| Author | Message | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 522 Registered: 11-2002 |
Welcome. This is a wonderful Internet Site and I hope you get a lot of encouragement and learning fron the gang. I think AU means Andrews University. If I am correct then you would be way up north in the midwest region of the U.S. I assume there would be a lot of Lutheran churches up that way. Check them out. I hold my membership in the ELCA, Evangenical Lutheran but there also is the Missouri Synod and the Wisconsion Synod as well as others. The Prespertarian also is a great organization. Just keep checking out different churches. If they teach the truth of our risin Saviour then they will be o.k. | ||
| Melissa Registered user Username: Melissa Post Number: 311 Registered: 7-2003 |
Esther, I have only met them a couple of times, but dated their nephew for almost 5 years. That's why I'm here... :-). Small world in adventism. | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2004 |
"Small world in adventism" Isn't that the truth! I think that's the part of leaving that scares me the most. There was always something comforting about knowing someone everywhere. But as Colleen said earlier...knowing Jesus is worth it all! Susan, thanks for the tips on the Lutheran churches. It seems so bizarre to be trying to find a church. God must chuckle at me as all these years I've felt so blessed and righteous having been born into Adventism. But I wouldn't trade it for the world...I KNOW what Christ has freed me from! | ||
| Leigh Registered user Username: Leigh Post Number: 87 Registered: 2-2003 |
Hi Esther, Leaving the "small world of adventism" was in a way sad. Like moving from your hometown or something. But, I have found that when I do return to things like alumni weekends, etc. I have run into a few old friends and it so happens that some of them are going through a similar journey. This happened at my husbands reunion and at mine. It was amazing. When we stopped going to the adventist church, we sort of had a church (non-denominational)in mind because we had attended VBS and christmas programs, but I still couldn't bring myself to go to Sunday services. I went online and checked out the church's website to read their statement of faith and about their ministries. Finally, we stepped out in faith and went to a Sunday service. We aren't members, and there has been no pressure what so ever to become one. I think they leave that up to the Holy Spirit to impress you. I attended some of the new member classes just to get a better understanding of what they believe. I truely have been feed spiritually at this church. If Sunday morning is uncomfortable, check out some of the larger churches that have a saturday evening worship service. As far as telling my parents, I told them about 1 1/2 years ago that I didn't believe in EGW anymore. (that came about by my trying to prove that SDA's weren't a cult!! I read where someone said that they were and I had to prove them wrong. I was distressed, angry, and amazed at what I found) My Dad was upset and said that I might as well be an atheist. He has since changed his tune, and is accepting of our decision. He sees that we love the Lord. My mom is even now questioning EGW. I went to Southern, but also many friends who went to Andrews. leigh | ||
| Tealeaves Registered user Username: Tealeaves Post Number: 9 Registered: 5-2004 |
My husband has taken years to truly "cut the apron strings" of Adventism. I think what you are saying about the "small world of Adventism" is part of this. His extended family seemingly has an SDA connection to every town on the map, and in several other countries as well. They all work for the church (teachers, pastors, elders, nurses etc.), center around the church (services, camp meetings, study classes, summer camps, missions, schools etc.)and identify themsleves strongly with the church. For him, leaving Adventism was like leaving a big family. That is especially hard for him because he wasn't truly unhappy with anyone in the church when God pointed him elsewhere. He still has extremely positive memories of much of the SDA experience, so I definitely think it has been a grieving process for him. (We went to Walla Walla College, anybody else?) | ||
| Jenntooth Registered user Username: Jenntooth Post Number: 5 Registered: 4-2004 |
Hi! Just wanted to let Tealeaves know my husband and I met at Walla Walla College in 1994. We have been away from Adventism about 5 years but my family is still very "devout". We attend a large non denominational church and I am so thankful to God for His leading in our lives to the place we are today! I had a conversation with my mom a while back about WWC. She said that she and my dad were disappointed in WWC because when my brother and I went off to college there, we both walked away from the church. She thinks it's something to do with the school. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with Adventism... Sometimes I just don't understand why they don't see it. I hear countless stories about back stabbing, evil deeds being done in their churches and conferences but they still hang in there. I pray one day their eyes will be opened. | ||
| Tealeaves Registered user Username: Tealeaves Post Number: 10 Registered: 5-2004 |
Jenntooth, My husband and i met there in 1993, were both there in 1994, then he was there in 95 and 96 while I was at the WWC nursing school in Portland. We should see if any of us knew eachother! My email is tealeaves92@yahoo.com. jot me a note if you want. | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 318 Registered: 7-2003 |
Welcome Esther! I was in the AU PT program from '91-'94. What years were you there. I wish I could give you great encouragement and comfort about telling your family, but in my experience it is a very difficult experience indeed. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant when He said He came to bring a sword. Following Jesus and Him alone, trusting in Him and Him alone is the dividing line between all mankind and it even divides families. Having said this, I know He will strengthen you to do what needs to be done and say what needs to be said even though it won't be easy. Another thing.......when you look back a couple of years from now, you will be amazed out how God has restored the years that the locust ate......... leaving the tight knit SDA community (we live in another college town, Lincoln) was very difficult as friends and family turned away from us. But we have been so blessed and amzed by the way God has given us deeper friendships to replace the ones we lost and a wonderful church family to support us. I am confident He will do the same for you. Chris | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 228 Registered: 12-2003 |
Esther, I went to WWC also, but quite a while before you! Telling the famly is hard. Ask God to guide you and to prepare their hearts and the opportunity to tell them. They may be shocked and angry, and they may not get over it easily (if ever), but God will give you courage and wisdom, and your experience is the truth you must speak when the time is right. God truly does restore the years the locusts ate, as Chris said above. Even all those years of Adventism are not lost years; everythng I experienced and learned is part of what God now uses to help me know Him better and to talk about him and his word more clearly. As you leave the SDA community and become involved in the body of Christ, you will discover that the supposedly tight-knit Adventist family was never truly the unified, supportive body it appeared to be. The "community", like most of its teachings, is a clever look-alike that is not the real thing. A true community of Christ-followers is supportive and loving and open and real in ways most Adventist communities never are. God will help you! Colleen | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 6 Registered: 5-2004 |
Chris, I attended as a student from '98-'00 So I missed you by a couple of years. Funny though, my sister-in-law attended AUPT from '95-'98, and I now work in the PT department. I actually work for Norene Clouten with the clinicals and for Kathy Berglund and the postprofessional program. Dixie Scott was probably in my position while you were here  Thank you everyone for the encouragement! | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 320 Registered: 7-2003 |
Wow! Small world Esther. I knew Dixie a little and Norene fairly well. I think Norene was in Lincoln to visit our clinical site (Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital - I'm the Director of Inpatient Therapies) a few years back, but with my poor memory I might have met with someone else from AUPT. I wonder if Norene remembers me. Do you know Ralene Brower? I help her interview perspective AUPT candidates at UC when she comes to Lincoln. At least I used to. I haven't been asked lately.....maybe word has got around........Hmmmm.....as a denominational employee this transition will be very difficult for you indeed. I will pray for you Esther. Chris | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 526 Registered: 11-2002 |
Dear Esther, I found it so interesting that you mentioned how blessed and righteous you felt as a SDA. I don't know about others of you out there but as a child I always wondered out of all the billions of people on the earth how come God picked my family and kin to have all truth and knowledge. It really bothered me too because I could see that my friends and neighbors were more happy in their ignorance than my family was with the truth. I remember so well one time when I was a little girl, probably in around 3rd grade or so Billy Graham came to my city and had several weeks of meetings at the stadium there. Most of my neighbor kids went with their families and one day out playing a little girl asked me if my family was going to the Billy Graham meetings. I told her "no" and asked who Billy Graham was. She told me he was a minister and he helps people learn about Jesus. I told her my family won't go because we have Sabbath School. Then, being 9 year old kids we got on with the business of playing hopschtch and riding our bikes and being kids but I have always remembered that conversation. I felt so smug knowing that in my family we had Sabbath School and that was all we really needed to be totally right with God. | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 9 Registered: 5-2004 |
I did have those same feelings of "how did God pick me to be born into the truth?" But that feeling of "righteousness" is very prevalent in the SDA church. Just Saturday I went to an Adventist Forum meeting here at Andrews. The title sparked my curiosity, 'Rethinking Ellen White: Australia Strikes Again'. After the discussion there was a q/a time and one of the comments from a seminarian was to the effect of: SDA is right, EGW is THE prophet, why waste our time debating these people (ie Ratzlaff) when they're just going to be lost anyway. What amazes me now that I can look back so to speak, is that SDA's miss all the 'as you judge, so you will be judged' references of the new testament. Praise God, he's set me free! | ||
| Chris Registered user Username: Chris Post Number: 328 Registered: 7-2003 |
I used to also wonder how out of all the people out there I had happened to be born into the truth. It was a rather negative thought though because it was obvious to me that people I knew who were part of Babylon (non-Adventist Christians) had less fear and guilt and more joy and assurance. I could see this clearly even as a young child. I used to fanticize about what it would be like to be born into a lesser understanding of truth. It was a very comforting appealing fantasy becasue I believed people were judged for salvation based upon how well they lived up to what they knew. If I only knew less I would have a better chance of getting into Heaven. As it was, I had so much truth that I had no chance of ever making it in. Pretty sad. Chris | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 234 Registered: 12-2003 |
Indeed, that superiority complex seems to be one of our common threads! I remember sitting in 7th or 8thy grade Bible class feeling smug beyond all reason that WE had a true messenger, EGW, not a false prophet like Joseph Smith. I'd just heard all the texts Adventists used to "prove" EGWs authenticity and Smith's falseness, and while the thought of our similarities lurked at the edge of my mind, my confidence in our "truth" overwhelmed me with complacence. Wow, what a powerful thing it is in one's own mind to belong to the "one true church!" Praise God for showing me reality. Colleen | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 534 Registered: 11-2002 |
I used the text one of you quoted above about don't judge lest you be judged on a dear elderly SDA loved one. I was told this dosen't apply to understanding of Scripture and we know the SDA is right and other churches are wrong so this does not apply to churches. This applies to sin, transgression of the law. If I go out and kill someone then I am not to be condemming in my attitude/spirit of other murderers. If I am a liar then I am not to have a better-than-you attitude toward other people who are caught in their lies. This is especially true regarding drunkards and adulters. Believe me, this text does not hold up when presented to a devout SDA. Also, as one of you mentioned above, I, too was taught that people would be judged by according to the knowledge they had. Once though, a more liberal SDA preacher I heard in the Youth Tent at the Soquel, California campmeeting told us it's really not based solely on knowledge but on understanding. I remember thinking, "Oh, that is totally cool because this religion makes no sense to me at all and I totally don't understand it". But, then I ran that across some elderly SDA kin and I was told to stop acting stupid because they all knew I really was a real smart girl and I did understand it because they quizzed me on some SDA doctrines and I gave the right answers so because I knew the right answers I must have understood it. Yeah, I understood it about as much as a parrott understand whatever the dumb bird is gabbing about (no offense to you out there who may enjoy conversation with you pet birds). Sometimes people in my community ask me if I know how come the local SDA church will not partisipate in any of the local ministries and outreaches, such as The Five Cities Christian Woman, which is just what their name implies and they feed the homeless daily and they fully support a home for pregnant females who otherwise would be homeless, etc. Generally I answer that the SDA doesn't partisipate because they think they are better than anyone else and are above working with other Christians because SDA's don't consider anyone else Christian except themselves. In the current issue of The Review is several long articles urging the congreations to get active with local needs. This attitude is totally the attitude I have found among the JW's and I know a lot of JW's. The minister where I attend attends a community pastors breakfast towards the beginning of each month. It's always held at a local restruant. Numerous local pastors attend and they discuss community needs and have group prayer, etc. I made a special trip to the church awhile back to ask the minister if the SDA preacher comes to these breakfasts. He told me the ministers have been having this monthly meeting for quite a number of years now and the SDA pastor has never came. I asked if the SDA minister knows about these meetings and he said that he does because someone phones the SDA church a week or so before each meeting and invites him. He told me the JW's don't come either and neither do the LDS. He added though that Jesus taught that He is Saviour for everyone and these groups still get called and he hopes someday the pastors from these groups will show up. I think though the SDA minister won't ever show up because he'd be too grossed out seeing ministers who claim to be Christian eating sausage, bacon, etc. and drinking coffee. The JW and LDS just won't show up because they know they are above meeting with apostates. It's a stomach churning attitude and in plain language it stinks. | ||
| Kme Registered user Username: Kme Post Number: 25 Registered: 7-2000 |
Coming out of the SDA church is like metamorphasis. Sometimes you can't see out of the cocoon at all so you watch for the light. Then you maybe open a wing and step out with one foot, and that feels pretty safe and warm, but then about the time you think you're on solid surface a big wind comes along and just about blows you away. So you just sit and wait for a while longer and let your wings dry, and then you try to fly. Next thing you know, you can't figure out where North is. After you figure out that you really can fly, and there is someone always there to show you the way, you will still run into swarms of familiar insects, but then you realize that you are no longer a catapillar, you are created an individual, beautiful, colorful butterfly. Just remember, that even when they take a bite out of your wing you can still fly. Hope that makes sense to somebody out there! | ||
| Debbie Registered user Username: Debbie Post Number: 51 Registered: 7-2000 |
Kme, Yes, that's a beautiful analogy! Debbie | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 272 Registered: 12-2003 |
Kme, I understand. You've described growing in truth very accurately, whether that truth is the truth about Adventism and the truth of salvation, or the truth about our own lives that God reveals to us. Colleen | ||
| Sharon2 Registered user Username: Sharon2 Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2004 |
Hi Everyone, I stumbled across this site and knew immediately that I had found a lot of friends. I left the Adventist Church about 10 years ago. Before that, if you had told me that I would not be an Adventist all my life, I would have never believed it. The Lord really orchestrated the change. Both my husband and I grew up in the shadow of the GC. I went to JNA, Takoma Academy, 2 years at Southern finally graduating from Columbia Union College. My husband went to Shenandoah Valley Academy, graduating with me from CUC. We were student missionaries to Korea. We both worked for the church as teachers and he as a principal. It took my husband's brainstem stroke to shake up our lives to such an extent that we needed more than Adventism could provide, so God sent us to a wonderful Messianic Jewish Congregation. Still it took years for God to pry our fingers away from the false beliefs in Adventism while preserving all of the solid Biblical knowledge that we had gained during a lifetime of religious instruction. Ninety percent of who I am in the Lord, I attribute to the instruction I received while growing up in Adventism, so even though I know more of their dirty little secrets than most people, I can not trash them. I have to pray for them. I have to keep social contact. I miss their society while at the same time, I never want to be entangled in their web. It's something that only those who have been part of that society and then left it can understand. I am looking forward to getting to know a lot of you. Sharon |
