Women in Ministry” and ordination, we should be teaching our men (young and old) how to be Christ-like leaders. The health of our Church is based on the health of Adventist homes. If a majority of our church families and homes are dysfunctional… a majority of our churches will be dysfunctional. We need to stop playing into the hands of Adventist liberals and feminists and get to work strengthening our household leaders and families.

“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” — 2 Timothy 3:16.

What does the Bible say about church leadership? The Bible clearly teaches that the church is to be led by “men” who have proved themselves as household leaders.

Faithful is the Word: If anyone reaches out to overseership, he desires a good work. Then it behooves the overseer to be without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching, not a drunkard, not contentious, not greedy of ill gain, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all honor. For if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? 1 Timothy 3:1-5

Please look at the words God uses to qualify a man to be a church leader.
1. Husband of one wife
2. Ruling his own house well
3. For if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?

“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” — 2 Timothy 3:16.

I do not know about you, but it is clear to me that God has plainly communicated His will for household and church leadership. God is not telling us that men are more important or of higher value then women. No! It is the exact opposite. Men are called to be servant-leaders in the home and church. Husbands are to serve their wives as Jesus served His disciples in the upper-room right before His death on the cross. Men have the God-given responsibility of making sure that Christ is lifted up in the home and church.

Because of this calling… men need to be the first to apologize, do what is right, serve others, and lead the family in worship. If more and more men stood up are Christ-like leaders in the home settings, we would begin to see them stand up for Jesus in the church settings.

Remember:
• Dysfunctional Homes Create Dysfunctional Churches
• Healthy Homes Create Healthy Churches

Let us pray for and hold our Church leaders accountable to the wonderful truths that God has given us. We do not want to be a Church that has turned its back on God.

If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land (homes and churches). 2 Chronicles 7:14

Please pray about this very important issue and if you feel impressed to ask our Church leaders to stay true to God’s Word… I invite you to write a short note to our North American Division leaders —> CLICK HERE

“All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” — 2 Timothy 3:16.

When it comes to Women Ordination, only one Union has stood up for Jesus and His truth. 

Southern Union Conference says no to women’s ordination. The executive committee voted Thursday to keep in harmony with the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s decision not to ordain women to the gospel ministry: ”The Southern Union Conference, following the scriptural mandate of the priesthood of all believers, intentionally chooses to continue its long-held commitment to supporting, encouraging, empowering, and celebrating the involvement of women in ministry. However, we will do so only in harmony with the Seventh-day Adventist World Church as expressed by actions taken during the General Conference in business session.”  [READ MORE]

Thank God, we still have Church leaders who are willing to follow God instead of man.  Let’s pray that the right people (in high places) will speak some Biblical reason to those who are pushing our Church towards open rebellion against God.  As Jesus said when tempted… “It is written!”

Instead of destroying God’s end time Church, we need to be building it up… beginning in the home.  If men are taught how to be Christ-like husbands and fathers, we would have no problem finding the right men to fill leadership roles in the Church.  I don’t know about you, but I think we need an Adventist Promise Keepers.  An Adventist movement for men that teaches them how to be spiritual leaders and holds them accountable to the wonderful truths God has blessed us with.   

Here is a video clip that was filmed at the 1995 General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists in Utrecht.

Here is another article about Women Ordination from Adventist Review –> CLICK HERE

WOMEN ORDINATION… WHY NOT?  EVERYONE ELSE IS TRYING TO DO IT TOO!!!

The North American Division (NAD) is quickly sliding down the slippery slope of compromise.  Instead of holding true to the working policies of the Church and teachings of the Bible, our leaders are pushing a rebellious agenda. 

At the recent North American Division Women Clergy Conference on April 23-26, 2012, our Church leaders of the NAD Ministerial Department boldly spoke as if they had attained victory in their attempt to push our Church towards accepting the ordination of women for pastoral ministry.  The world Church has voted down the ordination of women for ministry numerous times and yet the NAD is pushing forward.  

Spectrum Magazine’s Article [READ MORE] 

Here are some questions and answers from the Adventists Affirm website.  [READ MORE HERE]

1.) What does the Bible teach regarding the role of women in the church?

The Bible presents women as full participants with men in the religious and social life of the church.  But women did not serve as priests in the Old Testament (Exodus 28:1, Numbers 3:1-13) nor did they serve in the leadership/teaching role of elder or pastor in the New Testament (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Corinthians 14:33-36).

2.) What does the New Testament actually say about women in elder-pastor leadership roles?

“I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to keep silent” (1 Timothy 2:12). “If anyone aspires to the office of bishop, he desires a noble task. Now a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, . . . an apt teacher” (1 Timothy 3:1, 2). “This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you, if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife . . .” (Titus 1:5, 6). “As in all the churches of the saints, the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. . . . If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:33-37). There are more New Testament directives on this subject than there are about tithing or footwashing or the Sabbath. These New Testament passages are examined in this issue.

3.) Was the Biblical exclusion of women from elder-pastor roles a consequence of a prevailing patriarchal, “male-chauvinist” culture and mentality?

No. The culture of the time permitted women to serve as priests. Many religions included women in their priesthood. By contrast, the inspired writers of both the Old Testament and the New Testament maintained the role distinctions as assigned by God to men and women from the beginning.

4.) What has been the experience of churches that have ordained women as priests or pastors?

Some denominations have endured quarrels and divisions over appointing women ministers. For some this has involved forming new churches or even denominations. However, some other denominations feel that their new women ministers have been a real help to them.

So what shall we conclude from the experience of the various denominations?

Seventh-day Adventists don’t arrive at truth by asking, “Do Baptists get spiritual help from attending church on Sunday?” We don’t ask, “Do Pentecostals feel close to God when they talk in tongues?” We don’t ask if Catholics find it meaningful to have a pope and a Virgin Mary.

Seventh-day Adventists ask, “What does the Bible say?” We believe God’s best blessings fall on people who choose to obey His revealed will.

5.) What is Ellen White’s relationship to this issue? Was she ever ordained?

Ellen White was never ordained. After more than 25 years of her prophetic ministry, the church voted her the credentials of an ordained minister, but she indicated in 1909 (when she was in her eighties) that she had never been ordained (Arthur L. White, Spectrum , 4, 2 [Spring 1972] :7). Nor did she ever exercise the special functions of an ordained minister, such as performing marriages, baptizing, and organizing local churches. As are all church members, she too was ordained of God to work for Him and was given a special work to do. But she was never ordained by human hands.

6.) Did Ellen White urge the church to ordain women?

To the Gospel ministry and as elders? No. She urged that certain women who were “willing to consecrate some of their time to the service of the Lord should be appointed to visit the sick, look after the young, and minister to the necessities of the poor. They should be set apart to this work by prayer and laying on of hands” ( Review and Herald , July 9, 1895). It was “to this work,” a personal work of visitation and mercy, that they were to be set apart. This is not the same as the role of church leadership entrusted to the pastor or elder.

The Bible clearly teaches that men have been given the role of spiritual leader in the home and church.  The Bible also provides plenty of evidence of how women can be very active in ministry without trying to replace men in their leadership roles.  Our Church leaders should be teaching our men how to be successful leaders in the home and Church… they should also be teaching our women how to be supportive of our church leaders and how to be effective wives and mothers. 

If we desire to have the blessing of God in these last days, we need to repent and turn back to God.     

Please take the time to prayerfully consider this issue and if you feel that our Church leaders need to be asked to stay true to God’s Biblical will… you can write a (Christ-like ) letter to our NAD leaders… [CLICK HERE]  

#2 – Matthew 24 part 1

The Women in Ministry debate continues.  Members of the Pacific Union Conference are being encouraged to apply pressure to the conference leaders in favor of women ordination. 

One in Christ, a grass-roots group of Seventh-day Adventists, is urging church members to write Emails to the Pacific Union Conference president and executive committee members in support of ordination for women serving in pastoral ministry. The group would like to see a widespread expression of support for women in ministry prior to the next meeting of the governing committee on May 9. [READ MORE]

The sad truth is that ultra liberal and feminist Adventists are pushing an unBiblical belief on the Church and more and more church leaders and members are buying into the lie.   Instead of focusing on the wonderful mission God has given us, we are wasting time talking about how equal or unequal men and women are in ministry.  This topic has NOTHING to do with equality in ministry.  This topic is all about self-focused Adventists trying to undermine God’s will. 

FACTS

• Men and women are wired differently.  Men seemed to be wired for logical thinking free of deep emotions, while women seem to be controlled more by their emotions. 
• Men and women are physically built different (by God).  Men are built for strength and leadership.  Women will always need the protection of men in this sinful world. 
• Men should be the primary bread-winner in the home, allowing women to spend 6-10 years at home rasing children and providing healthy home environments.  Once the children are in school full-time, this allows women to work part-time until the children have completed elementary school.  Our children should NEVER be placed in daycare to be raised by strangers.  
• Women should be trained to provide healthy, home-cooked meals everyday.  Instead of eating wholesome foods, people are eating fast food and processed foods that kill the body and mind.  

I know we live in a time when having only one working spouse is very difficult, but I also know that it can be done if a couple chooses to live a simple life free of credit card and school debt.  Part of the blame can be applied to our Adventist education system.  Our young people should be able to gain an Adventist education without becoming slaves to the federal government through school loans.

God has created the family system to help make us stronger, but we choose to follow the world and create unhealthy homes where Satan loves to party.  Fighting spouses, abusive relationships, sick diets, bad attitudes, hurting kids, and divorces… 

The health of our homes dictate the health of our Church.  Instead of debating Women in Ministry, we should be focusing on developing healthy homes where Christ is lifted up.  The Bible says that Christ is the head of the home… then the husband… then the wife… If this system is developed in a healthy way, we would then have healthy men to lead our churches.  Men who have proven themselves in the home… men who have learned how to be like Jesus 24/7… men who have learn how to be sacrificial… men who have learned how to lead and grow churches through the power of God.  

This does not mean that men are better than women.  As humans, we are all equal in the eyes of God.  Once we have accepted the fact that we are all equal, we can then grow spiritually in the gender roles that God has given us.  Men need to stop acting weak and unresponsible and women need to stop disrespecting men… they also need to stop trying to take over the authority God has given them.  

We need to stop messing around and get to work seeking and saving the lost.  God has called all of us to be fishers of men… so let’s get to work and start impacting God’s eternal kingdom for eternity.