There has been new proof surfaced recently that even the EG White Estate has recognized that the work of Ellen White was that of a Minister.

“The time came however, when it was recognized that her work (Ellen White) was equal to that of a minister, and she was paid a salary as a minister of the gospel.” Arthur L. White The Ellen G. White Estate

Did Ellen White ever pastor a church? I don't think so!!!!!

???????????

And that statement means what?

No, she didn't pastor any single church, she pastored (shepherded) the whole church til her dying day. Your point?

Perhaps you wouldn't mind me asking what you think a pastor is and does?

There are a lot of ordained people that have never Pastored a Church...

Several Treasurers have been ordained over the years.. Some SDACC Presidents had never been ordained.. several conference presidents.... none of who ever Pastored a Church.

Ellen White gave herself the title of pastor which pastors were called at her time in history. Messenger. Seems pretty straight forward to me. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck - It's a duck.

Did James White ever pastor a church? Did Uriah Smith? How many ordained men never pastored a church? Back then or even now?

I think Daryl's point was that Ellen's prophetic ministry is often seized upon by those lobbying for Women Ordination.



Rejoice always,

oG

For a very good reason. God called a woman to that most significant role of spiritual leadership in the church. Why are some now trying to pretend that the call to pastoral ministry is somehow higher or more important than prophetic ministry so that it is only open to a certain class of people?

"God desires all to realize that they must be careful how they strive to control those who are doing his work. No one is to seek to bind the hands of God's instrumentalities. God has given to every man his work, and if his children will consecrate themselves to him, no one has a right to specify who is to work, or who is not to work. Let God work through whomsoever he will." {RH, March 29, 1898 par. 13}

Are we forgetting before God called Ellen White he called men?

God does not view humans as 'men' or 'women'. He views us as His servants.

While it is true we all are His "servants" there are clear distinctions and roles for each gender some of which are not easily switched or transfered to the othe sex!

Okay - I was speaking of spiritually, biblically and according to our witness.

Point well taken, however, for some strange reason they stopped doing that several years ago, at least in our Conference.

Where did Ellen White actually give herself the title of Pastor? Reference please.

Yes, that is my point.

Ellen White had and accepted an unique one and only type of calling that nobody else accepted, even though they were called to do what she accepted doing after she was called in their place.

What difference does it make? I have heard that by men since I was a child and it seemed to have been said as if God settled for something inferior in EGW.

Maybe God chose those men the same way He chose king Saul....We do note that God didn't choose James White, Bates, etc. Surely if God intended to choose a 'superior' over an 'inferior' God would have chosen one of the male pioneers!

I don't think there is much respect for the person EGW, a person who I find, in her personal life and thinking, to be absolutely awesome!

A very hard act to follow be it male or female making the attempt! God knew who and what He was choosing.

With all due respect, who gives him/herself the title of pastor today?

Good Points Teresa.

God knew BEFORE He asked the men that they would say 'no'.

But by asking them He demonstrated that the men have forfeited the opportunities and women are just as rightfully capable and suited.

Yeah, like the "role" in India for women to eat after their husbands finish eating, which usually doesn't leave them much, causing them to be undernourished.

Let's not confuse our own 'customs', our own way of seeing things, with the bible, or God's intent.

I did not in any way mean that God settled for one who was inferior. I do believe when God looks at us he sees our DNA our genetic makeup as well as our character or moral makeup. He had his reasons to choose EGW as unlikely a person as one could find to fill the role He had for her! God has a history of choosing what man would say was an inferior choice.

I do not see unisex promoted by the Bible. In fact the instructions God gave Israel after coming out of Egypt were quite the opposite. There have been men who abuse the position which God has given them. This is wrong on all counts. The word picture you paint is of a fat gluttonous husband eating well while his family is going without. There are sinful abuses perpetrated by both sexes. Does this legitimize a female with these deepseated axes to grind being placed in the pulpit? Perhaps to take them out through transference on the males in her conregation.

"unisex" has to do with clothes.

... but spectacularly on the wrong target.

DO we have a 'clothing' forum where these kinds of comments could go?

Tends to make certain texts really meaningful.

Word on the street is that Pennsylvania conference may have recanted their support for the CUC WO rebellion. Stay tuned and stay in Christ!


G

That would mean that they don't believe in the power of prayer.

Not necesarily

please - explain the alternatives then

Or maybe they had The Great Dissappointment!

It IS a great disappointment to see our Fundamentals so trambled that over 50% of our membership is not given the equality promoted in scripture.

I will ALWAYS go on the side of scripture.

Daryl Daryl Dayrl. You know as well as I that one does not have to have a church to be a pastor.

Did not EG White shepard the entire Church through her writings. Did she not win more souls to Christ through her writings than ANY SDA pastor did from their pulpits.

How many pastors do we have that are NOT a pastor of a church. I think Ted Wilson wins that nominination.

EG White was given ordination credentials twice by the Michigan Conference. True she did not have a laying on of hands but the ordination credentials are the real power in any case.

The EG White Estate has those documents.

The GC also gave her ordained pastor credentials. And I am sure the GC would not lie.

Finally - it should be noted that Ellen White made recommendations as to who should have ordained credentials.