Should Conferences Be Allowed to Ban Speakers From the Pulpit?

[phkrause]

The question of banning certain speakers from the pulpits of Adventist churches is an interesting one, isn’t it? It’s also one that many would understandably prefer not to deal with. Bans can be messy affairs, with private turmoil and public rancor too often being par for the course.

https://adventistreview.org/perspectives/columnists/should-conferences-be-allowed-to-ban-speakers-from-the-pulpit/

[Gustave]

Years ago I had someone I work with tell me that their Church paid to have "Ron Jeremy" come to their Church to debate the queer pastor (of the Church) on the evils of porn. Ron Jeremy was arguing for porn and the queer pastor was arguing against it. 

I remember trying to process what I was being told and felt like it could cause me to have a stroke! 

I'm hoping that the governing body of SDA has the authority to ban certain people from speaking inside their Churches. Can you imagine having Ron Jeremy address your congregation while arguing the merits of porn while a buggerite pastor living with their same sex partner argues that porn is against the Christian experience? 

[Gregory Matthews]

The Local SDA Conferenced typically has the authority to ban specific people from speaking in Churches.  That is due in part to the fact that typic ally the Local Conference has ownership of the actual property in which the congregation meets.  There are few situations in which the congregation is meeting on/in property that is  not owned by the Local Conference.  That raises issues that are not easily answered.

In the end, the authority exists for a congregation to be expelled from the SDA Church.  That is seldom done today outside of it being done for a lack of membership.  I have personally been involved is such when the adults attending numbered 6 or 7, as I recall.

 

 

 

[Joe Knapp]

1. Add a section in the Church Manual specifically dealing with the banning of a speaker from all conference pulpits. This will give opportunity to provide specific guidance for what really is one of the nuclear options of Adventist policy. The magnitude of the public relations generated from such a ban, and the potential damage—even if entirely justifiable—it may do to a banned speaker’s reputation would seem to justify an additional section.

 

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I think this would be very helpful. It would set boundaries that everyone could understand. Cross the boundaries and run the risk. It could also establish boundaries for the conference.

I have heard of some people being banned for having opinions contrary to the conference leader. Clear boundaries for both sides would be helpful.

A very good article. He has many good ideas.

Interesting, that he is from the area in Michigan where the recent controversy over this topic is.