Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 11, 2015 Members Share Posted July 11, 2015 Can anyone verify the statement that Pres. Ted Wilson has four armed body guards, and that he travels around using bullet proof cars?? This is a photo of the cars at San Antonio... it was posted on Facebook by a pastor's wife, along with the description of what they were. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 11, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 11, 2015 It was stated at Atlanta that he traveled around the convention center accompanied by armed guards. I was there. I noted him out and about and always accompanied by several males. But, I could not at that time determine if they were armed guards. I thought that was true. At SA I never noted President Ted out and about among the people. Perhaps he was. But, I did not see him. As to the cars: I do not know. Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 11, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 11, 2015 Interesting! I had no idea that the church was paying for protection services. Has he had death threats, I wonder? It also begs the question as to the presence of armed security at the GC. And if the armed guards provide protection for Pres. Wilson as he attends weekly church services. It would be an interesting study to see which denominations feel the need to provide armed security for their leaders.. I would imagine most do... Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 My understanding is that most denominations have security at their conferences or other events. Often the security may conceal carry as opposed to open carry which can confuse the issue. I am pretty sure that I read that Creflo Dollars church was holding a prayer meeting and an ex employee ran in with a gun and shot people. I can think of other instances where this has happened and I suspect this is why armed security are there. Still I concede that with the specific focus of the SDA on pacifism in war and the fact that many members that have refused to take up firearms in conflict, that the views of the SDA denomination may be being recalibrated on this issue. I would be interested to read a press release on this from the SDA if they ever did release one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 The SDA Church is not a pacifist denomination. A pacifist would not serve in the military in any position. The SDA denomination, in the U.S. encourages its members to only serve in the military in a position that does not involve the use of weapons. If the SDA church was pacifist, it would not allow its clergy to serve in the military as chaplains. phkrause, John317, Naomi and 1 other 4 Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hch Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Can anyone verify the statement that Pres. Ted Wilson has four armed body guards, and that he travels around using bullet proof cars?? This is a photo of the cars at San Antonio... it was posted on Facebook by a pastor's wife, along with the description of what they were. Body guards have been utilized to protect President Wilson. Not much info readily available online. http://news.adventist.org/all-news/news/go/2011-05-13/church-a-valuable-partner-in-strengthening-community-angolan-governor-says/ Quote His child Henry Bible student/Author https://www.loudcry101.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 I can say this, Elder Wilson sat behind me on the united airplane headed to Chicago, there were no body guards or extra security. I did see body guards around him at the Convention, and he should have them. Naomi, John317 and Kevin H 3 Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_Bishop Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 Joel Osteen came into the office I work at to renew his driver license. He had body guards. I reached out to shake his hand and he seemed kind of skittish. I kind of wished I had done that. I gave us several copies of a new book he had out then. As for President Ted Wilson I think he should have armed security. This world is crazy. Kevin H, Naomi and Stan 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 Yes, I think that his use of armed body guards is limited and probably mainly to major SDA events, such as the GC session. With tens of thousands of people present, you can expect a few crazy people. Kevin H and Naomi 2 Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted July 13, 2015 Share Posted July 13, 2015 When I was at the Memorial for Linda Mccartney, Paul's first wife, I was standing beside Steven Segal, he can well take care of himself, and he had 5 bodyguards with him, as too many nuts want to prove they are tougher then him. When I met with Mohammad Ali in San Diego 30 years ago or so, he had 4 armed bodyguards, interesting that they were all Adventist. Why should Elder ted have to defend himself for the loose canons? Kevin H, Raphael and Naomi 3 Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerr Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 Or is this a living demonstration of a lack of faith? Did GOD not promise us a bodyguard? That nothing can happen to us without His permission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 (edited) Yes, Gerry, it is the same lack of faith that causes us to seek medical advice from physicians, insure our homes and automobiles, and seek the services of police. God could provide for everyone of those and more. On my first day in a new country, I walked into the grocery store. As I entered, I noted a shot-gun armed guard at the door. In that country, the local SDA Church discussed hiring a guard to protect my car in the parking lot. (NOTE: I had an old Ford, and I told them it was not necessary as thought that my car was the only one that needed protection.) In another country the local Conference was located in the nation's capitol city. Conference officials thought it necessary to employ guards to protect the office, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I can understand why some might think it necessary to protect President Ted at events such as the GC Session in SA. Yes, I saw the same cars as are in the picture above. But, I do not know if they were armored. Edited July 13, 2015 by Gregory Matthews Naomi and JoeMo 2 Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerr Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 Yeah, Greg, I struggle with this issue (among other things, see also the thread - Has God promised more than He could/would deliver?). When are we lacking faith & when are we being presumptuous? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 It is faith that causes us, in the name of God, to go to places where we may be in danger--I have been in combat. It is presumption that causes us to forgo appropriate protective measures and planning for the unexpected. Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators lazarus Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 If something happens to Wilson there would be resounding inquiry as to why he didn't have protection. He needs to get all the protection that is deemed necessary. D_Bishop, Kevin H and Naomi 3 Quote Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence. Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kevin H Posted July 13, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 13, 2015 As every character is being fully developed we are becoming either more like Christ or more like Satan. Today we live in a world where protection is needed. Naomi 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 13, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 13, 2015 If folks are okay with armed guards for President Wilson (I'm okay with that), why are so many against having people with legal concealed weapons in church? Sojourner 1 Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Naomi Posted July 13, 2015 Administrators Share Posted July 13, 2015 If they are legal, not against...... A couple of years ago a friend of mine's mother was conducting services in her Pentecostal church when a man came in walked right down the isle and promptly blew her face off. Walked back down the isle and out the door. What would have changed if one person there had a gun and permit and the wherewithal to react to the situation. And, NO, no one knew the person who shot her. Just a side note Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 If folks are okay with armed guards for President Wilson (I'm okay with that), why are so many against having people with legal concealed weapons in church? I am interested to hear the answer to this also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 REALLY? Carry a gun in Church just in case you get to use it? there is only 1 developed country in the world that allows that, and they kill more family members accidentally than intruders. Elder Wilson was a public target... as I said he flew behind me in the flight from San Antonio. I really doubt if this was his decision... JoeMo, Naomi and lazarus 3 Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hch Posted July 14, 2015 Share Posted July 14, 2015 As every character is being fully developed we are becoming either more like Christ or more like Satan. Today we live in a world where protection is needed. How many body guards will President Wilson have during the time of Jacob's trouble? Didn't Nehemiah refuse a royal escort because he thought that would display a lack of trust in God, or was that Ezra? Quote His child Henry Bible student/Author https://www.loudcry101.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gerr Posted July 14, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 14, 2015 It is faith that causes us, in the name of God, to go to places where we may be in danger--I have been in combat. It is presumption that causes us to forgo appropriate protective measures and planning for the unexpected. Did not God promise a military guard of angels for protection? Besides, our church's stand/recommendation has been for SDA young men not to bear arms, and then hire armed men to protect the church president? It seems like a denial of that promise. Sojourner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted July 14, 2015 Moderators Share Posted July 14, 2015 The stand of the denomination that you referenced related to military service. It does not relate to civil police functions which would include armed protection of President Ted. Kevin H 1 Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted July 14, 2015 Administrators Share Posted July 14, 2015 Seems like a denial of the promise to wear your seat belt... Seems like a denial of the promise to not look both ways when you cross the street. Seems a denial of the promise to grant us wisdom if we fail to use the brain God gave us. Word for the day - Presumption. In other words foolish faith. All of thes silly questions remind me of the old story of the man praying for God's help and protection during the flooding of his land down by the river. When the river overflowed its banks and the water began rising toward his house he prayed to God to keep him safe from the flood waters. A neighbor came by in his 4X4 truck and offered to drive him to the shelter. The man waved him on and said God would take care of him. When the water rose up to his house and flooded his ground floor he climbed up to his second story and sat in the window waiting for God to protect him. At that point a man with a boat came by and stopped to rescue him and take him to safety. But the praying man waved him on and said God will keep me safe. When the waters kept climbing he went to his attic and cut a hole through his roof and crawled out to sit on his roof. As the water crept up the rooftop a helicopter came by and they lowered a basket for him to climb into to be taken to safety. Once again he refused, prefering to trust that God would keep him safe. In the night the flood finally washed away his house with him and he drowned. When he met his Maker he was a bit upset and asked why God had not kept his promise and kept him safe from the flood. God looked at him and said, "I did, but you refused the help I sent you 3 times." JoeMo, GayatfootofCross, Kevin H and 1 other 4 Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted July 14, 2015 Author Members Share Posted July 14, 2015 sorry. I didn't think my questions were silly... I was surprised that Pres. Wilson had armed bodyguards. It struck me as incongruent with the views of many church members on weaponry. Gerr 1 Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.