| Author | Message | ||
| Bobbylog Registered user Username: Bobbylog Post Number: 6 Registered: 6-2006 |
Hello, aren't converts situation worse than those who have grown in the SDAism ...? generally, the church encourage quick decision to join without understanding the doctrine ....so, I think that is what makes the convert situation more difficult to leave because he doesn't understand the system and don't know what to do if he ever rejected it and want to walk out after joining ... what are your opinions on that ? | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 4195 Registered: 12-2003  |
Interesting question, Bobby. I suspect that converts have a different set of difficulties than do lifelong Adventists. I do think the fact that converts "don't know the system" serves to confuse them in a way life-long Adventists are not confused. My sense is that converts, especially if they have come in from real Christian churches where they have experienced worshiping with other true Christ-followers, will sense "something not right" in a way lifelong Adventists don't sense it. It may take them a long time to figure out what that is, though, especially if they have been convinced that Adventists are right about the Sabbath. Their struggle is between the sense that something is "off" spiritually while intellectually believing Adventism is accurate. Life-longers, on the other hand, don't usually have that same sense of something being spiritually wrong because they have nothing with which to compare Adventism. They do have, often, a sense of something being logically or intellectually wrong or "unworkable", perhaps more than many converts do, because they know more of the doctrinal and cultural assumptions (like the revered role of Ellen White, the implications of being a "generational Adventist", the salvational overtones of the "health message", etc.) than converts do. I think "lifers" have more intense identity and cultural issues than do converts, and converts may have more of a sense of things just not "fitting together". "Lifers" learn to rationalize the doctrines simultaneously with absorbing them; Converts come to believe the doctrines make sense because everything is not revealed. Each of these situations creates is own brand of cognitive dissonance. Colleen | ||
| Lynne Registered user Username: Lynne Post Number: 454 Registered: 10-2005 |
Bobbylog - When I was an Adventist, what I found to be more difficult as a convert to Adventism was the fact that I didn't have the "Adventist habits" - like keeping the Sabbath, eating vegetarian and the sense of religious educational superiority that I sensed many life long Adventists had. I would say as an Adventist convert, I felt it was much more an effort to get into the habit of being a good Adventist Transitioning out of the Adventist mindset, the conditions for salvation, what I thought to be the absolute truth, has been difficult. But Jesus alone, my freedom in Christ, my heartfelt deep inception of the Holy Spirit living in me and knowing with absolute certainty that I am saved now, this overpowers any obstacles left from Adventist teachings or struggles I am left with today. Colleen - I think it is true what you are saying about something not being right. I was around the Adventist church for at least a year before being baptized into the church. I wasn't converted from another religion, I grew up without religion. But something was always not right in the Adventist church. I just never could see exactly what it was. What I think ends up happening to the converts from my own experience is that they get the Adventist message, can't go to church because something isn't right, but must remain Adventist because we were taught the Adventist message leads to salvation, not just believing in Christ. Believing in Christ is what you start with as an Adventist, perfecting the Sabbath and being a good Adventists is what you strive for. This is what the Adventist church calls the process of salvation. For many years, I couldn't not be an Adventist because that was my way of salvation. But there was something wrong with the churches - I really thought it was more of an endtime issue. The end was near. Ellen said it would get worse and worse in the churches the closer to the end it was and I believed that. Lynne | ||
| 91steps Registered user Username: 91steps Post Number: 62 Registered: 8-2005  |
My wife and I were converts, she still is, I just did turn in my letter to the church requesting my name be removed from the books. We came into the church via Amazing Facts, the evanglist was Steve DeLong, really nice person. Anyhow, the first two weeks of meetings, maybe 3, were held in a high school auditorium well away from the church. Seemed to me like they wanted to get the hook firmly placed in our mouths before they revealed who they really were. That started me to thinking, and I should have trusted my gut insticts back then, instead of ignoring them. When it came time to make a decision, we were really rushed, they wanted to have as many baptisims as they could before Mr. DeLong left. I found out later that alls they care about is numbers, numbers, numbers. I hadn't been to church for years, lost interest after my Mom died when I was 14, and then some bad experiences in the Military really pushed me further away from God. But, the seminars drew me back to Him, for which I am glad. | ||
| Belvalew Registered user Username: Belvalew Post Number: 1050 Registered: 7-2004 |
There is no doubt in my mind that God uses many avenues to reach those who are His. Adventism in my background is a good thing. It awakened me to my need of a Savior, and makes me appreciate the true Gospel even more after having been through the motions of trying to qualify for it through the Law. | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 429 Registered: 2-2001 |
Recently I have been tempted to print up some brochures about who Adventists are and take them to the site they are holding their meetings and pass them out. With my luck I would get arrested at the request of my former church member for spreading the truth about SDAs  | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2629 Registered: 3-2004  |
Violet, Tongue in cheek of course, aren't we formers the ones who would persecute and kill the Adventists??? Seriously, what you can do is give brochures to local ministers about SDA beliefs. That is what God has had me do, occasionally. Or you can stick pamphlets under the wipers on the parked cars or if God tells you stand on the public side walk and hand out yor leaflets. What ever God wants you to do. He will let you know. Read my "want to share thread" at the top of the discussion list. God gave me the opportunity to talk to a baptist lady who had been to seminary. God will let you know what he wants you to do. He is Awesome. Diana | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 430 Registered: 2-2001 |
Diana, He is so awesome!! Regardless of what they think or White told them I love these people and want so deperatly to share my joy with them. I think of all the years I spent with them and my heart aches to think they are struggleing to "get it right". Wondering if the ones who do not go to SDA churches are feeling they are "lost". I guess I need to pray about getting over the scaredness of being rejected if I reach out. V |
