| Author | Message | ||
| Tdf Registered user Username: Tdf Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2004 |
I am new to the Former Adventist fellowship, so forgive me if my vernacular differs from the syntax that you're used to. My wife and I have been encouraged by reading your stories about the faith journey that you've been on. My wife and I have been studying for two years and, through this process, have abandoned any belief in Ellen White as a prophet. Of course, once we removed EGW from our belief system, we also had to remove the investigative judgment. We seek to abandon all pre-conceived notions and we are simply studying with a clean slate. We know what we don't believe, but we have a lot to learn about what we DO believe. In the midst of this process, I have found myself on the nominating committee at our local SDA church. I am curious to learn if others went through this experience while still members of the SDA church. Perhaps I've misread scripture, but I believe that it is Christ's teaching that when we have a problem with our brother we must first bring it to our brother and seek resolution. Perhaps this is only a local problem, but it seems that the rule in our local SDA church is "if you have a problem with your brother, don't talk about it, let the problem sit and fester and then, when you're chosen to serve on the nominating committe, you can air your dirty laundry at will without ever having to confront the person with whom you have the problem." To say that this is troubling is a profound understatement! This is not the first time that I've served on the nominating committee, but this time around I'm serving at a time when my eyes are wide open. I am curious to hear your thoughts about this. On another note, it is interesting to me that, as fellow congregants have begun to sniff "trouble" with respect to my wife and me, we have become more and more objectionable as candidates for church office. Admittedly, we have never spoken openly about the spiritual journey that we've been on (we simply haven't found a sense of peace about sharing the information yet). It's ironic that others seem to sense that we are headed down a different path. Maybe it's our MANY comments indicating that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Also ironic is the fact that I have taken employment as the minister of music for a Methodist Church and the Methodists have offered me more freedom to provide spiritual leadership despite doctrinal differences than have the Adventists (in the church where we are members). All of this is perplexing. Any thoughts? | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 408 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have a friend who has had this same experience...I am copying and pasting your post to her and will reply back when she gets back to me...in the meantime, welcome! | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 177 Registered: 7-2004 |
TDF, Welcome to this forum. I hope and pray that you and your wife will be blessed by the fellowship you find here. God is so good to have provided, for those of us struggling with these issues, a safe place of unconditional support and love. Your story sounds eerily familar...my husband and I struggled with the exact same points in question and impressions that you and your wife are going through presently. We thought, at the time, it was just our little "backwards", conservative, small-town SDA church. Sooo...we uprooted our children and moved to SDA-ville where we had many different styles of SDA churches to chose from...it has been an eye-opener for us! They are all the same. I am currently in a Bible study of Acts...what a marvelous revelation of standing up for Jesus! Those Apostles struggled with the same "SDA" mindset from within the church. How sad it is to see the similarities but how marvelous it is to witness God's presence throughout all the persecution and hardships. It has given me such a hope to cling to during this particular journey I am on (my parents have not called me for several months since I had the courage to share my convictions of leaving Adventism - btw, I have to call them and it seems so cold and unloving - they refuse to discuss anything SDA or Biblical with me). TDF, stand firm in Jesus. I am praying for you and your wife that God's leading will give you strength as you study and grow in Him. | ||
| Vchowdhury1 Registered user Username: Vchowdhury1 Post Number: 65 Registered: 7-2004 |
Hi Tdf, yes, welcome to our forum. I know how you feel about members of your sda church "sensing" that "something" is up when you begin your journey out or your journey to the biblical truth. Its strange, when I was on my "journey out" people in my church started giving me more duties and nominating me to more offices than before. So in my case it was the opposite. I think that this was also because they were "sensing" that something was up with me. I mean after all, people I think, can tell when your just not "Like" them anymore. Before this, when I was a "good little adventist", In my "click-ish" sda church, I couldn't even "buy" a position in my large church if I wanted to. So when I finally left the sda church, I simply abandoned my position as deaconess, "sabbath school" secretary, and "anniversary committee" coordinator. | ||
| Lydell Registered user Username: Lydell Post Number: 642 Registered: 7-2000 |
Welcome Tdf. Dd, one of the first books we really got back into after leaving Adventism (or while leaving I guess I should say) was Acts. It's a good place to go to discover just what it was God intended for His church. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 697 Registered: 3-2004 |
Welcome Tdf. This is where you and your wife belong at this time. My leaving was different than yours. But we all go through the withdrawal pains of Adventism when we decide to leave it. God is with you and will guide you, as He has each of us. I really believe we have an awesome God. Diana | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 64 Registered: 7-2004 |
Welcome TDF. I always avoided nominating committee (usually using job travel as a good excuse) and it sounds like I should be glad that I did. One comment I always had around nominating committee time was that it was the only time of the year that SDA pastors would talk about spiritual gifts. And usually the only time that they would talk about service for others. Emerging is a difficult and sometimes scary time. The prayers and support from everyone here are a wonderful blessing. Hope to see more of your posts. | ||
| Praisegod Registered user Username: Praisegod Post Number: 139 Registered: 3-2004 |
Welcome TDF. So glad you found your way here. When I knew that I was going to be leaving the SDA church, I was asked to serve on the nominating committee and I was very glad to do so. It gave me one last shot to advocate for the most gospel-oriented people. It was also very easy to keep saying ìnoî to anything anyone proposed to put my name on since I sensed I would be fading out rather than abruptly quitting.. Praise GodÖ | ||
| 33ad Registered user Username: 33ad Post Number: 89 Registered: 10-2004 |
Welcome TDF We are praying for you and your family in your struggle. May God, by His Holy Spirit lead you into all truth. When my wife and I were busy leaving the SDA's, I think they were so afraid of us, they didn't even send the pastor around to talk with us. So we left quietly out the back door. There is so much freedom in being redeemed by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He will never leave you. God Bless Loren | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 883 Registered: 12-2003 |
Welcome, Tdf! Your experience sounds familiar to me, too. Ironically, after we stopped attending the SDA church where we were members (admittedly it was very large and one could become lost in the crowd) Richard was called by the nominating committee for both the job of elder and of deacon. Amazing! Of course, he declined... As God leads you, you will discover more and more incongruence between the practices in your church and what you are discovering in the Bible. It is both disquieting and exciting. Don't be surprised if you alternate between days of feeling deep doubt and guilt and days of feeling immense gratitude and awe for Jesus who is calling you to Himself. These fluctuations are entirely normal--just keep returning to the Bible and prayer. God will keep your hearts safe in Him! Don't hesitate to ask any questions you wish! We've all "been there!" Colleen |
