| Author | Message | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2006 |
This is my first post on this forum. My wife and I discovered Proclamation last August, studied our Bibles, and are leaving the SDA church for good. This is our letter of departure which I will email to all the pastors at CHC, the conference, and submit in person this week to the pastor's office. I (Martin) have been lurking and greatly enjoying all of your messages over the past five months, and the Tinkers encouraged us to post our letter here. River's post on Friday, "The problem with Adventism" provided a spur to get it done. Thanks, River. Dear Campus Hill Friends, We write this letter with a mixture of sorrow and joy, because we have been friends and members of CHC since 1999. This letter is to announce our departure from Campus Hill Church, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a whole. Firstly, we hold no resentment towards any pastor or member and do not feel abused in any way. CHC and the SDA church have many genuine Christ-followers. Secondly, it is for reasons of belief that we sought another church home. Last August, we began studying the Investigative Judgment. Previously we had seen the IJ as just a relic of the past that SDAs could brush aside. Our study revealed that this doctrine is crucial to SDA identity. The movement stands or falls on 1844, as Ellen White said. Then, while studying the judgment we discovered the beauty of the New Covenant Gospel, and its surpassing glory. Everything that had seemed obscure jumped out with clarity. We found that Jesus is the final and complete word of prophecy. We saw that the SDA pre-advent judgment and its modern mutations, contradict the plain words of Christ, ìwhoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.î This now has new meaning. Christís blood never defiles, but has blotted out our sins once and for all. We receive the final verdict the day we hear His voice and donít harden our hearts. You cannot rejoice in this news while under the disappointment and uncertainty of 1844. Weíve discovered that the new birth is His seal of ownership on us, with His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. This is assurance. There are many Adventists who love Jesus and have His Spirit, but still have a veil over their hearts when the Old Covenant is read. Whether they realize it or not, the words of Ellen White occupy the minds of every Adventist. As an SDA, one is allowed to question many things, such as Christís equality with God, the inerrancy of Scripture, and the atonement, but one cannot openly reject Ellen White. Ellen White stood for what the church needs to repent of: date setting, the shut door, and a Sabbath final test. In addition, her thousands of pages of threats and guilt lay as a yoke on our necks we could not bear. Our ìveilî was lifted when we discovered 2 Cor. 3, how we are liberated from that ministry of death that condemns men, written in stone, the Law. We died to that law that we might belong to Another. The Holy Spirit has shown us through much study and prayer that to have true rest in Jesus, we had to leave the 24-hour Sabbath. We donít ìkeepî Sunday; we keep a certain day called ìToday.î Faith in Jesus is the only testing truth for all our todays. We welcome any contact from our friends at CHC. You can call us at home______, or email us______. May God richly bless all of you. One in Christ, Martin and Sharon Carey | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5342 Registered: 12-2003  |
Martin! Welcome to official posting status! I'm so glad you've joined us! What an awesome letter. I just praise God for what He has done and is doing in your and Sharon's lives. Thank you so much for sharing with us! Colleen | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 363 Registered: 12-2004 |
Martin and Sharon, I too want to welcome you. Thank-you for sharing your witness of Christ's saving grace in such a kind and irenic letter. Your words are without malice, or contempt, and show a true spirit of new found assurance and joy. May God bless you as you come to know His peace. We of course are a NOSY bunch, and hope you will at some point, feel comfortable to tell us about yourselves and your journey. God bless you both as you savour God's rest and peace, Randy | ||
| Snowboardingmom Registered user Username: Snowboardingmom Post Number: 232 Registered: 11-2005 |
Welcome Martin (and Sharon)!! Good to "see" you! What an awesome letter you guys wrote. This is just the beginning. It just keeps getting better and better  . Thank you so much for sharing with us. Grace | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 417 Registered: 6-2006  |
Welcome Martin and Sharon! You're among friends. You wrote, "We found that Jesus is the final and complete word of prophecy"... What a wonderful way to describe Jesus. I pray that your letter blesses and inspires those who read it. Looking forward to getting to know you more! Leigh Anne | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 811 Registered: 8-2004  |
Welcome Martin and Sharon! | ||
| Esther Registered user Username: Esther Post Number: 370 Registered: 5-2004 |
Welcome to the forum Martin and Sharon! Your letter is wonderful and I praise God for the journey He's leading you on. He will NEVER fail you! | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 459 Registered: 9-2006  |
Dear Martin and Sharon, Thank you for your mentioning of my post ìThe problem with Adventismî. It is I that wish to thank you. At times I worry that I sound harsh, judgmental and unfeeling toward Adventist and nothing could be further from the truth. Some times I feel that I have hit too hard. After I read your letter and cried awhile, I rejoice in your being able to rest in Christ Jesus. It is a well written, Holy Spirit graced letter and may be the instrument in freeing others. May God shower on you his greatest blessings this day and every day and I want to leave with you this scripture from our Lord. (Mat 11:28 KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:29 KJV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Mat 11:30 KJV) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. His yoke is truly light and restful. Thank you so much for ministering to me today as I know you have ministered to all that post here. As our Sister Leigh Anne said ìyou are among friends.î River | ||
| Toria Registered user Username: Toria Post Number: 74 Registered: 2-2006 |
welcome Martin and Sharon. Thank you for sharing your letter. I pray it will indeed be (as River said) an instrument in freeing others. Blessings toria | ||
| Mwh Registered user Username: Mwh Post Number: 503 Registered: 4-2006  |
Hi there Welcome Martin and Sharon! So glad to see you writing here I pray that the Holy Spirit may reach some hearts within the SDA church, when they read your resignation letter. Grace and peace be with you in abundance, all the Glory to our Father in Heaven. PS If you can get someone to translate your letter to Spanish, ill post it on www.exadventista.com Your brother in Christ, Martin | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 11 Registered: 1-2007 |
Welcome Martin & Sharon, Thanks for sharing your letter and your journey. I loved the way you said: We saw that the SDA pre-advent judgment and its modern mutations, contradict the plain words of Christ, ìwhoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.î This now has new meaning. Christís blood never defiles, but has blotted out our sins once and for all. I still can remember the day 37 years ago when I for the first time understood the full meaning of the cross and the importance of Christ's blood blotting out my sins once and for all. No more worry that I wouldn't be good enough or that my life would be judged and I would have unconfessed sin and not make it to Heaven. I am so excited for both of you. Looking forward to hearing more of your story. Blessed | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3394 Registered: 3-2004  |
Martin and Sharon, All I can say is "ditto" to what every one else has written. It is so good to see God answering our prayers for the members of the SDA church. Please join us in our prayer circle on Friday at sunset and Saturday at 1 PM-Pacific time and what ever the time is in your time zone. Thank you for posting you letter and God bless you. We do have an awesome God. Diana | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 95 Registered: 1-2006  |
Martin abd Sharon Praise the Lord! Bob | ||
| Agapetos Registered user Username: Agapetos Post Number: 684 Registered: 10-2002  |
Welcome & God bless you, Martin & Sharon! Thank you for sharing your letter... I've seldom seen a letter cover so much so briefly yet thoroughly. Thank you again! | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 2 Registered: 9-2006 |
Thank you friends, for all your kind and thoughtful comments. This is a great Christian "virtual" and very real community. Sharon and I are seeing God's blessings every day like never before. River, you have communicated a strong sense of redemption, and I can really relate to that! It is more than just Adventism that I have been rescued from. I don't know if you are too harsh, I am still learning the level of the damage that has been done by the SDA system. Your humor is a blessing. We will put in our story soon, we are going to give a testimony to the FAF weekend group. Martin, I will see if I can find a translator. Please pray for our Adventist friends. We have some friends who are now wanting to come to the FAF weekend, but still have some uncertainties. He is so true! Martin and Sharon | ||
| Blessed Registered user Username: Blessed Post Number: 13 Registered: 1-2007 |
How exciting to hear that you will be attending the FAF weekend. Looking forward to meeting you there. Blessed | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 3399 Registered: 3-2004 |
Martin, I am looking forward to meeting you and your wife at the FAF weekend. God bless you. He is so awesome. Diana | ||
| Susans Registered user Username: Susans Post Number: 387 Registered: 8-2006 |
Welcome Martin and Sharon! I look forward to hearing more of your story, and praise God for His leading in your life! Blessings in Jesus, Susan | ||
| Martinc Registered user Username: Martinc Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2006 |
I delivered the letter in person to the church office with a copy for every pastor. That afternoon the senior pastor left a message saying that it was a wonderful, Spirit-filled letter. God is good. No doubt the pastors expect angry parting shots from anyone leaving their church. CHC has real dysfunction, to be sure. They have enormous financial problems, a mountain of debt requiring drastic remedies, and I do feel bad for them. I'm also aware that they will read this forum. Lord, bring your surpassing glory to CHC! And help me not to sit in the seat of the scornful. MartinC | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5364 Registered: 12-2003 |
Martin, how wonderful to get such a response! Praise God for helping you to write such a succinct and kind letter. Colleen | ||
| Lucybugg Registered user Username: Lucybugg Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2007 |
I would like to say that I'm new here. I haven't attended an SDA church since September. The Lord had told me to leave my church in September 2005, but I allowed my family and church family to talk me out of it. The result was the most miserable year of my life. Church duties I'd always performed with joy became burdens. Finally, I gave up and gave in and did as the Lord asked. Everyone at church thinks we left because we were angry or had hurt feelings. I'd made my position on Ellen White very clear, and so everyone knew how I felt about all the quotes and things. I would teach the SS lesson using only the Bible,and it was not appreciated. We received a letter from a fellow church member describing all the things she missed us doing at church. She asked us to overlook all the "old school" judgmental people and to get over our hurt feelings. I wrote her a letter explaining exactly why we left, and on Sabbath she asked for special prayer for me. They're all praying that the Lord will lead us right back to our church home. When the Lord initially told me to leave I thought He meant that specific church. In the past 2-3 weeks I've realized He meant the Adventist church. This is quite a shock to me as it is what I've always known. I realize now I can't differentiate between what Ellen White says and what is Biblical truth. I have a lot of searching and studying to do. | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 822 Registered: 8-2004 |
Hi Lucybugg! Yes you do have a lot of searching and studying to do, but it sounds like you're already well started: God is directing and you're following! Glad to meet you! I look forward to hearing more. Blessings, Mary | ||
| Bobj Registered user Username: Bobj Post Number: 112 Registered: 1-2006 |
Welcome Lucy! I'm glad you're here, and will be praying for you and your family. Leaving the adventist church was absolutely the best thing I could have ever done for my family--in their own quiet ways they have thanked me. One thing for sure, our kids know we are not pretending in our struggle for the gospel, and I think it has done much to help them see beyond adventism. You are safe in the arms of the Shepherd. Bob | ||
| Lucybugg Registered user Username: Lucybugg Post Number: 2 Registered: 2-2007 |
Thank you Mary! I'm a 4th generation SDA, and my hubby is a 3rd generation SDA. My eye opening began in 2000 when my hubby purchased for me a set of 3 large blue books that contained almost all of EGW's writings. I wanted to be a good SDA and be able to quote her like everyone else at church. The more I studied the more I realized how wrong she was. I continued to attend church and tried to ignore it. I finally reached a point where I could no longer ignore it and began to vocalize my feelings. I ask for prayers from everyone as I begin this journey. | ||
| Grace_alone Registered user Username: Grace_alone Post Number: 439 Registered: 6-2006 |
Welcome Lucy! ((HUG)) Leigh Anne | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 5386 Registered: 12-2003 |
Welcome, Lucy! I'm so glad you're here! I'll be praying for you, and I look forward to getting to know you! Colleen (Message edited by Colleentinker on February 06, 2007) | ||
| Randyg Registered user Username: Randyg Post Number: 365 Registered: 12-2004 |
Lucy, Welcome, to the FAF forum. All questions are fair game here, and there are a lot of helpful people to help steer you through the transition out of Adventism into the freedom of unadulterated Christianity. May God bless you in your journey, and as you deal with those who doubt your experience. We are all cheering for you, and are happy for you, as you find the Gift of Salvation in Jesus alone. Feel free to jump for joy, to rant or rave, to cry or smile. It is all part of the journey, and we have all been there. So lean on the collective shoulder that is our forum, when you need direction and encouragement. | ||
| Lucybugg Registered user Username: Lucybugg Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2007 |
I want to thank everyone for the support. I know there are steps that grieving people go through. It is like that when leaving Adventism? I was in shock at first, but now I'm angry. When I hear that they had special prayer for me at church, and that they prayed that the Lord would lead me back it makes me angry. I know I need all the prayers I can get, but I think it's rather pompous and assuming of them to pray THEIR will for me rather than the Lord's. Is there a step beyond the anger? | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 823 Registered: 8-2004 |
Yes Lucy, Many of us have gone through the same stages of grief with leaving Adventism that happen when there is a death or divorce. Here are links to a few of the messages here that have talked about it: http://rtinker.powweb.com/discus/discus/messages/11/1030.html#POST14527 http://rtinker.powweb.com/discus/discus/messages/11/1090.html#POST15399 Thank God that he does not leave us alone in our grief! Blessings, Mary |
