2 Unions Respond to GC Call for Unity

[Gregory Matthews]

See:

http://atoday.org/adventist-leaders-in-both-west-east-united-states-respond-to-the-new-gc-guidelines-on-unity-and-structure/

[debbym]

again the voices coming from the North American Division are clear, decisive and seeing unity with the Holy spirit.

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"The letter again quotes White; “when a great and decisive work is to be done, God chooses men and women to do this work, and it will feel the loss if talents of both are not combined.” (Evangelism, page 469) It also quotes Philippians 1:6 from the New Testament; “he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

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

The letter also poses a number of key questions that, more than any of the other many documents and statements circulated at various levels of the denomination in the past couple of months, get the core of the current crisis in the organization. “How can we better address the realities of seeking to live in harmony with God’s plan in this time and place? What will be learn when we confront the difficult questions raised by a faith that is relevant? What happens when we are honest and thoughtful about theology and the Christian life? How shall we approach conversations about our emotional selves, and the feelings that accompany every aspect of our life together? What can we do together to create better understanding with those whose convictions differ from our own and with whom we may simply disagree? Will we listen to each other? Will we be open to the Spirit of God to minister to us individually? Will we be open to God?”

The Columbia Union Conference executive committee voted last week to affirm the response to the GC document voted by the North American Division executive committee in October: “While we wish to register our vigorous disagreement with the intent of the document, we do not wish to respond impulsively. Therefore, in light of this document, we move to authorized NADCOM [the division governing committee] to appoint a subcommittee to craft a thoughtful path forward.” "