Pacific Union Pastoral Letter on Unity

[Gregory Matthews]

See:

http://atoday.org/pastoral-letter-from-the-pacific-union-conference-executive-committee-11-21-2016/

[debbym]

Just wonderful.  What a Thanksgiving Treat.

"

We are committed to equality in ministry, and we reaffirm the actions of this Executive Committee and the Pacific Union Conference that stretch back more than two decades affirming the mission-critical role of women in ministry. We support the North American Division in its renewed commitment to focus resources on the development and training of a significantly increased number of women in ministry.

Perhaps no issue has received greater focus in our life together as a people. We have sought the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and have acted under the conviction of God’s leadership. And God has blessed us! Our eyes have been opened to the needs of our community, to the immense task that has been given to us, and to the rich gifts of the Spirit that have been given to all of our people.  We have called on God to empower His church to respond to the distinctive needs of the communities and diverse population that He has placed within our care." ........

 

" As we have been called, so we call on every member, all who read this, and all those who share in this vision, to seek their place within God’s plan to transform and save the communities we serve and that He loves. Each of us is both disciple and evangelist. The variety of gifts and the diversity of our community are key to our mission effectiveness. We take seriously the words of God’s messenger, who wrote, “We need to branch out more in our methods of labor. Not a hand should be bound, not a soul discouraged, not a voice should be hushed; let every individual labor, privately or publicly, to help forward this grand work. Place the burdens upon men and women of the church, that they may grow by reason of the exercise, and thus become effective agents in the hand of the Lord for the enlightenment of those who sit in darkness” (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, July 9, 1895). As we have been called, so we call on every member, all who read this, and all those who share in this vision, to seek their place within God’s plan to transform and save the communities we serve and that He loves. Each of us is both disciple and evangelist. The variety of gifts and the diversity of our community are key to our mission effectiveness. We take seriously the words of God’s messenger, who wrote, “We need to branch out more in our methods of labor. Not a hand should be bound, not a soul discouraged, not a voice should be hushed; let every individual labor, privately or publicly, to help forward this grand work. Place the burdens upon men and women of the church, that they may grow by reason of the exercise, and thus become effective agents in the hand of the Lord for the enlightenment of those who sit in darkness” (Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, July 9, 1895).