Gordon1 Posted June 6, 2012 Posted June 6, 2012 huh ? What rules are you talking about? The rules that include the 50% vote you mentioned. Quote
Woody Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Originally Posted By: Woody huh ? What rules are you talking about? The rules that include the 50% vote you mentioned. The rules that govern church business - are found in the Church Manual. My manual is an older edition so I am not sure you will find it helpful. But the format has not changed a lot over the years. So I can direct you. But if you are really interested you will need to study the entire book. Here are a few snippets: p.45 ... "the church body should be asked to vote on their acceptance into the church, subject to baptism, which ordinace should not be unduly delayed." p. 65 states - "No names added or dropped without vote of the church". p. 129 regarding officers in the church: "The election is by the majority vote of those present and voting." p.163-4 titled "Majority Vote" - "Members may be disfellowshipped from the church or otherwise disciplined only by a majority vote of the members present and voting at a duly called meeting. And finally from the big hauncho - Ellen White in 5T p. 107: "The majority of the church is a power which should control it's individual members." Our church operates on the concept of a simple majority in all of it's voting. Having served as a church clerk - it was my responsibility to know the Church Manual. I was one of those church manual thumpers. Misbehave and I will knock you over the head with the manual. HA HA !!! Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Gordon1 Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Thanks Woody, That sounds familiar. It's some time since I looked at a Manual. Nothing there about baptismal vows. Maybe it's simply an SDA tradition. Quote
Woody Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 No - the vows are there. I just didn't quote the entire manual. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Woody Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 I should add a side bar. If you have a powerful pastor - or one that likes to assert his power : You will find that sometimes the pastor might try to dictate a different percentage for votes. I had one pastor who dictated 75% - 80% on some issues depending upon his mood. No thumping him over the head with the Manual - did any good. LOL Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Overaged Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 I should add a side bar.If you have a powerful pastor - or one that likes to assert his power : You will find that sometimes the pastor might try to dictate a different percentage for votes. I had one pastor who dictated 75% - 80% on some issues depending upon his mood. No thumping him over the head with the Manual - did any good. LOL So who are you going to thump over the head with your manual. lol Actually; you are too much of a gentleman to do that. You wouldn't do that would you? Quote "People [rarely] see...the bright light which is in the clouds..." (Job 37:21)"I cannot know why suddenly the stormshould rage so fiercely round me in it's wrathBut this I know: God watches all my pathAnd I can trust""God helps us to draw strength from the storm" - OveragedFaith makes things possible; it does not make them easy, Steps To Christ
Gordon1 Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 I had one pastor who dictated 75% - 80% on some issues depending upon his mood. No thumping him over the head with the Manual - did any good. LOL LOL - Some pastors are above the law. A wallet vote might convince them to follow the Church rules. Quote
Woody Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Better watch it Overaged. You are ripe for a good old fashioned 'thumping'. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Woody Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Originally Posted By: Woody I had one pastor who dictated 75% - 80% on some issues depending upon his mood. No thumping him over the head with the Manual - did any good. LOL LOL - Some pastors are above the law. A wallet vote might convince them to follow the Church rules. To be honest - I think that sometimes it is needed to have a strong support for the direction of the church. At times a simple majority is not enough. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Overaged Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Better watch it Overaged. You are ripe for a good old fashioned 'thumping'. Quote "People [rarely] see...the bright light which is in the clouds..." (Job 37:21)"I cannot know why suddenly the stormshould rage so fiercely round me in it's wrathBut this I know: God watches all my pathAnd I can trust""God helps us to draw strength from the storm" - OveragedFaith makes things possible; it does not make them easy, Steps To Christ
Gordon1 Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 To be honest - I think that sometimes it is needed to have a strong support for the direction of the church. At times a simple majority is not enough. Yes strong leadership counts. Quote
Nic Samojluk Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Gordon1 wrote: “Once there was a clause in the 27 Fundamental Beliefs about Ellen White's writings, part of the baptismal vow. Maybe it's been changed.” It is still there, but it clarifies that “the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested.” 18. The Gift of Prophecy: One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.) http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/fundamental/index.html Quote
Nic Samojluk Posted June 7, 2012 Posted June 7, 2012 Hey Nic, I understand your feedback about Jesus using the the plural "Commandments" in John 14:15; but I'm not going to try to split frog hairs four ways with you. I am still of the opinion that in the NT, Jesus prefers intmate relationship to blind obedience. I personally prefer having an intimate relationship with Jesus empower my obedience rather than relying on blind obedience as a condition for a relationship with Jesus. That's how it works with my wife and 7 kids; and I can't help but think that's how it works between God and His bride and 7 billion kids. But hey - that's just me. You are free to pursue eternal life whatever way it works for you. I also try to have an open mind, so I reserve the right to admit that I am wrong; and to change my mind (based on sound scriptural evidence) at any time. Blessings to you, JoeMo Here is my view: Love does not cancel obedience, and obedience does not cancel love. Quote
olger Posted June 8, 2012 Posted June 8, 2012 "IF you love ME, be disobedient." Sounds silly or blasphemous doesn't it? Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
JoeMo Posted June 10, 2012 Posted June 10, 2012 Yeah; I'm not gonna try to defend my spiritual position on this thread any more. God showed me today that no amount of quoting scripture or EGW will change any of our minds; only the revelation by God's Word and Spirit to our hearts and minds. Furthermore, God may have a different specific message for some of us than for others. Maybe he'll show me something to change my mind; maybe he'll show you something to change yours. In the mean time, He loves us all just where we are. See more on the thread "A Must for Every Christian" in the Theological Town Hall forum. Blessings to you all. Quote
Seventhlove Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Sorry to hear that! Our bodies are a temple of God and we should take care of it inside and out. Abstaining from tobacco is apart of the baptismal vows you'll have to make before baptism so that's the problem your pastor may have. He should try to work with you, pray, encourage you on your journey to quit. Quote
OzarkWoman Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 My goodness people. I already quit smoking. Right now I am not sure that I am willing to join that particular church because the pastor is going to another church and this church is getting a lay pastor that I don't particularly like. Quote
Woody Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Yeah; I'm not gonna try to defend my spiritual position on this thread any more. God showed me today that no amount of quoting scripture or EGW will change any of our minds; only the revelation by God's Word and Spirit to our hearts and minds. Furthermore, God may have a different specific message for some of us than for others. Maybe he'll show me something to change my mind; maybe he'll show you something to change yours. In the mean time, He loves us all just where we are. See more on the thread "A Must for Every Christian" in the Theological Town Hall forum. Blessings to you all. Well stated JoeMo Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Woody Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 My goodness people. I already quit smoking. Right now I am not sure that I am willing to join that particular church because the pastor is going to another church and this church is getting a lay pastor that I don't particularly like. All the more reason to stay at that church to counter the bad influence of the pastor you don't like. God just may be giving you a ministry there. Good Luck. Keep us informed. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Administrators Gail Posted June 12, 2012 Administrators Posted June 12, 2012 Thanks to all who try to stay positive while still learning! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Administrators Gail Posted June 12, 2012 Administrators Posted June 12, 2012 Overcoming evil with good (as the Bible puts it) is easier said than done, but well worth the effort, even if you don't get positive results right away. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Seventhlove Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 Sorry, guess I should read before posting. Quote
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