Sojourner Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 I went over the list of previous Presidents of the SDA and was surprised to see that the only people that have been President of the SDA have been white males? Considering the explosion of growth of the SDA in all countries I did wonder why there has not been a President from an Asian background or non english speaking background? Do the SDA have an official answer for this question if it is ever brought up for discussion? Considering the sheer growth of the SDA in China, is it not likely that God might wish to raise up the next President from there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B/W Photodude Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 While a president from out of the NAD or the Euro Division might be a good thing, I am not sure that choosing someone of a specific country for it's political benefits is a good thing. Really is best for the delegates to choose for reasons other than political advantage such as ability and record. Of course, the promptings of the Holy Spirit should be considered, however, I am not sure if anyone really believes in that anymore. Really sad. Quote >>>Texts in blue type are quotes<<< ***************************************************************************** And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy. --Shakespeare from Hamlet ***************************************************************************** Bill Liversidge Seminars The Emergent Church and the Invasion of Spiritualism Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Gregory Matthews Posted August 10, 2015 Moderators Share Posted August 10, 2015 It is believed that in 2020 the next President might be from another country. As a matter of fact, in 2010 a person from Africa was considered for President, but not selected. Quote Gregory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan Posted August 10, 2015 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Some are eager to restrict God from wanting someone not from Europe or the NAD. 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 lazarus Posted August 10, 2015 Moderators Share Posted August 10, 2015 I am not sure that choosing someone of a specific country for it's political benefits is a good thing. Why do you think the past presidents have been chosen? LOL. 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...
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted August 10, 2015 Members Share Posted August 10, 2015 sad to think that the SDA presidents would be chosen according to where they live, or their "political" leanings... Presidents are not generally representative of the people, be they church members, or employees of a company. Presidents/CEOs are usually chosen to lead and benefit the corporate body. He or she signs off on policies and economic dynamics deemed best for the corporation. Ideally, the President/CEO cares about the employees/members, but in a large corporation or church, that just doesn't happen, at least, not on a grand scale... 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...
pierrepaul Posted August 11, 2015 Share Posted August 11, 2015 I wonder if it is wise to have a president rather than a council of elders. Any time there is a titular president, focus is placed on the man. We see this in the US federal government, where originally the president was to be a figurehead, with real power concentrated in Congress. It didn't take long before all eyes were on the presidency. In the British Parliamentary system like we have in Canada, the Prime Minister is intended to be "primus inter pares", or "first among equals". It didn't take long before the PM became "first without equal". With our "presidential" system at the GC, all the talk about San Antonio was: Ted Wilson's election; the WO vote and how Ted Wilson "won"; and how Ted Wilson will deal with the aftermath. The world expects to see a man at the head of every organization. To the world, Obama, not federal Congress, not the 50 states, and not the people, are the USA. To the world, Tim Cook, not the board of directors, not the shareholders, is Apple Inc. To the world, the Pope, not the Bishops, not the priest and certainly not the faithful, is the Catholic Church. Is it necessary to have "someone in charge"? Would the work of the GC be chaos were there no president? Does the local church with a council of elders absolutely need to elevate one of their number to the position of "Head Elder"? Since the church is made up of imperfect humans, must we follow the human way of organization by always having one person as the "boss"? Unchained and Deaconess 2 Quote God never said "Thou shalt not think". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deaconess Posted August 12, 2015 Share Posted August 12, 2015 That reminds me of George Orwell's Animal Farm. We are all equal, just some are more equal than others. Sojourner 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unchained Posted August 21, 2015 Share Posted August 21, 2015 I wonder if it is wise to have a president rather than a council of elders. Any time there is a titular president, focus is placed on the man. We see this in the US federal government, where originally the president was to be a figurehead, with real power concentrated in Congress. It didn't take long before all eyes were on the presidency. In the British Parliamentary system like we have in Canada, the Prime Minister is intended to be "primus inter pares", or "first among equals". It didn't take long before the PM became "first without equal". With our "presidential" system at the GC, all the talk about San Antonio was: Ted Wilson's election; the WO vote and how Ted Wilson "won"; and how Ted Wilson will deal with the aftermath. The world expects to see a man at the head of every organization. To the world, Obama, not federal Congress, not the 50 states, and not the people, are the USA. To the world, Tim Cook, not the board of directors, not the shareholders, is Apple Inc. To the world, the Pope, not the Bishops, not the priest and certainly not the faithful, is the Catholic Church. Is it necessary to have "someone in charge"? Would the work of the GC be chaos were there no president? Does the local church with a council of elders absolutely need to elevate one of their number to the position of "Head Elder"? Since the church is made up of imperfect humans, must we follow the human way of organization by always having one person as the "boss"? I agree. The apostles certainly didn't elect a "president". The very nature of such an office makes it tempting to concentrate too much power in the hands of a single person. Ellen White did warn about "kingly power" in connection to the GC, and she also warned about centralization of the work in general. The more centralized we are, the more vulnerable we become. Just read about the Old Testament Kings and we understand why God didn't want such a system. If a person with great power falls, the consequences are so much greater compared to a system where the power is divided among many. Now, of course the GC president doesn't have unrestricted power, but it's still relevant to discuss if it's a good idea to appoint a single man as the spokesperson for the entire Church. Do we really need an Adventist "pope"? Kevin H 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Kevin H Posted August 22, 2015 Moderators Share Posted August 22, 2015 The General Conference president needs to be the CEO of the church. But they need to be fair. The Seventh-day Adventist church was created by people from different faith backgrounds who agreed upon a few landmarks and beyond those were free to study and grow and agree to disagree. Elder Wilson's father remembered that when he was the G. C. President. Sadly Elder Ted Wilson does not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 I have to disagree, the Apostles did have a president although he may not have been elected in the manner that western culture would complete the process. The brother of Jesus, James was the head of the Apostles in Jerusalem after the resurrection of Christ. http://www.churchhistory101.com/century1-p6.php phkrause 1 Quote 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.