The North American Division (NAD) is quickly pushing their “women in ministry” agenda upon an unexpected church family. Our denominational magazine, Adventist World, reports that, “Seventh-day Adventist conferences and missions in the North American Division can be led by an ordained or a commissioned minister.” This decision was recently voted in and will now allow men and women the ability to be the pastor’s pastor at the conference level.
Adventist World goes on to say that, “The vote changes the NAD working policy, stating: ‘inasmuch as the conference/mission president stands at the head of the ministry in the conference/mission and is the chief elder, or overseer of all the churches, a conference/mission president should be an ordained/commissioned minister.’”
I do not know about you, but I believe the Word of God is crystal clear when it comes to the role of men and women in the church. 1 Timothy 3:2-7,12 says, “Then it behooves the overseer to be without reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, well-ordered, hospitable, apt at teaching, (3) not a drunkard, not contentious, not greedy of ill gain, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous, (4) ruling his own house well, having children in subjection with all honor. (5) For if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? (6) not a novice, lest being puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the Devil. (7) But he must also have a good report from those on the outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil. (12) Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and households well.”
1 Timothy 3:4,5 is the key to understanding what God is trying to teach us. God has made it clear that those who lead His Church must first be skilled and successful leaders in the family unit.
Adventist World says that, “According to a statement from the division (NAD), ‘this, however, is an issue of equality and opportunity for all leaders who hold the commissioned minister credentials.’” I am sorry, but this is a very poor excuse to set aside the Word of God. This is my belief… God gave males and females gender roles at the fall (Adam and Eve) to help create balance and structure in a world that was quickly slipping into chaos. Even though God has given us gender roles, we are still equal as human beings.
If we are not careful, we are going to get ourselves in trouble as a Church.
Chris
January 26, 2011
We started getting into trouble when we voted that women could function as elder’s in those world fields that deemed it necessary. As far as several author’s in the New Testament are concerned they view elder/overseer/pastor/bishop as the one and the same. The moment the world church vote occurred it set the stage for this ongoing controversy. What really needs to happen is that the original vote, that allowed for female elders, needs to be repealed. Although a very painful thing to have to do, it would be necessary if we are going to ever get past this issue.
Isaac
August 21, 2011
That has been my argument for the longest time with people in church that when we start to compromise there is no end because one slip leads to another. For example, music, up to the 1950s, 60s and 70s protestant churches song the same hymns we have in our traditional hymn book but if you look at some of them now they are even singing heavy metal music and calling it Christian.
When I came to North America in 1981 the issue of sexual orientation was raging in some protestant churches. To become more relevant as they used to call it they voted to accept people with a different sexual orientation in to the church disregarding all the Bible texts that do not agree with this lifestyle. Once acceptance was obtained they pushed to be accepted into the ministry and now the pews are empty because the only people that are left are the elderly but they are slowly passing away and most of those people practicing this lifestyle are nowhere to be found in church. When the heart is not willing to be transform by Holly Spirit church is irrelevant.
It is my conviction that all of our 28 fundamental beliefs are base on Sola Scriptura (scripture and scripture alone) and we can defend every single point straight out of the Bible including the Sanctuary, the Judgement, the Millennium, and the Spirit of Prophecy though they are not popular. Unfortunately I can not say the same thing for every facet of our beloved church. The counsel from the Bible is being neglected with regards to women’s ordination as elders and ministers and they (leadership) are presenting the most ridiculous and non-sense arguments that can not be substantiated when they are confronted with these issues. What do they come up with when they are not able produce any biblical evidences? They come with love, equality or opportunity as if we can ignore the Bible counsel over these reasons. I am a disabled minority and I have been discriminated many times but I do not believe that this is a civil rights issue as they tried to present it. When the civil rights movement was begun in the 1960s the Adventist Church was nowhere to be found and never voice any opinion on the matter but now I find it striking that they are making these issue a civil rights issue.
If we argue that this is being allow for reason of equality and opportunity, then we are discriminating when we refuse to accept a minister who is a drunkard or on drugs what about when we refuse to accept somebody with a different sexual orientation into the ministry, can’t we say no, aren’t we denying him/her equal opportunity as well? Can’t that person not sue the church?
Though the church’s leadership is becoming more tolerant and accepting of every evil and unclean spirit into the church you need to be very careful if you dared criticise their actions. They’ll make every effort possible to discredit you and lash at you and instruct people to stay from you. Just like when the US was heading for war in the Gulf people were criticise as being unpatriotic if they dare question the reasons for war though not a valid single reason was ever produced. Shouldn’t we not “Come now, and let us reason together” Isaiah 1:18.
I believe that “Even at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” Romans 11:5 and that “remnant will be saved.” Romans 9:27 because God says “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” 1 Kings 19:18 “Unless the LORD of hosts Had left to us a very small remnant, We would have become like Sodom, We would have been made like Gomorrah.” Isaiah 1:9 and “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20.
emulateur xbox 360 pour pc
March 11, 2015
S’engager ensuite dans votre propre jeu en ligne de console Xbox
360 à votre ordinateur Windows !